The largest international airport of the African continent will be built near Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Azernews reports citing foreign media.

According to Mesfin Taseu, CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines group, this airport will be established in five years near the resort town of Bishoftu (Oromia region), 17 km from the country's capital, and its area will be 35 sq.km.

The first phase of the new international airport is designed to serve 60 million passengers per year, and with the completion of the second phase, the passenger capacity will increase to 100 million.

Ethiopian Airlines has already signed a memorandum of understanding with DAR, an international consulting group, to design a new airport in Ethiopia.
August 10, 2024: The Yemeni Houthi rebels appear to have paid attention to the Ukrainian success at using USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) and are now using similar USVs for attacks on commercial ships moving north towards the Suez Canal. Commercial ships have no defense against this tactic and the British and American warships and combat aircraft in the area have been unable to find and destroy the locations where the USVs are manufactured and stored. Since February 2024 Americans warships and carrier aircraft have launched six missile attacks at rebel positions in Yemen. This did not inflict enough damage to halt the attacks. The USVs are relatively small and easy to hide. Attacks from ships and aircraft have been unable to find all the USVs.

Because the USVs explode at the waterline, the damaged ship portions quickly fill with water and the ship often sinks. Since November 2023 the Yemeni rebels have launched more than 70 attacks with missiles and USVs. The attacks are uncoordinated and often inept but quantity has a quality all its own and, so far, two cargo ships have been sunk and two ships captured and held for ransom by the rebels. One captured ship was released while the other remains in rebel custody.

The Iran-backed Shia Yemeni rebels have been a problem for over a decade. Iran still smuggles in weapons, despite a naval blockade. Iran accepts the losses to the blockade and depends on some of the smuggling ships getting through to keep them supplied with weapons for their attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Because of the attacks, maritime insurance companies have increased their premiums commercial ships moving through the Red Sea must pay. So far, the increased premiums have cost the shipping companies yearly half a million dollars per ship.

At the same time, Chinese owned ships have rarely been attacked and any attacks were accidental. As a result Chinese ships pay insurance premiums that amount to only a quarter of what everyone else is paying.
Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS  Free Report)  Zacks Research boosted their Q3 2024 EPS estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, August 7th. Zacks Research analyst D. Chatterjee now forecasts that the health services provider will earn $3.47 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $2.98. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services current full-year earnings is $15.96 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services Q4 2024 earnings at $3.92 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $15.40 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $3.61 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $3.77 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $3.96 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.07 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $15.41 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.44 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.63 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $18.40 EPS.

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Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.53 EPS.

Several other research analysts have also commented on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 7th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $189.00 to $226.00 in a research note on Monday, May 20th. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $198.00 to $236.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the stock from $162.00 to $219.00 in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $216.31.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $215.22 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is $192.45 and its 200-day moving average is $178.00. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $119.90 and a 12 month high of $219.61. The firm has a market cap of $14.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,253 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 18,526 shares of company stock valued at $3,903,983 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 16.10% of the companys stock.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.37%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.78%.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Universal Health Services, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. The company's hospitals offer general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic and coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services, and/or behavioral health services.

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The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $110.88.

A number of research firms recently issued reports on HIG. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $105.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 13th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Roth Mkm lifted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, April 26th. Citigroup downgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $116.00 to $114.00 in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $117.00 to $111.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 29th.

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Insider Transactions at The Hartford Financial Services Group

Institutional Trading of The Hartford Financial Services Group

In related news, EVP Michael R. Fisher sold 4,088 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.47, for a total transaction of $414,809.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,503,582.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bailard Inc. boosted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 0.5% in the second quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 19,378 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,948,000 after buying an additional 101 shares during the period. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC now owns 3,736 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $385,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the period. MV Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 8.9% during the 4th quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,416 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $114,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 28.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 519 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the period. Finally, United Asset Strategies Inc. grew its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.3% in the first quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc. now owns 2,931 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Up 0.7 %

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock opened at $108.20 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group has a fifty-two week low of $68.82 and a fifty-two week high of $112.65. The stocks fifty day moving average is $102.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $99.22.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The insurance provider reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.24 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 11.44% and a return on equity of 21.20%. The firm had revenue of $6.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.02 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.88 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that The Hartford Financial Services Group will post 10.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.47 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.74%. The Hartford Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 21.36%.

The Hartford Financial Services Group declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Thursday, July 25th that permits the company to repurchase $3.30 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the insurance provider to reacquire up to 10.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.

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Evercore ISI upgraded shares of B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS  Free Report) to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on BGS. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of B&G Foods from $9.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $10.00 target price on shares of B&G Foods in a research note on Wednesday. StockNews.com raised B&G Foods from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on B&G Foods from $10.00 to $8.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $8.88.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on B&G Foods

B&G Foods Trading Down 4.8 %

NYSE:BGS opened at $8.24 on Wednesday. B&G Foods has a 52 week low of $7.20 and a 52 week high of $13.15. The firms fifty day moving average is $8.43 and its 200-day moving average is $9.73. The firm has a market cap of $651.38 million, a P/E ratio of -5.72 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.58, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 3.22.

B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.08. B&G Foods had a positive return on equity of 8.33% and a negative net margin of 5.42%. The firm had revenue of $444.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $435.83 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.15 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that B&G Foods will post 0.77 earnings per share for the current year.

B&G Foods Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.22%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. B&G Foodss dividend payout ratio is currently -52.78%.

Insider Transactions at B&G Foods

In other news, CFO Bruce C. Wacha bought 5,200 shares of B&G Foods stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $8.59 per share, for a total transaction of $44,668.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now directly owns 91,328 shares in the company, valued at approximately $784,507.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other B&G Foods news, CFO Bruce C. Wacha bought 5,200 shares of B&G Foods stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $8.59 per share, with a total value of $44,668.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer now directly owns 91,328 shares in the company, valued at approximately $784,507.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Scott E. Lerner purchased 11,755 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $8.51 per share, with a total value of $100,035.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 189,144 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,609,615.44. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased a total of 141,955 shares of company stock valued at $1,218,453 over the last ninety days. 3.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of B&G Foods

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BGS. Savoir Faire Capital Management L.P. lifted its stake in B&G Foods by 37.5% in the 2nd quarter. Savoir Faire Capital Management L.P. now owns 528,250 shares of the companys stock worth $4,268,000 after purchasing an additional 144,146 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of B&G Foods by 33.9% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,918,418 shares of the companys stock worth $15,501,000 after purchasing an additional 485,714 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of B&G Foods by 71.3% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,640,354 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,254,000 after purchasing an additional 682,688 shares during the last quarter. ClariVest Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of B&G Foods during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,007,000. Finally, Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its holdings in shares of B&G Foods by 22.6% during the 2nd quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 83,901 shares of the companys stock valued at $678,000 after buying an additional 15,468 shares in the last quarter. 66.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

B&G Foods Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

B&G Foods, Inc manufactures, sells, and distributes a portfolio of shelf-stable and frozen foods, and household products in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company's products include frozen and canned vegetables, vegetables, canola and other cooking oils, vegetable shortening, cooking sprays, oatmeal and other hot cereals, fruit spreads, canned meats and beans, bagel chips, spices, seasonings, hot sauces, wine vinegar, maple syrups, molasses, salad dressings, pizza crusts, Mexican-style sauces, dry soups, taco shells and kits, salsas, pickles, peppers, tomato-based products, crackers, baking powder and soda, corn starch, nut clusters, and other specialty products.

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Shares of Horace Mann Educators Co. (NYSE:HMN  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the four analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $39.00.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on HMN shares. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of Horace Mann Educators from $37.00 to $35.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 28th. StockNews.com cut Horace Mann Educators from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 16th. JMP Securities reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Horace Mann Educators in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on Horace Mann Educators from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Raymond James started coverage on Horace Mann Educators in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. They set a strong-buy rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock.

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Institutional Trading of Horace Mann Educators

Horace Mann Educators Stock Performance

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Horace Mann Educators in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Horace Mann Educators in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $320,000. WESPAC Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Horace Mann Educators during the 4th quarter valued at $823,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in Horace Mann Educators during the 4th quarter valued at $667,000. Finally, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its position in Horace Mann Educators by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 23,986 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $784,000 after acquiring an additional 1,376 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.28% of the companys stock.

NYSE:HMN opened at $33.74 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $33.54 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.08 and a quick ratio of 0.08. The stock has a market cap of $1.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.63 and a beta of 0.27. Horace Mann Educators has a 1-year low of $27.81 and a 1-year high of $39.25.

Horace Mann Educators (NYSE:HMN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The insurance provider reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.01. Horace Mann Educators had a return on equity of 6.95% and a net margin of 4.26%. The firm had revenue of $388.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $288.67 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.03 earnings per share. Horace Mann Educatorss revenue for the quarter was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Horace Mann Educators will post 2.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Horace Mann Educators Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 13th were given a dividend of $0.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 13th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.03%. Horace Mann Educatorss dividend payout ratio is currently 87.18%.

Horace Mann Educators Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Horace Mann Educators Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an insurance holding company in the United States. The company operates through Property & Casualty, Life & Retirement, and Supplemental & Group Benefits segments. Its Property & Casualty segment offers insurance products, including private passenger auto insurance, residential home insurance, and personal umbrella insurance; and provides auto coverages including liability and collision, and property coverage for homeowners and renters.

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Barings BDC (NYSE:BBDC  Get Free Report) and Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, valuation, dividends and risk.

Volatility & Risk

Barings BDC has a beta of 0.67, suggesting that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Brookfield Asset Management has a beta of 1.57, suggesting that its stock price is 57% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Barings BDC and Brookfield Asset Managements net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Barings BDC 45.35% 10.77% 4.78% Brookfield Asset Management 49.36% 98.98% 67.65%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Analyst Recommendations

44.1% of Barings BDC shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.4% of Brookfield Asset Management shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of Barings BDC shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.0% of Brookfield Asset Management shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Barings BDC and Brookfield Asset Management, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Barings BDC 0 2 1 0 2.33 Brookfield Asset Management 1 5 5 0 2.36

Barings BDC currently has a consensus target price of $9.83, suggesting a potential downside of 1.37%. Brookfield Asset Management has a consensus target price of $42.46, suggesting a potential upside of 7.14%. Given Brookfield Asset Managements stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Brookfield Asset Management is more favorable than Barings BDC.

Dividends

Barings BDC pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.4%. Brookfield Asset Management pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Barings BDC pays out 84.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Brookfield Asset Management pays out 140.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Barings BDC is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Barings BDC and Brookfield Asset Managements revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Barings BDC $289.20 million 3.65 $128.00 million $1.23 8.11 Brookfield Asset Management $383.00 million 45.92 $451.00 million $1.08 36.69

Brookfield Asset Management has higher revenue and earnings than Barings BDC. Barings BDC is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Brookfield Asset Management, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Brookfield Asset Management beats Barings BDC on 13 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Barings BDC

(Get Free Report)

Barings BDC, Inc. is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. It seeks to invest primarily in senior secured loans, first lien debt, unitranche, second lien debt, subordinated debt, equity co-investments and senior secured private debt investments in private middle-market companies that operate across a wide range of industries. It specializes in mezzanine, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, ESOPs, change of control transactions, acquisition financings, growth financing, and recapitalizations in lower middle market, mature, and later stage companies. It invests in manufacturing and distribution; business services and technology; transportation and logistics; consumer product and services. It invests in United States. It invests in companies with EBITDA of $10 million to $75 million, typically in private equity sponsor backed.

About Brookfield Asset Management

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is a real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the operates in the hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, and sustainable solution sector. The company's infrastructure business engages in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data infrastructure sectors. In addition, its private equity business offers industrial, infrastructure, and business services sectors; and real estate business, which includes housing, logistics, hospitality, science and innovation, office, and retail sectors. Further, it provides credit business; and insurance solution in the reinsurance, annuities, operating platform, and investment solutions sectors. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. was incorporated in 2022 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Friday. The company provided EPS guidance of 1.530-1.530 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 1.440. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on NCLH shares. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 21st. Mizuho raised shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $21.00 to $24.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, Tigress Financial reissued a strong-buy rating and issued a $32.00 price target on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $22.38.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of NCLH stock opened at $15.74 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.19, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.24. The stock has a market cap of $6.75 billion, a PE ratio of 22.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 2.69. The businesss fifty day moving average is $17.94 and its 200-day moving average is $17.94. Norwegian Cruise Line has a 1 year low of $12.70 and a 1 year high of $21.73.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.38 billion. Norwegian Cruise Line had a net margin of 4.62% and a return on equity of 105.44%. Norwegian Cruise Lines revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.20 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Norwegian Cruise Line will post 1.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Zillah Byng-Thorne purchased 13,360 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 31st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $16.50 per share, for a total transaction of $220,440.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 13,360 shares of the companys stock, valued at $220,440. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.87% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Norwegian Cruise Line Company Profile

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean.

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Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by research analysts at Truist Financial from $275.00 to $300.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. Truist Financials target price indicates a potential upside of 17.92% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on PRI. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Primerica from $245.00 to $243.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. StockNews.com cut Primerica from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on Primerica from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Primerica from $239.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $266.75.

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Primerica Trading Up 2.0 %

PRI stock traded up $5.10 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $254.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 122,608 shares, compared to its average volume of 129,397. The company has a market cap of $8.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.48 and a beta of 1.09. Primerica has a 12 month low of $184.76 and a 12 month high of $256.56. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $238.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $236.18.

Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $4.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.47 by $0.24. The company had revenue of $803.38 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $748.88 million. Primerica had a return on equity of 27.35% and a net margin of 20.44%. Primericas quarterly revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.99 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Primerica will post 17.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, President Peter W. Schneider sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.44, for a total transaction of $341,160.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 11,759 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,674,466.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, President Peter W. Schneider sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.44, for a total transaction of $341,160.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 11,759 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,674,466.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.76, for a total value of $668,280.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 48,322 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,764,208.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.85% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Primerica

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of PRI. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Primerica in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,194,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Primerica by 47.9% in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 125,585 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,840,000 after acquiring an additional 40,647 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of Primerica during the 2nd quarter valued at about $71,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Primerica by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 637,753 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $150,880,000 after buying an additional 21,836 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group raised its holdings in shares of Primerica by 13.6% during the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 124,155 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,546,000 after buying an additional 14,904 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the companys stock.

About Primerica

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Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products.

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Shore Capital reiterated their buy rating on shares of WPP (LON:WPP  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports.

WPP has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on WPP from GBX 998 ($12.75) to GBX 990 ($12.65) and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of WPP in a report on Friday, June 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 920 ($11.76).

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WPP Stock Performance

WPP Cuts Dividend

LON:WPP opened at GBX 678.80 ($8.67) on Wednesday. WPP has a 1-year low of GBX 656 ($8.38) and a 1-year high of GBX 856.80 ($10.95). The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 741.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 760.71. The firm has a market cap of 7.33 billion, a PE ratio of 3,572.63, a P/E/G ratio of 13.47 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 190.55, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, October 10th will be issued a GBX 15 ($0.19) dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 10th. This represents a yield of 2.09%. WPPs dividend payout ratio is currently 20,526.32%.

About WPP

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WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.

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August 11, 2024: The Ukraine War was started by Russian leaders who thought it would be over quickly. It wasnt and the war is now in its third year. The fighting has led to the destruction of most modern Russian weapons. Russia lost several thousand of its best tanks in the first six months of the war. The Ukrainians were given many thousands of modern American and European portable anti-tank weapons which were used to good effect by not merely Ukrainian troops, but civilian irregulars. Russia was prepared to face a regular force, not a lot of civilians driving around in their cars, SUVs or pickup trucks with one or more of these anti-tank weapons in the back. Ukrainians were linked by their cell phones so most anyone someone who spotted a column of Russian tanks could share that information with other civilians armed with anti-tank weapons. The civilians would quietly show up dispersed where Russian tanks were and fire from a tree line or from inside a barn or next to a house. The losses inflicted by these irregulars made up a substantial portion of the 3,400 tanks Russia lost during their first year in Ukraine.

Twice as many other light armored vehicles were also lost, in addition to 2,800 towed or self-propelled artillery systems plus nearly 500 MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems), nearly 600 hundred aircraft and helicopters and over two thousand UAVs. About 5,500 trucks were lost, including fuel tankers and cargo transports of various sizes. The Ukrainian irregulars were particularly keen on destroying or capturing as many trucks as possible. Russian drivers often abandoned their trucks when their column came under fire, especially if the Ukrainian destroyed the first and last vehicle in a column. This was cue for the Russian drivers to run away and let the Ukrainians have the trucks. The captured vehicles had their Russian ID painted over and replaced with Ukrainian ones. The Russians lost so many trucks in Ukraine that by late 2023 they were requisitioning civilian trucks, vans and other commercial vehicles. These were often sent to Ukraine without receiving a new paint job indicating they were now military vehicles.

Russian troops depended on wheeled transport more than the Ukrainians because the Russians were the invaders and had to use road transport to sustain their troops. The Russian and Ukrainian railroads used the same equipment but the Ukrainians kept sabotaging stretches of Ukrainian rail lines the Russians had captured. That was easier than sabotaging roads and more difficult for the Russians to repair and keep repairing when the sabotage was repeated. There were not enough Russian soldiers available to guard the rail lines and few were assigned to provide security for equipment depots and repair teams sent out to some remote portion of track that was now inoperable.

All this transportation disruption left Russian soldiers short of weapons and munitions, or at least munitions that could be used in the weapons they did have. This led to a lot of weapons improvisation among Russian troops. Damaged BMP armored personnel carriers had their 73mm low-pressure short range cannons removed and mounted in trucks or in fixed positions. During the last year Russian soldiers have often been defending and mobile artillery was not as essential. So truck-mounted multiple tube rocket launchers were still useful when removed from the damaged truck they were mounted on. In other cases these rocket launchers could be mounted on another vehicle.

All these improvised weapons still had to deal with an unexpected innovation: UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) that fly low, slow and seek out targets. Ukrainian forces were the first to use cheap $500 quadcopter UAVs controlled by soldiers a kilometer or more away using FPV (First Person Viewing) goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the UAV can see. Adding night vision at least doubles the cost for each UAV, so not all of them have that capability. Each of these UAVs carries half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the UAV into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. This was an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the UAVs can supply, one of the UAV operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. Larger, fixed wing UAVs are used for long range, often over a thousand kilometers, operations against targets deep inside Russia. Since 2022 the use of UAVs by both sides has escalated and so far, over a million UAVs have been put to work providing surveillance and attack services for both sides.

The Ukrainians pioneered modifying existing UAVs to give them new capabilities, constantly develop new designs and build them in home workshops. The Ukrainian government encouraged this and put the more successful designs into mass production. This was often done in underground facilities that were safer from Russian detection and attack.

The Russian government was more bureaucratic and less supportive of troop innovation. Russian soldiers could improvise in the combat zone, which Russian military production officials rarely visited.
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Throughout history, musicians of different cultures have been coming together to create new and exciting things. Groups like the Chieftains spent decades blending Irish music with sounds from across the globe and this week Im going to be talking to the man behind a new show that blends the sounds of Ireland and India: Marty Coyle of Citadels of the Sun, who are performing in St. Augustines on the 23rd of this month.

I caught up with Marty recently to talk about the project and the show: Weve got two guests arriving from Rajasthan, Asin Khan and Sawai Khan, and the project itself is called Citadels of the Sun. Its a project thats been in development since 2019.

"It was originally a commission from Earagail Arts Festival for Irish artists to collaborate with artists from Rajasthan. That music was then showcased firstly as part of Earagail Arts Festival then we travelled out to Rajasthan to showcase it.

"Obviously the pandemic happened in the middle of all that but we kept in touch with the artists and wrote more music. Weve since been back in Rajasthan to showcase the finished show. Theyve been here once already this year. Weve showcased at Celtic Connections and sold out IMBOLC festival as well this year.

Speaking of the origins of the project: Paul Brown, a director from Earagail Arts contacted myself in late 2018 to run the idea past and see if it was viable. Hed already made a trip to India and met the director of Jodhpur Riff, Divya Bhatia, and those two pieced together this idea that theyd like to base some music upon the premise of the two sun forts, Grianan Fort here and Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan.

"They wanted us to compose music that would draw a connection between the two forts. It was very daunting to start off with because, firstly, Id never collaborated with Indian artists before, and how we were going to make the Irish music and instrumentation fit with Indian music. We kind of had to put music aside for a long time and talk about what we had in common culturally. Things like storytelling and what kind of stories were within the music itself and we began to write our own story that we could then base some new music on taking elements of Irish traditional and Rajasthan-y.

"Things like long form playing. Irish music can be very structured. We went inside the tunes and opened them up a bit to allow for the Rajasthan-y artists to play in the more long form, storytelling approach.

And thats it from Marty and Citadels of the Sun. The show is happening on August 23rd in St. Augustines and features support from the junior traditional platers from Acadamh Ceoil Chaoimhin Ui Dhochartaigh. James and Aiden Logue, Diarmuid Dobbin, Ciaran Colling and Cara, Orlaith and Coaimhe Culiffe, who recently competed in the Ulster Fleadh.

Now, onto other business. August seems to be the month for new releases, with lots of stuff coming from lots of great artists. This week sees the release of Ethan Hollans new single Valentine, which he describes as an exploration of new sounds influenced by the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones and Wolf Alice. The song is out this Friday (16th August) on all good streaming platforms.

Also this Friday, GRIM17 will be releasing a new collaboration with JJ Lovegrove, a cover of Radioheads Talk Show Host. GRIM17 (whos debut single, as far as I know, can still be found in Cool Discs), describes himself as a cacophonist and song-n-dance man with numerous albums,

singles, collaborations, remixes, mental health problems, substance abuse issue, and out-of-date accolades under his belt while JJ is an independent conceptual dark pop artist, mixing haunting vocals, delicately crafted lyrics & dark cinematic vibes. The single will also be available on all good streaming platforms this Friday, so play Ethan Hollan first, then add GRIM and JJ to your queue for up next.

Finally, SHASMAs latest single Peacefully Gracefully Wild was released on Friday last week and is the latest in a string of great songs from this band of three noisy introverts from Derry. This track is something a bit different from the group, with a slower tempo, acoustic nature and electric organ while still carrying their familiar grittiness and sense of dynamic. The song is out now, once again, on all good streaming platforms.

And now, after all that, time for the socials. GRIM17 can be found on Instagram @grim17again, JJ Lovegrove @jjlovegrove, Ethan Hollan @ethan_hollan, SHASMA @shasma.music and Citadels of the Sun @citadels_of_the_sun.
Pictured above: Liane Costello, Clean Coasts Biodiversity Officer, Agnese Santoro, Clean Coasts Communication Officer, Sinead Keogh, Clean Coasts Coastal Programmes Officer, Ciara Kenny, Scarlett Kenny, Aubrey Kenny, Bronagh Moore, Clean Coasts Coastal Communities Manager and Cathal Kealey, Head of Marketing and PR at Kia Ireland

The Big Beach Clean 2024 is back and Clean Coasts are asking volunteers from Louth to register to join the campaign. From September 20th to 22nd, volunteers across the country will gather to clean our beautiful beaches and contribute to a global effort to combat marine litter. This year the initiative is proudly supported by Kia Ireland.

In 2023, over 400 groups registered to host a clean-up, with 7,700 Clean Coasts volunteers removing a staggering 46 tonnes of litter all across the country.

After signing up, participants will receive everything they need to conduct a successful beach clean and carry out a marine litter survey, by filling in the Marine Litter Data Cards or using the Clean Swell App. As part of the Ocean Conservancys International Coastal Cleanup, individual and group efforts in Ireland will have far-reaching effects, contributing to global data and influencing environmental policies worldwide.

By participating in the Big Beach Clean and submitting the information on the types and quantities of litter collected, participants will help make Irelands voice heard on a global scale. The data collected by volunteers in previous years have informed national campaigns such as "Bin the Butt" and "Break Up With Plastic.

On a global level, this data, when shared with Ocean Conservancy, has driven significant policy changes worldwide, including banning of certain plastic items like bags and straws or the implementation of laws to prohibit smoking on beaches.

Bronagh Moore, An Taisce's Clean Coasts Manager commented: We are delighted to announce that registrations for the Big Beach Clean 2024 are now open. Every piece of litter removed and reported not only contributes to cleaner beaches but can lead to impactful campaigns and healthier oceans.

"Your participation in the Big Beach Clean 2024 helps amplify Ireland's voice in the global effort to protect our oceans. Its a powerful reminder of how local actions can lead to significant global impacts. Join us in making a difference!

Cathal Kealey, Head of Marketing & PR @ Kia Ireland commented: As a brand we are on a journey towards Carbon Neutrality and part of that strategy looks at the use of recycled materials in our vehicle production, and particularly the use of recycled ocean waste. By 2030, 20% of our vehicle plastics will come from recycled materials. Kia Ireland are delighted to be the official sponsor of the Big Beach Clean 2024.

"Our support will ensure that cleanup kits are distributed to all volunteers that sign up to registered cleanups across the country. In line with to our global clean up initiatives that are designed to combat ocean pollution, we would urge as many people as possible to register for their local beach clean this September.

For more information and to register, visit www.cleancoasts.org.
Mid-Louth Youth Service successfully hosted its fourth annual Pride event over the August Bank Holiday.

Organised and run by the staff and young people of Mid-Louth Youth Service, and hosted at the Dee Hub in Ardee , more than 150 people attended throughout a fun-filled day of live music and workshops.

Over 150 people in attendance on the day shows the massive community spirit and support, said Beth Carragher, a youth worker with Mid-Louth Youth Service.

We could never have imagined the event to be as successful in Mid-Louth as it has proved to be.

Every year when we sit back and reflect on Pride, we are always taken aback as to how many people showed up, not just members of the LGBT+ community, but also the wider communities of supporters.

Live music at the event was provided by David Joyce and Jonathan Fahy, while Maria Treanor of The Mystic Fox and Laura Metcalfe of Moo Movement both hosted hugely successful workshops on the day.

Wed like to thank our wonderful facilitators who go beyond our wildest dreams and deliver amazing workshops on the day of Pride, added Beth.

Maria from The Mystic Fox has supported our Pride event from day one. She has donated countless items for gift bags over the years, raffle prizes and her own expertise for hosting self-love and mindfulness workshops.

This year we also welcomed a new facilitator for Pride, Laura from Moo Movement. Laura very kindly offered her services to us this year and it was an overwhelming success with dancing, meditation and yoga.

We cant thank enough David and Jonathan for their music, and the energy, atmosphere and welcoming nature they bring to Pride every year in Mid-Louth.

Thanks also to Dee Hub for allowing us the space to host Pride year after year. The unwavering support Dee Hub offers the youth service has played a massive role in the success of Pride.

Beth also placed on record her gratitude towards Dundalk Outcomers and Cllr John Sheridan for their ongoing support, as well as Ged Nash TD, plus all of the local businesses that donated food, refreshments and prizes for the yearly raffle.

Read Next: Movie filmed in Dundalk and north Louth to have Dublin premiere tonight

Donations were made from the following: OBriens, who provided a selfie board plus face paints, Spar Ardee, John C. Kieran & Son Solicitors, Bliss Tea Rooms, Ufonez, Brew 22, ONeills Menswear, Life Pharmacy Ardee, Marks Pharmacy, McGoeys Pharmacy, OFlynns Allcare Pharmacy and Clear Cut Marketing.

Every year we are met with such kindness and generosity from local businesses and without them we couldnt host this event year after year.

Outcomers Dundalk were at the other end of the phone every day when we needed support. Thanks to them for the marquees, donations and gift bags.

Our final thanks is to Cllr John Sheridan. Pride in Mid-Louth would never be possible without your ongoing support.
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Little Nellie of Holy God, as she would later be known, was born Ellen Organ in Waterford on August 24, 1903, the youngest of William Organ (a variation of Horgan) and Mary Aherns four children.

When Ellen, known to all as Nellie, was a baby, she was dropped by a babysitter and suffered severe spinal injuries which left her in constant pain.

When Nellie was two, her father, a soldier attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery, was transferred to Spike Island in Cork Harbour, bringing with him his family. It was there that Mary, a deeply religious woman, fell fatally ill with tuberculosis (TB).

When Mary died, in 1907, William struggled to raise his four young children, all under the age of nine, and they were eventually placed in care. Nellie, then aged four, was sent with her sister to the industrial school run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Sundays Well.

Nellie was in the care of the nuns there for eight months and she spent most of that time in the infirmary.

As well as her severe back-pain, she was also suffering from whooping cough and caries, a rotting disease of the mouth which eventually caused her jaw to disintegrate. She had also contracted TB.

Precocious

A precocious child, Nellie impressed the Good Shepherd nuns with her religiosity, her devotion to the Child of Prague, and her belief that God was present in the tabernacle.

The nuns successfully petitioned the then-bishop of Cork, Thomas Alphonsus OCallaghan, to grant her the sacrament of confirmation, and then, two months later, communion, a sacrament then reserved for children who were over the age of 12.

When Nellie died, on February 2, 1908, the feast of the Purification of Mary, at the age of four years, five months and eight days, she was buried at St Joesphs Cemetery, Turners Cross.

Nineteen months after her death, the Good Shepherd nuns had Nellies body exhumed from St Josephs to be re-buried on their property. They claimed that when they opened her coffin, her body was perfectly preserved, and all signs of decay had disappeared.

Pilgrimage

Soon her new grave became a place of pilgrimage, with people who suffered disabilities visiting, and some claiming cures which they attributed to Little Nellies intercession with God. Tales of her piety spread to Rome, and Bishop OCallaghan began promoting the case for Little Nellies beatification. Pope Pius X asked for a lock of her hair and declared Nellie a sign from God, decreeing that the age of first communion be lowered to seven.

Pius died in 1914, and Bishop OCallaghan in 1916, and with them Little Nellies pathway to sainthood, but nonetheless, for much of the 20th century, her grave at Sundays Well was a pilgrimage site.

Even decades after the convent closed, and years after it has fallen into ruin, the faithful continue, even now that the site is largely inaccessible, to visit Little Nellies grave.

The grave of Ellen Organ, 'Little Nellie of Holy God', in the nuns' graveyard on the Good Shepherd site in Sunday's Well. Picture: Donal O'Keeffe

In 2015, the then-Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop John Buckley, called for Little Nellies exhumation, with a view to moving her remains from the closed-off Good Shepherd site to a more accessible venue.

As devotion grows to Little Nellie, we should ensure that maybe her remains are exhumed again, and placed in a more public place, where people could come and pray to her, he said.

When campaigners and survivors expressed concern that the bishop had made no mention of a mass grave of Magdalene women on the property, Bishop Buckley said he fully supported calls for that grave to be made accessible.

I would support calls to make the other graves there accessible to those who wished to visit and pray there and would also support calls that the graves would be maintained appropriately and reverentially."

The bishop also condemned acts of vandalism at the grave and said he hoped that the matter had been reported to the gardai.

Respect for the dead, their place of burial, and religious sites are fundamental to a civilised society and are fundamental aspects to our Christian belief, he said.

Nine years on, Little Nellie remains buried in the nuns graveyard, the Magdalene womens grave remains inaccessible, and no garda investigation into the vandalisation of their grave has ever occurred.

Burials on the Good Shepherd site

There are more than 140 people buried on the sprawling, overgrown grounds of the former Good Shepherd site, but we cannot know the precise number.

The most famous person laid to rest there is Little Nellie. The so-called unofficial patron saint of Cork is buried in the nuns graveyard on the north-east corner of the site, among the neat stone crosses and memorials which mark the resting places of the 110 brides of Christ buried there.

For generations of Cork people, the Good Shepherd convent was a place of pilgrimage, with Little Nellies grave the centrepiece, beneath a white marble plinth and a statue of the divine infant Jesus. Even today, there are plastic statues, candles, bottles of holy water, Mass cards, and even family photographs left on the grave.

The nuns graveyard has seen better days, and someone stole a plaque from Little Nellies grave recently, but the cemetery is still relatively neat and tidy, and fresh flowers appear there now and then, even if the entire site is at least nominally closed off.

Young people get into the convent ruins most summer evenings when the weather is good, and clearly someone still pays occasional respects to the women there who gave their lives in service of the Catholic Church.

Vandalised

There are other women buried on the site who gave their lives in service of the Catholic Church too, but we cannot be sure of how many there actually are, and flowers are seldom left at their final resting place, a repeatedly vandalised mass grave situated at the top of an almost inaccessible and dangerous climb.

Across the Good Shepherd site from the nuns graveyard, high up on its north-west corner, above and behind Cork Gaol, is a stone cross, broken into pieces, and a mass grave containing an uncertain number of women who died in the Magdalene Laundry.

The grave was unmarked until the late 1990s, when the order agreed to erect a headstone, following a campaign by a former resident of the laundry.

However, as reported by Conall O Fatharta in the Irish Examiner, four of the women named on the stone are also recorded as being buried, in two separate mass graves, at St Josephs Cemetery.

One of those graves was only discovered by Justice For Magdalenes Research in 2012, when they also found a grave at Kilcully Cemetery. That grave appears to contain later burials from both the Good Shepherd and Peacock Lane laundries.

The Good Shepherd convent was established at Sundays Well in 1870 and was completed in 1881, operating until 1977. During that time, in which the convent also served as a Magdalene laundry, an orphanage, and an industrial school, thousands of women and children were incarcerated inside its red-brick walls.

Newspaper records show courts sending women to the institution well into the 1970s. In one case, in 1932, the courts sent a woman to the laundry for the concealment of a birth for two years. She remained there for 46 years and is buried in the Magdalene plot at Sundays Well.

Burial records show that at least 188 women died while in the care of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Cork.

Crews from Cork Fire Brigade battle a fire at the former Good Shepherd convent and Magdalene laundry in Sunday's Well in September 2022.

In the years after the convent closed, the building and its lands were sold for development. First purchased by UCC in 1995, the eight-acre Good Shepherd site was subsequently bought by developer Pat Hegarty, who sold it to the Frinailla group in 2011 for 20m at market peak. When the site went on sale in May 2016, agents Savills noted its suitability for residential development, private hospital, retirement home or nursing home.

It was purchased by its current owners, Dundalk-based and Dublin-registered Moneda Developments Limited, in late 2016, reportedly for in excess of 1.5m.

In December of 2017, Moneda secured planning permission with the provision that its proposal for 234 apartments at the site be reduced to 182.

The company also had to make a number of changes to their plans in the interest of the areas visual and residential amenities.

At the time, local residents lodged more than 30 objections against the proposed development, insisting that the area would not be able to cope with an influx of hundreds of additional residents in an area already prone to chronic traffic congestion.

In 2018, Tom Coleman, spokesman for the Good Shepherd Community Action Group, told media that the development would create gridlock in the area. In the event, nothing was done, and planning permission for the site expired in December of 2023.

Fire crews from Anglesea Street tending the ruins of the former Good Shepherd Convent in Sunday's Well in Cork, some 12 hours after a fire broke out in the former Magdalene laundry, mother and baby home and orphanage. Picture: Donal O'Keeffe.

The Good Shepherd site has been on Cork City Councils derelict sites register since February of 2019 and has an estimated current market value of 1,850,000.

Earlier this month, following the latest fire in the ruined convent building, several local councillors called on Cork City Council to compulsorily purchase the site, with a possible view to using it for some form of social housing.

The Echo was unsuccessful in attempts to contact Moneda Developments.
Taoiseach Simon Harris will deliver this years address at Beal na Blath to mark the 102nd anniversary of the death of Michael Collins.

The Michael Collins Commemoration is an annual event which takes place at Beal na Blath, near the village of Crookstown, to honour the memory of General Michael Collins, the Irish Revolutionary leader who was shot at this location on August 22, 1922 at the age of 31.

More than a century after his death, scores of people continue to visit the Michael Collins monument at Beal na Blath to pay tribute, and each year, a commemoration is held at the site of his death on the Sunday closest to August 22.

Address

The Beal na Blath Commemoration committee announced on social media that the Fine Gael leader will play a key role in commemorating Collins by delivering this years address.

Mr Harris will become only the third serving Taoiseach to speak at the annual commemoration event, which will take place on Sunday. August 25 at 3pm.

Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD will deliver this years address at Beal na Blath to mark the 102nd anniversary of the death of Michael Collins.



Commemoration will take place on Sunday August 25th at 3pm. pic.twitter.com/TEIYgCVcKE  Beal na Blath Commemoration (@BealnaBlath22) August 8, 2024

The address last year was delivered by former RTE Northern editor Tommie Gorman, while both then Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar addressed crowds the previous year for the centenary commemoration.

More than 12,000 people attended the centenary event, the first time leaders of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael delivered the address together.

In 2009, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson gave the oration, and in 2010, then Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan Jnr became the first Fianna Fail person to deliver the address.

In 2012 on the 90th anniversary of the death of Collins, then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny gave the oration, the first serving head of government to do so.

Delighted

Cork City South West Fine Gael councillor Garrett Kelleher, who has been chairperson of the Beal na Blath Commemoration Committee for the past seven years, said that he was delighted that Mr Harris was to attend the ceremony.

We look forward to hearing the Taoiseach's reflections on the beliefs, hopes and achievements of Michael Collins and of his own perspective on the challenges being faced by the state and the wider world today, over 100 years after the death of Michael Collins.

In accepting the invitation to speak, An Taoiseach Simon Harris said: It is an honour to be asked to Beal na Bla to speak at the 2024 Michael Collins commemoration.

Every year, we go to the site of the ambush and gather together to remember what Michael Collins gave to Ireland and, with his death at just 31-years-old, to consider what could have been.

Ireland is a modern, free democracy and this year I will reflect on the ambition we owe to our children and to our heroes like Collins to, in his words, always do the 'right thing in our own conscience'.
Almost 3,900 properties in Fermoy and its environs are in the process of being connected to high speed fibre internet by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and will now be able to access the network at minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second.

In a statement, the NBI said that approximately 82,000 homes in Co Cork had been included in the intervention area to enable homes, businesses, farms and schools connect to high speed internet provision and described the proposed 314m investment required as the biggest in rural Ireland since rural electrification.

Construction works are underway to connect 3,856 homes, farms and businesses in the Fermoy deployment area.

According to the NBI statement, over 1,300 premises in this area can connect to the NBIs high speed fibre broadband and it will be available to more than 2,500 other premises in the near future.

Website

The company is calling on people in the Fermoy area to visit the NBI website to sign up for notifications regarding when they can connect.

Network build works are also continuing across Cork including almost 5,800 premises near Clonakilty, scheduled for connection next year.

This latest advance brings to 30,239 homes, businesses and farms in Co Cork that can order or pre-order high speed reliable broadband and there have been 10,257 connections to the NBI network so far in the county.

The chief executive office of NBI, Peter Hendrick, welcomed the latest extension to the NBI network in Cork and gave a breakdown where the premises who can now avail of a connection are located.

According to Mr Hendrick, there are almost premises near Youghal capable of connecting to the NBI network, nearly 9,600 in the Midleton vicinity, 4,800 in the Carrigaline area, over 6,500 in and around Templemartin, another 4,000 in Kanturk and over 2,100 in the area around Rathmore.

This will enable those who connect to experience the life-changing benefits of high-speed broadband with minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second, said Mr Hendrick.

We are working hard on the ground to progress other areas of the county through engineering survey, design and construction phases.

We are encouraging Cork residents to visit the NBI website to check their Eircode and sign up for updates.
Childcare fees may increase by 30-40% if the Government do not increase funding for services, as a Cork Sinn Fein TD says the latest funding scheme isnt fair to parents or providers.

It comes as many parents in Cork received letters from their preschools or creches saying that they have applied for the ability to increase their fees, leaving them uncertain of how much they will have to pay.

The Association of Childhood Professionals, Childhood Services Ireland/Ibec, the Federation of Early Childhood Providers and Seas Suas said in a statement that nearly half of all childcare providers may be forced to leave core funding.

Core Funding

The groups, which together represent 80% of the childcare providers in Ireland, both community and private, say that leaving core funding will result in an increase in fees of 30-40% for impacted parents.

They explained: It is becoming increasingly evident that a considerable number of childcare providers will need to withdraw from core funding to allow their businesses to survive.

While providers who signed up for core funding agreed to a fee freeze, it was done on the understanding that core funding would provide a stable source of income for their services, which they say is not the case.

They called for the next round of core funding to be co-created by the government and providers, saying providers are seeking a meaningful partnership with policies that are co-created with a clear understanding of what is required for the sector and the realities of operating within it.

Cork South Centrals Donnchadh O Laoghaire said: It is clear the implementation of the next phase of core funding is causing more confusion and worry than much needed financial relief. Providers continue to face rising costs and staffing shortages, whilst on the flip side parents are potentially seeing the Governments much lauded 25% fee reduction disappear.

Mr O Laoghaire said that parents and children are struggling as a result, explaining: The Government have made a commitment to families that their fees will reduce on average by 25%, families are relying on this. The information void the Department seems to be operating in is worrying, with no indication from Government how many services will apply for a fee review; how much they will receive under the cap of 33.50 and how long applications will take to process.

Difficult position

While accepting that many of the schools were operating at a loss and deserved the increase, the timing puts parents in a very difficult situation, he said.

We acknowledge and accept there are a number of services that have kept their fees incredibly low, some at 2017 levels, and it is absolutely right these services should be reviewed.

However, we are now nearly into August, when families are budgeting for the return to school costs, a huge financial burden for so many families, and they have now been thrown into chaos as creches have issued letters saying they will be applying for the fee increase.

This is more than bad timing, its unconscionable to leave parents and providers in such limbo. They have been promised fees would fall, while the reality may be the opposite for many.

He called for the Government to listen more and to appreciate the financial strain both service providers and families continue to face, saying that a Sinn Fein plan on childcare will be published shortly.
IF seven is the age of reason, then surely 15 is the age of curiosity.

I know that when I was 15, I was consumed by what is usually described as nosiness. I wanted to go all places, to experience all things.

If two shawlies had a squabble on Upper John Street, where I lived, I was sure to be there, and close up to the action, too, in order to hear every curse that was uttered.

I was a ripe plum ready to fall when my neighbour, Jimmy, called on me that fateful Monday morning of August 13, 1934, a day of the summer holidays away from the calm of the seminary at Ormskirk in Lancashire where I was studying at the time.

Paulie, said the excited Jimmy, my dad is after saying there is sure to be a blow-up in town today. It has to do with the Annuities and the seizure of cattle by the Government.

The cattle are to be sold in Marshs, Copley Street, and scores and scores of farmers are coming into Cork to stop the auction. He says there will be bloody murder, skulls split and bones broken. Lets get down there - quick!

Getting to town quick might mean a bus or a taxi for an adult, but for us impoverished teenage chisellers it meant relying on bangers.

This involved giving some cast-iron door-knocker a resounding wallop and then running off helter-skelter to escape the anger of an irate householder. Four such bangers along the way ensured that we got into town in as many minutes.

We made for Anglesea Street where, that summers day in 1934, a carnival atmosphere prevailed. Farmers were everywhere, leaning at ease against the walls of the abattoir and the Corn Exchange, or clustered together in small groups deep in conversation.

Though the morning was glorious, nearly all wore caps and were dressed in tweed suiting. They carried stout sticks in their hands but without any menacing intention that I noticed there and then.

Being naturally small, I realised I would not see a great deal unless I got above the nodding heads. So I sidled along by the boundary of the Model School and crossed the street, all the time gingerly avoiding having my toes crumpled by hob-nailed boots. I climbed 4ft up the Corn Exchange gate, that same gate that has been on the Grand Parade since 1885, giving entry to Bishop Lucey Park. There was no need to make room for Jimmy for he had got lost in the crowd.

My leather-soled shoes solidly planked on the gates cross-brace, my two arms gripping the uprights and looking in the direction of Copley Street, I saw a double cordon of Civic Guards linking Batemans pub with Mr Cantys garage, a human chain that effectively cut off entry to Copley Street.

Huge crowds at the funeral of Michael Lynch in Patrick Street

The Guards were being pushed and jostled by angry, excited farmers. There was a rising clamour of noises, shouting, whistling and cat-calling as the tension became more ominous.

Into sight from the direction of Parnell Bridge came an open-backed lorry, its engine roaring defiance. About a dozen men were aboard. A triumphant cheer from the gathered hundreds speeded their passage.

They drove relentlessly through the police cordon, scattering the men in blue, felling some and dislodging helmets that rolled like decapitated heads between the stamping feet of the sons of the soil.

That lorry continued on and on. No human chain was capable of staying its course. It crashed through the locked doors of Marshs Sales yard where it was fired on by members of the Broy Harriers, several men were wounded, one so seriously that he died later.

This development I did not see, for the huffing and puffing had become so intense that I realised that unless I got away, pronto, some other hot-headed protester in a second lorry might try to push his vehicle through my gate.

I dashed for the shelter of the Joachim and Anne Asylum and was glad enough to lie low in the grounds, concealed because I was frightened, although giving occasional peeps over the wall to keep in touch with what was afoot.

Enough was enough at this point and while the ambulance was busy removing the wounded to the South Infirmary, I made my way home.

There before me was my mother who listened, in the off-hand manner that mothers do to the blabbering of their children, as I excitedly told her about the events of the morning.

Well, said she, that should satisfy your thirst for excitement for the next 50 years of your life.

But it didnt. Minutes later I was out the door once more and heading for town.

As I stood all alone at one corner of St Patricks Bridge, a procession of farmers, all reciting the Rosary, wound its way along Merchants Quay and into the main thoroughfare of the city.

In the cortege was this great mountain of a man who, like the seafarer in the Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, held me with his glittering eye as he passed by and roared out: The murderers. The words stunned me, it was as if he had fired two bullets into my heart.

The Rosary was being recited because by now word had spread that Michael Lynch, of Carrignavar, had died from his injuries.

It was also being recited as an incantation of defeat, for the farmers knew that the 14 head of cattle seized from John Coveney, of Bishopstown House, and Michael Corkery, from Poulavone, Ballincollig, had been sold for 17.15.00 and that the entire body of protesters had been driven back from the sales yard over the bridge into the South Mall, where in order to escape the pummelling by baton and truncheon they had sought shelter in the maze of side streets.

I was not au fait with all this at the time, but something in the dejected demeanour of the men, some sense that they were victims, not victors, assailed me and in a chastened mood I turned my face to Shandon and struck for home.

But my day was still not over. Having rested and eaten, I was stirred to go back into town for one last observation of how the citizen was contending with the State, the farmer with the policeman.

Away down Mulgrave Road on my bike I went at top speed. Then disaster struck. Across my path came a horse and butt being driven lazily by a dozy farmer, who was returning to his cot in the country after his long day in the city. There was a crash - then oblivion.

My injuries, I have to say, were soon forgotten but ever since I have grieved that it was to the North Infirmary I was taken and not the South, for there I would have met the dozen or so who were injured in the Copley Street fracas on that memorable day. By an unlucky chance I missed my place in history.

Protester who lost his life was aged just 22

THE death of Michael Lynch in the Cattle Riots of 1934 sent shockwaves through the city.

He and his fellow protesting farmers had rammed the gate of Marshs Auction Yard with a reinforced truck complete with an iron hook, according to an article on the Irish Family Detective website, from where the photo on the left was sourced.

A special branch of the garda, known as the Broy Harriers opened fire and Lynch, 22, was fatally shot in the stomach. The Evening Echo reported that Lynch had been sat beside the driver of the lorry. The bullet went clean through the liver and spleen and emerging at the back. He was operated on in the South Infirmary hospital but died later that day.

Six other protesters were wounded by bullets and a further 30 men were treated in hospital for other injuries. In a reprisal, trees and telegraph poles were felled all over Cork. Ten men from north-east Cork were jailed for their part in these activities.

The funeral for Lynch attracted vast crowds and, at a time when the Blueshirts were riding high in popularity, added to the febrile atmosphere of the times.

Lynch was born on March 16, 1912 to Daniel and Hanora Lynch (nee Dunlea) in Lyre, Carrignavar, Co. Cork.

As recollected for the 2006 Holly Bough by Paul McSweeney, from Ballinlough Road, in an interview with Richard Henchion
Sunday, August 11, 2024

By most objective measures, the socio-economic development trend in Africa over the last several decades has not been positive. The vast majority of the continents countries have long suffered from political dysfunction and economic mismanagement that have translated into lack of basic services and high unemployment. Apart from the misery they have unleashed, these problems have triggered internal strife and various forms of violence in several African nations.

There are several underlying reasons for this sorry state of affairs, but the common thread is the effect that colonialism has had on the continent. Precious resources were plundered by European settlers and sent to their home countries. The colonial governors disrupted much of the local institutional architectures that existed in Africa prior to their arrival. When those rulers eventually departed, many of the newly independent nations not only had their cupboards stripped bare, they were also left rudderless.

Any society would struggle to function under those circumstances. Making matters worse, the colonizers, even after they left, found ways to undermine the indigenous governments that took their places. From their distant homelands, they managed to infiltrate Africas nascent political organizations, often finding willing African collaborators who helped sabotage most of the efforts their young nations were making to get on their feet. One purpose of this remote influence was to maintain access to some of Africas precious resources. In many cases, the local saboteurs ultimately ended up as the ruling classes in their countries. They have perpetuated many of the bad practices of the colonial governors. There are many Africans today who openly say that their current rulers are worse than the colonial ones.

Quite understandably, millions of Africans have become disillusioned. The continents young people see no bright future ahead of them at home and thus have emigrated in droves in the last couple of decades to Europe and elsewhere in search of jobs and better lives. The exodus has made an already bad situation much worse; Africa is drained of the crucial human resources it needs to develop. Rapacious politicians have stepped into that vacuum and made away with whatever little remained in national cupboards. It is the reason so many African countries depend on foreign aid for even the most basic of needs nowadays.

My close observation of the direction of many nations in Africa over the last couple of decades has sapped my confidence in the ability of the continent to sort itself out, at least in the near future. That is because Ghana, where I grew up, and its peer countries on the continent appear to have completely lost their way. They seem to be retrogressing progressively, even when much of the rest of the world has advanced quite nicely.

But lately, I have been heartened somewhat by the thought of Brazil, and how it has managed to transform itself from a once-colonized country to become a major player on the global stage today. If Brazil can make that leap, then there is hope that African nations could as well.

Brazil became an independent nation in 1822, after being colonized by Portugal for over three centuries. It is reasonable to assume that Brazil was victimized by colonialism in much the same ways that African countries were. There are of course regional, cultural, structural and several other factors that differentiate Brazil from countries like Ghana and Nigeria, which were similarly ruled previously by external powers. Nevertheless, it is important for Africans to take a close look at Brazil and learn from its history.

By current estimates, Portugals 2024 GDP (by purchasing power parity, PPP) is $486 billion, making it the fiftieth largest economy in the world. Its projected 2024 GDP per capita is $47,070 (PPP). The equivalent figures for Brazil are as follows: GDP of $4.3 trillion (PPP), which ranks the country as the eighth largest economy in the world, and GDP per capita of $20,809 (PPP).

In the 200 years that Brazil has been a sovereign nation, it has managed to build an economy that is nearly nine times the size of that of the European country that once colonized it. That is a highly impressive achievement. Although the average Portuguese is still a little over two times richer than an ordinary Brazilian today, it is quite clear that Brazil is on the right trajectory. Its population has not been rendered so hopeless as to make emigration the only option for large segments of it. Not many Brazilians are seen among the waves of migrants crisscrossing the globe nowadays.

Whenever I think about Brazil these days, the African country that readily comes to mind is Nigeria. Relatively, Nigeria is a much younger nation, having only gained its independence from Britain in 1960. It therefore still has a long way to go on its developmental journey. But, being quite similar to Brazil in terms of its land mass and abundance of natural resources relative to the endowments of its colonizer, Britain, one would expect Nigeria to show a great deal of promise to become a global powerhouse someday. Instead, the current picture in the country is quite depressing.

Nigeria is a major oil producer and a member of OPEC. That alone should be enough to make its citizens enjoy comfortable lives. But the World Bank estimates that 40.7 percent of Nigerians will live below the international poverty line by the end of 2024. Rampant corruption and incompetent management mean that a substantial portion of national wealth is either stolen or wasted by government officials. Tens of thousands of Nigerians are making treacherous journeys every year looking for economic opportunities in other continents due to extreme destitution. Their recent presidents have been among those in Africa who are regularly summoned, with begging bowls in hand, to attend economic summits in Washington, Beijing, Moscow, and Seoul. Because they are widely seen as ahuanfo leaders, these African heads of state, and by extension the countries they lead, dont get much respect on the world stage.

Whether we are individuals or nations, we regularly seek inspiration from others and places as we pursue our important life goals. Brazil has set an excellent example for African countries to emulate. Nigeria and its leaders should take note of that. If it manages to turn itself into an economic powerhouse in future, Nigerias fortunes would turbocharge economic growth on the African continent and bring prosperity to the millions who live there.
Sunday, August 11, 2024

SurpriseLand Grab

Ukrainessurprise incursion into the lightly defended Russian regions of Lipetsk andKursk prompted Russian President Putin to declare a state of emergency forthose regions.

Althoughthis invasion conducted by a handful of battalions does not in the least representan existential threat to Russia, it is profoundly embarrassing to Putinparticularly since those regions are a mere 320 miles southwest of Moscow.

Its thefirst time since June 1941 when Nazi Germany invaded Russia in OperationBarbarossa, the largest invasion in world history.

From amilitary tactical perspective, one can come to the conclusion that thismaneuver will thin out an already taxed Russian force in personnel andequipment and compel them to engage the invading Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainehas shrewdly calculated the regions to invade, and most importantly, those mosteasily to defend and hold. The aforementioned regions are defended byinexperienced conscripts and border control law enforcement, not thebattle-hardened Russian troops. For this reason, Ukraine has the advantage ofholding on to these territories for an extended period.

RealEstate Swap

However,I believe that the Ukrainian invasion is strategically political, not tacticallymilitary. Russia already occupies swaths of Ukrainian territory. Despiteoffensive efforts by both sides, the war remains at a stalemate.

SinceUkraine now occupies a modest piece of Russian territory, it enables Ukraine toleverage this real-estate as an important bargaining chip in the eventual peacenegotiations.

Justlike swapping prisoners of war (POW), Ukraine can swap sovereign Russianterritory in exchange for most, if not all, Russian held territory in Ukraine. Althoughthis exchange appears highly skewed in Ukraines favor, POW swaps are rarelyone for one.

PlausibleDeniability

US/NATOproclaimed that they knew nothing of Ukraines plans to invade theaforementioned Russian territories. Nonetheless, I believe the US/NATO wereindeed shocked, shocked  as Claude Rains as Captain Renault bellowed in themovie Casablanca about illegal gambling.

Bydenying their participation with respect to planning or preparation, it is moredifficult for Putin to claim that Russia had been invaded by the US/NATO. Evenin todays hyper-electronic surveillance age, it would not be far-fetched to believethat the US/NATO had advanced knowledge of such an operation, were informedface-to-face of the date and time of invasion and provided their tacitapproval.

Landfor Peace

Ibelieve that the Ukrainian leadership is gambling that Donald Trump will winthe US election in November. Because he has the best rapport of any westernleader with Putin, Trump, as a businessman, has more experience to reach apeace agreement.

Whobetter to negotiate a real-estate deal than the real-estate mogul himself, DonaldTrump? Hes had a lifetime of negotiating land deals with bellicose parties.

Russia,Ukraine, US/NATO and other influential parties have been formulating aframework for a peace agreement for many months. The remaining items are theterms & conditions, always the devil in the details.

TheUkrainian incursion provides considerable leverage in Ukraines favor and willincentivize Putin to surrender more territory because, politically, Putincannot afford to have foreign forces remain on Russian soil.

Conclusion& Takeaways

Ukrainesinvasion is a powerful sign that their military is not on their heels and thatthey are fully capable to counter-attack effectively elsewhere.

The questionis whether Ukraine can maintain and hold these regions until January 2025. Evena President-elect Trump would have a powerful influence on matters in Novemberprior to Inauguration Day.





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The Cerulean Council is a NYC-based think-tank thatprovides prescient, beyond-the-horizon, contrarian perspectives and riskassessments on geopolitical dynamics and global urban security.
More than 80 farmers from across the UK attended the industry's first shed talk event to look at ways to maximise their business and share ideas.

The initiative, launched by the NFU, was held at a family-run commercial beef and sheep upland farm in the South Pennines, Yorkshire.

Industry experts and farmers discussed food production, green finance, the environment and how they can make the most from their business now and for the future.

Guests visited Beeston Hall, which is a 2,000-acre Yorkshire Water tenanted farm, where the family specialises in pedigree Salers cattle.

They are one of the oldest known cattle breeds, identified by their thick mahogany red coats and ability to thrive on some of the UKs more difficult terrain.

The farm is also rich in wildlife, being part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Farmers heard that upland farms are important not just in terms of the food they produce, but also due to their unique countryside setting.

The family has special habitats on farm, blanket bog, heathland and acid grassland, which are all species rich and home to important upland birds such as golden plover, curlew, twite, dunlin and merlin, among others.

The event was held at NFU vice president Rachel Hallos farm, who warned that farmers were 'really struggling to make a living'.

She said: I was delighted to have so many farmers from different parts of the country come along to have a day on our farm and listen to our farm experiences as upland and tenant farmers, and also hear from a panel of experts.

With the changes to SFI and farm subsidies, ever changing weather conditions and running costs, a lot of farmers are really struggling to make a living.

"We want to host these events to share experiences and help each other make the most of our farm businesses.

Amelia Stratton, NFU head of member experience, said the event also gave people the chance to network with other farmers.

She said: Its so important to host events like these to share experiences good and bad on how to make the most out of farm businesses and explore different opportunities."

The NFU is hosting a number of shed talk events across the country over the next few months.
Kiran Rao's directorial gem, Laapataa Ladies, has already made waves with its heartwarming storytelling since its release on March 1, 2024. The film, praised for its portrayal of gender equality and the struggles of young women in society, continues to garner attention. Recently, it achieved an extraordinary milestone: a special screening at the Supreme Court of India.









On August 9, Laapataa Ladies was screened at the apex court as part of a gender sensitisation program, attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, his partner Ms. Kalpana Das, and other distinguished guests. Kiran Rao, who was present alongside producer Aamir Khan, later took to Instagram to share her elation. "We had the unbelievable honour of screening our film Laapataa Ladies at the Supreme Court yesterday," she wrote, expressing her deep gratitude to the CJI and his team. The screening commemorated the 75th year of the Supreme Court and was held in the court's administrative auditorium.



On August 9, Laapataa Ladies was screened at the apex court as part of a gender sensitisation program, attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, his partner Ms. Kalpana Das, and other distinguished guests. Kiran Rao, who was present alongside producer Aamir Khan, later took to Instagram to share her elation. "We had the unbelievable honour of screening our film Laapataa Ladies at the Supreme Court yesterday," she wrote, expressing her deep gratitude to the CJI and his team. The screening commemorated the 75th year of the Supreme Court and was held in the court's administrative auditorium.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is basking in the joy of being home after an intense shooting schedule for her upcoming film, The Bluff. The actress recently wrapped up filming in Australia and took to Instagram to share her excitement about returning to the warmth of her family. The post featured heartwarming snapshots of Priyanka with her husband Nick Jonas, their daughter Malti, and her mother, Madhu Chopra, celebrating the picture wrap.







In her heartfelt post, Priyanka expressed how special it was to have her family by her side during the final days of shooting. Its a picture wrap on The Bluff!!!  and to do it with my family by my side and the incredible people that made this movie possible is such a privilege, she wrote. She also gave a shout-out to the amazing crew and the stunning Australian locations that made the experience unforgettable.







Now, back at home, Priyanka is soaking up some much-needed family time before diving into her next project, the highly anticipated second season of Citadel. Fans flooded the comments with love, especially adoring the glimpses of little Malti and the joy on Priyankas face as she enjoys this homecoming.
EQS-Ad-hoc: Global Fashion Group S.A. / Key word(s): Bond/Agreement

Global Fashion Group S.A.: GLOBAL FASHION GROUP S.A.: GFG AGREES TO REPURCHASE A PORTION OF ITS OUTSTANDING CONVERTIBLE BONDS DUE 2028 (ISIN: DE000A3KMT51)



11-Aug-2024 / 08:17 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO, OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (THE "UNITED STATES") OR IN OR INTO ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. Disclosure of inside information according to Art. 17 Sec. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation - MAR) GLOBAL FASHION GROUP S.A.: GFG AGREES TO REPURCHASE A PORTION OF ITS OUTSTANDING CONVERTIBLE BONDS DUE 2028 Luxembourg, 10 August 2024 - Global Fashion Group S.A. (the "Issuer" or "GFG") announces that it has agreed today to repurchase EUR 110.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding convertible bonds due 2028 (ISIN: DE000A3KMT51) (the "Bonds") from three institutional investors. The purchase price per EUR 100,000 nominal amount will be EUR 85,000 plus accrued interest. The repurchased Bonds may be cancelled by the Company or held and resold. Following the settlement of the repurchase, an aggregate principal amount of EUR 319.3 million or 85% of the Bonds issued will have been repurchased and EUR 55.7 million will remain outstanding and not held by the Issuer. GFG remains open to considering other opportunities to repurchase its remaining outstanding Bonds. Person making the notification: Louise Pender, General Counsel & Company Secretary For inquiries, please contact: Saori McKinnon Head of Investor Relations & Communications investors@global-fashion-group.com press@global-fashion-group.com





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Disclaimer This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be construed as a promise of future results and developments and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Various factors could cause actual future results, performance or events to differ materially from those described in this announcement, and neither the Company nor any other person accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or the underlying assumptions. This announcement may not be published, distributed or transmitted, directly or indirectly, in the United States (including its territories and possessions) or any other jurisdiction where such an announcement would be unlawful. The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession this document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement does not contain or constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, an offer or invitation to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for, any securities to any person in the United States or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the laws of any state within the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States, unless registered under the Securities Act or offered and sold in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offer of the securities referred to herein in the United States.



About Global Fashion Group Global Fashion Group is the leading fashion and lifestyle destination in LATAM, SEA and ANZ. From our people to our customers and partners, we exist to empower everyone to express their true selves through fashion. Our three ecommerce platforms: Dafiti, ZALORA and THE ICONIC connect an assortment of international, local and own brands to a market of 800 million consumers from diverse cultures and lifestyles. GFG's platforms provide seamless and inspiring customer experiences from discovery to delivery, powered by art & science that is infused with unparalleled local knowledge. Our vision is to be the #1 fashion & lifestyle destination in LATAM, SEA and ANZ, and we are committed to doing this responsibly by being people and planet positive across everything we do. (ISIN: LU2010095458)

For more information visit: www.global-fashion-group.com

11-Aug-2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost, designer Amit Aggarwal talked about his new collection ANTEVORTA which was shown at the India Couture Week, how fashion is becoming localised, fashion vs style and most importantly the business of fashion. read more

Amit Aggarwal unveiled ANTEVORTA at the India Couture Week which was held recently in Delhi. Inspired by the Roman Goddess of the future who is always present at the time of birth, ANTEVORTA symbolises the timeless connection between time and the universe. The collection intricately weaved together philosophical, mythological, religious, scientific, and cosmological influences into a temporal narrative.

ANTEVORTA is an exploration of time through five distinct identities experiencing time in each fleeting moment, experiencing time as a one-way sequence, experiencing time as an eternal cycle, experiencing time as a conjurer, and as the center of equilibrium. In his collection he introduced new textiles and techniques, blending them with the brands signature style and philosophy to create a truly distinctive narrative. Amit believes that the fashion industry is going through significant transformation post pandemic.

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Edited excerpts from the interview:

Tell us about ANTEVORTA, your latest collection at the India Couture Week.

ANTEVORTA  our new couture line is named after the Roman goddess of the future. This collection delves deep into the concept of time, intertwining mythology with modernity. It features a harmonious blend of intricate craftsmanship and avant-garde techniques, creating pieces that are both contemporary and timeless. Each garment tells a unique story, capturing the essence of moments that are both fleeting and eternal, making the collection a true celebration of the past, present, and future.

What is your take on the revival of weaves?

Reviving traditional weaves is more than a trend; its a cultural and artistic revival. By blending these ancient techniques with modern fashion, we honor our heritage and the artisans behind these crafts. This approach preserves traditional skills, introduces them to a global audience, and creates a dialogue between tradition and contemporary aesthetics.

How local are we getting when it comes to fashion?

Fashion is becoming increasingly localized, with a deep appreciation for indigenous craftsmanship and materials. Designers are exploring regional techniques and histories to create pieces that are both authentic and globally appealing. This shift supports our local artisanal families and also minimizes the environmental impact of production. Its a harmonious blend of local heritage with a global vision, ensuring that each creation is unique and carries a piece of cultural history.

What do you have to say about the business of fashion, has it got any better especially now that the pandemic is over and things are looking different in the last two years?

The fashion industry has undergone a significant transformation post-pandemic. Theres a growing emphasis on sustainability and conscious consumerism. Shoppers are now more discerning, valuing quality and authenticity over quantity. This change has benefitted brands that prioritize ethical practices and craftsmanship. Additionally, the digital revolution has accelerated, making online platforms crucial for reaching a wider audience. Overall, the industry is moving towards a more sustainable and innovative future, balancing creativity with commercial success.

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Fashion vs Style, whats your preference and how is it different?

Style is paramount. While fashion is ever-changing, style is personal and enduring. Fashion reflects trends, but style is about individual expression and authenticity. Our designs blend these concepts, offering pieces that are both trend-forward and timeless, allowing wearers to showcase their unique style while staying fashionable.
Bandekar, who was a favourite of many Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sanjay Dutt, was in his early 70s read more

Veteran film photo-journalist Pradeep Bandekar died on early Sunday morning at his residence due to a heart attack.

Bandekar, who was a favourite of many Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sanjay Dutt, was in his early 70s.

He passed away at 2.30 am at his residence in Powai. He started feeling uneasy after he returned home from a family dinner in the early hours of Sunday.

His son Prathamesh immediately rushed him to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival by the doctor, a source close to the family told PTI.

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The last rites are underway, he added.

A respected name in the Mumbai media circuit, Bandekar  whose career spanned over four decades  had worked with several leading newspapers of the city.

Actors Ajay Devgn, Bipasha Basu, and Neil Nitin Mukesh paid tribute to the senior photo-journalist on social media.

Pradeep Bandekar jis passing is a personal lossHis decades-long bond with our family goes beyond the lens.He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. Om Shanti, Devgn wrote on X.

RIP Pradeep ji. strength to the family, Basu said in her Instagram Stories.

Pradeep ji you will be missed. Rest in peace, said Neil Nitin Mukesh on Instagram.
Chinas urban pet population will surpass that of young children by 2030, as per a Goldman Sachs report. This comes amid growing concerns over the falling birth rates in the country over the years read more

Chinas pet population will surpass that of young children by 2030. Representational Image/AFP

China will have more pets than young children by 2030, according to a Goldman Sachs report. The investment bank predicts the Asian giants urban pet population will start exceeding the number of infants and toddlers this year.

This comes as young Chinese are unwilling to have children, the report says. We expect to see stronger momentum in pet ownership amid a relatively weaker birth rate outlook and higher incremental household pet penetration from the younger generation, Goldman Sachs said in its July 28 report.

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Lets take a closer look.

Pet vs children

According to Goldman Sachs, Chinas urban pet population will be nearly double that of its young children by 2030.

The country will have 70 million (7 crore) urban pets by the end of the decade, while the number of children four and below will plunge to less than 40 million (4 crore), the bank reported citing data from Chinas National Bureau of Statistics, as per CNBC.

This is the opposite of 2017 when children aged four and under stood at 90 million (9 crore), compared to the urban pet population of about 40 million (4 crore).

According to the investment banks report, the increase in pet ownership would boost the pet food market to $12 billion by 2030. It predicts that cat ownership would be more than that of dogs as the feline needs less space to raise, reported CNBC.

China is witnessing a booming pet economy, including the sales of food, toys, healthcare and assorted services, as per South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Chinas urban pet population will be nearly double that of its young children by 2030. Representational Image/AFP

The China Pet Industry Operation Status and Consumer Market Monitoring Report from 2023 to 2024 found that Chinas pet economy could reach 811.4 billion yuan (US$113.6 billion) by 2025, a jump from 592.8 billion yuan last year and 295.3 billion yuan in 2020.

While pet ownership in China is rising, it is still far behind developed countries such as Japan and the United States. Japan has a pet population of about 20 million (2 crore), which is almost four times the number of children aged four and under.

Speaking to Business Insider, Lin Zhang, a University of New Hampshire professor who studies entrepreneurship and the digital economy in China, said, I am not very surprised to hear about Goldman Sachs forecast. We could observe similar trends in early developed countries in Europe and East Asia.

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She said pets play the role of companions for unmarried and childless youth, and senior citizens whose children live separately from them.

In general, I think Chinas going through a cultural transformation related to its rising living standards that people start to find cultural meaning in pets instead of treating them more as functional animals like in traditional agricultural society, Zhang said.

Chinas demographic crisis

Chinas declining birth rates have become a cause of major concern. The countrys population stood at 1.409 billion by the end of last year, a 2.08 million decrease from 2022.

China saw just 9.02 million births in 2023, the lowest total on record.

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Goldman Sachs forecasts that the Chinese population will shrink at an average rate of 4.2 per cent until 2030, driven by a drop in women aged 20 to 35 years. The unwillingness among the younger population to have kids will also impact the baby bust.

Experts blame the rise in plunging birth rates in China to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Asian giants economic issues and rising costs.

China, which was once the most populous nation, was overtaken by India in terms of population last year.

There are concerns that Chinas younger generation could shun marriages that could dwindle to a nearly 45-year low in 2024, reported SCMP.

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Although new marriages rose 12.4 per cent in 2023 from the previous year, more than half of people between the ages of 25 and 29 are still unmarried.

Marriage registrations peaked in the country in 2013 and had gradually dipped since then until last years increase, as per SCMP.

China is making efforts to arrest the decrease in birth rates by offering various incentives, such as giving cash gifts to newlywed couples and subsidising fertility treatments and childcare.

However, Chinese youth are not convinced to start families due to high financial costs.

Content creator Emily Huang, 29, told Business Insider in February that she is worried about how she would fund her retirement.

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I wouldnt choose to spend a part of my income on children because its expensive, Huang said. I feel like with my current level of income, I cant retire comfortably anytime soon.

With inputs from agencies
A luxury watch designed by an Albanian jeweller Pirro Ruco is set to compete with the best of its kind at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix slated to take place in November. Rucos rollercoaster rise mirrors that of Albania which has gone from poverty and isolation as the most closed communist regime in Europe to rollicking capitalism. Rucco has overcome jealousy, the secret police and being sent into exile to rise to the pinnacle of his profession. This is his story read more

A luxury watch designed by an Albanian jeweller Pirro Ruco is turning heads.

Rucos masterpiece is set to compete with the best of its kind at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix slated to take place in November.

The watchs design pays homage to Albania.

The timepiece it is set under a sapphire dome with the hours marked by 12 golden folk dancers set on Murano glass. The minute and hour hands are adorned with eagle talons  Albanias national symbol.

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Rucos rollercoaster rise mirrors that of Albania.

The country has gone from poverty and isolation as the most closed communist regime in Europe to rollicking capitalism.

Along the way, the jeweller overcame jealousy, the secret police and being sent into exile to rise to the pinnacle of his profession.

How did Rucos journey begin?

The jewellers journey began in 1985 when he was asked to make a medal in red and gold bearing the head of Enver Hoxha, the paranoid dictator who ruled the small Balkan nation with an iron fist for more than four decades. That saved me, he told AFP from his workshop tucked away in an alley in the capital Tirana.

The medals were awarded to the regimes most loyal supporters and later caught the eye of Hoxhas wife. The turn of fortune saw thousands more produced and worn by communist cadres across Albania.

Albanian artisan jeweller and founder of jewellery house Pirro, Pirro Ruco, poses for a photograph at his studio in Tirana. AFP

All the congressional delegates had to wear it. I made a name for myself with it, he said. It also saved him from the textile mills where he had been sent because his family had been deemed rebellious.

Rucos journey takes a dramatic turn

All this, however, was nearly derailed by an anonymous letter sent to authorities accusing Pirro of working with foreign agents.

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While was questioned by intelligence agents, his workshop was raided.

Down but not out, he was able to bounce back after crafting a ring bearing the image of the late husband of a member of the communist politburo and in July 1990 won a prize for a piece featuring Albanias 15th century national hero Skanderbeg.

But the very next day history intervened. The regime began to crumble and the collapse of Albanias communist rule in 1991 was followed by years of violent tumult as the country transitioned to a free-market economy.

Amid the ups and downs, Pirro stayed busy designing pieces for officials and celebrities. During a trip to Basel in Switzerland in 2016, something new caught his eye. I wanted to make a watch. It was my new dream, he told AFP.

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For the next five years, Pirro said he focused on doing something special, Albanian, and at the same time completely new and never before seen in the watch industry. The new timepiece which he calls Primordial Passion was designed in collaboration with the Swiss watchmaker Agenhor.

Pirro Ruco examines his hand crafted watch Primordial Passion at his studio in Tirana. AFP

I never wanted to make jewellery, but art, the jeweller said.Sculptures, images of the country, pieces of culture This watch is the culmination of all that, of this love for Albania, he added.

It is more than just a watch. It combines the rich heritage of ancient Albanian culture with the notion of chronometry. Pirro refuses to divulge the methods used to craft the watch but remains hopeful the painstaking details will be recognised by the judges at the Grand Prix in Geneva.

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Several collectors have already contacted him about buying the timepiece, he said, though it would be difficult to part with his creation.

I set a price because I had to. But for me, it is priceless.

With inputs from AFP
After being ousted as Bangladeshs prime minister, questions are being raised about Sheikh Hasinas future. Currently in India, its unsure where she will go next or if she will ever return to her country. We explain the Bangladesh crisis and more in our weekly wrap read more

Sheikh Hasina, who resigned as Bangladesh prime minister on Monday (5 August, has fled to India. Her son says that she will return to the country for elections. File photo/AP

From South Asia to the West, turmoil continues to grip the world. The week started on a manic note. World markets crashed, there was fear of Iran attacking Israel (it persists), and Bangladesh ousted its longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.

In the UK, far-right violence, which started last week after the Southport stabbing, continued to spread. On Thursday, as the country was expecting more rioting, anti-racism protesters took to the streets. But is trouble over? We have been following the story closely.

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In the US, Kamala Harris was officially nominated as the Democratic party candidate. The suspense over her vice president pick is over. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is her running mate. The two have already hit the campaign trail, which grabbed headlines for a joke.

All this and more in our weekly wrap from around the world.

1. The anti-government protests in Bangladesh took an unexpected turn. After weeks of demonstrations, an army coup followed. Sheikh Hasina, who was in power for 15 years, was forced to resign at a 45-minute notice. She fled the country in a military aircraft. But how did Bangladesh get here? We explain.

2. Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka in a haste. But where would she go? She turned to India like she had in 1975 in her time of need. New Delhi accepted her request in no time. While the Bangladesh leader was at first expected to make a quick stopover, her stay is now extended. Her UK asylum request is in limbo and the US has revoked her visa. We take a look at why India is a trusted ally of Hasinas.

3. Days after Hasinas ouster, a caretaker government is at the helm in Bangladesh. It is headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Can he bring stability to the country? What happens next? And will Sheikh Hasina return to politics? We explain.

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Protesters celebrate after news of Sheikh Hasinas resignation, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, (August 5). AP

4. The United Kingdom has been on edge. The stabbings of children in Southport triggered anti-immigrant riots across the country. Cars were set on fire, hotels housing asylum seekers were attacked and miscreants clashed with police. More than 450 have been arrested for violent disorder.

On Wednesday (7 August), 100 far-right marches were planned in Britain. The police staged one of their biggest mobilisations in history. However, the extremist protesters were overshadowed by anti-racism protesters. Whats going on in the country?

An anti-immigration protester speaks to police officers in North Finchley, London, on August 7, as anti-immigration groups targeted dozens of locations throughout the country following a week of rioting and disorder fueled by misinformation over a stabbing attack against girls. PA via AP

5. Ending days of speculation, Kamala Harris picked Tim Walz as her running mate. The Minnesota governor gained fame for giving the Democrats the Trump is weird strategy. He is said to have a sense of humour.

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In fact, in his first joint rally with Kamala Harris in Philadephia, he joked about his rival, JD Vance. I cant wait to debate the guy That is, if hes willing to get off the couch and show up, said Walz.

The Veep contender was referring to a post that surfaced online, saying Vances 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, included a passage about him having sex with a couch. The sofa story has gone viral now. But is there any truth to it?

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz looks on as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Wayne, Michigan. AP

6. Its 2024 and often it seems like the world is regressing. Iraq is proposing a law to reduce the legal age of marriage. The minimum age currently is 18. However, if the controversial legislation is passed, it would allow girls as young as nine and boys as young as 15 to wed. This explainer tells you more.

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7. Lets talk about space. Its where Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams is stranded. She went on a test mission with Barry Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station on Boeing Starliner on June 5. The duo were to return days later. However, more than two months on, they continue to be at the ISS.

The Starliner has developed glitches and now there is concern that it might not be suitable for the two to fly back on. What then? Nasa is considering other options, including Space Xs Crew Dragon. This would mean the two astronauts would be back on Earth only in February 2025. Heres why.

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Thats all for this week. Your Sunday reading list is ready. And if youd like to delve deep into the news with us, you can come back for more explainers here.
Arvind Kejriwal had on February 26 told the apex court that he made a mistake by retweeting the allegedly defamatory video related to the BJP IT Cell. read more

The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday a plea of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging a Delhi High Court order upholding the summons issued to him in a criminal defamation case for retweeting an allegedly defamatory video circulated by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in May 2018.

Know all about it in 9 points

*The case involves Delhi CM Kejriwal retweeting an allegedly defamatory video circulated by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in May 2018.

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*A three-judge bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna, Sanjay Kumar and R Mahadevan is likely to hear the matter in which Kejriwal has admitted that he committed a mistake by retweeting the alleged defamatory video.

*On March 11, the Supreme Court asked Kejriwal if he intended to apologise to the complainant.

*On February 26, Kejriwal acknowledged his mistake and discussed the possibility of issuing an apology on social media platforms. The complainants counsel suggested an apology via social media.

*The Supreme Court, on February 26, did not issue a notice on Kejriwals plea but inquired if the complainant wanted to resolve the matter given Kejriwals admission of error. The court directed the trial court not to proceed with the defamation case until further orders.

*The Delhi High Courts February 5 verdict emphasised that reposting defamatory content could attract defamation law consequences. The High Court highlighted the responsibility attached to retweeting and the potential legal repercussions if defamatory content is shared without a disclaimer.

*The high court, while refusing to quash the trial courts 2019 order summoning Kejriwal, had said when a public figure tweets a defamatory post, the ramifications extend far beyond a mere whisper in someones ears.

*The court had said if the act of retweeting or reposting is allowed to be misused as it is still considered to be a vacant grey area of law, it will encourage people with ill intentions to misuse it and conveniently take a plea that they had merely retweeted a content.

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*Kejriwal argued that the trial court did not consider that his tweet was not intended to harm the complainant. The complainant, Vikas Sankrityayan, alleged that the video titled BJP IT Cell Part II contained false and defamatory allegations.

With inputs from agencies.
Misris visit reflects the priority India attaches to its relations with Nepal and will be an opportunity to further advance the bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement ahead of his visit. read more

Misri will call on Prime Minister K P Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Nepal on Sunday for a two-day visit to discuss with Nepalese leaders and officials to explore ways to strengthen bilateral ties and advance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary of India @VikramMisri arrives in Kathmandu for an official visit from 11-12 August 2024. Warm reception by Nepal Foreign Secretary Ms Sewa Lamsal, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu said in a post on X.

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#WATCH | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrives in Kathmandu, Nepal on an official visit from 11-12 August 2024 at the invitation of the Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Sewa Lamsal. pic.twitter.com/E4wTUP1L6R  ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2024

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level India-Nepal bilateral exchanges & underlines Indias commitment to its #NeighbourhoodFirst policy, it said.

Misri will call on Prime Minister K P Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana.

The two Foreign Secretaries will discuss various matters on further strengthening Nepal-India relations and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation, the statement said, adding, Misri will also call on high-level dignitaries of Nepal.

There exists centuries-old cultural and people-to-people relations between Nepal and India and under Indian assistance, many big infrastructural and connectivity projects have been completed in Nepal and new projects are taken forward.

It has further strengthened bilateral collaborations between the two countries in the recent period giving momentum to the high-level exchanges, the statement said.

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With inputs from agencies.
Kejriwal hails first MLA of AAP in J&K as triumph 08 Oct 2024 | 11:26 PM New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday hailed AAP candidate Mehraj Malik via video call as he secured victory in the Doda assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir. see more..

Will not leave any stone unturned to fulfill aspirations: Modi after Haryana win 08 Oct 2024 | 11:16 PM New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday thanked the people of Haryana for voting teh BJP back to power and said he will not leave any stone unturned to fulfill their aspirations". see more..

Top most priority is to restore statehood to J&K : Congress 08 Oct 2024 | 10:04 PM New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The Congress on Tuesday congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for giving a clear manadate to the National Conference and Indian National Congress alliance in the Assembly election. see more..

BJP scores stunning Haryana hattrick, NC-Congress alliance gets majority in J&K 08 Oct 2024 | 9:22 PM New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday pulled off a historic third straight triumph in Haryana, virtually snatching victory from the claws of the Congress which was widely being seen as the potential winner in the Assembly election. see more..
By combining legal, technical, and ethical strategies, the global community can work towards a future where AI is used responsibly and beneficially, mitigating its potential for criminal use read more

AIs integration into criminal activities has gained ground. Deepfake technology, powered by generative adversarial networks (GANs), is used to create hyper-realistic forgeries of individuals voices and images, facilitating disinformation and manipulation during high-stakes events such as elections. AI enhances phishing and social engineering attacks by analysing large volumes of data to craft highly personalised and convincing content, increasing the success rate of these attacks.

AIs capability to process and analyse extensive datasets allows cybercriminals to identify system vulnerabilities and high-value targets, enabling precise and damaging cyber-attacks. This capability is often utilised by large criminal syndicates and state-sponsored actors, deploying AI to automate reconnaissance and vulnerability assessment phases of cyber operations. AI-driven malware and ransomware evolve dynamically using techniques like polymorphic and metamorphic code to evade traditional signature-based detection methods.

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Advanced AI algorithms enable malware to modify its code structure while retaining its functionality, thus avoiding detection by static analysis tools. Additionally, voice cloning technologies exploit deep learning models to replicate vocal nuances, enabling fraudsters to impersonate executives and authorize unauthorised financial transactions, exemplified by a case where a cloned CEOs voice resulted in a $240,000 heist.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence Crime (AIC) presents a substantial threat for governments globally. While a superficial analysis of an Artificial Agents (AA) design might suggest a specific type of behaviour, upon deployment, these agents often exhibit more sophisticated and unforeseen behaviors, particularly within a multi-agent system (MAS). For instance, a swarm of robots may develop novel methods for coordinating tasks based on simple programmed rules. Although such emergent behaviour can yield beneficial outcomes, it also harbours potential criminal implications if it diverges from the original design and purpose.

The non-predictability and autonomy inherent in AAs confer a certain degree of responsibility and trust complexity, raising substantial concerns about potential misuse in criminal activities. In MAS, the interplay among multiple AAs can lead to emergent behaviour that was not explicitly programmed. This phenomenon is well-documented in various studies, demonstrating how simple rule-based interactions can produce complex and unanticipated behaviours in robot swarms and other AI systems.

For example, a study by Dorigo et al (2000) on ant colony optimisation algorithms explains how individual agents, following simple rules, can collectively solve complex problems. These algorithms, inspired by the foraging behaviour of ants, demonstrate that decentralized, self-organizing systems can achieve remarkable efficiency and problem-solving capabilities without centralized control. However, when these principles are transposed to real-world scenarios, the emergent behaviour can diverge from its intended applications.

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This deviation poses significant risks, as it can be exploited for malicious purposes. For instance, the same mechanisms that enable optimization in logistics or network routing can be adapted by bad actors to coordinate cyber-attacks or conduct automated fraud. The self-organising nature of these systems makes them resilient and adaptable, traits that can, unfortunately, be leveraged to create sophisticated and hard-to-detect criminal operations, highlighting a critical area where the benefits of emergent behaviour must be carefully weighed against its potential for misuse.

Liability represents a significant concern in the context of AI in criminal activities, particularly as the autonomous nature of AI systems undermines traditional liability models and threatens the dissuasive and redressing power of the law. The introduction of AI complicates the establishment of clear actus reus (criminal act) and mens rea (guilty mind), fundamental components of traditional criminal liability. Traditional legal frameworks are designed around human actors whose actions and intentions can be observed, evaluated, and adjudicated. However, these frameworks face substantial challenges as AI systems become more integrated into criminal activities.

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One primary difficulty lies in attributing liability to AI systems. Autonomous decisions made by AI complicate the identification of a voluntary actus reus, as these actions result from intricate and often opaque algorithms rather than direct human intervention. The complexity of these algorithms can obscure the causal chain of actions, making it difficult to pinpoint responsibility. Additionally, the mens rea element is problematic because AI systems operate without human-like consciousness and intent. Traditional concepts of guilt and culpability are rooted in human psychology and intentionality, which AI systems inherently lack.

This absence of intentionality raises critical questions about how legal systems will adapt to new criminal behaviour involving AI. The ambiguity in legal responsibility necessitates a comprehensive re-evaluation of existing laws and the development of novel legal principles. Legal scholars and policymakers must consider whether AI systems can be held liable or if liability should be extended to the developers, operators, or users of these systems. Moreover, strict liability, where responsibility is assigned regardless of intent, may need to be explored in the context of AI-related offences.

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The technical challenges are compounded by the rapid pace of AI advancement, which often outstrips the ability of legal frameworks to adapt. Ensuring that the law effectively dissuades and addresses criminal activities involving AI requires a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating insights from computer science, ethics, and law. One should also flag that ex ante regulations for a system that one knows very little about become challenging.

Further, monitoring AIC involves significant challenges related to attribution, feasibility, and cross-system actions. The independent and autonomous nature of AIs blurs the lines of accountability, making it difficult to trace back actions to human perpetrators. The speed and complexity at which AAs operate often exceed the capabilities of compliance monitors. Their integration into mixed human-artificial systems further complicates detection efforts.

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Research by Brundage et al (2018) explains the difficulty of attributing actions to specific AIs in a networked environment. The study emphasises that AIs can act autonomously across various systems, making it challenging to pinpoint the origin of a criminal act. The rapid advancements hinder the feasibility of monitoring such systems in AI technology, which outpaces the development of corresponding monitoring tools.

AI systems are increasingly employed in cybersecurity to detect and respond to threats. However, as defensive AIs advance, so do offensive AIs used by attackers. Criminals can leverage AI to evade detection, create sophisticated malware, and automate attacks at an unprecedented scale and speed. This dynamic creates an ongoing arms race, with each side continually adapting to the others advancements.

Machine learning enables AI to enhance its performance iteratively by leveraging data and historical experiences. This adaptive learning capability implies that an AI engaged in illicit activities can incrementally improve its methodologies by analyzing its past actions. For instance, an AI system designed to perpetrate financial fraud can employ unsupervised learning algorithms to identify which strategies evade detection mechanisms, such as flagging systems and anomaly detection algorithms used by financial institutions.

By continuously refining its approach through reinforcement learning, this AI can adapt its behaviour to exploit system vulnerabilities more effectively, thereby becoming increasingly sophisticated and elusive over time. This presents a significant challenge for cybersecurity professionals, who must anticipate and counteract an ever-evolving threat landscape driven by self-optimising AI adversaries.

The interconnected nature of modern AI systems, which often interface with multiple other AI and non-AI systems, further complicates the detection and mitigation of malicious activities. Actions that appear innocuous within one system context may contribute to a larger, malevolent chain of events when combined with other actions in different systems. For example, an AI tasked with optimizing energy consumption in a smart building could be co-opted through adversarial attacks to create cascading failures in the power grid. The challenge lies in developing comprehensive monitoring tools capable of tracing these complex inter-system interactions to identify and mitigate potential threats.

Advanced techniques, such as multi-agent system analysis and graph-based anomaly detection, are essential for mapping the intricate web of dependencies and interactions. However, the inherent opacity of many AI decision-making processes, known as the black box problem, exacerbates this issue by obscuring the rationale behind AI actions, making it difficult to pinpoint the origins of malicious behavior and assign accountability appropriately.

To address the challenges posed by AI in criminal activities, a multifaceted approach is necessary, incorporating legal, ethical, and technical strategies. First, international cooperation is vital. Countries must collaborate to establish universal norms and regulations for AI development and usage. This includes creating global standards for transparency, accountability, and ethical design. Such standards would ensure AI systems are built with safeguards to prevent misuse and mechanisms to trace and disable AI involved in criminal activities. Establishing a global watchdog or regulatory body could help enforce these standards and coordinate responses to AI-related threats.

Additionally, a revised legal framework is needed to handle the complexities of AI-related crimes. This framework should consider the unique challenges of attributing liability in crimes involving AI, moving towards models that consider the roles of all parties involved in the AI lifecycle, from designers and programmers to end-users. This might include new categories of liability for those who negligently design or deploy AI capable of criminal activity. Legal systems must be agile enough to adapt to the fast-evolving nature of AI technologies, possibly incorporating AI itself to help monitor and enforce laws. Developing clear guidelines on accountability and responsibility will be crucial in mitigating AIs potential misuse.

On the technical side, investment in research and development of AI systems that can detect, mitigate, and counteract criminal AI activities is crucial. This includes developing advanced monitoring tools that can understand and predict AI behaviors and systems that can autonomously counteract malicious AI actions in real-time. Education and awareness are also key; stakeholders at all levels, from developers to the general public, must be informed about the potentials and risks of AI.

Finally, fostering an ethical AI culture is essential. Encouraging developers and users to adhere to ethical guidelines and consider the societal impact of AI can help prevent its misuse. By combining these legal, technical, and ethical strategies, the global community can work towards a future where AI is used responsibly and beneficially, mitigating its potential for criminal use.

Aditya Sinha (X:@adityasinha004) is OSD, Research at Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
While student protesters have played heroic roles in history, they have also been naive, morally questionable, and even dangerous, as have been seen in Bangladesh and around the world as well read more

What is next for Bangladesh after the coup against Sheikh Hasina? We do not know. But many in the media say that great things are about to happen. As for the attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh, liberals have gone to great lengths to make excuses. So you have to admit that the international public relations campaign around the coup has been superb. Much of this came from the fact that they chose to present themselves as protesting students. At some level, we all have this idea that student protesters, with fresh, young faces and new ideas, will make the world a better place. But is there any reason to assume that student protesters are better than everyone else? The answer is no, if you look at history.

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First, let us say the obvious. Yes, student protesters can be heroes. The students who stood up to tanks at Tiananmen Square in 1989 against the Chinese dictatorship certainly were heroes. So were the students who protested against Communist rule in Hungary in 1956. Until their protest was crushed by Soviet tanks.

But student protesters can also be morally bankrupt. In the 1960s, student protesters in the United States would greet each other with four-finger salutes. Why four fingers? To honour a crazed murderer called Charlie Manson who had attacked a Hollywood actress who happened to be pregnant at the time. After killing her, Manson had stuck a fork in her belly. The four fingers were a reference to that fork.

These students were members of a group called Students for a Democratic Society, or SDS. At the time, it was one of the largest campus groups in the United States, with over 100,000 members. They spoke of Mao, Che Guevara, and revolution. They seized control of campuses like Columbia, leading to battles with police. The SDS wanted to build a new society. They wanted to tear down everything that was old, including all kinds of morality.

Student protesters can also be incredibly naive. And they can play easily into the hands of bigger forces without realising. We are not with Dubcek, we are with Mao, a number of Italian student organisations declared in 1968. That was when the Communist bloc sent tanks to Czechoslovakia to remove Alexander Dubcek, the leader of the country who had promised free elections. At that time, Rudi Dutschke, a student leader who had achieved cult status in West Germany, went on a visit to Prague. As historian Anthony Judt notes in his book Postwar, local students in Czechoslovakia were stunned when he told them that democracy was the real enemy. Rudi Dutschke had risen to international fame in 1967 after he led massive protests against the shooting of a young student by police in West Germany. It was only in 2009 that it became known that the policeman who had shot the student was actually a secret agent of Communist-ruled East Germany. The shooting had been a plot to create chaos and unrest.

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And student protesters can easily turn into something very dangerous. In 1978, former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Morro was kidnapped, held hostage for 55 days, then murdered and dumped on the streets of Rome. That was the work of the Brigate Rosse (Red Brigades), a radical group started by two students from the University of Trento. Similarly, a generation of radicals born out of West German student protesters in the 1960s carried out a wave of assassinations, bombings, and arson for many decades to come.

Here is another common mistake. Never confuse student protesters for the voice of the youth, let alone the voice of the people as a whole. More often than not, university students represent the most privileged of the youth of a nation. This class conflict was very clear during student protests in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. For example, it showed in 1970, when students were beaten up by New York city construction workers carrying American flags and chanting USA, all the way.

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At the peak of the anti-Vietnam war protests, President Richard Nixon gave a famous speech where he appealed to the silent majority of Americans. It worked. Nixon won the 1972 election in a landslide, carrying 49 out of 50 states. Similarly, university students created such a ruckus in the streets of Paris in May 1968 that President Charles de Gaulle had to flee the country briefly. It seemed like the French government would be overthrown. But then elections were called. The presidents party swept the election, winning nearly three-fourths of the seats. The people had been with the president all along, not the protesting students.

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India itself is home to many such troubled histories of student movements. The Students Islamic Movement of India, or SIMI, is banned for being a terrorist organisation. But there are several still legal left-wing student organisations in India whose history would make for equally terrifying reading. Some would meet under the leadership of people actively engaged in efforts to overthrow the Indian state and who had visited China secretly. Lets just say you have seen these activists on the news more often than you might realise.

In summary, student protesters are like anyone else. While student protesters have played heroic roles in history, they have also been naive, morally questionable, and even dangerous. It is best to critically evaluate their actions rather than assume their inherent goodness. As for Bangladesh, we can only hope for the best. We hope that they quickly become a democracy again. That Hindus in Bangladesh feel safe. And that Bangladesh realises that a bright future for their country lies in continuing friendship with India.

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Abhishek Banerjee is a columnist and author. Vijita Singh Aggarwal is a professor of international business at Indraprastha University. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writers. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Citizenship Amendment Act, which offers refuge to persecuted minorities in Indias neighbourhood, stands as a crucial lifeline for those who have been systematically marginalised and terrorised simply because of their faith in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan read more

The recent upheaval in Bangladesh, leading to widespread violence and the forced exodus of its leader, Sheikh Hasina, has not only sent shockwaves across the region but has also spotlighted the dire plight of minority communities, particularly the Hindu population, who find themselves caught in the crossfire of political turmoil and communal unrest.

The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has been disproportionately impacted by the chaos, enduring targeted violence, discrimination, and threats to their very existence. What the minorities in Bangladesh had to go through over the last week since the protest intensified is, at best, just the tip of the iceberg. The exodus of Sheikh Hasina and the escalating violence against the Hindu minority underscore the urgent need for nations in the region to address issues of religious persecution and provide safe havens for those in need. More so when the Hindus in Bangladesh are considered a favourable support base for Hasinas party.

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The student-led protest, initially fuelled by demands to scrap the new job quota bill, took a sinister turn as the radical Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladeshs largest opposition group, lent its support. What began as a call for reforms in a job quota bill swiftly descended into a harrowing saga of violence, culminating in targeted killings of Bangladeshi minorities, particularly Hindus.

Jamaat-e-Islamis formidable presence in Bangladeshi politics, surpassing even the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, positions them as pivotal players in the countrys political landscape. However, beneath their political facade lies a troubling truththeir historical alignment with forces opposing Bangladeshs very existence. Dating back to pre-independence India, Jamaat-e-Islami staunchly resisted the formation of Bangladesh, collaborating with the Pakistani army against the nations liberation. Their ideological stance, proudly proclaimed on their website, leaves little room for ambiguity: implementing the Islamic code of life is their unwavering mission.

The conspicuous display of Taliban flags amid the protests serves as a chilling reminder of the Jamaats ideological leanings. The echoes of their agenda resonate with the Talibans strict interpretation of Islamic law, drawing stark parallels between the two entities. As the shadows of history intertwine with the present turmoil in Bangladesh, the ominous presence of Jamaat-e-Islami serves as a stark reminder of the enduring struggle for religious freedom and the dangers posed by extremist ideologies in the fabric of society.

Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the interim head of state in Bangladesh, marking a significant shift in the countrys political landscape. This development comes amid escalating turmoil, with the recent upheaval forcing Sheikh Hasina out of power. Yunus, a Nobel laureate known for his pioneering work in microfinance, now faces the daunting task of steering a nation grappling with deep-rooted political and communal tensions. His appointment, while intended to bring stability, also raises questions about the future of Bangladesh, especially concerning the safety and rights of its minority communities.

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The heartbreaking images of Hindu victims emanating from Bangladesh serve as a chilling reminder of the deep-seated prejudices and atrocities that continue to plague minority communities in the region. These visuals of suffering and anguish lay bare the harsh realities faced by those who are targeted for their beliefs, their very existence threatened by forces of intolerance and persecution. Historically, Hindus have never been well placed in the socio-political landscape of Bangladesh. From 23 per cent in 1971, the Hindu population has dwindled to less than 7.5 per cent today. Since its inception, Bangladeshi Hindus have faced forced conversions, mass exodus, and the vandalism of their religious sites, with the state complicit in these actions. Why this has persisted despite Bangladesh being a quasi-democratic state warrants serious examination.

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This development has unveiled several harsh truths for us, first, shattering long-held beliefs that have defined the regions identity. The myth of linguistic or Bengali nationalisma notion that language and shared cultural heritage alone can unify a diverse populationhas been successfully busted. For years, this idea of Bengali nationalism has been touted as a unifying force that transcends religious and ethnic divides, fostering a sense of collective identity among the people of Bangladesh. However, the recent turmoil reveals that these bonds, based on language and culture, are not strong enough to withstand the rising tide of religious extremism and political violence.

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The Bengali identity, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, literature, and shared history, was believed to be a powerful antidote to sectarianism. It was thought that the shared language and culture would bind the population together, creating a cohesive society despite its religious diversity. However, the brutal reality of targeted violence against Hindus and other minorities has exposed the fragility of this nationalist narrative. The events in Bangladesh demonstrate that when political and religious extremism is at play, the bonds of linguistic and cultural unity quickly unravel, revealing deeper divisions rooted in religious and ideological differences.

And second, the Hindu community globally continues to be one of the most persecuted, often finding themselves as orphans in their own land. From the historical partition of India to the ongoing marginalisation in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, Hindus have faced relentless discrimination, violence, and forced displacement. In regions where they once lived as a thriving majority, they have been systematically reduced to a vulnerable minority, stripped of their rights and dignity.

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This persecution isnt confined to South Asia alone. Across the world in various forms and degrees, Hindus have been subjected to intolerance and prejudice. Whether through the desecration of temples, forced conversions, or the denial of basic human rights, the Hindu community has repeatedly been targeted for its beliefs and practices.

The tragic irony is that even in places that were once the cradle of their culture and civilisation, Hindus now live in fear, their existence precarious, and their heritage under constant threat. They have become orphans in their own land, disconnected from the soil that once nurtured their identity and way of life. This global pattern of persecution reflects a broader challenge for the Hindu community, as they struggle to preserve their faith, culture, and traditions in an increasingly hostile world.

This amplifies the relevance of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and underscores the urgent need for more such measures. The CAA, which offers refuge to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries, stands as a crucial lifeline for those who have been systematically marginalised and terrorised simply because of their faith. The act serves as a beacon of hope, providing a safe haven for Hindus and other minorities who have been rendered stateless orphans in their own lands. While critics have debated the CAAs implications, the recent events in Bangladesh serve as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by minority communities in Indias neighbourhood. The CAA stands as a humanitarian gesture, offering a lifeline to those facing religious persecution and seeking refuge in India.

In a world plagued by political unrest and communal tensions, initiatives like the CAA play a crucial role in ensuring that the persecuted are not abandoned or left to fend for themselves in times of crisis. By amplifying the relevance of the CAA through the lens of the Bangladesh chaos, we are reminded of the imperative to uphold the principles of religious freedom and human rights, safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their faith.

While the liberal lobby attempts to downplay this development, choosing instead to reminisce about shared language, art, culture, and the ideal of a unified Bangla conscience, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The situation is far grimmer, and its difficult to conclude on an optimistic note. The situation calls for a concerted effort by the international community to acknowledge and address the plight of Hindus worldwide, and the motivation behind this is religious extremism. Without such recognition and action, the cycle of persecution is likely to continue, further eroding the rich cultural fabric that the Hindu community has contributed to global civilisation.

The author is a research assistant at the Department of Public and International Affairs in City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
If Bangladesh remains unfriendly to India, Pakistan could also take advantage, including in connivance with China read more

As Bangladesh comes to grips with the violent protests after the resignation and exit of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, international power play is unfolding. Hasina has been ruling the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009 and secured a fifth overall term in the one-sided election in January, which was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

China is heavily invested in infrastructure and military hardware in Bangladesh. The US is trying to secure a military base in Bangladesh. India has its longest land border with Bangladesh (4,096 kilometres) that covers its three sides, the fourth being the Bay of Bengal (BoB).

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US Favoured a Regime Change

For a long time, the US administration has expressed support for regime change in Bangladesh. They were not very happy with Hasina being pro-India or taking support from China. Various strategies have been tried to get her out of power. Opposition activists had been supported to create a revolt. The US ambassador has been meeting the opposition party, BNP. During the elections, Hasina faced constant criticism from the US over what they called unfair polls.

The US 2023 NDAA Burma Act

Sheikh Hasina recently indicated about a plot by a third country (purportedly the US) that could lead to the division of Bangladesh on religious lines and the creation of a non-Muslim majority country like East Timor. Kuki-Chin rebels are fighting with the Myanmar army to help and promote Christian rebels.

The incorporation of the Burma Act into the US 2023 NDAA had raised strong public opinion in Myanmar that substantial US support would come for the resistance movement in Myanmar. Kuki Chin Province of Myanmar, Chattogram hill tracts of Bangladesh, and Mizoram of India may be the demarcation.

More than one million Chin live in Myanmar, one million Mizo live in Mizoram, half a million Kuki live in Manipur, and tens of thousands of Kuki live in Bangladesh. In addition, due to the ongoing fighting between the Myanmar army and the Chin people, hundreds of thousands of Chin have fled overseas, including 80,000 in the United States. Hasina felt that it was a wakeup call for the sub-region.

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Naval and Airbase at Saint Martins Island

The 3 sq km St Martin Island is in the north-eastern part of the BoB, about 9 km south of the tip of Coxs Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, and is the southernmost part of the country.

The US had reportedly suggested that Bangladesh join the Quad alliance, and there were reports suggesting that they proposed leasing Saint Martin Island for building an air and naval base. The US does maintain military ties with Bangladesh, with both forces engaging in regular visits and joint exercises. Since China is also trying to get closer to Bangladesh, such a US base meant to contain China was not acceptable to them. Some others have suggested that the US actually wants to make Bangladesh a playground to dominate India.

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However, during a press conference, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, asserted that the United States has never engaged in any discussions regarding taking control of St Martins Island or has any intention to do so.

China-Bangladesh Defence Cooperation

Bangladesh has emerged as an important player in Chinas political expansion strategy. Military cooperation between the two in the form of arms supply and construction of military infrastructure has increased in the past few years. During the 1971 liberation of Bangladesh, China had supported Pakistan. But today, Bangladesh considers China a trusted ally.

In 2002, China and Bangladesh signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement, which covers military training and defence production. By 2006, Dhaka had emerged as a major buyer of Chinese-made weapons. China praised Bangladesh Hasina for her decision to deny permission for a foreign military base, commending it as a reflection of the Bangladeshi peoples strong national spirit and commitment to independence. Any strategic partnership with Dhaka gives Beijing added leverage to reduce Indian influence and checkmate its forces.

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China has emerged as Bangladeshs highest trading partner, with over $25 billion invested in various projects. After Pakistan, Bangladesh is the second-highest Chinese investment recipient in the South Asian region. China has played a significant role in building bridges, roads, railway tracks, airports, and power plants in Bangladesh. The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project is one of the flagship projects undertaken by China, which connects Dhaka with Jessore through the Padma Bridge. Importantly, a broad array of products from Bangladesh enjoys zero tariffs in China.

China has also continuously enhanced defence ties with Bangladesh and supplies military equipment, which includes fighter jets, battle tanks, and naval frigates, submarines, and missile boats. Bangladesh sources nearly 86 per cent of military hardware from China.

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China sold 65 large-calibre artillery systems in 2006. In 2008, Bangladesh set up an anti-missile launch pad near Chittagong Port with Chinese support. In 2014, the two sides signed four military agreements related to setting up military training facilities. In 2016, two Chinese-built 1,350 ton Type 056 corvettes joined the Bangladesh Navy. In the 2018 deal, China agreed to deliver 23 Hongdu K-8 intermediate jet trainers for the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). Bangladesh imported 36 F-7BGI aircraft from China in 2021. China has played a pivotal role in the development of Bangladeshs military, naval, and airbases. China is also the main supplier of portable air defence systems (MANPADS) and small arms and ammunition.

A deal was signed in 2017 for two submarines that included training and help to let Bangladesh construct its first submarine base. In 2023, PM Hasina inaugurated a $1.21 billion, six-slot submarine base, built by China at Coxs Bazar off the Bay of Bengal coast, which will provide safe jetty facilities to submarines and warships.

Bangladesh and China conduct their first-ever joint military exercise codenamed China-Bangladesh Golden Friendship 2024 in early May 2024. It was to test out United Nations peacekeeping anti-terrorism operations such as the rescue of hostages on buses and the clean-up of terrorist camps. It will deepen bilateral defence cooperation. Although Bangladesh and India have held 11 military drills between 2009 and 2023, Chinas entry has future implications. Could Bangladesh be drawn into some kind of cold war between India and China?

Substandard Chinese Defence Supplies

In 2022, the Bangladesh Army expressed dissatisfaction with military supplies from Beijing. There have been rejections of tank ammunition supply. Also, there have been issues about spare parts for tank repair and maintenance. The HQ-7 short-range SAMs supplied by China were found to have defects. The two Ming-type submarines procured at a discounted rate also failed to meet operational expectations.

Sonadia Island  Deep Sea Port

Sonadia Island is a small 9 square kilometres size, offshore of Coxs Bazar coast in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh. It is 15 km north-west of Coxs Bazar District Headquarters. China had been eyeing a naval base in BoB and had offered to initially develop the Sonadia Islands as a deep sea port for Bangladesh, which could have later turned out to be another Gwadar-type headache for Indian defence establishments. The island could have provided a new bead for the string of pearls and could have affected Indias clear strategic advantage in the BoB. Luckily, in 2020, Bangladesh finally buried the project. It is hoped that the new government does not reopen the subject.

The Chinese government still wants to extend funds for the design, construction, and operation of the deep-sea port in Bangladesh on a build-own-operate-transfer basis. Chittagong or Sonadia could give China direct access to the BoB and, in extension, to the Indian Ocean.

Payra Port

Bangladeshs third largest seaport, Payra port, now the deepest port in the country, was originally planned as Chinas bid for another deep seaport in its String of Pearls strategy. The construction of the port, which was being financed on a public-private partnership (PPP) platform, was initially granted to a Chinese company. India, Japan, and the United States opposed the plan. The Payra Port Authority (PPA) then signed a deal with Belgium-based dredging company Jan De Nul (JDN) for capital and maintenance dredging of the 75-kilometre-long main channel of the under-construction Payra seaport. In March 2023, JDN completed capital dredging.

Adani Group Interest in Bangladesh Ports

Adani Group intends to venture into the port sector in Bangladesh through a private partnership. The company is deliberating to invest in Chittagong Ports planned Bay Terminal, a deep terminal proposed to come up near the port. China and India are both vying to invest in the development and modernisation of Bangladeshs Mongla port. Since 2017, Adani Power has supplied 1,496 MW of net capacity under a 25-year contract via a 400 kV dedicated transmission line connected to the Bangladesh grid from its Jharkhand plant.

China-Myanmar Dynamics

Generally, China has maintained positive relationships with both military and elected governments in Myanmar. Bilateral relations between China and Myanmar have faced difficulties due to alleged Chinese backing of rebels in Myanmars territories. Also due to ongoing clashes between ethnic Chinese rebels and the Myanmar military near the China-Myanmar border. Beijings recent warm-up with the Army Junta was driven by self-interest and reactionary hedging to Americas Burma Act.

China assisted in constructing a naval base in Sittwe, a strategically important sea port close to Indias Kolkata port. Beijing also funded road construction to Yangon and Sittwe, providing the shortest route to the Indian Ocean from southern China.

Earlier, Myanmar allowed China to establish monitoring and surveillance facilities at the Coco Islands, just 45 kilometres north of the Andaman Islands. It allows tracking Indias missile launches off the Balasore test range in Odisha as well as strategic assets stationed off the eastern seaboard at Visakhapatnam.

Bangladesh-China Closeness: Implications for India

India remains an important factor in the China-Bangladesh relationship. China acts as a counterbalance against large neighbour India. India is conscious that Bangladesh is strategically important for Indias connection with its northeast and for its look and act east policy. India had to increase its ties with Myanmar, which is a competitor of Bangladesh, in the wake of growing Sino-Bangladesh ties. But during Hasinas years in power, Bangladesh had carefully balanced the two relationships.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have seen uninformed negative reactions in Bangladesh. This became a potential for friction. The other points of contention include long-standing bilateral river water disputes, significant trade imbalance in favour of India, and illegal entry of Bangladeshi citizens into Assam and West Bengal.

Complexity will increase if the military or BNP remain in power. Also, the Teesta water management project that involves building a reservoir in Bangladesh, if funded by China, will move Dhaka further closer to Beijing.

Bangladesh remains crucial to the emerging BoB geopolitics. Although the military assets provided by China to Bangladesh dont present any military threat to India, increasing defence ties will put pressure on Indias Indo-Pacific strategy. If Bangladesh remains unfriendly to India, Pakistan could also take advantage, including in connivance with China.

Way Ahead India

Chinas South Asian policy has strategic designs that may harm Indias interests in the region. By positioning itself as a protector of Bangladeshi sovereignty, China aims to mitigate American influence, thereby creating indispensability. As China inches closer to Bangladesh and its military, it becomes a reason for Indias concerns.

The timing of Chinas support, amidst Bangladeshs election cycle and tiffs with the US, is a deliberate strategy with its own dynamics. It is best for India to let post-Hasina chaos settle down. Continue its generous approach. Find better consultative ways for development assistance and infrastructure building. Also, the continued presence of Hasina in India could remain an irritant. Her early move to an acceptable country must be hastened.

Bangladesh was born with Indias support but gradually leaned towards aggressive and expansionist China. A hostile Bangladesh is bad for India in view of the narrow Siliguri corridor between China and Bangladesh that connects Indias North East.Yet, Bangladesh and India have signalled concerns over Chinese plans to dam and divert water from the Brahmaputra River in Tibet.

The huge trade deficit with China is also a concern for Bangladesh, as it can possibly push Bangladesh into a debt trap. At one stage, China was also keen to build Bangladeshs nuclear plants. Finally, the contract for the Rooppur nuclear power plant was given to the Russian Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation.

Chinas long-term plan is to cultivate South Asian countries through arms deals and deceptive trade models, which will entangle them in debt traps and misunderstandings. India must keep cautioning Bangladesh. India must continue military engagement by offering more training courses. Indias $500 million credit line to Bangladesh has been operational since 2022. India can offer maintenance contracts for Russian-origin equipment such as Mi-17-1V helicopters, Antonov An-32 aircraft, and MiG 29 jets, which India uses. India is also now in a position to offer defence equipment, including all-terrain special-purpose vehicles, helicopters, BrahMos missiles, radars, arms, and ammunition, at competitive rates.

Efforts must be continued to improve regional connectivity projects and the integration of Bangladeshs economy and its military strategy into Indias Bharat Mala and Sagar Mala projects. The two must work on the Look East Act East projects more vigorously under the broad contours of IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). India must exploit the shift in Myanmars foreign policy to avoid excessive dependence on China. India must also keep good relations with Thailand, the other player in the BoB.

Hasinas Bangladesh had been engaging with China, keeping Indian sensibilities in mind. The same may not happen in the immediate future. India has a Maldives-like situation to handle with maturity. India must remember that Bangladesh needs India no less than the other way around. Strategically, BoB is important for Indias second strike capability. India has to keep it secured and dominate it.

By wanting to set up a military base in Bangladesh, the US is perhaps trying to reduce/neutralise Chinese influence. But it is not in Indias interest that the US comes in here. They already have bases in Diego Garcia and have access to Australias Cocos Keeling Island base. The US global interests keep changing. As a Quad member, it is best if it trusts India to dominate the BoB.

It is time for Indian security analysts to stop painting doomsday scenarios in their writings and on TV debates. There are geostrategic ups and downs, but the world carries on and adjusts to changes. Bangladesh would also have to be part of global realpolitik.

The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
As Bangladeshs ex-PM Sheikh Hasina hurls serious accusations against the US, heres look at what makes the St Martins Island such an attractive piece of land in the Bay of Bengal read more

Days after resigning from her prime ministerial post and fleeing Bangladesh, ex-PM Sheikh Hasina accused the United States of her ouster. One of the accusations Hasina hurled against Washington involved a tiny island called Saint Martins. The Bangladeshi politician who is currently residing in a safe house in India accused the US of ousting her from power because she refused to hand over the island.

While Saint Martins Island is a tiny piece of land, it still holds geographical significance. The island is touted to provide a sway over the Bay of Bengal.

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On Sunday, the Bangladeshi premier released an undelivered speech which she wanted to give before she was forced to resign. In the statement obtained by The Economic Times, the 79-year-old leader of the Awami League claimed that she could have remained in power had she given away Bangladeshs sovereignty over the island.

I could have remained in power if I had left St. Martins and the Bay of Bengal to America, she said in a message conveyed to her Awami League supporters. It is pertinent to note that Hasina resigned and fled from Dhaka following nationwide protests over a controversial quota system proposed by her government.

Within a few weeks, the quota system protests eventually morphed into an anti-government and anti-Hasina protest. After Hasian left the country Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge as the Chief Adviser of Bangladeshs interim government.

So, lets take a look at what makes St Martins Island such an attractive piece of land in the Bay of Bengal.

13 things to know about St Martins Island

St Martins Island also referred to as Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) or Daruchini Dwip (Cinnamon Island), is Bangladeshs sole coral reef island. The island is extremely tiny with only 3 km square in area and is located in the Northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. It is located about 9 km south of the tip of the Coxs Bazar-Tankaf peninsula.

St. Martins Island is the southernmost part of Bangladesh. Source: Google Maps

The island was first settled back in the 18th century by Arabian merchants and was called Jazira during their occupation. When the British colonised the island, it was named after the then-Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong.

The island houses 3,700 residents who primarily engage in fishing, rice cultivation, coconut farming, and seaweed harvesting. The produce is dried and exported to Myanmar, making it an attractive piece of land not only for tourism but for trade as well.

The map of St Martins Island. Source: Climate Change Impact on Land Use and Land Cover Change on Saint Martins Island, Bangladesh. Journal of Coastal Conservation.

Now whats the USs involvement in the island? In the letter Hasina claimed that Washington had been eying on the island to build an air base and get a strategic hold over the Bay of Bengal.

The claims were made in the past as well. Khaleda Zias BNP was accused of planning to sell the island to the US. However, the White House has repeatedly denied the claims. Back in 2003, the then US envoy to Bangladesh, Mary Ann Peters, had said that her country has no plans, no requirement, and no desire for a military base on St. Martins Island, Chittagong, or anywhere else in Bangladesh. She emphasised that the US is interested in strategic military ties in Dhaka only.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former PM Khaleda Zia (Photo: PTI)

The island holds a strong strategic advantage. Hypothetically, if a country set up a military base in St Martins they would automatically have a presence near the Strait of Malacca, which China has been using majorly for their transportation.

The island can also provide a country to conduct surveillance over not just Chinas and Myanmars activities, but also look into what India is up to.

With China asserting its dominance in several areas of the Indo-Pacific region, the island provides a strong base to counter Beijings presence.

The Strait of Malacca. Source: South Asia Journal

Interestingly, Bangladesh also engages in a border with Myanmar which claims ownership over the island. One has to go back in history to see where the conflict begins. In 1937 the island remained a part of British India after Myanmar was separated from it.

It remained part of British India until the Partition of 1947. From there, it was Pakistan which took control over the Island. Following the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, Dhaka took control of the island.

In 1974, both Bangladesh and Myanmar reached an agreement that the coral island would be a part of Bangladeshi territory, Daily Star reported.

However, there has been a diplomatic tussle over the matter in recent years. Back in 2018, Myanmar garnered attention when it included Saint Martins Island on its official map. The map was eventually deleted with the foreign ministry calling it a mistake. The Rohingyas also use the island to flee from Myanmar and enter Bangladesh.

Map shows the Bay of Bengal where a boat carrying Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh heading to Myanmar capsized. Source AP

However, Myanmars new military junta was accused of sending ships in the region forcing the Bangladeshi Navy to deploy its own vessels near the island. It is pertinent to note that the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) recognises St Martins Island as part of Bangladesh.

While Hasinas comments have stirred a major storm around the world, the United States is yet to comment on the matter.
The survey, which covered over 1,110 respondents from Pakistans 11 largest cities between July and August, found that more than half (56 percent) of those barely managing to meet their expenses were unable to save any money. While 10 percent of them have taken on part-time jobs to supplement their income read more

A staggering 74 per cent of the urban population in Pakistan is struggling to meet their monthly expenses with their current income, a significant increase from May 2023, when 60% of households reported financial difficulties.

According to a recent study by Pulse Consultant, among those 60 per cent facing financial hardship, have been forced to reduce spending on essentials like groceries, while 40 percent have turned to borrowing money from relatives and friends. While 10 percent of them have taken on part-time jobs to supplement their income, as reported by ARY News.

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Watch Also: More Mismanagement by Pak: Govt Borrows Trillions in 45 Days | Vantage with Palki Sharma

The survey, which covered over 1,110 respondents from Pakistans 11 largest cities between July and August, found that more than half (56 percent) of those barely managing to meet their expenses were unable to save any money.

To tackle the ongoing economic challenges, the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistani government recently unveiled a three-year economic plan to increase the provinces share of the federal budget from 39.4 percent to 48.7 percent by 2027.

The plan also addresses the countrys debt burden, with total debts expected to reach PKR 79,731 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. Local loans are expected to increase by approximately PKR 7,671 billion, while foreign loans will rise by PKR 818 billion.
In response to a major protest against a planned lithium mine, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called a crisis meeting. Thousands demonstrated in Belgrade over concerns about environmental impact and political motives behind the project backed by the European Union read more

Demonstrators walk on a highway during a protest called "Serbia against violence" in reaction to recent mass shootings that have shaken the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/File Photo

A significant protest in Serbia against a proposed lithium-mining project led President Aleksandar Vucic to convene a government crisis meeting early on Sunday.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters marched through Belgrade to oppose the development of what could become one of Europes largest lithium mines.

The Australian-British mining consortium Rio Tinto is behind the project, which is aimed at securing supplies of lithium, a crucial component for electric car batteries.

Approximately 30,000 demonstrators took to the streets to voice their concerns about the potential environmental impact of the mine, located in Serbias western Jadar region.

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Environmental activists worry that the project could lead to pollution of land and water.

Since June, protesters have organised nearly 50 demonstrations to persuade the Serbian government to halt the project and ban geological exploration.

The protest on Saturday resulted in the blockage of two train stations, an action that Serbian authorities have deemed illegal. Government officials have described the protests as politically motivated, claiming they are part of a scheme to undermine the president and his administration.

President Vucic, who has claimed that Russian security services warned him of a possible coup, faced a growing challenge over the lithium mining issue. The project has received official backing from the European Union, with recent agreements granting EU car manufacturers, including Germanys Mercedes-Benz and France-Italys Stellantis, exclusive access to Serbian lithium resources.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has accused Pakistan of sending highly trained foreign terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir to destabilize the region. He assured that a new security strategy is in place and predicted significant improvements in the situation over the next three months read more

Pakistan has been pushing highly foreign trained terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir to destabilize its security situation, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha claimed Sunday and said a strategy has been formulated and security forces being redeployed to foil the neighbouring countrys nefarious designs.

In an exclusive interview with PTI here, he asserted that there would be a big change in the situation in the next three months.

The Jammu region, previously known for its peaceful atmosphere, has seen a surge in terror incidents, particularly in the border districts. Attacks on an IAF convoy, a pilgrim bus and the killing of soldiers in Kathua during the last few months highlight the evolving threat.

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On Saturday, two soldiers and a civilian were killed during an encounter between terrorists and security forces in Anantnag in south Kashmir.

Pointing to the terror incidents in the Jammu region, Sinha said, The incidents are sad. We acknowledge them and want to assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country that these incidents will definitely be controlled. The neighbouring country will not succeed in its evil designs. Pakistan is the birthplace of terrorism, it emanates from there. India and the Jammu and Kashmir administration are making concerted efforts to counter it, with several other countries also contributing to these efforts, he told PTI.

The L-G exuded full faith in the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police in controlling the situation, and said, You will see a big change in the coming three months. The neighbouring country is pushing in foreign terrorists to spoil the situation here. Considering previous incidents, security forces and the administration have formulated a strategy. Redeployment of forces has started Deployment of army, CRPF, and police personnel has increased, Sinha said.

He further said the security forces have completed their preparations and are moving forward to tackle these incidents of terror. The (Union) home minister has reviewed the strategy. I feel better results will be seen in the region in the coming days, he said.

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Asked to comment about Pakistans continuance in fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, We seem to be unaware of the internal situation in Pakistan. The country cannot even provide food to its own people. Because of this, Jammu and Kashmir has become a favourite subject for them. The country fails to accept that India defeated it in wars; hence, it continues to attempt to destabilize the region. On the international front, there has been an increase in support for India. Even during the abrogation of Article 370, some countries, whose viewpoints differed from ours, acknowledged it as Indias internal matter, the L-G said.

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To a question about claims that men trained by the Pakistan Armys Special Service Group (SSG) were being infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir to engineer terror incidents here, Sinha accepted that highly trained foreign militants have infiltrated into the region.

It is a sensitive issue. Speaking about these issues in the press is not appropriate. It is not necessary to disclose everything publicly. However, those who have infiltrated into this side are indeed highly trained, he said.

Asked about specific inputs regarding the infiltration of SSG men into the region, he said, The information you mentioned is partially true. Intelligence agencies have more information. Despite whatever the neighbouring country tries, they will not succeed in their designs. With a comprehensive strategy, those who have infiltrated will be eliminated. The security grid is being strengthened, thereby bringing about a complete change in the situation. The security forces are implementing their strategies on the ground in keeping with the topography. Recalling the security deployments during the peak of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, the L-G said, There used to be operational and minority pickets Their strength was high. But when the situation became better, the strength was decreased. While asserting that the Jammu region was peaceful for the last 15 to 16 years, Sinha said, Our neighbour is not peaceful. If elections are held peacefully (here) and people vote in large numbers, it naturally causes pain (for Pakistan). Statistically, if you compare figures of security personnel or civilians killed, there has been a significant decrease.

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Top commanders of any named organization are no longer alive. I consider it a major achievement that local recruitment (by terror groups) has almost ceased. Now, the neighbour wants to worsen the situation by infiltrating terrorists here, the L-G said.

He said that in the recent past, three or four terror incidents have occurred in the Jammu region. It is very unfortunate and cannot be condemned enough, Sinha added.
The group urged the mediators to present a plan based on the outcomes of past negotiations instead of engaging in new talks for a deal read more

A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest marking nine months since the start of the war and calling for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel. AP

As the world calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, the Palestinian militant group has said that it will not send negotiators to mediated ceasefire-hostage talks with Israel. The highly anticipated meeting was scheduled to take place on Thursday in Cairo.

The group went on to ask the mediators to present a plan based on the outcomes of past negotiations instead of engaging in new talks for a deal. The movement (Hamas) calls on the mediators to present a plan to implement what was agreed upon by the parties on July 2, 2024, based on Bidens vision and the UN Security Council resolution, Hamas said in a statement on Sunday, Reuters reported.

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The mediators should enforce this on the occupation (Israel) instead of pursuing further rounds of negotiations or new proposals that would provide cover for the occupations aggression and grant it more time to continue its genocide against our people, the group furthered. It is pertinent to note that Hamas rejection came weeks after the head of its political bureau Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran. While Israel was blamed for the killing, the Jewish nation did not claim responsibility for the attack.

Israels had faith in the talks

Hamas rejection came hours after Israeli sources reportedly claimed that negotiators could finalize an agreement on a hostage-ceasefire deal in the Thursday meeting. They also claimed that after an agreement, the deal could be put into action within days.

An unnamed source close to the talks gave a positive assessment to Channel 12. However, the source maintained that it will ultimately depend on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamass new chief Yahya Sinwar on whether they are willing to show flexibility to reach an agreement.

While Hamas refused to send a delegation, Netanyahus office announced on Friday night that Israel would send its negotiators to the August 15 talks in order to finalize the details of the implementation of the framework agreement.

The assurance from the Israeli premier came immediately after the mediators  the US, Qatar and Egypt  said in a joint statement that a deal needed to be concluded and implemented without further delay.

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Not only this, but a train of top Biden administration officials was also planning to head to the Middle East for a dramatic week of high-stakes diplomacy over the ceasefire deal. The talks were seen as extremely crucial since the results would have indicated whether the Middle East would sink deeper into the conflict, given the brewing tension between Israel, Iran and Hezbollah, or whether a large-scale conflict could be averted.

While Hamas rejection of sending negotiators has the potential to send the ceasefire talks in jeopardy, other parties involved in the talks are yet to comment on the matter.

With inputs from agencies.
The court stated that the disclosure of the evidence and making the case public would throw light on the extent of the investigative work done by Karim Khans office in the months since the October 7 attack read more

As the ongoing Israel-Hamas war continues to intensify, the International Criminal Court has decided to make public the decision regarding the issuance of arrest warrants for Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The judges presiding over the case asked prosecutor Karim Khan to file a fresh motion requesting arrest warrants and classify it as a public document. The court also gave Khan an option to resubmit the document with the requested blackouts.

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The court stated that the disclosure of the evidence and making the case public would throw light on the extent of the investigative work done by his office in the months since the October 7 attack. Khans team has been analysing the impact of the ravaging war on the Israeli population and the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

A crucial decision at the pre-trial

According to The Times of Israel, the decision to make the discussion public was given on Friday by the pre-trial panel of the court. The pre-trial stage allows all the parties involved in the case to submit their arguments in the next two weeks. The parties can give their take regarding the jurisdiction of the ICC in matters concerning Israel and the Palestinian territories.

In the past, Khan has maintained that charges against Netanyahu and Gallant deal with the crimes of causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.

Khan also demanded arrest warrants for Hamas new head Yahya Sinwar, the former head of Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh and the terror groups military chief, Mohammed Deif. However, Deif was killed in an Israeli strike and Haniyeh died in an attack in Tehran. While Israel openly claimed responsibility for Deifs death, it did not claim responsibility for Haniyehs assassination.

The death of Hamass former political chief has also put a major question mark on the prospect of a ceasefire deal between the two warring parties.

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With inputs from agencies.
Russia, Aug 11 (UNI) The Russian armed forces will retaliate against the regime in Kiev for its barbaric attacks on the western Russian regions, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.

"We strongly condemn these barbaric terror acts.... We have no doubt that the organizers and perpetrators of these crimes as well as their foreign sponsors will be held accountable. A harsh response from the Russian armed forces will not take long," she said.

The spokeswoman said the missile and drone attacks launched by Ukraine at Russian regions in the past few days were aimed at destroying civilian infrastructure and killing civilians and were "clearly terrorist in nature."
Iranian courts have reduced the jail terms for journalists Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi, initially sentenced for their coverage of Mahsa Aminis death and subsequent protests. Both women, who faced charges including collaboration with the US, remain hopeful for a pardon under a recent amnesty directive read more

Iranian courts have reduced jail terms for two female journalists charged with collaborating with the United States, their lawyers told reformist newspapers on Sunday.

Elaheh Mohammadi, 37, and Niloufar Hamedi, 31, are out on bail after more than a year in Tehrans Evin prison for their coverage of the September 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini which had sparked nationwide protests.

In January, Irans judiciary said it had launched new proceedings against the two women for posing for pictures without the mandatory headscarf upon their release that month.

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Two separate appeals courts in Tehran ruled to acquit the women of the charge of collaboration with the United States, the lawyers were quoted as saying by Shargh and Ham Mihan dailies.

Originally, Mohammadi had been sentenced to six years in jail while Hamedi had been handed a seven-year sentence, according to the judiciary.

The pair were also each given five-year sentences for collusion and conspiring against state security and one year for propaganda against the Islamic republic.

The lawyers said these sentences were upheld by the appeals court and would be served concurrently, adding, however, that they hope the journalists would be freed under an amnesty announced last year by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Considering that the remaining two accusations meet the full conditions of the amnesty directive of 2023, we hope that Elaheh Mohammadi will be pardoned, and this case will be closed by issuing a suspension of execution order, Mohammadis lawyer Shahab Mirlohi told Ham Mihan newspaper.

Hamedis lawyers issued a similar statement.

Hamedi, a photographer for Shargh, was arrested less than a week after Aminis death after posting a picture of the young womans grieving family on social media.

Ham Mihan reporter Mohammadi was arrested after going to Aminis hometown of Saqez, in the western Iranian province of Kurdistan, to cover her funeral which turned into a demonstration.

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Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, had been arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women, in place since shortly after Irans 1979 Islamic revolution.

Following her death, months-long protests shook Iran, with hundreds of people, including dozens of security personnel, killed in the unrest, and thousands of demonstrators arrested.

Nine men were executed in cases related to the protests which Iranian authorities generally labelled foreign-instigated riots.
The campaign provided no specific evidence of Irans involvement, but the claim comes a day after Microsoft issued a report detailing foreign agents attempts to interfere in the U.S. campaign in 2024 read more

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump holds a rally with his vice presidential running mate US Senator JD Vance in St. Cloud, Minnesota, US, July 27, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Former President Donald Trumps presidential campaign said Saturday that it has been hacked and suggested Iranian actors were involved in stealing and distributing sensitive internal documents.

The campaign provided no specific evidence of Irans involvement, but the claim comes a day after Microsoft issued a report detailing foreign agents attempts to interfere in the U.S. campaign in 2024.

It cited an instance of an Iranian military intelligence unit in June sending a spear-phishing email to a high-ranking official of a presidential campaign from a compromised email account of a former senior advisor.

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Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung blamed the hack on foreign sources hostile to the United States. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said in a statement that it takes any report of improper foreign interference extremely seriously and condemns any government or entity that attempts to undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions, but said it deferred to the Justice Department on this matter.

Irans mission to the United Nations, when asked about the claim of the Trump campaign, denied being involved. We do not accord any credence to such reports, the mission told The Associated Press. The Iranian government neither possesses nor harbors any intent or motive to interfere in the United States presidential election.

However, Iran long has been suspected of running hacking campaigns targeting its enemies in the Middle East and beyond. Tehran also long has threatened to retaliate against Trump over the 2020 drone strike he ordered that killed prominent Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

The U.S. Justice Department this past week unsealed criminal charges against a Pakistani national with ties to Iran alleged to have plotted assassination attempts against political figures in the United States, including potentially Trump, and to have sought to hire purported hitmen who were actually undercover law enforcement officials. Court documents in that case pointedly noted a desire by Iran to conduct operations against perceived enemies of the regime and to avenge the killing of Soleimani.

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Politico first reported Saturday on the hack. The outlet reported that it began receiving emails on July 22 from an anonymous account. The source  an AOL email account identified only as Robert  passed along what appeared to be a research dossier the campaign had apparently done on the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. The document was dated Feb. 23, almost five months before Trump selected Vance as his running mate.

These documents were obtained illegally and intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process, Cheung said.

He pointed to the Microsoft report issued Friday and its conclusions that Iranian hackers broke into the account of a high ranking official on the U.S. presidential campaign in June 2024, which coincides with the close timing of President Trumps selection of a vice presidential nominee.

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The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror just like he did in his first four years in the White House, Cheung said, adding a warning that any media or news outlet reprinting documents or internal communications are doing the bidding of Americas enemies and doing exactly what they want.

Cheung did not immediately respond to questions about the campaigns interactions with Microsoft on the matter. Microsoft said Saturday it had no comment beyond its blog post and Friday report.

In that report, Microsoft stated that foreign malign influence concerning the 2024 US election started off slowly but has steadily picked up pace over the last six months due initially to Russian operations, but more recently from Iranian activity.

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The analysis continued: Iranian cyber-enabled influence operations have been a consistent feature of at least the last three U.S. election cycles. Irans operations have been notable and distinguishable from Russian campaigns for appearing later in the election season and employing cyberattacks more geared toward election conduct than swaying voters.

Recent activity suggests the Iranian regime  along with the Kremlin  may be equally engaged in election 2024, Microsoft concluded.

Specifically, the report detailed that in June 2024, an Iranian military intelligence unit, Mint Sandstorm, sent a phishing email to an American presidential campaign via the compromised account of a former adviser.

The phishing email contained a fake forward with a hyperlink that directs traffic through an actor-controlled domain before redirecting to the listed domain, the report states.

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Vice President Kamala Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported hacking or on the Democratic nominees cybersecurity protocols.
While Israel continues to reject Hamas death toll in Gaza school strike, US VP Kamala Harris condemned the attack, reiterating calls for a ceasefire read more

While condemning the recent Israeli strikes on a school in Gaza, US Vice President Kamala Harris said that far too many civilians have lost their lives in the conflict-stricken coastal enclave. The Hamas-led health ministry claimed that over 100 people were killed after Israel struck the al-Tabaeen school complex, in Gaza Citys Daraj neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) rejected the death toll shared by Hamas, insisting that the strike was conducted after mitigating harm to civilians. On Sunday, Harris echoed the comments made by the White House and reiterated calls for a hostage deal and a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

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Israel has the rightbut also responsibilities: Harris

While addressing a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Harris insisted that Israel has the right to go after Hamas. However, she maintained that the Jewish nation also has an important responsibility to avoid civilian casualties.

The Saturday attack has been condemned by several countries around the world with Egypt saying that Israel showed no desire to reach a ceasefire or end the Gaza war.

Amid the criticisms, the Israeli military continued to justify its actions. The IDF maintained that it struck a command room that terror operatives set up at the school where Palestinian children were seeking refuge. In the statement, IDF noted that according to intelligence at least 20 terror operatives, including senior commanders, were at the site when it was struck.

According to a preliminary examination, the numbers published by the government media office in Gaza  which acts as a media arm of Hamas  are exaggerated and do not match the information available in the IDF, the precise munitions used, and the accuracy of the strike, the IDF said in a statement.

The army reiterated that they struck the school because it had an active Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad command room. The IDF stated that to mitigate harm to civilians, they conducted aerial surveillance before the strikes, The Times of Israel reported.

After justifying itself, the Israeli military went on to accuse Hamas of systematically [violating] international law and [operating] from within civilian shelters, brutally exploiting the civilian population and institutions as human shields for their terror activities.

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Meanwhile, Hamas media office maintained that the strikes hit when people sheltering at the school were performing dawn prayers, leading to the high casualty count. The Palestinian group maintained that no militant was present at the location.

With inputs from agencies.
After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publically acknowledged Ukraines operation in Kursk, the Russian defence ministry has said that Ukrainian troops have now entered 30km inside Russia, making it the deepest and most significant infiltration within the Russian territory since 2022 read more

A day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publically acknowledged the Kursk invasion, the Russian defence ministry said that the Ukrainian troops had advanced up to 30km inside Russia. The incursion is now touted as the deepest and most significant infiltration within the Russian territory since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The defence ministry stated that its forces had battled the Ukrainian troops near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez. The offensive in the Kursk region has entered a sixth day forcing Kremlin to call a federal level emergency in the region.

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Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova reacted to Zelenskyys admission accusing Kyiv of intimidating the peaceful population of Russia.

Zelenskky admits Kursk invasion

The Ukrainian leader broke the governments silence on the matter on Saturday and insisted that the offensive was part of a drive to restore justice after Russia attacked Ukraine.

The unprecedented assault began on Tuesday when around 1,000 Ukrainian troops infiltrated the Kursk region targeting several critical Russian infrastructure. The recent assault prompted 7,000 people to evacuate from the region.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy vowed to restore justice for Russias invasion. The president mentioned that he had discussed the operation with top Ukrainian military officer Oleksandr Syrskyi. Today, I received several reports from commander-in-chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressors territory, the Ukrainian leader averred.

Today, I received several reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding the frontlines, our actions, and the push to drive the war onto the aggressors territory. I thank every unit of our Defense Forces that is making this possible. Ukraine is proving that it truly knows how pic.twitter.com/qY81u1ahCl  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 10, 2024

Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor, he added. Zelenskyys acknowledgement came hours after Russia said it had used a thermobaric bomb against Ukrainian forces and announced a counter-terrorism operation to retaliate.

What is Russia saying?

On Sunday, the Russian defence ministry notified that its forces had foiled attempts by enemy mobile groups with armoured vehicles to break through deep into Russian territory. The update came after Ukrainian troops claimed to have captured a number of settlements in the Kursk region.

The soldiers from Kyiv were seen filming themselves removing the Russian flag from an administrative building in a Russian village called Guevo. The village is located 3 km within the Russian territory. Other clips that are circulating online also showed Ukrainian troops seizing administrative buildings in Sverdlikovo and Poroz. The whole combat has prompted an evacuation of 76,000 people from the region.

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 The moment the Ukrainian flag was hung in the border village of Guevo, Kursk, Russia. pic.twitter.com/VPtv2btnM6  Intelligence FRONT (@intelligencefnt) August 11, 2024

Meanwhile, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko hailed the operation stating that it is taking Ukraine much closer to peace than one hundred peace summits. When Russia needs to fight back on their own territory, when Russian people are running, when people care, thats the only way to show them stop this war, the Ukrainian politician told BBC.

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Russias retaliation

On Sunday, reports emerged that Russia launched an air attack on Kyiv. The Ukrainian capitals mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the air defence systems stationed on the outskirts of Kyiv have managed to repel the attack.

Air defence units operating, air raid alert continues, he wrote in a Telegram post. The Ukrainian official also noted that a four-year-old boy and his 35-year-old father died when debris from a downed Russian weapon fell on the house they were living in.

Zelenskyy took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn the incident. A father and his young son, just four years old, were tragically killed in the Kyiv region by a Russian strike. My deepest condolences to their family and loved ones. Three other people were injured, including a 12-year-old boy, the Ukrainian leader wrote on X.

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Last night, a father and his young son, just four years old, were tragically killed in the Kyiv region by a Russian strike. My deepest condolences to their family and loved ones. Three other people were injured, including a 12-year-old boy. According to preliminary information, pic.twitter.com/xejWgdyQbf  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 11, 2024

According to preliminary information, the Russians used a North Korean missile in this attackyet another deliberate terrorist strike against Ukraine. Pyrotechnic experts are still working to determine the exact data regarding this missile, he added, asking for more support from Ukraines Western allies.
The student-led protests erupted in Bangladesh on June 5 when the High Court division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ordered the reinstatement of a controversial 30 per cent reservation in government jobs for the descendants of freedom fighters who fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. read more

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that she never referred to student protesters as Razakars, asserting that her words were misrepresented to incite unrest.

Hasina urged protesters to watch the full video of her speech, alleging that conspirators took advantage of their innocence to destabilise the country. The Razakars controversy fueled the fire of ongoing student protests, forcing PM Hasina to step down and flee the country.

I never called you Razakars. My words were distorted to incite you. Watch the full video of that day. Conspirators used your innocence to destabilize the nation, Hasina said according to the Economic Times report.

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The pretext for the protest turning violent was the July 14 press conference of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in which she asked Why is there so much resentment against Mukti Juddho and Mukti Jodhha? Are the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters lacking in talent? Are only the children and grandchildren of Razakars talented? Should the grandchildren of Razakars receive quota benefits if the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not? This is my question to the people of this country. What wrong has the Mukti Jodhha done? They selflessly fought for the countrys freedom Otherwise, those protesting today would be subjected to Pakistani oppression.

Watch Also: Bangladesh After Sheikh Hasina: Muhammad Yunus To Take Charge | Vantage with Palki Sharma

The Razakars, a pro-Pakistani paramilitary group during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War had collaborated with the Pakistan army and were involved in atrocities against the Bangladeshi people.

According to an Indian Express report, approximately 50,000 Razakars assisted the Pakistani army in conducting raids and committing atrocities against the local population.

Hasina resigned on August 5 and fled the country after hundreds of people were killed in a crackdown on demonstrations that began as protests against job quotas and swelled into a movement demanding her ouster.
Kagame received a military 21-gun salute, accompanied by cheers from the crowd. Twenty-two heads of state from African countries were in attendance read more

Rwandas President Paul Kagame was sworn into office on Sunday for a five-year term after a landslide win in last months election extended his nearly quarter century in office.

The 66-year-old former rebel leader won the July poll with 99.18 per cent of the vote, after eight other candidates including his most vocal critics were barred by the electoral criticism.

Kagame won acclaim from Western and regional leaders for helping end the 1994 genocide and turning Rwanda into an attractive investment and aid destination. But his reputation has been sullied by criticism of rights abuses and suppression of dissent plus supporting rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo - all accusations he has denied.

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Sundays swearing-in took place at Kigalis Amahoro National Stadium, with thousands in attendance, many wearing T-shirts in the yellow, green and blue colours of the national flag.

Kagame received a military 21-gun salute, accompanied by cheers from the crowd. Twenty-two heads of state from African countries were in attendance.

Rwandas constitution was changed in 2015, allowing Kagame to extend his time in office.

The two men who vied against him last month - Frank Habineza from the Democratic Green Party and independent Philippe Mpayimana - both conceded defeat in the election, which rights groups say was marred by a crackdown on media, the opposition and civil society groups.

A government spokesperson repeatedly rejected such criticism during the election period.
Kyivs military administration said in a post on Telegram that the citys air defence systems had been activated. Ukraines air force said five other regions were being attacked by drones read more

Ukrainian emergency and rescue personnel together with military members carry a body of a victim killed following a Russian strike on a supermarket, in Kostyantynivka, eastern Donetsk region, on August 9, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP

Explosions rang out Saturday night in the centre and east of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, AFP journalists noted, as Ukraines air force said two Russian missiles were headed towards the city.

Air raid sirens sounded in the capital and at least two flashes could be seen against the night sky, said an AFP reporter.

Kyivs military administration said in a post on Telegram that the citys air defence systems had been activated. Ukraines air force said five other regions were being attacked by drones.

There has been growing concern among many Ukrainians in recent days that Moscow might launch air raids in response to Kyivs recent offensive inside Russian territory.

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Ukrainian officials have not so far given any details on possible casualties or damage.

Ukraine has been regularly hit by deadly Russian air strikes from missiles and drones.

Kyiv has repeatedly called for its allies in the West to provide it with more air-defence systems.

On the Russian side, Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov said 13 people had been injured in Kursk city, including two seriously, when debris from a downed Ukrainian missile fell on a building during the night.
Sheikh Hasina expressed grief over leaders killings, workers harassment, and vandalism. With Allahs grace, Ill return soon. Awami League has stood up again and again. Ill forever pray for Bangladeshs future, the nation my father strived for, and the country my family gave their lives for. read more

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina accused the United States of orchestrating her ouster from power due to her refusal to cede Saint Martin Island, which would have given them control over the Bay of Bengal.

According to the Economic Times report which cited the ousted Bangladeshi PMs close associates, Hasina said I resigned to avoid witnessing the death toll that radicals sought to achieve through violence. They wanted to gain power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow that by stepping down. I could have stayed in power by surrendering Saint Martin Islands sovereignty, allowing US control over the Bay of Bengal. I urge my fellow countrymen not to be misled by radicals,".

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Watch Also: Bangladesh Crisis LIVE: Yunus Takes Charge, Says Bangladesh Got Independence for Second Time

Expressing grief over leaders killings, workers harassment, and vandalism, she said, With Allahs grace, Ill return soon. Awami League has stood up again and again. Ill forever pray for Bangladeshs future, the nation my father strived for, and the country my family gave their lives for.

Regarding the quota movement and student protests, Hasina said, I have never called you as Razakars. My words were twisted to incite unrest. I urge you to watch the full video of that day. Conspirators exploited your innocence to destabilise our nation. Hasina also warned Bangladeshi citizens against radical manipulation.

Before this, a CNN-News18 report dated August 6 highlighted the role of the US and UK in the events leading to Sheikh Hasinas resignation. According to sources cited in the report, figures such as David Burgan, activist Pinaki Bhattacharji, BNPs Tarique Rahman, and Netra News owners allegedly orchestrated a social media campaign against her and spread false narratives.

Watch Also: Bangladesh Chief Justice & Central Bank Governor Quit Amid Protests

The report also mentions that Hasina has criticized the US for allegedly seeking to establish a base in Bengal and create a Christian state similar to East Timor. She reportedly asserted that a Western representative had guaranteed no issues with the elections but aimed to construct an airbase in Bangladesh.

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Before the protest started in the country, Hasina told parliament that the US was pursuing regime change in Bangladesh, seeking to eliminate democracy and introduce a non-democratic government. According to reports, leaders close to Hasina in the Awami League have blamed the US for the political upheaval in Dhaka, alleging that a senior US diplomats visit in May was part of a strategy to pressure Hasina into acting against China. The diplomat reportedly supported the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Watch Also: India Breaks Silence on Bangladesh Crisis After 24 Hours | Vantage with Palki Sharma

Hasina resigned and fled the country after hundreds of people were killed in a crackdown on demonstrations that began as protests against job quotas and swelled into a movement demanding her ouster.
Earlier today, several reports suggested that the erstwhile premier of Bangladesh claimed that she would have remained in power if she gave away St Martins Island to the United States read more

Hours after Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas accusation of the USs involvement in her ousting stirred major headlines, her son Sajeeb Wazed claimed that the statement attributed to her is false and fabricated. Wazed took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to clarify that her mother did not make any statements before or since leaving Dhaka.

Earlier today, several reports suggested that the erstwhile premier of Bangladesh claimed that she would have remained in power if she gave away St Martins Island to the United States. It was reported that Hasina hurled these accusations in an undelivered speech which was obtained by The Economic Times.

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The recent resignation statement attributed to my mother published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated, Wazed wrote on X, on Sunday evening. I have just confirmed with her that she did not make any statement either before or since leaving Dhaka, he furthered.

What was the alleged statement made by Hasina?

Earlier today multiple reports suggested that the Bangladeshi politician who is currently residing in a safe house in India accused the US of ousting her from power because she refused to hand over St Martins Island. As per the reports, Hasina allegedly made those remarks in an undelivered speech which she wanted to give before she was forced to resign.

I could have remained in power if I had left St. Martins and the Bay of Bengal to America, said the statements attributed to Hasina. It is pertinent to note that Hasina resigned and fled from Dhaka following nationwide protests over a controversial quota system proposed by her government.

Within a few weeks, the quota system protests eventually morphed into an anti-government and anti-Hasina protest. After Hasian left the country Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge as the Chief Adviser of Bangladeshs interim government.
Jaishankar is on a three-day official visit to the Maldives to reset the bilateral relationship, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nations pro-China President Muizzu assumed office last year. read more

The Maldivian Democratic Party has welcomed President Mohammad Muizzu-led governments sudden recalibration of its India policy and said Male has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives dials an international 911".

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), made remarks after he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday.

Pleased to meet @abdulla_shahid, President of Maldivian Democratic Party and colleagues.



Value their support for strengthening of   relations. pic.twitter.com/u2CcPeAfMa  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 10, 2024

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The MDP president said that his party calls on the Muizzu government to issue a public apology for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments from its officials which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives foreign and economic outlook.

Great pleasure to warmly welcome and meet Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to the Maldives with my colleagues from @MDPSecretariat, Shahid, the former foreign minister, said in a statement posted on X late Saturday night.

The Maldives has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives dials an international 911, he said.

He said the current governments initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges." With this in mind, the MDP welcomes the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzus government, from its previous India Out policy, Shahid said.

Indias relationship with the Maldives has come under severe strain since Muizzu took charge as the President late last year.

Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. After talks between the two countries, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.

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On Saturday, President Muizzu described India as one of the closest allies and reaffirmed his administrations full commitment to strengthening the historic and close connections between the two countries.

The MDP hopes that this shift will not be temporary or superficial, but consistent and meaningful in the best interests of the people of the Maldives, Shahid said.

In a separate statement, the MDP welcomed Jaishankars visit to the Maldives.

The Maldives-India relationship has always been based on the principles of mutual respect, respect for international law, territorial integrity, a common desire for regional security, and an open and peaceful Indian Ocean, it said.

The MDP thanked India for its steadfast support of the people of the Maldives.

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The MDP welcomes the exchange of notes during this visit, to train a further 1000 civil service officers - a key human resource programme initiated during (former) president (Ibrahim Mohamed) Solihs government.

MDP also welcomes the signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Economic Development and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), on enhancing and expanding digital and integrated payment systems - another MoU that was discussed and finalised during President Solihs administration, it said.

The MDP welcomes with gratitude to India, the inauguration and handover of six High Impact Community Development Projects, implemented with grant assistance from the Government of India, and signed and implemented during President Solihs administration, the statement said.

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It said the High Impact Community Development Project scheme is a highly successful and beneficial grant assistance scheme initialised in 2019.

The Party further welcomes the handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands financed through the EXIM Bank of India, the statement said.

It said these projects were undertaken through the USD 800 million Line of Credit extended by the Government of India, during the first State Visit of former president Solih to India, in December 2018, and inaugurated during his administration.

The Maldives is one of Indias key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

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Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that the Maldives is a key partner for India in the Indian Ocean region and the two nations aspire to turn their cooperation into a modern partnership.

Jaishankars remarks came as he along with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer attended the handing over ceremony of Addu Reclamation and Shore Protection Project and inauguration of the 4-lane Detour Link road project facilitated by the Government of India under the Line of Credit of EXIM Bank.

The Maldives for us is a key partner in the Indian Ocean region. It is very much at the heart of our Neighbourhood First policy. And it is therefore very natural that the cooperation between our two countries has moved beyond the traditional role. And today really aspires to be a modern partnership, Jaishankar said.

Our development cooperation is aimed at touching all facets of peoples lives and finding ways of bringing tangible benefits to their lives, he said.

In the last few years, India has invested around USD 220 million which provides a fair idea of the importance that India attaches to regional development in the Maldives, he said.

We are today among the largest trading partners among others. Were also witnessing greater investment flows from India to the Maldives, particularly in the tourism sector, he said.

India has partnered with the government of Maldives on the Addu Reclamation and Shore Protection project to find a sustainable way to develop it as a regional hub, he said.

The reclamation of 184 hectares of land was concluded earlier this year. This ambitious USD 80 million programme involves reclamation for tourism development purposes, as well as for the overall economic development of Addu.

The project will help in the overall growth of the region, bringing in better opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and trade.

Another important project being carried out with Indian assistance is the redevelopment of the Addu Roads and Drainage development with an outlay of USD 70 million. This project is in the last phase and once completed, will provide a solution to problems of water logging of roads in Addu, he said.

The Addu detour link road that has been inaugurated today which is the cause for us gathering here is an important component of this project and will significantly ease connectivity within the atoll, he said.

Under the Indian Line of Credit, we have focused not only on developing Addus facilities as a region but also connecting it to the outside world, he said.

The Government of Maldives under the Indian LOC is also undertaking the redevelopment of the Gan International Airport, a connectivity project with an outlay of USD 29 million that will bridge the gap between Addu Atoll and the Maldives and the rest of the world.

It will improve investor confidence and increase local tourism in Gan and southern atolls, with broader economic gains expected to materialise for many local communities, Jaishankar said.

India places an equal emphasis on impactful community development projects in the Maldives.

We are already partnering on 65 projects of which 12 or five of these projects have already been delivered. We are happy to see the success of this high-impact Community Development Project model, expand its footprint and increase its presence on an exponential scale, he said.

Jaishankar also highlighted other projects being undertaken with Indias assistance in the Maldives.

India remains open to the evolving needs and priorities of its Maldivian friends and the two governments endeavour to provide customised solutions to their requirements.

He also congratulated the government and people of Maldives in particular, the people in southern Maldives on these two projects.

They stand as a testament to the defining key of our partnership, which is imagined by the Maldives and delivered by India. Im confident that these projects will have a transformative impact on the economy of the region and help spur development for many generations to come, he said.

India Maldives Friendship is people-centric, Jaishankar said in a post on X giving details of the India-assisted projects in the Maldives.

India shares its developmental experiences with its neighbours, he added.
New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed happiness at President Droupadi Murmu being honoured with Timor-Lestes highest civilian honour and said it reflects the strong ties between the two nations.

In a post on X, the PM said the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste award is a recognition of President Murmus monumental contribution to public life for several years.

It is a proud moment for us to see Rashtrapati Ji being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nations highest civilian award.

This reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between our countries. It is also a recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years.

On Saturday, President Murmu was conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest civilian award, by President Jose Ramos-Horta.

The award is in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women.

UNI RN
South Koreas tourism sector, contributing 4.3% to the national economy according to the World Travel & Tourism Councils 2024 report, remains vital despite its lower share compared to European countries. read more

A social media-driven boycott of South Korea, dubbed Ban Korea, has seemingly influenced Thai tourists to favour Japan and China as travel destinations over South Korea. However, South Korea attributes the issue to the presence of illegal Thai workers.

The boycott campaign started by disgruntled Thai tourists denied entry into South Korea, criticising the countrys immigration service for being overly stringent. They encourage fellow Thais to explore alternative destinations like China and Vietnam.

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Despite a general increase in foreign visitors to South Korea this year, the number of Thai tourists has significantly decreased, largely due to the implementation of the electronic travel authorisation system, K-ETA. The hashtag gained traction on social media late last year, and by the first four months of this year, Thai tourist numbers had dropped 21% to 119,000, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.

South Koreas tourism industry plays a vital role in the economy, accounting for 4.3% of the nations GDP, according to the World Travel & Tourism Councils 2024 research. However, this figure lags behind European countries like the UK and Germany, where tourism contributes 9.5% and 8.8% to their GDP, respectively.

Before the pandemic, 572,000 Thai tourists visited South Korea in 2019. The country had introduced the K-ETA visa, allowing preapproved tourists to stay up to 90 days. However, some Thais exploited this system, staying longer and engaging in illegal work, prompting immigration officials to conduct secondary inspections.

In 2023, 2,601 Thais registered with the Thai Ministry of Labour expressing their wish to return home from South Korea.
A landslide at Kampalas Kiteezi landfill has killed 12 people and displaced around 1,000 residents. The collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall, has led to ongoing rescue operations amid warnings from local officials about the sites dangerous condition. read more

People look on as an excavator helps search for people trapped under debris after a landfill collapsed in Kampala on August 10, 2024. AFP

The death toll from a garbage landslide at a vast landfill in the Ugandan capital Kampala has risen to 12, police said on Sunday.

Local media said homes, people and livestock were engulfed in mountains of rubbish at the dump in Kiteezi on Saturday after a collapse caused by heavy rainfall.

Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago has described the site as a disaster waiting to happen, after raising concerns earlier this year that the waste was causing health risks.

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We have so far retrieved 12 dead bodies from the garbage heap and rescued 14 people alive, Kampalas metropolitan police spokesman Patrick Onyango told AFP.

The rescue operation is still ongoing until we are sure no one is trapped under (the garbage), he said, adding that several animals had been rescued alive, including a dog.

Kampala Capital City Authority, which operates the landfill, had on Saturday given a death toll of eight including two children.

In our estimation, about 1,000 people have been displaced by the incident and (we are) currently working with other agencies of government and the community leadership to see how to help the affected people, Onyango said.

A Ugandan police excavator churned through huge mounds of rubbish Saturday as large crowds of local residents looked on, according to images from the scene.

Some gathered behind yellow police tape carrying pictures of their missing loved ones.

- Bound to happen -

Lukwago told AFP on Saturday that the Kiteezi landfill, a 36-acre (14 hectare) site in a northern district of the capital, was full to capacity.

This is a disaster and was bound to happen, he added.

In January, Lukwago, who carries the honorary title of Lord Mayor of Kampala, had warned that people working and living near the Kiteezi landfill were at risk of numerous health hazards due to overflowing waste.

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He said the site was not maintained at all, describing the situation as a national crisis that needed the central government and parliament to intervene.

The 36-acre landfill was established in 1996 and is the dump for almost all garbage collected across Kampala.

Lukwago said it received about 1,500 tonnes of waste a day.

Several areas in Uganda and other parts of East Africa have been battered by heavy rains recently, including Ethiopia, the second most populous country on the continent.

Devastating mudslides in a remote mountainous area in southern Ethiopia last month killed around 250 people.

In February 2010, mudslides in the Mount Elgon region of eastern Uganda killed more than 350 people.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has condemned recent Chinese air force actions around the Scarborough Shoal as unjustified, illegal, and reckless. The incident involved Chinese aircraft dropping flares near a Philippine patrol plane, escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing over contested waters. Marcos has called for responsible behavior from China to prevent further instability read more

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday condemned Chinese air force actions in waters of the South China Sea claimed by both countries, calling the actions unjustified, illegal and reckless.

Manila and Beijing accused each other on Saturday of disrupting their militaries operations around the Scarborough Shoal in the first incident since Marcos took office in 2022 in which the Philippines has complained of dangerous actions by Chinese aircraft, as opposed to navy or coast guard vessels.

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The Philippine military on Saturday condemned dangerous and provocative actions when two Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of a Philippine aircraft during a routine patrol around the shoal on Thursday.

The Chinese militarys Southern Theatre Command countered that the Philippines had disrupted its training, accusing Manila of illegally intruding into its airspace.

On Sunday, Marcos urged China to act responsibly both in the seas and in the skies.

We have hardly started to calm the waters, and it is already worrying that there could be instability in our airspace, Marcos said in a statement posted by the Presidential Communications Office on the social media platform X.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

The Scarborough Shoal is one of Asias most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights.

Chester Cabalza, president of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said Chinas actions were a show of force in response to Manilas participation in multi-nation drills that promote freedom of navigation and overflight.

After a series of gray zone tactics at sea, we may probably see dog fights up in the sky if China continues its growing antagonism in the Philippines air and defence zones, Cabalza said.

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Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

China rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that Beijings expansive claims had no basis under international law.
Three people familiar with the matter, claimed that the Biden administration has put everything on the table to persuade Maduro to leave before his term ends in January read more

As Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro clutches on to his power despite many claiming that the countrys election did not sway his way, reports are emerging that the United States is pursuing a bid to push him out of power by offering amnesty. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Washington has discussed pardons for Maduro and top lieutenants who are facing indictments in the US Department of Justice.

Three people familiar with the matter told WSJ, that the Biden administration has put everything on the table to persuade Maduro to leave before his term ends in January. It is pertinent to note that back in 2020, the US placed a $15 million bounty for information leading to Maduros arrest. The Venezuelan leader was accused of conspiring with his allies to flood the US with cocaine.

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The news flickers hope for the opposition in the Latin American who nation collected voter tallies that indicate its candidate, little-known former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, defeated Maduro in a landslide in the July 28 election.

The back-and-forth

According to the sources, so far, the talks have been conducted virtually between Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuelas congress and a Maduro confidant, and Daniel P. Erikson, who is responsible for Americas policy towards Venezuela at the White House National Security Council. The officials also revealed that it wouldnt force Western oil companies to leave Venezuela as well.

However, it is pertinent to note that this is not the first time the US has pursued such an initiative to take Maduro down. Washington had made an amnesty offer to Maduro during secret talks in Doha last year. But the Venezuelan president declined to discuss any such arrangements which would mean that he had to leave office.

In the past, Maduro has said that hes open to talks as long as Washington shows him respect. At other times, he told the US to mind its own business. Dont mess with Venezuelas internal affairs, thats all I ask for, the autocratic leader said in a news conference Friday. According to WSJ, the three most populous South American nations, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia are also involved in trying to resolve the standoff.

Hence, the US now has five months before Venezuelas presidential inauguration to pull off a deal.
The unprecedented assault began on Tuesday when around 1,000 Ukrainian troops infiltrated the Kursk region targeting several critical Russian infrastructure. The recent assault prompted 7,000 people to evacuate from the region read more

As Russia struggles to repel Ukrainian troops in Kursk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged the invasion of the region for the first time. The Ukrainian leader broke the governments silence on the matter on Saturday and insisted that the offensive was part of a drive to restore justice after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The unprecedented assault began on Tuesday when around 1,000 Ukrainian troops infiltrated the Kursk region targeting several critical Russian infrastructure. The recent assault prompted 7,000 people to evacuate from the region.

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In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy vowed to restore justice for Russias invasion. The president mentioned that he had discussed the operation with top Ukrainian military officer Oleksandr Syrskyi. Today, I received several reports from commander-in-chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressors territory, the Ukrainian leader averred.

Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor, he added. Zelenskyys acknowledgement came hours after Russia said it had used a thermobaric bomb against Ukrainian forces and announced a counter-terrorism operation to retaliate.

Today, I received several reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding the frontlines, our actions, and the push to drive the war onto the aggressors territory. I thank every unit of our Defense Forces that is making this possible. Ukraine is proving that it truly knows how pic.twitter.com/qY81u1ahCl  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 10, 2024

Russia attack Kyiv

On Sunday, reports emerged that Russia launched an air attack on Kyiv. The Ukrainian capitals mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the air defence systems stationed on the outskirts of Kyiv have managed to repel the attack.

Air defence units operating, air raid alert continues, he wrote in a Telegram post. The Ukrainian official also noted that a four-year-old boy and his 35-year-old father died when debris from a downed Russian weapon fell on the house they were living in.

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Meanwhile, Ukraines emergency services said that a 12-year-old child was among those injured in the attack that took place in the Brovary district. Russia attacked Ukraine with four ballistic missiles and 57 Shahed drones, Ukraines Air Force said. Air defences shot down 53 drones.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration said that it was the second time this month Kyiv was targeted. Zelenskyy took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn the incident. A father and his young son, just four years old, were tragically killed in the Kyiv region by a Russian strike. My deepest condolences to their family and loved ones. Three other people were injured, including a 12-year-old boy, the Ukrainian leader wrote on X.

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Last night, a father and his young son, just four years old, were tragically killed in the Kyiv region by a Russian strike. My deepest condolences to their family and loved ones. Three other people were injured, including a 12-year-old boy. According to preliminary information, pic.twitter.com/xejWgdyQbf  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 11, 2024

According to preliminary information, the Russians used a North Korean missile in this attackyet another deliberate terrorist strike against Ukraine. Pyrotechnic experts are still working to determine the exact data regarding this missile, he added, asking for more support from Ukraines Western allies.
Moscow, Aug 11 (UNI) Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 230 service people and 38 armored vehicles, including seven tanks, over the past 24 hours in an attempt to invade the western Russian region of Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"In the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian armed forces lost 230 service people and 38 armored vehicles, including seven tanks, three Stryker armored personnel carriers, an infantry fighting vehicle, and 28 armored combat vehicles," the ministry said.

Kiev also lost seven vehicles, four field artillery systems, a Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile system, three launchers and an AN/MPQ-65 radar station of the Patriot air defense system, the ministry estimated.
Clifton Water District District Manager Ty Jones pulls up a zebra mussel trap out of the Colorado River to show after the larval stage of the mussels were found in the river, with concerns growing about a possible future invasion of adult mussels, photo taken on Aug. 8, 2024. No mussels have bene located in the roughly two weeks that the makeshift trap was lowered in the water, with a secondary trap located at a different spot along the river in the Grand Valley for a different testing site. The mussels would simply latch on to the trap as they floated thorough the river, if present.
SINGAPORE, Aug. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKX , a leading Web3 technology company, has issued updates for August 11, 2024.



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Rockville, MD, Aug. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In its recently updated industry report, Fact.MR reveals that the global automotive clear vision system market is projected to reach a size of US$ 21.93 billion in 2024 and further advance at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2034. Worldwide demand for automobile clear vision systems is rising steadily on the back of greater attention being paid to occupant safety and rapid advancements in vehicle technology.

Need for clear eyesight and clean sensors has intensified with the advancement of cars incorporating sophisticated driving assistance systems (ADAS) and moving towards autonomy. Strict safety regulations and the rising frequency of extreme weather events have underscored the importance of these systems for maintaining visibility in challenging conditions.

Integration of clear vision systems with technologies such as AI-driven predictive maintenance and connected car features enhances their utility and appeal. Commercial vehicles, including long-haul trucks and public transport, are increasingly adopting these technologies to boost operational efficiency and safety.

As safety awareness grows and manufacturers focus on technological advancements, automotive clear vision systems are transitioning from luxury features to essential components, leading to their broader acceptance across global vehicle categories.

Request a Sample Copy of Automotive Clear Vision System Market: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=4015

Key Takeaways from Market Study:

The global automotive clear vision system is forecasted to climb to a value of US$ 37.45 billion by 2034.

by 2034. East Asia is estimated to hold a global market share of 39.8% in 2024, which has been forecasted to increase to 42.2% by the end of 2034.

in 2024, which has been forecasted to increase to by the end of 2034. The market in the United States is projected to generate revenue of US$ 4.84 billion by the end of 2034.

by the end of 2034. The market in Japan is analyzed to expand at a CAGR of 9.1% through 2034, making it highly lucrative for companies.

through 2034, making it highly lucrative for companies. Among all the offerings, sales of washer fluid and storage systems are expected to reach US$ 15.24 billion in 2024.

Innovations in washer fluid fill and storage systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and alignment with the rising demand for advanced automotive clear vision features, says a Fact.MR analyst.

Leading Players Driving Innovation in the Automotive Clear Vision Market:

Robert Bosch GmbH; Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG; Continental AG; Valeo SA; HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co.; Denso Corporation; Trico Products Corporation; Mitsuba Corporation; Ficosa Internacional SA; Mergon Group; ABC Group Holdings Parent Inc.; Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd.; FLIR Systems.

Self-Healing Glass Technology Bringing New Opportunities for Clear Vision System Manufacturers:

For ADAS and autonomous driving systems to function reliably in severe weather, cameras and LiDAR sensors with integrated heating elements are essential. By using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, smart cleaning systems can now determine when cleaning is necessary based on driving habits and environmental factors, optimizing fluid consumption and enhancing efficiency.

There are new sensor cleaning systems that use lasers instead of water to provide precise cleaning. For electric cars, where weight and energy economy are crucial, this is especially advantageous.

Development of self-healing glass technologies might lead to an extension of the life of windshields and sensor covers by autonomously repairing minor chips and cracks. Clear vision systems are becoming more widely used in international markets as a result of these developments, which also improve performance and safety while supporting sustainability objectives.

Automotive Clear Vision System Industry News:

The acquisition of Weltonhurst Limited, a UK-based supplier of specialist blow-molded components, was announced by Mergon Group on March 3, 2022. It is anticipated that this acquisition will assist the business in increasing its manufacturing capacity in the UK market.

The third in a series of thermal imaging datasets for machine vision testing was released by FLIR Systems in May 2021 with the launch of its first regional thermal imaging dataset for Europe. The purpose of this dataset is to support automakers, developers, and researchers.

The announcement was made by Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. that it would be joining a consortium to develop night vision cameras for self-driving cars. In April 2021, the collaboration was headed by the South Korean provider of electrical components, Erae AMS Co., Ltd.

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More Valuable Insights on Offer

Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the automotive clear vision system market for 2019 to 2023 and forecast statistics for 2024 to 2034.

The study divulges essential insights into the market based on offering (washer fluid fill & storage systems, washer fluid management systems, surface cleaning systems), vehicle type (passenger cars, commercial vehicles), and distribution channel (OEMs, aftermarket), across seven major regions of the world (North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, Latin America, South Asia & Pacific, and MEA).

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Automotive Human Interface System Market is extrapolated to reach US$ 66.5 billion by the end of 2033. Global demand for automotive human interface systems is forecasted to increase at a stellar CAGR of 9% over the next ten years.

Exhaust System Market is projected to expand at 5.9% CAGR to climb to a value of US$ 111.8 billion by the end of 2034.

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The CMF Buds Pro 2 are the latest addition to the Nothing sub-brands expanding audio lineup. They arrive as the successor to the first generation CMF Buds Pro and feature improvements in almost every aspect.

You get dual drivers, updated active noise cancelation (ANC), spatial audio support, and longer battery life. The charging case also has a new trick with the programmable Smart Dial. You can use it to control volume, media playback, and manage incoming calls. Add in LDAC support, multi-point pairing, and a sleek design with fun color options and youve got the to rival some of the premium earbuds from Apple, Sony, and Samsung.

But the CMF Buds Pro 2 retail for just $59/59/59/4,299 - a fraction of the buds from those competitors, so some corners had to be cut, right? The short answer is yes but not in the areas that make a big difference.

Design

CMF stands for Color, Materials, and Finish and we can begin this section of the review by stating the obvious. Our review unit CMF Buds Pro 2 come in blue color which is a darker shade and really saturated. The color just pops just as the orange hue on the first-generation CMF Buds.

Buds Pro 2 and their case are predominantly made from plastic apart from the Smart Dial which features a solid metal ring with tactile clicks. The case and buds feature a matte finish which does well with fending off fingerprints and is always preferred over glossy plastics in our book.

Back to the case and its Smart Dial - its something fresh in the TWS market and sets the CMF Buds Pro 2 apart from just about every other pair of earbuds. Think of it as a remote control that lets you adjust volume with satisfying tactile feedback. It also supports remapable single, double, triple, and tap to hold presses.

The case dimensions and weight are exactly the same as the CMF Buds and each earbud weighs just 4.5 grams. The in-ear fit with the pre-applied size M tips was great in our case and we had no problem dailying these buds for hours on end.

The top halves of the buds also feature remappable touch sensors for media, noise cancelation, and volume controls. The retail package features a short USB-C cable for charging and a set of size S and XL silicone ear tips.

Features and companion app

The CMF Buds Pro 2 are a logical evolution to the first gen CMF Buds Pro with the major change being the updated dual driver system. You now get 11mm bass drivers and separate 6mm planar tweeters in each earbud. The connection still happens over Bluetooth 5.3 with support for Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and dual device pairing.

The added LDAC support is useful if you stream music via supported platforms like Tidal HiFi, Amazon Music Unlimited, and Deezer Premium. Active noise cancelation is now rated to drown out up to 50dB, compared to 45dB on the first-gen CMF Buds Pro. Spatial audio is another new addition.

Total battery life is also updated and is now rated up to 43 hours from the buds and their case, another slight improvement over their predecessor. You also get wear detection which automatically pauses media when you remove the buds from your ears.

While the Buds Pro 2 work just fine on their own, the Nothing X app for iOS and Android is a pretty useful way to get extra functionality including button remapping for the buds and the Smart Dial as well as customizable EQ profiles.

The Smart Dial is arguably the most intriguing feature here. We found it generally useful when connected to a laptop. The satisfying tactile feedback from the dial is awesome and we only wish that more companies would get on board with similar solutions on their earbuds.

Using the Buds Pro 2 with a Nothing smartphone also allows you to summon ChatGPT straight from the buds. The buds (but not their case) also get an IP55 rating against dust and water splashes.

Performance and Sound quality

Weve come to expect bass-heavy V-shaped sound from Nothing audio products and that is certainly the case with the Buds Pro 2. They lean heavily on the bass out of the box and are plenty loud which will certainly cater to a large demographic of users. Comparing the CMF Buds Pro 2 to the CMF Buds shows improvements like richer overall sound and better instrument separation.

Things got better when we switched to the Dirac Opteo EQ profile which is the best pick from the built-in EQ options. You can tweak the EQ to your liking with a custom profile but for some reason, Nothing decided to impose a three-band EQ limit compared to the one on the Nothing Ear (2) and most competing earbuds.

The spatial audio feature is pretty noticeable and delivers livelier audio so its a good idea to leave it on. To sum up the audio quality, Buds Pro 2 sound decent but we were missing the extra clarity present on the recently reviewed Realme Buds Air6 Pro.

ANC works to the extent of muting lower frequency sounds like AC and fan noise but did not hold up to the capabilities of more expensive earbuds. Transparency mode was lackluster and accompanied by the usual hissing sound weve come to expect from most buds in this price range.

Connectivity remained strong throughout my review period which included constant switching between a MacBook Pro 14, iPhone 15 Pro, and a CMF Phone 1. The dual device pairing, touch controls, and wear detection all worked without any issues. Its nice that you get volume controls from the buds but the only option is via a double tap and hold gesture which is not the most intuitive.

Call quality on the Buds Pro 2 was not impressive with people on the other end reporting muffled sound coming from my end even in quieter rooms with minimal background noise. Still, if these are your only option for taking calls they will get the job done, just dont expect AirPod Pro-type results here.

Battery life

Nothing has some lofty battery claims for the CMF Buds Pro 2 with 43 hours total playtime from the buds and their case and 11 hours from the buds with ANC off and 6.5 hours with ANC on.

The figures we got in our testing period were close - CMF Buds Pro 2 managed just over 6 hours and 15 minutes of use with ANC turned on at 50% volume and all optional features toggled on. The figure dropped to 4 hours and 15 minutes on LDAC mode with ANC on which is still impressive.

Charging is limited to the USB-C port on the case and it takes 70 mins for a full topup of the buds and the case. The case can charge the buds from empty to full in 60 minutes.

Verdict

Nothing continues to offer some of the best wireless earbuds in the budget segment and the Buds Pro 2 are an easy recommendation. You just can't match their feature-to-price ratio with dual drivers, LDAC support, adaptive ANC, dual-device pairing, and spatial audio.

Looks are subjective but we dig the bold color options and minimalist design and you also get an exclusive feature not seen on any other pair of earbuds (even the flagships) with the Smart Dial. Combined with their strong battery endurance and great companion app, CMF Buds Pro 2 leave little to be desired.

There are a few things wed like to see improved with future versions - namely the full parametric EQ customization options from the Nothing Ear series as well as stronger noise cancelation, a less muffled transparency mode, and improved call quality.

Factoring the $59/59/59/4,299 price were okay with making these compromises and are eager to see what Nothing has in store up with the next iterations in the CMF Buds lineup.

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Summer has been great so far, but unfortunately it wont last forever. This means that school and college will be starting back up soon and you might find that you need a tablet or laptop for study. Lets see what Apple products Amazon has on offer.

We start with the Apple iPad from 2021  its the cheapest option and still does a fine job. The Apple A13 Bionic chipset is showing its age, but this isnt a gaming tablet  the important thing is that it is still getting iPadOS updates. Note that this is the last version with a Lightning connector, which might be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on whether you have changed your charging cables over to USB-C.

The Apple iPad from 2022 brings more computing power with an A14 Bionic and an extra gig of RAM. More importantly, it does feature USB-C with DisplayPort. The display is also a bit larger (10.9 vs. 10.2), both support the original Apple Pencil stylus. The 2022 model is around $100 more expensive than the 2021 model, however.

Apple may have given up on the small tablet form factor  its been three years and no new model. Yes, the latest iPad mini is from 2021, but even so, it is faster than both slates above with an Apple A15 chip. And it has a USB-C 3.1 port with DisplayPort, so its age is less of an issue (unless you were hoping for a faster than 60Hz display).

For more serious work, the two Apple iPad Air models from May this year bring the powerful Apple M2 chip. They are available in 11 and 13 sizes, both with IPS LCDs  and both running at 60Hz. Also, with a DisplayPort-enabled USB-C port and Stage Manager support, these tablets can multitask on an external display. The differences between the 11 and 13 models are the displays (obviously), but also battery capacity. The rest is the same.

For even more power and better displays, the new Apple iPad Pros offer the latest Apple M4 chip (they are still the only ones to have it) and tandem OLED displays. This means that there are two OLED panels stacked on top of each other to double the light output.

And if youre going to be doing serious work, you may need a proper keyboard  the Apple Magic Keyboard cover practically turns the iPad Pros into laptops. Except theres one thing holding them back.

iPadOS just isnt as capable as macOS. This takes us to the MacBook Airs from 2024. They are available in 13.6 and 15.3 sizes and are powered by the Apple M3 chipset. Amazon has 8/256GB and 16/512GB configurations. Unlike their M2-based predecessors, these can drive two external displays when the lid is closed. And with only passive cooling, these are as silent as it gets.

If you want to build a desktop setup instead, the Apple Mac mini from 2023 features an M2 chipset and comes in 8/256GB and 8/512GB configurations. There is a version with an M2 Pro chip, which increases the CPU core count (from 4+4 to 6+4) and the GPU core count (10 to 16).

Thats it for the Apple gadgets, here are three offers that looked too good to pass up even if they dont have an Apple logo.

First, Amazon is selling the Samsung Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra with $200 gift cards. Note that the 256GB Galaxy S24 Ultra also has a regular discount of $125.

Also, Google killed off the Chromecast brand this week with the launch of the Google TV Streamer. It was a bit disappointing to find out that it uses the same chipset as Amazons Fire TV Stick 4K Max from 2021.

The 2023 versions of the Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K Max still use the same chipset with the new Max even bringing a small boost to clock speed. And they cost a lot less than the TV Streamer  especially now that they are on a discount. They offer better wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 6 on the 4K and Wi-Fi 6E on the 4K Max vs. Wi-Fi 5 on the TV Streamer), but lack a gigabit Ethernet option (the official adapter only does 100Mbps).

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Weekly poll: can the vivo V40 or the vivo V40 Pro be your next phone?

This week vivo introduced the V40 duo, a pair of mid-rangers that focus on durability and camera features. Okay, the V40 has actually been around for a while now, but its launching in India for the first time. The Pro model is all new.

Starting with the vivo V40 Pro, it offers higher performance with a Dimensity 9200+ chipset and faster UFS 3.1 storage. It also features a telephoto camera, a 50MP module with 2x optical zoom.



vivo V40 Pro with D9200+  vivo V40 with SD 7 Gen 3

The vivo V40 misses out on the tele camera and uses a less powerful but still quite fast Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset with UFS 2.2 storage. Both phones use the same wide and ultra wide cameras on the rear and the same selfie modules too.

This means a 50MP main (1/1.56 sensor, OIS) and 50MP ultra wide (119). On the front, a fairly impressive 50MP module with a wide 21mm lens with autofocus. Both the front and rear cameras can record 4K video at 30fps.

Other things to mention are the curved 6.78 OLED display (1260p+, 120Hz, up to 4,500 nits) and large 5,500mAh batteries with 80W fast charging (wired only). We mentioned durability, so here are the details. This comes from the IP69K rating, which is for resistance against hot water jets (on top of the IP68 rating for immersion under water).



Curved 6.78 OLED displays  Large 5,500mAh batteries

Looking at 8/256GB units, the vivo V40 costs 500/40,000 and the vivo V40 Pro is 50,000. Details on availability of the V40 Pro in Europe are yet to be announced.

Lets have a quick look at competitors. The Xiaomi 14 Civi is available in India at 40,000 for an 8/256GB phone. This is with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and a flat 6.55 OLED display. This one loves selfies too and comes with a pair of 32MP cameras on the front  one with a wide 26mm lens and one with a 100 ultra wide lens. On the rear, a 50MP main (1/1.55), 50MP 2x tele and 12MP ultra wide (120). The relatively small 4,700mAh battery supports 67W wired charging.

The Realme 13 Pro+ is cheaper still at 32,000, but that also brings lower performance with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. It has a 6.7 OLED display (lower resolution, FHD+) and a 5,200mAh battery with 80W charging. It has a 32MP selfie camera with a 22mm lens on the front. The rear features a 50MP main (1/1.56), 50MP tele with a longer 73mm lens (3x) and an 8MP ultra wide (112).



Xiaomi 14 Civi  Realme 13 Pro+  Motorola Edge 50 Pro  Honor 200 Pro

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro can be had for 530/31,000 (8/256GB). It uses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, same as the vanilla V40, and has a curved 6.7 OLED display (1220p+). The 50MP main on the rear has a wide f/1.4 aperture (1/1.55 sensor), its joined by a 10MP 67mm tele (3x) and a 13MP ultra wide (120), plus a 50MP selfie camera with a wide 21mm lens. The battery is on the small side with 4,500mAh capacity, but supports fast charging both over USB-C (125W) and wirelessly (50W).

The Honor 200 Pro can be had for 700 in Europe, in India its 48,000 thanks to a massive Great Freedom Sale (ends this week), this is for a 12/512GB model. It has a curved 6.78 OLED (1224p+) and a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, plus a 5,200mAh battery with 100W wired and 66W wireless charging. The 50MP main uses a large 1/1.3 sensor, there is also a 50MP tele lens (2.5x) and a 12MP ultra wide (112). There are two modules on the front: a 50MP selfie and a 2MP depth sensor for 3D face detection.

Lets have a vote about the vivo V40 Pro first. Would you consider it when seeking out your next phone?

Now the vivo V40. Could this be your next phone?
Police arrested 21-year-old Bintenson Simina, the driver of the red Honda CRV that was allegedly stolen and crashed into the Guam AutoSpot showroom in Hagatna shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday, injuring six people.

Simina, an employee of Triple J and was off duty at the time of the incident, was arrested for driving while impaired and theft of a motor vehicle.

Guam Police Department spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella on Sunday provided details about the incident.

The condition of one of the six individuals who sustained major injuries and sent to Naval Hospital Guam remained unknown as of Sunday.

The Guam Fire Department described the injuries of the six patients as minor to serious on Saturday. Five of the injured were taken to Guam Memorial Hospital.

The incident snarled traffic for hours, when police had to close off the southbound lane and used the center lane instead as investigation was going on.

Photos and videos showed Guam AutoSpots showroom in East Agana with broken glasses and building debris strewn across the floor when a red SUV crashed into it, and some individuals injured, lying on the floor of the showroom.

We are deeply saddened by todays tragic incident involving an off-duty employee. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and their families. We are fully cooperating with authorities as they carry out their investigation, Triple J said in a statement on Saturday.

Simina is currently confined at the Department of Corrections, GPD said.

Based on DOCs confinement listing, Simina was confined on Saturday. He was driving impaired and caused bodily injury to others, with reckless disregard for the safety of others, among other things.

Savella said the case has been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General.

The investigation into the traffic crash is ongoing, Savella said, adding that GPD will provide updates as more information becomes available.

We extend our sincere thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families during this difficult time. We also want to thank the public for their patience and understanding as we continue our investigation. Your support is greatly appreciated, Savella said.

Guam AutoSpot, in a separate statement, thanked people for their overwhelming support and well wishes during this difficult time.

We are deeply grateful that our AutoSpot family is safe, but our hearts are with the families affected by todays tragic events. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers, Guam AutoSpot said.
HMI Guam is hosting the third annual Veterans Benefits Symposium from Aug. 13 to Aug. 15, 2024 at the Guam Museum in Hagatna.

The three-day event aims to provide invaluable support and resources to esteemed veterans, offering them a pathway to access the benefits they rightfully deserve for their dedicated service to our nation, HMI Guam said in a press release.

We are thrilled to organize the Veterans Benefits Symposium in collaboration with the Guam Museum, said Anthony Taijeron, president of HMI Guam. This event serves as a platform for us to express profound gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our nation selflessly.

Taijeron said by bringing together experts, representatives, and veterans, the symposium aims to empower and equip veterans with the knowledge and resources needed for a brighter future.

Key highlights of the symposium include:

Local leaders: They will be in attendance to share and present programs and policies that benefit veterans and their families.

Expert speakers: Representatives from reputable organizations specializing in assisting veterans with the complexities of accessing benefits will share their expertise and provide valuable insights.

Community representatives: Knowledgeable representatives from the local community will be present to discuss the various benefits programs available to veterans and answer specific queries.

Networking opportunities: The symposium will provide a conducive environment for veterans to interact with representatives from nonprofit and government agencies dedicated to supporting their well-being.

Personalized assistance: Professionals will be available throughout the event to offer one-on-one guidance, assisting veterans with navigating the benefits claims process and addressing individual concerns.

The symposium is open to all veterans.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hmis-3rd-annual-veteran-symposiumtickets-945698097467?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios.

Attendance is free for all registered participants.
From left, GTA vice president of product and marketing Nate Denight, GTA senior community relations manager Michele Catahay Perez, Tamuning Vice Mayor Albert Toves, Tamuning Mayor Louise Rivera, GTA executive vice president of external and regulatory affairs Dan Tydingco, and GTA vice president of community engagement and external affairs Sharon Davis.
The public comment period on the environmental assessment on the Missile Defense Agencys plan to conduct twice-yearly missile tests from Andersen Air Force Base over the next decade ended on Aug. 2, but some concerned individuals and groups said the potential impacts warrant an environmental impact statement or a more comprehensive review.

The proposed action drew wide-ranging concerns from individuals and groups, some of whom also shared their comments with the Guam Legislature.

Kelly Marsh Taitano, the curator of I Sagan Fandipositon Kottorat Guahan or the Guam Cultural Repository, Filipinos for Guahans Josephine Ong, Tabitha Espina, and Jamela Santos, and Tewid Meresbang, chief executive officer for Pacificnesian Equities LLC, separately called on the MDA to prepare an environmental impact statement.

They cited the National Environmental Policy Act:

If the environmental assessment determines that the environmental impacts of a proposed federal action will be significant, an environmental impact statement is prepared.

If the agency determines that the action will not have significant environmental impacts, the agency will issue a Finding of No Significant Impact. A FONSI is a document that presents the reasons why the agency has concluded that there are no significant environmental impacts projected to occur upon implementation of the action.

Marsh-Taitano, a former senator, said Andersen Air Force Base and the launching area at Northwest Field occupies a culturally and historically significant network of ancestral cultural districts.

She said while the environmental assessment suggests no historic properties, there is still much to understand in terms of the network of ancestral village settlements and community movement and interrelations throughout the ancestral northern landscape.

Marsh-Taitano said a full environmental assessment, including the gathering of oral histories to document and understand ancestral connections and continuations, must be conducted with respect for the interconnecting tangible and intangible heritage invaluable to CHamoru cultural preservation and knowledge.

The Filipinos for Guahan cited a lack of a cleanup plan in the May 2024 environmental assessment, which found that the tests will introduce hazardous air pollutants like hydrogen oxide and particulate emissions through aluminum oxide particles that will pollute Guahans surrounding waters.

With no clean-up strategy identified by the DoD, missile debris would likely remain on Guahans lands and waters, endangering threatened species of plants, the group said.

The group said an environmental impact statement is needed that completely and accurately assess all the risks...with sufficient time provided for public comment.

Forcing residents to move and/or stay away from their land and home so the military can test missiles twice a year for 10 years is absolutely unacceptable...this is a form of land theft, Meresbang said.

He added that testing near the human population and ecosystems that sustain living things is dangerous.

One mistake, disaster, problem can have a permanent cascading effect, he said.

Meresbang said the comment period and community engagement for this dangerous testing has been very short, limited, and undemocratic.

Lastly, this proposed action must require a full environmental assessment, he said.

The PDN has reached out to military officials for information on the timeline for the EA review and decision on an EIS or FONSI.
The University of Guam Endowment Foundation on Wednesday donated an additional $1 million to UOG to support expansion efforts and enhancing campus facilities.

This is in addition to millions of dollars worth of support for various campus development initiatives.

In a news conference, the UOG Foundation presented the $1 million check to UOG.

UOG Endowment Foundation Chairman Jesse Leon Guerrero and UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez were joined by the foundations executive director Katrina Perez, Regent Mike Naholowaa, and other university officials to acknowledge the foundations contributions and outline how these funds will be used.

Through a series of substantial financial commitments totaling $3.9 million, the UOG Endowment Foundation said it has played a pivotal role in advancing the universitys campus development initiatives including:

A $21.7 million loan application that was submitted in 2014 to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development Agency for the construction of the Dr. Lucio C. Tan Student Success Center and the School of Engineering Building.

A $700,000 allocation in June 2021 towards a $2.3 million cash reserve requirement associated with the USDA RD construction loan.

A $1 million gift in March 2023 to address a budget shortfall for two additional building projects financed by a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant, supporting the construction of the Water and Environmental Research Institute and the Margaret Perez Hattori Uchima School of Health Nursing Annex.

A $709,000 loan to UOG WERI to supplement the required matching contribution for a federal award.

A $1.5 million bridge loan in September 2023 for the ongoing construction of the Dr. Lucio C. Tan Student Success Center and the School of Engineering Building.

The UOG Endowment Foundation is proud to support the University of Guam in its mission to provide a world-class education and research opportunities, Leon Guerrero said. This donation reflects our belief in the universitys vision and our commitment to investing in its future growth and success.

Borja Enriquez expressed gratitude for the foundations unwavering support, and highlighted the collaborative efforts between the two.

She emphasized the importance of these financial commitments in realizing UOGs Tulus Mona strategic plan, which includes optimizing the universitys financial health and sustainable growth.

Perez noted that these funds do not go towards UOGs operational budget due to the restrictions applied by its donors.

This consideration should be taken into account by the Legislature when approving the full amount requested by the UOG administration, Perez said.

The foundation said it continues to support UOG through various fundraising efforts.

This September, the foundation will host two concerts featuring island reggae artist Tenelle Luafalemana, with proceeds benefiting UOGs comprehensive capital campaign focused on college affordability. Tickets for these events are available online through Guam Time.

In addition to the financial commitments, Enriquez acknowledged the support from the governors office, the Legislature, and other political leaders in meeting the financial requirements for these projects.

The four construction projects, totaling over $50 million, include:

1. Dr. Lucio C. Tan Student Success Center: Expected completion in mid-2025, housing student services such as admissions, financial aid, health and wellness, and a mini food court.

2. School of Engineering: Expected completion in mid-2025, supporting the civil engineering degree program and future expansion into electrical engineering and construction management degrees.

3. Water and Environmental Research Institute (WERI): Projected completion by mid-2025, expanding water sample testing and other research capabilities.

4. Margaret Perez Hattori Uchima School of Health Nursing Annex: Anticipated completion in early 2026, addressing the increasing demand for nursing education.




Haiti - FLASH : Important Forum of Partners Supporting Security in Haiti





International partners supporting the security sector in Haiti held a major joint forum this week at the Montana Hotel where Prime Minister Garry Conille was the main guest. The forum was chaired by Andre Francois Giroux, Ambassador of Canada.



Ambassador Giroux stressed that this meeting took place at a crucial time when all international actors needed to understand what was happening in the Multinational Mission in Support of the Haitian National Police (PNH).



He stressed that the Kenyan-led mission was essential to Haiti, hence the need for all actors to ensure that they fully supported it. Among the dignitaries present were the United States Ambassador to Haiti Dennis Bruce Hankins and Maria Isabel Salvador of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), key representatives from : The Bahamas, the European Union, Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Chile, Switzerland, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organization of American States.



In his speech, Prime Minister Conille made an impassioned appeal to international partners to support Haiti, particularly the PNH which, despite their numbers, are under-resourced and under-armed. He called for rapid intervention as the country prepares for the next general elections next year. Recalling the need to ensure security as it is the key to free and fair elections.



Normil Rameau, the Director General of the PNH echoed the Prime Minister while putting pressure on international partners to equip and support the PNH. He noted with great concern that pressure was increasing on all fronts, with the population expecting to see immediate results, especially after the arrival of the first Kenyan contingents.



Godfrey Otunge, the Commander of the Kenyan Forces, made a presentation where he requested the rapid and timely delivery of more equipment to support the mission and for the HNP to improve its operations and effectiveness. He stressed that although the mission is at the pre-deployment stage, he is committed to using all available resources to assist the Haitian National Police in its fight against gangs. This has allowed for constant day and night patrols conducted jointly by the Mission and the Police. He reiterated that this will continue and ensure that all critical government infrastructure that the gangs had taken is recovered. He promised to remain committed to the Haitian people whose only request is to see Peace return to their country where they can resume their businesses in peace.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Livestock in many localities in the South and Southeast of the country affected by Anthrax





The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) informs the entire population, mainly cattle, goat and sheep farmers, that cases of diseases similar to wntrax have been discovered in Petit-Goave and in many localities in the South and South-East departments of the country.



The Ministry reminds that anthrax is a highly contagious disease. When an animal has the disease, blood can be seen coming out of all the orifices of its body, such as the ears, nostrils, etc... and it dies quickly.



People can also contract Anthrax. It can present in many forms: cutaneous, pulmonary (respiratory problems) and gastrointestinal.



For these reasons, the Ministry asks everyone to be very careful with animals that show symptoms of anthrax. Do not eat or sell meat from suspect animals. Be very careful with dead animals, if an animal dies suddenly, it is better to bury it in a 1.8m deep hole and cover it with quicklime.



The Ministry asks the population to follow all the advice of veterinary officers in their locality, in order to prevent the disease from spreading throughout the national territory. Remember that the Ministry was informed of the first cases on July 12.



Learn more about anthrax in humans :

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacteria that is often fatal in animals (sheep, goats, cattle and pigs), which can be transmitted to humans by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or by inhaling the bacteria present in infected animal products (leather, wool, etc...). Eating undercooked meat from infected animals can also cause anthrax.



The cutaneous form of the disease is transmitted through the skin and is characterized by itching of the affected area, followed by the appearance of a small, painless bump that develops into a pustule and then an ulcer with a black spot in the center. The affected area is not painful, but the infection can cause fever, headache, and malaise. More than 95% of human cases of anthrax worldwide are due to the cutaneous form of the disease.



Symptoms of cutaneous anthrax appear almost immediately, within a day of infection.



The pulmonary form of the disease is transmitted by inhalation of the bacteria. The infection initially manifests itself with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, and malaise. After several days, symptoms may progress to respiratory distress and shock. Anthrax can be fatal if antibiotic treatment is not started early enough.



Symptoms of anthrax appear 2 to 6 days after infection but may not be noticeable for 6 weeks or more.



The gastrointestinal form of the disease is transmitted by eating contaminated food. The infection causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Gastrointestinal anthrax is a rare and difficult to recognize infection.



Symptoms of intestinal anthrax appear 1 to 7 days after infection.



All 3 types of anthrax can be treated with a variety of antibiotics. Importantly, early antibiotic treatment can cure most cases of skin infections. Pulmonary and gastrointestinal anthrax are more serious infections. Treatment is possible in the early stages of the disease, but mortality rates remain high if antibiotic treatment is not started before respiratory symptoms appear.



Mortality of untreated anthrax :

Inhalational and meningeal anthrax: 100%

Cutaneous anthrax : 10 to 20%

Gastrointestinal anthrax : about 40%



Anthrax is not transmitted from person to person.



Anthrax is diagnosed by testing samples of blood, respiratory secretions, or skin wounds. The samples are sent to a laboratory to determine if they contain the bacteria that cause anthrax. Results are usually available about 2 days after the samples are taken.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42841-haiti-alert-anthrax-haiti-takes-the-first-health-measures.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42820-haiti-health-suspected-cases-of-anthrax-in-haiti-trigger-a-health-alert-in-dominican-republic.html



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : UNESCO Transcultura Program, call for applications





UNESCOs Transcultura Programme is calling for young entrepreneurs in the Caribbean hospitality and creative tourism sector.



The selected young people will have the opportunity to participate in the 15th edition of the World Tourism Event for World Heritage Destinations, which will be held from 12 to 14 September 2024 in Genoa, Italy.



Culture and creativity are essential pillars of sustainable tourism that benefits communities, preserves heritage and stimulates innovation. The Transcultura Programme: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, implemented by UNESCO and funded by the European Union, invites young Caribbean entrepreneurs to present initiatives based on culture and creativity at the 15th edition of the World Tourism Event (WTE), a leading platform for the tourism promotion of World Heritage destinations.



Under this call, UNESCOs Transcultura Programme will fully cover the cost of participation in WTE 2024, including accreditation to participate in the exhibition area, participation fees for the B2B workshop (with 45 buyers from Italy, France, Spain, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, USA and Australia) and all international mobility and accommodation costs in Genoa during WTE 2024.



Entrepreneurs who have launched a creative tourism business in or near World Heritage destinations are particularly encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to women-led businesses and entrepreneurs who run initiatives that allow tourists to experience local culture directly from locals by actively participating in artistic and creative activities, thus benefiting local communities.



The call is open to entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, aged 18 to 35, who are nationals and have permanent residence in one of the following 17 Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.



Applications must be submitted by Friday, August 16, 2024, at 23:59 Havana time (UTC/GMT -5 hours) via the online application form: https://tinyurl.com/28aj6ndd



HL / HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Recovery of ill-gotten assets

By virtue of its pre-legislative competence, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) continues to work to strengthen the Haitian anti-corruption regulatory system. It should be recalled that after joining the GlobE Network, Haiti must have legal tools in order to benefit as much as possible from international cooperation. On this basis, an major consultation workshop on the development of a special draft law dedicated to the recovery of ill-gotten assets will be held on August 13 and 14 with the participation of all stakeholders in the national integrity system.



Taiwan : solar-powered water pumping system

The Minister of the Environment and the Taiwanese Ambassador to Haiti inaugurated a solar-powered water pumping system in Terrier-Rouge on August 8, 2024.



Prohibited demonstrations

"Following public announcements of subversive demonstrations in recent days, the Anti-Gang Cells created as part of the application of the decree of July 17, 2024 establishing a state of security emergency are urged to assume their responsibilities," Carlos Hercule, Minister of Justice. Let's recall that point 9 of the state of emergency prohibits this type of demonstration that could disturb public order... https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42840-haiti-flash-a-state-of-emergency-with-very-extensive-powers-list.html



Action plan of the Ministry of Tourism

James Monazard, the Minister of Tourism accompanied by his Chief of Staff, John Herrick Dessources and the Director General of the Ministry, Sinedie Saintil Dupuy chaired his second Board of Directors in the conference room of the Ministry. During this meeting, the Action Plan to be implemented over the coming months by the Ministry was presented to the Directors and Executives of the Ministry. Monazard recalled the five areas of action of the Ministry for the coming months :



1. Planning the revitalization and development of the tourism economy;

2. Improving the attractiveness of tourist destinations;

3. Improving the quality of private services;

4. Strengthening synergy in the tourism sector;

5. Improving the supply of public services in the tourism sector.



Special Status for Customs Officers

On Friday, August 9, 2024, the General Directorate of Haitian Customs met with the Central Directors of Customs Offices around Circular 001 of the Prime Minister, Gary Conille, and the preliminary draft of the Special Status for Customs Officers.



UN : Strengthening infrastructure in Haiti

The Minister of Public Works, Eng. Raphael Hosty, and his Cabinet met with Ms. Dabagai Dabagai, Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS - Haiti). They discussed, among other things, the rehabilitation of roads and the installation of energy in hospitals to strengthen infrastructure in Haiti.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Concerns are mounting over the new technology which makes it easier than ever to buy this killer item.

Vending machines are now being used to sell ammunition in the US. Source: Getty/American Rouds/YouTube

Soda. Snacks. Shotgun shells... Vending machines are being loaded up with ammunition at shopping centres across the United States. And demand is exploding.

Our automated ammo dispensers are accessible 24/7, ensuring that you can buy ammunition on your own schedule, free from the constraints of store hours and long lines, goes the company sales spiel. Our machines are as easy to use as an ATM.

Theyre already appearing in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Alabama.

It comes as the US gun violence epidemic continues with more than 10,184 dying under the barrel of a firearm in the US so far this year. About 332 were in mass shooting events.

The high rate of gun violence last month prompted the federal Surgeon General to declare it a public health crisis. The epicentre is the nations capital - the Washington District of Columbia. It has a gun fatality rate of 13.93 deaths per 100,000 people. Second worst is Louisiana, at 10.91.

Ammunition vending machines in high demand

Now shopping centres across the Land of Opportunity are demanding that American Rounds stand and deliver their Automated Ammo Retail Machine (AARM for short).

The first was rolled out on a trial basis in Alabama late last year.

CEO Grant Magers told US media that his Dallas-based company had loaded up seven touch-screen-operated machines that dispense all your favourite brands of 9mm ammunition and 12-gauge shotgun shells.

But he said his 10 employees are now staring down the barrel of 200 delivery requests.

I cannot provide you with specific state-by-state expansion plans. However, we have requests in for machines in approximately 42 states, Magers told Newsweek. I can say that we have had requests from business owners and customers in California.

The vending machines are already proving popular. Source: American Rounds

There are an estimated 435 million guns in private hands in the United States.

The nation only has 333 million people.

Little wonder ammunition is considered as much a daily staple as bread, milk and butter.

Which may be why the idea of ammunition vending machines appears to be so popular among rural grocery store owners.

Especially, says Magers, in Florida.

And he says his company is happy to tailor the flavour of on-call ammunition according to individual community needs - and which hunting season is active at any given time.

We had someone tell us that they wanted a .410 shotgun round in this particular community because a lot of the folks there will use that for varmints and snakes and things like that that get on their property, he told NPR.

Vending machines verify user's age and identity

The vending machines are not quite your average chip, sandwich packet and can variety.

Its credit card reader and inventory status reporting system must already be connected to the internet. So, adding a webcam and driver-licence scanner was a logical next step.

The images are fed back to a central system to verify the users age and identity before completing the transaction.

The vending machines come fitted with face-scanning technology. Source: American Rounds

The whole experience takes a minute and a half once youre familiar with the machine, Magers said.

And its heavy steel, double-walled, triple-locked casing should shoot down any thoughts of a smash-and-grab attempt, he adds.

Ammunition  is traditionally sold off the shelf, he said. [It] just sits openly like boxes of cereal at a grocery store.

Criticism mounts for ammo vending machines

Not everybody is convinced.

The vending machine in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has already had to be relocated after its compliance with local state laws was called into question.

And some US states require a police record background check at the point of sale.

Should we move forward in one of those states, then clearly we would have to meet those requirements like any other retailer, Mayer said.

Not everyone is pleased with the machines. Source: American Rounds

A federal license is not required to sell ammunition, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said in a statement. However, commercial sales of ammunition must comply with state laws as well as any applicable federal laws.

University of California, Irvine, professor of criminology George Tita told NPR the vending machines delivered their own set of safety concerns - such as the buyers state of mind.

A vending machine is not going to be able to say, Hey, are you okay? or Why do you need this ammunition? Tita said.

Im not sure what problem the company is solving that wouldnt be solved by responsible ownership of any facility selling ammunition.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The highlight of Saturday was the eagerly awaited performance by Fred Again.. , the English musician and producer who has become an international phenomenon.

Flow Festival's 20th-anniversary celebration continued on Saturday with a sold-out crowd of 32,000 people gathering at Helsinki's Suvilahti. Despite early rain clouds, the sun broke through, and the day was marked by joy and energy as festival-goers danced and celebrated.

Returning to Finland, he delivered a show that exceeded all expectations, captivating the massive audience with his music. The crowd danced and jumped throughout the concert, which was filled with surprises and unforgettable moments.

Fred Again.. wasn't the only artist who left a mark on the audience. The Welsh duo Overmono delivered a stylish and finely-tuned club set at the Silver Arena, while Berlin's queer club sensation Herrensauna pushed the crowd to dance harder than ever.

Iconic alternative rock artist PJ Harvey mesmerized the Flow audience with her otherworldly presence. Her performance, which ranged from garage rock to darker folk tones, radiated a majestic and powerful energy. Meanwhile, in the Silver Arena, Norwegian artist Aurora moved the audience to tears with her emotionally charged performance. On the Balloon 360 stage, serpentwithfeet created an irresistible energy, while the duo Jimi Tenor & Jori Hulkkonen in the Black Tent continued to explore the endless possibilities of jazz and electronic music.

Tickets are still available for the final day of Flow Festival on Sunday. Sunday's lineup includes performances by James Blake, Jessie Ware, Alvvays, Artemas, L'Imperatrice, and Kenya Grace, with Pulp headlining the main stage in the evening. Additionally, Sunday features a Family Sunday program for younger attendees and the festival's closing Flow Talks Sustainability event.

Flow Festival's 20th-anniversary weekend began on Friday, drawing another 32,000 attendees to Suvilahti. The sold-out day featured a mix of star performances, raw punk energy, and irresistible rhythms.

English soul star Raye captivated the audience with her majestic performance, her voice soaring over the pink-hued Suvilahti sky. Halsey lit up the main stage with a vibrant, deeply personal performance that wove the audience into an emotional and sincere expression.

On the Balloon 360 stage, the unique and unstoppable groove of the Congolese orchestra KOKORO! swept over listeners like a genre-defying storm. The same stage also saw a farewell performance by the indie rock band The Holy. The legendary DJ trio Body & Soul transformed the Heineken Backyard into a hub of groove, while Evichsen at The Other Sound moved effortlessly between concrete music, sound art, and performance.

At the Silver Arena, rapper and actor Vince Staples took control of the stage, followed by the relentless energy of IDLES. The British punk band's music pulsed with a force that blended playfulness, rage, and love, leaving no one in the audience untouched. Janelle Monae, in a class of her own, closed the night at the Silver Arena with a stylish and skillful performance that struck the perfect balance of power and finesse.

The beautiful Tiilikello served as the setting for Timo Viialainen's hypnotic installation "Seakey (and then I picked up my...)," where minimalist, motorized sculptures created meditative experiences. Viialainen's exhibition, along with other festival art installations, will be on display throughout the weekend.

The Flow Talks program kicked off with a panel on AI & Creativity, produced in collaboration with YouTube. The panel featured Hema Manickavasagam from Google DeepMind and researcher Ethan Manilow discussing the role of artificial intelligence in creative and artistic endeavors.

The Sustainable Food competition also announced its winner. After a rigorous evaluation, the jury awarded the prize to restaurant N4KU, whose delicious, Vietnamese-inspired dishes excelled in taste, accessibility, responsibility, and sustainability.

Flow Festival continues with excitement on Saturday and Sunday, offering performances by electronic music superstar Fred again.., Britpop legend Pulp, French sensation L'Imperatrice, and versatile artist James Blake. In addition to incredible music, festival-goers will enjoy high-quality food, top-notch art, and timely discussions throughout the weekend.

HT
Sallas comments come at a time of heightened tension and violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

In a rare move for a member of the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), Finnish MEP Aura Salla has publicly condemned the Finnish governments stance on Israel, accusing it of moral inconsistency. We are being highly hypocritical by purchasing weapons from a country engaged in war and committing what I believe is genocide, Salla stated in a recent interview with Helsingin Sanomat.

The European Union, while calling for de-escalation, has historically been divided on how to address Israel's actions, especially regarding settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. Salla is urging Finland to take a stronger stand by halting arms sales to Israel and pushing for EU-wide sanctions.

Historical Context of Finland-Israel Arms Trade

Finland's arms trade with Israel has been significant in recent years. Notably, in 2022, the Finnish Defense Forces announced the purchase of the David's Sling missile defense system from Israel, a deal that was lauded by Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen. This system, designed for high-altitude missile interception, represents one of several key defense acquisitions from Israel in recent years.

Despite the escalating violence in Gaza, Hakkanen confirmed in October 2023 that these deals would proceed as planned, a decision that has drawn criticism from various quarters, including within his own party.

Sallas Criticism and Call for Action

Sallas stance sharply contrasts with the more measured approach of her colleagues in government. We cannot stand by while innocent civilians are being bombed under the pretext of fighting Hamas, she said. There are massive numbers of women and children being killed.

Salla has been vocal on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where she has called for the international community to impose sanctions on Israel. "Israel understands money," she argued, "and we need to hit them where it hurts."

For decades Palestinians have struggled to live under Israeli occupation and coercive practices without a chance to build a society. The situation in #Gaza is unbearable. International community needs to act now placing impactful sanctions against Israel! https://t.co/pOyXWpdKPO  Aura Salla (@AuraSalla) August 11, 2024

She acknowledges the complexity of the situation, including the role of Hamas, which she condemns as a terrorist organization. However, she argues that Israel's policies over decades have prevented Palestinians from building a functional society. Whats happening now is genocide, she stated bluntly.

Finland's Position on Palestine Recognition

Salla also criticized Finlands reluctance to recognize Palestine as a state, a step she believes would send a strong message. Finland should have recognized the state of Palestine long ago, she said.

This view is not shared by Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who stated in May 2024 that it was not the right time for such recognition, arguing that it might not contribute to achieving a ceasefire. Valtonens stance reflects a broader hesitance within the EU, where only nine of the 27 member states have recognized Palestinian statehood.

Salla emphasized that her comments reflect her personal views as an MEP and not the official position of Finland or her party. Nevertheless, her outspoken criticism highlights growing divisions within Finlandand potentially within the EUover how to respond to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, calls like Sallas for a reevaluation of arms trade and more assertive diplomatic measures are likely to become more pronounced, testing the Finnish governments commitment to both its defense partnerships and its human rights principles.

HT
US-based investment research firm, Hindenburg Research LLC, has alleged that Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch owned stakes in two offshore funds used allegedly in what Hindenburg calls the Adani money siphoning scandal. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch (PTI)

Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband have denied the allegations, calling them baseless and a character assassination attempt.

Here are the top three allegations in the new Hindenburg report.

The top 3 allegations in the new Hindenburg report against Sebi Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch

Allegation 1

On March 22nd, 2017, just weeks ahead of Buch's appointment as a Sebi member, Dhaval Buch, the husband of Madhabi Puri Buch wrote a letter to Mauritius fund administrator Trident Trust, asking to be the sole person authorised to operate the accounts, which the report claims were for moving his wife's name out of the Global Dynamic Opportunities Fund (GDOF) before the politically sensitive appointment.

In April 2017, Buch joined Sebi as a whole-time member, and on February 28, 2018, they sought redemption of all units.

Allegation 2

Madhabi Puri Buch allegedly had a 100% stake in an offshore Singapore-based consulting firm called Agora Partners from April 2017 to March 2022, at the same time when she was Chairperson at Sebi. But she transferred all the shares to her husband, two weeks after her appointment as Sebi chairperson on March 16, 2022, the report said.

The Hindenburg report claims that Singaporean entities are exempt from disclosing financial statements, so it is unclear the amount of revenue it derives from its consulting business and from whom.

Buch also currently has a 100% stake in an Indian consulting business called Agora Advisory, with her husband as a director, the report added.

Allegation 3

In 2019, Dhaval Buch was appointed as a senior advisor to Blackstone, during Madhabi Buch's tenure as a Sebi member, the report claimed. This was even though he had never before worked in a fund, real estate, or capital markets, and having had experience mostly in procurement and all aspects of the supply chain, having worked most of his life in Unilever, rising to the position of Chief Procurement Officer, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Blackstone is one of the largest investors and sponsors of REITS, an asset class. Blackstone sponsored Mindspace and Nexus Select Trust, Indias second and fourth REIT to receive SEBI approval for an IPO.

During Dhaval Buchs time as advisor to Blackstone, SEBI proposed and approved major REIT regulations changes including seven consultation papers, three consolidated updates, two new regulatory frameworks and nomination rights for units, all of which are for benefiting private equity firms Like Blackstone.
NAGPUR: Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday alleged that certain officials were given a contract to frame him and other senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the state in false cases when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was in power. Nagpur, India - December 21, 2019: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendara Fadnavis addresses a press conference during the cocluding day of winter session of Maharashtra State Assembly at Vidhan Bhawan, in Nagpur, on Saturday. Photo by Sunny Shende

During the MVA government, a supari (contract) was given to certain officials to put me, Girish Mahajan, Pravin Darekar and several other leaders in jail. But they could not do it because there were many good officials at that time who refused to lodge such false cases, the former chief minister said during a media interaction.

Fadnavis was responding to a query about former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singhs recent allegations that former state home minister Anil Deshmukh pressured him to file false cases against certain BJP leaders.

Also Read | Not big enough vs frustrated person: Uddhav-Fadnavis verbal duel intensifies

What [Singh] said about efforts being made to arrest me and other BJP leaders is completely true. He mentioned one incident, but there are actually four incidents where conspiracies were plotted to arrest me on false charges. However, we managed to expose those conspiracies at the time. We also provided video evidence to the CBI, and we still have substantial video evidence today, Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis has been locked in a war of words with Deshmukh ever since the latter claimed on July 21 that he had been approached by a mediator on behalf of the BJP leader to sign four affidavits impleading Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar and Anil Parab in various cases.

Singh had accused Deshmukh in 2021 of asking former Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze to collect 100 crore a month from bars and restaurants. The allegations were levelled while the NIA was investigating the Antilia bomb threat case, in which Vaze was the main accused. Deshmukh was forced to resign as state home minister after the Bombay high court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct an inquiry into the corruption allegations.

Also Read | Amit Shah political heir of Ahmad Shah Abdali, BJP doing power jihad: Uddhav Thackeray

Earlier this week, the NCP (SP) leader claimed that Fadnavis had tried to save Singh from arrest by asking him to level allegations against Deshmukh to topple the MVA government. Both Fadnavis and Singh dismissed the allegations.
In the wake of the maximalist position taken by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu after his election last year, both Male and New Delhi have taken steps to restore relations to an even keel. Muizzu, who came to power on the back of an India Out campaign, demanded the withdrawal of Indian personnel deputed to the Maldives to operate three aircraft used mainly for humanitarian missions. However, since he attended the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June, several signs have pointed to a thaw in relations between the two countries. This is underlined by a visit to India in May by Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer, and external affairs minister S Jaishankars visit last week to the Maldives. At his meeting with Jaishankar, Muizzu spoke of his administrations commitment to strengthening close connections with India, which he described as one of the island nations closest allies and invaluable partners. Jaishankar too said the Maldives is at the heart of Indias Neighborhood First policy and cooperation between the two countries has moved beyond the traditional role and aspires to be a modern partnership.

When the Maldives recently faced economic problems, it was India that agreed to the rollover of treasury bills worth $50 million. New Delhi has also ensured the uninterrupted supply of critical items such as food despite the downturn in bilateral ties and Males perceived tilt towards Beijing since last year, including measures to reduce its dependency on New Delhi. Indias assistance, comprising a mix of grants, loans and budgetary support, is based completely on the developmental and infrastructure needs of the Maldives and has touched the lives of the people, with even Muizzu acknowledging that it leads to significant economic benefits and boosts the local economy.

All of this points to a realisation in the Maldives that there will always be a need to balance between India and China, and any policy to simply shut out New Delhi will not work in the long-run. For India, regaining trust will be slow but crucial, given the current situation across the neighbourhood. A new beginning has been made with India assuring it will continue to partner the Indian Ocean archipelago on development, and a perceived pro-China regime being appreciative of New Delhis support. India too will do well to learn from its experiences in recent years by reaching out to all segments of the Maldivian political establishment.
The Union government will conduct the 21st livestock census in the country during September-December 2024, a five-yearly exercise to provide the latest headcounts of domesticated animals and poultry and breed identification through doorstep visits to households, home-based enterprises, and commercial farms. India has one of the largest cattle populations globally

The census is crucial to framing policies, raising productivity, and infrastructure development in a sector that is a vital pillar of the Indian economy," Alka Upadhyaya, the Union secretary of animal husbandry and dairying, said.

India has one of the largest cattle populations globally, and livestock accounts for 5.5% of the countrys gross domestic product. The sector offers livelihood to millions of farmers in the worlds largest milk producer. India is also the worlds second-biggest egg-producing country.

The enumeration drive will be fully digitised, and numerous training sessions with technical experts are being held across the country, the official said. Data will be captured by nearly 80000 surveyors on hand-held devices that will be rapidly uploaded for quicker results. The census went digital in 2019, when the previous census was carried out.

The livestock economy accounts for 30% of the agricultural sectors gross value added, or GVA, a measure of growth that strips out net taxes. On average, farmers earn far more returns from livestock than from crops alone, according to the farm ministry.

The census will help to identify breeds with high economic potential, and its data are a key component of the Sustainable Development Goals: National Indicator Framework Progress Report brought out by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation."

The 21st livestock comes in the wake of a crippling lumpy skin disease outbreak in cattle in 202223, which is estimated to have killed or maimed up to a million cattle in the country. The census will help to arrive at a reliable estimate of the toll of the epidemic, a second official said.

The 20th census had shown the countrys cattle population to be 535.78 million, of which 192.49 million were cattle and 109.85 buffaloes. The poultry population in 2019 stood at 851.81 million, comprising 317.07 million backyard birds and 534.74 million in commercial farms. The census is based on a breed-wise schedule devised by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, the official said.
Donald Trump is reportedly struggling to come to terms with the new reality of the presidential race as a dramatic shift takes place.

Kamala Harris is the betting favourite as the US presidential race takes on a new flavour. Source: Getty

What a difference six weeks makes.

On the evening of Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump at the end of June, speculation was swirling about whether he could really run for the White House again and who else could potentially lead the Democratic party to the 2024 US presidential election.

Despite being Vice President, and the person who currently would take on the job if anything were to happen to Joe Biden, Kamala Harris was an afterthought.

Australian betting agencies had Californian governor Gavin Newsom as a hot favourite. Even former First Lady Michelle Obama (who has never run for office) had better odds than Harris who in the hours after the debate was a $26 long shot to be the next US president.

Today, she is paying just $1.72.

That's right, she is leading Donald Trump as the betting favourite (who the bookies currently have at $2).

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at a rally in Arizona on Friday (local time). Source: Reuters

She's riding high since the Democrats rallied around her, enjoying the glow of a party reenergised after staring defeat in the face when Joe Biden initially refused to drop out of the race. While that glow will surely fade, fresh poll results released this weekend in key swing states that are set to decide the election provide a strong case for her to be the frontrunner.

Among likely voters, Harris is leading Trump by four percentage points each in separate polls conducted in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The polls, conducted by the New York Times and Siena College, show a marked difference from where Biden was in the critical battleground states that will determine who wins the election.

If that holds, Harris will deny Trump a second stint in power.

To become president, a candidate need not win the national popular vote but must win 270 electoral votes. Each state has a number of electoral votes based on its population, making the swing states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia, especially important.

That's why the latest round of polling, as The New York Times declared, shows that "Harris has fundamentally changed the race".

Harris at a rally in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday (local time). Source: Reuters

The Trump campaign even released a memo from its chief pollster, Tony Fabrizio, pushing back against the polling results. "Once again, we see a series of public surveys released with the clear intent and purpose of depressing support for President Trump," Fabrizio said.

Harris has raised hundreds of millions of dollars and held rallies with thousands of supporters since becoming the Democratic candidate, regularly eclipsing the smaller events that Biden held and drawing ire from Trump, for whom crowd size has long been an important barometer of political strength.

And the Harris camp are consistently letting him know about it.

Trumps last rally in Phoenix vs. the Harris-Walz rally in Phoenix tonight pic.twitter.com/stdIr0Bq18  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 9, 2024

Harris rally vs. Trump rally



Same arena in Philly pic.twitter.com/YqRiRIPRrW  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 6, 2024

Trump 'knocked off his bearings'

After surviving an assassination attempt just weeks ago, and at the time appearing ordained for a return to power, reports from inside the former president's camp say he is struggling to come to terms with the new reality of the race.

An extensive New York Times piece over the weekend claimed to take readers "inside the worst three weeks of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign".

Those close to him reportedly said he'd been "knocked off his bearings" by the new nature of the race and has "found the change disorienting". He has reportedly been trying to find an effective attack line and drum up a new disparaging nickname for his political opponent.

According to the report, Trump has ranted about Harris in private and called her a "bitch", according to two people who told the Times they heard the remark on different occasions. A spokesperson for Trump denied the claims to the newspaper.

The candidates are set to do their first debate on Wednesday, September 11 AEST.

with Reuters

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The National Testing Agency, NTA, will be closing the window to raise objections to the provisional answer key of the Joint CSIR UGC NET 2024 on Sunday, August 11. Candidates who wish to challenge the provisional answer key can do so by visiting the official website at csirnet.nta.ac.in. CSIR UGC NET 2024: Window to raise objections will close today at csirnet.nta.ac.in. (HT file image)

Candidates must note that the deadline to raise objections is 11:50 pm.

Furthermore, they will need to pay a non-refundable processing fee of 200 to challenge the answer key. The NTA had stated that the challenges made by the candidates would be verified by a panel of Subject Experts, and in case the challenge of any candidate is found correct, the Answer Key will be revised and applied in the response of all the candidates accordingly.

Also read: NEET PG 2024: Wait finally over as medical students to appear for examination today, here is a documents checklist

The Joint CSIR UGC NET results 2024 will be prepared and declared based on the revised Final Answer Key, the NTA stated earlier.

It may be mentioned here that the NTA released the provisional answer key on August 9 on its official website. Candidates needed to enter their Application Number and Date of birth on the login page to download the answer key.

The CSIR UGC NET 2024 examination was conducted on July 25, 26 and 27, 2024. The examination on July 25 and 26 was conducted in two shifts- a first shift from 9 am to 12 noon and a second shift from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Also read: Meghalaya set to hold two SSLC exams from 2025, informs Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma

As per the NTA, the examination was held in 348 centers located in 187 Cities across the Country for 2,25,335 candidates in the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.

The question paper consisted of three parts, all of which were of objective type, multiple choice questions. There was no break between papers.

Also read: IIT Kanpur launches innovative SATHEE IBPS program for those preparing for a career in banking services, details here

The Joint CSIR UGC NET examination in July 2024 is held for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS)/ Assistant Professor/ PhD.

Candidates may contact the helpline number at 011-40759000 or email at csirnet@nta.ac.infor assistance.
There is no specific age for an individual to stop learning. As we welcome new technologies, developments and changes in our day-to-day life, it is imperative that we have an open mind to learning new things. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been introduced to us and is making waves with various developments in different sectors. There is no specific age for an individual to stop learning. As we welcome new technologies, developments and changes in our day-to-day life, it is imperative that we have an open mind to learning new things.(Representative Photo)

For all those who would like to take up new challenges and learning paths, here are 5 AI courses offered by Google that are free for all.

Introduction to Generative AI

Interested participants can join this free Introduction to Generative AI course offered by Google which is aimed at explaining what Generative AI is, how it is used, and how it differs from traditional machine learning methods.

Objectives:

Define Generative AI

Explain how Generative AI works

Describe Generative AI Model Types

Describe Generative AI Applications

Introduction to Image Generation

If you are interested in being introduced to the theory behind diffusion models and how to train and deploy them on Vertex AI, then this is a course that is recommended for participants and can be taken for free.

According to Google, this course introduces diffusion models, a family of machine learning models that recently showed promise in the image generation space. Diffusion models draw inspiration from physics, specifically thermodynamics. Within the last few years, diffusion models have become popular in both research and industry.

Objectives:

How diffusion models work

Real use-cases for diffusion models

Unconditioned diffusion models

Advancements in diffusion models (text-to-image)

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Introduction to Responsible AI

According to Google, the course Introduction to Responsible AI is an introductory-level microlearning course aimed at explaining what responsible AI is, why it's important, and how Google implements responsible AI in its products. It also introduces Google's 7 AI principles.

Objectives:

Understand why Google has put AI principles in place.

Identify the need for a responsible AI practice within an organization.

Recognize that decisions made at all stages of a project have an impact on responsible AI.

Recognize that organizations can design AI to fit their own business needs and values.

Introduction to Vertex AI Studio

This course introduces Vertex AI Studio, a tool for prototyping and customizing generative AI models. Through immersive lessons, engaging demos, and a hands-on lab, you'll explore the generative AI workflow and learn how to leverage Vertex AI Studio for Gemini multimodal applications, prompt design, and model tuning. The aim is to enable you to unlock the potential of these models in your projects with Vertex AI Studio.

Objectives:

Explain what Vertex AI Studio does.

Use Gemini multimodal with Vertex AI Studio.

Design prompt by applying configurations and best practices.

Tune models by exploring different methods and the process.

Build Real World AI Applications with Gemini and Imagen

Are you interested in learning more about image recognition, natural language processing, image generation using Google's powerful Gemini and Imagen models, deploying applications on the Vertex AI platform? Google suggests building real-world AI Applications with Gemini and Imagen course to interested participants.

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Actor Shah Rukh Khan was awarded the Pardo Alla Carriera award at the Locarno Film Festival 2024 on Saturday evening. Several videos and pictures of the actor at the event emerged on social media platforms. For the event, Shah Rukh wore a black shirt, matching jacket and trousers. (Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan leaves for Switzerland, to receive career achievement award at Locarno Film Festival) Shah Rukh Khan with his award on the Piazza Grande area during the 77th Locarno International Film Festival, in Locarno, Switzerland.(AP)

Shah Rukh makes a speech after getting award

Shah Rukh, after receiving the award, said about the trophy "this is very heavy" and kept it aside, leaving the crowd in splits. The actor said, I want to thank you all for welcoming me with such wide arms, wider than the ones I do on screen in this really pretty, very beautiful, very cultural, very artistic, and extremely hot city of Locarno.

Shah Rukh talk about India

He continued, "So many people stuffed up in a little square and so hot, it's just like being home in India. So thank you so much for having me here. It's been a wonderful last two evenings."

Shah Rukh responds to fan who said I love you

During a speech, a fan screamed 'I love you' from the audience. Shah Rukh said, "I love you also. All dramatics continues after the serious speech. It's the Locarno Film Festival, we all need to sound intellectual, ok?"

He added, "My day has been wonderful, the food has been nice, my Italian is improving, so has been my cooking." He then spoke Italian and translated, I can cook pasta and pizza also. I'm learning here in Locarno.

Shah Rukh speaks Hindi

Ending his speech, Shah Rukh said, "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and from India. Namashkaar and dhanyawaad (Hello, thank you). God bless you all."

About Shah Rukh and Locarno Film Festival

In the lead-up to the event, the Locarno Film Festival released a striking poster featuring Shah Rukh. Shared on the festival's official Instagram account, the poster showed him in a sleek black blazer and matching trousers, exuding an air of sophistication.

Shah Rukh was honoured with the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also scheduled to participate in a Q and A session on August 11, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In tribute to his career, the festival screened Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2002 film Devdas, in which he played a wealthy law graduate whose life unravels following family rejection and personal turmoil. The award comes on the heels of his highly successful 2023, which saw the release of his three blockbusters, Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki, all of which were huge hits.

Shah Rukh's upcoming film

The actor will reportedly begin shooting for his upcoming film King. Reportedly, the film is also set to star Shah Rukh's daughter and actor, Suhana Khan. If reports are to be believed, King will be directed by Sujoy Ghosh.
Sonakshi Sinha and Richa Chadha might not have shared screen space in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi, but the actors remain good friends off screen. On Sunday, Sonakshi took to her Instagram to share a bunch of new pictures with Richa and Ali Fazal, both of whom recently became parents to a baby daughter. (Also read: Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal's one-month anniversary was all about detox, cuddles and recovering in Philippines) Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal with Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal.

Sonakshi's potluck with Richa

In the first picture, both Sonakshi and Richa were seen smiling at the camera, as they sat in front of a table with a number of delicacies and plates. Zaheer Iqbal sat beside Sonakshi and smiled. Ali Fazal was seen in a white kurta, as he sat in the middle. They were joined by a mutual friend who also smiled for the camera. The second picture had a closer look at the sweets that were on the menu- from gulab jamuns to rasgullas and chocolate pastries. The third picture was taken after the potluck was over, with both Richa and Sonakshi relaxing on the couch.

In the caption, Sonakshi summed it up in a few words: Sunday done right!!! Before - swipe for after!! She added the hashtags potluck and food coma.

More details

Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal dated for seven years before getting married on June 23, 2017, the same date they started dating. The two recently shared inside pictures from their one-month anniversary on Instagram, as a getaway in the Philippines, where they spend a week just unwinding.

Meanwhile, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal welcomed their baby daughter on July 16. The couple said in a joint statement, We are tickled pink with joy to announce the arrival of a healthy baby girl on 16.07.24! Our families are overjoyed and we thank our well wishers for their love and blessings!
By Dawn Chmielewski Disney announces 'Avatar' will come to California Adventure park

ANAHEIM, California, - Walt Disney will build a new 'Avatar' experience at its Disney California Adventure theme park, based on the second film in the science fiction franchise, Avatar: The Way of Water", the company said on Saturday.

This is the first in a series of anticipated announcements at the D23 Disney fan club event being held this weekend revealing how the company will begin deploying $60 billion in capital investments.

Disney has said it would deepen its investments in the parks, nearly doubling its spending over the next decade, as it re-imagines attractions at its 12 parks around the world and increases the capacity of its cruise line.

"Everything that were going to share with you tonight is in active development," said Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro. "This means that plans are drawn. This means that dirt is moving. I just want to be clear with all the fans out there. This isnt blue sky."

D'Amaro then yielded the stage to a 70-piece orchestra performing Disney musical numbers as images of the company's theme parks flashed across the screen.

Disney's parks have become a reliable profit engine, helping to cushion the impact of declines in traditional television and losses in its video streaming business, which last quarter turned a profit.

The experiences unit, which includes parks, cruise ships and consumer products, contributed 60% of the company's operating profit in the most recent quarter - up from 30% just a decade ago.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company planned to spend $17 billion over the next decade at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

These investments would build on such recent attractions as Tiana's Bayou Adventure - inspired by Disney's animated movie "The Princess and The Frog" - the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, and the Tron Lightcycle/Run.

The company faces intensifying competition in central Florida from rival Universal Studios, which plans to open Epic Universe next year, adding 750 acres to be populated by Harry Potter, dragons from the Viking world of "How to Train Your Dragon," classic Universal movie monsters such as Frankenstein and Nintendo's Donkey Kong.

In Anaheim, California, Disney earlier this year won approval for a development plan that clears the way for a $2 billion investment in the Disneyland Resort.

The company has yet to offer any details, beyond saying it is seeking the flexibility to blend hotels, shops and attractions within the same themed world, as it has in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea Park.

"We have an obligation to continue to develop these huge businesses and amazing experiences that we have here in California and in Florida," D'Amaro told Reuters in June. "And we will invest aggressively and heavily and intelligently."

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Actor Lee Jung Jae who recently made headlines for the sequel of his famous series on Netflix, Squid Games, has been accused of serious fraud alongside the ex-CEO of WYSIWYG Studios, Park In Gyu. The accusations are made by the CEO of RaemongRaein, the man responsible for the production house of Song Joon-Ki's hit drama Reborn Rich. **EDS: GRAB VIA PTI VIDEO; TO GO WITH STORY**Lee Jung Jae accused of fraud alongside former CEO, Park In Gyu. (PTI Photo) (PTI06_06_2024_000157B)(PTI)

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Fraud allegations against Lee Jung Jae and Park In Gyu

A formal complaint against the actor and the former CEO was filed which is currently being investigated by the Seoul Gangnam Police Station since June, according to the reports. The complaint for fraud was made by Kim Dong Rae who is the CEO of RaemongRaein under the Specific Economic Crimes Act.

According to Kims allegations, Park and Lee made false claims where they convinced the former to involve the duo as major shareholders and this will result in his companys growth. Kim, therefore, transferred his shares to them. However, he accused Lee and Park of trying to remove him from the companys management.

It was agreed to form a joint management in the contract with Kim but the two did not uphold the deal on their end. The complaint claimed that they intended to take control of the company and its financial resources. The document also accused Park and Lee of corporate raiding as they wanted to use RaemongRaeins funds to acquire Chorokbaem Media.

Also Read: BTS' Sugas DUI case is complicated further by new details as it reveals

Lee Jung Jae refutes allegations

Lee Jung Jaes team has denied all allegations and stated there was no breach of the contract which only mentioned the transfer of management rights which were agreed upon with mutual consent. The actors representatives established there was little contact between them and Kim before and after the signing of the contract. Lee has countersued the CEO for making false allegations of fraud. The police station in-charge has questioned Kim regarding the case and will call Lee and the former CEO next.
Tamil actor-director Dhanush has contributed to the Kerala CM Relief Fund to aid the victims of the devastating landslide in Wayanad, Kerala. The natural disaster took place on July 30, causing destruction and claiming hundreds of lives. The calamity has made actors across Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu film industries to do their bit. (Also Read: TFPC claims they told Nadigar Sangam about Dhanush a year ago: They're lying) Dhanush donated  25 lakh to the Wayanad landslide victims of Kerala.

Dhanush donates  25 lakh

Industry tracker Sreedhar Pillai shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), writing, Dhanush donates 25 lakhs to Kerala CM Relief Fund for Wayanad. A heartwarming gesture!

Apart from Vijay, Tamil actors like Vijay, Nayanthara, director Vignesh Shivan, Telugu actors like Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, and Rashmika Mandanna, Malayalam actors like Mammootty and Mohanlal have also contributed to the cause. Mohanlal even visited Wayanad to aid in relief efforts.

What happened in Wayanad

Due to incessant rainfall, major landslides occurred at Mundakki, Chooralmala and Vellarimala village in Wayanad. The response to the disaster has been immense, and the army, police fire departments, and dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly to assist those affected. Numerous medical staff have also been deployed for support and treatment. The Indian Army even erected a 190-foot bridge in a record time of 71 hours to facilitate crucial movement. Since then, celebrities have shared their grief and urged people to help the people of Wayanad.

Upcoming work

Dhanush was recently seen in Raayan - a film he both acted in and directed. The film received a mixed response upon release. Raayan was his 50th film as an actor and second as a director. He will soon be seen in Sekhar Kammulas Kubera. The film also stars Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna and Jim Sarbh in the lead roles. Dhanush will also be directing a film titled Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam, which has been on hold for a while now.

Dhanush recently ran into trouble when the Tamil Film Producers Council placed a temporary ban on him for taking advances and not completing a film. The Nadigar Sangam however spoke up in his support.
New Delhi, Eleven Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended while trying to infiltrate into India through the international border in West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya, the Border Security Force said on Sunday. 11 Bangladeshis held while infiltrating into India, border security reviewed: BSF

They are being questioned and will be handed over to the respective state police for further legal action, a BSF spokesperson said.

He also said the BSF was in regular touch with its counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh to sort out mutual issues, especially about the prevention of atrocities on Indian nationals and people from minority communities in Bangladesh.

Last week, the Union Home Ministry formed a committee under the BSF additional director general to look into the safety and security issues being faced by minorities in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

The BSF is the designated armed force to guard the 4,096-km-long India-Bangladesh border that runs the five eastern states of West Bengal , Tripura , Meghalaya , Assam and Mizoram . The force has been on a "high alert" all along this front since the fall of the Hasina government and amid the turmoil in the neighbouring country.

The border guards have thwarted a number of infiltration attempts and sent back thousands of Bangladeshi people over the last few days with the help of the BGB at many points along the Bangladesh frontier.

The South Bengal Frontier of the force headquartered in Kolkata said in a statement that its Eastern Command ADG Ravi Gandhi chaired an operational conference on Saturday to review the security along the border "amid the current unrest in Bangladesh" and the upcoming Independence Day on August 15.

It said, "11 Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended on the border while infiltrating into India. Two each were nabbed from West Bengal and Tripura borders while seven were apprehended from Meghalaya border."

The spokesperson said, "Detailed deliberations were held during the meeting to further enhance border control, security and management."

"Besides, it was decided to continue the close collaboration with the BGB," he said.

The BSF has been holding flag meetings with the BGB to sort out mutual issues amicably, especially for the prevention of atrocities on Indian nationals and people from minority communities in Bangladesh and the BGB has been responding well, he said.

The force has also directed its personnel to ensure that there is no infiltration from Bangladesh and they should use "non-lethal weapons" if required.

The Tripura Frontier of the force also said that its head, an inspector general rank officer, has briefed the troops "about the incident of jailbreak in Qasimpur, Bangladesh and exhorted them to maintain high vigil to prevent any infiltration attempt" while touring the border areas on August 9-10.

Following Hasina's exit, an interim government has been sworn in Dhaka under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Jaipur, At least 14 people were killed in rain-related incidents across Rajasthan on Sunday while five people were washed away by the gushing water of Kanota Dam in the capital Jaipur, officials said. 14 killed as heavy rains ravage Rajasthan

Karauli and Hinduan in eastern Rajasthan's Karauli district are facing a flood-like situation following incessant rainfall since Saturday night, officials said.

Seven people drowned while bathing in a river in Bharatpur and five were swept away by the strong current of water at the Kanota Dam in Jaipur, officials said.

A rescue operation is underway to trace the missing people, they said.

Eight youths from Srinagar village were taking a bath in the Banganga River in Bharatpur. One after the other, they slipped into deep water and eventually drowned, they said.

The deceased were identified as Pawan Singh Jatav, 20, Saurabh Jatav, 18, Gaurav Jatav, 16, Bhupendra Jatav, 18, Shantanu Jatav, 18, Lakkhi Jatav, 20, and Pawan Jatav, 22.

In Jaipur, the five men were out on a picnic at the dam when they were washed away by the gushing water, officials said.

In Jhunjhunu, three people drowned while bathing in a pond in Mehrana village. All of them were residents of Sanwlod village.

The deceased were identified as Anuj Meghwal, 22, Bulkesh, 21, and Anuj Kumar, 20, police said.

In Karauli, a father-son duo, Zakir Khan, 40, and Ziya Khan, 12, were killed on Sunday after getting trapped under the debris of their house that collapsed due to heavy rain, police said.

They were sleeping in their house in Karauli city's Dolikhar Mohalla when the incident occurred, they said.

"Two people died in the incident and two were injured," Principal Medical Officer of Karauli District Hospital, Dr Ramkesh Meena told reporters.

In another incident, a 19-year-old nursing student died after he slipped and fell into the Kedia stream in Banswara and was swept away by the strong current of the water.

Vikas Sharma's body was retrieved by an SDRF team, officials said.

In Sawai Madhopur, a 35-year-old man identified as Gajju Rajput drowned in a pond. Prima facie, the man was under the influence of alcohol. He slipped and fell into the water body, police said.

Karauli district, situated around 200 km from the state capital Jaipur, is among the worst affected.

"There is a flood-like situation in Hinduan and Karauli where 15-inch rainfall was recorded from Saturday night till Sunday afternoon," Anand Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief Department told PTI.

Officials in Karauli have urged people to avoid areas near rivers during the high stream as around 8,000 cusecs of water have been released from the Panchana Dam in the district.

Parwati, Gambhir and Banganga rivers are overflowing and teams from the civil defence and State Disaster Response Force are deployed to rescue vulnerable people, they said.

The Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall at isolated places in eastern Rajasthan and predicted monsoon to remain active for the next five to six days in several parts of Jaipur, Bharatpur, Ajmer and Kota divisions.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to occur at several places in the state during the period.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on Sunday, 63.2 mm of rainfall was recorded in Jaipur, 31.5 mm in Karauli, 14.2 mm in Alwar, 9 mm each in Mount Abu and Sikar, and 6.5 mm in Fatehpur.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma held a meeting with officials here to take stock of the situation.

"Safety of all citizens of Rajasthan - our top priority. Today, a meeting of the officials was held in the Chief Minister's Office regarding the heavy rains in the state and necessary guidelines were given to strengthen all the arrangements related to disaster management immediately," Sharma said on X.

He appealed to the citizens to stay away from reservoirs and waterlogged areas, maintain distance from electric poles and wires during rain, avoid using basements of buildings during rain and pay attention to the warnings and safety measures.

"I am sensitive towards every family member of my state Rajasthan, hence I request all of you to take proper precautions during the rainy days," he said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Delhi, At least 28 people died in rain-related incidents Sunday as heavy downpours lashed north and northwest India, causing landslides, traffic chaosand house collapses, as well as a dam breach which inundated several villages in Haryana. 28 dead as rains wreak havoc in north, northwest; several Haryana villages inundated

The Jammu and Kashmir Administration said the annual Amarnath yatra has been suspended after heavy rains in the Shri Amarnathji Yatra area.

This was the second straight day of heavy rains in the region with Rajasthan being the worst hit as the state reported 16 deaths over two days two on Saturday and 14 on Sunday. Its Karauli district recorded "exceptionally heavy rainfall" of 38 cm.

Nine people, including eight members of a family, died in Punjab's Hoshiarpur on Sunday as their vehicle got swept away by a flooded a seasonal rivulet.

Heavy rains lashed central, south, southwest and east Delhi too, leading to waterlogging and traffic snarls on several road stretches. Officials said on Sunday a seven-year-old boy drowned in a waterlogged park in Rohini's Sector 20 the previous evening.

They said seven calls were received regarding waterlogging at different locations and four about fallen trees. Traffic was disrupted on the Najafgarh-Phirni road near Dhansa stand and Bahadurgarh stand.

Gurugram recorded 70 mm of rainfall during the day. Waterlogging was reported from several areas, including police lines, Bus Stand Road, Sheetla Mata Road, Narsinghpur Service Road, Basai Chowk, Khandsa, Sanjay Gram Road, Sohna Road and Subhash Chowk, sectors 30, 31, 40, 45, 47, 51, 22, 23, 4, 5, 12, 13 48.

These areas also saw traffic snarls with vehicles and pedestrians having to wade through knee-deep waters.

Three girls were killed and one person is missing in Himachal Pradesh where landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains over the last two days have led to the closure of more than 280 roads. Officials said 458 power and 48 water supply schemes are also affected in the state.

Two deaths were reported from Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun where a woman and her seven-year-old son died after the roof of their house collapsed in the Koch area following heavy rains.

The India Meteorological Department said in a Sunday evening bulletin that "exceptionally heavy rainfall" was observed over Rajasthan's Karauli , heavy to very heavy rainfall was observed at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar too.

Officials in Rajasthan's Jaipur said the heavy rains created a flood-like situation in Karauli and Hinduan. Jaipur saw waterlogging at several places. Five people were swept away at the Kanota Dam in Jaipur and a rescue operation has been launched.

"Safety of all citizens of Rajasthan - our top priority. Today, a meeting of the officials was held in the Chief Minister's Office regarding the heavy rains in the state and necessary guidelines were given to strengthen all the arrangements related to disaster management immediately," Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma posted on X.

Till 5.30 pm on Sunday, Jaipur recorded 63.2 mm rainfall, Alwar 14.2, Mount Abu and Sikar 9 mm each and Fatehpur 6.5 mm.

In Punjab's Hoshiarpur, nine people including eight members of a family died and two others went missing after their vehicle got swept away on Sunday by the flooded Jaijon Choe, a seasonal rivulet.

Eleven members of the family, along with a driver, were travelling in the SUV from Dehra near Mehatpur in Una district of Himachal Pradesh to Mehrowal village in Punjab's SBS Nagar district to attend a wedding, police officials said.

As they were crossing the Jaijon Choe, which was in spate due to heavy rain, their vehicle got swept away, the police said.

Some locals had even warned the driver not to cross the choe because of strong water current in the rivulet but he ignored it and moved ahead, said police. Locals managed to rescue one occupant. A video of the incident showed that the vehicle was stuck in the flooded rivulet.

Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said a team from the National Disaster Response Force has been deployed.

Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba said nine bodies, including those of five females, have been recovered from the rivulet.

Rains lashed parts of Punjab and Haryana also. Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Rupnagar and Ambala were among the places that received rainfall.

Pathankot received 82 mm of rainfall, Gurdaspur 68.8 mm and Amritsar 57.6 mm in the last 24 hours which ended at 8:30 am, a meteorological department report said.

Rains lashed many parts of Punjab and Haryana on Sunday, bringing respite from humid weather conditions. Chandigarh, Mohali, Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar and Ambala among the places that received rainfall.

Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, received 129.7 mm of rainfall, a meteorological department report said on Sunday.

Several villages in Haryana's Yamunanagar district were inundated following a breach in the embankment of Som river.

The affected villages are Kanuwala, Bamnoli, Malikpur Bangar, Lalahadi and Manakpur of Yamunanagar district. Around 3-4 feet deep water entered Khanuwala village, forcing many residents to move out to safer places.

Agricultural fields at many places were submerged.

Officials said the State disaster response force has been called in.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Kelly Rocheleau Education, court and crime reporter Follow Kelly Rocheleau Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

AUBURN  Law enforcement officers from Cayuga County and beyond sampled the latest technology in their field on Thursday.

Auburn Police Department Officer Nate Barnes was among several attendees of the Axon Roadshow in the department's parking lot, where the company displayed body cameras, drones and more.

A virtual training simulation allowed officers like Barnes to try out Axon's latest Taser, which differs in some ways from the ones Auburn police currently use, he told The Citizen.

The simulation depicted a traffic stop with a man wanted for weapon possession. Training with such common scenarios can help increase officer confidence as well, Barnes said.

"It shows that there's a lot more opportunity to get the best training that you can, with the weapons we have on our belt that we might have to use some day," he said.

Axon, which sold the Auburn Police Department its body cameras in 2022, holds roadshows with law enforcement agencies across North America. Officers in departments from Geddes, Camillus, the Oneida Indian Nation and more attended Thursday's show as a part of an instructor training school the Auburn department was hosting separately from the roadshow.

Auburn Police Chief James Slayton told The Citizen the event was also open to the public in order for community members to see the equipment. He noted the body cameras shown at the event are the same model the department is set to receive in around six months through its contract with Axon.

Sgt. Matt Hare, who runs the department's body camera program, said the roadshow allows officers to see the latest technology up close while meeting personnel from other police departments.

"It's nice for them to be able to come over and get to experience this," Hare said. "We get to meet people and interact and share information."

Auburn City Councilor Christina Calarco told The Citizen she came to the roadshow to look at the latest technology available to the department.

Before taking part in the virtual reality simulation, Calarco said the event gave her a chance to better understand the duties of officers.

"I just wanted to see the technology and equipment utilized by our law enforcement so I can understand their jobs and make good decisions for the city going forward," she said.

Andy Meaney, Axon's roadshow manager for North America, told The Citizen he feels the event "brings awareness to all the different technology that's out here."

"The APD is a partner of ours," he said, "and it's just showing what's available to keep communities safe."
Mumbai, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday attributed the attack on Uddhav Thackeray's convoy by MNS workers to frustration stemming from the absence of condemnation following a similar incident involving himself. Angry reaction by MNS workers: Raj Thackeray reacts to attack on Uddhav's convoy; 54 booked

On Saturday evening, MNS workers hurled tomatoes and cow dung at Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray's convoy in Thane, a day after some individuals in Beed district threw betel nuts at Raj Thackeray's motorcade.

Authorities had detained over 40 MNS workers in connection with the attack on Uddhav's convoy and subsequently allowed them to go. Later, police registered two FIRs naming 54 MNS workers, said an official on Sunday.

In a detailed social media post, Raj Thackeray stated that the MNS workers reacted due to the lack of censure directed at the Shiv Sena district chief in Beed.

The actions of the MNS workers were fuelled by their frustration due to the absence of condemnation for the behaviour exhibited by the Shiv Sena district chief in Beed district. This lack of response led to the reaction by the MNS workers," he stated.

Raj Thackeray appealed to his workers to back down for now but warned of addressing the behaviour of some people who have refused to change their ways, after assembly elections.

Claiming attempts were made to create obstacles during his Marathwada region tour, the MNS chief said some individuals who demanded the reservation for Marathas were found to be affiliated with the NCP and Shiv Sena .

Their true associations were exposed on social media, the MNS chief added.

Shiv Sena Sanjay Raut has distanced his party from the attack on Raj Thackeray's convoy, attributing it to individuals advocating for the Maratha quota.

The MNS chief said he had warned against meddling with his supporters and party workers, saying, "You cannot even imagine what they would do. I stated this in my media interaction. And yesterday, people realised what I meant."

In his appeal for peace, Raj Thackeray emphasised the importance of maintaining decorum in political discourse and urged the media to avoid sensationalism.

"Politics encompasses intense scrutiny and policy clashes, yet this does not warrant unwarranted language against opponents. It is imperative to act in a manner that does not escalate tensions in Maharashtra," he added.

Despite the recent altercations, Raj Thackeray advocated preserving Maharashtra's political culture of accommodating dissent. He called for fair elections and vowed to address any unruly behaviour post-elections.

"I appeal to people to not mess with me or my party workers. Some people may be established , but I have the support of displaced ones," he added.

Meanwhile, police have registered two FIRs against 54 MNS workers, including women, in connection with the protest in Thane on Saturday, an official said.

Ten persons, including MNS Thane and Palghar chief Avinash Jadhav, have been named in one FIR, while 44 activists from the party have been shown as accused in the second FIR for allegedly blocking traffic during their protest.

The FIRs have been registered under the Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita and Motor Vehicles Act, the official added.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. BJP's IT cell head, Amit Malviya, accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of attempting to cover up the crime and called for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Police produce R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case accused Sanjoy Roy at Sealdah Court in Kolkata on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

Mamata Banerjees administration is in overdrive to cover up the rape and murder of a resident doctor in RG Kar MCH. Kolkata Police has apparently arrested a civic volunteer for the crime, when as per media reports, the body of the deceased had 11 grievous injuries, with even her eyes bleeding. It seems, even forensic experts have opined that she was raped for a long time before being murdered, the BJP functionary claimed.

He alleged that there were inconsistencies in the polices statements and the evidence presented.

As per reports in media, two semen samples were recovered from the site. But the Police subsequently retracted. The botch up is evident, Malviya added, pointing to what he described as a deliberate effort to cover the facts.

Read: Did you see what happened at Kolkata hospital?: Man threatens woman doctor, arrested

The BJP leader also expressed alarm over comments made by TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who suggested "encounter killings" as a means of dealing with such heinous crimes.

"What is shocking is that Mamata Banerjees nephew is suggesting encounter killings in such crimes. This is not just dangerous but institutionalising state-sponsored murders, which sinister governments like the TMCs could use to protect actual criminals. It must be condemned."

Malviya labelled the West Bengal CM a "failed" leader and demanded that the investigation be handed over to the CBI.

Mamata Banerjee is a failed Chief Minister. She must hand over the probe to CBI and stop using Police to silence protesting doctors. It wont work, he added.

Read: Resident doctors to halt nationwide elective services over Kolkata rape-murder

Autopsy report indicates rape

The body of a woman doctor was discovered inside a seminar hall at the hospital, with the preliminary autopsy report indicating she was sexually assaulted and murdered.

The report stated, "There was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth and injuries over the face. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts. She also has injuries in her belly, left leg... neck, in her right hand, ring finger and... lips."

The police have arrested a suspect, who was reportedly an outsider frequently seen on the hospital premises.

A police officer said that circumstantial evidence indicated a possibility that the woman doctor was first murdered and then raped by the arrested accused, reported PTI.

"There is evidence that the doctor was sleeping alone in the seminar hall of the hospital when she was attacked by the accused. The woman tried to resist but was strangled to death. To make sure she was dead, he also smothered her. There is a possibility that the accused could have raped her after the murder," PTI quoted the officer as saying.
BJP leader and former union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday hit out at the opposition Congress over the new Hindenburg Research report, which levelled several allegations against the chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Madhabi Puri Buch, and her husband, saying that the report has been published with the partnership of Congress. Rajeev Chandrasekhar (PT)

Let's be clear - this attack on SEBI by a foreign bank Hindenburg, is an obvious partnership with the Cong and has an ominous motive and goal. To destabilize, and discredit one of the world's strongest financial systems and create chaos in the world's fastest-growing economy ie India. On this let there be no doubt, the former union minister wrote in a post on X.

According to Chandrasekhar, the report is a classic Congress-style innuendo and lies glued together with a few grains of truth. He added that the report is aimed at discrediting the regulator and causing chaos and losses in markets for investors.

India's financial sector has been rebuilt in last 10 years by @narendramodi- from the shattered, crony lending PSU banks and 10% NPA legacy of UPA, insider trading ponzi frauds like Sahara scam to a vibrant financial system that is supplying equity and credit to worlds fastest growing economy ie India. Even as banks in the US fail and stick markets collapse, Indian banks and markets continue to growI have said often and say again - Many global forces with the help of the Cong dynasty want to slow down or trip up India's rise. We won't let them, he wrote.

In another post, Chandrasekhar said that he is ready is have a debate on who has done what to India's financial sector - if the Congress wants to.

Let the country know the truth - how crooks and corruption from Sahara to #PhoneBanking & NPAs ruled the roost under Cong versus today's markets and financial sector that have been cleaned up and are vibrant and equitable, he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that the report is a conspiracy to create an imbalance in India.

A report came from Hindenburg, which has been on the radar of the Indian investigating agencies. The Opposition is speaking in tandem with them, they have also raised this in Parliament sessionI want to ask why these foreign reports come at the time of the Parliament session? he told ANI.

Trivedi further alleged that the Congress leaders knew about the report beforehand.

It is clear that the Opposition wants to create imbalance in India, he added.

What does the new Hindenburg report say?

US-based short seller Hindenburg Research on Saturday alleged that Madhabi Buch, chairperson of SEBI, and her husband Dhaval Buch, had stakes in offshore entities linked to the Adani Group's alleged financial misconduct. The report, citing whistleblower documents, claimed that the entities were part of a network used by Vinod Adani, Gautam's elder brother, to siphon money.

According to the report, just weeks before Buchs appointment to SEBI, her husband requested the transfer of their investments into his sole control, potentially to avoid any scrutiny related to her new regulatory role.

"In the letter, Dhaval Buch requested to "be the sole person authorised to operate the Accounts", seemingly moving the assets out of his wife's name ahead of the politically sensitive appointment," it alleged, adding that the couples investments were reportedly funnelled through a complex, multi-layered offshore structure, raising questions about their legitimacy and purpose.

The report further mentioned that SEBI's impartiality in conducting a probe against Adani Group is questionable due to the potential conflicts of interest.

Opposition reaction

Earlier, the Opposition hit out over the new Hindenburg Research report, demanding an immediate probe into the matter.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated on Saturday night on behalf of the grand old party on X that SEBI's strange reluctance to investigate the Adani MegaScam had been noted for a long time. He also demanded a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

According to the Congress leader, Hindenburg Research's latest allegation raises fresh questions about Gautam Adani's two 2022 meetings in quick succession with Buch shortly after she was appointed as SEBI chairperson.

Meanwhile, TMC MP Mahua Moitra also took a dig over the allegations, saying that in true Adani style, even the SEBI chairman is an investor in his group. She further demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigate alleged money laundering.
The Congress on Sunday demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into allegations against Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch in the latest Hindenburg report.



In a post on social platform X, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said,"SEBI had previously cleared Adani, a close associate of PM Modi, before the Supreme Court following the January 2023 Hindenburg Report revelations. However, new allegations have surfaced regarding a quid-pro-quo involving the SEBI Chief." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

The small & medium investors belonging to the Middle Class who invest their hard-earned money in the stock market need to be protected, as they believe in the SEBI. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) inquiry is imperative to investigate this massive scandal, Kharge added.



ALSO READ: Hindenburg row: Top 3 allegations against Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch

Until then, concerns persist that PM Modi will continue to shield his ally, compromising India's Constitutional institutions, painstakingly built over seven decades, the Congress leader added.

Hindenburg report's allegations



The opposition has launched an all out attack after the latest report by US-based research firm Hindenburg alleged that SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in obscure offshore funds used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.



Hindenburg said 18 months since its report on Adani, "SEBI has shown a surprising lack of interest in Adani's alleged undisclosed web of Mauritius and offshore shell entities."



ALSO READ: New Hindenburg report: Link between Sebi, Blackstone, Dhaval Buch and REITs



SEBI chief and her husband denied the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report, adding they "are devoid of any truth".

The Adani group in a regulatory filing called the allegations by Hindenburg as "malicious, mischievous and manipulative selections of publicly available information to arrive at predetermined conclusions for personal profiteering with wanton disregard for facts and the law."



The Bharatiya Janata Party has hit out at the opposition Congress, alleging the report had been published in a partnership with the grand old party.

Let's be clear - this attack on SEBI by a foreign bank Hindenburg, is an obvious partnership with the Cong and has an ominous motive and goal," BJP leader and former union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said in a post on X.
A man in Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal has been arrested after he allegedly threatened a woman medic of similar fate as the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College.



According to a PTI report, Susanta Roy was arrested after doctors and nurses of the state-run Bhatar State General Hospital staged a protest demanding his arrest.

The incident in Purba Bardhaman comes amid protests by doctors in Bengal and other parts of the country against the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The patient allegedly told the attending doctor that if the medic did not treat him properly, he would ensure the same treatment as the woman doctor of R G Kar Hospital in Kolkata witnessed, a district health official told PTI.



ALSO READ: Resident doctors to halt nationwide elective services over Kolkata rape-murder

"The doctor, as part of her duty and medical ethics, did not stop the treatment, and she discussed the matter with other staffers. Today, they came in a group to the CMOH office and demanded punishment of the man and security for the health personnel, the official added.



We have learnt the accused went to Bhatar state-run hospital for treatment and threatened the lady doctor for being late to start his treatment. The lady accused the civic volunteer of threatening her, saying, Did you see what happened at RG Kar Medical College Hospital? It can happen to you too an India Today report quoted police officials as saying.

The Kolkata Police on Saturday arrested the accused involved in the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College. The accused was an outsider frequenting at hospital premises. He was arrested and remanded to 14-day police custody.



This is a heinous crime, and the arrested person is allegedly involved based on circumstantial evidence, including accounts of the other doctors present during night-duty hours, Kolkata top cop Vineet Goyal was quoted by PTI as saying.



ALSO READ: Kolkata rape-murder: Doctor went to rest in hall; autopsy reveals broken neck



Mamata vows to seek death penalty for accused

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to seek death penalty for the accused. On the other hand, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee called for capital punishment or encounter" for people accused of such heinous crimes.



(With PTI inputs)
One individual held citizens' liberty to ransom during the 21-month Emergency, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar remarked on Saturday. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar addresses the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the Rajasthan High Court, in Jodhpur. (PTI Photo)

Also, the Vice President, who was speaking in Jodhpur at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the high court of Rajasthan, his home state, hailed the high court for being in an illustrious list' of high courts.

During Emergency, liberty was held to ransom by one individual, Dhankhar said.

The Emergency, imposed by then-prime minister Indira Gandhi of the Congress party, was in place from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977. Gandhi put the country under emergency rule due to internal and external threats.

VP Dhankhar continued: Those arrested without any fault, were barred from seeking any judicial help. The apex court overturned the verdicts of nine high courts, that had ruled in favour of the victims. This court (Rajasthan HC) was in that illustrated list of nine high courts. I am indeed proud to be a part of this institution!

The Vice President further stated that during the Emergency, the Supreme Court had said two things: No one can move to any court for the enforcement of their rights as long as the Emergency lasts; and, the Emergency can last as long as the government wishes.

As the ex-officio Chair of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar has butted heads with the Congress-led opposition INDIA bloc, which has repeatedly accused the Vice President of favouring the BJP-led ruling NDA.

Last month, the government announced that June 25 will now be observed annually as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) to mark the imposition of Emergency.

During the recent Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA group claimed to voters that if re-elected, the BJP would do away with the Constitution. This was in response to prime minister Narendra Modi's 400 paar (over 400 seats) call.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday called for a new bill in Parliament to expedite the trial and conviction of rapists and said sexual offenders deserve either death by hanging or encounter by law enforcement agencies. Reacting to the horrific rape and murder of a doctor in a Kolkata government hospital, he demanded that the trial and conviction should be completed within seven days in sexual assault cases. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee (File Photo)

Banerjee's comments came soon after an administrative meeting at Amtala in his Diamond Harbour constituency in West Bengal.

Talking to the media, the Trinamool Congress leader slammed the BJP for protesting on the streets against the murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor in a state-run hospital in Kolkata, urging them to press the Centre to pass a bill for swift justice instead.

He said the Trinamool Congress would support such a bill should the Centre table it in the Parliament.

He said by fixing the time duration of the trial, taxpayers' money would be saved.

"These rapists, who don't deserve to live in the society, should be dealt with either through encounter or by hanging," Banerjee asserted.

Also read: Kolkata rape-murder: Doctor went to rest in seminar hall; initial autopsy reveals broken neck, bleeding parts

Acknowledging the failure of political parties to prevent heinous crimes against women in cases like Hathras, Unnao, Manipur, the Nirbhaya case in Delhi, and incidents in West Bengal, Banerjee called for reforms in the justice system.

BJP attacks TMC

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar accused Banerjee of trying to deflect attention from the state's failure to ensure women's safety in hospitals.

Last week, a post-graduate medical student, who was on night duty in the hospital, was murdered in the seminar hall. According to his colleagues, the woman doctor had eaten her dinner with two colleagues before going to the seminar hall for rest after 2 am. She was found dead the next morning in a semi-naked state.

The initial autopsy has confirmed she was sexually assaulted before being murdered. Blood was flowing out of her mouth and private parts, per the post-mortem report. Her neck was also found to be broken.

The authorities have arrested a person in connection with the crime.

With inputs from PTI
Hindenburg Research on Saturday released a report that alleged the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) did not act on claims it made in its 2023 report against the Adani Group because the market regulator's chief, Madhabi Puri Buch, had investments in offshore firms linked to the conglomerate. Hindenburg Research in a new report released on Saturday alleged that SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch held investments in certain offshore funds that were also used by the Adani group.

Citing documents from whistleblowers, the firm claimed that the Sebi chief Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had made investments, dating back to 2015, in offshore funds in Bermuda and Mauritius linked to entities allegedly used by the Adani Group to manipulate financial markets.

Also Read: Hindenburg vs Adani: US firm's serious charge against Sebi chief; Congress says end conflict of interest | 10 points

Their recent claims come on the heels of another investigative report released in January 2023, which alleged that the Adani group had orchestrated the largest con in corporate history through stock manipulation and financial misconduct.

Hindenburg Research's 2023 report had led to massive losses for the Adani group, shaving over 100 billion dollars off their market valuation.

Hindenburg had teased the release of their 2024 report, with a cryptic post on X, stating Something big soon India.

Also Read: SEBI chief, husband deny allegations in Hindenburg report: 'Our finances are an open book'

What is Hindenburg Research?

Hindenburg Research is a US-based investment research firm, founded by researcher Nathan Anderson. The company specialises in forensic financial research, conducting investigations and analyses on accounting irregularities, unethical business practices, and undisclosed financial issues or transactions.

One of their key practices is short selling, wherein their reports on certain companies inform their position in predicting whether the market prices of certain companies will fall.

Founder and researcher Nathan Anderson refers to himself as an activist shortseller.

The company shares their reports to the board of investors before release to make shorting bids on the performance of various financial actors.

Nathan Anderson graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in international business and then started his career at data company FactSet Research Systems, where he worked with investment management companies. It was here and through his penchant for finding out scams, he started Hindenburg Research.

The company was named after the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, which was a man-made and avoidable explosion of a German airship.

We look for similar man-made disasters floating around in the market and aim to shed light on them before they lure in more unsuspecting victims, their website says.

Since 2017, they have released 16 reports pointing out illegal transactions, financial fraud and more in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as well as private companies such as Aphyria, Pershing Gold, Nikola and other companies across a spectrum of sectors and countries.

Their investigation into the electric car company Nikola remains one of their biggest reports, which led to a US jury convicting its founder and the company having to pay a 125 million dollar settlement to the US government.

According to a New York Times profile of the company, the Hindenburg team consists of former journalists, including from Bloomberg and CNN, and analysts. They also work with whistle-blowers within the financial sector and the companies they are targeting. The founder has declined to disclose the names of the 10 investors that bankroll this enterprise.

In 2021 and 2022, the firm won the honour of 'top short seller' at the Activist Insights Investing Annual Review.

2023 Adani Report

Hindenburg Research first came into the spotlight in the Indian political and financial sphere when they released a report on the Adani group in 2023.

The report claimed that the Adani group's chairman, Gautam Adani, since 2020, had added 100 billion dollars to its valuation through stock price manipulation in 7 key listed companies.

The Hindenburg report alleged that Rajesh Adani, Gautam Adani's younger brother, had been arrested twice for forgery and tax fraud, but was promoted to managing director of the group.

Adani's elder brother, Vinod Ambani, operated 37 shell companies, which were central to the claims of money laundering, according to the firm.

We believe the Adani Group has been able to operate a large, flagrant fraud in broad daylight in large part because investors, journalists, citizens and even politicians have been afraid to speak out for fear of reprisal, the Hindenburg report stated.

Hindenburg vs SEBI

In June 2024, SEBI said that Hindenburg Research had shared its findings on the Adani group with a New York-based hedge fund manager and allowed him to trade with this information.

The SEBI had launched investigations into transactions by the Adani group but the probes did not go very far.

Hindenburg's research rubbished SEBI's claims of sharing the report and called it an attempt to silence those questioning corruption by powerful entities in India.

Notably, in January 2023 and in a review in July 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that they could not interfere in the SEBI's jurisdiction to investigate claims against Adani made in the Hindenburg report.

The Supreme Court, according to Hindenburg, had drawn a blank when it comes to SEBI's investigation into the Adani group.

2024 SEBI report

After a vague post on X, Hindenburg Research released their report on SEBI's involvement with Adani on Saturday night, amidst market anticipation.

The report claims the SEBI chief Madhabi Buch and her husband had stakes in offshore firms owned by Vinod Ambani, linked to financial misconduct by the Adani group.

The report said, We suspect SEBIs unwillingness to take meaningful action against suspect offshore shareholders in the Adani Group may stem from Chairperson Madhabi Buchs complicity in using the exact same funds used by Vinod Adani, brother of Gautam Adani.

In the report, investments by Madhabi Buch and her husband predate her appointment as a member of SEBI in 2017 and as chairperson in 2022.

The report claims that weeks before Buchs appointment to SEBI in 2017, her husband took over sole control of their investments to avoid coming under the scanner in her position as a market regulator.

Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch released a joint statement denying all allegations against them.

They said, "In the context of allegations made in the Hindenburg Report dated August 10, 2024, against us, we would like to state that we strongly deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report. The same is devoid of any truth. Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years."
New Delhi: Diplomat-turned-politician Kunwar Natwar Singh, the external affairs minister during 2004-05, passed away at the age of 95 after being hospitalised for the past fortnight. Kunwar Natwar Singh (02 March 2000)

Singh, who was born in the princely state of Bharatpur and joined the Congress party after leaving the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1984, died at a hospital in Gurugram late on Saturday. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the countrys third highest civilian award, in 1984.

Natwar Singh at the Parliament (11 Novermber 1986)

In his role as external affairs minister, Singh was involved in the negotiations that led to the India-US civil nuclear deal in July 2005. However, he had to resign after an independent inquiry set up by the United Nations to probe irregularities in Iraqs oil-for-food programme named Singh, the Congress party, and several Indian firms as beneficiaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, and Congress Jairam Ramesh were among those who paid tribute to Singh on Sunday, describing him as a distinguished diplomat and praising his contributions to foreign policy.

Modi said on X that Singh made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy and was known for his intellect and prolific writing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief, he said.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said Singhs many contributions include a vital role in the July 2005 India-US nuclear deal. His writings, especially on China, provided valuable insights into our diplomacy.

A walking encyclopedia of the worlds of Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

A delightful conversationalist, storyteller and ready wit. A man whose correspondence with varied men and women are the stuff of history. A wonderful and generous friend with his hospitality and his ever-sharp memory and his deep archive. Natwar Singh was all this and much more. He has just passed away after leading a full and richly variegated life. He was truly someone who has left behind his footprints on the sands of time, Congress MP Ramesh wrote on X.

Singh joined the Indian Foreign Services (IFS) at the age of 22 in 1953, and one of his earliest assignments abroad was at the Beijing Embassy during 195658.

Besides serving under high commissioner Vijay Lakshmi Pandit in the mission in London and in Indias permanent mission to the UN in New York during 1961-66, he was deputed to the Prime Ministers Office under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during 1966-71.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Abdul Sattar With Natwar Singh Minister of State Foreign Affairs (31 January 1987)

His other assignments abroad included stints as ambassador to Poland (1971-73), deputy high commissioner to the United Kingdom (1973-77), and envoy to Pakistan (1980-82).

After quitting the IFS in 1984, Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bharatpur constituency in Rajasthan as a representative of the Congress party. In 1985, he became minister of state for steel, coal, and mines in the government headed by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. In 1986, he became minister of state for external affairs.

Natwar Singh with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi

Singhs differences with former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao led to his leaving the Congress party and forming the All India Indira Congress party along with fellow dissidents ND Tiwari and Arjun Singh. He returned to the Congress in 1998 and was re-elected to the Lok Sabha from Bharatpur.

When the Congress returned to power at the Centre in 2004, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed him as the external affairs minister.

Natwar Singh in Bharatpur Election (10 December 1984)

Though he resigned after being named by the Paul Volcker Committee in Iraqs oil-for-food scandal, he always rejected the charges. He had been accused of writing letters to officials in the Saddam Hussein regime to introduce businessman Andaleeb Sehgal, a friend of his son Jagat Singh, and recommending Sehgal for contracts under the UN-sponsored oil-for-food programme.

Singh was a prolific author and loved reading, and his autobiography One Life is Not Enough, published in 2014, was critical of Manmohan Singhs role in sealing the India-US nuclear deal. He also angered the Congress with his criticism of the partys leadership in his autobiography.

Singh is survived by his wife Heminder Kumari Singh and son Jagat Singh.
A head teacher at a government primary school in Gujarat's Banaskantha, who has been living in the United States for the past eight years, has still been drawing a state government salary, reported Gujarat Samachar. Gujarat school teacher, living in US for 8 years, still drawing salary: Report(Gujarat Samachar)

According to the report, the incident came to light after students and villagers complained that they had not seen the teacher, identified as Bhavna Patel, at the school for many years. The students, who are currently in the fifth grade, mentioned that they last saw her when they were in the third grade.

The complaint said that Patel is still listed as a teacher on the school payroll.

Patel, who was the head of Pancha Primary School, reportedly has been residing in Chicago since 2013. She also holds a US green card, reported the local media.

Despite this, her name is still mentioned on the school's roster.

According to a report by India Today, Patel visits Gujarat once a year during Diwali when the school is closed for the holidays. However, even during these brief visits, she does not visit the school or interact with the students, the report said.

No action taken

The in-charge school principal, Parul Mehta, claimed that they reported the issue to the taluka education officer, district education officer, and the state education minister, reported Gujarat Samachar. However, no action has been taken yet.

Meanwhile, the primary education officer said that Patel visited the school in January last year and has been on an unpaid leave since this year, the report said.

Reportedly, a show-cause notice has been issued to the teacher, and officials have sought disciplinary action against her.
US short-seller Hindenburg Research  which had wiped out much of Adani Group's net worth with its allegations of financial irregularities last year  on Saturday claimed in a blog that market regulator Sebi's chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in obscure offshore funds used in the Adani scandal. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch speaks during the Annual Capital Markets Conference 2024.(PTI file photo)

The American firm accused the market regulator of showing a "surprising lack of interest in Adani's alleged undisclosed web of Mauritius and offshore shell entities" because of Buch's secret financial interest in the conglomerate.

Also read: Who is Dhaval Buch, SEBI chairperson's husband named in Hindenburg report?

"Madhabi Buch, the current chairperson Of SEBI, and her husband had stakes in both obscure offshore funds used in the Adani money siphoning scandal," the American short-seller said in a blog post, which is expected to rock the Indian political space. Per Hindenburg's 2023 allegations, obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds, allegedly controlled by Gautam Adani's elder brother Vinod Adani, inflated the Adani Group companies' stock prices. Citing an IIFL document, the company claimed the couple's net worth is estimated to be $10 million and the source of the secret investment was salary. "In brief, despite the existence of thousands of mainstream, reputable onshore Indian mutual fund products, an industry she now is responsible for regulating, documents show SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband had stakes in a multi-layered offshore fund structure with miniscule assets, traversing known high-risk jurisdictions, overseen by a company with reported ties to the Wirecard scandal, in the same entity run by an Adani director and significantly used by Vinod Adani in the alleged Adani cash siphoning scandal," it alleged. It claimed that the Supreme Court had said in its order that Sebi had "drawn a blank" in its investigations into who funded Adani's offshore shareholders. Hindenburg claimed that the market regulator was reluctant to probe a trail of money which its chairperson might have led. "If SEBI wanted to find the offshore fund holders, perhaps the SEBI chairperson could have started by looking in the mirror. We find it unsurprising that SEBI was reluctant to follow a trail that may have led to its chairperson," it added. "We had previously noted Adani's total confidence in continuing to operate without the risk of serious regulatory intervention, suggesting that this may be explained through Adani's relationship with SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Buch," the firm had said in a teaser in the morning. Meanwhile, Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch denied the allegations. "In the context of allegations made in the Hindenburg Report dated August 10, 2024, against us, we would like to state that we strongly deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report. The same is devoid of any truth. Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years," they said. Reacting to the explosive allegations, Congress demanded the Centre act immediately to eliminate all conflicts of interest in the regulator's investigation of the Adani Group. "This had tied its hands to the extent that 'the securities market regulator suspects wrongdoing, but also finds compliance with various stipulations in attendant regulations... It is this dichotomy that has led to SEBI drawing a blank worldwide'," Jairam Ramesh said quoting the Expert Committee. Jairam Ramesh also demanded a JPC probe. "The government must act immediately to eliminate all conflicts of interest in the SEBI investigation of Adani. The fact is that the seeming complicity of the highest officials of the land can only be resolved by setting up a JPC (joint parliamentary committee) to investigate the full scope of the Adani mega scam," the former Union minister said in his statement. In January last year, Hindenburg Research accused Adani Group of pulling "the largest con in corporate history" by using a web of companies in tax havens to inflate its revenue and manipulate stock prices, even as debt piled up. The conglomerate denied all allegations. However, the company suffered a massive erosion of its wealth as the group's share prices plummeted. The conglomerate almost lost $150 billion in market value. They have now recovered a significant chunk of their lost wealth over the past few months.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
US-based firm Hindenburg Research alleged on Saturday that Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in offshore entities involved in the Adani money siphoning scandal. Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch (R) and her husband Dhaval Buch

According to Hindenburg, based on whistleblower documents and other investigations, Madhabi and Dhaval Buch opened an account with IPE Plus Fund 1 in Singapore on June 5, 2015. A declaration by a principal at IIFL claimed that the investment source was "salary" and estimated the couple's net worth at $10 million.

ALSO READ- New Hindenburg report: SEBI chief Madhabi Buch, husband owned stakes in offshore entities linked to Adani Group

Who is Madhabi Puri Buch?

1. Madhabi Puri Buch took charge as the chairperson of Sebi on March 2, 2022.

2. She previously served as a Whole Time Member at Sebi, overseeing key departments like Market Regulation, Investment Management, and Information Technology.

3. Buch has international experience, having worked as a consultant for the New Development Bank in Shanghai and as the Head of the Singapore office for the private equity firm Greater Pacific Capital. She was the managing director and CEO of ICICI Securities and also served as an executive director on the board of ICICI Bank.

5. Buch holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a degree in Mathematics from St. Stephen's College, New Delhi.

ALSO READ- Supreme Court rejects plea to review order in Adani-Hindenburg case

Who is Dhaval Buch?

1. Dhaval Buch is a senior advisor at Blackstone and Alvarez & Marsal. He also serves as a non-executive director on the board of Gildan.

2. Buch is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D), where he graduated in mechanical engineering in 1984.

3. He held the position of executive director at Unilever and eventually became the company's chief procurement officer.

4. Buch describes himself as having deep experience in procurement and all aspects of the supply chain.

Also read: Hindenburg vs Adani: US firm's serious charge against Sebi chief; Congress says end conflict of interest | 10 points

Our life and finances are an open book: Buchs

Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband on Saturday issued a joint statement to dismiss the Hindenburg's allegations as baseless, asserting their finances are transparent.

"We would like to state that we strongly deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report," the Buchs said.

ALSO READ- SEBI chief, husband deny allegations in Hindenburg report: 'Our finances are an open book'

"The same are devoid of any truth. Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years," the statement said.
India's market regulator chief rejected Sunday allegations by US short-seller Hindenburg Research that claimed past offshore investments may have prevented her from properly investigating corporate malfeasance allegations against the Adani Group. India regulator rejects bias in Adani probe

Last year, Adani Group, the sprawling ports-to-power Indian conglomerate, saw billions of dollars wiped from its market value after a bombshell report by the Hindenburg forensic financial research firm accused it of "brazen" corporate fraud.

The family-run conglomerate's founder, Gautam Adani, the world's 12th richest person according to a Bloomberg index of the world's billionaires, denied the allegations made in that report, calling it a "deliberate attempt" to damage its image for the benefit of short-sellers.

Hindenburg claimed that Adani's elder brother Vinod "manages a vast labyrinth of offshore shell entities" in tax havens including Mauritius, Cyprus and several Caribbean islands.

The fraud claims wiped more than $150 billion off the group's market value and prompted India's top court to ask the Securities and Exchange Board of India to probe the allegations.

On Saturday, citing whistleblower documents, Hindenburg accused SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband of having held investments in offshore funds that Vinod Adani also allegedly used.

"We suspect SEBI's unwillingness to take meaningful action against suspect offshore shareholders in the Adani Group may stem from Chairperson Madhabi Buch's complicity in using the exact same funds used by Vinod Adani, brother of Gautam Adani," Hindenburg said.

It suggested that the regulator may have been "reluctant to follow a trail that may have led to its own chairperson".

The report says the couple opened their account in one fund in 2015.

It added that weeks before her appointment to SEBI as a "whole-time member" in 2017, her husband requested to be the sole operator of the account.

Buch was later appointed as chairperson of the markets watchdog in 2022.

She said her and her husband's "life and finances are an open book", in a statement.

"We strongly deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report," she said.

"All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years," she added.

"We have no hesitation in disclosing any and all financial documents, including those that relate to the period when we were strictly private citizens, to any and every authority that may seek them".

Adani is considered a close associate of Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and opposition parties and other critics say their relationship helped Adani to unfairly win business and avoid proper oversight.

asv/pjm/sco

Adani

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Delhi: Ukraine hopes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be able to join efforts to restore a just peace following the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian presidents chief of staff Andriy Yermak told Indias deputy national security adviser Pavan Kapoor on Saturday. (Twitter/@AndriyYermak)

Kapoor was on an announced visit to Kyiv, about a fortnight ahead of Modis planned visit to Ukraine for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There was no official word from the Indian side on the visit. Both India and Ukraine are yet to formally announce the visit, the first by a senior Indian leader since the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Yermak, who is the head of the office of the president, said on X that he met Kapoor and emphasized the importance of restoring a just peace for [Ukraine] and [Indias] participation in this process. He added, Expressed hope that Prime Minister @narendramodi will contribute to these efforts.

A statement from the presidents office said Yermak described the situation on the frontline and the shelling of civilian infrastructure, in particular, the Russian attack on Kostyantynivka..

The statement reiterated the need for restoring just peace for Ukraine and Indias participation in this process. It quoted Yermak as expressing the hope that Modi would be able to join in this effort..

India has so far refrained from publicly criticising Russias invasion, though it has said that it will support all diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine. India has also ramped up the purchase of discounted Russian commodities, especially fuel and fertilisers.

The Indian side has also called for the cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue to find a solution to the conflict.

Modis planned visit to Ukraine, especially after his trip to Moscow during July 8-9 for the annual India-Russia Summit with President Vladimir Putin, is being seen as part of New Delhis balancing act on the conflict. During his visit to Moscow, Modi reminded Russian President Vladimir Putin that a solution cant be found on the battlefield and peace talks cant succeed under the shadow of the gun.

Modis visit to Russia was criticised by Zelenskyy as his arrival in Moscow coincided with a Russian strike on Ukraines largest childrens hospital. There was also outrage in the West since Modi chose Russia for his first bilateral visit in his third term, even at a time when the US was hosting Zelenskyy and leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for a summit aimed at shoring up support for Ukraine.
A flyer was arrested at Cochin International Airport Sunday morning for making an alarming comment while going through security checks. Flyer arrested at Cochin airport for 'bomb' comment during security check(Representative Image/PTI)

Manoj Kumar, 42, who was set to fly from Kochi to Mumbai on Air India flight AI 682, asked a CISF officer at the X-ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS) if there was a bomb in his bag.

The comment raised immediate alarm, leading to a thorough inspection of his cabin and checked baggage by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS). No threat was found, however, Kumar was deboarded and handed over to local police for further investigation.

The flight departed as scheduled, the airport said in a statement.

ALSO READ- Air India suspends Tel Aviv flights indefinitely amid rising Middle East tensions

'Bomb' word is a big no at airports

Airports treat any mention of threats, especially words like "bomb" and "hijack," with utmost seriousness. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which sets standards for flight security at both international and domestic airports in India, warns against threats made jokingly (even by a child) can result in the entire family being delayed and could result in fines.

One must avoid making statements like "I have a bomb in my bag," as these are considered serious offences and are against the law.

ALSO READ- Akasa Air to become one of world's top 30 airlines by end of the decade, co-founder and CEO Vinay Dube says

In a similar incident, a passenger on the Kochi to London Gatwick Air India flight was arrested in June this year for making a bomb threat, which turned out to be a hoax.

Shuhaib (30), from Kondotty in Malappuram, was set to board AI 149 with his wife and daughter. According to police, he made the bomb threat during a call to Air Indias customer care in Mumbai late Monday. Shuhaib, frustrated after his request to reschedule the flight due to his daughter's food poisoning was denied, falsely claimed a bomb was on the aircraft.

ALSO READ- Kerala man makes bomb threat after airline refuses to reschedule his flight

Airports on alert amid Independence Day celeberations

Security checks have been heightened at all airports, including Cochin, through August 20 in preparation for Independence Day.

Expect longer processing times during this busy period. Authorities are advising travellers to arrive early to ensure a smooth journey, timely check-ins, and thorough security procedures.
Silchar: Twenty-five days after an alleged police encounter in Assams Cachar district, where three suspected militants belonging to the Hmar tribe were killed, the family members received their bodies on Saturday, maintaining justice has not been served yet. Bodies of 3 Hmar youth handed over to the families (HT Photo/Sourced)

Two of the deceased youths were residents of Cachar, while one was from Manipurs Churachandpur district. Police said that they died after an encounter between other militants, but the family members claimed that it was an extrajudicial killing.

The post-mortem reports showed the trio suffered bruises and other wounds prior to their deaths.

The family members initially refused to receive the bodies and filed a petition in Gauhati high court seeking justice. After several rounds of hearings, the high court on July 7 asked the police to hand the bodies over to the family members.

The bodies, which were kept in the morgue of Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), were handed over to the families on Saturday and buried in Cachars Hmarkhawlien area in the evening with Christian rituals.

The family members said they wanted to take the bodies to their native villages to perform the last rites, but they were suggested by the local administration to complete it in Hmarkhawlien.

We are not happy with this, but we followed their instructions because we didnt want any further tension. We are still waiting for justice to be served, the family members said.

35-year-old Joshua Lalringson of Manipurs Churachandpur, along with two Assam residents, Lallungawi Hmar (21) and Lalbikung Hmar (33) were arrested with a large amount of firearms in Cachar on July 16, and later on the same day, they were killed, according to the police.

Police said that during an investigation they were taken to the Bhuban Hill area near the Assam-Manipur border, where some militants attacked from the forest, and these three died in cross-firing.

However, a controversy arose after the statement of Assam Police and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mismatched.

Sarma said that Cachar Police killed three Hmar militants from Assam and Manipur, while the superintendent of police (SP) of Cachar, Numal Mahatta, said that the three militants were killed in an encounter with other militants.

He also said that the arrested militants were wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets, but still they sustained bullet injuries and died.

Several tribal organisations, including Hmar Inpui and Hmar Students Association, raised questions against the encounter of three Hmar youths and demanded an unbiased investigation.

The apex body of the Hmar tribe across the northeast, Hmar Inpui, said that the killing of the three youths within 24 hours of arrest was a cold-blooded killing, which was translated as encounter by the Assam Police.

After the arrest with their alleged weapons, how can the Assam Police exercise their right of private defense? The act is an utter disregard to the judicial institution by persons who are expected to uphold the supremacy of law, they stated.

They said that the alleged extrajudicial killing is unlawful, inhumane, unnecessary, and illegitimate. This is purely state-sponsored terrorism. Extrajudicial killings should have no place in a liberal and rights-respecting democracy, they added.

The family members later said that they wont receive the bodies until the police personnel involved in the alleged extrajudicial killing are suspended and arrested. However, on Saturday they said that they are satisfied with the postmortem report and they believe in the judiciary.

We have faith in the high court, and we are hopeful that well get justice one day, they said.
Two days after the body of a post-graduate trainee doctor was found at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, the accused has confessed to the crime, reported News18. The accused was sent to a 14-day police under the charges of sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Hospital doctors take part in a candlelight protest march against the death and sexual assault of a female post-graduate trainee doctor, in Kolkata.(ANI)

According to the report, the police found a porn video on the accused's phone.

The accused reportedly had easy access to the hospital as he was hired as a civic volunteer  - a person who assists police and takes part in a powerful police welfare board, News18 stated, citing sources. According to the report, the accused was seen entering the hospital wearing earphones at around 4 am on Friday. However, when he got out of the premises, he did not have his earphones on.

Kolkata rape-murder case, autopsy details

The body of the young doctor was found in a semi-naked state in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on Friday morning. The 28-year-old victim was a second-year student in the respiratory medicine department at the hospital.

The incident took place between 3 am and 6 am on Friday, the police said.

The autopsy report indicated that the woman was sexually assaulted before being strangled and smothered to death. According to the report, there was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth and injuries over the face, nails, belly, left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger, and lips. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts, the autopsy report said.

Protests in Kolkata

Several doctors and students at various state-run hospitals, including the RG Kar Medical College, held massive protests and sit-ins over the incident.

On Saturday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a strong statement demanding immediate action in the case and warned of nationwide protests if the demands are not met within 48 hours.

"The entire medical fraternity of India is shocked beyond words at this brutal murderThis crime is an index of the anarchy and insecurity prevailing on the campus, the IMA said.

Earlier, CPI(M) workers also held a rally in Kolkata demanding justice in the murder case.

The city which we used to call 'City of Joy' has now become 'City of Bhay' (City of Fear). Here, even a doctor is not safe. The Principal (of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital) is close to CM Mamata Banerjee...The Police Commissioner of Kolkata was suppressing the case...We demand a judicial inquiry into this matter, CPI(M) West Bengal secretary, Md Salim told ANI.

Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to seek the death penalty for the accused.
The Kolkata Police have arrested a man named Sanjoy Roy for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in the city. The postgraduate medical student was found dead at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal's capital. Doctors hold a candle march against the sexual assault and murder of a female postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata RG Kar Medical College.(ANI)

The initial autopsy of the post-graduate trainee doctor indicated that she was murdered after being sexually assaulted. There was bleeding from the woman's private parts, said the report. There were injuries to other parts of the body as well.

"There was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth, injuries over the face and nail. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts. She also has injuries in her belly, left leg neck, in her right hand, ring finger and lips," it said.

The autopsy was carried out last week.

The crime took place between 3-6 am.

Her neck was also found broken. A senior police official told PTI the victim was strangulated and then smothered to death.

She was a second-year student in the chest medicine department. She was on duty on Thursday night.

A doctor at the hospital said the victim had dinner with her juniors around 2 am. She then went to the seminar room since there was no separate on-call room to take some rest. "In the morning, we found her body there," the doctor told PTI.

TMC demands new law

Meanwhile, senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has called for introducing a bill in the parliament to fast-track the trial and conviction of rapists and murderers within a week, ensuring they receive exemplary punishment.

"These rapists, who don't deserve to live in the society, should be dealt with either through encounter or by hanging," Banerjee asserted.

CM Mamata Banerjee has said her government will seek a death penalty for the culprit. She has also said the government doesn't have objections to a probe by any central agency.

With inputs from PTI
The West Bengal government on Sunday transferred the Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata over alleged lapses leading to the rape and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor inside hospital premises early morning on Friday, news agency ANI reported. Junior doctors and medical students stage a protest outside North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMC&H) against the sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, in Kolkata, Sunday.(PTI)

Prof. Dr Sanjay Vashisth now employed as MSVP, RG Kar Medical College to act until further order as a Professor in the Department of Physiology, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata and Prof. Dr Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, now employed as Professor, of Physiology, at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital to act until further order as MSVP RGkar Medical College, read an order issued by Director of Medical Education, Government of West Bengal.

Junior doctors, post-graduate trainees and other staff members continued their protest demanding more strict action on Sunday affecting services in government hospitals across West Bengal. This led the state health department to cancel offs and holidays for all senior doctors to tackle the shortage of personnel when out-patient services re-open on Monday.

Several medical associations and hospitals across the country have expressed solidarity with the protesting doctors in Kolkata.

Federation of Resident Doctors' Association of India (FORDA) called for a nationwide halt of elective services in hospitals on Monday. West Bengal Doctors Forum also wrote to state chief minister Mamata Banerjee requesting her to form an impartial enquiry committee to probe the rape and murder. Besides demanding capital punishment for the accused, the forum also demanded adequate security for workers employed at different health facilities across the state.

The Kolkata Police have so far arrested one person named Sanjay Roy, a volunteer with the police force, for committing the brutal crime. A case of rape and murder has been registered and a special investigation team (SIT) has been set up to probe the case.

A final post-mortem examination report is awaited to arrive at a conclusion in the case. Preliminary autopsy report revealed that the victim was sexually assaulted before getting strangulated and smothered to death. Severe bleeding was found from her private parts, eyes and mouth besides injuries all over the body.

(With inputs from agencies)
Leh, Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance on Sunday held a joint meeting here, expressing hope that the Centre will restart the dialogue with them on the four-point agenda which included statehood to Ladakh and its inclusion in the 6th schedule of the Constitution. However, the leaders representing the two districts of the Union territory said their core committee will meet once again to chalk out the future course of action in case there was no response from the government. LAB, KDA hold meet in Ladakh, want Centre to restart dialogue on 4-point agenda

KDA and LAB, both separate grouping of various political, social and religious organizations, are jointly spearheading the agitation in support of the four-point agenda over the past four years after the abrogation of Article 370 granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union territories.

We had a joint meeting lasting three-hours here to discuss the way forward with regard to our four-point agenda which remains the focal point for future talks with the central government, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey Lakruk told reporters. Dorjey, flanked by the leaders of both the groupings including Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan who wrested the seat from the BJP, said they have nothing to do with the Centres assertion that they are planning to strengthen the two hill councils along with creation of new districts. We reiterate our four-point demand and consider it as a way forward. We hope the central government will restart the stalled dialogue with the Ladakh representatives as soon as possible, he said. The other two demands include early recruitment process and Public Service Commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts. He said the core committee of the LAB and KDA will meet again to decide the future course of action. In case the government fails to restart the dialogue, we will not hesitate to launch a sustained agitation to carry forward our movement in support of our demands linked to Ladakhs future. Referring to the abrupt end to talks with the Centre in March, KDA leader Naseer Munshi said, We were waiting for the government to restart the stalled dialogue but there was no initiative from there. We are peace loving and believe in the resolution of our issues through talks. If the government remains adamant, we will go for the agitational path, he said. Ladakh MP Jan said he will continue his efforts to highlight the demand of the people of Ladakh within and outside the parliament. Jan said he had already raised the issue with various ministers and members of the Parliament.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Delhi, Congress leaders on Sunday condoled former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh's demise with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailing his profound contribution to India's diplomacy and external affairs. Made profound contribution to India's diplomacy: Cong leaders condole Natwar Singh's demise

Singh passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 93.

He breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi, where he had been admitted for the past couple of weeks, they said.

"Our deepest condolences on the passing away of Former Union Minister, Shri K. Natwar Singh ji. An acclaimed intellectual and a Padma Bhushan recipient, he made a profound contribution to India's diplomacy and external affairs," Kharge said in a post on X.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and followers," he said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "A hugely engaging political personality. A distinguished foreign service officer. A cultured man of letters and noted author with a few classics to his credit. A walking encyclopedia of the worlds of Nehru and Indira Gandhi. A delightful conversationalist, storyteller and ready wit."

"A man whose correspondence with varied men and women are the stuff of history. A wonderful and generous friend with his hospitality and his ever-sharp memory and his deep archive. Natwar Singh was all this and much more," Ramesh said.

"He has just passed away after leading a full and richly variegated life. He was truly someone who has left behind his 'footprints on the sands of time'," he said on X.

Singh was a career diplomat, who brought a wealth of experience in diplomacy to his political career and a prolific author on subjects ranging from the life of a maharaja to nuances of foreign affairs.

Singh, who served as the external affairs minister during the UPA-I period, had quit the Congress after his fallout with the party's top leadership over the "oil-for-food scam" came out in the open.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the archipelago's main opposition party, has welcomed President Mohammad Muizzu-led government's "sudden recalibration" of its India policy, affirming that India remains the Maldives most reliable partner in times of crisis. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Abdulla Shahid, President of Maldivian Democratic Party, in Maldives on Saturday.(Dr S Jaishankar- X)

MDP chief Abdulla Shahid, who previously served as the Maldives' foreign minister, called on the Muizzu administration to issue a public apology for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments from its officials which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives' foreign and economic outlook.

The Maldives has always been confident that India will be the first responder any time the Maldives dials an international 911, Shahid posted on X after meeting external affairs minister S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day official visit.

He said the current governments initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges."

With this in mind, the MDP welcomes the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzus government, from its previous India Out policy, Shahid said.

Read: India, Maldives sign agreement on UPI

India-Maldives ties

President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, leading to tensions between the two nations. After talks between the two countries, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.

On Saturday, Muizzu described India as "one of the closest allies" of the Maldives and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government for their continued support.

"The MDP hopes that this shift will not be temporary or superficial, but consistent and meaningful in the best interests of the people of the Maldives," Shahid said.

The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The wife of former Manipur MLA, Yamthong Haokip, from Saikul assembly constituency, was killed in a blast at Yamthongs residence in E. Mulam village, Kangpokpi district, a Kuki-dominated area, on Saturday, police said on Sunday. An explosion has occurred around 3pm on Saturday at the former MLAs house (HT Photo/Sourced)

The deceased was identified as Charubala, 59. She belonged to the Meitei community. Police said the incident took place around 3pm on Saturday.

Also read | Manipur: Media fraternity condemns arson attack on press materials, stage sit-in

In the complaint lodged by the former MLA at Saikul police station on Sunday, it was stated that while his wife was cleaning the house and compound, an explosion occurred inside their residential compound as she was burning waste items.

Police said that she sustained injuries in the explosion and was rushed to the primary health centre in Saikul and later shifted to Kangpokpi district hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Also read | Manipur: Opposition MLAs stage walkout from assembly, boycott remaining sittings

No other casualties have been reported.

A case has been registered in this regard, said police, adding the blast incident is yet to be determined.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties of crops in the national capitals Pusa complex, the governments farm-research hub, on Sunday, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The prime minister will release seeds and planting materials at three sites in demonstration fields of the state-run Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the minister said on Saturday.

The launch of these varieties is part of the farm ministrys 100-day agenda and was announced by Chouhan soon after assuming charge. The ICAR continually conducts research and develops newer traits and seeds of all key crops.

Sufficient investments towards climate-resilient agriculture have become urgent for the worlds second-biggest grower of wheat and rice, and the largest producer of onion, sugar and banana, experts say.

Intense heatwaves and an irregular monsoon have dented output of crops, such as wheat and pulses, in the past two years, stoking food prices.

Chouhan said that the government was focusing on a lab to land approach so that science reaches the farmer directly.

The varieties, which are also biofortified, include 34 field crops and 27 horticultural traits. The field crops include millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton and a clutch of fibre plants.

The prime minister has accorded the highest priority to farmers. The government will increase farmers income by cutting cultivation costs, improving production, adequate compensation for crop losses and diversification of agriculture, the minister said, briefing reporters.

Modi will interact with agricultural scientists and farmers at the event, where he will be explained about the potential benefits of the new varieties, an official said.

Prime minister has always encouraged sustainable farming and adoption of climate resilient methodologies. He has also emphasised on promoting the biofortified varieties of crops by linking them with the several government programmes such as mid-day meal, Anganwadi, etc, the minister said.

Chouhan said these varieties had been developed keeping in mind the countrys diverse agro-climatic zones.
Former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh died on Saturday night after suffering from a prolonged illness. He was 93 years old. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise. Former union minister Natwar Singh

"Pained by the passing away of Natwar Singh. He made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy. He was also known for his intellect as well as prolific writing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief," he wrote on X.

Natwar Singh passed away at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi. He was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago.

Who was Natwar Singh?

Natwar Singh was a former Congress leader. He joined politics after spending decades in the country's prestigious foreign services. Natwar Singh was born in 1931 in Rajasthan's Bharatpur. He was a career diplomat, who brought a wealth of experience in diplomacy to his political career and a prolific author on subjects ranging from the life of a maharaja to nuances of foreign affairs. Natwar Singh was selected into the Indian Foreign Service in 1953. In 1984, he resigned from the service and contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Congress ticket. He won the election and served as a union minister of state until 1989. Natwar Singh again became a union minister in 2004. He, however, resigned after 18 months over an alleged Iraqi oil scam pay-off scandal. Natwar Singh was later exonerated. Between 1966 and 1971, he was India's ambassador to Pakistan. He was a close aide of former prime minister Indira Gandhi and was attached to her office. Natwar Singh also authored several books including, 'The Legacy of Nehru: A Memorial Tribute' and 'My China Diary 1956-88'. His autobiography is titled 'One Life is Not Enough '. Natwar Singh later fell out with the Congress leadership. Natwar Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1984.

Also read: Natwar Singh seeks papers linked to his clean chit in scam

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala paid tribute to the politician.

"The news of the demise of former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh ji is sad. May God give strength to his family to bear this loss and grant peace to the departed soul," he wrote on the social media platform in Hindi.

With inputs from PTI
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Sunday hit out at the opposition for its attacks on the Narendra Modi government over the new Hindenburg report.



The US-based short seller Hindenburg Research alleged that market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband had stakes in obscure offshore funds used in the alleged Adani money siphoning scandal.



ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi warns of stock market risk after new Hindenburg report on SEBI



After the report went public, the opposition parties including Congress slammed the Modi government, demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the allegations against Buch.



Trivedi, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP, accused the opposition of wanting to create "economic chaos in India" through confusion.



ALSO READ: Hindenburg row: Top 3 allegations against Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch



Why does Congress always stand with foreign companies for the past 30-40 years? For the past few years, whenever the Parliament session commences, a foreign report gets released. BBC documentary was released just before the Parliament session. The Hindenburg report came in January just before the Parliament session. All these sequences happen during the Parliament session, Trivedi told ANI.



ALSO READ: 'Congress-style innuendo: BJP leaders slam Opposition over Hindenburg report SEBI while defending its chairperson stated that Madhabi Buch made relevant disclosures from time to time and also recused herself in the matters involving potential conflicts of interest(PTI)

Why does Cong always stand with foreign companies?: BJP





"The opposition has such connections with the abroad to create instability and anarchy during every Parliament session of India. They want to create economic chaos in India through confusion. Now they are attacking SEBI. Why does Congress always stand with foreign companies for the past 30-40 years? Why did it stand with Union Carbide?" he added.

Buch and her husband in a detailed statement rejected all allegations against them, calling it an "attempt to character assassinate".



SEBI while defending its chairperson stated that Buch made relevant disclosures from time to time and also recused herself in the matters involving potential conflicts of interest.



The Adani Group denied any commercial dealings with the SEBI head, while wealth management entity 360ONE - formerly called as IIFL Wealth Management, separately said Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch's investment in IPE-Plus Fund 1 was less than 1.5 per cent of the total inflows and that it did not make any investments in Adani Group shares.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani on Sunday dismissed the latest report by U.S.-based short-seller Hindenburg Research as a "pathetic damp squib" aimed at destabilising India's stock markets. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani addresses the media during the ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024.(PTI)

Hindenburg Research in its report alleged that the head of India's market regulator, Madhabi Puri Buch, previously held investments in offshore funds also used by the Adani Group.

However, Jethmalani took to social media platform X to voice his staunch defence of Buch, accusing Hindenburg of attempting to undermine India's economic sovereignty.

"Hindenburg's 'Something big' is a pathetic damp squib," Jethmalani wrote in a post.

The announcement prior to its alleged big revelation itself reveals its motive: to destabilize India's stock markets. The pre-publicity ill behoves a reputed 'research analyst'. As regards the 'big' something, there is nothing new against the Adani group, he added, referring to Hindenburg's cryptic message hinting at a new India-centric report ahead of its release.

"Something big soon India," Hindenburg Research had said in a social media post hours before it dropped another bombshell report.

Jethmalani noted that SEBI had issued a notice to Hindenburg seeking information regarding the circumstances of the Adani short sale, to which the short-seller had not responded. Instead, Hindenburg launched what Jethmalani described as a baseless attack on Buch, alleging a conflict of interest.

"The picture thus is one of a U.S.-based profiteer who made millions of dollars at the cost of Indian retail investors now hedging questions legitimately asked by the Indian regulator and brazenly defaming the latter without answering its questions," Jethmalani said. "This reeks of colonial arrogance of days bygone."

Read: SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch, husband call Hindenburg allegations 'malicious, motivated| 10 points

The MP also criticised the so-called left-leaning media outlets for echoing Hindenburg's claims and called on the Indian government to take a hard look at what he described as "anti-national" elements.

"It is time the govt of the day turned its serious attention to these anti-nationals who have no other agenda but to disrupt India's social fabric, distort its polity, and now devastate its economy," he added.

The Hindenburg report has triggered a fresh wave of political and financial scrutiny, with opposition parties demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the matter. However, both SEBI and Buch have denied any wrongdoing.

Buch said that all disclosure requirements had been followed diligently and that the investments in question were made in a private capacity years before she joined SEBI.

Read: Congress demands JPC probe into Hindenburg allegations against SEBI chief

The sub-fund in which Buch and her husband invested, IPE-Plus Fund 1, said on Sunday that it had not invested in any shares of the Adani Group directly or indirectly.

"No investor had any involvement in the fund's operations or investment decisions. Mrs Madhabi Buch and Mr Dhaval Buch's holdings in the fund were less than 1.5% of the total inflow into the fund," the fund's asset manager said in a statement to India's stock exchanges.

The Adani Group has also refuted the allegations, describing them as "red herrings" intended to malign the conglomerate's reputation.

The Congress called on the government to "eliminate all conflicts of interest in the SEBI investigation of Adani". The party demanded a parliamentary inquiry to "investigate the full scope" of the matter.
Please listen to me, nothing will come out of shouting, said a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan as he pleaded with hundreds of anxious Bangladeshis camping along the border in West Bengal's Cooch Behar awaiting their entry into India. Bangladeshi nationals gathered at the international border at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar on Friday in an attempt to enter India.(HT_PRINT)

BSF remains on high alert and has stepped up vigilance across the international border. On Sunday, eleven Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended while trying to infiltrate through West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya borders.

"We all know the problems you are facing. The whole world knows, but there is a need for discussion. We cannot solve issues like this, we cannot let you cross the border like this, can we?", the jawan can be seen speaking in an Indian Express video.

There is a need for discussion. Once it happens, we will see how we can protect you. You can see, that senior officers are here discussing those things. Is it possible if you insist on crossing the border, tell me?, asks the jawan to which the crowd chants a no.

The jawan asked the hundreds of people to return as instructed by officers in Bangladesh during a discussion with their Indian counterparts on dealing with the emerging situation along the border.

Assam Director General of Police G P Singh told news agency PTI that the Centre has issued a directive that no person be allowed to enter illegally from the neighbouring country. However, the officer said that Indian passport holders, mostly students and traders, will be allowed to enter if their documents are found valid after due verification.

PTI also reported that many villages along the international border in neighbouring Meghalaya maintain vigil all night as the border fence could not be constructed due to land demarcation issues and the presence of habitation within 150 yards of the international border pillar or zero line.

India's border security agencies have reported a large number of Bangladeshis trying to enter India for safety as their country struggles to restore order after weeks of violent turmoil that led to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster.
The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has announced a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals on Monday, August 12, in solidarity with the state-run RG Kar Medical College residents over the rape and murder of a doctor in the hospital in Kolkata. Doctors hold a candle march against the sexual assault and murder of a female postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata RG Kar Medical College.(ANI)

As a mark of our solidarity with the colleagues of RG Kar, we announce a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals starting Monday. This decision is not made lightly, but is necessary to ensure that our voices are heard and that the demands for justice and safety are met without further delay, the FORDA wrote in a notice.

Notably, elective services are those that are not urgent and non-medically necessary. These also include scheduled clinical anaesthesia services provided on-site to patients.

The federation has put forward five demands. They are: The demands of the residents of the RG Kar Medical College must be accepted and acted upon swiftly; there must be a firm assurance that no police brutality or manhandling of the protesting doctors will occur and their right to protest peacefully will be respected; justice must be served swiftly and due compensation should be provided to the family of the deceased; the union government must release and enforce a mandated protocol for the security of healthcare workers across all hospitals, ensuring strict compliance; and an expert committee comprising representatives from the medical community and associations must be formed to speed up ratifying the Central Healthcare Protection Act.

FORDA stands ready to contribute and provide any assistance to achieve these goals. We hope that the government will take immediate action to address our demands and ensure the safety and security of all healthcare professionals, the statement read.

Meanwhile, massive protests by doctors and students have rocked the city over the incident. Earlier on Saturday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a strong statement demanding immediate action in the case and warned of nationwide protests if the demands are not met within 48 hours.

Kolkata rape-murder case

The body of a woman doctor was found in a semi-naked state in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on Friday morning. The 28-year-old victim was a second-year student in the respiratory medicine department at the hospital.

According to the police, the gruesome incident took place between 3 am and 6 am.

The autopsy report indicated that the woman was sexually assaulted before being strangled and smothered to death. According to the report, there was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth and injuries over the face, nails, belly, left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger, and lips. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts, the autopsy report said.

The police arrested the accused on Saturday, following which he was sent to a 14-day police under the charges of sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
New Delhi: Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch denied US-based short-seller Hindenburg Researchs allegations that they had a stake in obscure offshore entities used in "the Adani money siphoning scandal while the Adani Group dismissed the charges as "malicious, mischievous, and manipulative selections of publicly available information. Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch (PTI Photo)

The statements came even as a political row erupted with the Congress demanding a parliamentary probe into the charges.

In a statement, the Adani Group said on Sunday that the publicly available information was used to arrive at "pre-determined conclusions for personal profiteering with wanton disregard for facts and the law.

"We completely reject these allegations against the Adani Group, which are a recycling of discredited claims that have been thoroughly investigated, proven to be baseless, and already dismissed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in January 2024," it said.

The conglomerate reiterated that its overseas holding structure is fully transparent, with all details disclosed regularly in public documents.

The Adani Group said it has no commercial relationship with the individuals or matters mentioned in "this calculated deliberate effort to malign it.

"We remain steadfastly committed to transparency and compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements," it added.

The statement also dismissed Hindenburg as a discredited short-seller under the scanner for violations of Indian securities laws. "Hindenburg's allegations are no more than red herrings thrown by a desperate entity with total contempt for Indian laws."

In a separate statement earlier in the day, Madhabi Puri Buch and Dhaval Buch cited SEBI's action and show cause notice to the American investment research firm focused on activist short-selling and added that Hindenburg chose to attempt character assassination in response to that.

We strongly deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report. The same are devoid of any truth. Our life and finances are an open book," the couple said. They added that all their financial disclosures have been furnished to the stock market regulator over the years. "We have no hesitation in disclosing any and all financial documents, including those that relate to the period when we were strictly private citizens, to any and every authority that may seek them. Further, in the interest of complete transparency, we will be issuing a detailed statement in due course, they added.

In 2023, Hindenburg accused the Adani Group of stock price manipulation. The US-based short seller on Saturday alleged that Madhabi Puri Buch, who is in charge of probing the allegations, had a stake in obscure offshore entities used for the purpose.

Hindenburg Research cited documents from a whistleblower and alleged Madhabi Puri Buch and Dhaval Buch held stakes in offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds via complex structures. It alleged that Dhaval Buch wrote to a Mauritius fund administrator to make him the sole person authorised to operate the accounts weeks before Madhabi Puri Buch's appointment as a whole-time SEBI member in 2017.

Hindenburg's January 2023 report accused Adani Group of using tax havens and stock manipulation. It led to a $150 billion sell-off in the conglomerate's stocks, which have since recovered partially. The report prompted an ongoing SEBI enquiry.

The Supreme Court in January refused to order a separate probe into the allegations of accounting fraud and stock manipulation against Adani Group, saying there was no material to show SEBI's glaring, willful, or deliberate inaction in its investigation or any suggestion of regulatory failure. The court dismissed the reliance on the Hindenburg report or other unsubstantiated news reports as the basis for questioning SEBIs comprehensive investigation.

The Supreme Court last month dismissed a petition demanding a review of its January verdict. It rejected a plea for the creation of a special investigation team to investigate Hindenburgs allegations, noting that newspaper articles or reports by third-party organisations cannot be treated as conclusive proof of SEBI's probe inadequacy.

Six Adani Group firms in May said they received SEBI notices over alleged violations of stock market norms. SEBI also sent a "show cause" notice to Hindenburg Research over alleged violations of rules to set up a short bet based on non-public information. Hindenburg dismissed the allegations as "nonsense" in July.

The fresh allegations prompted the opposition Congress to ask the government to "eliminate all conflicts of interest in the SEBI investigation of Adani". In a statement posted on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh demanded the constitution of a parliamentary probe to "investigate the full scope" of the Adani matter.

Congress has repeatedly criticised the alleged close links between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the conglomerate.

In a post on X, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi attacked the Congress, questioning why it is against the Indian companies, whether government or private, and defends the foreign ones. "I have never seen Congress speak against any foreign company, but they would take a stand against Indian companies. We believe Swadeshi [domestic production] movement and Make in India."

He said the companies Congress leader Rahul Gandhi abuses have earned record revenue, and the profit is at an all-time high.
Read the full story on Backfire News

Shocking Road Rage Incident on Cross Bronx Expressway Caught on Video

In a more common display of road rage captured on video, a senior citizen found himself caught in a violent altercation on the Cross Bronx Expressway near Jesup Avenue, escalating to the point of physical injury. The incident, which took place around 9:30 a.m. on March 5, has since stirred significant public concern and prompted an investigation by the New York Police Department.

The two-minute video, brought to widespread attention by former New York City Council candidate Ying Tan, reveals the moment a BMW driver aggressively cut off another vehicle, abruptly stopping traffic on the expressway. Exiting his vehicle, the BMW driver approached and physically assaulted a 66-year-old man seated in the car he had just overtaken.

This video, showing a senior being bullied on I-95 near exit 2A in the Bronx, has gone viral on Chinese social media. The BMW driver blocked the minivan and punched the senior driver. Subsequently, the senior attempted to hop onto his car, which was extremely dangerous. The BMW pic.twitter.com/Kt75VFpaz9  Ying Tan (@YingTanForNY) March 9, 2024

As tensions escalated, the video showed the senior defending himself by throwing objects at the aggressor and his car. Despite momentarily retreating, the BMW driver returned to further engage with the elderly man, eventually attempting to forcibly enter his vehicle.

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The confrontation took a dangerous turn when the senior attempted to approach the BMW, resulting in the younger driver accelerating away and tragically trapping the 66-year-old between the two vehicles. The senior was seen falling to the pavement, highlighting the severe risks associated with road rage encounters.

The motives behind this shocking display of aggression remain unclear, and as of now, no arrests have been made. The NYPD's ongoing investigation seeks to address the incident and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
Reacting to the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research's allegation that they have stakes in an offshore operation run by the Adani Group, Sebi chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband accused the American firm of attempting to assassinate their character in response to an "Enforcement action" against it by the market regulator. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.(PTI file photo)

The US-based firm on Saturday claimed the couple had stakes in "both the obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal".

The couple said in a statement that they deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report.

"Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years. We have no hesitation in disclosing any and all financial documents, including those that relate to the period when we were strictly private citizens, to any and every authority that may seek them. Further, in the interest of complete transparency, we would be issuing a detailed statement in due course," they said.

Also read: Hindenburg vs Adani: US firm's serious charge against Sebi chief; Congress says end conflict of interest | 10 points

They said the firm was avenging what they called Enforcement action.

"It is unfortunate that Hindenburg Research against whom SEBI has taken an Enforcement action and issued a show cause notice has chosen to attempt character assassination in response to the same," they added.

What are Hindenburg's charges against Adani Group, Madhabi Buch?

Hindenburg has alleged the Adani Group operated with "total confidence" without the risk of serious regulatory intervention. They said the attitude could be explained by the conglomerate's alleged relationship with Madhabi Buch.

"What we hadn't realized: the current SEBI Chairperson and her husband, Dhaval Buch, had hidden stakes in the exact same obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds, found in the same complex nested structure, used by Vinod Adani," the report by the US hedge firm said.

Hindenburg Research said it has made the new allegations based on documents provided by a whistleblower and investigations carried out by other entities.

"Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch first appear to have opened their account with IPE Plus Fund 1 on June 5, 2015, in Singapore, per whistleblower documents. A declaration of funds, signed by a principal at IIFL states that the source of the investment is "salary" and the couple's net worth is estimated at USD 10 million," the report stated.

With inputs from ANI
Indias market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India on Sunday urged investors to remain calm and conduct due diligence before reacting to the latest report by Hindenburg Research, noting that it includes a disclaimer that the US short-seller may hold short positions in the securities covered. SEBI urged investors to remain calm and conduct due diligence before reacting to Hindenburg report.(PTI File Photo)

Hindenburg Research has accused SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch of conflicts of interest which it said prevented a thorough examination of manipulation and fraud claims at the Adani Group.

Investors should remain calm and exercise due diligence before reacting to such reports. Investors may also like to take note of the disclaimer in the report that states that readers should assume that Hindenburg Research may have short positions in the securities covered in the report, SEBI said in a statement.

Read: SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch, husband call Hindenburg allegations 'malicious, motivated| 10 points

The Hindenburg report, released on August 10, claimed that SEBI had failed to take action against the Adani Group, despite allegations of financial irregularities. It also questioned SEBI's decision to issue a show-cause notice to Hindenburg on June 27, 2024, alleging violations of Indian securities laws. The report further alleged that recent amendments to SEBI (REIT) Regulations 2014 were made to benefit a specific multinational financial conglomerate.

SEBIs response refuted these claims, asserting that the regulator had conducted thorough investigations into the Adani Group. The regulator pointed to the Supreme Court's January 3 order which noted that SEBI had completed 22 out of 24 investigations into the Adani Group.

Read: Pathetic damp squib: Why Mahesh Jethmalani is furious at Hindenburg report on SEBI chief

By March 2024, one more investigation was completed, and the remaining inquiry is close to conclusion, it said.

Addressing the show-cause notice issued to Hindenburg Research on June 27, 2024, SEBI said that the notice followed due process of law.

It may be noted that pursuant to the completion of investigations, SEBI initiates enforcement proceedings which are quasi-judicial in nature. This comprises issuing of show cause notice and giving of opportunity of hearing which culminates in the passing of a speaking order, SEBI stated.
It would have been a disgrace had India not helped Sheikh Hasina following her ouster as the prime minister of Bangladesh, according to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, a former diplomat. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) (File Photo)

Tharoor made the remark in an interview to NDTV.

If we had not helped her, it would have been a disgrace for Indianobody would have wanted to be our friend, if we had treated our friend badly. Hasina ji has had (good) relationships with all Indian leaders. She is a friend of India, and India is a friend of hers, he said.

When a friend is in trouble, one doesn't think twice before extending helping hand, the ex-Minister of State (External Affairs) stated.

I applaud the government for doing this. In fact, I would have wanted nothing less. As Indians, I think we have certain standards we must stand for. The government has done the right thing by bringing her here and ensuring her safety. How long she wishes to remain, that's not for us. We should be proud that we stood with a friend when her personal safety was in danger, he added.

On August 5, after a month-long student-led uprising against her, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh's prime minister, and left Dhaka for Delhi the same day. She landed at the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Hindon base in Ghaziabad, near Delhi, and has been staying at the base since then.

Day after Hasina's arrival, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar informed Rajya Sabha that at very short notice, she had requested the Indian government to allow her to fly to India.

Also, it was reported that Hasina would be seeking asylum in the UK or the US. However, the UK responded negatively when asked if it would consider her request, if made; the US, meanwhile, reportedly revoked her visa.
Mumbai, The attack on the convoy of Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray in retaliation to a similar incident involving MNS chief Raj Thackeray revived the old rivalry between the estranged cousins who claim to champion the cause of Marathi manoos ahead of assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS flex muscles over Uddhav convoy attack; 'reaction to action', says CM

On Sunday, Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray escalated the rhetoric to project themselves as the true inheritors of old Shiv Sena's street fight culture.

A group of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers targeted Uddhav Thackeray's convoy on Saturday evening in Thane with cow dung and tomatoes, a day after some individuals threw betel nuts at the motorcade of Raj Thackeray in Beed.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, locked in a turf cum legal war with Uddhav Thackeray, said the Thane incident was a reaction to action.

On the attack on Raj Thackeray's convoy, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut distanced his party from the actions, attributing them to individuals advocating for the Maratha quota.

He alleged that "Abdali" enjoys that Marathi people are fighting with each other.

Certain individuals had been "contracted" by Abdali to instigate divisions, Raut said without naming anyone specifically.

Raut was apparently targeting the BJP which had ensured Raj Thackeray's support during Lok Sabha elections and reportedly courting him for Marathi votes in upcoming elections.

Maha Vikas Aghadi member and NCP leader Supriya Sule also condemned the attack on Uddhav Thackeray's convoy, calling it "unfortunate" and expressing concern for the Shiv Sena leader's safety.

Raj Thackeray attributed the attack on Uddhav Thackeray's convoy by MNS workers to frustration stemming from the absence of condemnation following a similar incident involving himself.

He appealed to MNS workers to back down for now but warned of addressing the behaviour of some people who have refused to change their ways, after assembly elections.

Responding to a question about the Thane incident, CM Shinde said on Saturday night, Who started it? Sena activists targeted Raj Thackerays convoy in Aurangabad. This was just a reaction to the action.

Those who abandoned the thoughts of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe, Shindes mentor and popular Sena leader from Thane, will have to face such situations, he said.

Keeping up the aggression, the MNS chief said, "I appeal to people to not mess with me or my party workers. Some people may be established , but I have the support of displaced ones".

The Shiv Sena also seemed willing to notch up the confrontation with Raut saying the assailants should consider their families amid the ongoing political strife.

"I will request everyone to wait for two months. The ensuing period will reveal the response to this course of action," he said.

Meanwhile, police have registered two FIRs against 54 MNS workers, including women, in connection with the protest in Thane on Saturday, an official said.

Ten persons, including MNS Thane and Palghar chief Avinash Jadhav, have been named in one FIR, while 44 activists from the party have been shown as accused in the second FIR for allegedly blocking traffic during their protest.

The FIRs have been registered under the Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita and Motor Vehicles Act, the official added.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP led by Ajit Pawar, and the opposition MVA comprising the Congress, NCP , and Shiv Sena will battle out in elections, due in October, on the tricky political landscape of Maharashtra altered by fresh political realignments over the last two years.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The anti-corruption bureau of Telangana police on Friday night arrested a revenue official of the Nizamabad municipal corporation (NMC) and seized cash worth 2.93 crore following a series of raids at his residence and that of his family members. During the raids that concluded on Saturday morning, ACB sleuths recovered cash amounting to  2.93 crore from the residence of Dasari Narender, a revenue officer in the NMC. (HT Photo)

During the raids that concluded on Saturday morning, ACB sleuths recovered cash amounting to 2.93 crore from the residence of Dasari Narender, a revenue officer in the NMC. Additionally, 1.11 crore was found from the bank accounts of Narender and his relatives. Apart from that, gold ornaments weight 500 grams and 17 immovable properties worth 6.27 crore were also discovered.

Deputy commissioner of police of ACB, Nizamabad, Sekhar Goud, told reporters on Saturday that Nerender was produced before the special court for ACB cases in Hyderabad. The court sent him to judicial remand for 14 days.

According to the DCP, the officials had unearthed the huge bundles of cash concealed in carton boxes at various places within the house, including under his bed.

The raid was conducted as part of a case registered against him for disproportionate assets. The ACB has registered a case against the accused under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Further investigation is on, Goud said.
Hyderabad, Telangana Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao, and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy conducted a trial run of three crucial pump houses under the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project in Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Sunday. Telangana ministers initiate trial run of Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project pump houses

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated the Congress government's commitment to providing irrigation to every acre under the Sitarama Project by August 2026, a release said here.

"The Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project is expected to bring a significant transformation to the agricultural landscape of Telangana. The project will provide a reliable source of water for irrigation to nearly 6 lakh acres, which will help increase agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the region," Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

He credited the Congress government with securing crucial approvals and allocations that had been allegedly neglected by the previous BRS regime. He assured that the project would be completed by August 2026, "marking a new era of agricultural prosperity in Telangana".

The Congress government is committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the project and is taking all necessary steps to achieve this goal, he said.

The Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, now fully approved by the Godavari River Management Board, will receive 67 TMC of water from the Godavari River, the release said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy stressed that this allocation is crucial for ensuring water reaches every acre within the project's command area by the August 2026 deadline.

Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy criticised the previous administration for its alleged "inefficiency and wasteful" spending, pointing out that the project's cost was "inflated" from 2,400 crore to 18,000 crore under the "guise of redesigning."

He praised the Congress government's efforts to secure all necessary approvals and water allocations while keeping costs in check, the release said.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will launch the Sitarama Project pump houses on August 15, the release added.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
US-based Hindenburg Research has alleged that Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had ties with the Adani Group, accusing the market regulator's chairperson of conflict of interest that hindered a thorough investigation into allegations of manipulation and fraud at the Gautam Adani's group. Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch with Whole Time Members (WTM) Ananta Barua (left) and Ashwani Bhatia during a press conference, at Sebi head office in Mumbai.(PTI)

The Buchs have strongly denied the allegations.

ALSO READ- Hindenburg-Adani saga: Who is Madhabi Puri Buch? Who is Dhaval Buch?

What is Sebi, and what are its functions?

 The Securities and Exchange Board of India, or Sebi, is expected to protect investor interests, promote the development of the securities market, and regulate it under the Sebi Act, 1992

 Sebi has the authority to make rules, enforce them, and also adjudicate disputes under the Sebi Act, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, the Depositories Act, 1996, the Companies Act, 2013 and others.

 Sebi works for the development and regulation of the securities market in India, ensuring investor protection through awareness programmes, financial literacy initiatives, and addressing investor grievances.

 Sebi also works on global securities standards as part of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

ALSO READ- Hindenburg vs Adani: US firm's serious charge against Sebi chief; Congress says end conflict of interest | 10 points

Sebi investigating charges against Adani Group

Sebi had taken up the investigation into Hindenburgs accusations against the Adani Group. The firm had accused the conglomerate of share price manipulation and accounting fraud.

Last year, Sebi informed a Supreme Court-appointed panel that it was investigating 13 opaque offshore entities that held significant stakes in Adani's publicly traded stocks.

The apex court dismissed a plea for a court-monitored investigation into Hindenburg's allegations against Adani, stating there was no regulatory failure by Sebi.

ALSO READ- Opposition hits out over new Hindenburg report: In true Adani style

Sebi charged Hindenburg with making unfair profits

Although Sebi sent show-cause notices to Adani's flagship companies earlier this year, the final report on the investigation, due to the Supreme Court in April, is still pending.

Last month, Sebi issued a show-cause notice to Hindenburg, accusing the firm of making "unfair" profits through "collusion" and using "non-public" and "misleading" information to induce "panic selling" in Adani Group stocks.

According to Sebi, Hindenburg had shared an advance copy of its report against the Adani Group with a New York-based hedge fund manager, profiting from the resulting share price movements.
The details of what former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar  whose Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) candidature was recently cancelled amid a raging controversy  wrote in a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra last month have emerged. Puja Khedkar

In the letter dated July 11, Khedkar tried to clarify her position and accused Pune Collector Suhas Diwase of insulting her since her first day of training at the Pune District Collectorate, reported The Indian Express.

According to the report, Khedkar, in the letter, mentioned that she was extremely disturbed after Diwase complained to the higher authorities about the former IAS trainee's entitled behaviour and the subsequent media coverage regarding it.

"Because of this (letter and media coverage), my image has become that of an arrogant officer in the publics eye. This is causing me mental trauma, and I am extremely disturbedI dont know the reason, but since the day I joined as a probationary officer, the Pune Collector has been subjecting me to insults, Khedkar wrote in the three-page letter written in Marathi, reported The Indian Express.

The IAS trainee was also accused of removing the nameplate of a senior official at the Pune collector's office when he allowed her to use his ante-chamber as her office.

Responding to this, Khedkar clarified that Additional Collector Ajay More had voluntarily offered the ante-chamber to her and had also directed his staff to set it up for her.

The staff enquired about my needs and arranged the stationery, etc. After District Collector Diwase sir returned to the office a day later, someone informed him about my sitting arrangement in the ante-chamber of the additional collector. Perhaps he was angered by this, he summoned the tehsildar concerned and ordered to remove my furniture from the ante-chamber, she wrote, as quoted by The Indian Express.

Khedkar stated that while she tried to speak to Diwase, he would not listen to any of the explanations. She added that she even apologised to him and told him that she would accept any decision he made regarding her seating arrangement.

However, Diwase denied all the allegations made by Khedkar, calling them nonsensical.

Puja Khedkar case

Khedkar was found at the centre of a controversy over her alleged misuse of power as a civil servant last month after it came to light that she used her private Audi car with a red-blue beacon light and VIP number plate. According to a report submitted by Pune collector Suhas Diwse to the General Administration Department, Khedkar repeatedly demanded that she be provided with a separate cabin, car, residential quarters, and a peon even before joining the duty as a trainee on June 3. However, she was denied the facilities. Following this, it was alleged that Khedkar's father, a retired administrative officer, reportedly pressured the district collector's office to ensure that the trainee IAS officer's demands were fulfilled.

She was also accused of 'misrepresenting information' in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022. Khedkar was also accused of cheating and wrongly availing of OBC and disability quota benefits.

Amid increasing controversy, Khedkar moved the Delhi High Court on July 8 to challenge a district court's decision denying her anticipatory bail. The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad is set to hear the plea on Monday, August 12.

Meanwhile, on July 31, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar's selection and permanently debarred her from all future exams and selections.
YSR Congress Party MLC Duvvada Srinivas on Saturday lodged a police complaint against his wife, alleging that she had made an attempt on his life on Friday night. YSRCP MLC alleges attempt on life by wife

Vani, a YSRCP leader and zilla parishad member, had staged a protest with their elder daughter Hyndavi outside their house since Friday afternoon over Srinivas relationship with Divvela Madhuri, a dancer and social media influencer. Vani demanded that Srinivas come out of his house and do justice to her by returning to their family.

Srinivas, an MLC from Andhra Pradeshs Srikakulam district, alleged that an attempt on his life was made after the mother and the daughter entered their house alongside Vanis followers with rods and knives. He requested the police to register an attempt to murder case against Vani and others.

At the time of filing, the case on the matter is yet to be registered.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Srinivas admitted that he had been living with Madhuri because he had serious differences with his wife for a long time.

Srinivas also alleged that Vani had pressured him to get her the YSRCP ticket for the Tekkali constituency in the recent state assembly polls. But the party high command, based on its own intelligence reports, selected me as the candidate. Since then, she has been targeting me, he said.

Alleging that Vani had ill-treated him and his family members, including his mother, Srinivas said he had been staying separately at Tekkali with Madhuri for a long time. While I had given huge money to Vani, Madhuri had spent her own money on my election expenses. Now, Vani is spreading canards against me and Madhuri and spoiling the minds of my daughters, he said.

Earlier, Vani had alleged that her husband had deserted the family and maintained an illegal relationship with Madhuri.

On Thursday, both my daughters  Hyndavi and Naveena  went to my husbands new residence at Tekkali and wanted to talk to him. But Madhuri drove them away, saying that he had no connection with him whatsoever, she said.

Vani said that sh1e had complained to YSRCP president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and other senior leaders of the party several times. But nobody came to our rescue, she said.

Vani also alleged that Srinivas tried to assault her and their two daughters with a stick for questioning his relationship.
No one in this wealthy California community known for its white-sand beaches and storybook charm has a street address. But unlike the houses in Carmel-By-The-Sea, those days may soon be numbered. California town with no street addresses: Carmel's century-old legacy under threat (Photo by Twitter/political_drama)

After more than a century of address-free living, this seaside tourist destination where Clint Eastwood once presided as mayor is moving ahead with a plan to assign street numbers to homes and businesses.

Many long-time residents arent happy about it.

The city's residents and visitors must navigate a woodsy, 1-square-mile (2.5-square-kilometer) landscape where houses, stores, restaurants and other buildings dont have numbers. Its even more difficult at night because the town has few street lights.

When asked for their address, residents describe their homes color or style, nearby landmarks like cypress trees and fire hydrants or their location relative to the nearest cross street. Many houses have signs with whimsical names like Neverland, Dreamcatcher and Pinch Me or descriptors such as San Antonio 3 SE of 9th.

There is no mail delivery service, so residents must pick up up their mail at the U.S. post office, the only building with an official address.

But street addresses may finally be coming to this coastal city of 3,300 residents, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) south of San Francisco. In July, the city council voted 3-2 to move forward with a plan to issue street numbers.

When emergency crews are responding, particularly at night, its very difficult to count houses in order to find the right house, Councilmember Karen Ferlito said, noting the city has an aging population. Sometimes they go to the wrong house and that wastes precious time.

Residents complain that many government agencies and businesses require physical address for service. They say delivery and taxi drivers cant find their homes and often drop off packages and food orders at the wrong house.

Weve had flowers delivered that were useless. Weve had fruit baskets delivered when my dad died that were six weeks old, said Betty Kullas, who moved to Carmel 15 years ago. Sometimes if you know its been delivered somewhere, you have to go out with a flashlight at night, going house to house to see if you can find it.

Kullas said her husbands $13,000 medication never arrived, and having it delivered to the post office wont work because it requires refrigeration. It was a struggle to get water, electricity and cable service without a physical address.

But many dont see the need for street addresses, even in modern times when people increasingly use their addresses to shop online and get important legal documents.

I was born in Carmel 67 years ago. I grew up with no street addresses, and its just something youre used to, life-long resident Grant Johnson said outside the post office. Thats one of the charms of Carmel. Its one of the stories we get to tell.

Those opposed include the mayor, who voted against the measure.

If its not broke, dont fix it, Mayor Dave Potter said during an interview at his home. I just dont think its necessary. I mean, honestly, weve lived this way for 100 years. We dont need them.

The issue of street addresses has generated controversy in Carmel since its founding in 1916, often pitting business owners against residents intent on preserving the character, culture and village charm.

City officials passed an ordinance requiring house numbering in 1926, but preservation-minded residents fought back. Three years later, the city passed an ordinance to keep Carmels residential streets free of sidewalks, street lights, neon signs, high-rise buildings, mailboxes. It also prohibited street addresses.

In 1953, Carmel threatened to secede from California over proposed state legislation requiring house numbers. The bill didnt pass.

The issue reemerged as a hot-button issue during the pandemic, when in-person interactions were curtailed and more residents wanted to have packages and meals delivered to their homes.

Local law enforcement and fire officials spoke out in support of addresses at the July 9 council meeting, noting the lack of street numbers violates fire and building codes.

Potter dismissed the safety concerns, pointing out that local emergency service providers have detailed knowledge of the town and can respond within a few minutes.

Some longtime residents worry street numbers will take away from Carmels quaintness.

Ive lived here so long, Ive kind of forgotten what its like to have mail delivered, so it doesnt bother me, resident Virginia Crapo said. I think its more communal when you have to come down to the post office to get your mail because you can see your neighbors.

Even after homes receive street addresses, the post office will remain open and there will be no delivery mail service to residences, Ferlito said.

After the council vote, the city staff was directed to develop a numbering plan that must be approved by the U.S. Postal Service.

But the story isnt over. In November, residents will vote for city councilmembers and a mayor who will determine the fate of whether to issue addresses to residents.

This is a very political issue, and I dont know what will happen after the election, but I hope that the new council will continue to stay the course, said Councilmember Jeff Baron, who is running for mayor and voted for street addresses.

Others agree its time to join the modern world.

I dont think street numbers will ruin the charm, said part-time resident Bruce Edwards, who was picking up mail from his post office box. Im in favor of it because of delivery issues. Uber will work better. The ambulances will be able to find us when I have a heart attack. And my UPS driver will be able to deliver my books.
Multiple Chinese authorities have jointly organized a series of themed events nationwide to celebrate the Qixi Festival, also known Chinese Valentine's Day, which falls on Saturday this year.

These events included food and cultural merchandise markets, exemplary group weddings and various tourism activities featuring unique ethnic customs and cultural experiences.

On Saturday, the organizers, including the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, have also launched flagship events in six localities, including Yiyuan County in Shandong Province, Lushi County in Henan Province, and Guangzhou City in Guangdong Province.

These events aim to fully tap into the cultural value of the Qixi Festival, nurture good values for familial and romantic relationships, and cultivate a new trend of social civility, according to the organizers.
Read the full story on The Auto Wire

State Farm Is Getting Sued For Cheaping Out On Repairs

When you pay regularly for full insurance coverage, you probably expect if your cars in an accident it will be repaired expertly with the insurance provider covering everything after you pay the deductible. But some State Farm customers with luxury vehicles claim the insurance company has tried steering them away from certified repair facilities, potentially voiding their factory warranties, all to save a buck.

Your car is spying on you for your insurance provider.

Perhaps youve experienced something like this in the past. This issue started with one man in South Florida when his 2022 Porsche Taycan was damaged in a crash, reports WPLG. Porsche told him the luxury EV had to be repaired by a Porsche-certified shop or the warranty would be voided.

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However, State Farm allegedly had a different idea, wanting him to take the car to a non-certified shop where the repairs would be done at a lower hourly rate. The man ended up paying out of pocket to get his $100,000 car fixed without voiding the warranty.

Thats when he decided to get attorneys involved. Those attorneys filed a lawsuit against State Farm, claiming the insurance provider just rejects any repair estimates over $4,700 automatically. Thats a problem for anyone driving a higher-end car.

Digging into the problem, those attorneys realized quite a few people across the country have experienced similar issues with State Farm. For example, one individual with a damaged Maserati contacted all the preferred repair shops State Farm provided, but none of those shops would even touch the car.

Thats when the attorneys decided to file class action lawsuits in Florida and Georgia.

Weve heard other stories of insurance providers trying to cheap out on repairs for more expensive vehicles, so this seems to be quite the problem. What the solution is moving forward remains to be seen.

Image via WPLG/YouTube

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Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma enjoyed a dinner date last night. The paparazzi clicked the couple exiting a restaurant in Mumbai. They wore stylish ensembles for the outing. (Also Read | Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant meet President of Panama; Shloka Mehta joins Akash, Nita Ambani in Paris: What they wore) Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma clicked during their outing. (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla)

Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma enjoy a dinner date

The paparazzi video shows Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma stepping out of an eatery joint while holding hands. The couple smiled for the cameras and greeted the paparazzi before sitting in their cars. While Tamannaah wore a denim shacket, crop top and pants for the outing, Vijay complemented her in an all-white ensemble.

Decoding Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma's outfits

Tamannaah's stylish dinner date look features a white crop top with a ribbed design, a scoop neckline, front button closures, a fitted silhouette, and a short hem length. The actor wore it over black pants featuring a denim waistband, a high-rise waist, and a flared hem.

Tamannaah completed the ensemble with a denim shacket featuring half-length sleeves, a collared neckline, an open front, a long thigh-length hem, and a relaxed fitting. She accessorised the ensemble with sneakers, a watch, hoop earrings, and layered gold chains. Lastly, side-parted loose hair, fuchsia pink lips, rouge-tinted cheeks, and feathered brows rounded off the glam.

Meanwhile, Vijay complemented Tamannaah in an all-white ensemble featuring a shacket, a Polo t-shirt, and pants. While the patterned shacket has notch lapels, an open front, a comfy fit, and full-length sleeves, the pants feature a mid-rise waist and a relaxed straight-leg silhouette. He completed the date night look with brown suede shoes.

About Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma

Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma first met as co-actors on the sets of Lust Stories 2, the second instalment of the Lust Stories franchise. Their relationship began after the shoot of the 2023 series. Vijay had earlier revealed that it took 20-25 days for their first date to happen.
Mrunal Thakurs Scottish sojourn exudes peak cottagecore vibes as she took to Instagram to share some of her touristy moments straight out of Pinterest. The actor relaxed in the idyllic countryside, surrounded by fields of lavenders and sunflowers. Mrunal Thakur enjoyed and relaxed by the fields of flowers in Scotland. (Instagram/@mrunalthakur)

The place boasts of cerulean skies with puffy clouds melt into the green horizon, where the sea of flowers dances in the wind and reaches for the sky. Scotland is a stunning concoction of natural serenity and historical charm that leaves everyone who visits with lasting memories.

It is one of the top spots for many travellers as the beauty of Scotland is haunting and eerily calming, from the mist rolling down the rugged mountains, sprawling highlands and blanketing the breathtaking, shimmering lochs to the old-town aesthetic with towering castles and cobblestones in Edinburgh. Immerse yourself in Celtic tunes and literature and explore Scotland for a taste of nature and history at its finest.

Here are the places you must visit in Scotland -

ALSO READ: Inspired by Nakul Mehta's dreamy British holiday? Here are the top romantic places in London

Inverness

Inverness is located by lochs and offers stunning views.(Unsplash)

Inverness is a scenic, quaint, yet small Scottish city that can be explored within a day. Located by a serene lake, check out Inverness Castle, which has stood the test of time since the 11th century. The castle offers stellar viewpoints, extending to the green highlands in the distance. Here, youll also find Scotlands first brewstilleryUile-Bheist Brewery & Distillery, where you can taste the finest Scottish whiskies and beers. Next, head to Leakey's Bookshop, Scotlands biggest second-hand bookstore, to immerse yourself in enriching Scottish literature. To witness archaic Scottish antiques from the battlefields, visit the Highlanders Museum. End your day by shopping at the Victorian Market in the heart of the old town.

Loch Ness

Loch Ness has a haunting beauty, accentuated by the ruins of Urquhart Castle along its shore(Unsplash)

At some point, the Loch Ness monster myth must have captivated you, and Loch Ness has a lot of mystery and beauty to surprise you with. Its just a 30-minute car or bus journey south from Inverness. Take a loch cruise and enjoy the picturesque beauty of the loch, surrounded by the green highlands and rolling mountains. Visit the historic Urquhart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness, which has medieval artifacts on display and offers great panoramic views of Scotlands most famous loch. Highland cows, with their long horns and shaggy, furry coats, graze the highlands. Loch Ness will surely soothe your soul with its beauty.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh was a major inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter world.(Pixabay)

The capital city harmonizes its ancient history with modernity. The skyline is a dramatic silhouette of castle spires and Georgian architecture. The city exudes a peak dark academia vibe with its winding cobblestone paths, art galleries, coffee shops, and libraries. There is a sense of cultural grandeur and modern sophistication. Explore the world-famous Edinburgh Castle, a picturesque fortress located on Castle Rock that offers stunning views of the entire city. Edinburgh Castle is brimming with history and features key attractions such as The Honours of Scotlandthe crown jewels of Scotlandalong with the Stone of Destiny and St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh. There is a daily tradition where a blank shot is fired from a cannon at 1 o'clock.

ALSO READ: Inspired by Kriti Sanon's Greek summer holiday? Here are the top must-visit places in Mykonos

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye makes you at one with nature.(Unsplash)

Scotland has over 790 islands, but Skye is perfect for nature enthusiasts. Go hiking and enjoy the sweeping vistas and viewpoints all around. Scale the Old Man of Storr, a steep and rocky 55-metre pinnacle that is the remnant of a 2,800-million-year-old volcanic plug. Visit Dunvegan Castle, perched on a rock overlooking Loch Dunvegan, which is the best-preserved castle on the Isle of Skye. End the day at Talisker Distillery and sample some of Scotland's best whiskey.

Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland's cultural capital.(Pixabay)

The atmosphere is rich and thriving in Glasgow. The citys dynamic spirit is palpable in the bustling Merchant City, where centuries-old buildings now house trendy boutiques and chic cafes. For art lovers, the Gallery of Modern Art is a haven for both contemporary and ancient masterpieces. Stroll through Glasgow Green, Scotland's oldest park, which offers a serene escape within the city. The National Piping Centre and the Bagpipe Museum chronicle the piping tradition spanning centuries.

ALSO READ: Huma Qureshis birthday bash got you dreaming of Monaco? Check out these must-visit spots
If you have watched the movie Swades, you might remember a scene where NASA scientist Mohan Bhargav, Shah Rukh Khans character, is introduced to members of the village panchayat. In this delightful exchange, Mohan struggles to explain his work in the Global Precipitation Measurement project at NASA, which helps forecast extreme weather events and assess the global climate. When his nanny manages to simplify the explanation for the village elders, Mohan is told with a laugh and scoff that one of the villagers does this regularly. At which point, the said villager looks up at the sky, sees it is clear, and lets the village know that it will likely not rain that day. An amused Mohan agrees he does the same at NASA.

Eventually, Mohan decides to use his knowledge and skills to build a hydroelectric power generation facility for the village. This is not the typical Indian American story one sees play out routinely. One is more accustomed to hearing stories of brain drain, of those who leave to pursue the American Dream and never look back. Yes, Khans character eventually decides to move back to India, but between the extremes of migration and reverse migration is a tangible space of impact and influence that can and should be tapped into to the benefit of both countries.

The success of the 5.1-million-strong Indian American community perhaps belies its numerical strength. Despite representing 1.5% of the population of the United States (US), this community contributes 6% to its taxes. From politics, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation to cultural influence, the diaspora continues to impact the everyday lives of millions in the US. If you have been following the news on the US presidential elections, you would be aware of the Indian American moment its been having recently. From Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Usha Vance, and now the presumptive Democratic party presidential nominee, Kamala Harris. Indian Americans are establishing themselves across administrative levels as senators, representatives, and mayors.

Indian-origin CEOs head 16 Fortune 500 companies that employ approximately 2.7 million Americans and generate more than $1 trillion in revenue. The economic impact of Indian Americans extends beyond big business to the startup world as well, co-founding 72 out of 648 US unicorns operating in 2024. Research, innovation, and academia in the US have provided a platform for the community to contribute further. Between 1975 and 2019, the share of US patents with Indian-origin innovators jumped from around 2% to 10%. Through art, food and festivals, Indian Americans have also fostered a greater understanding and appreciation of Indian culture in the US.

Over time Indian Americans have gained skills and experience and built networks that can become the foundation for fostering meaningful knowledge transfer and innovation in India. Some of this is already underway in different shapes and forms. Nearly 25%, i.e., 28 of the 114 unicorns in India in 2023, have US-educated founders, with a combined valuation of $59 billion. Philanthropic grants from the US make up nearly 35% of all donation inflow to India from the rest of the world. During Covid, Indiaspora, a US-based nonprofit community of global Indian leaders, raised $15 million to help fellow Indians. The US is the top source of global remittances to India, with nearly $26 billion in remittances in 2022-23.

It is apparent that the two countries share a strategic partnership based on shared values. They can therefore build on the solid foundation of collaboration that already exists between them to further advance their mutual interests. As India looks to become a developed nation, Viksit Bharat, by 2047, the 100th year of its Independence, the diaspora can play an important role in realising Indias vision. Sustained engagement between this community and India is crucial for addressing the nations challenges and driving inclusive growth. The Indian governments recent policy measures aim to ensure that the benefits of economic growth reach all sectors and all sections of society, and the Indian American community is uniquely positioned to complement these efforts.

Going back to Swades for a moment, the village elders comical oversimplification of Mohans job notwithstanding, throughout the movie his character tries to work with the community to make their lives better, in big and small ways. His worldview shifts from being patronising to empathetic and finally pragmatic about how he can bring about meaningful change from his vantage. The larger Indian community around the world embodies this Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam spirit.

MR Rangaswami is founder & chairman, Indiaspora. Neeraj Aggarwal is chair, Asia-Pacific, The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Sesh Iyer is North America Regional Chair, BCG X. The views expressed are personal
When former Bangladesh Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina fled to India last week, there was a strong sentiment in India that India must stand by its friends. Standing by our friends meant two things here: As a humanitarian gesture towards Hasina, and as an Indian intervention in Bangladesh to set things right. The humanitarian argument stressed the importance of helping a friendly leader by giving asylum. The interventionist argument claimed that India, as the regions dominant power and an aspiring great power, must act when a key pro-India leader in the neighbourhood is ousted from power, as doing nothing would show India in poor light.

The great power argument is delusional. We are simply past that age in our neighbourhood. The humanitarian argument, while sound, is not sufficient to deal with the Bangladesh problem, today and going forward. But the underlying assumption of both arguments  We must help the India-friendly leader  is problematic by itself. Thus, we must revisit some of our deeply-held assumptions about the utility of friendship and the friend vs foe binary in the conduct of foreign policy.

Adversarial states tend to hinder each others foreign policy pursuits because they primarily have clashing interests, not because they dislike each other. Sometimes adversaries cooperate, especially when they think doing so helps their interests. Friendly States assist each other in their foreign policy pursuits when they perceive mutual value in each others objectives. But even friends are unlikely to support each other if their interests clash. Cooperation among States is primarily a function of synergy in interest and not based on friendship or enmity. For sure, friendship does provide an environment of trust, but that alone is not enough for the pursuit of interests, as trust is also a function of common interests.

What forms friendship among States? Friendships are formed through common interests, threats, and priorities; however, friendship alone does not create common interests. Therefore, States that claim to be best friends with each other are primarily serving their national interests. For example, at the core, the United States (US) and India are not friends; they are States with overwhelming mutual interests. Japan and India work together because of common interests and threats, not just friendship.

There are inherent limits to the utility of friendship in the pursuit of foreign policy goals. For one, friendly countries dont do things for each other sacrificing their interests. Second, if you identify certain political leaders in another country as friendly and others as unfriendly, the adversaries of your friends in that country might see you as unfriendly. Third, friendship can also become a liability. Sometimes, friends can pressurise you to do things that might not be in your national interest. Therefore, while friendship may be a virtue in domestic politics and social settings, it could become a liability in the pursuit of foreign policy goals.

While having friendly countries, or friendly leaders in difficult countries, is useful, there is an inbuilt hierarchy that a States decision-makers must keep in mind  interest first, and friendship later. So, if the pursuit of interest requires a State to sacrifice friendships, it must do that. We must not forget what such friendships are for  to cater to our interests.

The transatlantic relationship, between the US and Europe, is often said to be one among friends  and yet, there too is an interests-driven relationship. The US needs Europe for the preservation of a US-led world order. Europe needs the US for security. They indeed share religious and cultural ties too. But, religious and cultural ties alone cant guarantee strong partnerships; geopolitics in West Asia or our region would testify to that.

In the early 2000s, the US and India started negotiating to stabilise their bilateral relationship after a difficult period not because they wanted to be friends, but because each side had/has powerful interests in developing a strong strategic partnership. India and the US may call each other friends, as would Australia and India, but at the end of the day, these relationships are based on interests. The more powerful their mutual interests, the stronger friendships among States would be.

So, what should be Indias policy towards Bangladesh in the wake of Hasinas ouster? First of all, India must clearly identify its interests as opposed to getting caught in a self-defeating friends vs enemies formulation. Indias interests vis-a-vis Bangladesh pertain to illegal immigration, safety of minorities in Bangladesh, security in states bordering the country, Indian businesses there, and the China factor. With these in mind, New Delhi should reach out to whoever is in power in Dhaka today and in future, and highlight how a stable relationship helps both sides. As a matter of fact, Bangladesh needs India more than India needs Bangladesh. Giving asylum to Hasina is a humanitarian gesture, but allowing the ousted PM to use India as a platform for political activity may hurt Indias interests vis-a-vis Bangladesh, for States take precedence over individuals in international relations.

This logic applies to Indias relationships with other states in the neighbourhood as well. This is not the age of regime change or interventions. So, focus on the pursuit of interests and not the cultivation of individuals because interests unlike friendships are transferable from one regime to another, and interests come with less baggage than friendships.

Happymon Jacob teaches Indias foreign policy at JNU, and is the founder of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research. The views expressed are personal
Three days from today, India will be celebrating its 78th Independence Day  the day the country was born. Birthdays, they say, are days to reflect on ones life: The gains and losses; the mistakes one has made, and the ways and means to rectify them. On August 15, what should India, and we as Indians, be reflecting upon?

To begin with, lets look at things to be proud of. We remain a largely peaceful country despite the turmoil in our neighbourhood. Take Bangladesh for instance. Violence has claimed more than 450 lives in that country. The situation deteriorated to the extent that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed had to leave her nation once again. Now an interim government is fighting to bring the situation under control.

However, those now labelling Hasina as a deluded dictator had once waited for her to return to power in Bangladesh with bated breath. These people forget that within four years of Bangladesh being liberated in 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whom that country titled father of the nation, was assassinated at his official residence. Hasina was away from the country then; else, she would have met the same fate. Since then, fortunately, no head of government has been killed in Bangladesh, though it has seen many coups. Hasina herself returned to power in 2008 after a series of particularly violent demonstrations.

The next 15 years were hers. Though she helped strengthen the economy, she also metamorphosed into a dictator in the garb of democracy. Over time, the facade of democracy she put up has fallen apart. She won the last general election in June solely by suppression and subversion. The Bangladeshis hadnt expected this from her. They took to the streets and dethroned her.

But the chaos also emboldened the anarchists. The way chief justice Obaidul Hassan was forced to resign following a siege of the Bangladeshi supreme court is terrifying. The way Hindus are being targeted in the country over the past few days is also deeply worrying for India. I am reminded of a statement an Indian diplomat stationed in Dhaka had made two years ago: In 10 years, Bangladesh would turn into Afghanistan. Is that fear coming true? Maybe.

There is instability elsewhere, too. In Nepal, monarchy was replaced by democracy in 2008, but a stable government has eluded that country since. Myanmar, in turn, has been under the thumb of the junta, while Sri Lanka saw a Bangladesh-like situation only a few months ago. As for the Maldives, president Mohamed Muizzu was elected democratically but has shown little inclination to uphold democratic values, evident from the fact that he removed and jailed two of his ministers on charges of black magic.

Only India stands tall as a beacon of democracy in South Asia. We have had our share of instability. During the last seven-and-a-half decades, the country has been run by coalition governments for 30 years. Charan Singh, VP Singh, Chandrashekhar, Inder Kumar Gujral, and HD Deve Gowda have all led coalitions for short stints. Still, we have held on to our belief in democracy. Is that adequate? Absolutely not. As we move towards another Independence Day, we must remain alert against subversive forces. As the events unfolded in Bangladesh, fly-by-night experts mushroomed on social media making a killing from doomsday predictions for India. They had done the same for Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Irresponsible statements by politicians embolden such elements. A few days ago, a former foreign minister shocked everyone when he claimed India, too, can witness violent demonstrations as in Bangladesh. We all know that India is not Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. Our size, diversity and tradition of co-existence stop us from going down a slippery slope. But some experts say: If our relative Pakistan can lose its way, why cant we? What they forget is that on August 15, 1947, we shunned British slavery but not our legacy of Indian-ness.

Pakistan tried to create a new identity based on religion and ended up destroying itself. Bangladesh is dealing with the same malady. Even when the ambassadors of peace, the Buddhists, in Myanmar and Sri Lanka tried to conduct Bangladesh-like experiments, they fell flat. Its because we shouldnt forget religion is a part of culture and not the other way around.

Radicalism is poison for the subcontinent. Independence Day reminds us of this fact every year.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. The views expressed are personal
The Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2024 is in its final days, offering a last-minute opportunity for shoppers to secure substantial savings on kitchen appliances. With discounts reaching up to 80%, this sale has been a key event for those looking to upgrade their kitchens without breaking the bank. Featured deals include top-rated chimneys, ovens, and air fryers, all available at some of the year's lowest prices. Amazon Sale 2024: Grab the best deals before time runs out!

Whether you're setting up a new kitchen or enhancing your existing setup, these discounts provide an excellent chance to invest in high-quality appliances at a fraction of the cost. As the sale draws to a close, now is the perfect time to make your purchase and take advantage of these limited-time offers before they expire. Take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade your kitchen essentials at unbeatable prices.

Best kitchen chimneys at the Amazon Sale 2024:

During the Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2024, top kitchen chimneys are available at impressive discounts. Leading options include brands like Elica, Faber, and Hindware, known for their efficient suction and sleek designs. These models offer excellent value, making them standout choices this season.

Best OTG ovens at the Amazon Sale 2024:

During the Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2024, several top OTG ovens are available at significant discounts. Notable choices include the Bajaj Majesty, Morphy Richards, and Philips, all known for their versatile cooking features and dependable performance. These options provide great value for those looking to enhance their kitchen setup.

Best convection microwave ovens at the Amazon Sale 2024:

The Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2024 offers excellent deals on convection microwave ovens. Leading choices include models from LG, Samsung, and IFB, celebrated for their quick cooking, even heat distribution, and multiple cooking modes. These ovens are ideal for efficient meal preparation, making them a smart pick during the sale.

Also read: 8 KG washing machines | Washing machines with inbuilt heaters | Best 7kg washing machine top load

Best air fryer ovens at the Amazon Sale 2024:

During the Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2024, top air fryer ovens are available at attractive prices. Key options include those from Philips, Havells, and Inalsa, known for their efficient frying, baking, and roasting capabilities with minimal oil. These appliances offer a healthier way to enjoy crispy, delicious meals.

Best air fryers at the Amazon Sale 2024:

The Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2024 features top air fryers at great discounts. Leading brands include Philips, Havells, and PRestige, praised for their efficient frying with little to no oil. These air fryers are perfect for preparing healthier, crispy dishes, making them popular choices during the sale.

Also read: Refrigerators with water dispensers | Best refrigerator in India 2024 | The top 2 refrigerators of 2024: A comparison guide between LG and Godrej

As the Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2024 nears its end, this is your last chance to secure big savings on essential kitchen appliances like chimneys, ovens, and air fryers. With discounts of up to 80%, dont miss the opportunity to upgrade your kitchen before these deals disappear.

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
The Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale is now in its 5th day, and the excitement continues to build with incredible discounts on a wide range of car and bike accessories. This is the perfect opportunity to grab essential gear at unbeatable prices. Whether you're in the market for a new dash cam, pressure washer, car vacuum cleaner, air purifier, tyre inflator, GPS tracker, or other vital accessories, youll find massive savings across the board. Dont miss the Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale and score huge discounts on car and bike accessories to upgrade your ride for less!

Now is the ideal time to invest in these high-quality products as the discounts are significant, and the deals wont last long. Upgrading your car or bike gear not only enhances your driving or riding experience but also ensures safety and convenience. From improving air quality inside your vehicle with air purifiers to keeping your tyres in top shape with inflators, the benefits are clear.

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Also Read: Amazon Clearance Sale: Lowest price on washing machine, refrigerators, AC, and more

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Also Read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale 2024 is live: Up to 65% off across categories

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Also Read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival sale day 3 highlights: Discounts on electronics, home appliances, and more

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FAQs on the Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale mega discounts on car and bike accessories 1. What is the Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale? The Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale is a major annual event offering substantial discounts across a wide range of products, including car and bike accessories. This sale features mega discounts, exclusive deals, and special offers, making it an excellent opportunity to purchase essential items at reduced prices.

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Ousted former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina alleged that she could have remained in power had she surrendered the sovereignty over the Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal to the United States, reported The Economic Times. The island is only 3 km square in area, in the northeastern part of Bay of Bengal. It located about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Tankaf pensinsula. (Representative image)(AP)

About Saint Martin Island

Saint Martin's Island, also known as Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) or Daruchini Dwip (Cinnamon Island) is a small island, only 3 km square in area, in the northeastern part of Bay of Bengal. It is located about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Tankaf pensinsula.

Being Bangladesh's only coral island, it is known for its stunning natural beauty, including clear blue waters and diverse marine life like corals.

It is also a popular tourist destination, especially during winters when the weather is more tolerable. Economy around the island primarily relies on fishing, rice-coconut cultivation and tourism, supporting the island's 5,500 people.

Bangladesh and Myanmar had contested sovereign claims over the island due to dispute over delimitation of their maritime boundary. Both countries have clashed over fishing rights around the area.

In 2012, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in its verdict said the island is a part of the territorial sea, continental shelf, and EEZ of Bangladesh.

In 2018, the Bangladesh government protested Myanmar's updated map that showed the island as a part of its sovereign territory, which Myanmar acknowledged as a mistake.

Why Bay of Bengal is strategic?

Sheikh Hasina's allegation brings into focus China's strategy in the Indian ocean region, as part of its so-called Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to contain India by building a series of military bases and economic trade corridors.

Bangladesh has partnered with China in its BRI initiative, which India terms as a violation of its sovereignty, as the project passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (Pok).

Increasing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean region has raised alarm bells in Washington, which responded by its own Indo-Pacific strategy, in which India is a key strategic partner.

The two countries have also developed other mechanisms like the Quadrilateral security dialogue (QUAD) and Malabar naval exercises among other measures in response to China's rise in the region.
Dhaka, Bangladesh's newly-installed interim government on Sunday said it would maintain a "balanced" foreign policy, asserting that Dhaka intends to maintain "smooth and positive" relations with all, including India and China. B'desh interim govt says it intends to maintain 'smooth and positive' relations with all, including India and China

"Our policy is to maintain good relations with all countries while protecting our national interests," interim government's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said during his first press briefing at the foreign ministry.

Hossain, whose position is equivalent to a minister, said it is meaningless to assume that this interim government is focused solely on any particular direction.

"We intend to maintain smooth and positive relations with all ... including India and China," said Hossain, who previously served as a deputy high commissioner to India.

When asked about the interim government's approach towards India, Hossain said both countries share a strong and deep bond.

" it is important that people feel India is a good friend of Bangladesh...We want that, we want to advance the relation towards that direction, said Hossain, a career diplomat and former foreign secretary.

He said the interim government "would like to see India cooperate with us in this regard" and underscored the need for addressing public expectations by delivering tangible outcomes from the bilateral ties with India.

This was the first media interaction of Hossain since the interim government was sworn in on Thursday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India following widespread protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.

Hossain said the interim administration was committed to staging a fair and impartial election, which was its "key objective.

"Speculation at this point is unnecessary," he said, without commenting on the interim government's possible tenure.

He sought support from the international partners for the interim administration, saying "Their concerns are our concerns."

Hossain said that the interim administration was committed to bringing to justice the perpetrators of violence, including attacks on minorities, after the ouster of the Awami League government.

He said the chief adviser Muhammad Yunus would soon meet with representatives from minority communities.

He hoped the law and order situation would improve significantly within a week. Asked about the possibility of bringing home Hasina, he said this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the law ministry while his office would respond only if that ministry makes any such request.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Iranian courts have reduced jail terms for two female journalists charged with collaborating with the United States, their lawyers told reformist newspapers on Sunday. Iran reduces sentences of journalists who covered Amini's death

Elaheh Mohammadi, 37, and Niloufar Hamedi, 31, are out on bail after more than a year in Tehran's Evin prison for their coverage of the September 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini which had sparked nationwide protests.

In January, Iran's judiciary said it had launched new proceedings against the two women for posing for pictures without the mandatory headscarf upon their release that month.

Two separate appeals courts in Tehran ruled to acquit the women of the charge of collaboration with the United States, the lawyers were quoted as saying by Shargh and Ham Mihan dailies.

Originally, Mohammadi had been sentenced to six years in jail while Hamedi had been handed a seven-year sentence, according to the judiciary.

The pair were also each given five-year sentences for collusion and conspiring against state security and one year for propaganda against the Islamic republic.

The lawyers said these sentences were upheld by the appeals court and would be served concurrently, adding, however, that they hope the journalists would be freed under an amnesty announced last year by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Considering that the remaining two accusations meet the full conditions of the amnesty directive of 2023, we hope that Elaheh Mohammadi will be pardoned, and this case will be closed by issuing a suspension of execution order," Mohammadi's lawyer Shahab Mirlohi told Ham Mihan newspaper.

Hamedi's lawyers issued a similar statement.

Hamedi, a photographer for Shargh, was arrested less than a week after Amini's death after posting a picture of the young woman's grieving family on social media.

Ham Mihan reporter Mohammadi was arrested after going to Amini's hometown of Saqez, in the western Iranian province of Kurdistan, to cover her funeral which turned into a demonstration.

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, had been arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women, in place since shortly after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Following her death, months-long protests shook Iran, with hundreds of people, including dozens of security personnel, killed in the unrest, and thousands of demonstrators arrested.

Nine men were executed in cases related to the protests which Iranian authorities generally labelled "foreign-instigated riots".

pdm/hkb

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
DUBAI, - Iran's new president presented his cabinet to parliament on Sunday for a vote of confidence, state media reported, proposing seasoned pragmatic diplomat Abbas Araqchi as foreign minister at a time of heightened regional tensions. Iran's new president picks pragmatist as top diplomat in proposed cabinet

President Masoud Pezeshkian is shaping his cabinet at a time of an increased risk of escalation of the conflict in Gaza into a broader regional war, after the recent killings of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut drew threats of retaliation against Israel.

Following the death of hardline President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May, Pezeshkian won a snap election last month by promising to improve ties with the world, promoting a pragmatic foreign policy, and to ease social restrictions at home.

Pezeshkian's proposed cabinet lineup requires lawmakers' approval and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that parliamentary commissions will start reviewing his candidates on Monday.

Araqchi, 61, who was Iran's ambassador to several countries, including Japan, played a key role in negotiating Tehran's 2015 nuclear agreement with six world powers, which then-U.S. President Donald Trump exited in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

Araqchi later led Iran's negotiators during multilateral efforts - ultimately unsuccessful - to revive the pact via indirect diplomacy with Washington before he was replaced by hardline Ali Bagheri Kani in 2021.

The president's powers are limited in the Islamic Republic by those of the Supreme Leader, who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, appoints the head of the judiciary and has the last say on major policies.

Tensions between Iran and the West have increased over Tehran's fast-advancing nuclear programme and its threats to "harshly punish" Israel over the assassination of Haniyeh.

Tehran and Hamas accuse Israel of carrying it out, though it has not claimed or denied responsibility for the killing.

Separately, Iran's president nominated Mohsen Paknezhad as oil minister, who has served as deputy oil minister overseeing hydrocarbon resources between 2018 and 2021.

Pezeshkian has also nominated Farzaneh Sadeq as the road and transportation minister. If approved by the parliament, she would become only the second woman cabinet minister in the Islamic Republic's history.

The first one was appointed in 2009 by hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who was president at the time.

Under the president's proposed lineup Raisi's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib would keep his position in the new cabinet.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Delhi: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Monday that Tehran would definitely retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Pezeshkian emphasised that while Iran does not intend to escalate war and crisis in the region, Israel will face consequences for its actions. This statement was made during a meeting with Russias security council secretary, Sergei Shoigu. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (AFP)

Irans acting foreign minister also joined the chorus of voices calling for retribution against Israel on Thursday, telling AFP that Israel made a costly strategic mistake by assassinating the Hamas chief in Tehran. The act that the Zionists carried out in Tehran was a strategic mistake because it will cost them gravely, Ali Bagheri said.

Meanwhile, Israel vowed to eliminate newly appointed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who is accused of orchestrating the October 7 attack. His appointment has further escalated regional tensions as the Gaza war has reached its 11th month. Speaking at a military base on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was determined to defend itself. We are prepared both defensively and offensively, he told new recruits.

Shedding light on the possibility of an all-out regional conflagration, Dr. Seyed Hadi Borhani, Assistant Professor of Middle East Studies, Tehran University, told Hindustan Times, Iran is deeply affected by the recent assassination and is determined to make Israel pay a steep price for this serious act of aggression. And to achieve this, Iran has several options at its disposal.

One approach mirrors the operation it conducted in mid-spring in response to Israeli actions against its consulate in Damascus. During that operation, Iran launched over 300 drones and ballistic missiles targeting military bases in Israel, resulting in damage to at least two air bases, one fatality, and numerous injuries.

Last week, US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III directed military movements to support Israel in case of an attack and to prepare for potential strikes on US forces by Iran-backed groups as part of anticipated retaliation. A senior Pentagon official stated that some American warships currently in the Mediterranean will be repositioned closer to Israels coast.

Highlighting Tehrans readiness to retaliate against Israel, Borhani stated, Iran has more advanced drones and missiles that werent used in that attack but could be deployed in future operations. Theres also a growing possibility that Iran might launch a coordinated, multi-pronged assault with its regional allies, especially Lebanons Hezbollah and Yemens Ansarullah. This seems more likely now, given that these groups, like Iran, have recently vowed to retaliate after Israeli strikes on Beirut and the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.

In April, following an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed several military commanders, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, used his Eid al-Fitr sermon to liken Israels attack on the diplomatic site to an assault on Iranian territory and promised retaliation for the mistake made by Israel. Shortly thereafter, Iran launched 300 drones and long-range missiles towards Israel.

This was the first direct attack from Iranian soil, bypassing the use of proxies in Iraq, Syria, or Lebanon. Despite a response from Israeli jets and air defenses, supported by American, British, French, and Jordanian forces, which intercepted most of the incoming projectiles, the sight of missiles over the Dome of the Rock, one of Islams holiest sites, showed the potential for an escalating conflict.

However, discussing how Israel has crossed several red lines this time, Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, Secretary General of Asian Mayors Forum, remarked, Iran wants to maintain a regional balance of power so that it doesnt fall in favour of Israel. A few months ago, after an attack on its consulate in Syria, Iran launched a missile strike against Israel to rebalance the situation. This response was meant to show Irans capability and determination to retaliate strongly against any aggression.

So, previously, Irans actions were more symbolic. It showed Iran could strike without causing major damage or casualties. But the recent attack on a key figure in Tehran indicates a shift: Iran now views the situation as more critical, with this attack crossing several red lines.

Gholamzadeh indicated that a military action is likely, potentially involving a multi-front attack against Israel, rather than a one-time strike or an intelligence operation like previous efforts. He emphasised that Iran will not accept any mediation or forgiveness, as the issue concerns not only its national interest and security but also the security of the entire region.

If Iran does not respond, there would be further attacks by Israelis and it would escalate the tensions. Israelis have anyway failed to stand against Hamas for the past 10 months in military areas. So, they adhere just to killing civilians, women and children in thousands and thousands.

Even the US cannot help them against Iran because the Americans are strongly avoiding having boots on the ground here. They might offer intelligence and weaponry support, but they cant engage on the ground. They struggled in Iraq and Afghanistan for over 20 years, so they cant stand against Iran.
Toronto: Over a thousand protesters gathered for a demonstration organised by the Bangladeshi-origin Hindu community and supporters to highlight the atrocities being committed against minorities there after the fall of the Government of Sheikh Hasina. Participants at a protest against ongoing atrocities targeting minorities in Bangladesh, in Toronto, Canada on Saturday. (Supplied photo)

The protest was organised by the group Bangladeshi Hindi Canadians, but also drew support from other organisations. It was held on Saturday afternoon at Nathan Philips Square, adjoining Torontos City Hall.

The protesters raised slogans against the ongoing atrocities targeting minority communities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus and demanded justice from the interim government in Dhaka led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus as well the international community including action from Ottawa.

We want the Canadian government to help put international pressure to stop the cleansing of Hindus and restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, citizens rights and law and order, one of the principal organisers Niranjan Sarker said.

Jyoti Dutta Purkayastha, another speaker, who addressed the crowd, added that they wanted Ottowa to publicly denounce the ongoing massacre of minorities and issue a condemnation letter and exhibit the willingness to prosecute those inflicting the violence.

She also said they were seeking international aid to the vulnerable minorities, who have had their communities devastated as well as Canada putting in place a system to provide them with refugee status.

The protest was supported by groups like the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) which demanded that Canadian lawmakers recognise the persecution of Bangladeshi Hindus and ensure their protection. Also present were Indo-Canadian and Jewish groups and other allies.

Among them was the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce(CHCC).

CHCCs vice-president Amit Chowdhury, who is of Bangladeshi origin, said they were concerned over reports of Hindu-owned businesses being vandalised and looted and sought their protection. They (Bangladeshi Hindus) have been affected in a lot of ways since August 5 and the government should step forward to protect them, he said.

The protest on Saturday was among a series in Canada beginning on August 7 with one at City Hall in Calgary in the province of Alberta. Protests are being held in Hamilton in Ontario and Montreal in Quebec, while Toronto will witness another such demonstration on Sunday at the Shaheed Minar in Scarborough, which was inaugurated in 2021, and marks, as its original namesake in Dhaka, the martyrs who died as part of the Bengali Language Movement in 1952 against Islamabad when present-day Bangladesh was still part of Pakistan.

Sarker said such demonstrations will continue till their demands are met and the large gathering in Toronto had given them momentum. We feel more courage to go forward, he said.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken out for the first time since her dramatic resignation and departure to India a week ago, hinting at the United States' role in her unceremonious ouster. Sheikh Hasina (C) weeps while she visits a metro station in Mirpur vandalized by students during the anti-quota protests. (AFP file photo)

I resigned to avoid witnessing further violence. They aimed to seize power over the dead bodies of students, but I prevented that by resigning, Hasina said, The Economic Times reported. HT.com is unable to independently verify the accuracy of this information.

ALSO READ- Sheikh Hasina's dramatic escape to save her life: Carried no clothes, essentials

Bangladesh is currently in a state of political flux. Hasina resigned on August 5 amid escalating protests by students demanding an end to the controversial quota system for government jobs.

Last week, fearing for safety amid widespread violence, Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka in a military aircraft. She is currently in a secure location in India.

An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been established to oversee the transition and prepare for early elections.

ALSO READ- Bangladesh chief justice resigns as hundreds of protesters gherao Supreme Court, give ultimatum

Hasina explained had she stayed in the country, more deaths and destruction would have taken place.

I became your leader because you chose me; you were my strength, she added.

The violence that followed Hasinas resignation has resulted in over 230 deaths, bringing the total number of casualties since the protests began in mid-July to 560.

My words were distorted to incite you: Hasina to protesters

Addressing the student protesters, Hasina clarified that she never called protesting students Razakars.

"My words were distorted to incite you. Watch the full video of that day to understand how conspirators have exploited your innocence to destabilise the nation, the Awami League leader said.

The term "Razakars" is often used to refer to people who were believed to be collaborators of the Pakistani military during the 1971 Liberation War.

ALSO READ- PM Narendra Modi alleges foreign hand to weaken India: 'Some countries, institutions don't like'

Sheikh Hasina hints US hand in ouster

Sheikh Hasina also claimed that she could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal, according to the report.

"I beseech to the people of my land, Please do not be manipulated by radicals, she said.

ALSO READ- PM Sheikh Hasina alleges plot to carve out Christian state from Bangladesh: A white man offered

In May, Hasina had alleged a conspiracy to create a Christian state similar to East Timor by partitioning parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar. She claimed she was offered an easy reelection if she allowed a foreign nation to establish an airbase in Bangladesh, without naming the country involved.

Sheikh Hasina's son denies any such statement

"The recent resignation statement attributed to my mother published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated. I have just confirmed with her that she did not make any statement either before or since leaving Dhaka," Sajeeb Wazed said in an X post.
President Joe Biden has broken his silence after dropping out of the 2024 presidential election race. Sitting down Wednesday for his first interview since the decision, the commander-in-chief seemed to have dropped numerous truth (and opinion) bombs in his conversation with CBS News Sunday Morning's Robert Costa at the White House. US President Joe Biden (L) departs the beach on August 10, 2024, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. (AFP)

Airing this Sunday, the head-turning interview saw Biden address the possibilities of Trump winning this year's election while also considering the What If aftermath of Kamala Harris' victory.

Speaking of Trump, the present-day US president said, He means what he says.

All the stuff about, If we lose, therell be a bloodbath. It'll have to be a stolen election.'

What does Biden's bloodbath remark allude to

Former President Donald Trump had previously vowed the country would succumb to a bloodbath if he lost his re-election bid in November.

If youre listening, President Xi  and you and I are friends  but he understands the way I deal. Those big monster car manufacturing plants that youre building in Mexico right now  youre going to not hire Americans and youre going to sell the cars to us, no. Were going to put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and youre not going to be able to sell those cars if I get elected, Trump said during a rally in March 2024.

Also read | Biden admits Democrats pushed him to drop out of presidential race, calls out Pelosi

Now if I dont get elected, its going to be a bloodbath for the whole  thats gonna be the least of it, he added. Its going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it. But theyre not going to sell those cars. Theyre building massive factories.

If this election isnt won, Im not sure that youll ever have another election in this country, Trump added.

While the former president's comments painted a different picture of the said bloodbath," with his campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt telling NBC News, Bidens policies will create an economic bloodbath for the auto industry and autoworkers, Biden's comments have taken a sharp turn. MAGA, including Elon Musk, even went full defensive at the time, accusing Democratic leaders of misquoting Trump's remarks.

The present-day commander-in-chief seemed to dread both arising circumstances in the aftermath of the forthcoming November elections. While he believes that Trump's loss would launch a bloodbath, his second-term victory poses another major threat, as Biden called the ex-president a genuine danger to American security.

Biden's previous solo interviews, which followed his first presidential debate with Trump in June, sounded an alarming cry for his health. Several political critics and the internet joined in to question his credibility and cognitive capacity to head a second term, with a significant focus on the president's alleged slip-ups and gaffes.

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However, this time, he not only addressed his age and the disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27, but he also insisted that no serious health concerns were plaguing him. All I can say is watch. Look, I had a really, really bad day in that debate because I was sick. But I have no serious problem.

Biden committed to Kamala Harris' election bid

Although he emphasised that he's not confident at all in a peaceful transfer of power to Harris, given Trump's position if he loses the election, he hailed her and Tim Walz's partnership as one hell of a team.

Biden added that he's been frequently in touch with her, and will be campaigning in other states as well.

Im going to be doing whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most.

Biden reveals why he dropped out of the presidential race

The interview also comes after much speculation about why he dropped out of the presidential race. While several reports have underscored that a secret plot was in place to topple Biden from the presidential hopeful's seat for this year, Democratic leaders had insisted against the rumours on countless occasions.

Nevertheless, he finally admitted, What happened was, a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. You'd be interviewing me about 'Why did Nancy Pelosi say ' 'Why did so-and-so ' And I thought it'd be a real distraction, number one.

Number two, when I ran the first time, I thought of myself as being a transition president, he went on. I can't even say how old I am. Its hard for me to get it out of my mouth. But things got moving so quickly, it didn't happen.
Elon Musks endorsement of former President Donald Trump has not only sparked political controversy but also led to a noticeable decline in Teslas customer base. As Musks outspoken support for Trump resonates with some, it has alienated others, who find his political views off-putting. For instance, a German drugstore giant suspended the purchasing of the Tesla with immediate effect citing Trump as the reason behind it. File photo of Elon Musk and Donald Trump from 2017.(Evan Vucci / AP)

German drugstore giant suspends the purchase of Tesla

Donald Trump, seeking a second term in the White House, survived an assassination attempt on July 13. Shortly afterwards, Elon Musk, who had already been leaning toward the Republican agenda, publicly endorsed Trump, reinforcing his support against the Democratic Party.

Even though a lot of what Musk says gets old fast, his support for Trump is really messing with Tesla's image, especially in Europe. Rossmann, a major European drugstore chain, announced it would immediately halt Tesla vehicle purchases. The reason is none other than Donald Trump who has frequently dismissed climate change, which contradicts EVs environmental goals.

Also read: JD Vances dramatic weight loss raises eyebrows online: Sponsored by Ozempic, say netizens

Elon Musk makes no secret of his support for Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly described climate change as a hoax, the statement by the spokesperson of the management said. This attitude is in stark contrast to Teslas mission to contribute to environmental protection through the production of electric cars, the statement further reads as per Fortune. The outlet further noted that out of 800 vehicles that the Rossmann empire owns 34 of them are Musk-owned Tesla.

Is Elon Musk's support for Trump hurting Tesla?

A decade prior, Vibhor Chhabra, a product executive in his forties from the Bay Area and a former owner of Tesla, perceived the brand as emblematic of steadfast dedication to the fight against climate change, the promotion of electric transportation, or the endorsement of CEO Elon Musk's vision for sustainability. "You could make a statement while having a great car," Chhabra said stressing his past association with the brand.

He is now in the market again, looking for a new vehicle and considering other options. He noted that Tesla's brand now "comes with a lot of baggage" and he no longer wants to be linked to Musk.

"I don't consider Trump an environmental candidate, and I don't understand how somebody who started a company with an environmental mission could support that candidate, said Stan Clark a retired California-based architect.

The big sales drop

Tesla's position as a market leader is beginning to show signs of decline. The company's once-dominant market share for electric vehicles in the United States fell below 50 per cent during the second quarter of the calendar year, despite sales of battery-powered cars reaching a record high, according to Business Insider.

Also read: BTS' Suga's scooter, not PM: Police to summon rapper for criminal investigation into his DUI case: Report

"There are a lot of credible studies out there that really do suggest that Elon Musk's increasingly right-wing politics do alienate a significant number of shoppers, said Ed Kim, president of AutoPacific, according to Daily Express US.
Jordan Chiles was officially stripped of her bronze medal in floor exercise at the Paris Olympics 2024 following a court ruling on Saturday. The IOC announced that the medal will now be reallocated to Romania's Ana Barbosu after it was determined that the American gymnast was incorrectly awarded the third place. Following the controversial ruling, Chiles' sister called out the Olympic judges for racism. Jordan Chiles has officially been stripped of her Olympic bronze medal following a court ruling on Saturday(REUTERS)

Jazmin Chiles slams Olympics, blames racism for sister Jordan being stripped of bronze medal

The 23-year-old athlete's sister slammed the decision to remove Chiles from the third place in the gymnastics event that took place on August 5. Please keep Jordan (and my family) in your prayers, Jazmin, who owns Hair Goals by Jazmin Dominique, a beauty salon in Washington, wrote in a heated statement shared on her Instagram story.

Racism is real, it exists, it is alive and well, she continued, adding, They have officially, 5 days later, stripped her [Chiles] of one of her medals. Not because she didn't win, not because she was drugged, not because she stepped out of bounds. Not because she wasn't good enough.

Jazmin went on to say, But because the judges failed to give her difficulty and forced an inquiry to be made. FOUR SECONDS. Her bronze was stripped over 4 seconds of time that would have never needed to happen if the judges did their job, she added. I love you baby sis. And I got yo back no matter what, she concluded.

ALSO READ: Britney Spears slammed for seemingly throwing shade at Blake Lively with updated version of her 2002 Versace gown

Jordan Chiles announces break from social media

The stylist's statement comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of two Romanian gymnasts, Ana Barbosu, who had initially won bronze, and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea on August 10. The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique shall determine the ranking of the Final of the womens Floor exercise and assign the medal(s) in accordance with the above decision, CAS said.

Shortly after the ruling, Chiles announced that she would be stepping away from social media to protect her mental health. I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health, thank you, she shared on her Instagram story. Amid the medal controversy, Chiles has been a victim of unprecedented hate and backlash online.

ALSO READ: Blake Lively reacts to Taylor Swift's cancelled Eras Tour shows in Vienna, Terrifying!

USA Gymnastics condemns online attacks on Jordan Chiles

In light of the situation, USA Gymnastics issued a statement to extend support to the Olympian. The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles' floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring, the statement read. The association also condemned the online attacks made against Chiles.

Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media. No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them. We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her, the statement added.
Pakistan's top civil and military leadership on Sunday vowed to protect the rights and religious freedoms of minorities, urging all segments of the society to work for promoting interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood and unity. Graves in Chenab Nagar, Pakistan of Ahmadiyyas killed in attacks on the communitys mosques.(Getty Images)

In 2009, Pakistan declared August 11 as the National Minorities Day to honour the historic speech made by its founder M A Jinnah who on August 11, 1947, promised to protect their rights.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his message said that minorities in Pakistan enjoy all political, economic and social rights which have been guaranteed by the Constitution, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.

"We reaffirm our commitment to the promise made by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on 11th August 1947, to the country's minorities to protect their rights and religious freedoms, Zardari said, adding the government was taking several steps for the political, social and economic empowerment of minorities.

The president urged all segments of the society to educate the people about their rights and work to promote interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood and unity to make Pakistan a strong country.

Zardari expressed confidence that the minorities of Pakistan would continue to play a positive role towards the country's development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to minorities for their outstanding role in the country's development and prosperity.

The purpose of celebrating the day is to express solidarity with the minorities living in Pakistan and to acknowledge their services for the state of Pakistan, he said.

The prime minister said that our minority community played a key role in the Pakistan movement and since the creation of Pakistan, has been contributing immensely to nation-building.

Alluding to Jinnahs historic speech, Sharif said that complete religious freedom has been given to minorities. He expressed commitment to protect the rights of minorities and their overall development and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the services chiefs acknowledged the indispensable contributions of minorities to the nation's progress, prosperity, and rich cultural heritage.

According to an army statement, the army leadership, extending warm felicitations to the minority communities of the country, said, This occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the diversity, inclusivity and harmonious coexistence that are the hallmarks of our great nation.

The army said minority communities are an integral and vital part of the social fabric of the country and their rights and freedoms are sacrosanct as enshrined in the Constitution and Islam.

According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in 2021, there are 96.47 per cent Muslims in the country, followed by 2.14 per cent Hindus, 1.27 per cent Christians, 0.09 per cent Ahmadi Muslims and 0.02 per cent others. The minorities are often at the receiving end due to violence by extremist groups.
Prince Harry was reportedly under the impression that his plan to reconcile with King Charles would lead to a path of forgiveness and healing, believing that reaching out would prompt his father to make amends. However, as per Royal expert Tom Quinn, his strategy has not unfolded as hoped. Instead of fostering reconciliation, King Charles has remained unresponsive, refusing to take Harry's calls and seemingly deepening the rift between them. Report reveals rift between Prince Harry-Meghan Markle and King Charles over security and funding(AP)

King Charles snubs Prince Harrys reconciliation efforts

Since stepping away from their royal roles in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have openly criticised the British royal family through interviews, books and documentaries.

These public attacks have severely strained their relationship with the family, particularly with the monarch, who is reportedly so upset that he has stopped communicating with his son. Despite Harry's attempts to reconcile, the situation has worsened, leaving little hope for repairing their damaged bond.

Also read: Prince William and Kate disgusted as Harry set to cash in on huge $8.5M Royal inheritance: Report

"Despite all his criticisms Harry always assumed he would be forgiven by his father. He thought Charles would make amends for the hurt that- in Harrys view  justified the criticisms, Quinn told the Mirror.

King Charles expects apology from Prince Harry

The horrified Charles, who fears Harrys wife Meghan might write another explosive book with his sons contribution, expects Harry to apologise for all the damages caused. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan believe its the Royal Family that should make the first move and apologise to them for alleged unfair treatment. The Duke had previously revealed he had to omit a lot of content from his memoir and hinted he had enough material for two more books after releasing Spare in 2023.

Also read: Kamala Harris overtakes Donald Trump in six different polling averages across three key states

"Despite Harrys attacks on the royal family his father has avoided responding by attacking his son publicly, but privately, King Charles is furious, Quinn added. So much so that he is now refusing to take calls from his son.

Earlier this year, when Harry flew back to London to visit his cancer-stricken father, he was hopeful for a reconciliation. In an interview with Good Morning America, he said, "I think any illness, any sickness, brings families together." However, despite being in London in May to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, he was not given the opportunity to meet his father.
Another Black California politician is convinced he's the person Donald Trump was referring to when he told a tale of a near helicopter crash with former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown, who is also Black.

"I guess we all look alike," former California state Sen. Nate Holden of Los Angeles scoffed to Politico.

Willie Brown has said he was never on any flight with Trump after the former president told his tale at his Thursday press conference. He said that Brown was bad-mouthing Vice President Kamala Harris on the hair-raising (also absolutely not true, according to Brown). Brown and Harris dated in the 1990s.

Holden, 95, told Politico Friday that he clearly remembers the death-defying flight with Trump that occurred sometime in 1990.

"Willie Brown is the short Black guy living in San Francisco. I'm the tall Black guy living in Los Angeles," said Holden, 95. "I guess we all look alike."

He said he flew with Trump on a helicopter to his since-bankrupted casino the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City as the developer was wooing Holden in a bid for a building project in Los Angeles.

As they neared the destination, the chopper began "shaking like crazy" and the pilot made an emergency landing, according to a book by Trump Organization executive Barbara Res, who was also on the flight. She confirmed that it was Holden, not Brown, on the aircraft.

The New York Times reported Friday that Trump must have been referring to a 2018 flight with another Brown  former California Governor Jerry Brown  and governor-elect at the time, Gavin Newsom. The men were surveying the damage of a California wildfire from the air.

Newsom said there was no aircraft emergency, as Trump claimed, but that Trump was nevertheless afraid the helicopter would crash.

Trump insisted on Truth Social after the Times story that his flight story was accurate, but reffering to it as his "little helicopter ride" with Brown.

He told the Times he has the flight records to prove it, though hadn't provided them as of late Friday. He also threatened to sue the newspaper.

Holden has since confirmed his flight experience with Trump with the Times.

He said he was stunned as he watched Trump's press conference.

'What the hell is this?'" Holden said he wondered. "'Was he in two near-fatal helicopter crashes??'"

Trump "either mixed it up, or he made it up" when he told his story, Holden told Politico.

"This was just too big to overlook, this is a big one: conflating Willie Brown and me," he added.
A four-year pronghorn study spanning eight areas of Montana was recently published, providing a wealth of information on seasonal migrations, barriers to those trips and the ability to remove some of the obstacles.

The 200-page Montana Pronghorn Movement and Population Ecology study delved into forage, migration, fencing barriers and survival rates of 700 female pronghorn that were trapped and collared. All told, more than 10 million locations were collected from GPS collars that monitored the animals movements.

Pronghorn are one of the most understudied large herbivores in Montana, even though theyre widespread and common in the prairies and valleys, said Jesse DeVoe, a research biologist for the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and the studys lead author. This project was a really important one for keying us in on the variability of movements that are happening on the landscape and some of the potential issues on the landscape.

Population decline

The information is key to understanding a species that is one of the few survivors of the last ice age that ended roughly 10,000 years ago  an animal adapted to outrun now-extinct species like the North American cheetah.

Montana also holds the second-largest population of the animals, which means the second-largest number of hunters in pursuit of pronghorns. Last year, FWP estimated the state population at more than 133,000 animals. The same year, more than 17,200 hunters shot more than 11,900 pronghorns.

This is a significant reduction from 2007 when the pronghorn harvest peaked at 33,500 animals. In between, the fleet-footed animals population dwindled following harsh winters, drought and outbreaks of various diseases. By 2013, hunter harvest had fallen to 8,200 pronghorns as FWP cut hunting license allocations.

Pronghorn populations typically rebound quickly with favorable weather conditions, yet numbers of pronghorn in many of Montanas central and eastern populations are less than 50% of population objective despite multiple years of favorable weather and minimal harvest, the study noted.

That led to one key but unsettling conclusion, as well as demonstrating that even in-depth studies cant provide all of the answers.

The factors currently limiting pronghorn population recovery across central and eastern Montana are unknown, the FWP researchers reported.

Objectives

The areas targeted for the research represent a variety of sagebrush-grassland habitats, including the Big Hole, Paradise Valley and Musselshell regions, as well as Fergus-Petroleum, south Phillips, Garfield-Rosebud and Powder River-Carter county study areas.

The research was designed to provide five main takeaways: 1) where the animals were moving on the landscape and when; 2) based on that information, the creation of maps signifying seasonal range and movement areas; 3) using that information to identify potential barriers to movements for habitat improvement projects; 4) to develop a population model to help scientists identify vital rates and describe important demographic differences between pronghorn populations that are growing or stable, versus those that are limited in their population performance; 5) and finally to evaluate what the animals are eating and when.

Females were targeted for the study, and the researchers noted the best way to improve pronghorn populations is to ensure female survival. Yet the study showed how hard that can be when 373 of the collared animals, or 53%, died during the course of the investigation.

Previous research documented an average fawn mortality rate of 71%, with 76% of all mortalities being due to predation from coyotes.

During the research, DeVoe said the cause of many of the mortalities was difficult to determine. That wasnt the case with one pronghorn fatality in Yellowstone National Park. When the researchers approached the dead animal a mountain lion ran away.

DeVoe said the migration of the Yellowstone herd was one of the most interesting to him because the animals summer at such a high elevation in the parks Lamar Valley. To move to winter range they pass through steep, rocky, treed country to reach the Paradise Valley.

Weather

One of the surprising revelations of the study was weather related.

Upon evaluating environmental covariate influences on pronghorn survival across all sex and age classes, we did not find any relationship between survival and cold temperatures, percent snow cover, drought severity, or NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index), the report said.

NDVI is used to quantify the health and density of vegetation using remote sensors, like satellite images.

Our findings suggest there were no environmental conditions that had the same, consistent effect on pronghorn vital rates across their range in Montana.

During the study period, there was also no difference in the survival rates of pronghorns that migrated versus those who didnt move as much. Yet similar studies in Wyoming have shown that animals able to migrate during harsh winter conditions were more likely to survive.

DeVoe said the Montana study pointed to most pronghorn does being very attached to specific summering areas, returning to the same regions year after year. In winter, however, they were more likely to go to wherever they could find the best food sources.

The longest migration one of the collared does made during the study was a north-central Montana pronghorn that traveled about 120 miles from south of Malta to near Havre, DeVoe said.

It was the only collared pronghorn making that movement and it did it twice, he said. But generally, the vast majority of pronghorn in central Montana were nonmigrant.

The second-longest migration was a pronghorn that moved about 100 miles from the Madison Valley to the Centennial Valley and then on to Idaho where it was struck and killed by a train.

The study period didnt feature any severe winter conditions, which have prompted large pronghorn movements in the past  including the winter of 2003-04 where the animals walked across the frozen surface of Fort Peck Reservoir while traveling south. The following spring, after the ice melted, boaters were surprised to see pronghorns swimming north to cross the reservoir.

Fenced out

The ability for the animals to move points to one of the key successes of the study. The scientists mapped more than 82,000 fence segments equal to more than 30,000 miles. Based on the collared pronghorns, the researchers were able to identify fences that made pronghorn movements difficult.

With that information in hand, 86 miles of fence have already been improved in 31 projects. Another five projects on 22 miles of fencing are ongoing and 12 plans are being drawn up to address another 33 miles of fencing.

It would be interesting to have a better understanding of the effects of the changes to all of the fences, DeVoe said, to see how the work influenced pronghorn movements and if it had any effect on the populations.

Unlike deer or elk that jump over fences, most pronghorns try to crawl under the obstructions. Thats not possible when the bottom strand is too low, or mesh fencing is used. Wildlife-friendly fences are built with a higher bottom wire thats smooth, not barbed, and a lower top wire.

Others credited with the project included FWP research biologist Kelly Proffitt, University of Montana professor Joshua Millspaugh, UM postdoctoral researcher Chris Hansen, UM masters candidate Madison Crane and doctoral candidate Molly McDevitt.

Theres a lot of things we learned but there are still a lot of questions, and some of these questions are pretty hard to address, DeVoe said.
The U.S. Coast Guard spotted a Russian naval vessel off Alaska's Aleutian Islands and followed until it left waters within America's "exclusive economic zone."



The incident involving the American Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley took place about 30 miles southeast of the Amutka Pass between Seguam and Amutka Islands, the Coast Guard said Friday.

"As a proud Alaska-homeported cutter, we patrol to uphold maritime governance and a rules-based international order," Cmdr. Steven Baldovsky, commanding officer of the Alex Haley, said in a statement.

"We met presence with presence to ensure there were no disruptions to U.S. interests in the maritime environment around Alaska."



The Alex Haley's crew didn't communicate with the Russian ship, but followed as it traveled east out of the exclusive economic zone that extends 200 miles from the U.S. shoreline on Monday, the Coast Guard said.

A Coast Guard HC-130 intelligence aircraft crew also reportedly observed the Russian ship, which was identified as a Vishnya-class vessel.

The ships were built for the Soviet navy in the 1980s to gather intelligence and are outfitted with extensive arrays of electronic sensors and antennas for transmitting data via satellites, according to the U.S. Army.



Russia reportedly maintains a fleet of seven Vishnya-class vessels, which are armed with two automatic, 30 mm rotary cannons and SA-N-8 surface-to-air missile launchers.



The Coast Guard said Monday's incident, first reported by the Associated Press, unfolded as part of Operation Frontier Sentinel, a program to monitor and address "strategic competitors" that travel in and around U.S. waters.

It also said the activity wasn't unusual, citing two incidents in July when Coast Guard crews encountered a total of four Chinese military ships in the Bering Sea, within the 200-mile zone north of the Aleutian Islands.
Donald Trump has repeatedly called Vice President Kamala Harris a "b--ch" in private conversations as the former president seethes over the shift in the race during the past few weeks with the entrance of his new Democratic foe, the New York Times is reporting.

Trump, 78, has told supporters that he is "angry," and blames Democrats for scheming to bankrupt him and then kill him, friends told the Times, according to an article Saturday.

Described as being in a "foul mood" by the newspaper, the Republican presidential nominee has referred to Harris as "nasty" in an interview on "Fox & Friends," and "b--tch" repeatedly in private.

Trump's campaign denied the report.

"That is not language President Trump has used to describe Kamala, and it's not how the campaign would characterize her," Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told the Times.

The report said Trump had grown comfortable campaigning against President Joe Biden, and was riding high after the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

But then Biden, 81, upset the apple cart, exited the campaign July 21 and endorsed Harris as president.

Trump claimed Friday night at a rally in Montana that Biden was forced out of office and might try to make a comeback.

"And now he's seeing what the competition is. I hear he's going to make a comeback at the Democrat convention," Trump said. "He's going to walk into the room, and he's going to say, I want my presidency back. I want another chance to debate Trump. I want another chance."
Authorities in Japan are urging people to avoid hoarding as anxiety over a possible megaquake triggered a spike Saturday in demand for disaster kits and daily necessities.

In its first such advisory, the weather agency said a huge earthquake was more likely in the aftermath of a magnitude 7.1 jolt in the south on Thursday which left 14 people injured.

At a Tokyo supermarket on Saturday, a sign apologized to customers for shortages of certain products it attributed to "quake-related media reports."

"Potential sales restrictions are on the way," the sign said, adding that bottled water was already being rationed due to "unstable" procurement.

On Saturday morning the website of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten showed portable toilets, preserved food and bottled water topping the list of the most sought-after items.

In Tokyo, some residents were ramping up their disaster preparedness.

Bar employee Kokoro Takeuchi said she had ordered bottled water online following Thursday's tremor.

"I'm very worried," the 27-year-old told AFP.

"The bar I work at is underground so if a quake happens all of a sudden, there's a good chance we might not be able to escape. So I've been trying to figure out how best to evacuate," she said.

But others were more resigned to the inevitability of the megaquake.

"I am worried of course, but overthinking about it will get you nowhere," company worker Mika Nakagawa, 34, told AFP.

"If it happens, then that's that," she said.

Some retailers along the Pacific coastline also reported similar disaster-related supplies in high demand, according to local media reports.

The advisory concerns the Nankai Trough "subduction zone" between two tectonic plates in the Pacific Ocean, where massive earthquakes have hit in the past.

It has been the site of destructive quakes of magnitude 8 or 9 every century or two, with the central government previously estimating the next big one would strike over the next 30 years roughly with a 70% probability.

Experts, however, emphasize the risk, while elevated, is still low, and the agriculture and fisheries ministry urged people "to refrain from excessively hoarding goods."

A magnitude 5.3 tremor rocked the Kanagawa region near Tokyo Friday, triggering emergency alarms on mobile phones and briefly suspending bullet train operations.

Most seismologists believe the Friday jolt had no direct link to the Nankai Trough megaquake, citing distance.
The United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada are demanding the immediate release of nearly 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus, and threatening new moves to reverse the "suppression of democracy" there.



In a joint statement Friday, the Western allies marked the fourth anniversary of what they called the country's "fraudulent" 2020 election by saying they "stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus."

The widely disputed vote, which gave President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term, sparked the country's largest protests and government crackdown since Belarus declared its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991.



"We call on Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the almost 1,400 political prisoners being held in Belarusian prisons," the allies said. "We will continue to consider our options, including additional sanctions, to hold accountable those who enable the...suppression of democracy in Belarus."



The Western governments also said they would "continue to take meaningful steps to expose and cut off the flow of crucial support and components through Belarus that fuel Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine, while maintaining our support for the Belarusian people."



Also on Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions against 19 Belarusian individuals and 14 entities for "supporting Russia's war in Ukraine."



Other sanctions were imposed this week by the EU, Britain and Canada, the Associated Press reported, and Friday's statement said the actions represented a "coordinated, multilateral effort to advance accountability" for Lukashenko's regime.



Lukashenko, who this year marked 30 years in power, has maintained his grip with the help of Moscow, which he let use Belarussian territory as a staging ground to invade Ukraine in February 2022.



Last year, Lukashenko also allowed Russia to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which borders NATO members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.
White body bags littered the floor and mourning filled the air after a school that was housing displaced Palestinians was struck with Israeli missiles Saturday in a a horrific and increasingly common sight in the Gaza war.

Dawn prayers were shattered by the early morning triple air strike from Israeli warplanes, which gutted Al-Tabieen religious school and mosque in Gaza City.

In the hellish aftermath, body parts were strewn around the rubble, and charred, bloodied bodies slumped in the wreckage of the two-storey complex.

Grim-faced volunteers piled corpses in blood-stained blankets into an ambulance, as seriously wounded men lay groaning on the ground.

Gaza's civil defense agency said at least 93 people were killed, 17 of them women and children, making it one of the war's deadliest strikes.

Israel's military disputed the death toll, saying the school was targeted with "precision munitions" because it "served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility."

Such incidents have become a pattern in recent weeks. According to an Agence France Presse tally, at least 14 schools sheltering Gaza's displaced have been hit since July 6, killing more than 280 people.

"Peaceful people - women, children, and youths  were performing the Fajr prayer as usual when suddenly a missile hit them," said Abu Wassim, who lives nearby and came to survey the scene.

"They were reduced to remains. Children were torn apart, and women were burned. What can we say or do? What is in our power?"

As the sun climbed and mourners gathered, one man stroked the face of a dead child shrouded in a plastic body bag.

"They dropped a missile on them while they were just praying. Fear God, people! Fear God, Arabs!" a woman wailed over the body.

Another man looked lost as he held a small corpse wrapped in a blanket. Nearby, six body bags lay on the ground, three of them children. Tattered Korans were piled on a window ledge.

"We woke up before dawn to the sound of a strike," said Sakr, a resident from the neighbourhood who gave just one name.

"We headed to the site and found body remains of civilians who were peacefully performing prayers. We found bodies of children scattered in the street."

Another man said: "You can't even recognize the bodies, there were scattered remains.

"The ones who were struck are displaced people taking shelter in a school. What's their fault? What have they done wrong?"

Mohammad Al-Mughayyir, director of the supply and equipment department of Gaza's civil defense service, told AFP that six schools in Gaza City had been targeted in the past week alone.

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nadav Shoshani said that about 20 Hamas and Islamic militants were operating from the Al-Tabieen complex.

"The compound, and the mosque that was struck within it, served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility," he posted on X.

Later on Saturday, Gaza civil defense agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told journalists that the strike "directly targeted" two floors of the school.

The strike hit "the upper floor housing women and children and the ground floor that was used for prayers by the displaced people," he said.

The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas's Oct. 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Palestinian militants seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 39 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 39,790 people, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which does not give details of civilian and militant deaths.
Former President Donald Trump's campaign said Saturday that its internal communications were hacked and blamed the cyberattack on "foreign sources hostile to the United States."

The acknowledgement from campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung came after Politico reportedly received a series of emails that apparenlty came from the account of a senior Trump campaign official.

The emails included a 271-page compilation of research on Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Politico said.

The dossier, dated Feb. 23, was based on publicly available information about Vance's history and past statements, with his previous criticism of Trump among those labeled "potential vulnerabilities," Politico said.

A partial dossier on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was a potential Trump running mate, was also reportedly hacked and provided to Politico.

Two people familiar with the documents confirmed their authenticity, with one saying the Vance dossier was an early version of the file used to vet him for his role as the Republican vice presidential candidate, according to Politico.

In a prepared statement, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told the outlet, "These documents were obtained illegally from foreign sources hostile to the United States, intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process."

"On Friday, a new report from Microsoft found that Iranian hackers broke into the account of a 'high ranking official' on the U.S. presidential campaign in June 2024, which coincides with the close timing of President Trump's selection of a vice presidential nominee," Cheung said.

Cheung declined to say if the Trump campaign had substantiated that Iran was behind the hack or whether it has contacted Microsoft or law enforcement, Politico said.

The emails to Politico reportedly began arriving on July 22 from an AOL account.

The sender, who used the name "Robert," claimed to have a "variety of documents from [Trump's] legal and court documents to internal campaign discussions," Politico said.

When pressed on where the documents came from, Robert reportedly replied, "I suggest you don't be curious about where I got them from. Any answer to this question, will compromise me and also legally restricts you from publishing them."

In 2016, hackers obtained troves of emails from Democrats tied to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and posted them online during the run-up to that year's Democratic National Convention.

U.S. intelligence agencies later concluded the operation was part of an influence campaign ordered by Russian Vladimir Putin to undermine faith in American democracy and hurt Clinton's "electability and potential presidency."

A federal grand jury later indicted 12 members of Russia's GRU intelligence agency for allegedly hacking into the computer networks of Clinton's campaign, the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee but no arrests have been reported.
Ukrainian forces were reportedly pushing toward a Russian nuclear power plant Saturday, despite a plea for "maximum restraint" from the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Fierce fighting was taking place up to 12 miles inside Russia's Kursk region as swarms of drones and artillery fire supported Ukrainian units on Day 5 of their surprise, cross-border incursion, according to Reuters.

Russia's Defense Ministry  which on Thursday was accused of lying about conditions on the ground  confirmed intense battles around the towns of Loknya, Olgovka and Ivashkovskoye, and claimed its troops "continue to repel the attempted invasion."

Ukrainian forces may be trying to reach the Kursk nuclear power plant, which supplies a major portion of southern Russia's electricity, according to Reuters.

The site in the town of Kurchatov is home to two reactors that were reportedly operating as normal on Saturday.

Two other reactors there are shut down and two more are being built.

The acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, said drone debris fell on a power substation near Kurchatov.

On Friday, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi publicly appealed for "all sides" in the conflict to "exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid a nuclear accident with the potential for serious radiological consequences."

"I am personally in contact with the relevant authorities of both countries and will continue to be seized of the matter," Grossi said in a prepared statement. "I will continue to update the international community as appropriate."

Russian military bloggers reported that the situation in Kursk had stabilized after Russian forces raced to the new front but also cautioned that Ukraine was sending reinforcements, Reuters reported.

"A full scale military operation is underway against a very serious enemy who are certainly not idiots," said Yuri Podolyaka, a popular Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger.
Donald Trump's campaign is accusing Iran of hacking a major vetting dossier on running mate J.D. Vance's "vulnerabilites" and leaking it to Politico and the Washington Post.

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told NBC News Saturday night that any media exposing the information would be "doing the bidding of America's enemies."

Cheung said Microsoft discovered Iranian hackers had accessed the account of a 'high ranking official' on the presidential campaign in June.

Microsoft could not immediately be reached for comment to independently confim the information.

The Trump campaign referred to a Microsoft report of hacking activity that "increasingly points to Iran's intent to influence this year's U.S. presidential election." That activity included an email contact in June to a "high-ranking official on a presidential campaign," the report noted.

Neither the official or campaign was identified by Microsoft, but a company source told the Washington Post the report was referring to Trump's operation.

The Trump team initially blamed unnamed "foreign sources hostile to the U.S." for the leak sent in emails to Politico and the Post, which the campaign said were "intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process." .

The messages included a 271-page research file on Vance labeled "potential vulnerabilites" typically carried out on candidates to hunt issues that could be exposed and attacked by opponents and the media, Politico reported.

Cheung later told NBC: "The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror ... any media or news outlet reprinting documents or internal communications are doing the bidding of America's enemies and doing exactly what they want."

Politico reported Saturday that it began receiving emails late last month from an anonymous account. The sender person used an AOL email account and identified themselves only as "Robert," and relayed what appeared to be internal communications from a senior Trump campaign official that were confirmed by sources to be authentic.

The person also sent part of a research document about Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was a finalist for the vice presidential nomination, according to Politico.
Thousands of Ukrainian troops are taking part in a major incursion into Russian territory, aiming to "destabilize" Russia by showing up its weaknesses, a top Ukrainian official has told Agence France Presse.

"We are on the offensive. The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilize the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border," the security official said on condition of anonymity.

The Russian army had said about 1,000 Ukrainian troops were deployed in the cross-border incursion, which began on Tuesday and appeared to catch the Kremlin off guard, allowing Ukrainian forces to penetrate Russian defensive lines.

Asked whether the 1,000 figure was right, the official responded: "It is a lot more ... thousand."

After days of official silence, Russian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the offensive for the first time in his nightly address Saturday, saying that Kyiv was "pushing the war into the aggressor's territory."

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has waged an unrelenting campaign, occupying swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine and subjecting Ukrainian cities to daily missile and drone attacks.

After re-capturing large areas in 2022, Ukrainian forces have largely been on the backfoot and are increasingly struggling with manpower and arms supplies.

But Ukrainian units stormed across the border Tuesday in the largest and most successful such offensive by Kyiv so far.

Its troops have advanced, forcing Russia's army to rush in reserves and extra equipment, though neither side has given precise details on the forces committed.

Russia has evacuated more than 76,000 civilians from the area, while Ukraine said last week it needs to evacuate 20,000 from the Sumy region across the border.

Russia's defense ministry on Sunday published footage it said was of its troops destroying Ukrainian military equipment that had advanced into its western Kursk region.

The shock offensive is now into its sixth day.

The attack has "greatly raised our morale, the morale of the Ukrainian army, state and society," the Ukrainian official said, speaking late Saturday after weeks of Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.

"This operation has shown that we can go on the offensive, move forward," the official said. "It seems that the Russians have problems with coordination, preparedness for action."

But he said there had been little effect so far on fighting in the east.

"The situation is basically unchanged. Their pressure in the east continues, they are not pulling back troops from the area," he said, adding only that "the intensity of Russian attacks has gone down a little bit."

The official said Ukrainian troops would respect international humanitarian law while on Russian territory and had no plans to annex areas they currently hold.

"There is no idea of annexation ... We are operating in strict accordance with international law," he said, contrasting this with alleged violations by Russian troops in occupied territory.

Asked whether capturing the Kursk nuclear power plant near the border was an aim, he said: "We will see how the Kursk operation will develop," he noted, adding: "We absolutely will not cause problems for nuclear security. This we can guarantee."

The International Atomic Energy Agency has urged both sides "to exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid a nuclear accident with the potential for serious radiological consequences".

The White House said Wednesday it was contacting Ukraine to learn more about the "objectives" of the incursion.

President Joe Biden in May allowed Kyiv to use American-supplied weapons against targets just across the Russian border to repel Moscow's push on the Kharkiv region.

But White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has said that "nothing had changed" about U.S. policy discouraging broader strikes or attacks inside Russia.
Following a whirlwind tour of battleground states, Vice President Kamala Harris is attending a major San Francisco fundraiser Sunday with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to the Harris campaign.

The Democratic presidential candidate is hoping to appeal to Bay Area donors by leaning on her strong local connections and the support of Pelosi, who has represented the city for nearly 40 years.

Before she was vice president, Harris served as a California senator beginning in 2017. She was also San Francisco's district attorney and California's attorney general.

Some 700 people are expected at the San Francisco event, which is aiming to raise more than $12 million, a campaign official told Reuters. Tickets for the Harris Victory Fund event range from $3,300 to $50,000.

The funds will further bulk up the record $310 million raised by the Harris-Tim Walz campaign last month. Those funds included a hefty $36 million collected in the 24 hours following Harris' announcement of Minnesota Gov. Walz as her running mate, reported NBC News.

Pelosi played a crucial role in the Democrats' effort to persuade President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race. She endorsed Harris about 24 hours after Biden exited the campaign.

Harris and Walz have quickly drawn enthusiastic crowds and are climbing in polls.

Walz will not attend Sunday's fundraiser with Harris, according to a campaign official. He'll fly instead to his home state for the rest of the weekend, and then will join Harris on the East Coast.
A Defense Department contractor has been arrested and charged after allegedly taking scores of pages of highly classified government documents that he had printed at work.

Gokhan Gun, an electrical engineer who works with the Air Force, was about to leave his Virginia home Friday for the airport to catch a flight to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, when he was apprehended by authorities, according to court filings.

Gun, who holds dual Turkish and American citizenship, has a top-secret clearance but is not authorized to take any classified documents home, according to an 11-page complaint filed in a Virginia federal court.

He was charged with one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material. If convicted he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Appearing in court on Friday, Gun told the judge: "This is a surprise, Sir."

His next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. He'll remain in jail until then, the Washington Post reported.

His public defender argued that Gun wasn't a flight risk and was headed to Mexico for a fishing trip.

Federal agents, who surprised Gun at his home with a search warrant just as he was leaving for his trip, discovered a "stack of pages" that included documents with "visible classification markings," including "top secret" and "sensitive compartmented information," an FBI agent said in a court filing.

Authorities believe he began printing out the pages in May through last week. Gun was allegedly seen leaving the office with "rolled papers" in a translucent shopping bag and later in a red shopping bag.

He traveled with them to his home in Fairfax, Virginia, used two cell phones, and then went to his second residence in Falls Church, according to the FBI court filing.

Gun is a frequent traveler who has taken several trips to Turkey and European and Middle Eastern countries, according to officials. He owns homes in Virginia, Texas and Florida.

In an FBI interview, the contractor denied taking classified materials home, and lables marking any information as classified may have expired.

Gun allegedly printed 406 pages of documents, including 82 marked top secret, earlier this week, authorities said.

Investigators have not yet revealed Gun's motive.

Gun's arrest follows several recent high-profile cases involving classified documents.
The uncle of the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooter desperately pleaded with a police dispatcher to let him talk to his nephew so he could convince the teen to end his deadly rampage, according to a newly released 911 recording.

"Everything I tell him, he does listen to me," Armando Ramos said during the emotional call. "Maybe he could stand down or do something to turn himself in."

Ramos said his nephew, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, had been upset the night before because his grandmother was "bugging him," according to the chilling recording.

"Oh my God, please, please, don't do nothing stupid," said Armando Ramos, apparently imagining what he would say to his nephew. "I think he's shooting kids."

But the distraught uncle's offer reportedly came right around the time that police fatally shot 18-year-old Salvador Ramos inside Robb Elementary School, where he slaughtered 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022.

The 911 call was among a trove of audio and video recordings released by Uvalde officials Saturday in response to a lawsuit filed by the Associated Press and other news organizations.

Another recording captured a terrified 10-year-old, Khloie Torres, whispering into a phone as she begged a 911 dispatcher for help.

"Please, I don't want to die. My teacher is dead. Oh, my God," the fourth-grader said.

At one point, the dispatcher asked Khloie if many people were hiding with her, AP said.

"No, it's just me and a couple of friends. A lot of people are ... gone," said Khloie, who survived.

Nearly 400 law enforcement officers waited more than 70 minutes before storming a classroom full of casualties and killing Salvador Ramos.

The delayed response has been widely criticized, including by the U.S. Justice Department, with Attorney General Merrick Garland calling it a "failure" and saying the victims and survivors "deserved better."

A man whose 9-year-old niece Jacklyn Cazares was killed during the mass shooting said the recordings released Saturday pointed to the consequences of "the waiting and waiting and waiting."

"Perhaps if they were to have breached earlier, they would have saved some lives, including my niece's," Jesse Rizo told AP.
Provided photo

MassWildlife: FAQs About Rattlesnakes

In honor of World Snake Day on July 16, MassWildlife posted a video filmed by our State Herpetologist of a timber rattlesnake displaying its name-sake behavior of rattling the end of its tail. This video prompted many questions from Massachusetts residents about these fascinating snakes. It's clear from the popularity of the post that people are curious, so we've gathered answers to your top rattlesnake questions. Follow MassWildlife on Facebook and Instagram for more wildlife profiles, conservation stories, and tips for enjoying the great outdoors.

I have lived in MA for years and I have never seen a rattlesnake. Why not?

While rattlesnakes are native to Massachusetts, most people have never seen a rattlesnake here. Timber rattlesnakes were once widespread across western, central, and northeastern Massachusetts, but their lower reproductive rates and longer maturation period have made them highly vulnerable to many threats, leading their populations to be small and declining. Today, their statewide population is only in the hundreds and scattered over a small handful of areas, making the chance of seeing one very low. They require a specific habitat which includes mountainous terrains with steep ledges or rockslides close to forested areas with a large population of rodents. Sightings of timber rattlesnakes are also very low because they hibernate for six months of the year. They are usually active from mid-April to mid-October and rarely move or eat the first several weeks after emerging from hibernation.

We have rattlesnakes in MA?! I thought there were no venomous snakes here.

Only two of the fourteen types of snakes in Massachusetts are venomous: the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead. Both live in only a few areas of the state, and both are listed as endangered under the MA Endangered Species Act.



Timber rattlesnakes use venom to immobilize their prey, such as mice, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, and birds. Venom is costly for them to produce and they will only use it when needed. Both rattlesnakes and copperheads avoid people and pose no serious threat when left alone.



Learn about snakes in Massachusetts

Why do rattlesnakes rattle their tails?

When you hear a rattlesnake's rattle, it's time to skedaddle! Rattlesnakes use their rattle to warn you that they are feeling threatened and you should back away. Overall, rattlesnakes try to go unnoticed. They are sneaking up on their prey and don't want to gather attention of potential predators. They use their camouflage and low position to the ground to stay under the radar. If a rattlesnake continues to feel agitated after warning you with its rattle, they may decide to strike.

What should I do if I see a rattlesnake? How can I avoid them?

If you see a rattlesnake, the best thing to do is to maintain a safe, respectful distance. Do not handle or otherwise disturb them and continue on your way. If you aren't sure what species of snake you are looking at, treat it as though it is venomous and give it plenty of space. To avoid an encounter, make sure to stay on trails, and keep pets leashed. Because these snakes are rarely seen, please let us know if you happen to see one! Send an email with any photos (taken from a distance) and location to natural.heritage@mass.gov.

How big are rattlesnakes? What do they look like?

Adult timber rattlesnakes range from 35-60 inches long. They have a broad, triangular head and variable color patterns. Some are almost jet black. Others appear sulfur-yellow with black, brown, or rust-colored blotches, which are separated by cross bands on the back and sides. They can sometimes be confused for Northern watersnakes and milksnakes.

Why are rattlesnakes endangered? What is being done to conserve them?

Threats to timber rattlesnakes include habitat loss and fragmentation, road mortality, targeted and incidental killing, collection, harassment, and fungal disease. It is illegal for anyone to kill, collect, possess, import, or move rattlesnakes in Massachusetts.?MassWildlife is actively working to conserve rattlesnakes in Massachusetts through land protection, monitoring, habitat management, road mortality reduction, and public education. You can report sightings of rattlesnakes to MassWildlife at?natural.heritage@mass.gov, or report any suspected illegal activity directly to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.


Jim Reynolds performing in Harvest & Rust, a Neil Young tribute band. The English teacher says music is more than a hobby for him. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  For Jim Reynolds, music is far more than just a hobby  it is a powerful instrument for personal growth, healing, and connection.

The name of his latest album, "Nothing Left to Borrow," captures his collaboration with local musicians, inspiration from popular artists and musical styles and his own experiences.

Reynolds has been an English teacher at Pittsfield High School for nearly 20 years and his students have also influenced some of his music through their writing and conversations with him.

"The songs in this album actually are inspired by various people. Some of them former students," he said.

"Ghost of a Broken Heart" was inspired by a former student who told Reynolds that she was struggling to handle relationships, jumping from one to another.

"You can't have a relationship if you have a ghost of a broken heart, something haunting you from the past. You've got to have a solid foundation before you can have a good, healthy relationship," he said he told her.

"So, that's when the germ of that got in my head, and then I started writing the lyrics to it. [With the] idea of the ghost of a broken heart, I had to tell that story, a little bit of her experiences and a little bit of my own to create the song."

His songs explore themes of loss, sadness, consequences, and self-reflection in his latest album, yet, with the exception of "Bad Liquor Blues," he intentionally shows that there is always hope.

Even if the subject matter is darker or more tragic, Reynolds said, quoting Martin Luther King Jr., "darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that."

This concept is established right from the beginning, with the opening song "You Gotta Rise," that Reyonds said, "is sort of the hit of the album."

The song kicks off with the lyrics "When I was a boy, I was filled with rage. Followed me 'round till I came of age. Felt it rise. Felt it rise. Then I became a man; I learned to let things slide because carrying anger only eats ya up inside. I had to rise, had to rise. I had to rise above the darkness to the light."

The motif of having to rise above is emphasized through the chorus, "You gotta rise. Still, you rise. You gotta rise above the darkness to the light."

Reynolds also pointed out that, in the end, it doesn't just say "you" or "I" have to rise; it changes to "we" have to rise above the darkness because, as a society, there is a lot of darkness we have to rise above.

Although he had an idea of what he wanted his songs to be in his head, the self-taught artist didn't know how to produce it.

The album, which was recorded at Frank Kennedy's home studio in Hancock, included contributions from artists Dave Lincoln, John Kiernan, Seth Fleischmann, Steve Ide, Jason Webster, Tor Krautter, Andy Gordon, Dave Vittone, Joe Roseand, and Jessy Greene.

"I borrowed little pieces of all the bands I've loved and things from people that I've learned. ['Nothing Left to Borrow' is] also the title of a Jayhawks song, and they're one of my favorite bands, so it's like an ode to one of my favorite bands," Reynolds said.

"And I borrowed so much from everybody's talent. All these Berkshire artists, I borrowed all their talent. There are little hints of lines from songs that have meant something to me over the years."

He hopes his music in a way pays it forward to help others the way listening to influential artists like Johnny Cash, The Beatles, the Jayhawks and Paul McCartney helped him during his formative years.

In fact, Reynolds' album cover is based on Paul McCartney's for "Band on the Run."

From a very young age, music has been a pillar in his life. Their songs helped him through a number of traumatic experiences, such as his father abandoning his family when he was 10, the death of a couple of friends, and the death of John Lennon in 1980.

He found comfort in listening to The Beatles and Cash during difficult times in his life. He remembers the day music changed him forever.

He was sitting in the kitchen coloring in his Captain America coloring book when the Beatles' "Let It Be" came on the radio. He stopped and listened to it intently. The music entangled his heart from that moment, and he became a "different person," he said.

In 1985, Reynolds got his first shot at making music. He remembers watching the band Double Take jam in the backroom of his high school and desperately wanted to join.

Noticing they didn't have a bass player, he went to a tag sale, bought a red 1960s Hagstrom, and learned how to play with the band members' help.

He performed with them for the first time on Nov. 17, 1985, for the Mount Everett Regional School talent show during his senior year and has been making music ever since.

In 1987, he co-founded the local band Wishful Thinking, which disbanded in August 2001 and has played or worked with a number of musicians on side projects and played on various local albums by artists including Todd Mack and Tom Ingersoll.
Sam Dogen Never quit your job but Get laid off

Earlier this year, Sam Dogen quit his job.

For most people, that wouldn't be much of a story, but for the millionaire founder of Financial Samurai, a couple of details stand out.

For one, it was his first gig since 2012.

Dogen, 47, has lived as a retired, stay-at-home dad since 2012, boosting his annual passive income to about $380,000 by 2023 through a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate and other investments. He returned to work late last year after selling a big chunk of his portfolio to fund the purchase of a new home.

That he stayed only four months at the new gig is its own story  but it's also worth noting that by leaving so abruptly, he bucked a piece of his own advice: "Never quit your job," Dogen says. "Get laid off."

That's what Dogen did more than a decade ago. Rather than leaving, he engineered a layoff that netted him three months of his base salary plus a low six-figure severance check. That money, combined with the $80,000 a year he was earning in passive income at the time, allowed him to transition into early retirement.

If you're considering leaving your job, here's Dogen's best advice to follow in his footsteps.

How to negotiate a layoff when you leave your job

How you manage leaving your job is going to depend on your specific circumstances. For Dogen, 2012 marked the end of his rope after 13 years in the investment banking industry. He'd built enough passive income outside the office to feel comfortable leaving, and he knew he wanted to go.

DON'T MISS: Achieve Financial Wellness: Be Happier, Wealthier & More Financially Secure

He also knew the kind of power he wielded as an employee on his way out the door. "As a previous boss myself, the worst thing that can happen is when an employee of value quits and gives you two weeks notice or less," he says.

Here's how to leverage that power into the job departure you want.

Communicate your unhappiness

Get the ball rolling by letting the right people know that you are unhappy with your current role, Dogen says.

"You basically have to talk to HR or talk to your direct supervisor, say, 'I'm not happy here, I'd like to make some changes,'" he says. "Ultimately, I'd like to leave if these changes are not met."

In doing so, you create a win-win situation, Dogen says, because there's a chance that your superiors are willing to meet your needs.

"They might give you a raise. They might give you more flexible hours. Sweet!" he says. "No employer wants someone whose heart is not in it anymore."

Offer to ease the transition

If your company can't meet your demands, pivot the conversation toward the possibility of you leaving while making life easy on your employer.

"Let's figure something out," Dogen says you might say. "I'm willing to stay as long as possible to help make the transition. But in light of that, let's talk about a severance package."

Dogen stayed on for two months after having this conversation with his boss in 2012, spending that time training his junior hire and introducing him to his clients.

If you're willing to do something similar, "more often than not, your employer will work with you  especially if you're a better than average employee," Dogen says.

Negotiate a layoff

Ask if your company is planning on doing a round of layoffs, and if you can be included. Under the WARN Act, companies with 100 or more employees (fewer in some states) must provide 60 days warning before conducting a mass layoff. In lieu of that warning, firms owe compensation to the affected employees, generally equivalent to 60 days of base pay.

On top of any WARN Act pay you may receive, Dogen suggests negotiating further for a severance payment. "The standard is one to three weeks of pay for every year served," he says.

And negotiating a layoff, rather than quitting, goes beyond a cash payout, Dogen says.

"If you get laid off, you get unemployment benefits. You get a severance package, deferred comp, subsidized health care. You get tons of stuff that gives you a huge financial runway for your next endeavor."

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 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.

***

'Never quit your job,' says early retiree and self-made multimillionaire: Do this instead

Story by Ryan
The story progresses at a smart pace and fills the 600+ pages with suspense and

actions. With no long-winded repetitive description of scenaries or dozens of

rare words a page to look up in the dictionary, it evolves around characters of

generations and layer by layer reveals how sins and, for some, mistakes and

weaknesses, run their courses and how slowly but finely the wheels of justice grind.

After some background, the author set a trap with a job appointment at

Limmeridge to tutor two ladies to draw and the strange woman in white, a runaway

from an asylum, whom Walter met on his way back to London in that fateful

moon-lit night. An air of doom descended even before he left for the post.

Naturally, he fell in love with his pupil, Mss Fairlie, and had to give up as he

was out of class and more importantly she was already engaged. Walter did the

honorable thing by quitting and now the story really started. Step by step, from

bad to worse, the reader witnesses the lady fell deeper into the clutches of a rogue

who only wanted her money. Her life was in danger as she refused to cave in to her

husband's demands.

Like The Moonstone, the tale consists of narrations of several characters and

is again about love and crime. Unlike in the detective novel, even the master

villain gets to tell his side of the story. Two thirds in, I literally couldn't

put it down and found myself finishing the book in the small hours on Monday Aug

5.

I love this author's style! I felt like having made a discovery of something

hidden in plain sight.
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Its been 10 years since Robin Williams died, an event that prompted an outpouring of love from Hollywood.

The beloved actor and comedians final days were covered in Robins Wish, a documentary exploring the neurodegenerative disorder that the actor was struggling with before he died by suicide in 2014.

In the documentary, which was released in 2020, it was revealed that Williams deteriorated while filming a Night at the Museum sequel months before his death.

Susan Schneider Williams said that her husband battled to find answers to his health issues before he died after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson's.

Despite this, he continued to work in film, and shot Shawn Levy film Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, alongside Ben Stiller, Rebel Wilson and Dan Stevens, at the height of his illness.

Unbeknownst to Williams, he was suffering from Lewy body dementia, an incurable brain disease, which was only revealed following his autopsy.

A 2018 biography on Williams, written by Dave Itzkoff, corroborates the story that Williams deterioration took hold while filming the third and final Night at the Museum film.

His makeup artist on the film, Cheri Minns, also told The New York Post in 2018 that he would end every day sobbing in my arms.

She described the experience as horrible, adding that he once said: I don't know how to be funny anymore.

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In the new documentary, his widow tells filmmaker Tyler Norwood: My husband had unknowingly been battling a deadly disease. Nearly every region of his brain was under attack  he experienced himself disintegrating.

Robin Williams in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb ( Rex Features )

Williams starred in classic films such as Mrs Doubtfire, Good Morning Vietnam and Disneys Aladdin. He won an Oscar for his supporting role as a psychologist in Good Will Hunting.

Robins Wish is available to stream in the UK on demand and digital now  read our review here.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here  day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.
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Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima has spoken out for the first time since Zara McDermotts false allegations against him, which he says have ruined his life.

The Italian dancer was dropped from Strictly Come Dancing last month after an investigation into the show was launched due to Amanda Abbigtons complaints about Giovanni Pernice.

Di Prima was swiftly axed from the series after it was alleged that footage showed him kicking McDermott in the rehearsal room during last years series. The footage has not been made public, and the circumstances surrounding it are unknown.

He has now said the claims are vile and false, and said that he does not know where they stemmed from.

You cant imagine how many times my mind has been going back and forward trying to think of something that happened all those months ago that I cant figure out, he said in his first full interview since the scandal.

He told MailOnline: The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration. Wed practised hour after hour to perfect a routine with lifts. It wasnt easy but thats the pressure of the show. I was in pain from lifting her so many times but wanted to get it right. I thought I could save her [from elimination].

I wasnt meaning to kick her. Id never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards I hugged her and said I was sorry. There was no problem. We carried on.

He added: Im not a monster. Im not an abusive man.

Di Prima, who said he has had ugly thoughts since being dropped from the series, revealed he was even more blindsided by the development due to his friendship with McDermott since the show ended.

The outlet states that McDermott  in a group chat with Di Prima and his wife, Giada  sent a video of a cat on 9 July. It was 20 minutes after the last message in the exchange that Di Prima learnt he was being let go by Strictly producers.

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open image in gallery Strictly stars Graziano Di Prima and Zara McDermott ( BBC )

These vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes  professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally, he said.

McDermott said in a statement shortly after that she wrestled with the fear of opening up and admitted she had been afraid of public backlash and victim-shaming.

She wrote: So much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamed of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with.

However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents, which are incredibly distressing to watch.

But after a lot of conversations with those I love, Ive gained the strength to face these fears, she said.

open image in gallery Graziano Di Prima hits out at Zara McDermotts false and vile accusations ( MailOnline )

The Independent has contacted McDermott for comment.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here  day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

If youve been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support: www.rapecrisis.org.uk.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.
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Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said he is not worried about the potential effect of days of rioting on foreign investment in the UK as the Government seeks to secure economic growth.

As disorder intensified in the UK earlier this week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves was courting global investors during a three-day visit to the US and Canada where she pushed the message that Britain is open for business.

Mr Reynolds told broadcasters on Sunday: It is clearly a difficult thing to have to contend with as a country.

However, I would say that, for the big investors that I talk to, theyre more motivated by the political stability of the Government, by the certainty of the tax regime, by the changes to planning policy and a whole range of other pro-business measures that were putting in place.

And, certainly, for our investment summit, which is coming up in October, we have a huge amount of interest in it, so Im not worried about the effect.

The Government is seeking to boost investment as part of its growth strategy.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will host an International Investment Summit on October 14  two weeks ahead of the autumn Budget.

Mr Reynolds said the cost of days of unrest is not yet clear, but that the impact on small businesses has been very significant.

Even getting back open has been a burden for them, and therefore (they are) probably not in a position at this stage to be able to assess the scale of the loss.

He said he is seeking to make insurers pay claims promptly and to make businesses aware that they might be able to access support under the Riot Compensation Act if they are not insured or not adequately covered by insurance.

He also urged the public to support their local businesses.

If you care about these brilliant local businesses that are the heart of your community, please give them your support in the days and weeks ahead, he said.
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Looking for a new apartment never gets easier or more enjoyable, no matter how many times youve done it.

Although prior experience can sometimes be useful when apartment hunting, most instances a fair share of skepticism is a good thing - especially when it comes to avoiding scams, unresponsive landlords, or other unfavorable tenant pitfalls.

In New York City, where the average price of monthly rent for a studio apartment is $3,501, breaking down to $7.64 per square foot, it means every dollar should go towards a place that youd love to come home to.

If youre currently on the search for the perfect abode, these are some useful red flags to keep in mind when scrolling through apartment listings and throughout the general apartment hunting process.

Lack of photos of the apartment

Normally, the apartment hunting process begins by looking online at units and deciding whether or not theyre worth seeing in person. When looking at the listings online, you should look to see if there are at least two pictures. Sellers sometimes avoid showing certain areas of the apartment, such as the kitchen and bathroom, if they are not in decent condition, or because they dont exist at all, such as one viral apartment in New York City that is missing both a bathroom and kitchen.

Another photo concern is whether or not they appear digitally altered. To make an apartment look better in the online photos, real estate agents or landlords may insert clip-art of a couch or chairs, so it appears like larger items are capable of fitting inside the unit. If possible, ask the seller for live photos or a video of the unit that isnt attached to the listing.

Paying for a credit check before seeing the apartment in-person

open image in gallery Do not pay for a credit check unless you are applying for the apartment ( Getty Images )

Before youre approved for an apartment, the landlord or leasing office may conduct a credit check to make sure you, and your roommates if you have any, are capable of making the monthly rent payments on time.

To do this, they will typically hire an outside company to run the check, or they will do it themselves. If the leasing office is using an outside company, theyll normally charge the applicant a small fee, often $20 or less. However, if the leasing office or landlord is trying to charge this amount before you are able to see the apartment, it can be a warning sign not to proceed.

Lack of Communication

open image in gallery Landlords should be answering messages or phone calls regularly ( Getty Images )

Throughout the apartment hunting process, you will typically be in contact with various people, whether it be your broker, the leasing office, or the landlord themselves. If you are not receiving any kind of response within a few days, it could be an indication of what type of landlord youll be dealing with as a tenant.

If something is damaged in your apartment or your landlord is needed for any reason, you can possibly expect the same lack of communication youve experienced from them before signing a lease, which can quickly become a problem if you need to handle anything immediately such as a leak or any pests.

Bad Reviews

open image in gallery Check if there are too many bad reviews for buildings or landlords ( Getty Images )

In some cases, it is possible to simply look up the name of your building and landlord. If there are one or two bad reviews out of dozens, it may be the case of a rare unhappy tenant. But if the reviews are primarily negative, it may be an indication that you should avoid living there.

Specifically in New York City, there are websites that are dedicated just to complaints against landlords.

Unusually Low Rent

open image in gallery Double check the listed rent price ( Getty Images )

Apartment listings can sometimes fall into the category of too good to be true, where it might fall within your allotted budget but have one more bedroom than you were originally looking for or even be located in an area that is normally more expensive.

Normally, the rent is lower than average for a reason - whether that be complaints about the landlord or if the apartment has characteristics that arent ideal, such as a location above a rowdy bar or a loud construction site.

In other cases, the rent is low because it is net effective, which means there is a free month or two factored into your rent. To make up for that free month, youll need to pay a higher amount in the other 11 months of the lease.

Honorable mention: broker fees

open image in gallery Avoid broker fees if possible ( Getty Images )

Although not necessarily a deal-breaker, a broker fee should be avoided if possible. A broker fee is a sum of money which a broker charges tenants in return for assistance in finding their future rental home. The broker is essentially being paid to show you the apartment if it ends up being the specific one you sign a lease with. The fee must be paid prior to moving in and can range from one months rent to 15 percent of the annual rent.

In one viral TikTok, which showed the individual touring a New York City apartment, they were initially told it was no fee only to be told there was a $4,000 brokers fee.

Simply because of hefty costs associated with broker fees, it is recommended to go through the landlord if possible.
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A 24-year-old woman goes out with friends. When she wakes up the next morning, she realises that she has been raped. She reports what has happened to the police and waits more than three years for it to come to court, only for her case to be suddenly dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) two weeks before trial. Why? Because her rapists lawyers have claimed she suffers from a rare condition called sexsomnia, and may have given the impression that she was consenting in her sleep. That woman was Jade McCrossen-Nethercott  and she hadnt even so much as heard of sexsomnia, let alone been diagnosed with it.

The sleep specialist appointed by the defence never spoke to me, she tells me. I was sent a 15-question questionnaire only, and that was supposedly enough for a professional to conclude that I suffered from sexsomnia.

Known sometimes as sleep sex, sexsomnia is classified as a type of parasomnia, an umbrella term for sleep disorders in which people experience or exhibit unusual behaviours during sleep. This includes sleepwalking, says Marie Morice, clinical sexologist and founder of Lilith Your Life. And in the case of sexsomnia, people engage in sexual behaviours such as masturbation, sexual movements, or initiating sex with another person. Crucially, these experiences are typically forgotten about by the morning.

But while its difficult to research  unless someone wakes up with an injury or is told about their behaviour by a partner, theres often no way of knowing you suffer from it  and others dispute how common it even is, its lately become a worrying legal tool in many modern sexual assault cases.

According to Dr Neil Stanley, an independent sleep expert, sexsomnia was first recognised as a clinical condition in 2003. Occurring during non-REM sleep, it is not related to dreaming, he clarifies, referencing the deeper form of sleep that occurs when your heart rate and body temperature decrease. It is an extreme variation of sleepwalking; the conscious brain is asleep while the part(s) of the brain that can control sexual behaviour are awake.

There are very few known instances of sexsomnia, with only a few hundred cases documented worldwide. Sexsomnia is relatively rare, explains clinical trauma psychologist Carla Shohet, with prevalence rates estimated at between 1 and 8 per cent in the general population, making it less well known compared to sleepwalking or night terrors. However, its true prevalence is uncertain due to underreporting and misdiagnosis.

While I believe sexsomnia to be a legitimate medical condition, its use as a defence in rape cases requires careful, rigorous scrutiny to ensure it is not exploited to evade justice Jade McCrossen-Nethercott

It can manifest in a wide range of ways, with some clinically documented cases including a married woman who repeatedly masturbated next to her partner in the middle of the night but couldnt remember anything about it once her partner woke her up. Another involved a man who repeatedly attempted to have sex with his wife while she was fast asleep, and another man who masturbated so aggressively in his sleep that he injured himself.

According to a study published in the Sleep Medicine journal, one 33-year-old man would disturb his partners sleep with regular instances of masturbation, attempted intercourse and sexual vocalisations. His current girlfriend particularly complained of incitement to sexual intercourse, and her sleep was also disturbed by the patients sexual talking and groping, the study states. She did not describe his behaviour as being aggressive, but rather as harassing. The patient was completely unaware of it.

The causes of sexsomnia are not yet fully understood due to the paucity of research. But it is believed to be often triggered by factors that disturb sleep, such as stress, sleep deprivation, alcohol or substance use, and certain medications, says Shohet. Underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnoea and insomnia can also play a role. In the 33-year-old mans case, it was thought to derive from his childhood history of sleepwalking and his irregular sleep schedule, which varied between five and eight hours a night due to his job. After careful observation, the studys authors identified that a series of sleep-related head jerks triggered the mans sexsomnia, though its not known what exactly caused these movements to spark his sexual behaviour.

Legally, this is all incredibly complex. If someone sleeping next to a sexsomniac wakes up to their partner trying to have sex with them, it could be classified as rape. Beyond the immediate psychological trauma associated with sexsomnia episodes, living with sexsomnia profoundly impacts mental health, disrupts sleep and creates issues of trust, intimacy, and consent in relationships, potentially leading to serious legal implications, says Shohet.

open image in gallery In roughly 60 per cent of cases where sexsomnia was claimed by the defence, a not-guilty verdict was reached ( iStock )

This is partly because its not always possible to identify when someone is having a sexsomniac episode. Recognising an episode is difficult for a few reasons, firstly because the person affected often seems awake rather than asleep, explains Shohet. Signs including unusual sounds and gestures during sleep arent always clear, and sleep behaviours can be similar in various other sleep-related conditions.

When it comes to how sexsomnia can be used in a legal context, many are concerned. If someone genuinely has sexsomnia, its worrying that they could be accused of assault when they were unaware of their behaviour, says Cate Campbell, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited sex, relationship, and trauma therapist. Its also very concerning that people may pretend to be affected by sexsomnia when they are, in fact, just using it as an excuse to assault another person.

Its a prevalent issue, too, as highlighted by a recent Observer investigation that uncovered a rise in the use of sexsomnia in defence cases for sexual assault trials. The publication identified 80 cases in the last three decades where defendants of rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse claimed they had been sleepwalking or experiencing a sexsomniac episode, with at least 51 of these in the past decade. Perhaps most alarmingly, in roughly 60 per cent of cases where sexsomnia was claimed by the defence, a not-guilty verdict was reached.

I have seen defence solicitor websites almost glorifying and advertising the sexsomnia defence Jade McCrossen-Nethercott

The key issue in English legal cases appears to be whether or not the sexsomniac episode is genuine, says Dr Stanley, who has given expert evidence in trials where sexsomnia has been cited by the defence team. It is difficult to prove the existence of a sexsomniac by studying people in the laboratory, so the patients history is a key importance in determining the possibility of it being a factor. This means that it is relatively easy to claim the sexsomnia defence falsely.

There have been several occasions where people have been jailed when it is clear the sexsomnia defence had no basis. In 2013, actor Simon Morris was sentenced to eight years in prison for raping a 15-year-old girl after the judge said Morris had told an endless number of glib lies about suffering from sexsomnia. In another case, also in 2013, businessman Gary Forbes pleaded sexsomnia when he was charged with raping a woman while on bail for an almost identical attack, adds Dr Stanley. He later dropped the defence and pleaded guilty.

In McCrossen-Nethercotts case, the sexsomnia claim was made by her alleged rapists legal team with almost no evidence. The CPS has since admitted it was wrong not to take her case to trial and have apologised unreservedly to her.

open image in gallery It is relatively easy to claim the sexsomnia defence falsely, says Dr Stanley ( iStock )

While I believe sexsomnia to be a legitimate medical condition, its use as a defence in rape cases requires careful, rigorous scrutiny to ensure it is not exploited to evade justice, McCrossen-Nethercott tells me. I have seen defence solicitor websites almost glorifying and advertising the sexsomnia defence, which is very concerning as it trivialises the serious nature of sexual assault and potentially encourages its exploitation in court.

Its an incredibly depressing case, one that speaks to far wider problems within the criminal justice systems approach to sexual assault. We already know how few rape reports result in a charge, and how difficult it is to successfully convict a sexual predator. With loopholes like this on the rise, the fight for justice for survivors like McCrossen-Nethercott is likely to only get more arduous. Evidently, more needs to be done. Not just at a legislative level, though, but at a social and cultural one, too.

Both the justice system and sleep experts need to collaborate on establishing robust guidelines for sexsomnia, understanding its legal implications, and implementing measures for accurate diagnosis and effective management of this complex condition, says McCrossen-Nethercott. We cant allow it to be exploited as a literal get out of jail free card.
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At least one person has died after an apparent explosion leveled a house in a town northeast of Baltimore, fire officials said Sunday.

Andrew Doyle, a public information officer for Harford County Fire and EMS, confirmed the death in an email.

The victim was identified as a utility contractor, according to WBAL-TV. At least one other person was hurt during the blast in Bel Air, Maryland.

A photo posted by Hartford County officials showed a number of firefighters around the rubble of one home with another damaged home in the background. Charred pieces of wood were heaped on the property, and insulation and splintered wood spilled out into the street.

Emergency personnel were using special equipment to search the rubble.

Emergency responders received calls about a gas leak in the area around 6:40 am Sunday, before the explosion, according to reports.

Contractors were on scene at the time of the explosion.

The home that exploded was for sale and investigators are working to determine if the homeowner was present at the time of the blast.

The main thing is this is still an active scene, still an active investigation, Harford County Fire and EMS Association spokesman Jeffrey Sexton said, according to WBAL. With it still being an active scene, we are asking the general public to be respectful of a couple different things, one, they are still working on notification of kin to the unfortunate fatality. In addition to that, we are also asking people to be mindful that it is still an active crime scene. They want to make sure that people are not flying personal drones in the area.
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Seven patients have been taken to hospital following a chemical incident in East London.

London Ambulance Services specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) rushed patients to the hospital on Saturday evening after reports of a chemical leak on Wren Road, in Dagenham.

Paramedics found people struggling to breathe after a chemical was released, believed to be palytoxin from coral in a fish tank, according to The Sun. However, authorities have not confirmed the substance.

Following the incident ten houses have been cordoned off.

London Ambulance Services specialist hazardous response team was sent to an incident in East London on Saturday ( PA Wire )

Police were called to a residential property at around 10pm on Saturday. Officers assisted with road closures at the scene which were reopened shortly before midnight.

HART paramedics are trained to provide medical care to patients in hazardous and high-risk environments, such as those occurring at height, in water, in building sites, and or collapsed structures such as after a gas explosion.

Nationally they respond to more than 8,000 incidents a year.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We were called at 9.46pm on 10 August to reports of an incident at a residential address on Wren Road.

We sent a number of resources including ambulance crews, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

We responded alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade. We treated seven patients and took them all to hospital.
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Prisons across the country are in a deep state of crisis  the extent of which is exposed by the latest statistics.

Soaring rates of violence, self-harm and drug misuse have become widespread in overcrowded prisons in England and Wales.

The prison population remains within a few hundred places of collapse, according to the new justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, as overcrowding in prisons increases for the third year in a row.

The far-right riots this summer have added further pressure to the crisis-struck system, with police already arresting nearly 500 people. Sir Keir Starmers government has announced plans to make more than 500 new prison places available to deal with rioters.

However, the crisis in the system doesnt stop with a bursting population  there are high rates of homelessness for ex-offenders and probation services across the country are rated as inadequate.

Campaigners warn that exposing inmates to violence and mental distress will be detrimental to efforts to rehabilitate them.

The scale of the chaos in UK prisons begins in young offender institutes, where there has been a substantial increase in self-harm and violence, according to the latest figures.

Children and Young People Secure Estates

Violence

There were 510 incidents of assault in youth offender institutes from January to March this year  a 10 per cent increase on last year. These involved 386 different children as assailants.

There were 224 assaults on staff and 38 incidents of serious violence, including sexual offences, stabbings, burns, extensive bruising and fractures.

Children aged 15 were the age group most likely to resort to violence. Children aged 10 to 14 were disproportionately victims of assault in children and young peoples secure estate.

The government has announced 100m in funding to improve HMP Wandsworth in London after a damning inspection report ( PA )

Self-harm

From January to March 2024, there were 558 incidents of self-harm involving 89 different children in the prison estates  an increase of 119 per cent compared to the same period last year. The rate of incidents is influenced by small numbers of individuals self-harming multiple times.

Nearly a quarter of incidents resulted in an injury requiring treatment, and 4 per cent required hospital attendance. Despite accounting for less than 2 per cent of the total population, girls were responsible for more than half of all self-harm incidents.

Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate statistics cover assaults, self-harm, use of force, separations, and deaths in the Children and Young People Secure Estate in England and Wales ( Ministry of Justice )

Adult prisons

Overcrowding

There was an increase in the prison population this year, with 87,726 people in prison on 30 June 2024. This is around 4,700 higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Overcrowding in prisons also increased for the third year in a row, with nearly a quarter of prisoners held in crowded accommodation compared with 23 per cent in the previous 12-month period.

Crowding is measured as the number of prisoners who, on the last day of the month, are held in a room where the number of occupants exceeds the normal figure.

Violence

The number of prison assaults increased by nearly a third in the last year  reaching a post-Covid pandemic high of 28,292 violent assaults in the past 12 months.

The number of incidents in female establishments increased by 36 per cent to 1,917 incidents in the same period, while violence in male prisons increased by more than a quarter to 26,375. Assault rates have been higher in female establishments than in male establishments since 2019.

There were 18,788 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults in the year ending March, and there was a new peak of 9,847 assaults on staff. This includes 3,215 incidents of serious violence.

Self-harm

The rates of self-harm in adult prisons have hit their highest level since records began, with 73,804 incidents of self-harm taking place in the last year  a rate of one prisoner hurting themselves every seven minutes. This amounts to 852 incidents per 1,000 prisoners.

The number of self-harm incidents requiring hospital attendance increased by nearly a quarter, with the rate of self-harm in female prisons more than eight times higher than in the male estate.

Drugs and weapons

In the last year, drugs were found in prisons 21,145 times  an increase of 44 per cent from 14,724 in the previous 12-month period. There was a 37 per cent increase in the number of Class B drugs, such as cannabis and ketamine, being found and the number of psychoactive substances found has increased by 86 per cent compared to last year.

Weapons were found in prisons on 9,400 separate occasions  an increase of 24 per cent compared to the previous year.

In the 12 months to March 2024, there were 10,669 incidents where mobile phones were found in prisons  an increase of 36 per cent.

In the 12 months ending March 2024, there were 21,145 finds of drugs in prisons ( Ministry of Justice )

Protests

In the 12 months to March 2024, there were 1,827 incidents of prisons barricading themselves to prevent access from officers. There were also 58 incidents where prisoners took someone hostage  a large majority (54 incidents) involved prisoners as hostages.

Life after prison

Homelessness

There has been a 12 per cent increase in the number of people being released from prison in the past year, from 62,345 to 70,040. The number of people leaving jail into homelessness has risen from 7,055 to 9,210  an increase of more than a third.

On average, about 800 people per month go straight from prison into homelessness. This includes a 48 per cent increase of women who are rough sleeping  increasing from 445 to 660 in the past year.

Reoffending and employment

Adult convicts have a proven reoffending rate of 26 per cent, while a third of younger prisoners re-offend. This increases for adults released from custodial sentences of less than 12 months at 57 per cent. In total, re-offenders committed almost 82,000 reoffences over a one-year follow-up period.

In the year to March 2024, 80 per cent of offenders released from custody were unemployed after six weeks. This decreases to 69 per cent after six months. Offenders serving longer custodial sentences have better employment chances.

Higher employment rates of offenders who have served a custodial sentence were generally seen among Asian or Asian British ethnic groups.

Violence in prisons increased by a third in the last year ( PA )

Human misery behind bars

Andrea Coomber KC, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: These shocking statistics tell us why the new government was absolutely right to take steps to ease pressure on the prison population, and why further action will be needed to change prisons for the better.

These figures remind us that there is a crisis of human misery behind bars too, she added.

Exposing people to environments of rising violence and mental distress will do nothing to turn their lives around and away from crime. This is exactly why the prime minister was correct to describe the prison system as broken.

Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood KC said: Our prisons are in crisis, leading to endemic violence and harm behind bars.

These statistics reveal what is really happening inside jails today, and why we had no choice but to act. This government will always protect the public, lock up dangerous offenders, and make prisons safe for prisoners and the brave staff who work there.

This month, the government announced 100m to improve HMP Wandsworth after a damning inspection report found high rates of self-harm, dangerous levels of violence and nearly 50 per cent of prisoners taking drugs.
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The first of three funerals for the young girls fatally stabbed at a dance class in Southport nearly two weeks ago will take place today.

Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar will be laid to rest at St Patricks Catholic Church in Merseyside at 2pm.

Described as amazing, caring and confident, Alice was killed alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.

The service and cremation will be followed by a wake at Crossens Community Centre. Her family said both will be private events.

Suspect Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, has been charged three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder in connection with the tragedy.

Six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were killed in the attack on 29 July ( PA Media )

Father John Heneghan, the parish priest of St Patrick Catholic Church described Alice as one of our most precious children.

He said: It is going to be profoundly sad, but its not only going to be that, because we will be looking into what her parents believe.

Alexandra and Sergio, her mother and father, believe in the resurrection. They dont believe this is the end.

So the way they express that is let her dance to heaven, because she loved dancing, and that is a beautiful image.

Father Heneghan also paid tribute to Elsie and Bebe, saying his heart reached out to their families and all those affected by the stabbings.

Flowers and tributes outside the Atkinson Art Centre Southport to the children who died in the attack ( PA Wire )

Our hearts reach out to her family and the families of the two other girls who died and those who are injured. We hold in our hearts all who are affected by the terrible stabbings in our town, he said.

On Saturday, the family of victim Bebe revealed their older daughter witnessed and managed to escape the attack.

Parents Lauren and Ben King praised the extreme bravery of their daughter Genie, who saw the horrific attack unfold.

She has shown such incredible strength and courage, and we are so proud of her, they said in a statement released via Merseyside Police.

Her resilience is a testament to the love and bond she shared with her little sister, and we will continue to support her as we navigate this painful journey together as a family.

Bebe King was one of the three children killed in a ferocious knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school (Merseyside Police/PA) ( PA Media )

Soon after the attack, false claims of the suspects identity were spread online with some posts speculating he was a Muslim migrant who had arrived in the UK by boat in 2023.

Far-right riots then engulfed the country, with over 700 people arrested and 300 charged in relation to the violent disorder.

In Rotherham, South Yorkshire, a far-right mob tried to set fire to a Holiday Inn Express believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Towns and cities including Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham also saw widespread violence, with people arrested for offences ranging from violent disorder to theft and antisocial behaviour.
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Children as young as nine are being radicalised by their far-right relatives, a reformed neo-Nazi has warned.

Nigel Bromage, who was involved in far-right groups for two decades but now runs a deradicalisation charity, told The Independent the youngest person that his organisation has supported was a boy who was using neo-Nazi references after being radicalised by his older brother.

Discussing the recent explosion of violence, he warned the far right is radicalising lay people to use as pawns to perpetrate violence and destruction.

Extremists have managed to get people to believe the misinformation and lies they are pushing and mobilise them as people feel voiceless and unheard, he added.

His exclusive interview comes in the wake of far-right violence erupting across the UK in the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport. False information spread rapidly online claiming the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker who came to the UK on a small boat crossing.

Rioters have attacked mosques, ambushed riot police, set fire to a hotel housing migrants and torched a public library and Citizens Advice Bureau building.

The far right are really good at promoting their message of hate and division, says Nigel Bromage ( Nigel Bromage )

Mr Bromage, director of Exit Hate Trust which helps people who want to leave racist groups, said his organisation had come across children who have been radicalised by parents or older siblings. One case involved a nine-year-old who had been fed extremist views by his brother.

The 59-year-old said the childs older brother became involved in the movement via extreme right-wing forums  explaining his organisation had helped both brothers leave the far right.

Nazism is built on the notion the struggle is from the cradle to the grave, Mr Bromage said.

He added: When babies are born, they are dedicated to Adolf Hitler and national socialism and they will be brought up believing that they have to protect the white race and there is an ongoing war against the system.

By the time they are five or six, sadly, they are pretty much indoctrinated into being against the system and being against people of different ethnicities.

The Exit Hate Trust takes self-referrals as well as referrals from friends and family.

Mr Bromage said the trust talks to couples involved in far-right groups, adding it tends to be the man in a racist or extreme right-wing organisation when then gets their girlfriend or wife involved.

They are just being used as pawns within this plan of the far right to cause destruction Nigel Bromage

Then this then disseminates down to the children being promoted racism and extremism, he said.

Mr Bromage noted family members can use racist games, music, memes or other forms of humour to indoctrinate children.

Worrying signs of racist behaviour have been seen from young people during the riots over the last week. In footage on social media, a girl was seen skipping down the street holding the arm of an older woman while chanting P***s out, just before an anti-immigration march in Belfast.

An 11-year-old boy was arrested during disorder in Hartlepool last Wednesday, while a 14-year-old boy is the youngest person charged in connection with the riots so far.

Anki Deo, senior policy officer at Hope Not Hate, wrote Plugged in but Disconnected: Young People and Hateful Attitudes, a report which explores how harmful attitudes are formed in young people.

The researcher said that from focus groups with secondary school teachers, they discovered that young people could pick up harmful views at home.

She said: A lot of the teachers were railing against the idea that the young people they were concerned about were weird loners, they were saying some of them were actually reasonably popular.

They are not necessarily social outcasts. A lot of the social relationships and structures in the home were making it difficult for teachers to reinforce a positive narrative in schools. Teachers felt they were parroting things theyd heard at home.

Violent far-right disorder has broken out across the UK this month ( Getty )

Mr Bromage said demonstrations were predominantly made up of political activists when he was involved in the far right but now protests include both extremists and frustrated members of the public.

The campaigner said: The far right are really good at promoting their message of hate and division. So what they will do is they will create memes, tell lies about stories, edit films so what you are actually seeing is a small cut of a much larger film with really emotive headings.

He warned that some protesters are getting lost in this mayhem and destruction, adding that they are just being used as pawns within this plan of the far right to cause destruction.

Mr Bromage argued that social media can radicalise someone in months, turning them from being angry to believing direct action and violence is the only solution.

He compared this to the much slower radicalisation process when he was involved in the movement  explaining they would have to wait two or three months for a response after writing to PO boxes in the US.

Discussing his trajectory, he recalled going to protests from around the age of 15 simply for the excitement.

I was born a working-class lad in a council flat, and it was a bit dull and not very exciting, he said. But once you had actually been on a march and then started to go on two, three, four, or five  it was like a drug. You absolutely embraced it and looked forward, sadly, to the confrontations and the flag-waving and the drums and all that type of thing.

Mr Bromage recounted how he slowly became involved in the far right  joining groups which were increasingly extreme.

Unrest first broke out on 30 July following the Southport knife killings ( Owen Humphreys/PA Wire )

He also explained how his mother died from cancer when he was 18 and his dad died five years later after being hit by a van. Aged 23, the far right effectively became his family as he had no siblings.

The campaigner said he then ended up joining the National Front as a foot soldier, going to meetings and demonstrations and starting up a Rock Against Communism band called Buzzard Bait.

After this, he became an organiser in the West Midlands for the British Movement, an openly Nazi group, and went on to become a recruiter and local organiser for Combat 18, the neo-Nazi group which has pushed white supremacy.

He left that life behind in 2000 after members of the racist group tried to throw a Black man through a shop window in Birmingham and he intervened to stop them.

Since starting campaign work, Mr Bromage said he has been forced to move house twice due to receiving threats of violence.

He said his organisation has been subjected to many threats of violence and abuse  some of which have come from as far away as the US  and had lost members of staff due to this.
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The efforts of the chancellor Rachel Reeves to get control of Britains finances are being hampered by a massive 47bn bill in outstanding compensation claims which could balloon even further, The Independent can reveal.

Analysis of a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) showed 84bn has been pledged by previous governments, with 12 compensation schemes for injustice, cover-ups and negligence.

Although much of that sum has been paid out by the British state, almost 47bn is still owed in high-profile cases such as the infected blood and Post Office Horizon scandals.

The outstanding total is more than double the 22bn black hole in the nations finances that the chancellor revealed to MPs in July which saw her slash winter fuel payments, cancel reforms to social care and cut spending plans including upgrades to the railway network.

Ms Reeves has also confirmed that she intends to roll back on her election pledge not to raise taxes.

But, alarmingly for the government, the bill could grow even higher. Infected blood scandal victims are expecting more than the 2.2bn currently in the budget to compensate them, while other demands for compensation are still to be decided.

The intransigence of the Post Office under former boss Paula Vennells led to subpostmasters being wrongly convicted ( PA Wire )

Compensation for around 3 million Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women whose retirement plans were hit by changes in the pension age, worth between 1,000 and 2,950 each, has not been included in the figures. There is also pressure for a proper compensation scheme for the British nuclear test veterans, with 1,500 still believed to be alive.

While several compensation schemes have now been closed, many of them are still open with no end date identified. Pressure has piled on in recent months for those payments to be made.

Former Post Office minister Paul Scully, who oversaw compensation for postmasters, told The Independent that the gigantic bill to the taxpayer is often the consequence of groupthink and cover-up to protect the brand.

He said: If the cover-up did not happen and the mistakes were dealt with earlier, the cost would be far lower to the public purse.

He added: I came across many horrendous cases [in the Post Office scandal]. Nothing can properly compensate the way lives were ruined and businesses bankrupted by this scandal but we have a duty to compensate the victims as best we can.

He said the budgeted amounts were based on value-for-money tests by the Treasury to protect the taxpayer in the future.

The new government is planning to introduce a duty of candour for public employees to try to prevent cover-ups.

It follows outrage over the behaviour of the Post Office under former boss Paula Vennells, which led to subpostmasters being wrongly convicted and jailed for theft, fraud and false accounting.

Paul Scully oversaw the late stages of the compensation scheme for the Horizon scandal ( Politics Live/BBC )

The NAO report found that 222m has been paid out so far from a potential budget of 1bn for the Post Office, according to the analysis by the Taxpayers Alliance.

The compensation bill included the infected blood scandal where more than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Successive governments ignored warnings about the blood supplies, allowing victims to be infected. Among those severely criticised by a public inquiry was former health secretary Kenneth Clarke.

So far, 346m out of the 2.2bn budgeted for interim payments has been paid  but campaigners say the cost should be more.

Former SNP MP Chris Stephens, who worked closely with the victims and their families, said the actual compensation cost was always understood to be at least 10bn.

He said: The infected blood community deserve clarity on these figures. Either the 10bn figure is accurate and the previous government didn't account for the funds or the 10bn was used as political leverage to scare people as to the cost.

The government needs to ensure that the commitments parliament has given the infected blood community are met. In full.

However, the NAO has warned that there is a lack of coordination in how compensation schemes are decided and handled by the government, leading to mistakes.

Kenneth Clarke was identified for criticism in the infected blood inquiry report ( PA )

The report noted: Citizens eligible for redress will have suffered hardship and distress. These citizens have a reasonable expectation that their claim will be treated fairly and speedily. There is no central coordinated approach when the government sets up new compensation schemes resulting in a relatively slow, ad hoc approach.

Setting up and administering a compensation scheme is a complex task, and challenging for officials who may have never done it before. This has led to mistakes and inefficiencies in the design of schemes, and delays in getting money to claimants.

Claimant and stakeholder confidence can be further undermined where the design and operation of the scheme is not seen as being independent from those who have caused them harm. Those with experience of schemes all agree that: redress should be swift; decisions fair, proportionate and transparent; and that those harmed should be at the heart of decision making.

The largest amount the taxpayer has to fund is for clinical negligence schemes managed by NHS Resolution, where 26.5bn has been paid out and a further 69.3bn budgeted for.

Other schemes have an unknown ceiling for payments, including the vaccine damage scheme from the late 1970s, with 20m paid out so far.

The payments for the Windrush scandal  which saw people entitled to live in the UK wrongly deported  have so far reached 85.9m from a budgeted amount of 215m.

Another open scheme is the armed forces compensation scheme (AFCS) which pays out for injury, illness or death caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. So far, 1.3bn has been paid out from a total of 2.3bn budgeted.

Schemes fully paid up include compensation for coal miners (4.3bn), foot and mouth (1.3bn), and the Icelandic water trawlermen from the 1970s cod wars (43m).

A Treasury source said that details on the expected costs of compensation schemes will be set out in the autumn Budget as required in the usual way.

The government has stated that it is committed to paying comprehensive compensation to infected and affected victims of the infected blood scandal. But it admits that it does not yet know how much needs to be set aside.

The Treasury has noted that the total cost of the compensation scheme will ultimately depend on the number of people who have been infected or affected who come forward, but each eligible person will get the compensation they are due.

John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, which collated the figures, said: Taxpayers will be utterly appalled by the vast bill theyve been left with as a result of this catalogue of cock-ups by previous governments.

When things go badly wrong, those impacted are right to expect and indeed demand compensation, but what is inexcusable is that these mistakes are by no means once in a blue moon.

The new government can demonstrate that they represent a change by resolving existing schemes quickly and efficiently while ensuring these sorts of errors are a thing of the past.
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Labour frontbenchers are going to mess up and disappoint voters, a new Labour minister has said.

But Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said that overall, her party would have a more honest approach than the Conservatives.

Of the last Tory government, she said: It feels like politicians have been spitting in our face and telling us it is raining, which is a funnier way of saying gaslighting you.

The Birmingham Yardley MP added: They will be like, were spending more on the NHS than ever before and then you spent 19 hours and leave the accident and emergency unit not having any treatment.

Jess Phillips told an Edinburgh audience how she was a bit surprised to be made a minister in the wake of Labours landslide election victory last month ( PA )

She made the comments at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, where she said her latest book, Lets Be Honest, had been written after she went to an A&E in Birmingham and received genuinely worse than healthcare I have watched being provided in war zones.

Ms Phillips said: I just went f***ing apeshit and started writing.

She warned the audience, that when it comes to Keir Starmers new ministerial team: I think some of them are going to mess up over the next years, and they are going to disappoint you, that is the truth.

But she added that overall, it is going to be a more honest approach from the government.

She also said she was hopeful the government would make progress in tackling male violence against women.

And she told of how she was surprised to be made a minister in the wake of Labours landslide election victory last month.

Ms Phillips resigned from Labours front bench last year to rebel and back a Commons motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza ( AP )

Ms Phillips resigned from Sir Keirs front bench late last year to rebel and back a Commons motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

She said she was a bit surprised to be invited to be part of the government, during a phone call with Sue Gray, the Prime Ministers chief of staff.

I hadnt expected to be asked back because you have to stay out in the cold a bit when you are a rebel, she said.

However, she said that the fact that Keir Starmer gave me, the naughty girl, the job back showed Labours determination to tackle violence against women.

She stated: Even just in the Home Office, let alone I feel it across government, there is this turn, this switch towards this thing that everybody has been talking about being the priority.

Culture is actually head of politics on violence against women and girls, the nation has tired of it and wants it to be a public priority, certainly but not just exclusively the women in our country.

To then now watch the government switch its focus and direct it on to it, I already feel really, really positive.
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Rioters will not be freed early despite the chronic overcrowding in the UKs prisons, a cabinet minister has said.

In a claim that was later clarified, Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said they would not be included in the governments release scheme.

Hours after, a source said that he had misspoke. Sources later made clear that some of those involved in the riots could be eligible for the scheme - depending on what their conviction is for and the length of their sentence, with violent offenders being unlikely release candidates.

The claim came as the justice secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that the impact of the violent scenes on the countrys streets would be felt in the criminal justice system for months and years.

Last month, she announced plans to release some inmates early to free up prison space, blaming the decision on the last Conservative government.

Riot police officers push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham ( Getty )

Asked if he could guarantee that rioters wont be set free early under the overcrowded release scheme, Mr Reynolds told The Camilla Tominey Show on GB News: I understand that they wont be.

He added that it was because of those difficult decisions that were made by the ministers in the new government to make sure there is sufficient capacity, moving on from the disastrous state that we inherited  that there is capacity in the system to deal with this disorder.

He also urged the public to support local businesses affected by the riots.

"If you care about these brilliant local businesses that are the heart of your community, please give them your support in the days and weeks ahead," he said.

But he denied he was concerned the days of riots, broadcast on television screens across the globe, could affect foreign investment in the UK.

The impact on small businesses was very significant, Jonathan Reynolds said ( PA Wire )

He said he was "not worried" about the issue despite Labours hopes that overseas cash can help the UKs growth.

As the violence spread this week, the chancellor Rachel Reeves was holding meetings with global investors during a three-day visit to the US and Canada, where she told them: Britain is open for business.

Mr Reynolds said: It is clearly a difficult thing to have to contend with as a country. However, I would say that, for the big investors that I talk to, theyre more motivated by the political stability of the government, by the certainty of the tax regime, by the changes to planning policy and a whole range of other pro-business measures that were putting in place.

And, certainly, for our investment summit, which is coming up in October, we have a huge amount of interest in it, so Im not worried about the effect.

He added that while the costs of the riots were unclear, the impact on small businesses was very significant.

He said he is seeking to make insurers pay claims promptly and alert businesses that they might be able to access support under the Riot Compensation Act if they are not insured or not adequately covered by insurance.
It is hard to remember nowadays, but there used to be a time when politicians tried to resist Twitter, as Elon Musks X used to be known. The then prime minister David Cameron even famously quipped in an interview that too many tweets might make a twat. However, as it swiftly became the social media drug of choice for the political classes, it became almost impossible for MPs not to have an account.

In the wake of Mr Musks attacks on the government and Sir Keir Starmer over the recent riots, is it time for Labour politicians to break up with X?

Which minister has deleted X from her phone?

Home Office minister Jess Phillips has said she is not going to use it very much any more.

She told an audience at the Edinburgh Festival: "As soon as he took it over, I took the app off my phone. The minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls added: Fundamentally, for me now, I think that I am sort of done with it, I dont wish to fish in that particular pond any more.

Strong words from Ms Phillips, who admits she was massively addicted to the social media site.

So whats the problem?

No 10 clashed with X owner Mr Musk earlier this week after the billionaire entrepreneur used the platform to claim civil war was inevitable in Britain.

Mr Musk also hit out at the prime minister, calling him #twotierkeir, aping the language of a right-wing conspiracy theory which claims different types of protesters are treated differently by the police. He was even the victim of misinformation on his own site after he tweeted fake news that Sir Keir was considering building detention camps in the Falklands.

Cabinet ministers have warned that online posts acted as a rocket booster for the organisation of violence. Sir Keir is under pressure to call an inquiry into the role social media played, to prevent platforms fuelling more violence. For his part, Sir Keir has pledged to look more broadly at social media when he is sure the riots are over.

So why dont politicians just quit X?

For one, the obvious answer is that it gives them a very direct, instantaneous channel to their voters that they never had before.

Social media is also a powerful campaigning tool. In the first few weeks of the election campaign, Labour spent more than 2.4m on social media ads  more than twice as much as the Conservatives. Keir Starmer himself came under fire last year for an attack advert, widely shared on Twitter, which claimed Rishi Sunak did not think that people who sexually abuse children should go to prison.

Labours X account also triumphantly posted Preparation is the key to success alongside images of Sir Keir in a Team GB cagoule at the Olympics while other world leaders appeared to struggle with plastic versions.

But for politicians, like many X users, there is also the hope that things might change. The former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron posted on X at the weekend: By the way, no way am I leaving Twitter. This place is like a lovely pub, that got taken over by some soulless pub company and with a full on wazzock as a new landlord. But I was here first and Im staying.
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Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly has attacked Nigel Farage, telling him to choose between being a serious politician or a social media content creator.

The shadow home secretary accused the Reform UK leader of making statements designed to generate traffic as riots erupted across the country.

Mr Farage has been widely criticised for his claims of two-tier policing, echoing the language of a right-wing conspiracy theory, and his remarks about the Southport stabbings.

Misinformation spreading online is believed in part to have helped spark recent riots ( PA )

Mr Cleverly said: I think some of the things that he has framed as questions are clearly designed to generate traffic, generate digital content. And he needs to decide, is he a politician, a serious politician, or is he a social media content creator?

As politicians, we have a duty to think very, very carefully about what we do and very, very carefully about what we say.

He told Times Radio politicians must not intentionally reinforce gossip and rumour, particularly if it has serious real world implications. And so, you know, the question that he will need to ask himself and perhaps others as well, is, do you believe Parliament is an important institution where serious decisions are made and the country is governed? Or is it just part of a PR operation for clicks and likes and monetised content?

Tory leadership contender Cleverly has attacked Farage ( Joe Giddens/PA )

Another leadership contender, Mel Stride, has said Mr Farage would not be welcome in the Conservatives under his leadership as he criticised the former Ukip leaders response to the riots, saying he was irresponsible and wrong to fuel the fires.

Mr Farage has made claims of two-tier policing, language used by proponents of a right-wing conspiracy, and suggested that the riots have been dealt with more harshly than other recent protests such as the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

He also reached out to billionaire X owner Elon Musk, alleging a conspiracy between the government and media to support open borders. He also doubled down on his much-criticised claims about the Southport stabbings, and claimed the truth was being withheld about the suspect.

Farage said: One of the reasons the Southport riots were as bad as they were, one of the reasons the mosque itself was targeted, was because the authorities didnt tell us quickly enough what the truth was. We then learnt a few hours later he was born in Cardiff and actually he wasnt a radical Islamist at all. But my question about whether he was on a watch list still hasnt been answered.

False claims that the alleged attacker of three young girls in Southport was on a watchlist and a Muslim were used to stir up far-right mobs.

A Reform spokesman said: Only those uninterested in reaching the public are uninterested in modern technology. This is the problem with the Tory party writ large.
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A cabinet ministers claim rioters will not be freed early to help ease chronic overcrowding in UK jails has been hurriedly rowed back.

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said those caught up in the recent violence would not be included in the governments release scheme. But a government source later said he had misspoke.

Last month ministers announced plans to release some inmates early to free up prison space, blaming the decision on the last Conservative government and overcrowding.

Asked if he could guarantee that rioters would not be set free early under the scheme, Mr Reynolds told The Camilla Tominey Show on GB News: I understand that they wont be.

He added that it was because of those difficult decisions that were made by the ministers in the new government that there is capacity in the system to deal with this disorder.

However, sources later made clear that some of those involved in the riots could be eligible for the scheme - depending on what their conviction is for and the length of their sentence, with violent offenders being unlikely release candidates.

Ministers say they were forced to act after just hundreds of places were left in the adult male estate. Prisons have been routinely operating at over 99 percent capacity since the start of 2023.

The early release scheme is due to run for at least 18 months, but could last longer. Greg Smith, the Tory MP for Buckingham, has accused Labour of sending mixed messages over the issue saying: They cant say theyre tough on rioters and then let them out of jail after only five minutes.

Earlier the justice secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that the impact of the violent scenes on the countrys streets would be felt in the criminal justice system for months and years.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said he is not worried about the potential effect of days of rioting on foreign investment in the UK as the Government seeks to secure economic growth (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) ( PA Wire )

Mr Reynolds also urged the public to support local businesses affected by the riots.

If you care about these brilliant local businesses that are the heart of your community, please give them your support in the days and weeks ahead, he said.

But he denied he was concerned the days of riots, broadcast on television screens across the globe, could affect foreign investment in the UK.

He said he was not worried about the issue despite Labours hopes that overseas cash can help the UKs growth.

As the violence spread this week, the chancellor Rachel Reeves was holding meetings with global investors during a three-day visit to the US and Canada, where she told them: Britain is open for business.

Mr Reynolds said: It is clearly a difficult thing to have to contend with as a country. However, I would say that, for the big investors that I talk to, theyre more motivated by the political stability of the government, by the certainty of the tax regime, by the changes to planning policy and a whole range of other pro-business measures that were putting in place.

And, certainly, for our investment summit, which is coming up in October, we have a huge amount of interest in it, so Im not worried about the effect.

He added that while the costs of the riots were unclear, the impact on small businesses was very significant.He said he is seeking to make insurers pay claims promptly and alert businesses that they might be able to access support under the Riot Compensation Act if they are not insured or not adequately covered by insurance.
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At least eight cancer doctors who were heading to an oncology conference were among dozens killed in a plane crash in Brazils Vinhedo on Friday, an official has said.

The ATR 72 twin-engine plane carrying 58 passengers and four crew members was headed for Sao Paulos Guarulhos international airport when it nose-dived and crashed in Vinhedo, said Voepass airlines, which operated the aircraft.

Emergency crews confirmed on Saturday they had recovered the remains of all 62 victims, including an unaccounted person later found to be on the plane.

An official from the Regional Medical Council said he was able to confirm the deaths of the eight doctors.

These doctors were going to an oncology conference. These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, said Eduardo Baptistella, according to the Daily Mail.

Firefighters and rescue teams work at the site in a residential area where the plane with 62 people on board crashed in Vinhedo ( AP )

He added that a total of 15 doctors were supposed to be travelling to the conference on the flight, but seven of them had taken an earlier service.

The Uopeccan Cancer Hospital in Cascavel confirmed to BBC Brasil that two of its trainee doctors were among the fatalities.

Parana state governor Ratinho Junior was also quoted as saying at least eight physicians were on board the flight, and that the death toll also included four professors at Unioeste university in western Parana.

Rescue workers and Brazilian emergency crews said the bodies of most of the victims  34 males and 28 females  have been moved to Sao Paulos police morgue for identification.

The debris of the plane is seen at the site of the crash in Vinhedo ( AP )

The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were identified earlier on Saturday, said Dario Pacheco, the mayor of Vinhedo.

The victims include four people with dual citizenship, three Venezuelans and one Portuguese woman, said regional carrier Voepass.

Firefighters at the crash site said officials are using seat assignments, physical characteristics, documents and belongings such as mobile phones to identify the victims.

Police and rescue team members stand guard at Voepass Airlines Twin Engine ATR-72-500 crash site in Vinhedo ( Getty Images )

Firefighters arrive at the entrance of Recanto Florido Condominium where the airplane crashed ( Getty Images )

Family members of the victims are being taken to Sao Paulo to provide DNA samples to help in the identification of remains, said state civil defence coordinator Henguel Pereira.

Four people with dual citizenship were among the victims, three Venezuelans and one Portuguese woman, according to Veopass officials.

The Venezuelans were a 4-year-old boy, his mother and grandmother, local outlet Globo News reported. The boys dog was also on the flight, which the family was taking to later head to Colombia, according to the outlet.

Investigators are analysing the planes black box, said Marcelo Moreno, head of Brazilian aviation accident investigation centre Cenipa, at a press conference in Vinhedo.
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Writing a letter to a serial killer wasnt something the sister of a murder victim thought she would do, but she didnt know where else to turn for answers.

Maryann Collette is hoping notorious serial killer Richard Cottingham has information about her 18-year-old sister Patricia Newsom whose body was found bound, gagged, wrapped in a tarp and dumped in a drainage ditch in East Haven, Connecticut, in August 1975.

So she wrote to him at the New Jersey state prison where he is serving multiple life sentences for murder.

I still have so many questions I need answered, Collette told The Independent. There are enough similarities, so why not ask him? I cant rule him out yet.

Cottingham, dubbed the Torso Killer for brutally dismembering his victims by cutting off their limbs and heads, murdered at least 17 women between 1968 and 1980 in New York and New Jersey.

East Haven police Capt. Joseph Murgo, who revived Patricias case in 2020, told the New Haven Register that although there is no physical evidence linking Cottingham to Newsoms murder, police have received tips suggesting a possible connection to the killer, who was active in the area at the time of Patricias death nearly 50 years ago.

Collette told The Independent that in the letter, she gave Cottingham her sisters name and recalled the facts of her death with the hope that he might write back with some new information in the case.

Patricia Newsoms slain body was found in a Connecticut drainage ditch when she was 18 years old. She wasnt identified until 2023 ( Supplied by family )

I made it clear that nobody is looking to pin anything on him - were just interested in information. We have tried to rule him out and not one person has been able to do so. So maybe he can rule himself out.

Collette, who now lives in Tennessee, was only 9 years old when her older sister, who she called Trisha or Trish was sent to a boarding school in 1974 while the family was living in New Jersey. It was the last time she ever saw her.

When Patricias body was found in August 1975, investigators were unable to identify her and for nearly 50 years, she remained a Jane Doe.

When she didnt come back for me, or reach out to me, I knew something was wrong. I knew she was gone, Collette said. She made a promise to me  that shed always protect me.

Collette told The Independent their mother died in 1968 when she was 3 and her sister was 11, leaving Patricia to step into the role. She remembers her as a little mama who had a good sense of humor and loved the rain.

Richard Cottingham known as the Torso Killer makes a remote appearance at a courtroom in New York in December 2022. Patricias sister has reached out to him for answers about her case ( AP )

She was my life raft  she took care of us and protected us, Collette said, adding that shortly after her sister was sent to the boarding school, she was told by her father, who had remarried at that point, that Patricia had run away from the school.

The school was believed to be in Sullivan County, New York, but Collette and police have said they could not confirm what school she was sent to.

Thats when I knew something happened. Because she wouldve come back for me. She would have never stopped looking for me.

After Patricia vanished, Collette never stopped looking for her over the years.

An avid follower of true crime stories, Collette would constantly scan the computer-generated faces of the missing as they flashed across her screen. Then, with the help of the Internet, Collette had more opportunities to search for her sister.

I searched every missing person and every Jane Doe all the time, as often as I could, she said.

And it turned out that I was hoping my sister was a Jane Doe. Because my fear was that if he had put her body in the sound or the ocean, wed never find her.

Patricia Newsom became mother to her siblings, Maryann and Peter, when their mother died in 1968 ( Supplied by family )

In 2020, when Murgo revived the case, Collette was busy posting about her missing sister on social media in an attempt to get answers.

She had no idea that Murgo was trying to identify the remains of a woman that were found shortly after her sister had gone missing. The body, referred to as Jane Doe, was buried at State Street cemetery in Hamden, Connecticut.

But the cemetery was in disrepair. Many of the graves were not marked and investigators ran into roadblocks with inaccurate cemetery records about who was buried where.

In June 2022, East Haven police tried to exhume the body, but their first attempt uncovered the wrong person.

During a second attempt, they used ground penetrating radar and were able to locate Jane Doe on July 1, 2022. Her DNA was sent to Identifinders International, a forensic genetic genealogy service where there was a match.

In an ironic twist of fate, Collette had recently uploaded her DNA to GEDmatch at the urging of a family friend. GEDmatch allows people to compare DNA reports to find unknown relatives or loved ones who have gone missing.

A map of the cemetery shows where police were attempting to exhume the remains of a Jane Doe, who was later identified as Patricia Newsom ( East Haven Police Department. )

Suddenly everything fell into place, she said. What were the chances of someone saying to me, you need to get a DNA sample on GEDmatch. And thats how they found her identity so quickly.

Collette and the East Haven Police Department were notified in early April that Patricia had been located after 48 years.

I always knew in my heart that she was gone, Collette said. I always knew.

While Collette has some sort of closure now, she said, there are still many unanswered questions.

Just to have her, to know where she is, after all that time, you dont even realize how much youre carrying until you can put it down, Collette said. But I still want to know what happened in the days and weeks before she died  was she happy? And of course, who did this to her?

East Haven police had one suspect in the case, Glenn Askeborn, also known as Samantha Glenner, who was living in East Haven when Patricias body was found. But the investigation never led to an arrest. Askeborn served time in prison for the murder of a Maine woman and then died in October 2022.

For now, all eyes are on Cottingham as they wait for a reply. Collette has not yet responded to her letter, but she remains hopeful.

You never know whats going to spark somebodys memory, she added.

Collette and the East Haven Police Department were notified in early April that Patricia had been located after 48 years ( East Haven Police )

Murgo told the New Haven Register that hell wait to see whether Cottingham responds before taking any other action.

If he does respond, Ill plan a visit to conduct an official interview, Murgo said. For now, were just hoping for a reply.

Murgo also urged anyone with information about Patricia to contact him at jmurgo@easthavenpolice.com .

While Collette waits for a letter, she uses her time and her social media platform FindPatriciaNewsom to help others.

Im one of the lucky ones  I know that. I have my sister back, Collette said.

So maybe now I can help somebody else find their person  their sister, mother, brother. Because not knowing is hell.

Patricia Newsom is no longer a Jane Doe. She is now buried with her mother ( Supplied by family )

Collette stressed the importance of GEDmatch and how she believes it should be a requirement when a missing persons report is filed.

People who have missing loved ones need to know theres hope, she said.

For nearly 50 years, Patricia was a forgotten Jane Doe, buried in a defunct without a name. But her sister said thats no longer the case. Shes now buried along with their mother.

When you google her name, there she is, Collette said, and I love that when you google MY name, you find HER. Thats how I know her memory is going to live on.
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A 6-year-old Michigan boy was stapled to the wall and shot with a BB gun before dying because of horrific abuse, prosecutors say.

New charges were announced last week against Elaina Rose Jennings, 25, and Daniel John Giacchina, 33, by prosecutors in Oakland County, according to WDIV. They now both face murder and a host of other charges in connection to the death of Giovanny Chulo Jennings.

The mom and her boyfriend now face life in prison if convicted.

On July 30, police in Madison Heights, Michigan, responded to a mobile home for a report of the child not breathing. When they arrived, officers found the boy unconscious and suffering injuries all over his body.

He was rushed to the hospital and died the next day, according to the report.

Elaina Rose Jennings, 25, and Daniel John Giacchina, 33, have both been charged with murder in connection to the death of 6-year-old Giovanny Chulo Jennings. ( Madison Heights police )

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald revealed that the boy had suffered abuse and had been confined for an extended period.

Chulo had pervasive bruising to his abdomen, which was also bloated and distended, McDonald said, according to the report. He had an apparent BB wound to his shin. First responders and emergency room personnel noted extensive external injuries, as well.

Investigators found over 100 hours of videos and photos to go with text messages discussing what happened to the boy, prosecutors said.

The boy was confined to a pen in the bedroom and was beaten in front of his siblings, WDIV reported. The parents watched him in the pen where he would misbehave - which was described as him urinating, drinking and trying to leave.

At one point, prosecutors said, Giacchina stapled the 6-year-old to the wall to keep him confined and facing the corner, prosecutors revealed. A photo showed the shoulders of the childs shirt with staples against the wall.

Giacchina stapled the 6-year-old to the wall to keep him confined and facing the corner, prosecutors said. ( Madison Heights police )

Both Jennings and Giacchina laughed about the photo and Giacchinas use of the staple gun to solve the problem. According to the text, Chulo was being punished in this manner for looking out the window in the pen area, prosecutors said.

When authorities searched the home they found marks in the wall that matched a staple gun. They also found a BB gun and CO2 cartridges in the residence.

As we carefully sifted through the evidence, what we found can only be described as horrific, McDonald said.
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A 78-year-old who was knocked down and robbed of his Cane Corso puppy earlier this week was reunited with the dog in a heartwarming scene, according to Minneapolis police.

A kind person who purchased the puppy saw the story and contacted MPD to coordinate the return of the puppy, the MPD wrote on Facebook on Friday. The kindness of others is always a wonderful response to violence. Check out the smile of the owner when he was reunited with his canine companion.

Authorities said the puppy was returned to the owner by the person who bought it after it was taken. They saw a story about the theft and returned it to the rightful owner.

On August 5, an unidentified person knocked down the senior and took the dog on the 1800 block of 3rd Ave South in Minneapolis.

A man holds a puppy and smiles after Minneapolis police returned the stolen canine on August 9, 2024. ( Minneapolis police )

Police say theyre still looking for information about the case, and asked for help identifying multiple people with potential links to the case, including a youth photographed on public transportation holding the puppy, and three people captured on surveillance video in a convenience store.

A woman who said she is the teens mother responded to the post, according to Minnesota-based outlet Bring Me The News.

"My 14-year-old child should not be in jail for finding a puppy," she said, adding, He did not assault anybody or hit anybody."

Another commenter said she knew another woman seen in the video, and denied she was involved in the robbery either.

I know this woman in the picture and she had nothing to do with it! the commenter wrote. She couldnt hurt anyone at all! She to loving and kind to people and animals! I know this for a fact! I talk to her everyday!

So far, police have not identified any suspects or made any arrests in the case.
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Texas police got a deluge of 911 calls during the 2022 Uvalde school shooting  from trapped students and teachers, confused state officials and a family member of gunman Salvador Ramos  but nothing seemed to spur officers to action, according to a new trove of evidence in the case.

Even though nearly 400 officers from local, state, and federal law enforcement arrived on the scene, it took police more than 70 minutes to confront and fatally shoot Ramos, who by then had killed 19 students and two teachers in one of the worst school shootings in US history.

The calls, released to the public on Saturday after a lawsuit from the Associated Press and other news organizations, provide new insights into what police knew and when about the May 24 shooting.

Flowers and other items surround crosses at a memorial on June 9, 2022, for the victims of a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Newly released info shows frantic 911 calls during the shooting. ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

One notable call came from Armando Ramos, Salvador Ramoss uncle, who begged police to connect him with his family member in the hopes he could talk him into surrendering.

Everything I tell him, he does listen to me, Ramos said in the 911 call.

Maybe he could stand down or do something to turn himself in.

By then, however, the standoff was over, and police had received numerous other pleas urging them to act.

The calls came in before the shooting even started.

Oh my God, they have a gun, one caller said, describing how Ramos crashed a pickup into a ditch outside of the school.

Oh my God, I think there was kids at PE area, she added. Please hurry!

One notable call came from Armando Ramos, Salvador Ramoss uncle, who begged police to connect him with his family member in the hopes he could talk him into surrendering. ( AP )

Ramos entered the school at 11:33 am, and the first officers on the scene arrived minutes later, but radio traffic released as part of the suit captures them mostly discussing setting up a perimeter, controlling traffic and keeping parents away from the scene of the incident.

Nearly 45 minutes later, an official from the state public safety department called local police, asking if a command post had been set up, to which an officer replied they were unsure.

Meanwhile, inside the school, the massacre continued.

Please, I dont want to die, student Khloie Torres, 10, called police to say. My teacher is dead. Oh, my God.

Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry! an instructor said in another 911 call, describing hearing a lot, a whole lot of gunshots.

Family members were furious it took two years for this additional information to surface.

If we thought we could get anything we wanted, wed ask for a time machine to go back ... and save our children, but we cant, so all we are asking for is for justice, accountability and transparency, and they refuse to give this to us, Brett Cross, whose nephew Uziyah Garcia was killed in the shooting, told the AP.

The 911 audio is the latest damning portrait of the police response to the shooting.

In January, a Justice Department report found that a series of cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy and training were shown throughout the operation.

The DOJ described a failure to establish a clear chain of command, and officers who ignored training principles about immediately engaging an active shooter until the threat is over.

Had law enforcement followed generally accepted practices in an active-shooter situation and gone right after the shooter to stop him, lives would have been saved, and people would have survived, Attorney General Merrick Garland said when the report was released.

Even though nearly 400 officers from local, state, and federal law enforcement arrived on the scene, it took police more than 70 minutes to confront and fatally shoot the suspect ( AP )

Earlier this year, Pete Arredondo, the former school police chief of Uvalde, was charged with child endangerment over the failed response, alongside a fellow officer. The men, the only two facing charges over their role in the operation, have both pleaded not guilty.

During the shooting, Arredondo initially left his radio in the car.

He said he didnt consider himself incident commander, and didnt tell others to avoid breaching the classroom where Ramos hid. State officials argue it is Arrendondo who made the call to treat the gunman as a barricaded suspect and attempt a negotiation first.

As Ramos was inside a classroom shooting children, dozens of officers stood outside trying to figure out what to do and waiting for protective shields to arrive.

Ultimately, a Border Patrol unit, along with an officer from a sheriffs department in an adjacent county, breached the classroom and shot Ramos, reportedly making the decision on their own rather than getting a directive from an incident commander.

Arredondo told CNN this week hes been scapegoated from the very beginning.

If you look at the bodycam footage, there was no hesitation  there was no hesitation in myself and the first handful of officers that went in there and went straight into the hot zone, as you may call it, and took fire, Arredondo said, describing a brief initial encounter between Ramos and the first arriving officers on the scene.

The guidebook tells you the incident commander does not stand in the hallway and get shot at, he added. The incident commander is someone who is not in the hot zone.
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A Georgia man who was killed by police inside a Cobb County Walgreens had his hands up, according to friends and family.

Nathain Jenkins, 32, of Valdosta, was shot in a Walgreens store late Friday night, according to the Cobb County police.

I was on the phone with him. He FaceTimed me. He put me in his pocket, friend Hayley Glaze told local news station 11 Alive. Basically, the police had him cornered. They were yelling at him. He was yelling back my hands are up.

This is uncalled for, especially if his hands were up. He stated his hands were up, and yall still shot him," Glaze added. "Theres no way he couldve reached for anything. Hes not like that. Hes not dumb.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is now investigating the shooting at the request of local police, said in a statement Jenkins had outstanding warrants for unspecified crimes.

During the ensuing altercation, the suspect, who was armed with a gun, was shot, the Cobb County police said in a statement.

Georgia officials are investigating the police shooting of a Black man identified as Nathain Jenkins who family said had his hands up ( Georgia Bureau of Investigation )

Darlland Jackson, Jenkins father, said the 32-year-old called him and said he was in some kind of unspecified trouble. Jackson said he was also on the phone with Jenkins, who had previously struggled with drug and psychological problems, during the shooting.

Before you know it, I heard gunshots. So I drove around to this Starbucks right here and the cops were saying, Get down! Get down! Get down! and stuff like that. Then I heard more shots, and I didnt hear from him no more, Jackson told local news station WSB-TV.

The Independent has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for more information.

On Saturday, friends and family of Jenkins, a father of five, gathered at the location of the shooting for a vigil.

Jackson said he still hasnt heard from police about what happened.

"Nothing, nothing, nothingyou killed my son and now I got to wait here for you to talk to me?" he told Fox 5 Atlanta.

Since 2016, Cobb County police fatally shot 21 people, two-thirds of them Black and Hispanic, according to a Washington Post database, in an area with a more than 50 percent white population.
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In a racist tirade on C-SPAN this weekend, conservative columnist Ann Coulter said Kamala Harris was not a foundational Black when the commentator addressed Donald Trumps claim that the vice president happened to turn Black while running for office.

Harris is multiracial and has always identified as Black.

Trump bewildered and outraged an audience of Black journalists in Chicago by telling them that the Harris he claims to have known for several years was Indian all the way before, all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went she became a Black person.

Speaking during an appearance on Washington Journal, Coulter argued that laws brought in to make up for the legacy of slavery had now been twisted to discriminate against white people in the name of diversity to the advantage of recent immigrants.

Conservative columnist Ann Coulter described Vice President Kamala Harris as not a foundational Black. ( C-SPAN )

And that is the important point he should have made is that the entire purpose of Affirmative Action, set-asides, civil rights laws, laws that limit constitutional rights to freedom of contract, freedom of association, all of that was to make up for the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow, Coulter said.

She continued: So unless these benefits are going to roughly define foundational Black Americans, the descendants of American slaves, youve taken away the whole purpose of this. And that is exactly what happened once we got this huge load of immigrants. Now, you know, a Thai who arrived on Wednesday will get an advantage applying for college, applying for corporations over a heterosexual white male in particular.

Coulter added that all the civil rights and affirmative action laws have been twisted into anti-white hatred and discrimination.

So to make the point that Kamala isnt a foundational Black American, Im always pointing out to Black people, have you noticed Indians are getting all the good diversity jobs? Coulter continued.

What did we do to Indians? We didnt enslave them, she added, saying that 90 percent of legal immigrants are from the Third World.

They owe us, we dont owe them, Coulter continued. But to switch from the concept of integration and civil rights for Black Americans to this B.S. diversity, its nothing but discrimination against white people.

Coulter also scoffed at the idea that Trump thinks he will win the Black vote by being soft on crime.

Coulters comments about Harriss race were met with anger, confusion and disbelief on social media. ( AP )

Her comments were met with anger, confusion and disbelief on social media.

Foundational Black? Is Blondie kidding me? Marcus Garvey wasnt foundational Black either. Most Black Americans and Black Jamaicans come from the same places in Western Africa, user Democrat Rick wrote on X

Often times, families were even separated, with some being put on ships to Jamaica/Caribbean and others to the colonies/America. Same damn family but put on different boats. Her argument is completely wrong, racist and that pasty saltine is NOT the person who should pretend to speak with authority about what makes someone Black or not.

Fellow X user Jeffrey Gold noted: You think where the British slave ships dropped off African slaves in their American colonies really matters? Was Alexander Hamilton not a foundational White because he was born in St Kitts in the Caribbean? The lengths they go to to make Kamala an other.
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Long before Kamala Harris was running to be president of the United States, Mark Buell noticed that she had a certain anxious tic.

"[Harris] is very funny. She has a very good sense of humor, and when she enjoys herself, she has a very hearty laugh," recalls the San Francisco real estate developer and Democratic donor, who was one of Harriss earliest political patrons, in an interview with The Independent.

But back then, he says, when she was nervous that laugh became more prominent... so between the two, it would show up sometimes at inappropriate times.

Two decades later, Donald Trump and other conservatives are trying to use Harriss distinctive and frequent peals of whole-body laughter as an attack line, with the former president even adding Laughing Kamala to his notorious roster of nicknames.

You ever watch her laugh? [...] You can tell a lot by a laugh. Shes crazy. Shes nuts, said Trump at a rally in Michigan last month.

According to Buell, that is no coincidence. He believes that someone tipped Trump or his team off about Harriss old habit, and  "in keeping with Trumps approach to politics, looking for weaknesses and faults in people"  he went after it.

Yet old friends and allies claim that Harriss sense of humour is one of her most appealing characteristics, and a sign of her genuine willingness to connect with other people emotionally.

Indeed, on TikTok Harriss laughter has become one of the most-memed sounds of the 2024 election, endlessly and affectionately remixed by superfans, comedians, and dance musicians.

I dont know that I have any memory of, quote, the laugh, which Republicans have used as a weapon against her since she became VP, says Mark Leno, a former California state legislator who has been friends with Harris since the mid-Nineties. But it does speak to her vivaciousness, her energy, her love of life, her passion. And I think its terrific that it has now been turned around to be an asset."

Former California state legislator Mark Leno with his old friend Kamala Harris at her inauguration as a US senator in 2017 ( Mark Leno / US Senate )

It bubbles up, and sometimes it gets loud

When Donna Sachet first met Kamala Harris in 2003, one of the first things she noticed was the way she laughed.

Yes, its the same laugh," the now fifty-something LGBT+ activist and drag performer tells The Independent. It bubbles up, and sometimes it gets kind of loud.

Sachet got to know her during Harriss (victorious) campaign to be district attorney of San Francisco, challenging an eight-year incumbent. Leno, a mutual friend, had suggested she help raise funds for Harris, sparking a friendship that lasted through all her subsequent campaigns and into the present day.

Politics  to me, as I was beginning to get involved in it  seemed very dry. Some of the speeches would go on and on, says Sachet. "But she often had humor in her speeches, and if you made a joke and she found it funny, she laughed fully, she laughed boisterously.

We had fun with it. She would even sometimes cover her mouth and say, Oh, Im being too loud!"

Sachet adds that they would often discuss fashion together, complimenting each others outfits and comparing heel heights (Harriss shoes tended to be slightly lower, since she had to wear them throughout the day).

Donna Sachet, right, with Kamala Harris (center) and her husband Doug Emhoff at the vice-presidents residence in Washington, DC in June 2023 ( Donna Sachet / Office of the Vice President )

Leno, in turn, had first met Harris in 1995 through her then boyfriend Willie Browns campaign to be mayor of San Francisco. After the pair broke up in 1996, Leno and Harris became deeper friends, accompanying each other to the San Francisco Symphony  a strictly platonic date, since Leno is gay.

The Kamala I see on the national and international stage today is no different from the woman who befriended me almost 30 years ago, he says.

Harris herself appears happy to make laughter part of her brand, proudly telling the actor and TV host Drew Barrymore back in May  admittedly an aeon ago in this election  that she has her mothers laugh.

Apparently some people love to talk about my laugh, she said. Let me just tell you something... I grew up around a bunch of women in particular, who laughed from the belly. They laughed. They would sit around the kitchen drinking their coffee, telling big stories with big laughs.

She went on: You know, Im never gonna be... Then she covered her mouth demurely and gave an exaggeratedly feminine giggle. Im just not that person! And I think its really important for us to remind each other, and our younger ones: Dont be confined to other peoples perceptions about... how you should act in order to be, right?

Today, Buell contends that Harris has lost her old habit of laughing when she is nervous. Thats long past, and shes matured out of it, he says.

But that hasnt stopped her opponents from honing in on it.

Mark Leno and his old friend Kamala Harris photographed by the San Francisco Chronicle while attending a symphony orchestra performance in 1996 ( The San Francisco Chronicle via Mark Leno )

Shes running against a man with no sense of humour

Donald Trump has been trying to make this attack stick for several years. As early as October 2020, at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, he said: Is there something wrong with her? She kept laughing at, you know, very serious questions.

In 2021, right-leaning news outlets such as The New York Post and Mail Online reported on Harriss seemingly nervous laughter when confronted by journalists asking about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as she boarded a jet to Singapore.

In 2022, Republicans also criticised Harris for laughing during a press conference about the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian-American GOP state legislator Victoria Spartz calling it a very serious situation and not a laughing matter.

The implication of these criticisms tends to be that Harris doesnt treat her job, or the lives and welfare of the millions of people affected by her decisions in office, with sufficient gravity. In other words, that its all a joke to her.

This year, Trumps allies and sympathetic pundits have warmed to the theme. The National Republican Senatorial Committee last month flagged up Harriss habit of laughing at inappropriate moments as a potential weakness of her candidacy, while Fox News host Sean Hannity compiled a supercut of Harriss laughter, which he said made voters detest her.

In fact, one of the very first YouTube uploads of Harriss now-famous coconut tree remarks came from an official GOP account  apparently not anticipating how enthusiastically her words would be adopted by her coconut-pilled supporters.

Feminist academics and authors have argued that this smacks of misogyny and racism, saying that women  and especially women of color  are often harshly policed over the minutiae of their emotional affect. Back in the Noughties, Hillary Clinton was similarly mocked for her Clinton cackle.

Many younger progressives say they feel charmed by Harriss open expressions of levity.

Its like shes surprised at the laugh, said comedian Allison Reese, who is widely known on TikTok for her impressions of Harris, in an interview with The Washington Post. It feels more uninhibited... the laugh is truly coming from this place of inner joy.

All of which dovetails with the Democrats newfound strategy of painting Republicans less as dangerous would-be dictators, as Joe Biden did, but as weird and joyless puritans, pruriently obsessed with other peoples private lives.

That line of attack is especially effective, Buell argues, because Donald Trump is someone who, despite his undeniable skill at making other people laugh, almost never laughs himself (at least in public).

If you look at who shes running against  a man who has no sense of humor  its a contrast, says Buell. The root of narcissism is massive insecurity... narcissists are always trying to create an image of themselves. [Thats why] hes always denigrating other people and building up himself.
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Republican vice presidential contender JD Vancemade a case for himself and Donald Trump on Sunday as he faces another week of backlash around his insults regarding childless cat ladies, Democrats and Americans without children.

On Sunday, Vance was asked about his comments regarding traditional families in America and decisions made by people who do not fit that mold. Its a point that has been viewed by the left as a signal to right-wing conservatives, given that both Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow Democrat Pete Buttigieg came to start families through nontraditional means: in Harriss case, through marriage to a single father; in Buttigiegs, through adoption.

CNNs Dana Bash questioned the Republican candidate on State of the Union whether he viewed those families as legitimate.

Of course, Vance responded, before pivoting to claims that the Harris campaign was lying about the context of his remarks. Bash attempted to press him further, but he easily steamrolled past her follow-up.

Dana, I was raised....one of the first people I gave a hug to after my RNC convention speech was my step-mom, he said.

So shes not childless, then? Bash asked.

Of course shes not childless, the Ohio senator responded.

BASH: You called out Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg. Harris has 2 stepchildren. Buttigieg has adopted twins. Do you recognize them as parents?



JD VANCE: Of course



BASH: I wouldn't say "of course." You called them out by name. pic.twitter.com/9ImfN9qAD3  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 11, 2024

Speaking with ABC News, he elaborated further about his broader remarks regarding childless Americans and the stakes that they do or do not supposedly have in the countrys future. Vance, in his 2021 remarks to then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, claimed that weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it while referring to Harris, Buttigieg and other Democrats  the same people he had just ridiculed for supposedly being childless.

Do I regret saying it? I regret that the media and the Kamala Harris campaign has, frankly, distorted what I said, Vance told ABCs Jonathan Karl. They turn this into a policy proposal that I never made.

The senator also discussed with ABC the Republican platform that has caused shockwaves - Donald Trumps pledge to lead the largest deportation operation in history if elected president in November.

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance speaks in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He refused to admit he regretted his childless cat lady comment. ( Adam Bettcher/Getty )

Vance and Trump have stated that they want to deport as many as 20 million immigrants living undocumented in the United States. Such an operation would have massive effects on the US economy, culture and communities.

On ABC, the senator was asked what that operation would look like  whether officers would be going door-to-door asking Americans for their papers.

"You start with what's achievable," Vance responded. "I think that if you deport a lot of violent criminals and frankly if you make it harder to hire illegal labor, which undercuts the wages of American workers, I think you go a lot of the way to solving the illegal immigration problem."

GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance, in a wide-ranging interview with @JonKarl, says the Trump campaign's mass deportation plan should start with 1 million. https://t.co/4rga61suQa pic.twitter.com/DYWK96crOY  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) August 11, 2024

I think its interesting that people focus on, well, how do you deport 18 million people? Lets start with 1 million, Vance told ABC. Thats where Kamala Harris has failed. And then we can go from there.

Harris, now at the head of the Democratic ticket, has gone on the offense on immigration, as some Democrats have seen blood in the water.

Republicans, they reason, face an unprecedented weakness on the issue after a bipartisan border security compromise that would have given the US president authority to freeze the asylum system was tanked by conservatives earlier this year, on Trumps behest.

The vice president, speaking in Arizona this weekend, told voters that her administration would pursue strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship if returned to the White House next year with a Democratic majority in Congress.
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Australias spy chief says the public would be shocked to learn the identities of supposedly friendly nations that have been found actively interfering in the countrys diaspora communities.

Mike Burgess, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisations (ASIO) director, warned that he would name the nations involved if the threat persisted and became a significant risk to Australians.

I can think of at least three to four that we have actually actively found involved in foreign interference in Australian diaspora communities, the domestic spy chief told the Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABCs) Insiders programme.

Mr Burgess said he could confirm one of the nations was Iran, given a minister had already spoken publicly about Tehrans involvement.

"Some of them would surprise you, some of them are also our friends, Mr Burgess said, adding that if the threat persisted for Australia, the officials would call out the nations.

Australia recently uncovered a plot by an international intelligence agency to eliminate an Australian resident by luring them to an offshore location, ABC reported. The resident had been critical of an unnamed foreign regime.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said he did not plan to identify the other nations involved. Asked on Sunday if he would do so, he replied: No, in a word.

Our priority here isnt to get a headline. Our priority here is to keep Australians safe. First, second and third priority. Gold, silver and bronze, in the spirit of the Olympics.

They are our priorities, and so we are careful about, Im careful about, information that I give out being consistent with the advice that I receive from the agencies, Mr Albanese added.

In 2021 the Scott Morrison government flagged China and Cambodias foreign interference in diaspora communities within Australia, and asked them to cease these efforts. We take these reports seriously and we have, on occasion, conveyed our concerns directly to Chinese officials as well as to Cambodian officials, said Neil Hawkins, then acting first assistant secretary.

Sundays comments were the second major public intervention involving the countrys spy chief in less than a week. Last Monday, Australia raised its terror threat level to probable, the mid-point of the countrys five-tier warning system, for the first time since November 2022.

Mr Burgess revealed that intelligence agencies had disrupted eight possible terror incidents in just the last four months, as he warned that the security environment in Australia had become more volatile as more Australians are being radicalised and radicalised more quickly... (and) embracing a more diverse range of extreme ideologies. He added: More Australians are willing to use violence to advance their cause.

He added that the situation in 2024 is completely different from a decade ago when the terror alert was last raised.

Social economic grievances, conspiracy theories is up also in the mix along with traditionally religiously motivated [including] Islamist violent extremism and nationalism and racism, he said, adding that there was a broad range of ideologies threatening Australias social fabric.
One link. A click. A curious statement: what they dont want you to know. Its 2020 and Jess* is in her room, at the back of her parents terraced house in Hull, unaware that shes about to fall down a rabbit hole. Before now shes never heard of the social media app Telegram, or 4chan  an anonymous posting board that quickly became the home of internet subculture, and conspiracy. Soon, it would take the next year of her life.

I saw a rambling post on pizzagate, she explains  a famous, completely false theory about a child sex ring run from the basement of a pizzeria in Washington DC.

To be honest, I was afraid, she says. I was petrified, actually. I kept reading, needing to know more. Because if all of this  what I was reading  was true, it would completely reshape my world.

Within just a few weeks Jess, who was studying at university, was reading screenshots of Hillary Clintons emails, convinced she was a paedophile. She quickly began to believe posts predicting that Donald Trump was going to come forward with serious allegations and arrest warrants for pretty much every celebrity, for child endangerment, Jess says.

There were accusations against celebrities, the media for horrific crimes against children. Everyone thought I was crazy. But, quickly, Jess was fully invested in the fantasies of the far-right world, which, even off the app, were often disseminated as screenshots from Telegram. In a way I was smug  you see yourself as above others. Youre told that others are just naive to any other possibilities.

Over the last two weeks, Telegram has been noticeably present in headlines and discussion around the far-right riots. It was screenshots of this app that circulated from fascists organising gang violence in towns around the country; on X/Twitter, users perpetuating violence directed their followers to Telegram.

This isnt new. In fact, Telegram has long been an epicentre of dangerous right-wing narratives and conspiracy. Only, after the Southport killings, Telegrams usually obscure users spilled out onto the streets.

Telegram is currently one of the most popular platforms in the world, and will probably become even more visible in the coming years, says Ruslan Trad, a security researcher at American think tank the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab.

Why is it a popular platform? The need for secrecy and privacy is at the core. Whether were talking about teens talking about favourite hobbies and sex secrets, or radicals staging riots and terrorist attacks, Telegram has become a major destination over the years, he says.

He adds that Telegram has played a major role in spreading propaganda. Far-right groups who have discovered the app have found it possible to speak out without worrying that their content will be deleted.

open image in gallery A protestor at a Save Our Children rally at Downing Street in 2020, with a sign referencing the confected American conspiracy theory ( Getty )

Telegram saw a rise in popularity during the pandemic  thats when people like Jess discovered it, and Michaels parents, too. Before the pandemic, Michaels dad, Carl*, had been into what he deems more light conspiracies, like the fake moon landing, cold fusion, electric universe (a theory that challenges the cosmology showing that the universe is gravity-dominated, arguing instead that a web of electromagnetism connects the planets). But, when my dad got onto Telegram, it got much worse.

He was talked into joining a group on the app, Michael, 26, who wishes to protect his identity, says. Telegram made him a crucial promise  to show what was really happening behind the pandemic. Really, it wasnt so unusual and, in many ways, it makes sense. Many of us went looking for answers and sought control when the world seemed to suddenly fall apart. On Telegram, Carl believed thats what he found.

Soon, it was all that he could talk about. He never wanted to push [conspiracy theories] on me before the pandemic, so there wasnt really a problem then, Michael, who lives in Chemnitz, Saxony, in Germany, and begins his masters in physical technology this September, explains. Back then, we could talk about literally anything and everything.

Once Carl got Telegram, he would show Michael content from the groups  the worst content for conspiracy nuts you can think about, he says  and try to convert him.

Slowly, Michaels mum also started to believe the theories too. For two years Michael tried hard to argue the truth, but it took its toll on him as their insistence only grew more aggressive. He burnt out and with no defences left began to accept what they were telling him. Michael refused to get vaccinated against Covid, and began to isolate himself as reality rocked on its foundations .

They called themselves Noahs Ark for unvaccinated people. Thats a pretty good description if you ask me. It shows how nuts they are

I lost all sense of direction, every last bit of motivation, he writes on Reddit. Were speaking over the platform because he cant risk his parents, who are still fully consumed by conspiracy, hearing our conversation.

For months Michael was depleted and embroiled. But being on my dads side gave him space from the constant opinion-pushing and, eventually, allowed him the mental capacity to begin to question what he believed again.

When Russia attacked Ukraine, his parents became pro-Russia  which helped Michael realise that they were on the wrong side. But by then his parents had also become obsessed with chemtrails (the theory that governments have a secret programme to add toxic chemicals into the air from planes), the Great Reset, and the climate change hoax. They were deep into the well.

The tipping point came last year, when Michaels parents said they wanted to move to Paraguay to flee the big plan, says Michael. It was a place for like-minded people to move into and get through the rough times they imagined. They called themselves Noahs Ark for unvaccinated people. Thats a pretty good description if you ask me. It shows how nuts they are.

But their decision sent Michael over an edge. He says: It was like a final goodbye and I just couldnt take it. Soon after their announcement, he ended up in psychosis, his brain completely overloaded, and was admitted to hospital.

open image in gallery A rioter in Sunderland hurls a smoke bomb at police. Plans for violent gathering are often shared on Telegram as it offers high levels of secrecy ( Getty )

Now the family dont talk about conspiracy at all, which Michael says has infinitely improved their relationship. His dad still goes out on a walk (which means a protest, he says) every Monday morning as he has since the pandemic, and his mum is just as infected by what Michael calls an informational virus. Thinking about this feels like trying to lift a car with your bare hands, he writes on Reddit. I love them. It hurts.

So, how can an app like Telegram become so deeply effective in spreading disinformation?

Telegram was a useful platform for conspiracists in the pandemic, because as social media platforms slowly introduced stronger rules around Covid and vaccine disinformation, Telegram was a place where conspiracy theorists could encourage their followers to go and get their rawest, falsest content, explains Callum Hood, head of research at the Centre for Countering Digital Hate.

And they could build communities on Telegram that would survive any changes in terms of their access to mainstream platforms.

People reach Telegram via mainstream platforms like X. Theyll often say, If you want my real content, go and look at my Telegram. Other times youll just see content that has originated on Telegram embedded in posts on social media.

Its like addiction  youre only going to help yourself if you want to get help. I hated feeling that way Jess

There will be a portion of the people who look at this content that embeds a Telegram link and go through to the source, then end up signing up to Telegram and then getting steady, regular access. What Telegram is good at is its searchable. So if there are particular topics youre interested in, it will just let you search for the names of channels.

The app has a contentious political history. It was founded by billionaire Pavel Durov, a Russian exile who founded it to counter growing censorship in his native country. And, says Trad, it was among the main platforms housing ISIS communication channels. Telegram was also the groups propaganda platform of choice, and every researcher and journalist who focused on conflict used and monitored Telegram for the latest news.

The 2014 war in Ukraine also gave the platform a huge boost, he says, it having been founded just a year earlier. Its interface has some influence on this. If you create a group, it can have thousands of people in it; messages are easy to write. Telegram is light and fast compared to Facebook, for example; it doesnt have the limitations of Twitter and secrecy can be at a very high level, says Trad.

These are factors that have led to far-right groups using the platform. They understood that Facebook was being monitored.

The question is: can it be regulated, or stopped  and if so, how? Trad recalls that there was significant US government pressure on the app in 2019 to take down the groups channels which have been reaching more and more people and influencing offline with the execution of attacks and threats. Telegram buckled, he says. The main reason for this was not only pressure, but also the possibility that the platform would lose advertisers.

open image in gallery ( Getty )

The financial aspect is among the few levers that can be used to push a platform to introduce norms and standards.

Still, there is perilously little protection for people like Michaels family, or Jess, who find themselves slipping into the rabbit hole.

Jess journey culminated after more than 10 months of mostly sitting alone at her computer, isolated from her friends and family. For her, there was an element of sunk cost  its not easy to admit that the thing youve become so completely absorbed in, which youve invested your time and life in, is all a lie.

Still, she was lonely. Firstly it was me not wanting to feel this way. Its like addiction  youre only going to help yourself if you want to get help, says Jess, who now lives happily with her partner and 13-month-old son. I hated feeling that way, and not having a relationship with my family.

So I started looking at people online who were talking about QAnon, but from the other side  who were debunking it, and pursuing authentic sources for another explanation. Slowly, I started to cut the conspiracy off, and follow more valuable sources.

The road to recovery wasnt easy. Id stopped watching any films or listening to music because I thought it was Satanic, she says. I reintroduced that little by little. I was able to walk to the shops and have a small break from my phone or laptop  things like that  and I felt better.

She still carries shame, and the stigma has been hard to shake off. When she began dating her current partner, for example, she says his friends messaged him to warn him off her. [One] said that my boyfriend should break up with me because he thought I was a terrorist, basically  a lot of people associate QAnon with what happened at the Capitol. He said, shes crazy.

I had a discussion with my partner and he completely understands thats not how I am. But its hard.

As for Michael, he still takes medication as a result of his breakdown, and still worries about his parents welfare. He had a lucky escape. But conspiracy, disinformation  platformed by Telegram  remains an eerie threat in his life. And, considering its presence on our streets last week too, for the rest of us as well.

* Jess is not her real name
Project planners say campus will increase employment opportunities in area

NVD will invest around 22m in the new warehousing hub

National Vehicle Distribution (NVD), a company that transports new and used cars to garages, is looking to build a huge logistics hub at one of its facilities in south Dublin.

NVD Trading submitted plans to change the use of lands near one of its vehicle distribution centres in Baldonnel from a car park to a logistics warehouse campus. The proposed development includes four new logistics/warehouse units with a combined gross floor area of over 20,000 sq m. Each of the warehouses would include office and staff facilities.

Using construction consultant Scollard Doyles estimates, developing a logistics warehousing hub of that size could cost around 20m.

NVDs project planners said a new logistics campus would increase employment opportunities in the Dublin region.

There is a need to ensure there is adequate provision of jobs

The proposed development is situated within an existing employment centre. The development of a logistics warehouse at this location will boost employment within an existing built-up area, they said.

In order to achieve the targeted population growth of the region and county, there is a need to ensure there is adequate provision of jobs.

While there were no estimates as to how many jobs could be created by the logistics hub, plans for the development include 164 car and 106 cycle parking spaces.

The plans were first submitted in March, with South Dublin County Council recently requesting further information.

NVD declined to comment on the plans.

According to research by estate agency Colliers, industrial and logistics properties have been among the best-performing asset classes in recent times. Strong demand and scarce availability have been driving consistent rental growth.

However, due to a challenging year for commercial real estate globally, take-up in the Dublin market fell sharply in the first quarter of this year, standing at 159,529 sq ft across 14 transactions. The first quarter reflects a significant decrease in the sector, down from around 920,000 sq ft leased during the same period of 2023.

Approximately 1.3 million sq ft of new logistics space is currently under construction, according to Colliers.

The estate agency said there had been particularly strong activity in Dublins north and northwest.

In the area, IPUT received permission to build 12 additional units at its Nexus Logistics Park, bringing the overall scheme to 2.5 million sq ft across 17 units.

Further growth in prime rents is expected this year

Across Ireland, recently approved developments include around 650,000 sq ft for timber frame manufacturing in Kildare by Glenveagh subsidiary Nua Manufacturing. Primeline Group also recently opened a new 360,000 sq ft net-zero distribution hub in Ashbourne, Co Meath.

Colliers said prime industrial and logistics rents now stand at 13 per sq ft, representing an 8pc increase on the same period in 2023. Further growth in prime rents is expected this year.

Colliers noted in its report that there was limited availability around the M50 Dublin ring road. Despite a slight uptick in the vacancy rate, the estate agency said availability remains just below 2pc.

Accounts for NVD Limited show the group had a turnover of over 44.38m in 2022, up from 37.4m the previous year.

Despite the growth in sales, the group recorded a loss before tax of 201,129, down from a pre-tax profit of 1.57m in 2021.

NVD also operates in the UK, with that market generating over 19m for the business.

The NVD group employed 358 people in 2022, mostly made up of general operatives and drivers.
Operator unhappy with bureaucracy on show as Fingal County Council asks for more information about plan

The operator of Dublin Airport has said it is rethinking an offer to build an observation deck for plane spotters after Fingal County Council asked for further information about 18 different aspects of the plan.

Among the issues council planners have raised with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is whether toilet facilities can be provided at the site. It has been asked to do a traffic survey of the adjacent road and a complete tree survey.

The DAA is understood to be unhappy at the level of bureaucracy its plan has met, given that it was trying to regularise an informal airport viewing point that has been in place for at least 30 years at Collinstown Lane, known to plane-spotters as The Mound.

In the application to Fingal it proposed installing an elevated viewing platform that would be sheltered and have seating and tables, with 22 parking spaces including two for disabled people and two for families.

DAA said it would install five bicycle stands, an electrical enclosure with solar PV Panels and a diverge lane in order to ensure safe access for traffic.

A previous image release of the proposed observation platform at Dublin Airport

The facility will offer a clear view of the south runway as well as the cross runway, whilst providing shelter, seating, parking and lighting, its application said.

However, the councils planning department has raised a number of concerns, and described the absence of toilets as disappointing and contrary to the ethos of universal design and quality placemaking. It said the DAA should consider putting in eco toilets or Portaloos.

Planners also suggested the bicycle stands should be closer to the observation platform, recommended more street lighting and proposed changes to the way vehicles get in and out.

The response is understood to have dismayed the DAA, which thought its proposal to regularise and improve the ad-hoc site, including providing tables and chairs, would have been better received. The airport operator undertook extensive pre-planning engagement with Fingal before putting in the application.

Company sources say the current mound is weed-laden, and partly mud

A DAA spokesperson said the agency regarded the proposed observation facility as a significant net positive in every respect, most notably from a safety and environmental perspective, and it will now reassess the proposal in light of the request for further information.

Company sources say the current mound is weed-laden, and partly mud, while its proposal is that the elevated deck would have proper landscaping.

Understood to be of particular frustration was the request to move the deck somewhere else in order to address traffic issues, even though it has been at this location informally for decades, and given that a road-safety audit had reached a positive conclusion.

There is also some confusion at the request to plant trees around the site, including native species and pollinator friendly plants, with a three-year maintenance schedule to ensure the plantings become established.

The greatest annoyance is understood to be over the request to install toilets, with a source close to the company pointing out that loos are not obligatory in Fingal Council playgrounds.
When Buffalo created a rental registry in the mid-2000s to track the ownership of small rental properties, officials hoped the landlord licensing program would help improve the quality of the citys housing stock by providing information about property owners and raking in revenue to fund inspection staff.

But today, the program is mired in problems.

The law requires the owners of one- or two-family rental properties they dont live in to renew their registrations yearly by providing information to the city and paying a fee  $50 for single-family dwellings and $100 for two-family dwellings.

Currently, nearly 44%, or more than 10,400, of the roughly 23,943 properties on the registry, have owners who are delinquent on paying those fees. Almost three-quarters of those delinquent properties have not properly reregistered in several years, with almost 1,000 having been delinquent since 2016. But all of these properties registration statuses are still listed as active.

Cathy Amdur, the commissioner of Permit & Inspection Services, said the department uses summonses and, occasionally, Housing Court to try and enforce the law, but pointed to increasing inspection staff numbers as a potential route to future improvements.

Buffalo moves more Covid-19 relief money into city neighborhoods The Common Council this week approved about $24 million in federal pandemic relief funding for affordable housing projects, cultural institutions, homeowners and health equity initiatives.

Activists are more skeptical. They said the registrys problems are, in part, another casualty of the citys non-enforcement of its proactive rental inspection law. And one former permitting department employee said it will take an overhaul of the ethos in the department and its registry division  which is run by Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Browns brother-in-law  to improve the citys property tracking.

Former employees perspective

John OBrien worked for Permit & Inspection Services from June 2019 to December 2020. He was a grant-funded policy fellow helping lead the writing of the citys lead hazard reduction grant and conducting policy research and data analysis for a rental inspection law, which was implemented in 2021.

He noticed the high registration delinquency rates, which, at the time, were in the mid-to-low 30% range.

OBrien said maintaining the registry is a core responsibility for the city to understand the local housing landscape at a granular level, and the fee collection is supposed to give them some minimum funding for proactive rental inspections.

Vacant lots and trash lead to rat problem for East Side residents Over the past 16 years, properties in the neighborhood have been the subject of more 311 calls per person for rodent and pest control than any other neighborhood in Buffalo, according to city data.

The delinquency rates raise questions about the citys own knowledge of the needs of the renter population and its ability to address those concerns in a timely and efficient manner, he said.

OBrien attributed the delinquency to a lack of enforcement mechanisms and some problems he observed in the divisions data handling.

The department uses mailers to pursue voluntary compliance from property owners before pushing things to the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication  which can issue summonses  or Housing Court, Amdur said.

OBrien said the department itself didnt have much of a way to pursue the fees.

Before administrative adjudication and before Housing Court, theres no risk in not paying, you know? You just get to keep your money, he said.

Community groups, residents ask judge to order Buffalo to do more lead paint inspections Four Buffalo residents and four community organizations filed a petition Wednesday in State Supreme Court to compel the city to fully implement its Proactive Rental Inspections Law, which was intended to protect residents in rental housing from lead paint and other health and safety hazards.

Housing Court is an additional barrier, Amdur said. She said the court sometimes will tack registration delinquency onto cases where there are other violations present, but those cases can get dragged out.

We work with the enforcement mechanisms we have, but when you have a case in court for a decade, that limits some of our abilities to hold people accountable, she said.

OBrien said, during his time, that Housing Court would often refuse to enforce the registry-related fines on top of other penalties.

The long time-frame for cases has been a problem with Housing Court since before OBrien moved to Buffalo, he said, which is why the law was designed to primarily go through administrative adjudication to push compliance.

Amdur said administrative adjudication remains the the primary step beyond seeking voluntary compliance to enforce the law.

What Buffalo's mayor is doing  and not doing  to avoid a fiscal crisis In less than 12 months, the City of Buffalo will face a budget gap of at least $41 million, but it could be more than $55 million.

OBrien also noticed during his time in the department that the registry division grew into the habit of entering registrants mailing addresses into a data field that didnt update automatically when the property owners mailing address changes on the citys tax assessment rolls.

Over time, OBrien said, this could develop a lagged system where the department would only know a property has changed hands if they are contacted by either the former license holder who has received an erroneous bill, or by the new property owner seeking to register or reregister their house as a rental.

This could cause lags of one or more years, he said.

Amdur didnt want to comment on what was happening before her 2022 appointment as commissioner, but she said that the registry division regularly updates mailing information using an information searching service and the citys assessment rolls.

Still, the citys tax assessment data shows more than 2,400 properties that are not on the registry, but that are designated as one- or two-family properties with year-round occupancy where the owners mailing address is completely different from the propertys street address, suggesting they are not owner-occupied. Amdur said the department does a similar analysis when they look at the assessment rolls.

Housing inspection program is hot topic at rally, Buffalo Common Council budget hearing The Common Council held a public hearing Wednesday in City Hall on Mayor Byron W. Brown's $617.9 million budget proposal for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Many of these properties may be eligible for the registry. Amdur was unfamiliar with the 2,400 figure, but noted potentially valid caveats: The assessment data itself isnt perfect, there may be a lag in their updating and the properties may not be rented out.

In May, the city doubled the rental registry fees to fund seven new inspector positions after Amdur raised concerns that the citys proactive rental inspection law was unfunded. Amdur said those roles, which will bring total inspectors to 10 if they are filled, have been budgeted for hiring, and that this additional staffing will help with compliance.

Amdur runs the department, but the registry itself is run by Michael L. Austin, the divisions director. Austin, who is the mayors brother-in-law, according to his mothers obituary, avoided several interview requests, both via email and over the phone.

When asked about Austins qualifications, city spokesperson Michael DeGeorge said in a statement: Mr. Austin was appointed the City of Buffalos first African American Director of Task Force Housing in 2022 and one year later, the City collected the fourth-highest total in Rental Registration revenue in the programs history. Mr. Austin, who has worked in that department since 2015, has focused most of his time on continuing to update the Citys rental registration data base to ensure the most up to date information since becoming director.

The registry and proactive inspections

In 2009, Partnership for the Public Good (PPG)  a local community think tank  published a report about the rental registry, noting issues with delinquency and enforcement, many which the data and OBrien suggest have persisted. The partnership also took note of the high delinquency rates while compiling a report in December for the Common Council pushing for the registry fee increase and calling for better information-gathering.

Last month, the partnership along with three local housing activist groups and four tenants filed a lawsuit against the city accusing it of failing to enforce its proactive rental inspection law.

The lawsuit was spurred in part because the pace of the departments inspections have slowed over the years. Since 2020, the department has inspected fewer than 5,000 of the 36,000 units that needed to be inspected, and has issued 458 certificates of rental compliance, according to Amdurs 2024 report to the Common Council.

Last year, the department inspected 293 properties, down from 2,252 the year before.

Andrea O Suilleabhain, PPGs executive director, said the maintenance of the rental registry is really the first step in the proactive rental inspection process.

An inaccurate registry, she said, hinders the citys ability to combat the list of violations that the law is meant to combat to uphold health and safety, including chipping lead paint, sewer seepage into basements, rotting porches, broken smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, smoking electrical boxes and interior doors being installed as exterior doors.

The individual tenants that are plaintiffs in our lawsuit have lived with all of those conditions, she said.

Sarah Wooton, PPGs director of community research, said these inspections cant happen if the registry isnt being maintained and if fees arent being collected.

The city needs to know who the landlords in the city are, which singles and doubles are being rented in out in order to inspect those properties. If the list isnt accurate, theyre going to be missing properties that should be inspected through the PRI program, she said. If theyre not collecting fees from those properties, that is a source of funding that could be used for the PRI program and that should be used for the PRI program.
Tech giant contests $1.33bn ruling

The room-rental giant is contesting an IRS determination that it underpaid taxes by $1.33bn in 2013

Airbnb has applied to a US Tax Court to contest an IRS determination that it underpaid taxes by $1.33bn in 2013. The tech firm is also seeking to overturn $573m in fines tacked on by the tax authority.

While Airbnb is challenging the bill, the case is the latest sign of how US authorities are poring over Irish tax structures that have long been used by multinationals to keep their global tax bills low.
The Air Corps has recorded 25 unauthorised aircraft entering military airspace at its Casement Aerodrome since last year, putting Defence Forces planes, helicopters and personnel in danger.

Some of the incidents could have resulted in mid-air accidents and collisions, it said.

Aircraft flying to and from Weston Airport, Dublin, about 5km from the military base, were blamed.

Such penetrations at a minimum cause disruption to military aviation within military airspace and on occasion have required avoiding action to be taken by military aircraft to prevent a potential mid-air incident or accident, Brigadier General Rory OConnor, general officer commanding, Air Corps, and director of military aviation, told Department of Defence officials.

The Air Corps had been asked to consider how the development of a new Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter base at Weston Airport might affect operations at Casement.

Brig Gen OConnors correspondence with officials was sent to South Dublin County Council as the local authority considered whether to grant permission for the new Coast Guard base.

Planning permission was granted for the new search and rescue facility, which will include a hangar with space for two helicopters.

Dublins Coast Guard helicopter is currently based at Dublin Airport, but will be relocated after Bristow Ireland takes over the search and rescue contract from CHC Ireland.

It will be one of four new bases that will become operational by next July.

Brig Gen OConnor raised 16 cases of unauthorised penetrations of military airspace at Casement last year and said nine such incidents have been recorded already this year.

The Air Corps is concerned that a search and rescue base at Weston will inevitably result in an associated negative impact on the safety and operational efficiency of Air Corps aircraft operating in and around military airspace.

Residents near the new base had complained about increased use leading to greater noise pollution

Operating hours will need to double because search and rescue helicopters will be available 24-hours every day. Non-search and rescue aircraft activity could also increase and further disrupt Casement.

Increased aircraft movements will inevitably result in an increase in the frequency of aircraft manoeuvres, which cause restrictions to be imposed on the operation of military aircraft in the military airspace, Brig Gen OConnor wrote.

Approving the application would also contradict South Dublin County Councils development plan, which aims to safeguard the current and future operational safety and technical requirements of Casement Aerodrome.

Brig Gen OConnor encouraged the Department of Defence to seek limitations on the use of aircraft in the area, including restricting maintenance, repair and overhaul activities at Weston.

The planning application submitted by Weston Aviation Academy noted a proposed new hangar facility will accommodate such work, but only for search and rescue helicopters.

Before the county council granted permission, it said maintenance, repair and overhaul work could be restricted and only emergency related activity should be considered for 24-hour operation.

Residents near the new base had complained about increased use leading to greater noise pollution.

The council said noise abatement procedures will have to be implemented and a noise monitoring survey carried out within four weeks of the commencement of the search and rescue flights.

Bristow said it welcomed the councils decision. It already has offices and a temporarily leased hangar at Weston.

The new SAR contract will see Bristow Ireland operate six SAR-configured AW189 helicopters from dedicated bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford and Weston, a company spokeswoman said.

In an expansion to the current service, the new contract will include a day and night fixed-wing service operating out of Shannon.

CHC Ireland is suing Bristow in the High Court. It has said the action was taken to give staff certainty over their futures and how EU employment protections, guaranteeing workers rights when service contracts are transferred to new operators, will apply.

Bristow said it is fully committed and engaged in ensuring a smooth and managed transition to the new contract later in the year.
A 'Coolock Says No' banner was seen at the Belfast protest march. Photo: Peter Morrison

Gardai are monitoring simmering tensions between factions of the Irish far right after members of the Coolock Says No movement crossed the Border to support loyalist paramilitaries at the Belfast riots.
GAA couple avoid jail over kebab shop scrap as judge slams fall from grace

Suspended sentence for former Derry star and HR boss wife who lost her high-flying job over fight

Watch: GAA couple Niall and Kerri Bradley in a late-night street brawl

John Toner Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 12:58

A former Derry GAA star and his wife have been handed suspended prison sentences for a shocking late-night brawl outside a kebab shop.
A United Nations patrol vehicle with six Irish soldiers on board was caught up in an air attack in a village in south Lebanon on Saturday.

Eight troops, including six Irish and two Polish, were on an armed patrol when there was a drone or air attack on a village.

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin said none of the soldiers were injured in the attack, but damage was caused to the vehicle in which they were travelling.

Speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Mr Martin said that the incident was still under investigation and further clarity on the incident would be given later.

Essentially about eight soldiers, two armoured vehicles, six Irish and two Polish, they were on routine patrol and there was an attack, either drone or airstrike on the village that they were patrolling through, he said.

They had come out, it seems, from the other end of the village. And shrapnel or whatever appears to have pierced the vehicles.

They were safe and emerged unscathed, and are back at camp.

I would prefer to await further investigation (from Defence Forces) to identify the source of that.

We have ideas as to who would have made that particular attack but I would say at this stage, we will be making representations on foot of this, on the basis that both the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) and Hezbollah must fulfil their obligations to peacekeepers.

There are thousands of peacekeepers in Lebanon to keep the peace. Its the most noble, objective thing to do and we take the full protection of our soldiers very seriously and I have already been in touch with the (Defence Forces) chief Anthony McKenna of staff about this.

But what I would say is we will make representations on the foot of this, both the IDF and Hezbollah must fulfil their obligations to peacekeepers.

"It is the most noble objective that one can pursue and do, and we must take the protection of those soldiers very seriously.

"Well be receiving further information later this afternoon but it is a serious incident, it illustrates the wider escalation of the war in Lebanon in terms of the danger to peacekeepers and the civilian population in Lebanon itself.

And its matter of greatest concern.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has called for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to growing evidence of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

It comes after health officials in the territory said an Israeli airstrike on a school compound in Gaza killed around 100 people.

Mr Harris said this weekend has brought the grisly milestone of 40,000 deaths in Gaza a step closer, adding that he is particularly disturbed by confirmation by the United Nations that the number of aid deliveries reaching Gaza has halved.

There was a daily average of 169 trucks in April which decreased to fewer than 80 trucks in June and July.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2024

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also says that only 24 of 67 planned aid missions to northern Gaza this month have been facilitated by Israel, he said, adding that the UN has assessed that more than 80pc of Gaza has been placed under evacuation orders since last October.

When people are told to leave, they have nowhere to go, so they often go to schools. 490 of Gazas schools have been bombed or damaged since the start of the war, and this weekends images from inside al-Tabaeen school are gut-wrenching, he said.

"Ireland condemns outright such awful and wholesale loss of civilian life. A ceasefire remains urgently needed, and all sides must immediately work in good faith to bring one about.

We have all been horrified by the many undoubted war crimes that have been committed in Gaza. There can be no impunity. Those responsible must be held to account, Mr Harris added.

He called for all the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice to be implemented in full as too many innocent lives have been lost in 10 months.

The world is standing at the precipice of a horrific moment, and yet all levers to bring an end to the violence are not being used.

He again called for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The Agreement contains human rights clauses, and I do not believe it is conscionable for the EU to continue to render them redundant.

Ireland calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of Israeli hostages, and for aid trucks to flow unimpeded.
Rose of Tralee contestant: How empowering can something be if youre not being paid for your work and time?

Bidding to become the Rose of Tralee can be a demanding and costly process, as one former contestant found out

Eleanor O'Dwyer found her Rose of Tralee journey to be bittersweet. Photo: Frank McGrath

Eleanor O'Dwyer Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 03:30

Entering the Rose of Tralee competition seems like a rite of passage for every Irish woman who never got detention in school. On a Sunday evening in the middle of last January, I sent off my application to enter the Dublin Rose competition and paid my registration fee, not thinking much more of it.
Saoirse Hanley: As the office siren trend attests, Gen Z are moving the goalposts on attitudes to work  but its not due to a lack of ambition
A 35 acre roadside holding in north Wexford is up for online auction on Wednesday, August 14.

A 35 acre roadside holding in north Wexford is up for online auction on Wednesday, August 14.

A 35 acre roadside holding in north Wexford is up for online auction on Wednesday, August 14.

A 35 acre roadside holding in north Wexford is for sale by online auction at 12 midday on Wednesday, August 14.

Quinn Property present this good quality holding in Ballinakill, Courtown, Gorey. The holding which is currently in grass, is close to a range of amenities in the area, such as a primary school, creche, community centre, supermarket, pub, pharmacy and church.

Benefiting from extensive road frontage, the holding is subdivided into two lots with 12.5 acres divided into two fields. Lot three comprises of 22.9 acres divided into four fields with extensive road frontage onto two roads and there is also a small yard with a shed included in this lot.

The land will be offered for sale in the following lots; lot 2 of 12.5 acres and lot three of 22.9 acres.

Due to the extensive road frontage, the site may have potential for a residence, following the relevant planning permission being obtained.
The co-owner of a state-licensed cannabis shop has accused Blasdell Police of dragging their feet in an investigation into the Feb. 23 theft of $389,000 in marijuana products from the business.

But thats only one of many accusations in the case, which also includes a landlord-tenant dispute, a related lawsuit and the theft of a NO PARKING sign.

For their part, police say they are conducting a careful investigation into what is believed to be the largest marijuana theft from a licensed cannabis shop in New York.

No arrests have been made in connection with the burglary, which took place at the 716 Cannabis shop on Electric Avenue, police and the crime victim told The Buffalo News on Friday.

Whoever stole the cannabis products had enough inside information and equipment to open several locked doors, disable two security camera systems and use a numerical code to open a walk-in vault, from which the products were stolen, co-owner John Duncan said.

Duncan said the intruder or intruders stole more than 6,000 items, more than three-quarters of the shops inventory, including gummies, cannabis flower and vapes.

Despite security, Blasdell marijuana shop owner says burglars stole $389,000 in product from vault Whoever stole the pot on Feb. 23 was able to get through several locked doors, disable two security camera systems and use a numerical code to open the vault at the 716 Cannabis shop on Electric Avenue, according to co-owner John Duncan.

I believe the police know who did it, but they are dragging their feet and refuse to make an arrest, said Duncan, who runs the shop with his wife, Ashley Brown.

Duncan declined to name the person he suspects of the crime, but told The News that he hired a private investigator who  in his view  has been able to identify the thief.

Police Chief John Payne told The News he did not want to discuss details of the investigation, but he denied Duncans claims that police know who committed the crime and are reluctant to make an arrest.

I would absolutely deny that we are dragging our feet, Payne said. Were not just looking to make an arrest; were looking to make an arrest that results in a conviction. Were doing things properly ... Its not unusual for a criminal investigation to take months, sometimes years.

One other interested party spoke to The News about the case Friday. He is the landlord for 716 Cannabis, Michael Ritchie Jr.

Ritchie, who owns the building where the burglary took place, said he and Duncan have been involved in a heated legal fight over the property for more than a year. He accused Duncan of trying to frame him for stealing nearly $400,000 worth of pot products.

Absolutely not, I had nothing to do with it, Ritchie told The News. But John Duncan has been telling the police and other people that I did it.

Ritchie said police have questioned him at length about the crime. He said he took a polygraph exam  commonly known as a lie detector  at the request of police months ago.

After the polygraph, police told me I was cleared, Ritchie said.

Ritchie, who runs a towing business that tows vehicles for Blasdell Police and other police agencies, said he also voluntarily allowed police to search his towing business for any signs of stolen marijuana.

And I also allowed them to bring a drug-sniffing dog out to some property I own in Franklinville, Ritchie said. They searched that, too, and they found nothing.

Asked about Ritchies statements, Payne told a reporter that he would not dispute what Ritchie said, but declined to comment further.

Duncan declined to discuss whether he suspects Ritchie of committing the crime. Duncan said he does not want to make his dispute with his landlord worse than it already is.

While neither Ritchie or Duncan mentioned it during interviews, state court records show that Ritchie sued 716 Cannabis on May 24, accusing 716 Cannabis of reneging on a promise it made regarding a lease agreement.

According to Ritchies lawsuit, 716 Cannabis in 2023 leased 850 square feet of retail space from Ritchie, agreeing to pay him 10 percent of monthly net profits.

Last year, Ritchie said he spent $90,000 to expand the building and add 3,700 more square feet for the cannabis shop at the request of Duncan and Brown.

According to the lawsuit, Duncan and Brown agreed to sign a new lease with a bigger guaranteed payment to Ritchie, but then refused to sign the new lease.

As a result of 716 CANNABIS LLC.,s refusal to enter into a new lease agreement, respondent has unfairly occupied a retail space more than four times the space it had contracted for, and as such has been unjustly enriched in this manner since its opening in January of 2024, Ritchie stated in his lawsuit.

Asked about the lawsuit, Duncan said: We havent broken any laws, ethically, morally or legally.

Last month, acting on a complaint from Ritchie, Blasdell officers arrested Duncan on charges of petit larceny and criminal mischief. Duncan said Ritchie accused him of stealing a NO PARKING sign. Blasdell Police confirmed that Duncan was charged in the case.

Duncan said the NO PARKING signs were designed to harass his customers, an accusation denied by Ritchie.

When asked if insurance will cover his losses from the theft, Duncan said, Thats one of the things were still working on.
Cheryl Poole showcases some of the nesting boxes they've placed on the farm to help many of our endangered species of bats and wild birds.

Some of the farm families in the River Bann area gathered for a discussion group as part of the Farming for Water River Slaney Project on Alan and Cheryl Poole's farm near Gorey in Co. Wexford.

Tirlan suppliers who engage with the new Farm Support Service in the Slaney catchment could receive a minimum of 650 for taking positive water protection action.

A recent Bann discussion group meeting held on Alan and Cheryl Pooles family farm in Ballyowen, Gorey is the first in a series of action-driven gatherings of farmer suppliers on the Slaney River, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified as a catchment of concern through its ongoing water monitoring programme.

Mrs Poole revealed one of the key factors that influenced investment and planning when they took over their family farm was to ensure it was efficient and reduced stress on the family as well as on the river that flows just below their farmyard.

We always intended to have more slurry storage than we needed. Its done now and its such a relief for us going forward. We dont have that stress anymore and we dont have to worry about or fuss over scraping our yard or worrying about any potential run-off. No matter what the weather, were covered, said Mrs Poole.

The discussion group was attended by over 30 farmers in north Wexford who learned about the support available for rainwater management, training and nutrient foot printing as well as suppliers which were part of a new Water EIP. The group came together to work with Tirlan, Teagasc and other partners as part of the next step in the newly-launched Farming for Water River Slaney Project.

Suppliers gathered for the information-sharing event and heard how their farm enterprises can become more economically and environmentally sustainable while also improving water quality.

Teagasc Regional Manager, Ger Shortle, said there are water quality challenges in the Slaney catchment due to a number of factors, including the free-draining soil in the area.

Reducing Nitrogen loss does take a whole-of-community effort. Availing of the Farming for Water EIP is a big focus for us. The big, vulnerable period for tillage is from when crops are cut to February time. The use of cover crops is crucial over this period to significantly take up Nitrogen. Approximately half of farms in Wexford have some tillage and we will be driving hard on the cover crop issue to give us a quick response.

The River Slaney project is a great example of collaboration and has the potential to make a huge difference. Todays fabulous turnout for a relatively small catchment is an indication that you, the farmers, want to make that difference, drive that change, said Mr Shortle.

The retention of Irelands Nitrates Derogation has been identified by suppliers in a recent Tirlan census as a key concern, particularly when making investment decisions on-farm, Thomas Ryan, Tirlan, told the discussion group.

We decided as a 100% farmer-owned co-op not just to be spectators in the ongoing discussions around the retention of the derogation but to support our farm family suppliers with knowledge and expertise to improve on-farm economic and environmental performance, as part of a Farm Support Service. We stood up the Farming for Water River Slaney Project. Alan and Cheryl Poole, to their credit, have very much pioneered this project in the local community. This has contributed to a high level of active engagement by our farm family suppliers.

A significant part of this project is the Farm Support Service, a Tirlan initiative in collaboration with Teagasc and LawPro. We have focused on six key areas  slurry storage, improving on-farm nutrient use, improving milk solids, our carbon footprint, biodiversity and on-farm critical source areas. We know that by focusing on these core areas we can enhance on-farm economic and environmental performance, said Mr Ryan.

Mr Ryan urged farmers in the catchment to get in touch with the Farm Support Service team and avail of the support, technical guidance and information available to help future proof their family farm businesses.
Ambassador played a pivotal role in the Irish peace process

Martin Fraser, the current Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, will deliver the closing address for the 2024 Kennedy Summer School programme.

Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, Martin Fraser is the latest well-known political personality announced for the Kennedy Summer School.

Mr Fraser will deliver the closing address for the 2024 Kennedy Summer School programme on Saturday, August 31, at St. Michaels Theatre in New Ross.

Mr Fraser served as the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach from August 2011 to May 2022 and as the Assistant Secretary-General from 2007 to 2011, where he played a pivotal role in the Irish peace process by leading the Northern Ireland division. Since becoming the Irish Ambassador to the UK in 2022, Mr Fraser has worked tirelessly to strengthen the vital connections between Ireland and Britain.

His diplomatic mission is being carried out against the backdrop of ongoing challenges and opportunities in Anglo-Irish relations, including the impact of Brexit on Ireland and the Irish community in Britain, and the importance of nurturing Northern Irelands hard-won peace.

Speaking about the occasion one of the directors of the Kennedy Summer School, Dr Brian Murphy said: Ambassador Fraser brings with him a distinguished career in public service. We are very honoured this year to have the current Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom deliver the closing address and to also have His Excellency Paul Johnston, the British Ambassador to Ireland officially open the Kennedy Summer School on Thursday, August 29. Both occasions will be ones not to be missed.

Set in the ancestral hometown of President John F. Kennedy, the 2024 Kennedy Summer School promises a rich blend of history, politics and culture, with a host of distinguished guests and speakers throughout its three days. Notable discussions include a debate on whether Irish emigrants should have a say in Irish politics and a panel of Irish voices on the US Presidential election. Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny will participate in the Edward M. Kennedy interview with Marie-Louise ODonnell, and current Taoiseach Simon Harris will participate in the Noel Whelan interview by Sinead McSweeney.

Other highlights include a forum on crime and anti-social behaviour, and a discussion titled, The NATO Divide: perspectives on Irelands neutrality and national security.On a lighter note, a panel will explore Bruce Springsteens Irish heritage, featuring fans like David McCullagh, Ralph Riegel, Lise Hand, Prof Kirk Curnutt and genealogist Fiona Fitzsimons. The line-up of speakers includes prominent figures from both sides of the Atlantic, such as Dr Laura Barberena, Alan Tierney, Mandy Johnston, Sarah Carey, Dr. Mark Henry, Hugh OConnell, and many more. Maj Gen Timothy M. Zadalis, Vice Commander of the U.S. Air Forces, will also be among the speakers.

Though tickets to the Kennedy Tea Party and Luncheon are sold out, some other event tickets remain on sale, 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.
Focus Ireland is calling on Wicklows business leaders to unite to help end the nations homelessness crisis by sleeping out for Shine A Light on the national day of empathy and action for those in homelessness.

The charity recently issued an open letter signed by Pat Dennigan, Focus Ireland CEO, and supported by Bord Gais Energy, addressed to the heads of all Irish business organisations.

It asks them to use their resources and innovative capabilities to make a practical impact on Irelands housing and homelessness issue, and to lead by example this October 11 for Shine A Light, by taking part in a sleep out.

Sleeping out for one night is not the same as experiencing homelessness, but it is a chance for people to show they care and stand in solidarity with over 14,303 people now homeless in Ireland, Mr Dennigan said.

In the letter to business leaders, Mr Dennigan said homelessness is one of the most pressing social issues facing Ireland today, describing the most recent homelessness figures as heart-breaking, also highlighting the fact that despite Irelands current economic prosperity, homelessness in Ireland is now higher than at any point in recent history.

In response to the crisis, Focus Ireland, supported by Bord Gais Energy, is calling for Irelands business leaders and the wider community to unite for Shine A Light on October 11, to create a national day of empathy and action for those living in hidden homelessness.

Business leaders are being asked to sign up for an official Shine A Light sleep out fundraising event in TU Dublin, Grangegorman or Cork City Gaol, and to challenge a colleague or peer to join them.

Businesses are also encouraged to organise a Workplace Sleep Out on their own premises for employees.

Social media giant Meta, along with global engineering and construction company John Sisk & Son, were among the first to pledge support with companies from all sectors across Ireland expected to follow suit over the coming weeks.

By shining a light on this critical issue and raising vital funds to help take more people out of homelessness, together we can help reassure people experiencing homelessness that they are not forgotten, Mr Dennigan added.

Speaking about the call for the business community to shine a light on the issue and take action to help end homelessness, Dave Kirwan, Managing Director, Bord Gais Energy, said: As business leaders, I believe our responsibility goes beyond our corporate walls to the communities we serve.

I encourage CEOs, managing directors and senior executives to join me in the annual Shine A Light Business Leader Sleep Out on October 11. Its not just about stepping outside our comfort zone for a night, its about raising vital funds for Focus Ireland, who are providing workable solutions to the problem.

Its also an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with colleagues and peers about this critical issue. By participating in Shine A Light, we can amplify our collective voice and influence, take our own practical action to help, and contribute to creating a fairer future for all.

It has been our privilege to support Focus Irelands Shine A Light event since 2018. We cannot stress enough the importance of Focus Irelands work tackling homelessness.

Meadhbh Quinn, Bord Gais Energy, Head of Marketing, commented: As a community, we believe our collective efforts can bring about meaningful change and restore hope to thousands of families and individuals who find themselves in desperate circumstances.

Together, we can create a future where every individual and family in Ireland has a safe and stable place to call home. By giving up just one night, we can help Focus Ireland raise vital funds to help end family homelessness.

To sign up to take part in Shine A Light or find more information, visit shinealight.focusireland.ie
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has said he was invited to meet Snoop Dogg as he said the rapper told him the show reminded him of how he got involved in gang culture.

Knight, 65, said he had found that the programme had a pretty universal reach, as people from Buenos Aires to Eastern Europe could understand its characters were the same as anybody else.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, Knight said: His (Doggs) manager Ted met me, and we went up to the room and hed built this thing to smoke about a foot long.

Snoop Dogg is said to have told Steven Knight he related to Peaky Blinders (John Walton/PA)

Im drinking beer, Teds drinking gin, and we have this conversation and Snoop was saying that Peaky reminded him of how he got involved in gang culture, and in the south central and Detroit.

But it was really interesting because it told me the story of his life and it was all about family.

It was all about family keeping you in and escaping from family to do the bad stuff and then the family relocating their emotions and loyalties to follow you and then escaping again.

He was such a great bloke, he was so nice to talk to, but it just made me understand that there is something in Peaky, that one has luckily come across, that is pretty universal, I think.

He said he felt the show was relatable as it showed working class people as larger than life rather than viewing them from the perspective of arent they hilarious or isnt it a shame.

Knight added that a lot of Peaky Blinders had come from stories his dad had told him from when he was a child.

The writer added: Most things about working class people are like either, arent they hilarious, or isnt it a shame.

Its not true, I think that misses the whole point, to see working class live from that perspective is so reductive.

I experienced it with my dad when we used to go shoeing horses, like in the gypsy scrap metal yard, people that we would meet were just so larger than life, they were so rebellious.

They were on the other side of the law, but they were but really warm, and great people.

I know that sounds like a contradiction but I wanted to get some of that respect for ones own life into this, that these are people are living big glamorous, dramatic lives, and that the emotions and passions of these people are the same as anybody else.

And try to create what turned out to be fortunately, like a global landscape, where people in Eastern Europe, and people in Buenos Aires, and people in Rio are getting it and feeling the same thing.

Along with Peaky Blinders, Knight is one of the three creators of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? game show, and has also written the screenplays for Dirty Pretty Things and The Detectives.

Knight included Bob Dylans I Want You, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Red Right Hand, and Birmingham City anthem Keep Right On To The End Of The Road, sung by Harry Lauder, in his record selections.

The episode of Desert Island Discs will air on BBC Radio 4 at 10am, and will also be made available on BBC Sounds.
The Philippines military chief condemned what he said was the provocative actions of two Chinese air force aircraft that executed a dangerous manoeuvre and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force plane on routine patrol in the South China Sea.
A damaged house is seen after shelling by the Ukrainian side in the city of Sudzha, Kursk region that borders Ukraine. Photo: AP

Early last week Russian commanders in Kursk warned of an unusual build-up of Ukrainian forces on the border. Drones had begun to hammer at trench lines manned by inexperienced border guards. But Moscow paid little heed to the situation on this hitherto quiet section of the frontline in Ukraines north-east.
The US government has provided the first official explanation of the mysterious flight that carried two Sinaloa cartel leaders to the United States last month, denying that American agents or a US plane took part in spiriting El Chapo Guzmans son and Ismael El Mayo Zambada out of Mexico.

Ken Salazar, the US ambassador to Mexico, said a betrayal in the highest ranks of the cartel was behind the operation. The aircraft didnt even file a flight plan with the US, he said. It took off from Mexicos western state of Sinaloa on July 25 and landed at the airport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, just outside El Paso, he said.
LATEST | Israel widens evacuation order after deadly strike on Gaza school-turned-shelter

Michael D Higgins condemns Israeli strike on shelter for displaced in Gaza after 80 are killedHamas says attack on school came during dawn prayers, but IDF claims it hit militants

Palestinians pray next to bodies after yesterdays Israeli strike. Photo: Reuters

Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 03:30







The Israeli military ordered more evacuations in southern Gaza early on Sunday after a deadly air strike on a school-turned-shelter in the north killed at least 80 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and China are working to further strengthen economic ties, particularly in the fields of agriculture, information technology, mining, and infrastructure, according to a statement by Prime Minister's Office.

Speaking on Friday to the representatives of foreign companies operating in Pakistan, including those from China, in the country's southern port city of Karachi, Sharif said that economic ties between the two countries will further expand during the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Sharif said that during his official visit to China in June, he toured an agricultural university and a research center spanning hundreds of acres of land in China's Shaanxi province, emphasizing that if Pakistani graduates receive training from the institutions, they could help revolutionize the agricultural sector in Pakistan.

"Pakistan is an agricultural country, 60 percent of the population lives in rural areas, and we need to increase our agricultural production," he said, adding that last year Pakistan's agricultural exports increased by 3 billion U.S. dollars in value, and are planned to rise by 7 billion U.S. dollars this year.

Pakistan needs to adopt modern technology and methods to increase agricultural production and China can be an important partner for Pakistan in achieving these goals, the prime minister said.

He added that Pakistan and China will start joint ventures in the textile industry and agricultural production during CPEC's second phase, and these products will be exported to other countries.

Pakistan and China will develop a joint modus operandi in this regard, which will be equally beneficial for both countries, Sharif said.

Launched in 2013, the CPEC is a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. It is a corridor linking the Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The project highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation in the first phase, and in the second phase expands to the fields of agriculture and livelihood, among others.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

NIPL collaborated with Fonepay, Nepal's payment network, to launch the cross-border P2M UPI acceptance in March 2024.

"Thismilestone signifies a new era of digital payment connectivity and collaboration between thetwo neighbouring countries," read a statement issued by the National Payments Corporation of India.

What is UPI payment system?

UPI is India's popular mobile-based real-time payment system, which enables instant personaland merchant payments.

The introduction of UPI has simplified payments for Indians travellingto Nepal.

Furthermore, Nepali travellers to India can also experience UPI payments now viaUPI One World.

Visitors can use the UPI One World app to make payments at merchantlocations by simply scanning the QR codes, making it easier for them to explore Indias richculture, cuisine, and many diverse experiences.

An NPCI International spokesperson, said, We are happy with the positive feedback receivedsince the introduction of UPI merchant acceptance in Nepal. This milestone is a testament toour commitment to simplifying cross-border transactions between the two nations andenabling new avenues for trade and commerce. Given that Indians constitute the largestnumber of visitors to Nepal, we expect continued growth in UPI transactions. Furthermore, webelieve this initiative will contribute significantly to the economic development of both thecountries.

UPI is currently accepted in Bhutan, France (Eiffel Tower - Online, Galeries Lafayette),Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and UAE.

It is one of the largest real-time paymentsplatform globally. As per a recent ACI Worldwide report, 49% of the worlds real-time paymentswere made in India in 2023.

NIPL has also collaborated with Nepal SBI Bank Limited (NSBL), to operationalise RuPaycards in Nepal.

RuPay is a global card payment network from India with wide acceptance atATMs, POS devices and ecommerce website.
Photo courtesy: Pixabay/RG Kar Medical College and Hospital website

Kolkata/IBNS: Even as massive outrage continues over the "rape and murder" of a second-year female medical student at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College Hospital, politics, like another incident, crept in this one too with the ruling Trinamool Congress now putting the ball in the Bharatiya Janata Party's court, demanding a law to fast-track trials and ensure exemplary punishment in such cases.

The BJP, on the other hand, has targeted the Mamata Banerjee government over the heinous crime and pointed to the degrading law and order situation in the state.

"You can hide the data in the National Crime Records. But the kind of incidents that are happening prove that they (women) are not in a good situation," Union Minister and state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar has said.

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, has demanded a CBI inquiry into the RG Kar Hospital incident.

#WATCH | Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar says, "There is also a possibility of rape. The police have not said anything clearly till now, they said that there is an injury in the internal parts. I feel that it cannot be the work of one person...Circumstantial evidence says that pic.twitter.com/OWHI4QNNt0  ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2024

"Instead of addressing the issue seriously, the state government has formed an 11-member inquiry committee, which bizarrely includes some interns. It seems the government is either trying to cover up its negligence or is not taking this matter seriously," he has said.

The Left, too, has joined the bandwagon demanding a CBI probe. CPM state secretary Mohd Salim has said, "The City of Joy has turned into a City of bhoy (fear). No one is safe under this Trinamool Congress government, the whole country is condemning the gruesome incident."

The Congress, Trinamool's ally in Delhi, has joined the protests with party workers joining the doctors' protests and demanding that their representatives be included in the inquiry committee.

Trinamool's Response

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured that she will seek death penalty for the perpetrator. While she mostly opposes CBI investigation in cases related to Bengal, the Trinamool chief this time has said her government has no objections to a central agency probe.

The state government, she has said, has "nothing to hide".

Speaking to ABP Ananda, Banerjee said, "This was an inhuman and deplorable crime. I feel as if I have lost a family member. We can never defend such a crime. There can be no leniency for this kind of crime."

"I stand by the doctors. Their demands are completely justified... The role of the hospital authorities will also be probed and if negligence is proved, action will be taken," she added.

Meanwhile, Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has said those convicted in such cases should be given "capital punishment or encounter".

"The Centre should bring in an ordinance calling for immediate action against such culprits. This could be made into an amendment after six months," he said, assuring that the Trinamool will support such a law. He hoped that the other Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Left, would have no objection either.

Banerjee said such a law would prevent prolonged trials that can last five to six years and save taxpayers' money. "These rapists, who don't deserve to live in society, should be dealt with either through encounter or by hanging," he said.

Progress in the case so far:

Earlier, one person has been detained in connection with the case even as anger and protest over the incident spread.

According to reports, the detained person is a civic volunteer with the police and had regular access to visit the hospital. He has been charged under sections relating to rape and murder. The civic volunteer, according to multiple media reports, was known for throwing his weight around and harassing women in the past. He had reportedly married five times with his first wife dying from cancer.

A civic volunteers, usually recruited from among the ruling party cadres (read Trinamool Congress in West Bengal), is tasked to assist police for traffic management or assist during major festivals in the state and also work in places where unauthorized parking of vehicles occurs.

The case against the accused is based on circumstantial evidence and testimonies of doctors on night duty at the time of the incident, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has said. "We arrested him due to his strong complicity in the case based on CCTV footage," said Goyal. The accused has been produced in a local court where no lawyer agreed to represent him, said reports.

The body of the 31-year-old post-graduate student had injury marks all over, including her private parts, and was recovered under mysterious conditions.

The victim hailed from Sodepur near Kolkata and was pursuing her post-graduation in Chest Medicine. She was on duty on Thursday night.

The autopsy report states that the victim was bleeding from eyes, mouth and private parts. Injury marks were visible on the face, lips, neck, nails, stomach, right-hand ring finger, left leg and left leg ankle, media reports said.
S Jaishakar conveys PM Modi's greetings to Muizzu. Photo credit: Muizzu X handle

Male/IBNS: Amid improving relations between the two countries once after a diplomatic standoff last year, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at the Presidential office here and virtually handed over multi-million-USD water and sanitation projects that benefit upto 32 islands of the archipelagic nation.

Commissioned under the Indian Line of Credit, Jaishankar said: "This project has brought safe drinking water to so many islands, to 32 islands and introduced sewerage systems in 17 islands. I am happy to note that this has directly impacted the lives of 28,000 Maldivians I believe."

"And under this project, the latest technologies have been used to provide clean drinking water and safe sewerage disposal. In addition, the buildings are also equipped with solar energy providing support to the island grids. With a total funding of USD 110 million, this is the largest climate adaptation implemented in Maldives with international collaboration," he said.

The optics of the recent India-Maldives cooperation assumes significance after a season of diplomatic tensions that reached a flashpoint last year over remarks by some Maldivian ministers against Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, to promote the Indian Union Territory having the potential to compete with tourism major Maldives.

Known to be a pro-China politician, Muizzu also directed the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country, known as a popular travel destination for its picturesque beaches.

However, faced with the massive loss of Indian holidaymakers to tourism-dependent Maldives and opposition protests, President Mizzou soon changed his policy and started warming up to India. He also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi.

My remarks at inauguration of Addu Reclamation Project and Addu Shore Protection Project in Maldives. https://t.co/pn0DL4zXLQ  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 11, 2024

Speaking at the inauguration of the "Water & Sanitation Project in Maldives Jaishankar on Saturday said: "It is really a great pleasure today to be at the Presidents Office in Maldives for the virtual inauguration and handing over of the Water and Sanitation Projects in 28 islands, commissioned under the Indian Line of Credit in the august presence of the President."

S Jaishakar meets President Muizzu in Male. Photo credit: Muizzu X handle

"The bedrock of our partnership is the mutual benefit of our peoples. This is manifested in diverse sectors of our cooperation  health, education, large infrastructure development, defence, maritime, agriculture, banking and adapting for climate resilience," he said.

"In our efforts to expand the scope and benefits of development cooperation, we are mindful of the challenges posed by climate change, especially for small island developing states such as the Maldives, which are even more vulnerable to the vagaries of rising sea levels," he said.

"One of the immediate concerns is the availability and access of freshwater resources. It has been our objective to provide ecologically sustainable low cost solutions to our development partners so that they are not only able to access potable water but also have the capability to treat sewage, thereby, protecting the delicate ecology of these islands and atolls.

He said the completion of this project has supplemented the Government of Maldives' endeavours in reaching its Sustainable Development Goals by establishing climate resilient and cost-effective water and sewerage systems.

"I am sure that this will go a long way in improving the lives of the women in these islands who bear the primary burden of fetching clean water," he said.

Muizzu thanks India



President Mohamed Muizzu in a post on X, thanked India for the project and said: "I thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister @narendramodi for always supporting the Maldives. Our enduring partnership continues to strengthen, bringing our nations closer through cooperation in security, development, and cultural exchange. Together, we build a brighter, more prosperous future for the region."

It was a pleasure to meet @DrSJaishankar today and join him in the official handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands of the Maldives. I thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister @narendramodi for always supporting the Maldives. Our enduring partnership pic.twitter.com/fYtFb5QI6Q  Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) August 10, 2024

The Indian external affairs minister's visit followed the visit of President Muizzu to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Narendra Modi government on June 9.
Photo courtesy: Video grab

New Delhi: Former deputy Delhi CM Manish Sisodia has taken the reins of AAPs campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi and Haryana as Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal is still in jail, according to media reports.

Sisodia, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with corruption and money laundering charges related to the Delhi liquor policy case, is set to hold a meeting with senior party members today.

The 52-year-old was released from Tihar jail on Friday after spending 17 months in custody, giving a boost to AAP, which is still recovering from the setback of Kejriwal's imprisonment in the alleged liquor policy scam.

The AAP leaders' meeting is set to take place at 6 pm at Sisodia's residence.

Assembly elections in Haryana, where AAP has declared its intention to contest all 90 seats, are scheduled for later this year, while the polls in Delhi's 70 constituencies are anticipated in early 2025.

Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, has been a central figure in the rise of AAP since its formation following the 2011 anti-corruption movement.

Before stepping down from his cabinet duties, Sisodia managed 18 key portfolios, including education, finance, planning, land and building, vigilance, women and child development, as well as art, culture, and languages, among others.

He resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023, just two days after being arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for alleged irregularities in the creation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22.

Sisodia has been elected to the Delhi Assembly three times, representing the Patparganj constituency in East Delhi.
BSF jawans Photo Courtesy: BSF South Bengal Kolkata X page

An Indian Border Security Force jawan maintained his calm and composure in dealing with a large number of Bangladeshi citizens who were trying to take refuge in the neighbouring nation amid ongoing turmoil in the country which even forced former PM Sheikh Hasina to escape from Dhaka.

In a video which has now gone viral on social media, the jawan could be seen addressing the crowd in Bengali and informing them they would not be allowed to enter India illegally until a solution is reached with Bangladesh following discussions.

In the presence of a large number of Bangladeshi citizens who were seeking refuge in India amid the ongoing violence and radicals targeting minority houses and temples, the BSF personnel could be heard saying: "Listein to me first, we all know the problem you all are facing in your country. But do you think we can allow you all to cross the border like this? There will be discussions and we will see what steps could be taken to ensure your safety."

"Our seniors are here and they are discussing the matter. You all can understand that a solution to the ongoing problem cannot be reached within an hour or two. I am requesting you on behalf of our country to return back right now."

This video of a #BSF officer calmly explaining to Bangladeshis why they can't enter India illegally is heartbreaking, inspirational & reassuring all at once.



Heartbreaking to see the desperation; inspirational to witness the officers calm composure; reassuring to know the pic.twitter.com/oOxqF7oTid  Milind Deora |    (@milinddeora) August 11, 2024

Some people from the crowd could be heard saying that they should be allowed to enter India since they feared their houses would be torched.

According to reports, the BSF recently sent back over one thousand people who assembled along the India-Bangla border in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal on Friday.

They were reportedly trying to enter India from Nkhoaeesh.

Sources in the BSF had earlier told The Indian Express that the men began gathering on the Bangladeshi side in Golenaohati Gram Panchayat under Sitalkuchi police station, in Sitalkuchi block, Cooch Behar district on Friday morning.

By afternoon, a mob of around 1,000 people tried to cross the zero point and even walked on the Khurpa Nallah on the Indo-Bangla border, the newspaper reported.

India on Friday said it has formed a committee that will monitor the current situation on the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in the wake of the violence that the neighbouring nation is witnessing and even led to the fall of the former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X: " In the wake of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Modi government has constituted a committee to monitor the current situation on the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB)."

Shah said the committee will maintain communication channels with their counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus, and other minority communities living in the country

"The committee will be headed by the ADG, Border Security Force, Eastern Command," Shah said.

Signalling the beginning of a new era after 15 years of Sheikh Hasina's regime, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath as the head of the interim government in Bangladesh on Thursday.

Former PM Sheikh Hasina was forced to quit and escape to India on Monday amid violent protests which left hundreds of people dead in the country.
Photo Courtesy: President of India X page

Indian President Droupadi Murmu was recently conferred with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste.

It is the highest civilian honour in the country.

Sharing the pictures of the event, the official President of India's X page wrote: " President Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest civilian award, upon President Droupadi Murmu. The award is in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women. President Murmu said that the honour is a reflection of the ties of friendship between India and Timor-Leste."

President Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest civilian award, upon President Droupadi Murmu. The award is in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and pic.twitter.com/V7YmnW7Jiu  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 10, 2024

Murmu arrived in the country after concluding her official visits to Fiji and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Murmu has concluded her three-country tour and arrived in New Delhi.

After arriving in India, the official X page of the president said: " President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Delhi after completing her State visits to Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste."

Reacting to the president receiving the honour, Indian PM Narendra Modi posted on X: "It is a proud moment for us to see Rashtrapati Ji being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nations highest civilian award."

It is a proud moment for us to see Rashtrapati Ji being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nations highest civilian award.



This reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between our countries. It is also a recognition of her monumental pic.twitter.com/t7UgmwcEtu  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 11, 2024

He said the event showed the strong ties shared between two countries.

"This reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between our countries. It is also a recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years," he said.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Sunday asked investors to remain calm and exercise due diligence before reacting to the report released by New York-headquartered Hindenburg Research.

In its latest report, Hindenburg alleged that Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chief Madhabi Puri Buch previously held investments in offshore funds which were also used by Adani Group.

Also read: 'Discredited short-seller, recycled claims': Adani Group on Hindenburg's new report

SEBI said: "Investors may also like to take note of the disclaimer in the report that states that readers should assume that Hindenburg Research may have short positions in the securities covered in the report."



"The report inter alia claims that SEBI has not taken any action against the AdaniGroup. It questions SEBIs action of issuing a show cause notice to Hindenburg Research on June 27, 2024," SEBI said.

"It further claims that SEBI has made changes to the SEBI (REIT) Regulations 2014, in order to benefit a diversified multinational financial conglomerate. These issues warrant an appropriate response," the market regulator further said.

SEBI said the allegations made by Hindenburg Research, against the Adani Group, have been duly investigated by it.

The market regulator further said: "Lastly, it is emphasized that SEBI has adequate internal mechanisms for addressing issues relating to conflict of interest, which include disclosure framework and provision for recusal.It is noted that relevant disclosures required in terms of holdings of securities and their transfers have been made by the Chairperson from time to time. Chairperson has also recused herself in matters involving potential conflicts of interest."

The Adani Group has dismissed the latest report from the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research, calling it "recycled claims" that had previously been "proven baseless and dismissed by the Supreme Court." The ports-to-power conglomerate stated that the allegations were driven by personal gain, with no regard for facts or the law.

"For a discredited short-seller under the scanner for several violations of Indian securities laws, Hindenburg's allegations are no more than red herrings thrown by a desperate entity with total contempt for Indian laws," the group said in an exchange filing.

The statement referred to the show-cause notice issued by SEBI, the markets regulator, last month to Hindenburg and its sole beneficial owner, Nathan Anderson.

In July, the Securities and Exchange Board of India highlighted violations by Hindenburg and Anderson under the SEBI Act, SEBI's Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices regulations, and SEBI's Code of Conduct for Research Analysts regulations.

SEBI chairman Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch, in a statement, called the report an attempted "character assassination" in response to the SEBI's July action against the short-seller.

" It is unfortunate that Hindenburg Research against whom SEBI has taken an Enforcement action and issued a show cause notice has chosen to attempt character assassination in response to the same," they said in the statement.

Rahul Gandhi reacts

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, reacted to the report and said the integrity of SEBI, the securities regulator entrusted with safeguarding the wealth of small retail investors, has been gravely compromised by the allegations against its Chairperson.

The integrity of SEBI, the securities regulator entrusted with safeguarding the wealth of small retail investors, has been gravely compromised by the allegations against its Chairperson.



Honest investors across the country have pressing questions for the government:



- Why pic.twitter.com/vZlEl8Qb4b  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 11, 2024

"It is now abundantly clear why Prime Minister Modi is so afraid of a JPC probe and what it might reveal," he said.
Photo Courtesy: Wallpaper Cave

Director James Cameron and the makers Disney have shared an update on their upcoming project Avatar 3.

The movie is officially titled Avatar: Fire and Ash.

James Cameron and actors Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington shared the stage at the D23 to show off concept art, not footage, with a look at the fire NaVi people.

I came 7,000 miles from New Zealand for this, Cameron told to the full house at the Honda Center as quoted y Deadline before revealing the title in a snippet of footage.

New cultures and settings youll see more of Pandora the planet than you ever see saw before. The new film isnt what you expect, but its definitely what you want, Cameron said.

The movie will be released on December 19, 2025.


Protest in Dhaka over atrocities on minorities as Bangladesh plunges into lawlessness after Hasina's exit. Photo courtesy FB Screenshot

Dhaka/IBNS: Bangladesh is still looking at uncertainty even as a caretaker government has been sworn in under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus amid reports of persecution of minority communities that continue to pour in.

Yunus, the interim caretaker backed by the military, appealed for peace during his visit to Rangpur on Saturday as he embraced the mother of a student shot dead by the cops.

He has also appealed for religious unity amid reports of attacks on the minorities in Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

However, the effects are yet to make any impact on the country that has been marred by violence in recent times.

Meanwhile, to add to the crisis, there has been a string of resignations from the country's various government offices. The latest on the list is Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf, who stepped down from his post on Saturday.

This comes three days after over 100 bank officials staged protests outside his office, demanding his resignation. Rouf has cited health reasons for stepping down, reported The Daily Star.

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, seen as a loyalist of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, was forced out of his office on Saturday as students surrounded the Bangladesh Supreme Court and gave him an hour's ultimatum to step down. Five more judges of the top court resigned later in the day.

Justice Syed Refat Ahmed, the senior judge of the High Court division of the Supreme Court, was appointed the country's 25th Chief Justice by President Mohammed Shahabuddin last evening.

The chief of the country's market regulator has also resigned. Prof Shibli Rubayat-Ul Islam, the chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, had not been turning up at work for several days. He, too, cited health reasons for stepping down.

Meanwhile, attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh have raised concerns. After Dhaka, Chittagong city saw a massive rally on Saturday, which was attended by tens of thousands of Hindus, demanding safety and equal rights as citizens of the country.

Brave Hindus of Bangladesh come out on the streets of Chattogram to wake up the world. Much respect for this persecuted minority seeking justice. This takes immense courage. pic.twitter.com/8YN3imulSS  Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 10, 2024

Hindus, Jews and Christians protest outside the BBC HQs in London over lack of global media attention on persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/WG6XkOa7Nw  Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 11, 2024 (In video above: Protest outside BBC hdq in London demanding adequate coverage of Hindu persecution in Bangladesh)

Incidents of violence, too, continue to be reported from across Bangladesh. Five army personnel were injured and a military vehicle was torched during a clash at an Awami League procession in Gopalganj last afternoon.

Times Square reverberates with chants of justice for Bangladeshi Hindus. #SaveBangladeshiHindus pic.twitter.com/rI5mJQbE4G  Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 10, 2024 (In video above: Protest at Times Square, New York)

Bangladesh has reported arson, killings, and multiple incidents of persecution of minority communities across 52 districts since Sheikh Hasina's resignation as the Prime Minister on August 5. Two protesters also suffered injuries.

Hasina fled the country the same day amid fears of being mobbed after protests intensified following the death of over 400 agitators in clashes with the cops.

Her residence was stormed by the protesters hours after she left the complex in a military helicopter. She landed at an airbase in India's Uttar Pradesh, hours later.
SUV speeds away from troopers, strikes motel building in Town of Niagara

A Rochester man was arrested Thursday night after an SUV fled from a traffic stop and struck a building at a motel in the Town of Niagara, State Police from the Niagara Station reported.

Jazzmyn D. Barber, 31, was charged with third-degree unlawfully fleeing, second-degree reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated by drugs and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He then was turned over to Town of Niagara Police to face additional charges.

According to the report, troopers attempted to stop a 2022 Nissan Rogue on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Wheatfield after receiving an alert about it from Town of Niagara Police who were investigating a larceny complaint.

Troopers said the Nissan sped away and a chase was abandoned due to safety concerns. The vehicle was found abandoned after it struck a building at the Scottish Inns motel, 3930 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Troopers said Barber, who was driving the vehicle, was taken into custody after a search by a State Police K-9 unit. A passenger in Barbers vehicle was not located. An investigation is continuing.

 Dale Anderson
Photo Courtesy: PID Bangladesh Facebook page

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina would have accused the US of the change in the recent regime in her country in her last speech which she was planning to deliver to the nation before her exit but could not do it since demonstrators entered her residence and she was forced to flee Dhaka last week.

According to reports, Hasina was planning to address the nation, especially the protesters who were demanding her resignation before leaving Bangldesh.

"I resigned so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it. I resigned from premiership. I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech to the people of my land, please do not be manipulated by radicals," her undelivered speech says as quoted by the Indian news channel NDTV.

"Maybe, if I had stayed in the country, more lives would have been lost. I have removed myself. You were my strength, you did not want me, so I have left," she was supposed to say in her undelivered speech.

She asked her Awami League members not to lose hope and promised to return to Bangladesh in future.

I have lost but the people of Bangladesh have won, the people for whom my father, my family died," the speech adds.

She clarified in her speech she never called the demonstrating students 'Razakars'.

Students initially started the protest in Bangladesh on the job quota issue but soon it spiralled into a movement against the government and demanded Hasina's resignation.

"I have never called you Razakars. Rather my words were distorted to incite you. I request you to watch the full video," read the speech.

The relationship between the US and Bangladesh touched a low point during Sheikh Hasina's regime.

After the January polls which saw Hasina returning to power for another term by registering a landslide victory, the former PM claimed a 'white man' offered her to create an airbase of a foreign country in her nation in return for smooth re-election in the January 7 general polls.

Hasina and her Awami League returned to power by registering a landslide victory in the election.

She did not mention the name of the country.

"Many have their eyes on this place. There is no controversy here, no conflict. I won't let that happen. This is also one of my crimes [in their eyes]," she was quoted as saying by Daily Star.

Speaking on the proposal to build an airbase, Hasina said: "The offer came from a white man."

She claimed their is also a plot to create a 'Christian state like East Timor' taking parts from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

She said, "Like East Timor ... they will carve out a Christian country taking parts of Bangladesh [Chattogram] and Myanmar with a base in the Bay of Bengal."

Following her exit, an interim government, under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, was formed.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The East Turkistan National Movement has appreciated the USA for the decision taken to ban goods produced with Uyghur forced labour.

The organization said all Chinese-made goods should be banned.

The organization wrote on X: " We appreciate the @DHSgov's prohibition of goods made with #Uyghur #SlaveLabor/#ForcedLabor. To date, a total of 73 Chinese entities had been added to the entity list of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. We urge all #MadeInChina goods to be banned."

Another group named Center for Uyghur Studies said: "The Department of Homeland Security named five companies it had added to a government blacklist, as part of its effort to eliminate goods made with #forcedlabour from the US supply chain. #UyghurForcedLabor."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of five entities based in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, bringing the total entities listed to 73.

The Department of Homeland Security named five companies it had added to a government blacklist, as part of its effort to eliminate goods made with #forcedlabour from the US supply chain. #UyghurForcedLabor https://t.co/w3cRfR3EoN  Center for Uyghur Studies (@CUyghurstudy) August 9, 2024

These additions build on DHSs commitment to eradicate forced labor and promote accountability for the PRCs ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

Effective August 9, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply a rebuttable presumption that goods produced by Century Sunshine Group Holdings, Ltd., Kashgar, Construction Engineering (Group) Co.; Ltd., Rare Earth Magnesium Technology Group Holdings, Ltd.; Xinjiang Habahe Ashele Copper Co., Ltd., and Xinjiang Tengxiang Magnesium Products Co., Ltd. will be prohibited from entering the United States.

As DHS identifies more entities across different sectors that use or facilitate forced labor, we act to keep their tainted goods out of our nations supply chains, said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. Today's announcement strengthens our enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and helps responsible companies conduct due diligence so that, together, we can keep the products of forced labor out of our country. We will continue to implement this law with full force in our efforts to fight the exploitation and abuse of the Uyghur people and other persecuted groups and protect a free and fair market.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A young Jewish man was stabbed in New York by an attacker who was shouting 'Free Palestine', media reports said.

The incident reportedly occurred close to Chabad Headquarters in Crown Heights on Saturday.

The perpetrator, reportedly a black male in his early 20s, asked the victim, "Do you want to die?" before stabbing him, reported The Jerusalem Post.

A footage of the incident has gone viral online.

An X user named Yaacov Behrman, whose profile said he is the Public Relations at Chabad, wrote: " I can confirm that a hate crime stabbing occurred early this morning in Crown Heights, around 2 a.m., near Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, close to Chabad Headquarters."

"This is an extremely serious incident. The victim could have been killed. This act of hateful violence highlights the dangerous impact of anti-Semitic incitement and hate propagated by some local politicians and leaders in New York and across the United States," he said.

He said the victim was hospitalised and on his way to recovery.

"I visited the victim in the hospital tonight. He is grateful to be alive and understands that if he had been stabbed just 4 centimeters away, the result would have been very different. He is recovering and will hopefully be released in the next 24 to 48 hours," he posted on X later informing the health condition of the victim.

The incident is being investigated by the NYPDs Hate Crimes unit, reported Yeshiva World News.

The incident occurred at a time when Israel is engaged in nearly a year-long battle against Gaza following the attack by Hamas members on October 7 last year.

The cross-border attack on Israel left at least 1200 people killed and 251 abducted.
Kriti Sanon has set the fashion world abuzz with her latest Filmfare cover shoot, where she truly turns into a bombshell. The actress, known for her striking looks and impeccable style, graces the cover with an air of effortless glamour thats simply captivating. In this shoot, Kriti showcases a range of stunning outfits, each one carefully chosen to highlight her beauty and charisma.

Credit: IG/ kriti-sanon filmfare shoot

Kriti Sanon turns bombshell for the Filmfare cover

From sleek gowns to tailored suits, Kriti's wardrobe choices for this cover are a perfect blend of modern chic and timeless charm. For one of the looks, the actress is wearing a tiered black see-through skirt and a bralette, for another she is seen in a bold suit, with golden embroidery on the sleeves and a bralette inside.





Her makeup is done by Aasif Ahemd, and it is equally flawless, with a focus on bold eyes and soft, glowing skin that enhances her natural beauty. Styled by celebrity stylist, Sukriti Grover, it is spot-on, with every detail contributing to a look thats both high-fashion and accessible.

Credit: IG/ kriti sanon filmfare shoot

Kriti Sanon's appearance on the Filmfare cover is more than just a fashion statement; its a testament to her versatility and star power. Each image exudes confidence and grace, reminding us why shes one of the most admired figures in the industry today. This cover shoot isnt just about looking good; its about setting trends and making a powerful impression.

For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.
Meet 36-year-old Rachel Gunn, a university lecturer with a PhD in cultural studies, who decided to chase her dream of breakdancing at the Olympics. Representing Australia, she took to the stage with high hopesand let's just say the results were less than stellar. Sometimes, following your dreams doesn't quite go as planned!

Although 25-year-old Japan's b-girl Ami took the gold at Breaking, it was Aussie breakdancer Rachael Gunn, aka B-girl Raygunn, who left everyone talking.

She lost her three round-robin battles 18-0, 18-0, 18-0 on Friday and later acknowledged that her unique breaking style just didn't fit the event.

Credit: PTI | United States' Logan Edra and Australia's Rachael Gunn

Interestingly, Gunn holds a PhD in cultural studies, with her thesis titled Deterritorializing Gender in Sydneys Breakdancing Scene: A B-girls Experience of B-boying, which explores the intersection of gender and Sydney's breaking culture.



But the internet just can't seem to get over her performance.

Check out the reactions below:

I don't care, this is the greatest thing I've ever seen at the #Olympics #Breaking pic.twitter.com/BTf1cket3g  Quezare (@_Quezare_) August 9, 2024

What was Rachel Gunn even doing at the Olympics



She got cooked lol https://t.co/SYSkNlFgCu  keyser  (@keysersol) August 10, 2024

Breakdancing competitions were held for the first time at the Olympics in Paris.



And the main hero of this 'sport- 36-year-old Rachel Gunn from the Australian team.



She didn't even score a point from any of the judges. She says my dance moves were original.



Do watch the video! pic.twitter.com/t3PivHGcR9  Bharat Truth (@BharatTruth108) August 10, 2024

Dr Rachel Raygun Gunn, PhD in breakdancing & dance culture, Macquarie University lecturer:



All my moves are original, creativity is really important to me. I go out there and I show my artistry. I do my thing, and it represents art.



Yeah, art is so subjective     https://t.co/ENsR2EalKH  Mat Jessep (@MatJessep) August 10, 2024

What people dont get is that 1/2 the event is break, but the other 1/2 is a rap battle where Raygun had a significant lyrical advantage over her competitors. For ex heres her round 1 verse:



Well my first names Rachel

My last names Gunn

Im coming out here

To have some fun! https://t.co/Lre78OVhqk  trevin AS (@nocontexttrevin) August 9, 2024

Other comments ranged from: "It was so cringe and hard to watch when she pointed at the Australian logo on her Jersey and started Kangaroo hopping that was just. Something," to "Australia did its best to sabotage the sport right out the gates lol I refuse to believe that wasn't some sort of act of protest."

What is 'Breaking'?

Breakdancing, officially called Breaking, made its debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Originating in New York in the 1970s at block parties, the term "Breaking" reflects the dance style performed during the breaks of DJ tracks.

While "breakdancing" is the more familiar term, Breaking includes techniques like standing footwork (top rock) and floor movements (down rock).

Credit: X/ @sportstarweb | Japans b-girl Ami won gold at Breaking Olympics 2024

Why is 'Breaking' a part of Olympics?

Despite the excitement, the Breaking competition at the Olympics left many scratching their heads.



A Reddit thread on "r/olympics" sparked debates about why Breaking is an Olympic sport.

Posts from the olympics

community on Reddit

A top comment noted, "I've been watching it for an hour now. I'm not shitting on their talent since they are obvious good at what they do but I'm very unsure how this is scored and the announcers are doing an absolute shit job of explaining anything."

"This was my thought. I was interested but the announcer just kept being like 'wow what a great blah blah blah' and I just want to know what it all means," agreed another.

"I think there are many things that should be in the Olympics instead of it," one simply stated.

I speak for everyone when I say breakdancing should not be in the Olympics pic.twitter.com/WAc2Nj09P9  greg (@greg16676935420) August 10, 2024

What's your thoughts on this?

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The Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore has threatened to embark on another adventure of the #EndBadGovernance protest in October 1st.

Sowore stated that, if the current administration refuse to accede to the demands of the agitators, the angry demonstration will continue, on the day Nigeria will be celebrating 2024s Independence Day.

The AAC candidate, who is also one of the organisers of the nationwides movement, led this out during an interview conducted by News Central TV on Saturday, which marked the final day of the protest.

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According to the controversial human right activist, the rally will be a call for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubus government to Scrap the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a People-made.

He said: If our demands are not met within the specified timeframe, we will resume the protest on October 1, or potentially earlier, depending on the prevailing circumstances and variables.

READ MORE: Nothing Will Stop Our Protest In August  Sowore Replies Presidency

When we start in October, we will not stop until these demands are met. Already, that conversation is going on and more plans by the organisers will be announced to the general public.

Speaking further, Sowore added that angry Nigerians will fight for the real Independent day, not the one President Bola Ahmed Tinubus led administration will be celebrating.

Yes, well their own Independence Day. We want to fight for real independence starting from that day.

Other demands are: Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria through a Sovereign National Conference immediately followed by a National Referendum.

Toss the Senate arm of the Nigerian Legislative System, keep the House of Representatives (HOR), and make lawmaking a part-time endeavor.

Pay Nigerian Workers a minimum wage of nothing less than N250,000 monthly.

Invest heavily in education and give Nigerian students grants, not loans. Aggressively pursue free and compulsory education for children across Nigeria.

Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and demilitarize the South East. ALL #ENDSARS and political detainees must also be released and could compensated.

Renationalize publicly owned enterprises sold to government officials and cronies.

Reinstate a corruption-free subsidy regime to reduce hunger, starvation and multidimensional poverty.

Probe past and present Nigerian leaders who have looted the treasury, recover their loot, and deposited it in a special account to fund education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Restructuring of Nigeria to accommodate Nigerias diversity, resource control, decentralization and regional development.

End banditry, terrorism and violent crimes. Reforms of Security Agencies to stop continuous human rights violations and duplication of security agencies and enhance the physical security of Nigerian citizens.

Establish a Special Energy Fund immediately to drive massive, corruption-free power sector development.

Immediate Reconstitution of the Nigerian Electoral Body INEC Nigeria to remove corrupt individuals and partisan hacks appointed to manipulate elections.

Massive investment in public works and industrialization will help employ Nigerias teeming youths.

Massive shake-up in the Nigerian judiciary to remove cabals of corrupt generations of judges and judicial officers that continue denying everyday citizens access to real justice.

Diaspora Voting.
The Lagos State Government, on Saturday, announced a 25 percent cut in the blue rail transport fare for off-peak periods.

Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, announced the reduction in a statement.

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Akinajo said the 25 percent discount is for commuters travelling within the off-peak period set at 10.00 am and 4.00 pm daily.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) blue line, she said, would increase its number of trips from 54 to 72 per day, from August 12.

However, Akinajo said the current schedule for Sunday operations remains unchanged.

READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu Rides As Lagos Blue Line Rail Begins Operations (Photos)

Akinajo said passengers can now travel between Marina and Mile 2 on the blue line route in just about 18 minutes from the previous travel time of 25 minutes.

According to the LAMATA boss, this means there would be a train every 18 minutes both ways  thus allowing commuters to plan their trips.

The new train schedule is potentially expected to reduce journey times, encourage more riders to use the train system during off-peak periods and reduce transport spending, she added.

The new timetable is available on the LAMATA website, stations, and social media handles, Akinajo revealed.

The blue rail line started operations on September 4, 2023, running 12 trips per day.
As part of efforts to reduce criminality in the oil industry, the operatives of the Nigeria Air Force have destroyed 13 illegal refineries and ten overhead tanks in Delta State.

In a statement made available on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet said that operations conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, several active illegal refining sites were discovered.

The statement added that while the crew extended their patrol downstream, they spotted a six-tyre tipper truck along the riverbank with four canoes seen loading illegal products into the truck.

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Edward also noted that after a thorough scan of the area and observing the criminals dispersed in disarray upon siting the aircraft, the truck as well as the canoes, were attacked and destroyed.

READ MORE: NAF Destroys Illegal Refining Sites, Canoes In Rivers

The statement partly reads: Even as efforts have been ramped up to curtail the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs in their illegal and nefarious acts of bursting oil pipelines and siphoning crude oil or its products, the rate at which illegal oil refining sites continue to spring up requires drastic measures.

In line with this, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has increased its rate of patrol, especially within the Niger Delta region, with the aim of locating illegal oil refining sites and destroying them.

In arguably one of its most successful operations conducted along the Imo River near Obuzor and Okoloma, several active illegal refining sites were discovered to be taking advantage of the difficult terrain to perpetrate their illegalities.

These sites, about 13 in number, were subsequently destroyed after the crew employed the weapons on board the aircraft.

Several overhead tanks connected to reservoirs as well as numerous gallons were also destroyed in the process. In all 13 illegal sites, 10 overhead tanks and several gallons of illegally refined products were effectively destroyed.

After a thorough scan of the area and observing the criminals dispersed in disarray upon sighting the aircraft, the truck as well as the canoes were attacked and destroyed.


Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have rejected the explanation of the Nigeria Police Force for the raid on Labour House, Abuja, the Congress headquarters.

According to the NLC, the police hierarchy is economical with the truth.

At the emergency National Executive Council, NEC, on Saturday , NLC leaders demanded full disclosure from the Federal Government on the police invasion.

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Describing the invasion as highly provocative, leaders at the virtual meeting contended that the governments explanation would determine the next line of action.

One of the NEC members, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard at the end of the meeting, said: NEC members were unanimous in rejecting the police explanation for the raid. We believe the police are being economical with the truth. None of the police explanations added up. The more you try to rationalize it, the more questions arise.

The police in their explanation, claimed they did not know that the building is NLCs headquarters. Lie number one: The police headquarters is very close to the Labour House. On several occasions they have deployed their men to the Labour House during strikes, protests, rallies and so on.

READ ALSO: After Carting Away Books From Bookshop During Raid, Police Claim Foreign Criminal Traced To NLC Building

Lie number two: The police claimed they were looking for someone on the second floor of the Labour House. But they first came to the 10th floor where they abducted the NLC security guard. When they finished their illegal operations, they took the security guard to the second floor. What were the police looking for on the 10th floor?

Lie number three: The bookshop at the second floor known as Iva Valley Bookshop has been in the Labour House for years and the operator is a very known person even to the police because some policemen come there to buy books. Why is it now that the police realize that he is a criminal and dangerous to the state?

Why will the police carry out their raid at such hour when most workers had gone home? These are some of the questions begging for answers.

We are demanding full explanation and disclosure from government. The raid was very provocative. We will not act now, according to NEC resolutions, we will wait for the government to give full explanation. Our reaction will be based on governments full explanation.

So, we totally reject the police explanation and demand full explanations from government for the raid.

The Police had invaded the headquarters last Wednesday during the #EndBadGovernance protest across States of the Federation.
The Nigerian Senate has debunked claims that it determines its own salaries or receives special financial packages from the Presidency.

The allegations, which emerged during a visit by members of the House of Representatives to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have ignited public concern.

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Obasanjo kicked against members of the National Assembly determining their salaries and allowances themselves.

According to him, it is the duty of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission pto determine what public officeholders earn.

In a Sunday statement issued by Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate labeled the allegations as an attempt to crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.

The Senator who represents Ekiti South, clarified that no Senator has received any financial patronage from the Presidency.

He explained that the constituency projects often associated with the legislature are suggested and nominated by Senators, consistent with practices in other democratic nations.

READ ALSO: Its Not Right To Fix Your Salaries, Allowances  Obasanjo To NASS

Adaramodu who further dismissed suggestions that the National Assembly fixes its own salaries as uncharitable and satanic, challenged anyone with credible evidence to present alternative facts.

The Senate clarified that the executive arm of government, through its various Ministries and agencies, is responsible for awarding contracts for constituency projects.

They are only suggested and nominated by the legislators in accordance with the practice in other democracies worldwide while the executive arm awards the contracts to qualified contractors and ensures the implementation of the projects through its respective ministries and agencies.

And the amount varies depending on the number of constituencies in each state of the federation. Its merely a contribution to the Federal budget to ensure that every nook and cranny of Nigeria feels federal presence, he said.

Adaramodu reassured the public of the 10th Assemblys commitment to being a responsible and responsive chamber.

The Senate reaffirmed its dedication to upholding Nigerias economic and developmental goals, insisting that it adheres to constitutional allocations and does not seek additional perks from other branches of government.
The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office has approved felony charges for a Temple University student and an alumna related to an attempted burglary at an off-campus Jewish fraternity on May 24 and July 27, authorities said Saturday evening.

As of Sunday afternoon, they had not yet been arrested.

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About 4:40 a.m. on July 27 police responded to a report of people on the rooftop at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house in the 1900 block of North 17th Street, said Jennifer Griffin, Temples vice president for public safety.

Video shows the individuals banging on the sunroof and one male who appeared to be urinating into the sunroof once it was opened, though police didnt find evidence of urination, Griffin said.

Temple police are looking into the possibility that the most recent incident was a hate crime, given the fraternity houses affiliation to the Jewish community, Griffin said.

The university police department last month also released photos of a group of students who were atop the fraternity house that morning and asked for help in identifying them.

 READ MORE: Temple joins universities facing federal probe over handling of antisemitism allegations

The fraternity house also was vandalized in early May when someone wrote Free Palestine on the house and took an Israeli flag that had been hanging from the roof. And on May 24, city police investigated another report of people on the roof.

A 20-year-old male who lived in the house reported that people were attempting to get in through the roof hatch. Detectives are investigating the case as a burglary, city police said.

In reference to a possible hate crime, Griffin said, We are investigating all potential criminal violations, as well as student conduct violation.

In January, the U.S. Department of Education announced that Temple was under investigation for its handling of antisemitism complaints on campus; the move came among a spate of investigations at colleges nationally following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and subsequent unrest on campuses.

Temple said in a statement at that time that it would fully comply with the investigation and that it unequivocally condemns hate and discrimination against any person and will always strive to ensure that all of our students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed and safe in our community and throughout our campus.

The university is unsure how many of the people atop the roof on July 27 were Temple students. A female appears to have been present during both the May 24 and July 27 incidents, Griffin said.

The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity is no longer recognized by Temple. The frat was suspended in 2018 and its former president, Ari Goldstein, was sentenced to state prison in 2020 for attempted sexual assault.
Philadelphia police reported damage to two of their cars after a car meet-up in Frankford Saturday night. Read more

Philadelphia police arrested two drivers, including one who hit a patrol car, during a car meetup in Frankford Saturday night.

Arriving at Torresdale and Adams Avenues around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, officers found a large crowd engaged in reckless driving activities, including multiple vehicles performing burnouts, police said in a statement Sunday.

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A 19-year-old man trying to drive away from the scene then hit a patrol car, according to the police, who said the car was damaged. Neither the 19-year-old nor any police were injured.

Police arrested the man and charged him with assault on police, reckless driving, and related charges, while his four 17-year-old male passengers were issued citations and released.

Police said they also arrested a 33-year-old man who was drag racing a 2023 gray Dodge Charger, charging him with reckless driving and conspiracy.

Illegal car rallies have become more visible in Philadelphia in recent years, as drivers organize on social media; one series of car meetups last summer ended with state police shooting and killing an 18-year-old.

While police didnt report any injuries at the Saturday meetup, they noted that a second patrol car was damaged when an unknown individual threw a bottle of tequila at the vehicle, striking the hood and cracking the windshield. Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident, they said.
Millennials make up the largest portion of Philadelphias population, representing about 27% of city residents, while baby boomers remain the biggest generation across the state. Read more

Millennials make up the largest portion of Philadelphias population, according to U.S. Census data and data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The generation took the lead at the start of the century in Philadelphia, and its dominance has only grown.

Sarah and Brandon Gulish, both 39, moved to Philly for college in 2004. After graduating, they got married and wanted to find a permanent home in the city. Fishtown offered what they were looking for: affordable real estate and music venues where their band, New Enemies, could play. They bought their first house in the neighborhood in 2014.

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The Gulishs are part of the first wave of millennials that came to Philly in the early aughts, flooding the city with PBRs and fixie bikes.

My background is in film and television so I tried New York. I did internships in Los Angeles, but I chose to commute to New York a lot because I just really loved Philly, said Brandon Gulish. It was the people and the community they built at Temple that rooted them here, he said.

Unlike past generations, the number of millennials living in Philadelphia increased year-over-year as they aged from their early 20s into their 30s. And the city is getting older with them.

Philly is in its millennial era

Today, more than 400,000 millennials live in Philadelphia  many still in skinny jeans with two recessions under their belt. The generation makes up about 27% of city residents, according to 2023 Census data and NIH data.

Generations do not cover the same number of years  Gen Z (born 1997 to 2012), millennials (1981 to 1996), and Gen X (1965 to 1980)  each span 15 years, while baby boomers (1946 to 1964) span 18 years, according to the Pew Research Center. Still, they hold a cultural significance that makes them a worthwhile lens through which to look at population change.

Population growth since 2006 in Philadelphia has been driven by U.S.-born millennials and immigrants, many of whom are also millennials, said Katie Martin, project director of the Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative.

Alondra Ugalde-Ruiz, 29, relocated to Philadelphia from McAllen, Texas, three years ago for her husbands job, but after arriving, the couple divorced. Ugalde-Ruiz was left with a decision: Where was the best place to live and raise her two daughters as a single mom?

I had the option to go back to south Texas to raise my kids and be near family, she said, but she likes where she lives in Fishtown, and the diversity of the city. Originally from Mexico and now working as a bilingual teacher, she also thinks that there are more career opportunities here.

Millennials are aging with the city

As millennials slide into middle age, they continue to stay in the city. In 2020, 30- to 34-year-old Philly residents became the citys biggest age bracket, making up more than 147,000 residents.

There are two main reasons the city is getting older, according to Martin. Baby boomers and the Silent Generation are living longer and millennials, who make up a large portion of the city, are aging.

And as life expectancy increases, Phillys older population is growing, as well. There are more than 230,000 residents 65 years and older now, compared with a little more than 190,000 10 years ago.

In 2023, the average age of Philly was 35 years old. A decade ago, it was 33.

Millennials are not yet heading to the suburbs like baby boomers and Gen X

More baby boomers and Gen Xers left Philly throughout their 20s and 30s than millennials, many heading for the suburbs.

Its common knowledge that boomers embraced the suburbs, but, Gen X did, as well; there is a noticeable growth of Gen X in the Pennsylvania suburbs surrounding Philly about 1999.

Katie McCann is a 32-year-old real estate agent for Philly Home Girls, an agency that serves a younger clientele, including millennials  mostly first-time homebuyers in their 20s and 30s. She has not sold a single home in the suburbs since starting in the industry in 2019.

There is more imagination in our generation, more room for us to explore, said McCann.

When Leigh Calarco unexpectedly got pregnant with twins in 2017 at 35, she remembers coming home crying. Do I have to move to the suburbs then? she said.

She and her husband had started a property management company in Philadelphia, MGC Real Estate Group, five years prior.

We really had committed to being, like, OK, we started this business, and we dont want to live our life on 676 and 76 everyday, she said. Were going to try to make it work and really stay here and be here and commit to it.

In Pennsylvania, baby boomers still reign

While millennials surpassed baby boomers as the largest generation across the United States in 2019, baby boomers are still the largest generation in Pennsylvania.

Baby boomers make up 22% of the states population, millennials make up 21%.

Philadelphia is made up of 18% baby boomers and 27% millennials, by comparison.

The suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia follow a similar pattern to the state. Baby boomers make up 22% of the collar counties, while 20% are millenials.

For three New Jersey counties surrounding Philadelphia  Camden, Gloucester and Burlington  boomers make up an even larger share than the Pennsylvania suburbs  26% of the population, while millennials make up 19% of the New Jersey suburbs.

Millennials are taking baby steps to childrearing

As some millennials postpone having children, or forgo it altogether, the number of babies in Philadelphia has remained relatively stagnant.

There are now fewer than 20,000 children under the age of 1 in Philly, the lowest number in more than 50 years, according to NIH data.

When I was in my late teens and early 20s, I had a very strict plan for what I wanted to achieve when, said Bryant Edwards, 32, who moved to Philadelphia to work in the nonprofit sector in 2014 and resides in Kensington.

His plan was to establish his career and start a family at the age of 25.

Once I got into the real world for so many, many reasons, I found it hard. ... Weve been through how many recessions, we are saddled with boundless debt that I cant even describe. It feels like this hole youre sinking into, he said. So I couldnt imagine affording to raise a family without also having to sacrifice some passions, which I havent been willing to yet.

As millennials age and more start having families, the big question is whether or not they stick around Philly.

More recently, in 2021, the growth of millennials in Philadelphia slowed, and began trending slightly downward for the first time.

There is a community of young families in Philadelphia that have put a stake in the ground, said McCann, and millennials are choosing to stay in the city for a variety of reasons.

The Gulishes love their local public school, Adair Elementary, and want all three of their children to attend.

Ugalde-Ruiz, who moved from South Texas, does not want to give up the convenience of city life and having access to public transportation.

Some people want to move out of the city, because of the crime rates or things like that, she said, but I want people to see the beauty of it.
A cyclists rides by the Tenth Presbyterian Church during the weekly protest held by Philly Bike Action in Philadelphia last Sunday. Read more

Under pressure for weeks from bike safety advocates, Tenth Presbyterian Church said it will relinquish permits that allow congregants to park in nearby bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets during service hours.

The last 18 Sundays, Philly Bike Action protested outside Tenth Presbyterian, calling on them and seven other churches to stop using bike lanes for parking in the interest of protecting cyclists.

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On Wednesday, Tenth Presbyterian requested new parking permits from the city that dont include bike lanes, citing an increased struggle to find parking near the church, reports of vandalism, and particularly public opinion. The current proposal plans to relocate parking to Lombard and Locust Streets.

Many of our neighbors see us as self-centered, pursuing our own interest and unconcerned with their welfare, the Rev Timothy Geiger told his congregation on a Facebook live session Wednesday evening. Thats something that could easily become a stumbling block for them as we tried to invite them to know the Lord and to know us as a church.

Beyond faith, logistics for service attendance had also become complicated.

Philly Bike Action had an agreement with the church to protest only on Spruce, but after the death of Barbara Friedes, the CHOP medical resident killed last month in a Spruce Street bike lane near Rittenhouse Square while biking home, the protest extended to Pine Street. The church sits between both streets.

This further affected the 350 congregants attending church every week, arriving in about 230 cars, Geiger said stressing that half of the congregation are seniors and young children.

During the latest protest, the group  including women with infant children in baby slings  lined up on the edge of the bike lane to prevent cars from parking after police asked protesters to remove the orange cones they had placed there.

People feel the only way to be protected is by doing this themselves, because the city wont protect them, said organizer Caleb Holtmeyer at the time. Without this space people are not able to ride safe.

Law enforcement had been present at the protest for the last month, following reports of vandalism, including nails in tires and smashed mirrors. Philly Bike Action denied that any of its members was involved in that destruction.

Following Tenth Presbyterians announcement that it will no longer use the bike lanes for parking, the group is very excited and happy that they wanted to make safety a priority, Holtmeyer said. They wont be back protesting this weekend and are working on a thank-you letter to the congregation, Holtmeyer said.

Tenth Presbyterian joins Old Pine Street Church, Old Saint Josephs, Saint Peters, and the Philadelphia Ethical Society in relinquishing permits allowing people to park in bike lanes.

Society Hill Synagogue and Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel have not indicated whether they intend to stop using bike lanes for parking.

Holtmeyer is optimistic that if one of the congregations that uses the most street parking can change, then the few remaining that use a block or two can make the changes, as well.
The Harris-Walz campaigns boisterous North Philadelphia rally on Tuesday at Temple University was animated not just by personalities, but also by the urgent issues we face in the upcoming election.

Some voters are energized over reproductive rights. Others are concerned about security at the border. Still others focus solely on economic concerns.

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For me, however, no issue we face is bigger than education. Without it, we cant fully comprehend how history informs the present. Nor can we understand how todays choices shape the future. Thats why education has always been at the center of Americas ideological battles. Its why I wasnt surprised that on Tuesday, as Kamala Harris was choosing former teacher Tim Walz as her running mate, a federal court was giving us a glimpse of what the GOP envisions for Americas schools.

Beginning in 2023, Darryl George, a Black student at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, was repeatedly suspended for wearing long locs  a hairstyle that his family said was a tradition among its men. The district claimed Georges locs, which he wears to school tied on top of his head, violated the districts dress code since his hair would fall below his shirt collar, eyebrows, or earlobes if let down.

In a lawsuit, George and his family claimed that the school district was not only violating his first amendment right to free speech and his 14th Amendment right to due process. The lawsuit also alleged that the hair policy was being enforced mainly on Black students.

On Tuesday, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuits claims of racial discrimination, leaving in place a gender discrimination claim because the districts rules for males are different than those for females.

Perhaps, if this were another time, Id view this as an isolated fight over an archaic rule. But George was punished while the state was implementing a new law called the CROWN Act, which prohibits penalizing people based on hair texture or protective hairstyles such as braids, Afros, twists, locs, or Bantu knots.

In my opinion, this was never about a dress code. Instead, it appeared to me that a white-dominated power structure was delivering a pointed message to the Black community: No matter what the law says, we can control Black bodies, Black expression, even Black hairstyles, and theres nothing anyone can do about it.

Can you imagine such an approach taking hold across the educational landscape? You dont have to. The Republican Party has done it for you.

The GOPs education platform closely resembles Project 2025  the conservative Heritage Foundations public policy wish list for a second Trump term.

Like Project 2025, the Republican platform seeks to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Such a move would prevent federal oversight of school districts, and could allow conservative states to implement a Eurocentric education model under the guise of states rights, the phrase that served as the rallying cry for slavery and Jim Crow.

The Republican platform also seeks to ban what it calls critical race theory  a catchall phrase that is typically used by conservatives to define Black history. In truth, critical race theory is not taught in K-12 schools. It is a legal theory thats taught in colleges and law schools, and it examines how laws can exacerbate racism.

The Republican platform seeks to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

But the Republican policy plans in the event of a Trump win dont stop there. It also seeks to eliminate tenure for teachers, divert public funding to private schools through vouchers, and offers to restore parental rights  as if someone has taken them away. In case youre wondering, no one has done so.

Thats why, when I look at Kamala Harris selection of Tim Walz as her running mate, Im not drawn to his folksy demeanor, or his clever application of the weird label to the Trump-Vance team. In my view, Walz fits the moment because he is a former teacher. Of all those at the top of either ticket, Walz alone has the experience to understand the power of education.

As we face an organized effort to take us backward, I only hope hes willing to fight for it.
Darby Creek in Delcos Rolling Green Park is a shallow, sun-dappled brook with pebbled banks, shaded from the road by a canopy of trees.

For years, when it got too hot in the neighborhood, people waded in or brought inner tubes to float. It was a local, unauthorized swimming spot  until the township officially banned swimming there earlier this summer.

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There were practical reasons for the ban: no lifeguards, no water quality checks, no changing rooms or bathrooms.

But the neighborhood conversations that prompted it also revealed a menacing undercurrent. Fears and rumors about undocumented immigrants swimming naked in the creek and leaving trash behind ricocheted across social media and occupied long stretches of public comment during Delaware County Councils weekly meetings. The County Council does not manage the municipal park, but residents still directed their ire there, threatening council members with violence.

That was just something that kind of took on a life of its own, said Jim Byrne, Springfield Township solicitor, who insisted the swimming ban had nothing to do with immigrants and never did.

The whole episode illustrated how the specter of illegal immigration has gripped residents and lawmakers even thousands of miles from the southern border, and even in parts of public life that seem to have little to do with it.

On a recent muggy afternoon, Darby Creek itself was quiet. Giana Pasquay, 19, and her friend Lucy Baker, 20, sat on a rock by the water, listening to Amy Winehouse on a speaker stuck into a shoe. Both grew up in Media and graduated from Penncrest High School; Pasquay had already been swimming in the creek since the ban. She had a theory as to why it was enacted in the first place.

Its not the creek, Pasquay offered. Its the people that they care about.

There is absolutely no truth to this rumor

Residents began packing Delaware County Council meetings in the spring when the county proposed building a 16-bed mental health facility on land that formerly housed Don Guanella, a home for men with developmental disabilities. The county ultimately decided not to move forward with it because of funding issues.

But the animating issues of that debate were a preview of what was to come.

Charlie Alexander, a general contractor and Marple resident who frequently addresses concerned citizens on TikTok, Facebook, and X, rallied some residents to oppose the Don Guanella plan by falsely claiming that undocumented immigrants would be housed at the facility. Some of Alexanders claims echo those voiced by Donald Trump, who on the campaign trail frequently refers to an invasion at the southern border and an immigrant-caused surge in violent crime that is not supported by evidence.

Alexander and other residents were also consumed by a popular GOP falsehood that migrants are crossing the border to vote illegally in U.S. elections. The threat of noncitizen voting has been repeatedly refuted. A Brennan Center for Justice report on the 2016 election found that across 42 jurisdictions nationwide, including those with the highest share of noncitizen residents, election officials estimated 30 incidents of suspected noncitizen voting out of 23.5 million votes  accounting for 0.0001 percent of the 2016 vote in those areas.

Yet the fear that undocumented immigrants were using resources in Delco became so widespread that the Delaware County Council released an official press release in March titled, Rumors About the Former Don Guanella Property Housing Immigrants Are Untrue. (Since March, the council has released three press releases dispelling rumors about immigration in the county.)

There is absolutely no truth to this rumor, the release said. We encourage residents to be cautious of rumors that circulate on blogs and social media.

But the rumor persisted.

At an April meeting, a resident told the Delaware County Council, I was also told from one of the people in Marple that the county will lie about this to get the illegal immigrants  immigrants, newcomers, whatever you want to call them  to be housed in there.

Soon after, Alexander pivoted to what he saw as a related concern. He said on social media that he was seeing white vans around the county, which he believed, without evidence, to be involved in human trafficking. He created a Facebook group in which he encouraged members to take and share photos of suspicious vans, buses, and vehicles. He began posting grainy photos and videos of people walking in Rolling Green Park and wading in Delco creeks, alongside close-ups of trash and knives on the ground, which he claimed immigrants left behind.

The Inquirer could not independently verify the photos. Alexander assumed that people were undocumented immigrants based on photos and videos, which is not an accurate way to determine someones status.

People are seeing more illegal immigrants, just kind of suddenly overnight over the last two months, just pop up in Delaware County. And then these vans, where theyre picking people up and theyre dropping them off. And then out of nowhere, you start seeing naked people in creeks? Thats where it blows up, he said.

The idea that the immigrant population of Delco is illegal is a powerful political rallying cry, experts said, but sheds little light on peoples actual status in an extraordinarily complicated immigration system. Legal status is a continuum that can take years to play out, and cannot be determined by looking at someone or hearing him or her speak Spanish, said Cathryn Miller-Wilson, executive director of HIAS Pennsylvania, which provides legal and social services to immigrants and refugees in the state. (HIAS PA is one of Alexanders frequent targets.)

The anti-immigrant vitriol trickled into everyday life for Spanish-speaking immigrants in Delco, a population that has grown significantly since the start of the pandemic, advocates said.

What I hear is an uptick in feeling un-welcomed. Not necessarily threats but poor tones of voice, refusal of service. Just sort of a general sense of, Dont come in here. Youre not welcome, said Layla de Luria, the executive director of Centro de Apoyo Comunitario, a direct service organization founded by Latina immigrant women in Delco. I have parents tell me stories about trying to take their kids to the park, feeling panicky, turning around and taking them right home.

De Luria said that charged national rhetoric seemed to be stoking it. Delco is historically red, but has been controlled by Democrats since 2020. At county council meetings in the spring and summer, residents sometimes threatened officials.

Dont make good people do bad things, cause well do it, Howard Alexander of Broomall told the council in April. Well be there with pitchforks and torches and hot tar and feathers.

It had nothing at all to do with immigrants

In June, Springfield Township, which manages Rolling Green Park, passed a new ordinance at a special Board of Commissioners meeting. From then on, there would be no bathing or swimming in township parks. Soon after, the township erected new signs on the dirt banks of the creek stating the rule. Township police announced they would have an increased presence to monitor violations.

To some local officials, the ban was a clear response to a practical issue. Byrne, the Springfield Township solicitor, said there had been around 20 or so police calls since June about problems at the creek. (The police department referred The Inquirer to Byrne.) He said township officials enacted the ban for benign reasons of municipal governance.

Ive heard people say that, but it had nothing at all to do with immigrants, Byrne said. He said township commissioners and police had heard complaints about large groups at the creeks, damming up the water to swim, bathing, changing their clothes in public view, and going to the bathroom on the banks. Park crews would find trash and overflowing trash cans when they went to clean it, he said.

Everybodys welcome to come to the park and use it in accordance with the park rules, Byrne said. Thats why we built a park.

Even after the township banned swimming in the local parks, scores of residents showed up to a July 3 Delaware County Council meeting to air their grievances, many of which focused on illegal immigration and the local creeks. The complaints continued through July.

This immigration stuff, you gotta stop. You gotta legislate, get these people out of our country. Theyre swimming in our creeks, naked, said Gary Ryder, a resident of Marple Township.

Though Rolling Green Park is not under her jurisdiction, Delaware County Council member Christine Reuther also saw the creek issue as a practical one. During a brutally hot summer, people need places to get cool. But the creeks arent safe  they dont have lifeguards and the water quality is not tested. She said she had reached out to county officials about the long shot possibility of creating a public swimming pool in Ridley Creek State Park.

Theyve truly shut this down

Regardless of officials intentions, Alexander was validated by the townships ban on swimming.

I want to commend Springfield Township and especially their police department. Theyve truly shut this down, Alexander wrote on X in July.

In the days after, he pivoted once again. He shared conspiracies that the CIA attempted to assassinate Trump and posted a video at the former Don Guanella in which he woke up a man sleeping in a UHaul and asked him about whether he was engaged in human trafficking. (Yall watch a lot of TV, the man said, adding that he was just homeless and trying to sleep somewhere no one would bother him.)

Darby Creek stayed peaceful. The creek was shallow enough at Rolling Green Park on a recent afternoon to see stones and small fish swimming at the bottom. Pete Zangari, 9, fished on the bank. His mother, Rebecca Zangari, had been bringing him to the park once a week from their home in Clifton Heights since he became enamored with fishing earlier in the summer. Birds chirped in the steamy air.

Zangari had seen lots of people swimming in June, the start of a summer of record heat waves, and had just registered the new No Swimming signs. She didnt like them.

Thats one way to cool off without having to pay for anything, she said. People should be able to cool off. Its water.
An attack on police officers during disorder in Derry has been widely condemned.

Ten police officers were injured and one person was arrested on Saturday night, according to the PSNI.

Fireworks, petrol bombs and other missiles were thrown by youths at police lines in Nailors Row in the city, with some residents having to leave their homes as a result of the violence.

The attacks came after the annual Apprentice Boys Relief of Derry parade, which marks the anniversary of the ending of the Siege of Derry in 1689.

This is disgusting. Putting children in this position is nothing short of child abuse

The parade passed without incident.

The PSNI said it had been liaising with community representatives to prevent further escalation of disorder.

NI justice minister Naomi Long was among the politicians to condemn the violence in Derry.

She described the scenes as disgraceful, dangerous and senseless.

The police are there to serve the whole community and keep people safe, she said.

It is completely reprehensible that they are facing such attacks as they carry out their duties.

There is absolutely no place in our community for such disorder and those responsible will be pursued and held accountable in our courts.

It is particularly concerning that, yet again, children and young people are being exploited and abused by being drawn into attacks and rioting, risking their safety and their futures.

I would urge all involved, including those young people who are being manipulated, to seriously consider the impact of their actions on themselves and their community and walk away from any further disorder.

Im appalled at the attacks on police in Derry/Londonderry last night. My thanks to the PSNI for working to keep people safe and our thoughts are with the officers who were injured. https://t.co/Yvg5SurXeP  Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) August 11, 2024

The Alliance minister added: I want to particularly commend the PSNI whose professionalism and expertise ensured the violence was brought under control without any major incident.

I send my thoughts and best wishes to the officers who were injured, and I hope they make a speedy recovery.

UK secretary of state Hilary Benn condemned the attack on police.

Mr Benn posted on X: Im appalled at the attacks on police in Derry/Londonderry last night.

My thanks to the PSNI for working to keep people safe and our thoughts are with the officers who were injured.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood posted on X: This is disgusting. And putting children in this position is nothing short of child abuse.

Derry, resolutely, opposes this senseless violence.

Dozens of youths were involved in the disorder, which Derry City & Strabane Superintendent William Calderwood described as disgusting and senseless.

PFNI chairman Liam Kelly said children should not be taking part in street disturbances (Simon Graham/PA)

I want to commend our officers for their professionalism, he said.

These were difficult conditions for officers from across numerous departments. To see our officers injured as a result of this violence is appalling. It is completely unacceptable.

To date, one arrest has been made, but we can reassure you a robust investigation is under way to bring all those responsible for this violence to justice.

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) called on parents to ensure their children are not being caught up in street violence following the incidents.

PFNI chairman Liam Kelly said that what happened on Saturday night was parental abdication, which he described as appalling.

What we saw was PSNI vehicles being petrol bombed by children. Officers absorbed a wave of attacks and followed a methodical approach in how they dealt with the onslaught, Mr Kelly added.

Children should not be taking part in street disturbances.

Their parents have a responsibility to keep them safe and away from violent disorder. What I have to ask is where were their parents?

Why werent they taking their children away from the flashpoint where they could have been seriously hurt? What we witnessed on Saturday was parental abdication and that is appalling.

Ten officers were injured in the trouble. They were the focal point of petrol-bombing children and older people and the pawns of faceless criminals who pull the strings from a safe distance.

I appeal to parents to not let their children get caught up in this mindless violence. They have to realise the consequences when they are apprehended and convicted in the Courts.

To our colleagues, I say well done for showing such professionalism and patience during hours of being targeted so viciously.
A United Nations patrol vehicle with six Irish soldiers on board was caught up in an air attack in a village in south Lebanon on Saturday.

Eight troops, including six Irish and two Polish, were on an armed patrol when there was a drone or air attack on a village.

A 2-vehicle patrol was caught in "an explosive blast of unknown origin" at around 8pm local time, the Defence Forces confirmed.

All personnel are safe and accounted for, the statement added.

No soldiers were injured in the attack, Tanaiste Micheal Martin confirmed.

However it is understood the vehicle the troops were travelling in was damaged during the event.

Both vehicles and all personnel recovered to the Irish position.

Speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Mr Martin said that the incident is still under investigation and further clarity on the incident would be given later.

Essentially about eight soldiers, two armoured vehicles, six Irish and two Polish, they were on routine patrol and there was an attack, either drone or airstrike on the village that they were patrolling through, he said.

They had come out, it seems, from the other end of the village. And shrapnel or whatever appears to have pierced the vehicles.

They were safe and emerged unscathed, and are back at camp.

The Tanaiste said this incident highlights "the wider danger of the war".

"The 124th Infantry Battalion will continue to conduct framework operations and remain the eyes and ears in South Lebanon for the international community," a spokesperson for the Defence Forces added.

More to follow
A resettlement agency that has called itself the Ellis Island of Western New York abandoned its human trafficking and domestic violence clients, leaving vulnerable populations with few options and, for some, potentially dangerous consequences, according to 15 former staff members and the director of a survivor services agency who spoke to The Buffalo News.

The Survivor Support Services Program, ended by the International Institute of Buffalo, was made up of youth and adult trafficking and domestic violence programs vital for immigrants and refugees, they said, and no other organizations in Western New York have the funding, capacity and training to provide the same level of service.

Started in 1918, the institute has helped clients with housing, job training, accessing community resources, and interpretation and translation services. The agency closed the youth trafficking program in April 2023, and shuttered its adult trafficking and domestic violence programs last month.

The Survivor Support Services Program was recognized as a model program in New York, and beyond, when the International Institute, also known as IIB, dismantled it.

Chairman Kevin Gentry and Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi told The News the board of directors decided the institute needed to get back to its core mission of refugee resettlement, because it is seeing more newcomers than ever and experiencing a 50% increase this year to date.

The institutes mission is to serve foreign-born clients, but 88% of the 374 human trafficking clients in 2022 were U.S.-born. It was decided to close that program and end the domestic violence program, which had 300 clients, all foreign-born, because keeping that program alone would have been inefficient from an operational and budgetary standpoint, the two IIB leaders said.

The institute responsibly closed both programs, the leaders said, adding they believe other organizations will fill in the gaps.

We have tried our very level best to do the best we can, Rizzo-Choi said. This is an important service, but for various reasons it was no longer a good fit here for us.

The loss of the programs has been deeply felt, said Myron Glick, founder and chief medical officer of Jericho Road Community Health Center, which also serves people arriving from around the globe.

Its a huge blow to the immigrant and refugee community we serve, Glick said. We depended on those programs to help those patients.

Paula Kovanic Spiro, director of Buffalo Rising Against Violence, or BRAVE, a trauma recovery program at Erie County Medical Center, said those who work in survivor services pride themselves on making sure clients who cant speak English dont fall through the cracks.

Spiro said thats not what happened at the International Institute.

I understand the need to close programs or change missions, but you dont leave vulnerable people high and dry, she said. The way they dumped these clients is one of the worst things Ive seen. I think the visual of client victims that have been trafficked or are vulnerable no longer fits their image. Thats my best guess for what they did.

A letter sent July 25 to IIBs board by 17 former case workers, coordinators and other staff, including two anonymously, condemned the way the programs were dissolved and what they considered managements indifference.

The letter criticized the board and Rizzo-Chois leadership. The former employees said the executive director poorly communicated the agencys plans, repeatedly turned a deaf ear to their concerns about client safety and insisted they sign nondisclosure agreements that prevented them from speaking critically about the institute.

Rizzo-Choi, an immigration attorney, left the board in September 2021 to become interim executive director, following the firing of Eva Hassett after a 12-year tenure. She shed the interim title in April 2022.

These clients are literally in life-and-death situations, and enacting a plan to support them seemed no more than an afterthought to IIBs leadership, the letter said in part. We wonder whats happened to this human rights-based organization that we loved.

Vulnerable clients

Started in 2007, the youth and adult trafficking programs provided mainly preventive services for youths and adults at risk of sex and labor trafficking. Clients ranged from an 11-year-old in danger of being trafficked to a woman in her late 80s trapped in domestic servitude.

The Safe Harbour program was formed in 2019 with county and state agencies to combat child trafficking. Over time, Safe Harbour ceased to be aligned with the institutes mission, since the clients were overwhelmingly American citizens.

Rizzo-Choi said in early 2023 that IIB needed to stay on mission, several former staff members said, and they assumed Safe Harbour would be moved to another agency while the rest of the program continued to serve foreign-born participants.

Instead, Child & Family Services, a nonprofit organization that didnt do trafficking work, was named by IIB that June, two months after the youth trafficking program closed, to take over all youth trafficking cases.

Child & Family Services began its youth trafficking program with a single employee last October, six months later. At the same time, youth referrals continued to be collected and added to IIBs wait list into early 2024, though there was no staff to attend to them, according to Lisa Womer, a former grants administrator.

Child & Family Services youth trafficking program still has one employee, according to an agency spokeswoman, but remains hopeful of adding employees in the future.

We were the only organization providing these sorts of specialized services for trafficked youth, said Kaitlyn Buehlmann, IIBs medical advocate before resigning last September. What was so difficult about that transition is it left survivors more vulnerable.

Womer said she felt terrible for the case workers who were unable to do anything when the program closed, and the clients and referrals who were left behind without being contacted, provided with information or handed off to another agency.

It broke my heart to know what these kids were going through, and to have to put their names on a list no one was going to look at, she said. By the actions the institute took, these people were basically told their struggles, their needs, their safety concerns no longer mattered.

Despite it being life or death for some of them, it was just boom, done, Womer said of the departments abrupt closing.

An unsigned letter claiming to be from 35 current and former employees was sent in April 2023 to the board, warning of a decrease in safety/support available to vulnerable clients, and criticizing the board and upper managements behavior toward staff and clients.

The youth trafficking programs closing was a bitter pill to swallow, said Marissa MacTurk, who coordinated the adult trafficking program for eight years before resigning in November.

There are a lot of services out there for youth, she said, but as far as safety and trafficking and at-risk trafficking, no one else could do what we did.

Uniquely susceptible group

The Survivor Support Services team was never informed that the domestic violence program, which exclusively served foreign-born clients, was being discontinued, several former employees said.

Some of the case workers were women who were bilingual or multilingual, and tuned in to the cultural and linguistic challenges. The program was also part of an emergency response team, which included law enforcement and hospitals.

The domestic violence program was part of IIBs core mission to welcome foreign-born residents to Western New York, said Annie Johnston, who served as the programs interim director for six months, beginning in early 2023. Its a uniquely susceptible group to victimization.

The program helped clients navigate challenges in their new country, such as knowing their rights, how to contact law enforcement, use the court system and obtain medical care.

Its unconscionable that they terminated this program, Johnston said.

There were 123 open cases for adult trafficking and domestic violence survivors when the closure announcement was made in April of this year, Rizzo-Choi said.

Ten of the 11 remaining institute employees in Survival Support Services learned on April 17 their jobs were terminated.

There was no referral process in place, no transition and no companies in our area who could even take on these cases, said Maggie Benjamin, coordinator of the trafficking and domestic violence programs for the last six months.

Not so, Rizzo-Choi said. Three other staffers worked on this project for a time to reach people in both programs to let them know they were ending, while continuing rental, food assistance and other services during that period.

We did the best we could do and wanted to do the best we could for our clients, Rizzo-Choi said. We did not leave people stranded on April 17.

The month before, Benjamin and Shannon Riley, the programs director, both African American, asked the board to initiate an investigation into what they claimed to be racially discriminatory practices against them, and unfair labor practices against them and others. Tensions between staff and management were tense, Benjamin said.

Benjamin said closing the programs left IIBs most vulnerable clients with nowhere to turn.

There were no local organizations that provide the human trafficking services we provided, or had the funding, she said.

The domestic violence clients were arguably even more challenging, she said, because most are undocumented, and local domestic violence organizations arent able to work with them.

RAHAMA, which serves Muslim women, and the Karen Society of Buffalo were already partnering with the International Institute, but other foreign-born clients had nowhere else to go, Benjamin said.

The gold standard

Amy Fleischauer founded IIB Survivor Support Services in 2007, expanding the department to 21 employees. It was one of the longest-tenured trafficking programs to receive ongoing anti-trafficking funds from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Fleischauer was fired Feb. 14, 2023, weeks before attending an anti-trafficking conference in Washington, D.C., to accept the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Award from Freedom Network USA. The award goes to recipients who make a unique contribution to the anti-trafficking field or demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication in working to combat human trafficking in the United States.

The program under Amy Fleischauer was the gold standard, not just in Buffalo, said Spiro, of BRAVE trauma recovery center. I was in San Francisco with my team in March to get a tour of a recovery center at University of California San Francisco, and she was known there. I dont think I had fully realized what they had built for the size of the city we have.

Fleischauer declined to discuss her tenure or departure.

Several staff members were set to attend that March anti-trafficking conference for professional development, and the trip was budgeted and approved by funders. But an email from Rizzo-Choi informed them they could not go, in part, because the grants administrator, who was Johnston at the time, determined it wasnt financially viable.

Johnston said it was Rizzo-Chois decision to cancel the trip, and questioned the decision because it didnt help to build goodwill and rapport with the staff at a time when it was needed.

Because flights, hotels and conference registration had been booked with IIB funds that would have been reimbursed with grants, the institute had to spend a few thousand dollars to cover the nonrefundable costs, Johnston said.

Rizzo-Choi declined to discuss the trip cancellation.

Fleischauers firing shocked the staff, and the canceled trip added to the decline in morale occurring due to the withdrawal of support for the departments work without explanation, said Ahlea Howard, who resigned in April 2023 as coordinator of youth anti-trafficking services. The removal would lead to the resignation over the next 12 months of 14 case workers and others, Howard said.

People left because Jenny made a lot of decisions that were directly harming the clients of the program, said Angelica Burgos-Nieves, a case worker who left in June 2023. I was disappointed that the work we were doing was so undervalued, and the fact she made decisions without realizing the impacts on these clients.

Gentry, the board chair, said IIB made a good-faith effort.

I do believe the press does a great job in uncovering wrongdoing, but I dont believe that is the case here with any malice or forethought, Gentry said. There may have been things we could have done better, but at the end of the day we are where we are and it is what it is. We can only move forward and look forward to the bright future of IIB.

Signing NDAs

Two days after Fleischauers firing, the Survivor Support Services team was pressed in a meeting by Rizzo-Choi and Cindy Crowe, the human resources director, to sign nondisclosure agreements. The department had been the only holdout, they were told, after all departments were told the previous October to sign them.

Some took exception to the NDAs nondisparagement clause: Employee agrees not to, directly or indirectly, make, create, publish, communicate, send or otherwise transmit any statements or communications that are negative, degrading, or critical regarding the organization.

They said it would be a condition of employment to sign the NDA, said Howard, one of four former employees who told The News that occurred. We pushed back and said it wasnt legal, and they backed off.

Rizzo-Choi said that meeting took place 18 months ago, and to the best of my recollection, I dont recall saying something like that.

Benjamin didnt sign an NDA when the program was effectively shuttered on April 17, but said many in the program did so as a condition for receiving severance.

Labor attorney Mike Dolce, who has no ties to the International Institute, expressed surprise when told the institute would require NDAs.

Pulling a bunch of people into a meeting, out of the blue, to sign NDAs with nondisparagement clauses is rare, especially at an employer with as good of a reputation as the International Institute, Dolce said. It can create a chilling effect, and thats exactly why over-broad nondisclosure agreements and nondisparagement clauses, in general, are often found to violate state and federal laws.

Rizzo-Choi said IIBs policies have now changed significantly to reflect current law.

The executive director said nonsupervisory employees are no longer bound by the nondisparagement clause they signed in the past from talking about the institute or management. She also noted that the institution has never tried to enforce the nondisparagement clause against anyone.

Disenchantment with leadership

Johnston said that when she arrived at IIB in October 2022 as director of grants administration, she was excited to find the program fully funded, with a knowledgeable staff plugged into the community and a goal of transitioning the program toward serving the regions foreign-born population.

But it wasnt long, the former domestic violence interim program director said, before she became disenchanted.

It felt like decisions were being made about staff positions and salaries that had nothing to do with qualifications, the needs within the community and the program, Johnston said. The professionalism and ethics were at a point where I could no longer stay.

MacTurk said she doesnt believe Rizzo-Choi appreciated the value of the Survivor Support Services Program.

Jennys smart, but I think she really didnt want to know what the work was that we were doing, or care, MacTurk said. This work is messy, and I think sometimes people dont want to deal with messy.

MacTurk still finds herself at a loss to understand the closure of some of the institutes most successful and lauded programs, serving its most vulnerable clients.

The question we are always asking, she said, is why?
It is almost impossible to find the words to explain the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe that is unfolding in the Middle East, the Taoiseach said as he called for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Simon Harris was speaking as peace talks are set to resume this week while the death toll in Gaza nears 40,000.

"These cannot just be talks about talks or another round of talks. They have to be talks that result in the violence stopping and the war ending," he said.

"I reiterate today that there is an EU-Israel Association Agreement in place, and that agreement contains human rights clauses.

I cannot comprehend how some member states in the EU seem to think that those human rights clauses are redundant

Mr Harris said that Ireland can only do so much acting alone, as we need the EU and the US to show "real leadership" in addressing the ongoing violence.

Our children and grandchildren will look back at this period in history with a sense of shame because the world will be judged by how effective it was at bringing an end to the war, he said.

Over the weekend, 100 people  including women and children  were killed in airstrikes on the al-Tabaeen school.

The UN confirmed that the number of aid deliveries reaching Gaza has halved, with fewer than 80 trucks a day arriving in June and July, something which Mr Harris said is particularly disturbing.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also said that only 24 of 67 planned aid missions to northern Gaza have been facilitated by Israel this month.

Ireland condemns the wholesale loss of civilian life and is horrified by the many undoubted war crimes that have been committed in Gaza, the Taoiseach said.

Overcrowding issues

At the Tullamore Show, Mr Harris also responded to the ongoing overcrowding issues at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

There has been a significant reduction in hospital overcrowding across the country, but that performance has not been uniform across the system, he said.

"I know we have commissioned, and the minister for health has commissioned, a number of reviews  including [the former chief justice] Frank Clarke's report, which is due to be received very shortly," Mr Harris said.

A number of reviews have been commissioned regarding the ongoing overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick. File Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Stephen Donnelly announced in May that Hiqa would conduct a review into urgent and emergency care capacity in the region to determine whether a second emergency department is required.

The Hiqa review has not yet begun as Mr Clarke's report will be taken into the terms of reference.

Ahead of the conclusion of the Hiqa report, Mr Harris said that the Government is "open to the idea" of a second emergency department in the Mid-West region.

Meanwhile, a man was arrested on Sunday morning by gardai investigating online threats made against Mr Harris.

The man, aged in his 40s, is currently detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the North West.
Serbias president has accused demonstrators who oppose a lithium mining project in the Balkan country of being part of a Western-backed hybrid warfare against his government and vowed to take strong legal action against those protesters who blocked rail and road traffic in the capital a day earlier.

In one of the biggest protests in recent years, tens of thousands took to the streets in the capital, Belgrade, on Saturday against lithium mining in Serbia, despite officials warnings of their alleged plot to unseat populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government.

People block a highway in Belgrade during a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

Some of the protesters later blocked tracks at two railway stations in the city, and briefly stopped traffic on a major highway.

Early on Sunday, riot police pushed them out of the stations with their riot shields.

Interior minister Ivica Dacic said 14 people have been taken in for questioning.

Police are working to identify all the perpetrators, who will face charges, he added.

Serbian interior minister Ivica Dacic said police are working to identify all the perpetrators, who will face charges (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

Mr Vucic told reporters on Sunday that, although the main protest was done democratically, the blocking of traffic amounted to terror of the minority over the majority.

It is part of the hybrid approach designed to topple the government, he told reporters. We knew everything in detail. You think you have surprised someone we have always been restrained, without violence we ensured order in the country, without a problem.

The president said last week that he had been tipped off by Russian intelligence services that mass unrest and a coup were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers that want to oust him from power.

Thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for a rally against lithium mining in Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

Government officials and state-controlled media launched a major campaign against Saturdays rally, comparing it to the Maidan uprising in Ukraines capital, Kyiv, that led to the toppling of the countrys then pro-Russia president Viktor Yanukovych in 2013.

Organisers of the Belgrade protest repeatedly denied those charges.

Saturdays demonstration came after weeks of protests in dozens of cities throughout Serbia against a government plan to allow lithium mining in a lush farming valley in the west of the country.

This plan was scrapped in 2022 after large demonstrations were held that included the blocking of key bridges and roads. But it was revived last month and received a boost in a tentative deal on critical raw materials signed by Mr Vucics government with the European Union.

Critics say lithium mining will inflict irreparable pollution on the Jadar Valley, along with its crucial underground water reserves and farming land (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

The Balkan nation is formally seeking EU membership while maintaining very close ties with both Russia and China.

The EU memorandum on the mining of lithium and other key materials needed for the green transition would bring Serbia closer to the bloc, and would reduce Europes lithium battery and electric car dependency on China.

While the government insists that the mine is an opportunity for economic development, critics say it would inflict irreparable pollution on the Jadar Valley, along with its crucial underground water reserves and farming land.

Mr Vucic said on Sunday that there will be no lithium mining in the next two years while all the risks are being investigated, in an apparent attempt to pacify critics.

He also offered a referendum on the issue  something unlikely to be considered by environmentalists with the presidents alleged history of rigging votes in his favour.
At least 18 people were killed when a vast landfill site in the Ugandan capital collapsed, the Red Cross said.

Fourteen other people were injured when the Kiteezi landfill, which serves as a waste disposal site for much of Kampala, collapsed late on Friday.

At least two of the dead were children, Kampala Capital City Authority said in a statement.

The collapse is believed to have been triggered by heavy rain.

People gather at the site of a collapsed landfill in Kampala (AP)

The precise details of what happened were unclear, but the city authority said there was a structural failure in waste mass.

Uganda Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita said the toll reached 18 after more bodies were recovered from the scene on Sunday.

The assessment is not yet completed, she said, adding that rainfall was slowing the efforts of rescue teams digging through heaps of rubbish.

The Kiteezi landfill is on a steep slope in an impoverished part of the city.

Women and children who scavenge plastic waste for income frequently gather there, and some homes have been built close to the site.

Kampala authorities have been considering closing the site for years and commissioning a larger area outside the city as a waste disposal site. It is not clear why the plan has failed to take off since 2016.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered an investigation into the incident, asking in a series of posts on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, why people are living in such close proximity to an unstable heap of rubbish.

Who allowed people to live near such a potentially hazardous and dangerous heap? he said, adding that effluent from the site is hazardous enough that people should not be living there.
Arrest of Former General in The Gambia: Seeking Justice for Victims of Death Squad

The Gambia has arrested a former general for his alleged involvement in a death squad that operated during the rule of former President Yahya Jammeh. General Sulayman Badjie was arrested on charges of murder, torture, and other human rights violations.

The arrest comes as part of efforts to bring justice to the victims of Jammehs regime, which was known for its brutal tactics and widespread human rights abuses. Jammeh, who ruled the West African country for 22 years, fled to Equatorial Guinea in 2017 after losing the presidential election.

The death squad, known as the Junglers, was allegedly responsible for carrying out extrajudicial killings, torture, and other abuses on behalf of Jammehs government. The squad operated with impunity, targeting political opponents, journalists, and anyone perceived as a threat to the regime.

General Badjie is the first high-ranking official to be arrested in connection with the death squad. His arrest sends a strong message that those responsible for human rights abuses will be held accountable, regardless of their position of power.

The Gambia has been working to address the legacy of Jammehs rule and provide justice to the victims of his regime. In 2019, a Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission was established to investigate human rights abuses that occurred during Jammehs rule.

The arrest of General Badjie is a significant step towards achieving justice for the victims of the death squad and holding those responsible for human rights violations accountable. It is a reminder that impunity will not be tolerated, and that those who commit such atrocities will be brought to justice.

As the Gambia continues its transition to democracy, it is crucial that efforts to address past human rights abuses are pursued vigorously. The arrest of General Badjie is a positive development in this process, and a step towards ensuring that the victims of Jammehs regime receive the justice they deserve.

It also sends a clear message to other perpetrators that they will not escape accountability for their actions. The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they will turn nonetheless.

The people of the Gambia deserve a future free from fear and oppression, and the arrest of General Badjie is a significant milestone on the path to achieving that. Let us hope that this marks the beginning of a new era of accountability and respect for human rights in the Gambia.
Abiye and Edogan who spoke on the phone before the meeting between Somalia and Ethiopia

Aug 11 (Jowhar.com)  As published on the website of the Turkish presidency on the X site, formerly known as Twitter, the telephone line between the president of Turkey, Rajeev Dayib Ordogan and the prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, according to the presidency discussed issues such as the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia.

The Turkish government said that President Erdogan spoke with Abiy about Turkeys commitment to ending the crisis between Somalia and Ethiopia.

President Ordogan knows that the steps that Ethiopia should take are the ones that can remove the concerns that Somalia has about its unity, independence, and territorial integrity, and that will facilitate the plan, said the news issued by the Turkish presidency last night. last night.

The week that will start tomorrow is expected to start in Turkey with a meeting that will bring together delegates from Somalia and Ethiopia, who will discuss how to resolve the conflict between the two governments, as announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Turkey, Hakan Fidan.

The conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia will end when Ethiopia has access to the sea, and when Ethiopia recognizes the territorial unity and political independence of Somalia, said Hakan Fidan in a press conference held in Istanbul on Friday.

These talks have come ahead of the time that was originally set for next September. That time was cut after the two sides held face-to-face talks in Istanbul, Turkey, in July.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, visited Ethiopias capital Addis Ababa at the beginning of August, where he met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, discussing the crisis between Somalia and Ethiopia.

The Turkish government said that the visit was part of the mediation that the Turkish government was conducting between the countries of Somalia and Ethiopia, after the conflict that arose between the two countries that led to the reconciliation agreement signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland at the beginning of this year.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Turkey discussed with him issues such as the conflict between Somalia and the situation in the region before the minister went to Egypt and discussed Somalia issues.

Some Somali parliamentarians who spoke at the conference which is expected to open tomorrow in Turkey said that Somalia still insists on the decisions it has already taken in the agreement.

MP Abdirahman Abdishakur posted a message on his Facebook page and said, The government of Somalia must insist That Ethiopia withdraws clearly and unambiguously from the illegal agreement it signed with Somaliland, making it clear that Somaliland is part of Somalia.
More than three quarters of the 99 journalists killed worldwide in 2023 were killed in Gaza

Written by Walid El Houri

( Globalvoices.org )  On July 31, Al Jazeera journalists Ismail al-Ghoul and Rami al-Rifi were killed by Israel in the Shati refugee camp in the north of Gaza while reporting on the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyya in Iran.

The Israeli army admitted to killing al-Ghoul and al-Rifi, accusing them of being members of Al Qassam, the military wing of Hamas, and of participating in the October 7 attack. This dangerous accusation  thoroughly refuted by the channel  has been used repeatedly by the Israeli side to justify killing journalists, which risks normalizing the targeting of journalists with unfounded accusations.

Al Jazeera said that Al Ghoul, who had previously reported on the Israeli raids of Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, was detained by Israeli forces in March and released 12 hours later, disproving the claims of his affiliation with Hamas or other organizations.

Nicola Perugini, associate professor of politics and international relations at the University of Edinburgh, warned on X about using such accusations against journalists:

A disturbing pattern

According to preliminary figures from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 113 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, with three confirmed to have been targeted and 10 more under investigation. The Gaza government media office put the number at 165 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed.

According to Reporters without Borders (RSF), 29 of [the 120 journalists reported killed by [RSF] have been killed in circumstances that point to intentional targeting, in violation of international law. Three complaints have been filed with the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the press freedom organization urging independent investigations of these war crimes.

The Al Jazeera Network  banned by Israel since May 2023  has been heavily targeted, with five of its journalists killed in Gaza since the war began. Hamza al-Dahdouh, son of Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh, and Moustafa Thuraya were killed in a January airstrike. The Israeli army also alleged the two men were members of Gaza-based terrorist organizations, which was equally refuted by the channel and others.

In February, a drone strike injured Wael al-Dahdouh and killed cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa. Waels wife, seven-year-old daughter, and 15-year-old son were also killed in an Israeli airstrike on October 28, 2023.

These deadly attacks on Al Jazeera personnel coincided with a defamation campaign by Israeli authorities, according to RSF, warning that conflating journalism with terrorism endangers reporters and threatens the right to information.

The killing of al-Ghoul and al-Rifi is the latest example of the risks of documenting the war in Gaza, the deadliest conflict for journalists the organization has documented in 30 years, Jodie Ginsberg, CPJs CEO told Al Jazeera, emphasizing that the killing of journalists by Israel has been a disturbing pattern over the past 20 years. This appears to be part of a broader [Israeli] strategy to stifle the information coming out of Gaza, she explained, adding that the ban on Al Jazeera from reporting in Israel is part of this trend.

Trauma and exhaustion

Since October 7, Israel has not allowed any foreign journalists to enter the Gaza strip to report on the ongoing war except if embedded with the Israeli army. This complete ban has meant that local journalists are the ones to bear the brunt of coverage at great personal risk.

The immense trauma and exhaustion experienced by these local journalists, who remain vulnerable despite taking all possible safety measures, was best expressed in a poignant quote from Al Jazeera English journalist Hind Khoudary that went viral after the killing of her colleagues.

Another colleague, Al Jazeeras correspondent in Jerusalem, Najwan Simri wrote in a tribute to her colleague Ismail:

It was enough to look into his eyes, and contemplate his features, to feel the depth of Gazas sadness and reproach towards us. I always felt that he reproached us with excessive politeness.. and great hope, as if he had not lost hope in us for a moment.  Najwan Simri (@SimriNajwan) 31 July, 2024

Meanwhile, local journalists in Gaza protested and held a vigil in response to al-Ghouls killing expressing their outrage at the perilous conditions they navigate daily and the lack of accountability and protection. Al Jazeera Arabic staff held a silent protest live in their studio.

An emotional video of the moment Al Jazeera Arabic presenter received and shared the news of the killing of Ismail Al Ghoul and Rami Al Rifi, went viral.

Bayan Abusultan, a feminist Palestinian journalist in Gaza tweeted:

They want to silence us.

They threaten all journalists who are still in Gaza city, and the north. Covering the news here = Being targeted by the israeli forces. Remember to keep talking about #Gaza even if they got every last one of us.

A history of impunity

Israel has a history of targeting journalists with impunity, as evidenced by the case of Shireen Abu Akleh, killed by the Israeli army while reporting in Jennin in the West Bank on May 11, 2022. Abu Aklehs killing highlights the dangers faced by Palestinian media professionals due to a lack of accountability.

Carlos Martinez de la Serna of thr CPJ criticized Israel for refusing to cooperate with the FBI and blocking potential ICC investigations into her killing, calling for an end to Israels impunity in journalist killings, which have only increased during the ongoing Gaza war.

In 2022, Abu Aklehs family and Al Jazeera requested the ICC to investigate her killing, but Israels leaders, including former prime minister Yair Lapid, resisted any interrogation of IDF soldiers and declined to open a criminal investigation into the killing.

The scale of journalist killing by Israel during this war is best seen when comparing it to the global number. More than three quarters of the 99 journalists killed worldwide in 2023 were killed in the Gaza war according to the CPJ. This alarming number emphasizes the urgent need for accountability and the enhancement of protection measures for journalists everywhere, ensuring the safety and protection of all the journalists who courageously report from the front lines of conflicts.
Oakland, CA. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  The branding of MAGA creeps as weird is horribly unfair to all the decent weird people in this world. Lets get this straight: Donald Trump, JD Vance and the MAGA acolytes are not weird. They are very creepy, destructive and mean-spirited. Weird is a misapplied euphemism in their case.

I was never a Republican, though I interned for one right after high school, Rep. Robin Beard (TN). Though Beard championed himself as a conservative, used the word liberal on pejorative terms, and was one of President Richard Nixons last defenders; Beard was a true conservative. He was fervently anti-Communist, as all conservatives and Republicans had been since World War II, and a balanced-budget hawk His objections to self-help and social entitlement programs were rooted in genuine concern for fiscal sense, rather than a cruel philosophy that poor people dont deserve better lives. The Heritage Foundation used to promote the same brand of conservatism, but now bring the proposed Project 2025, which gives Trump a fulfilled wish list, to dispense with all those pesky government guardrails, against Fascism. It calls for:

 Sacking of thousands of civil servants, expanding the power of the president, dismantling the Department of Education, sweeping tax cuts, a ban on pornography, halting sales of the abortion pill, and more.

 Proposes that the entire federal bureaucracy, including independent agencies such as the Department of Justice, be placed under direct presidential control  a controversial idea known as unitary executive theory. And eliminating job protections for thousands of government employees, who could then be replaced by political appointe

-Despite the embarrassing failure of Trumps border wall proposal, and the $millions wasted on it, Project 2025 calls for increased funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border  one of Trumps signature proposals in 2016  is proposed in the document. Project 2025 also proposes dismantling the Department of Homeland Security and combining it with other immigration enforcement units in other agencies, creating a much larger and more powerful border policing operation. Other proposals include eliminating visa categories for crime and human trafficking victims, increasing fees on immigrants and allowing fast-tracked applications for migrants who pay a premium. I could go on, but thats disturbing enough. (Explore the link above.)

My internship was in the summer of 1973, which coincided with the Watergate hearings, and I was honored to attend in person on two occasions. Frankly, I thought the Republicans under Nixon were getting pretty weird, when some of them started crying that Nixon was too liberal. They always wanted somebody meaner. As I studied the ideologies of the Democrats and Republicans before I started college, I sensed that Republicans could someday be vulnerable to megalomaniac takeover by someone such as Trump, and use it as a springboard for full-bore Fascism in the US. But I never dreamed that Republicans would ever favor Russia (the old or neo-USSR) over NATO and the western alliances crafted after World War II. I often counter pro-Trump acolytes and arguments by saying, Oh, so I guess you werent happy with the results of the Civil War or World War II.

For all his evil deeds, Nixon gave the US a lot of great things including EPA, expanded social programs for food stamps, Infant nutrition; Endangered Species, Clean Air and Water Acts; ended the military draft and began the withdrawal from Vietnam, lowered the voting age to 18, and he signed Title IX of the Civil Rights Act. Nixon was a hero for womens sports! He also gave American Natives self-determination over much of their tribal lands and sacred burial grounds. Nixon did all that, which todays Republicans are too mean and creepy to support. But it was weird that Nixon chose the CREEP acronym for his presidential re-election campaign, (*The Committee to Re-Elect the President.). Nixon deserves credit for foreshadowing the branding of todays Republicans.



Trump Creepy, Digital, Dream/ Dark Fantasy, 2024.

Trumps proposed agenda, if re-elected makes no attempt to hide his intent to supplant American Democracy with full-bore Fascism. He expressed intent to undermine or fix the Justice System to protect himself, as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has done. He promises/threats to use the Justice Department as a tool to persecute and imprison his political rivals, and carry out mass deportations of foreign nationals, even if they hold US citizenship. The idea of American concentration camps was already realized by Stephen Miller, with the Trump campaign to separate families at the Mexican border, and detain children in inhumane conditions. His campaign is supported by Republican governors stunts to bus asylum-seekers out of their states, and into locales with progressive political leaders. The war on gays and LGBTQ culture would be amplified, and local school districts would lose control over their curriculum choices, leading to more book bannings and burnings.

Trump, Vance, Miller (He was kicked out of all 12 Tribes and can no longer be considered Jewish) and Steve Bannon are not weird; they are dangerously creepy and scary.

Todays Republicans would HANG Nixon for all his relatively progressive initiatives and accomplishments. Maybe theyll hang JD Vance instead, who may not realize what he signed on for. Obviously, he didnt consult Mike Pence.
Public art is the ultimate act of civic beautification. When it works.

In a complicated equation of location, concept and execution, public art  in any format  should add a new dimension to the experience of a place. If done poorly, its a rude  or merely inept  interruption. But if the elements come together as they should, public art can be a delightful surprise, a pause for thought or a peaceful respite. Some works are so much a part of the urban streetscapes lifeblood, it can seem like an amputation were they to disappear.

For example, its hard to imagine the brutalist concrete monolith of Niagara Squares City Court Building without Coronation Day, sculptor Kenneth Snelsons graceful web of steel tubing, framed against it. And there would likely be an massive outcry if Delaware Park was threatened with the loss of its 17-foot-high reproduction of Michelangelos David. (Though I must report that many out-of-town visitors find the appearance of this Renaissance icon  as it looms into view along the 198  quite startling.)

A new era for public art in Buffalo began 10 years ago with the August 2014 installation of Casey Riordans Shark Girl at Canalside. Erie County now had a Public Art Initiative with an avowed mission of making Buffalo an internationally recognized hub of public art. Aaron Ott has been the full time curator and leader of that mission since the initiative was founded in 2013.

It is a far cry from the days when the city was known more for kicking public art out of town than for embracing it as a goal. I refer to the 1984 brouhaha over Billie Lawless Green Lightning, in which a neon sculpture that had been initially approved by the city was deemed offensive and had to be removed by the artist before then-Mayor Jimmy Griffin could send the bulldozers in.

Times have changed. Ott now visits University at Buffalo art classes with students who were 8 when Shark Girl landed.

One of the most humbling and exciting things is the recognition that there are young artists now who are active in our community and who have essentially grown up with public art, he says. And so you have a lot of people who have aspirations for artistic practice in public space that might not be there without the kind of work that were doing.

Ott is planning an exhibition for February that will include many of the artists, both local and visiting, who have been involved with the Public Art Initiative over the past 10 years. In his view, Buffalos public art ecosphere has successfully expanded even beyond his early hopes for the program  in no small part through the willingness of other local entities, nonprofit and commercial, to start their own projects, like Hertel Alley, which has the support of Common Council Member Joel Feroleto, as well as businesses and community leaders.

Over the years, Ott has been quick to respond to community concerns, as with the initial planning for 2017s Freedom Wall mural at Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street, which grew to include a more diverse group of artists.

Otts most recent curatorial project is Wayfinding, by artist Chloe Bass. The installation consists of 48 stainless steel, aluminum or acrylic signs of varying dimensions, arranged in six groupings throughout the AKG grounds and into surrounding areas of Delaware Park.

Those who value Buffalos new streetscape of public art for its decorative value alone might not immediately relate to this statement by Bass: A huge part of my art practice is to get people to look more closely at whats around them, including, but not exclusively, at themselves.

That quote comes from a 2020 interview with Bass, published in the New York Review of Books soon after a version of Wayfinding debuted at St. Nicholas Park in Harlem.

Buffalonians will have plenty of time to explore the artists theories about what public art should do. Wayfinding is up through October 2025. Some of its larger, mirrored signs now reflect lush foliage and expansive lawns, but that will change later this year as green fades to brown and  intermittently  gets covered in white. Almost all of the 48 signs feature either questions  the six largest  or statements. Each of the six acrylic signs is imprinted with an image.

How it works: Each sign group has one large sign with a question, two middle-sized signs with statements, several small signs with statements and one image sign. All the statements in each group connect with the question in some way. The work is of sleek and minimal construction, and its relationship to its surroundings is, well, not quite subtle  these are signs in a park, after all  but unobtrusive enough.

As Bass implies, these signs are intended to make people think. And sometimes they ring an entertaining chord. I enjoyed There are times when I have agreed with you only in order to stay alive, a medium-sized sign within the How much of love is attention? group. And the smallest signs are fun to encounter within the perennial borders or under trees. Its interesting to bend down to look at a flower and instead be called upon to interpret There is a kind of impatience that in a certain light can be misplaced for eagerness.

Wayfinding, which is at least the eighth public art project from the AKG in the 2023-24 season, is challenging to a point murals seldom reach. Usually observed on the way to something else, murals can flash by or gently recede into the passing streetscape. Seen within the surroundings of Buffalos chief Olmsted park, a place that is usually deliberately visited with the intent to remain as long as an hour or two, this project is meant to be noticed. It is meant to get a reaction.

Ott acknowledges that a few park strollers have found it obstructive and have expressed those thoughts on social media.

Disgruntled park visitors can take comfort in the fact that its a temporary installation, though the AKG has purchased all 48 pieces of it, and likely will be lending it to other cities.

Wayfinding debuted in July, at the same time that the AKGs expansive  and spectacular  Marisol exhibition opened, so it might not have received as much public attention, but it will still be on view nine months after Marisol: A Retrospective closes. That will be the time to take a chilly walk through Olmsteds landscape and see how Bass sharply pointed art is holding up.

I have to admit that I was among those who didnt get how all these signs in Delaware Park were going to work. But that was based on a Facebook image. Now that Ive walked through a couple of the groupings, Im interesting in seeing them in other seasons.

Maybe Ill get through all six questions and 36 accompanying statements before they take it away.
By Myra Williamson, Auckland University of Technology | 

Peace in the Middle East seems further away than ever. The assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, the threat of Iranian retaliation against Israel, and the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza have all put the region on a knife edge.

At first glance, there might seem to be little opportunity for New Zealand to contribute to a peaceful resolution. But that is not to say the country has no options.

In particular, the advisory opinion on the unlawful Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 19 has clear implications  and opportunities  for every country.

The ICJ, informally known as the World Court, has for the first time carefully laid out what international law says about the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. This was in response to a request in late 2022 from the United Nations General Assembly for the court to rule on the legality of the Israeli occupation.

The court received 57 written submissions from states and regional organisations (and heard 53 oral submissions). The courts 15 judges then voted on the list of findings in the advisory opinion.

The advisory opinion is officially titled Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem. It sets out the courts position on the occupation and what other countries can do to end it, including that:

The State of Israels continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful [and it] is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence [] as rapidly as possible. (Vote: 11-4.) All States are under an obligation not to recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the [Occupied Palestinian Territory] and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by the continued presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. (Vote: 12-3.) The UN, and especially the General Assembly [] and the Security Council, should consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end as rapidly as possible the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. (Vote: 12-3.)

What does it mean for New Zealand?

Although its advisory opinions are not technically binding on member states, the ICJ says they carry great weight and moral authority. The UN General Assembly has said respect for the Court and its functions [] is essential to international law and justice and to an international order based on the rule of law.

This ruling clearly has implications for New Zealand, beyond reiterating that Israel must honour its international obligations. Trade and investment policies will need revisiting, and possibly diplomatic and immigration settings, too. Four areas should be prioritised.

The government should issue a clearly articulated statement acknowledging the importance of the ICJs advisory opinion and recognising New Zealands obligations in light of it. There needs to be a comprehensive review of all Crown financial institution investments, including scrutiny of the Superannuation Fund and Accident Compensation Corporation investment fund. By law, the Superannuation Fund must be invested to avoid prejudice to New Zealands reputation as a responsible member of the world community. The review should include all companies, listed bonds and private equity funds the Crown institutions invest in. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade should advise companies and individuals about ensuring they comply with international law. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has compiled a database of Israeli and global businesses involved in activities relating to settlements in the Occupied Territories. Export regulations, including the list of export prohibitions and restrictions, need to be revisited and updated if necessary. New Zealand needs to consider what role it will play in the UN General Assembly, given the ICJ advice that it find a way to end the Israeli occupation. As one of the 51 founding members of the UN, New Zealand should play an active part in formulating the next steps.

The power of international law

New Zealand was not among the 57 states that submitted a statement to the ICJ. Nor has it filed any response to South Africas ongoing genocide case against Israel at the ICJ, or even been willing to fully disclose its position.

Additionally, New Zealand has not recognised a Palestinian state, despite 146 other UN member countries having done so, including most recently Norway, Spain and Ireland.

Inevitably, New Zealands claims to be a defender of the rule of law and supporter of a rules-based international order will come under increased scrutiny. The ICJ has made those rules very clear, so now is the time to act.

By making tangible and practical moves in response to the advisory opinion, New Zealand would be doing more than simply showing it is a good global citizen. It would be recognising the potential of international law to gain traction in resolving a conflict that has raged far too long.

Myra Williamson, Senior Lecturer in Law, Auckland University of Technology

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.



Bonus video added by Informed Comment:

Democracy Now! Video: ICJ Rules Israels Occupation of West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza Is Illegal: Diana Buttu Explains
The Central African Republic's government has appealed for the country's main rebel force to rejoin peace talks, after one of its leaders said he was willing to negotiate.

The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) -- the most powerful armed rebel group in the CAR -- has been embroiled in infighting since one of its leaders announced an end to hostilities and called for talks with the government.

"The Central African government... encourages all CPC leaders to return in earnest to the overall peace and security process," Jean Willybiro-Sako, a minister in charge of overseeing a 2019 peace and reconciliation agreement, said in a statement on Thursday.

At the end of July, Ali Darassa, who at the time was chief of general staff of the CPC, announced that he was "putting an end to all hostilities throughout" the country, signalling his openness to return to the negotiating table.

His declaration was made public two days after President Faustin Archange Touadera called on the rebels to "lay down their arms", assuring them the CAR would "welcome them back with open arms".

That prompted the CPC's chief, exiled ex-president Francois Bozize, to dismiss Darassa, citing "notorious indiscipline" and "conduct and actions opposed to the coalition's objectives".

Willybiro-Sako urged Darassa -- who is sanctioned by the United Nations for "numerous crimes and exactions against civilians" -- to join the process, nonetheless.

In a statement, the minister asked the rebel general to "officially designate his representatives for the next stages of the process" and to take stock of the military personnel and resources at his disposal in order to disarm and demobilise them.

The second-least developed country in the world according to the UN, the CAR has been engulfed in civil war since 2013.

That began after Bozize -- who seized power in 2003 in a coup -- was in turn ousted by a Muslim-dominated armed coalition called the Seleka.

Now living in exile in Guinea-Bissau, Bozize is the target of an arrest warrant issued by a United Nations-sponsored tribunal in the CAR for possible crimes against humanity.

The intensity of the fighting has dropped considerably since 2018, with the UN Security Council lifting last month an arms embargo introduced in 2013.

It nonetheless maintained a ban on arms sales to armed groups operating in the CAR for another year.

The UN Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic says that 4,800 individuals have already handed in their weapons.

Yet the former French colony still suffers bouts of violence by rebel groups as well as conflict over its resources, which include gold and diamonds.
Peru on Friday adopted a law that prevents the prosecution of crimes against humanity committed before 2002, which could benefit disgraced ex-president Alberto Fujimori.

Hundreds of others accused of abuses during the South American country's internal conflict in the 1980s and 1990s also stand to be let off.

The law, which was published in the official journal, was approved despite a resolution adopted in mid-June by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights demanding the process be suspended.

The United Nations on Friday also denounced the passing of the bill.

The law's adoption -- which was approved by parliament last month -- should bring an end to hundreds of investigations into presumed crimes committed during Peru's conflict with left-wing rebels between 1980 and 2000, in which 69,000 people died and another 21,000 disappeared.

Fujimori, president from 1990 to 2000, was convicted in 2009 over massacres committed by army death squads in 1991 and 1992 in which 25 people, including a child, were killed in what the government said were anti-terrorist operations.

The 86-year-old, who is in failing health, spent 16 years in prison before Peru's Constitutional Court ordered him freed for humanitarian reasons last December, despite objections from the Inter-American rights court.

He had also been facing trial over the killing by soldiers of six farmers in a separate case from 1992, but that may now be shelved.

According to the new law, "no one can be prosecuted, convicted or punished for crimes against humanity or war crimes, for acts committed before July 1, 2002," which is the date that the Rome Statute entered into force.

The Rome Statute was the treaty that established the International Criminal Court and established the principle that the worst crimes, including genocide, have no statute of limitations.

"No act before that date can be qualified as a crime against humanity or war crime," said the law, which enters into force on Saturday.

Peru's new law "contravenes the country's obligations under international law and is a troubling development," and comes "amid a broader backlash against human rights and the rule of law," UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement.
The US State Department said Friday it would not sanction an Israeli army unit involved in the killing of a Palestinian-American, saying Israel had already taken remedial action.

Omar Assad, 78, a grocer who spent most of his adult life in Milwaukee, was on a return visit to the West Bank in January 2022 when he was handcuffed, gagged and blindfolded, dying after lying on the ground for more than an hour on a cold winter night.

The incident was linked to the Israeli army's Netzah Yehuda, a unit founded in 1999 to encourage recruits from the ultra-Orthodox community, which is largely exempt from compulsory military service.

A State Department panel decided against imposing sanctions on the unit after being presented with information by the government of Israel, which has vocally opposed action against its military amid the ongoing war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"After thoroughly reviewing that information, we have determined that violations by this unit have also been effectively remediated," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.

"This unit can continue receiving security assistance from the United States of America," he said.

A US official said that two soldiers involved in the incident, while not ultimately prosecuted, were removed from combat positions and have left the military.

The military has also taken steps "to avoid a recurrence of incidents," including enhanced screening of recruits and a two-week educational seminar specifically for the unit.

Experts say that Netzah Yehuda has mostly drawn ultra-Orthodox youths who see the military as a way to integrate into Israeli society, but it has also attracted fervent nationalists from the West Bank.

The West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, is home to three million Palestinians alongside some 490,000 Israelis living in settlements considered illegal under international law.

The army concluded that Assad's death was the result of "a moral failure and poor decision-making on the part of the soldiers."

It said Assad "refused to cooperate" when stopped by soldiers in the village of Jiljilya and that soldiers tied his hands and gagged him without checking on him later.

It was unclear why soldiers stopped Assad. The Palestinian official news agency Wafa said he died from a stress-induced heart attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced anger over foreign pressure on human rights, insisting the country has its own means of justice.

The International Criminal Court in May said it intended to pursue arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his defense minister and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes in the Gaza war.
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus appealed for religious unity Saturday after embracing the weeping mother of a student shot dead by police, a flashpoint in mass protests that ended Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule.

Nobel laureate Yunus, 84, returned from Europe this week to helm a temporary administration facing the monumental challenge of ending disorder and enacting democratic reforms.

"Our responsibility is to build a new Bangladesh," he told reporters.

Several reprisal attacks against the country's Hindu minority since autocratic ex-premier Hasina's toppling have caused alarm in neighbouring India as well as fear at home.

Yunus called for calm during a visit to the northern city of Rangpur by invoking the memory of Abu Sayeed, the first student slain during last month's unrest.

"Don't differentiate by religion", he said.

"Abu Sayeed is now in every home. The way he stood, we have to do the same," he added. "There are no differences in Abu Sayeed's Bangladesh."

Sayeed, 25, was shot dead by police at close range on July 16 at the start of a police crackdown on student-led protests against Hasina's government.

His mother sobbed as she clung to a visibly emotional Yunus, who had come to pay his respects alongside members of the "advisory" cabinet now administering the country.

Fellow cabinet member Nahid Islam, a 26-year-old sociology graduate who led the protests that culminated in Hasina's ouster, wept by the leader's side.

- Allies purged -

Hasina, 76, fled by helicopter to neighbouring India on Monday as protesters flooded Dhaka's streets in a dramatic end to her iron-fisted rule.

Her government was accused of widespread human rights abuses including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of her political opponents.

Cabinet ministers left blindsided by her sudden fall have gone to ground, while several top appointees have been forced out of office -- including the national police chief and the central bank governor.

The chief justice of the Supreme Court became on Saturday the latest to announce his departure.

"It's not possible anymore for me to perform the duty," Obaidul Hassan said in a statement. "Therefore, I have decided to resign."

Appointed last year, Hassan earlier oversaw a much-criticised war crimes tribunal that ordered the execution of Hasina's opponents, and his brother was her longtime secretary.

His announcement came after hundreds of protesters gathered outside the court to demand he and other judges step down by the early afternoon.

"No one should do anything that pits the Supreme Court against the mass uprising of the students and the people," Asif Nazrul, a student protest leader now serving in Yunus' government, told reporters.

- 'Safety and protection' -

In the immediate aftermath of Hasina's fall, some businesses and homes owned by Hindus were attacked, a group seen by some in Muslim-majority Bangladesh as having been her supporters.

Bangladeshi Hindus account for around eight percent of the country's population.

Hundreds have since arrived on India's border, asking to cross.

Hasina's flight has heightened rancour towards India, which played a decisive military role in securing Bangladesh's independence, but also backed her to the hilt.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged "safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities".

More than 450 people were killed in the unrest leading up to Hasina's departure, including dozens of police officers killed during clampdowns on demonstrations.

The caretaker administration Yunus helms has said that restoration of law and order is its "first priority".

Complicating its efforts is a strike declared Tuesday by the police union, saying its members would not return to work until their safety was assured.

Bangladesh's police force said more than half of the country's police stations had since reopened.

They are being guarded by soldiers from the army, an institution held in higher public regard than the police for opting not to forcibly quell the protests.

"We are happy that police are returning to their duty," university pupil Umar Faruk, 22, told AFP.

"Police are needed to maintain law and order. But it's also a matter of concern for us whether the police can gain the trust of the people."

Two attempted jailbreaks were staged at prisons north of the capital Dhaka this week, with more than 200 inmates fleeing one facility.

Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering work in microfinance, credited with helping millions of Bangladeshis out of grinding poverty.

He took office Thursday as "chief advisor" to a caretaker administration, comprised of fellow civilians bar one retired brigadier-general, and has said he wants to hold elections "within a few months".
An independent, UN-appointed rights expert accused Israel of committing "genocide" in its Gaza war after an Israeli strike targeting a school on Saturday killed 93 people, according to local rescuers.

"Israel is genociding the Palestinians one neighbourhood at the time, one hospital at the time, one school at the time, one refugee camp at the time, one safe zone at the time," Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories, said on social media platform X.

Israel was carrying out such strikes against Palestinians using "US and European weapons", Albanese said.

"May the Palestinians forgive us for our collective inability to protect them," she added.

In a report issued in March, Albanese said there were "reasonable grounds" to determine that Israel had committed several acts of "genocide" in its war in Gaza.

Israel, which has long been highly critical of Albanese and her mandate, denounced her report as an "obscene inversion of reality".

She has said that "of course" she also condemned Hamas for its attack on Israel which triggered 10 months of war in the Gaza Strip.

Special rapporteurs are appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the UN.
Rescuers in Gaza said an Israeli air strike on a religious school housing displaced Palestinians killed 93 people on Saturday, as Israel's military accused militants of basing themselves there.

AFP could not independently verify the toll which, if confirmed, would appear to be one of the largest from a single strike during 10 months of war between Israel and Hamas Palestinian militants.

Hamas denounced the "dangerous escalation" in north Gaza, which came after international mediators invited the warring sides to resume next Thursday talks towards a long-sought ceasefire and hostage-release deal.

Jordan's foreign ministry said the timing was an indication of Israel's efforts to "obstruct and thwart" the peace push.

One of the mediators, Qatar, called for an "urgent international investigation" into strikes on school shelters.

Civil defence rescuers in the Hamas-ruled territory said three Israeli missiles hit Al-Tabieen religious school in Gaza City while people performed dawn prayers.

"Their bodies were torn apart," civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP. "It reminds us of the first days of the war in the Gaza Strip."

With nearly all of Gaza's 2.4 million people displaced during the war started by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, many have sought refuge in school buildings, which have been hit at least 14 times since July 6, according to an AFP tally.

"Those who were inside the mosque were all killed. Even the floor above, where women and children were sleeping, was completely burned," local resident Abu Wassim said.

Israel's military said it took "numerous steps" to mitigate risks as it "precisely struck Hamas terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control centre embedded in the Al-Tabieen school".

The military has repeatedly made similar accusations after strikes on school shelters. Hamas has previously denied using schools, hospitals and other civilian facilities for military aims.

- Bodies and blood -

The attack left dead and wounded strewn around the ground floor of the two-storey complex with a courtyard, where debris lay inside and out, AFPTV images showed.

The upper floor was partially blown out and charred.

Images showed white-shrouded bodies, blood stains on the ground, and smoke rising from the rubble.

Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Palestinian militants seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 39 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 39,790 people, according to Gaza's health ministry, which does not give details of civilian and militant deaths.

Bassal told a press conference that 11 children and six women were among those killed at the school shelter, "and there are many unidentified body parts."

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nadav Shoshani said on social media platform X that intelligence indicated "approximately 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, including senior commanders, were operating from the compound."

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry expressed "condemnation in the strongest terms" and stressed "the need to stop the mass massacres" in Gaza.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights situation in Palestinian territories, again accused Israel of "genociding" Palestinians.

Israel previously denounced her as presenting an "obscene inversion of reality".

The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell said the school strike left him "horrified", adding that there is "no justification for these massacres."

Turkey decried a "new crime against humanity" and claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted "to sabotage ceasefire negotiations".

- Rare intervention -

Iran this week accused Israel of wanting to spread war in the Middle East, while Hamas officials, some analysts and critics in Israel have said Netanyahu seeks to prolong the fighting.

However, Netanyahu's office on Thursday said Israel would send negotiators "to conclude the details of implementing a deal", after the joint invitation from the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

They invited the warring parties to resume talks on August 15 to swiftly implement an agreement, after intense diplomacy aimed at averting a region-wide conflagration.

The Gaza war has already drawn in Iran-aligned groups around the region.

Fears of a broader Middle East war have surged following vows of vengeance from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, Hamas, Iran and others for the killing of two senior militants, including Hamas's political leader.

In a rare intervention on Saturday, Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, denounced "crimes" including the latest school strike and the senior militants' killings which, he said, risk "catastrophic consequences".

The killing on July 31 of Hamas's Ismail Haniyeh during a visit to Tehran had sidelined truce talks. Iran and Hamas blamed Israel, which has not directly commented.

Iran's mission to the United Nations on Saturday said the Islamic republic has "the legitimate right to self-defence" after its sovereignty was "violated".

"However, we hope that our response will be timed and conducted in a manner not to the detriment of the potential ceasefire," it said.

Haniyeh's death came hours after an Israeli strike on south Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's military chief. Israel said this was in response to rocket fire that killed young people in the annexed Golan Heights.

Hamas ally Hezbollah has been trading near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces.
Turkey on Saturday denounced a "new crime against humanity" after Israel's deadly strike on a school in Gaza killed dozens of people, according to a foreign ministry statement.

"Israel has committed a new crime against humanity by massacring more than a hundred civilians who had taken refuge in a school," the ministry said.

"This attack shows once again that the Netanyahu government wants to sabotage permanent ceasefire negotiations.

"The international actors who do not take measures to stop Israel are making themselves complicit in these crimes."

Israel's air strike during dawn prayers on a school housing displaced Palestinians killed 93 people, according to Gaza's civil defence agency.
Iran condemned a "barbaric" Israeli air strike on a school in Gaza housing displaced Palestinians that left dozens dead on Saturday, calling it a "war crime".

The attack showed once again that Israel "does not respect any of the rules and regulations of international law and moral and human principles," foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a statement.

He said the strike was "a clear example of the simultaneous perpetration of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity" by Israel.

Kanani called for "firm action by Muslim and freedom-loving countries around the world to support the Palestinian nation and its legitimate struggles and resistance against the occupation."

The civil defence agency in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, said 93 people were killed in the strike.

Israel's military accused Hamas militants of using the building as a command centre.

AFP could not independently verify the toll which, if confirmed, would be one of the largest from a single strike during 10 months of war between Israel and Hamas.

Iran does not recognise Israel and has made support for the Palestinian cause a centrepiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Tehran has hailed Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel but denied any involvement.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have soared since the killing on July 31 of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during a visit to Tehran, which blamed Israel and vowed to retaliate.
Friends and foes of Israel on Saturday denounced an Israeli strike that killed scores of displaced civilians in a Gaza school, renewing calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Gaza's civil defence agency said the Israeli strike on the Al-Tabieen religious school and mosque in Gaza City killed at least 93 people, 17 of them women and children, making it one of the war's deadliest strikes.

Israel's military disputed the death toll, saying the school was targeted with "precision munitions" because it "served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility".

It said at least 19 "terrorists" had been killed in the strike.

-United States-

A White House statement said it was "deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties" following the strike and was seeking more information.

The strike "underscores the urgency of a ceasefire and hostage deal, which we continue to work tirelessly to achieve", the statement added.

- Britain-

British Foreign Minister David Lammy wrote on X that he was "appalled by the Israeli Military strike on al-Tabeen school and the tragic loss of life," adding that "we need an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, free all hostages, and end restrictions on aid".

-France-

A statement from the French foreign ministry noted that "for several weeks, school buildings have been repeatedly targeted, with an intolerable number of civilian victims."

"Israel must respect international humanitarian law," it added.

-EU-

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he was "horrified by images from a sheltering school in Gaza hit by an Israeli strike. At least 10 schools were targeted in the last weeks. There's no justification for these massacres," Borrell wrote on X.

-Switzerland-

The Swiss foreign affairs ministry said in a posting on X that it was "alarmed by the high death toll reported after an Israeli strike on a school used as a shelter. International humanitarian law protects civilians and civilian infrastructure in conflict zones."

-Spain-

"Once again we demand the total respect for the provisional measures demanded by the International Court of Justice for the protection of civilian populations," said the Spanish government.

-Qatar-

Qatar, a mediator in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, demanded an urgent probe to ascertain the "facts regarding the Israeli occupation forces' continued targeting of schools and shelters for displaced persons".

-Egypt-

Egypt, which has diplomatic ties with Israel and is also involved in negotiations between the two sides, said the attack was carried out "in disdain of international and humanitarian law" and showed a "lack of willingness on the Israeli side to put an end to this ferocious war."

-Jordan-

Jordan's foreign ministry said the timing was an indication of Israel's efforts to "obstruct and thwart" the latest mediation effort.

-Russia-

"Moscow is deeply shocked by what has happened," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

"We reaffirm our principled and consistent position on the need for strict compliance with the norms of international humanitarian law. We call on the Israeli side to refrain from attacking civilian objects."

-Iran-

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said the strike "showed once again that Israel does not respect any of the rules and regulations of international law and moral and human principles."

Kanani called for "firm action by Muslim and freedom-loving countries around the world to support the Palestinian nation and its legitimate struggles and resistance against the occupation".

-Hezbollah-

Lebanon's Hezbollah group described the attack as a "horrific massacre" and called for worldwide outrage in solidarity with Palestinians.

-Huthis-

Yemen's Huthis said it was "a brutal massacre committed by the criminal Israeli entity with full American support".

-GCC-

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council said the "direct targeting of shelters and camps of the displaced, are considered war crimes".

-Kuwait-

Kuwait's foreign ministry called on "the international community and the Security Council to intervene to stop these heinous crimes against a defenceless people, and to exert more efforts to stop the bloodshed".

-Bahrain-

Bahrain "strongly" condemned the bombing of the school. In a statement, the foreign ministry called on the international community "to assume its responsibilities to provide the necessary protection for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks".

-Turkey-

A foreign ministry statement decried a "new crime against humanity" and said the attack shows "once again" that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "wants to sabotage permanent ceasefire negotiations".

"The international actors who do not take measures to stop Israel are making themselves complicit in these crimes," it added.

-WHO-

"I'm speechless," WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a posting on X.

"How many more women and children will lose their lives before a ceasefire? The horror that civilians in #Gaza are enduring must end."

gv/jj

X






Saturday, August 10, 2024 - Two men have been sentenced to a combined total of five years in prison for their involvement in publishing Facebook posts that incited racial hatred and called for violence against a hotel housing asylum seekers in Leeds during recent riots in the UK.

Jordan Parlour, 28, from Brooklands Close, Leeds, was sentenced to 20 months in prison after being charged with publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred. The charges were related to Facebook posts Parlour made targeting the Britannia Hotel in Seacroft, which serves as temporary housing for refugees and asylum seekers. The posts, which were widely shared, included calls for the destruction of the hotel, with Parlour expressing his anger and frustration over the presence of asylum seekers in the UK.

In a separate case, Tyler Kay, a company director, was sentenced to 38 months at Northampton Crown Court. Kay was found guilty of repeating anti-immigrant comments originally posted by the wife of a Tory councillor and boasting online that he would "categorically" not be arrested. His posts also included calls for action against immigration solicitors in Northampton and support for organized protests.

Prosecuting counsel Matthew Donkin detailed the impact of their actions, noting that the Britannia Hotel staff reported stones being thrown and windows damaged between August 2 and August 3. The prosecutor also linked the incidents to a broader wave of public disorder that spread across several UK cities, including Southport, Manchester, Hartlepool, Aldershot, and London.

During the trial, it was revealed that Parlour's posts received numerous likes and comments, further fueling the spread of hate and violence. When questioned online about his motives, Parlour replied that he was frustrated by what he perceived as asylum seekers benefiting from taxpayer money that should be used for "hardworking people." He later admitted to the police that his posts were made out of "anger and frustration."

The judge, the Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl KC, condemned Parlour's actions, stating that his intention to incite hatred and violence was "plainly evident."

These sentences send a strong message about the consequences of spreading hate and inciting violence, particularly against vulnerable groups like asylum seekers.




Sunday, August 11, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed reports of Mt. Kenya withdrawing its support for President William Ruto and his administration.

Speaking at a roadside rally while accompanying the Head of State on his development tour of Kirinyaga County, Gachagua fired a warning to Mt. Kenya leaders threatening to walk out of Kenya Kwanza over alleged dissatisfaction.

"As a Mt. Kenya people, this is our government. We woke up early and invested in President William Ruto's administration."

"I want to ask leaders not to make statements that can confuse mwananchi. That kind of nonsense should be contained on WhatsApp groups.

"When you take to public podiums, you have to address Kenyans appropriately," he stated.

Gachagua reminded Mt. Kenya residents that the region overwhelmingly voted for Ruto and as such, leaders from the region, including himself will continue backing the president to the hilt.

Over the last two days, Ruto and his deputy have retreated to Mt Kenya to launch various development projects, in a charm offensive geared to calm down a restive vote bloc that has openly expressed its dissatisfaction with a government it voted for almost to a man.

While Ruto is just settling after stemming a wave of protests from Kenyans, Gachagua has found himself grappling with speculation of an impeachment motion being lined up against him.

Over the last month, several MPs believed to be his allies and personal aides have been arrested on suspicion of funding the recent anti-government demonstrations.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, August 11, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken about an alleged plan to abandon President William Ruto due to frustrations from the State House.

Rutos proxies in the state house have frustrated Gachagua by abusing him and denying him his official chopper.

Due to frustrations, there were speculations that Gachagua was planning to ditch the Kenya Kwanza regime.

However, speaking on Saturday, Gachagua affirmed his resolve to stay in the government despite the frustrations.

I have seen some people trying to start a debate that Mt Kenya people cant leave the government. Is there a need for such a debate? Isnt this our government? Didnt we wake up early to vote for it? he asked.

"The day you voted for the President, did you see my face there and you voted for both of us?

"If I havent said anything, who is that purporting to speak? he posed, adding that every homestead has a leader and that hes the leader of the Mt Kenya region.

Gachagua said once their contract is over, they will go back to Kenyans to have it renewed but that for now, the Kenya Kwanza government is theirs and they will both continue being part of it.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, August 11,2024 - Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has asked the United States of America to intervene in the alleged harassment of businessman Jimi Wanjigi as well as the abduction and killing of other Kenyans by President William Ruto's administration.

Speaking at a burial in Mwingi West constituency on Friday, Kalonzo, who is also the Wiper Democratic Movement party leader, also accused the State of criminalizing demonstrations organized and spearheaded by Gen Zs that have been going on for two months now.

"Jimi has been harassed in this country; this time, even the US Under Secretary is still in the country, she should appeal to Kenya Kwanza to stop disturbing him because he has done the right thing and gone to court," he said.

"They seem to be so determined to arrest him. Without a court order, they raid his house, destroy CCTV and plant teargas and other things on him."

The wiper boss further called on the church to pray for the country, especially on matters of corruption as he lauded the youth for their relentless efforts to liberate the country from what he termed as the claws of bad leadership.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, August 10, 2024 - CNN host and Washington Post writer, Fareed Zakaria has said the Kamala Harris presidential campaign is deliberately empty of substance and high on feelings and the Vice President and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are winning by leading a highly emotion-based, "vibes"-heavy campaign against Donald Trump.

"Voters choose from the gut and then rationalise their choice, consciously or not," Zakaria wrote in an Op-ed published Saturday, August 10.

"Kamala Harriss campaign seems premised on this latter, intuition-based approach."

Harris's campaign is giving Trump a serious challenge in swing states, according to recent polling that shows her topping Trump in 3 key battleground states. On Thursday, Trump did a fully charged press conference saying Harris cannot do a press conference like him as she is bereft of ideas or policies.

"Harris has run a remarkably focused and disciplined campaign, one that seems deliberately light on substance and high on feelings," Zakaria wrote.

"Harris has not yet given extensive interviews or done news conferences which would force her to detail her positions on specific issues. Instead, she introduced herself to the American people in entirely human terms, presenting herself as a dynamic, warm, funny, and optimistic person," he continued. "Its heavy on vibes, and, so far, it seems to be working."

Zakaria then praised the importance of Harris choosing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, whom he said would have been the "practical choice."

"Instead, she chose the governor of a bluer state  but one who projects an image that has resonated throughout the country: a folksy, affable, kindhearted man," he wrote. "The Tim Walz pick reminds us that, sometimes, EQ is as important as IQ."

The columnist argued that former President Trump and the Republican Party have long been "masters of the politics of emotion," but Harris' campaign, which is centered on evoking "joy," is winning the public relations battle.

"So far, the Harris approach has allowed her to right the sinking Democratic ship," Zakaria wrote.

"To prevail, Harris will have to start filling in the substance of her campaign," he added. "The Democrats biggest strength is the issue of abortion, and the vice president has been eloquent and effective on it. Their biggest weakness is immigration, which galvanizes Republicans and even some independents."




Sunday, August 11,2024 - Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichungwah has criticized Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for saying he is not in the same league as MPs who are causing divisions in the Mt Kenya region.

During a development tour in the Mt Kenya region on Saturday, Gachagua asked MPs to "play their league," claiming that some of them were engaged in divisive politics in the region.

"I ask the MPs to do their work. The work of the presidency is mine and the president's.

"We're the ones with a say and if we haven't said anything, others should keep quiet.

"Concentrate on your job and let the president and deputy president play their league.

"Don't bring divisive politics into this region," Gachagua remarked.

However, in a rejoinder, Ichung'wah told off the second in command that the president was way above 'his league'.

"League? Which league? President William Ruto aint in that league. Way above. Deal with your situation," Ichung'wah stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe is set to introduce a new, highly secure certificate to combat the rising issue of fake practicing licenses. The proliferation of counterfeit certificates has become a serious problem due to the high demand for African nurses abroad, which has created a lucrative market for such fakes.To address this, the council will implement advanced anti-counterfeiting measures in the new certificate. Mrs. Grace Madondo, the Registrar of the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe, emphasized that this initiative will help ensure that only qualified individuals can practice both locally and internationally, thereby protecting the integrity of the profession and patient safety.She also advised employers to thoroughly verify the authenticity of certificates before hiring staff. Currently, Zimbabwe has over 36,000 registered nurses, and the government is working on increasing the health workforce by 50% and retaining existing staff to improve healthcare services. Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora has set a goal to double the number of healthcare workers by 2028.






Saturday, August 10, 2024 - Stunned worshippers got more than they bargained for when a Virgin Mary statue was apparently caught blinking at them.

Churchgoers in Ohio, in the US, captured the baffling moment on camera.

They believed the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima looked upon them and gave a cheeky wink while making its way across the region as part of a tour. Witnesses swear it shut and opened its eyes while on display at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist.





This statue of Our Lady was blessed by Pope Paul VI at Fatima in May 1967, and given to the UK by the Bishop of Fatima in 1968.

Photos snapped by those present seem to depict a blinking eye on the statue.

Katie Moran shared the image on social media.

She told WJW: "I took it and thought, 'that's really nice'. I took one more to be sure and when I looked at it, the eyes were closed I [went], 'wow!'"

And she wasn't alone, with others describing witnessing a similar sight.

Connie Liptak said: "I knew it was a miracle because I'd been looking at her all morning. They're really closed. I mean, you can really see her lashes are down."





The statue is also believed to have a mystical healing power, with some citing miracles in its presence.





Ms Moran, who oversees the statue, said there had even been reports of visitors being cured of diseases in her presence, from cancer to infertility problems.



She said: "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't, no proof is possible. It's faith and I believe."





Many have expressed doubts about the blinking statue after it was shared online.

Watch below.




Sunday, August 11, 2024 - The wife of a controversial televangelist Benny Hinn has filed for divorce for a second time after nearly a decade of marriage.

Benny Hinn and his wife, Suzanne, lived in separate homes more than 60 miles apart when the filing was made at the Hillsborough County Court in Tampa, Florida, late last month.

Court records show that Benny Hinn was living at an address in Palm Coast, while Suzanne listed a home in Longwood, valued at more than $1 million.



It's unclear how long the couple had been living apart, however, this isn't the first time Suzanne served her husband with divorce papers.



Suzanne first filed for divorce in February 2010 at the Orange County Superior Court in California, citing irreconcilable differences after 30 years of marriage.



The couple first tied the knot on August 4, 1979, and share four children.

In the summer of 2010, Benny Hinn was infamously snapped leaving a hotel room with fellow televangelist Paula White.



At the time, it was reported that Hinn and White spent three nights at a five-star hotel that was booked under an alias.

Hinn would later acknowledge an "inappropriate relationship" with White and he and Suzanne would eventually divorce, however, in 2012, they publicly announced that they had reconciled.

He blamed the couple's divorce on Suzanne's addiction to prescription drugs.



"Suzanne started taking certain prescription medications to help her cope with some of her personal struggles. She became dependent on those for nearly 15 years, and those medications made her behave erratically at times," Hinn wrote in a statement at the time.

"As her husband, I did not know the extent of her reliance on these medications, nor did I fully understand just how much harm they were causing to her, physically and emotionally, he added.

Hinn also said that he had spent too much time on the ministry and not enough with his family.

The renowned televangelist visited Kenya earlier this year for a hyped crusade organized by First Lady Rachel Ruto.

He laid his hands on First Daughter Charlene Ruto and prayed for her to get a husband.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Saturday, August 10, 2024 - Rick Ross is facing legal trouble as a new lawsuit claims that his popular Car & Bike Show failed to accommodate disabled attendees.

A man named Darris Straughter has filed a lawsuit against the rapper, alleging that the event was not accessible for people with disabilities, despite assurances to the contrary.

According to the lawsuit, Straughter said he was excited about the opportunity to attend Ross's car show, which was marketed as a dream event for car enthusiasts. However, his experience turned sour when the wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus he was promised never arrived, leaving him stranded in the parking lot for hours.

Straughter claims he went to great lengths to attend the event, including selling his car to cover the costs of travel, lodging, and a ticket to the show. He also alleges that he contacted the event organizers two weeks in advance to request reasonable accommodations for his wheelchair, and was assured that a shuttle would be available. Despite these assurances, Straughter says the shuttle never materialized, forcing him to give away his ticket and return to his hotel in frustration.

Adding to his grievances, Straughter claims that event organizers had promised refunds to anyone who couldn't get into the event, but says he never received any follow-up or compensation.

Straughter, represented by attorney John Hoover Esq., is now suing Rick Ross for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The lawsuit seeks damages as well as a court order mandating that future car shows provide proper disabled access.




Sunday, August 11, 2024 - President William Ruto has left the country for Rwanda, marking his first international trip after two months.

Rutos spokesman Hussein Mohamed announced that the head of state is attending the inauguration of Rwanda's dictator, Paul Kagame, who was re-elected for a fourth term.

"President William Ruto travels to Kigali, Rwanda, today at the invitation of H.E. Paul Kagame to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Kagame for his fourth term, following the successful July 15 election.

Mohamed observed that the bilateral ties between Kenya and Rwanda have flourished, resulting in mutual economic benefits and bolstering the bond between their citizens.

This would be Ruto's first tour out of the country after many months of being grounded within the borders.

Ruto's last trip was in early June in Seoul, South Korea, where he graced the Korea-Africa Summit.

He would later be abnormally grounded within the country as the Kenyan youth took to the streets to protest the draconian tax bill passed in the National Assembly.

The protests kicked off on June 18, with the aggrieved public pressuring parliament to throw away the condemned Finance Bill 2024, in which oppressive tax measures had been proposed.

The climax of the anti-state political activism spearheaded by the youth was on June 25 after protesters breached the National Assembly.

The move forced Ruto to declare the withdrawal of the bill and sanction budget cuts and austerity measures to cover the shortfall occasioned by the withdrawal of the bill.

Ruto seemed to shelve the international tours that he had been known for in the recent past, choosing to address the issues leading to the political crisis in the country.

Besides withdrawing the bill, Ruto undertook several measures to appease the restive youth.

He fired his entire Cabinet on July 11 and reappointed a new team that was sworn in on August 8

Opposition leader, Raila Odingas men were brought on board and this seems to have worked in minimizing the Gen Z protests.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, August 11, 2024 - A fleet of high-end luxury vehicles, typically seen in Hollywood movies, was spotted at an international school in Kenya during a parents' meeting.

The parking lot of the expensive school attended by children of wealthy Kenyans was full of multi-million cars.

Parents were filmed making their way to the school driving their posh cars among them Mercedes Benz G-Wagons.

The video comes at a time when millions of Kenyans are struggling to make ends meet.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Sunday, August 11, 2024  Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has blasted ODM Leader Raila Odinga for betraying Azimio by going to bed with President William Ruto.

This is after Baba condemned police brutality and arrests during the Nane Nane protests by his foe-turned-friend, President William Ruto, with whom he formed a broad-based government.

Addressing Raila over the same, Salasya accused the former Prime Minister of shedding crocodile tears over the young people brutalized by Rutos government.

According to Salasya, Raila is just pulling public relations stunts by claiming to side with the youth when he joined the government that is oppressing them.

We are now tired of your PR strategies and inside unatuchimba sisi kama Wakenya, Salasya stated.

He urged Raila to stop commenting on local matters and focus on his African Union Commission bid.

At the same time, the Mumias East legislator faulted Raila for donating his top guns to join Rutos Cabinet.

Tunakuheshimu, laking hautuheshimu baba Raila Odinga. You gave Ruto powerful men like Joho, Oparanya, Wandayi, and Mbadi, people who could have joined Gen Z and defended democracy, but we wish you all the best in your AU campaigns.

"You will make it, but leave us alone for now, he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, August 11, 2024  With barely seven months to the election of the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, Kenyas candidate Raila Odinga seems not to be having it as rosy as he expected.

This is after a section of Kenyans, especially the Gen Zs, expressed their displeasure with Raila, and went ahead to wish him bad luck in his AU Chairmanship bid for betraying them by joining President William Rutos government, which they are fighting against.

However, Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Ezekiel Mutua has warned the Gen Zs to stop wishing Baba to lose the seat.

Reacting to the anti-Raila sentiment, Mutua found it inappropriate for compatriots to wish failure to one of their own.

According to him, the disdain of the youth against Raila was an exhibition of naivety.

"It's the height of naivety for a Kenyan to wish that Raila loses the AU bid to a candidate of another country.

"You may not like something about a player, but if they are playing for your country or team, you ignore the personal differences and wish them well. Go Baba go!" said Mutua.

Raila will face Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti after successfully submitting their nomination papers for the AUC chairmanship.

The African Union General Assembly comprising the continent's heads of state will be taking the vote in February 2025 to get Moussa Faki's replacement at the union's secretariat.

Faki, a former Chadian prime minister, was elected the AUC chairman in 2017 and re-elected in 2021.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
By Alex Ashaba

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has called for unity among Ugandans against corruption, asking the government to release youth arrested in Kampala anti-corruption protests.

Speaking during the consecration and installation of Rev. Canon Jacob Ateirweho as the new Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara on Sunday morning, Archbishop Kaziimba also called upon church leaders and political figures at all levels to unite while addressing homosexuality. He presided over the ceremony at St. Peters Cathedral in Hoima City, alongside the House of Bishops.

I call upon the government to embrace dialogue with other stakeholders willing to join the fight against corruption. Some young people were recently arrested in Kampala by security forces; I pray for their release and urge that they be guided through proper procedures. Similarly, individuals detained for minor offenses should also be released to return home, work, and contribute positively, he emphasized.

Regarding those on remand, Kaziimba expressed concerns about their ability to pay fines while incarcerated, questioning the practicality of detaining someone who owes Shs300,000 without opportunity to earn.

He advocated for their release to enable them to work and settle their obligations, which he believes would benefit the nation.

Prisons are overcrowded with individuals whose cases should have been resolved long ago. Let us collaborate to promote peace, unity, and national development, he urged.

Rev. Canon Jacob Ateirweho succeeds Bishop Samuel Kahuma Abwooli, becoming the 6th Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese.

At the function, President Museveni donated a car to new Bishop Ateirweho and Shs30 million. Also, the outgoing bishop Kahuma was given a car by the organizing committee of the consecration.

In a speech delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Museveni highlighted the important role of bishops beyond their spiritual duties, emphasizing their impact as catalysts for socio-economic transformation.

The role of the bishop is not only spiritual but also crucial in guiding us toward socio-economic growth and development. I recognize the vital role that religious leaders play in shaping our society, he said.

He commended the people of Hoima for their support of the NRM party and encouraged them to work hard to lift their families out of poverty by participating in all government programs aimed at prosperity and youth skilling.

The NRM government is committed to working hand in hand with the church to guide Ugandans toward prosperity and progress. I urge believers and leaders of Bunyoro Kitara to collaborate with the bishop to fulfill his God-given duties, he said.

Speaking after his consecration, Bishop Ateirweho said his focus will be on ensuring that all church land without title has been secured to prevent encroachment.

He acknowledged the efforts of his predecessors in this regard and pledged to expedite the titling process for remaining church properties and ensure clear demarcation of boundaries.

This is crucial for mitigating the issue of church land grabbing. I appreciate the efforts of my predecessors in securing titles for church land. I will ensure that the remaining lands are titled and their boundaries marked. I request all church leaders at various levels to collaborate in completing and signing the land titling forms, Ateirweho said, adding that he will steer the campaign to conserve the environment by advocating for tree planting on church land to serve as a sustainable source of income.
Stephens reissued their overweight rating on shares of STERIS (NYSE:STE  Free Report) in a research note published on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. Stephens currently has a $260.00 price objective on the medical equipment providers stock.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on STE. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and issued a $225.00 target price (up previously from $220.00) on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, May 10th. StockNews.com lowered STERIS from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $265.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, May 10th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $243.60.

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STERIS Stock Down 1.5 %

STE stock traded down $3.70 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $235.98. 427,048 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 488,756. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $225.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $222.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.77 and a beta of 0.83. STERIS has a 52-week low of $195.47 and a 52-week high of $243.37. The company has a current ratio of 3.08, a quick ratio of 2.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49.

STERIS (NYSE:STE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.16. STERIS had a return on equity of 13.89% and a net margin of 7.36%. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.00 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that STERIS will post 9.16 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 5th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 5th. This is an increase from STERISs previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.97%. STERISs dividend payout ratio is 59.69%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 2,024 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.13, for a total value of $469,831.12. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,369 shares in the company, valued at $2,639,085.97. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other STERIS news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 2,024 shares of STERIS stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.13, for a total transaction of $469,831.12. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 11,369 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,639,085.97. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Jacqueline B. Kosecoff sold 4,584 shares of STERIS stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $231.53, for a total value of $1,061,333.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 7,762 shares of company stock worth $1,798,477 over the last three months. 1.14% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in STE. First Personal Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. J.Safra Asset Management Corp raised its stake in shares of STERIS by 77.9% in the 1st quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp now owns 121 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of STERIS by 112.7% in the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 134 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the 1st quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.69% of the companys stock.

STERIS Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, Life Sciences, and Dental. The Healthcare segment offers cleaning chemistries and sterility assurance products; automated endoscope reprocessing system and tracking products; endoscopy accessories, washers, sterilizers, and other pieces of capital equipment for the operation of a sterile processing department; and equipment used directly in the operating room, including surgical tables, lights, and connectivity solutions, as well as equipment management services.

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Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Free Report) had its price objective raised by UBS Group from $55.00 to $58.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. UBS Group currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on TAP. Barclays cut Molson Coors Beverage from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $55.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on Molson Coors Beverage from $61.00 to $57.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Molson Coors Beverage from $62.00 to $56.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Molson Coors Beverage from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Molson Coors Beverage from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $66.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $60.53.

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Molson Coors Beverage Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:TAP traded up $0.12 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $52.98. 1,474,603 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,965,625. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $51.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $58.56. Molson Coors Beverage has a 52-week low of $49.19 and a 52-week high of $69.18. The firm has a market cap of $11.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.60, a PEG ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.69.

Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.68 by $0.24. Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 9.47% and a net margin of 7.66%. The firm had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.18 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.78 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.56 EPS for the current year.

Molson Coors Beverage Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.32%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Molson Coors Beverages payout ratio is currently 35.20%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 10.7% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 9,692,916 shares of the companys stock worth $651,849,000 after acquiring an additional 939,142 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 20.3% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,579,811 shares of the companys stock worth $131,130,000 after purchasing an additional 434,685 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Molson Coors Beverage in the 4th quarter worth about $127,337,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,638,115 shares of the companys stock worth $100,269,000 after purchasing an additional 25,575 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 12.4% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,396,489 shares of the companys stock worth $85,479,000 after purchasing an additional 153,968 shares in the last quarter. 78.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Molson Coors Beverage

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Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits and energy, and ready to drink beverages.

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Barrington Research reissued their outperform rating on shares of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE:ATGE  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $90.00 price objective on the stock. Barrington Research also issued estimates for Adtalem Global Educations Q1 2025 earnings at $1.13 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $1.38 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.52 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $6.60 EPS.

Separately, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Adtalem Global Education from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd.

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Adtalem Global Education Price Performance

Shares of ATGE opened at $72.07 on Wednesday. Adtalem Global Education has a 52-week low of $41.79 and a 52-week high of $80.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.76. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $70.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $58.99. The firm has a market cap of $2.71 billion, a PE ratio of 27.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.97.

Adtalem Global Education (NYSE:ATGE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.09. Adtalem Global Education had a return on equity of 14.06% and a net margin of 7.12%. The firm had revenue of $409.91 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $398.64 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 12.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Adtalem Global Education will post 4.9 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Adtalem Global Education

In other Adtalem Global Education news, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 67,330 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.51, for a total value of $4,814,768.30. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 94,804 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,779,434.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 67,330 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.51, for a total value of $4,814,768.30. Following the sale, the director now owns 94,804 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,779,434.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Manjunath Gangadharan sold 946 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.75, for a total transaction of $62,199.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 6,040 shares in the company, valued at approximately $397,130. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Peregrine Asset Advisers Inc. bought a new position in Adtalem Global Education during the 2nd quarter valued at $4,348,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 34.3% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 186,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,742,000 after purchasing an additional 47,700 shares during the last quarter. TradeLink Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Adtalem Global Education during the second quarter valued at about $522,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Adtalem Global Education by 5.3% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 71,916 shares of the companys stock worth $4,905,000 after purchasing an additional 3,638 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D bought a new stake in Adtalem Global Education in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,969,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.84% of the companys stock.

About Adtalem Global Education

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Adtalem Global Education Inc provides workforce solutions worldwide. It operates through three segments, Chamberlain, Walden, and Medical and Veterinary. The Chamberlain segment offers degree and non-degree programs in the nursing and health professions postsecondary education industry. This segment operates Chamberlain University.

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Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE:BXSL  Get Free Report) had its target price reduced by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company from $32.00 to $31.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 3.68% from the companys previous close.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $32.00 to $31.50 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Blackstone Secured Lending Fund currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $31.08.

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Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of BXSL traded down $0.05 on Thursday, hitting $29.90. 610,468 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 926,807. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.97 and a beta of 0.44. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund has a 1 year low of $25.83 and a 1 year high of $32.67. The stocks 50 day moving average is $30.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.54.

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE:BXSL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $327.06 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $310.23 million. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund had a return on equity of 14.06% and a net margin of 55.54%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.06 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Blackstone Secured Lending Fund will post 3.55 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Blackstone Secured Lending Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in Blackstone Secured Lending Fund by 106.5% in the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,180,714 shares of the companys stock valued at $97,393,000 after buying an additional 1,640,211 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund by 140,837.8% in the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 759,655 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,261,000 after acquiring an additional 759,116 shares during the period. Baillie Gifford & Co. acquired a new position in shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at $12,199,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its position in Blackstone Secured Lending Fund by 85.6% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 549,662 shares of the companys stock worth $15,193,000 after purchasing an additional 253,504 shares during the period. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Blackstone Secured Lending Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $54,740,000. 36.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund is business development company and a Delaware statutory trust formed on March 26, 2018, and structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment Fund. On October 26, 2018, the fund elected to be regulated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).

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Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO  Free Report) by 30.0% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 3,557 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 820 shares during the quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Rio Tinto Group were worth $235,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of RIO. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new stake in Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 55.4% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 415 shares of the mining companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Accordant Advisory Group Inc bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter worth $31,000. Finally, LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 19.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Rio Tinto Group Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of RIO stock traded up $0.32 on Friday, hitting $63.24. 2,652,539 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,968,796. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.70. Rio Tinto Group has a one year low of $58.27 and a one year high of $75.09. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $66.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $66.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $79.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.83, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.67.

Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.77 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 16th. Rio Tinto Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 49.30%.

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on RIO shares. HSBC raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Rio Tinto Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Berenberg Bank lowered shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. StockNews.com raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Finally, Citigroup lowered shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, May 20th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Report on RIO

About Rio Tinto Group

(Free Report)

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting.

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Genpact (NYSE:G  Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by investment analysts at Needham & Company LLC from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the business services providers stock. Needham & Company LLCs target price suggests a potential upside of 12.00% from the stocks previous close.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on G. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Genpact from $39.00 to $38.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 10th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Genpact from $36.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Genpact from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $43.00 to $40.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Wedbush reiterated a neutral rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Genpact in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $37.75.

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Genpact Trading Up 15.7 %

G stock traded up $5.10 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $37.50. 2,566,656 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,413,897. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.54. The business has a 50 day moving average of $32.69 and a 200-day moving average of $33.25. Genpact has a 52-week low of $29.41 and a 52-week high of $38.51.

Genpact (NYSE:G  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 9th. The business services provider reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.06. Genpact had a return on equity of 22.71% and a net margin of 14.21%. The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.11 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Genpact will post 2.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director N. V. Tyagarajan sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.17, for a total transaction of $33,170.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $242,141. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 2.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Genpact

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of G. New York State Teachers Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Genpact by 10.2% in the 4th quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 173,701 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $6,029,000 after purchasing an additional 16,080 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its position in Genpact by 39.8% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 66,415 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,305,000 after purchasing an additional 18,917 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in Genpact by 9.6% in the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 19,044 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $661,000 after purchasing an additional 1,671 shares during the last quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC acquired a new stake in Genpact during the 4th quarter worth $281,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new position in Genpact during the 4th quarter worth $1,628,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.03% of the companys stock.

Genpact Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Financial services; Consumer and Healthcare; and High Tech and Manufacturing. The Financial Services segment offers retail customer onboarding, customer service, collections, card servicing operations, loan and payment operations, commercial loan, equipment and auto loan, mortgage origination, compliance services, reporting and monitoring, and wealth management operations support; financial crime and risk management services; and underwriting support, new business processing, policy administration, claims management, catastrophe modeling and actuarial services, as well as property and casualty claims.

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Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 16.1% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,772 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 246 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $180,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of PM. KCM Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.8% in the first quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,868 shares of the companys stock worth $354,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the period. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC now owns 17,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,603,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. 1ST Source Bank boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 2,742 shares of the companys stock worth $251,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. now owns 2,460 shares of the companys stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,318 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Philip Morris International

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total transaction of $2,260,200.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at $17,906,095.47. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com raised Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $107.80.

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Philip Morris International Stock Down 0.2 %

PM stock traded down $0.28 on Friday, reaching $116.01. 3,814,669 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,408,644. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $87.23 and a twelve month high of $119.06. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $106.35 and a 200-day moving average of $98.05. The firm has a market cap of $180.34 billion, a PE ratio of 22.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.58.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.02. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 113.32% and a net margin of 9.41%. The company had revenue of $9.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.60 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 21st were issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 21st. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 101.56%.

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Unison Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) by 0.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,014 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Unison Advisors LLCs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $2,354,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, First Foundation Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Valero Energy Stock Down 0.3 %

VLO traded down $0.53 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $151.08. 1,568,123 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,042,393. Valero Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $119.88 and a fifty-two week high of $184.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The company has a market cap of $49.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.48, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.42. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $152.25 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $154.94.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The oil and gas company reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.60 by $0.11. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 21.01% and a net margin of 4.25%. The company had revenue of $34.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.97 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $5.40 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 13.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st will be paid a $1.07 dividend. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 1st. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.20%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on VLO shares. StockNews.com cut Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $187.00 to $169.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 14th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $156.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Mizuho upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $175.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Argus downgraded shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $174.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on Valero Energy

About Valero Energy

(Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.

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Space planning not just to make office look aesthetic, but to boost profitability

By Jun Ji-hye

Global companies like Amazon, Apple and Google have turned their headquarters into attractions themselves, conveying their company philosophy and message to both employees and tourists.

The recognition of the importance of creative workplaces was relatively low in Korea, but in recent years, companies interest in optimizing spaces has been growing, leading to increasing demand for reconfiguring the offices, according to Jay Lee, senior director of Project and Development Services at Cushman & Wakefield in Seoul.

During an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday, Lee said the growing interest can be understood as a move to retain young and talented employees and boost the productivity of businesses.

I think the biggest change comes from generational shifts. While those born in the 1970s and 1980s have managed to maintain traditional ways of working, the mindset of those born in the 1990s and later is entirely different, said Lee, in charge of space planning services at the global real estate services firm.

These younger generations, having been born and growing up in the digital age, communicate and think in fundamentally different ways. As a result, expecting them to work productively using traditional methods no longer yields the same results. This realization has led companies to rethink work environments as a means of boosting productivity.

Previously, the focus was primarily on the company itself, but now, resources that generate content have become increasingly crucial. As a result, attracting and retaining top talent has become more challenging. In this respect, Lee said, how much a company supports individual growth is highly valued in todays era, and this can lead to success.

He highlighted that space planning is not to just make the space look aesthetically pleasing, but to optimize the space to boost the companys profitability.

So, we focus more on practical aspects rather than just design, he said.

We analyze how employees are currently working and then optimize the space according to those patterns in order to provide an environment where employees can have the best possible experience and work most effectively.

Lee noted that by optimizing workspace efficiency and reducing leased area, there is more room for companies to invest in other areas.

The growing demand for workspace optimization is reflected in the increased services provided by Lees team.

When it first launched space planning services in 2019, the demand was relatively low, but the number of projects his team handles now ranges from 40 to 50 annually, with the size of the team having grown from a single-digit figure to around 20.

The companies Lee has worked with include major global firms like Microsoft, Google, Morgan Stanley and HSBC that opened their offices in Korea, as well as popular domestic brands such as Musinsa and HYBE.

Lee said the biggest difference from the past in space planning is that it has shifted to respecting individual diversity and providing more choices.

In the past, employees had fixed desks with no choices, which did not allow for the expression of individual diversity. But today, individual choice has become extremely important, he said.

Some people concentrate better in quiet environments, while others are more focused with a bit of background noise. The key is to allow individuals to choose the work environment that best supports their productivity and personal effectiveness.

He cited Cushman & Wakefields June survey, which showed that 71 percent and 67 percent of Generation Z and Millennials employees agreed that their work efficiency improved when they were given freedom to choose work location.

Lee stressed, however, that it does not mean that a flexible seating arrangement is necessary for all companies, as work patterns and styles vary.

For example, one of our clients was a game company where employees spent approximately 77 percent of their entire working hours at their desks. People who spend such long hours at their desks would not necessarily see an increase in productivity with a flexible work location system, he said.

Lee also underscored the importance of adding wow points, meaning eye-catching spaces, to offices, considering the characteristics of MZ Generation employees who prefer to take photos and share them with others on social media platforms such as Instagram.

In this context, Lee said the interior design of workspaces has a significant impact on the companys recruitment of talented individuals.

Companies like Amazon, Apple and Google emphasize the importance of the experience of people using their offices. To prioritize experience, the space needs to be rich in content. However, it is very difficult to incorporate such content using traditional work environments, he said.

Offering optimized workplaces indirectly conveys a message to employees, encouraging them to create something. He noted that this can be much more effective than putting up posters on office walls calling for employees to work proactively.
By Yi Whan-woo

Scorching summer weather is making it harder for self-employed individuals in the restaurant and accommodation sectors to pay back the principal and interest on their loans in time.

They account for nearly one-third of the country's self-employed individuals, estimated at over 6 million. Many are still struggling with loan repayments after borrowing from banks to sustain their pandemic-affected businesses, according to the Korea Federation of Self-Employed Small Business.

During the peak summer holiday season, operators of small restaurants and motels are falling short of expected profits, as consumers are less inclined to travel domestically due to a heat wave following heavy monsoon rains.

Under these circumstances, data from the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) revealed that the rate of missed repayments among self-employed individuals surged to 1.72 percent from April to June.

It was the highest delinquency rate seen since the government began compiling relevant data in 2015 and was over twice the 0.73 percent rate seen in the manufacturing sector during the same period.

The Korea Federation of Self-Employed Small Business anticipates the delinquency rate will rise throughout 2024, given that the summer holiday season, along with Seollal, Chuseok, and year-end, is typically a peak sales period.

Things could get worse as the heat wave persists while summer is nearing the end, a federation staff member said, asking not to be named.

The staff member assessed that pent-up demand for overseas travel is exacerbating the difficulties faced by the restaurant and accommodation sectors.

Citing a survey from travel site Booking.com, the staff member noted that Koreans' online searches for international flights this summer increased by 275 percent compared to 2023.

The increase was 13 times higher than the average rise observed in all surveyed countries.

Cho Young-moo, a senior researcher at LG Business Research, suggested that a sluggish economy could worsen conditions for the restaurant industry, as consumers often reduce spending on dining out during economic downturns.

In this context, the government should recognize the urgent situation faced by self-employed individuals and take measures to prevent their delinquency rate from undermining the broader economy, the economist said.

The countrys self-employed individuals constitute 23.5 percent of its total workforce.

This ratio surpasses that of other major advanced economies, placing Korea seventh among comparable OECD member states as of 2022.

Data from the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) revealed that the delinquency rate on bank loans among self-employed individuals reached 0.54 percent as of March, the highest level since December 2012, when it was 0.64 percent.

Other FSS data indicated that the business closure rate among self-employed individuals nationwide reached 9.5 percent in 2022, an increase of 0.8 percentage point from the previous year.
By Kwon Mee-yoo

TvN's reality show "Jinny's Kitchen" has returned for a second season, not only warming the cold Icelandic air with hearty Korean cuisine, but also introducing trendy souvenirs that celebrate Koreas rich heritage.

Set in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, this season features the city's first Korean restaurant, Jinny's Ttukbaegi, named after traditional Korean earthenware. Run by Korean actors Lee Seo-jin, Jung Yu-mi, Park Seo-jun, Choi Woo-shik and Go Min-si, the restaurant offers Korean dishes such as gomtang (beef soup), bibimbap (rice bowl with assorted vegetables) and galbijjim (braised beef short ribs), which have quickly become favorites among locals, leading to long lines of eager customers.

In addition to the delectable dishes, the show features unique souvenirs that reflect Korea's cultural heritage in collaboration with the National Museum Foundation of Korea.

The restaurant offers soju, Korea's iconic distilled alcoholic beverage, traditionally served in a small shot glass holding about 50 ml. At Jinny's Kitchen, however, soju is presented in the "3 Drunken Scholars Color-changing Mini Glass Set," developed by MU:DS, a brand specializing in museum merchandise.

This set of three shot glasses, inspired by the Joseon-era painting, "Banquet Hosted by the Governor of Pyeongan Province" (17451806), attributed to Kim Hong-do, has printings of scholars whose faces turn red when chilled soju is poured into the glass, thanks to the use of thermochromic pigments. This playful homage to Korea's traditional drinking culture has been a hit, with the glass sets selling out quickly each month.

Another artistic touch in Jinny's Ttukbaegi comes from paper flowers by artist Nanan Kang, created in collaboration with MU:DS as part of her "Long Long Time Flower Project." These paper flowers, which never wilt, symbolize enduring love, friendship and gratitude. The particular edition displayed in the restaurant, titled "Poppy and Lined Grass Lizard" and "Cockscomb and Dung Beetle," draws inspiration from traditional Korean "Chochung-do," or grass and insect painting, specifically referencing the "10-panel Folding Screen with a Painting of Grass and Insects" attributed to Shin Saimdang (1504-1551).

The restaurant is also adorned with miniature "Pensive Bodhisattva" statues, which became hugely popular after BTS member RM posted a photo in 2021 showing two of the statues in his studio. Modeled after two national treasures of Korea, these statues are crafted as 15-centimeter miniatures and are available in five pastel shades of ivory, gold, black, sky blue and purple.

In the first season of "Jinny's Kitchen," set in Bacalar, Mexico, these miniatures were used as table markers, but in this season, they serve as shelf decorations.

MU:DS offers a variety of products inspired by the "Pensive Bodhisattva," ranging from true-to-original replicas to more simplified versions that still reflect the serene contemplation of the originals. The "Pensive Bodhisattva Tou" series, for instance, include handmade clay figurines echoing the meditative posture of the original relic. These cute figurines are displayed on the counter of Jinny's Ttukbaegi.

Another miniature replica of Korean cultural heritage at the restaurant is the "Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje." This smaller, lighter version of the sixth-century national treasure is available in traditional gold and six pastel colors. It serves as both an incense holder and a container for small items, blending seamlessly with modern decor.

In addition, colorful acrylic objects inspired by Korean celadon jars and blue-and-white porcelain tiger figurines decorate the space, highlighting the restaurant's mission to share not only Korean cuisine but also its cultural heritage with Iceland.

"Jinny's Kitchen" airs on every Friday.
Just 4 months after fully shifting to endemic approach, govt scrambles to contain virus

By Jung Min-ho

Just four months after fully shifting to an endemic approach to COVID-19, the government is now resuming its vaccination program to help contain the virus amid a resurgence in cases.

According to health authorities on Sunday, the number of patients hospitalized for the new COVID variant, KP.3, has increased sharply in many parts of Korea over the past several weeks, prompting officials to take necessary measures to minimize damage.

Data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) shows the number of people admitted to 220 hospitals nationwide for COVID-19 jumped to 861 in the first week of August from 148 in the second week of July.

The total number of cases is unknown. But the agency said the results of its sampling showed that 39.2 percent of respiratory virus pathogens were COVID-19, up from 13.6 percent during that period, with the particular variant accounting for nearly half of all cases.

In response, the agency will conduct a mass immunization program in October with vaccines developed specifically for KP.3 and other variants descended from JN.1. The agency added it strongly urges the public to take the shots along with influenza vaccines before the winter, during which the general risk of respiratory infections will be greater.

Details of the vaccination program will be announced next month. Officials are now working to secure the newest COVID-19 vaccines for Korean citizens.

Vulnerable people, including those aged 65 or older, as well as workers at high-risk facilities such as specialized hospitals for seniors and homeless shelters, can take the vaccine shots for free, according to the agency. Others can also obtain them at their own expense.

The governments previous mass vaccination program ended on March 31. The following month, it announced that it would lift some last-remaining COVID mandates, including indoor mask requirements for hospitals, from May. That month, the disaster level of COVID-19 was also lowered to the lowest level, "concern," from the second-highest level, "alert."

After assessing the situations in other countries, where the variant has already spread, the agency said the current outbreak would not likely result in an alarming surge in severe cases and the capacity of the nations medical system would be sufficient to handle the increasing number of new patients.

In response to the rise in demand for face masks, coronavirus self-testing kits and medicines, officials said they have been stepping up efforts to increase supplies.

Nevertheless, a surge in COVID-19 cases causes further concerns in Korea as officials have already been scrambling to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, whooping cough and other contagious illnesses amid a sharp rise in cases in recent weeks.

Last week, an infectious disease specialist at the World Health Organization told journalists in Geneva that the percentage of positive tests for COVID-19 was increasing in 84 countries over the past several weeks, including at the 2024 Paris Olympics where at least 40 athletes were confirmed to have been infected.
Increasing geopolitical tensions between 2 nations make job more difficult: experts

By Vanessa Cai

Following the departure of former Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming last month, Beijing has yet to announce its new envoy to Seoul. Whoever it will be, the next envoy faces existing and new challenges as well as uncertainties posed by increasing geopolitical tensions, according to diplomatic observers in both countries and around the world.

Some scholars also suggested that it would be beneficial if the envoy has a broad understanding of the international situation, extending beyond general knowledge of the Korean Peninsula.

However, they also noted that the personal style of a Chinese envoy is less important in the countrys diplomacy than the message that Beijing aims to convey.

On July 25, China said during a meeting between the two countries vice foreign ministers Ma Zhaoxu and Kim Hong-kyun that it will appoint an appropriate and excellent candidate through internal procedures as its envoy to Seoul, according to a foreign ministry official in Seoul.

A PR official at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul told The Korea Times that the embassy currently has no information about the next Chinese envoy.

Xing, who served as China's envoy for more than four years from January 2020, had an outspoken profile and raised controversies due to his confrontational remarks last year when he blamed Seoul for making a wrong bet by leaning toward the U.S.

Beijing might try to appoint someone who is different from Xing, as part of a broader trend of Beijings aim to bring in new ambassador profiles that are more diplomatic, more willing to engage in dialogue and less willing to engage in statements that are controversial, said Ramon Pacheco Pardo, an international relations professor at Kings College London.

The recent high-level exchanges reflected some changes and that in general, China has changed its tone toward (South) Korea, Pacheco Pardo said, noting that the appointment of a new ambassador always opens the door for a new beginning. And I think thats what China is trying to achieve.

The new ambassador comes at a time when South Korea is trying to improve relations with China," he said. "Both China and South Korea realize that the relationship was really suffering and that it didn't really make sense to continue down that path  I think this also means the new ambassador will have a slightly easier time in that respect. It wont be easy, but I dont think it will be as bad as with the previous one. It was a really challenging time.

Shi Yinhong, a professor of international affairs at Beijings Renmin University, observes that bilateral relations continue to face structural challenges, including Beijings stance on North Koreas Kim Jong-un regime.

From Seouls perspective, the key is North Koreas greatly accelerated nuclear missile development and Beijings explicit appeasement on that, Shi said.

Besides, Kims recent declaration of relations with the South as a state-to-state hostility eliminates the appeal of North-South national rapprochement as an element of Beijings peninsula policy. Other positive factors for the Chinese relations with Seoul, remarkably decreasing, can far from compensate for all the above, he said.

He added that bilateral ties are also strained by South Koreas growing alignment with high-tech containment efforts against China, as well as the high levels of antagonism in public sentiment on both sides.

Also noting the relations as being "turbulent," Pang Zhongying, a professor of international political economy at Sichuan University, observes that South Korea's approach will likely continue to focus on stabilizing its relationship with China.

But he also suggested that uncertainties remain due to several factors, including the strengthening of South Korea-Japan ties, the worsening relations between South Korea and Russia, and the potential reelection of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who might continue his engagement with the North Korean leader.

Chung Jae-heung, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Sejong Institute in Seoul, echoed these views, noting that bilateral ties between China and South Korea are confronted with an increasingly risky international environment. This includes the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, ongoing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula.

These four geopolitical flashpoints are becoming more intense. Under these circumstances, a new ambassador must first recognize current international trends, otherwise it will be very challenging to serve the role, he said, noting that South Korea-China relations are no longer just about adopting a bilateral perspective.

Meanwhile, it would be beneficial for Seoul and Beijing to set aside past concepts and work on redefining bilateral relations, said Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul.

If there is only an emphasis on the relationship between China and North Korea, or the relationship between South Korea and the United States, then the communication channel between the two countries may become increasingly narrow, Kang said.

Alongside conveying Beijings policies, it is also important for the envoy to communicate well with local officials and the general public of the host country, and take the opinions learned into consideration and find a balance, he added.

Vanessa Cai is a reporter with the South China Morning Post. She is currently based in Seoul, reporting for both The Korea Times and the South China Morning Post under an exchange program.
By Jon Dunbar

The Spanish technical punk band Acid Snot is coming to Korea this week for a four-city cross-country tour. Starting on Aug. 15, it will play in Jeonju, followed by Gwangju, Seoul and Daejeon.

"We have been itching to hit this part of the world for ages, man," the band members told The Korea Times in a collaboratively written statement. "We've heard the scene in South Korea is lit, and huge shout out to Victim for hooking us up big time. Beyond hyped to see what unfolds!"

The weird name comes from Uri, its drummer, who picked the name out at age 16 when he started the band.

"There's no grand tale, no epic story  just an overload of Blink-182 on our iPods back then. Our teenage brains were marinated in pop-punk nonsense, and this is what we came up with," the band said. "We wish we had some epic saga about scarfing down Gochujang and bawling our eyes out over insanely spicy food, but nah, our memories are about as blank as our faces will be after that first bite of killer Korean heat!"

Once you get past the name, Acid Snot is self-described as a "tech melodic punk act...Fast yet bouncy, breakdowns and emo stuff."

With plenty of metal riffs and pop-punk metalcore drum beats, the band's sound blends melodic punk with various other sounds like djent, alternative rock, emo, metalcore, urban music/trap and electronica. All of these influences take their turns standing out in Acid Snot's songs, sort of like a Korean film that mixes genres in unexpected ways.

"Being pigeonholed by a genre can box in your creativity, but having no framework at all can leave you floundering in a sea of aimless noodling," the band said.

It's apparent that these guys are very good at their instruments, which makes them stand out in a sea of punk rock.

"I mean, punk rock isn't exactly known for its technical prowess. Anyone with a couple of years of instrument practice could kick off a punk band. But that's what makes it awesome  punk's all about the vibes, the attitude, and the raw passion, not virtuosity," the band said.

"Now, we're not here to start a punk rock superiority contest or claim our tunes are the next big thing. Nope, not playing that game. We just sprinkle in all this extra stuff that's not exactly part of the traditional punk rock recipe. We're just adding our own twist to the punk rock stew."

In live performances, the band members make use of music technology less commonly seen in punk shows, such as in-ear monitoring, click tracks and sequences.

"This is super common in any modern metal band, but something that many punk rock bands or pop punk bands have not yet explored. Maybe they prefer that raw, unpredictable, 'anything-could-go-wrong' vibe, or maybe they just reject technology like it's a demonic possession," the band said. "But hey, we're all about it. It helps us nail our sound and keep our jams locked tight, from guitars to vocal harmonies."

Coming from Catalonia, Acid Snot's politically charged lyrics shouldn't surprise anyone. One example of their strong politics is "Rise," released in February this year, which contains lyrics attacking colonialism and xenophobia.

"This song is an antifascist, anti-imperialist anthem," the band explained. "Everything is political, from the media we consume to the phones we use, the way we speak, how streets are designed or the food we eat. Therefore, everyone acts politically, in a conscious or unconscious way. We just happen to articulate it more explicitly. Or at least we try to."

The band is open about its political ideology: "Even though it is almost impossible to escape from it, we are anti-capitalist at heart," the band said.

"Capitalism is a system that has brought so many inequalities globally, from wars to hunger to the ecocidal depletion of Earth's resources, all under the banner that 'there is no other option,'" the band said. But they were quick to add, "This doesn't mean we fully support authoritarian communism. As you might know, (in) South Korea, it is sometimes just the other side of the same coin: exploitation, resource extraction, and mass accumulation in the hands of a few. Having this mindset in Europe these days is, of course, synonymous with being against any right-wing politician, especially those who embrace neoliberalism, deny the ecological emergency, and are open to racism, sexism and discrimination in general, which usually ties back to the material conditions of the oppressed."

Curiously, the cover art for "Rise" bears a historic image of the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing of Aug. 6, 1945.

The band explained, "The image was chosen somewhat randomly, but we wanted to underscore that any form of imperialism, which typically involves exploiting human and non-human resources and extracting materials, is a cancer on the sustainability of any civilization. We're often told we live in a hyper-rational system, but when you really examine it, the irrationality at its core is so extreme that it leaves us disoriented about how to think or act."

Acid Snot's members didn't hide their love for Japanese pop culture, and admitted that was a major motivation for touring to East Asia.

"That is one of the main reasons we wanted to come over to Japan, besides knowing many fellow bands that have done so," the band said. "However, once this was settled we thought, 'Yo, we are crossing the globe for a tour. Should we try to book some shows in South Korea?'"

After a week in Japan, Acid Snot will fly to Korea with the Japanese punk duo SpecialThanks.

They mentioned the band members have listened to some Korean metalcore bands such as End These Days and Messgram, but haven't delved any deeper.

"OK, so maybe we should've spilled the beans earlier, but we wanted that element of surprise when we roll in, you know? As we said, our game plan is to vibe hard, make memories with SpecialThanks, the top dawgs at Victim, and whoever shows up to vibe with us."

Acid Snot and SpecialThanks will start their tour this Thursday on National Liberation Day at Jeonju's Club GP, performing with Smoking Goose, Idiots, Noya and Blue Wagon. On Friday they're in Gwangju's Club Boojik with local skate punk band BettyAss. Saturday takes them to Seoul's Club Victim to play a show with Row Brothers, Twofive, Sink to Rise, Punk on Fire, The Sound, Smoking Goose, 18Fevers and Idiots. Acid Snot will part ways with SpecialThanks on Sunday for a final show at Daejeon's Greenbean Budgie Live House, sharing the stage with Smoking Goose, Punk on Fire and Blast.

Follow @acidsnotbcn on Instagram and visit linktr.ee/acidsnotbcn for more information.
4-day festival highlights value of nation's nature-rich islands

By Lee Hyo-jin

BORYEONG, South Chungcheong Province  Korea has 3,383 islands, with 473 inhabited and 2,910 uninhabited. Of the countrys 51.7 million population, approximately 1.48 million live on these islands, including about 670,000 on Jeju, the largest island in the south.

As a nation bordered by the sea on three sides, Koreas strategic interest in these islands is growing in areas such as territorial defense, resources, ecology, environment and tourism.

However, many islands in rural regions face challenges such as demographic decline and underdevelopment due to a lack of systematic and comprehensive management plans.

To raise public awareness of the importance and value of its islands, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety designated Aug. 8 as Island Day in 2019. Since then, annual events have been held to commemorate this day, with this years celebration taking place in Boryeong City, South Chungcheong Province.

Located along Koreas western coast and known for its beautiful beaches and an annual mud festival, Boryeong is home to around 100,000 residents and approximately 70 islands and islets, 16 of which are inhabited.

The city also boasts the nation's longest undersea tunnel, stretching 6,927 meters and linking Wonsan Island to the mainland.

Island Day kicked off on Thursday for a four-day run, featuring various activities at Daecheon Beach, including mudflat experiences, clam catching, exhibition halls and quiz sessions about Korea's islands.

Visitors also got a chance to purchase local specialties from Boryeong. Additionally, a random gift event was held for those who visited all five of the citys major islands  Wonsan, Sapsi, Godae, Janggo, and Hyoja  during the festival.

"Our country, with 3,400 islands, is one of the top 10 island nations in the world. We will strive to enhance the value of our precious islands and ensure the happiness of the 800,000 island residents across the nation," said Interior Vice Minister Ko Ki-dong during the opening ceremony on Thursday.

According to organizers, this years Island Day is the largest yet, as previous events were scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic or typhoons.

On Friday, a forum was held to explore strategies for island development, with government officials, local and overseas experts and lawmakers gathering in the coastal city.

Under the theme "Strategies for Global Development of Island Tourism," the event provided a platform to discuss ways to improve accessibility and quality of life on islands and to promote them as global tourist destinations.

"Islands face various challenges due to relatively low accessibility and quality of life compared to the mainland. Now is the time to bring a wind of change for islands, and I hope todays event will help us gather opinions on how to make our islands global tourist destinations," said Oh Dong-ho, head of the Korea Island Development Institute, in his congratulatory remarks at the forum.

Boryeong City Mayor Kim Dong-il added, "Islands are the valuable assets of our nation, with their culture, history and natural beauty well preserved. Island residents have long developed their unique culture and way of living. I hope this event will provide momentum for all of us to shed light on the value of these islands."

On the last day of the event, Sunday, visitors were invited to a pilgrimage tour on Godae Island, known for being a place where Karl Gutzlaff, a German-born Protestant missionary, stayed in 1832. The festival wrapped up with a singing contest among Boryeong residents held in the evening.
At the ongoing international wine expo held in northwest China, the exhibition stall of Stone and Moon Winery is abuzz with enthusiastic visitors as founder Nicolas Billot-Grima passionately showcases his range of wines.

This undated photo shows a vineyard in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua)

The Fourth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo kicked off on Friday in Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, drawing wine experts, enthusiasts and enterprises from both home and abroad.

"The event is crucial as it allows me to stay updated on the latest wine-producing technology and equipment. It also offers opportunities to promote my winery," said Billot-Grima, a regular participant in the expo, whose winery is nestled in Ningxia's eastern foot of Helan Mountain.

Ningxia, renowned for its unique grape-growing conditions, produced its first bottle of wine in 1984. Today it has become China's largest wine-producing region and is gaining prominence on the global stage.

At the expo's opening ceremony, John Barker, director general of the International Organization of Vine and Wine, highlighted how well Ningxia performs in international wine competitions and exhibitions, underscoring its emerging reputation as a world-class wine region.

BURGEONING WINE MECCA

Originally from Bordeaux in France, Billot-Grima has deep roots in the winemaking industry. He ventured to China in 1987 to develop a wine business, and has since gained extensive experience in wineries across the country. In 2017, he settled in Ningxia and founded the Stone and Moon Winery.

"The weather, soil and political incentives are crucial for developing a vineyard in Ningxia," he explained. "I have poured my passion into creating exceptional wines from this region to demonstrate that Chinese and Ningxia wines can be world-class."

Situated near the 38th parallel north, similar to renowned wine regions like Bordeaux, Ningxia's wine-producing areas enjoy an ideal terroir with a dry climate and abundant sunshine, making the region a golden zone for wine grape cultivation.

In recent years, the Ningxia government has introduced financial support policies and promoted the adoption of smart irrigation systems to advance the local wine industry. In May, new regulations were implemented to protect wine production areas at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, fostering high-quality development of this sector.

Thanks to its favorable terroir and strong policy backing, Ningxia has emerged as a burgeoning wine hub, now housing 261 wineries and grape-growing enterprises. The region has collaborated with more than 60 international winemakers from 23 countries, and drawn investment from major domestic and international liquor brands, including Pernod Ricard, Moet Hennessy, Changyu and Great Wall.

In March, the Stone and Moon Winery welcomed its new head winemaker, Federico Carabajal, from Mendoza, Argentina's renowned wine-producing province.

"When I first tasted the wine from Ningxia, I was amazed by its exceptional flavor, which sparked a strong desire in me to explore this region. The soil, climate and wine-making equipment here remind me of my hometown, evoking a sense of familiarity," said the 31-year-old.

GREEN INDUSTRY

In 2007, while exploring real estate opportunities in Ningxia, entrepreneur Chen Deqi from east China's Fujian Province encountered the Gobi Desert at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain. Intrigued by its potential, he sent a soil sample to France for analysis and was thrilled to discover that the land could produce some of the world's finest grapes.

Chen immediately signed a contract with the local government, securing 100,000 mu (about 6,667 hectares) of barren Gobi land for grape cultivation. Through a decade of efforts, he developed over 40,000 mu of high-quality wine grapes and founded the Holansoul Winery.

Over the past decade, the booming local wine industry has resulted in 380,000 mu of barren land being transformed into a lush oasis, creating a 195-km-long green belt of grapevines.

The improved ecological conditions have also encouraged local wineries to integrate the wine industry with cultural tourism.

Yuan Yuan, who owns the Yuanshi Vineyard, said that over the past decade, the winery has developed over 8,000 mu of ecological forests, restored over 6,000 mu of abandoned mining sites and planted over 3,000 mu of wine grapes. It now functions as a comprehensive ecological winery, blending grape cultivation, wine production and tourism.

"Since it opened officially to the public in 2014, the winery has attracted numerous tourists and our wines have also gained popularity," Yuan said, noting that it welcomed over 50,000 visitors during this year's May Day holiday.

According to official data, Ningxia is now home to 63 wineries that offer tourism services, attracting over 3 million visitors annually. Its wine industry provides 130,000 local jobs and generates approximately 1.2 billion yuan in income each year.
By Kim Hyun-bin

The Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, which organizes the annual Haeundae LCT Stair Climbing Competition for firefighters across Korea, announced on Friday that it will expand the event internationally. This October, for the first time, firefighters from abroad will be invited to participate, in collaboration with the National Fire Agency (NFA).

The NFA is currently in talks with firefighting agencies from approximately 10 countries. If these discussions lead to confirmed participation, the event will be elevated to an international level, transforming it from a traditional domestic competition into a global one.

In addition to international participation, the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters is collaborating with 19 local emergency response agencies, such as police, military units, emergency medical centers, and gas and electricity safety organizations, for special involvement in the event.

The 2024 LCT Stair Climbing Competition is scheduled for Oct. 30. Details regarding the scale of the event, including the number of participants, are expected to be finalized by mid-September. The event takes place in the 411-meter-tall, 100-story LCT Tower, Busan's tallest building and the second tallest in the country. The competition is designed to simulate high-rise disaster response training.

Firefighters will climb 2,372 steps while wearing full firefighting gear, including 20 kilograms of equipment. The event's popularity has surged, with 895 firefighters participating last year. This increase in interest has led the Busan City Council to boost the budget for this year's competition.
Candidate emphasizes political neutrality for prosecutors

By Anna J. Park

Incumbent Vice Minister of Justice Shim Woo-jung has been named the new candidate for prosecutor general, the presidential office announced Sunday.

During a press briefing on Sunday afternoon, Chung Jin-suk, presidential chief of staff, said Shim is the right candidate who can effectively and stably lead the prosecution.

"Candidate Shim is highly trusted by members of the prosecution for his rational leadership. He has deep insight into criminal procedures and prosecutorial systems, as well as a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law," Chung said during the briefing.

"Shim is regarded as the right candidate who can fulfill the prosecution's core role of protecting the public and defending the Constitution and the rule of law," he added.

Born in 1971, Shim studied law at Seoul National University and passed the national bar exam in 1994. He began his career as a prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office in 2000.

Over the past two decades, he has held various positions, including deputy chief prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors Office, deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors Office and deputy minister for planning and coordination at the Ministry of Justice.

He was tapped to be the vice justice minister in January this year. He is also the son of Shim Dae-pyeong, former governor of South Chungcheong Province.

Earlier this month, the candidate recommendation committee for prosecutor general shortlisted four candidates, including Shim. Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae submitted Shim's nomination to the president.

There was cautious speculation both within and outside the prosecution that the new prosecutor general nomination would intentionally avoid candidates with a background in special investigations from within the agency.

Among the four shortlisted candidates, Shim was the only one with a background related to the planning and administrative aspects of the prosecution, gaining extensive experience across key departments within the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and demonstrating strong expertise in legal and prosecutorial administration.

Historically, prosecutor generals from the special investigations division often clashed with those in power due to their investigative instincts. For instance, former President Moon Jae-in appointed Yoon Suk Yeol as prosecutor general, which eventually led to a political rift between them. Similarly, Yoon faced conflicts with Prosecutor General Lee One-Seok over investigations into allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Upholding legal principles

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, after being appointed by the presidential office, Shim stressed the importance of upholding legal principles and maintaining political neutrality.

"What is most important is that the law and principles are upheld according to evidence and legal principles," Shim said.

When asked about the controversy regarding allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee received special treatment during her investigation outside the prosecutors' office, Shim replied, "I don't think it's appropriate to comment on specific cases. However, I trust that the prosecution members are conducting their work in accordance with the law and principles."

When asked to evaluate Prosecutor General Lee One-seok's statement that "there is no special treatment or sanctuary before the law" in reference to the investigation of the first lady, Shim said upholding the law and principles in any investigation is essential, and emphasized that he shares the same view.

"I will do my best to ensure that the prosecution members can continue to do their work with confidence in this belief," Shim noted.

Regarding his envisioned approach to working with the presidential office, the prosecutor general nominee emphasized the importance of maintaining political neutrality.
By Mark Peterson

The Lake in the Woods, or Sup sogui Hosu in Korean, is the name of the village that comes alive every summer for students learning Korean in a residential immersion context in the Minnesota North Words. All of the 14 language villages hosted by Concordia Language Villages since 1961 under the auspices of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, carry the name Lake in the Woods in each of the target languages (Arabic is The Oasis  lakes are in short supply in the Arabic-speaking world).

The Korean Language Village just celebrated its 25th year and to date has hosted 2,500 students in short-term, intensive, immersion language programs. The programs incorporate experiential learning with lots of culture, food, games and music, and high school students attending for four weeks can earn credit for a full years worth of language equivalent to 180 hours of classroom instruction. Villagers come from all 50 U.S. states and from abroad to attend these unique programs.

The founder of the Korean Language Village is Ross King, professor of Korean at the University of British Columbia. After 15 years he passed the deanship of the village to one of his former students, Dafna Zur, now professor of Korean literature at Stanford, and together they have spearheaded the development of this remarkable educational resource.

For 25 years, professors King and Zur have been closely associated with the Korean Language Village, located in a remote area of northern Minnesota, spending their summers in fun and games innovating ways to take young learners aged 7-18 and turn them into lifelong learners of this most difficult of foreign languages for English speakers. Many of their colleagues, who are busy in the summers preparing university lectures and writing articles and books for academia  the serious world of academics  have misunderstood what theyve been doing. If you think his work with primary and secondary school students is neither serious nor academic, you are missing the heart of the matter.

Professor King has understood for a long time that unless we capture the imagination of our learners while theyre still in primary or secondary school, we wont have any university students. More than that, he is himself a product of the Concordia Language Village system. From age 10-18, he attended the Spanish, German, and Russian Language Villages every summer all summer long throughout the 1970s. And this led him to his career in linguistics studying at Yale with Samuel Martin, the famous Japanese/Korean professor of linguistics, and earning a Ph.D. at Harvard. After teaching at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, he moved to the University of British Columbia where he has been raising the next crop of Korean studies professors. But paradoxically, while reviewing Ph.D. dissertations in the fall and spring, King spent his summers as he did as a child himself, at the Concordia Language Villages in the Minnesota North Woods with young people. Its a remarkable story and a remarkable career.

The celebration of the 25th year of the Korean Language Village was held recently near Bemidji, yes, Bemidji, Minnesota. In attendance was the Minnesota Senior Senator Amy Klobuchar who commented that language learning is a core value of American foreign policy and diplomacy, and emphasized the deep ties between the state of Minnesota (the state that proportionately sent more servicemen to fight in the Korean War than any other) and the U.S. more generally, to be memorialized in a new Han-Mi Commons (Mi for Mi-nnesota and Mi-guk) on the village grounds.

Read More Beyond K-pop, Korean traditional culture flourishes at Concordia village in US

Also in attendance was Kathleen Stevens, a former Peace Corps Korea volunteer and the first U.S. ambassador to Korea to be a fluent speaker of Korean. As she noted, the completion, at a cost of $7.5 million, of Phase I of this major capital project to build a dedicated year-round culturally authentic home for the Korean Language Village, is a major milestone not simply for Concordia Language Villages, but for U.S.-Korea relations more generally. When Phase II is completed (at a projected cost of another $10 million), the Korean Language Village will be a destination site for year-round use in the building of bridges between the U.S. and Korea.

But King and Zur know from bitter personal experience how challenging it is to fundraise for anything related to Korean studies. Koreans will think nothing of investing millions of dollars into English language education for themselves, but convincing Korean corporations and other donors to invest in their own language is still a hard sell. When Kenny Park (CEO of Simone Corporation, the leading manufacturer of luxury handbags in the world), the lead donor to the Korean Language Village, gave the initial $5 million gift that made construction of the new Korean Language Village possible, it was the largest single one-time gift in support of overseas Korean studies in history (and still is), but garnered no coverage in the Korean press.

We are still at the stage where for most Koreans, giving money in support of Korean language education or Korean studies outside Korea is conceived of as mere charity or alms for the poor  something best handled at the level of a church bake sale or rummage sale. That needs to change  it is time for major Korean corporations to step up and make long-term investments in Korean language education and Korean studies overseas. K-pop can only last so long, and we will need an infrastructure in place once it fades.

Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is a professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah.
By Kim Sung-woo

On the 27th of last month, the International Institute for Environment and Development released heat-wave data in 20 large cities around the world. Not surprisingly for those who are in Seoul now, the data showed that Seoul has seen the sharpest increase in the number of heat wave days in the past 30 years. The number increased four times faster than Tokyo. This is why the city, which used to have four distinct seasons throughout the year, is now becoming more tropical than ever.

For those of you who are in Seoul now, think about the past few nights. If you ever woke up in the middle of the night, I bet it probably took at least a few minutes of patience to fall back to sleep after turning on  or lowering further down the target temperature of  your air conditioner. A fan will not do a quick fix. At such a moment, imagine your air conditioner stays silent even after you pushed power button. Isnt it a nightmare?

This is why in Korea, the country with the eighth-highest electricity consumption in the world, we have extra multiple power plants on standby these days. We want to be able to ensure a seamless electricity supply even when a number of energy consumers rush to their air conditioners to cool down their bedrooms, offices, libraries and shopping malls. The issue is, that the cities where the electricity is consumed are significantly different from those cities where the electricity is generated. Most power plants are located near the coastline, whereas electricity demand comes largely from inland Seoul metropolitan areas or the southeastern areas. Seoul supplies only 9 percent of the electricity consumed in the city, whereas the Chungcheong provinces supply 215 percent of what they need.

Challenges in building electricity transmission grids across the nation aggravate the inequity between consumer cities and supplier cities. Building the electricity transmission grids often requires taking private properties and providing compensation for doing so, as well as persuading local communities affected by the often-disfavored electricity infrastructure. Without well-supported transmission grids, it takes huge costs to supply electricity to places far away from the power plant or to store it for later use. In some sense, electricity is just like food that can go bad quickly. This is why we want to see more distributed energy in the future, the energy generation located right at the consumers side.

To facilitate more distributed energy, Korea enacted the Special Act on Promotion of Distributed Energy (the Distributed Energy Act) in June 2023. The Distributed Energy Act, along with its subordinate enforcement regulations that the government fleshed out over the year since the act was passed into law, took effect as of June 14 this year. The Distributed Energy Act defines distributed energy as electric energy generated by power generation facilities of 40MW or less among electric facilities for electric businesses, power generation facilities among the other electric facilities, combined heat and power generation facilities of 500MW or less that meet relevant requirements prescribed by the Enforcement Rule, or thermal energy of 430GCal or less per hour. The Distributed Energy Act further requires the following persons to install distributed energy facilities: owners of a building within the meaning of Article 2 of the Building Act if the building is expected to use more than 200,000 MWh of energy annually and is newly built or repaired, project managers of any housing site development project or industrial complex managers who are also project managers of a development project that covers an area of 1 million square meters or more.

On the other hand, a business entity that intends to use electricity of at least 10MW by entering into an electricity use contract with an operator of electric sales business or a person who intends to add up to 10MW after conducting a grid impact assessment shall conduct a grid impact assessment in an area subject to grid impact assessment designated and publicly notified by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. In addition, the Distributed Energy Act also aims to designate special areas for distributed energy and formulate regulatory exemptions for such special areas.

By converting the traditional centralized power supply system into a decentralized type, distributed energy is expected to signal proper locations for large-scale electricity users such as power generation companies and data centers. Distributed energy will also diversify the way companies will procure their electricity, since some of them are now required to draw a certain percentage of electricity they need from distributed energy. Affected companies thus need to stay tuned to follow-up announcement of the government's policy initiatives and relevant administrative notifications, as well as steps to be taken by local governments, such as introducing local electricity rates.

Adair Turner, the chairman of the Energy Transitions Commission, a global think tank, suggested that the world's transmission network should be extended from 70 million kilometers to 200 million kilometers by 2050, to meet carbon neutrality and power supply. This sounds remote for Korea, where we have power-generating cities located far away from power-consuming cities and have traditionally experienced challenges in eliciting local communities acceptance of new transmission infrastructure in their front yard. In addition, Korea cannot even resort to any neighboring countries for electricity shortages. The Distributed Energy Act is, therefore, as much welcomed as well-functioning air conditioners on these tropical nights.

Kim Sung-woo is the head of the Environment & Energy Research Institute at Kim & Chang and a member of the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth.
Korea's memory chip exports to Taiwan surged over 225 percent in the first half from a year earlier on robust demand for high-performance high bandwidth memory (HBM) products sparked by the fast growth of the global artificial intelligence (AI) market, data showed Sunday.

Outbound shipments of memory chips to Taiwan reached $4.26 billion in the first six months of this year, up 225.7 percent from a year ago, far outperforming the country's overall increase of memory chip exports at 88.7 percent, according to data compiled by the industry ministry and the Korea International Trade Association.

Taiwan was the third-largest importer of Korean memory chips in the period, up two notches to outstrip Vietnam and the United States.

Market watchers say the sudden surge in exports to Taiwan is attributable to major Korean chipmaker SK hynix's HBM supply to U.S. AI chip giant Nvidia, which packages its AI accelerators at Taiwan's TSMC.

SK hynix is the only Korean company currently supplying HBM products, a core component of AI accelerators, to Nvidia.

"We can assume the sharp increase in exports is related to SK hynix's supplies for TSMC's final packaging of (AI accelerators)," Kim Yang-paeng, a researcher at the Korea Institutes for Industrial Economics & Trade, said.

Last month, the Korean chipmaker said in an earnings call its HBM sales soared more than 250 percent on-year in the second quarter, noting it expects a 300 percent increase in HBM revenue in 2024 from the previous year. (Yonhap)
By Ko Dong-hwan

Allgot has begun exporting new vegan gimbap products created in collaboration with one of the countrys most renowned Buddhist temples to enhance the global appeal of this classic Korean dish, according to the frozen gimbap producer.

Allgot partnered with Hwaeom Temple in Gurye County, South Jeolla Province, to launch temple gimbap. This new lineup features steamed rice rolls made from natural ingredients that Korean Buddhist practitioners grow and harvest themselves. Hwaeom Temple, the head temple of the countrys 19th parish, is renowned for its national treasures and other important heritage.

Greenmata, a Korean company specializing in vegan food developed by the temple, signed a deal with Allgot to co-develop and export new vegan gimbap offerings.

Allgot plans to export the vegan gimbap products to the United States and Europe. The company has been exporting traditional gimbap to the U.S. since last year, where sales have surged and demand has outstripped production capacity. As a result, Allgot is expanding the production lines at its factory in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.

Allgot expects its gimbap range to benefit from the growing interest in Korean Buddhism among tourists visiting Seoul. Temple stays, promoted by the Korea Tourism Organization, have gained popularity among foreign visitors, while temple food  vegan meals offered by Buddhist leaders  has sparked a new trend among health-conscious food enthusiasts worldwide.

The company added that the food aims to transcend veganism and embody Buddhist principles of compassion and respect for life, along with key cultural insights from Korean Buddhism, reaching consumers worldwide.

Through this new venture, various frozen gimbap will promote K-Food, one of the key pillars of the Korean wave, beyond the U.S. to the whole world, enhancing K-Foods global popularity, an Allgot official said.

Allgot and Greenmata plan to introduce more Hwaeom Temple food to international markets, including frozen bibimbap, dumplings, beverages, and products featuring "gochujang" (red- hot pepper paste) or "doenjang" (soybean paste) as signature sauces. Greenmata has already launched the Hwaeomsa Vegan Burger.

Starting with the burger, Hwaeom Temple food will promote K-foods as a global mainstream, Woo Eui-soo, CEO of Greenmata, said.

As a start-up, Allgot gained attention last year when its frozen gimbap products caused a sensation in the U.S. The companys initial export to Trader Joes, an American grocery chain, generated significant local buzz and led to many products selling out. This success triggered a chain reaction in Korea, enabling Allgot to secure multiple supply deals, including with the supermarket chain E-Mart.

Earlier this year, Allgot received its first funding tranche totaling 15 billion won ($11 million) from Double HM, a Korean automobile maintenance and repair business. An Allgot official said that with this investment, the company anticipates achieving 90 billion won in sales by the end of this year and 200 billion won next year.
An Israeli airstrike hit a school-turned-shelter in Gaza early Saturday, killing at least 80 people and wounding nearly 50 others, Palestinian health authorities said, in one of the deadliest attacks of the 10-month Israel-Hamas war. A witness said it struck during prayers at a mosque in the building.

It was the latest of what the U.N. human rights office called systematic attacks on schools by Israel, with at least 21 since July 4 leaving hundreds dead, including women and children.

For many, schools are the last resort to find some shelter," it said after Saturday's attack.

The Israeli military acknowledged it targeted the Tabeen school in central Gaza City, saying it hit a Hamas command center in a mosque in its compound and killed 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters. Izzat al-Rishq, a top Hamas official, denied there were militants in the school.

Israel's military also disputed the toll, saying the precise munitions used cannot cause the amount of damage that is being reported by the Hamas-run government. It said the steps it took to limit the risk to civilians included the use of a small warhead, aerial surveillance and intelligence information.

Walls were blown out on the ground level of the large building. Concrete chunks and twisted metal lay on the blood-soaked floor. Bodies, some in bloodstained shrouds, were placed shoulder to shoulder in makeshift graves, making room for more.

Fadel Naeem, director of the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that it received 70 bodies along with the body parts of at least 10 others. Gaza's Health Ministry said that another 47 people were wounded.

We received some of the most serious injuries we encountered during the war, he said, with many wounded having limbs amputated and some with severe burns.

The strike hit without warning before sunrise as people prayed, according to witness Abu Anas.

There were people praying, there were people washing and there were people upstairs sleeping, including children, women and old people," he said, prayer beads in hand. The missile fell on them without warning. The first missile, and the second. We recovered them as body parts.

Three missiles ripped through the two-story building  the first floor housed the mosque, and the second level had a school  where about 6,000 displaced people were taking shelter, said Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for the Civil Defense first responders, who operate under the Hamas-run government.

Many of the casualties were women and children, he said.

A camera operator working for the AP said a missile appeared to have penetrated the floor of the classrooms to the mosque below and exploded.

The U.N. previously said that as of July 6, 477 out of 564 schools in Gaza had been directly hit or damaged in the war, adding that Israel has a duty under international law to provide safe shelter for the displaced.

Theres no justification for these massacres," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement posted on X, referring to strikes on schools. U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy said that he was appalled." France's foreign ministry called the recent number of civilian victims in Israeli strikes on schools intolerable.

The U.S. said it was deeply concerned about reports of civilians killed.

Far too many civilians continue to be killed and wounded, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement.

Israel has blamed civilian deaths in Gaza on Hamas, saying the group endangers people by using schools and residential neighborhoods as bases for operations. The U.N. human rights office acknowledged that colocating combatants with civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law, but that Israel must also comply with the laws principles of precaution and proportionality.

The strike came as U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediators renewed their push for Israel and Hamas to achieve a cease-fire agreement that could help calm soaring tensions in the region following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.

Egypt, which borders Gaza, said that the strike on the school showed that Israel had no intention of reaching a cease-fire deal. Neighboring Jordan condemned the attack as a blatant violation of international law. Qatar demanded an international investigation, calling it a heinous crime against civilians.

Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking to reporters traveling with her in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, said of the Israeli strike in Gaza: Yet again, far too many civilians have been killed.

Israel has a right to go after the terrorists that are Hamas, she said. But as I have said many, many times they also have, I believe, an important responsibility to avoid civilian casualties.

Pressed on the fact that such comments have done little to lower the numbers of civilians in Gaza killed in recent months, Harris said, First and foremost  and the president and I have been working on this around the clock  we need to get the hostages out.

We need a hostage deal and we need a cease-fire, she said. And I cant stress that strongly enough. It needs get to done. The deal needs to get done and it needs to get done now.

Late on Friday, two separate airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 13 people, including three children and seven women, hospital authorities said. An AP journalist counted the bodies at the al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah.

One strike hit a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing seven people, all but one of them women, hospital officials said. Another hit a house in Deir al-Balah, killing six, including a woman and her three children, the hospital said.

Israels campaign in Gaza has killed more than 39,790 Palestinians and wounded more than 92,000 others, according to the Health Ministry , which doesn't distinguish between combatants and civilians in its tally. The war was triggered by Hamas Oct. 7 attack in which militants from Gaza stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 250 others.

Families of hostages demonstrated again Saturday night in Tel Aviv seeking a cease-fire deal to bring loved ones home.

More than 1.9 million of Gazas prewar population of 2.3 million have been driven from their homes, fleeing repeatedly across the territory to escape offensives. Most are crowded into tent camps in an area of about 50 square kilometers (19 square miles) on the Gaza coast with few basic services or supplies.

In the occupied West Bank, dozens of people gathered in Ramallah to protest the latest Israeli strike on a school.

The message that must be sent to the world, a numb world, a world that is not moving, is how long will the war continue? asked one, Muin Barghouti. (AP)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that Ukrainian forces were fighting in the surprise offensive in Russia's Kursk, as the border region's authorities rushed to evacuate civilians from areas at risk.

Moscow's forces are in their sixth day of intense battles against Kyiv's largest incursion into Russian territory since the start of the war, which left southwestern parts of Russia vulnerable before reinforcement started arriving.

In a sign of the gravity of the situation, Russia imposed a sweeping security regime in three border regions on Saturday, while Belarus, a staunch ally of Moscow, sent more troops to its border with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of violating its airspace.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said he had discussed the operation with top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, vowing to restore justice after Russia launched a full-scale aggression on its smaller neighbor in February 2022.

"Today, I received several reports from commander-in-chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressor's territory," he said.

"Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor."

Russian President Vladimir Putin cast the Ukrainian attack  which military analysts say caught the Kremlin off-guard  as a major provocation.

Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, said on Wednesday the attacks had been halted, but Russia has thus far failed to push the Ukrainian forces back over the border.

Russian military bloggers say the situation had stabilized after Russia's reinforcements, though they said Ukraine was swiftly building up forces.

Early on Sunday, Kursk officials said that 13 people were injured in the city after debris from a destroyed Ukraine-launched missile fell onto a nine-story residential building.

Alexei Smirnov, Kursk's acting governor, ordered local authorities to speed up the evacuation of civilians in areas at risk. On Saturday, Russia's TASS state news agency reported that more than 76,000 people had been evacuated.

Both Kyiv and Moscow deny targeting civilians in their attacks in the war, which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of Ukrainians, and has no end in sight.

Russian military bloggers say that fighting is taking place as deep as 20 kilometers inside the Kursk region, prompting some of them to question why Ukraine was able to pierce the Kursk region so easily. (Reuters)
The Israeli military ordered more evacuations in southern Gaza early Sunday after a deadly airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in the north killed at least 80 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Israel said it targeted a militant command post, killing 19 fighters.

Israel has repeatedly ordered mass evacuations as its troops have returned to heavily destroyed areas where they had previously battled Palestinian militants. The vast majority of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced by the 10-month-old war , often multiple times.

Hundreds of thousands have crammed into squalid tent camps with few public services or sought shelter in schools like the one struck on Saturday. Palestinians say nowhere in the besieged territory feels safe.

The latest evacuation orders apply to areas in Khan Younis, including part of an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone from which the military said rockets had been fired. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of hiding among civilians and launching attacks from residential areas.

Khan Younis, Gazas second-largest city, suffered widespread destruction during an air and ground offensive earlier this year. Tens of thousands fled again last week after an earlier evacuation order.

Hundreds of families carrying their belongings in their arms left their homes and shelters early Sunday, seeking elusive refuge.

We dont know where to go, said Amal Abu Yahia, a mother of three, who had returned to Khan Younis in June to shelter in their severely damaged home. This is my fourth displacement," said the 42-year-old widow, whose husband was killed when an Israeli airstrike hit their neighbors house in March.

She said they went to Muwasi, a sprawling tent camp along the coast, but could not find any space.

Ramadan Issa, a father of five in his 50s, fled Khan Younis with 17 members of his extended family, joining hundreds of people walking toward central Gaza early Sunday.

Every time we settle in one place and build tents for women and children, the occupation comes and bombs the area," he said, referring to Israel. "This situation is unbearable.

Gaza's Health Ministry says the Palestinian death toll from the 10-month-old war is approaching 40,000, without saying how many were fighters. Aid groups have struggled to address the staggering humanitarian crisis in the territory, while international experts have warned of famine .

The war began when Hamas-led militants burst through Israel's defenses on Oct. 7 and rampaged through farming communities and army bases near the border, killing some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting around 250 people.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent months trying to mediate a cease-fire and the return of the roughly 110 remaining hostages , around a third of whom Israeli authorities believe to be deceased. The conflict has meanwhile threatened to trigger a regional war, as Israel has traded fire with Iran and its militant allies across the region .

The strike on Saturday hit a mosque inside a school in Gaza City where thousands of people were sheltering. The Gaza Health Ministry said 80 people were killed and around 50 wounded. The Israeli military disputed the toll and said it killed 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in a precise strike, releasing what it said were their names and photos.

Hamas and Palestinian activists disputed the military's claims, saying two of the 19 had been killed in earlier strikes and that others were known to be civilians or opponents of Hamas.

Gaza City and the rest of the north have been surrounded by Israeli forces and largely cut off from the world since late last year, and it was not possible to independently confirm the accounts from either side.

The U.N. human rights office says Israel has carried out systematic attacks on schools, which have served as shelters since the start of the war, with at least 21 hit since July 4, leaving hundreds dead, including women and children.

European leaders condemned the strike, while the U.S. said it was concerned about the reports of civilian casualties. Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking to reporters traveling with her in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, said: Yet again, far too many civilians have been killed.

We need a hostage deal and we need a cease-fire, she said. The deal needs to get done and it needs to get done now. (AP)
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Clean Out Your Freezer Day provides meals to those in need
Anglers who fish the Snake River and its tributaries ought to have ample opportunity to catch both fall chinook and coho in the coming weeks and months.

Idahos fall chinook fishing opens next Sunday on all three rivers and coho season opens Sept. 1.

Anglers at Buoy 10 near the mouth of the Columbia River are already catching fall chinook and coho. As of Thursday, about 500 fall chinook and 50 coho had been counted in the fish ladders at Bonneville Dam. At Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River west of Clarkston, dozens of chinook are being counted daily.

The forecasts for both runs are solid but by no means records. Becky Johnson, production director of the Nez Perce Tribes Department of Fisheries Resources Management, said about 25,000 fall chinook and 12,400 coho are expected to return to the Snake River and its tributaries. Most of the coho, about 10,000, will be bound for the Clearwater River and the rest are bound for the Lostine River, a tributary to the Grande Ronde. Fall chinook return to the Snake, Salmon and Clearwater rivers.

About 47,000 fall chinook and 14,000 coho returned past Lower Granite Dam last year. The tribe spent two decades restoring the coho run that went extinct in the 1980s and successfully fought to have hatchery fall chinook released above Lower Granite Dam. Both progams proved succesful and the fish now provide regular fall fishing opportunities.

It starts with fall chinook, big bruisers that can push 30 pounds.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 11. Trend News Agency has secured the fourth spot in the ranking of Europe's most reputable media outlets, as per August 2024 data from a ranking compiled by Feedspot, one of the leading global news monitoring services.

According to Feedspot's "Top 25 European News Websites in 2024" report, Trend News Agency is among the top four news sources in the European market. Alongside Trend, other influential publications such as Euronews, European Newsroom, and POLITICO Europe also clinched spots in the top four.

In the May ranking earlier this year, Trend News Agency placed third among Europes top news agencies.

In making the ranking, Feedspot considers factors like the timeliness of content, the credibility of the publication, the number of subscribers, and the size of the readership audience. The ranking is put together by a team of several dozen experts in the fields of media, technology, and beyond.

Other notable entries in Feedspot's top 10 ranking include EU Reporter, DW, France 24 Europe, Euractiv, EUobserver, and AP News Europe.

For the full list of rankings, visit the following link.
Twenty-one educators received recognition for their excellent work Tuesday when the state Department of Education announced the 2024-25 New Jersey County Teachers of the Year.

The teachers were named during an awards ceremony at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. The 21 recipients of the county honors are now eligible for the New Jersey Teacher of the Year award. (See the full list of winning teachers below.)

The dynamic educators that we recognize today serve as ambassadors of the profession, said Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. When we highlight the great efforts from our 21 County Teachers of the Year, we shine a spotlight not only on the accomplishments of these teachers, but also on all of the schools and districts that support these remarkable educators to show why New Jersey schools lead the nation.

Individual schools select their own teachers of the year, then those teachers can apply for the county recognition.

The 21 teachers who win the county honor will be considered by a panel of educators that selects the state Teacher of the Year. The winner of the state honor is based on written applications, video submissions and interviews with the top finalists.

New Jerseys top teacher then competes in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Last year, for the first time, New Jerseys Teacher of the Year, Joseph Nappi, a social studies teacher at Monmouth Regional High School, was one of four finalists in the national competition. The national award went to Missy Testerman, an English as a Second Language teacher from rural Tennessee.

The New Jersey 2024-25 County Teachers of the Year are:

Atlantic

Carly Broomhead, Visual Arts Teacher

Emma C. Attales Middle School, Absecon School District

Bergen

Margarita Diakos, Special Education Teacher

Ramsey High School, Ramsey School District

Burlington

Margaret Fanourgakis, Health & Physical Education Teacher

Shawnee High School, Lenape Regional High School District

Camden

Stacey Brown-Downham, Elementary Reading Interventionist

J.F. Tatem Elementary School, Haddonfield School District

Cape May

Antonio Martin Franco, Spanish, Health & Physical Education Teacher

Stone Harbor Elementary School, Avalon Stone Harbor School District

Cumberland

Karolina Mills, English as a Second Language Teacher

Marie D. Durand Elementary School, Vineland School District

Essex

El Houcin Houssam, Mathematics Teacher

West Side High School, Newark School District

Gloucester

Vanessa Poggioli, Mathematics Teacher

Thomas E. Bowe Middle School, Glassboro School District

Hudson

Kelly Carroll, Multi-Sensory Reading Specialist

Mary J. Donohoe Community School, Bayonne School District

Hunterdon

Meghan Luick, Mathematics Teacher

North Hunterdon High School, North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District

Mercer

Nicole Hamlet, Biology Teacher

Trenton Central High School, Trenton School District

Middlesex

Kristen Johnson, Social Studies Teacher

Carteret Middle School, Carteret School District

Monmouth

Sara Mazzone, English Teacher

Red Bank Regional High School, Red Bank Regional High School District

Morris

Alyssa Guagenti, Gifted & Talented & Special Education Teacher

Jefferson Township Middle School, Jefferson Township School District

Ocean

Jill Falletta, First Grade Teacher

Beach Haven School, Beach Haven School District

Passaic

Bernadette Orsita, Spanish Teacher

Manchester Regional High School, Manchester Regional High School District

Salem

Deanna Miller, Agri-Science Teacher

Woodstown High School, Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District

Somerset

Stefanie Lachenauer, Social Studies Teacher

Montgomery Upper Middle School, Montgomery Township School District

Sussex

Mary Houghtaling, English Teacher

Kittatinny Regional High School, Kittatinny Regional School District

Union

Alejandro Mejia, Spanish Teacher

David Brearley Middle-High School, Kenilworth School District

Warren

Jennifer Mazziotta-Walter, Visual Arts & Gifted & Talented Teacher

Harmony Township School, Harmony Township School District

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com.
Electricity will be distinctly lacking for any EV drivers seeking to recharge at this years Electric Picnic, organisers have advised.

Despite the anticipated arrival of 75,000 daily visitors for Electric Picnic 2024 and Irelands push for electric vehicle use, Stradbally- which hosts the annual music and arts festival- has neither a filling station or Electric Vehicle(EV) charging point for visiting motorists.

Local Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy advised Electric Picnic festival goers to arrive at the event fully charged and topped up with fuel as he confirmed that diesel, petrol and EV chargers are unavailable in the town.

He had raised the issue of EV chargers for Stradbally in a motion at the September 2023 meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District last year. He said some EV drivers had become stranded at the festival as a result of the lack of charging infrastructure.

In a written response to that motion last year, Laois County Council Senior Roads Engineer, Paul McLoughlin had said: An application has been made to the ESB to determine the connection viability/requirements and fees payable for a location on the main street near the Garda Station.

Once the ESB have confirmed same the fee will be paid and the required connection works undertaken to facilitate the charger installation. It is expected that the installation will take place towards the end of the year.

Despite the assurance, Cllr McEvoy confirmed no EV chargers had yet been installed in the town and he didnt expect to see any in place before the Electric Picnic festival gets underway this year.

Electric Picnic organisers confirmed they will not have Electric Vehicle charging stations at the festival and they too advised Electric Picnic attendees to arrive fully charged.
Abbeyleix Tidy Towns have announced a partnership with University College Dublin for a unique Tree Plan project.

The public are invited to learn more about the project at a 'Talk about Trees' event in Heritage House during Heritage this August.

Abbeyleix Tidy Town Chairperson Robbie Quinn welcomed the new and unique Tree Plan currently in development between the Tidy Town's Committee and UCD's landscape artist Sophia Meeres.

"The talk should give an overview and insights into this project," said Mr Quinn.

"Everyone is invited to attend the talk and learn about the ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance our towns natural beauty, ensuring that our rich tree heritage is protected and developed for future generations," he said.

"Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a curious learner, or just looking to find out more about what out tree plan, this event is for you. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with our community and the trees that make Abbeyleix special.

"We're known for being a heritage town, but we were a woodland town first," said Mr Quinn.

"We are delighted to have professionals from UCD coming down to assess our tree coverage, and how it can be improved."

The assessment is expected to take place this winter, which will result in the division of an 'opportunity map' for appropriate opportunities for new planting.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns have planted over 17,000 trees in the last four years.

'Talk about Trees' will be held during Heritage week on Monday August 19 from 7pm to 9pm.
As Palliative Care Week 2024 approaches, the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) is calling on people in Leitrim to think about palliative care and to talk to family, friends and people in their community about what palliative care means to them.

The Palliative Care Week 2024 campaign will take place on 8 - 14 September and is dedicated to raising public awareness and increasing understanding of palliative care and its benefits. Its goal is to better inform people in communities across the island of Ireland about what palliative care is, when it may be needed and the benefits it can bring to the quality of life to those living with a life-limiting illness, their families, carers and those close to them.

This years theme is You, Me and Palliative Care.

It reflects the commitment of AIIHPC and its member organisations to emphasise the message that palliative care affects us all, and the importance of community in the provision of palliative care services and supports.

With this theme in mind, a first of its kind all-island event will take place in Newry on 9 September. The Compassionate Communities in Palliative and End of Life Care Conference is a free event open to the public which aims to promote a compassionate response from communities to support people with palliative care needs including at the end of life and bereavement supports for families and friends. The conference will raise awareness about the challenges people face when dealing with dying, death, and loss in our communities, highlight successful community responses and initiatives, and discuss constructive solutions to build more equitable compassionate communities.

Karen Charnley, AIIHPC Director, said: This years theme of You, Me and Palliative Care was chosen to remind people about the different ways that palliative care can touch any of our lives. It may be through our own journey or that of a friend or family member. It may be as a health care professional who experiences caring for someone with palliative care needs and those close to them. Palliative care is everyones business and there is always support available.

Community is our focus this year and our Compassionate Communities Conference will underpin this key message. The conference will hear from organisations and individuals across the island of Ireland, as well as personal stories.

This year for Palliative Care Week we want to connect with as many people as possible in and help them to be better informed about all aspects of palliative care.

Fintan Fagan, Chair of AIIHPC and Chief Executive Officer, St Francis Hospice, Dublin added: We want to encourage conversations about palliative care among families and communities, to inform those who feel that they may need support now or in the future and make it easier to ask those necessary questions and to feel more reassured and comfortable to seek the information that they need from their healthcare providers.

We also want to emphasise the value of community and of being responsive to the needs of others in our own communities who may be receiving palliative care, it may be just having a chat with our neighbour or sharing information about supports in your local areas.

You can take the AIIHPC survey to test your awareness of Palliative Care:

Palliative Care Survey

To find out more about Palliative Care Week, visit: https:// thepalliativehub.com/ palliative-care-week-2024/

For those with an interest in promoting a better understanding of palliative care:

Download the leaflet, poster and other resources from here and share with your family, friends, colleagues, your local groups, or your online community.

Share your own palliative care experience story on social media during Palliative Care Week 202 4 using #pallcareweek.

For more information on the Compassionate Communities Conference, visit: CompassionateCommunitie s2024

AIIHPC is encouraging people to get informed and to share this information with their family and friends, and any local groups they are in, during Palliative Care Week 2024.

Any groups or individuals wishing to obtain leaflets and/or posters can contact AIIHPC by calling +353 1 4912948 or by emailing info@aiihpc.org.
A view of the column of Russian Army trucks damaged by shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the highway in the Sudzhansky district, Kursk region of Russia, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant Publishing House via AP) ANATOLIY ZHDANOV / AP

Struggling to contain a major Ukrainian incursion, Russia on Saturday, August 10, said it had evacuated tens of thousands of people from its border region and launched a "counter-terror operation". At the same time, Moscow warned that the fighting in Russia's western Kursk region was endangering a nuclear power plant.

Ukrainian units stormed across the border on Tuesday morning in what so far has been the largest and most successful such offensive by Kyiv in the two-and-a-half-year conflict.

Ukrainian troops have advanced several kilometers since Tuesday morning, forcing Russia's army to rush in reserves and extra equipment  though neither side has given precise details on the forces committed.

Local officials detailed the scale of civilian evacuations from towns and villages close to the combat zone. "More than 76,000 people have been temporarily relocated to safe places," the state-run TASS news agency quoted an official from the regional emergency situations ministry as saying at a press briefing on Saturday.

Emergency aid has been ferried into the border area and extra trains to the capital Moscow have been put on for people fleeing the fighting. "The war has come to us," one woman  who declined to give her name  told AFP after arriving at a Moscow train station on Friday.

U krainian air defense system activated

Explosions rang out Saturday night in the center and east of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, as Ukraine's air force said two Russian missiles were headed toward the city. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital and at least two flashes could be seen against the night sky.

Kyiv's military administration said in a post on Telegram that the city's air defense systems had been activated. Ukraine's air force said five other regions were being attacked by drones.

There has been growing concern among many Ukrainians in recent days that Moscow might launch air raids in response to Kyiv's recent offensive inside Russian territory. Ukrainian officials have not so far given any details on possible casualties or damage.

Mass evacuations

Kyiv has maintained a strict operational silence on the offensive and for several days Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made only oblique references to the fighting there. But in Saturday's evening address, Zelensky referred to army chief Oleksandr Syrsky's briefings "on the frontline and our actions and pushing the war into the aggressor's territory".

Thanking the soldiers involved, he added: "Ukraine is proving that it can really bring justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed  pressure on the aggressor." Russia's army on Saturday confirmed it was still fighting the Ukrainian incursion for a fifth day.

It said Kyiv's forces had initially crossed the border with around 1,000 troops, 20 armored vehicles, and 11 tanks, though it claimed on Saturday to have destroyed five times that much military hardware so far.

'Unprecedented'

Russia's national anti-terrorism committee said late Friday it was starting "counter-terror operations in the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions" to protect citizens. The Belgorod and Bryansk regions bordering Ukraine have also been hit hard by shelling and aerial attacks since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022.

Security forces and the military have sweeping emergency powers during "counter-terror" operations. Movement is restricted, vehicles can be seized, phone calls can be monitored, areas are declared no-go zones, checkpoints are introduced, and security is beefed up at key infrastructure sites.

On the streets of Moscow Saturday, journalists found support for tough measures to quell the response, but also some anger at how the incursion had been allowed to happen. "We have to take all the steps that are possible in such a situation," said Alexander Ilyin, a 42-year-old architect.

In this photo released by the Government of the Kursk region of Russia via their telegram channel on Friday, August 9, 2024, relatives carry suitcases of their children from the Kursk region helping them to leave on holiday to the Moscow region of Russia. AP

Read more Subscribers only Ukrainian army enters Russia in largest-ever incursion

The anti-terrorism committee said Ukraine had mounted an "unprecedented attempt to destabilize the situation in a number of regions of our country".

Russia on Friday appeared to hit back, launching a missile strike on a supermarket in the east Ukrainian town of Kostyantynivka that killed at least 14 people. Another three were killed in the northeastern Kharkiv region on Saturday, local officials said. Ukraine also said it had had to evacuate 20,000 people from the Sumy region, just across the border from Kursk.

While neither side has provided precise details on Ukraine's incursion, Russia's defense ministry on Saturday said it had hit some Ukrainian positions as far as 10 kilometers (six miles) from the border. It also reported hitting Ukrainian troops in areas 30 kilometers apart  an indication as to the breadth, as well as depth of Ukraine's advance.

Belarus, Russia's close ally, on Saturday, ordered military reinforcements  ground troops, air units, air defense, and rocket systems -to be deployed closer to its border with Ukraine in response to Kyiv's incursion, its defense ministry said.

Read more Subscribers only Russia 'maps weak spots and dividing lines in target countries'
Palestinians look at the damage at the site of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Gaza City August 10, 2024. MAHMOUD ISSA / REUTERS

Friends and foes of Israel on Saturday denounced the August, 10, Israeli strike that killed scores of displaced civilians in a Gaza school, renewing calls for an immediate ceasefire. The attack was the latest of what the UN human rights office called "systematic attacks on schools" by Israel, with at least 21 since July 4 leaving hundreds dead, including women and children.

Israel's military is now disputing the death toll provided by the Palestinian defense agency, saying the school was targeted with "precision munitions" because it "served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility," adding at said at least 19 "terrorists" had been killed in the strike.

American "needs to get the hostage out"

A White House statement said it was "deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties" following the strike and was seeking more information. The strike "underscores the urgency of a ceasefire and hostage deal, which we continue to work tirelessly to achieve", the statement added.

Vice president Kamala Harris, speaking to reporters traveling with her in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, said of the Israeli strike in Gaza: "Yet again, far too many civilians have been killed." "Israel has a right to go after the terrorists that are Hamas," she said. "But as I have said many, many times they also have, I believe, an important responsibility to avoid civilian casualties."

Read more Subscribers only G7 ambassadors boycott Nagasaki ceremony to protest Israel's non-invitation

Pressed on the fact that such comments have done little to lower the numbers of civilians in Gaza killed in recent months, Harris said, "First and foremost  and the president and I have been working on this around the clock  we need to get the hostages out." "We need a hostage deal and we need a cease-fire," she said. "And I can't stress that strongly enough. It needs get to done. The deal needs to get done and it needs to get done now."

Calls for "respect of international humanitarian law"

British Foreign Minister David Lammy wrote on X that he was "appalled by the Israeli Military strike on al-Tabeen school and the tragic loss of life," adding that "we need an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, free all hostages, and end restrictions on aid."

A statement from the French foreign ministry noted that "for several weeks, school buildings have been repeatedly targeted, with an intolerable number of civilian victims." "Israel must respect international humanitarian law," it added.

"Once again we demand the total respect for the provisional measures demanded by the International Court of Justice for the protection of civilian populations," said the Spanish government.

The European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he was "horrified by images from a sheltering school in Gaza hit by an Israeli strike. At least 10 schools were targeted in the last weeks. There's no justification for these massacres," Borrell wrote on X.

Read more Subscribers only Israeli prisons 'operate like torture camps' for Palestinian detainees

Reactions in the Arab world

Qatar, a mediator in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, demanded an urgent probe to ascertain the "facts regarding the Israeli occupation forces' continued targeting of schools and shelters for displaced persons".

Egypt, which has diplomatic ties with Israel and is also involved in negotiations between the two sides, said the attack was carried out "in disdain of international and humanitarian law" and showed a "lack of willingness on the Israeli side to put an end to this ferocious war."

Jordan's foreign ministry said the timing was an indication of Israel's efforts to "obstruct and thwart" the latest mediation effort.

Read more Subscribers only Diplomatic efforts intensify to avoid regional war between Israel and Iran

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said the strike "showed once again that Israel does not respect any of the rules and regulations of international law and moral and human principles." Kanani called for "firm action by Muslim and freedom-loving countries around the world to support the Palestinian nation and its legitimate struggles and resistance against the occupation".

Lebanon's Hezbollah group described the attack as a "horrific massacre" and called for worldwide outrage in solidarity with Palestinians.

"Sabotage" of ceasefire negotiations

"Moscow is deeply shocked by what has happened," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. "We reaffirm our principled and consistent position on the need for strict compliance with the norms of international humanitarian law. We call on the Israeli side to refrain from attacking civilian objects."

A Turkish foreign ministry statement decried a "new crime against humanity" and said the attack shows "once again" that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "wants to sabotage permanent ceasefire negotiations". "The international actors who do not take measures to stop Israel are making themselves complicit in these crimes," it added.

Read more Subscribers only Israel's 'Samson syndrome' in Gaza
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 11. Bulgaria imported 44.6 million cubic meters of natural gas from Azerbaijan in May 2024, remaining nearly unchanged from the same period last year, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, told Trend.

The total value of these gas imports decreased by almost 9 percent, from 27.1 million euros to 24.7 million euros.

In 2023, Bulgaria imported over 920 million cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan, amounting to 311.5 million euros. From January to May 2024, Bulgaria received 218.4 million cubic meters of gas worth 117.7 million euros, compared to 220.3 million cubic meters valued at 145.5 million euros during the same period last year.

Bulgaria began importing gas from Azerbaijan via the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) on October 1, 2022. The contract volume for gas supplies through this interconnector is 1 billion cubic meters per year, with a total capacity of 3 billion cubic meters, expandable to 5 billion cubic meters per year.

Azerbaijan supplies gas to Europe through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), part of the Southern Gas Corridor, with a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters, expandable to 20 billion cubic meters per year.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
IN LIMERICK, a group of volunteers are getting ready to embrace the community spirit and take audiences on a three-day music trail through the city.

Feile na Greine, which was launched in 2018, is a yearly festival which takes the form of a music trail across the city. A DIY event, it is purely volunteer-led and aims to expose music lovers to something different.

A celebration of emerging and experimental music, the festival aims to stop at an array of venues, from arts spaces and underground clubs to craft breweries and street parties. This year, the festival will take place from August 23 to 25. Hugh Hefferman, one of the organisers, is preparing for what will be a weekend to remember.

Speaking of how the festival first started, he explained: It started quite organically as a grassroots endeavour with a few different kind of scenes around Limerick where they were doing kind of DIY punk music and electronic music. We came together in about 2018 to plan a street festival.

Our budget back then was about 500 and every single year has kind of grown in a way that we really could never, never have expected. And then we've about 20 or 25 volunteers and we bring a number of thousand people to Limerick City every year too.

He says Feile na Greine is quite the energetic and unusual affair.

Composed of musicians, designers, photographers, and other creative practitioners, Feile na Greine is guided by strong-held beliefs in DIY culture, grassroots connections and inclusivity within the arts.

We often try to experiment in new ways. We're always releasing publications and themes and we made a feature documentary that came out last year, Out of Place, which was then featured in film festivals in England and in Ireland and in the United States, so that was a nice unexpected win for us, he said.

The grassroots festival centres around a love for music, and the culture surrounding music in Ireland. In Limerick, there is a communal aspect you might not find anywhere else.

I think there's a communal aspect to it that I think is really, really valuable, really rare, and it's something to be really fostered. I think Limerick is in a really unique position to foster a really, really strong, cohesive music scene. I've thought about this for years and my thinking on it is, I think Limerick is a really compact, easily walkable city, and that creates opportunities that aren't really there in a bigger city, let's say like Dublin, where if you were to go from venue to venue to venue, that could take you hours, and you'd have to get on buses or trains, pointed out Hugh.

READ MORE: 'Without the Limerick people, Kilkee would close up': local legend of seaside town

Over the years, the festival has grown stronger - and is now an event many music lovers look forward to.

Previously, we were working with venues that might be able to accommodate 80 people max or 160 people max. But suddenly then when we're able to close the roads, especially quieter roads, suddenly the capacity of what would have been a tiny venue jumps up to 400 people. And that's a game changer because the infrastructure is already there, explained Hugh.

If you stumble across Feile na Greine, you will most likely discover acts or a unique experimental sound you might have never heard of before.

If you're at a festival, you might have a stage that plays pop music, or dance music, or heavy metal, whereas we'll place things together that might on the surface feel thematically odd. So we might have a really experimental noise act right beside a pop act.

And what that does is, because I think we foster maybe an open mind when people come to the festival, you're suddenly exposed to something that's wildly outside of your typical musical taste, said Hugh.

And thats the aim of the festival - to expose people to something they might not expect.

For me, one of the most valuable and unique things about Feile na Greine is that even though you might have an expectation of what you like, and what you were coming to see, you'll often be exposed to something quite dramatically different, but something that we still feel that should engage with you on a strong emotional level."

This years lineup will include The Bonk, with their song and freeform jazz improvisation led by Phil Christie, the return of the angular and propulsive Silverbacks, heavy distorted songwriting from Olan Monk, fiddle and voice folk duo Eoghan O Ceannabhain & Ultan O'Brien, and the psychogeography-inspired Tra Phaidin, hopping straight off the 424.

With over 30 events across nine venues, Feile na Greine is a celebration of everything DIY in Irish independent music. The festival is supported by the Arts Council Festival Investment scheme, as well as Limerick Arts through Limerick City and County Council.

For further information, visit www.FeileLK.ie
A NEW judge has been appointed to Limerick Circuit Court for the South Western circuit, which covers Limerick, Clare and Kerry.

Judge Colin Daly has replaced Tom ODonnell who retired from the bench on June 26, after serving the legal system in Limerick for almost half a century, including as both a district court and circuit court judge.

He spent the majority of the latter years of his career covering criminal matters.

On his first day behind the bench, Judge Colin Daly was welcomed to his new role by State barrister John O'Sullivan, as well as State solicitor Padraig Mawe and solicitor Ted McCarthy.

Mr OSullivan paid tribute to the long line of distinguished predecessors who have sat on the bench before Judge Daly.

He started by paying tribute to Mr Justice Barra O Briain, who he described as a legendary figure who was the captain of the guard of honour at Michael Collins funeral and was on horseback, as he had been a Free State army officer and later on became President of the Circuit Court and a High Court judge. In 1960 to 1963, he was made the Chief Justice of Cyprus.

READ MORE: Aontu reveals its general election candidate for Limerick

Mr OSullivan also paid tribute to the late Tim Desmond and John Gleeson, both from Cork, as well as Kevin OHiggins, Sean OLeary, Carroll Moran and most recently Tom ODonnell.

Mr O'Sullivan finished by abiding by tradition and wished the judge a long life and good health on the bench.

Mr Mawe added that he hopes the judge enjoys his time in the circuit court, while Mr McCarthy welcomed him on behalf of the solicitors.

Judge Daly has previously been the President of the District Court.

Judge Daly thanked everyone for their welcome and kind words.

He said: It gives me great pleasure to be assigned to the Munster circuit now.

I'm no stranger to Limerick and have been sitting in Limerick for most of this year - closer to the river in Merchant's Quay.

He also acknowledged the standard of professionalism and levels of cooperation in the circuit court and said that he's looking forward to many years ahead behind the bench in the Mulgrave Street courthouse.
GARDAI have arrested a man in connection with an alleged arson attack in Oola in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A garda spokesperson confirmed to Limerick Live they are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a private residence that occurred at Oola in the early hours of Saturday morning, August 10.

"One man, aged in his 20s, was arrested and has been charged in relation to the incident and is due before Limerick District Court this afternoon, Sunday, August 11 at 3pm.

"Investigations are ongoing," said the garda spokesperson.

READ MORE: Narrow escape as car bursts into flames outside Limerick senior hurling match

Limerick Live understands one person was in the residence, believed to be an apartment, at the time but escaped before the blaze took hold. The property is said to be "destroyed".

Firefighters from Cappamore and Tipperary Town rushed to the scene and put out the blaze.

Tipperary Town firefighters returned to base shortly before 3am with personnel from Cappamore leaving Oola at around 3.30am.
WITH seconds left on the clock, it fell to a player with a County Limerick father to secure victory for Cork in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie final this Sunday afternoon.

Deep into the four minutes of injury time in Croke Park a wayward pass by Kilkenny saw the sliothar drop perfectly into the possession of Charleville woman Fiona Neligan.

As the Cork crowd held their breath, the young teacher struck the ball perfectly, sending it soaring over the crossbar putting the Rebels one point ahead with 62 minutes and 33 seconds on the clock.

READ MORE: WATCH: Micheal Houlihan 'enjoying' his club hurling with Kilmallock

All eyes were on the young player when the final whistle blew, as not only did her last-gasp shot clinch victory on a scoreline of Cork 1-11 Kilkenny 1-10 but the player had been introduced as a sub having been out of action for a spell due to injury.

Fiona is steeped in sporting tradition as both her father Thomas and uncle Maurice played senior hurling with Kilmallock, and were part of the 1993 team who contested the All-Ireland club final in Croke Park.

Maurice also played senior with Limerick. Her grandfather, Tom Neligan, is well-known in sporting and farming circles through his long and proud association with Golden Vale Marts. He retired as CEO in 2000.
Bajaj Consumer Care Q1 Results Live : Bajaj Consumer Care declared their Q1 results on 09 Aug, 2024, reporting a significant decrease in both revenue and profit. The company's topline decreased by 8.97% year-over-year, while the profit saw a decline of 19.69% YoY. However, compared to the previous quarter, Bajaj Consumer Care managed to achieve a revenue growth of 2.49% and a profit increase of 4.32%.

The company's Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses saw a steep rise, increasing by 153.62% quarter-over-quarter and 158.13% year-over-year. This surge in expenses has put additional pressure on the company's profitability.

Operating income for Bajaj Consumer Care was up by 6.83% compared to the previous quarter but saw a decline of 24.68% year-over-year. This mixed performance indicates some operational improvements but highlights the challenges the company faces in maintaining its profitability.

The Earnings Per Share (EPS) for Q1 stands at 2.6, marking a decrease of 19.75% year-over-year. This decline in EPS reflects the overall drop in net profits for the company.

Despite these setbacks, Bajaj Consumer Care has managed to deliver a 6.81% return over the last week, a 30.19% return in the last six months, and a 27.55% year-to-date return. This performance indicates that the company has managed to maintain investor confidence to some extent.

As of now, Bajaj Consumer Care has a market capitalization of 3999.65 Cr. The stock's 52-week high is 286.9, while the 52-week low is 199.75, showing significant volatility over the past year.

Analyst sentiment around Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be positive. As of 11 Aug, 2024, out of 7 analysts covering the company, 4 have given a 'Buy' rating, while 3 have given a 'Strong Buy' rating.

The consensus recommendation for Bajaj Consumer Care as of 11 Aug, 2024, is a 'Strong Buy.' This suggests that despite the recent financial challenges, analysts remain optimistic about the company's future performance.

Bajaj Consumer Care Financials Period Q1 Q4 Q-o-Q Growth Q1 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 245.94 239.96 +2.49% 270.17 -8.97% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 66.26 26.13 +153.62% 25.67 +158.13% Depreciation/ Amortization 2.33 2.61 -10.67% 2.32 +0.3% Total Operating Expense 211.64 207.86 +1.82% 224.63 -5.79% Operating Income 34.3 32.1 +6.83% 45.53 -24.68% Net Income Before Taxes 45.14 43.56 +3.63% 55.81 -19.12% Net Income 37.12 35.58 +4.32% 46.22 -19.69% Diluted Normalized EPS 2.6 2.49 +4.42% 3.24 -19.75%
Dredging Corporation Of India Q1 Results Live : Dredging Corporation Of India declared their Q1 results on 09 Aug, 2024, revealing a significant financial downturn. The company's topline decreased by 26.23% year-on-year, and the loss for the quarter stood at 31.4cr. This contrasts sharply with the same period in the previous fiscal year when the company had declared a profit of 15.15cr.

Comparing the results with the previous quarter, Dredging Corporation Of India saw a revenue decline of 45.74%. This substantial drop indicates a challenging quarter for the company in terms of revenue generation.

The company's expenses have also seen an uptick. Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 6.16% quarter-on-quarter and increased by 16.87% year-on-year. This rise in expenses has further strained the company's financials.

Operating income has taken a hit as well, decreasing by 40.15% quarter-on-quarter and down by a staggering 215.71% year-on-year. This significant drop in operating income has contributed to the overall financial challenges faced by the company.

The earnings per share (EPS) for Q1 is -11.22, marking a decrease of 307.39% year-on-year. This negative EPS reflects the company's financial struggles during the quarter.

Despite the disappointing quarterly results, Dredging Corporation Of India has delivered a -8.02% return in the last week, a 29.96% return in the last 6 months, and a 77.1% year-to-date return. This indicates some resilience and investor confidence in the company's long-term potential.

Currently, Dredging Corporation Of India has a market cap of 2971.64 Cr. The company's 52-week high and low are 1457.95 and 361.7, respectively. These figures provide some context to the company's current market standing amidst its financial challenges.

Dredging Corporation Of India Financials Period Q1 Q4 Q-o-Q Growth Q1 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 150.8 277.89 -45.74% 204.42 -26.23% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 27.08 25.51 +6.16% 23.17 +16.87% Depreciation/ Amortization 37.06 39.43 -6.01% 34.65 +6.93% Total Operating Expense 175.6 295.58 -40.59% 182.99 -4.04% Operating Income -24.8 -17.69 -40.15% 21.43 -215.71% Net Income Before Taxes -30.98 -23.31 -32.93% 15.66 -297.9% Net Income -31.4 -23.47 -33.81% 15.15 -307.27% Diluted Normalized EPS -11.22 -8.85 -26.78% 5.41 -307.39%
Uni Abex Alloy Products Q1 Results Live : Uni Abex Alloy Products declared their Q1 results on 08 Aug, 2024, revealing a mixed financial performance. The company's topline, or revenue, saw a decline of 5.93% year-over-year (YoY), while profit decreased by 15.47% YoY. Despite these annual declines, the results showed a significant recovery compared to the previous quarter, with revenue growing by 30.85% and profit soaring by 111.22%.

The company's Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses reflected a mixed trend. While there was a 12.52% decline quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), these expenses increased by 24.95% compared to the same period last year. This indicates that the company has been able to manage its operational costs more efficiently in the short term but has faced challenges over the longer term.

Operating income for Uni Abex Alloy Products also showed a dual trend. It was up by a robust 143.31% QoQ, highlighting significant operational improvements since the last quarter. However, on a YoY basis, operating income decreased by 23.22%, pointing towards underlying challenges that the company needs to address.

The Earnings Per Share (EPS) stood at 36.74 for Q1, marking a decrease of 15.46% YoY. This decline in EPS aligns with the overall reduction in profit, reflecting the company's current financial challenges.

In terms of market performance, Uni Abex Alloy Products has delivered a -5.02% return over the last week, a -22.95% return in the past six months, and a -13.22% Year-to-Date (YTD) return. These figures suggest that the stock has been underperforming in the market, which could be attributed to the financial results and broader market conditions.

As of now, Uni Abex Alloy Products has a market capitalization of 530.34 crore. The company's 52-week high stands at 3998.9, while the 52-week low is 1485.5, indicating significant volatility in its stock price over the past year.

Uni Abex Alloy Products Financials Period Q1 Q4 Q-o-Q Growth Q1 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 43.98 33.61 +30.85% 46.75 -5.93% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 3.24 3.7 -12.52% 2.59 +24.95% Depreciation/ Amortization 1.15 1.25 -8.06% 0.9 +27.51% Total Operating Expense 35.45 30.11 +17.76% 35.65 -0.54% Operating Income 8.52 3.5 +143.31% 11.1 -23.22% Net Income Before Taxes 9.75 4.68 +108.46% 11.64 -16.24% Net Income 7.26 3.44 +111.22% 8.58 -15.47% Diluted Normalized EPS 36.74 17.39 +111.27% 43.46 -15.46%
Vinatiorg Q1 Results Live : Vinatiorg declared their Q1 results on 10 Aug, 2024. The company's topline increased by 21.73% year-over-year (YoY) while the profit rose by 1.12% YoY. However, compared to the previous quarter, the revenue declined by 4.65% and the profit decreased by 19.19%.

The company's Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses rose by 12.08% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) and increased by 31.57% YoY. This increase in expenses has impacted the bottom line, contributing to a decline in quarterly profits.

Operating income for Vinatiorg was down by 20.75% QoQ but saw an increase of 7.84% YoY. This indicates a mixed performance in terms of operational efficiency and profitability.

The Earnings Per Share (EPS) for Q1 stood at 8.12, reflecting a modest increase of 0.25% YoY. This shows that the company has managed to maintain stable earnings despite higher operational costs.

In terms of stock performance, Vinatiorg has delivered a 6.31% return in the last week, a 38.02% return over the last 6 months, and a 32.52% year-to-date (YTD) return. This demonstrates strong market confidence in the company's future prospects.

As of now, Vinatiorg has a market capitalization of 23,950.39 crore. The stock has witnessed a 52-week high of 2330 and a low of 1462.2, indicating significant volatility over the past year.

Analyst recommendations as of 11 Aug, 2024, show a mixed sentiment. Out of 12 analysts covering the company, 2 have given a Strong Sell rating, 2 have given a Sell rating, 3 have given a Hold rating, 2 have given a Buy rating, and 3 have given a Strong Buy rating.

The consensus recommendation for Vinatiorg as of 11 Aug, 2024, is to Hold. This suggests that analysts believe the stock is fairly valued at its current price, with balanced risks and opportunities moving forward.

Vinatiorg Financials Period Q1 Q4 Q-o-Q Growth Q1 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 524.71 550.31 -4.65% 431.03 +21.73% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 33.64 30.02 +12.08% 25.57 +31.57% Depreciation/ Amortization 21.36 19.55 +9.26% 13.19 +61.91% Total Operating Expense 421.41 419.96 +0.34% 335.24 +25.71% Operating Income 103.3 130.35 -20.75% 95.8 +7.84% Net Income Before Taxes 112.12 139.13 -19.41% 110.85 +1.15% Net Income 84.16 104.14 -19.19% 83.22 +1.12% Diluted Normalized EPS 8.12 10.05 -19.2% 8.1 +0.25%
Elon Musk has big plans for his startup xAI. A key part: using his other companies.

The billionaires year-old artificial-intelligence bet is relying on talent, data and hardware from his other businesses to help it develop what he has said will become the most powerful AI in the world by December.

So far, xAI has hired at least 11 employees who have worked at Tesla, according to xAIs website and LinkedIn profiles. That includes six who have worked directly on the Autopilot team focused on AI-powered self-driving technology that Musk has said is pivotal for Teslas future.

The startup has leased computer chips critical for AIcalled graphic processing units, or GPUsfrom his social-media platform X, according to people familiar with the matter, and it boasts access to real-time X data.

Musk also has asked for GPUs that were reserved for Tesla to be redirected to xAI and X. He has talked publicly about the troves of visual data that Tesla collects, which he has said could serve as a resource to train xAIs models, and said last fall that X shareholders will own 25% of xAI.

xAI is a fairly new company," Musk said in an interview with conservative Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson last month. So we have a lot of catching up to do relative to companies that have been around for five or 10 or 20 years."

The concern for some investors is that as Musk shifts manpower and hardware to xAI, his other businesses dont benefit. Musk has said such sharing benefits investors in all of his companies, but the practice has brought lawsuits and was used as an argument by critics against Tesla giving him a pay package worth tens of billions of dollars.

At least three Tesla shareholdersthe electric-vehicle maker is Musks only publicly listed companyhave filed suits claiming that a shifting of resources to xAI has hurt the carmakers investors. Those cases are pending in the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Its all going to be problematic," said Brian Quinn, a law professor at Boston College. Every time hes playing with the resources of any of these companies, hes dealing with other peoples money. He cant treat all these assets as his own personal assets."

As recently as last month, Musk was pitching potential collaborations between his companies. He posted a poll on X, asking users if Tesla should invest $5 billion in xAI, and said it was meant to test the waters because any such move would require board and shareholder approval.

After X users voted 68% in favor of the move, Musk posted: Looks like the public is in favor. Will discuss with Tesla board."

Musk, Tesla, xAI and X didnt respond to requests for comment. Musk posted on X last month that xAI, Tesla and X are all looking to hire talent. He also has said previously that hiring employees from his other companies at xAI is a way to prevent prized engineers from going to competitors.

The shifting of resources between Musks companies isnt new. For years, he has used his companiesSpaceX, the rocket startup; Neuralink, the brain-implant chip firm; tunnel maker Boring Co.; and X, the social-media platform, in addition to Tesla and xAIto help one another.

When Musk bought the company then known as Twitter in 2022, he brought in employees from across his business empire to help with the transition. In court testimony, Musk said the Tesla engineers briefly helped out on a voluntary after-hours basis.

Did Tesla no longer need those engineers?" a lawyer asked him.

No. Tesla needed the engineers," Musk responded.

One of Teslas board members said in court testimony that the engineers were paid for their work.

xAI, meanwhile, also has capitalized on its connections to Musks network of companies to raise $6 billion in recent months. xAI investors say they were pitched on the idea that xAI could use data from Musks other businesses, including Tesla, to train its large-language models.

Some investors said those connections were part of the allure. Musk said in the interview with Peterson that xAI hadnt yet applied real-world video from Tesla to xAIs large-language models.

xAI now boasts a $24 billion valuation, second only to OpenAI in terms of size of AI startups. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and left the companys board of directors in 2018.

Since its launch in July 2023, xAI has released a chatbot named Grok and is building what Musk has called the biggest data center in the world. Musks record of building businesses has engendered loyalty from some investors. Several xAI investors have poured money into the billionaires other companies.

Others have bristled at the overlap. The Tesla shareholders behind the recent lawsuits are accusing Musk of violating his fiduciary duties by moving talent and other resources to xAI, seeking damages and asking the court to order Musk to move his equity stake in xAI to Tesla. In one of the suits, shareholders are asking that Musks interest in xAI be put in a trust.

Tesla didnt respond to questions about the lawsuits. Musk said on an earnings call last month that Tesla is learning quite a bit from xAI. Its been actually helpful in advancing Full Self-Driving and in building up the new Tesla data center."

Sharing resources between companies isnt illegal on its own, if each entity is fairly compensated. But such arrangements are rare at big corporations, and considered fraught practice because they raise concerns that the chief could make decisions for one company at the expense of another.

Negotiating dealsand settling on a pricebecomes awkward when a CEO is on opposite sides of the same deal. Among the fears are that conflicted CEOs might want to steer new business to their struggling companies, or pay unfairly low prices in deals with their successful ones.

The law doesnt prohibit people from having fiduciary responsibilities to multiple companies," said Scott Cummings, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. What the law prohibits is acting in ways that essentially harm one company to the benefit of another."

Musk might have more leeway with his private companies than with Tesla, but he is still beholden to investors in those firms, including xAI, according to corporate governance experts. The difference is that investors in xAI or Musks other private companies might be less likely to take legal action against him.

In a private company, there might be 10 shareholders where everybody knows everybody," said Quinn, of Boston College. Its much more likely to be resolved with a phone call."

The stakes are higher with Musks public company, Tesla, where he doesnt own a majority stake. One of the institutional investors suing him is the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island, which says it provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to roughly 60,000 public employees.

Tesla and xAI each have distinct AI ambitions, putting the companies in an awkward position as they compete for resources. Tesla is trying to develop fully-autonomous driving software and a humanoid robot, in addition to selling electric vehicles.

One of the shareholder lawsuits, filed by the Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund, takes aim at the GPU reallocation between the companies.

Musk is creating enormous value at xAIpotentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars in the near futureat Teslas expense," according to the complaint.

After CNBC reported that Musk had asked for Nvidias chips to be redirected to xAI and X from Tesla, he offered an explanation.

Tesla had no place to send the Nvidia chips to turn them on, so they would have just sat in a warehouse," Musk posted on X in June. CNBC cited an internal Nvidia email that said the same number of GPUs would be moved from xAI and X to Tesla at a later date in exchange.

xAI also has ties with another of Musks companies: X.

X has contributed $250 million in computing power to the startup, The Wall Street Journal has reported. xAIs Grok has been made available exclusively on X with a subscription, and xAI engineers have been tasked with fixing problems at X and using xAIs models to improve Xs features, according to people familiar with the matter.

At an Nvidia conference in March, one of xAIs head engineers, Igor Babuschkin, said integrating Grok into X was a nice sort of exercise" but isnt their main goal, without elaborating.

Alexa Corse, Alexander Saeedy and Deepa Seetharaman contributed to this article.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 11. Kazakhstan's KazTransOil (the national operator of the main oil pipeline) transported over 800,000 tons of oil in the direction of Baku from January through July 2024, a source at KazTransOil told Trend.

"From January through July 2024, 837,000 tons of Kazakh oil were transported through the port of Aktau in the direction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline," the source said.

As the company added, in July 2024 alone, KazTransOil shipped 136,000 tons of Kazakh oil at the port of Aktau in the direction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

In addition, the interlocutor noted that in August 2024, KazTransOil plans to ship 120,000 tons of oil through the Aktau seaport in the direction of the BTC oil pipeline.

In addition, the company previously told Trend that projections for transportation volumes would not change by the end of 2024.

"Over the entire year 2024, it is planned to transport up to 1.5 million tons of oil through the port of Aktau in the direction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. KazTransOil supplies oil in accordance with the oil transportation schedule. This schedule is approved by the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan based on applications from shippers," the source added.

To note, 3.376 million tons of oil were loaded into tankers at the port of Aktau utilizing KazTransOil facilities by the end of 2023. Of this total, 1.057 million tons were bound for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan route.

Meanwhile, in 2022, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued an order to increase the amount of oil transported through the Trans-Caspian corridor. The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and KazMunayGas, the country's oil and gas company, signed an agreement allowing for the transportation of up to 1.5 million tons of oil annually from the Tengiz field in the direction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline in compliance with this directive.

In addition, during the visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Azerbaijan on March 1112, KazMunayGas and SOCAR signed an agreement to increase the volume of oil transported via the BTC to 2.2 million tons per year.
The ninth India-Brazil Joint Commission meeting, which is likely to be held on 27 August in New Delhi, may discuss bilateral cooperation in energy, defence and agriculture.

The agenda for the high-level meeting, held every two years, includes climate change, critical minerals, biofuels and oil, as India seeks Brazilian expertise in these areas, two senior officials at the Brazilian embassy said.

While the Brazilian side is expected to bring up the issue of market access for its agricultural products, defence has emerged as one of the key pillars of the Indo-Brazilian relationship, alongside energy and farm trade. Security cooperation featured in bilateral talks between Brazils president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi last September and the Joint Commission may take out some significant topics like technical cooperation and market access for Brazilian agricultural products and collaboration in defence from that summit and discuss thoroughly.

Also Read: India, Brazil discuss stronger defence ties, from technology to information Our chancellor and minister of foreign affairs will come. As of now, we dont know who all will be part of the delegation; we are still finalising the composition of the delegation with the capital, the officials said.

There will be a meeting between Dr. Jaishankar (India's minister of external affairs) and Mauro Vieira (Brazilian foreign minister) on 27 August. The meeting is expected to yield strategic initiatives related to three thingsagriculture, energy and defence. Before the ministers meeting, there is a lot of technical work backstage to produce materials for them to discuss. For agriculture, technical cooperation between India and Brazil and market access for agricultural products could be discussed during the joint committee meeting," said Angelo de Queiroz Mauricio, agricultural attache at Brazils embassy in New Delhi. "These are the two things we are working on so they can announce some initiatives and actions. There are two working groups, one on animal husbandry and the other on agriculture. They meet from time to time and discuss technical requirements and then convey their decisions to the committee. The expectation was to be able to announce more market access for Brazilian citrus, basically orange and a different kind of lemon that contains more juice, and different Brazilian and Amazon products like different types of nuts, timber, wood, etc., but there has been no progress so far."

In defence, the talk may revolve around army, navy and collaborations, Mauricio shared.

During the G20 meeting in New Delhi last year, Brazils Lula and prime minister Modi addressed the launch of the Brazil-India Business Forum and discussed ways of bringing their scientists and business people closer to each other, promoting technological exchange, and trade and investment between the two countries. The leaders had stressed the great potential for technical cooperation and trade in space, aviation and biofuels.

During the meeting, the two leaders had committed to promote high-level dialogue between the three IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) partners and highlighted the strategic importance of the forum  which was created in 2003  in protecting and advancing the interests of the Global South.

We know that energy (biofuels, oil and critical minerals) will be a priority on the joint commission meeting agenda. We are delving into critical minerals, which are essential for energy transition and are more advanced in Brazil. In Brazil, we are trying to procure minerals and have a supply chain safe for critical minerals. We still have a lot to catch up, but we do have a lot of reserves. There was a request made by the Indian Ambassador in Brazil that India wants to speak about critical minerals. So, we are making a report on how we can cooperate in this segment and how this is a central issue for energy transition and security for India, said a diplomat at the Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi, on condition of anonymity.

"We also have expertise in biofuel, we have ethanol, we have electric vehicles, hydrogen, nuclear power and hydropower suffices. Biofuels are important and India tends to look up to us. They're keen on our experience. But we don't think that this is the only thing that India is concerned about or that they're going to be selling ethanol. India wants to develop its own industry, so they want help. But it's not about buying from us. It's about helping India develop its own industry with our expertise. We are trying to cooperate in other areas like minerals as well. So, the discussions are going to be around it as far as energy is concerned, Piacesi added.

Queries sent to the secretary and spokesperson of India's ministry of external affairs remained unanswered till press time.

Confirming the 9th Brazil-India Joint Commission meeting on 27 August in Delhi at the level of cabinet ministers of foreign affairs, the spokesperson of the Brazil embassy said, "While agriculture, defence and energy are priority areas and will certainly be an important part of the agenda, the Joint Commission deals with multiple additional themes like health, mobility and tourism, just to name a few. Climate change, critical minerals, biofuels, ethanol, agricultural cooperation and market access are all expected to be part of the agenda. Defense talks should focus on enhancing the Brazil-India defense partnership, focusing on technological advancements and the shared goals of both countries in safeguarding their national sovereignty through cooperation, especially by deepening links between defense industries."

Previous meetings The 8th India-Brazil Joint Commission meeting, held in Brasilia on 24 August 2022, and the 2nd Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Brasilia on 20 June 2023, reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relationship and discussed cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, sustainable development, energy with focus on biofuel, agriculture and livestock, health and traditional medicine, science and technology, defence affairs, counter-terrorism, consular and legal affairs, regional and global issues, including reformed multilateralism.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is all set to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2024 exam today, Sunday, August 11. The medical entrance exam will occur in two shifts  9 am to 12.30 am and 3.30 pm to 7 pm.

The NEET PG exam was initially scheduled for June 23, but the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) postponed it as a precautionary measure amid the NEET UG controversy. The integrity of competitive examinations in the country was challenged after reports of paper leaks surfaced, pointing to irregularities in the conduct of exams this year.

On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking postponement of the NEET-PG examination. The plea claimed that candidates have been allocated cities that are highly inconvenient to reach. The top court said that it can't put the careers of two lakh candidates in jeopardy for five students who have filed the petition.

Candidates registered for the exam can download their admit cards from the official NBEMS website, nbe.edu.in. The NEET PG admit card, which consists of two pages, should be printed in colour on a single A4-sized white paper (double-sided).

The exam will be a computer-based test (CBT) with a mandatory time-bound section exam pattern, ensuring equal time for each section across the country. Candidates can bring a printed copy of the admit card, original ID proof, and a photocopy of permanent or provisional SMC, MCI, or NMC registration.

Also Read | NEET PG 2024: Supreme Court to hear plea seeking postponement on Aug 9

NEET PG 2024: Last-minute tips to enter exam hall 1) For the first slot, candidates must reach the exam hall by 8:30 a.m., and for the second shift, candidates must reach their respective centres by 3 p.m.

2) Do not use any electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, calculators, pen drives, tablets, at the exam venue.

3) Candidates are not allowed to tattoo their fingers with henna or any other colour.

Also Read | SC refuses to postpone or reschedule NEET-PG examination

4) Any textual material, either printed or written, notes, plastic pouch, calculator, pen, writing pad, pen drives, eraser and rough paper, is prohibited inside the exam hall.

5) No ornaments like bracelets, ring, earrings, nose-pin, chain/necklace, pendants, necklace with pendants, badge, brooch at the exam centre.
A school teacher in Tripuras Gomati district was beaten to death after being assaulted by a mob for allegedly molesting a minor girl student, state police said on Sunday.

Despite an FIR being lodged, no arrests have been made regarding the incident.

The teacher, who was in his 40s, was reportedly attacked by a mob after being accused of molesting a minor girl during a private tuition in Udaipur.

Following this, local people severely beat up the government school teacher on Thursday.

After a severe assault, local people took him to RK Pur police station on August 8 night in the presence of his wife and lodged a molestation case against him. On doctors advice, the accused stayed the night at a local health centre, PTI quoted Assistant Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Ananta Das as saying.

Also Read | Sourav Ganguly backs Vinesh Phogats silver medal demand in Paris Olympics 2024

He was arrested and subsequently secured bail from a local court on Friday.

Das said the teacher fell ill after returning home and was admitted to the GBP Hospital in Agartala. He died during treatment on Saturday.

The police started an investigation into the case, the officer said.

Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, the local MLA, condemned the attack on the reputed English teacher.

There may be allegations against anybody, but taking the law into ones own hands is a crime. Chief Minister Manik Saha came to know about the brutal murder of the teacher. The police will take legal action against those involved in the crime, he told PTI.

Separately, the Tripura police said on Sunday that they would not allow agitations or rallies in the West Tripura district, including Agartala, to maintain law and order in view of the volatile situation in Bangladesh.

Also Read | DU UG admission 2024 simulated rank list OUT
In recent weeks, Bangladeshi garment-factory owners have been on the phone with Western clothing brands, making the case that their country is a stable link in their supply chains. It has been a tricky sell.

The worlds second largest garment producer has been rocked in recent weeks by protests and instability triggered by anger over grim employment prospects. The turbulence followed large-scale wage protests last year that were marked by violence.

This time around, an industry body for the $38 billion clothing-export sector estimates the exporters have lost six days of production because of unrest that erupted in mid-July, though other factory owners say the loss is closer to twice that much time.

It is not a massive body blow by any means," said Miran Ali, vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

On Sunday, deadly clashes killed at least 85 people, after weeks of tumultuous demonstrations that led the government to impose curfews and cut off the internet. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country. Police have left their posts, and businesses associated with the old government were targeted by mobs.

Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate and economist who pioneered microcredit, took charge of a caretaker government Thursday and appealed for calm. We are one family," he said.

Congestion on roads and a minimal police presence mean some factory owners have decided to delay shipping finished clothes. A small number of factories were burned by arsonists during the turmoil.

With the situation now stabilizing, many factory owners say they have managed to get their factories back up and running, and workers have been eager to return to work and earn their paychecks.

With Yunus in charge the global image of Bangladesh will be of a country that is being reformed," Ali said. Im expecting a net benefit."

But industry analysts say that the combination of recurring bouts of instability, higher wages and long-term problemssuch as Bangladeshs infrastructure being significantly worse than rivals like China and Vietnamare gnawing at the countrys competitiveness.

Last October, hundreds of factories paused operations after a worker campaign for higher wages descended into violence. Garment workers eventually settled for a 55% rise in the minimum wage to around $113 a monthfar less than worker advocates soughtbut a significant boost nonetheless. In December, when the new minimum wage took effect, workers making clothing for Swedish giant H & M received a wage of $138, a 30% bump to what they received the month before, according to the company.

Bangladeshs garment exports to the U.S., its top market, declined 11% in the first half of this year, compared with the first six months of 2023.

The 2024 Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study, a survey of about 30 major U.S. fashion companies, released in July found that 48% of major U.S. fashion companies intended to increase purchases from Bangladesh over the next two years, down from 58% in 2022.

Sheng Lu, a professor of apparel studies at the University of Delaware, said Bangladeshs higher minimum wage and shifting consumer interest toward trendier items produced elsewhere had cut into the nations market share. Meanwhile, another low-cost rival, India, is gaining, thanks to its ability to produce its own fabric, which saves production time.

Bangladesh faces some really tough situations right now," said Lu, who helped conduct the benchmarking study.

From late July into August, shipping clothing from Bangladesh was far from smooth. Government curfews forced ports to work with skeleton staff. Some ships waited for up to five days to load and unload at the Port of Chittagong.

Maersk this week said container movement continues to be slow, with fewer officials on site at the port.

Clothing brands are staying nimble. During an earnings call on Tuesday, Bracken Darrell, the chief executive of VF Corp, an American company that owns brands such as North Face and Vans, said it is facing some disruption in Bangladesh, where about 15% of its production is based. Darrell said he was fairly confident that the situation would improve, but he added that orders could be shifted elsewhere if necessary.

An H&M spokeswoman said that according to the companys latest information, factories are gradually opening again. She said H & M, one of the biggest buyers of Bangladeshi garments, has told suppliers it wouldnt seek to claim discounts on goods that are delayed, a typical practice in the industry.

The period between June and September is a crucial time in Bangladesh for the industry, as factories rush to fulfill orders for the back-to-school season and the December holidays.

A 2013 factory collapse at Rana Plaza killed more than 1,000 workers, putting the spotlight on poor working conditions and causing a wave of worker protests around Bangladesh. While safety conditions have improved markedly since then, brands continue to treat Bangladesh as a sensitive place from which to source, even as it has emerged as a top garment exporter.

A critical question for retailers is whether the political situation will remain calm.

The latest round of unrest, which came after elections in January that were boycotted by opposition parties, has seen some of the countrys deadliest violence in years. More than 300 people have been killed after clashes intensified around mid-July.

Anger is still simmering toward Hasinas Awami League over its autocratic rule, while student protest leaders and political parties are likely to differ over the road map to elections. If the instability continues, said Lu, it surely will raise concerns about sourcing from the country."
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified seed varieties aimed at enhancing farm productivity and improving farmers' incomes.

Developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and state agriculture universities, these seeds cover 61 crops, including 34 field crops and 27 horticultural varieties.

Mint first reported this development on 9 August.

According to a statement from the agriculture ministry, Modi launched the seeds at three experimental agriculture plots on Delhi's Pusa Campus and also interacted with farmers and scientists.

The field crop varieties include cereals, millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, and fiber crops. For horticulture, the Prime Minister introduced new varieties of fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, tubers, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants.

One of the 109 seed varieties released is CR Dhan 416, a rice variety ideal for coastal saline areas. It yields 48.97 q/ha and matures in 125-130 days. This variety is moderately resistant to brown spot, neck blast, sheath rot, rice tungro disease, and glume discoloration, besides offering full resistance to brown plant hopper, grasshopper and stem borer.

Also read | Budget 2024: Agriculture likely to see major announcements Modi also released a durum wheat variety, suitable for Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the plains of Tamil Nadu. Adapted for irrigated conditions, it has an average grain yield of 30.2 q/ha. This variety is tolerant to terminal heat, resistant to stem and leaf rusts, and biofortified with higher levels of zinc (41.1 ppm) and iron (38.5 ppm). It also contains 12% protein.

New varieties launched: Barley, pulses and more Among the field crops, new varieties of barley, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet were also released.

In pulses, new varieties of chickpea, pigeon pea, lentils, and mungbean were introduced. The chickpea varieties are suitable for timely sown, rainfed, or irrigated conditions in the Rabi season within the North East Plain Zone (NEPZ). They yield 17.79 q/ha and mature in 130 days. These varieties are moderately resistant to wilt, collar rot, and stunt, and are tolerant to pod damage.

"Among the 69 field crops, there are 23 cereal seed varieties, including rice, wheat, barley, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, proso millet, and barnyard millet, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told reporters.

These are climate-friendly seeds and are designed to thrive in adverse weather conditions and offer high nutritional value, Chouhan added.

Also read | Budget 2024: Top priority to crop productivity and climate resilience According to the ministry, 11 varieties of pulses have been released, including chickpea, pigeon pea, lentil, field pea, faba bean, and mungbean. Additionally, seven oilseed varieties, such as safflower, soybean, groundnut, and sesame, and seven forage crops, including forage pearl millet, berseem, oats, forage maize, and forage sorghum, have also been introduced.

The PM also introduced four sugarcane varieties, six fibre crops, including cotton and jute, and 11 potential crops, such as buckwheat, amaranth, winged bean, adzuki bean, pillipesara, kalingda and perilla.

The ministry said 40 new horticultural crops have also been introduced, covering fruits, vegetables, tuber crops, spices, plantation crops, flowers and medicinal plants.
Hindenburg Research in its latest report has alleged that since Madhabi Puri Buch was appointed the chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India in March 2022, the markets regulator has implemented a raft of legislation on real estate investment trusts, or Reits.

According to the US short seller, these regulations have benefited Blackstone Group, an asset management company in which the Sebi chiefs husband, Dhaval Buch, is an adviser. The journey of Reits in India, however, has been a mixed bag.Mintexplains:

What is a Reit?

A Reit is a trust that owns a pool of income-generating real estate assets held as special purpose vehicles (SPVs). At least 80% of these assets must be completed and income-producing.

Reits, which are mandated by Sebi to distribute at least 90% of their cash flow to unit holders, have a unique structure that allows investors to participate in the income generated by commercial real estate assets.

Typically, the income of these trusts comes from the rentals received from such properties. Reits offer a less risky alternative to investing in under-construction properties and also provide a regular income.

When were Reits first approved?

A decade ago. Sebi had approved a long-pending proposal to introduce Reits in India, which would create a new investment avenue for institutional investors and wealthy individuals, and eventually ordinary investors.

India, today, has three listed office ReitsEmbassy REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, and Brookfield India REITand one listed retail REIT, Nexus Select Trust.

As per the Indian Reits Association, formed under Sebis guidance and the ministry of finance, the four listed REITs in India have 1,19,313 crore in gross assets under management, a market capitalization of over 75,000 crore, and a portfolio covering 113.5 million sq.ft. of Grade A office and retail spaces across the country.

Also read |Mint Explainer: Hindenburg's latest salvo against the Sebi chief

What has Hindenburg Research said?

Blackstone Group is one of the largest investors and sponsors of Reits, and the largest commercial office space owner in India. Hindenburg alleged that Dhaval Buchs appointment as an adviser to the global asset manager and subsequent regulatory changes in Reits by Madhabi Puri Buch benefited Blackstone.

The countrys first real estate investment trust, Embassy REIT, sponsored by Blackstone, launched its initial public offering in April 2019. Dhaval Buch reportedly joined Blackstone as an adviser in July 2019. Madhabi Puri Buch was a whole time director with Sebi at the time.

Indias second listed commercial office REIT, Mindspace REIT, also backed by Blackstone, was launched in August 2020. Blackstone is also a sponsor of Nexus Select Trust, which got publicly listed in May 2023, as Indias first listed retail REIT.

Hindenburg alleged that since Madhabi Puri Buch became the Sebi chairperson in March 2022, the market regulator has proposed and implemented many Reit legislations that have benefited Blackstone.

What are Blackstones major Reits transactions in India?

Blackstone first sold about a 5.8% stake in K Raheja Corp-backed Mindspace Business Parks REIT during the latters IPO in August 2020 for about $100 million. In its first major full exit from a REIT, in January 2022, Blackstone sold the remaining 9.2% holding in Mindspace REIT to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority for 1,740 crore.

Then, in December 2023, Blackstone sold its entire 23.5% stake in Embassy REIT to foreign and domestic investors for about 7,100 crore. Most recently, on Friday, 9 August, the asset manager sold 315.5 million units in Nexus Select Trust for about 4,354 crore in a block deal. It continues to hold around 43% stake in Nexus REIT.

What are some of Sebis recent Reit amendments?

In June, the Sebi board approved several measures aimed at easing business for Reits and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs). One amendment reduced the payment distribution timeline to investors from 15 days to 5 working days.

The regulator also approved changes allowing an investment manager of an InvIT or the manager of a Reit to convene a meeting of unit holders with a notice shorter than 21 days, provided there is consent from the unit holders.

In recent proposed amendments, Sebi addressed market participants' requests for clarification on the rights of unit holders to nominate a director to the board of the investment manager of Reits and InvITs. Sebi also issued a framework for a unit-based employment benefit scheme for investment trusts.

Also read | At Sebi, Madhabi Buch doesn't look at ICICI Securities, Blackstone matters

In another major move, in March, Sebi issued regulations to amend the REIT Regulations 2014, establishing guidelines for the creation of small and medium real estate investment trusts, or SM Reits.

Overall, how have Reits performed in India?

The journey of Reits in India has been a mixed bag. Distribution per unit (DPU), which is dependent on cash flows earned, and price to net asset value (NAV) are two key metrics that retail investors consider while investing in Reits. Both have been underwhelming.

Reits have exhibited notable market price to NAV discounts, underlining the divergence between their stock market prices and the estimated value of their underlying real estate assets.

DPU for most Reits have been flat in recent years. DPU yield is the annualised DPU divided by the share price.

The commercial office market was under pressure after the pandemic, leading to lower leasing and high vacancy levels. However, things may change going ahead. As people return to offices, investor interest in the office sector is likely to grow. The de-notification of special economic zones is also likely to help Reits make a turn around.

Also read | Emboldened Hindenburgs profit score has gotten better as it targets bigger guns
Mumbai/Bengaluru: Madhabi Puri Buch, the chief of Indias capital markets regulator, continues to own 99% of a Mumbai-based consulting firm thats now caught in the crossfire of the Hindenburg Research-Adani Group controversy.

On Saturday, the US short seller alleged that the Securities and Exchange Board of Indias investigations into its January 2023 report of an accounting fraud and manipulation of shares by the Adani Group was compromised.

Hindenburg said this was because of Buchs stake in offshore entities that the Adani Group had allegedly used to siphon money, apart from impropriety and potential conflict of interest rising from her ownership of the consulting firms.

It also dragged Buchs husband, Dhaval Buch, and global asset management firm Blackstone Group in which hes an adviser, into the latest episode of the controversy.

Also read | At Sebi, Madhabi Buch doesn't look at ICICI Securities, Blackstone matters

Both Madhabi Buch and Dhaval Buch in a joint statement strongly denied the allegations, stating that they have made all necessary disclosures. Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to Sebi over the years," they said.

In another statement issued later, they said the two consulting companies had become immediately dormant on her appointment with Sebi. These companies (and her shareholding in them) were explicitly part of her disclosures to Sebi."

Adani Group has denied the January 2023 allegations, although a Sebi enquiry into the matter continues.

Madhabi Buch owns 99% of the stake in Mumbai-based Agora Advisory Pvt. Ltd, regulatory filings show, although she stepped down as a director before she was appointed as a whole time member of Sebi in April 2017.

I would no longer be able to hold the position of director in any company. I therefore hereby tender my resignation from the position of independent director on the board with effect from 3 April 2017," Buch said in her resignation letter dated 31 March 2017. Three days later, the board of directors in a meeting accepted her resignation.

In 2022, she transferred ownership of Singapore-headquartered Agora Partners to her husband, two weeks after she took charge as the first woman chief of Indias capital markets regulator. Dhaval Buch remains a director at both the consulting firms.

Divided on conflict

Hindenburgs latest allegations come two months after Sebi issued a show cause notice to the US short seller stating that it had violated Indian regulations, including inadequate disclosures on how it traded and profited. Hindenburgs report on the Adani Group in January last year had wiped off $50 billion in the conglomerates valuations.

But its latest charges against the Sebi chief have corporate governance experts divided on the matter.

When you are holding the position of Sebi chair, all disclosures regarding your investment in privately held firms should be made in public, possibly through annual reports or on the website," said a Delhi-based corporate governance leader, on condition of anonymity. It doesnt matter if the business is small or if you have made the disclosures internally to the board."

Also read | An emboldened Hindenburgs profit score has gotten better as it targets bigger guns

Another industry expert does not see this as a possible case of conflict.

As long as disclosures regarding ownership of shares in India consulting business and/or any offshore entities is disclosed to Sebis internal compliance department on an ongoing basis, and the businesses themselves are not significant, there is no conflict of interest," said Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern Research.

Manipulative selections of public information"

Incorporated in May 2013, Agora Advisory offers advisory and consultancy services to governments, business, commerce, industry, non-profits and other entities, according to filings made to the ministry of corporate affairs.

Agora Advisory lists two directors, including Buchs husband and Kavita Shah.

However, despite her resignation from the firms board in 2017, Buchwho earned 3.2 lakh a month, or 38.3 lakh a year as Sebi chair (as per September 2023 disclosures by Sebi)continued to own majority equity in Agora Advisory.

As on 31 March, she held 9,900 shares of 10 each, or 99% of the equity in Agora Advisory, while the remaining 1% is owned by Kavita Shah, per MCA filings.

Agora Advisory earned 14 lakh in revenue in the financial year ended March, a 65% decline from the 40.8 lakh it made in 2022-23. Net profit plunged 59% to 8.1 lakh. Financial details of the Singapore-based Agora Partners Pte were not available.

Also read | Mint Explainer: Why Sebi and Indian real estate investment trusts are in Hindenburgs crossfire

Hindenburg Research on Saturday alleged that Sebi was unwilling to act on its report on the Adani Group because Buch and her husband had invested in offshore funds having links with the conglomerate.

Buch and her husband first appear to have opened their account with IPE Plus Fund 1 on 5 June 2015 in Singapore", as per whistleblower documents, the short seller said. The fund, it said, was a small offshore Mauritius entity set up by an Adani Group director through wealth management firm IIFL.

The Adani Group rejected the allegations, terming them as malicious, mischievous and manipulative selections of publicly available information to arrive at predetermined conclusions for personal profiteering with wanton disregard for facts and the law".

360 One WAM Ltd, formerly known as IIFL Wealth Management Ltd, said in a statement on Sunday that the fund was managed as a discretionary fund by the investment manager and no investor had any involvement in its operations or investment decisions.

Mrs. Madhabi Buch & Mr. Dhaval Buchs holdings in the fund were less than 1.5% of the total inflow into the fund," 360 One WAM said, adding that the IPE-Plus Fund 1 was launched in October 2013 and operated until October 2019.

Throughout the funds tenure, IPE-Plus Fund 1 made zero investments in any shares of the Adani Group either directly or indirectly through any fund."
Hindenburg-Adani case: After Hindenburg Research levelled serious allegations against the Adani Group in January last year, it has now sought to link Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her Husband to the episode. Here is how the events have unfolded since last year that has regularly been under public scrutiny

On 24 January'2023 , The US based short seller Hindenburg Research had levelled charges against the Gautam Adani led Adani group of financial irregularities, which Adani has regularly refuted

On 1 February 2023 The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the market watchdog, opened an investigation into the $86 billion sell-off of Adani Group equities, according to a report from Reuters .

In February 2023: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, requesting guidance on forming a committee to probe claims, overseen by a former Supreme Court judge.

2nd March, 2023: The honorable Supreme Court requests that SEBI look into claims that the Adani group has been manipulating stock prices and that there have been any discrepancies in regulatory disclosures within a two-month period.

In May 2023 while a report is submitted by expert committee constituted by the court

On 17 May 2023: The Supreme Court gives SEBI time until 14 August, 2023, to present a report on its investigation into the claims that the Adani group has been manipulating stock prices.

24, November, 2023: The Supreme Court reserves its verdict on multiple appeals pertaining to the Adani-Hindenburg dispute and claims of stock price manipulation.

3 January, 2024: The Supreme Court ordered market regulator SEBI to finish its inquiry into two outstanding cases within three months , However backed the clean chit by SEBI to Adani group and declined to hand over the investigation into the claims of stock price manipulation by the Indian corporate behemoth to a special investigative team.

Also Read | Galaxy Surfactants share price gains 5% as Q1 Results beat estimates

10, August 2024: Hindenburg Research raises fresh allegations against the SEBIs Chairperson saying the Madhabi Buch with her husband Dhaval had Stake In Obscure Offshore Entities Used In Adani Money Siphoning Scandal
Nearly 18 months after Hindenburg Research raised concerns about wrongdoing and stock price manipulation within the Adani group of companies, the U.S.-based short seller on Saturday (August 10, 2024) accused the chairperson of Indias stock market regulator, who is overseeing the investigation, of having a stake in obscure offshore entities allegedly involved in what it called the Adani money siphoning scandal.

Hindenburg Research, referencing documents from a whistleblower, accused SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband, Dhaval Buch, of holding stakes in offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds through intricate structures. Hindenburg also claimed that, just weeks before her appointment as a full-time SEBI member in 2017, Mr. Dhaval Buch contacted a Mauritius fund administrator, requesting to be made the sole person authorized to operate the accounts.

Hindenburg report impact on Adani stocks On January 24, 2023, Hindenburg Research published a scathing report accusing the Adani Group of financial misconduct and stock manipulation. This report triggered a sharp decline in the stock prices of Adani Group companies, with some plummeting by as much as 83 percent.

Adani Enterprises After the Hindenburg report was released, the stock dropped to a low of 1,017, representing a 70 percent decline. It wasn't until May 23, 2024, that the stock fully recovered to its pre-report levels. As of August 9, 2024, shares of Adani Enterprises are trading at around 3,188, which is about 6 percent below their price prior to the report.

Adani Wilmar Adani Wilmar's performance continues to disappoint investors. The stock has plummeted from 573 to 286, representing a 50% drop, and has struggled to recover its previous value. It is currently trading at 385, still about 33% below its pre-decline level.

Adani Power The stock experienced a 52% decline, dropping from 275 to 132. However, it has since more than doubled in value from the time the research report was released.

Adani Ports After the Hindenburg report, the stock dropped to a low of 395, marking a 48% decline. It took 119 days to recover to its pre-report level, which it reached on May 23, 2023. As of August 9, 2024, the closing price of Adani Ports is 1,534, reflecting a 101% increase from the closing price at the time of the report's release.

Adani Solutions Adani Energy Solutions has seen a partial recovery. The stock dropped from 2,726 to 632, a decline of 77 percent. It is now at 1,104, still 60 percent below its level before the report. This suggests that although there has been some recovery, the stock continues to be heavily affected by the initial report.

Also Read | Bloodbath in Adani stocks: The Hindenburg saga leaves the darlings of Dalal Street on tenterhooks

Adani Green Energy Adani Green Energy's stock plummeted from 1,917 to 485, a 75% drop following the Hindenburg report. However, after 379 days, the stock rebounded to its pre-report levels on February 7, 2024.
X (Formerly known as Twitter) saw a flurry of reactions on Sunday following explosive allegations from Hindenburg Research against SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch. The research firm, known for its critical reports, accused the couple of having investments in offshore funds with ties to the Adani Group, raising questions about SEBI's impartiality.

In a blog post published late Saturday, Hindenburg suggested that SEBI's hesitance to act on its January 2023 report on the Adani Group could be linked to Buch's alleged investments. The report pointed specifically to investments in IPE Plus Fund 1, a Mauritius-registered fund, and the Bermuda-based Global Dynamic Opportunities Fund. According to Hindenburg, these funds had connections to Vinod Adani, the elder brother of billionaire Gautam Adani, whom the firm previously accused of orchestrating "the largest con in corporate history."

The Buchs were quick to refute the claims, dismissing them as "baseless" and an attempted "character assassination."

What did experts say? The accusations ignited a fierce debate on Twitter, with several prominent voices weighing in. Deepak Shenoy, a well-known market commentator, criticized Hindenburg's report, tweeting, "Thoda zyada ho gaya, I feel. Basically, they have gone into sensationalism. There is hardly any substance."

Gurmeet Chadha, Managing Partner & CIO of Complete Circle Capital, took a broader view, arguing that the allegations were part of a "systematic attack" on Indian institutions. "RBI, SEBI are amongst the finest in the world. Do not overreact and let facts come out. This is not in isolation!" Chadha tweeted.

Others, like Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys, were more direct in their condemnation. He labelled the report "character assassination by a Vulture Fund," dismissing the allegations as "rubbish aimed at sensationalism."

Intellectual property rights attorney Safir Anand also weighed in, suggesting that Hindenburg's actions were a sign of desperation. "It is clear to me that Hindenburg is desperate against a rising market. One flop is leading to desperation to avert many consequences for them, including legal action," Anand tweeted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 11.Georgian authorities expect reciprocal steps from the US that will normalize relations between the countries, Prime Minister of the Republic Irakli Kobakhidze said, Trend reports.

"The US is a very large country with global influence. Georgia cannot change much in our relations. Everything is in the hands of our American partners. We expect reciprocal steps," he said.

According to him, if the approaches are changed significantly, then nothing will prevent the relationship from being reset. "The main thing is fairness, a fair approach," he added.
Mumbai: The Securities and Exchange Board of Indi (Sebi) on Sunday said it has completed all but one of the investigations into allegations against the Adani Group.

The capital markets regulator said it had completed 23 out of 24 investigations, adding that it has issued over 100 summons and 1,100 letters and emails to the Adani Group. Refuting the allegations of inaction made by Hindenburg Research in its latest blog on 10 August, Sebi said it had issued communications to domestic and foreign regulators, and examined over 12,000 pages of documents.

In its order of 3 January 2024, Supreme Court noted that Sebi had completed 22 out of 24 investigations into the Adani group. Subsequently, one more investigation was completed in March 2024, and one remaining investigation is close to completion, it said in a statement.

The wide-ranging probe was initiated on 2 March following a Supreme Court directive in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) plea over allegations made against the group by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research on 24 January 2023.

Also read | Sebi chair Madhabi Buch owns majority in consultancy named in Hindenburg report In an affidavit submitted before the apex court last year, Sebi elaborated that out of the 24 investigations, two pertained to manipulation of stock prices, 13 are on Adani Groups alleged failure to disclose related party transactions, and eight related to possible violations of Sebis foreign portfolio investment rules, substantial share acquisition norms and insider trading regulations.

The regulator said it has thoroughly analyzed trading patterns to assess possibilities of price manipulation. While doing so, Sebi has also scrutinized trading by three clusters of FPIs.

In the press release, Sebi said that following the completion of investigations, it initiates quasi-judicial enforcement proceedings which comprise of issuing of show cause notice to give an opportunity of hearing. This culminates in the passing of a speaking order which is then made available in the public domain. As a matter of policy, Sebi said it refrains from commenting on any investigation and ongoing enforcement matter, the regulator said.

On Sunday, Sebi also refuted Hindenburgs claim that since Buch was appointed the chairperson in March 2022, Sebi proposed and implemented a raft of legislation on real estate investment trusts, or Reits. These it claimed, were of significant benefit to Blackstone as one of the largest Reit sponsors in India, whom her husband works for.

Also read | Mint Explainer: Why real estate investment trusts are in Hindenburgs crossfire As with all cases involving introduction of a new regulation or amendment to an existing regulation, a robust consultation process for seeking inputs and feedback of the industry, investors, intermediaries, relevant advisory committee and the public at large is in place, it said.

According to Sebi, claims that such regulations, changes to regulations or circulars issued related to Reits were to favour one large multinational financial conglomerate, are inappropriate.
SAO PAULO (AP)  More than 40 families of victims of an airliner crash in Brazil gathered Sunday at a morgue and hotels in Sao Paulo as three French government investigators arrived in the country. Forensics experts worked to identify the remains of the 62 people killed.

Sao Paulo state government said in a statement Sunday morning that the searches ended at 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, 33 hours after the crash, with the remains of all 34 males and 28 females among the victims recovered. It added that the wreckage remains at the site, so investigators can continue their work.

The ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop operated by Brazilian airline Voepass was headed for Guarulhos international airport in Sao Paulo with 58 passengers and four crew members aboard when it went down Friday in Vinhedo, 78 kilometers (49 miles) north of the city. Voepass said that three passengers who held Brazilian identification also carried Venezuelan documents and one had Portuguese identity.

ATR is a French-Italian company. International aviation protocols recommend that investigators from the country of origin of the airplane maker follow inquiries on foreign soil whenever a crash involving one of those planes takes place. Local authorities said that the three French investigators in Brazil work at BEA, the European country's body for civil aviation security.

The bodies of the pilot, Danilo Santos Romano, and his co-pilot, Humberto de Campos Alencar e Silva, were the first to be identified. Another 10 have been identified since, local authorities said. One body is already set for burial, and another seven are expected to follow on Sunday, Sao Paulo's state government said.

The airliner said in a statement to The Associated Press that Romano had just finished his first full year as commander. He was hired by the Brazilian company in November 2022 as a co-pilot. His experience with Voepass included 5,202 flying hours, all in planes of the ATR model, the only one the company owns.

At least eight physicians were aboard, Parana state Gov. Ratinho Junior said. Four professors at Unioeste university in western Parana were also confirmed dead.

Liz Ibba dos Santos, a 3-year-old girl who was traveling with her father, was the only child known to be on the passenger list. The remains of Luna, a dog that was traveling with a Venezuelan family, were also found in the wreckage.

Sao Paulos morgue began receiving the bodies Friday evening, and it asked victims relatives to bring in medical, X-ray and dental records to help identify the bodies. Blood tests were also done to help identification efforts.

The few family members speaking about the tragedy did so on social media.

Tania Azevedo, who lost her son Tiago in the crash, was put up in one of the hotels in Sao Paulo, but said that she was waiting to go to the morgue.

I believe Tiago is somewhere trying to help the other people wounded who also need light and love, she said. I couldn't go there (to the morgue). I am here waiting. It is dark here, I need some light and love myself.

Images recorded by witnesses showed the aircraft in a flat spin and plunging vertically before smashing to the ground inside a gated community, leaving an obliterated fuselage consumed by fire. Residents said that there were no injuries on the ground.

It was the world's deadliest airline crash since January 2023, when 72 people died on a Yeti Airlines plane in Nepal that stalled and crashed while making its landing approach. That plane also was an ATR 72, and the final report blamed pilot error.

Metsul, one of Brazil's most respected meteorological companies, said Friday that there were reports of severe icing in Sao Paulo state around the time of the crash. Local media cited experts pointing to icing as a potential cause for the crash.

A video shared on social media channels Saturday shows a Voepass pilot telling passengers on a flight from Guarulhos to the city of Cascavel that the ATR 72 has flown safely around the world for decades. He also asked passengers to be respectful to the memory of his colleagues and the company, and asked for prayers.

This tragedy doesn't hit only those who perished in this accident. It hits all of us," the unidentified pilot said. "We are giving all our hearts, all our best to be here and fulfill our mission to take you safely and comfortably to your destination.

Police restricted access to the main entrance of the Sao Paulo morgue where bodies from the crash were being identified. Some family members of the victims arrived on foot, others came in minivans. None spoke to journalists, and authorities requested that they not be filmed as they came.

A flight carrying more family members from Parana state landed Saturday afternoon at Guarulhos airport. A minivan sponsored by the airline was provided to transport them to the morgue.

Sao Paulo's state government said that 26 families have already gone to the morgue for identification efforts, with more expected on Sunday.

An American Eagle ATR 72-200 crashed on Oct. 31, 1994, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause was ice buildup while the plane was circling in a holding pattern. The plane rolled at about 8,000 feet (2,500 meters) and dove into the ground, killing all 68 people on board. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued operating procedures for ATRs and similar planes telling pilots not to use the autopilot in icing conditions.

Brazilian aviation expert Lito Sousa cautioned that meteorological conditions alone might not be enough to explain why the Voepass plane fell in the manner it did on Friday.

Analyzing an air crash just with images can lead to wrong conclusions about the causes, Sousa told the AP by phone. But we can see a plane with loss of support, no horizontal speed. In this flat spin condition, theres no way to reclaim control of the plane.

Brazils air force said Sunday that both of the planes flight recorders had been analyzed at its laboratory in the capital, Brasilia, and their content has been transcribed. The results of its investigations are expected to be published within 30 days, it said.

Marcelo Moura, director of operations for Voepass, told reporters Friday night that while there were forecasts for ice, they were within acceptable levels for the aircraft.

In an earlier statement, the Brazilian air forces center for the investigation and prevention of air accidents said that the planes pilots didn't call for help or say they were operating under adverse weather conditions.

The ATR 72, which is built by a joint venture of Airbus in France and Italys Leonardo SpA. is generally used on shorter flights. Crashes involving various models of the ATR 72 have resulted in 470 deaths going back to the 1990s, according to a database of the Aviation Safety Network.

Earlier on Sunday, Pope Francis said during a public mass at the Vatican there should be prayers for the victims of the air crash.

___
The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on the Baltal route following heavy rains on Sunday, officials said.

With this, the yatra stands suspended on both routes. The Pahalgam route was closed for maintenance work on Wednesday.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, V K Bhiduri said heavy rains lashed both Pahalgam and Baltal routes of the Amarnath Yatra on Sunday.

"Due to the heavy rains, urgent repair and maintenance work is required to be undertaken on the Baltal axis of the Amarnath Yatra. In the interest of the safety of the yatris, no yatra will be allowed tomorrow from the Baltal route also," he said.

Further updates will be issued in the due course of time, he added.

More than 5.10 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance to Lord Shiva at the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine so far this year.
At least 28 people died in rain-related incidents Sunday as heavy downpours lashed north and northwest India, causing landslides, traffic chaos and house collapses, as well as a dam breach which inundated several villages in Haryana.

The Jammu and Kashmir Administration has suspended the Amarnath yatra due to heavy rains in the area. Rajasthan, hardest hit, reported 16 deaths over two days, with Karauli receiving 38 cm of rain.

In Punjab's Hoshiarpur, nine people, including eight family members, died when their vehicle was swept away by a flooded rivulet.

Heavy rains in Delhi and Gurugram Heavy rains caused severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions across central, south, southwest, and east Delhi.

A seven-year-old boy drowned in a waterlogged park in Rohini's Sector 20.

Officials reported seven waterlogging calls and four about fallen trees. Traffic was disrupted on Najafgarh-Phirni Road and near Dhansa and Bahadurgarh stands.

Gurugram recorded 70 mm of rainfall during the day. Waterlogging was reported from several areas, including police lines, Bus Stand Road, Sheetla Mata Road, Narsinghpur Service Road, Basai Chowk, Khandsa, Sanjay Gram Road, Sohna Road and Subhash Chowks.

Rain havoc in north, northwest India The India Meteorological Department reported "exceptionally heavy rainfall" in Karauli, Rajasthan (38 cm), and significant rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar.

By Sunday evening, Jaipur had 63.2 mm of rain, while Pathankot saw 82 mm, and Chandigarh recorded 129.7 mm.

Also Read | Rajasthan News: 7 youths drown while bathing in river in Bharatpur

Rainfall in Punjab and Haryana provided relief from humidity but caused flooding in several Haryana villages due to a breach in the Som River embankment.

Affected villages in Yamunanagar district include Kanuwala and Bamnoli, with up to 4 feet of water in some areas, displacing residents.

Punjab: 8 die after car swept away in swollen rivulet Nine people, including eight family members, died and two are missing after their SUV was swept away by the swollen Jaijon Choe near the Himachal Pradesh-Punjab border on Sunday.

The vehicle, traveling from Dehra in Himachal Pradesh to Mehrowal in Punjab for a wedding, was carried 200 meters downstream before getting stuck.

According to reports the driver proceeded despite local warnings about the strong current.

Authorities have recovered nine bodies and are still searching for the missing. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations.

Rains lashed parts of Punjab and Haryana also. Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Rupnagar and Ambala were among the places that received rainfall.

Heavy rains cause deaths Heavy rains have caused widespread damage, with landslides and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh resulting in the deaths of three girls and one person missing.

Over 280 roads are closed, and 458 power and 48 water supply schemes are affected. In Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun, a woman and her son died when their house roof collapsed.
The initial autopsy report of the post-graduate trainee doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, whose body was found inside the seminar hall of the state-run hospital last week, had multiple injury marks suggesting a violent, brutal murder after being sexually assaulted.

"There was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth, injuries over the face and nail. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts. She also has injuries in her belly, left leg... neck, in her right hand, ring finger and... lips," news agency PTI report citing the report.

The initial autopsy report also ruled out suicide.

"This is definitely not a case of suicide; the woman was murdered following sexual assault," the news agency cited a police officer.

Another senior officer of Kolkata Police said the crime took place between 3-6 am.

"Her neck bone was also found broken. It seems that she was first strangulated and then smothered to death. We are waiting for the full report of the autopsy," the police officer added.

The Kolkata Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), including members of the homicide department, among others, to probe the crime.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to seek the death penalty for the accused arrested in the brutal sexual assault and murder case, who has been remanded to 14-day police custody.

The accused was charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of BNS and was produced before the Sealdah court, which remanded him to police custody till August 23.

"If they do not trust the West Bengal government, they can approach any investigating agency; we have no objection," the Chief Minister said.

She also instructed officials to expedite the trial by moving it to a fast-track court.

The victim was a postgraduate trainee doctor of chest medicine and was on night duty on Thursday night when the incident occurred. Her body was found on Friday morning at a seminar hall of the hospital.

A doctor at the hospital told PTI, She had dinner with her juniors around 2 am. She then went to the seminar room since there is no separate on-call room to take some rest. In the morning, we found her body there.

The accused, it is learnt, was tracked down after police found a bluetooth headset at the crime scene. Police then tracked the CCTV footage that placed him at the crime spot.
On Sunday, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule took to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) to claim that her phone and WhatsApp has been hacked. The Baramati legislator urged everyone not to call or text her. MP Sule also informed that she had reached out to Maharashtra Police for help.

According to NCP (SP) leader, a police complaint regarding the hacking was lodged online.

Urgent: My phone and WhatsApp have been hacked. Please do not call or text me. I have reached out to the police for help. read Supriya Sule's X post.

Supriya Sule is the sitting MP from Baramati, Maharashtra. She is also the daughter of Sharad Pawar.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, scheduled to be held later this year, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar told his party functionaries from Baramati assembly constituency to tender their resignations to allow him to undertake a rejig in the organizational structure in the backdrop of the disappointing Lok Sabha Elections Result 2024.

Also Read | Supriya Sule says CCTVs in Baramati godown with EVMs switched off for 45 minutes

Pawar's wife Sunetra lost the Lok Sabha polls from Baramati to sitting MP Supriya Sule.

Further, Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP) president and MLA Omprakash alias Bacchu Kadu, an ally of the ruling Mahayuti, met NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar in Pune on Saturday.

The Prahar Janshakti Party is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, the BJP, and Ajit Pawar's NCP.

After the meeting, Kadu said that he would decide on September 1 whether to stay with the Mahayuti or leave the alliance.

Also Read | Disappointed that BJP could find only a Pawar to fight against me: Supriya Sule

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule praised Bacchu Kadu for his work on behalf of people with disabilities, despite their differing political ideologies. She expressed hope that everyone would unite for the betterment of the state.
A former MLA's wife was killed in a bomb blast in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, officials said on Sunday.

The bomb blast was triggered at a house adjacent to that of former Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip on Saturday evening, they said.

Sapam Charubala, the second wife of Haokip, was injured in the blast and was taken to a health facility in Saikul but later succumbed to her injuries, the officials said.

Haokip was also in his house when the blast took place but he was not injured in the incident.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud highlighted the need for empathy and compassion among doctors for their patients while citing a scene from the Sanjay Dutt starrer, Munna Bhai MBBS. He said that the ultimate aim of medicine is to ensure the welfare of humanity.

While emphasising on the importance of empathy among doctors, he recalled the jaadu ki jhappi scene from Sanjay Dutt-starrer Munna Bhai MBBS. He said instead of referring to medical jargon, the movie showed a scene where a young patient is given a warm hug which he calls jadoo ki jhappi in order to relieve the patient.

Such an act brings a sense of humanity and affection which is in contrast to the usual environment in a hospital, said Chandrachud. The hug by Munna Bhai played by Sanjay Dutt in the movie helped in relieving the patients anxiety.

"This scene highlights a vital pointthe power of empathy and personal connection. In both medicine and law, we must all remember that our ultimate purpose is to serve and uplift humanity," CJI Chandrachud said.

He was speaking at the 37th convocation of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.

"As you graduate today you stand on the shoulders of giants, who have been torch-bearers in the development of medical sciences," CJI said.

The CJI asked doctors to make advancements in the health sector accessible to everyone as the innovation in healthcare is limited to a few in India.

"Today, India is one of the pioneers in innovation, but the fruits of this innovation are limited to very few. Medicines have become so expensive that medical expenses form 77 per cent of a person's expenditure in rural areas and 70 per cent in urban areas," he said.

He drew comparison between medicine and law as they share a common goal of ensuring wellbeing of individuals and communities.

"It is surprising to see that professions such as law and medicine, which roots in welfare, have become inaccessible to the very community they were developed to serve," said the CJI.

The CJI pointed to the recent judgement on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam highlighting the role of ethics in the profession.

"Recently, through our NEET judgement, we all witnessed issues with the conduct of the NEET exam across the country," CJI said.

"As a member of the bench, who scribed the judgement, I had the opportunity to observe the complexities involved. It serves as a reminder that justice in ethical standards are not just theoretical concepts but practical necessities that ensure equitable access to opportunities," he added.
Top news today: On 11 August, a series of events are set to take place right from politics to business. Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband, Dhaval Buch, have released a thorough response to the recent accusations made by Hindenburg Research. Just few hours left for the grand closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024. Bangladesh's interim government issued a stern warning to media organizations, threatening closure if they publish or broadcast false or misleading news.

Hindenburg-Adani Case: SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch, husbands 15-point rebuttal to allegations, attempting to attack SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband, Dhaval Buch, have released a thorough response to the recent accusations made by Hindenburg Research. These claims, published on August 10, 2024, imply that Madhabi Puri Buch held a stake in offshore entities linked to the Adani group, raising concerns about possible conflicts of interest and regulatory misconduct. Read more

Bangladesh news: Hasinas son Sajeeb Wazed Joy warns of mob rule; interim govt threatens media shutdown On Sunday, Bangladesh's interim government issued a stern warning to media organizations, threatening closure if they publish or broadcast false or misleading news. According to media reports, the move aims to curb the spread of misinformation amidst ongoing unrest. Read more

IPOs next week: Five public issues, two listings scheduled for next week; check full list here The primary market is all set to remain in action with five new initial public offerings (IPO) will be launched in the upcoming week. In the mainboard segment, Saraswati Saree Depot IPO to open for bidding. In the SME segment, four public issues will be available for subscription this week. Read more

Hindenburg-Adani case: Market may see a knee-jerk reaction on Monday, post fresh allegations against Sebi Chief Benchmark Nifty-50 and S&P BSE Sensex that have seen volatility during last one week, on multiple concerns may see an impact on Monday as a knee Jerk reaction. Some correction in initial phases is not ruled out by market experts, as sentiments get impacted by fresh allegations of the US short seller firm against SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval getting roped into the case. Read more

Broken neck, multiple injury marks: Shocking details of RG Kar Medical College doctors brutal rape-murder case The initial autopsy report of the post-graduate trainee doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, whose body was found inside the seminar hall of the state-run hospital last week, had multiple injury marks suggesting a violent, brutal murder after being sexually assaulted. Read more
A man was detained at Cochin International Airport on August 11 after making a remark during a security check. The 42-year-old individual, identified as Manoj Kumar, was scheduled to board an Air India flight from Kochi to Mumbai. During the baggage screening, he inquired if his bag contained a bomb, leading to his arrest.

The remark caused concern. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) fully searched his cabin and luggage. Although nothing suspicious was discovered, Kumar was taken away from the flight and given to local police for questioning. The airport later confirmed that the flight left on time.

Its important not to remark about something dangerous like a bomb. This is illegal and treated as a serious crime. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, responsible for setting flight security standards in India, advises that even joking about threats, regardless of who makes them, can lead to significant delays.

Also Read | Air India, Vistara and IndiGo resume Dhaka flights amid Bangladesh unrest

Even if a child says something like that, it may cause significant delays for the whole family and may result in fines. Any mention of threats at airports, particularly terms like "bomb" or "hijack", is taken extremely seriously.

Bomb threat at CSMT On August 9, Mumbai Police reported receiving a threatening call about bombs supposedly planted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). After quickly searching the area, authorities found no explosives, determining the threat was false. The police are currently working on tracing the caller.

Also Read | Grammy winner hails IndiGo after Air India downgrades him to economy

"A call was received at the GRP control room regarding RDX being placed at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). An unidentified individual made the call, claiming that RDX had been placed at CSMT," said the Mumbai Railway Police.
BAKU. Azerbaijan. August 11. About 500 medical workers have been killed and hundreds injured in the Gaza Strip as a result of the military operation carried out by Israel since October last year, Trend reports, citing to TASS.

In the Palestinian enclave, 130 ambulances were destroyed by Israeli strikes. Attacks on medical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip have deprived local residents of access to basic medical services, while poor water supply and sanitation conditions have led to an increase in premature deaths. Attacks on medical facilities and doctors are also taking place in the West Bank, where more than 340 such incidents have been reported.

The death toll in Gaza as a result of Israeli military actions since October last year has risen to 39,790, with 92,002 people injured.

The situation in the Middle East has sharply escalated since the penetration of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, accompanied by the murder of residents of border settlements and the taking of numerous hostages. In response, Israel announced a complete blockade of Gaza and began to strike it and certain areas of Lebanon and Syria, after which it began a ground operation in the enclave. Clashes are also taking place on the West Bank of the Jordan River.
Prince Harry's personal relationships in the UK are reportedly strained due to the Home Office reducing his security. His British friends want to see him more often. However, he must inform authorities 28 days before travelling. Thats why he mainly returns for major events or planned public appearances.

Lord Robert Fellowes, Harrys uncle, passed away at 82 on August 5. He was married to Princess Diana's older sister, Jane Fellowes. Fellowes served as Queen Elizabeth's private secretary from 1990 to 1999.

A source has told OK! Magazine that, due to certain restrictions, it seems unlikely that the Duke of Sussex will be able to attend his uncle Robert Fellowes' funeral next week. Harry's team must inform the Home Office around a month in advance for appropriate security arrangements before any travel.

"Harry didn't have plans to visit the UK this summer so when something last-minute arises like a funeral, it becomes a very difficult situation to navigate. Harry would like to spend more time in Britain, but it's a logistical nightmare for his team due to ongoing security issues," the source said.

Prince Harry has caused a stir by breaking tradition on two occasions. He attended his grandmother's highly secure funeral in September 2022 and also returned to the UK after news of King Charles's cancer diagnosis.

An insider told the publication that ongoing safety concerns had strained Prince Harry's relationships with his close ones. Though Harry has travelled to the UK before, security concerns have consistently troubled him.

"There have been times when Harry couldn't attend events that he was invited to. It's a shame because there are family members who love him dearly and he still has several close friends in the UK," the insider said.

Will there be an exception? When asked whether exceptions might be made for urgent situations, like a family funeral, a UK Government representative emphasises that their security protocols are thorough and balanced.
Its been more than two months since astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) because of technical problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

But their families seem to be less worried, claiming both the astronauts must be enjoying their job in space.

Michael, husband of Indian-origin Sunita Williams has said that the space is her happy place even if shes stuck there indefinitely, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched aboard Boeing's new Starliner capsule on June 5 and the two astronauts were expected to be in space for only eight days.

But helium leaks and thruster failures, that almost derailed their arrival at the ISS, have kept them there much longer than planned.

Williams and Wilmores stay on the ISS has been extended indefinitely as the NASA has said that their mission with the Boeing Starliner could last eight months, with a return possibly happening in February.

Presently, Williams and Wilmore are with seven other astronauts on the ISS. They usually spend their days with scientific research and maintenance of the spacecraft  and also produce educational content such as answering live questions with students and schoolchildren, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Earlier, NASA's commercial crew program director Steve Stich had said that the earliest the Starliner astronauts might return is the end of July.

Wilmores family is also calm about his extended stay in space.

You know, we probably dont expect him until February, February or March, said Wilmores wife Deanna, as per a New York Post report.

Also Read | NASA spacecraft carrying Sunita Williams needs to be back before August 18

His family also said that they Facetime with him several times throughout most days to stay in touch, reported New York Post.

It is so cool, he gives us a lot of Earth views, I especially like seeing the sunset, Wilmores daughter Daryn told WVLT in Nashville.

Five thrusters failed as the capsule approached the space station on June 6, a day after liftoff. Four have since been reactivated. Wilmore said there should be enough working thrusters to get him and Williams out of orbit.
Syed Refaat Ahmed, Bangladesh's new chief justice was sworn into office on Sunday, a day after his predecessor Obaidul Hassan, viewed as a loyalist of toppled premier Sheikh Hasina, stepped down as the top judge following protester demands.

Ahmed, the senior most high court judge, was sworn into office by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, according to a report by news agency AFP citing the president's press secretary Shiplu Zaman.

He became the 25th chief justice of Bangladesh, Zaman told AFP.

It is the latest in a string of fresh appointments to replace an old guard viewed as linked to the previous regime, ousted by the student-led uprising.

Hassan and five other judges of the apex Appellate Division on Saturday tendered their resignation, five days after the fall of Sheikh Hasinas regime amid massive street protests.

Hassans resignation came as protesters of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered at the apex court premises. The students had issued an ultimatum to him and the judges of the Appellate Division to resign by 1 pm.

Earlier, Hassan oversaw a much-criticised war crimes tribunal that ordered the execution of Hasina's opponents.

On Saturday, President Shahabuddin had appointed Justice Ahmed as the 25th chief justice of Bangladesh.

In the wake of the country-wide protests by students and other demonstrators, several top officials in Bangladesh, including Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Maksud Kamal and Bangla Academy Director General Professor Dr Md Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari resigned from their posts.

Also Read | Hundreds swarm Kabul airport tarmac amid Taliban takeover. Watch video

Sheikh Hasina fled by helicopter to India on Monday as protesters flooded Dhaka's streets in a dramatic end to her iron-fisted rule.

Her government was accused of widespread human rights abuses including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of her political opponents over her 15-year rule.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on Thursday as Chief Adviser to a caretaker administration of Bangladesh following the ouster of Hasina.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday hinted at the United States' role in her first public statement since her dramatic resignation and ouster amid ongoing unrest in the country.

I resigned to avoid witnessing further violence. They aimed to seize power over the dead bodies of students, but I prevented that by resigning, Hasina said, as quoted by The Economic Times.

Also Read | Over 200 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh following collapse of Hasinas govt

If I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech to the people of my land, Please do not be manipulated by radicals, the Awami League leader added.

My words were distorted to incite you. Watch the full video of that day to understand how conspirators have exploited your innocence to destabilise the nation, Hasina clarified that she never called protestors Razakars.

Bangladesh is in political turmoil as Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 amid rising student protests against the government job quota system. For her safety, Hasina fled Dhaka and is now in a secure location in India. Now, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is heading an interim government to manage the transition and prepare for early elections.

At least two Hindu organizations in Bangladesh and members of minority communities have faced at least 205 attacks across 52 districts. Thousands of minority Hindu community members staged massive protest rallies in Bangladesh's capital and the north-eastern port city of Chattagram on Saturday.

Several Hindu temples, households and businesses have been vandalised, and at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with Sheikh Hasinas Awami League party have been killed in the violence since then.

Social media posts showed that in some areas, for the past several days, students, including madrassa students, have been guarding Hindu temples and their households across the country amid reports of a police force almost dysfunctional since August 5.
Bangladesh witnessed the ousting of Sheikh Hasina amid widespread violence, followed by the establishment of an interim government, culminating in the forced resignations of the countrys chief justice and governor on Saturday. However, during this turbulent period, reports of multiple attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh surfaced.

According to a Reuters report, Hindus, who represent about 8 per cent of Bangladesh's 170 million people, have historically supported Sheikh Hasina's predominantly secular Awami League party rather than the opposition bloc, which includes a hardline Islamist party.

After the fallout of the Sheikh Hasina government, at least two Hindu organizations in Bangladesh and members of minority community have faced at least 205 attacks across 52 districts, The Hindu reported.

Earlier, on Friday, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad presented the data on such attacks Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who had just been sworn in as the head of the interim government, according to The Daily Star newspaper.

We seek protection because our lives are in a disastrous state. We are staying up at night, guarding our homes and temples. I have never seen anything like this in my life. We demand that the government restore communal harmony in the country, Nirmal Rosario, one of the three presidents of the unity council, said.

As reported by The Hindu, Kajal Devnath, a praesidium member of the unity council, said, Those involved in attacking minorities must be brought to justice. If a minority individual is attacked for political reasons, it is still unacceptable. Anyone who commits a crime should be judged, but burning homes and looting will not lead to justice.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the general secretary of the Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), told NDTV that the attacks on Hindus in the country were driven by individuals seeking to exploit the current situation. He emphasized that these incidents were not part of any systematic agenda.

The BNP leader also expressed confidence that the Bangladesh army would refrain from interfering in the political process moving forward. He further asserted that no extremist elements were involved in the protests, NDTV reported.

Meanwhile, Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, said that the country (Bangladesh) will not make meaningful progress until the attacks stop and the law and order situation is addressed, ANI reported.

Kugelman told ANI, A few stories are playing out in Bangladesh that deserve more scrutiny, investigation...the issue of attacks and threats on minorities, particularly the minority Hindu communities. We know the documented cases of members of the Hindu society being attacked...On Friday there was a large protest in Dhaka in which people were calling for more protection of the Hindu community.

Furthermore, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, urging him to assist the Bangladeshi government in ending the violence against Hindus.

Krishnamoorthi requested Blinken engage with Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, on August 8 to end violence and bring perpetrators to justice.

In a letter to Blinken, Krishnamoorthi said, "I am writing to you regarding the fluid situation in Bangladesh and the rise of coordinated anti-Hindu violence in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Now that Muhammad Yunus is sworn in as Prime Minister for the interim government, it is of utmost urgency that the United States engage with his government for the purposes of both bringing the violence to an end and the perpetrators to justice.

Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8, three days after Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country amid widespread unrest.

On Thursday, seventeen members of the interim government took their oaths in Dhaka. Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus, 84, was appointed as the chief advisor, a role equivalent to that of a Prime Minister, by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
US President Joe Biden on Sunday said he ended his reelection bid after hearing from congressional Democrats that hed harm their chances in November and concluding that hed be a real distraction if he stayed in the race.

In his first sit-down interview since dropping out from the president race, Biden offered insight into the lead-up to his decision, which came after his party exerted pressure due to worries about his age and mental sharpness. This comes weeks after a disastrous debate with Republican nominee Donald Trump.

On CBSs Sunday Morning, Biden, 81, said the polls showed that it was a neck-and-neck race, but what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in their races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race that would be the topic.

Biden, who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, said he thought it would be a real distraction if he continued to pursue his second-term bid.

On August 15, Biden and Harris plan to campaign in Maryland. This will be their first joint appearance since he left the race, and Harris secured their partys presidential nomination.

The president has portrayed his decision as an effort to bring the nation together under the leadership of a younger generation, yet he faced relentless pressure from his own party to proceed with the action.

We must, we must, we must defeat Trump, Biden said in the CBS News interview.

Bidens exit from the race made him the first sitting US president not to pursue a second term since 1968, when fellow Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson said he wouldnt accept his partys nomination.
On Sunday, Bangladesh's interim government issued a stern warning to media organizations, threatening closure if they publish or broadcast false or misleading news. According to media reports, the move aims to curb the spread of misinformation amidst ongoing unrest.

Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, the Bangladesh interim governments Home Affairs Adviser, criticized the Bangladesh media for failing to uphold the truth, asserting, A nation falters when the media does not uphold the truth.

He warned that the media outlets would face closure if they provided misleading news, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. "The media often ignores the truth...There is a lack of substantive discussion on talk shows, and the media fails to provide accurate information," he said.

He argued that more accurate reporting could have potentially avoided the current crisis involving the police, and condemned the media for neglecting substantive discussion and accurate information.

Amidst the Bangladesh turmoil, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of the ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina, expressed gratitude to India for "saving her life" and accused the caretaker authorities of fostering mob rule.

Also Read | Bangladesh garment factories to western buyers: You can rely on us

Joy criticized the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government as "completely powerless" and claimed it consists of "figureheads."

"Right now in Bangladesh, you have mob rule," he told AFP in an interview from Washington. "If the mob tomorrow says, 'no, we want this person in the interim government changed', they will have to be changed," he said.

Joy warned that without prompt elections, chaos would persist, reflecting on the recent high-profile removals of officials, including the chief justice and the central bank governor.

In parallel, Nahid Islam, the adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, announced that action will be taken against those responsible for the recent internet shutdowns during student protests.

Also Read | Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina hints at US role in first public remark since ouster

Islam emphasized, "Access to the internet is a right and disrupting or shutting it down is a violation of human rights," pledging that such shutdowns will no longer be tolerated. The frequent internet disruptions during protests against the Hasina government were criticized as a breach of rights.

Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police Md Mainul Islam reported that the recent student-led movement, which led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, resulted in significant casualties. He stated that at least 42 police officers were killed, over 500 injured, and many are still receiving treatment.

Sheikh Hasina, 76, quit as prime minister of Bangladesh after a student-led uprising and fled by helicopter to longtime ally India.

Her government was accused of widespread human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of her political opponents during her 15-year tenure.
New Delhi: The appointment of senior IAS officer T.V. Somanathan as the new cabinet secretary of India has been hailed by many of his colleagues and batchmates as the right choice to lead the country's bureaucracy.

Somanathan, who ranked second in the 1987 Civil Services Examination, will take over from the outgoing 1982-batch officer Rajiv Gauba, who has held the post since 30 August 2019. Gauba, the longest-serving Cabinet Secretary, will complete a five-year term upon his retirement.

The cabinet secretary is the top-most civil servant of the country, and comes under the direct control of the prime minister.

Among his many achievements, Somanathan played a key role in implementing fiscal reforms, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017, while serving as joint secretary in the Prime Minister's Office.

Also, he helped manage the Indian economy during one of its most challenging times, the Covid-19 pandemic, while serving as expenditure secreary in the ministry of finance.

It was Somanathan who played a key role in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and Atmanirbhar Bharat schemes, both of which were rolled out during the pandemic.

"Our whole batch is happy that he has become cabinet secretary. He is deserving and the senior-most officer. The government has truly chosen an officer on merit," said Arun Singhal, director general of National Archives of India, and his batchmate.

Also Read: IAS officer TV Somanathan appointed Cabinet Secretary of India. Who is he?

"It's not that he gets swayed by everyones opinions easily. He is firm and fair, while being polite. He sticks to his decisions and is not wishy-washy. He has proven his mettle while serving as finance secretary and in other assignments in the government of India," said Singhal, an IAS from Uttar Pradesh cadre.

Somanathan's another batchmate Pravir Krishna said, "We all predicted when he joined the service that he would become cabinet secretary, and now it has come true."

He is very disciplined and strict, making decisions based solely on facts. He is one of the finest officers and a strict disciplinarian, recognized as one of the most outstanding members of the service," said Krishna, his batchmate and a retired IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Despite his strictness, he is soft-spoken, approachable, and open with everyone. He has a photographic memory, recalling every incident with remarkable clarity. Well-liked within his batch, he is also known for being strictly vegetarian," said Krishna, a former managing director of Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (Trifed).

Somanathan, a 1987-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, his home state, will serve a two-year tenure beginning 30 August.

Before assuming the role of cabinet secretary, Somanathan will serve as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the cabinet secretariat from the date he begins the assignment until he officially takes over as Cabinet Secretary.

Somanathans father was T.S. Vaidyanathan

Previous roles

As the Union finance secretary and secretary of expenditure, Somanathan played a crucial role in shaping India's economic policies, including budget formulation and fiscal management.

He also served as additional secretary and joint secretary in the Prime Minister's Office.

Internationally, Somanathan's stint as a director at the World Bank Group in Washington enriched his exposure to global economic issues and development policies. He joined the World Bank in 1996 through the Young Professionals Programme, initially serving as a financial economist in the East Asia & Pacific Regional Vice Presidency. By 2000, he became one of the Banks youngest sector managers when appointed manager of the Budget Policy Group. From 2011 to 2015, he served as a director at the Bank.

Additionally, he has represented India in various international forums, including the G20 and BRICS nations.

As cabinet secretary, Somanathan will confront several challenges. The current government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, relies heavily on key alliance partners such as Janata Dal (United) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Managing a coalition government presents its own complexities, and Somanathan will need to navigate decisions that balance the interests of these allies.

He will also play a pivotal role in advancing the government's development agenda, including flagship initiatives like "Make in India" and "Digital India."
When it comes to gaming, having the best gaming laptop can make all the difference. The best gaming laptops under 1 lakh combine powerful processors, high-end graphics cards, and fast refresh rates to deliver a seamless, immersive experience. Whether you're diving into the latest AAA titles or enjoying competitive esports, these machines are designed to keep up with the most demanding games. From budget-friendly options that offer excellent value to premium models packed with cutting-edge features, there's a gaming laptop for every type of player.

Choosing the best gaming laptop under 1 lakh can be overwhelming with so many options available, but we've done the hard work for you. This guide highlights the top gaming laptops that excel in performance, build quality, and overall gaming experience. Whether you prioritise portability, graphics power, or battery life, our carefully selected picks ensure you find the perfect fit for your gaming needs. Get ready to elevate your gameplay with one of these outstanding gaming laptops.

1. Acer ALG 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Gaming Laptop (16GB RAM/512GB SSD/4GB RTX 2050 Graphics/60Hz/Win11Home/Wifi 6) AL15G-52, 39.62cm (15.6 inch) FHD Display, Premium Metal Body, Steel Gray, 1.99KG

The Acer ALG Gaming Laptop, powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, is a strong contender in the gaming laptop market. It offers 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast storage access. The laptop features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with sharp visuals and vibrant colours, making it a solid choice for gaming and media consumption. With a sleek design and a premium metal body, this laptop not only performs well but also looks stylish. The 4GB RTX 2050 graphics card provides an enhanced gaming experience, and its Wi-Fi 6 connectivity ensures fast internet speeds.

Specifications of Acer ALG 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Gaming Laptop

Processor: Intel core i5

RAM: 16 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Graphics: RTX 2050 Graphics

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor Slightly heavier than other models Premium metal body with a sleek design

What are buyers saying about this product?

Buyers indicate a positive reception towards the value and performance of the notebook computer. There are also complaints regarding overheating.

Why choose this product?

Choose this if you want a balance of performance and style, with a solid build and decent gaming capabilities.

2. Lenovo [Smartchoice] LOQ 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450HX /39.6cm/ 144Hz 300Nits FHD Gaming Laptop (16GB/512GB SSD/Win 11/ RTX 3050 6GB Graphics/100% sRGB/MSO 21/3 Mon Game Pass/Grey/2.4Kg), 83GS003UIN

The Lenovo LOQ Gaming Laptop is specifically crafted for gamers seeking top-tier performance and durability. It is driven by the 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450HX processor, paired with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The laptop showcases a 15.6-inch FHD display that offers a 144Hz refresh rate and 300 nits brightness, delivering sharp and dynamic visuals. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB graphics card ensures superior gaming performance. Moreover, the Lenovo AI Engine+ optimizes system functionality for an improved experience, while advanced cooling technology effectively manages heat during intense gaming activities.

Specifications of Lenovo LOQ 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450HX Gaming Laptop

Processor: Intel core i5

RAM: 16 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Graphics: RTX 3050

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid High refresh rate display (144Hz) for smooth visuals Heavier than other models Advanced cooling system for better thermal management

What are buyers saying about this product?

Buyers have expressed satisfaction with its gaming performance, citing quick responsiveness and an enjoyable gaming experience. The build quality is also viewed positively. On the other hand, some buyers have raised concerns about battery performance.

Why choose this product?

Opt for this if you prioritise display quality and cooling efficiency, ensuring longer and smoother gaming sessions.

3. HP Victus Gaming Laptop, 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H,4GB RTX 2050 GPU,15.6-inch(39.6 cm),FHD,IPS,144Hz,16GB DDR4,512GB SSD,Backlit KB,MSO,B&O,9ms Response time(Blue, 2.29 kg),fa1373TX/fa1227TX

If you're on the lookout for an affordable yet reliable gaming laptop, the HP Victus is a fantastic option. It features a powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, along with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for fast and efficient performance. The 15.6-inch FHD display offers a 144Hz refresh rate and a quick 9ms response time, ensuring smooth and responsive visuals while you game. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 GPU takes your gaming graphics to the next level. With its sleek design and B&O audio, this laptop is ideal for both gaming and enjoying multimedia content.

Specifications of HP Victus Gaming Laptop, 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H

Processor: Intel core i5

RAM: 16 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Graphics: RTX 2050

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid B&O audio for superior sound quality Battery life may be insufficient for long gaming sessions Lightweight design

What are buyers saying about this product?

Buyers appreciate the laptop's gaming performance. They value its robust build and overall worth. Opinions on performance, audio quality, and display vary significantly.

Why choose this product?

Ideal for gamers who need fast visuals and good sound quality in a sleek, portable package.

Also Read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival countdown: Up to 65% off on electronics such as tablets, laptops, and more

4. Dell [Smartchoice] G15-5530 Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i5-13450HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB, NVIDIA RTX 3050,6GB GDDR6,15.6" (39.62cm) FHD 120Hz 250 nits,Backlit KB Orange,Win 11 + MSO'21,Dark Shadow Gray,2.65kg

The Dell G15-5530 is a robust gaming laptop that combines powerful hardware with a sleek design. Equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13450HX processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, it delivers exceptional performance for both gaming and multitasking. The 15.6-inch FHD display offers a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth and crisp visuals. The NVIDIA RTX 3050 6GB graphics card ensures that you can handle demanding games with ease. The laptop also includes a backlit keyboard, multiple connectivity options, and a durable build, making it a solid choice for serious gamers.

Specifications of Dell G15-5530 Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i5-13450HX

Processor: Intel core i5

RAM: 16 GB

Storage: 1TB

Graphics: RTX 3050

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid 1TB SSD for ample storage space Lower display brightness (250 nits) compared to competitors Backlit keyboard for enhanced gaming experience

What are buyers saying about this product?

This gaming laptop receives positive feedback from buyers for its performance, value, and graphics. Additionally, reviews on sound quality, build quality, and heat generation are mixed.

Why choose this product?

Select this if you need a powerful machine with ample storage and a responsive keyboard for immersive gaming.

5. Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H with RTX 4050 Graphics 6GB VRAM, 144Hz Display (16GB DDR5/512GB SSD/Windows 11 Home/Wi-Fi 6),15.6"(39.6cms) FHD ANV15-51

The Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop stands out as a great pick for gamers who want a solid blend of performance and value. Its powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H processor and comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. The 15.6-inch FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate delivers vibrant and fluid visuals. With the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB graphics card, its perfect for gaming and rendering tasks. Plus, it features upgradeable storage, a backlit keyboard, and a lightweight design, making it ideal for both gaming and everyday use.

Specifications of Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H

Processor: Intel core i5

RAM: 16 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Graphics: RTX 4050

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Lightweight and portable design Battery life may not be sufficient for extended gaming sessions High refresh rate (144Hz) display

What are buyers saying about this product?

Buyers like the aesthetics, value, and construction quality of the laptop. They highlight its appealing design, noting that the new Nitro logo is particularly eye-catching and the colour options have improved. However, there are varied opinions regarding the sound quality, display, and battery performance.

Why choose this product?

Choose this if you prefer portability and upgrade potential in a powerful yet affordable gaming laptop.

Also Read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale (Aug) 2024: Up to 65% off on electronics, home appliances and more from top brands

6. [Smart Choice] Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop AMD Ryzen 5 5500H 15.6" (39.62cm) FHD IPS 300nits 144Hz (8GB/512GB SSD/Win 11/NVIDIA RTX 2050 4GB/Alexa/3 Month Game Pass/Shadow Black/2.32Kg), 82K20289IN

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is an affordable gaming laptop that delivers impressive performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen 5 5500H processor and 8GB of RAM. It features a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring your games look smooth and vibrant. The NVIDIA RTX 2050 4GB GPU adds to the gaming experience, while the clever thermal design keeps the laptop cool even during the most intense gameplay. With a backlit keyboard and Nahimic Audio, this laptop offers a well-rounded gaming experience at a price that wont hurt your wallet.

Specifications of Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop AMD Ryzen 5 5500H

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5

RAM: 8 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Graphics: RTX 2050

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Advanced thermal design for better cooling Only 8GB RAM may limit multitasking performance High refresh rate (144Hz) for smooth gaming

What are buyers saying about this product?

Buyers are happy with the laptop's solid construction, display, and how well it performs. Many think its a great deal for the price. There are mixed reviews about the sound quality and heating.

Why choose this product?

Opt for this if you are looking for a budget-friendly option with decent performance and good cooling.

7. MSI Gaming GF63 Thin, Intel Core i7-11800H, 40CM FHD 144Hz Gaming Laptop (8GB/512GB NVMe SSD/Windows 10 Home/Nvidia GTX1650 4GB GDDR6/ Black/1.86Kg), 11SC-852IN

The MSI Gaming GF63 Thin is a lightweight and portable gaming laptop that doesnt compromise performance. It is equipped with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H processor and 8GB RAM, providing solid performance for gaming and multitasking. The 15.6-inch FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay. The laptop features NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB graphics, suitable for running most modern games at medium to high settings. With its thin and light design, backlit keyboard, and robust build, its a great choice for gamers on the go.

Specifications of MSI Gaming GF63 Thin, Intel Core i7-11800H Gaming Laptop

Processor: Intel core i7

RAM: 8 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Graphics: GTX1650

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Lightweight and portable GTX 1650 graphics are less powerful compared to other models Solid performance with Intel Core i7 processor

What are buyers saying about this product?

Buyers are impressed with how well this laptop performs and its overall value. Theyve noted that it runs games and applications effortlessly. However, people seem to have mixed reviews about the cooling system and audio quality.

Why choose this product?

Opt for this if you want a powerful processor along with a lightweight and portable design.

Also Read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival sale: Up to 65% off on laptops, smartwatches, speakers, refrigerators, TV, and more

8. ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i5-11400H 11th Gen, 15.6-inch (39.62 cm) FHD 144Hz,(16GB RAM/512GB SSD/4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050/Windows 11/ RGB Backlit KB/Black/2.30 kg), FX506HF-HN025W

If you're looking for a gaming laptop that can take a beating while still performing like a champ, check out the ASUS TUF F15. It's powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400H, comes with 16GB of RAM, and has a speedy 512GB SSD, ensuring your games run smoothly. The 15.6-inch FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate gives you sharp visuals that flow nicely. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 with 4GB of VRAM amps up the graphics, and the tough design, backlit keyboard, and various ports make it super convenient. Plus, the battery life is solid, so you can game anywhere you want.

Specifications of ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop

Processor: Intel core i5

RAM: 16 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Graphics: RTX 2050

Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Durable and rugged design Limited to 4GB RTX 2050 GPU Comprehensive connectivity options including Thunderbolt 4

What are buyers saying about this product?

Buyers are satisfied with the overall performance and quality of this gaming laptop. Nonetheless, a few customers have expressed concern regarding its RAM management capabilities.

Why choose this product?

Go for this if you need a durable, high-performance laptop with a reliable display and ample connectivity options.

Also Read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale 2024: Grab up to 45% discount on work and gaming laptops

What are the key features to look for in a gaming laptop?

When choosing a gaming laptop, prioritise the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), as it's crucial for high-performance gaming. Also, consider the CPU, RAM (16GB or more), SSD storage, and a high-refresh-rate display (144Hz or higher). These elements ensure smooth gameplay, fast load times, and overall better gaming experiences.

What is the ideal budget for a good gaming laptop?

The cost of a gaming laptop varies, but for a good experience, expect to spend between 50,000 to 1 lakh. In this range, you'll find laptops with mid-range GPUs, ample RAM, and fast SSDs, which are essential for playing most modern games smoothly.

Is it feasible to upgrade the gaming laptop's components?

Yes, many gaming laptops allow upgrades to RAM and storage. However, GPUs and CPUs are often soldered to the motherboard, making them non-upgradable. Always check the laptop's specifications and consult the manufacturer's guidelines to understand which components are user-upgradable.

Best value for money gaming laptop under  1 lakh

The ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop is an excellent choice for value under 1 lakh. It features an Intel Core i5-11400H 11th Gen processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, delivering robust gaming performance. The 15.6-inch FHD 144Hz display and 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 graphics ensure smooth, high-quality visuals. Its RGB backlit keyboard adds a touch of style.

Also Read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale 2024: Save up to 45% on the best gaming laptops including Asus, Lenovo, Dell & more

Best overall gaming laptop under  1 lakh

The Acer ALG 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Gaming Laptop is the premier choice within the price range of 1 lakh. Equipped with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and 4GB RTX 2050 graphics, along with a high-quality metal chassis, it offers outstanding performance, robustness, and an elegant design, catering perfectly to gamers seeking superior features.

Factors to consider before buying the best gaming laptop under  1 lakh

When buying the best gaming laptop under 1 lakh, consider the following factors to ensure you get the best performance and value for your money:

Graphics card (GPU): The GPU is critical for gaming performance. Look for a dedicated GPU like NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, RTX 2050, or RTX 3050, which are common in this price range. These GPUs handle modern games well, delivering smooth visuals and higher frame rates.

Processor (CPU): A powerful CPU ensures your laptop can handle gaming and multitasking. An Intel Core i5 (11th or 12th Gen) or AMD Ryzen 5 (5000 series) processor is ideal. These processors offer a good balance of performance and power efficiency.

Display: A high-refresh-rate display (144Hz or higher) with Full HD (1920x1080) resolution is crucial for an immersive gaming experience. It ensures smoother gameplay and better visuals, especially in fast-paced games.

Cooling system: Gaming laptops generate a lot of heat, so a good cooling system is essential to maintain performance. Check for laptops with advanced cooling solutions, like multiple fans and heat pipes, to prevent overheating during intense gaming sessions.

Battery life: Gaming laptops typically have shorter battery life due to powerful hardware. However, look for laptops with decent battery life (at least 4-6 hours) if you plan to use it on the go.

Build quality: Consider the laptop's build quality, weight, and portability. A durable build with a manageable weight (under 2.5 kg) ensures that the laptop is easy to carry and can withstand daily use.

Keyboard and trackpad: A comfortable, responsive keyboard with good travel and backlighting is important for gaming. Some laptops also offer customizable RGB lighting and dedicated gaming keys.

Connectivity and ports: Ensure the laptop has a variety of ports, including USB Type-C, HDMI, and Ethernet, for connecting peripherals and external displays. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are also desirable for fast wireless connectivity.

Top 3 features of the best gaming laptops under  1 lakh

Best gaming laptops under  1 lakh Colour Screen size Features Acer ALG 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Gaming Laptop Steel grey 15.6-inch HD Audio, Memory Card Slot, Numeric Keypad Lenovo LOQ 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450HX Gaming Laptop Luna grey 15.6-inch 144 Hz display, Anti Glare Coating HP Victus Gaming Laptop, 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H Blue 15.6-inch Anti Glare Screen, Micro Edge Display Dell G15-5530 Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i5-13450HX Dark shadow grey 15.6-inch 120 Hz display, Backlit Keyboard Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H Black 15.6-inch 144Hz display, Backlit Keyboard Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop AMD Ryzen 5 5500H Shadow black 15.6-inch Backlit Keyboard, Anti Glare Coating MSI Gaming GF63 Thin, Intel Core i7-11800H Gaming Laptop Black 15.6-inch Light Weight, Backlit Keyboard, Thin, Built-in Microphone ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop Black 15.6-inch HD Audio, Backlit Keyboard, Anti Glare Coating

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FAQs

Question : What is the ideal screen size for a gaming laptop?

Ans : A 15.6-inch or 17.3-inch display is ideal, offering a balance between portability and immersive gaming experience.

Question : How important is the refresh rate for gaming laptops?

Ans : A higher refresh rate, like 144Hz or more, provides smoother visuals, which is essential for fast-paced games.

Question : Is 8GB of RAM enough for gaming?

Ans : 8GB is the minimum, but 16GB is recommended for better multitasking and performance in modern games.

Question : Do gaming laptops have good battery life?

Ans : Gaming laptops typically have lower battery life, usually around 4-6 hours, due to powerful hardware.

Question : What is the best storage option for a gaming laptop?

Ans : An SSD (Solid State Drive) is preferred for faster load times and improved overall performance.

Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Palmer Luckey was an executive at Facebook when he first spoke with venture capitalist Trae Stephens about starting a weapons company. Im actually building a ramjet in my swimming pool," Luckey told Stephens over lunch, referring to a type of engine designed to power high-speed missiles and aircraft.

About a year and a half after that conversation, Luckey left Facebook, freeing him to pursue a defense company with Stephens, whose venture firm, Founders Fund, would become a major investor.

Luckey, now 31, is a new breed of startup founder and defense-company executive. He is rarely seen wearing anything other than his trademark flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts, lashes out on social media against idiots" who criticize his company, and says he models himself after a character in a Japanese anime series.

His company, Anduril Industriesnamed after a magical sword from J.R.R. Tolkiens Lord of the Rings" novelsis central to Silicon Valleys quest to take on weapons makers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Since its founding in 2017, Anduril has raised $3.7 billion in venture funding, including $1.5 billion announced this past week.

The newcomers hope is that the Pentagon will eventually kill off what Luckey calls old legacy zombie programs," like expensive jet fighters and attack helicopters, and instead buy autonomous weapons, like drones and uncrewed submarines.

These weapons, Luckey argues, are needed for a potential conflict with China, which the Pentagon two years ago announced is the greatest danger to U.S. security. The U.S. military, Luckey and others say, needs large numbers of cheaper and more intelligent systems that can be effective over long stretches of ocean and against a manufacturing and technological power like China.

Anduril is so focused on a conflict with Beijing, Luckey says, that many teams inside the company are building only weapons that can be completed by 2027the year Chinese President Xi Jinping has said his country should be prepared to invade Taiwan. The fictional sword for which Anduril is named is also called the Flame of the West."

We keep our eyes on the prize, which is great-power conflict in the Pacific," Luckey said in an interview at the companys headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., south of Los Angeles.

The main building of the Anduril campus, a former Los Angeles Times printing facility, mixes tech-startup perks like a sleek gym and dimly lighted speakeasy-style bar with more typical weapons-industry paraphernalia, including displays of its drone aircraft and mini-submarine.

Anduril is part of one of the largest shifts to take place in the defense sector since World War II: the flow of venture-capital funding into defense-technology companies.

For decades, the U.S. government funded defense companies, like Lockheed Martin, to develop new weapons, ranging from stealth aircraft to spy satellites. But as the private-sector money available for research and development has outstripped federal-government spending, particularly in areas like AI, a new cohort of defense startups is using private capital to develop technology for the Pentagon.

The amount of private capital flowing into the venture-backed defense-tech industry has ballooned, with investors spending at least 70% more on the sector each of the past three years than any prior year. From 2021 through mid-June 2024, venture capitalists invested a total of $130 billion in defense-tech startups, according to data firm PitchBook. The Pentagon spends about $90 billion on R&D annually.

Riding a wave of private funding, hundreds of new companies have emerged in recent years, working on AI for the battlefield, drones, and even hypersonic missiles and aircraft.

There are now more than a dozen defense unicorns"privately held companies valued at $1 billion or moreincluding Anduril, Shield AI, Relativity Space and Epirus. Anduril is among the most visible and well funded of the group, and its success or failure will be a harbinger for the smaller defense and aerospace startups that have sprung up behind it.

Startups have so far captured just a tiny fraction of the Pentagons weapons-buying budget. Venture-backed companies for the past several years have received only about $5 billion annually in Defense Department awards, or roughly 1% of annual Pentagon contract spending, according to data compiled by defense-software company Govini.

One hurdle for the startupsperhaps the most significantis proving they can manufacture weapons as well or better than traditional defense companies.

The grinding war in Ukraine, now more than two years old, and the threat of a widening conflict in the Middle East, may test whether betting on the Pentagons focus on a potential conflict in Asia is a winning strategy for startups. The U.S. industrial base has been slow to produce artillery shells and other heavy weaponry that a war with Russia requires, while startups with technology that could potentially help Ukraine, like drones, have struggled to adapt to a rapidly shifting battlefield.

Meanwhile, venture-capital enthusiasts worry the U.S. is moving too slowly to fund the sort of weapons neededand companies to build themfor a potential war with China. Michael Brown, a former Pentagon official who was involved in early efforts to work with Silicon Valley, says the U.S. government isnt spending nearly enough to pay for weapons needed to fight in Asia.

I fear we would look back and say, what time did we squander?" said Brown, now a partner at the venture firm Shield Capital. Because we should be rebuilding our munition supply. We should be getting more vendors in the fight."

A subterrene and other crazy ideas

The Pentagon is credited with helping to create Silicon Valley by plowing money into tech companies in the 1950s and 60s, investing in electronics and buying microchips used in nuclear-missile guidance systems, satellites, and computers. That investment, says Paul Bracken, an emeritus professor of management and political science at Yale University, led the Defense Department to become, in effect, the mother of all venture-capital firms."

But starting in the 1980s, Silicon Valley rode a massive wave of venture-capital investment in the commercial computer and software industries that overshadowed military work.

Interest in military work revived slowly. In 2015, Elon Musk settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Air Force that would pave the way for his rocket company, SpaceX, to compete in the military-launch market. That same year, the Pentagon opened a Silicon Valley outpost, called the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental, to work with tech startups.

The venture capitalists were initially reluctant, but Luckey had good timing and a compelling, if unusual, story. Luckey says hes dreamed of starting a defense company since he was 7 years old, inspired by the anime character Seto Kaiba from Yu-Gi-Oh," who developed virtual-reality tech for videogames, ran a weapons maker, and traveled in a dragon-shaped jet fighter.

I someday would love to fly on my own fighter jet shaped like a dragon that I have designed and built, wearing a VR headset to pilot," Luckey said.

Luckey frequently quotes his fictional hero: You said technology has limits. Wrong." Luckey leaves off the rest of the line, which ends when youre as brilliant as Seto Kaiba."

Luckey followed closely in Kaibas footsteps. At 19, he was living in a camper trailer in his parents driveway in Long Beach, Calif., building virtual-reality headsets for videogamers. In 2014, Facebooknow known as Meta Platformsbought Luckeys company, Oculus VR, making him a billionaire.

In 2016, at the height of the presidential campaign, Luckey, a longtime supporter of Donald Trump, donated to an anti-Hillary Clinton group. Months later, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks CEO, fired him. Some people close to Luckey attribute the ouster to his political views, an explanation the company has denied. Regardless, it freed Luckey to start Anduril, just as venture firms were starting to show interest in the defense business.

One of Andurils early contracts was a deal worth up to $400 millon to help secure the southern and northern U.S. borders with sentry towers that can automatically detect incursions. The company says it now has about 300 of these towers installed along the border with Mexico. In 2022, it won a contract with Special Operations Command worth nearly $1 billion to build counterdrone systems.

Anduril executives are aiming higher, targeting the kind of multibillion-dollar weapons programs now dominated by established defense contractors. Earlier this year, it took a step into that league, scoring one of two contracts to develop uncrewed jet fighters for the Air Force.

Luckey encourages even more ambitious pursuits, including in a freewheeling exchange on a company Slack channel called Crazy Ideas."

His own crazy idea: a weapon for underground warfare.

The next warfighting domain is the subterranean domain," Palmer said. Im talking about the full three-dimensional volume of at least the upper crust of the planet as a place that you can move through and fight in."

To prepare for this possibility, Luckey has Anduril looking at something called a subterreneessentially an underground submarine that tunnels through the earth using electricity or an onboard nuclear reactor. Luckey learned about this vehicle in technical concept papers from the Cold War he found online. The underground vehicle has never been built, and when it was studied in the past, was found to be prohibitively expensive and of questionable value to the military.

Even Andurils top executives acknowledge that this sort of project is far-fetched, but say it reflects the sort of unconventional thinking that makes Luckey successful.

Matthew Steckman, Andurils chief revenue officer, says the companys work on the subterrene concept doesnt cost much, but if it does pan out, it would be really freaking cool."

Deep pockets and an iron grip

Startups like Anduril largely focus on weapons to deter China, because the Pentagon has defined it as the primary threat, and because a war with Beijing, they argue, would require the kinds of weapons that tech companies build. China has moved forward more quickly than Russia with advanced military technology like hypersonic missiles and AI-controlled weapons.

But when Russia, which the Pentagon regards as a secondary threat, launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a number of the new Silicon Valley startups rushed to help Kyiv. Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp traveled to Ukraine personally just months after the invasion. A number of American startups sent drones, including Anduril, which provided Ghost, a small autonomous aircraft.

Most of those efforts failed to gain traction.

In Ukraine, American drones were frequently jammed, failed to fly or suffered other setbacks on the battlefield. Palantir, which makes software used for targeting, has yet to score any major contracts in Ukraine, and Andurils Ghost had difficulty coping with Russian jamming, according to people familiar with the matter. It took Anduril about a year to produce an improved drone.

Palantir, like Anduril, derives its name from The Lord of the Rings," and shares a common investor: Founders Fund, the venture firm launched by PayPal co-founder and libertarian firebrand Peter Thiel.

The problem with Silicon Valleys attempts to field weapons in Ukraine is that startups had, for the most part, never deployed their technology into a war zone, said Andrey Liscovich, the head of the Ukraine Defense Fund, which raises money to help send drones and other equipment to Kyivs military forces. Theyre not close to the end users," he said, and they cant really test things in comparable environments, unfortunately."

Another challenge for the tech companies is that the Ukraine war is heavily dependent on the mass production of artillery and ammunition. In 2022, Pentagon acquisition chief Bill LaPlante lashed out at traditional arms companies for slow production and defense startups for focusing on technology that couldnt be used anytime soon. The tech bros arent helping us that much in Ukraine," he said.

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal last year, LaPlante said that he was criticizing aspirational, often elusive technology," and he lauded companies, including Palantir and Anduril, that had delivered tech to the battlefield, as well as SpaceX, whose Starlink satellites have been critical for Ukraines military.

For the startups, proving they can mass-produce will be critical. Anduril on Thursday announced plans for a series of new factories that it said could produce weapons in the tens of thousands. Rival executives have said such plans wont make supply-chain problems go away.

We dont shy away from competition," Chris Kubasik, CEO of defense giant L3Harris Technologies, told investors earlier this year when asked about the challenge of Anduril to its rocket-motor business. Kubasik said new entrants still rely on the same set of suppliers, many of whom are struggling to meet demand.

Anduril will also need to convince its investors that it can eventually win enough Pentagon business to support its valuation, which is currently at much higher multiples of revenue than traditional defense companies.

The $1.5 billion funding round that Anduril announced this past week values the company at $14 billionaround 28 times the approximately $500 million people familiar with the matter say was its revenue last year, a figure the company doesnt disclose. By comparison, Lockheed Martin, the Pentagons top defense contractor, is currently valued at about $131 billion, slightly less than twice its annual revenue.

Therein lies the difficulty for startups like Anduril, which says it wants to go public in the next five years. The billions of private capital dollars flowing into defense are subsidizing R&D in anticipation of big payoffs. If those startups go public, the companies will face pressure from investors to minimize costs and maximize profits, cutting into their ability to fund their own R&D.

Asked how Anduril would maintain its ability to plow money into innovation once it is subject to some of the same market forces that large defense companies face, Luckey points to the role of founders like himself, and Musk: big personalities with deep pockets and an iron grip on their companies. They can bend companies to their wills, he said, even if their investors are pushing for faster returns.

I want my investors to get a return, but I am clearly not doing this because I think its the best way for me to make money," he said. Theres way easier ways to make money than to drag it out of the government."

Doug Cameron contributed to this article.
Honored Artist of Ukraine, theater and film actress Irma Vitovska is convinced that Russia has been zombifying people long before the invasion of Ukraine. Many years ago, she began to notice how the Kremlin was creating inferior images of Ukrainians in movies, imposing propaganda narratives on viewers.

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That's why the star avoided projects related to history, ideology, and power structures. She spoke about this in an interview with the Mezha channel.

The actress shared that she often raised historical topics with her Russian colleagues and noticed that it was difficult and unpleasant for Russian citizens to learn about their true past, because it went against what the authorities dictated to them.

"I have never filmed, seeing how they started propaganda after the Orange Revolution. They were sharpening propaganda where Ukrainians were made to look inferior," the celebrity explained.

She added that Russian producers added "bad" Ukrainians even to movies that were not supposed to be filmed in Ukraine. According to Irma Vitovska, this was done to impose on Russians the image of a Ukrainian as part of an "unhealthy, treacherous and hateful" nation.

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"They are beginning to create a Ukrainian for Russians, for their own, as a figure of a bad, unhealthy, treacherous nation that hates us. Everything that they are suffering from now on a massive scale was starting to work on the population in a dosed way back then. As a person who saw it, I realized that after Georgia, we would be next," the actress recalled.

Earlier, Irma Vitovska spoke about the discrimination against Ukrainian actors in Ukraine after 2014. The actress spoke out sharply about the idea of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. She considers this topic very complicated and has no definite opinion.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Irma Vitovska for the first time told how she spied on the Maidan, swore at the Verkhovna Rada and received threats.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the cyber security watchdog under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has issued a high severity alert for Google Chrome users, affecting users on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

According to CERT-In, Google Chrome for desktop has been found to have multiple vulnerabilities that could be exploited by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the user's system. The cybersecurity agency said that these vulnerabilities exist in Google Chrome due to a number of reasons, including initialised and insufficient data usage in dawn and out of bounds read in WebTransport.

Giving reasons behind the vulnerabilities in an advisory dated August 7, CERT-In noted, These vulnerabilities exist in Google Chrome for Desktop due to Uninitialized use in dawn; Out of bounds read in WebTransport and Insufficient data validation in dawn. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a victim to visit a specially crafted request."

The vulnerability affects users of Google Chrome stable channel versions prior to 127.0.6533.88/89 on Windows, Mac and Google Chrome stable channel versions prior to 127.0.6533.88 on Linux.

What should a Google Chrome user do?

Thanks, CERT-In notes that appropriate updates that fix the above mentioned issues are available on the Google Chrome website. Therefore, the cybersecurity agency urges users to update to the latest version of Google Chrome for desktop in order to stay safe.

Apple Safari and Google Chrome working on resolving critical security flaw:

Meanwhile, a recent but unrelated report by Forbes had stated that Apple and Google are working to resolve a critical security vulnerability that has been present in their web browsers for years. This vulnerability, related to the IP address 0.0.0.0, and is reportedly being exploited by cybercriminals to breach devices and steal user data.

According to a Forbes report, this security flaw could have existed for as long as 18 years, yet developers did not notice it until recently. Researchers from the Israeli cybersecurity firm Oligo uncovered the issue, which has been labeled a "zero-day vulnerability" due to the lack of prior awareness and immediate patching.

The exploit, dubbed the "0.0.0.0-day attack" by Oligo AI security researcher Avi Lumelsky, involves malicious websites potentially sending harmful requests through the 0.0.0.0 IP address. If a user inadvertently clicks on a malicious link, it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information on their device.

Although this flaw primarily impacts individuals and organizations that host their own web servers, the potential scale of compromised systems is significant, and experts emphasize that this security issue should not be underestimated.

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Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to post text and video updates to a map based on where they were taken, and this map can be shared with other users so that their updates can appear next to each other, according to a report from The Verge. Notably, the Snap Maps feature has been part of the Snap app since 2017, but Instagram's version of the feature is said to have more limited privacy settings.

Also Read | Turkey suddenly reinstates access to Instagram after more than a week

Instagram will allow users to choose the specific group of people they want to share their location with, such as "close friends" or "only followers they follow back," a Meta spokesperson told The Verge. They also stated that Instagram is building this feature with "safety in mind", while remaining tight-lipped on further details of the service. According to the report, Instagram's new feature will be opt-in and will only be available as a "small test" in a few markets.

However, this isn't the first time the feature has been spotted. A previous report in February suggested that the meta-owned social media giant was working on a 'friend map' feature that was being tested. Instagram also had a similar type of photo feature in 2012 that allowed users to place all of their images on a map, but this feature was completely private and could not be shared with friends. This feature was eventually shut down in 2016 due to low usage.

Also Read | Meta and Googles covert Ad Campaign targeted teens, violating their own policies: Report

Notably, this isn't the first time that Instagram is copying a feature from one of its competitors. Some of the app's most popular features like Reels and Stories were also inspired from TikTok and Snapchat respectively. More recently, X's Elon Musk had called Instagram's Threads a copy cat app of the former and also threatened to sue company for exploiting Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property.

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Famous Ukrainian actress Irma Vitovska has spoken out sharply about the idea of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. The star emphasized that although she does not have a unanimous answer to this question, she understands that Ukrainians paid the price with their lives.

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The actress shared her opinion in an interview with the Mezha media outlet. The journalist asked Vitovska whether she agreed with the opinion of some of her compatriots that we should make concessions to Russia for the sake of peace.

The celebrity noted that this topic is extremely difficult and requires reflection, in particular, the question is "how to win back" the territories. She added that "probing people's opinions" is currently underway.

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Regarding the version of the negotiations when Ukraine joins NATO but "gives" Donbas and Crimea to the invaders, the artist admitted that she does not understand the "point" where the border will be drawn. "And secondly, I doubt that Putin needs it. What has he won then? That is, we are going back to the way things were before 2022, the Russian language is already protected by the Constitution here, like any minority language. And what the fuck was it then?" the actress commented.

She continued: "And where are our people, our cities? Where are the reparations? What was that place where you killed so many people, so many children?" Vitovska added that no one will return to Mariupol residents with children, animals, lost housing, Ukrainians under the rubble, and missing people. "Who will bring back the crippled, maimed, and morally and psychologically damaged people?" the guest emphasized.

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A Longford energy healer has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a client by making her place her hands on his groin and breathe heavily, repeating oh my god in her head, while moaning and staring into his eyes to clear sexual blockages from past sexual abuse.



David Reilly (50) of 70 Springlawn, Longford, appeared before Longford Circuit Court over the past week, where he was tried in front of Judge Kenneth Connolly and a jury of 12 people and found guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of offensive conduct of a sexual nature in August and September of 2021.

The injured party told prosecution barrister Shane Geraghty and the jury that, in 2020, she was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), more commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and that she had attended Mr Reillys practice on the recommendation of a friend.



She attended two appointments with Mr Reilly at Energy Healing Ireland in August of 2021 and said she found the healing helpful and that she was more energetic afterwards.

After her second session, while she had her daughter with her, she said Mr Reilly leaned down to whisper in her ear and asked if shed ever been taken advantage of in the past.



I said yes. He said he could fix that, but Id need to come again and come alone. He said I had sexual blockages and that Id need to come back and clear them through heavy breathing techniques, she said.

The woman booked a third appointment and attended Energy Healing Ireland on September 2, 2021, on her own.

She said Mr Reilly got her to stand up and he was standing extremely close when he asked her to stare into his eyes and breathe downwards.



His voice was getting very stern. I felt like I had to do what he told me to do. He got me to do these deep breaths while staring into his eyes.

Then he got me to repeat the words happiness and oh my god in my head, she said. Mr Reilly then made her put her hands on his bottom.



His face was extremely close. I felt uncomfortable. His voice kept getting louder and louder. Then he got me to make a moaning sound as well. His hands were below my belly button, going lower towards my pubic bone, she said.

His tone was getting more and more forceful. He sounded frustrated and annoyed with me and he said I had to relax or it wouldnt work. Then he made me put my hands on his upper thighs, near his groin area.



He was trying to get me to move my hands upwards, while breathing deeply and repeating those things in my head and staring into his eyes.

I felt dizzy and intimidated and sick. He said it wont work if I dont do this. It reached the point where my hands reached his groin area and I could feel he had an erection, the woman recalled, saying she was feeling sick, confused, fearful and disgusted, while frozen in a state of disbelief and shock.



She said she didnt know what was going on and that she felt dizzy, exhausted and in a cold sweat.

She felt like she couldnt say no to what he was telling her to do.

When other clients came in the front door, she said Mr Reilly moved her to the sofa, which couldnt be seen through the window of the consultation room door. He told her to lie down and he continued to rub her lower stomach, telling her she still had five blockages.



He looked into my eyes and asked me what I liked sexually, while he still had my hands at his crotch area. I was too shocked to say, but I told him I liked surprises. I meant in a relationship, not sexually - like flowers and romantic things.

He said I bet you werent expecting this today - this was a surprise, and he brought me into the darker, back room, where theres a little kitchen or utility area. He said come on back here, and got me to face the sink, she added.



He pulled my arms behind my back and he said now are you surprised, is this a surprise? I felt horrified, extremely exhausted and I was wondering if it was ever going to end. I was disgusted.

She said it ended because the receptionist waved through the glass on the door once or twice to gesture that other clients were waiting.



Mr Reilly told her she would need another appointment, that it didnt work and that she could book in for any time and hed change his schedule around for her. He also said she could call him any time.

During his cross examination of the witness, Gerard Groarke BL, for the defence, put it to the injured party that Mr Reilly had been receiving treatment for sciatica and erectile dysfunction at a GP practice.



However, later in the trial, following inquiries by investigating member, Detective Garda John Gormally, it was revealed that Mr Reilly was attending a chiropodist for his sciatica, not a GP, and while notes were taken during some treatment sessions regarding erectile dysfunction, the treatment he was receiving was not specifically for that.

Mr Reilly was arrested and questioned by Detective Garda Orla Gilmartin and Detective Garda John Gormally and explained that his work as an energy healer meant he could lock the aura and remove negative energy, as well as channelling energy into clients.



He told Gardai that the injured partys complaints were lies'' and that he was the victim in the situation. In his second interview he said I think shes nuts to be honest, coming in and whinging about stuff all the time.

He asked when the complainant had reported the incident and, when he was told it was reported a few days after it happened, he said if someone is used to being sexually abused, they should report it immediately.



When asked what he meant by used to being abused, Mr Reilly said that according to her, shes been sexually abused all her life, adding that if thats happening someone isnt going to be surprised when it happens again.

He said he could tell the injured party was telling him lies about being sexually abused as a child because he could see her energy going over and back.



Peoples hormones are sitting on the middle of their shoulders. When theres a lot going on in that persons life, Ill see them moving, Mr Reilly told Shane Geraghty BL from the witness box.

However, he accepted he was wrong about the injured partys past abuse. The jury, having heard from a number of witnesses on both the prosecution and defence sides of the room, returned unanimous guilty verdicts on both on the indictment after deliberating for almost three hours.



No application was made to remand Mr Reilly in custody, with a suggestion that he sign on twice weekly and conduct only remote energy healing consultations. However, Judge Connolly said he was really very, very uncomfortable with that.

The matter occurred almost three years ago, he said, and the injured party has been obliged to come to court, give evidence and be subject to a cross-examination.



I have rarely witnessed a stranger defence in that I felt I was being transported back to the Victorian era, where it seemed if anyone wore a skirt with a slit or waved through a door would be subject to a sexual assault, said Judge Connolly.

I felt Mr Reilly didnt take the matter at all seriously and the defence at time was farcical.



Mr Reilly has been remanded in custody to November 5, 2024, when he will reappear for sentence.
We were so jealous of Crocs' new kids range - turns out they have adult versions, too
FOXBOROUGH - Jerod Mayo has a pretty good handle on what the Patriots need to do to draw in top-end talent from the outside.

He knows the ticket to getting out of free-agent jail, which is where the Patriots currently reside.
FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots promising young receiving corps was at the heart of the decision to cut ties with veteran wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster.

At least, that was the gist of Jerod Mayos explanation when asked the rationale behind releasing Smith-Schuster.
(*This is one of a series of occasional columns examining the issues that are important to Massachusetts voters in 2024.)

This statue of an elk, at a memorial off State Route 2 in Berkshire County, greets motorists high in the mountains (MassLive/John L. Micek).John L. Micek

Its just past 1 p.m. on a Wednesday in downtown North Adams. The air is cool, and the sun is fighting its way through the clouds.

Cars roll slowly up the wide Main Street in this Berkshire County community, pop. 12,961. A handful of people dart in and out of an eclectic array of mostly empty shops and cafes.

At what should be the lunch rush, its quiet. The mountains above, impossibly green, and impossibly high, stare down impassively.

Hours later, as shes walking her dog down Main Street, under a full sun thats banished the clouds, Michelle Marrocco reflected on her adopted hometown.

She moved to North Adams a decade ago from the Boston area. Theres a lot she loves about it. But she sees the problems, too.

There are jobs, Marrocco, 32, who works at a pet-sitting and dog-training business called Berkshire Pup People, said. But the jobs that pay well, and can support a single person, are not readily available.

The fight for rural America will be a crucial one as Republican former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee, barrel toward Election Day.

Here in Berkshire County, the challenges rural voters face are evident in the numbers.

North Adams median household income of $49,525 lags both the Berkshire County median of $74,176 and the statewide median of $94,488, according to U.S. Census data.

Berkshire Countys 11.9% poverty rate exceeded the statewide rate of 10.4%, based on 2022 Census data.

The countys unemployment rate in June was 3.9%, a shade higher than the statewide rate of 3.2%.

For some here, housing and transportation costs devour about 45% of their income, making it one of the most expensive regions in the state, according to one analysis.

The welcome sign outside the Community & Senior Center in Florida, Mass., in Berkshire County. (John L. Micek/MassLive)John L. Micek

A little more than eight miles, and several thousand feet in elevation away, Joyce, Susan, and Joan were wrapping up an exercise class at the senior and community center in the tiny town of Florida.

Florida, pop. 694, is tucked away on a corner of State Route 2, which twists and winds through the middle of the Berkshires.

The community is mostly retirees who came here for what Joyce, who like her friends, declined to give her last name, described as its self-reliant lifestyle.

Theyre mostly conservative, Joyce said of her friends and neighbors.

But that, too, comes at a price. A trip to the grocery store means a drive down the hill and around a hairpin turn into North Adams.

The same is true for medical care. But the three women said their neighbors sometimes travel across the border to Vermont if the need is serious enough.

Like Marrocco, they said good jobs are scarce. And housing in Berkshire County is pricey. And that keeps young families away.

A local real estate agents window provided a glimpse into the areas housing market. A three-bedroom, one-bathroom home in Florida is listed at $235,000. A single-family home in North Adams, meanwhile, tips in at $410,000.

Those numbers are likely to inspire jealousy in the eyes of Boston-area homebuyers, where those kinds of prices are nonexistent. But here in the mountains, its still pretty steep.

Conversations across the Berkshires that cut across generations and party loyalties, yielded the same descriptions of the poverty of opportunity, notably the lack of access to mental health services, that not even the striking vistas could ameliorate.

Everything is stressful, for sure, Ralph Brill, 80, said as he puttered in an artists loft building at the edge of downtown. Berkshire County has a high suicide rate. Im concerned that theres not enough support.

County leaders acknowledged the challenge in a 2023 report.

Opioid-related deaths have continued to rise in Berkshire County. Suicide rates have also increased, a potential indicator that mental health issues have worsened in the region, they wrote.

A new rehab center, set to open in a former nursing home, aims to address substance abuse issues in the county, with up to 65 available beds, according to The Berkshire Eagle newspaper.

A view of Mass MoCA in downtown North Adams.

But its not all bad news. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, or MassMoCa, is on the edge of downtown North Adams.

Its gained a national reputation. Thats thanks, in no small part, to the rock band Wilco, which holds its annual Solid Sound festival on the museums grounds.

On a good day, Joan, from the senior center in Florida, said she could hear the music from her house. But she and her friends also argued that locals arent seeing much benefit. Tourists come in for the music  then they leave.

Rural voters, such as those in Berkshire County, played a key role in Trumps prior campaigns for the White House in 2016 and 2020.

The Republican took 62% of the vote among small-town and rural voters in 2016, compared to Democrat Hillary Clintons 34%, according to a Pew Research Center analysis.

Eight years later, Trump had seen his margins eroded. Shortly before his exit from the race, President Joe Biden held a 2-point lead with that same constituency in a June Fox News poll.

Harris, who replaced Biden at the top of the ticket last month, has said through her campaign, that her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will help to further blunt Trumps appeal among rural voters.

In the Berkshires, Harris may not have as much to worry about. Biden carried both Florida and North Adams four years ago.

Trump, meanwhile, won tiny Monroe, hard against the Vermont border, four years ago. The rest of the county is deep blue.

But even with that support, Democrats arent taking votes for granted, state Democratic Party Chairperson Steve Kerrigan told MassLive.

Were excited to get their support, but we understand that it requires a focus on leveling the playing field for them, Kerrigan, who serves on the Select Board in rural Lancaster, in Worcester County, said.

Kerrigan pointed to efforts by the Healey administration, including the states free school meals program, and a Rural Affairs office, helmed by former state Sen. Anne Gobi, among other efforts, as evidence of that commitment on the state level.

Harris, with her choice of the plainspoken Walz, also demonstrated her commitment to rural Americans, he added.

If you live west of [Route] 128 youre not forgotten, he said.

Bay State Republicans, meanwhile, have pointed to the GOPs resurgence, powered by what theyve described as pragmatic solutions, and legislative wins, such as the election of state Sen. Peter Durant, R-Worcester/Hampshire, who flipped Democrat Gobis former seat last year.

Our candidates are focused on addressing the concerns of everyday residents, statewide GOP Chairperson Amy Carnevale, and veteran activists Ron Kaufman and Janet R. Fogarty, wrote in a June commentary for The Boston Herald. Our candidates are focused on addressing the concerns of everyday residents.

We understand the challenges inherent in Massachusetts politics and have tailored our strategy accordingly, they wrote, referring to the Democrats electoral advantages in Massachusetts. By concentrating our resources on high-priority races, we aim to maximize our impact in the Legislature.

For her part, Marrocco is looking ahead to Election Day.

At this point, its anyone but Trump, she said.

Up the mountain, in Florida, there are votes for Trump.

Eighty-five days remain until Election Day.

https://advancelocal.arcpublishing.com/composer/story/v2/edit/2W5RUSNZXVGVHCZHYQHJL3CUWM
A scientific expedition team of Chinese and foreign scientists set sail on Saturday from Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, to conduct a 45-day scientific mission in the Western Pacific Ocean.

According to Xu Xuewei, chief scientist of the mission and deputy director of the National Deep Sea Center, the team will conduct its mission in the Magellan Seamounts in the Western Pacific Ocean, which is regarded as a priority area for future deep-sea biodiversity conservation.

Jiaolong, China's deep-sea manned submersible, is scheduled to make 18 dives to collect deep-sea organisms, seawater and sediments, so as to deepen the understanding of the unique ecosystems and environments of seamounts.

Tang Dongmei, a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources, said at the launch ceremony that the China-led Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Program had gained the support and participation of 39 countries.

As the first international voyage under the program, the expedition involves scientists from Canada, Spain, Colombia and other countries and regions.
Paris has long been associated with romance, art and unique charm. This makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

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However, there are other cities that offer no less exciting experiences and emotions. Hannah Bennett, Head of Travel at TikTok, spoke about one of them.

A new trend has recently emerged in the travel world - tourists are looking for places that offer an atmosphere similar to popular destinations but with smaller crowds and a more affordable price. Such "cheat code" destinations are becoming increasingly popular thanks to social media, particularly TikTok, where users actively share their discoveries and inspire others to travel.

In recent years, it has become clear that Paris is not the only city capable of capturing a tourist's heart. Although the French capital remains at the peak of popularity, travelers are discovering other parts of Europe that are not inferior in their charm and richness of cultural heritage. One of these cities is Bruges.

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Bruges

Bruges, the capital of West Flanders, is located in the northwest of Belgium. This city fascinates with its canals, cobblestone streets and medieval buildings that give it an exceptional look of medieval Europe, where every corner of the city keeps the memory of the past centuries. A lot of work has been done to preserve this heritage, and the entire city center has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

One of the most attractive features of Bruges is its romantic atmosphere and slow pace of life. The city is ideal for those who like to leisurely stroll the streets, admire architectural masterpieces and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Tourists can explore the city on foot, visiting its sights, or go for a walk along the water canals.

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The architecture of Bruges is distinguished by its Gothic style with elements of the brick Middle Ages. Like Paris, this city has also been heavily influenced by art. As a result, both places retain a romantic charm that attracts travelers from all over the world.

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BOSTON  The Red Sox acquired left-hander James Paxton before last months trade deadline in an effort to bolster their pitching staff. Now, it looks like Paxton could miss some time.

Paxton left his start Sunday after just two outs (five pitches) with what appeared to be an injury to his right leg. According to the Red Sox, its a right calf strain, though theres fear its worse. Paxton was on crutches in the clubhouse postgame and will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity.

Paxton got Yordan Alvarez to hit a grounder toward first base but couldnt cover first base as Dom Smith fielded the ball. Paxton collapsed to one knee near the mound and grabbed the inside of his right leg/calf. Manager Alex Cora and a team trainer immediately came out to the mound to see Paxton, who could barely walk off the mound under his own power.

I just felt like I got kicked in the calf, Paxton said. I turned around and took another step and felt it again. I was like, Oh, its not good. Its my calf. I felt it pop.

Reliever Lucas Sims was brought in to replace Paxton, who faced just three batters. The injury came at a particularly bad time for the Red Sox, who used four pitchers (including Josh Winckowski for three innings and Brad Keller for four) in a bullpen game Saturday, a 5-4 loss. The teams starting pitching depth has been tested in recent days with Nick Pivetta having his rotation spot skipped due to arm fatigue and his expected replacement, Cooper Criswell, going on the COVID injured list after getting sick.

Paxton, who made 19 starts for the Red Sox last season, was re-acquired in a July 26 trade that sent prospect Moises Bolivar to the Dodgers, who had designated Paxton for assignment earlier in the week. In two starts for the Sox since the deal, the lefty had posted a 4.35 ERA, allowing five earned runs and 11 hits in 10 innings. He allowed two earned runs on five hits in six innings in his last start against the Royals on Aug. 5.

Paxtons next start was scheduled for Friday in Baltimore. If he has to miss any time, the Red Sox could re-install Criswell (who cant return until Friday) in their rotation or the club could look to a Triple-A option like Quinn Priester, Richard Fitts or Zach Penrod. An outside reinforcement could come in the way of Rich Hill, who at 44 is a free agent looking for a team and threw a showcase for scouts Friday in Waltham. The Red Sox were represented at that showcase.

Heres a full rundown of all the depth options who could step up.
* Sometime soon, perhaps as soon as later this week, the Red Sox will get Triston Casas back on their active roster and Casas will rightfully again become the everyday first baseman.

In theory, that could put Dom Smiths roster spot in some jeopardy. The Red Sox have others  Romy Gonzalez and Connor Wong  who can ably fill in at first base, leaving Smith without a natural spot in the field. With only four spots for position player reserves, the Red Sox have to value versatility.
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) plans to double its financing of intra-African trade from US$20 billion in 2021 to US$40 billion by 2026, Mr. Haytham ElMaayergi, Afreximbanks Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, has said.

Mr. ElMaayergi was addressing participants and guests in Abuja at the African Caucus Meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), from August 1  3, 2024 where he represented Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank. Attended mainly by ministers of finance and Central Bank Governors from across Africa, the meeting had the theme Facilitating Intra-African Trade: Catalyst for Sustainable Development in Africa, and was aimed at identifying key challenges facing Africa in achieving full integration and at engaging in strategic dialogues to engender sustainable solutions.

Mr. ElMaayergi said that Afreximbank had been a champion in facilitating intra-African trade since its founding and that it had committed US$1 billion to support the funding of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund and a US$10-million grant to facilitate the establishment and operationalisation of that fund.

The Bank is also partnering with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the African Union Commission (AUC) to ensure a successful implementation of the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System, the African Trade Gateway and the Afreximbank African Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme, he continued.

Mr. ElMaayergi noted that Nigeria was a key founding member of the Bank and had continued to play a critical role in its growth and success as its second largest shareholder, adding that Afreximbank had also played a critical role in supporting the countrys development agenda.

Since inception in 1993, the Bank has approved over US$40 billion in support of Nigerian public and private sector entities, he said, adding that it was currently implementing several of its flagship continental initiatives in the country, including the African Medical Centre of Excellence and the Afreximbank African Trade Centre.

Highlighting the existence of several other continental multilateral financial institutions created to help address the critical financing gaps in Africa and facilitate trade, with privileges and capitalisation granted them in order to enable them to fulfil their mandates, Mr. ElMaayergi indicated that it was to enhance their effectiveness that the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) was launched, in collaboration with the AUC, on the margins of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa in February.

He noted that the AU had recognized African multilateral financial institutions as crucial for strengthening the continental financial framework and advancing the AUs Agenda 2063 and called on the meeting participants to reaffirm their commitment to those institutions. He urged the World Bank and the IMF to work with AAMFI in addressing the continents challenges.

Most especially, we call on you to reaffirm that the special privileges and immunities that you have given these institutions, including the preferred creditor status, are essential for addressing the continents development needs, and to call upon all stakeholders to respect the treaty obligations you have made to these institutions, added Mr. ElMaayergi.

The membership of AAMFI currently includes: Africa Finance Corporation; Afreximbank; Trade and Development Bank Group; African Reinsurance Corporation; African Trade and Investment Development Insurance; Shelter Afrique Development Bank; PTA Reinsurance Company; East African Development Bank; and African Solidarity Fund.
When the 27th edition of Africa Tech Festival kicks off on 12 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, the spotlight will be on the exceptional women shaping the future of technology and telecoms in Africa.

With August marking the celebration of Womens Month in the host country, the event will proudly showcase many of the women leaders driving growth and innovation across the sector.

Taking place from 12 to 14 November, Africa Tech Festival 2024 incorporates AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, which will welcome a cumulative 15,000 visitors, more than 400 speakers, and over 300 exhibitors as it explores enterprise tech innovation and disruption across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud and data centres, and green ICT.

As the continents leading platform for technology innovators, specialists, and thought leaders, Africa Tech Festival 2024s agenda includes several prominent female leaders who are making a significant contribution to the industry. Their expertise and insights will provide invaluable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Africa Tech Festival provides the continents tech ecosystems with a unique platform from which to collaborate and drive positive change. Building a more inclusive, sustainable world means uniting the worlds most inspirational founders, business leaders, policymakers, investors, and rising stars, so we are delighted to see so many inspirational female tech executives featured in this years speaker line-up. As we celebrate Womens Month, we look forward to their unique insights and contributions, said Informas James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.

Organisers are confident that the presence of these female industry leaders at Africa Tech Festival will provide impetus to efforts by the industry to be more inclusive, highlighting the opportunities available to women in various sectors, providing insights for women wishing to embark on tech and telecoms careers, and showcasing the successes and contributions of women making their mark within the industry.

Events such as Africa Tech Festival provide a platform for women to network and to gain exposure to more accomplished women in tech. These role models provide inspiration to women starting out in their careers that they can break the glass ceiling, said Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne, who will be participating in the Big Tech and Telcos: Collaborating on Digital Infrastructure Investment keynote panel.

Speaking on the importance of mentorship for women entering the industry, Mary Mahuma, CIO, Southern Africa, Philip Morris said, As a female industry leader, I see mentorship as a necessary reminder of our social responsibility to be empathetic, driven, inclusive, and resilient leaders. I am fortunate to have a female mentor who has significantly influenced my leadership style, thinking, and understanding of corporate dynamics and culture. Mary will be a panellist on the Nurturing Talent and Bridging Skills Gap: Building a Future-Ready Workforce in the Age of AI panel.

Womens contributions are significantly transforming the telecoms and technology landscape in Africa through innovation, leadership, and advocacy. Their contributions are not only advancing the industry but also driving social and economic development across the continent. By fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and advocating for inclusive policies, these women are transforming the tech landscape in Africa, added Motunrayo Opayinka, Founder and CEO, Womenovate. Motunrayo will share her insights on the Educational Equity Through AI: Tools for Advancing Education in Underserved Areas panel.

In addition, EQL:LOUNGE creates a space for women in tech to connect directly, and engage in meaningful dialogue, with high-calibre speakers in intimate settings hosting panel discussions, keynote addresses, and fireside chats. Taking place the evening before the event opens, InspiringFifty Africa is a prestigious awards ceremony focusing on recognising the top fifty women making significant strides within the African tech ecosystem.
The economic impact of gambling on national economies has been astronomical from 2020 -2024, according to the latest Statista research. The online gambling market alone is expected to generate an impressive US$97.70 billion by the end of 2024, with an annual growth rate of 6.46% projected to push the market volume to US$133.60 billion by 2029.

We looked at the top 5 revenue generating countries in online gambling. It was evident that gambling tax is revolutionizing national economies, fueling vital public services, and spearheading major community and environmental projects. In fact, it has had a profound and life-changing impact globally, showcasing how crucial this revenue stream is for societal well-being and sustainable development, said Miranda Raaff, MDC Head of iGaming Information.

Top 5 revenue-generating countries in online gambling 2024:


Merck Foundations Rasha Kelej marks World Infertility Awareness Month at the World Infertility Awareness Summit (WIAS)2024 through releasing the first Animation Film to raise awareness about infertility in Africa.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KgaA Germany and Africa Reproductive Care society (ARCS) together conducted the Third Edition of World Infertility Awareness Summit (WIAS) 2024. The Summit was co-chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of More Than a Mother Campaign and also Chairperson of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) together with Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and also The Nigerian Academy of Medicine Specialties.

It was attended by Dr. Edem Hiadzi, Immediate past President of the Fertility Society Of Ghana (FERSOG); Prof. Justin E. MBOLOKO, Immediate Past President, Inter-African Fertility Research and Application Study Group (GIERAF) and Dr. Moustapha Thiam, Obstetrician Gynecologist IVF President, Senegal. This summit is conducted annually to mark the world fertility awareness month and raise awareness about infertility stigma, male infertility and infertility prevention in Africa and beyond.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, We marked World Fertility Awareness Month with our Merck Foundation Alumni, fertility and reproductive care experts, presidents of fertility societies and members of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and our media partners through 3rd Merck Foundation World Infertility Awareness Summit.

The summit is part of our efforts towards raising awareness about infertility. especially male infertility, and to sensitizing communities to end the stigma associated with infertility and empower infertile women & couples through access to information, education, health and change of mindset.

I am very proud to share that we, at Merck Foundation, have provided till today more than 574 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual & Reproductive care to young doctors from 39 different countries in Africa and Asia.

Many of our Alumni are trained to be the first local experts in their countries, where they never used to have local embryologists or fertility specialists before our program, such as The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo and more. Dr. Kelej added.

During the program, Merck Foundation showcased their animation film More Than a Mother, adapted from their storybook, to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future.

Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility & Reproductive care across Africa and beyond. She explained.

Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) said, Infertility has a great psychological impact on the women suffering from infertility stigma due to emotional and physical distress caused to her. In some cases, women also go through physical and psychological violence and lacks the family support. Infertility is not only a medical issue but also a social issue and emotional issue. It is imperative that the community is informed and educated about the issue.

Infertility can be preventive by adopting various measures like switching to a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

I appreciate the efforts of Merck Foundation for breaking the stigma around infertility and also raising awareness through various campaigns and efforts around infertility stigma. He emphasized.

The objectives of the Summit were:

To raise awareness about infertility especially male infertility.

To highlight preventive measure in infertility in Africa and developing countries.

To discuss the challenges and define solutions to improve access to quality and equitable Infertility, Sexual & Reproductive Care via building healthcare capacity and raising community awareness.

Define interventions to break infertility stigma around women and couples.

The online program was attended by over 350 participants including Merck Foundation partners and Alumni who are future Fertility Specialists, Reproductive and Sexual Care Specialists, and Embryologists, Healthcare Providers, Policy Makers, and Media Professionals from over 25 countries in Africa and beyond, and over 4500 online viewers on our social media platforms. The experts answered questions from the media.

It was conducted under Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, a historic movement that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility.

According to WHO data, more than 180 million couples in developing countries  that is 1 in every 4 couple, suffer from infertility. In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma. Women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and the social stigma of childlessness, especially for women leads to isolation and stigmatization and results in discrimination and ostracism. This mostly also leads to divorce or physical or psychological violence. As a part of More Than a Mother Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3200 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women.
Le groupe bancaire suisse Syz, est reconnu pour lexcellence de sa gestion de portefeuille et de fonds dinvestissement, ainsi que pour ses produits et services de banque privee. Cette nouvelle etape cle vise a renforcer et a enrichir les services offerts aux clients de Strategia en tirant parti de lexpertise et de lexperience de Syz en matiere de solutions dinvestissement et de gestion de patrimoine.

Dilshaad Bundhun et Didier Merle, partenaires au sein de Strategia Wealth Managers, ont exprime leur enthousiasme en declarant :

 Syz, en tant que fournisseur de solutions dinvestissement repute, dote dune solide experience et dune equipe de gestionnaires de portefeuille chevronnes, etait un choix strategique evident. Au fil des annees, lapproche disciplinee et personnalisee de la Banque Syz sest averee precieuse pour obtenir des performances solides pour leurs clients. Nous sommes convaincus que la richesse de leur expertise apportera encore plus de valeur a loffre de services de Strategia, tant au niveau qualitatif quau niveau quantitatif .

Cofondee en 1996 par Eric Syz, la Banque Syz sest donnee pour mission doffrir a ses clients une alternative aux banques privees suisses traditionnelles. Grace a ses conseils avises en matiere dinvestissement, elle sest forgee une reputation de banque privee familiale de confiance. La banque a notamment ete recompensee par de nombreux prix, dont celui de la  Best Private Banking Boutique  lors des Global Private Banking Awards pendant plusieurs annees consecutives. Ces prix, organises par PWM (Professional Wealth Management) et The Banker, deux publications reputees du groupe Financial Times, recompensent lexcellence en gestion de patrimoine.

A cette occasion, Charles-Henry Monchau, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) chez Banque Syz, a souligne limportance du partenariat avec Strategia dans lexpansion de leur presence en Afrique, notamment a Maurice :  Grace a Strategia, nous allons renforcer nos liens avec lAfrique et developper  Syz as a Service , une solution permettant aux gestionnaires de fortune et dactifs independants dameliorer leur offre grace a un soutien a linvestissement sur mesure fourni par Syz.

Le rapport Africa Wealth Report 2024 de Henley & Partners classe Maurice au sixieme rang des pays africains comptant le plus grand nombre de HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals). Avec des perspectives economiques prometteuses ainsi quun potentiel de croissance et de mobilite, Maurice et le continent africain offrent des opportunites significatives. Le fait de proposer nos services de CIO a une institution reputee comme Strategia renforcera la reconnaissance de notre marque et la confiance dont nous jouissons dans la region .

Outre sa banque privee, le groupe familial opere Syz Capital, qui offre aux investisseurs un acces aux investissements alternatifs tels que les marches prives, et Syz Asset Management, qui se concentre sur la gestion dactifs dinvestisseurs institutionnels suisses en obligations et en instruments du marche monetaire, fournissant une gamme complete de services financiers a ses clients.
The day after he announced publicly that he was not going to seek another term in the Dail, Michael Rings desk started to overflow with good luck and thank you letters. His phones memory was under pressure to cope with the amount of text and WhatsApp messages sent from constituents and supporters from across Ireland.

I got thousands of messages and cards and emails from all around the county. People who I did work for 20 and 25 years ago havent forgotten about me and sent me wonderful messages, he told The Mayo News.

After months of Will he, wont he? speculation, Ring finally announced that he would be stepping down as a TD at the end of the current Dail, bringing 45 years of political life to a close.

There is no point pretending; of course I will miss it. I have been at it for 45 years and it is part of my life. I have been going day and night for the last 45 years, and I know nothing else but being out there and doing the work and that needs to be done, said the 70 year old.

It will be strange but I have to look forward. In my opinion the election will be in November, so we will keep the show going until then and the minute the Dail is dissolved I am out and that is it then.







The beginnings

Rings life in politics began when he was in his mid-20s, when Patrick Durcan and Jackie Gibbons called to his home in 1979 to try and persuade him to run in that years Westport Urban District Council election for Fine Gael.

The grandnephew of Joe Ring, a local IRA leader in the War of Independence who lost his life as a Free State Soldier in Co Sligo during the Civil War, Ring was from the right political gene pool to run for Fine Gael but at the time had little interest in running.

I was selling bread and after building a new house with a young family and after getting married. When I thought about it I said I would not have time for this [politics]. I was getting up at six oclock in the morning and working til 6 or 7 in the evening and how would I do it.

He was eventually persuaded to put his name on the ballot paper, the first of many to come.

I remember that election clearly. Sean Staunton topped the poll and I got 216 first preference votes. I fought Dail elections, by-elections and council elections, but the most difficult election was always the urban because there were always over 20 candidates and difficult campaigns to win, but they were really enjoyable.

I loved the urban council. When you think of the quality of people we had on the town council. We had fantastic people. Seamus Hughes, Patrick Durcan, Maragret Adams, JP Campbell, Ollie Gannon and wonderful people who were very committed to the town and to politics. We would have the odd row in the council but there would be no row over Westport, and when it came to the town and making decisions for the town we got it nearly always right, he said.

Ring served as an urban district councillor for 15 years before he was elected to Dail Eireann, and believes that his apprenticeship served him well when he reached Leinster House and later sat in government.







Local government

A firm advocate of local government, he has gone on the record this week as saying the abolition of the town councils in 2014 was the biggest mistake the government made. He admits to being frustrated with how local government is being run and believes some councillors are serving officials rather than the people.

What is wrong with some councillors and TDs is they think the officials are elected, but they are selected and we are elected. The county councillors are the board of directors who decide what goes on, but instead it is the executive who decide what goes on, and that is not good enough. It is something which needs to be looked at from top to bottom.

There are some very good councillors who are not afraid to speak their mind and say what they have to say. It is not about being disrespectful, but it cannot be all one sided; all sides have to be respected. The elected representative is the one they should be listened to, but instead it is some of the officials who are dictating to the elected representatives.

And I do blame the media for that I blame the national media because they could not give out and blame politicians enough. They were the ones who started the campaign to take the power away from politicians, he said.

He cites the abolition of the health boards as another example of public representatives no longer being able to hold officials to account, a situation he believes has led to a worse health system.

We are supposed to be advanced and everything is supposed to be instant. When you pick up the phone to any State agency what do you get; press one, two or three and after an hour you still dont get anyone to answer. We have gone backwards.

We might think we are more sophisticated, but I will tell you what happened. We are less in touch with people, he said.







Social media

After being involved in politics for 45 years, Ring has built up a strong base. There is not a town or village in Mayo where he doesnt know someone who he can call to advise him of the lie of the land.

However, in recent years, he has noticed that more people are not engaging in the political system, and he is worried for the future of local democracy.

People are not prepared to get involved in politics, which is a pity because it is serious for democracy. Whether we like it or not democracy is at a crossroads at the moment. Facebook and that stuff is destroying democracy and peoples confidence in politicians, he said.

Facebook and other social media is a big bugbear for Ring, who fears that misinformation being spread on various online platforms has for too long been left unregulated and needs to be reined in.

I was on social media but I got off them after the last election, and it was the happiest day of my life. I dont look at negativity all the time because if I was to be looking I would not get out of bed in the morning.

Social media is uncontrolled, and if something is not done at European and world level and at national level then God help young parents today. God help anybody who has young children and the temptation and pressure they are under.

We dont know whats coming into these phones now. Something has to be done to control this. Wait til this AI [artificial intelligence] gets further advanced. We wont know whats true and what is lies.



Putting in the work

In the six general elections Ring has fought, he has averaged a first preference vote of 11,800. It came to a stage where his political rivals in Mayo knew there was no point in attacking him, as there would be only one winner.

When questioned on his popularity among the public, Ring puts it down to simply working hard and getting out and listening to people. He believes that politics is still about meeting people and representing them, but he does not believe the new generation of TDs are prepared to put in that work.

I will tell you one thing: they dont want to work like we did and dont want to do what we did and put the time we put into it. They want to be ministers the minute they are in the door and that is it. That is part of the problem.

I was nine-and-half years as a minister, and thanks be to God I got in clean and got out clean. The one thing I tell you, in the last government and the government before it, every minister got into trouble, but I was lucky enough. What stood to me is I understood how politics worked because I was a town councillor and a county councillor, and I was 17 years in opposition and a spokesperson on many topics, and some I did not know a lot about.

It is like any job, it is an apprenticeship. I had the experience. I find that some of the sitting TDs now go in and get ministries when they never had council experience and it is a disadvantage to them.







Family man

Behind every great man there is a great woman, and there is no denying that in Rings case his wife, Ann, has been a driving force behind his electoral success. She has managed his constituency office unpaid for 30 years, and he knows that without her by his side he would not be able to do half what he has achieved.

I have the best team in Ireland, the three best workers. They are the three most capable ladies I ever come across across. Maggie Lyons and Suzanne my daughter are so capable and multi-talented; there is nothing they are not capable of doing, and they know how I think. I couldnt do without the team.

If you were given the job of running the health service, Ann would make a job of it and it wouldnt be the mess it is.
Mayo University Hospital would like to advise all patients, staff and visitors that from August 19, it will further reinforce its 'Smoke Free Campus' policy to emphasise its dedication to a healthy environment and illustrate the hospital's ongoing journey to being a smoke and vape-free campus.

In the interest of the health and wellbeing of both the hospital community and the wider Mayo population, the hospital is applying a zero tolerance approach to smoking on hospital grounds and is seeking the support of the local community to help achieve this.

All patients, visitors and staff are expected to comply with Mayo University Hospitals Smoke Free Campus Policy while on site.

In exceptional circumstances, an exception to the policy may be granted to a patient or family member and a designated de-escalation area has been identified for this reason primarily, in accordance with the HSE Tobacco Free Campus Policy.

New signage has been erected across the grounds of the hospital, and there will be information / support stands in the foyer of the hospital from August 20 -22 highlighting the negative impacts of smoking on health and promoting the benefits of smoking cessations.

Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager said: Hospitals should be a hub of healing. As healthcare professionals, we should do everything within our power to keep people well; to help patients recover from illness and injury and to support them in managing long term health conditions. Smoking anywhere near the hospital campus goes against all of these ambitions.

Smoking actively harms patients and while I strongly believe in a zero tolerance to smoking on the grounds of MUH, the team and I here want this approach to be supportive and positive. We have included access to support information on our signage and also for our patients, including replacement therapies while an inpatient.

I am asking the entire Mayo community to get behind this campaign to help reduce the harms caused by smoking for people who come to our hospital. We want to create a meaningful change which will improve health and wellbeing outcomes for the wider Mayo population for generations to come.

Dominic Doyle, Respiratory Consultant at Mayo University Hospital added: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease. We aim to de-normalise tobacco use and support people to quit smoking. Patients, visitors and staff in Mayo University Hospital have a legal right to a smoke-free environment.

Cllr Donna Sheridan, Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, said: As part of Mayo County Council, Castlebar Municipal District is fully supporting Mayo University Hospitals smoke and vape-free campus initiative and it aligns with our goal of fostering a healthy community.

The environments in which we live, work, and receive care must be conducive to health and wellbeing. It is encouraging to see such a collaborative effort to prioritise health. We fully endorse this initiative and recognise the importance of maintaining smoke-free environments, particularly in public spaces. Our goal is to cultivate a culture of health and respect for our shared spaces, ensuring a better quality of life for all residents.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe OBrien TD, last week announced the publication of the report on the Review of the Rural Social Scheme.

The announcement coincided with a visit by Minister OBrien to the South West Mayo Partnership Company to view first hand some of the work that is undertaken on the scheme.

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support scheme that provides part-time employment opportunities for farmers who receive specific social welfare payments. There are almost 3,000 people currently participating in the RSS, with a budget of 52 million for 2024.

The purpose of this review was to examine the role of the RSS, its ongoing relevance to the changing landscape, the funding and resourcing required along with the appropriate governance/management arrangements. The review has been wide ranging and examined all aspects of the scheme including its rationale, societal impact and sustainability.

The RSS review has been informed by an extensive consultation process, including participants, supervisors, implementing bodies and project sponsors, as well as Government Departments and industry representative bodies. This review utilised trend analysis, a survey, public consultation and in-person workshop events to gain the perspective of all stakeholders and the general public.

Key findings from the review include: The RSS provides an important social inclusion and income support function for low-income farmers and fisherpersons; The RSS delivers key community services including the maintenance of sporting facilities, community recreation areas and way-marked walking routes to rural communities; Declining participation since 2019 is causing a concern that rural communities may be left without key community services.

Pictured with Minister O'Brien in Newport, from left: Frank McNeela (RSS Supervisor, SWMDC); Padraic McLoughlin, Fran McDonnell (Chairperson of Newport Tidy Towns), Annette McDonnell, Jed Gallagher, John Loftus and Rick Kenny of Newport Tidy Towns. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

Recommendations

The report includes 19 recommendations to address the sustainability of the RSS to continue to provide income support, social inclusion, and service delivery in rural communities.

The report is available at www.gov.ie/RSSReview

Commenting on the launch of the RSS Review, Minister Humphreys said:

As Minister for both Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, I recognise the vital role and the societal benefits that the Rural Social Scheme plays in local communities right across the country.

The RSS supports a range of vital local services such as meals on wheels, the maintenance and upkeep of local amenities and other important work in our communities. The review considered the important role the RSS scheme has played in making it possible for people on low-income to remain in farming and fishing while contributing to their communities. This interconnectedness, between the farming and fishing activity and the local communities has a real value. The outcomes of the review will provide additional flexibility to local schemes and improve the experience of RSS participants, both now and into the future.I thank everyone involved in the review process including the steering group and especially the scheme workers and supervisors who have contributed their experiences and who have inputted to the findings and recommendations.

I am absolutely committed to the Rural Social Scheme and along with Minister OBrien, I am determined that we now begin to implement the many positive recommendations in this report immediately.

Long term future

Minister OBrien commented:

I initiated the review of the RSS because I wanted to help ensure the long term future of the scheme. Over recent years, I have visited several RSS schemes in different counties and it is important to acknowledge the important role and valuable opportunities that the RSS has provided since 2004 to participants and the role they play in supporting the delivery of key services to our local communities across the country.

The level of response to this review is a good indication of the esteem in which the scheme is held in rural communities. It also highlighted the increase in the quality of RSS workers lives through increased income security, the importance in terms of tackling social inclusion and rural isolation and also the value of flexible hours of work thus ensuring that farming and fishing activities are sustained.

I welcome the publication of this report and the recommendations in the report should further support schemes delivering vital services to local communities. My Department will now commence work on examining the recommendations with a view to implementing them as soon as possible.
The terrorist country Russia, which has killed at least 15 Ukrainian civilians, including three children, in two days, has complained about "human rights violations" in the Kursk region. The Russians appealed to the UN to "condemn Ukraine's actions in the Kursk region."

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Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova sent an appeal to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in which she claimed that thousands of civilians had allegedly suffered in the Kursk region. This was reported by Russian propaganda media.

The Russian official complained that a "barbaric attack" had allegedly been committed in the Kursk region. Moskalkova also said that information about the situation will be reflected in the report of the UN Human Rights Office, which is being prepared for release in September.

"I have sent an appeal to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights demanding to condemn Ukraine's terrorism and to take measures to prevent gross mass violations of human rights," Moskalkova cynically stated.

Iryna Vereshchuk, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, said that if Russians started complaining to the UN about the "barbaric attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Kursk region," it only means that Ukraine is doing everything right.

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Russian authorities have declared a federal emergency in the Kursk region and have already evacuated 76,000 people from the border areas.

Earlier, it was reported that the outbreak of active hostilities in the Kursk region showed the weakness of the defense of Russian troops in the border area. At the same time, the attack has become the most serious challenge for dictator Vladimir Putin since the so-called mutiny of the Wagner mercenaries in June 2023.

At the same time, the authorities of the occupying country continue to claim that "nothing critical is happening." Still, more than 76 thousand residents have already been evacuated from the border areas of the Kursk region.

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As a reminder, on the morning of August 11, the Russian terrorist army shelled Kramatorsk in Donetsk region. Civilians were injured in the attack.

The day before, two children were killed in a Russian army strike on a shopping center in Kostiantynivka on August 9. Experts identified the bodies of girls aged 9 and 11.

As reported, a man and a child were killed in Brovary district of Kyiv region as a result of a Russian missile attack on the night of August 11. Debris from a downed enemy missile fell on residential buildings, and people were trapped under the rubble.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
by Tanya Gazdik , August 11, 2024

Nissan is releasing a limited edition record called Driven by Electric Beats.

Created in recognition of National Vinyl Record Day, which is Aug. 12, the record also supports the National Museum of African American Music, which Nissan has partnered with for various culture-uplifting efforts.

Inspired by driving in the morning and evening, the album is a collaboration between Dope Candi and Harold "HB" Burns -- two artists from Nissan's Electric Beats program, an initiative that works with Black musicians to promote diversity in music production.

Limited to just 1,000 copies and priced at $23, the album is available online and in-store at The Groove Nashville and museums Amplify Store.

The album riffs off the success of the "Lofi Girl" animated film, a four-hour, single-shot ride-along of a woman driving an Ariya through a Japan-inspired landscape.

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Earlier this year, MediaPost awarded Nissan for Best Electric Vehicle Campaign for the effort from TBWA\Chiat\Day NY. The brand tapped into the popularity of Lofi videos on YouTube by creating a four-hour-long ad, replacing EV range anxiety with calm serenity. The result at that point was 395 million impressions and growing, 2 million + hours of listening time on the Nissan Lofi content and +7.6% lift in awareness and a 1082% search lift for Nissan Ariya.

Despite its length, viewers keep coming back to watch the video  over 18 million times to date, says Marisstella Marinkovic, vice president and chief marketing officer, Nissan U.S.

There were so many comments about how the music and animation had a calming effect. Marinkovic says in a release. With the 'Driven by Electric Beats' LP project, we wanted to support some fantastic initiatives but also provide vinyl fans with tracks they can turn to for a boost of concentration, motivation or relaxation. That's the amazing quality of music  the ability to bring us together and create positivity all around.

Nissan returned to the lofi genre for the album for the potential wellbeing it can help provide listeners. Studies indicate lofi music helps with concentration, lowers stress and anxiety, and may even improve mental performance.

Printed on the vinyl is a zoetrope pattern that animates while the record spins. Artwork on either side of the picture disc features a man and woman behind the wheel of the Ariya, nodding heads and tapping fingers to the beats.

The two tracks of the album are inspired by morning and evening driving and the dual personality of the Nissan Ariya. Electric Dawn motivates and energizes while Nightscape is calming for the listener to decompress at the end of the day.

At the end of each side, a locked groove contains an audio sample featuring the driving sound of Nissan's all-electric Ariya. This loop plays peacefully until the listener stops the record  an Easter egg made possible by the vinyl format.
by Ray Schultz , August 11, 2024

Four Maine newspapers  The Free Press, The Courier-Gazette, Camden Herald and The Republican  are being consolidated into a single title called The Midcoast Villager.

The combined product will be published by Reade Brower, with Kathleen Fleury Capetta serving as co-publisher.

This change is not a cost-saving move; in fact, it is an investment in creating a more robust, impactful product for our region  because we truly believe the health and well-being of our communities is at stake, Fleury Capetta writes.

She continues, Weve added staff, and in downtown Camden, in 2025, were opening the Villager Cafe  a community cafe that will serve food and host events that bring our articles to life through concerts, discussions and more.

Last year, Brower sold 90% of his Maine publications, including the Portland Press Herald, to the Maine Trust for Local News.




  Trusted Source

Endocrine effects of heat exposure and relevance to climate change



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In 2020 alone, heat waves were responsible for over 296,000 deaths globally, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. #heatwaves #climate

In 2020 alone, heat waves were responsible for over 296,000 deaths globally, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. #heatwaves #climate

Climate-Induced Heat Waves

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Endocrine effects of heat exposure and relevance to climate change - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-024-01017-4)

Climate change-driven heat waves may negatively impact the health of 537 million diabetic adults worldwide, a study finds ().A team of endocrinologists and researchers from the University of Oxford, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Queen Mary University of London argued that as climate change is increasing seasonal temperatures and causing more frequent heat waves, understanding their effects, especially on diabetics, has become more crucial than ever.Hormones play a role in nearly all biological functions -- controlling processes such as conservation of body water, sweating , and heat generation from cell metabolism -- yet the influence of environmental factors on hormone release and action is not well characterized, they said.Lead author Professor Fadil Hannan from the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health at Oxford, UK said "very little" is known about how "increased heat exposure due to climate change could affect endocrine health".Hannan said the research is "important for patients living in hot climates, who may have inadequate access to cooled environments".It may help develop early interventions for endocrine patients most at risk from heat extremes.The team examined a review of studies published from the 1940s onwards which indicates that "heat exposure affects hormones involved in processes ranging from the stress response, blood glucose control, fertility, and breast milk production".The "review highlights the gap in evidence regarding the impact of sustained heat exposure on the endocrine system , which is particularly relevant to the increasing numbers of people living with endocrine conditions such as diabetes mellitus or thyroid disorders " as these people may have limited tolerance to higher temperatures.The researchers noted thatmaking it harder to cool down and increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, and hospitalization for these patients.This in turn "also increases the burden of heat on the health system", they said.Source-IANS
Gendering digital labor: work and family digital communication across 29 countries

The average person spends over 10 hours a day on digital devices, leading to increased rates of anxiety, sleep disorders, and digital fatigue. #women #digitaloverload #technology
Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes for Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024

Todays Birthday (08/11/24). Win amazing results with friends this year. Grow savings with regular collaborative contributions. A lucrative autumn gush fills shared coffers. Monitor news carefully to adjust around changing winter conditions. Divert extra springtime income to savings, before changes reroute your summer itinerary. Teamwork is your superpower.

To get the advantage, check the days rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19)  Today is an 8  Youre more patient with numbers and finances. Talk with your partner and family about shared goals. Write down your commitments and follow through.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)  Today is an 8  Collaborate with your partner. Share tasks and responsibilities. Physical magnetism is part of the fun. Make a lovely discovery together.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)  Today is a 9  Youre getting busy. Make a plan and write it down. Put on some good dancing music and get moving. Physical action gets results.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)  Today is an 8  Relax and enjoy time with family and friends. Pay attention to someone attractive. Share delicious flavors and experiences. Send love letters. Make poetry.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)  Today is a 7  Domestic comforts draw you in. Clean and beautify your space before settling into it. Savor simple homemade pleasures. Share treats with your family.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)  Today is an 8  Get into a fascinating conversation. Brilliant ideas arise and surprise. Passion energizes the discourse. Talk about a subject you love. Word travels fast.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)  Today is a 9  Use your persuasive charms. Wheel and deal. Promote your wares and services. Generate income by connecting and communicating. Follow up by providing excellent work.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)  Today is a 9  Get into a personal project. Polish your brand, appearance and image. Update your profile. Get feedback from respected allies and friends. Dress for success.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)  Today is a 6  Find a quiet space to strategize and make plans. Get productive in peaceful privacy. Imagine perfection. Share thanks with your angels and ancestors.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)  Today is an 8  Teamwork gets results. Share leadership tasks. Plug a financial leak. Meetings and gatherings provide useful solutions. Come together for shared commitments and fun.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)  Today is a 7  A professional challenge has your attention. Actions get farther than expected. Get moving. Figure out what needs to be done. Someone important is watching.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)  Today is a 9  Classes, seminars and trips invite discovery. Explore your subject in depth. Long-distance travel and cultural exchange open your heart and mind. Try something new.

Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Blacks legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like todays Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.

2024 Nancy Black. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
ANN ARBOR, MI -- Every Aug. 10 for the past 42 years, Denise Frazier-Daniel has said a prayer on her daughters birthday, hoping that this would be the year she would see her again.

This year, Frazier-Daniel sent up more than a prayer, ending the first memorial she has held for her long-missing daughter with a butterfly release.

Its closure, but bittersweet closure, said Frazier-Daniel.

Olisa Susan Williams disappeared as an infant in the summer of 1982.

Her legal father, Isiah Williams, reportedly took the baby by force from her mother  his then-wife Frazier-Daniel  on April 29 of that year, according to officials. She was last seen in July, but her body was never found. Later that month, Williams boarded a bus to Alabama without luggage or Olisa.

Williams, 77, was found guilty by a jury of first-degree premediated murder and felony murder after a week-long May trial. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in July.

Olisas body was never found.

Related: I hope you never have peace. Family addresses man found guilty of killing long-missing infant

On Saturday, Aug. 10, Frazier-Daniel hosted a memorial with a meal, a few speeches and a release of 43 butterflies  one for each year of her daughters age, had she still been alive.

Michael Daniel, Olisas brother, told roughly 40 people gathered at the memorial to send our sister up as they released their painted lady butterflies.

All this time, there was uncertainty, just a gray area, Daniel told MLive/The Ann Arbor News following the memorial, adding the cases finale has brought closure to their family. We now can rest and know our sister is in a better place.

Frazier-Daniel had choked up with tears earlier in the day as she addressed the same group gathered at 2|42 Community Church in Ann Arbor.

Even in death, her memory remains a blessing to us, said Frazier-Daniel, dressed in a pink and yellow skirt and white blouse.

Her children  Daniel and daughter Elizabeth Harris  were dressed in coordinating yellow and pink shirts, respectively.

Read more: Man found guilty of murder 4 decades after infant daughters disappearance

In her own address to the group, Harris thanked those who supported the family over the years.

(Olisa) will never be forgotten and we will continuously hold her memory in our hearts, she said.

That memory has also been passed down through the family. Although she never met her aunt personally, Aris Nelson said Olisa Williams story was shared with her when she was roughly 15.

Shes still a life we all love, Nelson said.

For Olisa Harris, who was named after Frazier-Daniels daughter, learning the story of her namesake has been a journey for me.

A mother of three herself  including the newest addition, just 3 months old  she hopes she brings honor and pride to the name and her grandmother.

Also see: Jury to decide whether man killed baby 40 years after she disappeared

Her strength and grace over the years has been admirable, Olisa Harris said.

After the butterflies were released, Frazier-Daniels lip quivered as she stared at one that had paused on her shirt.

Although she was remembered on her birthday every year, this is somewhat special, Frazier-Daniel said. Whether we have a body or not, shes being remembered.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
CASS COUNTY, MI -- A 72-year-old woman was injured in a crash in Cass County.

A 72-year-old woman from Chicago was driving westbound on U.S. 12 near Anderson Road in Milton Township around 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, when she rear-ended another vehicle, according to a news release from the Cass County Sheriffs Office.
While it's starting to get colder in central Europe, in some countries, summer lasts all year round or is just beginning. Therefore, instead of protecting yourself from the cold, you can simply change your location.

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Winter vacations have become a real salvation for those who want to recharge their batteries and feel the joy of summer in the midst of cold weather. Conde Nast Traveler shared a selection of the best places for such a vacation.

Maldives

The Maldives is a real paradise for those who dream of a perfect vacation. Each island of this archipelago offers a unique combination of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and exclusive resorts, making the Maldives one of the best places for a winter vacation.

The Maldives always leaves an unforgettable impression. This is an ideal place for a family vacation, where everyone will find something for themselves - from relaxing on the beach to active water activities.

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Cyprus

Located in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus is another great option for a winter vacation. Although the temperatures can be cooler in winter, the island remains sunny throughout the year, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy the warmth even during the cold season.

Cyprus is a great option for families, as it's easy to get to from Europe and the hotels often offer a variety of child-friendly facilities.

Dubai, UAE

Dubai is one of the most popular winter vacation destinations, where the sun shines all year round. This city is known for its luxurious beaches, first-class resorts, and impeccable service.

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Despite its modernity and luxury, Dubai also offers many cultural and historical attractions, including the old market and the tranquil canals of the Dubai Creek. The city is also the center of numerous artistic and cultural events, making it an ideal destination for those looking for a combination of beach vacation and cultural enrichment.

Thai islands

Thai islands such as Samui, Koh Lanta, and Phuket are ideal destinations for those who dream of a tropical winter vacation. The islands of Thailand are known for their white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and cozy huts, making them ideal for a quiet vacation and enjoyment of nature.

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From luxury resorts to cozy hotels on beaches that stretch for miles, each island offers something unique.

Tangier, Morocco

Tangier is a city in northern Morocco that was once a haven for bohemians and the artistic elite. Today, this place is experiencing a new renaissance, offering tourists great opportunities for relaxation and exploration.

Tangier is a place where you can enjoy the pleasant weather in winter, explore local culture and history, and enjoy delicious Moroccan cuisine.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Former President Donald Trump says he will debate Vice President Kamala Harris in Grand Rapids next month.

The announcement was made by Trump on Sunday, Aug. 11, in a post on Truth Social.

A presidential debate, according to Trump, will happen Sept. 25, in Grand Rapids. The debate will air on NBC and be anchored by Lester Holt, the post reads. Details on a venue have not been released.

However, the only debate agreed upon, according to the Harris campaign, is the Philadelphia debate with ABC on Sept. 10.

Related: JD Vance campaigning in Michigan again next week

I look forward to seeing Kamala at all three Debates, Trump wrote in the announcement.

Trumps announcement comes just days after running mate and vice president candidate JD Vance said he will return to the Grand Rapids area on Wednesday, Aug. 14, for another campaign visit.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.
RICHMOND, VA -- After taking a couple of weeks off, the NASCAR Cup Series is back on Sunday with a race featuring big playoff implications. A number of drivers will try to punch their tickets to the postseason in the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.

Watch NASCAR on FuboTV (7-day free trial)

Prior to the vacation, a number of drivers further assured themselves as favorites to grab the NCS title this year.

Kyle Larson went into the break with a huge win, taking home the checkered flag in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. It is the 2021 champions series-leading fourth win of the year, and pushed him back to the top of the driver standings. Unlike past seasons, we have seen less parity in terms of wins, as only 12 different drivers have gone to victory lane so far in 2024.

That only leaves four open spots with just four races to go in the regular season. Heading into Sundays event, the soon-to-be-retired Martin Truex Jr. has the most points among any winless driver this season, currently sitting seventh in points. Other drivers who are looking to sneak into the top 16 including Ty Gibbs and Ross Chastain, as well as Chris Buescher, who punched his tickets to last years playoffs with a win at Richmond.

Denny Hamlin scored a win in the first race at Richmond this season, that coming back in late March. Larson, Truex, Alex Bowman and Rochester Hills native Brad Keselowski are all former winners at the short track that would love another win on Sunday.

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Cook Out 400

When: Sunday, August 11

Time: 6 p.m. ET

Where: Richmond Raceway (Richmond, Va.)

Channel: USA Network

Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream, Peacock

Check out the NASCAR standings and results here
Every day we mark certain holidays on our calendars to honor important events, people, or phenomena in our lives. Of course, several dates fall on August 11.

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OBOZ.UA tells you what the calendar marks today. We will also tell you about traditions and signs.

Who celebrates name day on August 11

When calculating the name day, it is important to keep in mind that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, have switched to a new calendar. According to it, August 11 is the day of the angel of people with the following names: Vasyl, Makar, Maksym, Mark, Oleksandr, Fedir, and Maria.

What holidays are celebrated on August 11

Builder's Day. Every year, the contribution of construction workers is celebrated in Ukraine on the second Sunday of August. This time it will be the 11th.

Hip-Hop Day. Once upon a time, performers of this genre could be found only on the streets of poor neighborhoods in American cities. Now it is the most influential trend in contemporary music. It is believed that at the birthday celebration of DJ Kool Herc in New York on August 11, 1973, the birthday boy began to rap between playing records with popular music. Thus, he created a whole new musical trend. Now hip-hop is a whole culture with its own art (mostly street art), clothing style, and dancing.

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Mountain Day. In 2014, Japan announced that it would celebrate a day dedicated to the mountains on this date. Approximately 70% of Japan's land area consists of mountainous regions, so this landscape is of particular importance to the country. Later, the holiday was unofficially celebrated in other countries as well. If you can't spend this day in the mountains, you can watch a movie or read a book about mountaineers or look through your travel photos.

Melon Day. It is a holiday that originated in Turkmenistan, the country of the sweetest melons. The fruit is an integral part of Turkmen culture. However, it is loved literally all over the world. Isn't this a good reason to enjoy this wonderful fruit?

Superstitions on August 11

According to popular beliefs, on this day you should not touch the viburnum bushes - cut its branches, pick leaves or berries. It is believed that this will cause irreparable damage to the plant.

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You should also not start big business or make large purchases. It is believed that this day will bring only bad luck. Important work should also be postponed for another day

Quarrels and swearing on this day will also be much more destructive. If you don't want to lose an important relationship, try to restrain yourself.

As for the superstitions that our ancestors used to predict the weather, today they were as follows:

hot and sunny day means that early September will be warm;

morning fog means a poor honey harvest;

a lot of berries and nuts have ripened by this day means a cold winter;

if viburnum has turned red, one should expect frost and snow in winter;

if there are few mushrooms in the forests, then the weather will be harsh.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.

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Banco Macro (NYSE:BMA  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Bank of America from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a report issued on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage presently has a $62.00 target price on the banks stock, up from their prior target price of $53.00. Bank of Americas target price suggests a potential upside of 17.25% from the stocks current price.

Separately, StockNews.com cut Banco Macro from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on Banco Macro

Banco Macro Stock Performance

NYSE:BMA traded up $1.41 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $52.88. The companys stock had a trading volume of 251,062 shares, compared to its average volume of 371,157. The stock has a market cap of $3.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 1.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firms fifty day moving average price is $55.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $49.80. Banco Macro has a 12-month low of $17.30 and a 12-month high of $68.24.

Banco Macro (NYSE:BMA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 23rd. The bank reported $5.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.19 by $2.83. Banco Macro had a net margin of 16.33% and a return on equity of 37.91%. The firm had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter. On average, equities analysts forecast that Banco Macro will post 11.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Macro

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Banco Macro by 6.2% in the second quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,505 shares of the banks stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 323 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC raised its position in shares of Banco Macro by 262.0% during the 2nd quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 2,483 shares of the banks stock valued at $142,000 after buying an additional 1,797 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Banco Macro in the second quarter worth approximately $51,000. Ping Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Banco Macro in the 2nd quarter valued at about $12,326,000. Finally, LSV Asset Management lifted its holdings in shares of Banco Macro by 23.1% in the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 78,804 shares of the banks stock worth $4,518,000 after acquiring an additional 14,804 shares during the last quarter.

Banco Macro Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines (ATMs), and money transfers.

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Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU  Get Free Report) had its price target reduced by analysts at Roth Mkm from $62.00 to $55.00 in a research note issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Roth Mkms price target points to a potential upside of 37.91% from the companys previous close.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Centrus Energy to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday.

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View Our Latest Report on LEU

Centrus Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE LEU traded down $0.79 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $39.88. 188,727 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 228,269. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $42.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $43.76. The stock has a market cap of $625.16 million, a P/E ratio of 8.76 and a beta of 1.33. Centrus Energy has a one year low of $33.51 and a one year high of $61.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67.

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $1.12. The company had revenue of $189.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $82.70 million. Centrus Energy had a net margin of 22.96% and a return on equity of 634.20%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Centrus Energy will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Centrus Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $43,000. nVerses Capital LLC grew its position in Centrus Energy by 133.3% in the 2nd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 1,400 shares of the companys stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its position in Centrus Energy by 181.8% in the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 2,719 shares of the companys stock worth $115,000 after purchasing an additional 1,754 shares in the last quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Centrus Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $216,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Centrus Energy by 26.9% in the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,557 shares of the companys stock worth $323,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.96% of the companys stock.

Centrus Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Centrus Energy Corp. supplies nuclear fuel components and services for the nuclear power industry in the United States, Belgium, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Technical Solutions. The LEU segment sells separative work units (SWU) components of LEU; natural uranium hexafluoride, uranium concentrates, and uranium conversion; and enriched uranium products to utilities that operate nuclear power plants.

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Dutch Bros (NYSE:BROS  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.06, Briefing.com reports. The firm had revenue of $324.92 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $317.39 million. Dutch Bros had a return on equity of 1.99% and a net margin of 1.21%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 30.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.07 EPS. Dutch Bros updated its FY 2024 guidance to EPS.

Dutch Bros Stock Down 2.4 %

Shares of BROS traded down $0.73 on Friday, hitting $29.49. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,803,916 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,676,672. The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 2.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The firms fifty day moving average price is $39.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.75. Dutch Bros has a fifty-two week low of $22.67 and a fifty-two week high of $43.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 163.83, a P/E/G ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 2.53.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BROS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Dutch Bros from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on Dutch Bros from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Dutch Bros in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Dutch Bros from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, Guggenheim upgraded Dutch Bros from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Dutch Bros currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $38.82.

Insider Activity at Dutch Bros

In other Dutch Bros news, Chairman Travis Boersma sold 54,359 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.02, for a total transaction of $1,958,011.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 1,281,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $46,168,382.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Dutch Bros news, Chairman Travis Boersma sold 54,359 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.02, for a total transaction of $1,958,011.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 1,281,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $46,168,382.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Dm Individual Aggregator, Llc sold 107,307 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.26, for a total value of $3,890,951.82. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 650,995 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,605,078.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 1,228,068 shares of company stock worth $44,765,154. 46.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Dutch Bros Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dutch Bros Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises drive-thru shops in the United States. The company operates through Company-Operated Shops and Franchising and Other segments. It serves through company-operated shops and online channels under Dutch Bros; Dutch Bros Coffee; Dutch Bros Rebel; Dutch Bros; and Blue Rebel brands.

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The fire and rescue unit in Borodyanka, which was looted and destroyed by Russian troops during the occupation, has beenrestored. Rescuers not only repaired the building but also symbolically decorated it.

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This airbrush is not only a symbol of the courage and strength of firefighters, but also a tribute to the unity and resilience of Ukrainians.

"The 1st State Fire and Rescue Unit of Borodyanka is now a symbol of the ability to turn tragedy into beauty, like a phoenix," said representatives of the Kyiv Region State Emergency Service.

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Capital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Free Report) by 1.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 216,013 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,747 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. accounts for 1.0% of Capital Investment Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $43,691,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in JPM. Wellington Wealth Strategies LLC. purchased a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,145,000. Cooper Financial Group lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 8,693 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,741,000 after acquiring an additional 984 shares during the last quarter. Sutton Place Investors LLC boosted its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 179.5% during the 4th quarter. Sutton Place Investors LLC now owns 13,099 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,228,000 after purchasing an additional 8,412 shares during the period. Spartan Planning & Wealth Management increased its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 257.3% in the 4th quarter. Spartan Planning & Wealth Management now owns 3,780 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $643,000 after purchasing an additional 2,722 shares during the last quarter. Finally, jvl associates llc raised its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 59.8% in the first quarter. jvl associates llc now owns 1,911 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $383,000 after purchasing an additional 715 shares during the period. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 11,734 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.02, for a total transaction of $2,347,034.68. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 122,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at $24,550,454.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 4,415 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.65, for a total transaction of $885,869.75. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 42,124 shares in the company, valued at $8,452,180.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Marianne Lake sold 11,734 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.02, for a total value of $2,347,034.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 122,740 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,550,454.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 26,533 shares of company stock valued at $5,310,756 in the last three months. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Up 0.9 %

JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock traded up $1.74 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $205.80. The company had a trading volume of 5,540,240 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,292,017. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 1 year low of $135.19 and a 1 year high of $217.56. The business has a fifty day moving average of $203.58 and a 200 day moving average of $194.09. The stock has a market cap of $590.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.48, a PEG ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.12.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 12th. The financial services provider reported $6.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.19 by $1.93. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.32% and a return on equity of 17.26%. The firm had revenue of $50.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $42.23 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.37 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 5th were issued a $1.15 dividend. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.24%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is currently 25.66%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JPM has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group lifted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $219.00 to $224.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 21st. Citigroup lifted their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $205.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $215.00 to $221.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $209.00 to $211.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $205.71.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on JPMorgan Chase & Co.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services to consumers and small businesses through bank branches, ATMs, and digital and telephone banking.

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TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Free Report) had its price objective increased by Morgan Stanley from $1,550.00 to $1,575.00 in a report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the aerospace companys stock.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on TransDigm Group from $1,300.00 to $1,325.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 7th. Barclays boosted their price target on TransDigm Group from $1,250.00 to $1,500.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Bank of America boosted their price target on TransDigm Group from $1,310.00 to $1,460.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. KeyCorp boosted their price target on TransDigm Group from $1,325.00 to $1,440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $1,500.00 price target on shares of TransDigm Group in a report on Thursday, June 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TransDigm Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,417.19.

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Read Our Latest Report on TransDigm Group

TransDigm Group Stock Performance

NYSE:TDG traded up $14.98 on Wednesday, reaching $1,246.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 172,042 shares, compared to its average volume of 226,832. TransDigm Group has a 1-year low of $802.46 and a 1-year high of $1,369.57. The firm has a market cap of $69.73 billion, a PE ratio of 49.43, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.38. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $1,279.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1,235.26.

TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The aerospace company reported $9.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $7.77 by $1.23. TransDigm Group had a negative return on equity of 66.65% and a net margin of 21.83%. The firm had revenue of $2.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.01 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $6.55 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 17.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that TransDigm Group will post 30.21 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at TransDigm Group

In other TransDigm Group news, Director Robert J. Small sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,323.86, for a total value of $39,715,800.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 112,381 shares in the company, valued at $148,776,710.66. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other TransDigm Group news, Director Robert J. Small sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,323.86, for a total value of $39,715,800.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 112,381 shares in the company, valued at $148,776,710.66. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Kevin M. Stein sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,292.89, for a total value of $12,928,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 8,158 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,547,396.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 105,708 shares of company stock worth $137,640,845 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 4.96% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On TransDigm Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of TransDigm Group by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,047,083 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $7,447,587,000 after acquiring an additional 58,243 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in shares of TransDigm Group by 14.3% in the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 3,535,539 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $4,354,369,000 after acquiring an additional 442,182 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its stake in shares of TransDigm Group by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 1,965,640 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,420,882,000 after acquiring an additional 30,393 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of TransDigm Group by 13.1% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,669,460 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,056,109,000 after acquiring an additional 192,962 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of TransDigm Group in the 4th quarter valued at $790,822,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.78% of the companys stock.

TransDigm Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

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Lion Street Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 5,600 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $351,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Byrne Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 11.8% during the first quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 38 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $110,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 231 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $528,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. Peloton Wealth Strategists boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Peloton Wealth Strategists now owns 1,451 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $3,318,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 19.0% during the 1st quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 25 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $73,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Diversified Trust Co grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.9% during the first quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 474 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,378,000 after buying an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on CMG. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $55.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $74.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. StockNews.com downgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 4th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, Guggenheim increased their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $54.50 to $55.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.88.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total value of $951,103.92. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 358,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,591,844. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CMG traded up $1.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $55.55. 11,569,747 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,392,227. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $35.37 and a fifty-two week high of $69.26. The firm has a market cap of $76.29 billion, a PE ratio of 59.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $123.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $80.05.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.94 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.01% and a net margin of 13.23%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $12.65 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Annex Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 1.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,983 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the period. Annex Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $1,282,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in NVO. Folketrygdfondet increased its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Folketrygdfondet now owns 8,756,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,124,275,000 after purchasing an additional 124,770 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 10.6% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,589,222 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,102,857,000 after acquiring an additional 823,036 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 22.3% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 7,114,931 shares of the companys stock valued at $736,121,000 after purchasing an additional 1,297,536 shares during the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 654.6% in the first quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 3,633,064 shares of the companys stock worth $466,485,000 after purchasing an additional 3,151,584 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates raised its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 12.1% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 3,143,731 shares of the companys stock worth $403,655,000 after buying an additional 340,549 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Trading Up 4.1 %

Shares of NVO traded up $5.30 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $133.47. 7,503,650 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,552,021. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $137.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $129.77. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm has a market cap of $598.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.02, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.41. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 12-month low of $86.96 and a 12-month high of $148.15.

Novo Nordisk A/S Cuts Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.5126 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 16th. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is presently 45.52%.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Argus increased their target price on Novo Nordisk A/S from $125.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $156.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $160.00 target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Monday, August 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $145.17.

Read Our Latest Analysis on NVO

Novo Nordisk A/S Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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Baldwin Brothers LLC MA reduced its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 79.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,884 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 7,410 shares during the quarter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MAs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $78,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 532.7% during the 4th quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 1,879 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 1,582 shares during the period. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 30,056 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,542,000 after acquiring an additional 296 shares during the period. Great Diamond Partners LLC increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Great Diamond Partners LLC now owns 4,372 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $224,000 after acquiring an additional 367 shares during the period. Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth approximately $5,161,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,139,000. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE:BMY traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $46.72. 14,083,504 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,967,806. The company has a fifty day moving average of $43.02 and a 200 day moving average of $46.65. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12 month low of $39.35 and a 12 month high of $63.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $94.71 billion, a P/E ratio of -15.07, a PEG ratio of 12.51 and a beta of 0.44.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by $0.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a negative net margin of 14.06% and a positive return on equity of 12.51%. The company had revenue of $12.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.75 EPS. The firms revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.77 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 5th were issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 5th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.14%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently -77.42%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $55.00 to $48.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 26th. Barclays lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $41.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Monday, July 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a neutral rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $55.79.

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About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Baldwin Brothers LLC MA trimmed its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 26.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 949 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 341 shares during the quarter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MAs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $193,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IWM. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Atlanta Consulting Group Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the first quarter worth about $32,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Kessler Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Down 0.2 %

NYSEARCA:IWM traded down $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $206.46. The company had a trading volume of 20,954,486 shares, compared to its average volume of 34,863,762. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 52-week low of $161.67 and a 52-week high of $228.63. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $207.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $203.91.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

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Berkshire Bank lowered its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD  Free Report) by 23.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,213 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 373 shares during the period. Berkshire Banks holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF were worth $212,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. GLOBALT Investments LLC GA bought a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $330,977,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 21.8% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,166,594 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,184,280,000 after purchasing an additional 1,282,817 shares during the period. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp boosted its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 85.8% in the 1st quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 1,929,517 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $345,596,000 after purchasing an additional 890,764 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 218.0% in the 4th quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 1,230,179 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $203,287,000 after purchasing an additional 843,389 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 162.1% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,223,017 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $219,055,000 after purchasing an additional 756,464 shares during the period.

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iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:IWD traded up $0.18 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $177.95. The stock had a trading volume of 1,087,436 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,833,865. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $176.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $174.18. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF has a one year low of $143.34 and a one year high of $184.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.81 and a beta of 0.77.

iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Profile

iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the large capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market, as represented by the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index).

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TD Cowen upgraded shares of Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has $279.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $257.00.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on BURL. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Burlington Stores from $252.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $250.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $250.00 price target on shares of Burlington Stores in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $233.00 to $218.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Burlington Stores currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $250.27.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Burlington Stores

Burlington Stores Price Performance

BURL stock traded down $0.49 on Friday, hitting $251.79. 650,803 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 916,480. Burlington Stores has a 1-year low of $115.66 and a 1-year high of $263.84. The stock has a market cap of $16.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.61. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $241.88 and a 200-day moving average of $215.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20.

Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The company reported $1.42 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.38. The business had revenue of $2.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.34 billion. Burlington Stores had a net margin of 3.87% and a return on equity of 46.39%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.84 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Burlington Stores will post 7.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Burlington Stores news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 494 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.37, for a total value of $126,152.78. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 61,907 shares in the company, valued at $15,809,190.59. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.91% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BURL. New York State Teachers Retirement System bought a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores in the 4th quarter valued at $7,775,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its position in Burlington Stores by 32.2% in the 4th quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 17,834 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,507,000 after purchasing an additional 4,341 shares during the period. Bleakley Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Burlington Stores in the 4th quarter valued at $319,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Burlington Stores during the 4th quarter worth $129,730,000. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Burlington Stores by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,531 shares of the companys stock worth $492,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares during the last quarter.

About Burlington Stores

(Get Free Report)

Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded merchandise in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products.

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Capital Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Free Report) by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 29,049 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 796 shares during the quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Prologis were worth $3,262,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PLD. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Prologis by 14,437.9% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 226,210 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,154,000 after buying an additional 224,654 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Prologis in the 4th quarter valued at $230,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 546,368 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $72,831,000 after purchasing an additional 9,240 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 114.3% in the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 15,332 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,044,000 after purchasing an additional 8,178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Impax Asset Management Group plc boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 314,958 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $41,984,000 after purchasing an additional 7,721 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.50% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on PLD. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Prologis from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Prologis from $137.00 to $117.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 1st. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Prologis from $151.00 to $138.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Prologis from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Prologis from $119.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $132.60.

Prologis Stock Down 0.1 %

NYSE PLD traded down $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $121.90. 1,901,869 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,743,113. The companys 50-day moving average is $116.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $119.53. Prologis, Inc. has a one year low of $96.64 and a one year high of $137.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.36. The company has a market capitalization of $112.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.06.

Prologis (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.33 by ($0.41). The business had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.86 billion. Prologis had a return on equity of 4.88% and a net margin of 36.37%. Prologiss revenue was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.83 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prologis Profile

(Free Report)

Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2024, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (115 million square meters) in 19 countries.

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Capital Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS  Free Report) by 8.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,031 shares of the information technology services providers stock after buying an additional 229 shares during the quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Fidelity National Information Services were worth $228,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 19.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 68,658,572 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,093,093,000 after purchasing an additional 11,023,109 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $478,594,000. Lyrical Asset Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $260,316,000. Boston Partners grew its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 642.7% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,470,605 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $331,047,000 after purchasing an additional 3,868,683 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FIL Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 27.3% during the 4th quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 12,877,515 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $773,552,000 after purchasing an additional 2,758,049 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.23% of the companys stock.

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Fidelity National Information Services Trading Up 1.5 %

Shares of FIS stock traded up $1.16 on Friday, reaching $77.59. 2,576,083 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,137,733. The stock has a market cap of $43.16 billion, a PE ratio of -7.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.06. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has a one year low of $46.91 and a one year high of $78.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.52. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $75.82 and a 200 day moving average price of $71.80.

Fidelity National Information Services Announces Dividend

Fidelity National Information Services ( NYSE:FIS Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The information technology services provider reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $2.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. Fidelity National Information Services had a positive return on equity of 13.91% and a negative net margin of 54.14%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.55 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. will post 4.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Fidelity National Information Servicess payout ratio is currently -14.08%.

Insider Transactions at Fidelity National Information Services

In related news, Director Jeffrey A. Goldstein acquired 719 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $76.81 per share, with a total value of $55,226.39. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,771 shares in the company, valued at $750,510.51. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on FIS shares. William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. Susquehanna raised their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley downgraded Fidelity National Information Services from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $79.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Mizuho raised their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $80.45.

View Our Latest Report on FIS

Fidelity National Information Services Company Profile

(Free Report)

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc engages in the provision of financial services technology solutions for financial institutions, businesses, and developers worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Capital Market Solutions, and Corporate and Other segments. The company provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; card and retail payment; electronic funds transfer and network; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions.

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On the night of August 11, air defense forces shot down all Shahed kamikaze drones launched by Russian occupiers at Kyiv. There were no hits or damage in the capital.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, the suburbs suffered from Russian ballistic missiles, causing casualties. This was reported by the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Serhiy Popko.

According to him, this is the second time since the beginning of August that the enemy has launched air targets at Kyiv. This night began with the launch of ballistic missiles in the direction of the capital.

Like the previous time, six days ago, the missiles (Iskander-M or North Korean KN-23) did not reach Kyiv, but the suburbs were hit.

He added that at that time, several dozen drone were already known to have been launched at Ukraine. About a dozen of them, after complex maneuvers, tried to attack Kyiv.

All enemy attack drones were shot down in the airspace of the capital by air defense forces and means. According to the operational report, as of the morning, there were no destructions in Kyiv, and there is no information on casualties.

ADVERTISIMENT

"I will never get tired of repeating it every time - do not ignore air raid alerts. Each of the alarms is announced based on real dangers! Thus, always go to the shelter! Take care of yourself!" head of Kyiv City Military Administration urged.

As reported, during an enemy attack on the night of August 11, a 35-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were killed by missile fragments under the rubble of houses in the Brovary district of Kyiv region. Three other people were severely injured.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Capital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,291 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 397 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $464,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. City Holding Co. raised its position in Charles Schwab by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 30,111 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,219,000 after buying an additional 1,686 shares during the last quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the second quarter valued at approximately $224,000. Talbot Financial LLC lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 0.6% during the second quarter. Talbot Financial LLC now owns 153,734 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,329,000 after purchasing an additional 845 shares during the period. Csenge Advisory Group boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 11.8% in the second quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 8,082 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $596,000 after purchasing an additional 856 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its position in Charles Schwab by 97.5% in the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 389 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.38% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SCHW has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Charles Schwab from $85.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 8th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $71.00 target price (down from $88.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Piper Sandler downgraded shares of Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $80.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Monday, July 29th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $91.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their target price on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $66.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $74.27.

Charles Schwab Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SCHW traded down $0.12 on Friday, reaching $62.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,255,160 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,392,225. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.42. The company has a market cap of $110.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.11, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.99. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $48.66 and a 52-week high of $79.49.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.01. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 18.65% and a net margin of 26.30%. The company had revenue of $4.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.68 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.75 EPS. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 9th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 67,386 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.11, for a total transaction of $4,387,502.46. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 60,619,371 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,946,927,245.81. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, President Richard A. Wurster purchased 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $62.05 per share, for a total transaction of $620,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the president now owns 144,228 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,949,347.40. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 67,386 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.11, for a total value of $4,387,502.46. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 60,619,371 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,946,927,245.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 247,271 shares of company stock worth $17,567,508 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (ETR:DBAN  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 1.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as 24.20 ($26.59) and last traded at 24.10 ($26.48). 9,395 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 78% from the average session volume of 42,193 shares. The stock had previously closed at 23.75 ($26.10).

Deutsche Beteiligungs Trading Up 1.4 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.48, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The companys fifty day moving average is 26.07 and its 200-day moving average is 26.56. The stock has a market cap of $466.13 million, a PE ratio of 9.76, a PEG ratio of -0.78 and a beta of 1.08.

Deutsche Beteiligungs Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Beteiligungs AG is a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in direct and fund of fund investments. Within direct investments the firm specializes in expansion capital, management buyout, emerging growth, middle market, mid venture, late venture, growth capital, add-on acquisitions, bridge financing, PIPES, management buy-ins for experienced executives, corporate spin-offs, succession arrangements and generational transition in a family-owned business, small and medium-sized companies, and pre-IPO stage investments.

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) shares passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $6.44 and traded as low as $6.14. Deutsche Lufthansa shares last traded at $6.23, with a volume of 217,057 shares traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on DLAKY. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Deutsche Lufthansa from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered Deutsche Lufthansa from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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Deutsche Lufthansa Price Performance

About Deutsche Lufthansa

The stock has a market cap of $7.45 billion, a PE ratio of 5.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks fifty day moving average is $6.42 and its 200-day moving average is $7.18.

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Lufthansa AG operates as an aviation company worldwide. It operates in three segments: Passenger Airlines; Logistics; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services (MRO). The Passenger Airlines segment offers products and services to passengers of Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.

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Great Bear Resources Ltd. (OTCMKTS:GTBAF  Get Free Report) shares traded up 2% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $22.50 and last traded at $22.43. 6,000 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 46,405 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.00.

Great Bear Resources Stock Performance

The stocks fifty day moving average is $22.43 and its 200-day moving average is $22.43.

Great Bear Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Great Bear Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company, which engages in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. It holds interest in Dixie and Regional Red Lake projects. The company was founded on December 6, 2001 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $1.45-$1.59 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $1.51. Green Dot also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 1.450-1.450 EPS.

Green Dot Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:GDOT traded up $1.20 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.05. The company had a trading volume of 619,667 shares, compared to its average volume of 598,660. The company has a fifty day moving average of $9.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $9.14. The company has a market cap of $534.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.38 and a beta of 0.96. Green Dot has a 12-month low of $7.30 and a 12-month high of $16.45.

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Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 9th. The financial services provider reported $0.46 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.15). The business had revenue of $447.42 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $415.70 million. Green Dot had a negative net margin of 1.60% and a positive return on equity of 4.48%. Research analysts expect that Green Dot will post 1.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on GDOT. StockNews.com raised shares of Green Dot from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $11.00 price target on shares of Green Dot in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $10.75.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on GDOT

About Green Dot

(Get Free Report)

Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and registered bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company provides deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs.

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Hamilton Insurance Group (NYSE:HG  Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.29, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $587.94 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $502.37 million. Hamilton Insurance Group had a return on equity of 18.53% and a net margin of 19.11%.

Hamilton Insurance Group Price Performance

NYSE:HG traded up $0.52 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $17.18. 350,109 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 329,900. The firms 50-day moving average is $16.50 and its 200-day moving average is $15.20. The stock has a market cap of $1.91 billion and a P/E ratio of 5.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.83. Hamilton Insurance Group has a 1-year low of $12.44 and a 1-year high of $18.07.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Hamilton Insurance Group

In related news, Director Alan Neil Patterson bought 21,135 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 16th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $16.66 per share, for a total transaction of $352,109.10. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 21,135 shares in the company, valued at $352,109.10. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Hamilton Insurance Group news, Director Alan Neil Patterson acquired 21,135 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 16th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $16.66 per share, for a total transaction of $352,109.10. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 21,135 shares of the companys stock, valued at $352,109.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Brian John Deegan sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.70, for a total value of $367,400.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 18,957 shares in the company, valued at approximately $316,581.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HG has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Hamilton Insurance Group from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 15th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Hamilton Insurance Group from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday. JMP Securities upped their price objective on Hamilton Insurance Group from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $21.00 price objective (up from $20.00) on shares of Hamilton Insurance Group in a research report on Thursday, May 16th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $20.50.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Hamilton Insurance Group

Hamilton Insurance Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides underwriting specialty insurance and reinsurance risks in Bermuda and internationally. The company operates Hamilton Global Specialty, Hamilton Select, and Hamilton Re underwriting platforms. The company offers casualty reinsurance products, such as commercial motor, general liability, healthcare, multiline, personal motor, professional liability, umbrella and excess casualty, and worker's compensation and employer's liability reinsurance; property reinsurance and insurance; and specialty reinsurance solutions, including accident and health, aviation and space, crisis management, mortgage, financial lines, marine and energy, and multiline specialty.

Further Reading

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Hansteen Holdings plc (LON:HSTN  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 116.20 ($1.48) and traded as high as GBX 116.20 ($1.48). Hansteen shares last traded at GBX 116.20 ($1.48), with a volume of 5,099,403 shares traded.

Hansteen Stock Performance

The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 116.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 116.20. The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.41. The firm has a market cap of 498.20 million and a P/E ratio of 10.38.

About Hansteen

(Get Free Report)

Hansteen Holdings PLC is a company which was incorporated in the United Kingdom and registered in England and Wales on 27 October 2005. The Company is required to comply with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. The address of the registered office is 1st Floor, Pegasus House, 37-43 Sackville Street, London W1S 3DL.

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Hims & Hers Health (NYSE:HIMS  Free Report) had its price target upped by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $16.00 to $23.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Seaport Res Ptn restated a buy rating on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research report on Friday, April 26th. Canaccord Genuity Group initiated coverage on Hims & Hers Health in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. They set a buy rating and a $20.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Hims & Hers Health from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 13th. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and issued a $18.00 price objective on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Hims & Hers Health from $14.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.00.

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Hims & Hers Health Stock Up 0.7 %

NYSE:HIMS traded up $0.11 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $15.96. 8,244,545 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,900,966. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.43 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,596.00 and a beta of 1.08. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $21.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.96. Hims & Hers Health has a 52 week low of $5.65 and a 52 week high of $25.74.

Hims & Hers Health (NYSE:HIMS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $315.65 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $302.43 million. Hims & Hers Health had a negative return on equity of 0.70% and a negative net margin of 0.24%. Hims & Hers Healths quarterly revenue was up 51.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.03) earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Hims & Hers Health will post 0.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Hims & Hers Health news, insider Soleil Boughton sold 2,503 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.33, for a total value of $30,861.99. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 159,357 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,964,871.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Hims & Hers Health news, Director Christiane Pendarvis sold 4,000 shares of Hims & Hers Health stock in a transaction on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.33, for a total transaction of $49,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at $138,219.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Soleil Boughton sold 2,503 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.33, for a total transaction of $30,861.99. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 159,357 shares in the company, valued at $1,964,871.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 980,907 shares of company stock valued at $19,445,689 in the last three months. Company insiders own 17.71% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hims & Hers Health

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HIMS. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Hims & Hers Health by 679.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,839 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,603 shares during the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 5,944.1% during the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 3,566 shares of the companys stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 3,507 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new position in Hims & Hers Health in the second quarter valued at approximately $111,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. bought a new position in Hims & Hers Health in the second quarter valued at approximately $142,000. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale bought a new stake in shares of Hims & Hers Health during the 2nd quarter valued at $143,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.52% of the companys stock.

Hims & Hers Health Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hims & Hers Health, Inc operates a telehealth platform that connects consumers to licensed healthcare professionals in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers a range of curated prescription and non-prescription health and wellness products and services available to purchase on its websites and mobile application directly by customers.

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Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Mizuho from $204.00 to $200.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on H. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $146.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. StockNews.com raised Hyatt Hotels from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $172.00 to $168.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $171.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Susquehanna started coverage on Hyatt Hotels in a report on Friday, June 21st. They issued a neutral rating and a $160.00 price objective for the company. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hyatt Hotels has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $150.11.

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Hyatt Hotels Stock Up 1.3 %

NYSE H traded up $1.79 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $135.14. 569,858 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 613,482. The companys 50-day moving average is $148.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $147.85. Hyatt Hotels has a one year low of $96.77 and a one year high of $162.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.59. The company has a market capitalization of $13.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.98 and a beta of 1.51.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.58. Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 8.44% and a net margin of 10.21%. The business had revenue of $1.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.76 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.82 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hyatt Hotels Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 27th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 27th. Hyatt Hotelss payout ratio is 9.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Hyatt Hotels news, insider Joan Bottarini sold 305 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total transaction of $45,140.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,338,252. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Michael A. Rocca sold 1,189 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.52, for a total value of $177,779.28. Following the transaction, the director now owns 20,219 shares in the company, valued at $3,023,144.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Joan Bottarini sold 305 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total value of $45,140.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 15,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,338,252. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 23.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of H. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Hyatt Hotels by 1.1% in the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 6,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,042,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Red Spruce Capital LLC boosted its stake in Hyatt Hotels by 0.7% in the second quarter. Red Spruce Capital LLC now owns 13,994 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,126,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 0.8% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 12,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,945,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 23.9% during the second quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 559 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 17.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 767 shares of the companys stock valued at $117,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.02% of the companys stock.

About Hyatt Hotels

(Get Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

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Register Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA  Free Report) by 15.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,902 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 250 shares during the quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF were worth $106,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of INDA. Founders Capital Management acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 360.0% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 621 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 168.8% during the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 637 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 1st quarter worth $33,000.

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iShares MSCI India ETF Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of iShares MSCI India ETF stock traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $55.79. 3,662,888 shares of the companys stock were exchanged. iShares MSCI India ETF has a 52-week low of $30.57 and a 52-week high of $38.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.95 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a fifty day moving average of $55.70 and a 200-day moving average of $53.01.

iShares MSCI India ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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On August 11, the Air Defense Forces shot down 53 of the 57 Shahed-type kamikaze drones used by the Russian occupiers to attack Ukraine. The enemy also used North Korean ballistic missiles against peaceful cities.

ADVERTISIMENT

The Kyiv region was hit by the latter, killing two civilians. The details of the attack, which lasted from night to Sunday morning, were described by Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.

It was established that the occupants launched four KN-23 ballistic missiles from the Voronezh region of the Russian Federation. And 57 attack UAVs were launched from the Russian cities of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Yeysk and Kursk. The war criminals also struck Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, probably with artillery.

As a result of the anti-aircraft battle, mobile firing groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, aviation, anti-aircraft missile units and electronic warfare systems of the Air Force shot down 53 drones in 11 regions: Mykolaiv, Odesa, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Kropyvnytsyi, Kherson, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Rivne and Cherkasy.

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"Regarding the Russian strikes with North Korean missiles, I will say the following: ballistic KN-23 missiles, although they rarely reach their desired targets, pose a serious threat to the population. Take care of yourselves and your families," Oleshchuk emphasized and thanked all the defenders of the sky for their professional combat work.

The head of the Rivne Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Koval, said that all enemy air targets were shot down in the region and no damage or destruction of infrastructure was recorded.

Vinnytsia RMA noted that air defense forces destroyed seven Russian UAVs overnight. There was no information on casualties, damage or destruction of property. Another six drones were shot down in Cherkasy region without any consequences.

ADVERTISIMENT

The defenders of the sky destroyed all the drones launched by the occupiers at Kyiv. There were no hits or damage in the capital. The enemy also tried to attack the city with ballistic missiles, but it were the suburbs that took the blow. In particular, in Brovary district of Kyiv region, a father and his four-year-old son were killed in a Russian missile attack last night. The debris of an enemy missile fell on their homes, and they were blocked in the rubble. Three other civilians, including a 13-year-old child, were seriously injured.

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Shares of Macys, Inc. (NYSE:M  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the ten analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $18.10.

M has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Macys from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Macys in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Telsey Advisory Group reissued a market perform rating and set a $21.00 price target on shares of Macys in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Macys from $22.00 to $17.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price objective on Macys from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 22nd.

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Macys Stock Performance

Shares of M opened at $15.58 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $4.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 519.33 and a beta of 2.18. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $17.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $18.85. Macys has a 12 month low of $10.54 and a 12 month high of $22.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Macys (NYSE:M  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 21st. The company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.12. Macys had a return on equity of 21.40% and a net margin of 0.05%. The company had revenue of $4.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.82 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.56 earnings per share. Macyss revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Macys will post 2.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Macys Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 14th were given a $0.1737 dividend. This represents a $0.69 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.46%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 14th. Macyss payout ratio is 2,300.00%.

Insider Transactions at Macys

In other Macys news, EVP Danielle L. Kirgan sold 24,147 shares of Macys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.96, for a total transaction of $457,827.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 348,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,598,080. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Antony Spring sold 18,981 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.96, for a total transaction of $359,879.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 267,265 shares in the company, valued at $5,067,344.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Danielle L. Kirgan sold 24,147 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.96, for a total value of $457,827.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 348,000 shares in the company, valued at $6,598,080. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 43,464 shares of company stock valued at $824,081 over the last quarter. 2.77% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Macys

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in M. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Macys by 9.8% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 15,489,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $297,385,000 after purchasing an additional 1,379,476 shares in the last quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd boosted its stake in Macys by 96.4% during the second quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 106,636 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,047,000 after buying an additional 52,337 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its holdings in Macys by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 44,337 shares of the companys stock valued at $851,000 after buying an additional 1,095 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Macys by 18.9% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,704,854 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,333,000 after buying an additional 747,542 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its stake in Macys by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 250,022 shares of the companys stock worth $4,800,000 after acquiring an additional 10,156 shares during the last quarter. 87.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Macys Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Macy's, Inc, an omni-channel retail organization, operates stores, websites, and mobile applications in the United States. The company sells a range of merchandise, such as apparel and accessories for men, women, and kids; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods under the Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and bluemercury brands.

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Needham & Company LLC reissued their buy rating on shares of Innovid (NYSE:CTV  Free Report) in a research report report published on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $3.00 price target on the stock.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and issued a $3.00 price objective on shares of Innovid in a research report on Tuesday, June 4th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Innovid from $2.20 to $2.50 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd.

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Innovid Trading Down 3.6 %

CTV traded down $0.06 on Tuesday, reaching $1.62. The stock had a trading volume of 178,175 shares, compared to its average volume of 393,831. Innovid has a 12-month low of $0.95 and a 12-month high of $2.58. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $1.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1.97. The company has a market cap of $233.95 million, a P/E ratio of -7.71 and a beta of 3.14.

Innovid (NYSE:CTV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $37.95 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.35 million. Innovid had a negative return on equity of 7.81% and a negative net margin of 20.24%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.03) earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Innovid will post -0.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Innovid

In related news, major shareholder Sequoia Capital Israel Iv Hold sold 8,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.10, for a total value of $16,800,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,697,224 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,364,170.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Innovid news, major shareholder Sequoia Capital Israel Iv Hold sold 8,000,000 shares of Innovid stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.10, for a total transaction of $16,800,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 9,697,224 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,364,170.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Zvika Netter purchased 20,000 shares of Innovid stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 21st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2.07 per share, for a total transaction of $41,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 4,960,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,268,717.31. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 9.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CTV. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Innovid by 174.3% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 521,866 shares of the companys stock worth $1,297,000 after purchasing an additional 331,643 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Innovid by 2,993.1% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 314,599 shares of the companys stock worth $582,000 after buying an additional 304,428 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Innovid by 6.5% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,555,974 shares of the companys stock worth $11,344,000 after buying an additional 279,830 shares during the last quarter. Legato Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Innovid in the second quarter worth $438,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Innovid by 3,951.8% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 116,893 shares of the companys stock worth $216,000 after buying an additional 114,008 shares during the last quarter. 25.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Innovid Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Innovid Corp. operates an independent software platform that provides ad serving, measurement, and creative services. It offers advertising services for the creation, delivery, and measurement of TV ads across connected TV, mobile TV, and desktop TV environments to advertisers, publishers, and media agencies.

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NiSource (NYSE:NI  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Evercore ISI from $32.00 to $34.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the utilities providers stock.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Mizuho initiated coverage on shares of NiSource in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. They set an outperform rating and a $33.00 target price on the stock. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of NiSource from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on NiSource from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $30.83.

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NiSource Trading Up 1.0 %

NiSource stock traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $31.35. The stock had a trading volume of 4,434,601 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,260,353. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $29.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.98. NiSource has a twelve month low of $22.86 and a twelve month high of $32.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.05 billion, a PE ratio of 20.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.50.

NiSource (NYSE:NI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.06. NiSource had a net margin of 14.23% and a return on equity of 9.56%. The firm had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.11 earnings per share. Analysts expect that NiSource will post 1.72 EPS for the current year.

NiSource Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st will be paid a $0.265 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 31st. This represents a $1.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.38%. NiSources dividend payout ratio is currently 69.28%.

Insider Buying and Selling at NiSource

In other NiSource news, SVP Melanie B. Berman sold 3,742 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.96, for a total value of $104,626.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 19,978 shares in the company, valued at $558,584.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NiSource

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of NI. TCW Group Inc. lifted its holdings in NiSource by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 792,187 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $21,033,000 after purchasing an additional 57,498 shares during the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its holdings in shares of NiSource by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 438,845 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $12,144,000 after buying an additional 29,055 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in NiSource by 12.6% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 515,724 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $14,265,000 after buying an additional 57,658 shares during the last quarter. HF Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in NiSource in the 4th quarter worth $1,559,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in NiSource by 26.0% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 796,693 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $22,036,000 after acquiring an additional 164,532 shares during the last quarter. 91.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About NiSource

(Get Free Report)

NiSource Inc, an energy holding company, operates as a regulated natural gas and electric utility company in the United States. It operates in two segments, Gas Distribution Operations and Electric Operations. The company distributes natural gas to approximately 3.3 million customers through approximately 55,000 miles of distribution main pipeline and the associated individual customer service lines; and 1,000 miles of transmission main pipeline in northern Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland.

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Accel Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 12.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,317 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 932 shares during the period. Accel Wealth Managements holdings in Pfizer were worth $233,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PFE. City Holding Co. raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 18.9% during the 2nd quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 29,910 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $837,000 after buying an additional 4,744 shares in the last quarter. Cliftonlarsonallen Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Cliftonlarsonallen Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 18,090 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $506,000 after purchasing an additional 638 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 17.2% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Advisors Inc. now owns 9,368 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $262,000 after purchasing an additional 1,375 shares in the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 17.3% in the 2nd quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 323,900 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $9,063,000 after purchasing an additional 47,753 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Talbot Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Talbot Financial LLC now owns 294,467 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,239,000 after purchasing an additional 1,234 shares in the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Pfizer Trading Down 0.7 %

PFE stock traded down $0.21 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $28.55. The companys stock had a trading volume of 25,795,602 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,340,824. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.86. Pfizer Inc. has a 12 month low of $25.20 and a 12 month high of $37.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $28.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $27.87.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a negative net margin of 4.66% and a positive return on equity of 8.42%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, July 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 26th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is currently -2,799.53%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on PFE shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded shares of Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $28.00 to $34.00 in a report on Wednesday. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating and set a $36.00 price target (up previously from $33.00) on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $34.54.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Pfizer

Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Register Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IJK  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 1,950 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $172,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. City Holding Co. grew its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 10,248 shares of the companys stock valued at $903,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO increased its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 280.1% during the second quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO now owns 4,139 shares of the companys stock worth $365,000 after purchasing an additional 3,050 shares in the last quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Triangle Securities Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Triangle Securities Wealth Management now owns 27,250 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,401,000 after purchasing an additional 628 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC grew its stake in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 17.6% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 12,459 shares of the companys stock worth $1,098,000 after buying an additional 1,861 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF Trading Up 0.0 %

IJK stock traded up $0.01 on Friday, hitting $86.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 130,025 shares, compared to its average volume of 358,904. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $67.63 and a 1 year high of $93.56. The stock has a market cap of $9.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.52 and a beta of 1.08. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $88.64 and a two-hundred day moving average of $87.48.

About iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF

iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest growth characteristics.

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Register Financial Advisors LLC reduced its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 40.1% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 2,870 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,918 shares during the quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $119,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Strategic Blueprint LLC raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 78.6% in the 4th quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 9,715 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $498,000 after acquiring an additional 4,275 shares during the last quarter. RFG Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 18,016 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $924,000 after acquiring an additional 1,064 shares during the last quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. PBMares Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. PBMares Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,141 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $212,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 121.7% in the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 77,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,953,000 after acquiring an additional 42,301 shares during the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of BMY traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $46.72. 14,083,504 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,967,806. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $43.02 and a 200-day moving average of $46.65. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $39.35 and a 52 week high of $63.41. The stock has a market cap of $94.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -15.07, a PEG ratio of 12.51 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.16.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.64 by $0.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a negative net margin of 14.06% and a positive return on equity of 12.51%. The business had revenue of $12.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.54 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.75 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 5th were given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.14%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 5th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is -77.42%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on BMY. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $55.00 to $48.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 26th. StockNews.com raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a neutral rating and set a $45.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Barclays downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $41.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, July 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $55.79.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Rye Patch Gold Corp. (CVE:RPM  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$1.06 and traded as high as C$1.10. Rye Patch Gold shares last traded at C$1.06, with a volume of 58,513 shares trading hands.

Rye Patch Gold Stock Down 0.9 %

The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$1.06 and a 200-day moving average of C$1.06.

About Rye Patch Gold

(Get Free Report)

Rye Patch Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Nevada, the United States. The company primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. It owns a 100% interest in the Florida Canyon Mine covering an area of approximately 71.4 square kilometers located in Nevda.

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CF Industries (NYSE:CF  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by stock analysts at UBS Group from $78.00 to $80.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the basic materials companys stock. UBS Groups price target would indicate a potential upside of 0.26% from the stocks previous close.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on CF. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of CF Industries from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of CF Industries from $87.00 to $83.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of CF Industries from $100.00 to $95.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 6th. Scotiabank cut their target price on shares of CF Industries from $86.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 6th. Finally, Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $88.00 target price (down from $96.00) on shares of CF Industries in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, CF Industries currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $83.91.

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CF Industries Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CF traded up $0.26 on Thursday, hitting $79.79. The stock had a trading volume of 1,554,091 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,275,662. CF Industries has a twelve month low of $69.13 and a twelve month high of $87.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 3.55 and a current ratio of 3.94. The firms 50 day moving average price is $73.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $77.48. The company has a market capitalization of $14.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.95.

CF Industries (NYSE:CF  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The basic materials company reported $2.30 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.50. CF Industries had a net margin of 19.03% and a return on equity of 14.08%. The company had revenue of $1.57 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.52 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.70 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that CF Industries will post 5.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CF Industries

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Edgestream Partners L.P. lifted its holdings in CF Industries by 1,186.2% during the 2nd quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 37,738 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,797,000 after purchasing an additional 34,804 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in CF Industries by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,871,116 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $212,823,000 after purchasing an additional 198,246 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in CF Industries by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 280,628 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $20,800,000 after purchasing an additional 21,766 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in CF Industries by 32.9% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,063 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $449,000 after buying an additional 1,502 shares during the period. Finally, Vest Financial LLC increased its position in CF Industries by 41.6% during the 2nd quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 311,849 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $23,114,000 after buying an additional 91,670 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.06% of the companys stock.

CF Industries Company Profile

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CF Industries Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement, and other industrial activities in North America, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Ammonia, Granular Urea, UAN, AN, and Other segments.

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Thangalaan actor Daniel Caltagirone: India has still got cinema whereas weve lost cinema in the West
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Preity Zinta and Raveena Tandon condemn violent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh
The head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, said that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the occupiers were constantly trying to contact him. At the time, the official was still working as the deputy head of the Regional State Administration.

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Filashkin said this in an interview with Glavkom. In particular, the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia called not only him not, but also all the leaders from different communities in Donetsk region.

"They tried to reach out to everyone. They called everyone who held leadership positions in the communities of Donetsk region. They offered to take their side, saying that we would be better off with Russia than we are now with Ukraine. I blocked everyone on my phone then. I offered them to join the Russian warship and blocked them," said the RMA head.

Now, according to him, the Russians are no longer trying to reach local authorities working in the frontline areas of Donetsk region. The enemy realized it is useless and stopped calling.

"Now, no one addresses me or my colleagues with such proposals. Almost all the leaders who manage the settlements on the front line are law enforcement officers, including representatives of the Security Service. I have worked in law enforcement all my life, so I know for sure that there are no such calls from the occupiers, no such signals from them," Filashkin said.

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As previously reported, new curfew rules will come into effect in Donetsk region on Monday, August 12. Depending on the distance to the front line, two schedules will be in effect: from 21:00 to 05:00 or from 17:00 to 09:00.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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Priyanka Chopra completes The Bluff shoot, shares sweet moments with Nick Jonas and daughter Malti
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Hindenberg report: Routine instruments sensationalised, no evidence of bribery, says lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai
Harshita Tyagi is a budding journalist on a mission to prove that financial markets and geopolitics can be as entertaining as your favorite TV show
This week, Ukrainian troops carried out a stunning operation, invading Russia and attacking border Kursk region. The offensive was the first attack by a foreign power on Russian European territory since World War II.

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The unexpected operation angered Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, who called it a "major provocation." This raises fears of a possible escalation of the conflict with both Ukraine and the United States, Kyiv's main ally, The Hill writes.

According to Olena Kudzko, vice president for policy and programs at GLOBSEC, a think tank, Ukraine has successfully changed the narrative of the war by entering Russian territory.

"Ukrainians are making every effort to change the narrative of the war. Before [Kursk], there was a feeling that the war had become quite predictable, and from many sides the war was already perceived as frozen. With this attack, Ukraine actually managed to demonstrate that there is room to make this war unpredictable, that there is room to surprise Russia," she explained.

Federico Borsari, research fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, believes that the Kursk operation is reminiscent of the counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson in 2022. According to him, this operation puts pressure on Russia, forcing it to pull back troops to protect its borders.

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According to The Hill, Ukraine is attacking in two main directions: towards Sudzha and Korenyovo district.

Tomasz Blusiewicz, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, believes that Ukraine will likely withdraw from the Kursk region after forcing Russia to redeploy several brigades used for frontline positions.

Instead of holding the area, Ukraine's plan may be to attack strategic resources in Russia, including equipment and territory used to launch attacks. Capturing prisoners and territory could also be used in negotiations and prisoner exchanges. Ukrainian forces have also seized a gas metering station in the Kursk region, and the nearby Kursk nuclear power plant is also under threat.

According to Brock Bierman of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the Ukrainian offensive is strategically important because it targets important assets in Russia. This forces Russia to redistribute resources for defense.

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The Kursk offensive has also forced Russian citizens to face the direct consequences of war. Previously, Ukrainian strikes against Russia were limited to random drone attacks on oil depots or strategic facilities. In the past few months, they have begun using long-range artillery to hit targets near the border.

Although Putin maintains control of the country, the operation in Kursk region casts doubt on his claim that the war is "under control."

We would like to add that former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that the outbreak of active hostilities in the Kursk region showed the weakness and vulnerability of the Russian regime. What is happening is part of the pressure on the aggressor country, he said.

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As reported, the Institute for the Study of War says that the Russian military command can now transfer more experienced and better equipped advanced units from the east or south of Ukraine to the Kursk region, but it will most likely take additional time to redeploy.

Other irregular Russian forces are already arriving on the ground, and the redeployment of the Northern Group of Russian troops may indicate Moscow's decision to sacrifice the offensive in Kharkiv region for the sake of defense in Kursk region.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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Hindenburg alleges SEBI chair Madhabi Buchs consulting firm earned many times more money than her salary
Madhabi Puri Buch and Dhaval Buch had invested in the same complex nested structure that was used by Vinod Adani, alleges Hindenburg
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Who is Dhaval Buch, Sebi chief Madhabi Buch's husband named in Hindenburg report
Who is Madhabi Puri Buch? Know all about SEBI boss allegedly linked to Adani offshore entities in new Hindenburg report
'Double standard at its best...': BJP lashes out at Rahul for talking big on Gaza, but being silent on safety of minorities in Bangladesh
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The Russian terrorist army continues to attack in different directions in an attempt to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops. The most active fighting continues in the Pokrovske sector.

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A total of 114 combat engagements were registered yesterday. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of the morning of August 11.

Over the course of the day, the enemy launched one missile attack and 73 air strikes, using 106 guided aerial bombs, at the positions of Ukrainian units and localities. In addition, the enemy made 4928 attacks, including 153 from multiple launch rocket systems.

The areas of Bytytsia, Basivka, Velyka Rybytsia, Kozacha Lopan, Serhiivka, Siversk, Pereizne, Druzhba, Toretsk, Oleksandropil, Hrodivka, Myrnohrad, Novodonetske, Neskuchne, Pyatikhatky, Novoandriivka and Bilohirya were hit by air strikes.

In turn, aviation, missile troops and artillery of the Defense Forces conducted 21 strikes on enemy manpower concentrations, five on enemy artillery and missile assets, and two on electronic warfare stations.

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In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy continued assault operations. There were six combat engagements in the area of Vovchansk.

The number of attacks in the Kupyansk sector reached ten overnight. Defense forces repelled all enemy assaults near Sinkivka, Berestove, Hlushkivka and Stelmakhivka.

In the Liman sector, our troops repelled 17 occupants' attacks in the vicinity of Nevske, Makiivka, Terny, and in the Serebryansky forest.

In the Siverskyi sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped seven assault actions near Bilohorivka, Spirne and Vyimka.

In the Kramatorsk sector, our troops stopped 11 enemy attempts to break through the defense in the areas of Bila Hora, Ivanivske and Chasovyi Yar. More than 80 percent of all combat engagements took place near the latter.

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In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out ten attacks near the localities of Pivnichne, Zalizne, Druzhba, Nyzhyk and Toretsk. The enemy conducted nine air strikes on Toretsk and the surrounding areas over the day.

In the Pokrovsk sector, our defenders repelled 38 enemy assaults. Most of them took place in the areas of Zhelanne, Hrodivka and Vozdvyzhenka - ten, eight and five respectively.

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In the Kurakhove sector, the Defense Forces repelled enemy attacks in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Karlivka and Kostiantynivka, where the occupants tried to break through the defense of our troops nine times.

In the Vremivsk sector, the aggressor attacked Ukrainian positions three times, near Vodiane, Staromykhailivka and Kermenchyk.

In the Orikhivsk sector, one firefight took place near Novodanylivka.

In the Prydniprovskyi sector, two Russian attacks were unsuccessful.

The situation in the Volyn and Polissya sectors remained unchanged. There are no signs of enemy offensive groups forming.

At the same time, our soldiers continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, depleting the enemy along the entire front line and in the rear. In total, Ukrainian troops neutralized over 1220 Russian invaders yesterday. The enemy also lost six tanks, 13 armored combat vehicles, 58 artillery systems, one helicopter, 27 tactical UAVs, 71 vehicles and 11 pieces of special equipment.

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In the morning of August 11, the Russian terrorist army shelled Kramatorsk in Donetsk region. Civilians were injured in the attack.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, a man and a child were killed in Brovary district of Kyiv region as a result of a Russian missile attack on the night of August 11. The debris of a downed enemy missile fell on residential buildings, and people were trapped under the rubble.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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AAP to hold meeting for Delhi polls on Sunday, Manish Sisodia to lead discussions
August 11, 2024 / 21:23 IST

Five Bangladeshi nationals, four of whom were women, were detained by the Navi Mumbai Police on Sunday when they were living in the Navi Mumbai region without authorization. The Navi Mumbai Police's Anti Human Trafficking Cell then conducted a raid on a home building in the Koparkhairane neighborhood after the police investigated information they had received. The individuals who were identified as citizens of Bangladesh were Mayra Aslam Malik, Naseema Begum Bakkam Ghazi, Firoza Shahadat Mulla, also known as Firoza Aneesh Sheikh, Fatima Fazlu Khan, and Aneesh Asruddin Sheikh. According to a police officer at Koparkhairane Police Station, all of the invaders entered India with the assistance of forged passports when they were being questioned.
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Defamation case: SC to hear Kejriwal's plea against summons on Aug 12
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Hindenburg Report: Here's how top political leaders, analysts reacted to the controversy
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How Muhammad Yunus responded after lakhs of Bangladesh Hindus protest persecution
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If Tgana govt doesnt honour commitments, Amara Raja may go elsewhere for expansion: Jayadev Galla
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IMA condemns murder of trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College; demands action within 48 hours
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Former External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh passes away at 93; PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar express grief
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Over 500 Chinese experts gathered at a conference in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, from Wednesday to Friday, to explore the integrated use of the Hefei Light Source (HLS) and the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), two large scientific facilities dubbed as "super microscopes" to probe the structure of the microscopic world.

The HLS is the first synchrotron light source in China, while the CSNS is the country's first and the world's fourth pulsed spallation neutron source.

Speaking at the conference, Wang Sheng, deputy director of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the HLS and the CSNS use X-rays and neutrons, respectively, to study the microstructures and properties of matter. The integrated utilization of the two large scientific facilities can obtain complete structural information on materials, said Wang.

The scientist explained that the spallation neutron source and synchrotron radiation source share numerous common user groups, as well as many similarities in key technologies and experimental methods. More than 95 percent of the users of spallation neutron source are also users of light sources, and many research projects require the use of both facilities, he added.

Wang said the conference built a platform for experts and users to exchange ideas, adding that the participants looked forward to using the two large scientific devices to carry out high-level scientific research and promote the further application of synchrotron light sources and neutron sources in multidisciplinary fields such as material science, life and environment, energy catalysis and engineering technology.

Experts suggest fully leveraging the complementary advantages of neutron scattering technology and synchrotron radiation technology to promote interdisciplinary integration, the development of high-tech industries and academic cooperation.

The conference was jointly organized by the University of Science and Technology of China and the IHEP.
One of the hardest jobs in the world has to be being a content moderator at X, the social network formerly known as Twitter. Not because they have a lot of work, since they hardly moderate anything anymore, but because the biggest troll is the companys own owner, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, who is an impulsive social media users. In the past few weeks, Musk has tweeted a fake video of supposed Venezuelan military commanders rebelling against Nicolas Maduro (he later deleted it); posted messages against the Venezuelan dictator, retweeting: The United States will become Venezuela if Trump is not elected; published a fake video of Kamala Harris saying she is a Deep State puppet; claimed that the White House promotes illegal immigration to import voters (when it is obvious undocumented immigrants cannot vote); and he cheered Donald Trump: Save our kids! because the Republican candidate promises to cut funding to schools that teach about racism, sexuality or gender in schools.

No X user can escape Musks tweets. If you use Twitter and you feel like youve been seeing a lot of Elon Musk lately, youre not crazy, says the two-part documentary Elon Musks Twitter Takeover. Indeed, Musks posts on the network have the highest visibility possible, and he tweets dozens of messages a day. They are often delusional conspiracy theories, and some have more than a whiff of antisemitism: he wrote that George Soros  the far rights favorite villain  hates humanity; and he claimed that Jewish people of sending hordes of minorities to Western countries to encourage the great replacement  the conspiracy theory that there is a plot to eradicate the white race. He later tried to apologize by visiting Auschwitz and Israel.

Musk also gave credence to the (homophobic and unfounded) claim that Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, was with a prostitute when he was attacked with a hammer in his home. He has called for the prosecution of Anthony Fauci, the scientist who advised the U.S. government during the pandemic. And he has posted countless messages against gender-affirming care for teenagers, one of the obsessions of Musk, who has a trans daughter who disowned her father.

The documentary is made by Frontline, a renowned investigative reporting division of PBS, and highlights, through insider interviews, the crisis that hit the company when Musk bought it in 2022. Musk  who is also the owner of Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink  maintains that Twitter was a dictatorship of progressives, who even dared to suspend Trumps account, so he turned the rebranded platform into the opposite: a paradise for trolls like him, neo-Nazis, supremacists, QAnon followers, Putins bots and sinister incels.

Musks most resounding move was his decision to sudden dismantle the platforms moderation teams, which were already struggling to contain the tide of garbage, and to give general amnesty to accounts suspended for spreading hate speech or inciting violence. He put up a Bat-Signal to racists, to misogynists, to homophobes, the documentary says, referring to the sign used to call Batman. After this decision, the number of banned words in content on the platform skyrocketed, with use of the N-word jumping 500%.

Elon Musk calls himself a free speech absolutist. But it is not true that X is now more neutral: some posts are amplified to huge audiences (Musks, for one) and others are not. Everything is less transparent than ever, because Musk has prevented academic researchers from accessing the platforms data, as they were able to before. The entrepreneur did not hesitate to block the accounts of serious journalists who reported on the company and, in particular, on the flight of major advertisers, a phenomenon that has meant that X users now mostly see advertisements for financial scams or cryptocurrencies.

To prove that there was political censorship when he arrived, Musk leaked internal company documents, including emails from employees, for the benefit of sympathetic journalists. Nothing scandalous came out of that material  the Twitter Files , although it was controversial to discover that political authorities, especially the FBI, were often in contact with the company to warn of certain content. Theres nothing odd about this if they were warning of risks to national security, from terrorism to disinformation promoted by Moscow.

In one of his most violent moves, Musk targeted former employees by name and surname so that they were lynched on the social network itself and persecuted by the sectarian media. The person most singled out was Yoel Roth, who was the head of Trust and Security at the company. Musk said he was responsible for a censorship industrial complex at Twitter, and Roth had to move out after he was doxed. When a Twitter user accused Roth, without any basis, of being a pedophile (a recurring strategy among the far right), Musk responded: Explains a lot.

Renee DiResta, an expert from Stanford University who took part in a committee on electoral integrity that issued warnings about disinformation, was also targeted. She was identified as a CIA agent  just because as a computer science student she had been awarded a scholarship in a CIA program, an experience undoubtedly valuable for her profession. Both DiResta and Roth received an unbearable number of threats.

The documentary also explores the broader debate beyond Musk: what does it mean for democracy that content moderation on platforms with such a big influence on politics and journalism is being done behind closed doors, with no transparency. Roth has a good answer to those who claim that there was a leftist bias in Twitter moderation before Musk: he says, it was simply that right and far-right accounts were publishing more fake news and hate speech. Musk should not be equidistant, nor punish leftists to compensate for this, but rather examine each case: People act like the whole practice was a mystery and was a conspiracy. It wasnt. It was in the rules.

The documentary draws a revealing parallel between the platforms degradation and Musks own ideological evolution: in just a few years, the businessman has gone from calling himself a centrist to being one of Trumps most enthusiastic supporter and a devout believer in the most unlikely conspiracies. In this way, the super-billionaire exemplifies what has happened to a large part of the conservative world, which has metamorphized from defending tradition and morality to an amoral, ruthless and deceitful position. Elon Musk, like Argentine President Javier Milei, represents well that anti-Christian right denounced by the very Catholic writer Juan Manuel de Prada. Recently, the magnate posted: Unless there is more bravery to stand up for what is fair and right, Christianity will perish. On his network, what is fair and right is indeed perishing.

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A rebound in gold prices to a record peak has dashed the Indian bullion industrys expectations of a lucrative festival season after their hopes were boosted by a deep cut in import duty two months ago to the lowest in a decade.



"Everyone was feeling positive about demand after the duty cut since we were seeing a spike in interest, and it really made us think the festival season would be amazing, Prithviraj Kothari, president of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), said.



"But with prices bouncing back right before the festivals, demand might end up being 20% lower than usual in terms of volume.



The festive season in India, the worlds biggest gold consumer after China, traditionally has been the time when people buy the most gold. It is considered auspicious as a present at weddings and during festivals such as Diwali and Dussehra. This year, Dussehra is on Oct. 12, and Diwali will be celebrated in late October.



Kothari said buying habits were shifting, with consumers spreading their purchases throughout the year and focusing on price rather than waiting for special occasions.



Since last years festive season, prices have risen by more than a quarter. Consumers spending power has not kept pace, Amit Modak, chief executive of PN Gadgil and Sons, a Pune-based jeweller, said.



Consumers are opting for lighter, more affordable jewellery to stay within budget, he said.



DUTY CUT AND MARKET ADJUSTMENTS



In late July, India cut import duties on gold to 6% from 15%, bringing local prices down to a four-month low of 67,400 rupees ($803.16) per 10 grams. Since then, they have risen by 13.2% to a record high of 76,331 rupees, tracking a rally in global markets.



After the duty cut, demand was robust, and jewellers made big bookings with jewellery manufacturers for deliveries ahead of the festive season, Ashok Jain, proprietor of Mumbai-based gold wholesaler Chenaji Narsinghji.



But now, jewellers are not taking delivery of the entire booked quantity. Many jewellers are taking delivery of only half of their bookings, Jain said.



A Kolkata-based jewellery manufacturer, who asked not to be named, said jewellers were avoiding stocking heavy, more expensive, jewellery that was less in demand.



Dealers have also reduced the premium they are charging compared with following the duty cut to try to spur demand.



Indian dealers this week charged a premium of up to $3 an ounce over official domestic prices,  inclusive of 6% import and 3% sales levies, down from the premium of up to $20 in last week of July.



In August, Indias gold imports surged by 216% versus the previous month to 136 metric tons as jewellers anticipated strong festive demand.



The subsequent price surge led imports to drop 60 tons in September, dealers have estimated.




Bangladesh interim govt says it intends to maintain 'smooth and positive' relations with all, including India and China
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Tariq ibn Ziyad, in command of the troops of the Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus, arrived on the shores of Hispania in 711. The Visigothic kingdom was divided and, after a resounding victory against the forces of King Rodrigo in the battle of Guadalete (of disputed location), they advanced in just a decade through almost the entire Iberian Peninsula. Despite the scarcity of contemporary historical sources and aside from some conspiracy theories (such as that the conqueror would be Visigoth and called Taric), the invasion was consummated at that time and the experts agree on those facts: it is History.

Around 718 or 722, the battle of Covadonga supposedly took place in modern-day Asturias in northern Spain. It was a fray in which the legendary Pelagius the Visigoth, considered the first monarch of the kingdom of Asturias, halted the Muslim advance on the Cantabrian coast. It is recounted by the chroniclers of King Alfonso III a century and a half later and, regarding this event, many historians are in no doubt: it is a myth. Almost 800 years later, in 1492, Muhammad XII, known to the Christians as Boabdil the Younger, handed over the city of Granada (which was founded by the Muslims) to the Spanish Catholic Monarchs. In this, too, the experts concur: it is History.

The capture of Granada brought an end to eight centuries of Muslim domination in Al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula), a medieval period that has come to be known as the Reconquest: How can something that lasts eight centuries be called a reconquest? noted Jose Ortega y Gasset with irony in his essay Espana invertebrada (1921). And, here, many experts qualify the word as a term that  rather than defining a historical period  deploys a suitable narrative to consolidate Spanish nationalism: that is Ideology.

In recent months, several essays have been published that warn of the ideological contamination that has permeated Spanish historiography, books that point directly against several milestones of nationalism. When historians become vindicators of the national spirit, their role is limited to that of indoctrinators of patriots at the service of political power, warns medievalist and al-Andalus expert Eduardo Manzano Moreno in his book Espana diversa. Claves de una historia plural, a volume in which he denounces how the history of Spain has buried under a mountain of commonplaces an extraordinary past characterized by a variegated and fascinating mosaic of diversity. And the problem with this canonical account of history is its sectarian and non-inclusive nature, whose long shadow is cast over Muslims, Jews, gypsies, pre-Columbian populations, heretics, political dissidents, and rival nationalist ideas and people.

Untangling this mountain of identity cliches requires a great historiographical effort. The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) defines in a second entry  incorporated into the dictionary in 1936  the meaning of a term that has historians at odds. Reconquest: 1. Action and effect of reconquering. 2. Antonomasia. Recovery of the Hispanic territory invaded by the Muslims in 711 A.D., which ends with the capture of Granada in 1492. But, if the verb reconquer is, also according to the RAE, to conquer a place, province or kingdom that had been lost, can you reconquer something that you never possessed, that was never in your power? Can the term be applied to the medieval peninsular period?

The president of Spanish far-right party Vox, Santiago Abascal, began the electoral campaign on April 12, 2019 in Covadonga, a location considered by Spanish nationalism as the origin of the reconquest. J. L. Cereijido (EFE)

This is the debate that the book Reconquista! Reconquista? Reconquista with a rather eloquent cover drawing that features a medieval character swallowing, or perhaps spitting out, a huge toad, brings together. The fashioning of the title indicates the differing positions existing among historians: to retain the term to define that historical period given its implementation, to use it only in a restrictive way, or to do away with it altogether, to eradicate it from the vocabulary of historians and society. On the other hand, Covadonga, la batalla que nunca fue, by Jose Luis Corral, even denies the very existence of that confrontation, another banner of the Spanish right wing. And two recently published titles, Al-Andalus, by Maribel Fierro, and Pequena historia mitica de Espana, by David Hernandez de la Fuente, provide other approaches to the same dilemmas.

Under the coordination and editing of the historian David Porrinas, a medievalist and professor at the University of Extremadura, eight experts address in a collective essay the origins and semantic and historical connotations of the Reconquest, a concept that poses the controversial idea that Spain was forged against Islam. That is, while other invading civilizations such as the Phoenicians, Romans, or Visigoths are us, the inhabitants of al-Andalus, no matter for how many centuries they were rooted in the Peninsula, will always be them.

Professors Abilio Barbero and Marcelo Vigil, pioneers in the debate on the term Reconquest, had already questioned the concept  as recognized in the book coordinated by Porrinas  in three articles published between 1965 and 1971: for them, the Asturians, Cantabrians and Basques  the essence of Spanishness according to the defenders of the existence of an ancestral Spain  had remained outside the Roman and Visigothic domination and their subsequent struggle against the Muslims was only the continuation of the struggle against those peoples. They had nothing to reconquer.

Real, because of its consequences

Armando Besga Marroquin, of the University of Deusto in Bilbao, unequivocally applauds the use of the term in the essay. He affirms that, far from undermining its meaning, the Reconquests eight-century duration explains its enormous legacy. He notes that the concept was already used in that sense  although with other words  before its implementation in the 19th century; and, most importantly, he reduces the question to an all or nothing: if Spain existed before 711, there is Reconquest, and if did not, there is no Reconquest. For him, Spain did exist (which he identifies with Roman Hispania). And he recalls the Thomas theorem (formulated in 1928 by the sociologist William I. Thomas): If people define situations as real, these are real in their consequences. In his view, the consequences are that in the Iberian Peninsula there is now a Western society that differs from the one that might have existed in the absence of the invasion and the subsequent Reconquest.

Along these lines, Carlos de Ayala Martinez, of the Autonomous University of Madrid, argues that throughout those centuries there were periods in which a spirit of legitimate recovery of the Iberian Peninsula was established. Specifically, he notes that shortly before the year 900, in the time of Alfonso III, an ideology was forged and sustained by Pelagius, which supported the monarch as the supposed heir of the Visigothic kingdom to invade Al-Andalus with religion as a clear banner. This is where De Ayala establishes the beginning of the notion of Reconquest (but not the word). A story that would be repeated under different approaches in later centuries. Although, as he assures, Christians and Muslims did not spend 800 years in permanent struggle. They were centuries and centuries with periods of relative tranquility interrupted by countless clashes between the forces of both religions, but also of Christians against Christians, Muslims against Muslims, or one and the other in coalition against alliances that included their own co-religionists.

The forging of the nation-state in the 19th century

Martin Rios Saloma, of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), traces the origin of the historiographical concept of the Reconquest. After verifying that the political and military program of expanding the Christian territories at the expense of Al-Andalus did not incorporate the concept in the first centuries of the Reconquest, he explains that its genesis and development is linked to the forging of the nation-state in the 19th century, to the stories with which it was intended to create a particular identity for the Spanish nation.

'Allegory of Franco and the Crusade (1948-1949)' a work also known as 'Crusaders of the 20th Century,' showing the dictator protected by Santiago on horseback, by the Bolivian artist Arturo Reque Meruvia, 'Kemer,' in the General Military Archive of Avila. Album / Oronoz

Specifically, in the 1840s, the word Reconquest began to appear timidly in several texts by historians, in a context that compared the conquest of Al-Andalus with the expulsion of the Napoleonic armies by guerrillas. And although at the beginning of the 20th century a movement arose against the term due to its ideological contamination, the Spanish Civil War and Francos regime put a stop to any debate. The word Reconquest was now used without hesitation in history texts, political slogans, and even sermons in pulpits. This has led to an invented tradition, as Rios Saloma notes, mentioning the famous words of former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar in 2004 in Georgetown (United States): Spain refused to be just another piece of the Islamic world, he stated unashamedly, molding the concept of Spain as he wished.

De-ideologizing the word

Against the term, and the theses of Besga Marroquin and De Ayala, is Ana Isabel Carrasco Manchado, of the Complutense University, who states: For it to be used as a useful historiographical category it would be necessary [...] to denationalize the concept, that is, to strip it of its ideological components of national identity. Carrasco Manchado also believes that continuing to use the term in a pedagogical sense with the meaning of ideology justifying the war is more voluntarist than real. Therefore, she recommends dispensing with the use of a word that teaches nothing about the medieval society of those years and using already established concepts that describe the era much better, such as feudalism, frontier, warlords, or even colonization and conquest.

Former prime minister Jose Maria Aznar dressed as El Cid for a report published in 'El Pais Semanal' on December 20, 1987.

Along the same lines, Alejandro Garcia San Juan, professor at the University of Huelva and signatory, together with Carrasco Manchado, of an initiative to eliminate the aforementioned second meaning put forward by the RAE, believes that speaking of the political uses of the Reconquest is a mere redundancy given that this is its essential function. In his text, the expert points out Spanish politician Manuel Fraga mentioning the expulsion of the Moors or King Juan Carlos I speaking of Covadonga as the place where the heart of Spain has its most intimate and universal beat. He recalls how Aznar, in 1987, when he was regional premier of Castilla y Leon, did not hesitate to dress up as El Cid for a report in El Pais Semanal and the leader of Spanish far-right party Vox, Santiago Abascal, at an event in Rome in 2019 went so far as to state: Spain has an advantage: that it was vaccinated against Islamic immigration during eight centuries of occupation and eight centuries of Reconquest. There is no doubt that, for the ultra-right leader, 800 years and 40 generations born in the Peninsula do not fit into his notion of Spanish.

From Franco the scriptwriter to Captain Trueno

Other experts who contribute to the essay are Francisco Garcia Fitz, from the University of Extremadura, who does not hesitate to qualify the political uses of the concept as a heavy burden for historiographic work. Javier Albarran, from the Autonomous University of Madrid, approaches the subject from the point of view of the Arab sources, who considered Al-Andalus their homeland after eight centuries of settlement (compared to the three centuries the Visigoths had been present in Spain), even after their departure in 1492. Francisco J. Moreno Martin, also of the Complutense, analyzes the incorporation of the word Reconquest into popular culture, ranging from the abundant representation of the milestones in painting and sculpture, and its use by Francos propaganda machine to equate the regime with the medieval past, to its use in literature, films such as Raza (scripted by Franco himself) that alluded to the great liberating crusade, and even comics such as El capitan Trueno or El guerrero del antifaz (The masked warrior).

Captain Trueno strikes his enemies with his sword, on the cover of a reissue of the first issue of 'Captain Trueno', a series created in 1956 by the scriptwriter Victor Mora and the cartoonist Miguel Ambrosio Zaragoza 'Ambros'. Ediciones B

Rethinking concepts

Jose Luis Corrals book, despite its title (Covadonga. The battle that never was), far from focusing on that mythical episode, becomes another challenge to the whole nationalist use of that medieval period. Corral, a professor at the University of Zaragoza, raises the difficulty of unraveling the historical facts of the rapid occupation  although everything points to a peaceful conquest, with only three notable battles, and achieved on the basis of pacts with the Visigoths. It is not surprising that, despite this, the Arab chronicles spoke of heroic victories while the Christian texts emphasized the violence and extreme cruelty of their enemies. As for Covadonga, it does not even give much credence to the Arab sources that mention, eight centuries later, the resistance of Belai al-Rumi (the mythical Pelagius), a wild ass who confronted them in the mountains and whom they ignored when there were only 30 wild asses left because, well, what harm could they do?

Terms and concepts have a history behind them and therefore it may be necessary to abandon them or rethink them when the burden they carry does not allow an adequate understanding of the realities to which they are intended to refer, explains Maribel Fierro, a researcher at the Center for Human and Social Sciences in Al-Andalus. In her book, as well as highlighting in several chapters the advances of that Iberian kingdom in science, culture, philosophy, art, politics and economics, Fierro underlines the respect that prevailed towards the other two monotheistic religions under the concept of dhimma  there is no coercion in religion states the Quran  in an application that implied no persecution, although discrimination did occur. Forced conversions were exceptional (contrary to the later policy of Castile in 1502 and Aragon in 1526). And the author explains that very few of the invaders were, from the ethnic point of view, Arabs and Berbers, so most of those who inhabited the peninsula were descendants of the native settlers, despite the current nationalist purpose of painting them as usurper foreigners. The expert also tries to clear up many of the confusing data of those years, such as the tendency to unify all the settlers of Al-Andalus under one prism, as they were all Arabized and Islamized to a greater or lesser degree and grouped under very confusing terms: Mozarabs, Muladis, Mudejars, Moors... And although interbreeding undoubtedly occurred, even among the ruling aristocracy, none of those lineages claimed their pre-Islamic peninsular past, unlike the Muslims in Persia, who did highlight their interbreeding to justify a lawful stay in a conquered land. This should not justify contemporary ideological rejection: I have never heard a Muslim say sorry for having conquered Spain and occupying it for eight centuries, said Aznar, on another visit to Georgetown in 2006.

Charlton Heston in a still from the film 'El Cid' (1961), by Anthony Mann.

A repeated pattern

For his part, the essay by David Hernandez de la Fuente, professor at the Complutense University of Madrid, on the mythical history of Spain, addresses the controversy that divides historians. Starting with Pelagius, to whom all sorts of origins and lineages have been attributed, and his supposed tomb in Covadonga as a symbol of the Christian restoration that came to save the embers of an ancient and romantic idea of Spain. The story of the continuity between the Visigothic world and the Asturian or Castilian world follows, in the experts opinion, the same scheme as other European nations, which cling to a sometimes tenuous and subtle thread to speak of the ups and downs of history, between heroes and traitors in a narrative pattern very much repeated in different latitudes.

In another chapter he explains that Al-Andalus is torn between two archetypes: on the one hand, that of the utopia of an era of coexistence between religions and of an Arab Islamic culture, heir to Greek science and philosophy (as opposed to the barbaric West), and on the other, that of the denial of that entire period as part of the history of the homeland, considered rather as an exception, or a parenthesis between the Roman and Visigothic eras and the neo-Gothic restoration of 11th-century Castile. For all these reasons, Hernandez de la Fuente recommends continuing research on the Islamic heritage in order to consolidate impartial studies that transmit a balanced vision far removed from ideologies.

But it may be difficult to move away from a mythology that survives to this day. It is worth recalling the significant electoral visits made in recent years by Vox leader Abascal to the monastery of Covadonga to immerse himself in Spanishness. There he proclaimed in 2019: Asturias is Spain and the rest, conquered land. Although perhaps in a slip of the tongue he forgot to say reconquered, a verb more in line with the ideology he propagates.

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Can you imagine if we had all the vote records scanned on the Internet and if you entered the number of your ID card in a web page and the image of the voting certificate of your center appeared? Wouldnt that create more confidence? That is what it is all about, that as citizens we can face and overcome the obstacles placed by the National Electoral Council to the transparency and confidence of the electoral process. Maria Corina Machado (Caracas, 56 years old) did not make these statements on Friday, during the interview with EL PAIS. They are not even recent, although they summarize the plan with which she has put Nicolas Maduro in check after the elections of last July 28. The Venezuelan opposition leader made these statements 16 years ago, in 2008, when she had already specialized in electoral transparency issues and Hugo Chavez was in power.

Recalling that interview, a video that has gone viral this week, is the only moment in the half-hour conversation in which Machado grants a smile. It is 9.00 a.m in Caracas when the videoconference is activated and the Venezuelan politician appears seated on what looks like a sofa and a white wall behind it. She makes sure that there is no detail that could give an idea of where she is. It has been more than a week since she decided to take refuge, to live in semi-clandestinity after attending the August 3 demonstration in Caracas, facing the threat of being arrested. The Venezuelan Attorney Generals Office, controlled by chavismo, opened a criminal investigation against her and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia after they published a press release asking the Armed Forces to cease repression, a text that the opposition presidential candidate she was disqualified by chavismo  signed as president-elect.

The case, Machado believes, is part of the brutal repression  she repeats the term on more than one occasion  that the Venezuelan government has unleashed since July 29, one day after the presidential election and in which, according to Maduro himself, more than 2.000 people have been detained.

That early morning, the National Electoral Council, also in power of the ruling party, proclaimed Maduro the winner of the elections, although two weeks later it has not shown any proof of his triumph. The opposition, on the other hand, has published almost all the vote records after the collection made by witnesses in the voting centers, an operation in which hundreds of thousands of people were involved, Machado assures. Those minutes, scanned and uploaded to a web site, with verifiable data and votes table by table, show Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner with 67% of the votes, against 30% for Maduro. The publication of these minutes has led several countries, among them the United States, and organizations such as the Carter Center to recognize Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner.

Obviously we were prepared, there have been dozens of elections with fraud and cheating of different magnitudes and we had never had the evidence in hand. This time we said: Its going to be different, celebrates Machado, once for many the representative of the most extreme sector of the Venezuelan opposition, supported by the most reactionary leaders in the world; today undisputed leader and unifier of the entire spectrum seeking a change in the Caribbean country.

Two weeks have passed since the elections, a time that in the convulsed Venezuela is equivalent to months in any other place on the planet. With Maduro entrenched, the opposition leaders under protection and the population immersed in the fear and uncertainty generated by the fact that the country has entered an unknown terrain, all eyes are on the attempts of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico to try to reach a negotiated solution to the crisis.

Maria Corina Machado, en su oficina de Caracas, el 25 de julio de 2024. Gaby Oraa

Question. What comes next?

Answer. In 25 years we have never been here, with the regime so weak and us so strong. The farce that this is a polarized country is falling, the bases of Chavismo are with us, the bases of the Armed Forces are with us. We had already given them the social defeat, we only needed to ratify it with numbers so that the whole world would know what we already knew. Today Maduro has no legitimacy as a result of his repressive escalation, which is the only thing he has left. He is more and more rejected, including by his allies, this has not happened before. Maduro is not evaluating his options correctly, he is entrenched around a military leadership that is capable of doing a lot of damage, as he has demonstrated. The challenge is to make Maduro understand that his best option is to accept the terms of a negotiated transition. Many countries, many governments are aligned around that.

Q. Brazil, Colombia and Mexico are trying to promote a negotiated solution to the crisis. Most of the international community has united around this initiative. Can it be said that negotiations are already underway?

A. We can already talk about transition, I do not know if it is a negotiation. For a negotiation to take place, both parties must be willing. We are determined, with four conditions. First, a negotiation based on respect for the popular sovereignty of July 28. I believe that this is a position that unites all the countries of the world when they say that there must be an impartial verification of the vote records. Ours are available so that whoever wants to analyze them, verify them, can do so, that is why our database is open. Second, it is a negotiation for the transition, not for power sharing or other ideas that have arisen. Third, it is a negotiation in which we are willing to give guarantees, safe-conducts and incentives (to Maduro and Chavismo), about which I am not going to elaborate because it is obviously inconvenient to do so and it would be the subject of the negotiation itself. Fourthly, a negotiation in which the country that elected its leaders and representatives feels well represented.

Q. That scenario is still a long way off. What is the priority objective?

A. Stop the repression. If there is something I have to ask the international community is that this has not had the denunciation it deserves. We are talking about Maduro bragging daily that he has more than 2.000 people detained, they are taking electoral witnesses from their homes, they are looking for those who were volunteers on election day.

Q. What are the red lines, what is non-negotiable?

A. The result of July 28 is non-negotiable, popular sovereignty is non-negotiable. How is it possible to have another election? There has already been one here, under the terms of the regime, with an absolutely unequal campaign. We went under their terms, with their machines, with their records... The records we have are official documents of the CNE. Under their rules, we won, the world knows that we swept.

Q. The three countries that are pushing for an exit are governed by the left, in the ideological antipodes of you. What confidence do they inspire in you?

A. There is clarity in the world that Venezuela is not an issue of left and right. It is a discussion, a struggle, much more transcendent. This has to do with freedom against totalitarianism; with justice against the most corrupt regime on the planet; with democratic stability against a regime that shakes the stability not only of Venezuela, but of the region. It has to do with essential human rights issues. About Venezuela there is a very important alignment even in countries with enormous tension, such as the United States. Or in Europe, on how many issues is there absolute unanimity among the 27?

Q. But what do you think of the role of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico?

A. I have to recognize that the behavior of these countries since before the electoral process has been correct. They have contributed at crucial moments to make it clear to Maduro that not to celebrate the electoral process was a red line. I recognize this and I am grateful for it. The only one I have not interacted with is the Government of Mexico. Since the election, the countries that have recognized Edmundos victory have taken a correct position, but I can understand that there are countries that have a more prudent position to maintain the communication channel with the regime. I am a liberal, everybody knows what I think. But beyond ideological affinities, those three countries understand very well that the only thing left for Maduro is violence, as he warned. These three countries understand the enormous danger for Latin America if Maduro tries to hold on to power by force. That would produce a migratory wave of three or four million people in the short term.

Q. In the first conversation held by the presidents of those countries, it was suggested that Edmundo Gonzalez should be at the center of the negotiation. Would you be willing not to be in the center, to cede protagonism?

A. At the center are the Venezuelans, and Edmundo is the president elect. Now, the reality is that it is the Venezuelans who elect their representatives, they did it in the primaries and on July 28. It is Edmundo and I who have the responsibility and the legitimacy, and it is not the international community who chooses the representatives of the Venezuelans. Much less Maduro, who has done so in the past. Edmundo and I are a team, an indissoluble block.

Q. There is another group of countries and leaders, such as the Argentine Javier Milei and other Latin American presidents and former presidents, who have always given you their support and ask for much more drastic solutions, who are not in favor of a negotiation or want more sanctions against Chavismo. What do you say to them?

A. We all want the same thing, we all want a peaceful and orderly transition. Many of them have insisted that it is an urgent process. Today Maduro feels that the cost of repression is zero, that he can kill young people, disappear leaders, and the cost is zero. He must be made to understand that the cost of repression is high and therefore his best option is to accept the terms of a negotiated transition.

Q. Edmundo Gonzalez signed a statement this week as president-elect," which has generated a lot of controversy, bringing to mind Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela in 2019. What did he think?

A. I answer you using the words of the Chilean president, Gabriel Boric. Here the self-proclaimed one is Nicolas Maduro. Edmundo Gonzalez is the elected president because that is what the results and the official records show. Lets not mix things up, because the experience of the interim has nothing to do with what is happening now, which is the product of more than 12 million people who voted. Venezuelans know that and so does the world.

Q. Who do you trust within Chavismo and the circle close to Nicolas Maduro?

A. I dont know anyone in Maduros inner circle. It is no longer a matter of trust, but of alignment of incentives. They do know that I am a person of my word and they know that I keep it.

Q. Do you think they are going to arrest you or Edmundo Gonzalez?

A. In Venezuela everything is possible, I feel that in his desperation Maduro has opted for the most dangerous way, to entrench himself, to surround himself with a high military command. I think it is a huge mistake on his part and a huge risk for Venezuelans.




Vice President Kamala Harris steps off of Air Force Two upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, July 25, 2024.
The arrival of summer not only floods social media with idyllic seaside sunsets, crystal-clear waters and images from those eager to share their beach reads. It also brings with it a barrage of photographs in which users flaunt their swimwear silhouettes. The most risque of these shots are relegated to the green circle of close friends, meaning that they are relegated to being seen by only the specially-selected contacts determined by the user themselves. These are referred to as thirst traps, according to Urban Dictionary, which first debuted the phrase back in 2011 under the description, A sexy photograph or suggestive message that people upload to social networks to let others know they are attractive. The fact that they are referred to as traps is a nod to how the images are meant to be sexy, but not overtly sexual. After all, this is Instagram, an app that has firm rules when it comes to full-frontal nudity (buttocks are allowed, while female breasts are verboten.)

According to a study by the digital publication Mediapart in collaboration with the European Data Journalism Network and Algorithm Watch, mens posts showing their exposed body are 28% more likely to appear in users feeds, with photographs that show landscapes or food having 60% less probability of being promoted by Instagram. Given this data, which suggests that the algorithm favors shots of us wearing less clothes, Facebook released a statement: We position posts on the feed of each person according to the content and accounts in which they show interest, not according to factors as arbitrary as the presence of swimsuits.

But as Fatima Martinez Lopez, author of Influencer Marketing: Curso practico para agencias, influencers y marcas (Influencer Marketing: A practical guide for agencies, influencers and brands; 2023, Anaya Multimedia) told EL PAIS, Since people are getting rich on OnlyFans, Instagram is becoming OnlyFans. She says that though Instagram, like TikTok, has community standards that expressly prohibit certain content, over time, its moderators have become more relaxed. Before, they would remove content, now they are more permissive and although there are limits on nudity and content, they dont usually intervene if users dont report it, because that type of content generates interactions and keeps users more hooked on their platforms. In the case of Twitter, sexual content is authorized and therefore, every day we see hundreds of porn accounts, she says.

Still, as Doctor Carolina Are, innovation fellow at Northumbria University, explains to Mashable, not all bodies receive the same treatment on Instagram. There have been stories that show that algorithms pick up, for instance, Black plus-size bodies more than white skinny bodies, she says.

Alberto Velasco, the 40-year-old Spanish actor behind Mover Montanas (Moving Mountains), a theatrical production in which he speaks of folklore through the use of his own body that was awarded with the prize for Most Innovative at Valladolids International Festival of Theater and Street Arts, uploads endless images to his social media accounts in which nudity has practically become a political act. In reality, the nude intimidates me. When people with non-normative bodies take our clothes off, we are not only removig clothes from our body, but also our soul. Theres a kind of vulnerability that has been exposed, because we are showing off our wounds. My thoughts are a dichotomy: it angers me that, because I uploaded a photo, people call me brave, but at the same time, I think I am, because I am aware that the act will have a positive repercussion among people with diverse bodies and who are tired of only one kind of body being represented, he says.

A fat person has to be demonstrating all the time that they no longer want to be one, that intimidates me, says the actor, who confesses to having posted and deleted too many photos to count. He eventually does post some of them, he says, out of rebellion and to stake a claim on the territory of the normative. Sexy photos that do not come from a normative body evoke shame. Even people who have a personal preference for non-normative bodies are implicated, which makes them feel bad. Being sexy is the right of everyone who forms a part of society, we all have a desire to be wanted. Sometimes there is a halo of rage, but I reclaim the power of my body from a place of happiness, he says.

Velasco says that his social media has been seen by many people thanks to his projects. More than 2000 people have found photos in which I am naked unacceptable. But many people, less in quantity, but who become more engaged, have also arrived through those images, he tells EL PAIS.

Validation and business

Likes and flame emojis function on social media as dopamine injections, the inspiration that drives many people to upload sexy images of themselves wearing little clothing. Uploading those photos isnt just a way of getting external validation, although I admit that it can be very gratifying. Its also a form of personal liberation. I feel much freer now. The truth is that my boyfriend doesnt care at all that I upload sexy photos to my close friends circle, says David Garcia, a 38-year-old computer scientist who starting posting thirst traps during the pandemic out of sheer boredom. Ive always been a bit shy with my body, but I started uploading these pictures out of curiosity and noticed, from the very beginning, that I got a lot of attention. I thought that the positive reception was due to the fact that people were, like me, locked up at home. But things stayed the same afterwards, when the pandemic ended. I really cant complain. The number of flames and messages I get is overwhelming at times, but its also a sign that Im connecting with my audience, which translates into subscriptions, he says.

When David talks about subscriptions, he is referring to a feature introduced in 2022 that allows Instagram users to create an alternative, paid channel for offering exclusive content to followers, who pay a monthly fee set by the creator. The feature swaps out the green of close friends with a ring whose golden color implies certain privilege. Martinez Lopez, founder of marketing and communication consultants Social Media Fidelity Management, says that, Instagram subscriptions can easily become OnlyFans, as many influencers take advantage of the Instagram feature to upload photos that are more intimate and sensual than what they would post on their public profile.

In a 2013 essay published by The New York Times, actor James Franco wrote of another reason why photographs of oneself work so well on social media: they get the attention of an increasingly elusive social milieu. In this age of too much information at a click of a button, the power to attract viewers amid the sea of things to read and watch is power indeed, Franco attested. And that can have a positive impact on ones professional life. Andres Manzano, a 31-year-old model, shares Francos view. My shirtless photographs have way more likes than the rest. I think that, aside from the memory of the photograph, I like to show that Ive worked on my body, and knowing that it can get more likes, that drives me to post photographs that also raise my self-esteem. Im not going to deny that those photos arent bad for flirting says Manzano. There are people who have told me that I look arrogant or full of myself from the photos I post, but I use it more like a portfolio for my work and to show my range. When Ive had a girlfriend, shes never gotten mad because of it. If someone did, Id cut off the relationship immediately, its personal and everyone posts what they want.

Martinez Lopez says that sexy images and videos generate more attention. Users are attracted by that kind of content, it gets more interaction in general, likes and comments more than anything. Although many comments can be negative, the algorithm doesnt discriminate and based on the volume of engagement, it gives more relevancy to the post and makes it go viral, she says. For now, the algorithm hasnt been able to parse the most important factor behind sexy content: its intention. Is it supposed to be an arousing, validating, revindicating nude? Or can it be all things at once? As long as some bodies continue to appear more valuable than others, the debate remains open.
If you look at the spread in any level of detail you can see the it is a series of superimposed epidemics.

Sometimes that looks like a high or low plateau.

It is constantly present but not a truly steady state.

 Dr Noor Bari (@NjbBari3) August 11, 2024
The US will "get a re-run of 9-11" if it doesn't fight Israel's wars with Iran and its allies, according to former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

Bennett wrote Tuesday on Twitter:

Let that sink in.

The only way to stop this Iranian Octopus of terror is to cut its head off. Collapse this terrible regime, just like former USSR.

**

Details:

Earlier today the DOJ announced that the FBI arrested Asif Raza Merchant, 46, with murder-for-hire with the goal of assassinating an American politician or official on U.S. soil.

He was being directed by Iran.

Heres the link:

https://justice.gov/opa/pr/pakistani...

**

Irans regime is the biggest source of global terror.

You cant forever defend yourself merely by fighting its proxies and trying to thwart all its attacks.

Inevitability youll miss some attacks, and youll get a re-run of 9-11.
German AfD-affiliated economist detained and interrogated for 10 hours, refused entry to U.S. while phone confiscated over offensive meme

An economist affiliated with Germany's conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was detained and interrogated for over 10 hours at a Chicago airport. His phone was seized by authorities allegedly for an offensive meme

Jurij Christopher Kofner arrived at the Chicago airport on Sunday, July 20, following a 12-hour flight from his hometown of Munich, Bavaria, after which he was immediately detained by the United States Border Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Related: CENSORSHIP: German government BANS conservative magazine, claiming to combat "hate speech" and "extremism.")

Kofner, a self-described "ordoliberal"  a German variant of classical liberalism  was set to attend a weeklong seminar in Springfield, Illinois on "Classical Liberalism and Business" at the University of Illinois, Springfield, organized by the American Institute of Economic Research and the Academy on Capitalism.

Kofner's phone was confiscated for allegedly containing a banned meme

Following the conclusion of Kofner's 10-hour ordeal  during which he noted he was subjected to "random questioning"  he was ultimately refused entry into the United States. Furthermore, his phone was confiscated by authorities for allegedly containing an offending meme. His laptop was also confiscated and subjected to an electronic search, but was later sent back to his home in Munich. His phone remains in U.S. custody "for further analysis."

The meme in question featured President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as soldiers on D-Day with the caption, in German: "Warmongers in the front row, as it should be."

In a statement, Kofner blamed his being refused entry on his affiliation with the AfD. He noted how, during his interrogation, the government agents questioned him about the German government's and "serious news agencies'" accusations that the AfD is a right-wing extremist party allegedly influenced by Russia.

Authorities questioned Kofner regarding his opinions about AfD Member of the European Parliament Maximilian Krah, who has been accused of spying for China and has been scrutinized both by the German government and media outlets for being an alleged sympathizer of Nazi Germany.

But the authorities also questioned him about his positions on the conflict in Ukraine, about German foreign policy, his and his party's connections to the Republican Party and his opinions on former President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH).

"I am disappointed that I was denied entry to the United States. Not only because I am a fan of Trump and American right-libertarian discourses and wanted to attend the American Institute of Economic Research's seminar on classical liberalism, but also because this would have been my first trip to the United States since I was a child, when our family owned a summer house in Tampa, Florida," said Kofner in his statement in German. "I had my original red MAGA cap with me and wanted to buy hardback copies of the Federalist Papers and other books that influenced vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance's worldview."

"Both the 10-hour interrogation with mostly stupid questions, the confiscation of my cellphone and my subsequent rejection at the U.S. border because of a meme only show me the weakness of the Biden administration and the forces behind it," he continued. "That is probably the price that some German patriots who fight for Germany's national sovereignty have to pay. On the other hand, I am glad to be back home and not in some prison cell in Guantanamo."

Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the German government's recent attempts to ban the AfD and how this is part of a wider, global assault on democracy.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Germany bans Compact Magazine in free press assault; 200 masked cops raid publisher's home for questioning official narratives.

Germany's AfD party just lost a major court case that makes it legally vulnerable to mass surveillance by spy agencies.

German government behaving like Nazis in banning free speech that they claim mirrors Nazi language about German nationalism.

NOT FUNNY: German comedian calls for the "culling" of German and Austrian conservative politicians.

Conservative German party brands EU a "failed project," calls for its complete overhaul as a federation of autonomous nations.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.Substack.com

DeutschlandKurier.de

Brighteon.com
Kamala Harris: Owned by Big Pharma, big trans, and big abortion

Throughout her mystifying, skyrocketing political career, Kamala Harris has repeatedly demonstrated her fealty to the pharmaceutical, abortion, and tra nsgender industries, using her position of authority to feed their unquenchable thirst for profit by promoting their manufactured demands for dangerous experimental vaccines, for their monstrous so-called sex-changing medical and surgical treatments for young people and kids, and for the devaluing and destruction of human life through abortion.

(Article by Doug Mainwaring republished from LifeSiteNews.com)

Harris, along with her newly picked vice-presidential running mate Tim Walz, are dangerous radical extremists, more beholden to lining the pockets of demonic so-called healthcare industries than they are to protecting the dignity and flourishing of American lives.

Harris: Fighting for Big Pharma profits, not public health

Harris has promoted the COVID-19 (C19) vaccine from the start and continues to do so as evidenced by an up to date vaccination requirement for all who seek employment at her campaign headquarters.

Harris currently demands that those she employ continually update their C19 vaccination status, despite the fact that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have admitted since August 2021 that the C19 jab does nothing to stop the transmission of COVID.

Harris has steadfastly stood by Bidens federal vaccine mandates, federal mask mandates, as well as lockdowns of businesses, schools, and places of worship all across America during COVID, noted Nikos Biggs-Chiropolos of the Honest Media Project. As someone who has spent her entire career trying to please Democratic Party elites and donors, rather than regular people, it is clear that her top priority is propping up powerful companies rather than fighting for better public health.

In a remarkable, damning video from July 2021, Harris spouts off one lie after another about the efficacy of the C19 vaccine.

Getting vaccinated is the single best defense against getting COVID-19 and its variants, declared Harris, who has never corrected herself or bothered to change her guileful messaging.

First, we all know it doesnt stop transmission, said Dr. James Lyons-Weiler, an expert who has documented vaccine safety and efficacy.

Second, wheres the study comparing it to the Brownstein protocol? Or comparing vaccination to Ivermectin? Or comparing vaccination to hydroxychloroquine plus corticosteroids and zinc? continued Lyons-Weiler. There have been no randomized clinical trials that made these comparisons.

Shes literally making this up as she goes along, he pointed out.

Is it moral for the vice president of the United States to say a vaccine is highly effective when it is unable to stop transmission of the virus it is intended to combat? asked Biggs-Chiropolos.

Its not moral, but her lies certainly helped pharmaceutical companies reap windfall profits from the C19 hysteria that Harris helped to foment.

Her record clearly shows how she is a puppet of Big Pharma rather than a champion of the people, said Biggs-Chiropolos.

But Harriss confounding continued push to promote the COVID-19 jab is only part of a larger picture of a leader who in reality is nothing more than a tool of nefarious healthcare industries.

It gets worse. Far worse.

Big Trans industry radical

In choosing Tim Walz  who as governor declared Minnesota to be a transgender sanctuary state and placed Tampon machines in the boys restrooms in public schools  Harris has signaled her support for the burgeoning, multi-billion-dollar transgenderism-technology-medical-industrial complex.

Healthcare professionals who stand to extract huge incomes from those entrapped in the nightmare of medically mutilated bodies and souls have repeatedly outright lied about the impact of and motivation behind their ghoulish medical practices.

That is clearly of no concern to either Walz or Harris. But why? What is the source of their remarkable allegiance?

In a video interview published last year, investigative journalist Jennifer Bilek demystified the ascendancy of the cult of transgenderism. Its all reaping huge profits by permanently mutilating the bodies of vulnerable young people.

Bilek explained:

This is totally a top-down arrangement of power.  You have a profiteering motive. Absolutely. Drugs. Surgeries. Surgery equipment. Not just the hormones and the puberty blockers, but you have the antibiotics, you have the anti-rejection medications. You have myriad surgeries that people want to have after they have this attack, basically, on their sex, a medical attack on their sex. Then they want to get their neck done, they want to get their Adams apple done, and they want to have their jaw shaved off. Its like a compulsion, and its driven through technology. Its consumerist orgy, and were the ones being consumed. People  our sex  is actually being deconstructed. Its not just an idea, an ideology; its actually happening. They are removing young womens reproductive organs at major hospitals. So, sex is actually medically being deconstructed as well as ideologically, and legally, and linguistically in the culture.

But theres an even more sinister motive behind the rise of the transgendering industry: replacing and transferring human sexual reproduction to the Big Tech.

The corporate state is running away with human sexual reproduction and transferring it to the tech sector, explained Bilek, a self-proclaimed feminist who has warned repeatedly that women are being erased in language and law. Its like we dont exist.

When you follow the money like I do, you find the answers, said Bilek. Its all going to the tech sector. They want to take over human reproduction with technology.

By taking away the means of human reproduction from young people and handing it over to Big Tech, huge corporate entities stand to reap billions of dollars annually. The fact is that they see the sterilization of children, teens, and young adults through body and soul-altering medical, hormonal, and social transitioning as a good thing. Its all about future profits and population control.

Bilek said that children being taught that they can choose their sex is madness, its absolute madness, because it goes against the grain of reality.

Why are they driving an ideology of physical disassociation from your sexed reality? she asked. Why is this happening?

Its all a part of the medical tech sector that theyre going to profit from, she reiterated.

Bearing children is an occupation of womanhood, and so removing the ability to reproduce is the pinnacle of objectification, said Bilek.

All of this is well underway, noted Bilek. The transfer of human reproduction to the tech sector is already occurring through all the big fertility treatments that are out there now: freezing your eggs, and freezing your sperm, and surrogacy.

Theyre researching womb implants.  Its profiteering, and its social control in the sense that they really literally want to break sex apart, she continued. Establishing transgenderism as normal is imperative if the medical-industrial complexs move to usurp reproduction from normal married conjugal relations is going to be successful.

The push for transgenderism by the likes of Harris and Walz has little or nothing to do with improving lives. Its solely about creating a new, highly profitable, sustainable revenue stream for industries whose professionals once pledged to do no harm.

A hardcore abortion industry extremist

Harris has proven time and again throughout her career as Californias attorney general, as United States senator, and as vice president that she is 100 percent dedicated to protecting and promoting the abortion industry which earns billions of dollars annually through the slaughter of the unborn in their mothers wombs.

The Democratic Party under Harris is as radically pro-abortion as it can possibly be. Short of coming out for killing toddlers, there simply is no way to be more extreme than Kamala Harris and her party now are, wrote Ethics and Public Policy Center president Ryan T. Anderson in a searing essay at First Things. She is a hard-core ideologue  an abortion extremist  and has been since her first days as an elected official. As president, she would be no different.

While serving in the Senate, Harris received a 100 percent voting record from NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood.

From targeting pro-life journalists and forcing pregnancy centers to advertise for abortion in her A.G. days, to voting to override state pro-life laws in her Senate days, she has repeatedly made clear her fealty to the abortion lobby, recounted Anderson. Since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee for the presidency, Harris has sown confusion about her political vision by reversing many of her own publicly stated positions. But one thing remains constant: Abortion is her top priority.

During her failed presidential campaign in 2019, Harris explained to an MSNBC town hall audience the process by which she would preempt state pro-life laws: Under a Harris administration, any state pro-life law would have to come before my Department of Justice for a review and approval before it could take effect. You can imagine how many such laws would have received approval, mused Anderson.

Pro-abortion groups are thrilled to have Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate.

Vice President Harris is our most powerful advocate and messenger on this issue, gushed Jessica Mackler, president of the abortion rights lobbying group Emilys List, which has supported Harris through every stage of her political ascendancy.

With Kamala likely as the next Democratic Presidential Candidate, we can expect nothing less than abortion extremism through all nine months, and after birth, for any reason, Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins warned on X in July.

Kamala Harris is determined to impose on all 50 states all-trimester abortion without any limits, even painful late-term abortions in the 7th, 8th, and 9th month of pregnancy, SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser stated, raising a red flag about a Harris presidency.

Harris is so committed to abortion that she cant see anything else  including the developmental stages of children before birth or the real needs of women, declared Dannenfelser.

A Harris presidency would be disastrous for human rights, predicted Live Action President Lila Rose.

Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com
Largest UK pension fund sells off Israeli assets amid backlash over Gaza

The UK's largest pension fund has sold off 80m ($101m) in assets linked to Israel amid internal pressure from members, the Financial Times has reported.

(Article republished from MiddleEastEye.net)

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) manages investments totalling 79bn in total and has more than 500,000 members who work for universities and higher education institutions in the UK.

Pressure has grown on the fund to withdraw its Israeli investments in light of the ongoing war on Gaza and Israel's longstanding occupation of Palestinian land.

At least, 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, the vast majority of them women and children.

The country faces genocide charges at the International Court of Justice, which has also ruled that the occupation of Palestinian land is unlawful.

According to the Financial Times, USS was reducing its exposure in Middle Eastern markets in response to the financial risks that became apparent.

Middle East Eye has asked USS for comment.

In May, MEE reported that there was anger within the academics union, the University and College Union (UCU), over USS's continued investment in Israeli firms.

The union criticised the USS for refusing to review investments in companies connected to Israel's actions in Gaza.

The UCU highlighted how the USS issued a statement seven days after Russia invaded Ukraine, stating that there was a "financial" and "moral" case for divestment from its Russian holdings.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady had described the USS's refusal to divest from companies linked to Israel's actions in Gaza as "shameful" and called for the pension fund to reconsider its position.

"It is shameful that USS still hasnt made moves towards divesting from Israels war machine," Grady told MEE at the time.

Read more at: MiddleEastEye.net
Met Police (UK) threaten TERRORISM charges against keyboard warriors who comment on immigration protests

In an effort to silence citizens who oppose the continued flooding of their country with violent migrants, Met Police officer Sir Mark Rowley in the United Kingdom is threatening "keyboard warriors" with "terrorism" charges,, if they are caught inciting riots online.

When he issued the threat, Rowley was responding to the wave of protests that are erupting across Great Britain in response to the knife killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance clinic in Southport, England, by a 17-year-old Rwandan whose parents are migrants.

Without a concern in the world for the British people who are daily threatened by the likes of the perpetrator, Rowley threatened British citizens by ordering them to shut up or else be persecuted by the state for non-compliance.

Any Brit who disobeys Rowley by supporting the immigration protests will face the "full force of the law." This includes not just those who are physically involved in the riots, but also anyone who makes "inflammatory" comments about them on social media.

"And whether you're in this country committing crimes on the streets or committing crimes from further afield online, we will come after you," Rowley continued  watch below:

Head of the Met Police Sir Mark Rowley warns even people abroad will be arrested for mean posts. He seems to infer also @elonmusk. With the First Amendment I don't think an extradition request it'd get past the most under qualified lawyer. pic.twitter.com/buX0Tmc82V  David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) August 8, 2024

(Related: Did you know that the FBI terrorizes the American people by posing as "Patriot Front" and other right-wing groups?)

Elon Musk accused of "whipping up hatred" online

One of Rowley's apparent targets is X head and electric vehicle (EV) guru Elon Musk. A Sky News reporter mentioned Musk by name as a "high profile figure" who is "whipping up hatred" about the immigration situation online.

All Musk actually did was ask British Prime Minister Keir Starmer why all communities in Britain are not being protected from migrant-fueled violence.

"What are you considering when it comes to dealing with people who are whipping up from behind a keyboard and maybe are in a different country?" the reporter asked Rowley, to which he responded in the above video clip.

British authorities have made it abundantly clear that they will not even tolerate the retweeting of information about the riots. Merely echoing what someone else believes or thinks is enough to land an offending Brit in the slammer, apparently.

'We do have dedicated police officers who are scouring social media to look for this material, and then follow up with arrests.' The director of public prosecutions of England and Wales warns that sharing online material of riots could be an offence https://t.co/PYaeP7gPAQ pic.twitter.com/kOGWDPrlyz  Sky News (@SkyNews) August 7, 2024

"What we are seeing right now is something I have been expecting for 20 years now  I have a fairly clear notion of where things are going," a commenter wrote about what is happening to Great Britain  which will eventually happen everywhere if unrestrained.

"You should have taken climate change and depletion of oil and gas much, much more seriously. Now it's probably too late for you to correct course. But it's never too late to realise that you look much more handsome when you keep your mouth shut."

Another wrote that with the way Rowley is talking, "you'd think it was white Britons invading and taking over the country from indigenous Moslems and blacks."

"Just another example of bought-off white authority figures turning truth on its head in a most traitorous way," this one added about Rowley.

It looks like another major global crackdown on freedom is about to commence  will monkeypox be the excuse this time? Learn more at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

Modernity.news

NaturalNews.com
A-Cross America Relay: Pro-lifers unite this fall to encourage pregnant mothers to CHOOSE LIFE for their unborn babies

Pro-lifers are set to embark on a massive cross-shaped relay this fall to encourage pregnant mothers to choose life for their unborn babies

The A-Cross America Relay, organized by the pro-life organization LIFE Runners, will see runners and walkers from the East and West Coast, North Dakota and Texas in September, to converge on Kansas City in Roe Park on Oct. 19. The relay will consist of 5K legs that would be meticulously timed to ensure all routes meet in Kansas City. Concurrently, other pro-lifers will partake in their neighborhoods, wearing LIFE Runners t-shirts that urge onlookers to "REMEMBER the Unborn," from Sept. 6 to Oct. 19.

This event is a combination of prayer and visible advocacy. Participants will pray for unborn children and their mothers, often in front of abortion clinics, hoping to inspire a change of heart in abortion-minded women. (Related: Unborn babies can recognize FACES from inside the womb.)

According to Dr. Pat Castle, the founder of LIFE Runners and former Air Force lieutenant colonel, the traditional start on the West Coast at the Golden Gate Bridge will be replaced with a prayer session at San Francisco's Planned Parenthood, followed by a mile-long walk to Union Square, a bustling public space. Similarly, the relay will begin in New York at Manhattan's Planned Parenthood and proceed to Times Square's Father Duffy statue.

In the southern U.S., the relay will prominently feature the "REMEMBER the Unborn" banner at the University of Texas in Austin, targeting college-age students  a demographic accounting for 40 percent of abortions. In the north, participants will start at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo, North Dakota and walk to a Planned Parenthood in Minnesota.

At each meeting, participants will recite the LIFE Runners Creed, praying to end abortion and heal the wounds it causes. Benedictine College students will complete the final leg, culminating in a prayer led by Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City at Roe Park.

Moreover, Castle stated that anyone regardless of location, can join the relay by completing a 5K leg in their neighborhood while wearing LIFE Runners gear. Those unable to walk or run can still participate by publicly wearing the gear or even at home to spread the pro-life message.

A-Cross America Relay seeks "to put holy pressure" on abortion clinics

In an interview with LifeSiteNews, Castle narrated how the A-Cross America Relay began.

Several years ago, Castle learned about Jeff Grabosky, who was completing a rare solo run across the United States while praying at the time, had paused his journey due to a broken stroller wheel. For more than a year, Castle and Grabosky planned a coast-to-coast route and finally launched the inaugural A-Cross America Relay on Palm Sunday 2013. The two strategically searched for abortion facilities and routed the paths there, "to put prayer pressure, to put holy pressure on those places."

"Without it, we're not going to complete the largest spanning pro-life event in the world. Without it, it's not going to be sustaining or healing," said Castle, who previously stated that prayer "is often enough for a mom to not turn in to that abortion facility."

In 2015, the relay expanded to include a north-south route, forming a cross over the United States. By 2016, participants could "adopt" 5K segments and run anywhere in the world during the relay period. This innovation led to diverse and creative expressions of the pro-life witness, from Boise, Idaho, where runners connect an abortion facility to a pregnancy help center, to Fiji, where hundreds participate in an all-night walk/run adopting Utah's segment.

Since then, the A-Cross America Relay has become a powerful movement, fostering public witness, pro-life activism and unity.

"It's spurring this public witness, this pro-life activism, this unity, this synergy. That's the awesomeness of this A-Cross America Relay for pro-life," Castle said.

Last year, the national kickoff started in Manhattan. Other cities included in the kickoff were San Francisco, San Antonio and Grand Forks, N.D. The relays ended Oct. 8, 2023, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Visit Abortions.news for more stories like this.

Watch the video below that talks about the U.S. Supreme Court allowing emergency abortion access in Idaho.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Massachusetts lawmakers pass bill that allows women to sell their unborn babies under the guise of "parentage equality."

Pregnant women should minimize EMF exposure at all costs  unborn babies receive 20x more electromagnetic concentration.

Pro-abortion Trump says Florida's new heartbeat law to protect unborn children from murder is a "terrible mistake."

Here's the HARD PROOF that COVID jabs were intentionally designed to kill unborn babies.

Hard proof now confirms COVID jab genocide of the unborn & purposely vax-injured babies.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

CatholicReview.org

Brighteon.com
Tim Walz left EIGHT babies who survived botched abortions to DIE, government data shows

The horrific pro-death policies of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the official running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, resulted in at least eight babies who survived the abortion process being left to die on the operating table , data from the Minnesota Government of Health shows.

Before Walz was installed as Minnesota's governor, there was a law on the books that required abortion clinics to report all instances of failed abortions that resulted in the live birth of a baby. Such reporting required abortion "doctors" to reveal what actions were taken to preserve the life of the baby after birth, as well as whether or not the baby survived.

Walz has since abolished that reporting requirement. Under his leadership, abortion clinics in Minnesota no longer even have to keep track of born-alive babies who survive abortions. This means that countless babies will now be slaughtered after birth because the abortion procedure failed to murder them while they were still in the womb.

(Related: Did you know that Kamala Harris wants to abolish ICE, ban natural gas fracking and offshore oil drilling, defund the police, and provide taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal aliens?)

The political party of death

We know from the data that is still being reported under the reporting law that at least eight babies who survived the abortion process were left to die without any care. Five such babies were reported this way between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021.

"No measures were taken to help the first baby, who reportedly had 'fetal anomalies' that resulted 'in death shortly after delivery,'" writes Mary Margaret Olohan for LifeNews.com. "Two of the babies were given 'comfort care measures' as they died. No measures were taken to 'preserve life' of the last two babies, who were previable."

While there were no reported cases of live-birth babies being left to die in 2020, another three such cases were reported between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2019.

"The first baby reportedly had 'fetal anomalies' but also had 'residual cardiac activity' for two minutes, yet no efforts were taken to preserve that baby's life, and 'the infant did not survive,'" Olohan explains. "The second baby died while 'comfort care measures' were provided. The third baby was previable and did not receive any attempts to preserve his or her life.

In May 2023, Walz repealed the bipartisan reporting requirement for survived abortions, stripping Minnesota of having to care for and preserve the "life and health" of babies who are born following a failed abortion.

This is a good fit for Kamala whose position on abortion, also known as baby murder, is that it should be allowed to happen at any time, even after a baby is born  this is known as infanticide.

Former President Donald Trump warned about this when he stated publicly that some states have legislation on the books "where you can execute the baby after birth." A CNN "fact check" claims that Trump's claim is false, but the proof is clear as day for anyone willing to see it.

"Post-birth abortion is real and Harris-Walz support it," tweeted The Heritage Foundation's Roger Severino. "At least 5 babies were born alive after botched abortions and left to die under Walz's watch. Two of these struggling babies were given 'comfort care' instead of medical care allegedly in violation of state law."

"How did Walz respond? By repealing the very law exposing and outlawing this horror and replacing it with abortion on-demand on the front end, and infanticide on the back end."

The latest news about the pro-death policies of Walz, Kamala, and the rest of the Democrat Party can be found at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeNews.com

NaturalNews.com
WHO seeks emergency use listing for monkeypox vaccines as globalists try to launch another pandemic scare

The World Health Organization has set the process in motion for granting an emergency use listing to a pair of vaccines targeting the monkeypox virus as globalists desperately try to launch a monkeypox pandemic scare just three months before the election.

An emergency use listing is used by the organization to support member states that have not authorized an unlicensed vaccine or therapeutic in speeding up the process so they can be administered to the population. According to WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the move will enable people in lower-income countries that still haven't approved the vaccines to access them sooner.

Emergency Use Listing also enables partners including Gavi and UNICEF to procure vaccines for distribution, he said.

Emergency use listing is the same designation that was used during the COVID-19 pandemic to help member states authorize and distribute the experimental vaccines to the masses.

According to Tedros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently in the midst of a severe monkeypox outbreak, recording 14,000 cases and more than 500 deaths. At least 50 confirmed cases have been reported in nearby countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Burundi.

The World Health Organization declared monkeypox, which they now refer to as mpox, as a global emergency after it had spread to more than 70 countries in 2022. The declaration was made against the advice of an independent review panel.

Tedros has also announced that the World Health Organization is working on a $15 million response plan that will be responsible for surveillance, readiness and response activities. There will also be a meeting of the emergency committee under the International Health Regulations to determine whether the current outbreak can be considered a public health emergency of international concern.

Tedros stated: The committee will meet as soon as possible and will be made up of independent experts from a range of relevant disciplines from around the world.

The disease, which largely affects men who are gay and bisexual, is rarely fatal and no deaths from it have been reported in the U.S. so far. The symptoms tend to be mild and include a rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Some people may experience back pain, muscle aches, a lack of energy, severe headaches and skin eruptions.

Scaring people into getting vaccines

Despite the mildness of the disease, several government contracts have shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars to vaccine makers to stockpile the jabs.

However, experts like Dr. Meryl Nass, a biological warfare expert and internist, point out that the efficacy of these vaccines is questionable. Their labels indicate that their efficacy rates are inferred based on the results of immunogenicity studies that look at antibody responses instead of confirming that a vaccine actually provides protection against the disease in question.

There are currently two monkey pox vaccines, Jynneos and ACAM2000, both of which were originally approved for smallpox. In 2019, Jynneos received a license for use against monkey pox despite the absence of an outbreak at the time. ACAM2000, meanwhile, has been used during the current outbreak as part of an expanded access investigational new drug protocol and has been causing pericarditis, myocarditis and other severe side effects at a high rate.

Conveniently, early research shows that the antibodies from these jabs decline a year after getting the shot, which could provide a nice recurring income stream from boosters for vaccine makers if they can convince the world that the illness is a legitimate health threat.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

ABCNews.go.com
AI Script to Video Generators - Boost Your Content Strategy with Cutting-Edge Technology

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aximize your video content with Script to Video AI. Discover customization options, branding integration, and tips for creating high-quality AI-generated videos.

AI technology has revolutionized the way videos are produced by simplifying and streamlining the creation process. The script-to-video AI generator allows users to convert written content into engaging videos with minimal effort. This technology uses advanced algorithms to analyze the script and determine how best to visualize the concepts.

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To begin the process, users input their written scripts into the AI generator. They can also select specific video parameters, such as style, tone, and length, allowing for a customized output that meets their needs.

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In assessing the quality of videos produced by AI generators, users should prioritize resolution and clarity. High-resolution outputs enhance viewer engagement and retention, making the content visually appealing. Clear visuals are essential for conveying messages effectively and ensuring that the audience can clearly follow along.

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Audio quality and lip-sync accuracy are also crucial components of AI-generated videos. Clear, crisp audio ensures that messages are easily understood and enhances overall viewer experience. Furthermore, accurate lip-syncing contributes to the professionalism of the video, making it seem more authentic and engaging for the audience.

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Customization is a key feature in script to video AI generators, allowing users to tailor visual elements and transitions according to their preferences. Users can modify colors, fonts, and shapes to create a cohesive visual style that aligns with their message. Additionally, smooth transitions enhance the flow of the video, making it more engaging for viewers. By personalizing these aspects, businesses can ensure their video content stands out and effectively communicates their unique identity.

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Integrating branding elements and logos into AI-generated videos is essential for brand recognition. This customization helps reinforce brand identity and ensures that viewers associate the content with the brand. Proper placement and visibility of logos not only enhance professionalism but also establish a sense of trust and credibility with the audience. By effectively incorporating these elements, businesses can elevate their video content and increase brand recall among viewers.

 AI Script to Video Generators - Boost Your Content Strategy with Cutting-Edge Technology

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Indian American lawmakers call for Congressional hearings on attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

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ndian American members of the House of Representatives have called for Congressional hearings on the targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

"When the Congress returns from recess, we must hold hearings to learn more about the failures to protect the Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh, and how to prevent such actions from happening in the future," Shri Thanedar said in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

He and another Congressman, Raja Krishnamoorthi appealed to Blinken in separate letters to urge the administration of Muhammad Yunus to end the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh in the aftermath of Shiekh Hasina's resignation as prime minister and her exile to India.

Yunus, the Nobel Prize-winning micro-financing pioneer, took over as the interim leader of Bangladesh in the midst of the chaos from the violent student-led uprising.

While violence directed against the government has generally abated, Hindus, their business and temples have become targets for attacks.

Thanedar also asked Blinken to give temporary protected status to Bangladesh Hindus and other minorities, which would allow those here to stay on here even if their visas have expired till it is safe for them to return home.

Krishnamoorthi said in his letter, "Instability in this region, fueled by religious intolerance and violence, is not in the interest of the United States or our allies."

"I urge you to directly engage directly with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' government and exert our influence to help his government end the violence and bring those responsible to justice," he wrote.

Thanedar wrote, "The US has an obligation to assist this new government to ensure that the violence and civil unrest comes to an end."

"I urge the [President Joe] Biden administration to grant persecuted Bangladeshi Hindus and other religious minorities, temporary protected status as refugees," he added.

Krishnamoorthi referred in his letter to the "credible eyewitness reports" in Western media, including The New York Times and the BBC, documenting the massive attacks in Dhaka, major cities and several districts.

He said that according to the minorities organisation, Hindu, Buddhis, Christian Unity Council (Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parisha), the anti-Hindu violence has spread to 45 out of the nation's 64 districts this week.

"Sadly, this is not the first time that anti-government protests have metastasised into anti-Hindu violence," he wrote recalling the riots in 2021, 2017, and 2013 in which scores of Hindus were killed or "disappeared".

Meanwhile, a group representing Hindu and minority groups met this week with US Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussein to urge Washington to ensure the protection of minorities in Bangladesh.

After the meeting, the Hindu American Foundation's Director of Policy Research Anita Joshi said that they told Husseian, "that the United States' silence in response to the violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh has been deafening. The failure of Congress and this administration to acknowledge and condemn the violence against Hindus and other religious minorities is unacceptable."

The others who met the religious freedom official were Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of HinduACTion, Human Rights Collective for Bangladesh Minorities Executive Director Priya Saha, and geopolitical analyst Jay Kansara.

Earlier this week, Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad leader Rana Dasgupta said that about 100 Hindus have been injured and two killed and at least 10 temples were attacked.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

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KYODO NEWS - Aug 11, 2024 - 19:16 | All, World, Japan

U.S Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel "has not decided on his departure date," the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said Sunday, after a media report said he was considering leaving his post in November.

"He has always said that he would serve out his full term which is three years," the embassy said in a comment to Kyodo News, after the news agency quoted U.S. government sources as saying that Emanuel was considering leaving around Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 28 this year.

Emanuel, 64, arrived in Japan in January 2022. The sources said that he was hoping to be part of the transition if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidential election in November this year.

Emanuel, known for his tough stance on China, has played an active role in deepening Washington-Tokyo ties. He has expressed no interest in staying in the post until the next envoy is selected as he wants to seek a new post under a Harris administration, according to the sources.

U.S. online news site Axios recently reported that Emanuel could be one of the candidates for Harris' national security adviser.

Related coverage:

U.S. ambassador to Japan planning to leave post in November

U.S. envoy hails tighter NATO, Indo-Pacific ties amid China rise

Japan government vows best possible info-sharing on U.S. crimes in Okinawa
IOC President Thomas Bach says he will step down in 2025, not seek extension

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nternational Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has announced that he will not seek to remain in charge for a third term after his present tenure ends in 2025. Bach informed of his decision on the concluding day of the 142nd IOC Session on the sidelines of the Paris Olympics on Saturday.

The German lawyer, a former Olympian who won a gold medal in fencing in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, said he would step down at the end of his 12-year tenure in 2025 and will not try and change the IOC's tenure cap of 12 years to extend his term at the helm.

Bach was urged by some IOC members during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai in October 2023 to seek a third term by amending the Olympic Charter if needed. Though Bach was non-committal at that time and said he would not think of it till the end of the Paris Olympic Games; the question was posed to him during a press conference in Paris on Friday. Bach again did not commit anything.

But on Saturday, the IOC president said he would not like to continue after the end of his term.

"As a result of deep deliberations and extensive discussions ...I have come to the conclusion that I should not have my mandate extended beyond the limits stipulated in the Olympic Charter," Bach told the IOC General Assembly on Saturday.

"After 12 years in the office of IOC President our organization is best served with a change in leadership. New times are calling for new leaders," he said.

If he had to seek re-election, Bach would not only have to get the rules regarding the tenure cap amended but also ask for a relaxation in the age limit. He is already 70 -- the upper limit set for an IOC member.

The IOC introduced age and tenure limits for presidents a few years back after facing controversies and criticism. Currently, the IOC president is elected for a term of office of eight years, renewable once for a period of four years.

Earlier, there were no limitations on age and tenure which resulted in there being only nine presidents since the creation of the IOC in 1894.

 IOC President Thomas Bach says he will step down in 2025, not seek extension

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President Murmu wraps up three-nation visit with strengthened bilateral ties

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resident Droupadi Murmu wrapped up her three-nation visit on Sunday, adding renewed momentum to the bilateral ties with Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste.

"President Droupadi Murmu wraps up a successful visit to Timor-Leste, adding renewed momentum to the bilateral ties. In a special gesture, President Jose Ramos-Horta accorded a warm send-off to President Murmu at the airport," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.

President Murmu arrived in Dili, Timor-Leste, on Saturday, on the last leg of her three-nation visit, marking the first-ever visit by the Indian head of state to the Southeast Asian country.

She held bilateral meetings with President Horta and the Prime Minister of East Timor, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.

The meetings underscored the significance of a "warm and cordial" relationship between India and East Timor based on shared values of democracy and plurality.

The meetings also underlined the strong connection and cooperation between the two democratic nations and discussed opportunities for enhancing bilateral ties.

Moreover, the possibility of East Timor, joining the International Solar Alliance was also discussed.

Apart from this, three agreements were signed during the meeting on cultural exchanges, radio broadcasting, and visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports.

President Murmu also interacted with the Indian community in Dili at a reception hosted in her honour and also announced that India would soon establish an Embassy in East Timor.

Earlier, President Murmu visited Fiji and New Zealand during her three-nation visit, where she discussed bilateral ties and cooperation across various sectors.

The MEA said earlier this week that the State Visit by President Murmu to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste underscores the importance India attaches to its bilateral relations with these countries and reflects New Delhi's strong focus on the Act East policy, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ninth East Asia Summit in 2014.

 President Murmu wraps up three-nation visit with strengthened bilateral ties

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Proud moment for us: PM Modi on Prez Murmu getting Timor Leste's highest civilian award

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ailing the strong ties and mutual respect between India and Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said President Droupadi Murmu getting the

highest civilian award by the host country is recognition of her monumental contribution to public life.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said,"It is a proud moment for us to see Rashtrapati Ji being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nation's highest civilian award."

"This reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between our countries. It is also a recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years," his post read.

President Murmu was conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, from her counterpart President Jose Ramos-Horta on Saturday, in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women.

Addressing media persons with her Timorese counterpart in Dili, President Murmu expressed gratitude to President Horta and the people of Timor-Leste for giving the Indian delegation a generous reception.

"I am deeply honoured by the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste bestowed upon me. This is a reflection of the deep bond of friendship between India and Timor-Leste," the President had said, saying that the honour is a "reflection of the ties of friendship" between the two nations.

"India and Timor-Leste share warm and friendly relations based on our shared commitment to the values of democracy and pluralism. I am confident that this will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries," President Murmu had said.

"I had extensive discussions with President Ramos-Horta today on enhancing the bilateral cooperation between India and Timor Leste in the fields of IT, digital technology, health and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, capacity building and more," she added.

The President wrapped up her three-nation visit on Sunday, adding renewed momentum to the bilateral ties with Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste.

 Proud moment for us: PM Modi on Prez Murmu getting Timor Leste's highest civilian award

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Foreign Secretary Misri arrives in Kathmandu on two-day visit

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oreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Kathmandu Sunday on an official two-day Nepal visit at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart Sewa Lamsal.

Misri received a warm welcome from Lamsal as he arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

During his visit, Misri will hold talks with Nepalese officials on boosting the bilateral relations between the two nations to further strengthen the Indian-Nepal bilateral ties under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

Earlier, announcing the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Foreign Secretary's visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two nations.

"India and Nepal share an age-old civilizational, cultural, and people-to-people connect, and bilateral cooperation between the two countries has further strengthened in recent years with continued momentum in high-level exchanges and major infrastructure and connectivity projects in Nepal having been completed and new ones undertaken with Government of India's assistance," the MEA said in a statement.

"This visit of the Foreign Secretary will be an opportunity to further advance our bilateral ties," it added.

Misri's Nepal visit is also the first by any Indian official after the country's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli assumed charge.

India has played a crucial role as a development partner to Nepal. The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided substantial support and solidarity to Nepal in furthering its developmental process.

Notably, in its Union Budget 2024-25, India also allocated Rs 700 crore as aid to Nepal, up from Rs 550 crore in the last fiscal.

This is also Misri's second foreign visit following his trip to neighbouring Bhutan in July, shortly after assuming the charge as the Foreign Secretary.

Ahead of Misri's visit, marking a significant milestone in India-Nepal space cooperation, the MEA on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bengaluru-based NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for grant assistance for the launch of Munal satellite.

The satellite developed in Nepal, under the aegis of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), will be launched on NSIL's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on a gratis basis.

The MoU was signed by Anurag Srivastava, MEA's Joint Secretary (North) and NSIL Director A Arunachalam.

 Foreign Secretary Misri arrives in Kathmandu on two-day visit

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Violent incidents in Copenhagen 'completely unacceptable', says Denmark PM

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enmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violent incidents in Copenhagen, many of which involved Swedish perpetrators.

"The violent incidents on our streets must be stopped. It is completely unacceptable," Frederiksen told Ritzau news agency on Saturday, an English-language Scandinavian news service based in Copenhagen. "This is not the Denmark that we want."

To combat the rising violence, Frederiksen urged police to crack down on gangs and their activities, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Ritazu news agency.

On Friday, Denmark escalated border controls with Sweden due to the growing involvement of Swedish criminals in activities in Copenhagen.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said that the situation had become so critical that Danish police would "significantly increase controls at the border."

The enhanced measures include more rigorous physical checks on cross-border trains and the deployment of additional cameras to scan license plates at border crossings between Denmark and Sweden.

 Violent incidents in Copenhagen 'completely unacceptable', says Denmark PM

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'Had I surrendered Saint Martin Island...,': US named in Sheikh Hasina's undelivered speech

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ormer Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has revealed that she could have remained in power if she had "surrendered" the sovereignty of Saint

Martin Island and "allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal", media reports said.

Disclosing the contents of her undelivered speech in India, where Hasina flew on August 5 amid violent protests in her country, the 76-year-old leader said that she resigned so that she does not have to see a "procession of dead bodies".

These revelations are part of her undelivered speech, which she wanted to make but could not happen as protesters reached her residence and she was forced to flee the country.

The former prime minister said she is pained over her party Awami League being targeted but said she "will return to Bangladesh soon".

She said that she would pray for the future of Bangladesh.

"I resigned so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it. I resigned from premiership. I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech to the people of my land, please do not be manipulated by radicals," her undelivered speech says.

The undelivered speech says, "If I had remained in the country, more lives would have been lost more resources would have been destroyed. I made the extremely difficult decision to exit. I became your leader because you chose me, you were my strength."

In May, Hasina had claimed that "conspiracies" were being hatched to topple her government and alleged a "white man's" plot to carve a new "Christian country" out of Bangladesh.

Hasina had claimed that if she allowed a certain country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, then she would have had no problem.

Bangladesh saw protests against job quotas that snowballed into a wider movement against the Bangladeshi leadership, forcing Sheikh Hasina to resign from the Prime Minister's post.

Over 400 people lost their lives in the protests since mid-July.

After Hasina's departure to India, Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus took over as the head of the interim government on Thursday and assured that the new regime would not only restore peace in the country but also ensure the protection of Hindus and other minorities.

Amid massive student protests demanding judiciary's revamp, Bangladesh Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other top judges were forced to resign on Saturday.

 'Had I surrendered Saint Martin Island...,': US named in Sheikh Hasina's undelivered speech

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By Jamahl Bonds, KYODO NEWS - Aug 11, 2024 - 09:07 | Feature, All, Japan

For two teenage sisters, a chance meeting with an atomic-bomb survivor during a volunteer project proved to be a fateful encounter that would lead to them starting a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing young people to call for a world without nuclear weapons.

Founded in 2022 by twins Manon and Kanon Iwata, 16, the group called Teens 4 Disarmament & Nonproliferation now has five chapters located in the United States, Japan and Ukraine.

Two years ago, the Japanese-American teens, soon to be 11th graders at their all-girls high school in Pasadena near Los Angeles, took part in a visit to patients at a facility for elderly people.

There, they met with Bill Ota, a survivor in his 90s of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima, one of the two Japanese cities hit by U.S. A-bombs in the closing days of World War II.

After some time, Ota began to open up about his childhood and share his experience as a survivor.

He told the sisters that on Aug. 6, 1945, the day that the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, he was meant to be celebrating with friends who had gathered for his 16th birthday.

As he and his friends left school, the bomb was detonated over the city, and only Ota survived. He recalled the final words of one of his friends, who said, "I am so glad you made it."

The girls said listening to his tale was heart-wrenching, making them both sad and angry.

Still filled with guilt at being the lone survivor among his friends, Ota, now 95, asked the girls to promise to strive to create a world free of such destructive weapons.

"When we saw his cheerful personality and outlook to life, even after what had happened, we felt more encouraged, and I want to say, more obligated to help his wish and help the hibakusha," Kanon said.

Since that meeting, the sisters have dedicated themselves to taking steps to fulfil the wishes of Ota and other hibakusha and protect their own and future generations from the threat of nuclear war.

Manon, who likes science and research, and Kanon, who prefers speech and debate, have worked on everything from educating youth about nuclear weapons to creating a "Peace Forum" at their high school.

Their stated goal on their website is to inform future generations about the testimonies of A-bomb survivors, saying the greatest potential impact lies in educating the future decision-makers in society.

"It's important that our whole generation is educated about this topic, so we can make informed decisions about these mass destructive weapons. That's why youth, for us, was a main priority," said Kanon.

Their goal is in line with a 2023 request made by the U.N. General Assembly to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres to explore youth involvement in disarmament and nonproliferation. Guterres's report was the first to explore the topic.

The Iwata sisters hope first to create an impact in their local community.

Manon revealed that they were in talks with a local legislator in their hometown and had called for introducing education on nuclear weapons in local schools.

In May, the twins created a peace forum as an extracurricular activity at their high school to educate students about nuclear disarmament.

At the forum, they shared the account given by Ota to the roughly 15 students and others in attendance. An expert on disarmament and nonproliferation also gave a lecture.

"It's our mission and our goal to spread more testimonies of hibakusha to many other students," stressed Kanon, adding that she saw "a genuine empathy for Mr. Ota" from those who attended.

The sisters have met Japanese high school students who share their desire for nuclear abolition and visited Hiroshima twice. They have also interacted with young people in Ukraine, which faces the threat of nuclear weapons due to Russia's invasion, and a local branch of their organization has been established there.

This year marks the 79th year since the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The survivors have either grown old or already passed away and need people to carry on their legacies.

From September, their own school will invite A-bomb survivors to give lectures and also begin incorporating the history and effects of nuclear weapons in U.S. history classes.

The Iwata sisters have shared the experiences and thoughts of about a dozen hibakusha on their website and via social media.

Many people in the United States believe that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki hastened the end of World War II and saved many American lives. But Manon said that few people of her generation even know about the atomic bombings.

"I think by listening to these stories, people take a second to think, and they try to process it through themselves as well," Manon said, adding that this self-reflection is what they hope motivates people to think about these issues more critically.

Related coverage:

Hiroshima urges shift from nuclear deterrence on 79th A-bomb anniv.

FEATURE: Nagasaki anti-nuke sit-ins take on new gravity as threat grows

Virtual reality tours show Hiroshima A-bomb reality as survivors age
Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Saturday said trading of sovereign green bonds can commence at the International Financial Services Centre in Gujarat during the second half of the current fiscal.

We are in discussion with the IFSC, it will be operationalised very soon. I think in the second half (of the current financial year), it will be possible, Das said.

In April, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had announced that it will issue a framework to enable the trading of sovereign green bonds in GIFT City.

The government has been raising funds through green bonds since 2022-23 and has raised a total of Rs 36,000 crore in the last two years.

So far in the current financial year, the government has raised only Rs 1,697 crore out of the stipulated Rs 12,000 crore scheduled to be raised in the first half ending in September through green bonds as it did not find favourable bids.

Asked about the tepid response from investors to such bond issuance, Das said, as the debt manager of the government, we are watchful of what exactly is happening and if something needs to be done we will interact with the government and deal with it.

He further said, one major announcement in this years budget about developing a climate taxonomy.

I think that will have a significant long-term impact on mobilisation of funds for the green sector, not only through green bonds but also overall financing of the green sector, he said.

We will develop a taxonomy for climate finance for enhancing the availability of capital for climate adaptation and mitigation. This will support achievement of the countrys climate commitments and green transition, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in her Budget speech for 2024-25.

Earlier in the day, Sitharaman addressed the board members in the post-budget 609th RBIs Central Board Meeting.
IIT Delhi held its 55th annual convocation on August 10 which saw 2656 students graduating from the institute. Out of the total students who graduated, 25 per cent were women. It also included 481 PhD graduates, which is a 35 per cent increase from last year and also an all-time high number. Of the total PhD graduates this year, 42 per cent are women, the IIT said in an official press release.

B.Tech degree awardee Kaveesh Kumar, who is less than 20 years old, was the youngest student to graduate this year, 63-year-old PhD awardee Shri Sunil Gulati was the oldest. He was a PhD student in the Management Studies department. This year also marked IIT Delhis first graduates in two UG programmes  B.Tech. in Materials Engineering and B.Tech. in Engineering and Computational Mechanics, and four PG programmes, that is, M.Tech. in Machine Intelligence and Data Science, M.Tech. in Biomolecular and Bioprocess Engineering, M.S.(R) in Transportation Safety and Injury Prevention, and M.S.(R) in Automotive Research and Tribology.

A total of 28 international students (M. Tech. 23; PhD-04; and MS Research-01) also received their degrees at the convocation. This included four students from Sudan and Ethiopia, three from Tanzania and Uganda, two from Bangladesh and Burkina Faso, and one each from various other countries such as the USA and Venezuela, the institute added.

Hari S. Bhartia, Founder and Co-Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group, and an IIT Delhi alumnus of the 1979 batch (B.Tech. Chemical Engineering), was the Chief Guest. Entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in India has evolved from being a nascent and limited to becoming one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing in the world. I encourage you to embrace entrepreneurship spirit, mind set of innovation. The world requires individuals who can connect all the dots through creative thinking and decisive action. Dont be afraid to take risk. Embrace uncertainties that come your way. The world is changing rapidly and ability to learn and adapt will be your greatest asset, he said while addressing the convocation.

Addressing the graduating students, Harish Salve, Chairperson, BoG, IIT Delhi, said, Being here today with those who will shape not just the future of one-fourth of mankind, which lives in our part of the world, just three percent of land but one-fourth of mankind, but you will be shaping in some way or other the future of mankind itself. Youre bringing your intellectual prowess to this world. And if the institute can list so many firsts, remember that it is you and your forebears who have given it this intellectual power. You are one of those unusual people who give as you receive.

Salve added, You are the blessed lot. One percent of those who aspire to come here make it. You are blessed with minds, which have enabled you to come here. You have to lead the trajectory. You have to lead to create technologies because we dont have time. India is now impatient, and the only way we can keep peace in society is by leap-frogging growth. And leap-frogging growth has to come on the shoulders of technology.

Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi told the graduating students, As you step out of your comfort zone of the hostels, of the campus, and go out into the real world  the real world has a lot of challenges than opportunities. Please take up all that you have learned, all the skills, techniques and knowledge, approaches, and use them to resolve problems that you face. Approach every new situation with humility and a willingness to learn. Learn to work in teams.
Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Saturday said the state school education board will conduct two class 10 examinations from next year.

The Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) will conduct two Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination (SSLC) examinations in 2025, Sangma told PTI.

He said this proposal to amend the Meghalaya Board of School Education Regulation for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination 2011 was approved by the state cabinet on Friday.

This move to have two SSLC examinations is to provide a second chance to students who did not pass the board exam.

From the beginning of 2025, MBOSE will hold two SSLC board exams each year. The first exam will take place in February or early March, and the second will allow students who fail in all or a few subjects to retake the exam within one to two months which will be in May, said Sangma.

The education minister said that this move aligns with the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and is designed to support students by reducing the time lost between attempts.

The cabinet had also approved the decision to do away with optional paper or best of five papers from 2026-2027 academic years, this means that all students from 2026-2027 will have to pass all six subjects in the board examination.

The cabinet also approved the Service Rules for the Meghalaya Public School Service Rules, the Meghalaya Subordinate Water Resources Engineering Service Rules, 2024 and the Farmers Empowerment Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 is scheduled to be released by the Ministry of Education tomorrow, August 12, 2024. The announcement will be made at 3 p.m. during a press conference held by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The NIRF Rankings are a notable annual event that evaluates and ranks higher education institutions in India across a variety of criteria.

The NIRF broadened its assessment beyond conventional domains last year by adding a new category for agriculture and related sectors. Colleges, universities, overall rankings, management, pharmacy, engineering, medical, law, architecture, and dentistry colleges were among the categories available until 2022. This inclusion emphasises the expanding role of agriculture education and related areas in Indias academic environment.

The National Institutional Ranking Framework ranks institutions using a thorough assessment procedure. The evaluation criteria include teaching and learning, research and professional practice, graduation results, outreach and inclusion, and perception. Each criterion has a varied weighting to indicate its significance. Teaching, learning, and resources, as well as research and professional practice, each get a 30 per cent weightage. Graduation results account for 20 per cent, with outreach, inclusion, and perception accounting for 10 per cent each.

By offering an unbiased evaluation, these rankings seek to encourage competitive excellence among Indian universities. Institutions and students alike look forward to the rankings since they have an impact on institutional initiatives and academic decisions.

Academic institutions throughout the country will be closely observing the release of the NIRF Rankings 2024 to see how they performed in this years rankings. The rankings not only recognise high-performing institutions, but also provide insights into areas for development, so contributing to the general betterment of Indias educational environment.
Five Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested for allegedly staying illegally in Navi Mumbai township of Maharashtra, police said on Sunday.

Following a tip, the Navi Mumbai polices anti-human trafficking cell conducted a raid at a residential building in Koparkhairne area on Saturday and apprehended four women and a man.

During the questioning, it came to light that they entered India using forged documents, an official from Koparkhairne police station said.

The four women, in the age group of 34 to 45 years, worked as housekeepers, while the man, aged 38, used to do painting work, he said.

An FIR was registered against them under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for cheating and forgery as well as provisions of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules-1950 and the Foreigners Act-1946, the official said.
The man who was arrested on the charge of raping and murdering a doctor inside a Kolkata hospital, returned to his place and went to sleep before washing his clothes the next morning to destroy evidence, a police officer probing the case claimed.

The police, however, found marks of blood on the shoe of the accused, a civic volunteer who is not associated with the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, but used to frequent the place.

The body of a woman post-graduate trainee who was allegedly raped and murdered inside a seminar hall of the hospital, was found on Friday morning. The civic volunteer was arrested on Saturday.

Protests by junior doctors demanding quick punishment of those responsible for the crime continued for the third day on Sunday, affecting services in government hospitals across West Bengal.

City Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the medical establishment on Sunday for the second time in three days and held a meeting with representatives of agitating junior doctors.

He claimed that the probe is transparent and urged people not to spread rumours.

After committing the crime, the accused went back to the place where he was staying and slept till late on Friday morning. After waking up, he washed the clothes he was wearing during the crime to destroy evidence. His shoes, with blood stains on them, were found during a search, the officer said.

Asked if anyone else was involved in the crime as alleged by some quarters, he said, As of now there is no evidence of that. The police were waiting for the final post-mortem examination report as they wanted to match it with their probe findings, the officer said.

The initial autopsy report stated that the victim was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and private parts. There were also injuries on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger and lips.

Another police officer said that circumstantial evidence also indicated a possibility that the doctor was first murdered and then raped.

We are also talking to persons who were on duty on Thursday night till the next morning. CCTV footage is also being checked, the police officer said.

A team of police officers of the SIT, along with the forensic unit on Sunday, collected samples from the seminar hall of the hospital, a police source said.

The police also reconstructed the crime scene though the arrested accused was not present, the officer said.

The autopsy report has been handed over to the parents of the deceased doctor today by one of our senior officers. We had a fruitful meeting with the students and we think they are satisfied. As per their demand, we have removed one assistant police officer who was posted here, the police commissioner said.

Goyal said the police are not trying to hide anyone, and the investigation is transparent.

The IPS officer said that they would soon start a toll-free number for the poeple to come up with suggestions or complaints.

The agitating junior doctors, however, said that they would continue their demonstration till they are totally satisfied and their demands regarding their safety and security were addressed.

The cease work in all emergency and non-emergency services will continue but there, one junior doctor said after the meeting with Goyal.

Junior doctors, house staff and post-graduate trainees (PGT) at various state-run hospitals, who are also demanding security for them in medical establishments, began a cease work since Friday evening. The government must take significant steps to secure justice for the victim. The incident is not only a reflection of systemic failures at the hospital level, but it also points toward broader societal issues that demand immediate and focused attention, he said.

In the wake of the agitation, the state health department on Sunday cancelled offs and holidays of all senior doctors to tackle the stalemate.

Support for the agitating doctors came from different corners of the country.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association of India (FORDA) has supported the ongoing strike and called for a nationwide halt of elective services in hospitals on Monday.

The FORDA has informed the Union Health Ministry about their decision.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to seek death penalty for the perpetrator.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police deployed a huge contingent at the hospital on Sunday.

No one will be allowed inside the hospital premises without proper identification. We will ensure total safety of the health workers in the medical establishment, the officer said.

The hospital authorities expelled the two security persons contractually employed at the emergency ward for not discharging their duties properly which, in a way, led to the crime against the doctor, another official said.
A Bangladeshi citizen posing as an Indian was caught at the Lucknow airport while he was allegedly trying to fly to Thailand on a fake tourist visa, an official said on Saturday.

The incident came to light Friday at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport when immigration officers questioned a traveller on the basis of suspicion, the person said.

On Friday, the passengers of the flight (FD-147) going from Lucknow to Bangkok (Thailand) were being cleared at Terminal-3. Then a passenger Ashish Rai gave his passport and Aadhar card, Immigration officer Rakesh Kumar Yadav said.

The address of Rathtala of Singur police station in Hooghly district of West Bengal was recorded on the document. But when the documents were examined, suspicion arose. When the passenger was questioned, it was found that he is Shimul Barua of Shilghata, Chopachhari, Satkania, Chattogram, Bangladesh, he said.

Barua had changed his name and address and got a passport and Aadhaar card made on a West Bengal address through fake documents, he said.

He was booked at Sarojini Nagar Police Station on Saturday and taken into custody for questioning, station in-charge Shailendra Giri said.

A Bangladeshi passport was also recovered from Baruas possession.
After former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah accused the Indian security agencies of being in cahoots with the terrorists attempting to infiltrate into the region, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Union Territorys director general of police (DGP) RR Swain harshly criticised the veteran leader from the valley.

Despite massive troop deployment on our borders, which could arguably be the largest in the world, terrorists continue to infiltrate into Indian territory. Yeh sab mile hue hain hamari barbadi ke liye (They are colluding to destroy us), he said.

Abdullahs reaction came just a day after two Indian army personnel and a civilian were killed in a gunfight between security forces and terrorists in Anantnag district.

J-K top cop RR Swain hit out at the leader and said the statement was deplorable, while the BJP highlighted that Abdullah has made such controversial statements in the past.

I am at a loss of words to respond to this. Lets be very honest, the security forces, the paramilitary forces, the army and the police have lost as many as 7000 lives and continue to lose (more), J-K DGP RR Swain told CNN-News18.

Security forces are at the forefront and are one of the finest patriots of the Indian nation state, that is all I can say, he further added.

Farooq Abdullah often makes such statements. He is famous for speaking nonsense and no one takes his statements seriously, Nirmal Singh, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, told CNN-News18.

His background needs to be understood. This is the same Farooq Abdullah whose photo is with Maqbool Bhat, he said. Bhat was a separatist leader who attacked Kashmiri civilians and Indian Army personnel after forming the separatist group National Liberation Front (NLF), which later assumed the name of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

It is also said that he is also associated with JKLF. It is the same mindset which we thought had changed because he was a former central minister and then became the chief minister, Singh said, adding that Abdullah was talking like this because his son lost in the last election referring to Omar Abdullahs loss from the Baramulla seat to independent candidate Engineer Rashid.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused a private university, located in the outskirts of Guwahati in neighbouring state of Meghalaya, of waging flood jihad by demolishing hills on its campus to build new structures.

Sarma placed the blame on the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) and claimed that the construction has led to large-scale waterlogging in Guwahati.

USTM is located in 9th Mile area in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya on the outskirts of Guwahati. This is the district where the hills of Meghalaya descend into Guwahati in Jorabat.

While addressing a press conference on Friday, Sarma claimed the university is demolishing all the hills on its campus to construct new buildings to start a medical college and that is one of the reasons for waterlogging in Guwahati.

I feel that the USTM owner has started a flood jihad. No nature-loving people cut forests and hills ruthlessly in this way. Nowadays, buildings can be constructed on the hills with proper architectural design, he added.

After the recent flash floods in Guwahati, we have gone through satellite images of Meghalayas Greater Jorabat Hills, located 6-7 kms from the city.The deforestation where USTM University is located is self explanatory. But my concern is not just the area near USTM 1/2 pic.twitter.com/qVRkn6bwc5  Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 9, 2024

He further called for a boycott saying that the only solution was for students and staff from Assam to stop studying and working there.

The USTM is located in Meghalaya, but 90 per cent of its students and teachers are from Assam. If our students and teachers stop going there, it will automatically stop destroying the hills, Sarma said.

He said that a letter has been sent to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on the issue and both the chief ministers would meet to discuss the problem.

University defies CMs claim

Meanwhile, the institution defied the chief ministers allegations and said that it contributes a miniscule portion of the water that flows into Guwahati.

USTM campus area is a small part of the Baridua area till Jorabat in Ri-Bhoi district which has largely developed on both sides of the GS Road. USTM campus contributes maybe a miniscule portion of the total water that flows down the Kiling Road through the various drains to the GS Road (Guwahati-Shillong Road) on both sides, the university said in a statement.

The university further said that the campus constructions were carried out with requisite permission from the Meghalaya government.

USTM is a NAAC A accredited University and is a recognised Green Campus, which is one of the priorities of NAAC being a body of the Ministry of Education, it added.

It further claimed that various initiatives for implementing green technologies and installations like water harvesting, groundwater recharging and solar power generation have been undertaken.

The varsity has water harvesting plants and five big natural reservoirs, where rainwater is stored.

USTM, a private university established in 2008, is promoted by the Education Research and Development Foundation, which was founded by Mahbubul Hoque. Hoque is also the Chancellor of the University. He is a Muslim of Bengali-origin from Assams Karimganj district in the Barak Valley.

Almost 6,000 students study and 1,500 faculty and employees work at USTM from across the North East states with a considerable share from Assam, being the largest of NE states.

Heavy rain lashed the Assam city on Monday, leading to large-scale water logging, inconveniencing commuters.

The Gauhati High Court on Wednesday said that time has come to deal with the problem of waterlogging in the city and the government is required to take steps to resolve this problem permanently, asking to submit a plan to mitigate the crisis by August 19.

(With inputs from PTI)
KYODO NEWS - Aug 11, 2024 - 10:08 | All, Japan

A Japanese megabank is tapping into what may be the country's first solar panel farm located in a sheep pasture for renewable energy to power buildings housing the bank's domestic branches.

As part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, MUFG Bank has signed a contract with Osaka Gas Co. and Machiokoshi Energy Co. for the bank to receive electricity generated from an 89-hectare pasture in the coastal town of Shiranuka in Hokkaido.

The farm is expected to produce about 19 gigawatt-hours annually, enough to power about 4,000 Japanese households a year.

Machiokoshi Energy, a local power generation business based in Hyogo Prefecture, says the "solar grazing" setup offers mutual benefits to sheep and the solar panels.

The sheep are likely to keep running costs down by eating weeds, which can hamper solar panel efficiency, while the shade under solar panels lets them escape the sun and graze more, the company said.

Under a tripartite deal dated July 26, Osaka Gas will buy the entire generated supply and distribute it to MUFG Bank for 20 years as electricity with a "nonfossil certificate" confirming it is from a renewable source.

Once the supply starts from July 2026, MUFG Bank is set to use it to power branches located in rented properties to cut its annual greenhouse gas emissions by around 20 percent. The company has already switched its own buildings' energy supplies to renewable sources.

While initiatives to grow crops such as potatoes under solar panels have increased in recent years, Machiokoshi Energy says the pasture-based combination is likely to be a first for Japan.

"There's a lot of unused land in Hokkaido, but it's easy to go into the red when reopening farms," said Shoji Numata, the firm's head. "By combining livestock business with solar power generation, it's possible to more than double the income," he added.

Related coverage:

Japan aligning with U.S., Europe over offshore wind amid China fears
Thanks to a torn Bluetooth earphone set, Kolkata police have identified and arrested a suspect in the sexual assault and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The accused, identified as Sanjay Roy, is an outsider who had easy access to several departments of the hospital due to his role as a civic volunteer in the police welfare board. Sources said that Roy was arrested after his activities were found to be quite suspicious. Sources indicate that Roy had a history of inappropriate behaviour with women within the hospital.

Crucial clue On CCTV

Sources told News18 that the accuseds earphones were a crucial clue that led to his arrest. CCTV footage showed Roy wearing the Bluetooth earphones while entering the hospital, but it was missing when he left. Police recovered the torn part of the earphone and were able to connect it to the suspect, helping them crack the case. Other postgraduate trainees and female doctors also identified Roy from CCTV footage captured in various parts of the hospital.

The semi-nude body of the woman PGT doctor, a second-year student in the chest medicine department, was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital on Friday. She was on duty on Thursday night, and her body bore multiple injury marks. The preliminary autopsy report indicated sexual abuse before her murder, leading her father to allege that she was raped and murdered inside the hospital.

How Sanjay Roy Was Caught?

After the body was recovered, police set up a command center in a hall at the college, equipped with 15 laptops to analyse CCTV footage hour by hour. Initial findings suggested the crime occurred between 4 am and 6 am, four hours after the victim had dinner. While examining the CCTV, officers noted Roys entry around 4 am, and upon reviewing the footage frame by frame, they observed that he exited the hospital without his earphones.

Police also questioned doctors and nurses on-site, gathering testimonies to establish Roys presence. Evidence collected included a broken Bluetooth earphone found at the crime scene. During interrogation, Roy exhibited signs of distress and later confessed to the crime. Additionally, police found pornographic content on his mobile phone, raising further concerns about his character.

Kolkata Police Advisory

In light of the RG Kar incident, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal issued a special advisory emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures for women in government hospitals. The advisory calls for identifying crime-prone zones, increasing police presence, and installing CCTV cameras with the help of private entities. It also stresses the importance of involving more female officers to address safety concerns effectively.

The incident has sparked outrage among the medical community, with junior doctors and medical staff across hospitals in West Bengal staging protests demanding better security and accountability for the accused. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to seek the death penalty for Roy and has called for the case to be tried in a fast-track court.
K Natwar Singh wore many hats as he straddled the worlds of diplomacy, politics and writing but what remained consistent across decades was his sharp-wit and plainspeaking.

The former Congress leader had a love-hate relationship with the party as while he had a great equation with the likes of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, he had a fallout with Sonia Gandhi after allegations were levelled against him when he was part of the UPA-I Cabinet. Singh passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 93.

He breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi, where he had been admitted for the past couple of weeks, they said. Singh was born in 1931 in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. He was a career diplomat, who brought a wealth of experience in diplomacy to his political career, and also a prolific author on subjects ranging from the life of a maharaja to nuances of foreign affairs. Singh was selected into the Indian Foreign Service in 1953 but in 1984, he resigned to contest elections as a member of the Congress.

He won the election and served as a Union minister of state until 1989. He returned to the political forefront when he was made the external affairs minister in 2004 when the Congress returned to power. However, 18 months later, he had to resign after the UNs Volcker committee named both him and the Congress party to which he belonged as beneficiaries of illegal pay-offs in the Iraqi oil scam.

As a diplomat, Singh is considered a great mentor to young diplomats, many of whom achieved dizzy heights in the field of diplomacy. He served in key postings in countries such as China, the US, Pakistan and the UK. He was also appointed secretary-general of the Seventh Non-aligned Summit in New Delhi held in 1983 and Chief Coordinator of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in New Delhi in the same year.

He served as secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs from March 1982 to November 1984. He was bestowed the third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 1984. In 1984, he joined the Congress and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Bharatpur constituency in Rajasthan. In 1985, he was sworn in as a minister of state and allotted the portfolios of steel, coal and mines, and agriculture. In 1986, he became minister of state for external affairs. After briefly leaving the Congress, he returned to the party when Sonia Gandhi assumed its leadership.

When the Congress came back to power in 2004, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed Natwar Singh as the minister for external affairs. In October, 2005, while Singh was abroad on an official visit, the Independent Inquiry Committee headed by Paul Volcker released the report on its investigation of corruption in the Oil-for-Food programme. It stated Natwar Singhs family were non-contractual beneficiaries of the Oil for Food programme. Singh had to quit as minister and later resigned from the Congress, upset that Sonia Gandhi had not defended him.

Singh did not join the BJP which seemed a possibility at that time and instead, in mid-2008, both Singh and his son Jagat joined Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party, only to be expelled by that party within four months for alleged indiscipline. His son Jagat became a member of the BJP. Singh has been critical of Sonia Gandhi since and often criticised her in interviews and at events. Singh also authored several books including, The Legacy of Nehru: A Memorial Tribute and My China Diary 1956-88. His autobiography is titled One Life is Not Enough .

Singh was born in the princely state of Bharatpur in an aristocratic Jat Hindu family related to the ruling dynasty of Bharatpur. He attended Mayo College, Ajmer and Scindia School, Gwalior, and thereafter, he took an undergraduate degree at St. Stephens College, Delhi. Those who knew him well always praised him for his knowledge, deep insights Into diplomacy and his sharp wit which often also landed him in trouble.
The accused in the alleged murder and sexual assault of a woman trainee doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata has confessed to the crime, sources in the Kolkata Police said.

Cops have also found a porn video found on the mobile phone of accused Sanjay Roy.

As per sources, Sanjay Roy was a civic volunteer. Though officially termed as civic volunteers, many still refer to them as civic police, which was originally created in Bengal to assist the police and also a part of powerful police welfare board. Since he was a civic volunteer, Roy had an easy access in the hospital. He was seen entering the hospital at around 4 am. In a CCTV footage, he was seen interrogating police.

Sources told News18 that accuseds earphone is a very important clue as he was wearing earphone while entering the hospital, but as per CCTV, this earphone was not there when he got out. Sources say police got this earphone and connected it which helped them to crack the case .

Roy was arrested on Saturday and was sent to 14-day police custody.

The accused was charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of BNS and was produced before Sealdah court, which remanded him to police custody till August 23.

In a post on X, the Raj Bhavan said Governor CV Ananda Bose has asked the state government to take immediate action in the matter and submit a report.

HG has asked the State Government to take immediate action in the matter and submit a report. HG is also taking up the matter with the Govt of India for appropriate action, the post said.

CM Mamata Seeks Death Penalty For Accused

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to seek death penalty for the perpetrator in the case.

Banerjee, known for her stauch opposition to BJP seeking probe by central agencies in various corruption cases in Bengal, said her government would have no objections to a CBI probe if the students and family demand it.

If they do not trust the West Bengal government, they can approach any investigating agency; we have no objection, she said.

She also instructed officials to expedite the trial by moving it to a fast track court.

Maintaining that protests and processions by junior doctors demanding exemplary punishment for the accused and enhanced security at hospitals were justified, the Chief Minister urged the doctors to also carry on giving healthcare services to patients.

I endorse the demands by the junior doctors, she told a Bengali news channel.

The Chief Minister, who also oversees the Home and Health portfolios, announced that police camps have been set up at every hospital to prevent further assaults on doctors.

She emphasised that hospital superintendents and principals are responsible for maintaining internal security and assured that any negligence on their part will be investigated.

TMC Vs BJP Over Murder Case

The murder case has now snowballed into a political controversy, with the TMC demanding the Centre to ensure speedy justice in rape and murder cases within seven days while the BJP asking for a CBI probe.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said people accused of such henious crimes should either be given capital punishment or encounter as they dont deserve a place in society.

The Centre should bring in an ordinance calling for immediate action against such culprits. This could be made into an amendment after six months, he said.

The Bengal BJP should write to their leadership and demand a law that ensures speedy justice in rape and murder cases within seven days, he said.

The BJP has demanded a CBI probe into the case. Union Minister of State and BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said the injury marks on the victim suggested involvement of more than one person in the henious crime.

Majumdar said, The arrest of a person could be an eye wash. Only a CBI probe can uncover the entire truth and deliver justice for the young woman, who was on the verge of a promising future.

The state BJP chief criticised police for their delayed response, suggesting that they initially tried to pass off the case as a suicide and only acted after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee intervened. He questioned whether police need to be prompted by the CM to investigate serious incidents.

Doctor Sexually Abused Before Murder

The body of the woman doctor was found inside a seminar hall of the RG Kar Government Hospital in north Kolkata on August 9.

Preliminary autopsy reports indicated that she was sexually abused before being murdered.

The accused has been charged with rape and murder based on circumstantial evidence and testimonies from doctors who were present during night-duty hours, according to Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal.

This is a heinous crime, and the arrested person is allegedly involved based on circumstantial evidence, including accounts of the other doctors present during night-duty hours, Goyal told a press conference.

Protest Over Doctors Murder

In response to the incident, junior doctors and students at various state-run hospitals, including RG Kar Medical College, National Medical College, and Medical College, Kolkata, held protest sit-ins and processions.

Similar protests also took place at district hospitals such as Bardhaman Medical College and Bankura Sammilani Medical College.

IMA Gives 48-hour Ultimatum, Warns of Nationwide Protests

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday gave authorities a 48-hour ultimatum to complete the probe into the rape and murder of a doctor in a state-run medical college and hospital in Kolkata and warned of nationwide protests if the culprits are not arrested within the period.

The doctors body called for an impartial, time-bound thorough investigation and also sought a detailed inquiry into the conditions enabling the crime along with urgent steps to improve the safety of doctors especially women in workplace.

If safety and security cannot be ensured in the citadels of learning, it only indicates the incompetency of the administration, the IMA said.

(with inputs from agencies)
A small village in Punjabs Kharar sub-district has issued rules restricting the movement and behaviour of migrant workers residing in the area.

The Jandpur village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district, home to a few hundred migrants, has displayed boards listing 11 instructions that migrants must follow to continue staying in the village. One of the rules prohibits migrants from being seen outside their homes after 9 pm.

Other guidelines include mandatory police verification of migrants, a ban on smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco and betel leaf to curb spitting on village roads, and a requirement for house owners to provide dustbins when renting property to migrants.

The list also restricts more than two people in a room, bans migrants from roaming around in half-attire, and holds house owners accountable if any migrant indulges in illegal activities or harms villagers. Villagers have accused migrants, particularly those from UP and Bihar, of spitting on roads outside the village gurdwara, which they find disrespectful to their religion. The diktat has prompted some migrants to leave the village, while more are planning to follow suit.

The area councillor, Govinder Singh Cheema, claims the rules are not targeting migrants exclusively but will be applied across the board, including to villagers who create a ruckus at night after drinking alcohol. However, after the Kharar police and senior administration officers intervened and questioned the villagers authority to impose such diktats, the villagers agreed to apply the rules equally to everyone.

Kharar DSP Karan Sandhu said that the police are ensuring peace and closely monitoring the developments in the village, according to Hindustan Times. This incident follows a similar case in Mundo Sangatiyan village, Mohali, where residents passed a resolution barring migrants from residing in their village, citing theft incidents allegedly involving migrant children.
A 23-year-old man, an employee of Third Wave Coffee outlet on BEL Road in Bengaluru was arrested on Saturday for filming women using the washroom. A mobile phone was found in the womens washroom recording video for approximately two hours inside a dustbin in the famous coffee outlet.

The incident took place at the Third Wave Coffee outlet on BEL Road in the metropolis where an employee has been accused of allegedly hiding a phone in the womens restroom.

An Instagram handle named Gangs Of Cinepur posted a story where a user described the shocking incident.

I was at the Third Wave Coffee outlet in Bengaluru A woman found a phone in the washroom, hidden in the dustbin, with video recording on for about 2 hours, facing the toilet seat. It was in flight mode so that it makes no sound, the story read.

The user further mentioned that the phone was carefully hidden so that only the camera was exposed.

The phone was carefully hidden in the dustbin bag and had a hole made in it so that only the camera was exposed. It was quickly found that the phone belonged to one of the men working there. The police were called, and they arrived soon enough, and action is being taken, it added.

The user further urged the people to be vigilant and take extra caution while using a washroom in a public place.

This was so horrific to witness. I will be vigilant at any washroom I use from now on, no matter how well-known the chain of cafes or restaurants is. I request all of you to do the same. This is disgusting, the story read.

Upon discovering the phone, the woman alerted the cafe staff, who then identified the device as belonging to one of their employees. The incident was promptly reported to the police, who arrived quickly at the scene. Authorities are currently investigating the matter and taking appropriate action, according to report by HT.

Outlet Responds

Third Wave Coffee responded to the incident and said, We regret the unfortunate incident at our BEL Road outlet in Bengaluru and want to emphasize that such actions are absolutely unacceptable at Third Wave Coffee.

We regret the unfortunate incident at our BEL Road outlet in Bengaluru and want to emphasize that such actions are absolutely unacceptable at Third Wave Coffee. We acted swiftly to address the situation by immediately terminating the person & ensuring the safety of our customers. Third Wave Coffee (@thirdwaveindia) August 10, 2024

We acted swiftly to address the situation by immediately terminating the person & ensuring the safety of our customers, the popular coffee chain added.

The police confirmed that the accused had been arrested under the IT Acts.

The accused, identified as Manoj, hails from Bhadrawati in Karnatakas Shivamogga district and is a resident of BEL Road.

Phone Kept On Flight Mode

Manoj had put the phone on flight mode before setting it into recording mode so that incoming calls would not disrupt the recording and tried to hide it with tissue papers in the dustbin, an officer noted.

He claimed this was the first time he tried filming, but we are not sure if he has deleted the previous videos. We have seized the phone and will be sending it for data retrieval, another officer was quoted by TOI as saying.
Every year, on August 12, International Youth Day is celebrated. It is a special occasion dedicated to recognising the potential, achievements and contributions of young people across the globe. This day is not just about highlighting the challenges that youth face but also about celebrating their role as essential partners in building a better future.

From driving digital innovation to championing social causes, todays youth are at the forefront of change, making their mark on every aspect of society. This International Youth Day, lets dig deeper into the theme, history, significance and various ways to celebrate this day.

International Youth Day 2024 Theme

The theme for this years celebration is From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.

The digital age is reshaping our world, providing unique opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence play a crucial role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Young people are at the forefront of digital adoption and innovation. However, disparities exist, especially in low-income countries and among young women, who often have less access to the internet and digital skills than their male counterparts.

While digital inclusion needs to be improved, youth are generally seen as digital natives, using technology to drive change and create solutions. With the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaching, the role of young people in digital innovation is crucial for addressing global issues.

International Youth Day History

In 1965, the General Assembly endorsed the Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect, and Understanding between Peoples in resolution 2037. From 1965 to 1975, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council emphasised three main themes in the field of youth: participation, development, and peace. The need for an international policy on youth was also highlighted.

In 1979, the General Assembly designated 1985 as International Youth Year: Participation, Development, Peace through resolution 34/151. In 1985, the Assembly endorsed guidelines for further planning and suitable follow-up in the field of youth with resolution 40/14.

In December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 64/134, proclaiming the year commencing 12 August 2010 as the International Year of Youth. This called upon governments, civil society, individuals, and communities worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the event. The Year coincided with the 25th anniversary of the first International Youth Year in 1985.

International Youth Day Significance

International Youth Day is celebrated annually on 12 August to highlight youth issues and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in todays global society. Here are five points underscoring its significance:

AwarenessIt brings youth issues to the attention of the international community. RecognitionIt celebrates the potential of youth as essential contributors to society. EngagementIt encourages young people to take active roles in their communities. DialogueIt promotes intergenerational understanding and collaboration. ActionIt inspires initiatives and activities that address youth-related challenges.

International Youth Day 2024: How to Celebrate

According to the UN, here are several ways to celebrate International Youth Day:
South superstar Dhanush made a remarkable entry into the Hindi film industry with the 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa. His exceptional performance won over audiences and earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut in 2014. However, in a recent interview, director Aanand L Rai revealed that Dhanush wasnt the original choice for the role. Rai initially wanted to cast Ranbir Kapoor, but due to scheduling conflicts, Kapoor was unavailable.

Speaking with Bollywood Hungama, Rai shared, As a director who had just tasted success with Tanu Weds Manu, if I had more faith in myself, I would have made Tanu Weds Manu 2. But I and Himanshu (Sharma) felt that a story like Raanjhanaa needed to be told. We figured out that what has worked for us is our story, being true to our story and casting.

I believe kundan (ranjhaanaa) jaisa character bohot acche koyi kar sakta woh #RanbirKapoor hain but he was not available at that time .  Anand L. Roy pic.twitter.com/7ApLcTF7mW  HATE ME ! (@HotChiliPepperx) August 11, 2024

Rai continued, An actor who keeps himself simple and lets himself blend into the crowd, which is a difficult thing, I believe, is Ranbir Kapoor, but he was not available at that time and as we were searching for such an actor, we found Dhanush. The director emphasized that Raanjhanaa was destined to be made with Dhanush.

The film, which also starred Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol, Swara Bhasker, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, became a significant commercial success. With a budget of Rs 30 crore, Raanjhanaa earned Rs 60 crore in India and grossed Rs 94 crore worldwide. AR Rahmans music played a crucial role in the films success, with songs like Tum Tak, Piya Milenge, Tu Mun Shudi,Banarasiya, Nazar Laaye, and the title track becoming chart-topping hits.

Following Raanjhanaa, Aanand L Rai and Dhanush teamed up again for the 2021 romantic drama Atrangi Re, co-starring Sara Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. Rais upcoming film, Tere Ishk Mein, will also feature Dhanush in the lead role, with reports suggesting that Kriti Sanon will star opposite him.

Pinkvilla has quoted a source saying, Kriti Sanon heard the narration from Aanand L Rai a couple of months back and has shown interest to get into the world of this action love story. The story aside, the actress has also liked her characters arc and the way it transforms in the story. She has given a verbal yes to the film in the meeting today, however, the paperwork is expected to take place in a fortnight, revealed a source close to the development, adding further that the actress had a meeting with Aanand L Rai today in Andheri to discuss the project.

The source further added Much like Abhay Deol in Raanjhanaa, Tere Ishk Mein also has the scope for a strong author-backed character. The makers are in talks with multiple actors for the part and the same will be locked soon. The film shooting is likely to start in October this year and will be released in 2025.
John Abraham has been in Bollywood for over 20 years, but he still feels producers dont fully trust him. Despite successes like Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, and Batla House, John recently shared that he still has to convince studio heads to support his films. In a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia, he said that he still struggles with budgets and funding. He said, I produced Vicky Donor. I did films like Madras Cafe, Batla House  but till today I have to convince studio heads that this is a different film and please fund my process. Till today they dont have 100 per cent faith and they tell me that budget is too much.

The actor also mentioned his fees and said that he doesnt charge more than his aukat. He explained that his fee doesnt burden the film, and if the film makes money, he will too. He said, As an actor, my fee doesnt put a load on the film. I feel if the film makes money, I will make money. I dont want to load the film. Toh meri jo aukaat hai, jo mera standard hai, I make films according to that. I am very proud of my content, he explained.

John Abraham shared that studio heads often dont respond to him, especially because he doesnt use WhatsApp. First, I dont have WhatsApp so if I send an SMS to people, they dont respond to me. I dont get a reply for very long. I had texted a studio head and he told me that he will circle back but it has 4.5 months and he hasnt responded. I dont feel bad but I deserve one reply. I believe that if people believe me a little, I would want to try and change Indian cinema a little. I am not saying I am a game changer but I want to try.

John also said that he wants to make films that are entertaining and also explore geopolitics. I want to make entertaining films and something in geo politics because I am interested in that. My upcoming films like Tehran and Diplomat, these are outstanding films. I want to package them in an interesting way and show it to the audience, he said.

John Abraham is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Vedaa.
Priyanka Chopra is a global icon now. She has a huge fan following. Well, before heading towards Hollywood, she made a successful career in Bollywood. Priyanka has been paired with many talented actors including Sunny Deol. Both were seen in The Hero: Spy. In an old interview, the actress recalled her experience of shooting for the film.

The Indian Express mentioned an old video surfaced in which Priyanka Chopra was quoted saying, I was excited to work with Sunny Deol. He is a senior actor and I respect him a lot as an actor, Priyanka said in the interview. She elaborated on how she and Sunny kept their distance while shooting the film. I was very reserved from Sunny. We would sit in different corners. We would just Hello and Hi and thats all. Even when I would talk to him, I would look down and look up and look down while speaking to him. But once we got comfortable with each other, then it was all good. The Hero: Love Story of A Spy also stars Preity Zinta.

Priyanka Chopra is currently busy in the shooting of her next film The Bluff. She was extensively shooting for the film in Australia. She also revealed that she is back home for some time and also her next shooting location. As soon as she shared the photos, fans reacted. Many loved Maltis voice and showered love on her.

Priyanka Chopra has begun preparing for the much-anticipated second season of the spy action thriller series Citadel. After recently wrapping up the shooting of her upcoming film The Bluff, directed by Frank E Flowers and co-written with Joe Ballarini, Priyanka is now diving into her next project. She gave fans a sneak peek of her new look for Citadel on Instagram, where she posted a video from the backseat of a car.

For the upcoming second season, Citadel will feature fresh faces alongside the original cast, including Merle Dandridge, Rahul Kohli, Michael Trucco, Matt Berry and Gabriel Leone in recurring roles. They will join new edition Jack Reynor, further expanding the series ensemble.

On the other hand, Sunny Deol is currently shooting for Lahore 1947 with Preity Zinta.
Shah Rukh Khan was recently celebrated at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, where he was honored with the prestigious Pardo Alla Carriera Award. The accolade was bestowed upon the Bollywood icon in recognition of his immense contributions to cinema. Shah Rukh made a special trip to Switzerland to accept this honor, marking a significant moment in his illustrious career.

During the festival, King Khan also engaged in a live session, where he confirmed his involvement in Sujoy Ghoshs upcoming film King. Reflecting on the challenges of action films, Shah Rukh shared that he will be undergoing a weight loss regimen to prepare for the demanding action sequences. Action is difficult, you have to practice it learn it and there are doubles doing some of the dangerous stunts. I have some wonderful guys. But 80% you have to finally do it yourself if you have to sell it truthfully. Otherwise, it doesnt look right, he explained.

He humorously added that while he might look cool on screen, the reality of being tied up and sore after filming is far from glamorous, The next film Im doing, King, I have to start working on my film King. Have to lose some weight a little, stretch a little so my groin doesnt get caught while doing action. It is painful. Its the worst thing to see me on sets after action because I look really cool in the film but Im all tied up and suddenly you see people and send flying kisses.

While accepting the Pardo Alla Carriera Award, Shah Rukh charmed the audience of 8,000 with his wit, joking about the difficulty in pronouncing the name of the award. He expressed his gratitude, saying, Thank you all for welcoming me with such wide arms  wider than the ones I do on screen.

Acknowledging the heat of the Swiss summer, he quipped, Its a very beautiful, very cultural, very artistic, and extremely hot city of Locarno. So many people stuffed up in a little square and so hot. Its just like being home in India.

Shah Rukh also spoke passionately about the power of cinema, describing it as the most profound and influential artistic medium of our age. He emphasized that art transcends boundaries and should come from the heart, expressing its truth without the need for political, polemical, or moral undertones. He explained, I truly believe cinema has been the most profound and influential artistic medium of our age. Ive had the privilege of being part of this for many years, and this journey has taught me a few lessons.

Art is the act of affirming life above all. It goes beyond every man-made boundary into a space of liberation. It need not be political. It need not be polemical. It need not sermonize. It need not intellectualize. It need not moralize. Art and cinema only need to say what it feels from the heart, to express its own truth. And that, to me, is the biggest creativity, honestly, SRK concluded.
KIEV, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- A four-year-old boy and his father were killed and three others injured in the Kiev region early Sunday in a Russian missile and drone strike, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Kiev Regional Military Administration said in a statement that two private houses were destroyed and six others damaged in the Kiev region by falling debris of the projectiles. Still, there were no direct hits to residential and critical infrastructure.

Russian forces fired 57 Shahed combat drones and four ballistic missiles at Ukraine during the attack, said the Ukrainian Air Force.

The Ukrainian air defense destroyed 53 drones over 11 regions.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the Russian army has launched more than 30 missiles and over 800 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine this week. 
Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with the prestigious Pardo Alla Carriera Award at the Locarno Film Festival. The festival took place in Switzerland on Saturday. Shah Rukh flew down to the country to accept the honour. The Bollywood superstar was honoured with the award for his contribution towards cinema. Accepting the honour, Shah Rukh admitted he found it difficult to pronounce the name of the award.

Speaking to a crowd of reportedly 8,000, Shah Rukh began his speech by witly saying, Thank you all for welcoming me with such wide arms  wider than the ones I do on screen.

As reported by Variety, SRK went on to say, Its a very beautiful, very cultural, very artistic, and extremely hot city of Locarno. He also included a nod to the hot summer of Switzerland. So many people stuffed up in a little square and so hot. Its just like being home in India, he said.

I truly believe cinema has been the most profound and influential artistic medium of our age, he said.

Ive had the privilege of being part of this for many years, and this journey has taught me a few lessons, Shah Rukh reflected.

Art is the act of affirming life above all. It goes beyond every man-made boundary into a space of liberation. It need not be political. It need not be polemical. It need not sermonize. It need not intellectualize. It need not moralize. Art and cinema only need to say what it feels from the heart, to express its own truth. And that, to me, is the biggest creativity, honestly, SRK shared.

Talking about creativity and emotions, the superstar said, There is no creativity without love, which is a language which transcends all languages and is comprehended by everyone around the world. So creativity, love, and giving joy to me, is one and the same thing.

Ive been a villain, Ive been a champ, Ive been a superhero, Ive been a zero, Ive been a rejected fan, and Ive been a very, very resilient lover, he said before bringing back his trademark humour to confess that he still cant pronounce the name of the award.

This award here, which, for the life of me, Ive been trying I cant pronounce, he joked. When the host helped him by saying the title of the award again, he joked, The Leopard award for being the most awesome in the world, in the history of humility and kindness and goodness.

He concluded his speech by promising that he will go the extra mile to make his fans happy. With the promise that awards like this encourage me to keep on trying to embody all the facets of life, to embody all the emotions, and to try to give that one more take, one more shot, one more emotion, and hopefully a little bit of love, so that all of you feel a little joyful, Shah Rukh said. Watch a part of his speech below:

Exclusive: Shah Rukh Khan 's speech after receiving the Career Achievement Award at 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland . #ShahRukhKhan pic.twitter.com/r3vpsb1N24  (@Vamp_Combatant) August 10, 2024

This is the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival.
Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Devdas, adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyays novel, stands as one of the landmark films in Indian cinema and also in Shah Rukh Khans filmography. At the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, Shah Rukh Khan revealed how Bhansali convinced him to accept the role, despite SRK being reluctant, because he thought he was too cool to play Devdas.

Speaking of Devdas, SRK said, Its been remade in the country many times and its about a guy whos an alcoholic, doesnt commit to a girl, goes away. I could not find any essence in it at my age. Many years later, when Mr. Sanjay Leela Bansali, who I think is one of the most talented filmmakers of our times, he came down and he said, I want you to do Devdas.

Shah Rukh revealed that his initial reaction was a no. I said, no, hes a loser, an alcoholic. Im too cool to be Devdas! So, it kind of petered out, and then before leaving, he just said one thing, which still sticks with me. He said, Ill not make this film if not with you, because your eyes are like Devdas. So I said, okay. He said, I would not cast anyone. And for a year he didnt. Then we met again, and I said, Okay, if you cant find eyes like mine, Ill do the film.

Shah Rukh also said that he doesnt want anyone to look up to Devdas, even though the enactment was nice. I dont like to play characters which demean women. Ill be honest. I didnt want him to be liked for the reason in the film that he, you know, sort of, this is a woman and doesnt commit to her. I wanted him to come across as a person whos a bit of a spineless person. Its not somebody you should look up to.
Sonakshi Sinha and Richa Chadha may not have shared the screen in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Heeramandi, but their off-screen bond remains strong. On a recent Sunday, Sonakshi took to Instagram to share a series of delightful moments with Richa and Ali Fazal, who recently welcomed a baby daughter.

The first photo captured Sonakshi and Richa beaming at the camera as they enjoyed a meal together, surrounded by delicious dishes. Joining them at the table were Zaheer Iqbal, Sonakshis husband, who smiled warmly beside her, and Ali Fazal, looking relaxed in a white kurta. A mutual friend also joined the gathering, adding to the cozy atmosphere. The second image provided a mouthwatering glimpse of the desserts on offer, including gulab jamuns, rasgullas, and chocolate pastries. The third picture, taken post-feast, showed Richa and Sonakshi lounging comfortably on a couch, the aftermath of a well-spent Sunday. Sonakshis caption summed it up perfectly: Sunday done right!!! Before  swipe for after!! along with the hashtags #potluck and #foodcoma.

Sonakshi and Zaheer, who tied the knot on June 23, 2017exactly seven years after they began datingrecently celebrated their one-month wedding anniversary with a dreamy getaway in the Philippines. The couple shared intimate snaps from their relaxing week, highlighting their continued journey together.

The couple hosted an intimate ceremony at the formers Bandra residence. There were rumours that Shatrughan was unhappy with Sonakshis inter-faith marriage but the actor later broke silence and urged everyone to stop spreading hate. He asked trolls to get a life and strongly stated that his daughter hasnt done anything illegal.

A wedding is a very personal decision between two people; no one has the right to interfere or comment. To all the protestors I say  go, get a life. Do something useful with your life. Aur kucch nahi kehna (I have nothing else to say), he told Times Now.

Meanwhile, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are reveling in the joys of parenthood after welcoming their daughter on July 16. The couple shared their happiness in a joint statement, saying, We are tickled pink with joy to announce the arrival of a healthy baby girl on 16.07.24! Our families are overjoyed, and we thank our well-wishers for their love and blessings!
Vinesh Phogats disqualification has taken the entire country and the Indian contingent in Paris by storm. The 29-year-old, who became the first women wrestler to qualify for the Olympics final, was left heartbroken after getting disqualified for being 100gm overweight. She was just a step away from clinching the first-ever wrestling gold for India but an excess of 100 grams robbed her chance to glory.

A few hours later, Vinesh decided to part ways with the sport forever. She announced her retirement from wrestling after launching an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to seek a silver medal following her historic run to the final.

While the people of India are hoping for the verdict to go Vineshs way, Indias shooting legend Abhinav Bindra believes that rules make a sport what it is, and they need to be followed without exception.

Its an incredibly tough situation. Frankly, I dont even know what to say. I mean the rules are very clear  where you draw a line. Sport is always governed by the rules. If you dont govern sport by rules, there is no sport, Abhinav Bindra told India Today.

Bindra doesnt have a clue about the direction in which the case is heading but he too is keeping his fingers crossed.

But, of course, I fully empathise with Vinesh. Its an incredibly difficult time for her. Everybodys heart is broken. We are all there for her. I had the opportunity to meet her as well, he said.

I really dont know where this would end. I know the decision, now, has been postponed for a couple of days. So, I think one just has to be patient. I am not privy to the arguments that have been made, I am no legal expert. So patience is the key, Bindra added.

Catch Paris Olympics 2024 Day 13 LIVE Updates Here. Stay updated with the latest from Olympics 2024. Explore India At Paris Olympics 2024 Today. Check the updated list of Paris Olympics 2024 Medal Tally. Check Paris Olympics 2024 Event Results.
The big boys are at play. The Bangladesh government, under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is bound to be pulled apart by both the United States, seeking to establish a military base in South Asia, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by President Xi Jinping, which is seeking unquestioned dominance in Asia.

Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, would play willing tools in the big boys power play, with Pakistan reduced to a lackey of minor variety.

Theres no denying that the globally dreaded Muslim Brotherhood would complicate the equation, bringing its Islamist-jihadist agenda to Bharats eastern frontiers. Razakars could become a handy frontline private army in the hands of jihadist Muslim leadership internationally. There are already reports that these Razakars have taken over civic policing, acting as an occupational army of zealots.

With Sheikh Hasinas government deposed last week, the Awami League purged, and a safe exit secured for her in a swift deal, Bharat faces a complex set of tasks as the army takes the reins in Bangladesh. Though an interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus and a battery of over a dozen advisors has taken charge, little appears to have changed on the ground, with the army still calling the shots.

Bangladeshs underbelly has several layers that must be understood before Bharat drafts a plan to establish a working relationship with the new army-controlled, Yunus-fronted regime, given the Chinese, US, and Pakistani deep-state haggling for their pound of flesh. The transitional Yunus regime gained legitimacy when the Democratic White House became the first to recognise the government. The State Department spokesperson conveyed that the US was ready and looked forward to working with Dhaka under Yunuss leadership.

St Martin Island, also known as Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) or Daruchini Dweep (Cinnamon Island), off the Chittagong coast, may be eyed by the US to set up a military base to lord over both Bharat and its expansionist neighbour China. Direct US presence in the region may not be encouraged or welcomed by Bharat, given the strategic implications. Also, Bharat would get cut off virtually from the entire South East Asia in terms of trade, investment and services.

Church-driven Project K, to carve out an artificial autonomous region christened as Kukiland, will come to the forefront. The Churchs fancy idea of a separate Christian state encompasses parts of Bangladesh, Burma, and Bharats Manipur and Mizoram. This Christian agenda is expected to get the complete backing of the White House under President Joe Biden or his possible successor, Kamala Harris. Even if Donald Trump upstages the Democrats and gets elected in the November 2024 elections, this agenda may get going.

Even if general elections in Bangladesh were to be held anytime now, a pliable government in Dhaka is what Washington DC may expect to see in the saddle, given that the Awami League is virtually out of the power play.

On the other hand, China would try to get the Teesta River Project and other infrastructure ventures that provide Beijing proximity to Indias chicken neck area. Weeks before the Hasina government fell, $2 billion worth of interest-free, concessional, commercial loans, apart from grants, were reportedly promised by China after a meeting that the Bangladeshi prime minister had with President Xi. On the face of it, funding infrastructure projects, either directly or through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), may not just be limited to an investment push. Instead, it will result in strategic issues for Bharat, giving China an advantage on its doorstep.

The third dimension to the Bangladesh story is the potential for a Jamaat-e-Islami resurgence, backed by Pakistan and part of the larger Muslim Brotherhood going berserk, to pose serious challenges to Bharat. Jamaats pursuit of the genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh has been widely reported, with CIHS meticulously documenting these grave crimes.

Jamaat-e-Islami, popular as the congregation of Muslims, is the largest Muslim formation founded in 1975. The Bangladesh Supreme Court banned it from political participation in 2013, citing its opposition to religious freedom and the practice of faith. Within its ambit were other organisations like Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and the self-styled Peace Committee, which formed the jihadist network. All these groups are pronouncedly anti-Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian in Bangladesh.

Evangelists and Islamist forces are expected to be on a collision course given their extremely divergent agendas for Bangladesh. The bid to carve out an autonomous Christian area by extreme evangelists with backing from the US may be at odds with the theocratic Islamist state that Jamaat may like to evolve Bangladesh into. Conflict between evangelists and Muslims may turn rough, as reported from several cities in European countries.

Contrarian geo-political forces in China, the US, and religious extremism donned by evangelists and Jamaat leave very little space for an open, flexible, and forward-thinking democratic agenda in Bangladesh. This is a heady mix in which India will have to tread carefully to safeguard its geo-political and strategic interests, apart from those of Hindus and people of Indian origin living in Bangladesh.

Rightly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that the Yunus government in Bangladesh must take steps to protect Hindus lives, properties, businesses, especially women, that have been targeted by jihadists.

For Bharat, dealing with the influx of Bangladeshis fleeing the violence-torn country may be a big priority, apart from safeguarding its people in Bangladesh.

Secondly, New Delhi may have to swerve through muddy waters that have become a playground for both the US and China, apart from minions like Pakistan.

Thirdly, recalibrating equations with Dhaka, given an array of forces from far-left extremists and religious jihadists to the military establishment, may pose a big challenge.

Fourthly, pursuing its agenda of peace, tranquillity and prosperity in South Asia may not be easy for Bharat.

Fifthly, smoothing relations with Bangladesh may turn tricky while former Prime Minister and senior Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina continues to be a respected state guest in Delhi.

Sixthly, working with like-minded stakeholders to ring in democracy with all forces intact may be a tall order.

Seventhly, the relatively tension-free Bangladesh border front may have to be guarded 365 days a year, round the clock, given that many in the country have lost hope and may opt to cross over for greener pastures in India.

Eighthly, India may have to keenly watch for possible threats to its demographics in the Eastern states owing to political and social strife and economic downslide in Bangladesh.

A fresh beginning, with an open mind, has to be made for lasting relations between Bangladesh and India.

The author is Director & Chief Executive of non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
David Berkowitz, infamously known as Son of Sam, is still regarded as one of the most notorious serial killers in the United States even after more than four decades of his arrest. The serial killer, who was a nightmare for New York Police in the 1970s, committed a series of horrific murders that triggered one of the largest and most intense manhunts in the citys history.

Berkowitzs reign of terror began in July 1976 and continued through 1977, with his brutal attacks claiming six lives. He used a specific kind of handgun which earned him the nickname  .44 Calibre Killer.

His first victim was 18-year-old Donna Lauria, who was shot dead on July 29, 1976. Her friend, Jody Valenti survived the attack but was unable to identify the killer. Over the next year, Berkowitz claimed the lives of five more young people: Christine Freund, 26; Virginia Voskerichian, 19; Valentina Suriani, 18; Alexander Esau, 20; and Stacy Moskowitz, 20.

Stalking his victims mainly in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, the killer targeted young women with brown hair. He mostly executed the murders in the wee hours. This led to widespread panic, with many women rushing to hairdressers to change their appearance, worried they could be the next victim.

Berkowitz also taunted the police with letters that mocked their efforts in catching him and hinted at more crimes. In one specific letter, he described how Sam loves to hunt on the street looking for fair game  tasty meat. As per the reports, Berkowitzs mental state worsened at the time which made him think that his neighbours Labrador, named Sam, was telling him to commit the murders.

In another letter sent to a newspaper columnist Jimmy Berslin, he signed off using his infamous nickname, Son of Sam.

Despite the widespread fear, the police failed to identify the elusive killer. Witnesses gave inconsistent descriptions and despite the efforts by hundreds of officers, the case remained unsolved. The breakthrough came with a discovery of Berkowitzs yellow 1970 Ford Galaxie, which was found to be one of the ticketed cars. One survivor also helped the police to connect Berkowitz to the killings.

While walking her dog near the scene of the Moskowitz and Violante shootings, Cacilia Davis encountered a suspicious young man whose car had been recently ticketed. Davis fled the scene but she heard gunshots.

On August 10, 1977, police checked traffic tickets that had been issued in the area and traced them to Berkowitzs car. They found a handgun, ammunition, maps and a threatening letter to one of the inspectors.

To avoid a potentially violent confrontation, officers waited until Berkowitz left his car before arresting him.

In 1978, Berkowitz was sentenced to the maximum prison term of 25 years to life for six murders. He became eligible for parole in 2002. However, he was denied parole in his twelfth board appearance in May this year.
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were supposed to spend just eight days in space, have now been stuck there for over two months. Their extended stay started after the Starliner flight by Boeing developed unexpected issues. In the beginning, a small helium leak looked manageable but the situation worsened after more leaks appeared, on top of five failed thrusters.

The thrusters play a critical role in propelling the spacecraft.

While this extra time in space opens up more opportunities for scientific research, it also comes with serious health concerns for both astronauts. According to reports, Williams and Wilmore could face several health issues due to extended stay following the failure of Boeings Starliner. The NASA astronauts may face health issues like increased radiation exposure, zero gravity effects on their bodies and mental health challenges from isolation.

Space is a challenging environment and radiation is one of the biggest threats. While moving at 400 km above Earth on the ISS, astronauts are exposed to higher levels of radiation due to the lack of Earths protective atmosphere. Although NASA closely monitors radiation levels, the extended time is now raising concerns. Reports suggest that astronauts may be exposed to between 50-20,000 milli-sieverts (mSv) of radiation equivalent to three chest X-rays. This means that Williams and Wilmore might experience radiation equal to 150 to 6,000 chest X-rays during their mission.

Another concern for astronauts is the loss of bone density. On Earth, gravity keeps our bones and muscles in shape. In space, the lack of gravity means this natural exercise is absent. Over time, astronauts can lose up to 1.5% of their bone density each month. This could increase the risk of fracture and impacts physical performance and overall fitness. Besides bone loss, astronauts might also experience changes in speech, motor control and senses like smell, taste and balance.

Longer space missions can also be mentally challenging for astronauts. The feeling of isolation, trapped in narrow spaces and being far from Earth can lead to stress. Anxiety and depression could also affect the mental health of the astronauts. The situation is further complicated by the malfunction in aircraft, like leaking helium and faulty thrusters. Despite being experienced astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams may still find these tough conditions mentally exhausting.

Meanwhile, NASA has been evaluating several plans to rescue the astronauts if Boeing cannot fix the Starliner issues. The space agency can rely on the Dragon spacecraft from SpaceX for a rescue. On the other hand, NASA could also ask for help from the Russian space agency, Roscosmos.
The road network in India has been improving over the years, with many new highways, expressways and improvements to the existing roads. India has the second-largest interconnected road network, with NH 44, also known as old NH 7, the longest national highway in India that stretches a whopping 3,745 kilometers. But, do you know which is the longest highway in the world? Covering a distance of 30,000 miles (approx. 48280.5 kilometres), the Pan-American Highway is the longest road in the world that stretches across not one or two but 14 countries.

It starts from North America and makes its way through several bustling cities, serene landscapes, climatic zones, tropical jungles, arid deserts, boreal forests, mountains and cultures to reach South America. The idea of building this highway originated in Chile at the 5th National Conference of American States in 1923, states MagicBricks. The first stage of the road was completed in Mexico, which became the first country to implement this plan.

According to WorldAtlas, this remarkable route covers 14 countries including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. However, crossing this extensive route is no easy feat. Travellers encounter varying terrains, including challenging forested regions and rugged landscapes that demand resilience and adaptability. The most dangerous parts of the road are found in Costa Rica, where it rises to 10,942 feet at a point. It has been named the Summit of Death, or Cerro de la Muerte in Spanish.

The Pan-American Highway is entirely uninterrupted, with the exception of the Darien Gap, an overland route that runs about 100 kilometers (60 miles) between Panama and Colombia.

The Pan-American Highway is also recorded in the Guinness World Records as the worlds longest motorable road. For a person to travel this stretch, it will take around 60 days to cover the Pan-American Highway when one travels for about 500 km per day.
India will celebrate its 78th Independence Day on August 15. The national holiday serves as a poignant reminder of the hardships and sacrifices made by our freedom fighters. The long-awaited freedom came after countless people fought valiantly for Indias Independence from the 200-year-long colonial British rule. On August 15, 1947, the British colonists finally left India, dividing the nation into two independent statesIndia and Pakistan.

However, do you know that five other nations celebrate their independence on August 15 in addition to India?

South Korea and North Korea

Known as National Liberation Day of Korea, this day marks Koreas independence from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule since 1945. The day is also known as Gwangbokjeol, which means the Time of the Restoration of Light. After getting freedom from Japanese forces, independent Korean governments were formed three years later.

Bahrain

The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1971. It was one of the first Gulf states to discover oil and build a refinery in 1931. In the same year, Britain and the Ottoman government signed a treaty recognising the countrys independence, but it remained under British administration. After declaring independence in 1971, the nation signed a friendship treaty with the British. August 14 is said to be the date of independence, however, the country observes August 15 as its Independence Day.

Republic of the Congo

Also called the Congolese National Day, the Republic of the Congo achieved full freedom from France on August 15, 1960. This was exactly 80 years after it came under French rule. It was a Marxist-Leninist state from 1969 to 1992, and multi-party elections have been held since then.

Liechtenstein

The sixth smallest nation in the world gained its independence from Germany on August 15, 1866. The day has been celebrated as National Day in Liechtenstein since 1940 with a traditional fireworks ceremony. The huge celebrations are attended by thousands of Liechtenstein citizens, followed by the State Act conducted on the front lawn of Vaduz Castle. It includes speeches by the Prince and the President of the Parliament.
Imagine being wrongly jailed for over a decade and later asked to pay a fee for staying in the prison. It could be shocking for many, but a victim of wrongful conviction in the United Kingdom is facing this in reality.

According to reports, the British government has informed the victims of wrongful conviction that they would now be required to pay for bed and board fees during their time in prison.

The UK government has ruled out reimbursements for some victims of miscarriages of justice after the bed and board fees were deducted for the imprisonment period from their compensation payments, according to a Guardian report.

Some victims of historic miscarriages of justice have been told by the government that bed and board costs for the time they spent in jail will be deducted from their total compensation, the report added.

This was also applicable to the high-profile case of Andrew Malkinson, who had been unlawfully imprisoned for 17 years.

Andrew Malkinson served 17 years in prison after being falsely convicted of raping a woman in Salford, Greater Manchester, in 2003. Despite being cleared of all charges, he will have 1,00,000 (Rs 1,06,88,639) deducted from his remuneration to cover the bed and board fees, according to a BBC report.

Former Justice Secretary Alex Chalk abolished the policy of deducting living expenses during the imprisonment period from the compensation paid to the victims of wrongful conviction last year, after the Andrew Malkinson case caught the attention of all sections of society.

However, the governments new move reverses this adjustment, imposing a financial burden on people who have already faced considerable injustice.

According to the BBC, Andrew Malkinson, whose case spurred the policy change, spent nearly two decades in prison before being formally cleared by the Court of Appeal in July 2023. Reportedly, he has urged for a reform of the jury and appeals systems to provide more protection to wrongfully convicted individuals.

Even though the government pays the full amount without deducting the living costs during the jail term, Andrew will have to wait for up to two years for compensation until the independent board, which evaluates the compensation amount, takes a final decision.

A similar case of another wrongfully imprisoned person came to light recently in the United States. Kris Maharaj, a British citizen of Indian descent, died in a US prison hospital after remaining behind bars for 38 years for a crime he did not commit. He was 85 when he passed away. Kris Maharaj was wrongfully convicted in 1986 for the murders of Derrick and Duane Moo Young. His death sentence was changed to life imprisonment in 2002. He was proclaimed innocent in 2019, but remained in jail when a US Court of Appeals ruled that the evidence supporting his innocence was insufficient to release him.
KABUL, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,779,603 Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland from Pakistan, Iran, and other countries over the past 12 months, the country's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation reported on Sunday.

"It is worth mentioning that currently, we have 7 million refugees in foreign countries and 3 million displacements inside Afghanistan," said deputy of the ministry, Mawlavi Abdul Rahman Rashid at a government program.

"Right now, we have approximately 46 townships for refugees in about 29 provinces," said Mawlavi Mahmoud-ul-Haq Ahadi, head of plan and policy for the ministry.

According to Ahadi, to address the issues faced by Afghan migrants and returnees, the ministry has signed 93 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with its partner organizations, 7 agencies, and 14 educational institutions during the period, Ahadi added.

Over 788,000 Afghan internally displaced and returned families with the collaboration of international aid organizations have received financial, foodstuffs, and non-foodstuffs during the cited period, Ahadi asserted. 
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed Syed Refat Ahmed as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, according to a notification from the Law and Justice Department issued on August 10.

The decision was announced Saturday night, hours after Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other judges of the apex Appellate Division tendered their resignation, five days after the fall of Sheikh Hasinas regime amid massive street protests and students marching towards the apex court demanding a revamp of the judiciary.

The 65-year-old top judge revealed his decision around 1 pm after protesters of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered at the apex court premises. Meanwhile, Justice Hassans successor Ahmed, previously a Justice in the High Court Division, will assume the role under the authority granted by Article 95(1) of the Constitution. His appointment will take effect upon taking the oath of office, according to bdnews24.

An ultimatum

Earlier, the students had issued an ultimatum to him and the judges of the Appellate Division to resign by 1 pm I feel it is necessary to share some special news with you. Our chief justice resigned a few minutes back. His resignation letter has already reached the law ministry, law adviser, equivalent to the minister of the newly-installed interim government, Prof Asif Nazrul said in a Facebook video message.

Nazrul added that the resignation letter would be sent to President Mohammad Shahabuddin without delay for taking necessary measures and he was expecting the process to be completed very soon. Hours after his announcement, five other judges of the apex court tendered their resignation to the president through the law ministry, Supreme Courts Registrar General Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan told newsmen.

Chief Justice Hassan earlier on Saturday said he had decided to step down from his position. I have made a decision to resign after speaking with Dr Asif Nazrul, he said. Earlier, the full court meeting of the Supreme Court got cancelled as students issued a two-hour ultimatum for the resignation of the chief justice and other justices of the apex Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of unitary Bangladesh.

Chief Justice Hassan Steps Down

In the face of student protest, Chief Justice Hassan postponed the meeting and later said that he would step down. Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, issued the ultimatum at 11 am, asking the Chief Justice and other justices to leave their posts within 1 pm today.

Bangladesh Army personnel were deployed at the Supreme Court premises as hundreds of protesting students gathered. Around 1 pm, army personnel were stationed in the main building, annexe building, and other areas around the Supreme Court. They urged the protesters to maintain peace and called on them to avoid damaging government properties. The ultimatum came when students marched towards the Supreme Court premises, demanding the resignation of the chief justice, other judges loyal to (Hasinas) Awami League and a restructuring of the countrys judiciary.

Chief Justice Hassan told journalists at the apex court premises that he has decided to resign considering the safety of the judges of the Supreme Court, High Court and lower courts across the country amid the emerging situation, The Daily Star newspaper reported. There are some formalities for the resignation. Completing those, I will send my resignation letter to President Mohammed Shahabuddin by this evening, he added.

Its their decision

Asked whether other judges of the Supreme Court will also resign, the Chief Justice said, Its their decision. The development coincided with the resignation of Premier Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Maksud Kamal and Vice Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in northeastern Sylhet Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed.

Considering the overall situation, my resignation is necessary for the benefit of the students and the university, Kamal told the Daily Star newspaper. The SUST vice chancellor, however, cited personal reasons in his resignation letter, university officials said. On Thursday, all members of the SUST proctorial body, dormitory provosts, and assistant provosts submitted their resignation letters to the registrar.

Following the ouster of Prime Minister Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on Monday following the political turmoil in Bangladesh, 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on Thursday as the head of an interim government. His government is expected to announce fresh elections after bringing the law-and-order situation under control following the deadly anti-government demonstrations against the Hasina government that had led to massive violence, which is now abating.

(With agency inputs)
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has strongly rejected reports about US plans to acquire a military base in the country, labeling the claims as irresponsible remarks.

The ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently taking refuge in India, has accused foreign powers like the US of playing a hand in her ouster. In a message conveyed to her Awami League supporters, Hasina warned the new interim government not to be used by such foreign powers. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Alamgir dismissed allegations of US bid to establish an airbase, saying that such talks do not exist.

This is very unfortunate that a person who was a prime minister of an independent country for the last 15 years could make such irresponsible remarks. Unfortunately, I believe that whenever she is in a problem, she always blames others. The main reason for quitting the country, that she has been ousted from her job is misrule and her failure to rule the country properly, Alamgir told CNN-News18.

When probed about Hasinas remarks on the alleged link between US regime change plans and BNP, Alamgir said this is all bullshit. The utterances are unreasonable and so irresponsible. I dont understand how she could say that, because in this movement there was no involvement of foreign diplomacy; it was a spontaneous movement by the students and then the people joined in, he added.

The Bangladesh Parliament was dissolved earlier this week after army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Hasinas resignation shortly after she fled the country. Thousands of minority Hindu community members staged massive protest rallies in Bangladeshs capital and the north-eastern port city of Chattagram on Saturday, demanding protection amid nationwide vandalism that saw attacks on temples and their households and businesses.

While speaking with CNN-News18, the BNP Secretary General reaffirmed the BNPs solidarity with the Hindu community in the wake of targeted attacks against minorities and highlighted the partys amicable ties with India. Alamgir also underlined that the interim governments decision regarding Hasinas return is contingent on Indias stance, yet the BNP remains firm in its demand for her trial over alleged wrongdoings.

On Thursday, Muhammad Yunus assumed charge of the interim government in line with the demand of the students and in his first address to the nation said restoring law and order in the country would be his priority. The 17-member advisory council, which includes four members who lean towards the BNP and three affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami, took oath the same day.

When asked about the possibility of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP joining hands for the upcoming election, Alamgir clarified that the BNP has no connections with Jamaat-e-Islami, referring to it solely as an alliance partner. He expressed the BNPs commitment to ensuring that all political parties, including Hasinas Awami League, participate in the upcoming elections.
Schoolchildren will be taught how to spot extremist content and fake news online under proposed changes to the curriculum in the wake of far-right riots across UK cities fuelled by misinformation on social media.

UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that she is launching a review of the curriculum in both primary and secondary schools to embed critical thinking across multiple subjects and arm children against putrid conspiracy theories.

It means schoolchildren may analyse articles in English lessons to help learn how to weed out fabricated clickbait from accurate reporting. Its more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge what they see online, Phillipson told the newspaper. Thats why our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills in lessons to arm our children against the disinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media, she said.

Our renewed curriculum will always put high and rising standards in core subjects first  thats non-negotiable. But alongside this we will create a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum that widens access to cultural subjects and gives pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life, she added.

The move came as the chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, cautioned in an article in the newspaper over disinformation being widely shared on social media sites during the recent violent clashes.

What has struck me during the disorder is how vulnerable we all are to disinformation and vile hatred online. We have spoken in recent years about how to keep our children safe online, and what we have learned this week is that left unchecked misinformation and harmful posts can undermine all our safety, he writes. How we behave online is not abstract. It has real world consequences. Perhaps we should be deleting a lot more than we share, he added.

The riots began in Southport, the scene of the fatal stabbings in north-west England of three young girls at a holiday dance workshop on July 29, after false claims over the UK-born teenage male suspect being a Muslim refugee who arrived illegally into the country on a small boat recently spread like wildfire online.

The violent clashes, blamed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on far-right thuggery, soon spread across different cities with tough policing action and fast-track court hearings being brought in to clamp down on the unrest. Many of those found to have initiated or shared false claims online have also been arrested and face custodial sentences.

In the past few days, the riots have been met with huge numbers of peaceful counter-protesters in a show of strength against the far-right racist mobs  praised by King Charles III as a sign of community spirit in his call for unity this weekend.
Former US President Donald Trump has reportedly been in a foul mood" over the past few weeks and has referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as a b****" on multiple occasions in private, according to a report by The New York Times. The report is based on two sources who claim to have heard Trump make these remarks during different instances.

Trumps campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied these allegations, asserting, That is not language President Trump has used to describe Kamala, and its not how the campaign would characterise her." However, at a recent rally in Montana, Trump labeled Harris as dumb," incompetent," and low IQ," questioning whether people even knew her last name.

If you ask people, do you know what her last name is, nobody has any idea what it is. Harris. Its like Harris," he had said. In addition to the recent comments, Trump has faced scrutiny for past remarks that grabbed headlines. In the infamous 2005 Access Hollywood tape, he made crude comments about women, including a statement about moving on a woman like a bitch." He also expressed a desire for Condoleezza Rice to be a bitch" in a 2006 interview, indicating a pattern of using such language.

Reports also indicate that during his presidency, Trump referred to then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel as that bitch" during discussions about NATO. His use of derogatory terms extends beyond women; he has frequently called men he disagrees with sons of bitches." The resurfacing of these remarks comes as Trump continues to criticise Harris, claiming she is pathetic," while also asserting that she is not capable of handling a news conference. He has labeled her a nasty person" in recent interviews, further intensifying the rhetoric as the 2024 presidential campaign heats up.

This controversy comes as Harris held a marginal one-percentage-point lead over Trump in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, closing the gap that opened in the final weeks of President Joe Bidens reelection bid. The three-day poll, completed on Sunday, showed Vice President Harris supported by 43% of registered voters, with former President Trump supported by 42%, within the polls 3.5 percentage point margin of error.

Last weeks poll showed Harris up 44%-42%. Harris consolidated her position as the Democratic candidate over the last 10 days, after Biden, 81, bowed to growing pressure within his party and dropped out of the race. Harris has since received a surge of donations and endorsements. Overall, voters have come to view Harris more favorably over the past month.

(With agency inputs)
Bangladeshs interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Saturday condemned attacks on the minority communities in the violence-hit nation, terming them as heinous, and urged the youth to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.

Members of minority communities in Bangladesh faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, according to two Hindu organisations  Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad  in the country.

Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus have been trying to flee to neighbouring India to escape the violence. Reaching out to students who are at the forefront of the protests, Yunus, a Nobel laureate, cautioned them not to let their efforts be sabotaged by those seeking to undermine their progress, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

There are many standing by to make your efforts futile. Dont fail this time, he said while addressing the students at the Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur city. Yunus unequivocally condemned the attacks on minority communities in the country, calling the acts heinous. He urged the students to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.

Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country; cant you save some families?You must say  no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together, he asserted, underscoring the need for national unity.

Stressing the importance of youth leadership, Yunus said, This Bangladesh, is now in your hands. You have the power to take it wherever you want. This isnt a matter of research  its a power within you. He also urged the people of Bangladesh to emulate the way student activist Abu Sayed stood valiantly during the anti-government demonstrations that led to the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Sayed, 25, of Rangpurs Begum Rokeya University, was among the first protesters to be killed in police firing on July 16 during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Yunus, who was sworn in on Thursday as the head of the interim government, met with Sayeds family members in Rangpurs Pirganj upazila, The Daily Star newspaper reported.

We have to stand the way Abu Sayed stoodAbu Sayeeds mother is everyones mother. We have to protect her, protect her sisters, protect her brothers. Everyone has to do it together, he told reporters after meeting Sayeds family. Yunus said that the responsibility of building a new Bangladesh is for every Bangladeshi.

We will remember him (Abu Sayed) through this. Therefore, we should ensure that we do the work (needed), he said. Abu Sayed is no longer a member of just one family. He is the child of all families in Bangladesh. The children who will grow up and attend school and college will know about Abu Sayed and will say to themselves, I too will fight for justice. Abu Sayed is now in every home, Yunus said.

Meanwhile, thousands of Hindu agitators, including students, blocked the Shahbagh intersection for the second consecutive day on Saturday, protesting attacks on their homes, shops, and temples in various parts of the country, The Daily Star newspaper reported. They shouted slogans such as Save the Hindus, Why are my temples and homes being looted? We want answers, Hindu persecution in independent Bangladesh, it will not continue, Religion is for individuals, the state is for everyone, and Ensure the safety of Hindus.

A number of Hindu temples, households and businesses were vandalised, women assaulted and at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with the Awami League party headed by Hasina were killed in the violence in Bangladesh after she fled the country, according to community leaders in Dhaka. The protesters warned that if immediate measures are not taken to stop the persecution of Hindus, they will go for continuous protest programmes.

They also demanded the formation of a ministry for minorities, the establishment of a minority protection commission, the enactment and implementation of strict laws to prevent all forms of attacks on minorities, and the allocation of 10 per cent of parliamentary seats for minorities.

In another major development, Bangladeshs Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan on Saturday tendered his resignation, five days after the fall of the Hasina regime amid massive street protests and students marching towards the apex court demanding a revamp of the judiciary.

The 65-year-old top judge revealed his decision around 1 pm after protesters of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered at the apex court premises. The students had issued an ultimatum to him and the judges of the Appellate Division to resign by 1 pm I feel it is necessary to share a special news with you. Our chief justice resigned a few minutes back. His resignation letter has already reached the law ministry, law adviser, equivalent to the minister of the newly-installed interim government, Prof Asif Nazrul said in a Facebook video message.
Two Indian-American lawmakers have sought the US direct intervention to stop the coordinated attacks against minority Hindus in Bangladesh, underlining that instability in the region, fuelled by religious intolerance and violence, is not in the interest of America or its allies.

Members of minority communities in Bangladesh faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, according to two Hindu organisations  Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad  in the violence-hit nation. Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus have been trying to flee to neighbouring India to escape the violence.

In a letter dated August 9 to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Congressman Shri Thanedar said he is not alone in his stance against the atrocities being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh. Many in the international community, including some from his own district, have condemned the violent actions being committed against minority groups in Bangladesh.

With Muhammad Yunus stepping up as the interim Prime Minister for Bangladesh, the United States has an obligation to assist this new government, to ensure that violence and civil unrest comes to an end. I urge the Biden administration to grant persecuted Bangladesh Hindus and other religious minorities temporary protected status as refugees, the Congressman from Michigan wrote to Blinken.

Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel laureate, was sworn in on Thursday as the head of an interim government in Bangladesh. A number of Hindu temples, households and businesses were vandalised, women assaulted and at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with the Awami League party headed by Hasina were killed in the violence in Bangladesh after she fled the country, according to community leaders in Dhaka.

Thanedar urged Blinken to work closely with Yunus and his government to bring an end to the coordinated attacks against the Bangladesh Hindus. He underlined that Yunus has called for an end to the violence and welcomed his willingness to rebuild the country. This is a critical time for Bangladesh, and we must do everything we can to support them in their efforts to bring an end to the violent actions and rhetoric being targeted towards Hindus in the country, said the Indian-American lawmaker.

In a letter dated August 8 to Blinken, a copy of which was released to the press on Friday, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said credible eyewitness reports of the anti-Hindu attacks in various media reports demonstrate the scale of the attacks.

I am writing to you regarding the fluid situation in Bangladesh and the rise of coordinated anti-Hindu violence in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas resignation. Now that Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as Chief Adviser for the interim government, it is of utmost urgency that the United States engage with his government for both bringing the violence to an end and the perpetrators to justice, Krishnamoorthi wrote.

Sadly, this is not the first time that anti-government protests in Bangladesh have metastasised into anti-Hindu violence. The anti-Hindu riots in October 2021 left nine people dead amidst the destruction of hundreds of homes, businesses and templesIn 2017, more than 107 Hindus were killed and 37 disappeared the International Crimes Tribunal conviction of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Sayeedi for war crimes, he said.

Krishnamoorthi underlined that instability in the region, fuelled by religious intolerance and violence, is clearly not in the interest of the United States or our allies. He urged Blinken to engage directly with the interim government and exert US influence to help his administration end the violence and bring those responsible to justice.

Thanedar in his letter noted that political violence in Bangladesh is not a new phenomenon and that the country has experienced many coups and leadership changes since its inception in 1971. Targeting of its Hindu population is also not new. Hindus only make up eight per cent of Bangladeshs population, exposing this minority to risk of discrimination and violence, the Congressman said.
The Israeli military on Saturday said that it killed 19 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives in a strike on a command room within a Gaza school complex, which has drawn widespread condemnation.

The Hamas-run civil defence agency claimed that over 90 people were killed in the attack that sparked outrage among world leaders and rights groups. The White House expressed deep concern over the civilian casualties, stating that far too many lives have been lost in the ongoing conflict, The Times of Israel reported.

Today, the IDF and ISA struck terrorists operating in a Hamas command and control center, which was embedded inside a mosque in the Al-Tabaeen school compound. Following an intelligence investigation, it can be confirmed at this time that at least 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad pic.twitter.com/97fw1Q9cHy Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 10, 2024

Mitigate the risk

The IDF officials said the strike was executed using three precision munitions aimed at a specific building within the school complex. IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari noted that the military had received intelligence indicating that Ashraf Juda, the commander of Islamic Jihads Central Camps Brigade, was likely present during the strike, although it remains unclear if he was killed.

Hagari explained that Hamas has increasingly used school buildings as military facilities, which has raised significant concerns about civilian safety. He stated, Over the last few weeks, our intelligence has been closely monitoring an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility. The IDF claimed that they took steps to mitigate civilian risk, including aerial surveillance before the strike and precision targeting.

After we received clear intelligence of the threat posed by these terrorists, and in accordance with international humanitarian law, we took numerous steps to mitigate the risk to civilians. The IDF conducted a precision strike against the terrorists in one specific building of pic.twitter.com/vViGhLzU4b Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 10, 2024

The Israeli attack has drawn sharp criticism from various countries and groups. The European Unions foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the attack, calling it unjustifiable. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy expressed his horror at the airstrike and called for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians. France also condemned the strike, highlighting the unacceptable number of civilian victims.

Meanwhile, Egypt and Qatar, both mediators in ceasefire discussions, have called for urgent investigations into the airstrike. The Qatari foreign ministry demanded an international probe, including the dispatch of independent UN investigators, to examine the ongoing targeting of schools and shelters by Israeli forces.

The ongoing conflict, which reignited on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The IDF reports that approximately 15,000 Hamas combatants have been killed, while the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims that over 39,000 people have died in the fighting, a figure that remains unverified.

(With agency inputs)
The main opposition in Maldives has welcomed the President Mohamed Muizzu-led governments sudden recalibration of its India policy and said they have always been confident that New Delhi will be the first responder any time Male dials an international 911.

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), made these remarks after he met external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (August 10). Jaishankar is on a three-day official visit to the Maldives to reset the bilateral relationship, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nations pro-China President Muizzu assumed office last year.

Shahid, the former foreign minister, said his party calls on the Muizzu government to issue a public apology for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments from its officials, which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives foreign and economic outlook.

Great pleasure to warmly welcome and meet Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to the Maldives with my colleagues from @MDPSecretariat, he said in a statement posted on X later in the night. The Maldives has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives dials an international 911.

Great pleasure to warmly welcome and meet Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to the Maldives with my colleagues from @MDPSecretariat . The Maldives has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives dials an pic.twitter.com/a2ckdHHaEa  Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) August 10, 2024

He said the current governments initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges.

With this in mind, the MDP welcomes the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzus government, from its previous India Out policy, Shahid said.

Indias relationship with the Maldives has come under severe strain since Muizzu took charge as the president late last year. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. After talks between the two countries, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.

On Saturday, however, the president described India as one of the closest allies and reaffirmed his administrations full commitment to strengthening the historic and close connections between the two countries.

The MDP hopes that this shift will not be temporary or superficial, but consistent and meaningful in the best interests of the people of the Maldives, the MDP leader said.

In a separate statement, the opposition party welcomed Jaishankars visit to the Maldives. The Maldives-India relationship has always been based on the principles of mutual respect, respect for international law, territorial integrity, a common desire for regional security, and an open and peaceful Indian Ocean, it said.

The party thanked India for its steadfast support of the people of the Maldives. The MDP welcomes the exchange of notes during this visit, to train a further 1000 civil service officers  a key human resource programme initiated during (former) president (Ibrahim Mohamed) Solihs government. MDP also welcomes the signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Economic Development and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), on enhancing and expanding digital and integrated payment systems  another MoU that was discussed and finalised during President Solihs administration, it said.

The statement read: The MDP welcomes with gratitude to India, the inauguration and handover of six High Impact Community Development Projects, implemented with grant assistance from the Government of India, and signed and implemented during President Solihs administration.

It said the High Impact Community Development Project scheme is a highly successful and beneficial grant assistance scheme initialised in 2019. The Party further welcomes the handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands financed through the EXIM Bank of India, the statement read.

It said these projects were undertaken through the $800 million Line of Credit extended by the Government of India, during the first State Visit of former president Solih to India, in December 2018, and inaugurated during his administration.

The Maldives is one of Indias key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Bangladeshs newly-installed interim government on Sunday said it would maintain a balanced foreign policy, asserting that Dhaka intends to maintain smooth and positive relations with all, including India and China.

Our policy is to maintain good relations with all countries while protecting our national interests, interim governments Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said during his first press briefing at the foreign ministry.

Hossain, whose position is equivalent to a minister, said it is meaningless to assume that this interim government is focused solely on any particular direction.

We intend to maintain smooth and positive relations with all  including India and China, said Hossain, who previously served as a deputy high commissioner to India.

When asked about the interim governments approach towards India, Hossain said both countries share a strong and deep bond.

(But) it is important that people feel India is a good friend of BangladeshWe want that, we want to advance the (Dhaka-Delhi) relation towards that direction, said Hossain, a career diplomat and former foreign secretary.

He said the interim government would like to see India cooperate with us in this regard and underscored the need for addressing public expectations by delivering tangible outcomes from the bilateral ties with India.

This was the first media interaction of Hossain since the interim government was sworn in on Thursday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India following widespread protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.

Hossain said the interim administration was committed to staging a fair and impartial election, which was its key objective.

Speculation at this point is unnecessary, he said, without commenting on the interim governments possible tenure.

He sought support from the international partners for the interim administration, saying Their concerns are our concerns. Hossain said that the interim administration was committed to bringing to justice the perpetrators of violence, including attacks on minorities, after the ouster of the Awami League government.

He said the chief adviser Muhammad Yunus would soon meet with representatives from minority communities.

He hoped the law and order situation would improve significantly within a week.

Asked about the possibility of bringing home Hasina, he said this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the law ministry while his office would respond only if that ministry makes any such request.
Russia was fighting intense battles on Saturday against thousands of Ukrainian troops as deep as 20 km (12 miles) inside the Kursk region after Ukraines biggest attack on Russian sovereign territory since the start of the war in 2022.

Ukrainian forces rammed through the Russian border early on Tuesday and swept across some Western parts of Russias Kursk region, a surprise attack that may be aimed at gaining leverage in possible ceasefire talks after the U.S. election.

Supported by swarms of drones and heavy artillery fire, Ukrainian units moved quickly to carve out a sliver of the Western Russian territory beside the border while sabotage units pierced deeper inside Russia, according to Russian war bloggers. The armed forces continue to repel the attempted invasion by the Ukrainian armed forces, Russias defence ministry said on Saturday, adding that intense battles were focused around Malaya Loknya, Olgovka and Ivashkovskoye, settlements around 10-20 km inside Russia.

In a sign of the gravity of the situation, Russia imposed a sweeping security regime in three border regions on Saturday while Belarus said it had repelled what it thinks was a major drone attack from Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin cast the Ukrainian attack as a major provocation and though Russias top general, Valery Gerasimov, said on Wednesday that Ukraines incursion had been halted, Russia has thus far failed to push the Ukrainian forces back over the border.

Russian military bloggers said on Saturday the situation had stabilised after Russia rushed in forces to halt the surprise advance, though they said Ukraine was swiftly building up forces. The Ukrainian attack has prompted some in Moscow to question why Ukraine was able to pierce the Kursk region so easily after more than two years of the most intense land war in Europe since World War Two.

A full scale military operation is underway against a very serious enemy who are certainly not idiots, said Yuri Podolyaka, a popular Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger. He said that Russian aviation had saved the day by pummeling scores of invading Ukrainian units, but also said the truth should be told about the gravity of the situation.

U.S. SUPPORT

The battles around Sudzha come at a crucial juncture in the war: Kyiv is concerned that U.S. support could weaken if Republican Donald Trump wins the November presidential election. Trump has said he would end the war, and both Russia and Ukraine are keen to gain the strongest possible bargaining position on the battlefield.

Ukraine wants to pin down Russian forces, which control 18% of its territory, while showing the West that it can still muster major military operations that hurt Russia even if the Kursk front is unlikely to change the outcome of the war. Ukraine has not commented directly on the attack but video posted on Ukrainian media purported to show Ukrainian soldiers in control of a gas measuring facility in the border town of Sudzha, where Russian natural gas flows into Ukraine for transit to Europe.

Reuters could not verify the video. Reports from Russian sources said Ukraine was in control of some areas of Sudzha. Gas was still flowing through the pipeline on Saturday. Alexander Bortnikov, the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), ordered an anti-terrorist regime be imposed on Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod regions  which have a combined area of nearly 92,000 square km.

The measures essentially give the security services sweeping powers to lockdown an area, including controls on communications and limits on a host of usual freedoms. Thousands of civilians have been evacuated from Kursk region. Some reports said Ukrainian forces were pushing towards the Kursk nuclear power station, which supplies a major chunk of southern Russias electricity. It has a total six reactors, two shutdown, two under construction and two operational.

The acting governor of Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, said drone debris had fallen on a power substation near Kurchatov, the town which serves the Kursk nuclear station, which said it was operating as normal on Saturday. The head of the U.N.s International Atomic Energy Agency noted the significant military activity in the area and called for restraint. Russian diplomats in Vienna told the IAEA that fragments, possibly from downed missiles, had been found, though there was no evidence of an attack on the station.
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The east China metropolitan of Shanghai on Saturday launched its first-ever International Cruise Festival to fully tap the cruise travel boom.

The festival lasting till Aug. 31 will see a slew of new product launches related to the cruise economy as well as cruise business promotion activities.

Liu Ping, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government, said at the inauguration of the festival that the cruise industry is of great significance to expanding domestic demand, unleashing consumption potential and promoting high-level opening-up.

"The city will continue to offer new consumption scenarios and services for the cruise industry to cater to customers' demand," Liu said.

The festival is held to boost Shanghai's position as an international consumption hub and a magnet for more international cruise companies to set up headquarters.




SYDNEY, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Four men were arrested for allegedly being disruptive and obstructing police officers during a demonstration on Sunday in Brisbane, the capital city of Australia's State of Queensland, said local media.

The Courier Mail reported on Sunday that videos posted to social media showed that a group of about 40 people all dressed in black clothes marched through Brisbane's CBD followed by a large police escort.

These people are members of the National Socialist Network, which is reported to be Australia's largest white supremacist group, said the daily.

In the video, the members were heard shouting "Hail Victory" and "Australia for the white man, the rest must go" during the march.

The racist behavior was "nothing short of abhorrent," the newspaper quoted Queensland Premier Steven Miles as saying. "I absolutely condemn it," he said.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said those taken into custody were assisting police with their inquiries. Investigations are ongoing, and no charges have been laid. 
Some lawmakers in the U.S. Congress have urged sanctions on Bangladeshi officials under Sheikh Hasina who recently quit as prime minister and fled, while the U.S. government has formally welcomed the appointment of a new caretaker government there.

An interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in on Thursday with the aim of holding elections in the Asian nation. Bangladesh was engulfed by demonstrations and violence after student protests last month against quotas that reserved a high portion of government jobs for certain groups.

Hasina Exit

The demonstrations escalated into a campaign to oust Hasina, who won a fourth straight term in January in an election which the opposition boycotted and which the U.S. State Department said was not free and fair. Hasinas exit came after at least 300 people, many of them students, were killed in a crackdown on demonstrations.

The Bangladeshi leaders who orchestrated this brutal crackdown must be held accountable, which is why were calling upon the administration to sanction General Secretary Quader and Home Affairs Minister Khan, as we continue working to support a peaceful and democratic Bangladesh, said U.S. Senator Van Hollen, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The lawmaker referred to Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was Hasinas home minister, and Obaidul Quader, who was the general secretary of Hasinas Awami League party. A letter by Hollen and five other congressional Democrats was sent to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging sanctions on those officials. The State Department said it did not preview sanction-related actions.

I welcome the swearing in of Dr. Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government in Bangladesh. The United States supports his call for calm and peace, Blinken said separately on social media. Human rights groups had accused Hasina of using excessive force against protesters, a charge she denied. Since her departure, the student protests have widened to demand the exit of more officials appointed from her time in office.

Hasina went to New Delhi after leaving Bangladesh, ending her uninterrupted rule of 15 years in the nation of 170 million people. Hasinas fall triggered both jubilation and violence. Her official residence was attacked, her fathers statues were brought down and attacks were reported against minorities.
Months before accusing US of attempting to undermine Bangladeshs sovereignty by seeking control of the St. Martin Island, ousted Bangladesh ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina had warned that a white man came to tempt her with an offer.

She also said that her re-election process, in the 2024 general elections that the US and the West raised concerns about, would have been smoother if she allowed a foreign country to build an airbase inside Bangladeshi territory.

Hasina told Awami League workers on Saturday that she could have remained in power if I had left St. Martin and the Bay of Bengal to America, according to a report by The Print.

In May, Hasina had warned that she was approached by a white man who offered to build an airbase in return for a smooth re-election in the 2024 general elections which was boycotted by the opposition parties.

She had warned that conspiracies are still on to carve a new country out of Bangladesh, like East Timor. The Awami League supremo also added that the white man is also targeting several other nations with his offers.

If I allowed a certain country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, then I would have had no problem. The offer came from a White man, she said in May.

Hasina said trade and commerce have been going on in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean since ancient times.

Many have their eyes on this place. There is no controversy in this place and no one has conflict in it, she said.

Like East Timorthey will carve out a Christian country, taking parts of Bangladesh (Chattogram) and Myanmar with a base in the Bay of Bengal, Hasina said without providing any details.

She said that conspiracies were being hatched to topple her government and that she might have to face the same consequences her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had faced.

Her son Sajeeb Wazed, on Sunday, in an X post said that the recent resignation statement attributed to his mother, Sheikh Hasina, published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated.

The recent resignation statement attributed to my mother published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated. I have just confirmed with her that she did not make any statement either before or since leaving Dhaka Sajeeb Wazed (@sajeebwazed) August 11, 2024

I have just confirmed with her that she did not make any statement either before or since leaving Dhaka, he said in a social media post.
Get ready for shooting stars and fireballs: The annual Perseid meteor shower is approaching its high point, with the peak expected before dawn on Monday, according to the American Meteorological Society . The meteor shower lasts from mid-July until the end of August, but most nights only feature a few meteors per hour. At the peak, there's sometimes a few dozen per hour, but some years bring bursts of up to 200 shooting stars an hour, NASA says. The space agency says the Perseids are also known for fireballs"larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak."

NASA suggests getting out of town to "find the darkest location you can." Hunter Miller at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago tells NPR that the waxing moon means viewing conditions might not be ideal this year, though "it's not so bad because the moon will be far away from where the Perseids are located in the sky." The moon will set around midnight, so "as late as you can be out, the better the views will get, the darker the sky will be." He suggests looking northward and giving your eyes around 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Looking at a phone's screen, however, "will basically mess up all of the time that you spent trying to let your eyes get dark-adjusted," Miller says.

The Perseids are seen every year as the Earth passes through the debris trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Meteor expert Peter Brown at the University of Western Ontario tells NPR that unlike some meteor showers, the Perseids are "so spread out that you can see them within a day or two of the peak, and you still see a really impressive show." Space.com reports that if geomagnetic conditions are right, people in northern states might get a double show: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for Friday through Sunday, meaning the northern lights could coincide with the peak of the Perseids. (More Perseids stories.)
Vice President Kamala Harris now is ahead of Donald Trump in three battleground states, a poll showsleads that are within the margin of error but suggest a change of fortunes for Democrats since President Biden left the presidential race. Polling by the New York Times and Siena College have Harris with the support of 50% of likely voters, with Trump at 46%, in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The polling was conducted from Monday through Friday. Almost a year ago, the New York Times reports, polls showed Trump either tied or holding a slight lead over Biden in those states.

Among registered voters, NBC News points out, Harris drops to a 3-point lead in Pennsylvania and falls 3 points behind Trump in Michigan. Overall, much of Harris' rise can be attributed to her improved favorability rating since the head-to-head contest became Harris-Trump, per the Times: It rose 10 points among registered voters in Pennsylvania in the past month. A Michigan retiree who said he usually votes Republican expressed regret for backing Trump in 2016 and said he's considering supporting Harris. "Some of her character is real appealing to me. I'm not so sure I agree with a lot of her policies," Les Lanser said. "But the alternative is just not acceptable at all in my mindbecause character is everything." (More Kamala Harris 2024 stories.)
Joe Rogan's praise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may have sounded like an endorsement. Appearing Thursday on a podcast other than his own, per Politico , Rogan said: "I am a fan. He's the only one that makes sense to me." He called the independent candidate in the presidential race a "legitimate guy." It sounded like an endorsement to Donald Trump and his supporters, who began mocking the podcaster online, the New York Times reports. By the next morning, Rogan had shifted into reverse, or at least neutral.

"This isn't an endorsement," the world's most popular podcaster posted on X, writing that, anyway, he's "not the guy to get political information from." Trump supporters had responded to his praise of Kennedy by mocking the intelligence and height of the standup comic, UFC announcer, and hugely popular podcaster. On Truth Social, Trump posted, "It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring???" Kennedy, on the other hand, appreciated Rogan's support, posting, "From one 'legitimate' guy to another, thank you."

A Republican consultant said Trump had reason to be nervous; Rogan's following is large, young, male, and devoted. "This is a group Trump needs strong performance with," Mike Madrid said. Anything approaching an endorsement could hurt the GOP ticket, per the Times. Rogan belatedly added praise in his follow-up post of Trump raising his fist to the crowd and yelling "Fight" after the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, per the Hill. But he also had said on the podcast hosted by Lex Fridman that he's "not a Trump supporter in any way, shape or form." Rogan said he's turned down Trump as a guest on his podcast. "I've said no every time," he said. "I'm not interested in helping him." (More Joe Rogan stories.)
TEHRAN, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and 12 others injured early Sunday in an eight-vehicle chain-reaction pileup in the northern Iranian province of Alborz, Iran's IRIB news agency reported.

The incident, involving two trucks, five sedans and a pickup truck, occurred on a freeway between the provinces of Tehran and Alborz at 3:35 a.m. local time (0005 GMT), the report said.

According to the IRIB, five ambulances were immediately sent to the scene and transferred the injured to medical centers. 
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YAOUNDE, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Three children have been found dead beneath the debris of a collapsed wall in Chad's Kanem region after torrential rain, an official said on Saturday.

The tragedy happened on Friday at the Ligra locality of the region when a local house collapsed, resulting in the death of two girls and a two-year-old boy, said Brahim Alifa Ali, the prefect of the Kanem-Centre department.

Last week, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno warned of the risk of flooding after heavy rain battered the Central African nation for days.

The government was working to achieve "lasting solutions throughout the national territory from now on," he said. 
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Postal Code
A local anti-violence advocate is taking over the application for $2 million in state mental health crisis funding  named in honor of a Jersey City man killed by police  after the citys initial, disastrous submission was met with blistering reviews.

The state allocated $12 million in grants to establish community crisis response team programs under the Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act, named for Andrew Washington of Jersey City and Najee Seabrooks of Paterson, both killed by police while experiencing mental health episodes.
Lucy the Elephant is getting another makeover  but this time, the focus will be on her interior.

A half-million-dollar interior renovation project is planned for the six-story-tall, beloved roadside attraction in Margate.
Another mentally ill person was killed recently after police kicked in her door and started shooting, even though there was no apparent provocation or reason to use force.

It happened in a high-rise in Fort Lee, but it can happen anywhere in New Jersey where cops have no expertise in how to approach a bipolar woman having a manic episode, and where police departments dont employ a mental health expert to help handle 9-1-1 calls that involve such a crisis.

When the Attorney General completes his investigation and releases the bodycam footage, we will know more about what happened on July 28, when 26-year-old Victoria Lee was shot to death as her mother and brother reportedly begged police to back off and send medical help.

But for now, we know this much: This appalling scenario has become far too common  a horrifying sequel to Najee Seabrooks and Drew Washington being shot dead by cops last year during their own mental health crises  and now we can add Fort Lee to the list of communities that didnt have the foresight, humility, or leadership to adopt a program that prevents these tragedies.

That program, known as ARRIVE Together, pairs a plainclothes police officer trained in crisis intervention with a certified mental health specialist to respond to 9-1-1 calls involving the mentally ill. It is still a new initiative -- it launched in December 2021 in Cumberland County  but it has expanded to about 150 towns around the state for one compelling reason that has eluded leadership in Fort Lee: It works.

According to data provided by the Attorney General, the ARRIVE program has responded to 4,334 calls in the last 2 years, and the results have been stellar: There have been zero fatalities and zero serious injuries resulting from a call to an ARRIVE team.

Moreover, since May 2023, the AG has been tracking the number of instances in which force was required, and there have been exactly 23  all of them involving emergency circumstances that required the team to transport someone to mental health services.

Again, we dont know why a Fort Lee cop fatally shot a woman in her home, but the statement issued by the familys attorney tells a story of staggering police incompetence.

Police strategy for the mentally ill should not involve shooting them | Editorial - https://t.co/OL3t8LiLou https://t.co/Ua9nqUhvRX  Lawrence Hamm (@LawrenceHamm7) September 4, 2023

That statement, reported by NorthJersey.com, states that Victoria experienced a mentally unstable condition and refused to go to the hospital. Her brother, Chris, called 9-1-1 at 1:15 a.m. -- specifically to request an ambulance, which was never dispatched  and the Fort Lee PD arrived five minutes later. The brother met the police outside the apartment door and informed them that Victoria was holding a small folding pocketknife.

Both Chris Lee and his mother tried to convince the cops to leave, but he was pushed aside and forcefully led away from the scene. According to the statement, before the breach, the pocketknife had already been dropped on the floor, and Victoria  unnerved by the banging on the door -- picked up a 5-gallon plastic water bottle and held it in her hand non-threateningly.

Then the door suddenly opened, and almost immediately, a gunshot was fired by officer Tony Pickens Jr., hitting Victoria in the torso. She was pronounced dead at Englewood Hospital at 1:58 a.m. That means the Fort Lee police spent no more than a few minutes trying to help her. Then one shot her.

Please read!: Paterson cops turn down help, then shoot a man dead. Why? | Moran https://t.co/fC8iHkZIN9 @nj_opinion #PatersonPolice  Robin Wilson-Glover (@RobinGlover) March 7, 2023

The statement from AG Matt Platkins office offers only scant details  notably that a knife was recovered at the scene  but what it doesnt say is more telling. It never mentions that Chris Lee repeatedly expressed fear of police overreaction, or that Victoria Lee was only holding a water jug, and it doesnt explain why a breach was necessary.

But the larger question is this: How many more mentally ill people need to die so horribly before towns like Fort Lee get a clue?

An AG spokesman says that Fort Lee is finalizing an agreement with Care Plus to launch an ARRIVE program, but that doesnt bring Victoria Lee back. Mayor Mark Sokolich would not explain why the borough needed years to affirm the life-saving value of this initiative  or who was responsible for delaying its adoption  but he did say, I would absolutely endorse such a thing.

Remarkably, some towns still do not, which is an astonishing repudiation of common sense and public safety.

Just ask a cop: Providing trained mental health professionals in response situations will be a norm in the years ahead, says Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union), the former undersheriff in Union County, where all 21 towns (plus Kean University) have signed on to ARRIVE.

Law enforcement needs to evolve with the times. As we understand more about peoples behaviors, these professionals will be utilized assets in a crisis. The sooner law enforcement embraces that, the better off all of us will be.

Until then, the mentally ill are still being killed by police at a horrific rate: They are 12 times more likely to experience force from police encounters, and 16 times more likely to be killed by a cop.

Many of our cities and towns, including Newark and Camden, now get it. Its time for all law enforcement -- in Fort Lee and throughout New Jersey  to acknowledge the grim arithmetic, and embrace the solution.

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YANGON, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Four members of a family, including a seven-month-old baby, drowned while bathing in a creek in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, an official from a rescue organization told Xinhua on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. local time on Saturday in a creek in Meiktila town of Mandalay region, he said. The water in the creek is not very deep, about the height of an average person, he added. The children's bodies were found immediately and taken to a local hospital, but the mother's body is still being searched for, he said.

The family, which included the mother and her three children, lives on a farm where they live separately from others, said the official. 
Ah, the joys of summertime in New Jersey! The sun, the flowers, the beaches!

But what about the damn leaf blowers? Can we not rid ourselves of this scourge and reclaim the outdoors? What good is a beautiful deck if these monstrous screamers send you fleeing inside behind closed windows every weekend?

I have a beautiful wrap-around porch, and Ive set it up with chairs with cushions  you could live out there, says Lisa Mochello, a therapist whose home sits in a leafy section of Highland Park. I can sit there and listen to the birds, or read a book, or even work out there.

But most days, she says, the demons invade. Landscaping crews pile out of their trucks, sometimes on both sides of her, and rev up their two-stroke engines, a technology that dates to 1881 and is so filthy it creates as much pollution in a single hour as a modern car does driving 1,100 miles, according to the California Air Resources Board.

When one company leaves, another arrives, Mochello says, Its constant. The noise is so bad. I cant even believe its legal.

Maybe not for long in New Jersey. Sen. Bob Smith, the Democratic chairman of the Environment Committee, is pushing a bill that would ban these contraptions, with some exceptions, and provide financial help to ease the transition to electric blowers, which are much cleaner and quieter. His committee approved his bill in June, and he intends to make a fresh push for final approval this fall.

Homeowners love this, Smith says. Theyre asking why we didnt do this sooner.

A ban on gas-power blowers goes into effect next year in California. And local governments across the country have banned them as well, including Maplewood and Montclair. The liberation movement is building steam.

Most landscaping firms are not happy about this, and Smith is trying to soften the blow with amendments. Aside from the financial help, the bill phases in the change over two years. And it allows four-stroke gas engines, which are less polluting, in non-residential areas during the spring and fall.

Can the landscapers somehow manage with electric blowers? Some of them already are.

Amner DeLeon is the owner of Blue Sky Green Earth, a landscaping firm he began during the pandemic, when conventional leaf blowers were driving him nuts during his stay at home. He uses all electric equipment now, including leaf blowers, mowers, and trimmers. He started in Princeton and has now expanded to Montclair and Madison.

Yes, he said, there was an up-front cost to buy the new equipment. But he says its cheaper to run, so he can match prices of conventional landscapers. His clients love it, he says, and his employees are overjoyed.

Theyre not breathing those fumes, he says. And the noise level is lower. So its better for their lungs and their ears, not to mention the vibrations that can affect the nerves.

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It may be blasphemous to say this, but I wonder if the core problem is cultural, this drive to build a suburban yard that is perfectly manicured, an unbroken stretch of thick green grass, every blade standing at attention in its assigned spot.

Bah humbug. Why not loosen up? Why not plant indigenous plant species that give bees and butterflies a home? Why not limit the grass to small plots, like area rugs in a room, not wall-to-wall carpeting? Why not mulch the leaves and allow the scraps to nourish the soil? Why squeeze out nature in its glorious variety to make room for the anal-retentive grass lawns that dominate Jersey suburbs?

We have to change what people think of as a beautiful yard, says Lois Kraus of Westfield, co-chair of Advocates for Transforming Landscaping in New Jersey, a group she says meets quarterly and has members in 60 towns. I have all kinds of native flowers, shrubs and trees, not the highly manicured green, which is not healthy for the environment, or for human beings.

Its not just the landscapers who have to change; its the residents.

For now, thats a bridge too far for most people. But ever since I heard about this movement, the great sweeping lawns of Upper Montclair have started to look silly to me, as wasteful as driving a Hummer.

But as a first step, we should be able to agree that the dirty gas leaf blowers must go. Next time you are forced to go inside and shut the windows to escape them, consider dropping a note to your local legislator. A better world is within easy reach.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

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By Charles E. Kraus

Like JD Vance and Tim Walz, I was an enlisted man in the military. I am disappointed to see Mr. Vance disparage a fellow member of the armed forces. Be it peace or war, we generally have one anothers back.

I suppose that Swift Boating tactics from the Republican vice presidential candidate leaves him open for similar appraisal. I have a few thoughts. A few questions. Not disparaging. Just some commonsense probing.

Vance serviced honorably for four years. Me, too. When discharged, I had reached the rank of Sergeant, or E-5. Achieving that rank during a four-year enlistment is not uncommon. Typically, it takes a Marine about a year to reach Corporal (E-4).

Vance is obviously bright. That he remained a Corporal for his entire enlistment is a little puzzling. To advance to E-5, a Marine has to service as a Corporal for one year.

Generally, when I think of Marines, I envision tough guys toting powerful weapons. In Vances case, I need to adjust what comes to mind.

He was part of the Public Affairs section of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, not exactly the macho version of heroism. He received the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Walz received the Army version of the Achievement Medal, as well as proficiency ribbons in sharpshooting and hand grenades. Neither man saw combat.

Ill admit it, I wasnt exactly a hero, and just like Vance, I got out the service at the end of my initial enlistment.

Walz, on the other hand, spent 24 years in the National Guard. After working with large artillery pieces for most of his military career, he suffered impaired hearing in both ears. It was so severe, surgery was necessary to restore his hearing loss.

There is a rumor circulating that Gov. Walz quit the service shortly before his unit learned it would be sent to Iraq. The inference being, he bowed out to avoid going to war. Might be true.

Of course, hed remained in the Guard for twenty-four years  from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Keep in mind that National Guard Units are standby troops. Eight were sent to Viet Nam. Many deployed to Iraq.

Walz was in the National Guard when the September 11 attack occurred and when Operation Desert Storm was executed. The perilous times didnt scare him out of his commitment.

To be in the military -- potentially on standby for deployment to a war zone, and if not a war zone, then to a natural disaster -- and to remain in the service year after year with such prospects in mind convinces me that he was far from fainthearted.

He has obviously dedicated a great deal of his life to protecting our country. When he finally left the Guard, it was to continue his patriotic inclinations by winning elected office and to be a representative of the people.

Vance wants to know why Walz didnt reenlist in 2005. Probably for the same reason Vance didnt reenlist. Were either of these men cowards? Traitors? Of course not. Walz had a family. He was forty. He had served for more than two decades.

Vance, on the other hand, was unmarried. He was young, with an entire life ahead of him. He wanted to go to school. Honorable objectives. Reasonable.

When Walz completed his commitment in the National Guard, he had served for more than half of his life. Was Walz shirking responsibility, or was he merely someone who had served his country and wanted to get on with his future?

Served and moved on -- exactly what I did. Exactly what Vance did.

Author Charles E. Kraus was awarded a Bronze Star for his service during the Vietnam War.

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Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, have turned formerly barren land in northwest China's Ningxia into a significant source of wealth for the region. #GLOBALink




Tourists visit Shennongtan scenic spot in Shennongjia Forest District, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 5, 2024. In recent years, with rich ecotourism resources and mild climate, Shennongjia Forest District has witnessed a large number of tourists in summer. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council have unveiled a set of guidelines to ramp up green transition in all areas of economic and social development.

According to the recently issued guidelines, the main objectives are that by 2030, the country will achieve "remarkable results" in the green transition in all areas of economic and social development; and by 2035, a green, low-carbon, and circular development economic system will be basically established and the goal of Beautiful China will be basically achieved.

The guidelines have raised a raft of work tasks such as optimizing the development and protection of territorial space, promoting the green and low-carbon transition in industrial structure and the energy sector, as well as promoting green transition in the transport sector and urban-rural development.

The guidelines also put forward quantitative work goals for different fields. By 2030, the scale of the energy conservation and environmental protection industry in the country will reach about 15 trillion yuan (about 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars), the proportion of non-fossil energy will increase to about 25 percent of energy consumption, and the installed capacity of pumped storage hydropower will exceed 120 million kilowatts.

By 2030, the carbon emission intensity of commercial transport per unit of turnover will drop by about 9.5 percent compared with 2020, and the annual utilization of bulk solid waste will reach about 4.5 billion tonnes, with the output rate of main resources to increase by about 45 percent compared with 2020, according to the guidelines.

According to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the guidelines were issued at a time when China has made historical achievements in green and low-carbon development since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.

For instance, as of the end of June 2024, the installed capacity of renewable energy has reached 1.653 billion kW, accounting for 53.8 percent of the country's total installed capacity. In 2023, the nation's energy consumption and carbon emission intensity per unit of GDP dropped by more than 26 percent and 35 percent, respectively, compared with 2012, it said.

However, the NDRC said China still faces difficulties and challenges in green transition, with the energy structure remaining biased toward coal and the proportion of fossil energy and traditional industries remaining high in the country. "In addition, the global green transition is facing setbacks, environmental and climate issues are increasingly being politicized, and green trade barriers are escalating."

The guidelines will be of great significance to promote the green transition of the development model, comprehensively promote the construction of a beautiful China, and achieve high-quality development, according to the NDRC.

Visitors watch a new energy vehicle equipped with Huawei's Qiankun system at the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, China, April 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

The guidelines also highlight green transition in the consumption model by encouraging people to pursue green and healthy life. They also aim to boost green consumption by expanding the scope and scale of government procurement of green products, promoting trade-in programs to boost consumer spending on green products, and carrying out marketing campaigns for new energy vehicles and green home appliances in rural regions.

According to the guidelines, the country will pursue fiscal and taxation policies that are conducive to promoting green and low-carbon development and the efficient use of resources.

In terms of financial instruments, China will extend the implementation period of carbon emission reduction support tools to the end of 2027 and actively develop financial instruments such as green equity financing, green financial leasing, and green trusts.

In terms of investment mechanisms, investment within the central budget will actively support key projects, and the government will encourage and regulate the participation of social capital in green and low-carbon projects, according to the guidelines. 
One of the important organizations at St. John The Baptist Church in Whiting recently celebrated a monumental anniversary.

The St. John Rosary Society, which had its start in 1899, marked its 125th anniversary at a luncheon celebration in late June at Whiting's Knights of Columbus Hall.

Rosary Society members and guests attended a morning mass and proceeded to the luncheon where there was a special program and buffet meal.

Father Mark Peres, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church and moderator of the Rosary Society, offered a prayer and said a few words about the anniversary and how important the group is to the church.

Rosary Society president Joyce Wagner welcomed members and their guests to the event which also featured Martin A. Dybel as master of ceremonies. During the event, it was announced that the Rosary Society had received congratulatory letters from various people, including Bishop Robert McClory, Congressman Frank Mrvan and Rev. Francis Joseph Hoffman of Relevant Radio. Also featured during the luncheon was an introduction of student essay winners. The students wrote about "What Praying The Rosary Means To Me."

Rosary Society member Carol Vargo, who is a third generation member, said the group originally began as a type of "social event" where members would meet to say the rosary at different homes of the women in the community. The organization had a Senior Rosary Society and later a Junior Rosary Society. Now the group is one entity and features 100 members.

The St. John Rosary Society was founded on July 2, 1899. It was originally made of immigrants from Slovakia who spoke only Slovak.

According to Catholic.com, the rosary is "a devotion in honor of the Virgin Mary. It consists of a number of specific prayers...Each decade (of the rosary beads) is devoted to a mystery regarding the life of Jesus or his mother."

Rosary Society president Joyce Wagner said she joined the group in 2013 and became the president in 2014. She's remained the president for 10 years.

Wagner said the society members are "supportive and dedicated."

She added "Our purpose is to work for the church and that's what we do." Wagner explained the Rosary Society is the "longest lasting" organization at St. John the Baptist Church. Members of the group not only come from St John the Baptist Church but also other parishes in Northwest Indiana as well as Chicago. "All are welcome," Wagner said, adding, though, that members must be Catholic to join.

"I feel honored to be a member and to represent the Rosary Society as president," Wagner said. She sees the organization "continuing to grow" in the future.

The St. John Rosary Society's website states "the purpose of the Rosary Society is to cultivate and promote devotion to our Lord and his mother by attendance at monthly Benediction services and the daily recitation of the rosary."

The group also helps to support the church and its various needs via assorted fundraisers, contributing to the care of the altar and other areas of the church as well as helping to instill the spiritual importance of saying the rosary.

Susan Dybel, who is the vice-president of the group, said she became involved in the society in 2012 through her mother-in-law's influence. Dybel said she became Catholic when she got married.

"I enjoy it," Dybel said, about being a member. "It deepens my faith."

It was Vargo's maternal grandmother and her mother who influenced her and her sister and a cousin to become involved in the group. Her grandmother was a member of The Senior Rosary Society and her mother was a member of the Junior Rosary Society.

According to Vargo, the group, from the beginning, gave members "a purpose" as they not only prayed the rosary as a unified group but also bonded "together to support the church."

"You meet a lot of great friends here, too," Dybel said about the group. "We rely on these women."

Those who would like to learn more about The St. John the Baptist Rosary Society can contact Joyce Wagner at churchparishoffice@stjohnbap.org.
For weeks, Republicans have pummeled Vice President Kamala Harris on immigration, blaming her for President Bidens policies at the border.

Now, Ms. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, is seeking to neutralize that line of attack, one of her biggest weaknesses with voters, running a playbook that Democrats say has worked for them in recent elections and staking out her clearest position yet as a tough-on-crime prosecutor focused on securing the border.

This week, she has hit back by promising to heighten border security if elected and slamming her Republican opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, for helping kill a bipartisan border deal in Congress. And her campaign has walked back some of the more progressive positions she took during her bid for the Democratic nomination in 2019, including her stance that migrants crossing the U.S. border without authorization should not face criminal penalties.

I was attorney general of a border state, Ms. Harris, who was once Californias top prosecutor, said on Friday at a rally in Arizona, a swing state where immigration is a top concern for voters. I went after the transnational gangs, the drug cartels and human traffickers. I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won.
Bob Tischler, who was part of the production and writing team that helped revive Saturday Night Live after that groundbreaking comedy show fell into a deep creative trough in the 1980-81 season, died on July 13 at his home in Bodega Bay, Calif. He was 78.

His son, Zeke, said the cause was pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Tischler did not define himself as a writer when he joined S.N.L. He was best known for his work in audio, having produced The National Lampoon Radio Hour and albums by the Blues Brothers.

I produced a lot of comedy and I did writing, but I wasnt a member of the union or anything, Mr. Tischler told James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales for their book Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live (2002).

S.N.L. needed a lot of help. After five trailblazing seasons under Lorne Michaels, its first producer, it floundered under his successor, Jean Doumanian, whose only season was widely considered the shows worst to date.
Israel again ordered a humanitarian zone evacuated

In recent days, tens of thousands of people have fled the city of Khan Younis in Gaza after Israels military told them to evacuate. A new order issued yesterday covered the neighborhood of al-Jalaa, part of a humanitarian zone in southwestern Gaza. The Israeli military said it was planning to fight in the area because Hamas had embedded terrorist infrastructure there. Heres the latest.

The order came a day after Israel gave a similar explanation  that Hamas fighters were hiding among civilians  for a strike on a school turned shelter that the local authorities said killed more than 90 people. More than 2,000 displaced people had been staying at the shelter, Gazan authorities said.

Israel has adjusted the borders of the humanitarian zone several times already  the area shrank by more than a fifth last month. Many people in Gaza say nowhere in the enclave is truly safe, and Israel has mounted attacks inside the designated humanitarian zone before. Last month, it targeted the commander of Hamass military wing with a strike that Gazan authorities said killed at least 90 people.

On the ground: Dr. Ahmad Yousaf, an American pediatrician who spent three weeks working in one of Gazas last functioning hospitals, shared a record of what he witnessed, including rare footage from inside Al Aqsa Hospital.
When Disney announced last year that it planned to spend $60 billion over the next decade to expand its theme park and cruise businesses, double the amount spent over the previous decade, the companys stock price instantly dropped.

Wall Street wanted specifics that the company wasnt prepared to give. Disney fans were excited for a hot second  and then they too started to demand answers, venting on social media about feeling baited. Was Disney being hypothetical about the expansion (as it has been on occasion in the past), or was this for real?

On Saturday, Disney finally showed its hand.

The company is building four new cruise ships  on top of four others it had previously announced  almost trebling the size of its current fleet by 2031. The Magic Kingdom, Disneys flagship theme park in Florida, will undergo the largest expansion in its 53-year history, with one new land devoted to classic Disney villains and another focused on Pixars Cars movies. The Disneyland Resort in California will add two superhero-themed rides, a water-based Avatar attraction, the companys first Coco ride and a Main Street, U.S.A., show starring an animatronic Walt Disney.
On paper, the potential for a conflict of interest seems obvious: ABC News, the host of next months high-stakes presidential debate, falls under the purview of a top corporate executive at Disney who happens to be longtime friends with the Democratic nominee.

The executive, Dana Walden, first met Kamala Harris in 1994. Their husbands, Matt Walden and Doug Emhoff, have known each other since the 1980s. The Waldens  extraordinary friends, per the vice president  have donated money to Ms. Harriss political campaigns since at least 2003, when she ran for district attorney in San Francisco.

In many ways, Dana and Matt are responsible for my marriage, Ms. Harris joked at a fund-raiser in April 2022 at the Waldens home in Brentwood, a wealthy Los Angeles enclave where Ms. Harris and Mr. Emhoff also own a residence. The Waldens, Vice President Harris explained, set up a couple who in turn had set her up with Mr. Emhoff on a blind date.

Ms. Harriss Republican opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, recently sued ABC News for defamation, and he and his allies are often quick to accuse news organizations of bias when they are displeased by coverage.
Bari Weiss has long been blessed with two superpowers, those close to her say: She knows how to make useful enemies, and she knows how to make useful friends.

As the founder, public face and heat-seeking curator of The Free Press, a new media company with ambitions to overtake the old media, Ms. Weiss, 40, has identified a melange of reliable foils: the illiberal left; diversity, equity and inclusion programs; opponents of Israel; The New York Times, where Ms. Weiss worked until 2020.

For her sins against groupthink, Ms. Weiss has suggested, she faced eviction from the media cool kids table, without regret.

I dont need to be with the beautiful people, she said at a conference in San Diego recently, hosted by an asset management executive who describes himself as her devoted groupie. Im OK being with the nerds.
TRIPOLI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people have been killed and 16 others injured in clashes between rival militias in the capital of Tripoli, a spokesman of the Emergency Department of the Libyan Ministry of Health said on Saturday.

Spokesman Osama Ali told Xinhua that the clashes that broke out in the Trajura district on Friday forced dozens of families to flee their homes.

Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political instability ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. 
Theres a buzz of energy in downtown San Francisco from a source that has been missing for years: occupied storefronts.

One of those shops is Paper Son Coffee, a roaster with flavors popular among Latin and Asian American communities that has been operating in the South of Market neighborhood since June. Before that, the space had been empty for nearly three years.

People who work or live in the neighborhood stop in and are like, Wow, there is something here! said Alexander Pong, an owner of Paper Son. Theyre excited.

Paper Son is part of an initiative to help San Francisco return to the days before it became a devastating example of what could go wrong with U.S. cities during the pandemic. The company was chosen to participate in Vacant to Vibrant, a program initiated last year by the citys mayor, London Breed, to fill empty space downtown, which largely makes up several blocks straddling Market Street in the Financial District and South of Market neighborhoods. Downtown San Francisco has the highest concentration of vacant storefronts in the city.
The last day Byron Stribling spent with his wife, Harmony, was the Fourth of July in 2021. A great day, he always says.

The holiday fell on a Sunday. The congregation at their church in Belzoni, a small town in the Mississippi Delta, blessed the couple and prayed for a safe delivery for Ms. Ball-Stribling. She was eight months pregnant and scheduled to have a C-section five days later.

At a barbecue, the Striblings feasted on ribs, collard greens, potato salad and cornbread. But around midnight, Ms. Ball-Stribling threw up and said her chest hurt. She wanted to lay down, but I told her, We need to go somewhere, Mr. Stribling, 32, recalled.

Ambulances in the Delta are unreliable, and the only hospital in Belzoni closed over a decade ago. So they piled into his car and sped toward Yazoo City, Miss., the closest town with an emergency room, about 30 miles away.

On the way, Ms. Ball-Stribling had a seizure. Panicked, Mr. Stribling called 911. The dispatcher told Mr. Stribling to pull over and start CPR, so he slammed on the brakes and pumped her chest on the side of the road until an ambulance came. But he already knew he had lost her, there on the shoulder of Route 49-W.

What killed Harmony Ball-Stribling? The death certificate says the cause of death was complications of pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening blood pressure disorder that can develop during pregnancy, exacerbated by hypertension and hardening of the arteries. But thats not the whole story.
A 22-year-old Brooklyn man was charged with assault as a hate crime after the police said he yelled Free Palestine and Do you want to die? before stabbing a young man near a synagogue in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn early Saturday morning.

The 22-year-old man, Vincent Sumpter, was charged with second-degree assault as a hate crime in the attack, which occurred around 2 a.m. Saturday on Kingston Avenue, around the corner from the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement on Eastern Parkway. He had not yet been arraigned on Sunday.

Yaacov Behrman, a rabbi who is a spokesman for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, said that Mr. Sumpter exchanged words with the victim, whom he identified as Yechiel Michel Dabrowskin, before stabbing him once in the chest. Rabbi Behrman said that Mr. Dabrowskin, who is Jewish and about 30 years old, was taken to Maimonides Medical Center and was expected to recover from his wounds.

This is obviously a very serious incident, and there has been a lot of antisemitic rhetoric, Rabbi Behrman said. Im concerned that unless this rhetoric stops, its going to become more common, sadly.
I believe life begins at conception. If I lived in Florida, I would support the states heartbeat bill and vote against the referendum seeking to liberalize Floridas abortion laws. I supported the Dobbs decision and I support well-drafted abortion restrictions at the state and federal levels. I was a pro-life lawyer who worked for pro-life legal organizations. While I want prospective parents to be able to use I.V.F. to build their families, I do not believe that unused embryos should simply be discarded  thrown away as no longer useful.

But Im going to vote for Kamala Harris in 2024 and  ironically enough  Im doing it in part to try to save conservatism.

Heres what I mean.

Since the day Donald Trump came down that escalator in 2015, the MAGA movement has been engaged in a long-running, slow-rolling ideological and characterological transformation of the Republican Party. At each step, it has pushed Republicans further and further away from Reaganite conservatism. It has divorced Republican voters from any major consideration of character in leadership and all the while it has labeled people who resisted the change as traitors.

What allegiance do you owe a party, a movement or a politician when it or they fundamentally change their ideology and ethos?
I have not been the biggest fan of Kamala Harris, but to my surprise, the candidate who underwhelmed in 2020 is gone. Since she became the presumptive Democratic nominee, I have watched all of candidate Harriss public appearances for a sense of how she intends to run and possibly govern. The audiences have been vastly different  among them, the annual conclave of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, a National Federation of Teachers convention and the Philadelphia rally where Tim Walz made his first official appearance as her running mate.

What I took away: Harris is a different candidate from the one we saw four years ago. She is even a different rhetorician from six months ago.

Nominee Harris lands her applause lines. The former prosecutor is comfortable going on the attack. Her most consistent message is that Donald Trump wants to send America back to the Dark Ages. Unlike President Biden, she relishes calling Trump out by name. Even her wacky humor, which has been mocked on social media, suddenly works. She sounds authentic. Thats the holy grail of electoral politics. Every wide-jawed cackle she offers the audience, every twinkle in her eye as she pokes at Trump  it all comes off as someone who is in on the joke. That is hard for any candidate, but it is an almost impossible tightrope for a Black female candidate to walk.

Authenticity is a mirage. Americans crave the performance of authenticity as a sign that our values are in safe hands  hands just like ours. Of course, people who study this stuff for a living dont quite agree on what authenticity is. Its a you know it when you see it situation. Political candidates have to negotiate ideas about identity with an audiences expectations of who should be in power. A tall white guy with a healthy head of hair simply looks presidential.
ARTS & LEISURE

The My Ten article on July 28, featuring Leslie Uggams, included an incorrect statement by Uggams about her voting history. Uggams, 81, has voted since she was of voting age, not since she turned 18. (The voting age was 21 until it was lowered to 18 in 1971.)

REAL ESTATE

An article Jan. 7 about the fashion designer Stan Herman, because of incorrect information provided by a source, misstated the year in which his partner, Gene Horowitz, died. He died in 1992, not 1991. This correction was delayed because it was only recently brought to the editors attention.

An article last Sunday about Jackson Villamarin Villegas, a man who fled Venezuela to seek asylum in the United States, misstated the city where he bought a Super Mario doll. It was purchased in Guadalajara, Mexico, not Bucaramanga, which is in Colombia.

MAGAZINE

An article on Aug. 4 about what the Brazilian far right learned from Trump misstated the location of the Hungarian Embassy in Brazil, where the former president Jair Bolsonaro took refuge. It is Brasilia, not Sao Paulo.
How Has Tech Changed Your School Experience? We Want to Hear About It.

Some states are banning phones in schools to reduce classroom distraction and cyberbullying. Tell us about your experience with tech in schools.

Learn more Listen to this article  1:28 min Share full article





A sign outside Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Fla., reminds students about the districts phone ban. Credit... Zack Wittman for The New York Times
A Florida man who engaged in a hate-motivated assault against a Muslim U.S. Postal Service carrier who was wearing a hijab in October, about two weeks after violence in Israel and Gaza erupted last year, was sentenced to a little more than three years in federal prison on Friday, prosecutors said.

The man, Kenneth Pinkney, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who had pleaded guilty to assault on a federal employee, including a hate crime enhancement, was ordered to serve 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said.

No one should live in fear of being targeted because of their religious beliefs, Michael Davis, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said in a statement. Everyone, including federal employees, have the right to carry out their duties safely.

A lawyer for Mr. Pinkney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

Prosecutors said that the 47-year-old carrier, who was not identified, wore a hijab while delivering mail as she drove a postal truck along her route in Broward County in South Florida. A hijab is a religious head covering worn in public by some Muslim women.
The Democratic National Convention is almost upon us, following the Republican convention last month. Once its over, it will be a 75-day sprint to Election Day.

Here is what to know about the convention.

When is the Democratic National Convention?

The convention will run from Monday, Aug. 19, through Thursday, Aug. 22.

Where is it?

It will be held at two venues in Chicago: The United Center, an arena on the citys West Side, will host evening events  that is, the prime-time programming and speeches intended for public consumption. McCormick Place, which is downtown near Lake Michigan, will host daytime events, largely official party business and meetings.

Who will be there?

Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, will be the stars, and President Biden is expected to speak as well. But the full list and schedule of the speakers has not yet been released, and Ms. Harriss campaign and the Democratic National Convention committee have declined so far to confirm any names besides Ms. Harris and Mr. Walz.
As supporters walked into the first rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, they were given light-up wristbands like the ones Taylor Swifts fans wear at her concerts.

It was clear this was no longer President Bidens campaign.

Seemingly overnight, the new Democratic ticket transformed the partys presidential push from a dreary drag to  as Mr. Walz put it  a joy. The cross-country unveiling showcased an enthusiasm that more than a few Democrats say has not been on display since Barack Obamas first presidential campaign.

The Biden-to-Harris swap has, in just three weeks, flipped the election on its head. Democrats can now avoid making the race a referendum on Mr. Biden  a contest that many worried they would lose  and instead cast it as a choice between a Harris-led future or a return to power by former President Donald J. Trump. Across the country, the vice presidents crowds have been chanting her refrain: Were not going back.

Here are five striking themes that coursed through the first week of the Harris-Walz ticket.

Democrats suddenly seem to have the upper hand.

Ms. Harris is campaigning as if she is winning, even as she cautions Democrats that she and Mr. Walz remain the underdogs against Mr. Trump.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Disneyland will introduce a new Spider-Man-themed thrill coaster, its first major attraction that will tell a Marvel story, the Shanghai Disney Resort said Sunday.

The high-speed, immersive roller coaster incorporates elements of Spider-Man, one of the most popular Marvel super heroes, according to Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, who made the announcement during Disney's global fan expo.

It marks the latest expansion of Shanghai Disney Resort. In December 2023, Shanghai Disney Resort unveiled the world's first Zootopia land, to which the new roller coaster is adjacent.

The resort's current expansion projects also include a third Disney-themed hotel, according to the company. 
For many American Jews, the prospect of Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania as a running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris prompted elation  a balm for the feelings of alienation and anger they have harbored amid a wave of anti-Israel sentiment and rising antisemitism.

But the process ended as abruptly as it began, leaving many Jewish Democrats with a heightened sense of anxiety. Their concerns were not with Ms. Harriss choice  Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, an affable Midwesterner who has warm relationships with the Jewish community in his state  but with an activist-driven campaign against Mr. Shapiro, who is Jewish.

For some, it confirmed or inflamed simmering fears about antisemitism on the left.

Jews have been a loyal Democratic constituency dating back at least to the 1930s. But after an extraordinarily challenging 10 months following the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Israels devastating military response in Gaza and an explosion of antisemitism, some are warning that in corners of the Jewish community, close ties to the Democratic Party may be fraying.

The worries intensified during the vice-presidential search process as left-leaning activists pilloried Mr. Shapiro, considering him too sympathetic to Israel and overly and unfairly critical of campus Gaza-war protests, among other concerns unrelated to foreign policy. But Mr. Shapiros defenders noted that he holds mainstream Democratic views on the Middle East that were generally seen as in line with the other  non-Jewish  top contenders.
When President Biden campaigned in Michigan last month, Representative Elissa Slotkin, the Democrats nominee for the states open Senate seat, was nowhere to be found. But on Wednesday night, just weeks after that no-show, Ms. Slotkin announced her full-throated support for her partys new presidential ticket at a Detroit rally.

Appearing in front of an estimated 15,000 people at the rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and her newly minted running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Ms. Slotkin concluded her speech by delivering her final punch at the Republicans vice-presidential nominee, Senator JD Vance of Ohio.

Let me just say one thing again about Midwestern values, and again youre going to have to excuse me: No red-blooded Michigander is ever going to let a Buckeye get into the damned White House, she said.

Ms. Slotkin is not alone in recognizing the new political landscape since Mr. Biden decided to end his re-election bid. The new energy and rapid coalescing of Democrats behind Ms. Harris and Mr. Walz have drastically changed the strategies of both Democrats and Republicans alike in down-ballot races.
In the summer of 1989, Tim Walz faced a difficult choice.

A newly minted college graduate from small-town Nebraska, he had just turned down a stable, 9-to-5 job offer to move across the world to teach at a local high school in China. But as he prepared for his move, Peoples Liberation Army tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square to crush pro-democracy protests.

Rumors were flying about a possible civil war in China. Many foreigners, including most American teachers, had fled the country. Should he continue with his journey into China?

He decided to go in.

It was my belief at that time that the diplomacy was going to happen on many levels, certainly people to people, Mr. Walz recalled in 2014 during a congressional hearing marking the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. The opportunity to be in a Chinese high school at that critical time seemed to me to be really important.

The one year that Mr. Walz spent teaching English in southern China was the start of what would become a decades-long relationship with the country. As high school teachers in Nebraska and Minnesota, Mr. Walz and his wife, Gwen, regularly led trips to China in the 1990s and early 2000s to introduce students to Chinas history and culture. Mr. Walz has said that he has traveled to China some 30 times, including for his honeymoon.
In the predawn hours on a Sunday in late July, members of one of Haitis largest armed gangs attacked the town of Ganthier, about 25 miles east of the capital and on a road that the authorities say is used to smuggle weapons.

When police reinforcements arrived in armored vehicles hours later, officers found the streets deserted, the gang members having left after destroying Ganthiers police station and torturing and killing several residents, according to the towns mayor and the police.

The whole town of Ganthier is emptied; there is no one left, the mayor, Jean Vilonor Victor, told The New York Times.

Weeks after the arrival of a United Nations-backed international security force in Haiti, the gangs who have brought the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other regions in the country to their knees show no signs of letting up.
The future of agriculture in Ireland is dependent on new people entering farming the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue stressed at the official opening of Tullamore Show today.

The Donegal based TD announced the establishment of a Commission on Generation Renewal, involving all the key stakeholders, which will examine the issue in detail.

Speaking in warm sunshine before a large crowd, Minister McConalogue said the Government, over the past few years, had taken a number of initiatives to encourage new people into agriculture "to drive us forward".

The Minister also paid tribute to the Chairman of Tullamore Show, Joe Molloy, whose term of office ends this year.

Tribute was also paid to the Boora farmer by Show Secretary, Chelsey McDonald-Cox, who has worked hand in glove with Mr Molloy over the past number of years.

In his own address, the Show Chairman said the amount of goodwill to Tullamore Show over the years was phenomenal.

He revealed that trade stand numbers had increased on previous years as had entries to virtually all the competitions. "They have surpassed all our expectations," he said.

Mr Molloy said a number of new attractions had been introduced to this year's Show including a speakers corner in the livestock village.

Welcoming the Agriculture Minister, Mr Molloy said the Show was delighted to have the Taoiseach Simon Harris in attendance as well.

He also thanked all the landowners, the sponsors  in particular FBD  and all the civic bodies whose support for the Show was vital for its success.

Pat Gilligan, Head of Sales Midlands and East with FBD, said his company was delighted to be the Show's main sponsor for the past six years.

Irish Shows Association President, Ray Brady, described Tullamore as the premier show in the country and he paid tribute to Joe Molloy and Chelsey McDonald Cox, whom he said was the driving force behind the event.
The Taoiseach has said that this weekend brings the grisly milestone of 40,000 deaths in Gaza a step closer, as he condemned an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter.

Around 80 people were killed in the strike on the school in central Gaza City, which also left another 47 people injured, Gazas health ministry said.

Simon Harris said there is growing evidence of a prolonged humanitarian catastrophe.

The Fine Gael leader said he is particularly disturbed by a confirmation from the United Nations that the number of aid deliveries reaching Gaza has halved, from a daily average of 169 trucks in April to fewer than 80 trucks a day in June and July.

The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs also says that only 24 of 67 planned aid missions to northern Gaza this month have been facilitated by Israel, Mr Harris said in a statement.

The United Nations has also assessed that more than 80% of the Gaza Strip has been placed under evacuation orders since October of last year.

When people are told to leave, they have nowhere to go, so they often go to schools.

Some 490 of Gazas schools have been bombed or damaged since the start of the war, and this weekends images from inside al-Tabaeen school are gut-wrenching. Ireland condemns outright such awful and wholesale loss of civilian life.

A ceasefire remains urgently needed, and all sides must immediately work in good faith to bring one about.

We have all been horrified by the many undoubted war crimes that have been committed in Gaza. There can be no impunity. Those responsible must be held to account.

Mr Harris said that all the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice must be implemented in full, which called for an end to its illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Too many innocent lives have been lost in 10 months, Mr Harris added.

The world is standing at the precipice of a horrific moment, and yet all levers to bring an end to the violence are not being used.

I again call for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The agreement contains human rights clauses, and I do not believe it is conscionable for the EU to continue to render them redundant.

Ireland calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of Israeli hostages, and for aid trucks to flow unimpeded.
KHARTOUM, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government on Sunday announced the end of consultations with the U.S. government on the upcoming peace talks in Geneva without a deal.

"I announce the end of the consultations without agreement on the participation of the Sudanese delegation in the Geneva negotiations," said Mohamed Bashir Abdullah Abu Nammu, the Sudanese minister of minerals and head of the government delegation to the consultations held in the Saudi city of Jeddah during the weekend.

"The matter is ultimately left to the leadership's decision based on its assessments," the minister said in a Facebook post.

There were many details that led to this decision, the Sudanese minister said without giving further information.

The United States had earlier invited the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for a new round of peace talks on Aug. 14 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The forthcoming talks aim to reach a nationwide cessation of violence, enabling humanitarian access to all those in need, and develop a robust monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure implementation of any agreement.

Sudan has been witnessing a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023, resulting in the loss of at least 16,650 lives. An estimated 10.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, with approximately 2.2 million others seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to most recent UN data. 
Tourists visit Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2024.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows a view of Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows tourists visiting Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows a view of Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

This photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows a waste disposal facility at Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows a view of Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Ren Wei)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows tourists visiting Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows a view of Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 10, 2024 shows a view of Guchengwan artificial wetland in the Litong District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Wuzhong has a piece of artificial wetland called Guchengwan that plays a vital role in the Yellow River's ecological environment. Part of a wastewater disposal system, the wetland follows the natural working way of waste and pollution disposal in natural wetlands.

With an investment of 98 million yuan (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars), the wetland supports a waste disposal facility that further purifies already-treated water, ensuring high-quality soil water in the region. (Xinhua/Ren Wei)
 Flash

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks at a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria, on April 11, 2024. (IAEA/Handout via Xinhua)

Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday night urged Ukraine and Russia to "exercise maximum restraint" to ensure nuclear safety in Russia's Kursk region, home to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that the agency has been "monitoring the situation on the reported military activities" near the Kursk NPP.

The IAEA chief urged all parties to abide by the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict, adding that he is in contact with relevant Ukrainian and Russian authorities.

This photo taken on May 15, 2023 shows the logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. (Xinhua/Liu Xinyu)

Also on Friday, Russia notified the IAEA that suspected fragments of intercepted rockets were discovered near the Kursk NPP following a Ukrainian attack in the Kursk region, Russia's permanent mission to international organizations in Vienna said on social media platform X.

"So far, there's been no direct shelling of the town of Kurchatov, NPP or energy infrastructure facilities. However, the situation remains tense," the mission said.




Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks at a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria, on April 11, 2024. (IAEA/Handout via Xinhua)

IAEA has urged Ukraine and Russia to "exercise maximum restraint" to ensure nuclear safety in Russia's Kursk region, home to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

VIENNA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday night urged Ukraine and Russia to "exercise maximum restraint" to ensure nuclear safety in Russia's Kursk region, home to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that the agency has been "monitoring the situation on the reported military activities" near the Kursk NPP.

The IAEA chief urged all parties to abide by the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict, adding that he is in contact with relevant Ukrainian and Russian authorities.

This photo taken on May 15, 2023 shows the logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. (Xinhua/Liu Xinyu)

Also on Friday, Russia notified the IAEA that suspected fragments of intercepted rockets were discovered near the Kursk NPP following a Ukrainian attack in the Kursk region, Russia's permanent mission to international organizations in Vienna said on social media platform X.

"So far, there's been no direct shelling of the town of Kurchatov, NPP or energy infrastructure facilities. However, the situation remains tense," the mission said. 
This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2023 shows the opening ceremony of the world's first Zootopia land in Shanghai Disney Resort of east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

SHANGHAI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Disneyland will introduce a new Spider-Man-themed thrill coaster, its first major attraction that will tell a Marvel story, the Shanghai Disney Resort said Sunday.

The high-speed, immersive roller coaster incorporates elements of Spider-Man, one of the most popular Marvel super heroes, according to Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, who made the announcement during Disney's global fan expo.

It marks the latest expansion of Shanghai Disney Resort. In December 2023, Shanghai Disney Resort unveiled the world's first Zootopia land, to which the new roller coaster is adjacent.

The resort's current expansion projects also include a third Disney-themed hotel, according to the company. 
This is the first in a two-part series based on Hutchinson's latest book, Kamala! (Middle Passage Press)

In October 2020, Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris' faced off in a debate against then Vice President Mike Pence. But it was more than just a pro-forma candidate debate against a pro-forma rival in Pence that Harris had to contend with.

She also faced the nagging, infuriating and seemingly unshakable stereotype of the "angry Black woman." Harris almost certainly heard it over and over in her debate preparation for Pence. Be nice, courteous, smile a lot, don't interrupt and, most importantly, don't show any flashes of anger. After all, the debate was not solely about one upping one another on the big-ticket policy issues, but the optics.

Harris was forced to walk a precarious tightrope for two crucial reasons. First, Biden would be seventy-eight on inauguration day in January 2021 if he won. Harris' final task was to assure voters that if there was an age or health challenge or Biden elected to serve only one term, she had the experience and political savvy to quickly take the wheel of governing.

Strong, tough, decisive and, yes, aggressive, were the exact qualities that voters and millions of Americans demanded in their leaders. There was a world of difference, though, between that and raw, emotional anger. A man might get away with that and still be lauded as forceful and fiery. But in a woman, this was often seen as negative. Women were simply dismissed as overwrought, emotional, and unsteady.

It was silly, revolting and blatantly unfair. But in the high stakes game of a presidential race, with the would-be vice president who could well be the President under an even more harsh looking glass than ever before, Harris undoubtedly felt the heat.

The other reason was the narrative that Trump created about Harris. The instant Biden announced that she was his VP running mate pick, the president started in. She was "mad," "nasty," vicious," and "disrespectful ." But most of all, "angry."

The morning after the debate, the President called Harris a "monster" on Fox Business.

It was as if Trump was reading hard the minds of many who were prone to swallow whole the hackneyed stereotype of Black women as hard, tough, and always unfeminine - supposedly unlike White women. It was the perfect excuse for some to reject out-of-hand the pick of a presidential candidate who had the temerity to choose a Black woman as his running mate; one heartbeat from the Oval Office.

Now fast forward to 2024, the GOP and Trump has loaded up. It's orchestrating a vicious, hate filled, smear campaign against Harris that dredged up every stereotype about women of color within the political arena. One study in 2021 of the pervasiveness of the gendered abuse of women candidates analyzed depictions of thirteen women on six social media platforms. It cited a staggering over three hundred thousand pieces of abusive content shared by nearly two hundred thousand users during a two-month period about women candidates and elected officials.

Not surprisingly, Harris was the prime target in most of the hit attacks-- nearly eighty percent. The analysts confirmed that the attacks against her did not start the moment she became the vice-president. As the study noted, "Unfortunately, Harris has been targeted with these as long as she's been in politics. These narratives exist and they are being used in a coordinated way to undermine the idea that she is fit for office."

However, much of the assault ultimately came back to race. A perennial favorite was the slur that a Black who smashes through a glass ceiling in business, education, or the top professions did it not on their talent, hard work, and consummate professionalism but because of racial preference. The label early on was they were an "affirmative action hire or promotion." That was upgraded to the more fashionable DEI hire or promotion. DEI was the shorthand for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Harris was quickly tagged with that label in GOP attack circles. Trump led the charge. He even repeated it at of all places the annual confab of the National Association of Black Journalists in July 2024. Unfazed by the hisses and boos from the audience, he called Harris a "DEI candidate."

The GOP slanderers kicked their DEI hit on Harris into high gear the moment Biden announced his exit from the presidential race and endorsement of Harris as his replacement. Nearly ten percent of the criticism of Harris on the social media platform X took pot shots at her as a DEI hire or candidate.

GOP operatives weren't the only ones who repeated the slur. Some well-heeled Democrats also repeated the lie. Some grumbled that there should be an open convention to pick a suitable contender. A handful of major donors even said they wouldn't donate to the Harris presidential campaign.

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This article fist appeared in Propagana in Focus on Aug 12, 2024.

David A. Hughes is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Lincoln (UK). He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from Oxford University and holds doctorates in German Studies from Duke University and International Relations from Oxford Brookes University. His research focuses on psychological warfare, 9/11, COVID-19, the deep state, technocracy, global class relations, and resurgent totalitarianism.

His new book: Wall Street, the Nazis, and the Crimes of the Deep State, was published on June 4. In it he elaborates on what he sees as a global plan by transnational elites to establish a technocratic totalitarian system of control that supersedes liberal democracy. We recently met by Zoom and discussed this bleak picture, what caused it, and what can be done to stop it.

John Hawkins: Wall Street, the Nazis, and the Crimes of the Deep State. What a depressing title. The more so when you think that the connection might have some truth. It reads like the premise of that hit TV series, Blacklist, where rogue element "Red" helps an FBI elite unit capture deep state criminals they didn't even know existed. Is it that bad?

David A. Hughes: I've not seen the TV series Blacklist. But Wall Street, the Nazis, and the Crimes of the Deep State is a work of academic scholarship that's trying to make sense of the very significant shifts in global political economy since 2020. And what the book does is to identify continuities from the Nazi era via what I call the transnational deep state, which has been carefully incubated for many decades since the end of World War II, through to the present. I try to make the case that in some ways, the Nazis weren't defeated in 1945, and that some of the worst elements have persisted undercover ever since then, carefully coordinating and scheming their plan of attack against the rest of humanity. And that what burst onto the scene in 2020 was essentially the fruition of decades of planning this attack. So, in order to make sense of what's going on, we have to look to the underlying class relations, and we have to understand the history of this deep state and its Nazi origins.

Hawkins: Why isn't that what the MSM would call a conspiracy theory? When you bring in the connection to the Nazis it seems like we're moving toward Raiders of the Lost Ark territory.

Hughes: I mean, conspiracy, of course, is a propaganda term. It was weaponized by the CIA in the 1960s to try and discredit doubters of the official version of events regarding the JFK assassination. Unfortunately, it's been a very successful propaganda term for many decades, and it's often still sufficient to close down discussion and debate. But for those of us who have even a slight understanding of how this works, we shouldn't be deterred by the use of such terms. It's precisely because this transnational deep state has sought to remain hidden and, in the shadows, and has used deception to cover its tracks that much of what we know about it has only started to emerge in relatively recent times. So, to give just one example, Operation Gladio, which was part of a NATO European-wide network, only came to light in 1990. There's quite a lot that we are still uncovering, but I think particularly in the era of citizen journalism, independent media and so on, some significant advances have been made, particularly in the last 10 or 15 years regarding this material.

Hawkins. These issues seem to be largely of American concern. Why would it be advantageous or credible to an American reader for a Brit to weigh in on America's affairs of state? Some people have the same question for the anti-imperial leaks and journalism of Julian Assange.

Hughes: The focus of the book is the United States, because obviously the United States became the dominant actor in world affairs after 1945. But actually, the deep state is a transnational entity. It may even be a global entity by this point. So, the issues that we're dealing with here affect everybody. This isn't just a book for Americans. This is a book for everybody. So, I don't think it's strange for a Brit to be writing about this. And much of the problem goes back to this country as well -- MI5 and MI6 and Chatham House and a whole range of British organizations. But it spans worldwide now. And that explains why the response in 2020 to the alleged Covid "pandemic" was so similar in so many countries, and that's how it was possible to achieve such a high level of coordination transnationally, because all governments are fundamentally captured by the deep state, and now it's really ramping up its operations in the bid to build a global scientific dictatorship.

Hawkins: Wall Street, the Nazis, and the Crimes of the Deep State illustrates how totalitarianism does not spring into existence fully formed. How does it originate?

Hughes: It's built gradually over time. You can't just dismantle liberal democracy and have a fully-fledged totalitarian state overnight. So, one of the things I try to do in this book is to go back and learn the lessons of Nazi Germany. The worst horrors of Nazi Germany, for example, the Holocaust, the war of annihilation in the East, the medical experimentation and all of that, didn't take place until the final years of the Third Reich. However, there was a long period from 1933 to, say, the beginning of the war or 1941, perhaps, a period of at least six, seven, eight years where this totalitarian state was being built in multiple ways. Incrementally, through new laws that were passed. And through the use of hate propaganda to discriminate against certain groups. And when you read the academic literature on Nazi Germany there was a gradual historical trajectory from 1933 to the worst horrors of the Nazi regime.

What I'm arguing in the book is that we are seeing something very similar since 2020, in terms of the kinds of measures that are being put into place, the kinds of policies that are being passed, and indeed the reemergence of some of the some of the quite dark elements from Nazi Germany. It is the attempt of the transnational ruling class to dismantle liberal democracy and replace it with a novel form of totalitarianism that goes by the name of technocracy. And we should be extremely worried.

Because the ["] masses ["] are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. - Hitler, Mein Kampf

Hawkins: Your book opens with the chapter, The Emergence of Global Totalitarianism. Can you provide an overview of that roll-out and, where, say, the Internet fits in?

Hughes: We're already seeing multiple signs. I draw a whole raft of continuities, particularly in chapter two of the book. If we begin with the emergency legislation that was passed in March 2020, I argue that there's much in common there with, for example, the Enabling Act and other legislation that was passed in Germany in 1933.

We're seeing military grade propaganda used against the public, particularly during Covid 19. Now. that's not supposed to happen in in liberal democracies.

In Nazi Germany, they introduced what were called health passes. It doesn't require a huge leap of the imagination to see the continuities between that and the so-called vaccine passports that are being rolled out. There are many, many continuities and similarities.

We've seen the re-emergence of euthanasia since 2020, particularly in the Canadian MAID program. But also, for example, in this country in the use of midazolam. All of this is ultimately pushing in the direction of what the philosopher Giorgio Agamben called biopower. And what that is, is direct control over human bodies. One of the reasons that euthanasia was important in Nazi Germany was that it essentially established that the state has a form of direct control over human bodies. In Nazi Germany, of course, it began small, but then over time, the program grew worse and worse. And it was in many ways a precursor for the genocide, which came later. So, there's nothing innocent about the signs of euthanasia returning in Western countries. It's deliberate. It's part of a biopolitical paradigm. It bodes very badly.

Hawkins: In your book you discuss the failures of the postwar years, especially the failure to denazify. In America, it was even worse than that, as Operation Paperclip allowed some Nazis to escape Nuremberg justice and get hired by the US government. Recently, American TV has featured two series based on the theme of The Nazis in our Midst, Hunters (Amazon) and The Plot Against America (HBO). The former featured a band of postwar Jews in America hunting down Nazis, and the other, Philip Roth's alternate history for America had Nazi sympathizer Charle Lindbergh successfully ascending to the presidency. Why are we still worried about such dark forces emerging from the Deep State and Dark Net in the postmodern happy relativist 21st century?

Hughes: I've not seen the two series in question, but it is very interesting question. The point of my book is that it has enormous relevance to what is taking place today, and why we should still be concerned about these Nazi elements, which have been incubated over the course of decades, and, as far as I can tell, the transnational deep state has successfully managed to infiltrate virtually all governments. It has control over the professions, and it is steering the course of world history at this moment in a very dark direction. And one of the key ways in which it works is through deception. It lies about everything. It uses propaganda to cover its tracks. Reality becomes steadily inverted, so it's important to know what the historical record is and to be able to see the truth of what's going on. So perhaps in that respect, my book might be an antidote to some of the propaganda that indoctrinates the public.

Hawkins: Your use of a quote from Hitler's Mein Kampf to open your book was quite startling. Most of us on the left would rather get caught with "male gaze" pornography than with being seen reading Mein Kampf. Yet his take on the Big Lie and its derivation from the Little Lies was actually quite informative. Can you say more?

Hughes: Yeah, well, it's shocking, but, this is one of the key concepts in Mein Kampf: The Big Lie. It comes straight from Hitler and Goebbels. Most people can conceive of telling lies on a relatively small scale, but they just can't conceive of lies being told on such a gigantic scale by so many major actors. So, you know, a couple of obvious examples. Anyone who's looked into the events of 9/11, seriously, will understand very quickly that we were told big lies about 9/11, that that event was fundamentally not what it was sold to the public as. I laid this argument out in my previous book, "Covid-19," Psychological Operations, and the War for Technocracy, wherein I argued that the "global pandemic" in 2020 was another big lie. There's no credible scientific evidence for the existence of a rapidly spreading, deadly global pathogen. This was, by and large, a media driven propaganda operation as part of psychological warfare.

Now, you know, this is a big claim, and I take a long time and many pages of detailed evidence to argue for it. But for most people. It's just prima facie implausible. "What do you mean? They couldn't possibly have just made it up." Well, actually, they did. And that's all they do is lie. Everything is premised on lies. So, we're not just dealing with a kind of fraudulent science. The whole thing was just a grand deception. And when you realize that, you start to see that we're looking at military operations here because a key element of military operations has always involved deception. So, in my work, that's one of the things that I'm trying to convey and educate people about is just the sheer scale of it. And it is frightening.

Hawkins: Can you explain more about the two terms you use in tour book, Gleichschaltung and Ausschaltung?

Hughes: These are two concepts going back to Nazi Germany. Gleichschaltung doesn't have a literal word-for-word translation. But a good stab at a translation would be the production of ideological conformity. So essentially, at a key level, everybody has to think the same. In terms of Nazi ideology, this had to do with getting behind ideas about the Aryan race and so on. But, so long as it wasn't challenging the official state narratives, you were free to think and do essentially whatever you liked. So, there's still a relative degree of freedom within that.

But there are certain things which you must not question. Now, we're seeing this increasingly today, with official state narratives, be it 9/11, be it Western propaganda regarding Syria, and especially now with Covid, where all of the censorship kicked in and is becoming increasingly draconian now, moving into the realm of legislation with, for example, the Online Safety Act in this country (UK), which can potentially be used to shut down content online. So, what we see is that, one profession after the next, after the next, after the next, bent the knee in 2020 and went along with the official version of everything. And what this led to was a real civilizational crisis, in my opinion, whereby academics refused to challenge it, and thereby were not telling the truth and were not thinking critically. Doctors forsook the principle of medical ethics -- first do no harm and informed consent. The media ceased to challenge power at all and just became a propaganda instrument. The political left abandoned the working class. The churches abandoned Christian principles and caring for the sick and lepers, etc., and closed their doors. I mean, it was quite extraordinary.

And it's extremely powerful because when so many people are doing so, it becomes really hard to go against it. The Asch conformity experiments, were a simple way of understanding this phenomenon. Even when there's just a few people, and everybody else apart from you is saying one thing, even if you think it's wrong publicly, you'll still go along with them. It's a very powerful way of conditioning social opinion and behavior.

Hawkins: When we think of propaganda and its study, two names come up: Noam Chomsky and Edward Bernays. The latter was related to Sigmund Freud. One assumes that Bernays was influenced by Freud's generally pessimistic observations about human psychology and influenced Bernays's psychoanalytical understanding of propaganda. How do we survive it? Can we resist? How so? Would withdrawing our consent be enough?

Hughes: I think that you can trace this line from Freud through Bernays, who was the master of propaganda in the 1920s and 1930s. Brilliant usage of it for marketing purposes -- for example, to sell pianos and cigarettes and many other things. When you consider what kind of techniques they are employing today based on, for example, behavioral psychology, which is now very big in government and which can potentially be embedded through smart devices, as well as conventional televisions and radio and so on, the potential for controlling human thought and the human mind is absolutely enormous.

And in a sense, that's why the only rational response, in my opinion, is to stop watching TV, stop watching the news, stop watching Netflix and all of these other things, because they're not there to entertain. They're there to shape how you think.
The man law enforcement officials say is responsible for the long-unsolved death of 15-year-old Danielle Houchins at a popular fishing access site a few miles south of Belgrade, Montana, nearly 28 years ago has been identified.

Investigators, family members and other sources with direct knowledge of the details of the case told Montana Free Press that cutting-edge forensic DNA genome sequencing and forensic genetic genealogy recently led authorities to the man they say killed Houchins: 55-year-old Paul Nathaniel Hutchinson, of Dillon.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer confirmed that at a Thursday press conference in Bozeman that was streamed live on the departments Facebook page.

According to Springer, Hutchinson died by suicide on July 24, 10 hours after Gallatin County investigators approached him outside his office in Beaverhead County to interview him about Houchins death. Days later, DNA collected from Hutchinson after his death matched DNA evidence collected from Houchins body, providing what Springer described as 100% confirmation that Hutchinson was the killer.

Hutchinson, who authorities say was previously unknown to law enforcement, was a longtime fisheries biologist for the Bureau of Land Management based in the agencys Dillon Field Office. An avid outdoorsman and family man with a 22-year marriage and two adult children, Hutchinson had been living beneath law enforcements radar about 100 miles southwest of the crime scene until new forensic DNA technology and a Virginia-based genetic genealogist connected him to Houchins.

Springer said authorities recently notified Hutchinsons family of their findings.

I feel sorrow for the Hutchinson family, Springer said in an interview with MTFP. They were unaware, of course, and in many ways they are also victims of this man.

Investigators and the victims sister told MTFP they believe Hutchinson had no relationship with Houchins. Hutchinson was enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman around the time of Houchins death, according to investigators. They said he likely encountered Houchins, who was believed to be alone at the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access Site at the time, by chance. The attack, which investigators and relatives of the victim said involved a sexual assault, may have been a crime of opportunity, according to investigators.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, 1996, Danni Houchins asked her mom for permission to drive to the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access site to blow off some steam after a family argument.

She was wearing blue jeans and a gray sweatshirt. She had a knee brace on her left knee due to an injury sustained while dancing with friends at a street dance weeks earlier.

When she didnt return after she was expected home, her mom and a friend went looking for her. They found her unlocked truck in the parking lot of the popular recreation area, and nearby they found her water bottle and her car keys. For two hours they frantically searched for Danni. Around 5 p.m., they called the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office.

Soon after, Gallatin County Search and Rescue and volunteer searchers arrived at the scene and the search continued until dark, when it became dangerous to have people walking around in the wooded, marshy area.

Two brothers who lived nearby and were familiar with the area continued the search at the urging of one of their children, who was friends with Houchins sister. After about 45 minutes of searching, one of the brothers spotted Houchins lifeless body. She was lying face down in a shallow pool of water.

A state medical examiner later determined that Houchins had drowned and listed the manner of death as unknown.

Springer, who joined the department five days before Houchins death, said the case has always haunted him and many people in his department.

People have picked it up and tried to run with it to where they could, and things have gotten cold over time, Springer said. In 2019 the case was reopened by the sheriffs office, and some more DNA test attempts were made, and then in 2021 I became the sheriff, and  I just felt that we needed some fresh eyes on this. Someone with different experience, different knowledge base, and with fresh eyes.

In March 2023, Springer and Sheriffs Department Captain Eric Paulson met over lunch with Tom Elfmont, a former Los Angeles Police Department captain who now runs a global security firm and lives full-time near Bozeman, to discuss the case. Paulson had heard about Elfmont through a mutual connection.

He was interested and was sworn in as a special service deputy with all the authority and resources he needed to solve this one, Springer said.

According to Elfmont, who spoke with MTFP extensively over the past week to provide detailed information about his investigation into Houchins death, he and another investigator interviewed Hutchinson for nearly two hours on July 23. Elfmont said they approached Hutchinson outside the BLM office in Dillon as he and two others unloaded a pickup.

I said, Paul, Im with the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office, and Id like to speak to you a little bit. Elfmont said in a recent interview. He turned white.

Stephanie Houchins, now Mollet, was 12 years old when her big sister Danni, as she was known to family and friends, was found dead on Sept. 21, 1996.

Stephanie, now 39 and living in Washington state, began calling the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office and asking officials to reopen her sisters case in 2019. Stephanie said in an interview Monday that the physical evidence always pointed to Danni having been murdered, despite the fact that the state medical examiner and Gallatin County coroner in 1996 listed the cause of her sisters death as drowning and the manner of death as unknown.

The community was really rocked. No one could understand what had happened, Mollet recalled. I always knew in my heart that it couldnt have been an accident.

Mollet said Dannis death was the single most impactful event of her life, and that the trauma of it shaped her.

Ive had a lifetime of nightmares about losing someone and how people were just going to be taken away from me, people I love. Ill wake up sobbing in the middle of the night, Mollet said. Ive had to resolve my trauma. Ive had to do therapy and figure out how to live a life and then come back and fight for her.

In 2019, Sheriffs Captain Matt Boxmeyer began reinvestigating the Houchins case. According to Mollet, Boxmeyer reached out to Dannis family in February 2020 to see how the family felt about it, knowing that the investigation would reopen old wounds.

One of the real pieces of sensitivity I had, and my family had, walking into the reinvestigation of Dannis case, was the sheer fact that while we thought law enforcement was on our side, they lied to us in 1996, and they withheld information from us, Mollet said. That led to a significant feeling of distrust with the sheriffs department.

Mollet said she learned from Elfmont more than a month ago that he had identified a person of interest using new DNA and genetic sequencing technology and forensic genetic genealogy.

Four rootless arm hairs found on Houchins body and preserved in the evidence file contained enough genetic material that a California-based forensic genome sequencing lab was able to create a detailed genetic profile that was passed on to Ce Ce Moore, a genetic genealogist based in southern California.

Forensic genetic genealogy involves examining genetic genealogy databases for clues about the origin of an unidentified DNA sample and then using traditional genealogical methods to build out a family tree that eventually leads investigators to an individual or small group of related individuals who could be suspects.

After months of research, the genealogist traced the family tree to what they determined to be the most likely person of interest: Hutchinson.

Tom and Sheriff Springer were very good about following through on their promise with us that they would be communicative and update us along the way, Mollet said.

Mollet said when Elfmont and Springer informed her of Hutchinsons death and that the subsequent DNA evidence confirmed that his DNA matched the evidence found on Dannis body, she felt a sense of relief.

I guess I was relieved that it wasnt someone who was close to my family, Mollet said. It wasnt someone where wed not only have to deal with everything that goes along with solving your sisters homicide case, but also that feeling of betrayal if it was (Dannis) friend or a family friend or community member.

Friends, family and some current and former sheriffs deputies and investigators say the case should have been classified and investigated as a murder from the beginning.

What my parents took away from the law enforcement investigation was, well, it could have just been an accident, Mollet said.

An autopsy conducted on Sept. 23, 1996, revealed Houchins had no alcohol or drugs in her system. The medical examiner found muddy material in the stomach and upper and lower airways of the 5-foot-5-inch, 130-pound teenager. There was a recent laceration in her vagina. Her watch, gold with an elastic band, was pulled partway over her hand  as if she had been dragged by that arm, one former investigator suggested. The medical examiner noted that her clothing appear(ed) to be properly positioned, except for the bra (positioned above the breasts) and panties (left lateral lower edge rolled over the top).

Gary Dale, the state medical examiner at the time, concluded Houchins died by drowning.

Until such time additional information indicates otherwise, the manner of death is undetermined, Dale wrote in his report.

The next day, then-Gallatin County Sheriff Bill Slaughter told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that the lack of cuts or bruises was worth noting.

I think weve got to be prepared for the fact that this may have been an accidental drowning, Slaughter said at the time.

In August 2023, based on Elfmonts reexamination of the evidence and the discovery of semen on Houchins underwear, Springer changed the official manner of death from undetermined to homicide.

Two former sheriffs office officials with direct ties to the case also criticized Slaughters offices initial investigation into the case, saying department leadership and lead investigators at the time were too quick to dismiss the death as an accident or hint at the possibility of suicide.

Then-Deputy Keith Farquhar was among the first sheriffs deputies to arrive on the scene when Danni was first reported missing, and he was the second officer to return to the scene after two men who volunteered to continue searching after dark discovered her body around 9:30 p.m. Farquhar, now a veterinarian living in Helena, was involved in the investigation for the first few weeks before returning to patrol duty.

I never felt like that was being pursued in the manner of, somebody killed this girl, and we need to find them, Farquhar said.

Farquhar said Slaughter appeared too eager to accept the notion that Dannis death was an accident, or maybe self-inflicted, or that the cause was otherwise impossible to determine.

His attitude, from everything I saw, was, We just want this over with, Farquhar said. I dont know what his motivation was, but you shouldnt give up on a homicide of a 15-year-old girl. It just seemed wrong to me to say, Oh, well, its undetermined. And then for subsequent sheriffs to just not pursue it as well. It was really unsatisfactory to me.

Farquhar, who joined the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office as a deputy in 1989, resigned on Dec. 31, 1996, three months after Dannis death.

I have thought about Danni at least every two or three days for the last 28 years, Farquhar said.

Former sheriffs detective Cindy Botek is even more pointed in her critique. Botek, who began her career in law enforcement as a Gallatin County sheriffs deputy just days before Danni was found dead, said investigating the death as a homicide never appeared to be a priority for department leadership.

People drown all the time, Botek said. And whats in their body? Theres water in their lungs. Right? Thats what you find. What did we find in Danielle? A stomach full of mud. That doesnt happen in a drowning. Who swallows mud?

Botek started reinvestigating the case around 2006 after joining the detective unit. She said when she tried to chase new leads in the case, she received pushback from her bosses and was stonewalled by former investigators who had worked on the case.

This case always bothered me because I was a couple days on the job when it happened, and Im like, somebody fucking killed her, Botek recalled. Where was the pressure? Where was the pressure to find a murderer?

Slaughter said he understands the frustrations of outsiders who may not have known what was being done by investigators working the case, but he denies deprioritizing or giving up on Houchins death.

We never talked about anything but a homicide, Slaughter said. It was a tough case to investigate as far as the scene goes. It was kind of located in a swamp, which doesnt help you.

Slaughter said detectives on the case worked diligently for years to try to identify a suspect, despite some public proclamations that the death could have been an accident. Slaughter said he, too, was frustrated that the coroner and state forensic examiner listed the manner of death as unknown. Slaughter said the manner of death wasnt his call to make, but that detectives pursued the case as a homicide.

We can tell you the manner of death because we all felt like she was a strong young woman, Slaughter said. She didnt fall in four inches of water or three inches of water in a swamp and drown. She just didnt. I mean, all she had to do was roll over on her back, right? We were all frustrated about that call, that it wasnt a homicide. It seems to me it was pretty obviously homicide, and we told the parents that.

Mollet disputes Slaughters claim that sheriffs investigators informed the family that the case was investigated as a homicide.

If they were behind the scenes treating it as a homicide  thats not what they portrayed to my family, Mollet said. What they portrayed was, well we dont know, but it really just could have been an accident. You know, she had that knee brace and she kind of just tripped and fell.

Mollet, Farquhar and Botek said one thing they hope comes from this case is that the authorities responsible for investigating Dannis death in 1996 be held accountable for what they described as failing Danni.

Accountability to me is not necessarily about the individual, but its about the institution and making the institution better so it doesnt fail other victims of rape and murder, Mollet said.

Springer said hes pleased the case has finally been solved, though he wishes it had happened much sooner. However, without the new DNA technology and advancements in genetic genealogy, he said, it might not have been possible at all.

I think in any investigation, theres always going to be something you wish youd done differently, but by the same token, this was solved by technology that was nowhere even near available at the time, Springer said. Its saddening that it took 28 years, but we got to where we needed to get. We know who murdered Danni, and thats the goal. So I feel the pursuit of justice won in this case.

___

This story was originally published by Montana Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
In some ways, The Oregonian/OregonLives article on documents related to Washington County jail deaths shows how Oregons public records law is supposed to work.

The law provides that every person has a right to inspect any nonexempt public record of a public body in Oregon.
Dan Field

Field is director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services.

I made a big leap in April 2023  leaving a long career in health care to lead the Joint Office of Homeless Services for Multnomah County and the city of Portland. I knew I was signing on to a tough job, and Im glad I did.

This time last year, the Joint Office was the subject of criticism, primarily the result of underspending the millions of dollars entrusted to it through the Supportive Housing Services measure, a tax on high-income individuals and businesses passed in 2020 to fund homeless services.

Beyond underspending, our workforce was tired from pandemic efforts to add hundreds of shelter beds and drained by consistent leadership turnover. The office, created to coordinate homelessness response efforts by the city and county, was caught in political crosshairs that only made the work more difficult.

I took the job understanding the struggles ahead, but with confidence in our staff, service providers and ability to invest in the turnarounds that will have the greatest impact. Im proud to say we have made remarkable progress these past 15 months.

For the first two years of the Supportive Housing Services measure, the office didnt meet financial goals and spent far below our commitments. But that trend has ended. This month, we close the books on Fiscal Year 2024  and announce a much-improved result.

When the accounting dust settles, the Joint Office will have invested close to 85% of its budgeted dollars from the housing services measure  well above the 75% target approved by Metro, the regional agency that administers the tax. Thats a significant turnaround from previous underspending. Weve put those dollars to good use, housing hundreds more people out of homelessness than last fiscal year, while also providing shelter beds, street outreach and recovery and supportive housing services.

Excluding the excess dollars carried over from previous years, we actually invested every new dollar that Metro distributed to the Joint Office in Fiscal Year 2024  even after they sent us more money than originally forecast. Were now on a stable trajectory to prudently manage these resources.

That sea change required a mix of strategies, both practical and political. Our leadership team developed detailed budget dashboards that help us closely monitor spending throughout the year. When a program is not on track, we adjust quickly or shift funding to other needs. We deploy staff to work with providers to track progress and surface challenges promptly.

This led to another key step  improving our management of contracts. That might seem mundane, but its vitally important: funding service providers is 80% of our budget. Our contract monitoring and oversight work was cited as the strongest across county departments, with our effectiveness rated highly in a recent independent audit.

On the political front, weve moved past old disagreements and ideological differences to focus our investments on shared priorities. This allows us to cut through lengthy political debates and move quickly on big initiatives such as partnering with the city of Portland to build and provide services at the Clinton Triangle and other shelters. Similarly, after years of impasse, we agreed to invest in Bybee Lakes Hope Center, at the former Wapato jail, to keep their doors open and continue serving 175-plus individuals each night.

Were also making sure we respond quickly to new opportunities, like collaborating with Gov. Tina Kotek and county leadership to expand the Clean Start employment program beyond downtown and helping Central City Concern launch mobile medical vans and develop a treatment and housing facility for people recovering from behavioral health challenges.

These changes are making a difference in our community, right now. More people are accessing shelter, and more people are leaving homelessness for housing  with the services they need to stay housed.

And were confident in our ability to track and share those outcomes. We have worked with the Built for Zero initiative, pioneered by a New York nonprofit, to strengthen and expand our registry of people experiencing homelessness, so we know who they are, where they are , and how we can help them. Were improving our public-facing dashboard to better track progress toward our goals and launching a pilot project to track shelter capacity in real time. Our improved data strategy was noted in a recent county audit that showed our housing placement data is now 96% accurate.

This strengthened foundation is why we must remain united  with the city of Portland and all of our partners  to continue providing pathways for moving more people to shelter, services and housing.

After years of criticism for lack of a plan, and with strong leadership from the county Board of Commissioners and Portland City Council, we now share a clear, detailed strategy for the next two years. Highlights include adding over 1,000 shelter beds and hundreds of new units of permanent supportive housing. Weve also built key success metrics, a framework for oversight and accountability, and a governance structure that brings more people to the table.

Our ability to right the ship and do what many critics thought was impossible tells me were on track, and that we must keep moving forward together instead of retreating to our corners. I am confident that when the Joint Office and our community stay aligned, we can  and will  rise to the challenge.

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Just a few years after the Idaho Department of Fish and Game implemented a controversial trail-camera-based method for counting the number of wolves in the state, the agency announced it would switch to a new method.

Fish and Game officials now plan to use genetic information taken from teeth to estimate population size, a process officials believe will provide more accurate estimates for smaller wolf populations, Shane Roberts, Fish and Games wildlife bureau chief, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview. Roberts said modeling showed that the trail-camera-based method will become less accurate as wolf counts decline.

Fish and Game plans to whittle the number of wolves down to around 500 animals under a management plan approved last year. The agency said the new genetic method, which produced similar results as the camera method, put last summers wolf population at around 1,150 animals  down about 200 from the previous year.

Officials were already taking teeth from trapped or hunted wolves to determine their age.

Weve always collected teeth, but now weve got a new use for those teeth, Roberts told the Statesman.

Fish and Game began tracking wolf populations using radio collars after wolves were reintroduced to Idaho in 1995. It switched to a trail camera-based model in 2019. That method, also called a space-to-event model, used a network of remote trail cameras that took photos every 10 minutes or when they detect motion.

Fish and Game analyzed the thousands of photographs from the camera network using artificial intelligence to identify wolves, calculate the amount of space between them, and estimate their population. But the technique drew vocal critics, including those from the scientific community, who were skeptical of its accuracy.

An incorrect population estimate could eventually drop wolf populations and put them back on the Endangered Species Act list.

Genetic modeling is producing accurate results

Researchers have been developing their genetic modeling method for about two years, according to Fish and Game. Along with determining wolves ages, researchers can also extract genetic material from the teeth that provide clues on which wolves are related, said Matthew Mumma, an Idaho Fish and Game researcher.

Using the genetic information to estimate the number of different packs, combined with information about wolf biology  such as litter size, death rates and pack size  a model developed by the department can estimate population size for the entire state, Mumma said.

But since biology isnt perfect, researchers dont want to rely on a limiting set of biology factors for the model. Instead, the model creates numerous possibilities for the states wolf population size, depending on a different mix of biological factors.

First, it uses a combination of those factors to provide a range of estimates on the wolf population. From there, researchers compare the hypothetical populations to the characteristics of wolves that were hunted that year. They take the top 1% of results from the model that resembled the most like the wolf harvest, then average those numbers to produce an estimated population, Roberts told the Statesman.

Were not relying on any one comparison to one hypothetical population, Roberts said.

When the department decided to pursue the new genetics method, it had years of teeth from wolves killed by hunting, trapping or depredation. Researchers were able to compare five years of results from the camera capture model with the new genetics method and found that the estimated populations were almost identical, Roberts said.

Were very comfortable with the genetic method that it is producing accurate results, Roberts told the Statesman.

New method is unproven, critic says

Still, the new method is not without skeptics. Suzanne Asha Stone, director of International Wildlife Coexistence Network, told the Statesman her organization is requesting access to Fish and Games data to see whether its conclusions can be duplicated.

Stone, who also cofounded the Wood River Wolf Project, which works with sheep ranchers to provide nonlethal wolf deterrents, was among the critics of the camera-based counting method. They said Fish and Games use of motion detection to capture wolf photos skewed its results, as did its placement of cameras near places it expected wolves to travel.

Instead of switching to a more reliable and tested method for counting the wolf population, Idaho has again chosen an unproven method that has never been peer reviewed for the purpose of estimating wildlife populations, Stone said in a text message.

Stone worried unreliable data would make it impossible to tell whether the wolf population was at risk of collapse as Fish and Game tries to cut the population by more than half.

Roberts said results from the new genetic testing only reinforce that the camera method was producing accurate estimates.

The department plans to submit the new genetics method to a scientific journal for review, but the model will be used for next years wolf count in lieu of the camera capture model, Roberts said.

Roberts also hopes that the method can be modified to get accurate wolf counts on a regional level, which would be more useful for our regional managers, he said.

There may be things that come to light during the peer review process that we find ways to improve, Roberts said. But we dont know of anything that needs to be improved right now.

-- Nicole Blanchard and Elizabeth Walsh, The Idaho Statesman

2024 The Idaho Statesman. Visit idahostatesman.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
By BILL BARROW Associated Press

Former President Donald Trumps presidential campaign said Saturday that it has been hacked and suggested Iranian actors were involved in stealing and distributing sensitive internal documents.

The campaign provided no specific evidence of Irans involvement, but the claim comes a day after Microsoft issued a report detailing foreign agents attempts to interfere in the U.S. campaign in 2024.

It cited an instance of an Iranian military intelligence unit in June sending a spear-phishing email to a high-ranking official of a presidential campaign from a compromised email account of a former senior advisor.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung blamed the hack on foreign sources hostile to the United States. The National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday by The Associated Press.

Politico first reported Saturday on the hack. The outlet reported that it began receiving emails on July 22 from an anonymous account. The source  an AOL email account identified only as Robert  passed along what appeared to be a research dossier the campaign had apparently done on the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. The document was dated Feb. 23, almost five months before Trump selected Vance as his running mate.

These documents were obtained illegally and intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process, Cheung said.

He pointed to the Microsoft report issued Friday and its conclusions that Iranian hackers broke into the account of a high ranking official on the U.S. presidential campaign in June 2024, which coincides with the close timing of President Trumps selection of a vice presidential nominee.

The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror just like he did in his first four years in the White House, Cheung said, adding a warning that any media or news outlet reprinting documents or internal communications are doing the bidding of Americas enemies and doing exactly what they want.

In response to Microsofts report, Irans United Nations mission denied it had plans to interfere or launch cyberattacks in the U.S. presidential election.

Cheung did not immediately respond to questions about the campaigns interactions with Microsoft on the matter. Microsoft said Saturday it had no comment beyond its blog post and Friday report.

In that report, Microsoft stated that foreign malign influence concerning the 2024 US election started off slowly but has steadily picked up pace over the last six months due initially to Russian operations, but more recently from Iranian activity.

The analysis continued: Iranian cyber-enabled influence operations have been a consistent feature of at least the last three U.S. election cycles. Irans operations have been notable and distinguishable from Russian campaigns for appearing later in the election season and employing cyberattacks more geared toward election conduct than swaying voters.

Recent activity suggests the Iranian regime  along with the Kremlin  may be equally engaged in election 2024, Microsoft concluded.

Specifically, the report detailed that in June 2024, an Iranian military intelligence unit, Mint Sandstorm, sent a phishing email to an American presidential campaign via the compromised account of a former adviser.

The phishing email contained a fake forward with a hyperlink that directs traffic through an actor-controlled domain before redirecting to the listed domain, the report states.

Vice President Kamala Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported hacking or on the Democratic nominees cybersecurity protocols.

___

Associated Press writers Mae Anderson in New York and Fatima Hussein in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, contributed to this report.
Baby Caius, who was born in Uganda with life-threatening conditions, was happily reunited with his mother Brenda Nakiyonga after he had been flown to Chicago for treatment to save his life.

Born just a few months ago, Caius faced severe health challenges from birth including no thymus gland leaving him without an immune system and CHARGE syndrome-a rare condition. CHARGE means Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retardation of growth and development, Genital abnormalities and Ear anomalies. The prevalence of this disorder is 1 in 10,000 people.

In June, the local doctors in Uganda said it couldnt be done and flew him to Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago together with his paternal grandparents; Diane and Steve Haskin.

"I'm just glad that I'm here with him and I get to hold him," Nakiyonga said, according to Chicago WGN9. "Simply unexplainable, it's been magical." For the first time in nearly eight weeks, she finally held her son as she was surrounded by her husbands family and medical team at Lurie Childrens Hospital.

ALSO READ : Woman Wants to Leave Husband and Kid After Discovering That Child Is Not Biologically Hers

A Journey of Hope and Gratitude

Caius began his journey when he came to Chicago through the efforts of his grandparents where he underwent an open heart surgery once he arrived. Even though Nakiyonga was devastated by being separated from her son, she expressed appreciation for assistance rendered by the U.S. embassy personnel, legislators, and health practitioners.

The coming together of nurse Sydni McStravick at Lurie Children's Hospital and Dr. Ashley Ikwuagwu during the reunion brought tears into their eyes as they watched Caius response when he saw his mother.

Diane said that bringing Caius to this journey was the scariest thing they have ever done. But everyone is happy that he finally received medical care.

Recovery is still ongoing for Caius as he waits for surgery on September 5th and a thymus transplant that will come up later. Nakiyonga is also expected to meet her husband, who lives in Virginia. She is very grateful how helpful her in-laws and the medical team have been.

The reunion marks a poignant chapter in Caius medical journey and underscores the incredible efforts of those who made his treatment and reunion possible.
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported 173,915 tons of natural rubber latex in the first seven months of 2024, slightly up 1.72 percent from 170,968 tons over the same period last year, said a General Directorate of Rubber's report on Sunday.

The country earned 269 million U.S. dollars in revenue from exports of the commodity during the January-July period this year, up 12.4 percent from 239.3 million dollars over the same period last year, the report said.

"A ton of rubber latex averagely cost 1,547 U.S. dollars during the first seven months of 2024, about 147 dollars higher than that of the same period last year," Khun Kakada, acting director general of the General Directorate of Rubber, said in the report.

The Southeast Asian nation exports the commodity mainly to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and China.

According to the report, Cambodia has so far planted rubber trees in a total area of 407,172 hectares, in which the trees on 320,184 hectares, or 78.6 percent, are old enough to be tapped. 
The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has expressed his confidence in the Minister of finances ability to aid economic recovery.



According to him, the Minister of Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam, should have been the sector minister much earlier.



On his Facebook page, Franklin Cudjoe wrote: Thank you, Finance Minister. We really should have had you much earlier.



His post was in reaction to the minister's admission and plea for forgiveness for the current economic hardships that have plagued the country due to the Domestic Debt Exchange.



The IMANI President said he expects the same admission from Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and possible solutions to the countrys problems.



When is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia going to own up and do the same and then provide real believable solutions and ideas that will never ever get us into these rudderless economic storms again?



Remember, the economy is what we know him for, not promising mobile phones on credit for jobless people. People need to have jobs and a dignified income first so they can buy their own mobile phones. People do not need the state to babysit and feed them. Many are thinking of survival before growth. Well, if he acknowledges these things, l might put in a word for him. It is possible for him to do these, he wrote.



During a town hall meeting, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam said: We decided to restructure our debts because it was one of the requirements by the IMF. We started with the domestic debt exchange programme, the domestic debt exchange programme was very successful, achieving 95 percent participation. On this note, I would like to appeal to the people of this country to forgive us.



It is never the intention of any government to impose hardships on its people, more so the NPP government that has demonstrated that we want to reduce the burden of the Ghanaian people.



He added It was a necessary, important decision at the time. If we had avoided it our development or economy would not be what it is today. All the support you gave us during the DDEP has contributed largely to the recovery our economy is seeing today.



This is why I want to appeal to you to forgive us but also to thank you on behalf of the president for the sacrifices, for the efforts that you all have made to participate in the DDEP, he added.









Source: ghanaweb.com









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

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Mrs Louisa Atta-Agyemang, the Co-Chairman of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA), says the escalating pattern of toppling democratically elected governments in sub-Saharan Africa should not be entertained.



She described as intolerable the re-emergence of military Coup d'etats in especially West Africa and called for concerted efforts to stop it.



Mrs Atta-Agyemang was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA Forum 2024), held in Accra.



Since August 2020, for instance, power has changed hands unconstitutionally six times in five countries: Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, Chad, and Mali, she said.



Mrs Atta-Agyemang said two other African countries saw thwarted coup attempts in this period, Niger in March 2021 and Guinea-Bissau in January 2022, the latter of which led to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), contemplating deploying a force to the country.



She said such events underscore the urgent need for us to strengthen our democratic institutions and ensure that they are resilient against such disruptions.



She said their mission at the Democrat Union of Africa was to advocate for and support democratic governance, uphold the rule of law, and promote political stability across the continent.



We must continue to stand firm against any actions that undermine these principles and work collectively to foster environments where democracy can thrive, she added.



She said there was a need to deepen democracy in Africa to address the myriad development deficits that had plagued the continent for decades.



The Co-Chairman said it resonated deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face today as a continent.



As we gather here today, it is essential to reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles that unite us as leaders, transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and the rule of law, she said.



She said every leader present at the forum was a firm believer in the core values, which were fundamental to building and sustaining strong democratic institutions.



However, as we celebrate our unity and shared values, we must also acknowledge and address the undemocratic happenings on our continent.



She implored African leaders to create more opportunities that would embolden the youth to zealously safeguard the continents development.



For Africa, this is not just an opportunity but a necessity. We must harness our collective strengths to address the pressing challenges that have long hindered our progress, she said.



She said by fostering a culture of democracy, entrepreneurship, investing in education and healthcare, we can build an Africa that stands tall on the global stage.



Participants at the forum were the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Uganda, Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa, Unity Party in Liberia, PDCI-RDA in Ivory Coast, Popular Democratic Movement in Namibia, The Third Republic Party in Tunisia and The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) in Mozambique.



Others were Kenya African National Union in Kenya, RENAMO in Mozambique, Forces Democratiques Pour LaRepublique (FDR) in Togo, Peoples Movement For Democratic Change (PMDC) in Sierra Leone, Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria and the National Grand Coalition Party in Sierra Leone.



The rest are UNITA in Angola, CHADEMA in Tanzania, the Istiqlal Party in Morocco, Malawi Congress Party in Malawi, the ACDP in South Africa, the Democratic Party in Uganda, and Union de Centro Derecha in Equatorial Guinea.

Source: GNA









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In fulfilment of their vow to come out for a one million man march as part of the end bad governance protest, the protesters turned up in their numbers on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at two venues, Apo district and Lokogoma district, both in Abuja.



The protesters who strategically skipped the MKO Abiola National Stadium after the City Gate and the Eagle Square, following heavy Police and Military Presence at both venues, streamed to Apo and Lokogoma as early as 7 am.



The protesters who displayed several placards were chanting End hunger and Reverse fuel subsidy removal, among others.



Recall that the protest which kickstarted on August 1, turned ugly as hoodlums hijacked the process and embarked on massive looting, destruction of critical infrastructure and attack on motorists among others.



In many Northern states including Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, Bauchi and Kaduna, many of the violent demonstrators resorted to carrying and flying foreign nations flags and calling for a regime change, a call that has been roundly condemned by Nigerians, the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, as well as the organizers of the end governance protest themselves.

Source: vanguardngr









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The Chief of Anum-Asamankese and a principal member of the Odoi Kese Family in Obosomase, Osabarimah Essah Kwasi Mensah Bediako III is describing some actions of the Greater Accra regional minister, Mr. Daniel Titus-Glover as land guard activities.



He said the family at Obosomase and others are dismayed by the actions of the Regional Minister, leading a joint military and police team to demolish some family and private properties at Dodowa without recourse to the laws of the country.



Osabarima Essah Bediako indicated that, this reckless disregard of the law must not be tolerated in a civilised country like Ghana.



He said a combined team of Police and Military over the weekend demolished a fence wall protecting a four acre land and took away about 5 tones of iron rods, polytanks and thousands of cement blocks packed in the yard away.



He added that, about two hundred cattle grazing on the four acre land cannot be found after the demolition.



Osabarimah Essah Kwesi Bediako claims the land in question does not form part of the Dodowa forest and is not a state land either.



According to him, the Odoi Kese family own most of the lands at Dodowa and have documentation including a court declaration to the effect of the family ownership.



He said the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr. Titus Glover declaration of their property as a security zone by word of mouth and subsequent destruction of their private property is unlawful and despicable under a democratic regime and in a country run by rule of law.



Osabarima Essah Bediako said that, Mr. Titus Glover held a press conference two days before the demolition, requesting parties with interest in lands at the Dodowa enclave to produce documents protecting their interest in the land.



He added that, just as the family decided to present their documents to the Minister, he ordered a joint military and police team to demolish a family land duly alienated to a private company for development without a court order.



Osabarima Essah Bediako lll called on the government to restore the damage caused immediately or face them in the law court.



He said the debate over the said land close to the Dodowa forest is a non-starter since a simple search at the lands commission will reveal the true owners of the property.



The disgruntled Chief says the rising tension could have been avoided had the Minister acted within the law after declaring the Dodowa and Katamanso Pinkwai forest security zone by word of mouth.









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The Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been honoured by the Chief of Nsawam, Nana Kwamena Ansah I, for his impactful contributions to the digital growth of Ghana.



Welcoming Dr. Bawumia to his Palace on Friday during the NPP flagbearer's campaign tour of the Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency in the Eastern Region, Nana Kwamena Ansah hailed Dr. Bawumia's digitalization vision for the country, saying "the digital agenda he wants to bring to move this country forward is a great idea which I believe is possible. As a result, I confer on him the Chieftaincy title 'Ntentankesehene' in recognition of what he has done and what he wants to do for this country".



This Chieftaincy title "Ntentankesehene" means the "King of the Web".



Nana Kwame Ansah I also expressed firm belief in Dr. Bawumia, stating "we know Dr. Bawumia has what it takes to develop the country...We are praying for him. May the Almighty God grant his positive vision towards the development of the country".



"It is historic for Nsawam that Bawumia is here. He has shown that he knows tradition and, on behalf of the people, I am extremely happy to welcome him", he added.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Ghana's Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia believes conducting free, fair and transparent elections in Africa is the panacea to sustaining the continent's peace and political stability.



He advanced this discourse on Thursday August 8, 2024, when he officially opened the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA Forum 2024), held in Accra, under the auspices of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).



The high-level meeting under the theme, Strengthening Democratic Institutions for Political stability: crafting Africas response, brought together all-inclusive participants in Africa and beyond.



The New Patriotic Party (NPP), 2024 Presidential candidate, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in his key note address remarked, Ghanas democratic journey is a testament to the importance of nurturing democratic institutions. Our electoral processes are characterized by transparency and credibility, with institutions like the Electoral Commission playing a pivotal role in ensuring free and fair elections. The peaceful transition of power between different political parties over the past three decades is a hallmark of our democracy, demonstrating our commitment to upholding the will of the people.



He reflected on the Forums theme, saying, This year's theme, Strengthening Democratic Institutions for Political Stability: Crafting Africas Response, is both timely and critical. It underscores the pivotal role that robust democratic frameworks play in fostering political stability and socioeconomic progress.



Ghana, with its strong democratic track record, serves as an exemplary case study of both the successes and complexities of democratic consolidation in Africa. By leveraging Ghana's experiences, this forum aims to spark solution-oriented conversations and foster a shared commitment to solidifying democratic institutions across the continent.



As we gather here today, let us draw inspiration from Ghanas experiences and commit to strengthening democracies across the Continent. Our collective efforts can transform Africa into a beacon of democracy, stability, and prosperity. The African Unions Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap for achieving this vision.



He entreated the stakeholders to renew a collective commitment to strengthening democratic governance across Africa.



I urge all political leaders and stakeholders present here today to reaffirm our commitment to democracy, individual freedoms, and economic growth. Let us work together to strengthen our democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and create an environment where every African can have a decent shot at making it in life. The future of Africa depends on our actions today, and together, we can craft a response that ensures a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow for our continent.



Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who thinks it is possible to succeed his Boss glorified PresidentNana Addo-Dankwa Akufo Addos stellar performance.



In Ghana, we have witnessed significant achievements under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo. Our government's emphasis on education, healthcare, and digitalization has led to remarkable progress in these areas. The introduction of free senior high school education has opened doors for countless young Ghanaians, ensuring that education remains a cornerstone of our national development. Our healthcare initiatives, particularly the expansion of health care infrastructure and improvement of the National Health Insurance Scheme, have significantly enhanced access to medical services for all Ghanaians.



He sent best wishes to all Presidential aspirants contesting upcoming general elections in Africa. I wish to extend my best wishes to all political parties and candidates in their upcoming elections, including myself, as Ghana heads towards its general elections this December, in what is earmarked to be a historic moment for our nation's democracy.



Active participants at the forum were the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Uganda, Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa, Unity Party in Liberia, PDCI-RDA in Ivory Coast,Popular Democratic Movement in Namibia, The Third Republic Party in Tunisia, TheDemocratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) in Mozambique, Kenya African National Union in Kenya and RENAMO in Mozambique.



The rest were Forces Democratiques Pour LaRepublique (FDR) in Togo, Peoples Movement For Democratic Change (PMDC) in Sierra Leone, Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria, the National Grand Coalition Party in Sierra Leone, UNITA in Angola, CHADEMA in Tanzania, the Istiqlal Party in Morocco, Malawi Congress Party in Malawi, the ACDP in South Africa, theDemocratic Party in Uganda, and Union de Centro Derecha (UCD) in Equatorial Guinea.









Source: Abdul Karim Naatogmah /Peacefmonline com









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

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Professor Smart Sarpong has advised the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, not to turn himself into a Judge over cases in his office.



The Senior Researcher, discussing the Special Prosecutor's report on the Airbus scandal, wondered how Kissi Agyebeng came to his conclusions that exonerate former John Dramani Mahama whose name dropped in investigations into the scandal.



The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has established that Mahama is the "Governor Official 1" as cited in the UK, US investigations but says he didn't engage in any act of corruption.



The OSP found no evidentiary basis that suggests that former President John Dramani Mahama or any other public official was induced to improperly favour or did improperly favour Airbus in respect of the purchase by the Government of Ghana of military transport aircraft from Airbus, the OSP stated.



It cleared the former President, saying the Special Prosecutor has directed the closure of the OSP investigation into alleged bribery of high-ranking Ghanaian officials by Airbus SE, through intermediaries, in respect of the sale of military transport aircraft by Airbus SE to the Republic of Ghana between 2009 and 2015.



But Prof. Smart Sarpong has cautioned the Special Prosecutor stressing he should "stay within your boundary. Establish whether there was a case or no case but draw conclusions".



He reminded the OSP of its remit to prosecute matters, not to give verdicts.



"Watch the law carefully. If you don't have authority to pronounce (judgement), don't pronounce it. Present your findings and leave the conclusions to court", he said in his submissions on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Dear Annie: My wife and I had planned to visit Europe this summer with our daughter and two grandchildren. When we checked in with the airline and gave them our passports, at JFK Airport in New York, they would not let me board the plane because my passport  perfectly valid  was due to expire in one month.

They said the country we were flying to in Europe  Italy  required that the passports have at least three months before they expire.

The airline told us that if they let me fly there, they would be fined and I would be put on the first plane back to New York.

I have since researched this and found that many countries require at least six months before the expiration of a passport.

You cant imagine how much of an inconvenience this caused for our entire family. What seems crazy to me is that the expiration date of a passport is not really an expiration date. It is three or six months before the expiration date.

I love your column and wanted to let your readers know about this in case they are planning to travel overseas.  Grounded at JFK

Dear Grounded: Thank you for the heads up. If you are traveling overseas, its a good idea to check with your airline about the passport requirements of the countries you plan to visit. Im surprised your airline did not inform you of the requirements when you booked your tickets.

Dear Annie: There are three finance people in my department. One has a non-finance degree with six years of experience in the field. Another has 10-plus years of experience and an accounting degree. The third has 30-plus years of experience and two accounting degrees. The one with the least education and experience just got promoted above the other two.

One issue is that the boss has a history of playing favorites. When the promotion became public knowledge, our boss was very uncomfortable having to call us in and explain. It was apparent that we were never supposed to find out. To make matters worse, she lied about it.

She blamed her boss and a recent development at work for our colleague in passing us up. In truth, the paperwork was put in three months prior, and it wasnt based on additional duties, as she said.

I should note that this persons last promotion was less than three years ago, and the person who has been here the longest has not had a promotion in 10 years.

I am concerned about working for this person because they play favorites and Im not sure that I will move beyond where I am now. But, more importantly, right now, I have zero respect for my boss for lying. (We have seen proof of the lie.)

This has really affected the morale in our department.

What advice do you have for me? -- Lost Hope in Morale of Company

Dear Lost Hope: My advice is to start looking for a new job. If you dont respect your boss, then you have no future there. Youre not going to be happy, and my guess is that they wont be happy with you. It sounds like youre trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Try to find a job where it feels comfortable.

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology  featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation  is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.
UPDATE: Harrisburg wont host first Harris-Trump debate, but Pa.s pivotal status could still bring one here

Former president Donald Trump has announced on his social media platform TruthSocial that the first debate with Kamala Harris will take place in Harrisburg on Fox News.

He posted just after midnight Saturday that the debate would take place on Wednesday, Sept. 4. He does not list the specific location.

Others, he said, would occur in Philadelphia on Sept. 10 (ABC) and in Michigan on Sept. 25 (NBC).

The Harris campaign responded by email to Newsweek on Sunday morning, suggesting that it had only agreed to the ABC debate.

Were pleased Trump finally agreed to debate the Vice President on ABC after previously trying to back out. We are open to another debate, and well continue those conversations. But to be clear, any additional debate would be subject to Trump actually showing up on September 10. Were not playing his games, a Harris campaign aide told Newsweek.

Here is the Trump post, per Truth Social:

The first Debate with Kamala Harris, for President of the United States of America, will be with FoxNews on September 4th, 2024, LIVE from beautiful Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The second Debate will take place on Fake News ABC, home of George Slopadopoulos, to be anchored by David Muir, on September 10th, 2024, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The third Debate will take place on NBC, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 25th, 2024, to be anchored by Lester Holt - Details to follow. I look forward to seeing Kamala at all three Debates! DJT.

Trump and President Joe Biden, who ended his reelection campaign last month, in May had agreed to two debates: one on June 27 on CNN, and another on Sept. 10, that was to be broadcast on ABC News.

According to an Aug. 4 story in the Rhode Island Current, Trump said during a July 23 call with reporters that while he would be willing to do more than one debate with Harris, he said he was not sure he wanted to take part in the Sept. 10 debate because he agreed to a debate with Joe Biden, and not Harris.

But hours after the Democratic National Committee announced an ad campaign saying GOP nominee Trump was afraid to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, the former president said in an Aug. 2 social media post that he wants to debate Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania on Fox News, with a FULL ARENA AUDIENCE.

Less than a week later, on Aug. 8, Trump said during a news conference he would do the Sept. 10 debate and he also had agreed to debates on Sept. 4 and Sept. 25.

All of that debate over the debates preceded Trumps newest post on Sunday morning.
This photo taken on Aug. 11, 2024 shows destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip, as seen from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip. Hamas on Sunday called on mediators of the Gaza ceasefire to put forward a plan to implement what they had approved before instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or introducing new proposals. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

GAZA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Sunday called on mediators of the Gaza ceasefire to put forward a plan to implement what they had approved before instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or introducing new proposals.

Since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, Hamas has been keen to make the efforts of the mediators in Egypt and Qatar successful to reach a ceasefire agreement and end the war against Gaza people, and it has confirmed its support for any effort to achieve a halt to the war, the movement said in a statement.

Hamas has engaged in several rounds of negotiations and has provided all the necessary flexibility and positivity in order to achieve the goals and interests of the Gaza people, it said.

Although Hamas and the mediators are aware of the true intentions and positions of Israel, the movement responded to the last agreement in early July, but Israel confronted it with new conditions that were not proposed throughout the negotiation process and went on to escalate its war on Gaza, the statement added.

In light of this, and out of concern and responsibility towards Gaza people and their interests, the movement calls on the mediators to submit a plan to implement what they presented to the movement before and to oblige Israel to do so, it said.

On Aug. 8, the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States urged Israel and Hamas not to waste more time to finalize a ceasefire agreement and resume talks.

The three countries invited Israel and Hamas "to resume urgent discussion on Thursday, August 15, in Doha or Cairo to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay," according to a joint statement released by the Egyptian presidency. 

This photo taken on Aug. 11, 2024 shows destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip, as seen from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip. Hamas on Sunday called on mediators of the Gaza ceasefire to put forward a plan to implement what they had approved before instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or introducing new proposals. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
By Heather Hollingsworth, The Associated Press

Christina Westman dreamed of working with Parkinsons disease and stroke patients as a music therapist when she started studying at St. Cloud State University.

But her schooling was upended in May when administrators at the Minnesota college announced a plan to eliminate its music department as it slashes 42 degree programs and 50 minors.

Its part of a wave of program cuts in recent months, as U.S. colleges large and small try to make ends meet. Among their budget challenges: Federal COVID relief money is now gone, operational costs are rising and fewer high school graduates are going straight to college.

The cuts mean more than just savings, or even job losses. Often, they create turmoil for students who chose a campus because of certain degree programs and then wrote checks or signed up for student loans.

For me, its really been anxiety-ridden, said Westman, 23, as she began the effort that ultimately led her to transfer to Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Its just the fear of the unknown.

At St. Cloud State, most students will be able to finish their degrees before cuts kick in, but Westmans music therapy major was a new one that hadnt officially started. She has spent the past three months in a mad dash to find work in a new city and sublet her apartment in St. Cloud after she had already signed a lease. She was moving into her new apartment Friday.

For years, many colleges held off making cuts, said Larry Lee, who was acting president of St. Cloud State but left last month to lead Blackburn College in Illinois.

College enrollment declined during the pandemic, but officials hoped the figures would recover to pre-COVID levels and had used federal relief money to prop up their budgets in the meantime, he said.

They were holding on, holding on, Lee said, noting colleges must now face their new reality.

Higher education made up some ground last fall and in the spring semester, largely as community college enrollment began to rebound, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data showed.

But the trend for four-year colleges remains worrisome. Even without growing concerns about the cost of college and the long-term burden of student debt, the pool of young adults is shrinking.

Birth rates fell during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 and never recovered. Now those smaller classes are preparing to graduate and head off to college.

Its very difficult math to overcome, said Patrick Lane, vice president at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a leading authority on student demographics.

Complicating the situation: the federal governments chaotic overhaul of its financial aid application. Millions of students entered summer break still wondering where they were going to college this fall and how they would pay for it. With jobs still plentiful, although not as much as last year, some experts fear students wont bother to enroll at all.

This year going into next fall, its going to be bad, said Katharine Meyer, a fellow in the Governance Studies program for the Brown Center on Education Policy at the nonprofit Brookings Institution. I think a lot of colleges are really concerned theyre not going to make their enrollment targets.

Many colleges like St. Cloud State already had started plowing through their budget reserves. The universitys enrollment rose to around 18,300 students in fall 2020 before steadily falling to about 10,000 students in fall 2023.

St. Cloud States student population has now stabilized, Lee said, but spending was far too high for the reduced number of students. The colleges budget shortfall totaled $32 million over the past two years, forcing the sweeping cuts.

Some colleges have taken more extreme steps, closing their doors. That happened at the 1,000-student Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama, the 900-student Fontbonne University in Missouri, the 350-student Wells College in New York and the 220-student Goddard College in Vermont.

Cuts, however, appear to be more commonplace. Two of North Carolinas public universities got the green light last month to eliminate more than a dozen degree programs ranging from ancient Mediterranean studies to physics.

Arkansas State University announced last fall it was phasing out nine programs. Three of the 64 colleges in the State University of New York system have cut programs amid low enrollment and budget woes.

Other schools slashing and phasing out programs include West Virginia University, Drake University in Iowa, the University of Nebraska campus in Kearney, North Dakota State University and, on the other side of the state, Dickinson State University.

Experts say its just the beginning. Even schools that arent immediately making cuts are reviewing their degree offerings. At Pennsylvania State University, officials are looking for duplicative and under-enrolled academic programs as the number of students shrinks at its branch campuses.

Particularly affected are students in smaller programs and those in the humanities, which now graduate a smaller share of students than 15 years ago.

Its a humanitarian disaster for all of the faculty and staff involved, not to mention the students who want to pursue this stuff, said Bryan Alexander, a Georgetown University senior scholar who has written on higher education. Its an open question to what extent colleges and universities can cut their way to sustainability.

University student Christina Westman poses at St. Cloud State University, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in St. Cloud, Minn. (AP Photo/Adam Bettcher)AP

For Terry Vermillion, who just retired after 34 years as a music professor at St. Cloud State, the cuts are hard to watch. The nations music programs took a hit during the pandemic, he said, with Zoom band nothing short of disastrous for many public school programs.

We were just unable to really effectively teach music online, so theres a gap, he said. And, you know, were just starting to come out of that gap and were just starting to rebound a little bit. And then the cuts are coming.

For St. Cloud State music majors such as Lilly Rhodes, the biggest fear is what will happen as the program is phased out. New students wont be admitted to the department and her professors will look for new jobs.

When you suspend the whole music department, its awfully difficult to keep ensembles alive, she said. Theres no musicians coming in, so when our seniors graduate, they go on, and our ensembles just keep getting smaller and smaller.

Its a little difficult to keep going if its like this, she said.

The Associated Press education 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.
Pennsylvania American Water issued an update at 10 a.m. Sunday following the main break that prompted a boil water advisory and caused a drop in pressure for tens of thousands of customers on Friday.

According to officials:

Pennsylvania American Water anticipates the system will be fully operational by the end of Sunday. The boil water advisory will remain in effect until further notice. The company continues to strongly recommend customers conserve water and use it only for essential purposes.

Pennsylvania American Water will continue to provide bottled water to customers affected by this event, on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Customers will be given one large or two small cases of bottled water.

Customers who have a disability, are over 60, or cannot access transportation are reminded that assistance with bottled water delivery is available. To arrange delivery today, please call 2-1-1 through 8 p.m. A 2-1-1 representative will confirm the delivery location and a volunteer will deliver the water.

The east side of Adams-Ricci Park will remain closed Sunday for water distribution purposes. No recreational activity will be allowed in that area.

All recreational activities must move to the west side of the park where the gazebo and panther station are located, the county said.

More information can be found on the county website.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners declared a disaster emergency around 3 p.m. Saturday and confirmed the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby caused the water main break in Pennsylvania American Waters Mechanicsburg system on Friday, prompting a boil water advisory for over 40,000 customers.

A map, released around 5 p.m. Saturday,showing up-to-date information about where water pressure has been restored. Credit: Pennsylvania American WaterPennsylvania American Water

Storm Debby brought extensive flooding, harsh rains and severe wind to central Pennsylvania, which caused critical infrastructure damage to the water system, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners said. Forecasters also confirmed a tornado touched down in Dauphin County early Friday morning.

The water main break caused three of the four acute care facilities within Cumberland County to completely lose water pressure, the countys release said.

The declaration will allow officials to purchase necessary supplies, hire temporary workers and enter agreements with vendors without the time-consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law, according to a press release.
PAGE, Ariz. (AP)  A large geological feature in southern Utah known as the Double Arch, the Hole in the Roof and sometimes the Toilet Bowl has collapsed, National Park Service officials said Friday. No injuries were reported.

The popular arch in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area fell Thursday, and park rangers suspect changing water levels and erosion from waves in Lake Powell contributed to its demise.

Michelle Kerns, superintendent of the recreation area that spans the border of Utah and Arizona, said the collapse serves as a reminder to protect the mineral resources that surround the lake.

This undated photo provided by the National Park Service shows Double Arch prior to collapse in Rock Creek Bay of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah. (National Park Service via AP, file)AP

These features have a life span that can be influenced or damaged by manmade interventions, she said in a statement.

The arch was formed from 190 million-year-old Navajo sandstone originating in the late Triassic to early Jurassic periods. The fine-grained sandstone has endured erosion from weather, wind and rain, the statement said.

The recreation area encompasses nearly 2,000 square miles and is popular among boaters and hikers.
By Hannah Gaskill, The Baltimore Sun (TNS)

BALTIMORE  President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are to hold an event in Maryland next week  their first joint trip since the president announced he would not be seeking a second term.

Were thrilled to have the president and vice president together in Maryland, Ken Ulman, the chair of Marylands Democratic Party, said Friday.

Biden and Harris, both Democrats, will visit Maryland on Aug. 15, four days ahead of the Democratic National Convention where Harris is expected to be named the official Democratic presidential nominee. Earlier this week, she named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a military veteran and former high school teacher, as her running mate.

The White House declined to release details regarding the event  including its location  in an email to The Baltimore Sun on Friday morning. According to The Associated Press, they are poised to discuss progress they are making to lower costs for the American people.

Ulman said in a phone interview that the visit is related to lowering prescription drug costs.

Maryland is always happy to receive our president and vice president, and the fact that they chose to be here together to announce an important policy initiative we understand is regarding drug pricing, were very excited to have them, he said.

Democrats in Maryland, including Gov. Wes Moore, rushed to support Harris in her surprise presidential bid. Additionally, Moores name was floated as a potential running mate ahead of Harris announcement last week.

During her 2020 presidential run, Harris settled her campaign headquarters in Baltimore.

Biden and Harris have made several recent trips to Maryland.

The president was on the ground days after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that killed six construction workers and crippled activity at the Port of Baltimore in March.

Harris appeared in Marylands Washington, D.C., suburbs in June to announce her endorsement of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks, who is running against former Gov. Larry Hogan to replace Ben Cardin, a Democrat, upon his retirement at the end of the term.
By Hadriana Lowenkron, Bloomberg News (TNS)

Republican nominee Donald Trumps campaign said its communications had been hacked and suggested Iran was to blame, casting it as an effort to interfere in Novembers presidential election where he faces Vice President Kamala Harris.

The hack was first reported by Politico, which said it had begun receiving emails in July containing internal Trump campaign documents from an anonymous account. Those documents, released over the course of a few weeks, included a dossier on Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, Trumps vice presidential pick, according to the report.

These documents were obtained illegally from foreign sources hostile to the United States, intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

The campaign cited a report this week from Microsoft Corp. that detailed increasing efforts by Iran to target the U.S. election, including fake news sites to influence voter opinion and hacks to obtain intelligence on political campaigns.

Among the actions in the report was a so-called spear phishing email in June to a high-ranking official on a presidential campaign from the compromised email account of a former senior advisor. Microsoft, which didnt identify the campaign, said that attempt was from an Iranian group connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Microsoft said it had notified those targeted.

Cheung said the hack coincides with the close timing of President Trumps selection of a Vice Presidential nominee. Trump announced his vice presidential selection in mid-July. Cheung also cited recent reports of an Iranian plot to assassinate the former president separate from the attempt on his life by a gunman at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

That Iranian threat appeared to be linked to a broader pattern of threats against former Trump administration officials stemming from the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, in January 2020  an attack ordered by then-President Trump.

Any media or news outlet reprinting documents or internal communications are doing the bidding of Americas enemies and doing exactly what they want, Cheung said in his statement.
The 2024 Olympics come to an official close Sunday in Paris with the Closing Ceremony in Stade de France to celebrate the 24 Games and look forward to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Closing Ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Paris) with TV coverage on NBC and streaming on-demand.

2024 OLYMPIC GAMES

Closing Ceremony at a glance

When: Sunday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. ET (9 p.m. local)

Where: Stade de France, Paris, France

TV channel: NBC

Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | DirecTV Stream (free trial) | Peacock ($7.99+ per month)

Whispers of surprises are circulating about potential musical acts and entertainers who could perform at the 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony, and the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee announced over a hundred performers will take part in it. Thomas Jolly, who planned the Opening Ceremony that caused a social media stir in the U.S., also planned the closing . Swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead will be flag bearers for the USA.

On the TV side, NBCs Mike Tirico will host the Closing Ceremony alongside Jimmy Fallon, Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. The ceremony in Paris will also feature the city handover from Paris to Los Angeles, which will host the 2028 Olympics.

SEE ALSO: Team USA gear: Fanatics | Ralph Lauren | Walmart | USA Basketball gear

Olympics TV and streaming: More on Peacocks Gold Zone | Alex Cooper to host interactive watch parties

The 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony is set for a 3 p.m. ET start on NBC. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), SlingTV (low intro rate) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reminded the media that Kamala Harris has only been running for president for three weeks as the press grumbled that she hasnt held a press conference yet.

Transcript via ABCs This Week:

KARL: OK, so theres something else Charlamagne said, and actually something that J.D. Vance said. It was one of the few things where they absolutely agreed on, is, you know, Kamala Harris has yet to hold a press conference. Shes been in this now 21 days. She has yet to do a single interview. Why is that, and is that going to change?

KLOBUCHAR: Twenty-one days, Jonathan.

KARL: Three weeks.

KLOBUCHAR: She started running for president. Be  no, let me 

KARL: Yes, OK. Go ahead.

KLOBUCHAR: Before that she did tons of interviews. Shes done interviews with you. Shes done interviews. Im sure shes going to do interviews. Just last night in Nevada she talked to the press.

I was reading about some of her answers like she is going to talk to the press. And I think that debate itself, which Donald Trump had backed out on, he backed down, now hes back firmly committed, at his press conference.

To me, that is going to be a premier moment where youre going to see these very different visions for the country and very different people. And the people of this country, if you look at whats happening with the momentum and the polls and whats happening in swing states like Wisconsin, with the numbers changing, whats happening in Michigan, whats happening in Pennsylvania, it is incredible.

Video:

Amy Klobuchar stops the nonsense about Harris not holding a press conference, "Three weeks started running for president. Before that, she did tons of interviews. She's done interviews with youI'm sure she's gonna do interviews. Last night in Nevada. she talked to the press." pic.twitter.com/xcyrEvir0y  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) August 11, 2024

The idea that Donald Trump held a news conference is pure fantasy. Trump gathered reporters. The reporters asked questions. Trump didnt answer the questions. As MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell pointed out, Trump never answers the questions.

There will be plenty of time for Harris to do interviews and answer questions. Her campaign is just starting and she has spent the week connecting with battleground state voters.

The question itself is silly, but Harris has made it clear that her priority is the voters not reporters at this time.
Peter Gitonga, Mwangi Githae and Maina Karuoho wait for customers at the Ruring'u donkey bay in Nyeri, central Kenya, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Robert Manyara/Xinhua)

In recent years, Chinese-made motor rickshaws, popularly known as tuk-tuks, have gradually held sway at the yard, which boasts more than 50 donkeys and carts.

NYERI, Kenya, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two km outside the central Kenyan town of Nyeri's bustling streets along the busy highway linking the town to Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, one cannot fail to notice the well-tended giant evergreen trees under whose shades rest dozens of donkeys.

The meeting point area in Nyeri has for decades stuck to donkey-pulled carts, an antique means of transport.

Unique to other places where donkey carts are embraced, Nyeri has set aside an area known as Ruring'u donkey bay, similar to bus parks or taxi bays.

In Nyeri and its environs, donkeys have been used to transport various goods, including sawdust, firewood, fodder, building materials like timber and stones, and household goods for tenants moving houses.

In recent years, Chinese-made motor rickshaws, popularly known as tuk-tuks, have gradually held sway at the yard, which boasts more than 50 donkeys and carts.

The introduction of tuk-tuks has seen traders bid farewell to various challenges previously experienced with donkeys.

Mwangi Githae is one of the oldest traders at the bay who have since replaced their donkey carts with tuk-tuks.

"We have been abandoning donkeys for tuk-tuks due to the three-wheelers' high reliability compared to the beasts of burden," Githae told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The importation of Chinese tuk-tuks started about two decades ago, offering a respite to traders who could not afford to buy vehicles, and have since provided jobs and cheaper, faster and more reliable transportation for millions of Kenyans.

The introduction of the arrangement by which buyers can own the three-wheelers and pay in installments has also made things easier for prospective tuk-tuk owners.

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla enjoy a Tuk Tuk ride during a tour of Mombasa city in Mombasa, Kenya, Nov. 3, 2023. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua)

A tuk-tuk in Kenya can cost between 2,700 and 3,875 U.S. dollars, depending on its capacity and make. The cost of a donkey, however, was only 7,000 shillings (about 54 U.S. dollars) while that of building a cart was about 77.5 dollars. With just about 132 dollars, one was able to comfortably start the business.

As opposed to donkeys, which can only cover a short distance, three-wheelers cover hundreds of kilometers per day. They are also faster, more effective, and can carry heavier loads with passengers and riders onboard.

Additionally, the transporters find tuk-tuks saving them a lot of trouble with Nyeri County officials for letting the animals loose in town.

"Many a time, we would get into disputes with farmers after donkeys strayed into their fields, destroying crops. The farmers would, in some cases, attack and wound the animals," Githae said, adding that tracing their whereabouts wasted a lot of their time.

Peter Gitonga joined the growing list of those upgrading from donkey carts to tuk-tuks about two years ago. The longest distance he covered with a donkey was 20 km daily, while with a tuk-tuk, he can cover up to 200 km a day.

Maina Karuoho came to the bay in 2007 and ran the business with a donkey until about two years ago when he shifted to a tuk-tuk. He said Dayun and Captain are the most popular models at the yard, whose spare parts are readily available in Nyeri. 
If the Trump campaign goes into total free fall, it will be partly due to the selection of JD Vance. Polling shows that Trump/Vance has under 50% support in Vances home state of Ohio. Before JD Vance goes on several of the Sunday shows, keep in mind that according to The New York Times: Others are more concerned about what they are seeing in private polling. Two private polls conducted in Ohio recently by Republican pollsters  which Mr. Trump carried in 2020 with 53 percent of the vote  showed him receiving less than 50 percent of the vote against Ms. Harris in the state, according to a person with direct knowledge of the data.

This isnt to suggest that Ohio is definitely in play, but it would be surprising to reporters and experts in the state if Vance caused Trump to underperform there. JD Vance is unpopular in Ohio and only won his seat because Trumps endorsement got him the Republican Senate primary nomination. Ohios increasingly red status, combined with the red tint of the 2022 midterm election, got Vance the victory.

However, Trump picked a running mate who underperformed the rest of the states Republicans in the election. Trump picked a weak running mate with the worst approval rating in polling history, and that choice, along with Harriss surging momentum, is making Trump vulnerable in a state that should be sewn up for the Republican ticket.

If Ohio is even close in November, the wheels will have completely fallen off for Trump, which will likely mean a Democratic landslide. Trump may think that running mates dont matter, but if the ex-president loses Ohio, JD Vance will be at least part of the reason why.
Social Security Administration policy updates that expand access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in line with the law go into effect today. The agency no longer includes food in In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations, has expanded its rental subsidy policy exception, and h Read moreSSI expands access and continues removing barriers
Knee-deep water pooled under Interstate 26 along the spine of Charleston's peninsula on Aug. 6 as Tropical Storm Debby blew through, leaving stretches of the future Lowcountry Lowline submerged.

The long-anticipated linear park is expected to extend 1.7 miles from Mount Pleasant Street to Marion Square following an old railroad bed that cuts under the highway, and eventually connect to other pedestrian and bike networks across the city.

But a city official and project planner said the pathway isn't just a mobility project, its also an opportunity to mitigate flooding along the corridor and the neighborhoods that surround it.

"This is why there's so much opportunity and value in the Lowline," said Logan McVey, chief policy officer to Mayor William Cogswell. "Because it also gives us this ability to put infrastructure in to move water away from these places."

The fact that parts of the site were underwater after the recent storm's dousing "puts an exclamation point behind the necessity for this project," he said. "Not a concern, not a delay, but an exclamation point."

McVey was part of a contingent of city officials who recently traveled to Atlanta seeking inspiration from a nonprofit behind more than 300 miles of interconnected trails across Georgia, and advice on how the Holy City might proceed here.

"This project has been on the shelf for so long that people aren't sure it's ever going to happen," McVey said. "We want to find a way to get it done quickly."

But to move quickly, the city may have to decline a $7 million federal grant awarded in 2022 for the project's planning and prep work.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 11, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of The Chemours Company ("The Chemours Company") (NYSE:CC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Chemours issued a press release on August 1, 2024, reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. Among other items, Chemours reported non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.38, missing consensus estimates by $0.20. The Company advised that it "anticipates a low to mid-single digit sequential decline in Net Sales for the third quarter," citing "[r]esidual impacts from Q2 unplanned downtime at our Altamira, Mexico manufacturing site" in its Titanium Technologies segment; "[r]efrigerant seasonality paired with weaker Freon Refrigerants pricing in its Thermal & Specialized Solutions segment; and "[a] continued modest recovery in" its Advanced Performance Materials segment. Following this news, Chemours's stock price dropped over 11% on August 2, 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
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 11, 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
By Oladeinde Olawoyin, Ronald Adamolekun, Abdulkareem Mojeed, Ntiedo Ekott



This is the second part of our series on post-harvest losses. Read the first part here.

Rice

Nigeria loses 20 to 40 per cent of its rice at harvest points and market stages. Beyond food wastage, postharvest losses along the rice value chain also come with implications for climate change, accounting for emissions of around 0.65 million tonnes of CO2 eq, into the atmosphere.

For Victoria Nwachukwu, a 53-year-old farmer based in Onicha Local Government Area in Ebonyi, one of Nigerias biggest rice-producing states, poor roads and lack of market access are the top factors behind postharvest losses in rice in her community.

Many people may come to the state looking for rice, but they cannot enter communities like ours because of bad roads, she told PREMIUM TIMES.

If you consider the money you will pay to move these goods out to the market, it may exceed the profits you are to make from the sales. So, bad road infrastructure and access to the market are major challenges in this business for us in this community.

Amegu Amanator, where Ms Nwachukwu cultivates the grain, is usually a 45-minute drive from Abakaliki, the state capital. However, because of the poor condition of the roads, travel time is roughly two hours.

Early this year, she lost 18 units of 100kg bags of rice worth N1.7 million due to transportation constraints while attempting to convey the produce from the farm to the market. Due to her experience, Mrs Nwachukwu is scaling back her cultivation.

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We dont have storage facilities here, but its not a problem for me because I normally dry and also use chemicals to preserve my rice after harvesting, said Victoria Chinyere, who has a farm in Oshiri in the same local government.

The demand for rice is high, so I dont experience many losses. Immediately I finish harvesting, buyers will come and pick them all because our place is accessible.

Extending grains shelf life by applying chemicals raises health concerns. Lots of grains stored in silos are preserved with heavy, toxic chemicals, which sometimes make them unfit for consumption. Though consumed locally, such grains fall short of international safety standards and are rejected at the point of export after the discovery of chemical residue on them.

Owing to the unavailability of storage facilities, which cost him N1.3 million two years ago, smallholder John Nnabo, who plants rice in Oshiri, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, now uses private-owned storage facilities. He pays between N1000 and N2000 monthly for every 100 kg of rice. That will help preserve the produce, pending when he starts milling the grains, while he preserves the rest with chemicals at home.

The sit-at-home order is a major cause of postharvest loss in the community. We cannot take rice to the market on Mondays. Because of this, the colour of the harvested rice normally changes, which will reduce the quality and value, he told PREMIUM TIMES, referring to the controversial sit-at-home imposed on states in south-east Nigeria by the secessionist group IPOB.

The World Resource Institute observed that: any innovations in managing postharvest losses, such as the use of hermetic bags for grain storage, cold room facilities for perishable foods, etc., have meagre adoption rates in Africa. To help shift these low adoption rates, its important to co-design such innovations with local farmers and entrepreneurs at the centre while investing in local small- and medium-sized enterprises to help scale businesses. These enterprises also need government support, including public investments, tax incentives and policies to scale.

Yam

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nigeria accounts for 69.2 per cent of the worlds yam production, with 61.2 million tonnes of the crop produced in 2022.

Yam Improvement for Processing (YIP) Nigeria, a study of the yam value chain in the country executed by Sahel Partners & Advisory between December 2013 and 2014, found postharvest losses in the crop range between 20-30 per cent, depending on the yam variety.

We dont have storage equipment. We only preserve our yams based on how we make our storage space conducive for our yams, something like thatched houses where ventilation is much, Japheth Ishenge, secretary of the Association of Yam Shade Owners and Yam Sellers Zaki Biam Market, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Located in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Zaki Biam Market is regarded as the worlds largest yam market.

If its in a thatched house, we understand that the ceiling is there (to protect the yams), he said. If its in a zinc house, we understand that the ceiling is there, so we spread sand on the floor before we lay the yams on it instead of putting them directly on concrete.

Mr Ishenge noted that farmers and traders in the state record about 40 per cent of post-harvest wastage in yam. He added that the exposure of the tubers to heat and moisture due to the absence of safe storage houses is among the principal factors stoking decay. He stated that excessive application of fertiliser also causes yam spoilage.

Some farmers sprinkle chemicals on yams to reduce spoilage and, ultimately, wastage, he said. However, many farmers do not adopt this preservation method because of the adverse health implications for consumers.

Traders from Cameroon, Niger and Ghana regularly come to Zaki Biam Market to purchase the yam tubers.

The market accounts for about 70 per cent of the yam cultivated in Nigeria, with more than 200 trucks loading two million tubers of yam every week, not to mention buses and smaller vehicles.

Until 2020, the vast market needed more basic facilities like stalls that could shield yams from unfavourable weather and simple buildings with roofs and partially open sides for ventilation that could serve as storage spaces for yams.

Ventilation prevents moisture condensation on the tuber surface and assists in removing the heat of respiration. Low temperature is necessary to reduce respiration, sprouting and rotting losses, the FAO said.

Regular inspection of tubers is important to remove sprouts and rotten tubers and to monitor the presence of rodents and other pests. In general, tubers should be protected from high temperatures and provided with good ventilation during storage, it added.

Relief came for the market in 2020 when the Muhammadu Buhari administration built 660 stalls/sheds and a 200,000-yam storage facility to support micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissioned the facility and said it targeted reducing yam postharvest loss.

Much as the two storage houses have helped moderate yam wastage at the market, Mr Ishenge said they can only store the produce of 20 farmers at a time, meaning many interventions are still needed.

He told PREMIUM TIMES that the yam farmers want the government to set up a yam flour industry, which he believes will help curb wastage and boost value addition.

Postharvest losses occur at various stages from production, postharvest handling, marketing, distribution and processing. These include losses in quantity and tuber quality, arising from physical damage, rodent attack, fungal and bacterial diseases, and physiological processes such as sprouting, dehydration, and respiration, the FAO said.

Weight loss during storage in traditional or  improved barns or clamp storage can reach 10-12 per cent in the first three months and 30-60 per cent after six months. Weight losses alone of 33-67 per cent after six months of storage have been reported. In West Africa alone, it is amounted to an annual loss of one million tonnes of tuber, it added.

The FAO suggested sealing yam tubers in polyethene film bags, coating them with Epolene E10, and curing them to reduce wastage.

During PREMIUM TIMES visit to Bodija Market in Ibadan, Oyo State, traders tie yam tubers to big frames made of stakes inside yam barns to avert spoilage.

Ramoni Alapinni, a trader, said the practice is quite important because of the poor means of transporting yams from different parts of the country to the market.

Some of the yams came from far places, and we need to quickly put them in the open so they wont spoil, he said.

We go as far as Benue and Abuja to buy the yam, and the way some of them are transported, there is barely enough air in the vehicles. So sometimes, they get rotten before we even get here, and you know the state of our roads, he added.

Fruits & vegetables

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) estimates that Nigeria records 50 per cent post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables, a view shared by PLAN, which has stated that they mainly occur during harvesting, storage, transportation and processing.

Major fruits grown in Nigeria include mango, citrus, watermelon, pineapple, plantain, banana, guava and pawpaw, while vegetables include onion, tomato, pepper, and carrot.

The problem is not production but post-harvest losses, Mohammed Kabir, a young farmer residing on the outskirts of Ogbomoso, one of the towns known for producing mangoes on a large scale in the country, told PREMIUM TIMES.

From Ogbomoso to Gambari (another town outside Ogbomoso), youd see mangoes everywhere, with farmers placing them on the major roads as you move along. The absence of off-takers makes it difficult for those farmers to make good sales because most of the mangoes become rotten after some weeks of harvest and poor sales, Mr Kabir added.

In Osun State, multiple traders at the Odo-Ori market in Iwo told PREMIUM TIMES that the absence of off-takers in major farming areas and villages where fruits and vegetables are grown often compounds postharvest losses.

The last time I planted vegetables on a vast expanse of land, I ran into small troubles because I could barely sell them at profitable prices, said Baba Ajadi, who owns a farm on the outskirts of town along Ibadan-Osogbo road.

The problem is multi-faceted: we have issues with seeds, storage and off-takers. Many of our people struggle to avoid postharvest losses by selling at discounted prices at Odo-Ori on market days, he said.

When PREMIUM TIMES visited some markets in Iwo and Ile-Ogbo, many farmers lamented huge losses from poor storage facilities and other logistic constraints associated with the supply of farm produce.

At Oje, one of the biggest fruit markets in Ibadan, a trader, Saheed Babalola, said the wastage people in the fruit and vegetable business record couldnt be quantified.

There is no modern storage facility or electricity to help store our fruits. So we put them inside an enclosure to keep them ahead of sales once we return from the farm.

Traders watched waste collectors hauling baskets of spoilt oranges, bananas, watermelon, and other produce towards a waiting truck around the median strip of the Oje-Gate motorway.

Its a loss for us and a major challenge for many women doing business here. Imagine whats possible if we have good storage facilities to help eradicate or reduce the losses, Mr Babalola said.

Fish

To cut losses, fishermen in Akwa Ibom State are also deploying self-help methods, including preserving catch with ice blocks. This simple yet effective technique significantly extends the freshness of the catch, reducing spoilage risks.

Abraham Etukudo, 48, a fisherman in Ibaka River in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, said he experienced postharvest losses some years back. However, with the new method, losses are not as significant as they used to be.

I used to have many losses some years back; most times, before I could return from the sea where I went for fishing, my catch would spoil, and even the ones I caught the previous days, Mr Etukudo said. But now, I go fishing in the sea with an ice block; I put them in an old condemned freezer, put it in the boat and go fishing. That will help preserve all my sea catch.

Vivian Egboro, a seafood dealer in the community, also said she uses ice blocks to preserve her fresh seafood because the area lacks a cold room.

Even if I want to send this fish to Lagos or the northern part of the country, I use an ice block, not a cool room. The fish will not spoil except if you dont preserve it well or maybe leave it inside the vehicle for three to four days without adding new ice blocks, she said.

I dont experience much spoilage of fish in recent days, but we used to have it, and it always comes as a result of bad roads, she added.

Another fish dealer, Gbenga Joseph, preserves his fish by smoking them on fire, using firewood.

I deal with dry fish, so whenever I receive the fish from the fishermen, I normally put them on fire. It can take about two to three days to dry very well. Then my customers will come and pick them, he said.

There is nothing like a cold room here; everyone here preserves their fish by either drying or sunning them, Mr Joseph stated.

Additional reporting by Kemi Adelagun. Infographics by George Kaduna. Multimedia by Lere Mohammed.

Support for this reporting project was provided by the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID).

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The Miss Universe Nigeria pageant has made a historic decision by officially inviting Chidimma Adetshina to participate in the upcoming Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 competition. This unprecedented move marks a significant moment in the pageants history.

The Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 competition, organised by Silverbird Productions, is a platform where the winner represents Nigeria as the Miss Universe delegate.

The 73rd Miss Universe competition, in which the winner of Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 will compete, will be held in Mexico in November.

Ugochi Mitchell Ihezue emerged as Miss Universe Nigeria 2023, while Sectra Okundaye, the first runner-up, was crowned Miss Supranational Nigeria 2023.

Ms Adestshina, 23, emerged as a central figure in South Africas xenophobia debate and discussions on national identity after advancing to the Top 30 and becoming a finalist in the Miss SA competition.

She received a wave of support and criticism, some even questioning her South African identity. This move led to her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant, which Mia le Roux won on Saturday night.

She made a bold statement on Instagram, announcing her decision to step down from the Miss South Africa pageant. The announcement highlighted her concerns about the safety of her family.

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Miss Universe Nigeria

This decision and announcement triggered many emotions, including an invitation by Miss Universe Nigeria, a reputable global brand. This invitation is significant as it not only acknowledges Chidimmas courage but also opens a new chapter in the history of Miss Universe Nigeria.

Miss Universe Nigeria reached out to Chidimma via Instagram on Saturday, acknowledging her challenges and offering her support.

We at Miss Universe Nigeria have closely followed the developments regarding your decision to bow out of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. We acknowledge the circumstances surrounding your withdrawal and understand the challenges you may be facing. In light of these events, we want to extend our support and encouragement, read the message signed by the National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, Guy Murray Bruce.

Miss Universe Nigeria expressed their belief that Ms Adetshinas journey in pageantry is far from over, inviting her to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant.

As a Nigerian by heritage, we would like to formally invite you to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant. This is an opportunity to represent your fathers native land internationally, and we believe you would be an outstanding contender, the invitation read.

The organisation emphasised that the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant celebrates Nigerian womens strength, intelligence, and diversity. They encouraged her to consider this opportunity, highlighting that the legendary pageant is a platform for showcasing these remarkable qualities.

Should you wish to participate, all you need to do is respond to this invitation, and we will be delighted to guide you through the next steps. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you continue your journey in pageantry with the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, they added.

Since its inception in 1983, Miss Universe Nigeria has never extended an invitation to anyone. This unprecedented move to invite Ms Adetshina sets a new standard and opens the door for similar events in the future.

As of press time, Ms Adetshina has not responded to the invitation.

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KHARTOUM, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 28 civilians were killed and 46 others injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State in western Sudan, on Saturday, Al-Hafiz Bakheet, the state's acting governor, said on Sunday.

"The RSF militia resorted to new massacres after the systematic shelling of markets and civilian facilities, and storming homes of citizens and liquidating them," he said.

According to the governor, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the joint force of the armed movements in the Darfur region had managed to repulse the RSF attack and inflicted heavy losses on them.

"El Fasher will remain resilient and steadfast and soon will be free of any rebels," the governor said.

The RSF has not issued any comments regarding the attack.

Since May 10, fierce clashes between the SAF and the RSF have been raging in El Fasher.

Sudan has been witnessing a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023, resulting in the loss of at least 16,650 lives. An estimated 10.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, with approximately 2.2 million others seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to recent UN data. 
Movie Title: Criminal

Language: English

Running time: 1 hour 26 minutes

Release date: 2024

Streaming platform: Prime Video

Director: Dolapo Adigun

Cast: Segun Arinze, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Uzor Arukwe, Taye Arimoro, Miriam Peters, OG Tega.

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Love alone is often insufficient to make critical life decisions, especially when those decisions have long-term consequences. While the bond of family can be powerful, aiding a criminal, even out of love, can ultimately lead to ones destruction.

This would have been the predicament Chima finds himself in. Driven by familial loyalty and love, he bails his elder brother Uzor out of jail and offers him a job on a government contract he got.

However, what seemed like an act of brotherly support quickly curls into chaos, emphasising that the wiser choice might have been to leave Uzor in jail since he has repeatedly been involved in criminal activities.

Directed by Dolapo Adigun, Criminal portrays a tense day in the lives of an ex-convict and his gang as they take a doctor and her team hostage in a desperate attempt to save his brother, who is dying from a severe gunshot wound.

Plot

Uzor, with the help of his brother Chima, is released from prison. The next scene briefly shows Uzor sitting and looking frustrated on the hospital floor with a gun in his hands.

Six hours earlier, Doctor Amara Nwachukwu admitted severely injured patients, including a pregnant woman, who was brought into Greenleaf Hospital after an accident occurred close by.

Just as they are trying to manage the situation, Uzor and his two friends rush Chima to Greenleaf Hospital, claiming the police shot him and needs immediate attention. Due to the hospital being overwhelmed, they refuse to treat Chima, advising them to take him to another hospital.

Uzor flares up in anger, insisting his brother gets treated in the hospital despite his gang suggesting they try another hospital. In his fury, he beats up Dr Gbadegbo and, after holding the patients and doctors hostage, shoots the security guard, who refuses to lock the hospital gate.

It gets hotter when Dr Amara, the doctor they are requesting to perform the surgery on Chima, comes downstairs and outright challenges them. She refuses to save Chimas life, telling them to transfer him to another hospital because she has surgery to perform on the injured pregnant woman.

The police get involved but are careful so as not to risk the lives of hostages in the hospital. Okafor, the police commissioner, called Dr. Amara to treat Uzors brother. She and other doctors come up with a plan to perform two surgeries at the same time to save Uzors brother and the pregnant woman.

They successfully carry out the surgeries, but Uzor and his gang are killed after the police outsmart them.

Character Analysis

The film employs well-known professional actors like Uzor Arukwe, Segun Arinze, Funlola Aofiyeb-Raimi, Taye Arimoro, and OG Tega to achieve an amateur action drama.

Funlola Aofiyeb-Raimi plays Dr. Amara, a professional surgeon whose professionalism is needed to save Chimas life. Her strong will and fearless actions add to the suspense. However, the film feels too scripted and unreal.

Uzor Arukwe portrays Uzor as a criminal and ex-felon who puts his brothers life at risk after he and his gang steal his brothers truck filled with goods. He looks at the character, and his efforts are evident in the films outcome. As usual, the audience can see an outpouring of energy.

Taye Arimoro plays the police officer who disguises as the driver bringing the blood for Chimas surgery to get the opportunity to see the hostages and manage the situation inside. His role is essential to the film as he helps free the hostages.

Ace Nollywood actor Segun Arinze plays the police commissioner Okafor. Although he did not appear multiple times in the movie, he portrayed his part professionally.

Movie Analysis

Criminal is a hostage action drama set in a hospital. It was written by Niyi Akinmolayan and directed by Dolapo Adigun. The film follows the story of a criminal, Uzor, who holds a hospital hostage to secure the treatment of his injured brother.

The central themes of survival, family, and bravery add significance and depth to the movies storyline. The film highlights the strength of family bonds, with Uzors desperation to save his brother leading him to risk his own life and his gang while Chima battles to stay alive.

The movies outcome was marred by a lack of proper directing and professionalism. The storyline could have been wider in scope and properly developed.

More so, beneath the polished video quality of the film, the narrative struggles to impress. While visually striking, the movie lacks depth and a broader scope, which hinders its full potential.

Some questions confused the audience, such as, what crime did Uzor commit before his brother bailed him out? Was Dr Amara trying to play saint or hero to the detriment of peoples lives? Peoples lives were at risk if Chima were not treated, but Dr Amara decided to act all good. The pregnant woman looked entirely different after the cesarean section, which is very unprofessional.

The part of the movie where the police waited for Uzor to attempt pulling the trigger and then shot him to death even when he was already weak from the injection Dr Amara administered to him portrays a plot hole.

However, the producers research and application of medical terminologies is commendable.

Additionally, flashbacks were skillfully employed to connect the past with the present, offering viewers insight into Uzors past and what transpired between him and Chima.

A movie without suspense can be poorly scripted; however, Criminal is rich in suspense, which helps keep the audience on their toes. Uzor and his gang delivered an intense performance full of action and energy.

The cinematography is exceptional, with lighting and camera angles adequately used to give an attractive outcome.

Criminal is streaming on Prime Video

Verdict

4/10

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When Borno South senator Ali Ndume emerged from a meeting with the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the partys national secretariat in Abuja last Tuesday, it was apparent something had happened to him. His belligerent posture was gone.

Since becoming a federal lawmaker over two decades ago, Mr Ndume has always courted controversy and has never been shy of publicly stating his position, even if it offends his fellow ruling elites.

So, when he remained defiant after his party and his fellow senators responded harshly to his public statement, many Nigerians felt that was typical of him.

But last Tuesday, his demeanour looked different. It was easier to figure out what happened once the lawmaker spoke to journalists about his business at the secretariat and what transpired at the parley with the party leaders.

Yesterday, I was invited by the party, and here I am to discuss family matters, he said. Actually, the national chairman is not just a chairman to me but a father. With what happened, it is not surprising that I was invited to hear my side, and we had a family discussion.

Mr Ndume, adorned in his accustomed white agbada, acknowledged that he had erred by not first reaching out to his party before criticising President Bola Tinubu.

I accepted the mistake of not talking to the party as a last point, and I told the party that all my observations as a senior member of the family should have terminated or ended with the party, he said.

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That is something that will be corrected moving forward. But whatever I said or did was out of patriotism.

Those issues may have been said strongly, but they are true. Again, I should have talked to the party as the last bus stop. Next time when I want to talk, I will come and get clearance or at least talk to the party.

The senator also debunked claims that he had been expelled from the APC, a party he joined 11 years ago.

I have not been expelled. Even the party did not say we dont want you here because the party is my father. The only thing the party said is that if you dont want this house, you can go to any house. But where will I go? This is my house.

The Genesis

On 17 July, Mr Ndume, a four-time senator, was sacked as chief whip by the APC-dominated upper chamber of the National Assembly for criticising President Bola Tinubu and his administration.

His sack followed a letter from the partys leadership to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, requesting the punishment.

In the letter, signed by the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and National Secretary, Bashir Ajibola, the party premised its request for Mr Ndumes removal on unguarded utterances that were against the federal government.

The APC leaders described Mr Ndume as someone who is bent on dividing the country and not putting the country in a better position in the international community.

When Mr Akpabio, after reading the letter, put the matter to a voice vote, Mr Ndumes colleagues, including the opposition, voted overwhelmingly for his removal as their chief whip. He was immediately replaced with fellow Borno senator Tahir Monguno, who represents the northern part of the northeastern state.

Ndumes battles

For those watching his political career, Mr Ndumes vituperation against the Tinubu administration did not come as a surprise. In fact, his decision to apologise to his party for speaking out may have shocked some.

However, the polytechnic lecturer-turned-politician was merely walking on a familiar turf.

In 2017, Mr Ndume was fired as the senate leader. He had been unanimously elected two years earlier when Bukola Saraki emerged as the president of the 8th Senate.

However, the Borno senator was stripped of his position following a recommendation by the APC senate caucus.

He was alleged to be too close to the presidency, which had a frosty relationship with the upper chambers leadership at the time.

To make matters worse, the Sakari-led Senate was uncomfortable with Mr Ndumes support for Ibrahim Magu, his constituent nominated by the presidency for the chairmanship of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the time.

As if that was not enough, shortly after his removal in March 2017, Mr Ndume was suspended from the upper chamber for six months.

His ordeal stemmed from his demand for an investigation of allegations of importation of a bullet-proof Range Rover with a fake document involving Mr Saraki and allegations of perjury against Dino Melaye, a fellow senator and Saraki ally.

The Senate approved the suspension after its committee on ethics and privileges chaired by Samuel Anyanwu, currently the PDP national secretary, recommended it.

In its report, the committee said Mr Ndume failed to conduct a proper investigation before making the allegations.

During the panels sitting, the embattled Borno lawmaker said he did not make the allegations or raise a petition against Messrs Saraki and Melaye but only raised the issues having read them in the newspaper.

However, despite his removal as the number three official member of the Senate, Mr Ndume was still active as a lawmaker. Indeed, he moved several motions and sponsored many bills thereafter, including the Constituencies Development Fund Bill and the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that enabled Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to vote in 2015.

But Mr Ndumes ordeals are not limited to the parliament.

In 2011, the lawmaker was linked with terrorism. It was a time when terror attacks were at their peak in Nigeria, especially in the north-east region of the country he comes from.

He was tried for six years on charges of alleged terrorism financing. The federal government instituted the suit against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the government, the offence contravened sections 3, 4, and 7 of the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011.

Mr Ndume described the charges as unjust and unfair, saying he gave the then Vice President Namadi Sambo and the then Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) the information he got from the Boko Haram terrorists.

The lawmaker further stated that contact with the sect was established when he was appointed a member of the presidential committee on security matters.

Reprieve came his way when, on 4 July 2017, the court dismissed the case because the Nigerian government failed to link him with the allegation.

Yet Another Controversy

Mr Ndume landed in another trouble in 2020. The senator was remanded for failing to produce a former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, for whom he stood as surety. The accused is also his constituent.

Mr Maina had jumped bail for an alleged N2 billion money laundering trial, and since the senator could not produce the defendant, the court had no choice but to remand him.

The judge, Okon Abang, ordered Mr Ndume remanded after the lawmaker failed to file a formal application to show cause why he should not forfeit the N500 million bail bond deposed on 5 May 2020, which was part of the conditions for standing surety for Mr Maina.

Mr Abang said the senator would only be released from prison after meeting the three conditions, including producing the fleeing defendant in court.

The two other options given to Mr Ndume were paying the N500 million bail bond into the Federation Account with the evidence of payment presented before the court or forfeiting to the federal government his property in the highbrow Asokoro District of Abuja, worth N500 million, which he used as security for the bail bond.

The man Ndume

Born 65 years ago in Gwoza in the southern district of Borno State, Mr Ndume was a lecturer at Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri and rose to the rank of a senior lecturer at the institution before he fully joined politics.

He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003, representing the Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency on the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform.

Chibok is the community where the Boko Haram terrorists carried out their first mass abduction of secondary school students back in 2014.

Mr Ndume was re-elected to the House in 2007 and was made the House minority leader, a position he held until 2011.

In 2010, he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) barely three months before the 2011 general election after reportedly falling out with the then-Borno governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.

The defection hit the ANPP because many people believed that Mr Ndume was the principal financier and backbone of the ANPP in his senatorial district and was considered one of the most vibrant lawmakers from the North-east.

Mr Ndume was elected to the Senate and appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on MDGs in the 7th Senate under the leadership of David Mark.

READ ALSO: Ndume apologises to APC for criticising Tinubu

When the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed in 2013, Mr Ndume and a few others dumped the PDP for the newly formed APC.

Some of those who defected then were Mr Saraki, former Kwara governor Shaaba Lafiagi, former Adamawa governor Bindow Jibrilla, and former Gombe governor Danjuma Goje. They all cited alleged injustices as the major reason for their exit.

After joining APC, Mr Ndume remained vibrant and active in national politics. He contested re-election into the Senate in 2015 under the platform of APC and won again.

Despite his removal as Senate Leader, he remained active in the Senate and national politics. He contested the election again in 2019 and returned to the 9th Assembly.

He contested the senate presidency during the inauguration but lost to Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the upper chamber until 2023.

He contested the general election again in 2023 and returned to the 10th Assembly. He played a significant role in the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as the senate president. He was the director-general of Mr Akpabios campaign team and successfully coordinated the election.

He was subsequently compensated with the position of the Senate chief whip, which he occupied for one year before he was removed for criticising the Tinubu administration, in which his fellow Borno man, Kashim Shettima, serves as number two.

If there were a book on Nigerian lawmakers with rebellious characters, Borno South senator Ali Ndume would undoubtedly occupy a prominent place. If the book is written, it would narrate how the senator managed punishments arising from his outspoken and combative approach to politics.

Since becoming a lawmaker 21 years ago, the former lecturer has been in the news for being blunt and combative. He dares to tread where others fear and may remain so if his recent apology to his party does not humble him.

If anything, Mr Ndume has consistently linked his ordeals as an act of God and that he bears no grudges against those who plotted his ousting from office.

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Nigerias First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has called for a gender sensitive educational system that challenges stereotypes and drives equity.

Mrs Tinubu made the call during the launch of #WeAreEqual Campaign put together by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in Angola, a statement by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, said on Saturday.

The theme of the campaign is: Role of Education in Achieving Gender Equality as a Means to Combat Child and Youth Violence.

Mrs Tinubu argues that education plays an important role in shaping attitudes, beliefs and behaviour from an early age.

She said: When gender equity becomes an integral part of our educational system, there will be a shift in societal attitudes whereby boys and men learn to respect and value women and girls as equals, reducing the likelihood of engaging in violent behaviour.

We are not unmindful of girls and women who have been victims and survivors. I chose education to drive the #WeAreEqual campaign and specifically adopted the Alternative High School For Girls as the focus.

Education as tool

She said education remains a critical component of any progressive society, thereby calling for the inclusion of activities to help dismantle notions of gender specific roles in teaching.

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Mrs Tinubu decried the high rate of gender and domestic violence especially the incidences of rape and defilement saying an educated and well informed person would not partake in such.

Education is not simply about acquiring knowledge and skills; it is about instilling values of respect, empathy and understanding, she said.

Mrs Tinubu further urged all Africans to get involved in the campaign for the sake of our children, the youth, and for generations yet unborn.

In his remarks, the Angolan President, Joao Lourenco, urged the women to continue to lend their voices for the cause especially as women and children are the worst hit in conflict zones.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disqualified some prominent Nigerian banks in its latest Retail Dutch Auction System (rDAS) on 6 August.

Details of the transaction are disclosed in a statement by the Director of the Financial Markets Department at the CBN, Omolara Duke,

The disqualified bids, which included $279 million from six banks, were rejected due to various compliance concerns, including late submissions and invalid forms.

The auction, which saw the CBN offer foreign exchange (FX) to end users through authorised dealer banks, initially attracted bids valued at $1.19 billion. However, after evaluations, only $815.36 million worth of bids were deemed successful, meeting the central banks compliance requirements.

The call for bids was in naira/US dollar (N/US$) Currency pair for unmet Fx demand backed by verifiable Forms A and M only.

All bids were password protected and submitted through the dedicated email address provided by CBN between 09:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bids received after 3:000m were disqualified. Passwords for the bids were sent after the auction closed. The total bids received were valued at US$1,191,071,651.59.

After the collation, the Committee of Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria approved a cut-off bid of N1495.00/US$ with the total successful bids of US$815,362.006.30 (Eight Hundred and Fifteen Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand and Six US dollars and Thirty Cents), the statement read.

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The Banks

According to the CBN, most disqualified bids stemmed from late submissions. Four banks, including major financial institutions such as United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Stanbic Bank and Wema Bank, were penalised for missing the 3:00 P.M. submission deadline. Additionally, two banks (Suntrust and Rand) were disqualified for failing to submit bids in the required format.

The CBN emphasised the importance of adhering to submission guidelines, reiterating that all bids must be submitted between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on auction days. The central bank also highlighted that bids must comply with the approved template to be valid.

The auction is part of the CBNs ongoing efforts to manage liquidity in the FX market, promote exchange rate stability, and improve price discovery in the wake of increased demand.

The CBN said it would settle the successful bids, ranging between N1495/US$ and N1650/US$, on 8 August.

The CBN has warned that any accounts not funded by this date will not qualify for the FX allocation.

Successful Bids

Zenith Bank emerged as the top recipient of the 26 approved bids by authorised banks, valued at $876.26 million, securing over $267 million. Its bidding was at the lowest and highest ends of the accepted range (N1,500/US$ to N1,650/US$).

Following closely, Union Bank managed to secure $82 million, making it the second-highest recipient.

GTB (Guaranty Trust Bank) also featured prominently among the successful bidders, with over $29 million allocated to the lender.

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A senator whose livestock farm was looted during the recent national #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria says he has forgiven the looters despite the significant financial loss he recorded in the incident.

The lawmaker, Babangida Hussaini, represents Jigawa North-West District in the Senate.

Hoodlums posing as protesters attacked the home and farms of Mr Hussaini in the Kazaure senatorial district of the state. They reportedly looted livestock and farm produce estimated at hundreds of millions of naira.

They also attempted to burn down the lawmakers residence in Kazaure town but were thwarted by security agents.

The hoodlums invaded Mr Hussainis multi-purpose farm in Kael Gada town and Takwasa Farm along the Daura-Kazaure Road, stealing items, including assorted animals he imported for breeding.

The hoodlums in their hundreds gained access to my farm at Gada despite efforts by security operatives to stop them. In the ensuing melee, they vandalised the farm, removed doors and windows, and carted away millions of naira worth of ostriches, animals and farm produce, the senator stated.

But Mr Hussaini said he had taken the incident in his strides and would focus on his work as a lawmaker.

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I am not angry at what has happened to me personally, and I cannot be deterred or distracted from my legislative service contract with the people of Jigawa North West Senatorial District, Mr Hussaini stated in a press statement he shared with PREMIUM TIMES.

My thoughts and sympathies go to the people of my senatorial district, Jigawa State, and Nigerians whose lives were lost and property vandalised, Mr Hussaini said in the statement, acknowledging the widespread suffering of the people in Nigerias harsh economic environment.

Despite the personal loss, Mr Hussaini said he remains steadfast in his commitment to his constituents.

I remain resolute and committed to serving my people more than ever before, he said, adding that he is determined to pursue effective legislation under the 10th National Assembly and President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr Hussaini sent his sympathies to others affected by the criminality of hoodlums who hijacked the protest, as well as Governor Umar Namadi and the emirs of Hadejia, Kazaure, Gumel, Dutse, and Ringim. He called for dialogue and unity, urging, We should give dialogue a chance for the betterment of Nigeria and our people.

The senators farms were among the properties looted by miscreants on the first day of the protest.

The protest, which erupted as an expression of concern over the state of the nation, unfortunately, descended into violence and destruction in many parts of the country.

In Jigawa State, the protesters targeted public infrastructure and the properties and investments of notable public office holders.

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The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has inaugurated a panel to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment against a professor in the institutions Faculty of Arts.

The university announced the inauguration of the panel in a circular issued by the Secretary of the panel, B. D. Jonathan.

The panel, however, did not disclose the identity of the lecturer in the said circular obtained from the institution by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Saturday.

The panel urged members of staff and students with relevant information, or anybody that might have fallen victim to the lecturers escapades, to come forward and share with it.

According to the circular, the information will assist the committee in ensuring a thorough and fair investigation.

Be assured that your identity will be protected, and all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality, it added.

NAN learnt that the university resolved to set up the investigative panel after a graduate of the university took to social media to call out the lecture.

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The alumna recounted how she allegedly suffered sexual harassment from the professor during her undergraduate days.

A suspended professor of law at the University of Calabar, Cyril Ndifon, is standing trial for alleged sexual harassment of his students.

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With President Bola Tinubus directive to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to sell the crude meant for local consumption to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in naira, a lawyer and energy consultant, Liborous Oshoma, said Dangote Refinery, too, should sell fuel to depot owners and other marketers in local currency to ease forex pressure. He also advised all stakeholders on how to manage the interests in the sector for the benefit of Nigerians.

PT: There has been a series of controversies about the Dangote refinery and its operations. What really are the issues and how best could they be resolved?

Oshoma: I think what is playing out here is like two friends quarrelling over a pot of soup. You have a government that has been overly protective of Dangote but now feels he should play by the books, and then the man feels the government does not want to protect his $20 billion investment in a country where others are stealing and taking the money away.

Well, I believe that every government should protect its local industries. However, at the same time, those industries should not be overly protected to the detriment of the smaller players. If the government is waking up now, kudos to them. We dont want to create a monopoly. The government is not saying that they dont want to protect Dangote, but they are saying that the terms of business should not be the ones that create a monopoly.

I had the chance to weigh the two and asked why the government was saying Dangote was creating a monopoly. In my research as a consultant to the energy sector, I know that no government would ever put its energy security in the hands of one man or company. They try to create a balance. Unfortunately, Nigerian society is one with a herd mentality, where we like to support any person we feel is being deprived by the government because the government has consistently punished us. The same people abused Dangote months ago when a former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was arrested, but today, the tables have turned; the same Dangote is the darling of the people now. The people feel the regulators want to kill a local investment like Dangote Refinery.

The government has said it doesnt want to kill it. What it wants to do is to ensure that the same way we have Dangote, it also wants to have other people who have invested trillions of naira in the downstream sector, like members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria and IPMAN. These are distributors, marketers, and depot owners, and they should also survive alongside Dangote. If you put all of them under Dangote, that means you are putting your energy security in the hands of one man. What if the man wakes up one day and says I dont have to give?

But the depot owners and the marketers said they are ready to buy fuel from Dangote

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(Cuts in) So, whats stopping them from buying from him? Is it the federal government that is dictating to them to stop buying from Dangote? No! In June, for example, they (depot owners) met with Dangote, saying that buying products from Dangote Refinery would be cheaper, but the business model has to be competitive. They requested that the price disparity be favourable because it would be cheaper than the imported product. They talked about trucking or using vessels, and then they talked about foreign exchange. If youre selling diesel in Nigeria, they have to buy it in Naira; after all, they buy from the NNPC in Naira.

All of these issues were discussed, and Dangote agreed. But in the long run, it became business as usual; they had to source for forex if they wanted to buy diesel from Dangote. The issue of having to truck the product is there. For somebody with a depot in Calabar, for example, how do you expect that person to truck 15,000 metric tonnes of fuel with about 606 trucks? This is something a small vessel can carry at once and take through the sea almost at next to nothing. Where are the roads that these 606 trucks will pass through? So, these are the challenges that the depot owners have raised, which led to this crisis.

They complained because the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority had stopped everybody from importing, saying they should go to Dangote. It was the complaint of DAPPMAN through which they raised these challenges that led to the cancellation of that instruction. If Dangotes product is competitive, marketers will naturally gravitate towards Dangote, and Nigeria will be better off. But if the regulator says everybody should queue behind Dangote, what youre doing is youre also frustrating other peoples investments. You are enhancing Dangotes business to the detriment of the depot owners.

Have you heard that Dangote is investing in pipelines?

I am not aware that Dangote is building pipelines. The question is, what is Dangotes investment in pipelines before the refinery? How do you build a 650,000 barrels per day refinery without considering where you will get your crude from? Dangote uses VLCC (a very large crude carrier) to carry crude to his refinery. These are what commodity traders also use. Go and check, the world over, if you build a refinery, you should be able to pipe crude to the refinery; not just piping crude, you should also be able to pipe out refined products. How come today, the people building refineries in Nigeria do not have a facility for piping?

In Dangotes case, you have to carry the crude oil from the Niger Delta through the vessels because there are no pipelines. There are no pipelines to take out the products. So, what you have is everybody will come and truck. Dangote Refinery has a gantry that can load 3,000 trucks per day, which ordinarily should accommodate our national daily consumption. But the challenge for this national consumption is, how will you take 3,000 trucks daily? Who fixes the roads? If you fix the road to the refinery, will you fix the one to Calabar, Abuja or Port Harcourt? The essence of this is to allow both the big and small players to play.

Are you echoing the views of the NMDPRA that Dangote wants to turn himself into a monopolist?

I am not a regulator, but if the NMDPRA said Dangote wants to turn himself into a monopolist, we should find out why they are saying so. How would it have been possible without the connivance of the NMDPRA? The regulator said Dangote is requesting the 450,000 crude oil available for local consumption and that he also wants to stop the issuance of import licences to depot owners. However, the regulator said that if it stopped issuing licences, it would naturally eliminate market competition, which means the marketers wouldnt have an alternative. So, they will be tied to the terms and conditions of Dangote.

If they have an alternative to import, they will negotiate with Dangote from a position of strength, not weakness. Thats why the regulator says we dont want you to turn to a monopolist. I truly believe that no regulator should allow a player to become a monopolist, especially in the energy sector. However, on the idea of whether its 45 per cent complete, I dont agree with the regulator on that.

Does it mean Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of NMDPRA, did not put things in proper perspective for people to understand?

The problem is that most of these people (in the regulatory agencies) do not explain. They just say these things and assume that the people they are talking to understand everything, but not everybody understands. The ordinary man on the street is hungry and angry with the government because industries are leaving Nigeria, and prices are high as subsidies are being paid; so, for that, anything against the government is fine. So, he probably didnt explain it this way.

However, I do not believe or agree that the Dangote Refinery is only 45 per cent complete because if it is so, it will not be producing AGO. It might not be 100 per cent complete, but it is certainly above 45 per cent complete. If the government says it has not been licensed, thats not true. He has a licence for test runs. If you say he has no licence, why is he refining and selling products? And you are even giving him crude; that would be a major laxity on the part of the NMDPRA.

All of this crisis is happening because we dont have enough crude oil, and our refineries are not working. If our refineries were working, nobody would say everybody should buy products from one source.

Why is there not enough crude oil despite Nigerias huge reserves, and why cant the government give it to Dangote?

Remember the $3.3bn loan that we took from AFREXIM Bank? 90,000 barrels per day were tied to it. Mind you, we lie to ourselves; NNPC said oil production had increased to 1.7mbpd, and some said we are hovering between 1.2mbpd and 1.3mbpd. But in actual sense, if you do your research, we are likely hovering between 700bpd and 800bpd or maybe 1mbpd.

As for the international oil companies, there is a sharing formula. So, you cannot compel them to sell their share of the oil. From the government share, after deducting the one meant for local consumption, whatever is left is where the government sources the forex from.

So, if you now put the one meant for local consumption in the hands of Dangote refinery that is in a free trade zone, can you compel him to sell to the locals? Can you also control his price? What if he says his cost of production is higher than the governments price? Are we not going to end up paying a subsidy to one man?

But marketers already said the landing cost of petrol is now N1,117 per litre.

Yes, we are still paying subsidies; nobody should be deceived.

How do you now think Dangote should sell below the cost of production?

Im not talking about PMS now; were talking about diesel. Dangote is producing in Nigeria, yet hes not selling to the marketers in naira; hes selling to them in dollars. I have spoken to some of them; apart from a very few buying in naira, others will have to source for forex. That is one of the points of disagreement between Dangote and DAPPMAN. Another area of disagreement is the costs of selling for exports and the cost of selling for local companies. These are the disparities.

The NMDPRA boss mentioned that the products from Dangote refineries are substandard. Could you provide more details on this?

The NMDPRA is the regulator and has officials who collect daily data samples, maintain records, and conduct laboratory tests. Since the deregulation of AGO, NNPC has not imported diesel. The NMDPRA is mandated to certify the quality of any product from any refinery in the country, whether private, public and even refineries owned by the NNPC.

How do you react to allegations that the NNPC is trying to stifle competition in the refining sector?

This statement is laughable, or at best, ridiculous. How can the NNPC stifle any competitor in the refining business or any other sector when it is the major advocate for the revamp of local refining? While NNPC was rehabilitating its refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, it made a deliberate commercial decision to invest in the Dangote Refinery. The same people who criticised NNPCs decision at the time are now supporting Dangote. NNPC borrowed $1billion and paid directly to Dangote Refinery.

We can reliably confirm that NNPC has allocated over 35 cargoes of crude to the Dangote Refinery. Dangote has received about 23, rejected two based on pricing, and is currently negotiating pricing on at least nine cargoes. The Dangote Refinery has received a discount of close to $1 per barrel, saving up to $30m in discounts. What else does he want? Is he selling cheaper to Nigerians? The answer is no. He wants to under-price the crude and over-price the product.

What, in your view, is the NNPC doing to get other players into the field rather than depending on import?

Like I know, the NNPC has entered into several partnerships with private companies to enhance in-country refining. One of such partnership is its stake in the Dangote Refinery. It has also signed a contract with African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited to build a 100,000 barrels per day refinery within the Port Harcourt Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Rivers State. There are several other agreements with other private and modular refineries. Once these partnerships materialise, we are confident that Nigeria will become a net exporter of petroleum products.

Do you think Dangote should meet with these depot owners and marketers as a way to end this crisis?

Yes, because before the war, there was a table, and after the war, there will always be a table. So, I think for it to be a win-win situation for all of them, some people should come down from their high horses. It is going to be a win for Dangote because whether you like it or not, he will soon start producing PMS and the refinery has the world as a market. It will be detrimental to him to start fighting his local regulators now, and that will give the international companies an edge. But if he sits down with his local distributors, marketers and the local regulators and if he fine-tunes his business model and there is a meeting point, it will be good for all.

Dangote should consistently engage depot owners and marketers. He should touch up his business model. He should give concessions to some of them to buy in naira. And then, this idea of everybody trucking cant work. Some people will have to use smaller vessels. He will have to make allowances for all of that. And this idea of saying that everybody should import is not going to work also.

With the magnitude of investment put in place by Dangote, do we need to continue to import fuel?

Let me tell you, with the magnitude of investment put in place, if he has crude to run the refinery at 100 per cent capacity, there will be a market for it. And if the price is right, people will naturally gravitate to him. You wont force people to go do it. As a trader, for example, you buy from where its cheap and comfortable for you so that you can also make money. But in a situation where you force everybody to go to Dangote because the investment is huge, and then you get there, you create another set of middlemen who sell at higher prices, that will not be good.

Although I salute Dangotes business ambitions, for a 650,000 barrels per day refinery in a Lagos environment where you do not have crude oil, there are no pipelines to run crude to that refinery, it is ambitious. And then, if youre going to get crude to run the refinery, you dont force people. It has to be a give-and-take.

From what I gathered, the government said it had supplied Dangote with about 36 cargoes of crude oil. We are discussing energy in Nigeria; were not discussing it at the surface level. This is information you can fact-check and verify. The allegation is that the cost of sale to Dangote is at a discount because the government also wants to encourage him. So, what I expect Dangote to do is to tailor his business model to adapt it to the local environment, and gradually, it will begin to gravitate, and before you know it, he will control the market in West Africa. Once you start to control the market, the monopoly that they are accusing you of, you end up in it, but it has to be a gradual process. You cant flog and browbeat everybody into supporting and buying or selling to you at the price that you will determine, which is what the IOCs are saying that their price must be at their terms.

People feel the Nigerian government does not want an end to fuel importation. What is your view?

If the government did not want an end to fuel importation, the federal government would not have supported the Dangote Refinery in the first place. Its a notorious fact that the federal government even invested in it. My problem is, why will the government invest N1.7bn in a private refinery when the government refinery is not working?

So, another question is, who is making the government refinery not to work? If you search very well, they are the people who would benefit if the refinery is not working; I dont want to call names. I like this fight between Dangote and the federal government because the romance is over, and a lot of things said in the bedroom where our commonwealth was used for dinner and lunch will be revealed. So, the first step should be that the government needs to conduct a forensic audit of Dangote, NNPC and CBN transactions. It is when we start this, that names will come up, and Nigerians will know the truth.

What is the way out of this?

The thing is, every country protects their indigenous investors. They will create laws to protect them, no matter how big or small. So, you cant protect the big ones to the detriment of the small ones. The way out of this is for the government to protect Dangote, the depot owners and the marketers. There should be an agreement to agree and an agreement to disagree. People should be ready to give concessions. If the market is not competitive, there should be a window for importation, but if the market is competitive, even if that window for importation is there, people would rather go buy locally because it will save costs. So, lets leave that window until the market is ripe.

You dont just start a refinery and then immediately ask the entire country to shut down and face you. It is not done. The way out of this is to let everybody shift their grounds and let the regulator be firm. If they have been giving concessions before now to one man, let them extend the concessions to everybody.

Some are of the opinion that President Bola Tinubu might be fighting Dangote through a proxy because he did not support him during the 2023 election. Do you believe this?

Why will Tinubu be fighting Dangote? Why will a president who wants investment be fighting a businessman? If he is fighting Dangote, will he instruct NNPCL to sell crude meant for local consumption to Dangote and other local refineries?

But I would agree that there probably were concessions that may have been given previously that may no longer be available. And so, if the concessions are no longer available, we need to look deeper. Are they saying that those concessions will just be taken off, or that the government is saying, let the concessions be equitably distributed? And what would the government mean by equitable distribution of concessions? We can stop importation, but the trillions of naira investments in the downstream sector by depot owners should not automatically be allowed to collapse. 90 per cent of the depot owners, who are also Nigerians, should also be properly utilised using a business model that allows distribution of products through various means, like vessels and pipelines, apart from just trucking. Otherwise, those investments would go to waste, and it would also have a ripple effect on the banks.

So, what a government does is to ensure that it protects every stakeholder in the value chain across the board. Dangote will get protection just like the President has ordered that crude should be given to the refinery, but at the same time, the depot owners should also be protected. They should be allowed to source products from wherever. So, it is like saying that because the government is trying to ensure the survival of small and medium-scale enterprises, it is fighting the big companies. I dont think so. It is here that we read politics into everything.

What will you say about the allegation of high sulphur content in Dangote products?

The Nigerian crude is sweet crude. The sulphur content is very minimal. Also, the West African regulation on sulphur content is 50 ppm. We know that regulations in Nigeria are observed in breach. So, for most of these regulations, we have not been able to strictly enforce it. Therefore, for a refinery that is test-running, there is the likelihood that you are going to have fluctuations in sulphur content. And so, if the sulphur content is high, what the regulators simply need to do is to sit down in-house with Dangote and find a way to ensure that t his thing is regulated to be in compliance with the barest minimum allowed. But to go public and say the product is a bad product is not good; its a way of demarketing Dangote, and I do not encourage it because, no matter how you look at it, it is our own. We must find a way to protect our own, no matter the quarrel.

There are certain words that regulators should not use publicly. You can invite Dangote and say these are our observations, and we need them corrected, but to say it in public means demarketing. Thats why a lot of people are angry. Even if that is the case, it shouldnt be said in public at all. If that is so and you are allowing the product outside, that is a failure on the part of the regulator. I think that the regulator should do better than that.

Dangote accused the IOCs of frustrating his refinery. Do you agree?

The crude legally belongs to the IOCs. It is based on the profit-sharing arrangement between them and the government through joint ventures. So, whatever they produce, the government cannot force them to sell to Dangote. Even though there are price benchmarks, the government cannot force the IOCs to sell. The fact that the government is also selling at a particular price does not mean that the IOCs will sell at that price.

But there is a domestic crude supply obligation that gives priority to local refineries

Yes, but the domestic supply obligation does not mean that you should sell it at a giveaway price or below the cost price.

Local refiners said the IOCs now refer them to their foreign trading agents, who serve as middlemen

Is the Dangote refinery not using a trading agent? Is he not selling AGO through MRS? Is that not a middleman? In the same vein, these IOCs also have trading agents or companies that are making trillions of dollars. This problem we are having is because the crude is not enough. Saudi Aramco is making up to 10mbpd. We are struggling with one million, thats why there are complaints. If we have enough crude, there will be no need for all of these long stories.

What is your advice generally?

Whatever goes up must come down. Parties should sheath their sword. The government should also find a way of meeting both parties at a middle ground or parties should meet and agree on the ways to move forward in the interest of their businesses. Dangote should also have it at the back of his mind that he has pumped money into that business, and at the end of the day, head or tail, win or lose, he would be the better for it.

There are some things you wont tolerate as a businessman, but you should take them now because you have an investment on the ground. The Federal Government should have it at the back of its mind that Dangote is a big businessman here. So, in protecting him and while ensuring a level playing ground for all parties, they should also give him some little form of concessions. You cant give him the same terms they are giving to the depot owners. The regulator should also stand firm and should not throw caution into the wind, which is what theyre presently doing. It shouldnt be so.

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded a public apology from the federal government and the police authorities for the recent invasion of its headquarters in Abuja by police operatives.

The union rejected the polices explanation for their operatives raid on its secretariat, describing it as an afterthought.

NLC condemned the polices conduct in a communique issued following an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) held on Saturday to deliberate on the incident.

The labour union said Wednesdays invasion of its headquarters was a deliberate and provocative government action.

The NEC consequently demands apology from the police and the Federal Government on this once again unwarranted invasion and desecration of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), read the communique signed by the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, and shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.

Mr Ajaero said while the union would exercise restraint in the face of provocation, the response of the government to our queries will determine what our next line of action will be in the coming days.

The Labour union said the polices explanation was an afterthought and an attempt to cover the hidden motives behind such action as it raises more questions than answers.

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NLCs General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, earlier disputed the polices account of the incident in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday. He also gave our reporter a heads-up about the NLCs NEC meeting that was later held on Saturday.

Contrary to the claim by the police that their operatives only visited a bookstore within the 10-storey building where NLC occupies the topmost three floors to arrest a foreign national, Mr Ugbhoaja said the invading police officers forced their way into the unions offices during the raid.

In the NLCs communique, which also touched on the just-ended nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, Mr Ajaero said, The NEC-in-session rejects outrightly the explanation offered by the Police as the reason for the invasion.

The NLC president said there has been a pattern of intimidation, brutality, and deceit against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigerian people since the coming on board of President Bola Tinubus administration last year.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) similarly denounced the police raid on the NLC building in a statement on Friday, describing it as a shameful and lawless act.

NLC suspends operations amid safety concerns

Mr Ajaero, who said the NLC leadership would address a press conference on the incident, announced an indefinite suspension of the unions operations at its national secretariat, citing increasing concerns over the safety of its members and the protection of trade union rights across the country.

He called for a forensic audit of the Pascal Bafyau Labour House, Abuja, a 10-storey building with NLCs offices on the three topmost floors.

Until this audit is completed, the NEC directs a temporary cessation of the use of the headquarters to prevent any unforeseen disasters that may have been intended, he stated.

National mourning day, and other demands of NLC

Touching on the arrest and killing of protesters during the just-ended #EndBadGovernance protests, which began on 1 August in many parts of the country, the union called for the declaration of a National Day of Mourning for those who lost their lives.

The NEC once again condemns the killing of innocent protesters who were peacefully expressing their grievances against the harsh policies of the government. We demand an immediate cessation of these attacks and call on the government to declare a National Day of Mourning for those who lost their lives and properties during the protests, the union said.

It also demanded an immediate release of detainees and trade unionists arrested either in their homes or relaxation joints. It condemned what it described as attempts to frame innocent citizens on trumped-up charges.

This is the only way the Government can show good faith and begin the healing of the nation, said the union, one of Nigerias two largest umbrella bodies of workers associations.

The union also urged the government to engage in dialogue with stakeholders to address the root causes of Nigerias current unrest, including hunger, poverty, inflation, and insecurity.

It also called on President Bola Tinubus administration to confront systemic issues of waste and mismanagement and steer the nation towards unity and restructuring.

Background

The NLC announced on Wednesday evening that heavily armed security operatives reportedly invaded the Pascal Bafyau Labour House shortly after its NEC meeting ended around 8:30 p.m.

According to NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, the operatives broke into the second floor, ransacking the bookshop and seizing hundreds of books and other publications.

The invading troop claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernance Protests. he wrote.

While the NLC did not participate in the #EndBadGovernance protests that swept across Nigeria, the congress has consistently urged security operatives to exercise restraint and refrain from attacking protesters.

During a visit by PREMIUM TIMES to the 10-storey building behind the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abujas Central Business District, our reporter observed that there were no staff members or officials of the union in sight.

This reporter noticed that NLCs offices on three floors, including those of the President and the General Secretary on the 10th floor, were locked.

However, the ransacked bookshop, reportedly owned by a foreign national engaged in photocopying and publishing activities, remained open following the incident.

In a telephone interview on Thursday, NLC General Secretary, Mr Ugboaja, confirmed that security operatives arrived at the Labour House shortly after the NLCs NEC meeting.

He alleged that the operatives climbed to the 10th floor, where his office and that of the President are located.

On Friday, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed that its operatives raided an office within the NLC headquarters building but not the NLC offices.

Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building. This well-coordinated, lawful operation was solely aimed at apprehending the prime suspecta foreign national implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries, the police statement read.

It added that the operation had no connection with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership and was strictly focused on a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.

The protest came amid the #EndBadGovernance protests. NLC did not mobilise its members to join the demonstrations but backed the demands of the protesters, including the reversal of fuel subsidies reversal.

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Gunmen have abducted three persons, including a lawyer, in Anambra State, Nigerias South-east.

The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. on Sunday in Nkpologwu Community, Aguata Local Government Area of the state, residents told PREMIUM TIMES.

One of the residents, who asked not to be named, said the victims were abducted at different locations within the community.

He identified the victims as Arinze Egenti, Celestine Ezeike, and Victor Ezeoke, a lawyer.

They came back last week to attend an event organised by our women holding August yesterday (Saturday), he said.

Another resident, Jude Ezeokonkwo, said the gunmen were said to have jumped into Mr Egentis vehicle and dragged the steering wheel with him.

But the vehicle somersaulted and crashed inside a drainage. They came out and kidnapped him, he said.

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Viral video clip

A video clip recorded after the kidnap attack has been circulating on Facebook.

In the clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, a somersaulted Nissan SUV was spotted inside a drainage.

This is happening this early morning. This is Arinze Egentis vehicle. He was kidnapped by gunmen, a male voice was heard in the background of the clip.

I was inside. The moment I opened our gate to step out, I saw the gunmen firing gunshots, another male voice said in Igbo language.

Police speak

When contacted on Sunday evening, the police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of the police, said the state police command had begun an operation to track down the abductors.

We are working with locals for possible rescue of the victims, he said.

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The Nigerian government has mandated that incoming passengers to the country, through the airports, fill out a health declaration form to ensure safety against infectious diseases.

The protocol had earlier been introduced globally, especially when the coronavirus pandemic struck the world, and was in place for many months.

However, the reintroduction of the protocols by the Nigerian government through the Port Health Services under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is connected to the recent outbreak of Mpox (monkeypox) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries.

In a message circulated on Sunday, the government noted that all arriving customers into the country at the Lagos and Abuja stations are to complete the form from 11 August on its designated website.

According to the health ministry, the form is an instituted measure to prevent the spread, monitor the possible importation of infectious diseases and aid the control of disease outbreaks, thereby protecting the health of all Nigerians.

A paper-based version will be provided on arrival in Nigeria for passengers unable to fill out the form online, the authorities said.

Mpox in Africa

In a report recently released, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Mpox cases have risen by 160 per cent on the continent in 2024 compared with the 2023 record.

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As of 28 July, a total of 14,250 cases (2,745 confirmed; 11,505 suspected) and 456 deaths with a case fatality rate [CFR] of 3.2 per cent have been recorded in 10 African nations, including Nigeria.

While Nigeria recorded 24 cases with no deaths, the DRC topped with 13,791 cases and 450 deaths. Other countries are Burundi (8 cases; 0 deaths), Cameroon (35; 2), CAR (213; 0), Congo (146; 1), Ghana (4; 0), Liberia (5; 0), Rwanda (2; 0) and South Africa (22; 3).

ALSO READ: Africa to declare public health emergency over Mpox

Speaking during a webinar last week, the Director General of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, said the African continent is poised to declare a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) as the Mpox spread across many countries.

Mr Kaseya said the declaration of the PHECS would be based on guidance from health experts and political leaders across Africa to ensure a unified and effective approach to the outbreak.

He said the Africa CDC had been at the forefront of monitoring and responding to the Mpox outbreak, which has caused significant concern due to its rapid spread and the rising number of fatalities.

About Mpox

Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

The disease can spread from animals to humans and between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health bodies renamed monkeypox to Mpox in 2022 to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the original name.

Mpox was declared a global health emergency by the WHO in July 2022 and ended in May 2023 due to the decline in infections worldwide

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CANBERRA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The director-general of Australia's top intelligence agency has called for a society-wide approach to addressing violent extremism after the country's terror threat level was raised.

Mike Burgess, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), told national broadcaster the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Sunday that tackling the threat of violent extremism in Australia requires a whole of society approach.

"We all need to watch our language because there is a direct connection between inflamed language and inflamed tension and violence," he told ABC television.

"The media has to be careful about their headlines. It can inflame. Politicians have to be careful about their robust political debate."

His comments came days after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lifted Australia's official terror alert level from "possible" to "probable" on the advice of ASIO. It marked the first change to the threat level since 2022 when it was downgraded from "probable" to "possible" after eight years.

Burgess said on Sunday that the threat level was raised because more people are becoming radicalized more quickly by a range of ideologies, describing social media as the greatest accelerator of violent extremism.

He said that religiously-motivated extremism remains the dominant force but not the only one.

Asked about the ongoing violent rioting in Britain, Burgess said the factors driving the activity are similar to those that resulted in raising the threat level but that any similar incidents in Australia would probably not reach the same scale. 
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has described Saturdays looting and burning down of a church in his state as a mindless and cowardly act.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (Champion Zonal Headquarters) located along the Federal College of Education (FCE) Road in Kontagora was looted and set afire in the early hours of Saturday.

The church was reported to have suffered a similar fate 10 years ago, after unidentified hoodlums reportedly warned that its building should not be completed.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Bulus Yohanna, immediately condemned the latest incident.

Describing it as barbaric and uncalled for, Mr Yohanna said the government needs to take proper action and ensure the culprits are brought to book.

There is freedom of worship in Niger state. I am sure by the time the government and security agencies take action, it will go a long way to address any tension that may want to escalate beyond control, he said in a statement from Minna, the state capital.

We are hoping that the law will take its course. Issues like this must be tamed, and people who have done this should be fished out and made to face the law.

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How it happened

An assistant pastor in the church, Samson Ogbebor, said the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday.

I got a distress call that our church was on fire, and on getting there, I met a church that has been in existence for the past 20 years being burnt down and properties looted by hoodlums.

This church has faced lots of challenges. Sometimes, about 10 years ago, hoodlums burned it down completely, but with self-effort, we could erect it again.

They made several unsuccessful attempts and have refused us permission to roof it properly, and we decided to use it like that for worship, but look at what they have done today again.

An elder in the church, John Aboje, said the incident would not deter members and would continue to be good Christians and citizens of the country.

We just want the government and the emirate to look into this very issue to allow freedom of worship, Mr Above said.

In his reaction, the coordinator of CAN in Kontagora, Musa Gado, said he was happy that the association did not support the #EndBadGovernance protest in the state, adding, By now, we would have been counting our losses because these hoodlums would have seized the opportunity to cause havoc on innocent lives and properties.

He encouraged the parishioners and all Christians to remain calm and peaceful and seek Gods face as they continued their worship.

Governor vows retribution

Meanwhile, Governor Bago said the barbaric act of the hoodlums was not only an attack on the Christian community but also a direct insult to the peace and unity of Niger State.

We condemn this act and tell our Christian brothers and sisters, as well as other Niger State inhabitants, that the government prioritises their safety, security, and freedom of religion, Mr Bago said in a statement on Sunday.

Our state utilises its diversity and the peaceful coexistence of all religious and ethnic groups. We will not condone this stupid act of violence.

The governor urged the security agencies to conduct an immediate and complete inquiry into the incident.

We are convinced that the perpetrators of this horrible incident will be quickly discovered and prosecuted, the governor said.

ALSO READ: CAN condemns fatal attack on Redeemed Church

He said his administration would ensure that those involved are punished to the fullest extent of the law.

We urge the people of Kontagora and Niger State to be calm and refrain from revenge or violence, he said.

Governor Bago advised the people to continue to collaborate and coexist in order to preserve peace and togetherness in Nigeria.

He said the government would take necessary precautions to protect all houses of worship and to prevent a reoccurrence of the Kontagora incident.

The governor urged citizens to be watchful and report suspicious activity to the authorities.

He said, Together, we can avoid further occurrences of such heinous atrocities and maintain the tranquillity that we all seek.

We support the members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the broader Christian community during this terrible time, the governor said.

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Akpabio accuses the Ogoni people of stalling the East-West Road project

The week began with a report on a controversial statement by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, blaming the Ogoni people of Rivers State for the non-completion of the East-West Road project.

Mr Akpabio said he had secured N75 billion to complete the project when he was the minister of Niger Delta Affairs but that the Ogoni people told the then President Muhammadu Buhari to transfer the road contract to the Ministry of Works and Housing, in apparent show of lack of confidence in his capacity to deliver the project.

We also reported that the Niger Delta Development Commission has launched a Youth Internship Scheme aimed at equipping youths in the region with skills to become entrepreneurs and employable.

The Commission urged youths in the region to register for its N6 billion training scheme, where N50,000 grants would be paid to each of the youths for 12 months. Ten thousand youths are expected to participate in the scheme.

Akwa Iboms N519 billion revenue

Within the week, we reported how the Akwa Ibom State Government recorded a revenue leap in the second quarter of 2024. Within the period, the statutory revenue jumped from N132.9 billion in the first quarter to N241.5 billion in the second quarter, while the states independent revenue dipped from N22 billion in the first quarter to N9.5 billion in the second quarter.

Akwa Ibom recorded a total revenue inflow of N519 billion within the first half of the year.

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Criminals hijacking protest in Rivers

The police in Rivers State during the week expressed concerns over the security situation in the state in the wake of #EndBadGovernance protest, saying the protest had been turned into criminal activities, with hoodlums harassing residents.

The police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Wednesday, said hoodlums hijacked the protest, disrupting traffic and forcing motorists to attach leaves on vehicles, apparently as a show of solidarity.

Meanwhile, the police in the state dispelled rumours that #EndBadGovernance protesters attacked the residence of former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the minister of FCT.

The police further said that another property, Hyper City Mall, belonging to the minister, was not attacked. The protesters only marched past and did not go near the properties because of the presence of security operatives.

NYSC declares state coordinator, driver missing

It was a sad note in the region on Wednesday as the National Youth Service Corps declared two of its staff members, the Akwa Ibom State coordinator, Okun Christopher, and his driver, Daniel Asibong, missing.

NYSC said the duo were abducted while travelling from Akwa Ibom to Delta State for an official assignment.

Meanwhile, in Delta State, gunmen on Friday released Joan Mrakpor, a former federal lawmaker from the state, after spending 11 days in captivity.

Mrs Mrakpor, a television evangelist and politician, was abducted at her church premises on 30 July by gunmen who killed two persons and injured several others during the attack.

In Bayelsa State, we reported how a wooden cargo boat with over 64 people onboard exploded on Wednesday, killing 20 people.

We also reported the passing of a Nigerian naval officer, Gideon Gwaza, who risked his life to save others.

Mr Gwaza died on Friday during an operation where 59 people were rescued from a dredging vessel working at Opobo field near Opobo River in Rivers State.

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With little ado, this yam-eating court quickly granted all the orders sought, including an order restraining the 1st-5th defendants from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, street, offices and or public premises/property within the FCT between 1st-10th August 2024 or any other day thereafter pending the hearing and determination of this case. Instead, the Court required all intending protesters from anywhere within the 7,315 km of the FCT to converge at the Stadium at the entrance into the city

Rights are only worth having if they are occasionally boisterous, often inconvenient and frequently tiresome.  Inigo Bing, The Ten Legal Cases That Made Modern Britain, p. 169 (2022)

Two years after his inauguration, in October 2021, as Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT High Court), Husseini Baba Yusuf, decided in November 2023 that it was time to indulge in a sport of institutional mating games with the newly installed Minister of the Federal Capital, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. By a stroke of coincidence, both men are members of the Body of Benchers, which describes itself as the legal body of practitioners of the highest distinction in the legal profession.

To initiate the mating, the Chief Judge relocated to the office of the Minister with the judges of the court, where they proudly put their assets on display for the edification of the Minister. At the meeting, he reminded the Minister that as a judiciary we are part of the government and we expect that we should be able to do things that should make government work

The Chief Judge was desperate to let the Minister know how ready he was to consummate this relationship. To ensure that he got the fullest ministerial attention, the Chief Judge made it known that he had instructed the Administrative Judges in charge of the various judicial divisions of the FCT High Court that all cases involving the Federal Capital Territory would only be assigned by the Chief Judge.

The following quarter, when the FCT High Court went into the market for judicial appointments, they allocated one out of the twelve new vacancies on offer to the FCT Minister, to which he promptly deputed his sister-in-law. As the new judges got inaugurated in July, the Minister quickly announced that judges in the FCT were the proud beneficiaries of a new housing development. The relationship between the Chief Judge and the Minister had moved from intent to intercourse.

Things were going so well between the two institutional lovers that it was clear that neither of them would knowingly allow any interloper to get in the way of their romance. When the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria organisers threatened to intrude into this by making Abuja and the FCT a major theatre of their protest, it was time for the lovers to prove their commitment to one another.

On 31 July, the day before the scheduled commencement of the protest, most people turned in early in anticipation of the disruptions from what promised to be the mother of all protests. Even judicial business was not left out of the sense of apprehension.

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the kind of order that the Minister sought from the FCT High Court was a profound safety risk to both potential protesters and law enforcement officers, whom it required to enforce the cordon. This kind of policing arrangement had been considered and found unlawful in places with more capable policing, including in England.

It was in this uncertainty that the Minister of the FCT decided to prove to the world the depth of the intimacy between him and the Chief Judge of the FCT. On 31 July, he initiated proceedings without notice to the defendants (ex parte), asking the court of the Chief Judge to kettle within the confines of the Moshood Abiola Stadium any wannabe protesters who showed up in the FCT.

This was a poorly rationalised decision, suggesting an executive loss of nerve for many reasons.

First, the Moshood Abiola Stadium is at the neck of a funnel into the city from both southern Nigeria and from the international airport. It was not difficult to see that any significant demonstration would constitute an obstruction to incoming traffic, if not a risk to travelers. One conclusion from the proposal contained in the filing by the FCT Minister was that the FCT Administration had decided to pass the most substantial burden of any risks from the protest to travelers into and out of the FCT, effectively making them expendable.

Second, in addition to making certain segments expendable, the FCT Administration simultaneously also chose to indicate in this proposal that it was not amenable to according any bandwidth to the protesters discontent. Banishing them to the vicinity of the Moshood Abiola Stadium was designed precisely to signal this.

Third, the kind of order that the Minister sought from the FCT High Court was a profound safety risk to both potential protesters and law enforcement officers, whom it required to enforce the cordon. This kind of policing arrangement had been considered and found unlawful in places with more capable policing, including in England.

Fourth, this was shameless evidence of an irresponsible FCT Administration. A more responsible administration could easily have designated the stadium as a viewing centre for the Olympic Games and invited the excluded youths of the FCT to a different experience of whats possible when government cares.

Even more curious than the nature of the orders that the Minister sought was the identity of the parties against whom he sought them. Omoyele Sowore, the lead defendant, was in New Jersey in the USA. Another leading defendant was called Persons Unknown.

In this case, however, it was doubtful whether the court was in fact making the government work or exposing it instead to irredeemable odium. A proposition more suited to the mass slaughter of protesters would have been hard to invent. If the protesters had not defied the order in the full majesty of its impracticality, it would have been easy for the government to claim that any number of them trampled to death thereby were unknown.

Now, a basic rule of civil proceedings is that cases can only be instituted against natural or legal persons. Persons Unknown, like spirits or ghosts, do not have the capacity to sue or be sued. This does not ordinarily require any particular depth of legal skill or insight to figure out except, of course, before an FCT High Court caught in the throes of deep judicial passion with the FCT Minister.

In this particular case of the suit against Persons Unknown, the FCT Minister retained the services of two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). Fittingly for a regime whose agents had expended their bigoted propaganda to demonise the Igbo nation over the protest, it seemed appropriate that the judge whom the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court found to assign the case to was known as Chinedu Oriji. From its Igbo language origins, the name roughly translates into God guides the eating of the yam.

With little ado, this yam-eating court quickly granted all the orders sought, including an order restraining the 1st-5th defendants from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, street, offices and or public premises/property within the FCT between 1st-10th August 2024 or any other day thereafter pending the hearing and determination of this case. Instead, the Court required all intending protesters from anywhere within the 7,315 km of the FCT to converge at the Stadium at the entrance into the city, where they would be confined by an armed security cordon thrown at the instigation of the FCT Minister and backed by the order from the judge called Oriji.

Even before the Court rose for the day, the order was already in the public domain blaring from all government media. It read uncannily as if the order had been granted even before the case was filed. When the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court promised to do things that should make government work, he meant just that.

In this case, however, it was doubtful whether the court was in fact making the government work or exposing it instead to irredeemable odium. A proposition more suited to the mass slaughter of protesters would have been hard to invent. If the protesters had not defied the order in the full majesty of its impracticality, it would have been easy for the government to claim that any number of them trampled to death thereby were unknown. The perpetrators would have been unknown too. That would have been fitting for a protest whose leaders the government had judicially designated as Persons Unknown.

All that would have been both foreseeable and yet judicially authored. A court alive to its duties would have spotted this and saved itself and its executive suitors the embarrassment of issuing such an order. The only thing that mattered in this case, however, was how the FCT High Court could prove to the FCT Minister its rampant capacity for heedless intercourse with the executive. In this case, it was spared by the resilience of citizens. Providence, surely, will not always this gladly suffer the excesses of judicial prostitution. The morale of this tale is simple  there must be more dignified ways to eat the judicial yam.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu.

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How does a Nigerian from the south of the country convince his northern compatriot that he means well when he analyses the problems in the North and their implications for the country?

I honestly dont know. But having spent the last 25 years in the geographical north of Nigeria, and having had the privilege of travelling round the states that make up the former Northern Region in the company of some of my most trusted friends who happen to be northerners, I believe that I am well positioned to write this friendly memo to my brothers and sisters in Northern Nigeria.

Children Bearing Children

The spectacle that confronts a first time visitor to many of the major cities in the North in terms of how underaged children are treated is scandalous. Hiding under contrived religious injunctions, the society accepts what an outsider would consider as marriage between children. Or how else would you describe marital union between a 16-year-old boy and a ten-year-old girl?

In many cases, the boy grew up on the streets, having been sent to an Islamic teacher from an early age as an almajiri. Some of the almajiris are as young as five years old. The mallam himself needs material succour and he uses the children under his care as street beggars. There are millions of such children all over the major towns looking unkempt, undernourished and desperate. It is from their ranks that politicians recruit underage voters during elections and protesters for various causes.

The girl child who is married off at the age of ten or twelve always holds the short end of the stick because, more often than not, she ends up having Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). The elite who are in a position to legislate against it are firmly opposed to such a move. So, babies continue to beget babies. Poverty is compounded by destitution and incontinence.

This wasnt how the North was administered during the time of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the legendary Premier of the Northern Region in the First Republic. Ahmadu Bello prioritised education and ensured that there was a balance between religious activities and educational pursuits. The Northern region became famous for groundnut pyramids, cotton, tin mining and massive production of staple food items. The late premier instituted scholarships for children of the North without ethnic or religious discrimination.

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The ever prescient Premier of the West whose greatest legacy was the provision of free and compulsory education in his region, looked ahead and warned his fellow politicians who felt that he was wasting too much money on education that it was in their interest to do so because, The children of the poor you refuse to train (Educate) will never let your children have peace. His prediction is played out at the #EndBadGovernance protests as gangs of youthful vandals went from street to street smashing cars and frightening the daylight out of the children of the elite.

The sense of entitlement which the Northern elite have had over the years has made them believe that the federal government ought to pick the bills of parenting the almajiris while the elites continue their life of luxury. No other part of the country is breeding children and calling on the federal government to come and raise them. It is a simple case of irresponsible parenting.

Beggars Everywhere

The present system of bundling the beggars to the South in droves has not had a dramatic effect as expected. How many more thousand beggars can southern cities accommodate before they start screaming? And with the present economic crunch, are the alms givers of the South themselves not in need of help now?

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern that Nigeria has the largest number of out-of-school children globally, with only 63 percent of primary school children regularly attending school. It lamented that a staggering 10.2 million primary school-age children and an additional 8.1 million at the junior secondary level are out of school in Nigeria.

Assessing the situation in an article on Newsdiary online, Rashidat Yusuf writes: The shocking revelation to some of us who hardly go far north is the level at which the almajiris (children) have grown up to adolescents and yet are left to wander on their own aimlessly Little wonder there is so much kidnapping and banditry in this part of the North.

It is gratifying that some of the northern elite, notable among whom is Prof Usman Yusuf, have risen up to the challenge of campaigning for the rights of the underprivileged, especially the almajiris, and have put the problem squarely at the doorsteps of the state governors and local government chairmen who are best positioned, together with the religious authorities, to mount a region-wide advocacy for responsible parenthood and carry out a skill acquisition programme to give the almajiris a future.

Prof Yusuf also wants northerners to realise that they have to share power if Nigeria is to survive. He drew attention to the cabinet positions which northerners currently hold in the Tinubu administration and thinks the spread is fair:

Northern Ministers

Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Minister of State, FCT; Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation; Minister of Agriculture; Minister of Education; Minister of Police Affairs; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Minister of State, Steel and Development; Minister of Steel and Development; Minister of Information and National Orientation; Minister of State, Police Affairs; Minister of Special Duties; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation; Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security; Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy; Minister of Defence; Minister of State for Defence; Minister of State, Education; Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

The North also has the Vice-President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and highly coveted positions in the oil industry and important federal parastatals.

Protests Sponsored?

Last week, Senator Shehu Sani revealed that most of the protesters in Kaduna were sponsored by disgruntled Northern politicians against Tinubu.

If anyone tells you that those protesters in the North brandishing flags were out because of hunger, its a lie. I can say it boldly and credibly that those boys were offered money and flags to stage a revolt against government to instigate a coup. Take it from me, there is a deliberate attempt to overthrow the Tinubus government by some folks in the north here, who hid under the hunger protest to do what they plotted with flying of Russian flags in Kaduna Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states

According to ancient tradition, a wind from the South means a good harvest, while one from the East means a good year for fruit, but a wind from the North foretells a year of storms.

If the Tinubu administration comes to grief through undemocratic means, (tufiakwa 10 times) those who think theyre pursuing a northern agenda today may find that they have played into the hands of separatists and unwittingly proclaimed new nations into existence  goodbye Nigeria!

My humble advice to my brothers and sisters in the North: bend down and do the hard work that will make the North great again!

Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021.

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SAN DIEGO, Aug. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR) securities between May 7, 2021 and July 11, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until September 30, 2024 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Arbor Realty class action lawsuit. Captioned Martin v. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., No. 24-cv-05347 (E.D.N.Y.), the Arbor Realty class action lawsuit charges Arbor Realty as well as certain of Arbor Realty's top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Arbor Realty class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-arbor-realty-trust-inc-class-action-lawsuit-abr.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Lead plaintiff motions for the Arbor Realty class action lawsuit must be filed with the court no later than September 30, 2024.

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Arbor Realty invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States.

The Arbor Realty class action lawsuit alleges that defendants provided investors with material information concerning Arbor Realty's continual claims of strong health of their loan book which materially misled and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors.

The Arbor Realty class action lawsuit further alleges that on July 12, 2024, Bloomberg reported that Arbor Realty was being probed by federal prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York and that "[t]he investigators are inquiring about lending practices and the company's claims about the performance of their loan book." On this news, the price of Arbor Realty stock fell 17%, according to the complaint.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Arbor Realty securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Arbor Realty 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 Arbor Realty class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Arbor Realty class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Arbor Realty 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:

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Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

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SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
BEIJING, Aug. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The year 2024 ushers in the second golden decade of the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) after the initiative has already yielded many fruitful results worldwide. Looking forward to the new stage of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation over the coming 10 years, the Global Times Institute (GTI) recently conducted a public awareness survey of the BRI in 13 countries around the world to understand how people overseas view the BRI in relation to global affairs, their own country, and themselves, and to understand the future expectations of the overseas public for the Belt and Road cooperation.

The survey covered 12 Belt and Road partner countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania, as well as one BRICS member state - Brazil, totaling 13 countries, and was conducted in 12 languages including English, Arabic, Russian, Kazakh, and Turkish.

The survey was conducted from May 27 to June 21, using online surveys, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, and other methods to collect data. Approximately 11,000 valid questionnaires in total were collected and the sample subjects were residents over 18 years old in each country.

In the annals of world history, the famous Silk Road once connected countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and China. This route not only facilitated trade between the countries along its path but also promoted cultural exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations among different countries and regions.

Today, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by China is promoting joint development and prosperity among the countries along the Eurasian and African routes. This initiative is allowing people from various countries to share a harmonious, peaceful, and prosperous life, continuing the legacy of connectivity and cooperation that the Silk Road symbolized centuries ago.

The latest survey conducted by the Global Times Institute (GTI) found out that a significant number of respondents had heard of the BRI. Compared with plans or initiatives proposed by other countries or international organizations, more respondents expressed optimism about the role that the BRI plays in the world across different countries and regions, ranking above the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor proposed by the US and the Global Gateway strategy proposed by the European Union.

Vietnamese respondents had the highest awareness of the BRI, with 87 percent knowing about it. Respondents from Laos and Indonesia generally have higher rates of agreement with the main concepts or practices of the BRI.

Laotian respondents have the highest positive agreements on the initiative actively sharing poverty alleviation experiences and emphasizing green development (both at 95 percent), while Indonesian respondents were most in agreement with the BRI increasing technological investment to improve resource efficiency (91 percent).

Pakistan also has the highest agreement rate for actively sharing poverty alleviation experiences; respondents from Saudi Arabia and Turkey are most in agreement with emphasizing green development; and Kenyan respondents also have a 90 percent agreement rate for increasing technological investment to improve resource efficiency.

Muhammad Zamir Assadi, editor at the Internews Pakistan, told the Global Times on Sunday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), one of the flagship projects under the BRI, has changed the overall economic landscape of Pakistan as it has successfully attracted the attention of other international community in addition to attracting foreign investment to the country.

"We have witnessed the interest of middle eastern countries to who have shown their intent to invest under the framework of CPEC that will again bring more positive impact to Pakistani economy in various fields," he said.

He told the Global Times that the BRI also had enormous impact on his personal career. Back in 2016, he was given his first opportunity to visit China under one of the BRI projects that opened new avenues for him to learn about China and the visit strengthened his professional skills and enabled him to get important position in Pakistan's news industry.

"I feel a pride for me to lead a dedicated team on China affairs and to act as a media guide for disseminating information on China affairs in Pakistan in various languages," he told the Global Times.

Respondents have confidence in China's future efforts to achieve greater success in promoting the BRI, and being part of the BRI and deepening cooperation receive strong support overall, the survey found.

The joint construction of the BRI will become one of the most important ways for China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country in the international community, experts said.

A majority of respondents are happy to see more countries join the BRI, and look forward to its positive effects on promoting global development and narrowing the gap between rich and poor countries. Nearly half of the respondents would be pleased to see the US participate in the BRI.

The survey also showed that nearly 70 percent of Brazilian respondents support their country joining the BRI.

The long-term sustainability of Belt and Road projects is a priority for most respondents, with cooperation in infrastructure construction being the most anticipated in many countries.

In a new phase of the cooperation under the BRI, respondents are most looking forward to prioritizing cooperation on infrastructure construction, with 52 percent specifically mentioning this point; the proportion of those looking forward to cooperation in ecological environment protection, public health, daily life, and education fields is also around 40 percent.

Assadi told the Global Times that Pakistan has prioritized its development needs as per the local requirements of the local people based on the national conditions aligning with their national interests.

"Pakistan is looking forward to the cooperation from China in the field of agriculture, industrialization, upgradation of the railway infrastructure as this is significant for the socio-economic development of Pakistan, investment in improvement of medical and education sector, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, internet of things, big data, the auto sector, science and technology, space sciences, logistics, aviation, oil and gas resources, and natural gas hydrate and others," he said.

Public benefits

The key to sound relations between countries lies in the affinity between their peoples. China announced at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October 2023 that it will carry out practical cooperation under the BRI, promoting both signature projects and "small yet smart" quality of life programs, including 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects.

When asked whether they look forward to and are willing to participate in future BRI projects related to their own quality of life, over 70 percent of respondents in the 13 countries surveyed provided a positive response, with over half expressing a willingness to participate.

In Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the proportion of respondents looking forward to such projects was close to or exceeded 90 percent, with at least 70 percent willing to participate.

Under the BRI cooperation framework, more than half of the respondents were willing to work for Chinese enterprises/institutions/projects established locally, while over 30 percent was open to the idea.

The primary reason cited was the opportunity to learn more professional skills, which was mentioned by nearly 60 percent of respondents on average across the 13 countries. Many respondents also cited higher income, better career development opportunities, and a more stable labor market and social benefits.

Cui Hongjian, a professor from the Country and Area Studies Academy with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times that BRI projects have delivered tangible benefits to local areas, most notably by helping to solve employment issues.

Regarding cultural exchanges and cooperation under the BRI, respondents were more willing to participate in cross-border tourism/festival activities, followed by experiencing or learning about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) cultural projects. Applying for Chinese scholarships, education funds, and participating in university/student exchange programs were also popular.

He Wenping, a research fellow from the Institute of West Asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that "cultural exchanges should go hand in hand with infrastructure construction; wherever infrastructure projects go, cultural exchanges should follow."

Recently, "China Travel" has become a hot topic on overseas social media, with foreign YouTubers frequently visiting China. Not only have they gained views, but the realistic portrayals in their videos have also broken the longstanding information cocoon about China among foreign people.

Survey data shows that over 80 percent of respondents in the 13 countries were willing to visit China in the future, with 60 percent expressing a desire to travel to China, and over 20 percent willing to work, go on business trips, or study in China.

High hopes

Regarding the positive impacts the BRI can bring to the world, more than half of the respondents in the 13 countries expect the initiative to promote global development and narrow the international wealth gap.

Nearly half of the respondents hope that the BRI will unite countries, enhance mutual understanding and tolerance among people of different countries, promote cultural exchanges and integration, and foster a fairer world order.

Regarding media criticisms that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is "neocolonialism" and creates a "debt trap," 72 percent of respondents have a clear stance on this issue. Among them, an average of 13 percent of respondents across 13 countries believe these accusations are baseless attacks, 24 percent consider them misunderstandings, and 21 percent think they represent bias. Additionally, 28 percent view these claims as risk warnings.

When asked about the possibility of more countries joining the BRI in the future, 61 percent of respondents said they would welcome it, with particularly high proportions in Kenya (77 percent) and Brazil (73 percent).

Wang Youming, director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, believed that the public confidence in the BRI stems from the tangible, visible, and substantial achievements made over the past 11 years.

"These achievements have taken root in the participating countries, bringing benefits to local economic development, employment improvement, and people's livelihoods," he said.

SOURCE Global Times
Lucknow, Aug 11 : Over the past seven-and-a-half years, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has allocated more than Rs 2,900 crore to aid those affected by floods, officials have said.

Additionally, Rs 964 crore has been distributed among more than 22 lakh farmers in the state since 2017 as compensation for crops damaged by floods.

The government has also provided compensation for over 3,000 houses that were completely destroyed and more than one lakh houses that were partially damaged by floods.

Relief Commissioner G.S. Naveen highlighted Chief Minister Adityanath's proactive approach to disaster management, emphasising that the CM's vigilant monitoring and foresight have been instrumental in preventing major incidents during floods over the last seven-and-a-half years.

"Chief Minister Yogi is highly vigilant about disaster management to minimise loss of life and property. Consequently, every possible assistance is being extended to flood victims under his direction," he said.

"Over the last seven-and-a-half years, CM Yogi has generously allocated Rs 2,982.37 crore to support flood victims. Of this, Rs 2,286.90 crore has already been distributed for various relief efforts, while the remaining amount has been returned to the government," he added.

The Relief Commissioner further highlighted that since 2017, the Yogi Adityanath government has provided compensation to 22,44,605 farmers for crops damaged by floods, spending Rs 964.23 crore on the initiative.

Additionally, 89,20,234 food and lunch packets were distributed in flood-affected areas, and 5,301 flood posts were established for effective monitoring. For rescue operations, 2,813 motor boats and 34,912 boats were utilised.

Naveen also reported that the floods resulted in the loss of 530 lives, with each affected family receiving Rs 4 lakh in compensation.

Compensation was also provided to cattle rearers for 1,304 milch animals and 337 non-milch animals that perished.

Furthermore, the government granted compensation for 3,107 houses completely destroyed and 1,41,107 houses partially damaged by the floods, including huts, the Relief Commissioner said.
Kiev, Aug 11 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that his military is conducting an offensive inside Russia's Kursk region.

In his nightly televised address on Saturday, Zelensky said that the Ukrainian military is pushing the war "onto the aggressor's territory".

The statement marks Zelensky's first public acknowledgement of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, which reportedly began on August 6 and has taken Russia by surprise, prompting mass evacuations across both sides of the border.

Zelensky thanked Ukraine's defence forces, and said he had discussed the operation in Russia with the country's senior military commander Oleksandr Syrsky.

Earlier, Russia had said that up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and armoured vehicles, entered the Kursk region on Tuesday morning.

Although Zelensky did not mention Kursk directly in his remarks, he acknowledged that the Ukrainian military is conducting an operation on Russian soil.
MOSCOW, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were injured by the debris from a Ukrainian missile that fell onto a residential building in Russia's Kursk region, Acting Governor of Kursk region Alexei Smirnov said on Telegram Sunday.

"Due to the fall of missile debris on an apartment building in the regional center, 15 people were injured, all of whom are receiving necessary medical care," Smirnov said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Sunday that Russian armed forces will retaliate against Ukraine for its attacks on the western Russian regions.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it had destroyed 35 drones overnight over the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Oryol regions. A military operation to defeat the Ukrainian forces in Kursk was underway. 
Beirut, Aug 11 : Hezbollah has attacked an Israeli base located southwest of Safed city in northern Israel with successive swarms of suicide drones, causing injuries among its members.

"On Saturday, the Islamic Resistance fighters launched an air attack with swarms of suicide drones on the Michve Allon base," Hezbollah said in a statement.

"This base includes a gathering of forces and emergency warehouses for the Northern Corps located southwest of Safed, so it targeted the locations of its officers and soldiers and directly hit them, causing confirmed injuries," it said, noting that the attack was a response to the assassination of a Hamas official in a raid in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Friday.

An Israeli drone strike killed the Hamas official, Samer al-Hajj, on Friday at the eastern entrance to the city of Sidon, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously, told the news agency that Israeli drones and warplanes carried out 10 airstrikes on six villages and towns during the day in the border area of southern Lebanon, injuring three civilians and destroying 18 homes.

A state of anticipation and caution prevails in Lebanon following Israel's attack on Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs, killing Hezbollah senior military commander Fouad Shokor. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has threatened retaliation.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the passing away of former External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh.

"Pained by the passing away of Shri Natwar Singh Ji. He made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy. He was also known for his intellect as well as prolific writing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," PM Modi posted on his X handle on Sunday.

Natwar Singh passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 93.

He breathed his last at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi, where he had been admitted for the past couple of weeks, they said.

Natwar Singh was born in 1931 in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.

A former diplomat, Singh served as the External Affairs Minister in 2004-05 in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government.

He was selected into the Indian Foreign Service in 1953, which he quit in 1984 when he contested from Bharatpur in Rajasthan on a Congress ticket and became a Lok Sabha MP.

In 1985, he was sworn in as a Minister of State (MoS) and allotted the portfolios of Steel, Coal and Mines, and Agriculture. In 1986, he became the Minister of State for External Affairs.

Singh was elected President of the UN Conference on Disarmament and Development held in New York in 1987 and also led the Indian delegation to the 42nd Session of the UN General Assembly.

He also served as ambassador to Pakistan and was attached to the office of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1966 to 1971.

The veteran diplomat authored around a dozen books, including 'The Legacy of Nehru: A Memorial Tribute', 'Tales from Modern India', 'Treasured Epistles', and his autobiography 'One Life is Not Enough'.

His last rites would be performed in Delhi on Sunday, the sources said.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : Here is a guide to the week ahead for you. This is your forecast for August 12-18.

Aries

This week, the cosmic placement makes you turn within and develop your personal life. It is also a good time to pay attention to creating a positive living environment and reinforcing oneas emotional pillars. This week, go with your gut and listen to your inner guidance system. You may also feel more sensitive and reflective than usual, which is a great quality if properly utilised. Spend time and think about yourself and what makes you feel safe. It is recommended that you make slight changes to the interior of your home that will improve your quality of life. For the job seekers, this week is good for networking by word of mouth. Think about jobs where you can work from home or in the industries connected with real estate, interior design, or counselling.

Tip of the week: Look within

Taurus

This week, accept your passion for knowledge and your need to inquire. Your mind is particularly alert, so it is a good time to learn something new, discuss interesting issues and communicate with people. Welcome to all the ideas that you come across in your day-to-day life. You may desire to read a book, write an article, or learn something new. This is when communication skills are developed and should be utilised in all aspects of life, personal and business. Speak your mind and emotions assertively, but do not forget to pay attention to how you listen to others. For singles, this week should make you more outgoing and liberal in your attitude towards the opposite sex. Talk to potential partners, whether it is through the Internet or face-to-face.

Tip of the week: Learn something new

Gemini

This week is about your need to feel secure and establish a stable base. It is a time for reflection and to think about what is important in life and how one can better live by his or her principles. For this week, list down all your assets, tangible and non-tangible. Look not only at your assets and liabilities but also at your strengths, abilities and beliefs. You may feel more need for security and routine, which is not bad to have as an antidote to your otherwise fluid personality. Be conscious of your spending and try to find ways of increasing your financial stability. This does not mean being cheap but being wise when spending your money.

Tip of the week: Control your spending

Cancer

This week, you will feel more emotional, self-conscious, and in the process of personal development. This lunar placement makes you the centre of attention, boosts your intuition and makes you pay attention to your wants and needs. It is a time of change, new opportunities, and freedom to be who you are. This week, your emotional intelligence is at its highest, and you can determine how a particular situation will feel to you. This week is a chance for job seekers to bring their differentiation factors and EQ. For singles, it will be easier to get the attention of potential partners since your natural charm is boosted.

Tip of the week: Display Emotional Intelligence

Leo

This week, give yourself a chance to be alone and to think about yourself. It is when your intuition is acute, and if you would but pay heed to it, it will greatly help. Listen to the messages that your mind conveys through your dreams or any thoughts or feelings you may have in your mind repeatedly. Consider what makes you truly happy in your career besides the rank and the money. Networking can be stressful, but meeting people one-on-one or through the Internet can be beneficial. This week is an ideal time for single people to think about previous relationships and what they want in a partner.

Tip of the week: Listen to mind signals

Virgo

The stars push you to come out of your shell and be more involved in your society and the people around you. It is a time for cooperation, meeting people, and ensuring that the individual and the collective benefit from the process. Do not avoid social invitations or community events a" they may be the source of important contacts. Professionals should concentrate on group activities and organisational campaigns. Your analytical skills and improved social skills make you a great asset, especially when working in groups. For singles, this week is all about increasing your circle of friends and finding a partner. Go to group functionsa"you can meet your partner there.

Tip of the week: Come out of your shell

Libra

This week's lunar placement prompts you to take on more responsibilities and advance towards your goals. It is when one is acknowledged and held accountable and when oneas public image is readjusted to the real self. This week, seek ways to demonstrate your skills and abilities and volunteer for additional tasks. It is a good time to seek promotions or any other positions that require you to be in charge. Be cautious with how you portray yourself to the public. If you are thinking of a career change, this week is good for you to take a risk and go for it. Couples should be honest about their career plans and how that affects their partnership.

Tip of the week: Take more responsibility

Scorpio

This week, you are on the brink of discovering new perspectives and philosophies. The lunar placement makes you more interested and prompts you to explore the world and gain more knowledge. Seek to learn new things and be open to changing your mind about something you previously believed. It is okay to challenge the status quo a" this process is beneficial to the self. During this time, the employees should come up with new ideas or working initiatives. Accepting tasks that enable you to develop new skills or interact with different people is recommended. For singles, this weekas energy is to expand your dating options.

Tip of the week: Explore new things

Sagittarius

You will delve deeper into your emotions and go through a phase of change and metamorphosis this week. The lunar placement pushes you to explore the underbelly of existence. It is a time for reflection, confrontation of self and oneas fears and possibly, transformation. This week, take the chance to get in touch with your inner feelings and your inner self. Your inherent optimism and wanderlust are now focused inward, and you are encouraged to go on a soul-searching expedition. If issues of power or conflict have not been addressed or are festering, now is the time to address them healthily. Singles may be drawn to mysterious individuals. It is recommended to consider oneas areas of weakness.

Tip of the week: Prepare for change

Capricorn

This week is the time to invest in your relationships with people and reflect on how you interact with the environment. Focus on the people in your life and aim for healthy conflict in your dealings with others. The need for cooperation now complements your usual Capricorn self-orientation and work ethic. Accept the imperfections and think about how your decisions impact others. At work, pay attention to interpersonal relations and cooperation. Go out of your way to work on projects together or assist other team members. For singles, this is the best time to find new partners and have a chance to start a new relationship.

Tip of the week: Work on relationships

Aquarius

This week, youall be inclined to order and categorise your life. The Moon makes you more perceptive of inefficiencies that need correction. Use this energy to clean your home, organise your work environment better, or start a new healthy lifestyle. Your Aquarian spirit of innovation with the Moonas realistic influence can help you find a new approach to old problems. But do not become overly critical of yourself or the people around you. At work, take up extra work or assume extra duties. Your creativity will be most appreciated this week, so do not shy away from expressing your opinions to your co-workers and managers. Singles, working on the self before looking for a partner is better.

Tip of the week: Organise your life

Pisces

This week, you will be inclined towards tasks that allow you to share your deepest emotions. You may also experience increased empathy, meaning you can easily understand other peopleas feelings and vice versa. However, do not get carried away with the energies of others because it is possible to get overwhelmed. Try to learn how to set soft boundaries. Working Pisces may feel attracted to occupations that give them more input on what they are doing. It is a good time to come up with new ideas or even new approaches to solving existing problems in the workplace. This is the best time for singles to come out of their shells because they may feel more confident and charismatic than usual.

Tip of the week: Set personal boundaries

(Neeraj Dhankher is an Astrologer with proficiency in Vedic, KP and Nadi Astrology. He is the Founder and CEO of Astro Zindagi. The observations are made by the writer based on his analysis)
Chandigarh, Aug 11 : Within six hours after joining the party, the BJP's Haryana unit has expelled former Delhi Minister and AAP rebel Sandeep Kumar.

He had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday at the party office in Panchkula.

A statement by the Haryana wing of BJP said Kumar hid his antecedents, "but as soon as it came to notice, the Bharatiya Janata Party expelled Sandeep Kumar from its primary membership".

In a letter by state General Secretary Surender Punia, it has been stated that Kumar will not be associated with the party in any form in the future.

Kumar is originally from Sonipat.

Apart from Kumar, state president of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) Ravi Sonu Kundli also joined the BJP.

In 2016, the Aam Aadmi Party suspended its MLA and former minister Kumar after a controversy over an 'objectionable CD' which showed him in a compromising position with a woman. In a complaint, the woman alleged that she was raped by Kumar when she had gone to his office in Outer Delhi's Sultanpuri seeking help to obtain a ration card. She alleged that Kumar had offered her a spiked drink and, when she fell unconscious, she was taken to his house adjacent to the office and raped.

Kumar was subsequently arrested in 2016. A statement by the Assembly Speaker then said, "Sandeep Kumar, the respondent in this case, an elected member of the sixth Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, elected from Sultanpur Majra, Assembly Constituency No.10, has become subject to disqualification under Paragraph 2 (1) (a) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution." The Speaker announced the decision on a petition by the then AAP MLA and party spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj.

At that time Sandeep Kumar was with the Women and Child Welfare Minister in the Delhi government. Later in 2019, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel disqualified rebel Kumar under the anti-defection law. Kumar faced the action for supporting the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the Lok Sabha elections.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Centre to release the Rohingya refugees who have been indefinitely detained for two years or above.

The PIL, drawn by advocate Ujjaini Chatterji, challenges the indefinite detention of the Rohingya asylum seekers and refugees, including young women and children, in India, in "violation of the procedures established by law."

The plea seeks direction to direct the respondent authorities to release the Rohingya detainees who are held for over two years under the Foreigner's Act, 1946, and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1929, subject to any reasonable restrictions.

Further, it seeks names, genders and ages of all Rohingyas across India who are indefinitely detained, along with their detention orders, last communication with the embassy of Myanmar regarding deportation, personal data, assessment forms and final orders of rejection of refugee status.

The PIL also prays for the assessment of the refugee status claims of the detained Rohingyas within three months as per the Standard Operating Procedure, 2019 and to either grant the Rohingyas Long Term Visas (LTV) or arrange for their third-country resettlement.

The petitioner, Rita Manchanda, a distinguished scholar specialising in South Asian conflicts and peace-building, found in her report that the detained Rohingyas were never served any notice or given an opportunity to present their cases of being refugees.

"The report highlights that even after being rendered stateless, the Rohingyas have not been provided any identity documents, LTV or a third country resettlement," the plea said, adding that the prayers in PIL are not against deportation or for seeking a right to residence in India but against indefinite detention.

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, the matter will be heard by a bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra on August 12.
Montreal, Aug 11 : Andrey Rublev moved past defending champion Jannik Sinner to knock out the World No. 1 in three sets to enter the Montreal Masters semifinal.

Rublev secured a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 victory over Sinner and moved up to eighth place in the ATP Live Race To Turin, putting him ahead of Stefanos Tsitsipas as the battle for a place at the ATP Finals heats up.

Notably, Sinner became the first player to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin after making it to the quarterfinals in Montreal. He will make his second consecutive appearance and third overall at the prestigious season finale in Turin, which this year will take place from November 10 to 17.

From the outset of the rain-interrupted quarterfinal, Sinner struggled to find his rhythm. In their back-and-forth battle, his opponent consistently had the upper hand. As the second set began, rain caused a 25-minute delay.

When play resumed, Sinner emerged with renewed vigour, forcing Rublev onto the defensive with a series of powerful and precise shots. However, the pain and nausea quickly overwhelmed him. The third set became pure agony for Sinner, who had reached his limit. He fought on until the final point, but any hope of a comeback had already slipped away.

He hit 16 unforced errors, far more than usual, and lost to Andrey Rublev for the third time in eight tries.

Rublev will next meet Matteo Arnaldi, who closed Saturday's play with a 6-4, 7-5 quarter-final win against the resurgent Kei Nishikori. The 23-year-old Italian is through to his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final and his second tour-level semi-final overall (Umag 2023).
Oslo, Aug 11 : Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violent incidents in Copenhagen, many of which involved Swedish perpetrators.

"The violent incidents on our streets must be stopped. It is completely unacceptable," Frederiksen told Ritzau news agency on Saturday, an English-language Scandinavian news service based in Copenhagen. "This is not the Denmark that we want."

To combat the rising violence, Frederiksen urged police to crack down on gangs and their activities, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Ritazu news agency.

On Friday, Denmark escalated border controls with Sweden due to the growing involvement of Swedish criminals in activities in Copenhagen.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said that the situation had become so critical that Danish police would "significantly increase controls at the border."

The enhanced measures include more rigorous physical checks on cross-border trains and the deployment of additional cameras to scan license plates at border crossings between Denmark and Sweden.
Balod : , Aug 11 (IANS) Nine individuals in Maoist uniform, including two women and some armed people, were seen in Balod, engaged in Maoist activity, Chhattisgarh Police said on Sunday.

This was spotted on August 4. Additionally, four people were seen in the vicinity of Mahamaya police station, prompting concerns despite the districtas removal from the Maoist-affected list in July 2021.

Mahamaya and Dulki mines in Dondi block, which have a history of Naxalite violence, now have renewed scrutiny. This area has previously experienced significant incidents including looting of gunpowder, vehicle explosions, and arson, leading to the establishment of a police station in Mahamaya.

Sources indicate that these individuals could be Maoists reasserting their presence. Kumurkatta village is a gateway through the jungle to Khargaon in Mohla Manpur District, a known Maoist stronghold, and connects to Bastar via hilly terrain. The region has seen numerous Maoists incidents, such as attacks on search vehicles, arson, and disruptions of construction projects.

Ashok Joshi, ASP, Balod said: "Police have started their search operation, however, till now, we have not found any suspicious thing related to Maoists activities."

Past incidents include theft of gunpowder from Mahamaya mines by armed Naxalites, the destruction of a search vehicle on Mahamaya Road, and arson attacks on a JCB vehicle at the mine. During the Raoghat railway projectas construction, Maoists also opened fire at a base camp. The district has recorded over 15 Maoist incidents till now."

In response to these developments, local police have increased security around the Mahamaya police station and have intensified search operations in the area.

The incidents of Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh went down by 52 per cent in the last five years and 589 villages have been freed from the clutches of the menace.
Seoul, Aug 11 : President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday named Shim Woo-jung, the Vice Justice Minister of South Korea, to be the new prosecutor general, his office said.

According to presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk, Shim, 53, has been tapped to be the new prosecution chief who will replace Prosecutor General Lee One-seok. Lee's two-year term will end next month, Yonhap news agency reported.

Shim joined the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office as a prosecutor in 2000 and served in senior positions in the Seoul prosecutors' office, the justice ministry, and Supreme Prosecutors Office.

Chung said Shim is regarded as a suitable figure to lead the prosecution to ensure its primary role in upholding the Constitution and protecting people.

"Shim has good knowledge of criminal procedures and the prosecution system, and has a firm belief about establishing the rule of law," Chung told a press briefing.

After a parliamentary confirmation hearing, Shim will become the second prosecutor general under the Yoon administration.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : Adani Foundation has completed 28 years of enabling smiles, said Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of Adani Foundation on Sunday.

In a post on the social media platform X, Priti Adani, wife of Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, thanked the team members for their support in achieving "milestones".

"As the Adani Foundation completes 28 years of enabling smiles, I want to thank our 800+ team members across India for their passionate commitment," said Priti Adani.

"Together, we have crossed many milestones and have eyes on the next miles. Let's keep going!"Priti Adani added.

Priti Adani, an educationist and a qualified doctor, has been spearheading the Adani Foundation, her brainchild, passionately for two decades now -- ensuring that the Adani Group helps transform the lives of as many people as possible.

"Privileged to have witnessed the prosperity enabled by the @AdaniFoundation, year after year. Happy #AdaniFoundation Day!' said Karan Adani, Managing Director, Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ),

Currently, the foundation operates in 6,769 villages across 19 states, positively impacting lives of 9.1 million.

As part of the celebrations, the foundation organised medical camps at "sites across India" to reach out to beneficiaries, Adani Foundation said in a post on X.

"As we celebrate 28 years of our Journey of Goodness, we reiterate our commitment to providing essential medical services to all those in need," it added.

In a recent address Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group, said providing healthcare, nutrition, and skilling are among the top priorities of his company.

"The health outreach programmes, which include mobile healthcare units and camps, touched 2 million lives delivering essential services to many remote communities," Gautam Adani informed.

The 'SuPoshan' project now reaches 4,14,000 women and children and delivers the necessary nutrition to fortify the foundations of future generations.

The Adani Saksham skill development initiative has empowered 1,69,000 young individuals with essential skills to help them take the steps to secure a brighter future and potentially become entrepreneurs.
OSLO, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Saturday expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violent incidents in Copenhagen, many of which involved Swedish perpetrators.

"The violent incidents in our streets must be stopped. It is completely unacceptable," Frederiksen told Ritzau news agency, an English-language Scandinavian news service based in Copenhagen. "This is not the Denmark that we want."

To combat the rising violence, Frederiksen urged police to crack down on gangs and their activities.

On Friday, Denmark escalated border controls with Sweden due to the growing involvement of Swedish criminals in activities in Copenhagen.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said that the situation had become so critical that Danish police would "significantly increase controls at the border."

The enhanced measures include more rigorous physical checks on cross-border trains and the deployment of additional cameras to scan license plates at border crossings between Denmark and Sweden. 
Canberra, Aug 11 : The Director-General of Australia's top intelligence agency has called for a society-wide approach to addressing violent extremism after the country's terror threat level was raised.

Mike Burgess, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), on Sunday that tackling the threat of violent extremism in Australia requires a whole-of-society approach, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting national broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"We all need to watch our language because there is a direct connection between inflamed language and inflamed tension and violence," he told ABC television.

"The media has to be careful about their headlines. It can inflame. Politicians have to be careful about their robust political debate."

His comments came days after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lifted Australia's official terror alert level from "possible" to "probable" on the advice of ASIO. It marked the first change to the threat level since 2022 when it was downgraded from "probable" to "possible" after eight years.

Burgess said on Sunday that the threat level was raised because more people are becoming radicalised more quickly by a range of ideologies, describing social media as the greatest accelerator of violent extremism.

He said that religiously motivated extremism remains the dominant force but not the only one.

Asked about the ongoing violent rioting in Britain, Burgess said the factors driving the activity are similar to those that resulted in raising the threat level but that any similar incidents in Australia would probably not reach the same scale.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : Former Infosys CEO Mohandas Pai on Sunday said that the latest Hindenburg allegations against the SEBI are rubbish and a "character assassination by a Vulture Fund." New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Former Infosys CEO Mohandas Pai on Sunday said that the latest Hindenburg allegations against the SEBI are rubbish and a "character assassination by a Vulture Fund."

In a post on social media platform X, Pai who is a key industry voice on various issues, said that this latest report might be a tactic to gain attention.

"Rubbish allegations aimed at sensationalism. There was a SC-monitored investigation overseen by an eminent panel and when the Vulture Fund was fully exposed, it throws mud," he posted.

According to him, "This is a Hit job to divert attention from the manipulations of the Vulture Fund. The allegations are rubbish and laughable. No real evidence, only rhetoric."

Pai further said that some rubbish is thrown out and "the (George) Soros gang jumps on it".

Meanwhile, SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch have strongly denied the allegation levelled by Hindenburg Research against them.

In a joint statement, they called the report a "character assassination attempt" because an enforcement action and show-cause notice was issued to Hindenburg last month.

"Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years. We have no hesitation in disclosing any and all financial documents, including those that relate to the period when we were strictly private citizens, to any and every authority that may seek them," read the joint statement.

The market regulator has also accused Hindenburg of making "unfair" profits through collusion, using non-public and misleading information to induce panic selling.
Male, Aug 11 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said on Sunday the Maldives is a key partner to India in the Indian Ocean region and at the heart of its neighbourhood first policy.

"Maldives is a key partner to India in the Indian Ocean region and it is at the heart of our neighborhood-first policy. The cooperation between the two countries has moved beyond the traditional role, and today aspires to be a modern partnership", EAM Jaishankar said after he, along with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer, jointly inaugurated the Addu Reclamation Project and Addu Shore Protection Project.

"Our development cooperation is aimed at touching all facets of people's lives here and to find ways of bringing tangible benefits to their lives. I think it is a statement in itself that we are today among the largest trading partners of Maldives and witnessing greater investment flows from India to the Maldives, particularly in the tourism sector", he added.

In the last few years, India has invested around $220 million in Addu intending to provide a fair idea of the importance which is attached to regional development in the Maldives.

EAM Jaishankar also mentioned inaugurating the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement Studies in March, 2022, which was a $30 million Indian grant-funded project.

He said, "I'm very glad to see that it has become a hub for imparting critical training to NPS personnel in the Maldives."

India has partnered with the Government of Maldives on the Addu Reclamation and Shore Protection Project to find a sustainable way to develop Addu as a regional hub. The reclamation of 184 hectares of land was concluded earlier this year. This ambitious programme of $80 million involves reclamation for tourism development purposes and the overall economic development of Addu.

"Another important project being carried out, with Indian assistance is the redevelopment of the Addu Roads and Drainage Development, with an outlay of $70 million is nearing completion and once completed, will solve problems of waterlogging and roads in Addu" he said

"The Addu Detour Link road is being inaugurated today, which is an important component of this project," he said.

Moosa Zameer posted on X, "Pleased to join the External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to jointly inaugurate the 4-lane Detour Link road and the ceremony to mark the completion of the shore protection and reclamation project in Addu City."

"India continues to be a vital partner in our socio-economic development. The two projects inaugurated today further cement the strong bonds between our two countries", he added.

On Saturday, the EAM jointly inaugurated drinking water and sanitation projects across 28 islands to the Government of Maldives at a ceremony held at the President's Office, graced by the Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu.

The EAM also visited the site of the Greater Male Connectivity Project, which is India's flagship project in the Maldives.

Currently, India and the Maldives are collaborating on 65 development projects.
Guwahati, August 11 : A massive protest rally took place in Assam's Karimganj district on Sunday, alleging mass atrocities against the minority population in Bangladesh after the neighbouring country has been witnessing unrest in different parts.

Members of an organisation "Hindu Suraksha Bahini" began the protest in the district headquarters where at least 1,000 people took part in the procession.

The protesters claimed that following the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in Bangladesh, the Hindu population in the neighbouring country has been facing atrocities and are living in fear for their life.

"We demand that the Indian government must step in and open a channel of discussion with the new interim government of Bangladesh to protect the Hindu population there," a senior member of the organisation said.

The protesters carried placards, banners and marched through the streets raising slogans of "Bangladesh Cholo".

The Karimganj district administration placed barricades at different places and the security was tightened to avoid any untoward incident during the protest.

Karimganj shares a 110-km long boundary with Bangladesh, including around four-km river boundary.

The District Commissioner Mridul Yadav told IANS, "There are no fences along the river boundary; however, rest of the border is well guarded by fencing."

The district has the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sutarkandi area for the trade business with Bangladesh. But following the unrest, the export-import businesses were shut down for the last few days.

Coal and oranges have been regularly exported to Bangladesh using the Sutarkandi ICP. Soft drinks and other materials are imported from the neighboring country through this route.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Sunday denounced the recent Hindenburg report, asserting that it is already under the lens of Indian investigative agencies.

He questioned the Opposition's tendency to align with foreign entities while attacking Indian companies.

Responding to AAP MP Sanjay Singh's allegations that the Parliament was adjourned sine die due to the government's foreknowledge of the Hindenburg report's release, the BJP leader accused the Opposition of habitually "complementing" foreign developments.

"The Hindenburg Report is under the lens of Indian investigative agencies. The question arises, why does the Opposition always complement whatever transpires in foreign countries?" Trivedi stated in an exclusive conversation with IANS.

He further highlighted a pattern in which critical reports and documentaries, including last year's Hindenburg Report, the BBC documentary, and others, have been released just before the commencement of the Budget session, suggesting that this prompts "suspicion" that Opposition might have had prior knowledge of these events.

"The suspicion that the Opposition was well aware of the fact that something like this is going to happen before the Parliamentary session is growing stronger now that they are claiming this," Trivedi remarked.

The Rajya Sabha MP also pointed out that the dates for Parliamentary sessions are determined by the Business Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from all political parties, not just the ruling party.

Reflecting on the Opposition's past actions, Trivedi questioned, "Why do Congress and the Opposition consistently aim to spread economic instability and anarchy?"

"Whether the company is private or government-owned, they always attempt to create confusion among the public. Last year, they claimed that LIC, HAL, and SBI were running at losses. This year, LIC recorded a profit of Rs 17,000 crore, SBI registered Rs 21,000 crore, and HAL posted Rs 29,000 crore, all of which are all-time highs. Now, they are targeting SEBI," he told IANS.

The Rajya Sabha MP further accused the Congress party of having a history of supporting foreign entities, citing examples such as Union Carbide in 1984, Bofors in 1987, AgustaWestland, and more recently, the BBC and Hindenburg.

"What old relations does the Opposition have with these foreign companies that lead them to target every economic institution in India?" he questioned.

Trivedi concluded by contrasting the BJP's commitment to making India economically self-sufficient, whether in Opposition or power, with the Opposition's alleged focus on foreign interests.

"When we are in the Opposition, we talk about the Swadeshi movement, while when we are in power, we take forward the Make in India programme under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the BJP leader said.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : No one could have ever anticipated what a mere 100 gm can do. It can break hearts, generate conspiracy theories, and create potential impacts on political calculations.

This 100 gm has shown and proven its significance. Though only 0.1 part of a kilogram, it has become unbearable -- causing more than a tonne of pain to every Indian, especially sportspersons and politicians.

But what is 100 grams? Ask any Indian, or for that matter, anyone in the entire subcontinent, where haggling for that extra bit with a shopkeeper or a roadside vendor is deemed normal. A little bit more chicken, or cheese, or tomatoes or any other edible product, it's okay to ask the seller to be extra generous. So, for normal Indians getting away with that extra few gm is permissible and acceptable. Therefore, it was a huge shock when 100 gm suddenly became the villain wiping out the possibility of bagging that elusive gold.

For the first time perhaps, this 100-gm shock has been conveyed in loudly -- don't take the message 'casually' or for granted. Rules are rules meant to be followed and nothing comes for free. So, when Vinesh Phogat was found 100 gm overweight in her 50 kg category, she was promptly disqualified. Weight matters in wrestling and the wrestlers have to be alert and cautious about it.

It will be known later what exactly went wrong between her semifinal win when she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts, and the examination ahead of the final match. Phogat, her trainers and others knew the rule. So, how did she accumulate 100 gm in a few days? A mystery for now, but the whole country is waiting for the answer.

The Opposition parties, however, have already given their verdict. They have alleged a conspiracy. A mind-boggling conclusion, indeed! How can the government make an athlete gain 100 grams even as it spends lakhs on training? It may be hard to accept the Opposition's view, but they are finding an opportunity for more politics in this. Parliament saw the Opposition raising the issue vigorously, even protesting on the premises and boycotting sessions. There is a strategic reason for them to be aggressive about it.

Vinesh Phogat hails from Haryana, where Assembly polls are going to be held in a few months. Sports, particularly wrestling, and the Phogat sisters do matter in state politics. And, her disqualification has therefore created ripples in Haryana politics with blame games and promises being made by both the ruling party and the Opposition.

While the INDIA bloc has blamed the BJP for the "injustice" to Phogat, the ruling party has alleged that the Opposition is commenting only to gain political mileage. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced that Phogat will be honoured at par with the Olympic medallist and accorded a grand welcome upon her return.

The Congress party wants Phogat to be given a Rajya Sabha seat. Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said the government should honour her at par with a gold medallist. He also said that if he had adequate numbers in the Assembly, he would have ensured Phogat's election to the Upper House as a Congress nominee. The party has also questioned why Phogat was made to compete in the 50 kg category and not the 53 kg category.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is trying to create a foothold in the state, held a protest in Gurugram in support of Phogat and alleged that the ruling BJP in the Centre and state were responsible for the "injustice" to the athlete. They want her to join the party. The AAP has decided to contest all 90 Assembly seats in the state. Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of incarcerated CM Arvind Kejriwal, has already started the campaign in the state.

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA Abhay Chautala said that his party would honour Phogat "once it comes to power later this year" with Rs 7-crore prize money and a plot to run her wrestling academy. The INLD has formed an alliance with the BSP for the Assembly polls.

Haryana politics saw an impact when Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik led a protest against the then Wrestler Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh in 2023. She was also manhandled by the Delhi Police for trying to forcibly march towards Parliament then. This is said to be one of the reasons for the not-so-good performance of the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

With the Assembly polls near, the Opposition INDIA bloc has found an opportunity in Phogat's disqualification

The 100 grams is no longer a weighty issue; it is now more about politics. But politicians forget that this was not the first time Phogat has faced disqualification due to being overweight. She was disqualified in 2016 from the World Rio Olympic Qualifying event where she weighed 400 gm more in the 48 kg category competition.

After the 100-gm shock, Phogat decided to retire and wrote emotional lines on her X handle. She may or may not join politics as she has been given open invitations by various political parties. The 100-gram saga will remain in the news at least until Haryana gets a new Assembly.

But, out in the world, the haggling for that extra bit, maybe 1 or 10 or 100 gm will continue between the buyer and the seller.

(Deepika Bhan ca be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
Mandera, Aug 11 : Kenyan security forces have launched a manhunt for Al-Shabab militants who killed a government official before hijacking and fleeing with his official car in Kenyan Mandera County which borders Somalia.

Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako who confirmed the incident on Sunday said that the militants ambushed and killed the official at 3 p.m. local time on Saturday at the Kamor area in Mandera town before fleeing with his vehicle, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ochako said a woman who was in the car jumped out of the moving vehicle and escaped.

Abdikadir Baricha, Mandera deputy director of Enforcement and head of the County Installation, said the vehicle was later driven towards the Somalia border by suspected Al-Shabab militants.

Baricha said the current security situation in Mandera town is unpredictable and called on the county ministries and departmental heads to advise the drivers under their command.

"I urge the county drivers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities," he said, noting that it is imperative that all county drivers prioritise safety protocols and restrict unnecessary parking of county vehicles in towns.

The incident comes barely a week after security forces conducted operations in northeast Kenya to flush out the Al-Shabab militants from the region.

Since the Kenyan military crossed into Somalia in 2011, several attacks believed to have been carried out by Al-Shabab militants have occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties of northeastern Kenya.
Kabul, Aug 11 : Two drug smugglers were arrested and more than 42 kg of opium poppy was seized from their possession in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, a statement of the provincial police office said on Sunday.

In the first operation, which was conducted in the provincial capital Fayzabad city, police apprehended a drug dealer and seized 24.5 kg of opium poppy from his luggage on Saturday, the statement said, Xinhua news agency reported.

In similar operations against drug peddlers also in Badakhshan province, police nabbed a drug smuggler in Argo district on the same day and discovered nearly 18.38 kg of opium poppy in his possession, the statement said, adding both the arrested drug dealers were Afghans.

Similarly, police in an identical operation discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab in the Dilaram district of the western Nimroz province a week ago.

The Afghan caretaker government banned poppy cultivation, drug processing, and drug trafficking in April 2022 and since then, the administration has been fighting to eradicate Afghanistan from the drug menace.
New Delhi: August holds substantial historical significance for South Asia. While the Independence days of India and Pakistan on August 15 and August 14, respectively, are well known, the importance of August 11 for the Baloch people and Balochistan is less recognised.

On this date in 1947, the departing British colonial administration announced that leaders of the Pakistani Movement had signed a Standstill Agreement with the rulers of the Kalat Khanate, the precursor to modern-day Balochistan, effectively acknowledging its sovereignty just four days before Pakistan's creation through the partition of India.

This date is significant as it marks the Baloch reclaiming their homeland after a century of British colonial rule.

However, this Independence was short-lived as Pakistan's founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, orchestrated a takeover of Balochistan by the Pakistan Army through force in March 1948. Since then, Balochistan has been ruled under a stringent, imperialistic agenda.

For the Baloch nation, August represents Jinnah's betrayal, Pakistan's ongoing oppression, and yet a glimmer of hope for freedom, evidenced by the robust resistance led by Baloch women.

As Baloch nationalist groups such as the Baloch National Movement (BNM) and the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) prepare to commemorate Independence Day, they are organising global events like seminars, sit-ins, and protests to remind the international community of the ongoing repression of the Baloch people under Pakistan's imperial military rule.

It is crucial to revisit, highlight, and debunk the disinformation propagated by Pakistan regarding key historical events.

The Pakistani government's narrative, which emphasises the so-called accession of Kalat to Pakistan, often serves to obscure the treachery of its founding leaders, like Jinnah, towards the Baloch nation and the military force used to coerce Baloch leaders into signing the accord.

Pakistani rulers have excelled in crafting disinformation narratives to obscure Jinnah's promise to respect the region's sovereignty, its subsequent forceful annexation, and the ongoing cycle of repression in Balochistan.

This context is essential for understanding the current state of the Baloch resistance movement and Pakistanas colonial treatment of Balochistan.

Balochistan's current plight is as much a result of Pakistani state treachery as it is of the British colonial government's actions.

As the British colonial empire withdrew from the subcontinent and the partition of India became inevitable, the future of the princely states emerged as a critical issue.

Unlike the approximately 560 princely states considered internal matters of the British Indian government, which were permitted to join either India or Pakistan, the Kalat Khanate, under the leadership of Mir Ahmad Yar Khan, posed a distinct case.

It was classified with Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan, considered external affairs of the colonial administration and thus recognised as sovereign entities.

Interestingly, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, serving as the legal advisor to Ahmad Yar Khan since 1946, championed the Kalat Khanate's sovereign status with the British, aiding in its recognition. Kalat's position was strengthened by Mehrab Khan's 1838 agreement with the British, which acknowledged its independence.

Additionally, a treaty in 1878 granted Kalat internal autonomy, unlike other Indian princely states.

Consequently, a trilateral Standstill Agreement was signed by Mir Ahmad Yar Khan, Jinnah, and Liaquat Ali Khan, alongside British representatives, at a roundtable attended by Lord Mountbatten on 4 August 1947.

This agreement, formally announced on 11 August 1947, recognised Kalat's political autonomy and stated: "Pakistan recognises Kalat as an independent sovereign state in treaty relations with the British Government, with a status different from that of Indian princely states."

While India and Pakistan emerged as separate states at midnight on 14-15 August 1947, Kalat had already declared its independence on 12 August.

However, this autonomy was short-lived as the Jinnah-led Pakistani leadership soon betrayed the Baloch nation by coercing Mir Ahmad Yar Khan into acceding to their newly formed state.

Pakistan's behaviour was consistent with the expansionist tendencies of its leadership, evidenced by their violation of the Standstill Agreement with the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947, when they invaded the princely state and have occupied part of it ever since.

Similarly, following the invasion of Kashmir, the Pakistani government threatened to invade the Kalat Khanate if its rulers resisted these expansionist demands. One can only imagine the sense of monumental betrayal Ahmad Yar Khan must have felt, given that the very person who had advocated for Kalat's independence with the British was now seeking to annex Balochistan at gunpoint.

It is important to note that Pakistani narratives often emphasise the so-called Shahi Jirga of 29 June 1947, where representatives from Kharan, Las Bela, and Makrana"areas under British control in Balochistana"are claimed to have voted in favour of joining Pakistan.

However, this narrative is misleading. The jirga lacked proper mandate, as representatives of the Kalat Khanate, which comprised the major geographical expanse of historic Balochistan, were excluded from voting. Moreover, a week before this vote, on 22 June 1947, the same jirga members, along with Baloch sardars, acknowledged Kalat's suzerainty through a letter to Ahmad Yar Khan, granting him the authority to determine Balochistan's fate with the British, Indian, and Pakistani leadership. Even the then-president of the Balochistan Muslim League, Qazi Muhammad Isa, stated that this jirga "in no way represents the popular wishes of the masses."

As Jinnah and the Pakistani leadership intensified their pressure, Ahmad Yar Khan ensured a democratic resolution by convening a special session of the Dar-ul-Umara (House of Lords) and Dar-ul-Awam (House of Commons).

These democratic bodies, established after the end of British paramountcy on 15 August, unequivocally voted in favour of Kalat's independence multiple times between 14 December 1947 and 25 February 1948. Offended by the Baloch people's referendum and insistence on an independent sovereign path, the Pakistani leadership dispatched its army to Balochistan.

This military intervention aimed to coerce the Kalat Khan into surrendering, which was eventually achieved on 27 March 1948, thereby ending Balochistan's short-lived independence of 227 days. However, this widely opposed annexation sparked the first Baloch revolt against the state of Pakistan, led by Mir Naroze Khan, Ahmad Yar Khan's brother, which was violently suppressed by the Pakistan Army.

Since then, Balochistan has remained under the oppressive control of Pakistan, which consistently uses violence to silence the Baloch people, even suppressing calls for basic rights and resources.

The region has become akin to a colonial administration, focused solely on exploiting its natural resources at any cost. Pakistan has even invited China, its so-called iron brother, to exploit the region's valuable mineral resources.

It appears that Pakistani rulers have devised a two-pronged strategy. On one hand, Chinese companies have been delegated to loot and plunder Balochistan's resources, while on the other, the Pakistan Army is tasked with suppressing any form of Baloch resistance to this imperial plunder.

Consequently, Pakistanas military has employed every oppressive tactic imaginable and engaged in widespread human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and organ harvesting, among other atrocities, on an industrial scale.

Despite this, the Baloch people have persistently resisted the occupation both politically and through an armed insurgency necessitated by the oppressive tactics of the Pakistan Army. The fifth and by far the largest phase of armed resistance, initiated in 2005 following the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, is currently ongoing.

However, the resistance landscape in Balochistan is undergoing a fundamental and revolutionary shift, with the mantle now being taken up by young Baloch individuals, particularly women.

This shift is exemplified by the ongoing mass protest movement led by the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC), featuring prominent figures such as Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Balocha"both victims of Pakistan Army violence. This movement seeks to end the genocidal tactics of the Pakistan Army and achieve political rights.

Nevertheless, as the resistance movement endures, for the Baloch people, August 11 remains deeply ingrained in their collective memory as a day symbolising the broken commitment and unfulfilled promise of independence from Pakistan.

As the Baloch observe this day and reaffirm their determination to continue their path of resistance, it calls for self-reflection. They must recognise that the battle for their right to self-determination and a free homeland is theirs alone to fight.

Simultaneously, the international community cannot and should not ignore the crimes of the Pakistan Army in Balochistan.

Instead, the current need is to support the Baloch people as they struggle for their right to live a free and dignified life. This is the least the global community can do.
Kathmandu, Aug 11 : Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Sunday paid a courtesy call to Nepal Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and President Ramchandra Paudel, during which he discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral relations between India and the Himalayan nation.

During his meeting with the Nepal PM, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed civilisational, close and multifaceted ties between the two nations and discussed ways to provide momentum to various sectors of bilateral collaboration.

This visit underscores the deepening bilateral relationship between the two nations under India's Neighbourhood First Policy.

In a significant gesture of India-Nepal cooperation, Foreign Secretary Misri and Maniram Gelal, Secretary of Nepal's Ministry of Urban Development, jointly inaugurated the new building of Nepal Bhasha Parishad in Kathmandu.

This building, constructed under India's post-earthquake reconstruction grant, marks a step forward in the reconstruction efforts that have been a cornerstone of Indian aid to Nepal.

In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam' campaign, he also planted a sapling of Blue Jacaranda (Nili Gulmohar), symbolising the shared commitment of India and Nepal towards environmental sustainability.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasised that Foreign Secretary Misri's visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal.

The MEA statement highlighted the longstanding civilisational, cultural, and people-to-people ties that form the bedrock of India-Nepal relations. The visit is expected to further advance bilateral cooperation, which has seen increased momentum in recent years, particularly in infrastructure and connectivity projects.

This visit marks Foreign Secretary Misri's first official trip to Nepal following the assumption of charge by Nepal's Prime Minister Oli.

The visit also underscores India's role as a crucial development partner to Nepal, with India increasing its aid to Nepal to Rs 700 crore in the Union Budget 2024-25, up from Rs 550 crore in the previous fiscal year.

A key highlight ahead of Foreign Secretary Misri's visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the MEA and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), based in Bengaluru.

The MoU facilitates the launch of Nepal's Munal satellite, developed under the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), on NSIL's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at no cost to Nepal. This agreement marks a significant milestone in India-Nepal space cooperation.

The MoU was signed by Anurag Srivastava, MEA's Joint Secretary (North), and NSIL Director A. Arunachalam, reflecting the growing collaboration in space technology between the two neighbouring countries.
In this article, we explore the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go to 5 Countries with the Largest Uranium Reserves in the World in 2024.

Uranium is often thought to be rare due to its crucial role in nuclear energy and associated costs and risks. However, uranium is abundant, more than gold and silver, and similar to tin in the Earth's crust. During the Cold War, the USSR mined over 377,000 tonnes of uranium for various uses, including nuclear reactors and naval fuel.

Uranium production surged from the 1960s to the 1980s, driven by the demand for nuclear reactors, leading to the construction of the first generation of nuclear plants. Currently, about 436 nuclear reactors are operational worldwide. The war in Ukraine has brought renewed attention to uranium due to its use in nuclear weapons. Ukraine, which relied on Russia for uranium for its 15 nuclear reactors, quickly secured a deal with Canada in response to the crisis.

Besides its defense applications, uranium is vital for electricity generation due to its low carbon footprint. Uranium production saw a steady increase over ten years, reaching a peak of 63,207 metric tons in 2016. However, global production has declined since then. This decline is linked to persistently low spot prices following the Fukushima disaster, as well as impacts from COVID-19 and Russia's war against Ukraine.

Recently, uranium prices have started to recover, driven by positive views on nuclear power's role in the energy transition and increased investment in uranium funds. Advances in extraction technology, such as in situ recovery mining, have made uranium mining more efficient and affordable. Additionally, supportive government policies and international agreements are strengthening the market by maintaining steady demand and encouraging investment in uranium projects.

Currently, nuclear energy generates 10% of the world's electricity, a figure expected to rise as more countries turn to nuclear energy to cut carbon emissions and ensure reliable power. Analysts predict a prolonged bull market for uranium, with early 2024 prices hitting a 16-year high of over $100 per pound. Though prices have slightly decreased the industry remains optimistic.

Praetorian Capital believes nuclear power will eventually be accepted as a reliable power generation compromise. They anticipate a significant rise in uranium prices due to a production deficit and increasing demand. To capitalize on this, Praetorian Capital has invested in the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust Fund (OTC:SRUUF), which is buying uranium to reduce available stockpiles and drive up prices. The fund predicts that utilities will soon need to replenish their inventories, further boosting uranium prices. Additionally, they expect it will take several years for new uranium supply to meet the growing demand, contributing to the anticipated price increase.

Story continues

China recently announced the development of their new high-temperature gas-cooled pebble bed reactor, a cutting-edge nuclear reactor technology. According to the American businessman and CEO of the Climate Corporation, David Friedberg, comparing electricity production between the US and China, the US currently generates 1 terawatt of electricity, whereas China produces about 3 terawatts, with 2 to 3% of that from nuclear power. By 2050, the US aims to add another terawatt to its electricity production. In contrast, China plans to increase its electricity production to 8.7 terawatts by 2050, with 80% coming from renewables and about 18% from nuclear power by 2060.

China is expanding its nuclear capabilities, constructing 26 nuclear reactors, and planning to build around 300 reactors with a total capacity of 500 gigawatts. David Friedberg mentioned in a recently published podcast that the cost of electricity in China is between $0.07 and $0.09 per kilowatt-hour, compared to $0.17 to $0.25 per kilowatt-hour in the US. China's expansion into renewables and nuclear power is projected to lower its electricity costs to below $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. The International Energy Agency estimates that nuclear power costs $65 per megawatt-hour in China, compared to $105 in the US and $140 in the EU.

Aristotle Capital Management mentioned Cameco Corporation

(NYSE:CCJ) in its Q2 2024 hedge fund investor letter. Cameco Corporation

(NYSE:CCJ) is one of the world's largest publicly traded uranium producers. Based in Canada, the company is involved in the mining, refining, and production of uranium for nuclear power plants.

"Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ), one of the worlds largest publicly traded uranium producers, was the top contributor during the period. Support from governments and policymakers for nuclear energy has continued to increase in 2024 as countries realize it can play a crucial role in both promoting energy security and lowering dependence on fossil fuels to meet environmental goals. With higher demand for uranium across the world, Camecos production was up more than 25% year-over-year, and its long-term supply contracts have increased (annual commitments now standing at 28 million pounds per year through 2028). We view these fundamental improvements as further proof Cameco is making progress on our catalyst of increasing its uranium volume sold at higher prices, all while lowering production costs through scale and its access to some of the highest-grade ore on the planet. In addition, we believe the companys continued integration of Westinghouse Electric Companys market-leading downstream capabilities will allow it to offer a highly competitive nuclear fuel solution. In our opinion, this puts Cameco on track to enjoy higher levels of FREE cash flow and the ability to de-risk its balance sheet as it meets global energy needs."

Meanwhile, Greenwood Investors highlights

Nexgen Energy Ltd.

(NYSE:NXE)'s potential in its Q2 2024 investor letter. NexGen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE) is a Canadian uranium exploration and development company. Greenwood Investors said that Nexgen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE) is gaining momentum after a long preparation period, leading up to a pivotal year in 2024. Nexgen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE)'s Arrow deposit could transform uranium mining, similar to Saudi Arabia's impact on oil, due to its strong economics. With uranium prices now over $100 per pound, Arrow's full operation could generate over $1.6 billion in free cash flow, while Nexgen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE)'s current fully diluted market cap is $4.6 billion.

Nexgen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE)'s Co-founder and CEO Leigh Curyer emphasizes a strategic approach that prioritizes people first, process optimization second, and the project itself last. For Greenwood Investors, this methodical strategy has set up Nexgen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE) for significant success. Although a takeover offer is expected once the Canadian government fully approves Nexgen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE)'s uranium mine, Greenwood Investors prefers to stay invested for the long term rather than taking advantage of a quick acquisition.

15 Countries with the Largest Uranium Reserves in the World in 2024

A close-up of a uranium mining site, the hardworking miners working underground to extract uranium resources.

Our Methodology

To determine the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024, we began by collecting data from reputable sources, such as the World Nuclear Association and the Investing News Network, which provided up-to-date and comprehensive information on global uranium reserves. We then cross-referenced this data to ensure accuracy and reliability, comparing figures from multiple sources. After verifying the data, we ranked the countries based on their total uranium reserves, measured in metric tons (MT). Only those countries with significant uranium reserves were included in the final list, ensuring that the major contributors to the global uranium market were represented accurately. This approach allowed us to provide a precise and reliable ranking of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024.

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15 Countries with the Largest Uranium Reserves in the World in 2024

15. Ukraine

Total Uranium Reserves: 20,000 MT

Ukraine, with an estimated 20,000 metric tons of uranium reserves, ranks 15th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and a historical dependence on Russia for uranium to fuel its 15 nuclear reactors, Ukraine has made significant changes in boosting its own uranium production.

Traditionally, nuclear power has provided over 55% of Ukraine's electricity. In response to the crisis, Ukraine has transitioned from relying on Russian nuclear fuel to securing American supplies. In September 2023, Westinghouse Electric began delivering fuel to the Rivne nuclear power plant. Additionally, Ukraine has formed a key partnership with Canada's

Cameco Corporation

(NYSE:CCJ) to process and enrich its uranium, further diversifying its energy sources and reducing its dependence on external suppliers. This makes Ukraine one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024.

14. Mongolia

Total Uranium Reserves: 57,000 MT

Mongolia, with its large uranium reserves of 57,000 metric tons, makes it one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. The country has recently struck a $1.7 billion deal with the French state-owned company Orano to develop the Zuuvch-Ovoo mine, Mongolias first uranium project. This mine is expected to produce about 2,750 tons of uranium each year, which would account for 4% of global uranium production and make it one of the most significant undeveloped deposits in the world.

Although Mongolia faces challenges, such as its reliance on China and Russia and environmental concerns, its vast uranium reserves present a valuable opportunity. The Zuuvch-Ovoo mine uses in situ recovery, a process that reduces environmental impact and allows for efficient resource extraction.

Furthermore, new uranium deposits discovered in the Dornogovi province have enhanced Mongolia's market position. According to the World Nuclear Association and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mongolias significant reserves and recent advancements are set to make it a more influential player in the uranium supply chain as it also grabbed a spot in the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024.

13. India

Total Uranium Reserves: 70,000 MT

India, with its significant uranium reserves of 70,000 metric tons, ranks 13th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. The Indian government has launched several new mining projects to boost production. These include expanding the Tummalapalle mine in Andhra Pradesh and developing new sites in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. These efforts aim to increase the country's uranium production and lessen the need for imports.

Recently, a uranium mine in southern India has uncovered a potential reserve of 49,000 tonnes of ore, with estimates suggesting it could contain up to three times that amount, potentially making it the worlds largest uranium deposit. This discovery is pivotal for India, which plans to expand its nuclear power capacity from just under 5 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts by 2020 and 63 gigawatts by 2050.

Additionally, as one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024, India is investing in advanced extraction technologies to improve efficiency. Recent discoveries of new uranium deposits in these areas are expected to strengthen India's position in the global market even further.

12. United States

Total Uranium Reserves: 114,900 MT

The United States, with an estimated 114,900 metric tons of uranium reserves, ranks 12th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. Last year, the U.S. government launched a strategic initiative to increase domestic uranium production, driven by concerns about national security and a desire to reduce dependence on foreign sources. Uranium prices have recently surged to over $80 per pound in the country, the highest in over 15 years, reflecting a significant increase in demand driven by the global shift towards nuclear energy and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is leading efforts to revitalize the industry by creating a strategic uranium reserve and supporting new mining projects. Furthermore, key companies like

Energy Fuels Inc.

(NYSE:UUUU) and Ur-Energy Inc.

(NYSE:URG) are advancing their exploration and production activities, reflecting strong confidence in the long-term potential of U.S. uranium resources.

Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE:UUUU), a leading U.S. uranium producer, has seized this opportunity by opening three new mines in Arizona and Utah. Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE:UUUU) boasts substantial reserves, with 1.6 million pounds of uranium in Arizona and an additional 4.3 million pounds in Utah, positioning it as a major contributor to the U.S. uranium supply. Looking ahead, Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE:UUUU) plans to further expand its operations, aiming to increase its annual production to over two million pounds by 2025.

Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE:UUUU) is also preparing to start production at new mines in Colorado and Utah and exploring additional projects in New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah, potentially boosting production to five million pounds per year if market conditions remain favorable. This optimistic outlook is further supported by the Biden administrations $1.2 billion aid package to extend the life of nuclear power plants and the global trend of moving away from Russian uranium due to the conflict in Ukraine. These factors make the USA one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024 and are creating a favorable environment for U.S. uranium producers, making the industry a promising area for investment.

11. Jordan

Total Uranium Reserves: 140,000 MT

Jordans substantial uranium reserves, estimated at 140,000 metric tons, makes it one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. This large reserve positions Jordan as a major player with considerable resources, which could boost its role in the energy sector.

The Jordanian Uranium Mining Company has started pilot operations, producing yellowcake from uranium ore, and plans to significantly scale up production. Although the country lacks commercial nuclear plants, it is moving forward with nuclear projects, including research reactors and potential power plants.

As one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024, the Jordanian government has been actively developing these resources, collaborating with international partners like Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. In 2023, Jordans Uranium Mining Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned Jordan Energy Resources Inc. (JERICO), reported successful results from pilot-scale operations, which demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale production.

10. Brazil

Total Uranium Reserves: 276,100 MT

Brazil, with its uranium reserves of 276,100 metric tons, ranks 10th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. The Brazilian government is moving forward with major projects to boost production. This includes expanding the Caetite uranium mine in Bahia and developing the Itataia project in Ceara.

These efforts are designed to increase uranium output to satisfy both domestic and international demand. Brazil is also investing in modern extraction technologies to improve mining efficiency and sustainability. These initiatives and the country's vast reserves are expected to strengthen Brazils position in the global uranium market.

9. South Africa

Total Uranium Reserves: 280,000 MT'

South Africa, with a uranium reserve of 280,000 metric tons ranks 9th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. The country has launched significant projects, such as expanding the Langer Heinrich uranium mine and exploring new areas in the Kalahari Basin.

South Africa's Tumas uranium project, managed by Australia's Deep Yellow Limited, is poised to make a significant impact in the global uranium market. The project boasts a substantial reserve of 88.4 million tonnes of ore and has the potential for even larger reserves. Set to become one of the world's largest uranium mining operations, Tumas is planned to operate for 22.5 years, with possibilities for extension beyond 30 years.

The project, which requires an initial investment of $372 million, will employ conventional open-pit mining and advanced processing methods to ensure efficiency and environmental safety. Supporting infrastructure includes a new access road, a 20MW solar farm, and a dedicated power line and freshwater pipeline. Production is expected to ramp up by late 2025, following a final investment decision in mid-2024, supporting the country's position as one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024.

8. China

Total Uranium Reserves: 300,000 MT

Ranking 8th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024 is China, with uranium reserves of 300,000 metric tons. To secure its supply, China has ramped up investments and formed key partnerships, especially in Kazakhstan. Chinese companies have entered joint ventures and worked closely with local partners to ensure a steady uranium flow. This strategy helps China secure crucial resources and strengthen its control over global uranium supply chains.

Over the past decade, China has added a third of its total confirmed uranium reserves, reflecting an increase in efficiency and capability. China's advancements come at a crucial time when global demand for uranium is surging due to the shift towards green energy and carbon neutrality. By capitalizing on its extensive reserves and fostering international collaborations, China is poised to enhance its influence in the global uranium market and support its growing nuclear energy goals.

7. Niger

Total Uranium Reserves: 311,110 MT

Niger, with its significant uranium reserves of 311,110 metric tons, landed on the 7th spot in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. As the worlds 7th largest uranium producer, Niger's extensive reserves give it a strong advantage. In 2024, the country made notable investments in expanding its uranium mining infrastructure, including major upgrades to the Arlit and Akouta mines. The Cominak and Somair mines, managed by the French company Orano, have been crucial for Niger's uranium production.

In 2023, Orano announced plans to expand these operations and invest in new projects, indicating strong confidence in Nigers uranium potential. Meanwhile, Niger's government is actively seeking additional investments to boost production and take advantage of the increasing global demand for uranium. These developments highlight Nigers growing role and opportunities in the uranium industry. Nigers stable political environment and advances in mining technology further boost its appeal as one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024.

6. Uzbekistan

Total Uranium Reserves: 385,000 MT

Ranking 6th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024 is Uzbekistan, with its uranium reserves of 385,000 metric tons. As the worlds 6th largest holder of uranium reserves, the country has attracted significant foreign investment to boost its uranium production, with key projects including the expansion of the existing Navoi Mining & Metallurgy Combinats (NMMC) uranium operations and the development of new mines at Zafarabad and Uchkuduk. These projects are expected to greatly increase Uzbekistan's uranium reserves.

Uzbekistan is rapidly advancing its uranium production capabilities through strategic partnerships and ambitious goals. The state-owned Navoiuran, which became an independent entity from the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Plant in 2022, is negotiating with China Nuclear Uranium to develop significant uranium deposits in the Navoi region. This collaboration supports President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's aim to boost uranium production from about 3,500 tons in 2021 to 7,100 tons by 2030. The country's uranium expansion is also backed by international partnerships, such as the one with Frances Orano, which plans to invest up to $500 million in exploration and joint mining ventures.

5. Namibia

Total Uranium Reserves: 425,500 MT

Namibia, with its uranium reserves of 425,500 metric tons, ranks 4th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. Significant foreign investments have been attracted to expand existing mines and explore new deposits in the country. Notably, the expansion of the Husab and Rossing mines, two of the largest uranium mines in the world, is expected to greatly increase Namibia's uranium production to meet the growing global demand for nuclear energy.

In May this year, Hertz Energy submitted applications for exclusive prospecting licenses (EPLs) to explore new uranium claims in Namibia. These claims, particularly in the Erongo region, show promising radiometric anomalies, indicating significant uranium deposits, further cementing Namibia's position in the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024

4. Russia

Total Uranium Reserves: 485,000 MT

Russia ranks 4th in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024, with its uranium reserves of 485,000 metric tons. Russia, which holds around 8% of the worlds uranium reserves, is well-positioned to enhance its role in the global uranium market. Managed primarily by Rosatom, a subsidiary of ARMZ Uranium Holding, Russia's uranium production includes the Priargunsky mine and the developing Vershinnoye deposit in Southern Siberia.

Nuclear energy, making up 19% of Russias energy mix, is crucial for the country, which operates 37 reactors and has more units under construction. The Russian government aims to increase uranium production to support rising energy needs. Despite geopolitical issues, European countries like France continue to import Russian uranium, demonstrating ongoing international dependence.

Other key projects contributing to this success include the development of Mine No. 6 at the Priargunskoye Industrial Mining and Chemical Union, which is expected to be a major uranium source for the next 40-50 years. Additionally, Rosatom's subsidiary, JSC Khiagda, is expanding in-situ leach (ISL) operations in Buryatia, and JSC Dalur is advancing the Khokhlovskoye field in the Kurgan region.

3. Canada

Total Uranium Reserves: 620,000 MT

Ranking 3rd in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024 is Canada, with its uranium reserves, totaling 620,000 metric tons. The Cigar Lake mine in Canada, operated by Cameco Corporation

(NYSE:CCJ), is one of the world's largest and highest-grade uranium mines.

Canada, while no longer the top uranium producer since being overtaken by Kazakhstan in 2009, remains a critical force in the global uranium market thanks to its rich reserves and high-quality deposits. The country has around 694,000 tonnes of known uranium resources, mainly from the McArthur River and Cigar Lake mines in northern Saskatchewan, which are some of the largest and richest deposits worldwide.

Canada's extensive mining history and current government support, including the 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy and a 30% exploration tax credit, position it well to meet future global demand and retain its place in the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. Recent updates, such as the renewal of Cameco Corporation

(NYSE:CCJ)'s production license and increased processing capacity, further strengthen Canada's role. In 2023, production at Cigar Lake exceeded expectations, contributing significantly to Canada's uranium output. Additionally, the McArthur River mine, another major asset in Cameco Corporation

(NYSE:CCJ)'s portfolio, has resumed operations after a period of care and maintenance, further enhancing the country's uranium production capacity.

2. Kazakhstan

Total Uranium Reserves: 736,000 MT

Kazakhstan, with its significant uranium reserves of 736,000 metric tons, ranks 2nd in our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024. Kazakhstan is establishing itself as a leading player in the global uranium market, thanks to its extensive reserves and strategic advantages. As the largest producer of uranium, Kazakhstan supplied 43% of the world's uranium in 2022 and holds two-thirds of the world's in-situ leaching (ISL)-suitable reserves. This extraction method enables the country to produce uranium at lower costs, giving its national company, Kazatomprom, a significant edge and influence in global markets. Kazakhstan has leveraged these cost advantages to modernize its industry and expand production dramatically, growing from 796 metric tons in 1997 to a projected 31,000 metric tons by 2025.

A key development in their expansion is C29 Metals' acquisition of the Ulytau uranium project, aimed at boosting production to meet the rising global demand for nuclear energy. The Ulytau project, located centrally in Kazakhstan, marks a substantial increase in the country's uranium mining capabilities. This project is expected to enhance production capacity and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as one of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024.

1. Australia

Total Uranium Reserves: 1,862,000 MT

Topping our list of the top 15 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world in 2024 is Australia, with its vast uranium reserves of 1,862,000 metric tons. Australia holds the largest uranium reserves in the world, accounting for about one-third of global resources, and also the fourth-largest uranium producer, positioned behind Kazakhstan, Canada, and Namibia in global production rankings.

Australia is set to play a crucial role in the global uranium market due to its extensive mineral resources and history of uranium mining. As the fourth-largest producer of uranium worldwide, Australia accounted for 27.7% of global uranium resources in 2021. Production is expected to rise, reaching 5.1 kt by 2024, largely due to the reopening of the Honeymoon uranium mine, which will add around 1.1% to global supply.

Several new projects, such as Nolans, Bigrlyi, and Westmoreland, are also slated to start in the coming years, further increasing Australia's output. While there is debate about the feasibility of developing domestic nuclear power, Australia's stable political climate and strong commitment to resource development enhance its position as a key player in the uranium industry.

Key projects driving this growth include the expansion of the Olympic Dam and Ranger mines. The Olympic Dam, one of the world's largest deposits, is undergoing significant development to boost production capacity. Moreover, the Four Mile project is expected to further increase Australia's uranium output. These projects are crucial for meeting the rising global demand for nuclear energy, especially as countries seek cleaner energy alternatives. Australia is also investing in sustainable and efficient mining practices, focusing on modern technologies to enhance extraction and processing.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Countries with the Largest Uranium Reserves in the World in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Mumbai, Aug 11 : Actor Matt LeBlanc, who is known for his role of Joey Tribbiani in the popular sitcom 'Friends', once shared his experience of visiting Morocco.

A clip shared by Stephen Colbert from his show presents Matt LeBlanc talking about the time when he met a few cavemen in Morocco.

The actor told Stephen Colbert, "If they have electricity, they are watching friends, it seems like. We were shooting 'Top Gear' in The Atlas Mountain in the remote part of Morocco. People there live in actual caves, and you see an extension chord going into the cave, and you could hear, 'I'll be there for you' (the theme song of 'Friends') coming out of this cave."

He further mentioned, "We were on the side of the road, and these tribespeople were coming in. There was one guy, he goes, How you doin'. I wasn't sure if he was asking me if how I was doing or quoting the thing from the show. I was like, 'I'm good.' And he started mimicking my character from the show."

'Friends', which premiered in 1994, is one of the most iconic sitcoms. It tells the story of a group of six friends and how they navigate life. It also starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer.

The show is remembered for its writing, the character arcs, and its raw humour which sometimes ventured into racy humour.

The show went off air in 2004, and has gained a cult status over the years. Last year, Matthew Perry, who essayed the role of Chandler Bing in the show, passed away due to accidental drowning.

In 2021, a documentary 'Friends: The Reunion' was also released on OTT where the cast of the show reunited and reminisced about their time filming it and the bond they formed over the years.
Imphal, Aug 11 : A former MLA's wife was killed in a blast at Ekou Mullam in Manipur's tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district on Sunday, police officials said.

Police said that the explosion seriously injured Charubala Haokip (59) wife of a former MLA Yamthong Haokip (64) and she was immediately taken to the Community Health Center at Saikul, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The blast happened when the victim was burning waste in her residential complex.

Haokip (MLA from 2017-2022) was also in his house when the explosion took place but he was not injured in the blast.

Charubala belongs to the Meitei community while Yamthong is from the Kuki-Zo community.

Police officials quoting the local people said that a locally made Improvised Explosive Device (IED) had been placed among waste material at the house which exploded due to waste burn.

Police said that they are probing the incident.

The victim's husband Yamthong Haokip, in a letter to the Officer-in-charge of the Saikul Police Station, demanded a probe of the incident.

"While cleaning the house, and compound, my wife was hit by an explosive item, most likely suspected to be the bomb while burning waste items. Due to her injury from the explosion and excessive bleeding, my wife has succumbed to her injury," the former MLA said in his letter.

Local people said that the motive behind the bomb blast remains unclear, though police investigations are ongoing.

Locals suspect that existing land disputes could have been a factor.

The police have completed Charubala's postmortem, allowing the family to proceed with her last rites.

In her death, Charubala inadvertently bridged the divide between the warring Meitei and Kuki, if only for a moment, reminding all of the shared humanity that persists even in the darkest times.
Chennai, Aug 11 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder leader S. Ramadoss on Sunday urged the state government to declare the northern districts as "underdeveloped" in education.

Chennai, Aug 11 (IANS) Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder leader S. Ramadoss on Sunday urged the state government to declare the northern districts as "underdeveloped" in education.

Ramadoss called upon the government to implement the district allocation system to fill up teacher vacancies in northern Tamil Nadu.

He said that as per the Tamil Nadu School Education Department data, there are more than ten thousand vacant teacher posts in Tamil Nadu and a majority of these vacant posts are in northern districts.

"Around 72.32 per cent of these vacancies are in northern districts of Tamil Nadu which is shocking. The government should treat each of the 38 districts in an equal manner," said Ramadoss.

He said that teachers should be appointed in their respective districts and their transfers should be avoided. "This would help teachers to work within their home districts," said the PMK founder, who is a medical doctor.

In Class X, Tamil Nadu State Board examinations of 2024, three northern districts of Tamil Nadu - Vellore, Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai - recorded the lowest pass percentages with only 82.07 per cent, 85.48 per cent and 86.10 per cent respectively.

These districts were ranked in the 38th, 37th and 36th positions in the district performance list.

Officials of the School Education Department said that a total of 82,484 students from these districts, including 43,805 girls, appeared for the examinations.

Among these districts, Tiruvannamalai has the highest number of student participants at 31,341, followed by Vellore with 18,670, Tirupattur with 17,221 and Ranipet with 15,174.

Social activist and Director of Centre for Policy and Development Studies C. Rajeev told IANS that a study on the Class X Tamil Nadu School Board Examination results reveals clearly where the students of northern districts of Tamil Nadu are placed.

"The points raised by Ramadoss need to be taken seriously regarding the teacher shortage in northern districts and appropriate measures must be taken by the Education Department at the earliest," Rajeev said.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : The latest report by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research taking a shot at SEBI chief has been rubbished by economists as well as financial experts as baseless, mala-fide and motivated.

Some of the country's leading financial experts said that the report is based on conjectures and speculations and lacks solid proof and its main purpose is to 'book profits' at the expense of Indian stock markets.

KV Subramanian, a former Chief Economic Advisor of India, took to X and said that he vouched for the 'unimpeachable integrity' of SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch and that the Hindenburg report lacked 'intellectual rigour'.

"I've personally known SEBI Chairperson Madhabi for about two decades. Given her unimpeachable integrity and her intellectual prowess, I'm sure she will shred to smithereens this Hindenberg's hit job," wrote Subramanian, who is currently Executive Director with IMF.

Kishore Subramanian, a leading financial expert, said that the report looks devoid of any evidence and banks on accusations and allegations to prove its point.

"The use of words like 'we think, maybe' shows that the report is based on conjectures and speculations and not on solid evidence," he said.

"By releasing a report bereft of truth, Hindenburg has delivered yet another hit job. The claims are unsubstantiated and will remain untenable in the court of law," he added.

He also said that the motive of a US-based short-seller is to create commotion and disturbance in Indian markets and benefit itself financially as it did in previous instances.

"There appears only one aim of Hindenburg -- is to spread fear and panic among investors with its smear campaign. It wants to trigger freefall in stock markets, destabilise the economy and in turn make money," the financial expert said.

He further urged investors not to believe in hearsay, as spread by the US-based short-seller and asked people to frame their own opinion by reading the report which is in the public domain.

Ajay Rotti, Tax Compass founder, also saw an underlying motive in the report and said that it was a brazen attempt to bring the Indian markets down.

"This report has been published just to divert attention from the scrutiny of Hindenburg themselves and their short trade.... the report calls the SEBI show-cause to them as "apparent show cause notice". Their earlier report had no impact on the markets after the initial fall... the Supreme Court found nothing wrong in the previous allegation in 2023. Hence, another attempt to make money while shorting!" he wrote on X.

Earlier in the day, SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval also rebutted the report and termed it an attempt at "character assassination" in response to SEBI's action against the Hindenburg.
Chennai, Aug 11 : Expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam (OPS), called upon the Tamil Nadu government to "consult with the Governor" and fill the posts of Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) in state-run universities, in the interest of students.

Chennai, Aug 11 (IANS) Expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam (OPS), called upon the Tamil Nadu government to "consult with the Governor" and fill the posts of Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) in state-run universities, in the interest of students.

The posts of V-Cs of four state-run universities -- University of Madras, Bharathiar University, Madurai Kamaraj University and Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University -- remained vacant for several months now while the Vice Chancellor of Anna University, R. Velraj, completed his tenure on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday, Panneerselvam referred to a case pending before the Supreme Court of India over the inclusion of a representative of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the Search Committee to pick V-Cs and urged the government for speedy completion of the court proceedings.

He charged that ever since the DMK government assumed office in Tamil Nadu in May 2021, the state-run universities faced a severe financial crunch and could not appoint teachers or pay them salaries and could not conduct examinations on time.

Panneerselvam pointed out that as there was an issue over including a representative of the University Grants Commission in the Search Committee, a panel headed by the Secretary of the Higher Education Department was heading the administration of these universities without V-Cs.

The former Chief Minister said that if this situation continues, a scenario would arise when there would be no V-Cs for many of the universities.

He called upon the state government to understand the significance and importance of a Vice Chancellor for a University and stated that the Tamil Nadu government had the responsibility and duty to appoint V-Cs for these institutions.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11 : Two more body parts were recovered in the Kanthanpara area of Wayanad on Sunday following extensive search operations.

Search operations were carried out by a 30-member team deployed in Soochipara and Kanthanpara areas, considered to be difficult terrains.

However, due to adverse weather conditions, the search operations have been temporarily suspended.

A massive search was held in six zones including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Punchirimattam and the village office premises.

Kerala Police, Kerala State Fire and Rescue personnel, volunteers of various service and youth outfits and locals were part of the search operations. They were also supported by hundreds of civil volunteers including women.

At least 413 people lost their lives and 152 are still missing after the massive landslides hit Wayanad district of Kerala during the early hours of July 30.

The Bailey Bridge, constructed by the Indian Army, is proving a boon to the locals and those involved in the relief and rescue mission.

Authorities also allowed people, who registered for the work before 9 a.m. on Sunday, to join the search operation.

The administration has also included the relatives and survivors in the search team to assist the rescue workers in identifying the places.

Cadaver dogs are part of these rescue teams.

Officials said that excavators were also used to remove the debris to search for the bodies after Cavadar dogs traced the spot.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the relatives are being made part of the search operations to find people who are still missing as all other possible means have been exhausted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also visited the landslide-hit Wayanad and assured that the Central government will "spare no effort" in helping Kerala in relief and rehabilitation while describing the tragedy as "nature displaying its furious form."
Chennai, Aug 11 : Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson and senior party leader A.N.S. Prasad on Sunday said that the Congress' stance on the reports and articles of US-based Hindenburg Research has raised "serious concerns" regarding its allegiance to the short-selling firm.

He said that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's repeated statements on the matter, relying on the US firm's reports, have sparked questions about his loyalty to India.

Prasad said that Rahul Gandhi had created false narratives against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, spreading chaos and misinformation.

The BJP leader said that the baseless remarks about Indian industrialists by Rahul Gandhi had tarnished their reputation and compromised their future business prospects.

He alleged that despite SEBI's investigation finding no wrongdoing, Hindenburg Research has released a new article creating a stir.

The senior BJP leader charged that the possibility of international conspiracies behind Hindenburg Research's website posts and articles, aiming to destabilise the Indian economy, cannot be ruled out.

Prasad said that SEBI -- India's stock market regulator -- conducted a thorough investigation into Hindenburg Research's allegations and found them entirely false.

Despite clearances, Hindenburg Research has published a new article making baseless claims about the SEBI Chairman.

The BJP leader said that the latest attempt by Hindenburg Research to discredit a certain business house is expected to cause a stir in the Indian stock market and called upon Rahul Gandhi to stop acting as a proxy for foreign agencies and show loyalty to the Indian people and soil.

The Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson also called upon the Central government to investigate whether any foreign companies provided secret funding for Rahul Gandhi's travels and election funds to the Congress under Hindenburg Research's guidance.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made progress as a global superpower and top economy.

Prasad said that the Central government's 'Make in India' and 'Start-up India' schemes are enabling the Indian youth to achieve their dreams.

India's pride will not be tarnished by Rahul Gandhi's dreams or Congress' plans, adding that this will never succeed.
Patna, August 11 : Three persons drowned on Sunday in Bihar's Arrah district while inspecting an under-construction building in the Majhaua airport locality.

The building was situated next to a manhole filled with floodwater.

According to officials, one of the victims accidentally slipped into the water.

The flow of water was so strong that when two of his friends attempted to rescue him, they also jumped but were unable to save him or themselves.

Passersby, who witnessed the incident, quickly alerted authorities by calling the emergency helpline number 112.

The local district administration officials, along with residents, responded and managed to retrieve the bodies from the water.

The victims were rushed to the Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

The deceased have been identified as Aniket Kumar Pandey (20), Subham Kumar (15) and Atul Kumar Shukla (17), all residents of Arrah.

Vikas Kumar, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Arrah Sadar range, provided further details about the incident.

"One of the victims lost his life after slipping into a pit filled with floodwater, likely due to soil erosion at the edge of the pit, which the victim did not notice. When two of his friends attempted to save him, they too were swept away by the strong currents and drowned," Kumar said.

The SDO added that the families of the victims have been informed, and further action was being taken by the authorities.

The incident has raised concerns about safety measures in the region, particularly as continuous rain in the Bhojpur district has led to ponds and canals being filled with floodwater.

The district administration has not installed warning boards to alert people about the dangers posed by such pits, ponds and canals.

This may have contributed to the unfortunate deaths, highlighting a need for immediate safety precautions in the area.
New Delhi, Aug 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released 109 high-yielding and climate resilient varieties of crops at the India Agricultural Research Institute in the national capital. The 109 varieties of 61 crops included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.

On the occasion, PM Modi also interacted with the farming community and shared tips on enhancing their agricultural output. PM Modi also discussed with them the need and significance of value addition in existing agricultural practices.

Many farmers, who interacted with the Prime Minister, shared their joy and excitement over the introduction of high-yielding and climate resilient varieties.

A woman farmer told IANS: "Previously, farmers used to grow coarse grains, but they had stopped doing so for sometime. Now, new varieties have been launched. These coarse grains will be beneficial for us as they promise good returns and also require less intensive irrigation."

She further said that many women farmers apprised the Prime Minister about their situation and also shared their dreams for future.

Another woman farmer shared happiness over getting a chance to interact with the Prime Minister and also spoke on how the new varieties with a 70-day cycle make their lives easier and simpler.

"For the first time, we are seeing a Prime Minister who engages directly with the common people and listens personally to their concerns," she said.

She further said: "Today, Prime Minister informed us about 109 varieties of crops. Coarse grains like bajra, jowar have a growth cycle of about 70 days. This will be helpful for us and also create fodder for our cattle."

Another farmer said that Prime Minister is keen on bringing new technology to the farmers and for enabling this, a target of 200-300 meetings with the farming class in every village will be required.

Besides the launch of new climate resilient varieties, the farming community looked elated and ecstatic over meeting the Prime Minister in person.

And, this enthusiasm reflected in their words. One said: "If farmers prosper, the country will also prosper." Another woman farmer said: "We are pleased to share our thoughts with PM Modi."

The crop varieties developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), spanned 61 crops, including 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.

Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals including millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre and other potential crops were released.

Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers and medicinal crops were released.
Chennai, Aug 11 : A 25-year-old contractual worker on Sunday died of asphyxiation while cleaning an underground sewer in Tamil Nadu's Avadi, police officials said.

The deceased is identified as Gopinath of Arunthathipuram, worked as a contract employee for the Avadi City Municipal Corporation.

The incident occurred on Sunday when four contractual workers of the Avadi City Municipal Corporation were removing a blockage from an underground sewer in Kurinji Street in Avadi.

According to the police, Gopinath while descending into the sewer found it difficult to breathe after inhaling toxic gas and fell unconscious.

The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue services were alerted and a team reached immediately and pulled Gopinath out of the underground sewer.

He was rushed to a nearby government hospital but doctors declared him dead.

Later, his body was sent to the Kilpauk Medical College hospital for autopsy.

The Avadi police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the matter.

According to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, any person engaged to clean a sewer or a septic tank would have to be provided a list of 44 items of protective gear and safety devices by his employer.

According to the notification issued by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, specified that no person must be allowed to clean a sewer manually without protective gear and safety devices under these rules except in certain cases.
 Flash

People mourn victims killed in an Israeli airstrike in Al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City, Aug. 10, 2024. At least 100 Palestinians were killed on Saturday by Israeli airstrikes at a school serving as shelters for displaced people in Al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City, Palestinian medical and security sources said. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

Countries in the Middle East on Saturday strongly condemned deadly Israeli airstrikes launched earlier in the day on a school serving as a shelter for displaced people in Gaza City.



Israeli warplanes targeted the Al-Taba'een School in the Al-Daraj neighborhood in central Gaza City while the displaced people in the school were performing the Fajr prayer, killing at least 100 Palestinians and injuring dozens more, Palestinian medical and security sources said, adding that the victims included women and children.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the school compound served as a Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility, with about 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, including senior commanders, operating there.

The IDF also expressed skepticism about the casualty numbers given by Hamas.

In a statement released Saturday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said killing displaced civilians during dawn prayers is a crime that "surpasses the usual low level of vileness and unscrupulousness of the Israeli army."

He called on the international community to exert real pressure on Israel to negotiate seriously for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap deal.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Israel's deliberate killing of so many unarmed civilians, whenever mediators intensified efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, is "conclusive evidence of the absence of political will on the part of the Israeli side to end this fierce war."

On Friday, Egypt, Qatar and the United States, three mediators in the current Israel-Hamas conflict, issued a joint statement urging both parties to resume talks in Cairo or Doha on Aug. 15 and finalize a ceasefire agreement at an early date.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the Israeli bombing of the school, calling for the dispatch of independent UN investigators to probe the ongoing targeting by Israeli forces of schools and shelters for displaced people.

Also on Saturday, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants called the "systematic indiscriminate shelling by the Israeli occupation army and the killing of children and civilians" in Gaza "clear evidence of the Israeli government's disregard for the provisions of international law and international humanitarian law."

"The continued crimes against the Palestinians, and the deliberate killing of these huge numbers of civilians, provide conclusive evidence of Israel's intention to prolong the war and expand its scope," the ministry said in a statement, calling on the international community and the concerned parties to "take a unified, serious, and effective international position."

Jordan's Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli attacks on the Gaza school, calling the attacks a blatant violation of international law, and a continuation of Israel's systematic targeting of civilians and displacement shelters.

In a statement, the ministry's spokesperson Sufian Qudah said the attacks indicate the Israeli government's intention to obstruct and thwart efforts by the mediators to resume negotiations on a deal leading to a permanent ceasefire.

Qudah urged the international community, particularly the UN Security Council (UNSC), to take the responsibility to immediately stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza, halt the continuous Israeli violations of international law, and hold those behind the attacks accountable.

In a statement, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the "barbaric" Israeli attacks on the Gaza school, saying Israel's repeated attacks that led to the mass killing of civilians constitute a "flagrant violation" of all international norms and conventions and show the country's disregard for international initiatives aimed at stopping the aggression on Gaza.

Calling Israel's attacks on the Gaza school a "heinous massacre," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel's continuous actions for over 10 months constitute crimes of genocide, and are unstoppable due to protection from the West.

"Syria ... reaffirms that the Israeli regime's continued bloodshed of innocents in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria will only strengthen the resolve of the people in this region to resist and retaliate against its crimes, despite the extensive Western support it receives," the statement said, reaffirming Syria's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and their legitimate rights.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani described the attacks on the Gaza school as "brutal," a clear instance of Israel's simultaneous perpetration of "genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity," and a flagrant instance of a threat against global peace and security.

The attacks once again proved that Israel is not committed to any international laws and regulations as well as moral and humanitarian principles, Kanaani said, calling on regional countries to take "decisive and firm" actions to support the Palestinians and on the UNSC to take immediate and effective actions against Israel's behaviors based on the UN Charter.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 39,790, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Saturday.




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Edison International has increased its dividends consecutively for the last 20 years. According to the companys most recent dividend announcement on Dec. 14, 2023, its Board of Directors raised the quarterly dividend from $0.7375 to $0.78 per share, equal to $3.12 annually. The companys current dividend yield stands at 3.82%.

Edisons annual revenue (as of June 30) is $16.8 billion. As per the company's most recent earnings report, released on July 25, its revenues for Q2 2024 came in at $4.34 billion with an EPS of $1.23. Both figures were above the consensus estimates.

With a strong start to the first half of the year, we are confident in reaffirming our 2024 core EPS guidance of $4.75 to $5.05. Based on the progress in SCE's 2025 General Rate Case, including many partial settlements, we are also confident in getting a strong outcome for customers. The funding authorized in the GRC to continue making investments in SCE's grid is the linchpin for achieving our 2025 EPS guidance and delivering a 5% to 7% EPS CAGR through 2028," said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International.

Edison International has a consensus rating of a Buy with a price target of $74.68, based on the ratings of 21 analysts. Following the earnings announcement, several Wall Street analysts raised their price target on the stock. As per Benzinga, Guggenheim maintained its Buy rating on the stock, increasing its price target to $83 (from $80) and Wells Fargo reiterated its Overweight rating, raising its price target to $87 (from $86). At the same time, Barclays adjusted its price target to $80 (from $75), keeping its Equal Weight rating unchanged.

Story continues

ALLETE

ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE) operates as an energy company, generating electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired/natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. The company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers and 14 nonaffiliated municipal customers.

ALLETE has consistently raised its dividends every year since 2011. The companys most recent dividend announcement on Jan. 26 increased the quarterly dividend by 4.10% to $0.705, or $2.82 annually. Currently, the dividend yield is 4.41%.

The companys annual revenue (as of June 30, 2024) is $1.5 billion. According to ALLETEs most recent earnings announcement on Aug. 1, it generated revenues of $354.50 million in Q2 2024, with an EPS of $0.57. Both figures came in below the consensus estimates.

"Similar to this year's first quarter, the second quarter results reflect items not included in our original 2024 expectations, including merger-related transaction expenses, milder weather negatively impacting sales to residential and commercial customers, and the implementation of interim rate reserves due to the rate case settlement. Excluding these items, results for our Regulated Operations segment year to date were on track with our internal expectations, New Energys financial results were as expected, and ALLETE Clean Energy's results were lower than our expectations primarily due to a third-party network outage and a transformer outage at ALLETE Clean Energy's wind energy facilities in Oklahoma which have since been resolved," said ALLETE Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Steve Morris.

This piece by Benzinga covers three high dividend yield utility stocks, including ALLETE, which Wall Streets most accurate analysts spotlight.

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Clorox

The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. Since its inception more than 100 years ago, Clorox has grown to play in a variety of categories across the consumer products space, including cleaning supplies, laundry care, trash bags, cat litter, charcoal, food dressings, water-filtration products, and natural personal-care products.

Clorox has raised its dividends every year for the last 22 years. In its most recent dividend announcement on July 30, the company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.20 to $1.22 per share, or $4.88 annualized, with a yield of 3.39%.

As of June 30, the company's annual revenue stood at $7.1 billion. According to the company's most recent earnings report, released on Aug. 1, it generated revenues of $1.90 billion in Q4 2024, compared to the consensus of $1.96 billion, and EPS of $1.82, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57.

We closed out the fiscal year with strong margin expansion and double-digit adjusted EPS growth despite substantial disruption and consumption loss from the cyberattack. While fully restoring supply and distribution, as well as recovering nearly all of our market share, we remained relentless in driving our IGNITE strategy forward. We made strong progress as we evolved our portfolio to accelerate profitable growth, completed the implementation of our streamlined operating model and advanced our digital transformation, said Chair and CEO Linda Rendle.

Looking forward, Clorox expects fiscal year earnings between $6.55 and $6.80 per share, versus the $6.45 estimate, as reported by Benzinga.

In summary, Edison International, ALLETE, and Clorox are solid options for investors seeking reliable passive income. The offered yields of around 3-4%, combined with their long history of consistent dividend increases, make them particularly attractive to income-focused investors.

Are You Missing Out On Higher Yields?

The current high-interest-rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields, but not through dividend stocks... Certain private market real estate investments are giving retail investors the opportunity to capitalize on these high-yield opportunities and Benzinga has identified some of the most attractive options for you to consider.

For example, the Jeff Bezos-backed investment platform just launched its Private Credit Fund, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with a target 7% to 9% net annual yield paid to investors monthly. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, this one has a minimum investment of only $100.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of high-yield investments while rates are high. Check out Benzinga's favorite high-yield offerings.

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

This article 3 Stock With Consistent Hikes, Offering Over 3% Dividend Yield: Edison International, ALLETE, And Clorox originally appeared on Benzinga.com
Mumbai, Aug 11 : In an exclusive interview with IANS, Arun Kejriwal, founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services, dismissed the latest Hindenburg Research report as merely a tactic of character assassination and a diversionary manoeuvre.

Here's how Kejriwal expressed his views on the report during his conversation with IANS.

IANS: What is your opinion on the new Hindenburg Research report? Similar accusations have been made before, but nothing has come out of them so far?

Arun Kejriwal: They (Hindenburg) first made accusations against the Adani Group in January 2023, and now in August 2024. They are making accusations against the SEBI Chairperson. The SEBI is the same institution that had issued a show-cause notice to Hindenburg, and a response to that has not been provided in the past six months. It seems like a way to retaliate by making new accusations. The investment issues raised have already been clarified in SEBI's previous statements and reaffirmed recently. SEBI has stated that any allegations regarding investments were addressed. Investment had been made following which she (SEBI chief) came out of the joint investment. This is in accordance with SEBI's regulations. So, there is nothing new here; it seems to be a tactic of character assassination and a diversionary move.

IANS: Is Hindenburg reacting to SEBI's actions by making these accusations as a way to protect itself?

Arun Kejriwal: Absolutely, by not responding to the notice, they (Hindenburg) have used this as a weapon five to six months later to raise new accusations. They have alleged some mistakes or conflicts of interest. It appears that they are trying to deflect attention by raising an issue that has no substantial basis. This entire situation seems to be a diversionary tactic.

IANS: Is Hindenburg, known for its short-selling strategies, targeting the company once more?

Arun Kejriwal: Hindenburg's stated business model, as given on its website, involves identifying companies, publishing reports on them, and short-selling their stocks to profit from the resulting decline in share prices.

They have used this strategy with the Adani Group, resulting in substantial profits. However, I don't believe the situation from January 2023 will repeat. Indian investors, including smaller ones, have become aware of these tactics.

This time, the accusations are directed at SEBI rather than the Adani Group, so it's unlikely to cause significant negative impact on the market or the company. It appears to be a strategy aimed at profiting from stirring up issues.

IANS: Opposition parties are leveraging this situation to boost their political profile. What are your thoughts on this?

Arun Kejriwal: The opposition has found a new issue in the midst of other political events. With the recent budget session ending and other political unrest in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, the opposition has seized on the opportunity to target major industrial groups with accusations.

They (opposition) aim to position themselves as the champions of transparency, working diligently to expose issues. However, it's important to recognize that large business groups play a crucial role in generating employment and contributing to national prosperity. The opposition's efforts appear to be focused on presenting themselves as the ones who are identifying and addressing the problems.

IANS: Accusations from foreign companies frequently emerge during budget or Parliamentary sessions. Could this be a part of a strategic or conspiratorial plan?

Arun Kejriwal: India's economy is on track to become the third largest globally, with significant progress made over the past decade. This impressive GDP growth might not be welcomed by some countries, as they may view India's increasing economic strength and self-reliance unfavourably. There could be underlying motives or conspiracies behind this opposition, though it may not be prudent to accuse specific individuals or groups at this time.

IANS: Does Congress trust foreign companies more than Indian companies and institutions?

Arun Kejriwal: It's not necessarily a question of whether Congress trusts foreign companies more than Indian ones. However, it's evident that in states where Congress is in power, contracts and work have been awarded to the groups currently facing allegations.

For instance, in Rajasthan, these groups received contracts even after a change in government. Allegations of corruption and favouritism often arise whenever work is assigned.

It's important not to overinterpret this. Congress has been out of power at the Centre for several years, which might explain their tendency to politicise various issues.
Mumbai, Aug 11 : The markets regulator SEBI on Sunday advised investors to remain calm and exercise due diligence before reacting to inaccurate reports like Hindenburg.

In a statement, SEBI said that investors should assume that Hindenburg Research may have short positions in the securities covered in the report.

Notably, the allegations made by Hindenburg Research have been duly investigated by SEBI.

"The Supreme Court, in its order of January 3, 2024, noted that SEBI had completed 22 out of 24 investigations. Subsequently, one more investigation was completed in March 2024, and one remaining investigation is close to completion," said the markets regulator.

During the ongoing investigation in this matter, more than 100 summons, around 1,100 letters and emails have been issued to seek information, informed SEBI.

"Further, more than 100 communications have been made seeking assistance from domestic/foreign regulators and external agencies. Also more than 300 documents containing around 12,000 pages have been examined," the SEBI informed.

The report also seeks to question SEBI's action in issuing a show-cause notice to Hindenburg Research on June 27, 2024.

The show-cause notice in question, alleging violations of securities laws by Hindenburg Research, has been issued by following the due process of the law, said SEBI.

"It is noted that Hindenburg Research has itself made the show-cause notice issued to it available on its website. The show-cause notice contains the reasons for its issuance. The proceedings in this matter are ongoing and the same is being dealt with in accordance with the established procedure and in compliance with the principles of natural justice," the markets regulator stressed.

The Hindenburg report has also claimed that the implementation of the SEBI (REIT) Regulations 2014 as well as changes in such regulations had resulted in significant benefit to a large multinational financial conglomerate.

"Claims that such regulations, changes to regulations or circulars issued related to REITs were to favour one large multinational financial conglomerate, are "inappropriate", SEBI said.

SEBI has adequate internal mechanisms for addressing issues relating to conflict of interest, which include a disclosure framework and provision for recusal.

Over the years, it has built a "robust regulatory framework that not only aligns with best global practices but also ensures protection of investors."

"SEBI remains committed to ensuring the integrity of India's Capital markets and its orderly growth and development," it added.
Srinagar, Aug 11 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Sunday laid a wreath and paid homage to Havldar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance naik (L/Nk) Parveen Sharma, who laid down their life during an anti-terror operation in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

"I salute the indomitable courage of our bravehearts, who made supreme sacrifice for the nation. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief," the Lt Governor said.

Two soldiers were killed in action during the encounter on Saturday in the forested area of Kokernag in Anantnag district and five others including two soldiers were injured. One of the injured civilians later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

A massive search operation is underway in the area to track down the hiding terrorists. Additional reinforcements have been brought in and the area has been cordoned off.

Inspector General Of Police (IGP) Kashmir V.K. Birdhi told reporters that Anantnag borders with Doda and it looks like the group of terrorists has sneaked from Doda into Anantnag.

There have been a series of encounters between terrorists and security forces across Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past in which many terrorists have been eliminated.

"Deeply saddened at the loss of our brave and fearless Indian Army soldiers in a counter-terrorist operation in Kokernag, Anantnag (J&K). My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Nation stands firmly with them, in this hour of grief," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote on X.

"General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and All Ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme Sacrifice of Bravehearts Hav Dipak Kumar Yadav & L/Nk Praveen Sharma, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, in Anantnag, J&K. Indian Army offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," army wrote on X.

--IANS
Imphal, Aug 11 : The Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation have dismantled a makeshift bunker of Kuki militants at Bunglon in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Sunday, officials said.

Officials in Imphal said that a tin and polythene roofed bunker with a bamboo wall was set up in the tribal-dominated Bunglon village to undertake their violent activities.

Taking to X, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said : "As a commitment to eradicating threats and maintaining stability in our state, the Army and Border Security Force (BSF) have successfully dismantled the Kuki militants' bunkers in Bunglon."

Let us cooperate with our security forces as we strive for a peaceful and secure future for all, said Singh, who also holds the home portfolio.

Officials said that the Army, Assam Rifles, other Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), Manipur police commando and police jointly and separately continuously undertake operations across the state and almost regularly recover arms and ammunition.

Meanwhile, one more body was found on Saturday night at Molnoi village in Manipur's Tengoupal district where a fierce gun battle occurred between the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and the Village Volunteer Force (VVF) on Friday.

With the recovery of the body of a VVF member, the death toll in the encounter rose to four  three VVF members and a UKLF cadre.

The Chief Minister in the ongoing session of the Manipur Assembly said that the term of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki militant outfits has not been extended further from February this year.

He said that the SoO agreement was signed between the Central government, the Manipur government and several Kuki militant outfits.

Due to the illegal and unlawful activities of the Kuki militant groups, the state government withdrew from the pact in March last year and the decision was informed to the central government, Biren Singh had told the House.

The SoO agreement was signed with two conglomerates of Kuki militant outfits -- Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) -- in 2008 and the deal extended periodically thereafter.

The Congress was in power in Manipur and the Centre in 2008.

"The SoO pact was signed to bring peace in Manipur," the Chief Minister had said.
Ahmedabad, Aug 11 : The Cyber Crime Branch of Gujarat Police on Sunday conducted raids in Ahmedabad and seized high-potency hybrid marijuana valued at Rs 1.7 crore, an official said.

He said that the operation targeted a group of individuals who were allegedly distributing harmful substances disguised within consumer products.

"The investigation revealed that the perpetrators were using online platforms and social media to sell these dangerous items, which included common goods such as Cheetos, Doritos, cookies, kids travel airbeds, air purifiers, soft toys, falcon watches, chocolate, jeans, ready-to-wear dresses, Bluetooth speakers, and ready-to-eat foods," the official said.

He said that the law enforcement authorities have registered a case under multiple sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the IT Act.

"The seized drugs amounted to 670 grams of high-potency marijuana, indicating the scale and seriousness of the criminal network," the official said.

He said that the investigation into the case is underway.

On August 5 and 6, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) also seized narcotics worth Rs 831 crore. The ATS has also executed an operation at a pharmaceutical factory in Gujarat's Bharuch district, where they seized liquid Tramadol worth Rs 31 crore.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, ATS, Sunil Joshi, said that four individuals involved in the illegal production and distribution of these narcotic substances, which are banned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, have been arrested.

In May 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) released data showing that Gujarat contributed nearly one-third of the total value of narcotics seized across India.

Between March 1 and May 18, 2024, the ECI reported drug seizures worth Rs 3,958.85 crore, which constituted nearly 45 per cent of the total value of all seized items during this period, amounting to Rs 8,889 crore.

Gujarat alone accounted for Rs 1,187.8 crore or about 30 per cent of these drug seizures.

The ECI attributed this surge to enhanced vigilance and robust enforcement actions targeting inducements, including drugs and psychotropic substances.

"Continuous monitoring, precise data interpretation, and active participation of enforcement agencies have led to this significant spurt in seizures," the ECI stated.
Kolkata, Aug 11 : Two youths from Topsia in Kolkata drowned at Bakkhali in West Bengal's South 24-Parganas district on Sunday while swimming in the sea. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched its hovercraft from nearby Frasersganj within 20 minutes but could not save the duo. Their bodies were recovered by the ICG and handed over to local authorities.

Bakkhali is a popular weekend tourist destination and Mizan Mohsin (19) and Sk Aman Ali (19) of Golam Jillani Khan Road in Topsia were there along with friends. According to sources, locals had warned the two against venturing out too far into the sea, but they did not pay any heed.

"It seems that they were swept away by the tide and drowned immediately. We reacted as soon as we were informed, and the hovercraft was launched. Unfortunately, they were dead by the time we could locate them," a senior ICG official said.

The entire neighborhood in Topsia was shattered by the news of the deaths. A neighbour said that Mohsin and Aman had been good-natured and friends since childhood.

"They had been planning this weekend trip for a long time. We still do not have all the details, but there should be lifeguards on all beaches frequented by tourists. Maybe such an accident wouldn't have occurred had lifeguards been present," he said.

Bakkhali is situated around 140 km south of Kolkata and attracts tourists due to its pristine beaches.

The location has also had its share of tragedies.

In 2017, three tourists from Kolkata drowned in the sea there. A father-daughter duo was among those who perished. Since then, there have been repeated requests to station lifeguards with life-saving equipment and speed boats along the beaches patronised by tourists.

The ICG has a sole hovercraft stationed at Frasersganj.

Its primary assets, including several more hovercrafts and ships, are stationed at Haldia.

At Frasersganj, the Force's primary roles include surveillance along the coastline and providing assistance to Indian fishermen in distress.

In this case, the ICG mobilised its unit to try and save the lives of the two youngsters as a humanitarian effort, but could not.
Amaravati, Aug 11 : In a new twist to the case involving YSR Congress Party MLC Duvvada Srinivas, a woman, with whom he was allegedly maintaining a relationship, on Sunday met with an accident in Srikakulam district.

Divvala Madhuri, a dancer and social media influencer, suffered minor injuries when the car which she was driving rammed into a parked truck near Lakshmipuram toll gate in Palasa mandal. Local residents, with the help of police, shifted her to a hospital.

It was not clear if Madhuri attempted suicide or it was an accident. Madhuri refused to undergo treatment. She told media persons at the hospital that she was upset over being trolled for the last three days.

She demanded that the MLC's wife Vani be arrested and strong legal action be taken against her.

Srinivas, an MLC from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, had Saturday lodged a police complaint against his wife, alleging that she had made an attempt on his life on Friday night.

Vani, who is also a YSRCP leader and zilla parishad member, along with her two daughters had staged a protest on Friday outside the house of Srinivas over his relationship with Madhuri and demanded that Srinivas do justice to her by returning to their family.

The legislator alleged that Vanias followers armed with rods and knives entered his house to kill him.

Srinivas admitted that he had been living with Madhuri at Tekkali as he had serious differences with his wife for a long time.

The MLC alleged that Vani had ill-treated him and his family members, including his mother.

He also claimed that Vani had pressured him to get her the YSRCP ticket for the Tekkali constituency in the recent state assembly polls but the party leadership fielded him.

Srinivas suffered defeat in Tekkali at the hands of Telugu Desam Partyas senior leader, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu.

The MLC also told the media that Vani was spreading canards against him and Madhuri and spoiling the minds of her daughters.

On the other hand, Vani had alleged that when she along with both the daughters went to Srinivasa house at Tekkali and wanted to talk to him, Madhuri drove them away while Srinivas tried to assault them for questioning their relationship.

Vani claimed that had complained about her husband's illegal relationship with Madhuri to YSRCP president and former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and other senior leaders of the party several times but no one came to her rescue.
Visakhapatnam, Aug 11 : Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu on Sunday hoped that the construction of Bhogapuram International Airport would be completed before the deadline.

After a visit to the construction site in Vizianagaram district, he expressed his satisfaction over the progress of the work.

The minister stated that 36.6 per cent works of the airport have been completed. During the last one month, 4.8 per cent works were completed.

The minister said the Central government was giving top priority to the development of this airport work and was trying to ensure that the project is completed before the deadline.

As per the schedule, the airport is to be completed by December 2026. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, during his recent visit, wanted the construction work to be completed by June 2026. Rammohan Naidu said the works were progressing as per the deadline set by the Chief Minister.

He believes that this airport will have the potential to change the face of north Andhra. "For this reason, the government is giving priority to this airport," he said.

The minister said progress in the construction works will be reviewed every month.

He said 36.6 per cent works were completed as on August 11. This was 31.8 per cent on July 11. He said 4.8 per cent works were carried out during last one month.

As per the schedule decided earlier, 20 per cent works should have been completed as on August 11 but 36.6 per cent works have been completed.

Earthwork, which was completed 97.1 per cent till last month, is now 98 per cent completed.

He said 38.67 per cent of the works relating to runway have been completed while this was 32 per cent last month. Similarly, 20.78 per cent works of taxiway were completed while it was 16.7 per cent last month.

The minister 27.2 per cent Terminal building works and 30.69 per cent of ATC works have been completed. Six to 12 per cent works like sub-station and water treatment plants have been completed.

Rammohan Naidu was accompanied by state minister Kondapalli Srinivas and G. Sandhya Rani. He reviewed the progress of the construction works with the officials of GMR and L&T.

GMR Group Deputy Managing I. Prabhakar Rao briefed the minister on the status of the work.

The Central and state ministers inspected the airport terminal work. Rammohan Naidu interacted with a few workers.

They also reviewed the construction of Air Traffic Control. After an inspection of runway works, the ministers reached L&T project site, where GMR officials made a presentation on the ongoing works.

He congratulated GMR and L&T officials for continuing the works to achieve this progress despite heavy rains.

Rammohan Naidu said Navi Mumbai airport and the one near Noida are targeted to be completed by April next year. He exuded confidence that the civil aviation sector will register tremendous progress in the next five years.

He said Civil Aviation Ministry was making all efforts to improve civil aviation infrastructure in both the Telugu states. He said new airports will come up at Moolapet in Srikakulam district, Dagadarthi, Nagarjuna Sagar and Kuppam. In addition to this, proposals are under consideration for developing new airports at Anantapur and Ongole.

As Telangana has no airport other than Hyderabad, proposals are under consideration for developing airports at Kothagudem, Adilabad and Warangal, he added.
Hyderabad, Aug 11 : Rs 31,500 crore investment deal was signed during Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's visit to the US, which concluded Sunday.

Hyderabad, Aug 11 (IANS) Rs 31,500 crore investment deal was signed during Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddyas visit to the US, which concluded Sunday.

The state government termed the visit of the Chief Minister as a highly successful business tour.

As per Chief Ministeras Office (CMO), during the visit 19 investment deals/MOUs, totalling an investment of 31,500 crore, were concluded. This is expected to create 30,750 new jobs in the state.

The delegation, comprising IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, and officials, had over 50 business meetings and three roundtable conferences in New York, Washington, Dallas and California.

The CMO claimed that the delegation got massive reiteration and support for various major initiatives including the creation of a Future City, AI City, rejuvenation of Musi River, and the zealous pitch to shape Telangana as the right fit for the quest of America, Inc. for a China plus one alternate.

The delegation held roundtable conferences on business, AI and semiconductors, spanning coast to coast, and also met with CEOs, founders and business alliances and groups, inviting them to come to Hyderabad and consider Telangana in their future plans.

The delegation pitched Hyderabad and Telangana to business heads and investors across different sectors and closed new and expansion deals in IT, GCC, Lifesciences, Pharma, Data Centres, AI, Cloud and Data Centres, Electric Vehicle and batteries, green energy, FMCG and manufacturing.

The major announcements in the IT sector include the Charles Schwab GCC, one of Americaas leading financial sector corporations.

The Trinet deal opens major forays ahead in the HR solutions sector. The significant expansion announcements by global IT major Cognizant, and Arcesium, reinforced the edge of Hyderabad in the IT/GCC space.

The pharma/life sciences sector saw fresh investments from nearly a dozen American companies.

The MoU with Corning on skilling and flow chemistry reiterates the company's commitment to grow in Telangana and also reinforces the cityas R&D capabilities.

The announcement by Amgen, a top biotech company, to set up a new R&D tech facility is a major breakthrough for Hyderabad. A new GCC by Zoetis Inc, the leader in the animal health sector, and significant expansions by HCA and Thermofisher are set to give a further boost to the life sciences ecosystem of Telangana.

Another major takeaway from the visit was the decision by Amazon to make significant expansions in their data centre presence in Hyderabad and use the city as a hub in a big way to drive their India presence.

Aurum Equity too made a significant announcement to set up an AI-powered green data centre.

Monarch Tractors adds a crucial fillip to Telanganaas ambition of growing in high-end manufacturing.

The delegation also engaged with Apple, Google, and Stanford University.
New Delhi, Aug 12 : Nearly 18 months after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will hold a 'padyatra' on August 14, during which he will also interact with the people of the national capital, said party General Secretary (Organisation) Sandeep Pathak on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here, Pathak told reporters that after meeting senior AAP leaders on Sunday, Sisodia is now going to hold a meeting with the party MLAs in Delhi on Monday. He will later meet party Councillors on Tuesday.

The AAP has currently left the decision to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to decide whether Sisodia will again be a part of the Delhi government or what position he will be given.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been lodged in Tihar jail for the last several months in connection with the excise policy case.

Sisodia was also in jail in connection with the same case.

Before going to jail, Sisodia was Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister and had held important portfolios including Finance and Education.

Ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Sisodia held an important meeting with senior party leaders at his residence on Sunday.

Regarding the Assembly elections to be held in Haryana, Pathak said, "There too we will contest the elections with full strength. About 40-50 public meetings have been held in Haryana so far. There is a very good atmosphere there. Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Arvind Kejriwal, is continuously campaigning there."

The AAP National General Secretary said: "It has become clear to the people of the country that the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have only one agenda that is to stop the AAP and split it. Despite this, the party is strong and doing good work."

"The AAP has come out even stronger, now we will meet the people of Delhi," he added.
In this article, we will look at the 30 most religious cities in the world. You can skip our detailed discussion of the global trends in religious affinity and see 5 Most Religious Cities in the World.

Global Trends in Religious Affinity

Religious affinity is not a concept built in black and white; it depends on several factors, with culture, traditions, and geographical location being some of them. The global religious profile is changing rapidly, with differences in youth population sizes among the prominent religions in the world and changing fertility rates being the prime drivers of this change. Data from the Pew Research Center predicts Christians to be the largest religious group across the globe in the next four decades.

However, data suggests Islam is the fastest-growing religion, with the possibility of Muslims becoming almost equal in number to Christians by 2050 if current religious trends persist. They are anticipated to make up around 10% of the total European population and increase in number in India as well. While India is expected to retain its Hindu majority, it might also become home to the largest Muslim population in the world, surpassing Indonesia.

Religious trends in the United States predict a declining Christian population, going from three-quarters of the total population in 2010 to two-thirds by 2050. Islam is also expected to surpass Judaism as the largest non-Christian religion in the country. Agnostics, atheists, and other religiously unaffiliated individuals are expected to decline in number over the next decades but may increase in certain countries, including France and the United States. In addition, Hindu and Jewish populations are also expected to increase. The global Buddhist population, in contrast, might remain stagnant, standing at the same size as in 2010.

All the major religions in the world are expected to undergo at least some growth in the coming decades, with the exception of Buddhism. The global Buddhist population is expected to remain stable, primarily because of the aging population in countries such as Japan, Thailand, and China and low fertility rates.

READ ALSO: 25 Most Religious States in the US and 8 Most Educated Religions in the World

Why Are Religious Affiliations Growing and Declining?

One of the primary factors behind the potential growth of religions is the geographical region of their concentration. Religions concentrated in developing countries with decreasing infant mortality rates and high birth rates are highly likely to grow rapidly. For reference, a major chunk of the global growth of Islam and Christianity is anticipated to occur in sub-Saharan Africa. That is one of the significant determinants behind a decline in religiously unaffiliated individuals across the globe: they are heavily concentrated in aging populations and regions with low fertility rates. These include North America, Europe, China, and Japan. You can look at the 25 Most Secular Countries in the World for further insight.

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Regional Religious Affiliation Projections

Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to undergo the fastest overall growth in population due to its high fertility rates, going from 12% of the global population in 2010 to around 20% in 20250. Population growth in this region is highly likely to cause a boost in its Muslim population. In addition, the region's Christian population is also expected to double, increasing from 517 million to 1.1 billion between 2010 and 2050. This rise would increase the percentage of Christians living in sub-Saharan Africa from 24% to 38% in the same period.

Niger, Djibouti, and Nigeria rank among the most religious countries in the African continent and across the globe, with Nigeria taking the lead. Nigeria is a Muslim-majority country located in the Gulf of Guinea, and is a middle-income, mixed economy. Its expanding financial, manufacturing, communications, service, and technology markets make it an emerging market on a global scale. According to data from the World Bank, Nigeria's economy underwent sustainable and broad-based growth of 7% per annum on average between 2000 and 2014, driven by favorable macroeconomic reforms and global conditions. However, growth rates and GDP per capita declined between 2015 and 2022. This occurred for several reasons, including an expensive fuel subsidy program, exchange rate policy distortions, elevated trade protectionism, external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising fiscal deficits due to reduced oil production. Nigeria's inflation levels reached a 24-year high in February 2024, standing at 31.7% due to weakening economic fundamentals and sluggish growth. This pushed millions of residents of the country into poverty.

However, a change in administration in May 2023 resulted in a re-establishment of macroeconomic conditions in the country, boosting growth and stability. The oil sector provides for around 95% of the country's foreign exchange earnings, and makes up for 80% of its budgetary revenues. Apart from the state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas companies, MTN Nigeria (JSE:MTN) is one of the biggest companies in the country. Founded in 2000, the company is a subsidiary of the parent company MTN International (Mauritius) Limited, and is a major player in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

MTN Group (JSE:MTN) is the largest mobile network operator in Africa, and is used by around 288 million customers in 18 African markets. On August 7, the company announced agreement plans with IHS in Nigeria, which is a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited (NYSE:IHS), to extend and renew all Nigeria tower Master Lease Agreements until December 2032. This covers around 13,5000 tenancy contracts, and demonstrates infrastructure improvement plans by the two companies to broaden mobile connectivity in the country while navigating emerging global and local macro conditions.

Now that we have taken an overview of the trends in religious affiliations across the globe, let's look at the 30 most religious cities in the world.

30 Most Religious Cities in the World

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Our Methodology

To compile a list of the 30 most religious cities in the world, we first came up with a list of the 30 most religious countries in the world. We used data from a 2018 report by the PEW Research Center that surveyed respondents in over 100 countries on four metrics  their affiliation with a religion, whether they attended a weekly religious service, if they prayed daily, and if they considered religion 'very important' or not. We took the average of all four metrics to come up with the Insider Monkey Score and ranked our list according to it. We then used these countries as proxies for their largest cities to compile our list of the most religious cities in the world. The 30 most religious cities in the world are arranged in ascending order of their Insider Monkey Scores.

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30 Most Religious Cities in the World

30. Tunis, Tunisia

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 47%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 67%

Perception of religion as very important: 78%

Insider Monkey Score: 73

Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, ranks 30th on our list of the 30 most religious cities in the world. The city has an Insider Monkey Score of 73 and a weekly worship attendance rate of 47%.

29. Cairo, Egypt

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 62%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 72%

Perception of religion as very important: 72%

Insider Monkey Score: 76.5

The famous city of Cairo ranks 29th on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 76.5. The city has a 100% affiliation with religion, with 90% of the population Muslim and 10% Christian.

28. San Salvador, El Salvador

Affiliation with religion: 88%

Weekly worship attendance: 61%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 77%

Perception of religion as very important: 85%

Insider Monkey Score: 77.75

The capital of El Salvador, San Salvador, has a weekly worship attendance of 61%, and an 88% affiliation with religion. It ranks 28th on our list of the most religious cities in the world.

27. Managua, Nicaragua

Affiliation with religion: 93%

Weekly worship attendance: 55%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 75%

Perception of religion as very important: 88%

Insider Monkey Score: 77.75

With an Insider Monkey Score of 77.75, Managua takes the 27th spot on our list. It is the capital of Nicaragua, and 75% of its residents pray daily.

26. Gaza City, Palestine

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 55%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 78%

Perception of religion as very important: 86%

Insider Monkey Score: 79.75

Palestine is located in the southern Levant region of West Asia, and its largest city, Gaza City, has an Insider Monkey Score of 79.75. The city has a 100% affiliation with religion.

25. Karachi, Pakistan

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 59%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 67%

Perception of religion as very important: 94%

Insider Monkey Score: 80

Pakistanis have a 100% affiliation with religion, with 94% of them considering religion as an essential part of their lives. Its former capital and largest city, Karachi, ranks 25th on our list of the 30 most religious cities in the world.

24. Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Affiliation with religion: 90%

Weekly worship attendance: 64%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 78%

Perception of religion as very important: 90%

Insider Monkey Score: 80.5

Honduras is a Central American country that shares coastlines with the Pacific Ocean in the south and the Caribbean Sea in the north. Its largest city, Tegucigalpa, has a 90% affiliation with religion.

23. Amman, Jordan

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 64%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 76%

Perception of religion as very important: 85%

Insider Monkey Score: 81.25

With a 100% affiliation with religion, Jordan's capital city of Amman ranks 23rd on our list. It has an Insider Monkey Score of 81.25, and weekly worship attendance rate of 64%.

22. Maputo, Mozambique

Affiliation with religion: 87%

Weekly worship attendance: 84%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 68%

Perception of religion as very important: 87%

Insider Monkey Score: 81.5

Maputo is the largest city in Mozambique. 87% of its population considers religion a very important part of their lives, and it has an 84% weekly worship attendance rate.

21. Quezon City, The Philippines

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 53%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 82%

Perception of religion as very important: 91%

Insider Monkey Score: 81.5

Quezon City is one of Metro Manila's constituent cities and the largest city in the Philippines. The city has a 100% affiliation with religion, with 82% of its population praying daily.

20. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Affiliation with religion: 99%

Weekly worship attendance: 82%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 56%

Perception of religion as very important: 93%

Insider Monkey Score: 82.5

Tanzania is an East African country with a population of more than 63 million, most of whom are Christians. Its largest city, Dar es Salaam, has an Insider Monkey Score of 82.5.

19. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Affiliation with religion: 96%

Weekly worship attendance: 78%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 69%

Perception of religion as very important: 88%

Insider Monkey Score: 82.75

Formerly known as Leopoldville, Kinshasa ranks 19th on our list of the most religious cities in the world. It is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a Central African country.

18. Kigali, Rwanda

Affiliation with religion: 99%

Weekly worship attendance: 80%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 62%

Perception of religion as very important: 90%

Insider Monkey Score: 82.75

According to the Pew Research Survey, around 62% of the people of Kigali pray daily. Kigali has an Insider Monkey Score of 82.75, and is the largest city in Rwanda.

17. Kampala, Uganda

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 82%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 66%

Perception of religion as very important: 86%

Insider Monkey Score: 83.5

Uganda has a Christian majority. Its capital, Kampala, ranks among the most religious cities in the world, with 86% of the respondents considering religion a very important part of their lives.

16. Guatemala City, Guatemala

Affiliation with religion: 94%

Weekly worship attendance: 75%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 82%

Perception of religion as very important: 89%

Insider Monkey Score: 85

Located south of Mexico, Guatemala has a Christian-majority population. Around 94% of the population of its largest and capital city, Guatemala City, is affiliated with a religion.

15. Douala, Cameroon

Affiliation with religion: 98%

Weekly worship attendance: 70%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 82%

Perception of religion as very important: 90%

Insider Monkey Score: 85

Known for its wildlife, Cameroon is a country in Central Africa with a 70% Christian population. Its largest city, Douala, ranks 15th on our list of the most religious cities in the world.

14. N'Djamena, Chad

Affiliation with religion: 97%

Weekly worship attendance: 77%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 83%

Perception of religion as very important: 86%

Insider Monkey Score: 85.75

83% of the population in N'Djamena pray daily, while 77% attend a weekly religious service. The city has an Insider Monkey Score of 85.75.

13. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 82%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 65%

Perception of religion as very important: 98%

Insider Monkey Score: 86.25

Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, holds the 13th spot on our list. It is a highly religious city, with nearly 100% of its population affiliated with a religion.

12. Nairobi, Kenya

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 81%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 79%

Perception of religion as very important: 87%

Insider Monkey Score: 86.75

More than 85% of the Kenyan population is Christian, with 100% affiliated with a religion. Its capital and largest city, Nairobi, ranks 12th on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 86.75.

11. Accra, Ghana

Affiliation with religion: 99%

Weekly worship attendance: 84%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 76%

Perception of religion as very important: 89%

Insider Monkey Score: 87

Accra is the capital of Ghana, and has a 84% weekly worhsip attendance rate. Located in West Africa, Ghana is a Christian majority country where they make up for nearly three-fourths of the population.

10. Monrovia, Liberia

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 79%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 80%

Perception of religion as very important: 90%

Insider Monkey Score: 87.25

Monrovia is the 10th most religious country in the world, with an Insider Monkey Score of 87.25. Around 90% of the city's respondents consider religion to be a very important part of their lives.

9. Kabul, Afghanistan

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 61%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 96%

Perception of religion as very important: 92%

Insider Monkey Score: 87.25

Afghanistan is located at the crossroads of South and Central Asia, with around 99.7% of it's population being Muslim. Kabul, its largest city and capital, ranks on our list of the most religious cities in the world.

8. Jakarta, Indonesia

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 72%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 84%

Perception of religion as very important: 93%

Insider Monkey Score: 87.25

Jakarta is Indonesia's capital, the world's largest Muslim-majority country and the fourth most populous country across the globe. 93% of the respondents in the city consider religion as 'very important'.

7. Lusaka, Zambia

Affiliation with religion: 99%

Weekly worship attendance: 86%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 78%

Perception of religion as very important: 91%

Insider Monkey Score: 88.5

Lusaka ranks seventh on our list of the 30 most religious cities in the world. The city has a 99% affiliation with religion, and a weekly worship attendance rate of 86%.

6. Bamako, Mali

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 79%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 81%

Perception of religion as very important: 94%

Insider Monkey Score: 88.5

With an Insider Monkey Score of 88.5, Bamako ranks sixth on our list. It is the largest city and capital of Mali, a West African country where Muslims make up nearly 95% of the population.

5. Bissau, Guinea-Bissau

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 81%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 83%

Perception of religion as very important: 91%

Insider Monkey Score: 88.75

Bissau has a 100% affiliation with religion and is one of the most religious cities in the world, with more than 80% of the population praying daily and attending a weekly religious service.

4. Dakar, Senegal

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 69%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 88%

Perception of religion as very important: 98%

Insider Monkey Score: 88.75

While 98% of the individuals surveyed by Pew Research Center in Dakar considered religion 'very important,' only 69% said they attend a weekly religious service. The city ranks fourth on our list.

3. Niamey, Niger

Affiliation with religion: 99%

Weekly worship attendance: 88%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 87%

Perception of religion as very important: 86%

Insider Monkey Score: 90

Niamey has an Insider Monkey Score of 90, giving it the third spot on our list of the most religious cities in the world. It is the largest city in Niger, where 98% of the population is Muslim.

2. Djibouti, Djibouti

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 87%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 87%

Perception of religion as very important: 89%

Insider Monkey Score: 90.75

The city of Djibouti had a 100% religious affiliation in the survey held by the PEW Research Center. 94% of the city's population identifies itself as Muslim, while 100% has a religious affiliation.

1. Lagos, Nigeria

Affiliation with religion: 100%

Weekly worship attendance: 89%

Percentage of people who pray daily: 95%

Perception of religion as very important: 88%

Insider Monkey Score: 93

Lagos ranks first on our list of the 30 most religious cities in the world, and has an Insider Monkey Score of 93. It is the largest city in Nigeria and also the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, housing approximately 219 million people. Nigeria is also one of the largest countries in Africa, with around 55% of its population being Muslim, and 45% identifying themselves as Christians. 100% of the respondents in Lagos had a religious affiliation, while 95% of them prayed daily. The city has an 89% weekly worship attendance rate, and 88% of its population considers religion to be a very important part of their lives.

At Insider Monkey, we delve into a variety of topics, ranging from the most religious cities to business aspects; 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.

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Jaipur, Aug 12 : At least 20 people lost their lives in different parts of Rajasthan amid torrential rains which have been lashing the state since Saturday.

Heavy rain in Jaipur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, and Dausa left the streets waterlogged on Sunday.

It also prompted district administrations to announce the closure of schools in Jaipur, Jaipur Rural, Dausa, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Gangapur and Bharatpur on Monday.

The Meteorological Department on Sunday issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rain in some districts of the state in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, five youths drowned in Jaipur's overflowing Kanota Dam. A search operation was launched but to no avail till late Sunday night.

Also, seven boys died of drowning in the Banganga river near Srinagar village of aaBharatpur district.

Two youths, identified as Sitaram (21) and Deshraj, died after they along with their motorcycle were swept away on the embankment of the Mashi river in Phagi, Jaipur rural.

Another man Banwari (25) died after falling into a drain in Madhorajpura while one Saddam (32) died after falling into an anicut in Dudu.

In Beawar, Ashok Kumar (23) died after slipping into a pond while Bablu (16), a resident of Pakhariyawas, died after drowning while bathing in a pond.

In Kekri, one Gulgaon died after being swept away. In Karauli, a man and his son died after the beams of a house collapsed. Also, a 12-year-old girl was swept away in Barapura village.

In Banswara, one Vikas Sharma, a nursing student from Dausa, died after drowning in the Kadelia waterfall.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma meanwhile called an emergency meeting in Jaipur on Sunday to review the disaster management situation.

In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, he said, "Today, I held a meeting of officials in the Chief Minister's office regarding the heavy rains in the state and gave necessary instructions to strengthen all the arrangements related to disaster management immediately."

"I request all the people of the state to stay away from water bodies and waterlogged areas, maintain distance from electric poles and electric wires during rain, avoid using basements built in buildings during rain, (and) pay special attention to the warnings and safety measures issued by the Disaster Management Department," he said.

"I pray to God for a safe and prosperous life for all the people of the state," he added.
Gaza, Aug 12 : Hamas has called on mediators of the Gaza ceasefire to put forward a plan to implement what they had approved before instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or introducing new proposals.

Since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, Hamas has been "keen to make the efforts of the mediators in Egypt and Qatar successful to reach a ceasefire agreement and end the war against Gaza people, and it has confirmed its support for any effort to achieve a halt to the war", the group was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying on Sunday.

Hamas has engaged in several rounds of negotiations and has provided all the "necessary flexibility and positivity" in order to achieve the goals and interests of the Gaza people, it said in a statement.

Although Hamas and the mediators are aware of the "true intentions and positions of Israel, the movement responded to the last agreement in early July, but Israel confronted it with new conditions that were not proposed throughout the negotiation process and went on to escalate its war on Gaza", the statement added.

In light of this, and out of "concern and responsibility towards Gaza people and their interests, the movement calls on the mediators to submit a plan to implement what they presented to the movement before and to oblige Israel to do so", it said.

On August 8, the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the US urged Israel and Hamas not to waste more time to finalise a ceasefire agreement and resume talks.

The three countries invited Israel and Hamas "to resume urgent discussion on Thursday, August 15, in Doha or Cairo to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay", according to a joint statement released by the Egyptian presidency.
From setting up cutting-edge facilities to cater to the domestic market and building capabilities of global standards, the action is building up.

IMAGE: Workers assemble a car inside the Tata Motors car plant in Sanand. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Steel was the most common raw material when Henry Ford's Model T first rolled off in 1908.

More than a century later, it remains unchanged for the automotive industry.

The success of Ford's Model T, credited with "putting the world on wheels" was, in part, attributed to the use of the lightweight, high-strength steel frame.

In the years that followed, the alloy has had a significant presence in automobiles.

The Indian automobile industry, the third largest in the world, is poised to take a leap.

In the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), Indian carmakers touched a new high with 4.23 million passenger vehicles sales.

According to industry estimates, it could touch 8 million by the end of this decade.

Riding on the growth of the industry are steel companies eyeing higher margins and prestige.

Badge of honour

Considering the rigorous approval process followed by carmakers, only a handful of steel companies have the capability to supply specialised grades of steel in India.

Most of the demand is met by the players who make steel from scratch, like Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India).

Then comes Posco and some long product producers.

Of the total 136 million tonnes (mt) steel consumption in India, a small chunk of 8-10 per cent is by auto and auto ancillary industries.

However, in terms of quality, the segment supply ranks in the top quartile. It's also a high-margin business.

More than 60 per cent of the raw material in a vehicle is steel.

Gearing up

As automakers rev up to make good the 'India story', the Big Boys of steel are pushing the pedal to drive the future of mobility.

From setting up cutting-edge facilities to cater to the domestic market and building capabilities of global standards, the action is building up.

Two of the global leaders in automotive steel, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, have formed AM/NS India, pointed out Ranjan Dhar, director and vice-president, sales and marketing, AM/NS India, adding that it is set to introduce "world-class products to the Indian market".

AM/NS India is in advanced stages of completing a 2 mt auto-focused cold rolling mill (CRM) in Gujarat's Hazira.

"This facility will be one of the most modern automotive steel complexes. The advanced steel solutions produced here will not only expand the automotive product line for the domestic market, but also support the efforts to export, establishing the country as a manufacturing hub," Dhar said.

World suppliers

Tata Steel and JSW Steel are beefing up for the domestic as well as the export market.

"We have more than one-third share of the automotive steel market and we will continue to build this business with our portfolio of flat and long products," said Jayant Acharya, joint managing director and chief executive officer, JSW Steel.

The largest steelmaker by domestic capacity, JSW Steel, has also started building customers in the international market.

"Last year, we supplied quantities to automakers in Europe and South-East Asia. That will improve further in addition to our domestic automotive sales," Acharya added.

In the domestic market, supplies to MG Motors are expected to increase, replacing imports in the new joint venture JSW MG.

Tata Steel's new CRM complex in Kalinganagar (Odisha) is raring to commission continuous and galvanising lines - crucial processing systems for automotive grades of steel - in the next few quarters.

The 2.2 mt facility is largely auto-focused.

"New cold rolling and galvanising lines are capable of producing steel at par with global specifications," Prabhat Kumar, vice-president, marketing and sales (flat products), Tata Steel, told Business Standard in a recent interaction.

"While our focus will be primarily on the domestic automotive market, the capability exists to meet export requirements," he said.

Tata Steel Europe is helping build the global capabilities. In India's auto-grade steel market, Tata Steel's market share is close to 50 per cent.

Atmanirbhar, way before

Car and steel manufacturers had embarked on the localisation journey long before the word 'atmanirbhar' took centre stage.

"Auto companies stepped up on localisation in the last 15 years, with steel companies building capacities to produce specialised grades of steel. They continue to invest in these capacities with the tailwind from the auto sector," Rakesh Surana, partner, Deloitte India, said.

A Tata Motors spokesperson said the company has been driving localisation of imported flat steel.

"With investments by domestic and international players in India, the import has reduced from 10 to nearly 5 per cent over the last five to six years."

Vinod Sahay, president and chief purchase officer, auto and farm sector, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, said the company's first priority was to source steel from the Indian steel mills.

"More than 95 per cent of the steel we use today, across all grades, is made in India. We only import certain grades of steels, which are either not produced here, or the quantity is less than our requirement," Sahay said.

Niche segments rely on imported steel, which are mostly coated, press hardening steels (PHS), and grades whose availability is constrained locally.

Tata Motors notes that auto manufacturers are pushing engineering boundaries to reduce the weight of cars, while improving safety and customer experience.

As most of the industry first grades or technology is developed internationally, it needs to continue to engage with international steel mills even as domestic producers improve localisation.

Carmakers want higher strength and lighter steel to reduce the body-in-white weight. It is a continuously evolving process.

"That is why the tensile range has improved from 400 megapascals (MPa) to 1,200 and going forward can go to 1,500 MPa steels. That is the journey for the automotive industry," Tata Steel's Kumar said.

According to steel industry sources, some imports into the country happen as Japanese carmakers source certain quantities from the home market.

Partnerships

In the last decade and more, Indian companies have forged partnerships with global leaders for technology, to sell a licensed product, and more.

In 2010, Japanese steel major JFE Steel picked up a 15 per cent equity stake in JSW Steel.

"The strategic alliance and technology agreement enabled us to leapfrog the learning time for the higher end of automotive steel and electrical steel," JSW Steel's Acharya said.

Tata Steel signed a joint venture agreement with Nippon Steel in 2011.

The joint venture included setting up of 0.6 mtpa continuous annealing line at Jamshedpur.

As part of the agreement, Tata Steel was licensed to use Nippon's technology to produce and sell high-tensile steel to automakers in India.

AM/NS is a 60:40 joint venture between the world's second and fourth largest steelmakers - ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel.

Vying for attention

Sourcing of auto-grade steel from India is bound to increase, experts note, as steel companies expand capacity.

For carmakers, it means saving on logistics, currency charges, and a shorter lead time translating into better response to the market.

But there are other materials apart from steel, soliciting attention in the international market.

The auto sector operates across a spectrum of price points, Surana pointed out.

"In the global market, different materials are vying for it. Aluminium is making inroads and carbon fibre has been used in certain high-end cars."

However, he added that the Indian auto sector will be largely dependent on steel.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Since reporting second-quarter earnings last week, shares of Boeing (NYSE: BA) have lost $25 in value -- a stock market decline of more than 13% -- as of this writing. That should not come as a huge surprise, though.

Boeing's earnings were truly awful. Bad enough, in fact, to cost Boeing's CEO his job.

Boeing by the numbers

Boeing "missed earnings" in a big way last week. On the top line, revenue came in more than $300 million below expectations at $16.9 billion. On the bottom line, the company reported a net loss of $2.33 per share. The company's cash flow statement showed a cash burn of $4.3 billion in a single quarter.

To put these numbers in historical perspective, sales declined 15% year over year, while losses grew 832%. Free cash flow -- positive in last year's Q2 -- rolled over to turn negative. Cash burn, which was also negative in Q1, accelerated in the second quarter. So far this year, Boeing has burned through more than $8.2 billion total, reducing cash reserves to $12.6 billion, versus debt of $57.9 billion.

What's going wrong at Boeing

Management blamed the declines on two factors primarily, citing "lower commercial delivery volume and losses on fixed-price defense development programs." Commercial plane deliveries in the quarter totaled only 92 units, 32% fewer than in last year's Q2, resulting in a 32% reduction in revenue at (what used to be) Boeing's biggest business. In contrast, sales slipped only 2% at the company's defense, space, and security unit.

Operating losses soared at both businesses, rising 87% at commercial airplanes and 73% at Boeing Defense, Space, and Security (BDS), with operating profit margins getting worse and worse at both units.

Only Boeing's global services unit showed any improvement at all over last year, and even here, it was minimal. Revenues eked out a 3% gain, operating margins rose only 2%, and profit margins fell.

Help wanted: A new CEO for Boeing

Despite all the above evidence that all is not well at Boeing, CEO Dave Calhoun insisted the company is "making substantial progress strengthening our quality management system and positioning our company for the future." But he won't be around to see them.

Just minutes after earnings came out, Boeing announced that Calhoun would retire from Boeing after less than four years at the helm. The change was planned as Calhoun announced back in October he would step down once the company found a new CEO.

On Aug. 8, former Rockwell Collins and RTX exec Robert K. "Kelly" Ortberg will take over as CEO and attempt to fix what Calhoun couldn't.

Story continues

He'll have his work cut out for him.

What needs fixing at Boeing

As is well known by this point, Boeing has multiple problems that need fixing, beginning with chronic issues with quality control in its commercial airplanes unit (doors falling off planes and whatnot).

As management confirmed, though, the company also must contend with a Pentagon push to shift more risk onto its contractors by insisting on fixed-price deals on defense contracts. This shift has already cost Boeing billions of dollars in write-downs for its Air Force tanker contract, for example, which Boeing won on a fixed-price bid, making Boeing nervous about entering into further such fixed-price deals in the future. The problem is, if Boeing refuses to sign fixed-price contracts, it may start losing defense contracts to competitors who will sign them. That could cost Boeing not only revenue in the future -- but profits, too.

Scan a bit higher, and you'll also find issues with Boeing's space business (which is a small but not insignificant part of BDS). Specifically, a Starliner crew transport -- the spacecraft that Boeing is depending upon to fulfill its multibillion-dollar commercial crew contract with NASA -- is currently docked at the International Space Station, where it's been stranded for the past two months. More than two weeks past its sell-by date, Boeing and NASA are still considering whether it's safe to use Starliner to bring its two-astronaut crew back to Earth. If they ultimately decide it is not safe, NASA will presumably have to use a SpaceX Crew Dragon to retrieve the astronauts.

Such an ignominious end to Boeing's ISS mission could conceivably put the final nail in Starliner's coffin and convince Boeing to terminate its manned spacecraft project entirely, resulting in billions of dollars of write-downs for BDS -- and even more billions of dollars of losses for Boeing itself.

What it means for investors

As a $100 billion blue chip stock, you wouldn't ordinarily expect a company like Boeing to be a risky bet. However, the days when an investment in Boeing could be considered "safe" are at an end. Boeing hasn't even been able to afford a dividend since 2020. And why not? According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, Boeing hasn't been profitable since 2018.

Boeing today is a turnaround play, pure and simple. And an investment in Boeing is essentially a bet that new CEO Kelly Ortberg can fix what his predecessors have broken.

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Schoolchildren will be taught how to spot extremist content and fake news online under proposed changes to the curriculum in the wake of far-right riots across United Kingdom cities fuelled by misinformation on social media.

IMAGE: Flames burn as demonstrators take part in an anti-immigration protest in Rotherham, south Yorkshire. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that she is launching a review of the curriculum in both primary and secondary schools to embed critical thinking across multiple subjects and arm children against 'putrid conspiracy theories'.

It means schoolchildren may analyse articles in English lessons to help learn how to weed out fabricated clickbait from accurate reporting.

'It's more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge what they see online,' Phillipson told the newspaper.

'That's why our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills in lessons to arm our children against the disinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media,' she said.

'Our renewed curriculum will always put high and rising standards in core subjects first -- that's non-negotiable. But alongside this we will create a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum that widens access to cultural subjects and gives pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life,' she added.

The move came as the chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, cautioned in an article in the newspaper over disinformation being widely shared on social media sites during the recent violent clashes.

'What has struck me during the disorder is how vulnerable we all are to disinformation and vile hatred online. We have spoken in recent years about how to keep our children safe online, and what we have learned this week is that left unchecked misinformation and harmful posts can undermine all our safety,' he writes.

'How we behave online is not abstract. It has real world consequences. Perhaps we should be deleting a lot more than we share,' he added.

The riots began in Southport, the scene of the fatal stabbings in north-west England of three young girls at a holiday dance workshop on July 29, after false claims over the UK-born teenage male suspect being a Muslim refugee who arrived illegally into the country on a small boat recently spread like wildfire online.

The violent clashes, blamed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 'far-right thuggery', soon spread across different cities with tough policing action and fast-track court hearings being brought in to clamp down on the unrest.

Many of those found to have initiated or shared false claims online have also been arrested and face custodial sentences.

In the past few days, the riots have been met with huge numbers of peaceful counter-protesters in a show of strength against the far-right racist mobs -- praised by King Charles III as a sign of 'community spirit' in his call for unity this weekend.
Seeking to make changes in the process of granting recognition to madrassas, Uttar Pradesh Minority Welfare Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has said that two universities will be opened in the state and all madrassas will be affiliated to them.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Our effort is to open two universities. We want to attach the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education with the university and all madrassas should be recognised (by the university) so that there is no dispute in the future," he told PTI Videos recently.

He noted that many colleges are affiliated to the Lucknow University, Purvanchal University and Shakuntala University.

If madrassas were operated under universities, things would have been different.

At present, madrassas in the state are recognised by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education.

Citing a letter by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) dated June 7, then Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra on June 26 had issued directions to all district magistrates on children studying in madrassas.

In its letter, the NCPCR had directed that all non-Muslim students studying in government-funded madrassas be admitted to schools of the Basic Education Council to provide them with formal education.

It also said that all children studying in all such madrassas of the state, which are not recognised by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education, should also be given admission in Basic Education Council schools.

Uttar Pradesh has approximately 25,000 madrassas. Of these; 16,500 madrassas are government-recognised, including 560 government-aided madrassas. Around 8,500 madrassas are not recognised by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind's legal advisor Maulana Kaab Rashidi said the government should talk to all stakeholders, including Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Nadwatul Ulama and Darul Uloom Deoband, before making changes in the system.

He said the Constitution has given the right to minorities to establish and run their educational institutions.

In the system the state government is going to make, special care should be taken to ensure that the constitutional rights of minorities are protected.

Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Iftikhar Ahmed Javed on Sunday said the state government is going to take such a big step regarding madrassas but the board has no information about this.

"It has never been seen or heard before that any education board will be affiliated to a university," he said.

However, he said the government has the power to bring about radical changes in the system, but before issuing the order to admit children of unrecognised madrassas in council (state-run) schools, consideration should have been given to giving recognition to such madrasas from the board.
Bangladesh's interim government on Sunday issued a stern warning to media organisations, stating that they will be shut down if they publish or broadcast false or misleading news, in a move aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation.

IMAGE: Army personnel stands guard in Dhaka, on August 7, 2024. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

"A nation falters when the media does not uphold the truth," the interim government's Home Affairs Adviser, Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, said during his visit to injured policemen at Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital.

He warned that the media outlets would face closure if they provided misleading news, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

Criticising the media for not presenting the truth, Hossain said, 'A country deteriorates when the media fails to report honestly', and argued that had the media accurately reported events, the current situation involving the police might have been avoided.

"The media often ignores the truth...There is a lack of substantive discussion on talk shows, and the media fails to provide accurate information," he said.

Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, said action will be taken against officials involved in the internet shutdown during the recent student protests.

Talking to journalists on the first day of joining his office at the Secretariat on Sunday, Nahid emphasised that those responsible for the internet shutdown during the protests will face consequences, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

He said access to the internet is a right and disrupting or shutting it down is a violation of human rights. Nahid asserted that the indiscriminate internet shutdowns will no longer be tolerated.

Bangladesh witnessed frequent Internet shutdowns during the recent protests against the Hasina government.

The Information and Communication Technology Division plans to incorporate youth participation to fulfil the aspirations of the younger generation, Nahid said.

Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam said at least 42 members of the police force were killed and scores injured in clashes during the recent mass student movement in Bangladesh which led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Over 500 police personnel were injured and took treatment at the hospital, he was quoted as saying by the Daily Star newspaper.

More than two dozen police personnel are still undergoing treatment, Islam added.
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas leader Chirag Paswan is planning to convene a meeting of Scheduled Caste MPs of different parties as he works to mobilise support ahead of his party filing a review plea in the Supreme Court against its judgment allowing sub-categorisation of reservation within the community.

IMAGE: Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan at the Parliament during the Monsoon Session, in New Delhi. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

The LJP-Ram Vilas leader has already expressed his disagreement with the verdict and said his party will file a review petition in the apex court.

Paswan, sources said, has reached out to Scheduled Caste MPs to gauge their view over the verdict, a judgment of far-reaching political impact over which major national parties have maintained silence while engaging in internal stock-taking deliberations, and may convene a formal meeting soon.

It remains to be seen, though, what the response of the Scheduled Caste MPs of different parties will be, many of whom have spoken in different voices depending on the mood of their constituencies.

The parties like Paswan's or Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party, which draw support from numerically strong SC communities which fare better than other Dalit castes on social and economic metrics, have come out openly against the judgment.

However, another Dalit ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has lauded the verdict, saying that his community of Manjhis are 'grossly under-represented' in the benefits brought by quota as better-off SC communities corner most of the positions in jobs and educational institutes on offer.

The critics of the verdict have argued that a chunk of vacancies reserved for the SCs often remain open due to a lack of adequately qualified applicants, saying introducing sub-quotas for different castes within the larger quota will only worsen the problem.

Both the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress have not taken a categorical stand on the issue, leaving it to their state leaders to frame their responses based on regional sensibilities.

A seven-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had ruled on August 1 by a 6:1 majority that the further sub-classification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by the states can be permitted to ensure grant of quota to more backward castes inside these groups.
A casual reference to a 'bomb' made during a routine security check at the international airport in Kochi led to the arrest of a Mumbai-bound passenger.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) on Sunday said Manoj Kumar, 42, who was scheduled to fly from Cochin to Mumbai by an Air India flight on Sunday morning made an 'alarming' comment to a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer at the x-ray baggage inspection counter.

'During the pre-embarkation security check, Mr Kumar asked the CISF officer, 'Is there any bomb in my bag?' This statement triggered immediate concern and prompted the airport security team to take swift action,' CIAL said in a statement.

The airport authority said the passenger's cabin and checked baggage were thoroughly inspected by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS).

After completing the necessary checks, which revealed no threat, Kumar was handed over to the local police for further investigation, CIAL said.

The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC), which was convened to assess the situation, classified the threat as 'non-specific', meaning it was not credible but still required a full security response.

The BTAC concluded its proceedings and the flight departed on time, CIAL added.

The airport authority said the security has been heightened at all the airports in view of the Independence Day approaching.

The Cochin International Airport has already issued an advisory urging passengers to arrive at the airport well in advance of their scheduled flights to avoid delays due to the increased security measures during this generally busy season.
The police were waiting for the final post-mortem examination report to come to a conclusion regarding the murder of a woman doctor, whose body was found in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, an officer said.

IMAGE: Junior doctors, nurses and medical staffs stage a protest demanding inquiry on the murder of a female post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor, at the gate of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The preliminary autopsy report suggested that she was sexually abused and murdered.

"We are waiting for the final autopsy report to come to a conclusion in this case. Our probe findings needed to be verified with the final report of the post-mortem," the police officer told PTI.

The initial autopsy report stated that the victim was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and private parts. There were also injuries on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger and lips.

Meanwhile, another police officer said that circumstantial evidence also indicated a possibility that the doctor was first murdered and then raped.

On Sunday, sleuths of the Kolkata Police team, formed to investigate the murder, collected samples from the seminar hall of the hospital, a police source said.

The body of the woman post-graduate trainee was found in the hospital's seminar room on Friday morning. A civic volunteer, an outsider frequenting the hospital premises, was arrested on Saturday.

The police also reconstructed the crime scene though the arrested accused was not present, the officer said.

He said that after committing the crime, the accused went to a police barrack and slept till Friday morning.

Investigation revealed that the arrested man was also a member of a welfare unit of the Kolkata Police, he said.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, who visited the hospital for the second time in three days, held meetings with officials..

"We are also talking to persons who were on duty on Thursday night till the next morning. CCTV footage is also being checked," he said.

The police have seized the clothes and shoes worn by the accused during the crime.

As to whether anybody else was involved in the crime along with the arrested accused, the officer said, "As of now there is no evidence of that."

"The accused had washed the clothes he was wearing during the crime. His shoes, with blood stains on them, were found during a search at the place he was staying," the officer said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to seek death penalty for the perpetrator.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police deployed a huge contingent at the hospital on Sunday.

"No one will be allowed inside the hospital premises without proper identification. We will ensure total safety of the health workers in the medical establishment," the officer said.

The hospital authorities expelled the two security persons contractually employed at the emergency ward for not discharging their duties properly which, in a way, led to the crime against the doctor, another official said.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 61F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 41F. Winds light and variable.
Maureen, 67, (not pictured) is a former elementary school teacher living on $1,600 a month in Social Security benefits. Drazen Zigic / Getty Images

Maureen, a retired teacher, struggles to live on $1,601 monthly from Social Security.

She has a 401(k) but hasn't used it because she's worried about making it last the rest of her life.

Many baby boomers face similar challenges and over half have $250,000 or less in retirement assets.

Maureen used to have a tradition with her third-grade class. Every year, she and her students would read Patricia Polacco's "The Keeping Quilt" and spend the afternoon working on a craft themed to the story. The students would decorate their own fabric square  and Maureen would sew them together. She kept each quilt long after each class graduated.

The 66-year-old taught elementary and middle school for over four decades.

"It didn't pay much, but it was it was a wonderful job," she told Business Insider. "I was very blessed to have it."

Maureen  who chose to go by her first name for privacy  lost her teaching job in 2020 when the Catholic school she worked at closed because it ran out of funding. She felt "blindsided," she said.

Maureen now lives on $1,601 monthly Social Security payments in northeast Pennsylvania, according to bank documents viewed by BI. She's living check to check and struggling to pay bills. And, despite being a few months shy of the federal retirement age, which is 67, she's wondering if she needs to find a new job.

She estimates that she has $180,000 in the 401(k) account she built over her long career, which she said will be about $144,000 once it's taxed upon withdrawal. She could use the money now, but she hasn't spent any of it because she's worried about making it last the rest of her life.

Americans like Maureen are facing tough retirement choices. For some, strong savings and savvy investments mean they have the over $1.5 million Northwestern Mutual found most Americans need to retire comfortably. For others, fixed Social Security incomes aren't enough to afford basic necessities.

Over half of baby boomers have $250,000 or less in retirement assets, per a 2024 report from the Retirement Income Institute . It leaves many older adults wondering when is the right time to start using their savings or benefits  and whether the wealth they've built will be enough to live on.

"I'm trying to hold off," Maureen said about her 401(k) savings. "I'm figuring: if I start using it now, what if I live to be 90? Then I'm going to be in trouble."

Maureen struggles to get by, but she's "afraid" to use her 401(k) savings

Maureen feels like she has struggled with money for most of her adult life. Her husband died unexpectedly 22 years ago, leaving her as the sole income earner for her two young daughters.

Story continues

Although she said her teacher salary was often around $42,000 a year, Maureen frequently had to work two or three part-time tutoring jobs each summer to make ends meet. It made her sad to spend less time with her children as they grew up, but she had to put food on the table, she said.

Maureen has received other benefits and income throughout the years, but nothing steady.

Her husband's Social Security money primarily went to her daughters when they were young, she said, but she recently learned his employer is closing their pension system. Maureen expects to receive a small amount of money, but not enough to make a major difference on bills.

She doesn't have her own teacher's pension because her private school stopped offering them in the 90s in favor of a 401(k), she said. And, she only received unemployment money for about a year during the pandemic.

With $1,601 monthly Social Security as her only source of reliable income, Maureen is on a tight budget. And her list of expenses feels long: cell phone, WiFi, Medicare fees, car, gas, and any unexpected house or medical bills.

She and her husband bought their home in the 1980s, and the mortgage is paid off. However, Maureen said paying utilities and insurance on the house is costly.

Her electricity bill can be $500 or more each month, she said. She tries to keep her heat below 55 or 60 degrees, even in the freezing Pennsylvania winters.

For food, Maureen said she receives $23 a month from SNAP  which doesn't go very far. She will frequently make big-batch soups that she can eat for multiple days, and buy items like pasta and tomato sauce in bulk when they are on sale.

She doesn't tell most people in her life that she receives any form of government assistance. Her finances can feel isolating: she frequently has to turn down concerts and restaurant dinner invitations with friends because she can't afford them.

While Maureen knows she needs money, she's "afraid" to touch her 401(k) account. She plans to wait a few more years before touching her savings, around the time she turns 70.

"Unless I have to do it before that," she said, "And I might have to."

Are living on a fixed income in retirement? Have you experienced stigma or loneliness attached to receiving government aid? If you're open to sharing your story, reach out to allisonkelly@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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.
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
SCDA FORTNIGHTLY DRAW

Results of the SCDA fortnightly draw held on July 23rd - numbers drawn - 6, 8, 15, 18. There were two Match Three winners  Barry Campbell, Fourmilehouse, and Kym O'Sullivan, Cloonfree. Next draw is on Tuesday, August 6th at the SCDA Office. Thank you for your continued support.

SUNDAY MASSES

As there will be only one priest serving in the parish on Sundays, August 11th and 18th Sunday Masses will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown, at 9 a.m., and 11.30 a.m. only.

PILGRIM WALK

The Elphin Diocesan Morning Pilgrim Walk from Castlerea to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday, August 18th. More information available at www.elphindiocese.ie/walk2knock.

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

The Elphin Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from August 30th to September 4th inclusive.

Padraig Glancy, SuperValu, Carrick-on-Shannon centre, presented a cheque for 3,000 to Carrick Tidy Towns chairperson John Gaffey and Phil Faughnan. The sponsorship was for the beautiful new planting on the Boyle Road roundabout and the adjacent wildflower beds. Pic. Gerry Faughnan

LOUGH DERG PROGRAMME

The traditional three-day pilgrimage season to Lough Derg will continue until August 15th. One day retreat on Sunday, August 25th. A bus will pick up passengers in Kenagh, Lanesborough, Ballyleague, Scramogue and Roosky. Booking essential. For further information and bookings contact Mary at (043) 3321969.

MEMORY CAFE

Roscommon Dementia Alliance holds its monthly cafe on Wednesday, September 18th from 2 p.m., to 4 p.m., at Lough Key Forest Park Visitor Centre, Boyle, and will include music, song, advice and a chat. Please contact Teresa Keegan at (087) 7061183 for more information JOURNAL Volume 15 of the journal published by County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society is now available for sale in local outlets, including "Dawn Til Dusk", Elphin Street, and at the National Famine Museum Bookshop, Strokestown Park. It features several articles and photographs of local interest.

FOUND

A sum of money found in town. Please inquire at the Parish Office, Strokestown.

LATE MRS SUSAN KIERNAN

Mrs Susan Downs Kiernan, age 67, of Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, USA, passed away on Friday, May 24th last surrounded by her family following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of Mr Brendan Kiernan (formerly of Vesnoy, Strokestown). Born in Fitchburg on September 13th, 1956, Susan was the daughter of the late William and Beulah (Downs) Costello and stepdaughter of the late Gerry Veautour. Susan grew up in Fitchburg and was a graduate of Fitchburg High School and Monty Tech Dental Assistant Programme. She worked as a dental assistant in Plymouth, first for the office of Dr. Stephen Horn for 10 years and then for the office of Dr. Richard Karr for over 30 years. Susan was vibrant and fun-loving, with a terrific sense of humour that she often used to put patients at ease while in the dental chair. Susan and Brendan spent their time in Sagamore Beach and at their second home in Strokestown where she loved to relax and visit with family. She was the ultimate altruist, always putting others before herself, always kind and caring to her family and friends. Susan was generous with her loved ones to a fault, and among family, her gift giving was an art. She loved music, dancing, painting, and was extremely crafty. She also loved to shop - her shoe and handbag collection is one for the record books. News of her passing was heard of with deep regret among her relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place in Plymouth. She is survived by her husband, son, Gabriel; daughter-in-law, Audrey (Plymouth); sister, Mrs Linda Fournier and her husband, Brian (Leominster); niece, Mrs Jenna Elliot (Lancaster); nephew, Jonathan Fournier (Springwater, New York); sisters-in-law, Mrs Carmel Gillooly (Mount Cashel, Roscommon) and Mrs Barbara Coll (Strokestown) and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Jason Hanson from Elphin bought seven ewe lambs, averaging 18kg, for 70 apiece at Drumshanbo Mart. Pic. Gerry Faughnan

TARMONBARRY

SPCA COLLECTIONS

The Roscommon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ROSCOMMON SPCA) will be holding its annual church gate collections at the following churches over the weekend of August 17th & 18th:

Killina - St. Catherine's Church on Sunday, August 18th; Breedogue- St. Brigid's Church on Sunday, August 18th;

Tarmonbarry, Church of The Sacred Heart & St. Barry on both Saturday 17th and Sunday, August 18th.

SHORT BREAKS SCHEME

Would you be interested in providing home from home short breaks for children and adults who have an intellectual disability? Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Homeshare Roscommon are recruiting host carers. Training and support provided. Tax exempt Allowances paid. For further information email homeshareroscommon@bocsi.ie or phone Catherine on 090 6628500 / 087 2126607.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks To Buy According to Financial Media. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) stands against the other artificial intelligence stocks recommended by financial media.

CEO Says AI is "Gonna Keep Providing Value"

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has now become a technology that most people are increasingly familiar with. With AI seeping into almost every aspect of life, from the ads you see on social media apps to the autonomous driving cars many consumers are shifting to. It's not an overstatement to say that AI has become part and parcel of everyday life for every person using technology today. Considering the widespread use and application of AI technology, this area of the market has become an exciting area to invest in today.

With the recent big tech companies' earnings being released, many investors are wondering what role AI is playing in the tech markets today, and how it will develop. On August 2, Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi joined CNBC's "The Exchange" to discuss this very development. Here are some of his comments:

"I think what's happening is two things. On the one hand, it's macroeconomy, which has been sort of turbulent for a long period of time, and it seems to be now coming to an end, where we see it on the job market and people are seeing it on inflation and the 10-year coming down and so on. On the other hand, we see AI. People are very excited, they know it's gonna absolutely change the whole world, and that huge investments have been done by the hyperscalers in AI. But for us as a company, we've been investing in data and AI for the 10 years, and you know we see a steady growth revenue and customers getting value out of it, but theres been a huge deployment of capital... I think AI is gonna be amazing, it's gonna keep providing value."

Ghodsi's comments clarify the market's current opinion on AI, namely that this is an area of tech that cannot be ignored and must be invested in to the maximum. However, in light of such a market opinion, many investors may be beginning to wonder whether the huge amounts of investments being made in AI are justified or whether we are merely in what some may call an "AI bubble" that is definitely going to burst. Considering the immense value to be found in AI, though, many investors believe that such huge deployments of capital are, in fact, justified.

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West Coast's Smartphone Giant: AI Stock or Not?

Considering the above, it's unsurprising that several big tech companies are part of the rat race to invest in and develop AI technologies. However, one notable absence in most lists of the best AI stocks to buy that are being made by financial media reporters is that of Apple. Many investors are beginning to take note of the fact that it is lagging behind other big tech companies that are rapidly developing AI tech. On August 6, Lightshed Partners' Walter Piecyk's shared his view on the smartphone maker's AI moves on CNBC's "Squawk Box".

"I signed up as a developer for the latest development or the latest release of iOS 18. I've been using the intelligent series - not that much better... There's a lot of work that's obviously gonna be done between now and when this is formally released. I just don't see it, for this year and for next year having some a big impact."

Investors may be better served by shifting to purer AI plays. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best AI stocks to buy according to financial media, to offer insights into what companies are actually doing well in the AI space today. Our list includes some of the best AI stocks to buy, according to analysts, and some of the companies offering the top AI SEO tools in 2024 as well.

Our Methodology

We selected AI stocks that made the top AI stocks lists of various financial news reporters, such as Forbes, Motley Fool, Nasdaq, US News, and NerdWallet. We then shortlisted and ranked the stocks based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them, from the lowest to the highest, by using Insider Monkey's hedge fund data for the first quarter of 2024.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).

Is TSM Stock a Good Long Term Buy?

A close-up of a complex network of integrated circuits used in logic semiconductors.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 135

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is another semiconductor company on our list of the best AI stocks to buy. It is based in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. The company is the world's largest pure-play semiconductor foundry and is known for its manufacturing of all advanced AI semiconductors for other players in the market, such as NVIDIA. According to US News, the AI-driven demand being experienced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) at present can only be described as "insatiable," especially in light of the growing demand for upgrades from traditional servers to AI servers. Considering this, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is a stock that must be kept a close eye on in the AI space.

There were 135 hedge funds long Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) in the first quarter, with a total stake value of $16.6 billion. Cantillon Capital Management was the most prominent shareholder in the company, holding 3,085,093 shares.

Wedgewood Partners mentioned Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) in its second-quarter 2024 investor letter:

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) was a top contributor to performance during the quarter. The Companys revenue growth continued to accelerate due to the rollout of its leading-edge N3 manufacturing node along with strong demand for chips used in artificial intelligence applications. Unlike in traditional CPUs, the Company has blue-chip customers, monopoly market share for manufacturing AI chips, such as GPUs. The Companys aggressive investment in capital equipment several years ago should continue to pay off as fabless chip designers proliferate and require a manufacturing partner to shoulder capex risk. The Companys continued aggressive investment and deployment in semiconductor manufacturing equipment is not an easily replicable competitive advantage.

Overall TSM ranks 6th on our list of the best artificial intelligence stocks to buy according to financial media. You can visit 10 Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks To Buy According to Financial Media to see the other artificial intelligence stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential for TSM 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 TSM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
A night of great traditional music is in store at the Coleman Music centre, Gurteen on Thursday, August 15th when Seoid take to the stage as part of the Coleman Traditional Festival.

Maugherow native and former All-Ireland banjo senior champion, Kerrie Herrity, on banjo, fiddle and mandolin, was introduced to music and dancing by her parents at an early in Luton, UK where a thriving Irish scene nurtured and encouraged her progression on several instruments. In recent years Kerrie has begun composing some of her own music. Her compositions are primarily inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Sligo where she is now based.

Kenny Donagher is an accordion player who grew up in a family steeped in music in Easkey in County Sligo. From a young age Kenny joined the family on stage for concerts, ceilithe, at fleadhanna and on radio and television.

In 2015 he recorded and produced an album with Kerrie Herrity, which was launched at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Sligo 2015, which featured on Fleadh TV that year.

John Dwyer on flute/whistle/keys, comes from Mullaghroe, about two miles from Gurteen village. From a very early age Johns interest in traditional music was influenced, encouraged and nurtured by his late grandmother Babs Dwyer.

Over the years John has played with and accompanied many trad groups, notably Shebeen & Ceili bands for Fleadhanna. Besides playing music John is actively involved in carrying on the tradition in his tutoring role at the South Sligo Summer School in Tubbercurry and promoting the best of traditional music, song and dance as events organiser at the Coleman Music Centre in Gurteen.

Fiachra Guihen hails from between Keadue and Arigna. By day he is a teacher in County Leitrim but by night he is a busy musician. He plays regularly all around the locality at sessions, concert and at gigs with a few different groups.

Bookings for the conecert can be made on 071 9182599.
MIRAME Fine Art is proud to announce its collaboration with Christian Wedel. Known for his exploration of the natural world, Wedel examines the complex relationships between inert matter, plants, and the human body. His latest body of work continues to challenge and expand the boundaries of Costa Rican Postnaturalism.

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA / ACCESSWIRE / August 11, 2024 / Promoting Costa Rica's rich cultural heritage, MIRAME Fine Art connects artists with art lovers worldwide. The premier online Costa Rican art gallery now includes the paintings of Christian Wedel.





Christian Wedel, Fountian II





A Deep Dive into the Tropics

Wedel, born in 1985 and based in San Jose, has spent time within the ecosystems of Costa Rica, particularly the rainforest of Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. This connection to the tropics is central to his art, where he deconstructs and reimagines the jungle through a variety of mediums, including charcoal, pencil, oil paintings, and ceramics. Simplifying abstract natural forms results in artworks that straddle the line between the familiar and the surreal, inviting viewers to experience the rainforest in a new way.

Postnaturalism: Melding the Organic with the Alien

Wedel's works explore Postnaturalism, a concept that examines the blurred boundaries between the natural and the artificial. This approach infuses his art with an eerie, spiritual quality, where plants morph into forms that are both familiar and unsettling. "There is an ambiguity between bodies, between what is human and what is plant, what is natural and what is manmade," Wedel explains. By challenging these distinctions, his work encourages viewers to reflect on human intervention in nature, making it particularly relevant to contemporary environmental discourse.

Costa Rican Artist Residency

Wedel recently completed a residency at Cero Uno, a downtown San Jose artist-run space becoming a hub for Costa Rican contemporary art. This residency allowed him to create new work that deepens his exploration of life forms' interconnectedness and the evolving definitions of what is natural. His time at Cero Uno highlights the importance of Costa Rican artist residencies in fostering innovation and supporting emerging artists.

Global Recognition Rooted in Tradition

Wedel's work has been showcased in some of Costa Rica's most esteemed venues, including the Museum of Costa Rican Art and the Spain Cultural Center. His commitment to environmental consciousness places him at the forefront of a broader conversation on climate change.

For collectors looking to buy Costa Rican art, Wedel offers a rare opportunity to engage with a body of work that is deeply rooted in traditional Costa Rican art while pushing the boundaries of contemporary expression. His art is not just a reflection of the Costa Rican landscape but a commentary on the forces shaping our world today.

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Contact Information

For more details on Christian Wedel's work or inquiries about purchasing, please contact MIRAME Fine Art at belinda@miramefineart.com or visit www.miramefineart.com.

Contact Information

Belinda Seppings

Co-Founder

belinda@miramefineart.com

+447821591397

SOURCE: MIRAME Fine Art

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View the original press release on newswire.com.
We recently compiled a list of the Warren Buffett and Hedge Funds Are Crazy About These 10 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) stands against the other stocks recommended by Warren Buffett and hedge funds.

Warren Buffett will go down in history as one of the most successful investors on Wall Street, a feat achieved through integrity, wisdom and wit. He is dubbed the Oracle of Omaha on his investment firm Berkshire Hathaway, delivering a compounded annual gain of 19.8% since 1958, more than double an increase of 9.9% for the S&P 500. Berkshire Hathaway stock has gained over 3,787,464% since 1965 compared to a 24,708% gain for the S&P 500, underlining Buffett's stock-picking skills.

Buffett is one of the most accomplished investors in the history of Wall Street having amassed a wealth of $138 billion, as reported by Bloomberg's Billionaire Index. His net worth could have been much more had he not made generous contributions to various charitable organizations. In contrast to many other billionaires who prefer lavish lifestyles in large homes and luxury vehicles, Buffett is often seen as one of the most humble billionaires globally.

The significant investment gains over the years stem from Buffett buying stocks in various sectors and holding them for years and even decades. Buffett's secret to prosperity mainly lies in investing in well-established, reputable companies with clear competitive edges. Although this approach focuses heavily on undervalued stocks, it also occasionally includes investments in high-growth companies.

The investment strategy is often backed by the massive cash haul that Berkshire Hathaway holds on generating earnings per share on most of its investments and through dividend payments. Nevertheless, it is becoming increasingly clear that Warren Buffett and hedge funds are crazy about a particular clique of stocks.

High-growth companies and market leaders in respective fields are some of the factors that Buffett and most hedge funds closely watch while selecting stocks. Technology stocks which consist of some of the biggest companies account for 41% of Buffett's 13F portfolio at the end of March, an edge that has always allowed him to outperform the overall market.

Diversification is another important factor in the top stocks that Warren Buffett and hedge funds are crazy about. While technology stocks account for the biggest share, the billionaire investor is also heavily invested in Financials at 21% and Basic Material at 10.7%. Diversifying aligns with the billionaire investor value investing principles that involve pursuing undervalued investments in various sectors.

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Over the years, Buffett has always sought securities whose prices are undervalued relative to their intrinsic value. Rather than focusing on short-term gains in the market, the Berkshire Hathaway chief selects stocks based on their long-term potential. It was one of the reasons that Berkshire Hathaway shares ended 2023 with a 15.8% gain, representing an eighth straight year of advances. Its biggest increase of 29.6% came in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Berkshire Hathaway had $189 billion in cash as of the end of the first quarter, the cash haul is expected to surge to $300 billion by the end of the third quarter. While most people might wonder why Buffett is not putting much of the cash to work, the billionaire investor is always cautious focusing on value investments rather than just investing for the sake.

The billionaire investor is always driven by the mantra: never invest in overvalued equities. Therefore he always takes time scanning for value investments trading at discounted valuations. Additionally, the sheer size of Berkshire Hathaway means it can only put its money into a select few companies that will significantly impact its returns. This is further compounded by the fact that investments in cash equivalents, such as short-term government bonds, are currently offering returns above 5% which is quite high at current levels. As a result, Warren Buffett and his firm are deliberately seeking the perfect investment at the perfect price, and this opportunity could arise at any moment.

In the recent past, Buffett has also gone against the wave amid a shift of focus from oil and gas investment plays amid the transition to clean energy. Buffett remains bullish about investment opportunities in the energy sector amid the carbon care initiatives even as the biggest players continue generating significant returns from the lucrative fossil fuel business. Buffett and hedge funds have also taken keen interest in stocks offering exposure to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence that are driving valuations higher in the market.

Our Methodology

In this article, we take a look at some of the top stocks in which Buffett and other hedge funds are heavily invested. Warren Buffett and hedge funds are crazy about these 10 stocks partly because of their growth metrics and long-term prospects. While some of the stocks are trading at a premium valuation, they are market leaders in their respective fields and, therefore, well-positioned to generate long-term value. We have ranked the stocks in Warren Buffett's portfolio based on the number of hedge funds invested and selected the top 10.

A team of financial advisors huddled around a desk, discussing the best investment strategy for their client.

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)

Berkshire Hathaways Stake Value: $3.49 Billion

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 94

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is one of the largest banks in the US and one of Buffett's top investments in the financial service sector. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) remains one of the top stocks that Warren Buffett and hedge funds are crazy about because it has been paying dividends consistently since 2011.

According to the latest regulatory filings, Berkshire Hathaway held 55.24 million shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) as the first quarter of 2024 concluded. These shares were valued at $3.49 billion, accounting for 1.05% of their total investment portfolio. Insider Monkey's database of hedge funds shows that 94 hedge funds held stakes in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) as of the end of Q1 2024, an increase from 91 as of the end of 2023.

Here is what Diamond Hill Capital Long-Short Fund said about Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter:

Other top Q1 contributors included Meta Platforms, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) and Walt Disney. Banking and financial services company Citigroups restructuring efforts are ongoing, and it continues remediating regulatory issues and building capital in anticipation of increased requirements. The company expects to see expenses fall meaningfully in the second half of 2024, bolstering the outlook from here.

Overall C ranks 5th on our list of the best stocks to buy according to Warren Buffett and hedge funds. You can visit Warren Buffett and Hedge Funds Are Crazy About These 10 Stocks to see the other stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of C 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 C but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Very High Yield Dividend Stocks With Upside Potential and 10 Best Blue Chip Dividend Stocks To Buy.

Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.
We recently compiled a list of the 20 Industrial Stocks Already Riding the AI Wave. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) stands against the other industrial stocks that are already riding the AI wave.

When investors think of artificial intelligence (AI), they usually relate the thought to prominent hardware and software companies working in the technology sector. However, a much wider understanding of AI is needed in order to pick out the best stocks that are likely to ride the AI wave as it evolves over time. Contrary to public opinion, one of the smartest ways of jumping on the AI bandwagon is by playing the industrial sector. Since the start of 2023, the beginning of the AI boom in other words, industrial stocks have jumped close to 30% in value. Of these, the firms that are directly exposed to AI verticals have more than doubled in value. According to a Goldman Sachs study on the matter, in the fourth quarter of 2023, over 30% of industrial firms mentioned AI in their earnings reports, up from just 10% in the same period the preceding year.

In addition to the obvious picks in the semiconductor space, investors should turn their attention towards industrial firms that provide construction, engineering, electronics, cooling, and connectivity services. Even though these firms derive only a portion of their revenue from AI at the present, the explosive growth potential of AI can be a meaningful driver of their revenues in the coming months. Indeed, some indications of this can be gleaned from the fact that industrial firms linked to AI grew their revenues by almost 15% last year. This number is comfortably above their non-AI peers and the S&P 500 average for 2023. Industrial firms help manage the computational powers of AI data centers, make high speed connections possible, and also make sure they operate at optimal temperatures.

Lazar Naiker, an analyst at capital markets firm AGF Investments, explains how traditional data centers are different from AI ones. Essentially, AI data centers are powered by graphic processing units (GPUs), while their traditional counterparts are powered by central processing units (CPUs). GPUs operate at a faster speed and thus need higher bandwidth cables for communication with other GPUs. There is a 10 to 1 difference in the number of cables needed to power GPUs and CPUs. AI applications require constant communication between data center GPUs as well, the development of neural networks, so to speak, whereas this is not the case for CPUs. Another key difference is power consumption. Per Naiker, the GPU uses almost 5 times the power required by a CPU.

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Our Methodology

For this article, we selected industrial stocks that posted more than 25% gains in 2024. From this list, we selected firms that have links to the AI universe and approximated percentage revenues based on these links. These stocks are also popular among hedge funds. 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 technician wearing protective glasses installing optical fibers and cables.

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31

YTD Return as of August 1: 31%

Approximate Percentage Revenue from AI: 18%

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) engages in the display technologies, optical communications, environmental technologies, specialty materials, and life sciences businesses. The optic products offered by the firm have witnessed a surge in demand in the past few months as large companies invest in AI data centers. In addition to these connectivity products, the firm also provides the glass that is on top of popular smartphone brands. These smartphones are becoming AI powerhouses in themselves. The company grew the optical business by over 40% in the second quarter, compared to the same period last year, due to AI demand, even as the smartphone market remained soft.

Wendell Weeks, the CEO of Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW), detailed during the second quarter earnings call that the growth in revenue, sales, and earnings during the first half of 2024 was primarily driven by strong adoption of optical connectivity products due to soaring demand for generative AI. Weeks noted that new AI data centers needed about 10 times the fiber optic connections utilized by normal data centers, largely due to compute power of new GPUs and the need to connect the GPUs together. He said his firm had helped customers design the links needed for this kind of interconnectivity over the past few years.

In its Q2 2024 investor letter, Okeefe Stevens Advisory, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW), another long-time holding, announced Q2 results would come in better than anticipated due to outperformance in their optical connectivity products used for Generative AI. Corning has long been a disappointing investment; with leading-edge technology, it consistently underperforms expectations. Their springboard plan, which revolves around $3 billion of excess capacity, seems to be the first sign in a long time that they are ready for a surge in growth. Management has frequently discussed the potential for operating leverage in nearly every conference call, anticipating a return to normal business conditions. Margins should expand over the coming quarters, driving EPS growth. The $3B in incremental sales could be worth in excess of $900m in EBITDA.

Overall GLW ranks 11th on our list of the best industrial stocks that are already riding the AI wave. You can visit 20 Industrial Stocks Already Riding the AI Wave to see the other industrial stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of GLW 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 GLW 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.




Image source: Getty Images.

As a self-proclaimed Costco superfan, I'm interested in pretty much every aspect of how the store is run. If Costco offered a 90-minute webinar on how it sources its inventory, I'd watch it. So whenever I meet someone who works at Costco, I always make a point to ask about their experience.

Not so long ago, I was waiting to pick my daughter up from a birthday party that was running a bit over its scheduled time, and I found myself standing next to a woman in a Costco shirt. "Are you an employee?" I asked her. "Or just a fan?"

It turned out she was, indeed, a Costco employee, so I asked about her experience. And she only had great things to say. Not only was she happy with her pay and benefits, but she said that what really made Costco stand out among the numerous retailers she's worked for was how well employees were treated and respected.

If you're in the market for a job -- whether it's a part-time or full-time role -- you may want to look into working for Costco. Here's a rundown of what to expect.

The pay

Costco offers competitive wages. But what's even more helpful is that wage increases are based on accumulated hours. In other words, the more you work at Costco, the more you can get paid. Tenured hourly employees also get additional compensation twice a year (meaning, a bonus) based on how many years of service they've put in.

Payscale reports that the average hourly wage for Costco employees is $19.05 per hour. So for a 40-hour workweek, that's $762 weekly. For a 50-week work year, it's about $38,000 annually.

However, the wage you might earn at Costco is likely to hinge on your location and experience. And remember, you may get a nice bonus or two on top of your hourly rate.

The benefits

Costco employees can enjoy a host of benefits that include:

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Life insurance

401(k) plan access

Paid sick and vacation time, plus paid holidays

Costco also offers different programs to support its workers' physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

Career development

Costco has a tendency to promote from within. The retailer says that the vast majority of its warehouse club managers began their careers as hourly Costco workers.

Costco also offers a number of training and development programs. And it offers scholarships to qualifying part-time and full-time employees seeking undergraduate degrees.

Should you apply to work at Costco?

That depends on what you're looking for and what skills you have. Even though Costco's wages are competitive, with the right background, you may be able to find a higher-paying job or one that's more flexible (meaning, a role that may have more flexible hours or one you can do remotely).

Story continues

But if you're new to the workforce or you're looking for some part-time work experience while you finish your studies, then it could very much pay to put in an application with Costco and see what comes of it. You may find that it ends up being a stepping stone to a great career.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

If youre shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, youll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.

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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.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Costco Is a Great Place to Shop. Is It Also a Great Place to Work? was originally published by The Motley Fool
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In an age of increasingly volatile weather phenomena, New York broke an alarming record just over eight months into 2024: The state has recorded the most tornadoes it has seen in a single year.

Sounds like we need to bring in Glen Powell from Twisters.

Posted to X by the New York State Weather Risk Communication Center, a tweet revealed the state experienced 26 confirmed tornadoes so far in 2024.

This number is up 50% from 2018s figures, which capped out the year at 13 tornadoes.

In 2002 and 2010, 14 tornadoes touched down in New York. The year 1990 experienced 16 tornadoes, while 1989 and 2003 hit 18 at the end of their respective years.

Twenty-three tornadoes swirled in 1998 and 2011, but prior to this year, 1992 held the record for the most tornadoes in a 12-month period, with 25.

With the now-confirmed tornado in Buffalo this afternoon, New York has officially broken its record for the most confirmed tornadoes in one year, at 26 tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/n8WaVU0Xjo  NYSWRCC (@NYSWRCC) August 5, 2024

The latest tornado landed in in New Paltz on Friday, according to NBC. The EF-0 tornado  the weakest tornado in the official tornado classification  struck at about 5:41 p.m. as post-tropical cyclone Debby walloped the area with its withering rain and winds. NBC reported that this particular tornado was near the New York State Thruway.

Much of the state had been under a tornado warning, and Gov. Hochul declared a state of emergency as the storm passed through the Empire state.

Prior to that, Buffalo experienced some damage due to a tornado last week.

Video footage from ABC7 shows what appears to be a narrow funnel cloud appearing during a storm, while another video shows a much larger cloud moving through the area.

Buffalo authorities confirmed that several buildings were damaged, but no injuries were reported, the report said.

That tornado reportedly left a car on its roof in a parking lot, street signs bent, and fallen tree limbs across roads and sidewalks, according to ABC News.
Editors note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders of all ages who are making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at cbenanti@siadvance.com.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its always good news when dedicated Staten Islanders  and Staten Island-based organizations  orchestrate projects that result in contributions to charitable causes.

Kudos to Anthony Robles, owner of two Jersey Mikes Subs on Staten Island, who raised $7,300 directly from a Donation Drive that spanned the month of June at his New Springville location.

As part of the charitable promotion at his shop located at 2795 Richmond Ave. in the Pergament Enterprises Mall, customers walked away with a free regular sub with a minimum $5 donation to the Emergency Childrens Help Organization (ECHO).

Anthony Robles, owner of Jersey Mike's Subs, donated $7,300 from his June Fundraiser to the Emergency Children's Help Organization (ECHO). (Courtesy/Antony Robles)Staten Island Advance

FYI: Robles also is the owner of a Jersey Mikes subs located at 2714 Hylan Blvd. in the Tysens Park Shopping Center in New Dorp.

The business entrepreneurs generous donation will assist the ECHO foundation in its mission to help children in need who, due to their families financial situation, might be denied proper health care.

Since the Charleston-based organization was founded by Sebastian Angelico in 2008, its mission has been to provide financial assistance to children experiencing a challenging medical or living emergency.

The Emergency Childrens Help Organization is pleased to announce that Jersey Mikes Subs located at 2795 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314, has donated $7,300 to our organization, said Angelico in speaking of the very kind deed. Mr. Anthony Robles, owner, initiated an extremely generous fundraising campaign during the entire month of June offering a free Sub for a $5 Donation to ECHO. On behalf of ECHOS board of directors and staff, we would like thank both Mr. Robles and the entire Robles Family for their dedicated support to our cause since our inception!

JERSEY MIKES SUBS CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS

Robles is no stranger to the Big Heart Department.

Each year, during the month of March, customers are invited to come into the Jersey Mikes Subs restaurants and donate to a local charity partner.

The campaign culminates in a nationwide event called Jersey Mikes Subs Day of Giving that happens on the last Wednesday of that month, when 100% of the days sales are donated to the local partners charity.

Nearly 2,500 restaurants donated 100% of sales, not just profits, to local charities including hospitals, youth organizations, food banks and more.

Giving...making a difference in someones life has been the mission of Jersey Mikes from the beginning which was back in 1956 when it was founded.

In the last decade alone locations throughout the country have raised more than 135 million for local charities.

And since 2011, more than $113 million has been raised nationally and donated to local charities to benefit the needy through the Day of Giving.

JERSEY MIKES SUBS GRAND REOPENING

Watch for the Jersey Mikes Subs New Dorp Grand Reopening all set to take place from Friday, Sept. 6 to Friday, Sept. 13, at which time Robles plans to raise funds for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a charitable organization founded in tribute to NYFD firefighter Stephen Siller who lost his life during the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Robles, age 24, says Jersey Mikes Subs will also support Meals on Wheels, a not-for-profit agency whose mission is to provide two nutritious meals each day to those 60 years of age or older who can no longer shop for or prepare their own meals.

In fact, Robles late grandmother had been a Meals on Wheels volunteer and his inspiration and the reason he became acquainted with the organization.

The native Staten Islander will also head a fundraiser to benefit The GRACE Foundation, an organization that provides programs and services for individuals impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder, during the month of April which has been dubbed Autism Awareness Month.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

After graduating from St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, Robles went on to the University of Rhode Island where he earned a business degree.

However, before graduation he took on a position with Jersey Mikes Subs during a rotation at three different locations and incorporated what he learned into what he calls his tool box  invaluable information that he utilizes in his stores.

And in speaking of his own business acumen, Robles confides he couldnt have journeyed into the business without the help of his dad, Joseph K. Robles.

The Huguenot resident goes on to explain that to this day, his dad, has been his best business advisor  and his biggest role model.

When asked to comment about his giant business undertaking, Robles emphasizes his sandwich offerings and other specialities are freshly made in the morning.

That includes authentic subs, all vegetables and lettuces, he points out. And the special juice  that consists of red wine vinegar and olive oil are blended to perfection. And our breads are baked fresh daily as well.

Folks can order through the Jersey Mikes Subs website and the Jersey Mikes Subs app. And theres also curbside pickup. Check them out on all social media platforms.

CELEBRATIONS - AUG. 11 TO 17

AUG. 11

Happy birthday Sunday to Marjorie Hack, Breann McKeon, Rebecca Wheeler, Frank Cammaroto and Thomas Sean Pellechia. 

AUG. 12

The best of birthdays Monday to Sharon Cohen, Amanita Duga Carroll, Ceaser Mercado, Kathleen Camiolo, James Carucci, Vanessa Signorelli, Joyce Pearsall, James Alexander Greco, Dennis Coughlin, Phillip J. Karg, Roseann Carrera, Cosmo DAquila, Rayann Besser, Jennifer Mitchell and Anthony Frank Petruzzi.

Happy wedding anniversary to Beth and Fred Fennell and to Kelly and Ron Stafford.

AUG. 13

Tuesday is birthday time for Robert Raimonto, Christian J. OHanlon, Rosemary Newman, Margaret Wilson, Dominick Cassissa and Rev. Brendan Gormley of St. ClaresR.C. Church who turns 61.

AUG. 14

Birthday greetings on Wednesday to Rich Stancavage, Thomas Rutherford, Edward Guerra and Sue Smith.

Happy wedding anniversary Wednesday to Donna and Rick Klein.

AUG. 15

Happy birthday Thursday to Gail Trapani, Heather Wolf, Miss Staten Island 2016, who turned 31, Linda Niekrash, Jillian Lisi, Christopher James Theurer, who turns 13, Fran Legato, John Ryan Jr., Nicole Ann Rosati, Mark Mondi, Luann Rutherford, Mary Alice Dachille and Victoria Dimino who turns 21.

Happy wedding anniversary to Esther and Jim Richards.

AUG. 16

The happiest of birthdays Friday to Caroline Diamond Harrison, publisher of the Advance/SILive.com and CEO of Advance Local, to Mary Jo Andrulli, Robert DeVito, Ellen Ann King, and Vincent Kraker who turns 14.

AUG. 17

Saturday is birthday time for Donna Esposito, Bart Horowitz, John C. Andersen III, Liam Collins and Kathleen Lucadamo.
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- A homelessness outreach initiative in New York City is celebrating a major milestone this year, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday.

In its second year of operation, the Street Homelessness Advocacy Project (SHAP) has placed nearly half of all homeless New Yorkers they have encountered into programs, and are moving them off the streets.
Former president Donald Trump is claiming that the first debate between him and Vice President Kamala Harris will take place on Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that the debate will be hosted on Fox News in Harrisburg, in addition to the ABC debate on Sept. 10, and another debate on NBC on Sept. 25.

His Truth Social post reads as follows:

The first Debate with Kamala Harris, for President of the United States of America, will be with FoxNews on September 4th, 2024, LIVE from beautiful Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The second Debate will take place on Fake News ABC, home of George Slopadopoulos, to be anchored by David Muir, on September 10th, 2024, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The third Debate will take place on NBC, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 25th, 2024, to be anchored by Lester Holt - Details to follow. I look forward to seeing Kamala at all three Debates! DJT

However, Harris team isnt quite convinced.

According to an email sent to Newsweek, one of the vice presidents campaign aides said the following: Were pleased Trump finally agreed to debate the Vice President on ABC after previously trying to back out. We are open to another debate, and well continue those conversations. But to be clear, any additional debate would be subject to Trump actually showing up on September 10. Were not playing his games.

Trump has been flippant about the ABC debate, despite agreeing to the Sept. 10 date originally when he was opposing President Joe Biden. In recent weeks, he has gone back and forth between attending the debate or pulling out of it all together, according to the Associated Press.

Additionally, the Associated Press reported that Trump also said he wants his vice presidential candidate, JD Vance, to debate Harris choice for veep, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on CBS. The network is discussing potential dates to propose for that meeting.

The Sept. 10 debate will be moderated by ABCs Linsey Davis and David Muir.
Staten Islander Matt Festa is being called up by the Texas Rangers for Sundays game vs. the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, the SILive.com/Advance has learned.

Festa, a St. Joseph by-the-Sea product who hails from Great Kills, had been in the Rangers minor league system at Triple-A Round Rock since July 10, a few days after the New York Mets let him go following one poor outing in late June.

The Rangers need help in the bullpen and theres a chance Festa may pitch today vs. the Yankees. Game time today is set for 1:35 p.m.

Festa, 31, spent nine professional seasons on the West Coast - including parts of four MLB campaigns with the Seattle Mariners - before signing with the Mets organization earlier this month.

The right-hander, who grew up a Yankees fan, was selected by the Mariners in the 7th round of the MLB Amateur Draft out of East Stroudsburg in 2016.

He joined the San Diego Padres back in January but failed to make the big-league roster out of Spring Training. He posted an 0-1 record with a 4.50 ERA in 16 appearances for Triple-A El Paso before he was granted his release.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound hurler was swiftly scooped up by the Mets and fared much better at Triple-A Syracuse before getting the call up from the Mets.
OBrien interviewed Williams in Byron Bay. Credit: Jozsef Benke Funding cuts had made the organisation somewhat more timid, very much less confident and unfortunately in my view very much more interior focused, Williams said. He said a prominent but unnamed politician had given him his views about ABC news and current affairs in fairly Anglo Celtic terms. However, Williams said ABC viewers were not dumping the 7pm news for SBS. He said local radio was in a rebuild phase after a decade of neglect and must provide the pulse of the city.

Both men threw praise bombs. OBrien said Williams was the most open and engaging ABC chairman since he first worked at the corporation in 1972. Williams praised OBriens output without wanting to be guilty of inappropriate flattery. And Williams did have praise for some journalistic output, including an exemplary piece of really great investment in journalism, which turned out to be the expose of the CFMEU prosecuted by this masthead, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes. DISAPPEARING ACT Scott Morrison not only won the supposedly unwinnable election in 2019, but the former prime minister can also make awkward quotes disappear from national newspapers.

In June, The Australian Financial Review detailed how former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull at his own initiative offered his services to the incoming government of Anthony Albanese. Namely, that he, Turnbull, would have a word with French President Emmanuel Macron to reinstate the French submarine-building contract Morrison had spectacularly binned in favour of the AUKUS agreement. History will record that nothing came of this suggestion. But how generous and public spirited of Turnbull to offer it. Former prime minister Scott Morrison and French President Emmanuel Macron. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The original print version of the yarn, by AFR international editor James Curran, who doubles as a professor of modern history at the University of Sydney, included this spicy quote from Morrison, about his defiance in cancelling the French subs contract. I mean, heaven forbid we upset the French!  the great disadvantage of upsetting the French is what, exactly? And the great restoration in that relationship has delivered what, exactly?

But this plain talking has dematerialised from the online version. Two sources told us that Morrison had complained that the above quote was off the record and that it was then removed. But despite our best efforts at sleuthing, we cant confirm. Lets file it under one of lifes little mysteries. FRIENDS IN NEED Federal parliament is back after a five-week winter break, and with it lobbyists, business chancers and sundry hangers-on will recommence their orbit around Parliament House. And with a decidedly back-to-school vibe the Parliamentary Friends of Ending Loneliness is throwing a breakfast shindig on Monday at 7am.

Far be it for us to point out that old aphorism, If you want a friend in politics, get a dog. And did you know that one in four Australians are now persistently lonely, driven by unemployment, cost-of-living strains and cultural and linguistic barriers? Well, you do now. Discussing solutions will be Michelle Lim, chief executive of the group Ending Loneliness, alongside the obligatory celebrity invitee, in this case, the original Yellow Wiggle Greg Page. Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney is also set to address the breakfast, hosted by the co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends Group Bridget Archer and Andrew Giles. If any MPs know a thing or two about ending loneliness, it would be the Liberal Party rebel and the minister demoted to skills and training after the governments disastrous handling of immigration.

BUTLER IS BACK One former MP who has no such need for the making of parliamentary friends is Terri Butler. Butler was the rising star Labor MP for the Brisbane seat of Griffith from 2014 until her shock loss to Greens candidate Max Chandler-Mather in 2022. Former Labor MP Terri Butler has been appointed to the Fair Work Commission. Credit: Dan Peled On Friday came news that Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt had appointed Butler, 46, deputy president of the Fair Work Commission. The ministers press release said the appointment was about restoring balance, implying but not stating such after years of Coalition jobs for the boys appointments.
A 71-year-old man has died following an alleged arson attack in Sydneys west.

Terry Moorfield was taken to Nepean Hospital in a critical condition shortly before 7am on Tuesday following a house fire on Orth Street, Kingswood.

Police began investigating the fire, which they allege was deliberately lit.

Following inquiries, 63-year-old Donald Pickard was arrested nearby at 3.15pm and was also taken to Nepean Hospital.
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Police have charged one man and fined three others  with only one from Queensland  after their arrests during a neo-Nazi march in Brisbanes CBD on Sunday.

The group of about 40, clad in black, masked and appearing to represent one Australian far-right group, reportedly chanted racist slurs and held a banner calling for a free England.

A 19-year-old Victorian man has been charged with inciting others to incite vilification and is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 23.

Two other Victorian men, aged 20 and 27, have been fined for obstructing police.

A 51-year-old Cooktown man was fined for contravening a police direction, with investigations continuing.
Earn $70K a Year? Here's How You Can Retire In a Decade, According to Millennial Money Founder

When Grant Sabatier found himself with only $5 and living back home with his parents in 2010, the then-24-year-old knew he needed to make a big change. Bouncing from job to job and then getting laid off during the recession, Sabatier faced a wake-up call when he couldnt even afford a Chipotle burrito.

Don't Miss:

The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement  How do you compare ?

Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you.

That moment sparked a mission: Earn $1 million and retire as early as possible. Over the next five years, the self-described Millennial Money founder would do just that, amassing over $1.2 million in savings.

Now almost 40, Sabatier believes his path to financial independence in record time is replicable for many Americans if theyre willing to make tough choices. His message to those earning $70,000 or more per year: You can retire within a decade.

See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg?  How does it compare to the average?

I think a vast majority of Americans can retire in 10 years or less if theyre making at least $70,000 per year, Sabatier told CNBC Make It. The key, he says, is consistently saving 50% to 70% of your income, even if that means making significant lifestyle adjustments.

Youre going to have to live a little bit differently than most people, Sabatier acknowledges. But were not talking about doing that forever. Were talking about doing that just for a couple of years in order to bank and save and invest the difference.

Trending: This billion-dollar fund has invested in the next big real estate boom, here's how you can join for $10.

So, what does that different lifestyle look like? Sabatier offers three primary tips:

First, cut your housing expenses as much as possible. Live in the least expensive apartment that you can, get roommates, house hack, buy a two-bedroom apartment and rent out the other room to keep your housing expenses as low as possible, he advises. Reducing that often-hefty monthly cost can 10 or 15 years off the time that it will take you to retire.

Next, start a side hustle. While there are limits to cutting spending, your earning potential is boundless. Every $1,000 you make and invest instead, thats going to cut literal months off the time it will take you to retire, Sabatier notes.

Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?

Finally, stay motivated. Sabatier, who once juggled 13 income streams, admits its easy to get discouraged. His solution? Gamify your savings, tracking progress daily to watch your money grow and thats all the motivation that youre going to need.

Story continues

Of course, not everyone may be able to hit that 10-year target. But even if it takes 12 or 15 years, Sabatier stresses, youve still retired early.

The self-made millionaires message rings clear: With discipline, creativity and a mindset shift, financial independence is within reach for many. The key, he says, is to see saving not as a sacrifice but as an opportunity.

The important thing here is to realize that saving is not a sacrifice. Its an opportunity, Sabatier said. The payoff can be life-changing freedom for those willing to live frugally for a few years.

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This article Earn $70K a Year? Here's How You Can Retire In a Decade, According to Millennial Money Founder originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Susan Wojcicki, who helped turn Google from a start-up in her garage into an internet juggernaut, and who became one of Silicon Valleys most prominent female executives with her leadership of YouTube, died on Friday. She was 56.

Her death was confirmed by her husband, Dennis Troper, who wrote on Facebook that she had been living with lung cancer for two years. He did not say where she died.

Susan Wojcicki, the chief executive officer of YouTube, in 2019. Credit: NYT

Wojcickis more than two decades with Google began in 1998 in her house in Menlo Park, California, part of which she rented to her friends Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the companys founders. For $1,700 a month, the two used the garage as their office to build the search engine.

Wojcicki, who had been working at Intel, soon joined Google as one of its earliest employees and was its first marketing manager. Over the years, she reached its executive ranks, becoming Googles most senior woman employee. She eventually led YouTube, which Google acquired in 2006, and which became one of the worlds largest social media companies.
The nations top spy says Palestinians who have expressed rhetorical support for listed terror group Hamas will not necessarily be blocked from entering Australia, as the federal government prepares to announce a new visa pathway to help those fleeing the war in Gaza.

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess also urged politicians to moderate their language, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could encourage aggrieved individuals to turn to violence.

ASIO boss Mike Burgess said inflammatory rhetoric from politicians and other public figures could encourage people to turn to violence. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Burgess, who last week raised the national terror threat level from possible to probable, said that providing financial support or material aid to Hamas may be a problem for Palestinians undergoing security checks as part of their visa application process.

It is a different matter if people are expressing support for Hamas because they want their homeland, he said.
Many years ago, when I still entertained thoughts of completing my law degree, a law tutor made one of those simple but profound points that seems even more profound because you are hearing it for the first time.

He said that speed limits were an exercise in compromise between different social goals. We knew that at higher speeds more people would die, but as a society we had decided that convenience, or economic benefit, was worth those deaths.

Illustration by Jim Pavlidis Credit:

With time, most of us let go of these thoughts, let them seep into lifes background. That is a mistake. Very often, in society, such compromises are reached; and then, over time, the original sacrifice is forgotten, the new standard becomes a norm, and soon we are ramping up the costs without even noticing.

So we are shocked when someone draws our attention back to the fact an equation does, in fact, exist.
A 24-year-old runner from Adelaide competing in his first City2Surf has won this years event, beating about 90,000 other runners to cross the line first at Bondi Beach.

Sydneysiders and visiting runners made a colourful scene as they set off from College Street for the annual mass pilgrimage to Bondi, with elite runners competing alongside entrants dressed in tutus and gorilla costumes.

Not everyone had their sights on the race record. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Winner Isaac Heyne was not far off breaking the events 33-year record when he ran the 14 kilometres from the city to Bondi in 40 minutes, 50 seconds.

The result means Steve Moneghettis time of 40:03, set in 1991, stands for another year. The closest anyone has come to beating that effort was in 2019, when Harry Summers missed it by just three seconds.
The NSW parliamentary inquiry on birth trauma earlier this year heard the stories of thousands of women, detailing their experiences of psychological distress and physical injury while giving birth.

The state government will need to respond to its recommendations, which focus on prioritising midwife-led care, by the end of the month.

The NSW parliamentary inquiry on birth trauma risks becoming a case of midwives versus doctors. It must, instead, centre on modern mothers. Credit: Getty Images

As Mary Ward reports in todays Sun-Herald, women are having caesarean births at a record rate in public and private hospitals statewide.

NSW Healths annual Mothers and Babies report, published last month, showed only 50.2 per cent of women had a birth without intervention in 2022. Among private maternity patients, 49.4 per cent had a caesarean and almost 40 per cent had one that was planned.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has warned that sweeping rental reforms are the only way to provide housing certainty to young people, who are fleeing Sydney and putting further pressure on small businesses that are struggling under the weight of the worsening worker shortage.

The Minns government has committed to ending so-called no grounds evictions on fixed and periodic leases, which will see landlords banned from kicking out tenants without commonsense and reasonable reasons.

New data on evictions, compiled from the governments End of Tenancy Survey, shows that there are 320,000 tenancies that end each year in NSW and 73,000 of those, or 23 per cent, are landlord led. Of those 73,000, about 32,000 are no ground evictions, or 10 per cent of all tenancies that end.

In an exclusive interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Minns said it would have been politically impossible for a government to overhaul how landlords deal with tenants a decade ago, but the housing crisis in NSW was now so dire that there was no other option.
A homeless settlement on a council car park in Melbournes north has swelled into a mountain of hard rubbish, prompting frustrated residents in nearby houses to question why safe accommodation isnt being provided while the site is left derelict.

Experts in the homelessness support sector say the matter exemplifies how acute the states housing crisis has become.

A homeless settlement at a Reservoir car park has recently grown with a significant amount of hard rubbish. Credit: Justin McManus

The settlement has been at Reservoirs Edwardes Lake Park car park  just opposite homes  since the start of 2024. It is now overflowing with timber offcuts, damaged furniture and old bike parts.

Residents say they did not have a problem when the settlement was just a campervan or two, but it has ballooned to take up about seven car spaces after Darebin Councils annual winter hard rubbish collection.
Premier Jacinta Allan has walked back support for Victoria to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027, after weeks of renewed focus on youth crime in the state.

Ahead of a cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday where the policy is expected to be discussed, Allan said the government knew it had to do more to address community concerns about youth crime and promised further strengthened action to tackle serious repeat offenders.

Premier Jacinta Allan unveiling the governments youth justice legislation earlier in the year. Credit: AAP

Currently, children as young as 10 can be arrested, charged and jailed in juvenile detention, but a bill before parliament will lift the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12.

In 2023, the state government vowed to lift the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 before again raising it to 14 by 2027, following pressure from Indigenous, legal and medical groups as well as the Greens.
When is a sandwich a po boy? What makes a thing that could also be called a sub, given its on a baguette-like roll, or just a sandwich, a po boy? The answer is in the ingredients, and the location.

For the latter, you need to be in Louisiana, preferably New Orleans. For the former, a proper po boy is built on New Orleans-style French bread, which is fluffier and lighter than a classic baguette, and has no tapering at the ends. That bread roll is then dressed with lettuce, sliced tomato, sliced pickles and mayonnaise, and topped with a range of meaty fillings, from roast beef with gravy, ham or Louisiana hot sausage, to seafood such as fried shrimp, crawfish, catfish or crab (these seafood-based sandwiches are often dressed with just butter and pickles, and maybe French fries). These are big, hearty sandwiches meant as an affordable stomach filler.

First serve

To understand the sandwich, you have to understand the name: po boy is short for poor boy, which is who the snack was designed for. Back in 1929, the streetcar workers of New Orleans went on strike, and brothers Bennie and Clovis Martin, former streetcar workers themselves who had opened Martin Brothers Coffee Stand and Restaurant a few years earlier, began handing out their large sandwiches to striking workers, and coined the name. Here comes another poor boy! the brothers would yell as a worker approached their store.

Order there

Though the Martin brothers store isnt around anymore, another that was open during the 1929 strikes, and which also handed out free sandwiches, is Parkway Bakery and Tavern (parkwaypoorboys.com).
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 Matthew Trickett was paid to find people. The former British Royal Marine tracked down Somali pirates and Taliban fighters while he was in the armed forces. Then he started a security consultancy and tailed Hong Kong dissidents in Britain. In May, he was found dead in a British park. Trickett, 37, had just been charged by UK police with committing national security offences in a case that has seen Trickett and two other men accused of spying for Hong Kongs foreign intelligence service. Tricketts targets included Nathan Law and Finn Lau, two of Hong Kongs most prominent exiles and critics of the Chinese Communist Party. But they also included Monica Kwong, a Hong Kong-based employee of an Australian property developer, TWT Global. Kwong moved to London in December after she allegedly stole $28 million from two companies  Yearshine Investments and TWT Global  together with three other people between July 2022 and October 2023, a Hong Kong court heard in July. Former Royal Marine Matthew Trickett. Credit:

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Corporate documents in Hong Kong and Australia reveal Yearshine and TWT are owned by Tina Zou, a glamorous 41-year-old, Wenona-educated Sydney property developer who shot to prominence for her luxurious redevelopments in Pyrmont and St Leonards while amassing a $500 million property fortune. In Hong Kong, Zous companies Yearshine Investments and TWT Global are now locked in a legal dispute with Kwong over the alleged theft of millions of dollars from her companies. The Hong Kong High Court heard in July that Zou has also been named in one of the UKs most high-profile espionage cases over her role in commissioning Trickett to track down her former employee. Property developer and philanthropist Tina Zou, also known as Tina Tian. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Zou is not a party to the London case and her lawyer Gary Leung said in the Hong Kong High Court in July that she is off the hook. But the collision of the two cases raised questions in the Hong Kong court about the links between the wealthy Sydney property mogul and Hong Kongs state security apparatus. Why did the Sydney property mogul hire the same security consultants to track down a former employee that the Hong Kong government also used to find dissidents in London?

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The glamorous Sydney property developer In Australia, Zou, also known as Tina Tian, transformed rundown lots in Bondi Junction and Ultimo into luxury apartments filled with sculptures by Janet Laurence and paintings by Judy Millar. In 2018, The Australian Financial Review described Zou as a modern Medici for giving artists studio space in St Leonards in return for adding one of their artworks to her collection. TWTs apartments in Ultimo. Credit: FloodSlicer The philanthropist would go on to bankroll major contemporary arts festival the Biennale of Sydney and fund mental health services through her charity the Bridging Hope Fund, which partners with the University of NSW to fund the Big Anxiety Research Centre. But Sydney soon grew too small for Zou, who labelled it lonely and boring with nowhere to go after 7pm. This is where Ill retire maybe, she said in an interview with this masthead in 2018.

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Zou returned to Hong Kong, one of the worlds most competitive property markets, where Yearshine and TWT spread their footprints. Employees of TWT in Sydney say they have not seen the distinguished lady in five years as the Asian financial hub became the focus of Zous attention. It would also be where the company hit financial turbulence. Hong Kong dreams The new headquarters in Hong Kong was meant to be the companys new global head office, which would curate communities globally when it was established in 2018. TWT Globals head office in Hong Kong. Credit: Daniel Ceng From here, TWT would run its developments around the world, including in Beijing, Hong Kong and Sydney.

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On Wednesday, TWT called for expressions of interest in its latest development, The Collective in Crows Nest, which pledged to blend village and city life in a 12-storey building just north of the Sydney CBD. But its global headquarters in Hong Kong is now just an empty office in a rundown commercial block in the citys centre. When this masthead recently visited, a black curtain was drawn across the door, concealing the interior from view. Next door, an office is used as locker space for workers at a nearby Italian seafood restaurant. One worker who used the lockers daily, but declined to give her name, said the last time she had seen the lights on next door had been at least four months earlier. Zou did not respond to numerous requests through her company and lawyers for comment on how the two court cases had affected her business operations. Woody Wu, the operations manager for TWT Australia, said Zou was the victim of a serious financial crime and continues to suffer great distress.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held phone talks with Acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani at request, focusing on bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East.

Noting that Iran is a country with important influence in the region and a comprehensive strategic partner of China, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China has always promoted its relations with Iran from a strategic and long-term perspective.

China stands ready to work with the new Iranian government to continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, steadily advance practical cooperation in various fields, unswervingly promote the sound development of bilateral relations, and constantly add new content to the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang.

Iran is welcome to actively participate in the events hosted by China as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and strengthen this new type of international organization, he said.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Iran within the framework of the BRICS mechanism, further increase the voice and influence of the "Global South," and promote more just and reasonable development of international governance, said the Chinese minister.

Bagheri Kani expressed his gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for sending a special envoy to the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying that President Pezeshkian is firmly committed to developing Iran-China relations and ensuring that bilateral relations are not affected by changes in the international and regional situation.

Iran is willing to enhance coordination with China on international and regional affairs and give more strategic connotations to bilateral ties, Bagheri Kani said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. Bagheri Kani briefed Wang on Iran's position regarding the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh and Iran's perspectives on the regional situation, stressing that Iran is determined to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, while striving to maintain regional security and stability.

Bagheri Kani thanked China for upholding a just stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and looked forward to China playing a greater role in easing the situation and promoting security in the Middle East.

Wang said that China always upholds fairness and justice in Middle East affairs and supports all parties in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, especially supporting Palestine in restoring its legitimate national rights.

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the assassination, believing that it gravely violates the basic norms governing international relations, seriously infringes on Iran's sovereignty security and dignity, directly undermines the Gaza ceasefire negotiation process, and shocks regional peace and stability, he added.

What is pressing now is that the international community should join forces and urge all parties to the conflict to earnestly implement relevant Security Council resolutions, to create conditions for the early realization of a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Wang noted.

China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty security and national dignity in accordance with the law, supports its efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability, and is willing to maintain close communication with Iran, Wang said.
First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ:FFBC) Second Quarter 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$198.4m (down 1.7% from 2Q 2023).

Net income: US$60.8m (down 7.4% from 2Q 2023).

Profit margin: 31% (down from 33% in 2Q 2023). The decrease in margin was primarily driven by lower revenue.

EPS: US$0.64 (down from US$0.70 in 2Q 2023).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

First Financial Bancorp Revenues and Earnings Beat Expectations

Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 4.4%. Earnings per share (EPS) also surpassed analyst estimates by 8.5%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 5.8% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, compared to a 6.4% growth forecast for the Banks industry in the US.

Performance of the American Banks industry.

The company's shares are down 4.0% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

You should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with First Financial Bancorp.

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.
~Equip Yourself to Save a Life!~



PHILIPSBURG:--- According to the World Health Organization, "Close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year. Suicide is a serious global public health issue. It is among the top twenty leading causes of death worldwide, with more deaths due to suicide than to malaria, breast cancer, or war and homicide."

On St. Maarten and in the Leeward Islands especially, death by suicide has been minimal compared to the wider world. Yet even one life lost to suicide is one too many. Over the last ten years however, suicide ideation and death by suicide has become more prevalent in our region and on our island St. Maarten.

Since 2018, Grace Hill Bible University, St. Maarten Campus, in conjunction with Victorious Living Foundation's visionary, Dr. Erna Mae Francis Cotton has offered the course, Suicide Prevention, Assessment and Treatment as part of its Masters level counseling degree program. This course is mandatory for students to graduate from the program. It is even more vital today, considering the mental health crisis on St. Maarten and around the world.

The course starts on September 2nd 2024. Delivered virtually, it covers all the critical elements of suicide assessment. Using the latest research, and evidenced-based practices, students are prepared, challenged and equipped to assess persons with suicidal ideation and plans, identify the risk factors, create treatment plans, and prevent individuals from resorting to suicide. Utilizing their acquired skills, the students are also required to organize a Master Class to share their knowledge with the general public. Registration closes on August 20th.

Finland, which once held the un-coveted position of having one of the highest suicide rates globally, has halved its suicide rate by its commitment to prevention, awareness and education. For this reason, Grace Hill Bible University, St. Maarten campus is committed to equipping aspiring counselors, teachers, pastors and other interested individuals to help to curb this growing malaise in our communities. Through greater awareness and education, more lives can be saved.

For more information, or to enroll in the course, persons may call +1-721-524-8731 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) is announcing the delivery of a new fleet of emergency vehicles for the St. Maarten Fire and Ambulance Department, marking yet another milestone in the island's recovery and disaster preparedness.

The fleet includes seven specialized command, fire brigade, and fire service vehicles, as well as three ambulance service vehicles. The fire department has procured four Toyota Land Cruisers, two Toyota Hilux, and one Toyota Hi-Ace, whilst the ambulance department has received three Toyota Land Cruisers. The total cost for these vehicles is just over 1 million US Dollars, and they were supplied by Unit Export Limited in local partnership with General Auto Repairs.

The fleet will be maintained locally by General Auto Repairs and includes vehicles equipped with the latest technology like GPS, first aid kits, and port-a-phones that connect directly to headquarters. These enhancements are designed to improve response times and operational effectiveness, particularly in high-risk situations like large fires, complex rescues, and medical emergencies.

The delivery comes as part of the final phase of the Emergency Recovery Project (ERP1). The NRPB is implementing the project on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, which is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund and financed by the Government of the Netherlands, managed by the World Bank. Since 2018, ERP1 has been crucial in strengthening the Fire and Ambulance Departments by providing many invaluable resources. These include advanced communication equipment, custom-made fire trucks, fully equipped ambulances, and patient isolation units, which significantly boost the capabilities of these critical services.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina underscored the ERP1's broader impact on the islands recovery. "These vehicles are more than just an upgradethey represent a significant step toward a stronger, more resilient St. Maarten. As we rebuild and strengthen our infrastructure, these resources are essential to protect our community from the impact of future disasters."

Minister of Health, Labor, and Social Affairs Veronica Jansen-Webster highlighted the importance of vehicles in enhancing emergency services. "Our first responders are now better equipped to handle emergencies, resulting in faster response times, improved coordination, and ultimately, more lives saved. Ensuring the safety of our citizens is our top priority, and these advancements are a critical part of that mission."

NRPB Director Claret Connor expressed pride in reaching this important stage of the ERP. "The delivery of these vehicles marks the nearing completion of the Emergency Recovery Project, a cornerstone of our islands reconstruction. This milestone reflects on the Trust Funds objective to restore and improve essential services across St. Maarten."

As Emergency Recovery Project 1 (ERP) is nearing its conclusion , the NRPB and its partners remain committed to supporting St. Maartens ongoing recovery and building a resilient future for all residents. The expansion of the Emergency Operations Centre will further enhance the islands disaster preparedness and response capabilities, serving as the final piece of ERP1s comprehensive strategy.
Trump campaign says hit by hackers



Washington, Aug 10 (AFP) Aug 10, 2024



Donald Trump's campaign said Saturday it had been hacked, blaming "foreign sources" for distributing internal communications and a dossier on running mate J.D. Vance.

Trump's campaign implied Iran was behind the move as news outlet Politico reported it had received emails with the campaign material from a source who refused to identify themselves.

"These documents were obtained illegally from foreign sources hostile to the United States, intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Cheung cited a report from Microsoft this week that said Iranian hackers "sent a spear phishing email in June to a high-ranking official on a presidential campaign."

The materials received by Politico included research on vetting Vance, Trump's vice presidential pick.

In 2016, a hack of Democratic National Committee emails -- blamed on Russians -- exposed internal party communications, including about candidate Hillary Clinton.

Trump, who would go on to win the election, was criticized for encouraging the hack.
Foxconn is hiring more shift workers with higher wages at the world's largest iPhone factory in the Henan provincial capital of Zhengzhou, ahead of the September launch of the 16th edition of Apple's iconic smartphone.

The assembler, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, recruited more than 50,000 workers in Zhengzhou over the past two weeks, according to Chinese media reports.

The hourly wage at the factory has risen to 26 yuan (US$3.63) in August from 25 yuan in July, while a bonus of up to 7,500 yuan is on offer for returning staff with working experience at the plant, the National Business Daily reported, citing labour agencies.

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.

Foxconn, the world's largest assembler of Apple's electronic devices, operates factories in Shenzhen, Chengdu and Yantai, in addition to its hub in Zhengzhou.

A poster describing the qualifications for Foxconn workers in Zhengzhou on 22 February 2019: age between 16 and 40, nine-grade diploma, no Tibetan and Uyghur ethnicities. Photo: SCMP/Cissy Zhou alt=A poster describing the qualifications for Foxconn workers in Zhengzhou on 22 February 2019: age between 16 and 40, nine-grade diploma, no Tibetan and Uyghur ethnicities. Photo: SCMP/Cissy Zhou>

The flagship factory is known for aggressive hirings ahead of major product launches, giving a high turnover rate for its workforce of more than 1 million staff.

During the peak production season, the average monthly wage can range from 5,000 yuan to 7,000 yuan inclusive of extra work. During low seasons, the average wage can drop to between 3,000 yuan and 5,000 yuan, as overtime work becomes infrequent.

Foxconn's officials did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday, outside normal business hours.

Apple's next smartphone launch is one of its most anticipated events as the Cupertino, California-based company is counting on an upgrade with artificial intelligence (AI) built in to boost sales. It set the goal of shipping at least 90 million iPhone 16 devices in the second half of this year, a 10 per cent growth compared to the previous generation.

Apple faces more competitions from local phone makers including Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo. As China's smartphone market accelerated its growth momentum in the second quarter, Apple was squeezed out of top five vendors, with a 3.1 per cent year-on-year decline in shipment despite cutting prices to promote demand, according to data from IDC.

Story continues

Greater China, Apple's third-largest market comprising the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, was the only declining regional market for Apple. The tech giant's revenue in the region dropped 6.5 per cent to US$14.73 billion in the June quarter, compared with last year.

The uncertainty regarding the fate of much-anticipated Apple Intelligence in China's market could also weigh on iPhone sales in the country.

Despite relocating some of its production bases out of China, Foxconn signed a deal in late July with the Henan provincial government for a new manufacturing project, for which it will invest 1 billion yuan to build new business headquarters and a research and development centre in Zhengzhou.

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.
Philippines' Marcos condemns China's 'illegal and reckless' actions over disputed reef



Manila, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Sunday condemned what he called "illegal and reckless" actions by China's air force last week against a Filipino military plane patrolling over a disputed South China Sea reef.

Two Chinese air force aircraft undertook a "dangerous manoeuvre" and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine air force turboprop over Scarborough Shoal on Thursday, according to the Philippine military.

Manila said the Chinese actions put the lives of its crew in danger, but that the patrol plane returned safely to base.

The Chinese actions were "unjustified, illegal and reckless, especially as the PAF (Philippine Air Force) aircraft was undertaking a routine maritime security operation in Philippine sovereign airspace," Marcos said in a statement.

Marcos "strongly condemns" the incident, the statement said, adding it was "worrying that there could be instability in our airspace".

China defended its operations on Saturday, saying it had "organised naval and air forces to lawfully... (drive) away" the Philippine plane, following "repeated warnings".

"We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement, provocation, distortion and hype," said a statement from the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, adding that "China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and adjacent waters".

- Flashpoint reef -



The incident follows a series of increasingly tense confrontations between Manila and Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea and seized the shoal after a 2012 standoff with the Philippines.

In June, the Philippine military said one of its sailors lost a thumb in a confrontation off Second Thomas Shoal, in another area of the South China Sea, when the Chinese coastguard also confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment including guns.

Beijing has blamed the escalation on Manila and maintains its actions to protect its claims are legal and proportional.

Following the Second Thomas Shoal clash, the two countries agreed on a "provisional arrangement" for resupplying Filipino troops based on a decrepit warship grounded atop the reef, and also to increase the number of communication lines to resolve disputes in the waterway.

The Chinese air force action on Thursday came a day after China carried out a combat patrol near Scarborough Shoal to test the "strike capabilities" of its troops.

Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, is 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.

Despite last week's incident, the Philippines said Sunday it will continue to patrol its Exclusive Economic Zone, defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as waters beyond a coastal nation's territorial seas over which it has sovereign rights to explore and exploit natural resources.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines reaffirm our determination to conduct regular surveillance operations in line with international law," military spokesperson Francel Padilla said in an interview over local radio station DZBB.

"We will safeguard our country's sovereignty and security over our maritime domain," she added.
Russian army concedes Ukraine advances in Kursk offensive



Kyiv, Ukraine, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



Russia on Sunday acknowledged Ukrainian forces had pierced deep into the Kursk border region in an offensive that a top official in Ukraine said was aimed to "destabilise" Russia and "stretch" its armed forces.

Kyiv has deployed thousands of troops to the surprise operation, a Ukrainian security official told AFP, seizing the battlefield initiative after months of slow Russian advances across the east.

"We are on the offensive. The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilise the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border," the security official said on condition of anonymity.

The shock assault, now in its sixth day, appeared to catch the Kremlin off guard, with Moscow's army rushing in reserve troops, tanks, aviation, artillery and drones in a bid to quash the incursion.

But it's army on Sunday appeared to concede that Ukraine had been able to penetrate its territory by up to 30 kilometres (20 miles) in places.

In a daily briefing on the situation in the western Kursk region, the defence ministry said it had "foiled attempts" by Ukraine's forces to "break through deep into Russian territory" using armoured vehicles.

But it said some of those forces were located near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, which are around 25 km and 30 km from the Russia-Ukraine border.

The Ukrainian official also said Russia's claims that Kyiv had deployed 1,000 troops were a serious underestimation.

"It is a lot more... Thousands," they said.

After days of official silence, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the offensive for the first time in his nightly address on Saturday, saying that Kyiv was "pushing the war into the aggressor's territory".



- 'Helicopters over your head' -



Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has waged an unrelenting campaign, occupying swathes of the east and south and subjecting Ukrainian cities to daily missile and drone attacks.

After re-capturing large areas in 2022, Kyiv has largely been on the back foot, increasingly struggling with manpower and arms supplies.

The assault on Russia's western Kursk region has been the largest and most successful cross-border offensive by Kyiv so far -- and the most significant attack by a foreign army on Russian territory since the Second World War.

Russia has used air power, artillery fire and drones in a bid to quash the advance.

It said Saturday that more than 76,000 civilians had been evacuated from border areas, with more leaving on Sunday.

Russia's rail operator has put on emergency trains from Kursk to Moscow, around 450 kilometres away, for those looking to flee.

"It's scary to have helicopters flying over your head all the time. When it was possible to leave, I left," said Marina, refusing to give her surname, who had arrived on a train to the Russian capital on Sunday.

An overnight Ukrainian missile strike on a residential building in Kursk city, around 80 kilometres from the fighting wounded 15, Russian officials said.

Across the border in Ukraine's Sumy region, from where Ukraine launched the incursion, AFP journalists on Sunday saw dozens of armoured vehicles daubed with a white triangle -- the insignia apparently being used to identify Ukrainian military hardware being used in the attack.



- 'Taste' of war -



Ukraine's Sumy region has also come under retaliatory fire, and authorities there plan to evacuate some 20,000 people from the border zone.

At an evacuation centre in the regional capital of Sumy, retired metal worker Mykola, who had fled his village of Khotyn some 26 kilometres from the Russian border, said the offensive had given him a morale boost.

"Let's let them find out what it's like. They don't understand what war is. Let them have a taste of it," the 70-year-old told AFP, despite being forced to leave his home.

Analysts said Kyiv may have launched the assault in a bid to relieve pressure on its troops in other parts of the sprawling front line.

But the Ukrainian official said there had been little effect so far on fighting in the east.

"Their pressure in the east continues, they are not pulling back troops from the area," he said, adding that "the intensity of Russian attacks has gone down a little bit".

Russia has announced a local state of emergency in the Kursk region, as well as a "counter-terror operation" there and in two other border regions.

The Ukrainian official said he expected Russia would "in the end" manage to stop the incursion and that Ukraine was bracing for retaliation with a large-scale missile attack, including "on decision-making centres" in Ukraine.
Russian army concedes Ukraine advances in Kursk offensive



Kyiv, Ukraine, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



Russia on Sunday acknowledged Ukrainian troops had pierced deep into the Kursk border region in an offensive that a top official in Ukraine said aimed to "destabilise" Russia and "stretch" its armed forces.

Kyiv has deployed thousands of troops to the surprise operation, a Ukrainian security official told AFP, seizing the battlefield initiative after months of slow Russian advances across the east.

"We are on the offensive. The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilise the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border," the security official said on condition of anonymity.

The shock assault, now in its sixth day, appeared to catch the Kremlin off guard, with Moscow's army rushing in reserve troops, tanks, aviation, artillery and drones in a bid to quash it.

But the army on Sunday appeared to concede that Ukraine had been able to penetrate its territory by up to 30 kilometres (20 miles) in places.

In a daily briefing on the situation in the western Kursk region, the defence ministry said it had "foiled attempts" by Ukraine's forces to "break through deep into Russian territory" using armoured vehicles.

But it said some of those forces were located near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, which are around 25 km and 30 km from the Russia-Ukraine border.

The Ukrainian official also said Russia's claims that Kyiv had deployed 1,000 troops were a serious underestimation.

"It is a lot more... Thousands," he said.

After days of official silence, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the offensive for the first time in his nightly address on Saturday, saying Kyiv was "pushing the war into the aggressor's territory".



- 'Helicopters over your head' -



Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has waged an unrelenting campaign, occupying swathes of the east and south and subjecting Ukrainian cities to daily missile and drone attacks.

After re-capturing large areas in 2022, Kyiv has largely been on the back foot, increasingly struggling with manpower and arms supplies.

The assault on the Kursk region has been the largest and most successful cross-border offensive by Kyiv so far -- and the most significant attack by a foreign army on Russian territory since World War II.

Russia said Saturday that more than 76,000 civilians had been evacuated from border areas, with more leaving on Sunday.

Russia's rail operator has put on emergency trains from Kursk to Moscow, around 450 kilometres away, for those looking to flee.

"It's scary to have helicopters flying over your head all the time. When it was possible to leave, I left," said Marina, refusing to give her surname, who had arrived on a train to the Russian capital on Sunday.

An overnight Ukrainian missile strike on a residential building in Kursk city, around 80 kilometres from the fighting, wounded 15, Russian officials said.

The regional governor, Alexei Smirnov, conceded on Sunday the situation was "difficult", and said he had held briefings with defence ministry officials.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's Chechnya region, said Sunday that an army unit of Chechen fighters -- considered among the country's most brutal and hardened soldiers -- were active in the Kursk region.

Across the border in Ukraine's Sumy region, from where Ukraine launched the incursion, AFP journalists on Sunday saw dozens of armoured vehicles daubed with a white triangle -- the insignia apparently being used to identify Ukrainian military hardware deployed in the attack.



- 'Taste' of war -



Ukraine's Sumy region has also come under retaliatory fire, and authorities there plan to evacuate some 20,000 people from the border zone.

At an evacuation centre in the regional capital of Sumy, retired metal worker Mykola, who had fled his village of Khotyn some 10 kilometres from the Russian border, said the offensive had given him a morale boost.

"Let's let them find out what it's like. They don't understand what war is. Let them have a taste of it," the 70-year-old told AFP.

Analysts said Kyiv may have launched the assault in a bid to relieve pressure on its troops in other parts of the sprawling front line.

But the Ukrainian official said there had been little effect so far on fighting in the east.

"Their pressure in the east continues, they are not pulling back troops from the area," he said, adding that "the intensity of Russian attacks has gone down a little bit".

Russia has announced a local state of emergency in the Kursk region, as well as a "counter-terror operation" there and in two other border regions.

The Ukrainian official said he expected Russia would "in the end" manage to stop the incursion and that Ukraine was bracing for retaliation with a large-scale missile attack, including "on decision-making centres" in Ukraine.
Fire at cooling tower of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant



Moscow, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



Kyiv and Moscow traded blame on Sunday after a fire broke out at a cooling tower of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, under the control of Russian forces.

Ukraine, Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there had been no detected spike in radiation levels or any impact on nuclear safety.

"As a result of shelling of the town of Energodar by the Ukrainian armed forces, there was a fire at a cooling system of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station," Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian-installed governor of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, said on Telegram.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post that "Russian occupiers have started a fire" at the plant, accusing them of trying to "blackmail" Kyiv.

"Currently, radiation levels are within the norm," he added. Balitsky and the facility's press service also reported the "radiation background" around the facility was normal.

"No impact has been reported for nuclear safety," the IAEA, which has experts stationed at the plant, said.

"IAEA experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from ZNPP's northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening," the UN agency said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

It said the plant had reported to them an "alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers".

Kyiv has blamed Russia of purposefully starting the fire.

"Russia must be held accountable for this. Only Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant can guarantee a return to normalcy and complete safety," Zelensky said.

Ukraine's interior minister said Kyiv was "intensively monitoring" radiation levels from nearby meteorological stations.

All six of its units are currently in cold shutdown, the plant's press service said after the incident.

"There is no threat of a steam explosion or any other consequences," Balitsky said, adding that firefighters were on site battling the blaze.

A video published by Zelensky showed black smoke billowing out of one of the station's cooling towers as red flames licked around the bottom.

Russia seized control of the plant just days after it launched its full-scale military offensive in February 2022.

The site is on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river -- a de facto front line snaking through southern Ukraine.

Ukraine controls the opposite bank and Russia has repeatedly accused its forces of deliberately shelling the nuclear power station -- claims denied by Ukraine.

Kyiv, in turn, has accused Moscow of militarising the facility, including by placing heavy weapons there at the start of the conflict.

The IAEA has repeatedly urged restraint, saying it fears reckless military action could trigger a major nuclear accident at the plant.

bur/imm
'No impact reported' from Ukraine nuclear plant fire: UN agency



Vienna, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



The UN nuclear agency said Sunday that a fire at the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant in southern Ukraine did not appear to represent a threat to nuclear safety.

"IAEA experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from ZNPP's northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening," the agency said on X, formerly Twitter, referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

"Team was told by ZNPP of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site," added the statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"No impact has been reported for nuclear safety."

Both Russia and Ukraine reported the fire there earlier Sunday, each blaming the other for the incident.

anb/jj/imm

X
CORRECTED: Hezbollah says two fighters killed in Israeli strike



Beirut, Lebanon, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said an Israeli air strike on Sunday killed two fighters from the Iran-backed group, with the health ministry reporting another death from an attack days ago.

Hezbollah has traded near-daily fire with Israel in support of its ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in Gaza.

Tensions have skyrocketed since a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs late last month killed Hezbollah's top military commander, Fuad Shukr, just hours before the assassination, blamed on Israel, of Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

An "Israeli strike that targeted the village of Taybeh today left two dead," the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement.

Hezbollah confirmed they were group fighters, killed in Taybeh near the border with Israel.

The official National News Agency reported that "a drone fired two missiles on the village of Taybeh".

The Israeli military said it had "struck throughout the day several Hezbollah military structures in the area of Adaisseh", which is located next to Taybeh.

In another statement later on Sunday the military said its forces had "struck a Hezbollah terrorist cell in the area of Taybeh" as well as "a military structure in the area of Derdghaiya".

"Following the strike, secondary explosions were identified, indicating the presence of weapons inside the structure" in Derdghaiya, it added.

According to the health ministry, at least one Lebanese and 11 Syrians were injured, two seriously, in an Israeli strike on Maaroub, near Derdghaiya.

Separately, the health ministry specified that a Lebanese man who had succumbed to injuries sustained in an Israeli strike "several days ago" on the southern village of Beit Lif was a Hezbollah fighter, not a civilian as earlier reported.

Hezbollah claimed several attacks against military positions in northern Israel on Sunday, including at least two using attack drones.

On Saturday, the Iran-backed group said it had launched "squadrons of explosive-laden drones" at a north Israel army base following the killing of a Hamas commander in the south Lebanon city of Sidon a day earlier.

The cross-border violence since early October has killed at least 565 people in Lebanon, most of them fighters but also including at least 116 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, 22 soldiers and 26 civilians have been killed, according to army figures.

Thousands have been displaced from both sides of the border due to the fighting.
Delmaine Donson / iStock.com

Though the youngest end of Gen Z are not old enough to live alone and work full time, those on the older end are well into their 20s, working and trying to survive in the world. Though they may be young, theyre not too young to have financial regrets.

Theres nothing quite like getting out into the world on your own to teach anyone just how challenging it is to manage finances and plan for the future at the same time.

GOBankingRates spoke with several Gen Zers about their financial regrets, what they learned and their advice for others.

Check Out: I Followed Mark Cubans Genius Advice and Am on Track To Become a Millionaire

See More: 7 Reasons Gen Z Must Speak to a Financial Advisor Before Spending $10,000 or More

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Regret: Not Saving or Budgeting Money

Lena, a 24 year-old nanny based in New York, had her parents help saving the money she received as gifts from birthdays, graduation gifts and small summer jobs when she was young. But when she arrived at college, she quickly realized she didnt have the budgeting skills she needed.

Unfortunately I had no idea what to do with [the money], and blew through it before I graduated. Now Im living on my own, paying my own rent and bills and I wish I had saved some of that money for now when I really need it, she said.

Read Next: 6 Things the Middle Class Should Sell To Build Their Savings

Solution: Find a Budget That Works for You

It was in college that Lena learned budgeting skills. Now, she goes over her credit card statement in detail at the end of the month and uses a spreadsheet to add up her purchases in a number of categories. This makes me super aware of how Im spending my money, keeping me accountable and reduces making stupid purchases, she explained.

She stresses that using a credit card is only useful if you pay it off at the end of every month, but it has the added bonus of building great credit.

Now, she has a savings account that she can only contribute a small amount to after expenses, but she is happy to be on the right track.

If I had been doing that in college, I wouldve been more aware of my spending habits and could have made better choices. I know I spent a ridiculous amount on Starbucks, food delivery and nights out.

Regret: Taking On Student Loan Debt

Mary McClelland, a Gen Z artist living in New York City, was unable to finish college after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This left her only with an associates degree and $100,000 worth of student loan debt, for, she said, what feels like no reason, and little to no hope of being able to pay it off in my lifetime.

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Solution: Community College

If she could have done it differently, she would have gone straight to community college after high school and joined a trade school or international program instead of a four-year college.

College used to be a guarantee to a career and a seemingly comfortable life, but thats just not the case anymore, she said. It seems like everyone my age is struggling financially, degree or no. Its not like me to have a regret about the way my life has worked out because its ultimately brought me so much experience.

Despite her regret, she is grateful for the life experience she gained. McClellands advice to others is: Believe in yourself and the decisions you are making for yourself. You did what you thought was best for you at the time. Its OK to live and learn, forgive yourself.

Regret: Spending Too Much Money on DoorDash and Dining Out

Solveig Q., a 25-year-old masters student and bartender in Colorado, regrets how much money she has spent on DoorDash.

I probably spent up to $300 a month on DoorDash and sometimes more, which is $3,600 a year. I wish Id saved that money and meal-prepped instead, she remarked.

Solution: Meal Prep

Solveig did finally get a handle on her spending and changed her habits. Over the last couple months I started meal prepping more and have saved $600 and Im eating healthier. I would tell the younger generation that meal prepping is so much better for you and you will save so much money.

She saves to eat a nice dinner out once a month. I understand its hard to balance school, work and eating healthy, she said, but once you get in the hang of meal prepping its fun and a lot easier.

Sometimes the best financial teachers are the mistakes you make along the way. These Gen Zers are still young enough to get past their financial mistakes and find solid footing along the way.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Gen Z Isnt Too Young for These 3 Financial Regrets: How They Can Overcome Them
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In 2016, the designers at Myrqvist set out to create quality footwear in a timeless design, one that could withstand the test of time and the test of trends. Luckily, they succeeded, and their premium footwear  with its Scandinavian influences  is one of our favourite sneaker brands today. The brand was even named as the fastest-growing footwear brand in Sweden in 2020, and well take our style cues from the stylish Swedes any day.
By Jayshree P Upadhyay

MUMBAI (Reuters) -U.S. based short-seller Hindenburg Research alleged on Saturday that the head of India's market regulator, Madhabi Puri Buch, previously held investments in offshore funds also used by the Adani Group.

In a late night press statement, Buch said the report's allegations were baseless.

A personal statement from Buch on Sunday said that all disclosure requirements had been followed diligently and that investments in the fund referred to in the Hindenburg report were made in 2015 in a private capacity, two years before she joined the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

India's markets regulator also asked investors to remain calm and exercise due diligence before reacting to such reports.

Hindenburg's report sparked fresh criticism from India's opposition political parties, which demanded a parliamentary investigation.

Citing whistleblower documents, Hindenburg said that Buch and her husband held stakes in an offshore fund where a substantial amount of money was invested by associates of Vinod Adani, brother of Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.

Adani Group on Sunday rejected the allegations and said its overseas holding structure was fully transparent.

The conglomerate's spokesperson described the Hindenburg allegations as "no more than red herrings thrown by a desperate entity with total contempt for Indian laws".

"Adani Group has absolutely no commercial relationship with the individuals or matters mentioned in this calculated deliberate effort to malign our standing," the spokesperson said.

In January 2023 Hindenburg released a report alleging improper use of tax havens and stock manipulation by Adani Group, setting off a $150 billion sell-off in the conglomerate's shares despite its denials of wrongdoing. The shares have since made a partial recovery.

The 2023 report also led to an inquiry by the regulator Buch heads, which is still under way. In May six Adani Group companies disclosed they had received notices from SEBI alleging violation of Indian stock market rules.

Alongside the inquiry into Adani Group, SEBI sent a "show cause" notice to Hindenburg, alleging the short-seller violated India's rules by setting up a short-bet using non-public information.

Hindenburg in July called those allegations "nonsense".

In its new report, Hindenburg attempts to link offshore funds that traded in Adani Group shares with personal investments of Buch and her husband.

It says the Bermuda-based Global Opportunities Fund, which the Financial Times said was used by entities connected to Adani Group to trade in the shares of group companies, had sub-funds.

Story continues

Buch and her husband were investors in one of these sub-funds in 2015, Hindenburg alleges, citing whistleblower documents.

In 2017, before Buch was appointed as a full-time SEBI member, her husband requested to be sole operator of the account, Hindenburg said, citing whistleblower documents.

In 2018 Buch wrote an email seeking to redeem her husband's entire investment in the fund, the whistleblower documents showed.

In 2022 she was appointed as head of the regulatory body.

"We think our findings raise questions that merit further investigation. We welcome additional transparency," Hindenburg said.

A statement from Buch and her husband said that their finances were an open book and they had no hesitation in disclosing any financial documents to any authority. "All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years," they said.

The sub-fund in which Buch and her husband invested, IPE-Plus Fund 1, said on Sunday that it had not invested in any shares of the Adani Group directly or indirectly.

"No investor had any involvement in the fund's operations or investment decisions. Mrs Madhabi Buch and Mr Dhaval Buch's holdings in the fund were less than 1.5% of the total inflow into the fund," the fund's asset manager said in a statement to India's stock exchanges.

The 10-company Adani conglomerate - active in airports, ports, electricity, gas and other sectors - has benefited from a push by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to develop India's infrastructure.

The main opposition Congress party has previously alleged close ties between the Adani group and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which both have denied.

A spokesperson for the Congress party, in a statement posted on social media platform X late on Saturday, called on the government to "eliminate all conflicts of interest in the SEBI investigation of Adani".

The party demanded a parliamentary inquiry to "investigate the full scope" of the matter.

(Reporting by Jayshree.P. Upadhyay; Additional reporting by Ira Dugal, Neha Arora and Jahnavi Nidumolu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, William Mallard, David Goodman and Toby Chopra)
It is often said that respect is a two-way street. While America is in the midst of a period of cultural upheaval, where norms seemingly no longer apply and new rules are in the process of being established, deference is needed more than ever.

In recent weeks, these headlines graced the pages of this paper: Protesters object to transgender woman at Ellisville gym. Missouri AG opens investigation; Transgender womans use of locker room at Ellisville gym sparks outcry from conservatives; and, Ellisville gym revokes transgender womans membership, citing her online comments.

The stories reported that the Life Time Fitness Center in Ellisville revoked the membership of Eris Montano, a transgender woman who was born male, due to unspecified online posts by Montano that were deemed threatening. The incident prompted protests and counter-protests, and was followed by Missouri Department of Revenue policy update that tightens the rules for changing ones gender on a drivers license.

While Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has opened an investigation, it does not appear that Montano broke any laws by using the womens locker room. The gyms policy states that members are to use the gender stated on their drivers licenses. Montanos license states that she is female and therefore should use the womens locker room.

I had an experience involving these issues a few months ago at a local recreation complexs womens locker room.

After finishing a water aerobics class, I took a quick shower and headed to my locker to get dressed. While still in a towel, I heard a commotion outside the locker room door.

I was able to overhear enough of the conversation that I gathered that a gym employee was trying to stop someone from entering the womens locker room. The individual said they were female and was meeting up with another woman who was inside.

The individual entered the locker room, met up with their acquaintance, and sat down close to where I was dressing. This person, though self-identifying as female, was obviously a biological male.

I immediately became uncomfortable, grabbed my things, and changed in a bathroom stall.

I was not the only one in the womens locker room. There were other women from my class, as well as young girls and their mothers.

Personally, I was upset and uncomfortable by the whole situation. But despite the ongoing culture-war narratives, I was not outraged.

I just wished that the individual would have given me, the other women and girls in the locker room the same courtesy that they were asking for. The situation could have easily been avoided if the individual had just waited for their companion right outside the locker room door or in the lobby.

Just because the people involved in these controversies didnt technically break the gym rules, that doesnt make it right.

None of this is to say that transgender individuals should not have the same freedoms as anyone else. But the other women and girls in the gym also have a right not to be literally exposed to  or allowed to change clothes in an area free of  biological males.

The late Harvard political scientist Samuel P. Huntington noted that societies go through periodic moral convulsions every 60 years or so. Based on his predictions, America would be ripe for one right about now.

Mark Sayers also describes our current societal transitional phase as a gray zone in his book A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World Will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders.

Sayers borrowed the term gray zone from the study of 21st Century warfare, when the rules of combat were unclear. He writes: A gray zone is confusing and contradictory, filled with change and conflict. Everything seems to be up in the air. Sayers goes on to say that we are left with questions of how to lead at such a time when the rules seem to have changed and cultural assumptions are shifting.

The old cultural assumptions of gender are definitely unsettled. This moment in our history requires Americans to think with nuance and act with grace  neither of which we are doing particularly well right now  all while we wait for leaders who will guide us to the other side.

Ultimately, our institutions, like the marketplace or government entities, will lead in these situations. The Department of Revenue has already responded by requiring either a court order or medical proof of a full transition in order to change the listed gender on a drivers license.

No matter which locker room we choose to enter as we wait for new, agreed-upon gender rules, we should always strive to treat each other with basic respect.
Soldiers from Bison company, as they are affectionately known, returned home Saturday after a nine-month deployment to Kuwait.

Approximately 100 Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment were greeted by their families and friends at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Stepping off the plane and breathing in that good Alaska air  theres nothing better than that, 1st Lt. Joshua Banks of Palmer  sharing his relief at being back in Alaska  said in an Alaska National Guard news release.

Friends and family members wait to reunite with their Alaska Army National Guardsmen during a welcome home event at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Aug. 10, 2024. (Balinda ONeal/Alaska National Guard)

Since November 2023, Bison company Guardsmen served as a quick-reaction force to help respond to emergencies and potential threats throughout the region. Originally tasked with four missions, the company successfully managed seven.

These additional missions brought a plethora of opportunities, said Capt. Richard Collins, Bison company commander. We built relationships and collaborated with units and partner nations across Kuwait, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Each unit provided a level of training and exposure my soldiers would not have experienced at home.

Bison Company brought a wealth of experience and skills  a melting pot of talent that made us incredibly agile and adaptable. They made a lasting impact on the Operation Spartan Shield SECFOR mission.

Friends and family members wait to reunite with their Alaska Army National Guardsmen during a welcome home event at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Aug. 10, 2024. (Balinda ONeal/Alaska National Guard) Alaska Army Guard Spc. Joel Francisco, an infantryman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, reunites with his family during a welcome home event at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Aug. 10, 2024. (Balinda ONeal/Alaska National Guard) Alaska Army Guard Capt. Richard Collins, commander of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, leads his troops on to the flight line at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2024, after a nine-month deployment to Kuwait. (Balinda ONeal/Alaska National Guard) Friends and family members wait to reunite with their Alaska Army National Guardsmen during a welcome home event at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Aug. 10, 2024. (Balinda ONeal/Alaska National Guard) Alaska Army Guard Spc. Joseph Whitefeather, an infantryman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, reunites with his family during a welcome home event at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Aug. 10, 2024. (Balinda ONeal/Alaska National Guard) Alaska Army National Guard Capt. Andrew Viray, commander of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, welcomes back Spc. Wilson Berlin, right, an infantryman with Bravo Company, 1-297th Inf., at the flight line of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2024, after a nine-month deployment to Kuwait. (Balinda ONeal/Alaska National Guard)

Operation Spartan Shield aims to build partner capacity in the Middle East to promote regional self-reliance and increase security among partner nations.

Sgt. Jene Thompson, also a Palmer native, playfully said, Honey, Im home, when asked about her plans upon returning. Im planning to surprise them and then just enjoy being together again, she said.

I cant wait for a good home-cooked meal  probably salmon and rice.
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ruben Pickering, a forward air controller with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Costa Rica, is welcomed by his son at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from deployment. (Sgt. Bryant Rodriguez)

U.S. Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit were welcomed home by family and friends Saturday at Camp Pendleton in California after returning from deployment.

Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) for a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region in support of regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit reunite with loved ones at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024. (Robert Nanna/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Robert Flahive, deputy staff judge advocate assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embraces his daughter at a welcome home reception at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024. (Robert Nanna/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Peter Bose, the future operations officer assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, reunites with his family at a welcome home reception at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024. (Robert Nanna/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. David Molz, an intelligence officer assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of New Jersey, kisses his girlfriend at a welcome home reception at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024. (Robert Nanna/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Richard Monreal, a rifleman with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Riverside, Calif., poses for a photo with his mother and sister at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from a deployment (Bryant Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Carlos Hernandez, a rifleman with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Chino Hills, Calif., holds his newborn for the first time alongside his wife at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from deployment. (Bryant Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are welcomed home at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from deployment. (Bryant Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)

A U.S. Marine with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is welcomed home at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from deployment. (Bryant Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. JC Sosa, a rifleman with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Merced, Calif., poses for a group photo with his family at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from deployment. (Bryant Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marines attached to Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose for a group photo with family and friends at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from deployment. (Bryant Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Priore, the company gunnery sergeant of Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Charlotte, N.C., poses with his wife and daughter at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2024, after returning from deployment. (Bryant Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)
Insiders who acquired AU$420.2k worth of Identitii Limited's (ASX:ID8) stock at an average price of AU$0.01 in the past 12 months may be dismayed by the recent 11% price decline. This is not good as insiders invest based on expectations that their money will appreciate over time. However, as a result of recent losses, their original investment is now worth only AU$328.2k.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for Identitii

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Identitii

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider Frederick Bart for AU$206k worth of shares, at about AU$0.01 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being AU$0.008). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels.

Identitii insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Identitii is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of under-the-radar companies with insider buying.

Are Identitii Insiders Buying Or Selling?

Over the last three months, we've seen a bit of insider buying at Identitii. insider Cameron Beavis shelled out AU$11k for shares in that time. It's great to see that insiders are only buying, not selling. But the amount invested in the last three months isn't enough for us too put much weight on it, as a single factor.

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Identitii insiders own about AU$887k worth of shares. That equates to 18% of the company. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Identitii Tell Us?

We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). The net investment is not enough to encourage us much. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Insiders own shares in Identitii and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Identitii (including 3 which are potentially serious).

Story continues

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Ship sponsor Elizabeth Asher smashes the champagne bottle during the christening ceremony for the future USNS Point Loma on Saturday in Mobile, Ala. (Austal USA/Facebook)

The U.S. Navy christened the future USNS Point Loma, the second of the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Transport Flight II configuration, during a ceremony Saturday in Mobile, Ala.

The ship is named in honor of the community of Point Loma and its decadeslong relationship with the Navy, beginning with the establishment of the Naval Coaling Station, La Playa, in 1901, and later the Naval Supply Center San Diego in 1943.

Elizabeth Asher, the ships sponsor, did the honors by smashing the champagne bottle on the ship.

Nickolas Guertin, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, delivered the principal address. Among the other speakers: Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command and Michelle Kruger, president of Austal USA.

As a Flight II ship, EPF 15 is configured to deploy as a fast transport, or with Role 2 Enhanced medical capability, or both, according to a Navy news release. The medical mission capability includes an embarked medical unit, two operating rooms and the ability to support 147 medical patients and 38 civilian crew that operate and maintain the ship. Flight II EPFs will also have an 11M Rigid Inflatable Boat and MV-22 capability.
Aviation Cadet Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., older brother of President John F. Kennedy, pictured during flight training in 1942. He was killed in action when the PB4Y-1 Liberator he was flying exploded during a combat mission over Europe in August 1944. (National Naval Aviation Museum)

On Aug. 12, 1944, airplane mechanics, pilots and cooks gathered near the runway of an air base in England to watch the takeoff of a top-secret Navy aircraft that was painted white and had a huge T-11 emblazoned on its side.

The plane was jammed with tons of a potent explosive called Torpex, which was used in torpedoes. And it had special electronic equipment that, once airborne, would transform it into a crude but powerful drone.

At the controls was Navy Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., 29, the oldest son of a former U.S. ambassador to Britain, and a man who carried the promise of one of the great political families in American history.

But on this day, 80 years ago Monday, he was also about to become the first to perish in a string of public tragedies that would afflict his family for the next half-century.

The best ones seem to go first, his younger brother, John  himself destined for assassination  would say a few months later.

Shortly before 6 p.m., according to author Hank Searlss biography of Joseph Kennedy Jr., the converted B-24 bomber took off, bound for a suspected Nazi missile site in France.

Once aloft, Kennedy and co-pilot Lt. Wilford J. Willy, 35, were to turn over electronic control of their aircraft to another plane and parachute out. The pilotless bomber would then be remotely guided to crash into its target.

About 18 minutes into the flight, Kennedy radioed spade flush, the signal for the other plane to take control. A few minutes later, over the English village of Blythburgh, T-11 blew up with two shattering explosions.

Wreckage, including several of the airplanes engines, fell across the local countryside. A bomb bay door was found. Some buildings were damaged. But no remains of Kennedy or Willy were ever recovered. The exact cause of the blasts was never determined.

The disaster devastated their relatives and altered the path of the Kennedys, the famous Irish American family that would leave its mark on the country as no other.

The next day, a Sunday, Kennedys parents, the millionaire businessman Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., 55, and his wife Rose, 54, were gathered with some of their nine children in their Hyannis Port, Mass., home.

They had just had lunch on the porch.

John, 27, known as Jack  a hero Naval officer and future U.S. president  was there. So was Robert, 18, who was in a Navy officer training program and would become a U.S. senator, and Edward, 12, also a future U.S. senator.

Years later, Robert F. Kennedy would die at the hands of an assassin. Johns son, John Jr., and the older Kennedys sister, Kathleen, would die in plane crashes. Edwards life would be marked by a car accident that killed a young woman he was with. And in 1941 the siblings troubled older sister, Rosemary, had quietly undergone a disastrous lobotomy that left her institutionalized.

There were more sad times for the family in the future, but on this summer day Joseph Kennedy Sr. had gone upstairs to take a nap, Rose Kennedy wrote in a memoir.

She was reading the Sunday paper. Some of the children were talking quietly in the living room so as not to wake their father.

Others were on the porch.

There was a knock at the door. Two Catholic priests said they needed to talk to her and her husband. It was urgent. Our son was missing in action and presumed lost, she wrote. She hurried upstairs and got her husband. The priests gave them the news.

We realized there could be no hope and that our son was dead, Rose wrote. Joseph Sr. told their children, who were stunned, especially John. For a long time he walked on the beach in front of our house, she remembered.

The two brothers had long been engaged in fraternal rivalry  mostly on the part of Joseph Jr.

Within the family, Joe Junior, as the eldest son, was accorded an initial position of primacy, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote in her book The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys.

He was mentor, role model, and responsible big brother  the Kennedy golden child, marked for greatness by parents and grandparents, historian Fredrik Logevall wrote in an email last week.

When he was born his grandfather, veteran Boston politician John Francis Fitzgerald, told reporters the boy would one day be president. And as an adult Joseph Jr. told people he would be the first Catholic president, according to Searls, his biographer.

The drive to be supreme among the nine Kennedy children had always been an all-out obsession for Joe more than for Jack, historian Logevall wrote in his book, JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956.

But with the advent of World War II, the landscape changed.

Both men joined the Navy. Joseph Jr. went into aviation and, at first, had the relatively unglamorous job of flying large Navy patrol planes out of Puerto Rico and Norfolk.

Jack was sent to the Pacific where he became skipper of a fast patrol torpedo boat, PT-109, in a combat zone.

On the morning of Aug. 2, 1943, PT-109 was struck and cut in two by a speeding Japanese destroyer northwest of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Two men were killed and others were badly burned.

But Jack, an expert swimmer, managed to guide his surviving men through the water to a nearby island, dragging one man in a life jacket by holding its strap with his teeth. They were rescued several days later and the story made front-page headlines.

Kennedys Son is Hero in Rescue of P-T Men, an Atlanta newspaper said. Kennedys Son Hero of PT-Boat Saga, said the Boston Evening Globe. The San Francisco Examiner, in a glowing story about Johns exploits, mistakenly ran a photo of Joseph Jr.

This was the first time Jack had won such an advantage by such a clear margin, Rose Kennedy recalled in her memoir. And I daresay it ... must have rankled Joe Jr.

In September 1943, Joseph Jr. was home on leave in Hyannis Port and was at a dinner for his fathers 55th birthday.

One of those present was Judge John J. Burns, an old friend of his fathers, according to Logevall.

Burns proposed a toast: To Ambassador Joe Kennedy, father of our hero, our own hero, Lieutenant John F. Kennedy of the United States Navy.

There was no mention of Joseph Jr., who was about to ship out overseas to England and the European war.

That night, Joe Jr. shared his bedroom with another guest, Boston Police Commissioner Joseph Timilty. After they turned in, Timilty said later, he heard Joseph Jr. crying and saying to himself, By God, Ill show them.

Once overseas, Joe Jr. began flying long, cold patrols over the English Channel, the North Sea, and the west coast of France hunting for Nazi submarines and dueling with the occasional German fighter.

The weather often was terrible and there were frequent crashes. One returning patrol plane got lost in fog, missed England and slammed into a rocky island off the coast of Ireland.

Finding the German U-boats was hard. In March, 1944, Joseph Jr.s plane spotted an oil slick on the water. He circled and dropped a homing torpedo, but there was no evidence of a hit and he headed back to base.

His tour was coming to an end. The allies were planning to land in Normandy on D-Day in June. And he felt he had accomplished little, wrote Searls, his biographer.

He had not sunk a sub and his crew had not shot down a plane, he wrote. Jack had a combat decoration. He had none and time was running out.

Frustrated, Joseph Jr. signed up for another tour.

D-Day, June 6, 1944, found his patrol plane stalking German surface ships and submarines, but without major combat. As the days passed, he became more aggressive and flew closer to enemy installations, drawing fire.

Then he was promoted and offered a desk job in London. He turned it down and decided to go home. He had packed up some of his gear and was to ready to leave when an opportunity that was tantalizing, dangerous and top secret came up.

Since mid-June the Nazis had been launching hundreds of primitive missiles called buzz bombs at London. They flew at 350 mph, were hazardous to intercept and were deadly, according to Searls. Their launch sites had been attacked but without much success.

The allies need a more precise weapon. They came up with the idea of packing a plane like the ones Joseph Jr. flew with explosives and flying it remotely into an enemy launch site.

Here was his chance. He volunteered for the mission.

Four days after he was killed, The Washington Post praised him in an editorial: One of the greatest evils of war is the loss of those young men who might normally been expected to become the leaders of their generation.

Sixteen years later, the generations torch of leadership was passed to another Kennedy tempered by war - his rival and younger brother, John.
The family of Peter Bylen attends a tribute July 28, 2024, in the village of Saint-Germain-Sur-Seves, France. Bylen was killed there in battle during World War II. (Tough Ombres Stories/Facebook)

(Tribune News Service)  Mike Bylen has traveled many times to the village of Saint-Germain-Sur-Seves, France, where his uncle Peter Bylen was killed while fighting in World War II.

But last month the trip was made all the more special because Roseville native Peter Bylen was honored with a park memorial dedication in his name on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Saint-Germain-Sur-Seves, known as one of the bloodiest battles of the Normandy Breakout campaign.

The village only has about 150 residents and every one of them showed up, Bylen said. It was truly one of the finest days Ive ever experienced.

A picture of the young soldier who was among the 100 killed in that battle is displayed at the park memorial to give a face to the war and to remind people of the young soldiers who gave their lives for freedom.

July 22 and 23 of 1944 saw quite a clash between the U.S. Army 90th Division and the German paratroopers, said Bylen. It worked in our favor, but there were some pretty rough times; almost the entire battalion that my uncle was in was destroyed with 100 soldiers killed, 200 taken prisoner, and 400 wounded.

A couple of days later, the Americans took that ground, and the people there, they do not forget.

Bylen never served in the armed forces but is a lifelong history buff and became especially interested in World War II because of the service of his uncle and his father.

Family vacations were always to places like Gettysburg, Boston, Washington D.C.  always historic places, said Bylen. We all grew up reading a lot and we were just brought up on Americana and its history.

Although Bylens father, John, fought in WWII, he never spoke about his experiences. He died in 1976, and most of the books Bylen read about the war at that time were not written by people who actually lived it. It wasnt until he read a book by Stephen Ambrose detailing the stories of veterans who were actually on the battlefield that he really began to explore military history in his own family.

Stephen Ambrose really brought it down to the human level; he interviewed thousands of veterans and wrote about their experiences with D-Day and things like that, Bylen said. I started to read everything he wrote.

At some point, Bylen discovered Ambrose was opening a National World War II Museum in New Orleans. He made a donation to the museum in his dads name, and for several years has been part of the museums Board of Trustees.

Along the way I started to get curious about my uncles journey, Bylen said. I went to visit the battlefield in Saint-Germain-Sur-Seves for the first time in 2018 and met the farmer who owned the land where my uncle was killed.

He allowed me and my good friend from France who came to help translate to go down on the field and it was a really emotional moment.

Bylen traveled to France last month with several of his family members for the special ceremony to dedicate the memorial and honor his uncle Peter.

The space is dedicated to Peter Bylen; they wanted to put a face on the place and the battle, said Bylen. They wanted to personalize it.

The official ceremony, which featured both the American and French national anthems, was followed by a reception where people shared war stories about their parents or grandparents.

It was like a big hug from the community, Bylen said. You dont have to have someone who was killed there to feel it; they appreciate Americans and what our forefathers did for them.

(c)2024 The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich.

Visit at https://www.macombdaily.com/

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
JD Vance visits the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio in May 2023. (Ralph Branson/U.S. Air National Guard)

Analysts and intelligence experts warned Sunday that wider efforts may be underway by foreign powers to disrupt the U.S. presidential election, after the Trump campaign said it believed its email systems had been breached by hackers working for Iran.

So far, two Democratic House members who have served on intelligence and security committees have called for briefings and for declassification of information related to the possible foreign interference in the election.

Buckle up, Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency posted on X, referring back to the 2016 campaign, when U.S. intelligence concluded that Russia interfered in the election by hacking and leaking internal Democratic documents. Someone is running the 2016 playbook, expect continued efforts to stoke fires in society and go after election systems  95% votes on paper ballots is a strong resilience measure, combined with audits. But the chaos is the point.

The Trump campaign announcement came after it received questions from news organizations about an internal vetting document on vice-presidential candidate JD Vance that had been sent to the outlets.

The Washington Post was sent on Thursday the 271-page document, marked as privileged & confidential, from an anonymous AOL user going by the name Robert. Politico, which was the first to report on the Trump campaigns statement, said that it had been receiving documents, including a vetting document on Vance, from a sender also going by the name Robert since July 22.

The Trump campaign has pointed to a report released Friday by Microsoft in which the company said it had discovered evidence that Iranian hackers had tried to break into the email account of a high-ranking official on a U.S. presidential campaign in June, which was around the same time Vance was selected as Trumps running mate.

The company has declined to name the campaign but a person familiar with Microsofts work confirmed that the reports reference was to the Trump campaign.

U.S. officials have not confirmed the campaign was hacked, and the campaign did not provide evidence of the breach or Iranian involvement.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committees cybersecurity subcommittee, said that he was seeking a briefing from the Department of Homeland Security.

Yes, Trump is the most despicable person ever to seek office. He also sought foreign hacking in a past election. But that doesnt mean America ever tolerates foreign interference, he posted on X.

Former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) urged officials to quickly declassify any information on the possible foreign nature of the hack reported by the campaign.

In 2016, the Intelligence Community moved much too slow to properly identity the hacking and dumping scheme carried out by Russia to divide Americans and benefit the Trump campaign, he posted on X. The IC has since made improvements, but should act quickly here.

He also called on both parties to condemn the reported hack. In 2016, the Trump campaign welcomed Russian interference, took advantage of it, and then sought to deny it, much to the detriment of the country, he said.

The Harris-Walz campaign has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Since 2016, Democratic campaigns and affiliated organizations have put an emphasis on enhanced security protocols and heavily invested to shore up systems to guard against hacks and other cybersecurity threats.

Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, said on his social media platform Truth Social that his campaign was informed by Microsoft that one of their websites was hacked by the Iranian government. He also claimed that only publicly available information was taken.

We were just informed by Microsoft Corporation that one of our many websites was hacked by the Iranian Government  Never a nice thing to do! he posted on the platform late on Saturday.

They were only able to get publicly available information but, nevertheless, they shouldnt be doing anything of this nature. Iran and others will stop at nothing, because our Government is Weak and Ineffective, but it wont be for long.

The document that was sent to The Post was an internal campaign write-up of Vances potential political vulnerabilities, dated Feb. 23, that had been commissioned by the campaign from the law firm Brand Woodward. While it drew from public records and news clips, the vetting report itself was an internal document not previously public.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said the Biden administration strongly condemns any foreign government or entity who attempts to interfere in our electoral process or seeks to undermine confidence in our democratic institutions.

The FBI said in a statement on Saturday that the agency was aware of the media reports and had no comment.

Josh Dawsey, Isaac Arnsdorf, Devlin Barrett and Tyler Pager contributed to this report.
Matthew Booth, of Ravenhill Avenue, south Belfast, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday to face ten counts of making indecent images of children between May 2020 and April 2021

This is the Belfast barman charged with having images and videos of children being raped and sexually abused.

Matthew Booth, of Ravenhill Avenue, south Belfast, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday to face ten counts of making indecent images of children between May 2020 and April 2021.

Booth (24), originally from Ahoghill, near Ballymena, Co Antrim, works as a bartender in one of Belfasts most popular city centre establishments and is a student at Queens University.

When Sunday Life called to his door, a shaken Booth declined to discuss the case but said he did not intend to contest the matters.

Matthew Booth

Standing in the dock last week he confirmed he was aware of the ten charges against him and said he had no objection to a preliminary enquiry, the legal step necessary to elevate any case to the Crown Court.

No facts were opened in court but the indictment sets out how Booth is alleged to have had images and videos assessed at categories A, B and C.

According to legal guidelines, images classified as category A depict children engaged in penetrative sexual acts, up to and including rape, or portray children in scenes of BDSM or bestiality; category B images show non-penetrative sexual acts; and those in category C encapsulate material not covered by A or B.

A prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a prima facie case against Booth, which was conceded by defence counsel Cameron Faulkner.

Booth declined to exercise his rights to comment on the charges or to call evidence on his own behalf, as is common practice.

District Judge Mark Hamill returned the case to Downpatrick Crown Court, on a date to be fixed, and freed Booth on his own bail of 500.
Britains National Crime Agency has Limerick gangster Edward Eds McCarthy in its sights

Limerick gang boss Edward Eds McCarthy is in the sights of the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) who have already put his old pal Thomas Bomber Kavanagh behind bars.

The agency suspect McCarthy to be behind shipments of cocaine and other drugs as well as possession of guns and money-laundering, according to Sunday World sources.

Officers have built up a case against McCarthy, who spent time living in the Birmingham area after taking over the remnants of the McCarthy-Dundon gang.

There are also plans to extradite the Limerick mobster to face trial in the UK and police authorites are awaiting the green light from the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Sunday World previously revealed in 2018 how McCarthy had moved to Birmingham and aligned himself with Bomber Kavanagh and his brother-in-law Liam Byrne.

Kavanagh and Byrne are considered among the most-senior figures in the Kinahan Cartel, which controls a vast international drug-dealing network.

Peter Peader Keating

The NCA has used information from the encrypted Encrochat service used by criminals to successfully prosecute Kavanagh, who now is serving 21 years for shipping 36m worth of drugs.

The NCA has relentlessly pursued Irish gangsters who have carried out criminal operations in their jurisdiction.

Bomber is also due to face trial next month along with Liam Byrne  who was extradited from Spain after flying in from Dubai  over a plot to hand over guns to get a reduced sentence for Kavanagh.

Kavanaghs son, Jack, remains in custody in Spain, where he is trying to avoid being sent back to the UK where authorities want to put him on trial for the same plot.

Another Irish criminal wanted by the UK authorities over the scheme, Peter Peadar Keating, this week was given a temporary reprieve on his extradition to the UK from Ireland.

Thomas Bomber Kavanagh

But it could be lifted within days after clarification was sought from the UK authorities on the trial process.

A stay was put on the extradition order on July 31 to allow UK authorities confirm a trial date has been set for Keating and that he would then be sent back to Ireland when its over.

UK authorities have since stated the trial is set for September 2 and they will send him back to Ireland whether or not a sentence is imposed, it was heard in the High Court on Wednesday.

Counsel for the Minister of Justice also said any time spent in UK custody will count as part of the 11-year-sentence he is serving here and asked the stay be lifted.

Keating was jailed for his part in a plot to kill James Mago Gately  organised by Daniel Kinahan and Sean McGovern from Dubai  and is not due for release until September 2028.

Liam Byrne

Judge Paul Burns agreed with his lawyers argument this week that more clarity was needed on when the trial will start and reassurances that he will have time to prepare for those proceedings.

He allowed the stay on the extradition to continue to get the information from the UK authorities and adjourned the case until next Wednesday.

The UK case centres on 11 weapons found in Newry, Co. Down, on May 20, 2021, including Heckler & Koch and VZ61 Skorpion sub-machine guns and pistols along with ammunition.

In April this year, details of the UK warrant for Keatings extradition were heard in the High Court.

Thomas Bomber Kavanaghs arrest

It included Encrochat messages that were allegedly sent between the men in April and June 2020 organising the shipment of guns.

Limerick native Anthony Terry, who organised drug shipments to his native county, was also snared by the NCA thanks to the decoded Encrochat messages.

He was the described as the kingpin who ran a major drugs transport operation that connected with the McCarthy crime clan.

Terry had been on the run from Limerick Prison since 2006, weeks after he received a four-year sentence for trafficking 40,000 of cannabis in the city.

Since then, Terry had been using a property in Wolverhampton linked to the McCarthys, according to Sunday World sources.

A stun gun disguised as a torch that was found in an arms cache

Officers from the NCA traced the gangs movements in 2020 and 2021 after their encrypted Encrochat phones were hacked by French police.

Terry was seen as the man who directed two drivers to smuggle drugs in concealed vehicles from mainland Europe into Ireland.

Eds McCarthy has also been on the radar of the authorities in Ireland for the last 20 years.

In 2012, after his brother Fat John McCarthy was jailed, the Criminal Assets Bureau began to target Eds, seizing Rolex watches from him and his wife, Linda Mullane, as well as cash and a car.

She was also served with a demand for the return of social welfare payments of more than 70,000, the Sunday World previously reported.

Edward Eds McCarthy

Eds McCarthys uncle, Eddie Ryan, was the first person killed in Limericks gangland feud when he was shot dead in 2000 at the Moose Bar by rival crime boss Kieran Keane.

McCarthy was convicted later that year of making a threat to kill a former gang enforcer, Willie Moran.

In 2003, following the murder of Kieran Keane, Eds McCarthy was photographed celebrating outside the home of his cousins Kieran Rashers Ryan and Edward Ryan, with one of the five men later to be convicted James McCarthy.

He was also jailed for a pitched battle outside a fast-food restaurant with members of the Keane-Collopy faction and in 2009 was sentenced for drugs possession and threatening behaviour.
Gripas Yuri / ABACA / Shutterstock.com

Donald Trump has always proclaimed his proclivity for business. Over the last few decades, he has built businesses across the world, from hotels to universities. And even if not all of his businesses have done as well as he touts, a second term as president might benefit other businesses.

Targeted policies in the Trump administration will go a long way in creating a ripe environment for entrepreneurial success in such areas: deregulation and tax relief, said Abid Salahi, a co-founder of FinlyWealth. During his first term, the administration had a one in, two out regulatory policy wherein every new regulation implemented had to be accompanied by the scrapping of two existing ones.

Check Out: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes  Heres What That Would Mean for the Economy and Your Wallet

Learn More: 7 Reasons You Must Speak to a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024

GOBankingRates asked Salahi and other entrepreneurs how a Trump administration could help them succeed. Here is what they had to say.

Also see why CEOs are supporting Trump.

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Encouraging Deregulation and Reduced Tax Burdens

During a second term of Trump, entrepreneurs may be given a boost by the emphasis on deregulation, said Chris Langley, the director of Patio Doors. By slashing red tape and simplifying compliance, new enterprises can get off the ground faster and with fewer obstacles. This not only saves time but also cuts operational costs  something that is vital for startups working on tight budgets.

As an example, Langley shared that his company benefited from increased flexibility in our expansion plans due to federal regulations being slashed under Trumps first term, which enabled us to innovate and respond more quickly to what the market demanded.

Discover More: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes  3 Items That Would Instantly Get More Expensive

Infrastructure Development and Trade Policies

Entrepreneurs also could benefit significantly from infrastructure development initiatives that are proposed by Trump, Langley suggested.

When it comes to helping entrepreneurs, Mary Safar, the owner of Fine Signs of LA, believes a second Trump term would involve increased spending on infrastructure, thereby creating more business opportunities within this sector.

Langley said improved infrastructure could reduce transportation costs and help expand market reach.

Favorable trade policies might open up international markets leading to growth opportunities through diversification, he said. My business stands a chance of sourcing materials more efficiently and reaching out to a wider customer base if there could be better infrastructures coupled with good trade deals, hence driving growth plus innovation.

Story continues

Ramping Up Domestic Production

Domestic production could be promoted through tariffs and other incentives so that it becomes much cheaper for entrepreneurs to get their materials locally while also making finished goods here in America, Safar said.

Safar added that this would simplify supply chains, which could lead to stronger local economies.

Tax Incentives and Economic Growth

If Trump continues tax incentives for businesses and lowers corporate taxes, it could help entrepreneurs, according to Langley.

These could free up capital for startups through incentives for reinvestment, thereby enabling such enterprises to invest in technology, create more jobs or scale up their operations, he said. When there is a strong economy, people have confidence in it as well [as] spend more money, which would greatly benefit companies like Patio Doors who rely heavily on home improvement trends and discretionary spending.

Access to Capital

Getting the funding for small business or startup can be difficult; however, there is the potential that with Trump back in the White House more entrepreneurs would have access to initial capital to get their companies started on the right financial footing.

Entrepreneurs might benefit from programs supporting small businesses with grants or loans under another regime led by Donald Trump, Safar said. Most startups need funds at some point during their growth journey, hence this move may avail such resources easily for them.

Final Thoughts

Most entrepreneurs predicted that if Trump wins a second term, there most likely would be fewer rules and lower taxes. This could potentially lower the barrier for people looking to make their own businesses.

Should regulations be pulled back, businesses could operate more freely, theoretically allowing new ideas to generate. With anticipation that American manufacturing and job growth would flourish under Trump, more customers might seek out local services, an economic factor that could benefit businesses old and new.

A second Trump Administration could catalyze entrepreneurial success by providing a business-friendly environment with deregulation, tax relief and special support for women entrepreneurs, Salahi said. Further underscoring small business interests, this administration would let American entrepreneurship reach its full potential to drive innovation and economic growth.

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: Im an Entrepreneur: Heres How a Trump Administration Could Help Me Succeed
It is understood the 34-year-old was caught by a decoy who posed as a 14-year-old girl called Talia

A Co Down pervert caught in a so-called paedophile hunter sting has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

Daniel Buck Piper-Clark was due to stand trial on two charges at Newry Magistrates Court on Friday, but his lawyer Justin Byrne said his client was pleading guilty to one count.

The prosecution offered no evidence on the second charge, so it was dismissed by District Judge Jonathan Connolly.

None of the facts were opened during the hearing, but according to legal papers, Piper-Clark tried to communicate with a girl he believed to be under 16, with the communication being sexual in nature.

He is said to have done so over a six-month period between April and October 2019.

It is understood the 34-year-old was caught by a decoy working undercover for a paedophile hunter group who posed as a 14-year-old girl called Talia.

Adjourning passing sentence until the probation service had completed a report, Judge Connolly freed Piper-Clark on bail but ordered him to sign the sex offenders register.

When Sunday Life called to perverts door, he answered wearing Marvel-branded pyjamas but declined to comment on the case.
Im absolutely not into BDSM. I had a very specific reason for wanting to meet him.

Graham Dwyers new acquaintance on why she befriended the convicted murderer

Convicted murderer Graham Dwyer has been receiving prison visits from a new female friend at the Midlands Prison.

The woman, who lives in Sligo, asked to remain anonymous, but confirmed that she has gone to visit Dwyer behind bars after first striking up a friendship by writing to the killer.

I have visited him in a personal capacity, as a friend. Im on a fact-finding mission

I have visited him in a personal capacity, as a friend. Im on a fact-finding mission. I am not his girlfriend. I really just wanted to hear his side of the story, she said.

Im absolutely not into BDSM (the sexual practice of bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism). I had a very specific reason for wanting to meet him.

The woman was due to visit Dwyer yesterday morning, but the visit was cancelled by the prison authorities which she said she was annoyed about.

Convicted murderer Graham Dwyer

Dwyer is serving a life sentence for the 2012 murder of childcare worker Elaine OHara. His murder trial heard that Dwyer was a violent sadomasochist.

Ms OHara was released from a psychiatric hospital on the same day she was murdered by the former architect.

Despite his notoriety, the woman said she felt compelled in recent months to write a letter to Dwyer asking to meet him after reading a book about his crimes in the aftermath of his 2015 murder trial.

Our conversations are private and confidential, he insisted on that. I respect this, and his privacy. He did speak to me about her [Elaine OHara] and I got an understanding of her, from him.

But, like I say, thats a private conversation. I have not been trying to ascertain whether he is guilty or not. What Im interested in is how he was treated in the court case and how that process ended.

The woman said the death of Ms OHara was so very sad given the childcare workers own personal mental health struggles.

Dwyers murder trial heard that Ms OHara, from Stepaside in south Dublin, suffered from extremely low self-esteem, believed herself to be worthless and valueless, and was prone to self-harm.

Ive had my own difficulties with the judiciary and the gardai, so I have been able to resonate with Dwyer

Despite the court evidence, Dwyers new friend said she felt she could resonate with the killers plight.

Ive had my own difficulties with the judiciary and the gardai, so I have been able to resonate with Dwyer. Im obviously not into BDSM. But Ive a situation Ive been dealing with for a number of years with someone else, who is possibly linked to BDSM. And believe me, Dwyer is a pussycat in comparison to this guy, because the other person I am referring to is evil personified.

The woman added that she also had great sympathy for Ms OHara and her family.

At the same time, I feel I can also resonate with Elaine OHara, in terms of how she might have been bullied growing up in south Dublin. Its just so sad. I feel really sorry for her, to think how she ended up.

Despite her sympathy for Ms OHara and the circumstances of her death, the woman said she still felt compelled to try and meet the man convicted of her murder.

I was fascinated about how it panned out in court for Graham Dwyer and I wanted to talk to him, so I wrote to him.

He wrote back and thats how the conversation began. I am mostly interested in how he was treated in the court process. Am I his girlfriend? Absolutely not. I have visited as a friend and Im on a fact-finding mission.

The woman added that she was very surprised to get a call from the prison authorities on Wednesday evening informing her that her planned visit to Dwyer had been cancelled.

Despite the fact that I still wanted to visit him on Saturday morning, and he still wanted the visit too, I was told it was cancelled because there was a problem with it. I am annoyed by that. Its not fair.

When contacted, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service declined to comment, saying: The Irish Prison Service does not comment on individual prisoner cases.

On July 31, Dwyer lost his last-ditch appeal against his murder conviction.

The decision came after more than a decade of anguish for the OHara family, who have endured appeal after appeal by the killer.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that evidence of mobile phone data was admissible at Dwyers trial.

The Court of Appeal rejected Dwyers appeal last year on all grounds.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear this final appeal as it said it raised issues of law of exceptional public importance.

Dwyer has now exhausted all his legal options and will continue to serve his life sentence.

In a statement following the Supreme Court decision, Elaine OHaras family said: We are relieved that the Supreme Court has upheld the verdict of the Court of Appeal, adding that they hope Elaine can now, at last, rest in peace.
The nessages were posted in the comments section on the Taoiseach's Instagram account, and made references to knives, his wife and young children, and the Wicklow Mountains.

Simon Harris as he departs from a breakfast reception in The City North Hotel . Picture; Gerry Mooney

Detectives have arrested a man suspected of making death threats against the Taoiseach and his family.

The suspect was arrested during an operation in Co Galway this morning as part of the investigation being led by the garda's counter-terror branch.

The Special Detective Unit (SDU), which deals with threats to national security, launched an investigation after a number of messages were shared online last weekend threatening Simon Harris and his family.

They were posted in the comments section on the Taoiseach's Instagram account, and made references to knives, his wife and young children, and the Wicklow Mountains.

The poster also warned Mr Harris: "They're coming for you".

The threatening messages have since been removed, with the threats being taken seriously by gardai and have been described as credible.

As part of the inquiry, gardai have been making efforts to identify the poster, who used a private account with only the username and picture visible to the public.

This morning members of the SDU carried out a search operation in the Galway area.

A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested during the operation and is currently being detained on suspicion of making the death threats.

He is being held at a garda station in the north western region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

It is the latest incident in recent months in which attempts to threaten or intimidate the country's leader and his family have been made.

On one occasion masked men arrived outside his Wicklow home, while his wife and children were inside, under the guise of protesting the Government's immigration policy.

It followed a similar incident weeks earlier, with gardai treating these as acts of harassment and intimidation.

In June, a sinister bomb threat was also made against the Taoiseach, claiming that an explosive device had been placed in the family home.

His wife and children were in the property at the time and after a search gardai declared the scene safe.

This threat has also been under investigation by the SDU who have identified a high-profile prisoner as a suspect.

A 53-year-old inmate was arrested on Friday as part of that investigation.

The man, who is serving a sentence for a violent crime, was taken from custody and quizzed for several hours on suspicion of making the hoax bomb threat before being released without charge.

The Sunday Independent has also reported today that the Taoiseach is to host a major online safety summit and has written to key government departments setting out plans to clamp down on social media companies over their handling of online threats, bullying and the increasing spread of misinformation.

It's understood the Mr Harris wrote to ministers this weekend insisting social media can no longer be a hiding place for bullies or people with sinister motives who threaten and incite violence.
Infamous criminals turn up to say final farewell at the funeral of jailed mobsters late father

Infamous pals of gangland killer Christopher Smokey Costello were among the mourners last week as the father of the jailed mobster was laid to rest.

The funeral took place in Limerick on Friday morning after Christopher Costello Snr passed away at Limerick Hospital last weekend.

His son, Christopher Smokey Costello, has been in prison for more than 20 years for his part in the 2003 murder of mob boss Kieran Keane.

Among those paying their respects at the service were well-known gangland figures Kieran Rashers Ryan and Fat John McCarthy.

Christopher Costello Snr

The funeral took place in Limerick city after Mr Costello was removed from his home in Ballynanty to be buried at Ballycanon Cemetery, Meelick, Co. Clare, following the funeral Mass at St Munchins Church.

Members of the Costello family were helped by relatives and friends to bear the coffin from the church, but Smokey Costello was not spotted outside the church after funeral.

Costello is still serving time behind bars but was transferred to Shelton Abbey open prison earlier this year in what is seen as a possible step to his eventual release.

The funeral of Christopher Costello Snr, father of Smokey Costello

His old friend Kieran Ryan was there to chat with mourners along with his brother Eddie Jnr after the ceremony.

In January 2003, the brothers were walking along the street with Smokey Costello when they were bundled into a car at gunpoint.

Their father, Eddie Ryan Snr, had previously been shot dead in a 2000 killing that sparked Limericks lethal underworld feud.

Their mother feared the worst at the time as she pleaded in the national media for their safe return.

A week after their apparent abduction, the pair walked into Portlaoise Garda Station just hours after gang boss Kieran Keane had been shot dead.

Keane is suspected of being the gunman who had shot their father three years previously.

Keane and his nephew Owen Treacy, who managed to escape despite multiple stabs wounds, had been lured to the scene to see the Ryan brothers shot dead, according to various sources.

From left, murder accused James McCarthy, Anthony Noddy McCarthy, Christopher Smokey Costello, Dessie Dundon and David Stanners outside court in 2007

The Ryan brothers cousin, Fat John McCarthy, is a brother of notorious mobster Edward Eds McCarthy, who is regarded as the leader of the remnants of the McCarthy-Dundon faction.

Smokey Costello was jailed along with Dessie Dundon, David Frog Eyes Stanners, James McCarthy and Anthony Noddy McCarthy for the Keane murder.

The trial judge at the time said the men should not be released while Limericks gangland feud continued.

Stanners died in Mountjoy Prison last October, while the others are still serving their sentences.

Tensions between the rivals factions are still potentially high, and Stanners death was greeted with gloating celebration by members of the Keane faction.

Fat John McCarthy at the funeral of Christopher Costello Snr

Smokey Costellos transfer to Shelton Abbey earlier this year came despite being suspected of controlling the drugs trade in the Midlands Prison, according to Sunday World sources.

Two others who are currently serving life sentences for murder were also among those who expressed their condolences in the wake of Mr Costellos death.

Patrick Desmond and his nephew, Stuart Moloney, who also got life sentences in 2003 for a separate murder, left their online message of sympathy on Mr Costellos death notice this week.

Smokeys fellow lifers were convicted of the murder of Patrick Crawford in the city in June 2002.

Crawford (41), a father of two, died after being stabbed 13 times during a row with the two men in Moyross in June 2002.

One of the implements used to kill him was a home-made hedge trimmer made from a four-foot pole with a steel spike attached.

Kieran Rashers Ryan at the funeral

CCTV footage of the attack taken from the camera in the estate was shown during the trial, in which Crawford was repeatedly been seen struck by two men, both with weapons.

There had been evidence that there had been a row earlier in the day between one of the accused and a relation of Mr Crawford.

Moloney had made admissions to gardai that he had struck the dead man 15 to 20 times and had also identified himself on the video footage.

'Smokey' Costello

The jury found both men guilty of murder and of assault and the pair were given the mandatory life sentence for murder.

Patrick Desmond, who was described as the influencing party, was also given five years for assault, and Stuart Moloney three years.

The trial judge at the time said he was of the view that a loud and clear message must go out from the courts that a halt must be called to crimes of serious violence.
Distraught daughter of murdered pensioner Josie Ray pays tribute to her glamorous mum ... and says she warned the authorities that her life was in danger but no action was taken

A daughter of murdered pensioner Josephine Josie Ray has said her 89-year-old mums killer should rot in hell.

Grieving Sarah Ray spoke out just hours after her mum was laid to rest on Friday.

Sarah and her son Daniel say they repeatedly warned authorities the pensioner was in danger and said her mother was failed by the State and had been living in hell.

We tried our utmost best to save her, Sarah said on social media.

There are no words. Rot in hell ye pack of b*****ds. F**king scum!

There is no justice in this world.

The scene of the pensioners murder

The discovery of Josies body  with bruising on her face, blood close to her body and a pillow nearby  in St Josephs Park, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, last Sunday afternoon has caused shock and horror in a town where the much-loved pensioner was a popular figure.

Despite her age, the mother of five was extremely active, with videos posted online showing her dancing to music, walking on a treadmill and attending events locally.

Following the discovery of her body, gardai quickly launched a murder inquiry.

On Friday morning, hundreds of people gathered at St Mary of The Rosary Church in Nenagh, where Josies grand-daughter Rosie told mourners that Nanny Josie was a woman of glamour who was loved by all who knew her.

She was a lady, she loved her style, always into glitter, and she loved her jewellery. She loved getting her hair and nails done too. She was a great woman of glamour.

Grandson Daniel with Josie

She had great time for everyone that knew her, she is a Park [St Josephs Park] legend, and all who knew her from the Park will always remember her and miss her.

We will all miss you Josie, you were one of a kind, a true lady, well all love you always. Rest In Peace.

Father Pat Gilbert told those gathered that we are shocked and stunned by the sudden and tragic passing of our beloved Josie Ray.

Our hearts ache and our minds struggle to comprehend the loss of someone so vibrant, he said.

On Friday afternoon, just hours after the funeral had taken place, gardai arrested two people in connection with Josies killing.

The pair, who were known to Josie and who are in their 50s, were arrested by gardai while they accompanied an associate on their way to collect a social welfare payment.

The arrests happened in the centre of Nenagh.

Sources confirmed that gardai had been called to Josies home on a number of occasion in the weeks prior to her death and again on the night before she was found dead.

Sources said the calls were to deal with a number of different alleged complaints.

Josie's tragic funeral

Josies grandson Daniel Ray, who discovered her body, said this week he had contacted social services and gardai on numerous occasions, citing concerns for the womans safety.

Daniel said he and his family believe his grandmother was let down by the State.

Failed by the State and the system big time, he said in a lengthy social media post.

Failed by all authorities. Granny would be alive today and here with me and my mother but we are now going to her funeral.

Shame on you all! Why were we failed? Was it because we were from Saint Josephs Park and not Blackrock in Dublin? Ye are all sinners.

In a statement issued on Friday, gardai confirmed the arrests of two people in connection with the murder.

Gardai in Nenagh continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman, whose body was discovered at a residence at St Josephs Park, Nenagh, County Tipperary, on the afternoon of Sunday, 4th August 2024, a Garda spokeswoman said.

Two people, a man and woman aged in their 50s, were arrested today, Friday 9th August 2024 in relation to this investigation.

They are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at garda stations in the Southern Region, she added.

In a follow-up statement, gardai said both were released yesterday and said a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Sources have confirmed he has been an avid practitioner of yoga since early on in his imprisonment.

Murderer James Kilroy has been transferred from Mountjoy jail back to Castlerea Prison to serve his life sentence, where he is now involved in teaching other inmates yoga.

The former park ranger (51) was sentenced to life last month for the murder of his 41-year-old wife, Valerie French, in Co Mayo in 2019. At his trial, Kilroy had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a jury rejected that defence.

It is understood Kilroy was at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, during his murder trial and has recently been transferred back to Castlerea jail, Co Roscommon, where he has been primarily kept since 2019.

Sources have confirmed he has been an avid practitioner of yoga since early on in his imprisonment.

He later began to practice it outdoors during recreational time and when other inmates showed an interest in it, he began to teach them.

Contacted for comment, a spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said it did not comment on individual prisoner cases.

However, it is understood the convicted murderer is not teaching yoga in an official capacity from behind bars, but is instead guiding others who have shown an interest in yoga.

A source explained: He fancies himself a bit of a yogi. He practices it outside and other prisoners have shown an interest and hes been teaching them too, essentially.

On the night of Ms Frenchs murder in June 2019 at her rural home, Kilroy attacked her with a knife, beat her and strangled her. Her three young sons were in the house at the time.

Kilroy was found, on the morning of June 14, wandering naked in a nearby field. His wifes body was found that afternoon in a campervan beside their bungalow about 6km from Westport.

The cause of her death was strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck.

Society should protect children

Kilroys first two criminal trials collapsed, but last month at his third trial he was found guilty of his wifes murder after jurors rejected his insanity defence. He had claimed cannabis use spurred him to kill her.

Since Kilroys conviction, Ms Frenchs brother, David, has been campaigning for a change in the law, called Valeries Law, to be introduced so parents who intentionally kill their partners lose guardianship rights of their shared children.

Currently there is a loophole in child safety in Ireland as people who kill their partners or ex-partners fully retain guardianship of any shared children, Mr French said.

A bill is being drafted by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and has the cross-party support of other TDs in west Cork, which is where Ms French originally came from.

An online petition on change.org, launched last weekend by Mr French calling on support to change the law, has already collected more than 1,000 signatures out of its 1,500 target.

Killing the mother of a child is child abuse. Society should protect children from their abusers, Mr French said.
Damien Conlon (38) was shot dead following an incident at his home in a rural New South Wales village on the morning of February 9, 2023.

A man has admitted to murdering his Irish son-in-law in Australia in February 2023.

Damien Conlon (38), who grew up in the Fort Hill area of Sligo but lived in Australia since 2011, was shot dead following an incident at his home in a rural New South Wales village on the morning of February 9, 2023.

He was treated by treated by paramedics but tragically died at the scene in Oberon.

Luke Simon (57), the father of Damiens devoted partner Linda, was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

This week, Mr Simon appeared by video-link from Silverwater jail to Sydney Supreme Court, where he admitted fatally shooting Mr Conlon.

He had initially pleaded guilty to the charge at Bathurst Local Court on June 12.

A conviction was formally recorded and his next court date was set for November 7, 2024 before the Sydney Supreme Court.

Damien Conlon and Linda

Damien and Mr Simons daughter Linda were engaged and had been planning to marry in 2023.

The couple shared two children together, Mason (now 3) and Elias (now 1), and Damien had also taken on stepfather role to Linda's sons from her previous relationship, Brodie and Joseph.

Damien had emigrated to Australia 12 years ago and received his Australian citizenship in 2021.

Damien who was a carpenter by trade initially went to Australia on a one-year working holiday visa before deciding to stay. He subsequently set up a large excavation business in Kelso in New South Wales.

Linda previously described Damiens death as senseless and violent and told of her devastation that they wouldnt get to marry and live a long happy life together.

We had deposits paid on the venue, the church and everything, but unfortunately that will never be, she told the Irish Sunday Mirror at the time.

That is the hardest part, all the plans we had for the future and watching our children growing up without him. We just take it day by day now, that is all we can do.

She said he was a devoted dad and stepfather who doted on the four children.

She also told how no one ever had a bad word to say about Damien.

He was the sort of fella youd ring at midnight and say, My shower is broken and hed jump out of bed, put his boots on and come over to help.

Thats the kind of man he was. One example is an architect he spoke to, they never met but they spoke on the phone. Hes flying 20 hours to be at his funeral, thats how much people loved him.
The family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help raise money to cover Roxannes urgent medical treatment in Florida

The family of a young Carlow girl born with a rare condition say they feel overlooked by the Irish healthcare system as they are forced to travel abroad to access urgent medical treatment.

Roxanne Kelly (6) was born on May 20, 2018 with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis which severely impacts her physical movement. She also suffers with scoliosis.

As a result of the condition, Roxanne has limited movement in her limbs which means she is unable to sit up, stand or feed herself. At home, Roxanne rolls on the floor to play and move about. When outside, she has a customised power wheelchair which she controls by titling her head.

Since birth, Roxanne has been under the care of Temple Street Children's Hospital. Her mum, Mairin Nolan, explained that while the care Roxanne received from the hospital has helped her, it isnt acceptable that her daughter has been on a waiting list for surgery for over four years.

Roxanne has been on a waiting list for surgery on her legs and hips in Ireland for over four years now. But she was born with this condition so it was always known that these surgeries would be needed so I suppose you could say she has been on a waiting list her whole life, Mairin said.

The leg and hip surgery would allow Roxanne to put some weight on her limbs. This would give her more independence as she would not need to be hoisted every time she is moved in and out of her wheelchair. It would also help her be able to sit upright which would drastically improve her quality of life as she could then sit upright at home or in the car without being in her wheelchair.

"Having been on that waiting list for over four years we decided to take matters into our own hands and seek a second opinion about her condition and what treatments were available to her to improve her quality of life and movement.

However, this second opinion brought more bad news for the family, forcing them to put Roxannes planned surgeries on hold.

"After much research, we found Dr. Feldman of the Paley Orthopaedic and Spine Institute in the US. As Dr. Feldman specialises in Roxannes condition, we decided to make the trip over to the clinics European centre in Poland.

It was heart breaking and very frightening to learn about the severity of these additional complications

"As Roxanne has scoliosis, Dr. Feldman requested a full MRI before proceeding with the surgeries which we sent.

But upon examining the MRI, Dr. Feldman found some additional serious issues that left the family heartbroken and very frightened.

The MRI found that Roxanne has a chiari 1 malformation which means her brain does not fit in her skull and has been forced to move out along her spinal chord.

"She also has a large spinal arachnoid cyst and spinal chord compression which is interfering with spinal signals from her brain. This puts severe pressure on her spine.

"It was heart breaking and very frightening to learn about the severity of these additional complications," said Mairin.

Roxanne with her mum, Mairin Nolan and dad Declan Kelly, and her brother

Due to the results of the MRI, the surgeries to help Roxanne be weight-bearing on her limbs must be put on hold.

"The doctors have told us that Roxanne needs urgent medical attention and surgery to stop her regressing and to prevent neurological demise because of the chiari 1 malformation and spinal arachnoid cyst.

"The chiari 1 malformation and spinal arachnoid cyst could make her regress so much that not only will she be really physically disabled, she could be a paraplegic.

The doctors want us to bring Roxanne to the Paley Orthopaedic and Spine Institute in Florida so they can intervene before it is too late. Hopefully, once this is dealt with, we can get the surgery done on her limbs in the future.

The generosity people have shown us has been so heart warming

Roxannes mum and her family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help cover the costs associated Roxanne's appointments and surgeries in Florida. They hope to raise 180,000 and will be in Florida from Saturday August 10.

Roxanne Kelly (6) has been forced to travel to Florida for urgent medical treatment

"I never wanted to set up a Go Fund Me page. I hate putting things about my children online but my hand has been forced as the Irish healthcare system is not providing us with any assistance here in Ireland and they are not helping cover the costs of going abroad for treatment, said Mairin.

"We didnt know what else to do. But the generosity people have shown us has been so heart warming which shows some good has come out of all of this. I now realise how caring and supportive people can be, smiled Mairin.

"Roxanne is just like any other normal six-year-old. She has never let her condition hold her back and is an extremely intelligent and happy young girl.

"She is best friends with her twin brother Curtis, who is always seen stood at the back of her wheelchair as she gives him a lift to and from school everyday.

"My hope for Roxanne is that all these surgeries will help improve her quality of life in the future and improve her movement so she can have independence when she is older.

To donate to Urgent Call to Help Roxanne please click here.
Rose and Chris Murray have been battling before the courts for nearly two decades to stop their house in Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath being demolished

A couple who built their family home without planning permission have lost their latest bid to keep the house

A couple who built their family home without planning permission have lost their latest bid to keep the house after An Bord Pleanala refused to allow them to retain the property over fears it would establish an undesirable precedent for further development of this kind.

Rose and Chris Murray have been battling before t he courts for nearly two decades to stop their house in Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath being demolished. Last year, the couple proposed to reduce the size of the 588 sq m property by around one-third and applied to Meath County Council for retention permission. However, this was refused.

The decision was appealed to the planning authority on a number of grounds including that the demolition of the house would give rise to environmental impacts. In 2006, the Murrays applied for permission for a dormer bungalow on the site.

Two other planning applications they made in different parts of Meath had been refused prior to this. They claim they consulted with a planning official and a senior councillor to see if they would be likely to get planning at Faughan Hill before they bought the land. After being told there would be no problem, they bought the site and applied for permission.

However, the council subsequently refused on three grounds. The Murrays responded by building a house twice the size.
Figures released by the department reveal that in the period between January 2020 and last April, 2,758 requests were made by Ireland to other EU countries to take responsibility for an asylum claim

Ireland applied to send more than 2,750 asylum applicants back to the EU country where they first arrived or sought international protection, but has been able to return only 31, the Department of Justice has said.

Over the past four years, Ireland has also received 626 take back and take charge requests from other EU countries and agreed to take responsibility for 182 of them, of which 54 have been carried out.

The department admitted the system for inter-country transfers was not fit for purpose and that what is known as the Dublin Regulation had significant problems and was ineffective.

Under the system, a person seeking asylum can only make one application for international protection and should, in theory, make that claim in the EU country where they first arrive.

However, in reality, many asylum-seekers keep moving to where family or friends are already located, where work or supports are more readily available or make multiple applications in different countries.

Figures released by the department reveal that in the period between January 2020 and last April, 2,758 requests were made by Ireland to other EU countries to take responsibility for an asylum claim. The numbers were highest in 2020 when 977 applications were made.

In the same year, only 15 outgoing transfers were carried out, which was about 1.5pc of the total number of cases.

During 2021, when the Covid-19 pandemic significantly reduced migration across Europe, 198 applications were made by Ireland under the Dublin transfer system. However, only four people were returned to another country that year.

In 2022 and 2023, Ireland continued to make a substantial number of take back and take charge requests, with 698 and 592 respectively. However, the number of actual returns carried out remained remarkably low, with just three in each year.

In the first three months of this year, the department applied to have 293 international protection applicants sent to another EU country. By late last month, only six transfers had been carried out.

The department said the countries to which most requests had been made were Greece, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France and the UK, up until Brexit.

The overall objective of the pact is to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure

Ireland has been more open to accepting asylum-seekers back, according to figures released under Freedom of Information laws.

Between 2020 and the middle of this year, 626 Dublin transfer requests were made, with most of those cases  totalling 358  coming from the UK in 2020 and just before it left the EU.

There were 57 applications from France, 52 from Germany, 29 from Cyprus and 25 from Greece.

Ireland took responsibility for 182 of the asylum requests, just under half of them from the UK.

An additional 24 transfer requests were accepted from Germany, 11 from both France and Greece and nine from the Netherlands.

However, the number of incoming transfers that were implemented was much lower  54 during the four-year period.

A spokesman for the department said difficulties with the take back and take charge system had been a key consideration in Irelands support for the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

In practice, and in keeping with the experience of all member states, the Dublin Regulation has not been effective. Across the EU, the rate of transfer compared to request remains low, he said.

The overall objective of the pact is to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure in ordinary times as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations.

The spokesman said it would allow for streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for deciding which country should take responsibility for each asylum application.

He added: This will significantly improve the current Dublin system by reducing the administrative burden on the member states seeking to transfer a person to the member state responsible for processing the application.
The Treasury currently spends 6.7bn a year on housing benefit payments to pensioners - Jonathan Brady/PA

Older renters will cost the Treasury as much as 15.4bn a year by 2035, new figures show, as falling home ownership rates and an ageing population increases the housing benefit bill.

Currently, the Treasury spends 6.7bn a year on housing benefit payments to pensioners.

However, analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) shows that this could more than double within the next 10 years.

The rapid uptick will be a source of concern for the Government, as it reflects how many people are struggling to own their own home.

The CEBRs 15.4bn figure accounts for housing benefit payments rising in line with rent hikes.

However, even if the Government freezes the amount for each family at the current level for the next 10 years, the cost would still rise to 9.7bn.

Samuel Miley, an economist at CEBR, warned that the rise reflected a combination of the difficulties that are presented by an ageing population with the separate issue, which is a housing market that is arguably not functioning too well.

He said: Limited supply of housing and growing demand are creating a perfect storm for quite difficult housing conditions across all age groups, not least the older cohorts.

The Office for National Statistics projects that the number of people aged 65 to 84 will rise from 10.8m in 2020 to 14.4m by 2040, which will inevitably increase the share of pensioners who are renting.

Rising property prices have led to a sharp drop in home ownership in recent years, impacting almost all age groups across Britain, including pensioners.

The English Housing Survey shows that the share of people aged 65 to 74 renting privately has risen to 7.4pc from 4.2pc since the financial crisis.

For those in their late 50s and early 60s, the proportion has risen from 7pc to 10.9pc

While we will already see these pressures play out over the next decade, the housing benefit bill will only grow once millennials and Gen Zs hit retirement age, according to CEBR.

Mr Miley said: The most likely outcome is that this will persist throughout the lifetime of those age cohorts, simply because the trends are diverging against their favour.

You have house price affordability ratios that are significantly higher than for any preceding generation.

While three in five people aged 25 to 34 were homeowners at the turn of the millennium, this figure has since fallen to only two in five, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Mr Miley added: Unless there is a stark structural change whereby house prices fall, whether that is triggered by an intervention or a shock to the market, or alternatively, earnings rise significantly, I think its likely that those cohorts are going to be disproportionately priced out of the housing market.

Story continues

Charities and experts have warned that the unpredictability of the private rental sector is often unsuitable for the elderly, particularly those who struggle with health conditions.

There is also a financial impact, as Standard Life estimates that private renters need to save 391,000 more throughout their lifetime to fund their retirement than a homeowner.

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Heavy rain is expected to move eastwards, making thundery downpours possible between 10pm on Sunday night until 7am on Monday morning

A Status Yellow rain warning will come into effect for over half the country tonighy with Met Eireann warning of localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.

Heavy rain is expected to move eastwards, making thundery downpours possible between 10pm on Sunday night until 7am on Monday morning.

The rain warning will affect counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, all of Connacht, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.

Sunday will see a dry, sunny start to the day, turning cloudier with showers through the afternoon as temperatures hit between 20 to 25 degrees.

Widespread, heavy rain with the chance of thunderstorms and localised flooding will then arrive overnight, as temperatures drop to between 13 and 16 degrees.

Meanwhile, a thunderstorm alert has been issued for all of Northern Ireland. The UK Met Office said: A band of heavy, thundery rain is expected to push quickly east across Northern Ireland early on Monday.

This warning will be in place from midnight until 7am on Monday, August 12.

Daithi O Se on training as a life coach, not having an agent and next weeks Rose of Tralee festival

Monday will be largely dry with sunny spells and temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees before rain and drizzle becomes more widespread overnight and into Tuesday.

Highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees are expected on Tuesday, with the evening remaining mainly dry and clear into Wednesday.

Thursday will see further spells of widespread and persistent rain in the afternoon and evening, while temperatures remain at around 16 to 20 degrees.

Met Eireann forecasters said current indications for the days that follow indicate continued unsettled conditions into next weekend.
He had served abroad in Syria in the 67th Inf GP UNDOF. He was also a club member of the club Devils Disciples Motorcycle club.

Tributes are being paid to an Army private who lost his life in a motorcycling accident in Co Longford on Saturday.

Pte Ross Mull Mulligan (31) who was a native of Dublin died in a single-vehicle crash in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The crash occurred at around 1.15am at Kilnashee, Drumlish.

It is believed that Pte Mulligan was on his motorbike travelling to see friends when the accident occurred. Locals said Ross was a lovely man who loved motorbikes and was a great soldier.

He had served abroad in Syria in the 67th Inf GP UNDOF. He was also a club member of the club Devils Disciples Motorcycle club.

Paying tribute, the Chaplaincy Service of the Irish Defence Forces said It is with great sadness that the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service has learned of the tragic death of Pte Ross Mulligan 1 Mech. Ross and his family will be remembered in our prayers and masses this weekend.

Tributes were also paid by the Irish Defence Force Veterans who said with sadness we have learned of the passing of Pte Ross Mulligan from the 1 mech coy Curragh and formerly of the 7th Infantry Battalion. Pte Mulligan is survived by his father, mother and brother. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward, in particular to any road users who may have been travelling in the area at the time of the collision and have dashcam footage.

A statement from An Garda Siochana read: Gardai are currently at the scene of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred at Kilnashee, Drumlish, County Longford in the early hours of this morning Saturday, 10th August 2024. At approximately 1.15am Gardai were alerted to a single vehicle collision involving a motorcyclist. The driver of the motorcycle, a male aged in his 30s, was fatally injured during the collision.

The R198, Longford to Drumlish road, remains closed as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination of the scene. Diversions are in place.

It added Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time of the incident, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Longford Garda Station on 043 335 0570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
From natural wonders to music festivals, the reasons to visit just keep adding up.

Sponsored by Bazoom

The Australian tourism sector has been in a constant state of progress, especially after several institutions listed it amongst the top tourist destinations in the world. From being the seventh-best tourist destination in 2017 to the sixth in 2021 and now taking a slot in the top five in 2024, according to the World Economic Forum, there is definitely something for everyone in Australia.

You might know it as one of the flattest and most dry places in the world, but it has so much wealth to uncover. Talk of the numerous natural wonders, the rich cultural setting, beaches, deserts  you name them, theyre here. This rich heritage is why millions of people have continued to flock to the country, and this article will highlight several reasons why you should visit.

A rich cultural setting

For a long time, Australia has been a popular destination for people seeking diverse experiences. Gambling, for instance, dates back to as early as the 19th century when the country hosted the first official Australian lottery.

Over the years, this industry has continued adapting to changing consumer preferences, so now where players can access similar physical experiences online. As such, if you find a reputable live casino in Australia, you can access numerous titles like live roulette and other games by simply clicking on your mobile device or laptop.

Art enthusiasts will be surprised to discover over 100,000 Aboriginal rock arts, 5,000 of which are to be found in Kakadu National Park. And even though some of the ancient artworks are now inexistent, anthropological archaeologists like Dr Bruno David have confirmed the existence of tools  up to 50,000 years old  used to make the art.

Your visit to this amazing country is incomplete without exploring the Darwin Festival. Happening in August, this festival treats visitors to outdoor concerts, dance, theatrical performances, and loads more.

For those who love touring open homes and artist studios and learning about design partnerships, Design Canberra has you covered. Every November, this festival features a particular theme to make your visit more engaging  with 2024s theme being 'regenerate.'

Sydney Harbour Bridge - Source: Getty Images

Natural wonders

Are you someone who seeks lifetime encounters with nature? The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most eye-popping natural wonders, stretches for over 1400 miles along the eastern coast of Australia and boasts diverse marine life. While seeing the entire reef might not be entirely possible, a glass bottom boat excursion of this marvel will offer you an engaging experience.

You don't want to miss out on experiences in Tasmania  an island state of Australia where hikers can explore Wellington Park or water lovers can kayak at Freycinet National Park.

At the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you will find two of the country's most specular monoliths - Kata Tjuta and Uluru  whose history among the Aboriginal community will leave a lasting impression.

Travelling towards South Australia, you'll encounter the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, which, shockingly, has a sparkling pink salt bed at times. If you want a good perspective of this salt bed, then a flight from Coober Pedy town will give you the best views possible.

We cannot end the natural wonders list without mentioning the Three Sisters, located in the Blue Mountains National Park. According to an Aboriginal legend, these unusual rock formations were formed by three sisters who turned into stone. If you are considering exploring them, you can view the sisters from Echo Point Lookout or opt for a bush walk. Plus, you don't want to miss out on the Mitchell Falls experience. Established within the red rocks of the Kimberley, the thundering rush of the falls ensures your vacation will be as memorable as possible.

Music festivals

Music festivals are another of the many reasons why Australia is a popular destination for millions of travellers around the world. The BigSound festival was launched over two decades ago and, as of now, welcomes over 16,000 people each and every year. The 2024 event is set to welcome some of the top names in the industry, including Tones and I, who will give an inspiring speech outlining her journey in the music industry.

Visitors can also explore the breathtaking backdrop of Sydney Harbour while experiencing the enchantment of the Night at the Barracks event, which usually takes place towards the end of September and the beginning of October. The 2024 event will see stars such as including Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Peter Murray, and plenty more headliners and supporting acts to discover. There are many more music festivals happening throughout the year, including Listen Out, Drill Fest, and Melbourne Jazz Festival, to name just a few.

When it comes to touring Australia, it should never worry you as to whether or not you'll find a place that perfectly caters to your tastes and preferences. The country is home to endless opportunities where you can create lasting memories. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, music fan, or art lover, there is definitely something for people from all walks of life. As more people continue flocking into the country, we will likely see the country rising to even higher positions in terms of the most loved tourist destinations on the planet.
Bay of Plenty residents have a unique opportunity to learn to two Indonesian-flavoured activities in Tauranga.

Bay of Plenty Indonesia Community Inc is hosting two Batik workshops, plus an all-welcome Angklung showcase on Saturday, August 31, at the Creative Community Campus at Taurangas Historic Village.

BOPIC chair Syully Dobson says her group is hosting the events after demand stemmed from their 2023 Tauranga Indonesian Festival.

At that time the painting exhibition and batik demo session were cancelled because our batik instructor (was) in Hawkes Bay due to Cyclone Gabrielles impact.

More than 700 people attended the festival and, many were looking forward to our batik session, so for this reason BOPIC decided to hold a batik workshop exclusively.

The Indonesian Batik workshops will be 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm on August 31 at the Kawakawa room.

The Angklung showcase will be held the same day from 12pm-1pm. A $10 ticket will gain participants entry to both events. The Angklung showcase is at the Jam Factory.

What is Batik?

Syully says the word batik is derived from the Javanese word Amba which means to write, and the suffix Titik means little dot or to make dots. Batik is a wax drawing or writing technique, a way of decorating cloth by covering it with a wax layer and then continuing with dyeing the cloth.

The waxed areas keep the original colour of the cloth and when the wax is removed, it creates the contrast between the dyed and undyed area, forming the unique pattern called Batik cloth.

This Batik workshops will see people learn Indonesian batik making techniques called Batik Tulis with a very simple process because the original process will take one-three months.

During the lunch break, Indonesian light refreshments will be served, and we will have an Angklung showcase, says Syully.

Angklung is an Indonesian musical instrument made from bamboo originally from West Java.



Tika Silva, Asa Porter, Syully Dobson, Astik Doran and Aurora Kamarga invite the community to get involved in their cultural events on August 31. Photo: John Borren.

Syully will conduct the interactive Angklung with the audience. This event will be open to the public  the more the merrier.

Syully says the BOP Indonesia Community Inc expresses gratitude to Tauranga City Councils Creative Communities Scheme and Incubator Creative Hub in helping make the events happen.

For reservations, visit: www.facebook.com/events/410413094960793 Or see:

www.facebook.com/events/423281613979384
Parcel-by-parcel, a joint international investigation has pieced together the operations of a major drug smuggling syndicate over the course of two years.

Under Operation Havana, Police and Customs have been investigating the syndicates scattergun method of allegedly importing drugs through the international postal system.

The illegal operation, largely based in a south-east Auckland suburb, was disrupted this last week with 17 search warrants carried out across the city in recent days.

Twelve arrests have been made, along with a seizure of a concoction of illicit substances and $500,000 in cash.

In the process, approximately $4 million in assets have also been restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

Cash received during 17 search warrants. Photo: NZ Police.

Detective Inspector Tom Gollan says the National Organised Crime Group and Customs have been investigating Operation Havana since 2022.

Over that period, Customs seized numerous packages, which hid controlled drugs destined for Auckland address, predominately in the Flat Bush area.

The consignments varied in size and concealment method but typically weighed between 1 and 10 kilograms.

These characteristics, in particular the large number of consignments imported, were hallmarks of what is known as the scattergun method of drug smuggling, says Detective Inspector Gollan.

Operation Havanna commenced in 2022. Photo: Supplied.

Customs seized a significant quantity of illegal drugs both in New Zealand and worked closely with law enforcement counterparts to seize drugs in the United States of America.

The highlights of these seizures include: 183.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 29 litres of liquid methamphetamine, 35.8 kilograms of pseudoephedrine and 16.7 kilograms of MDMA.

The social harm of the seized crystalised methamphetamine would have been more than $200 million alone, Detective Inspector Gollan says.

At various addresses searched this week, we have located around $500,000 in cash, as well as drugs.

This includes two kilograms of cocaine, 350 grams of methamphetamine and four kilograms of ephedrine.

Police have restrained assets belonging to the group, including two houses and three vehicles.

Nine men, aged between 34 and 54, and three women, aged 36, 37 and 38, have been arrested.

Detective Inspector Gollan says an array of serious charges have been laid, including importing class A, B and C controlled drugs, conspiracy to import Class A and participation in an organised criminal group.

All 12 have appeared in the Auckland District Court.

Cash received during Operation Havanna. Photo: NZ Police.

Information sharing with a joint task force consisting of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agents based in Los Angeles has been pivotal in the investigation, Detective Inspector Gollan says.

Information shared has enabled numerous arrests and the seizure of significant amounts of drugs on the US side of the illegal operations, he says.

The Havana investigation exposed a syndicate that exploited the mail system to import their drugs over an extended period of time, and the arrests and significant seizures will put a significant dent in the supply of drugs by that group both here and in the USA.

It again highlights the international flavour to our domestic illicit drug suppliers, and the value of our international partnerships to assist in combatting trans-national organised crime.

Police are not ruling out further arrests.

Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams says Operation Havana is another great example of domestic and international agencies working in close partnership, sharing intelligence and dismantling transnational organised crime groups operating in both New Zealand and the United States.

Law enforcement is well-versed with criminal trends and its not uncommon for Customs to find criminal syndicates using a scattergun approach to smuggle smaller packages of illicit drugs instead of a single larger shipment.

These seizures add up to significant quantities, which is why Customs continues to target both small and large drug shipments at the border.

Our frontline officers have been exceptional, diligently intercepting significant quantities of drugs before they reach our communities.

Through the information collected, weve now been able to take down the New Zealand syndicate, while Customs and Police liaison officers based in Los Angeles were able to work with US authorities to tackle the overseas suppliers, says Dominic.

Operation Havana  by the numbers:

- Two-year investigation, commenced in 2022

- 12 arrests, so far, including nine men and three women

- 183.5kg of methamphetamine seized

- 29l of liquid methamphetamine

- 331g of cocaine

- 3.83g of ephedrine

- 35.8kg of pseudoephedrine

- 16.7kg of MDMA

- 4.65kg of ketamine

- $4m in assets restrained

- $500,000 in cash seized

- $203,384,060 estimated social harm prevented
It just was natural to actually give my arm and my blood to help fill the bank.

Now 54, Nicholas has made about 85 blood and plasma donations throughout his life.

His career has been the main inspiration for becoming a regular donor.

He says he spent years working in transfusion laboratories, dishing out the product left, right, and centre in the small hours of the morning because the person in the theatre is bleeding everywhere.

When Nicholas Page first started working at Rotorua Hospital as a trainee medical laboratory scientist at age 18, he quickly learned how valuable blood donations were.

This week is National Blood Donor Week which encourages people to join the New Zealand Blood Services (NZBS) lifesaving community, and to thank existing donors such as Page.

An event will take place at the recently opened $2.4 million NZBS centre on Cameron Road in Tauranga on August 15 where people can hear from experts and learn more about becoming a blood and plasma donor.

When blood is needed

Nicholas tells the Bay of Plenty Times he moved from Rotorua to Tauranga in the early 1990s and worked at Tauranga Hospitals transfusion laboratory.

He says the most common situations in hospitals where people need blood donations are car accidents, traumas such as stabbings, obstetric complications, internal bleeds, ruptured aneurysms, and gastrointestinal bleeds.

Nicholas became a regular whole-blood donor in 1988, donating about three times per year.

However, he eventually started suffering from sport-induced anaemia after donating.

I had a couple of spells where I had to stop donating for sort of a year at a time, go on iron pills, it just got a little bit complicated.

That's one of the reasons he became a regular plasma donor about three years ago.

I wasnt contributing potentially as much as I would have liked.

He donates plasma every three to four weeks.

Blood donations take 45 minutes to an hour and a plasma donation about 90 minutes, he says.

Nicholas  who now works in general practice for the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation  says donating is pain-free after the initial intense and quick prick of the needle.

The team at the blood service are amazing  if you want that feel-good community spirit and youve got a bit of time, and you want to make a difference to someones life whos really going to be in need, its such a cool thing to do.

What is plasma?

New Zealand Blood Service donor relations team leader Rachel Bowman says the Bay of Plenty has more than 3000 active donors, but it needed more to keep up with the rising demand for local blood and blood products.

Every week, 290 donations were needed in Tauranga.

One blood donation can save up to three lives while a plasma donation can be made into 11 different lifesaving products.

Plasma is the liquid component of the blood and a vital part of many peoples treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases and other conditions.

Demand for plasma has risen by more than 30 per cent in the last three years and is projected to grow by 50 per cent in the next three years.

The rise in plasma demand is primarily due to the increased need for patients with autoimmune disorders who use IVIg products (concentrated solutions of antibodies).

The Blood Service needed to collect more than 2100 plasma donations every week to keep up with demand. On average it was short about 250 donations per week.

Plasma donation takes about 90 minutes.

Red cells and platelets are returned to the donor and only the plasma component is kept. People can donate plasma every two weeks.

People who would like to register their attendance for Thursdays event can email hannah.todd@nzblood.co.nz

For information about how to book an appointment to donate blood, visit the NZ Blood website.

-Bay of Plenty Times.
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While the COVID-19 pandemic is an increasingly distant memory for most investors, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) has struggled to move past the overhang of record vaccine sales and earnings in 2021 and 2022. The stock is down about 53% from its all-time high as the market wonders whether the pharmaceutical giant can find its next blockbuster drug.

The good news is that the company's latest results highlighted a growth rebound. Sales momentum from several recent product launches supports an improving outlook. Could Pfizer stock -- which currently has a compelling dividend yield of 5.8% -- make a good addition to your portfolio now? Here's what you need to know.

A solid start to 2024

The challenge for Pfizer right now is to rebuild investor confidence with evidence that its long-term strategy is back on track. Fortunately, the company's second-quarter earnings (for the period ended June 30) have worked to move in that direction. Revenue growth turned positive, up 3% year over year, but an even more impressive 14% higher excluding the impact of the declining Comirnaty and Paxlovid COVID-19 programs.

In addition to contributions from Seagen, which Pfizer acquired in late 2023, growth this quarter was driven by strong demand for flagship products like Vyndaqel and Eliquis. Sales of Nurtec as an acute migraine medication have also picked up.

A major theme for Pfizer has been its effort to generate financial efficiencies through cost realignment, with a plan to deliver at least $4 billion in savings by the end of the year. It appears the effort is paying off. Second-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.60 came in $0.14 ahead of the average Wall Street estimate.

This allowed management to hike full-year guidance: Pfizer now expects 2024 adjusted EPS of between $2.45 and $2.65, compared to a prior $2.25 midpoint estimate. The revenue forecast was also bumped higher to a range of $59.5 billion to $62.5 billion, for a 4% increase at the midpoint over 2023.

Image source: Getty Images.

Pfizer's attractive high-yield dividend

The market typically rewards a turnaround story, and Pfizer has all the pieces in place to emerge stronger after a difficult couple of years. The attraction of the stock as an investment opportunity starts with its sector leadership and recognized history of innovation.

What I like about Pfizer is its compelling value, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 11 times management's 2024 EPS guidance. Pfizer also offers one of the highest dividend yields among a peer group of global drugmakers -- currently at 5.8%, based on its $0.42-per-share quarterly payout. This level is well above names like AbbVie with a 3.3% yield, GSK at 3.8%, or even Bristol Myers Squibb at 5.1%.

Story continues

PFE Dividend Yield Chart

The takeaway on Pfizer's stock

The takeaway from the second-quarter earnings report is that the company is finally turning the page on its volatile later-pandemic era. I believe shares of Pfizer deserve a buy rating.

Multiple drug programs pending clinical study readouts are expected through the end of this year, covering weight management, oncology, and hematology. These therapeutic candidates could be catalysts for the stock to rally higher. At the same time, those regulatory decisions are also risks to consider, with any setback in Pfizer's pipeline likely adding volatility to the stock.

Ultimately, Pfizer looks undervalued, considering the long-term opportunities across its existing portfolio and drug pipeline. The company's ability to reclaim a profitable growth trajectory should be positive for shares. For investors with a long-term time horizon, Pfizer could be a good choice in the context of a diversified portfolio.

Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now?

Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Pfizer wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $641,864!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 6, 2024

Dan Victor has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Merck, and Pfizer. The Motley Fool recommends Amgen, AstraZeneca Plc, and GSK. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Is Pfizer Stock a Buy Now After Earnings? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Orchard Park, N.Y.  Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen knows that the team did not play up to their standard on Saturday when they were defeated 33-6 by the Chicago Bears. He also knows there is no reason to hit the panic button in a game that saw Chicago dominate in all three phases of the game.

Following the teams blowout loss, Allen met with the media. Despite being disappointed with the outcome, Allen kept things in perspective.
Moravia, N.Y.  The tubs were rolling Saturday at the Fillmore Days & Bathtub races.

The Powerful Porcelain Pushers have never missed a race since the event was rekindled in 2019. Racing bathtubs is a fitting event for the town of Moravia.
dailydriver Senior - BHPian



Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Roadeo-City Posts: 1,236 Thanked: 6,975 Times

Stuck in space for more than sixty days: How to tackle the Sunita Williams conundrum?

Quote: Williams and Wilmore took off on a test mission on Boeing Starliner to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5 and were expected to return in eight days. However, the plans went awry. Now more than two months on, they are still floating above the Earth. It was the first of its kind flight with people on board.







Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore

The mission was a test to evaluate the performance of the new spacecraft before it is used regularly. The Starliner was scheduled to begin its return journey on June 26.







Boeing Starliner Calypso

...several issues were detected in some of the key mechanisms of the spacecraft even before it docked at the ISS. There were leaks in the propulsion system and some of its thrusters started shutting down. However, despite the glitches the Starliner reached the ISS safely. Quote: ...since the takeoff, the capsule has had five helium leaks. Helium pressurises the rockets, helps maintain their structural integrity, and helps manoeuvre the spacecraft.



That is not the only issue. Five of the 28 manoeuvring thrusters have gone dead and a propellant valve failed to close completely, according to a report in Reuters.



The crew in space and mission managers in Houston have been pursuing the fixes. Boeing claims to have fixed most of the issues through a series of simulations  around 1,00,000  with 27 thrusters now reportedly working at full capacity. However, NASA has requested more data from Boeing, as there is doubt that the Starliner might be unsafe to fly back to Earth







International Space Station

What's the solution then?



Quote: NASA is examining whether the two astronauts could return in another vehicle  SpaceXs Crew Dragon. It said on Wednesday that the astronauts could fly back on SpaceXs Crew Dragon in February 2025 if Starliner is still deemed unsafe.



The mission undertaken by Elon Musks SpaceX is scheduled to launch in September and return to Earth next year. At first four crew members were to be aboard. But now two seats could be kept empty to bring back Williams and Wilmore.



It is not the only way out. Multiple plans exist to get the astronauts back to Earth, including having them even hitch a ride on a Russian Soyuz craft, reports USA TODAY.



Recently, NASA used a SpaceX rocket to deliver more food and supplies, including extra clothes.



Quote: Williams is suffering from bone density loss due to prolonged exposure to microgravity. This can lead to other health complications such as visual impairment and the risk of DNA damage, according to a report in The Indian Express.

A trip that was supposed to last a week stretching to infinity could lead to severe stress and psychological issues for the persons involved, onboard the ISS as well as on earth.



My understanding of the situation is that there are multiple options to bring the two astronauts back to earth. As can be seen in the picture, Cygnus 20, Soyuz MS-25, Progress 87 & 88 and SpaceX Crew-8 are still docked to the ISS.







But the viability of requisitioning them for the rescue appears to be a Herculean task; for now.



Sources:

1, 2, 3, 4



Disclaimer: Albeit reflective of my attempts at appropriating Sunita Williams' Indian connection and hence clearly biased, please rest assured that in spite of the title, I have as much regard and concern for her co-traveller Barry 'Butch' Wilmore as I have for her. Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore NASA astronauts and much travelled space explorers, have been stuck on board the International Space Station for more than two months now. A veteran with many record breaking flights and space walks to her credit, Sunita Williams piloted a Boeing Starliner test flight to the ISS on June 5, 2024 and was supposed to fly back after eight days. However, due to several logistical, operational and software issues, the spacecraft Calypso is currently immobile. While efforts are on to make it flight worthy, the obvious difficulties with handling mechanical works in space as well as the limited availability of skilled manpower in the immediate vicinity have thrown a spanner in the plans.The spacecraft that has been in flight mode since 2019 has had a chequered past with problems constantly hindering its progress. Boeing's rivalry with SpaceX and America's cold relationship with Russia and China have also been deterrents to the safe return of the two astronauts.Living in space, inside the ISS isn't easy. Although four other astronauts are currently in long term residence there, the addition of Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore has posed new challenges.A trip that was supposed to last a week stretching to infinity could lead to severe stress and psychological issues for the persons involved, onboard the ISS as well as on earth.My understanding of the situation is that there are multiple options to bring the two astronauts back to earth. As can be seen in the picture, Cygnus 20, Soyuz MS-25, Progress 87 & 88 and SpaceX Crew-8 are still docked to the ISS.But the viability of requisitioning them for theappears to be a Herculean task; for now.Albeit reflective of my attempts at appropriating Sunita Williams' Indian connection and hence clearly biased, please rest assured that in spite of the, I have as much regard and concern for her co-traveller Barry 'Butch' Wilmore as I have for her.
RIP: The tech world is mourning the loss of Susan Wojcicki, a pivotal figure who played a major role in shaping Google into the behemoth it is today. Wojcicki passed away at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with lung cancer.

While not a household name outside of Silicon Valley circles  she rarely sought the spotlight  Wojcicki's influence is evident across many of Google's most significant products and initiatives from the very beginning. She was employee number 16 at the fledgling search company, and her early marketing efforts, like getting websites to embed Google's search box, helped put it on the map.

Wojcicki wore many hats at Google over the years. She led the development of the AdSense program, which allowed the company to broker ads across millions of sites. She championed major acquisitions like YouTube in 2006 and DoubleClick in 2007, both of which turbocharged Google's ad business.

Of course, her most significant legacy is likely YouTube itself. Wojcicki pushed hard for Google to buy the video site when it was still a small operation. After getting the green light, she took over as YouTube's CEO in 2014, with a mission to "reinvent TV."

Under her leadership, YouTube's advertising revenue swelled into the billions. She expanded its business model with new subscription offerings while grappling with the endless content moderation challenges of operating the internet's biggest video platform.

"She is as core to the history of Google as anyone, and it's hard to imagine the world without her," Google CEO Sundar Pichai, wrote on Twitter/X.

Unbelievably saddened by the loss of my dear friend @SusanWojcicki after two years of living with cancer. She is as core to the history of Google as anyone, and it's hard to imagine the world without her. She was an incredible person, leader and friend who had a tremendous  Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) August 10, 2024

"My beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children left us today," her husband Dennis Troper wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. "Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable."

Wojcicki grew up on the Stanford campus before studying history and literature at Harvard. She later earned MBAs from UC Santa Cruz and UCLA. Her involvement with Google began in 1998 when she famously rented out part of her Menlo Park home to Sergey Brin and Larry Page as they were just starting the company.

Despite her immense career accomplishments, Wojcicki maintained a humble and grounded image, and was known for raising chickens and driving her kids around in a minivan.

Wojcicki stepped down from her role as YouTube CEO in 2023 to focus on her family and health but remained an advisor to Alphabet. She is survived by her husband and four children. Tragically, their oldest son, Marco, passed away earlier this year at just 19 years old.
In context: Adreno GPUs are widely used across various Snapdragon SoCs, providing advanced rendering capabilities for mobile phones and laptops. Models like the Snapdragon X Elite feature the high-performance Adreno X1 GPU, placing it in direct competion with iGPUs from Intel and AMD.

Google researchers have uncovered over nine vulnerabilities in Qualcomm's Adreno GPU, an integrated graphics processing unit in Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Due to the GPU having kernel privileges, the security flaws pose significant risks since they could allow attackers to gain full control of a device.

The research focused on GPU drivers because untrusted apps can access them without additional permissions, making them attractive targets for hackers. These drivers' inherent complexity and deep integration with operating systems further increase their susceptibility to security flaws.

Xuan Xing, the manager of Google's Android Red Team, explained to Wired that their team is small relative to the expansive Android ecosystem, so they need to focus on the areas where they can make the most significant impact.

Hackers are increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities in GPU drivers, such as those found in Qualcomm's Adreno and Arm's Mali. These flaws lead to unauthorized access to data stored in GPU memory, posing significant risks given the widespread use of these components in devices like Android smartphones and tablets.

Qualcomm has already patched the holes Google found, but users should not become complacent. Auto-updating features are generally slower than manual installation of updates, plus there is a slight delay between manufacturer patches and operating system updates. Android users should check for and install them sooner rather than later, especially since hackers were reportedly already exploiting some of these vulnerabilities in the wild in a limited and targeted manner.

The discovery of these vulnerabilities underscores a growing need to focus on the security of mobile GPUs. Much of the attention has historically been on high-end PC and server processors. However, Adreno's flaws highlight that mobile GPUs also present significant security risks that manufacturers must stay on top of and address.
Rivian's (NASDAQ: RIVN) second quarter could go down as the most important in its history after the electric vehicle (EV) maker introduced its next-generation vehicle platform and struck a partnership with Volkswagen Group (OTC: VWAGY). However, those important events happened toward the end of the quarter and did not have a major impact on its Q2 results.

Let's take a look at Rivian's most recent quarterly results and why the company appears to be ready to turn the corner.

Continued cash burn

Rivian's Q2 revenue edged up 3% year over year to $1.16 billion as the company delivered 13,790 vehicles in the quarter, a 9% increase from a year ago. It produced 9,612 vehicles in the quarter. Production fell both year over year and sequentially due to a planned shutdown at its manufacturing plant for a retooling upgrade.

The company reiterated its guidance that it will produce 57,000 vehicles for the year.

The biggest problem for Rivian has been that it's been selling its vehicles for much less than it costs to make them. This continued in the second quarter as it produced a negative gross profit of $451 million. That equates to a loss of $32,705 per vehicle just on the cost of making them and does not include any costs associated with selling the vehicles or any corporate or research and development costs. Rivian said that gross loss was negatively impacted by $59 million, or $4,278 per vehicle delivered, of costs that will not be in its long-term structure.

Overall, Rivian reported an operating loss of $1.38 billion. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), meanwhile, came in at negative $860 million.

Not surprisingly given its negative gross margins, Rivian continued to burn cash. It had operating cash outflows of $754 million in the quarter. It spent another $283 million in capital expenditures (capex), bringing free cash flow to negative $1.04 billion in the quarter.

The company ended the quarter with $7.87 billion in cash and short-term investments. It also was carrying $5.53 billion in debt.

Image source: Getty Images

Improvements ahead

While they didn't show up in its Q2 results, Rivian made a number of important moves during the quarter to improve both its gross margins and its balance sheet.

Rivian took two major steps to improve gross margins. First it retooled its main manufacturing facility in Illinois. Management expects this upgrade to improve the manufacturing process, specifically cycle times, factory utilization, and costs. Second, it revamped the design of its second-generation vehicles to remove costs. This included moving to a zonal network architecture to greatly reduce the number of electronic control units in its vehicles, reducing vehicle complexity, and switching to some lower-cost materials.

Story continues

Rivian expects these changes to lead to a modest gross profit in Q4 and for the full year 2025 as it looks to lower material and conversion costs even further. Management expects positive gross profits in 2025 despite the company deciding to halt production for more than a month as it upgrades and integrates new equipment into its Illinois plant ahead of the launch of its R2 vehicles.

In addition to these moves, the company also struck a deal to shore up its balance sheet through an investment and partnership with Volkswagen. The German automaker will make an initial investment of $1 billion into Rivian with up to $4 billion in planned additional investments once its joint venture (JV) is approved and certain financial and technological milestones are met. Rivian expects the JV to help it on the cost front, with Volkswagen's scale helping it get better pricing from suppliers.

Buy, sell, or hold?

Rivian is heading in the right direction. Its new redesigned model lineup and upgraded manufacturing facility should lead to sustained positive gross margins. Meanwhile, it is now backed by some pretty big companies in Volkswagen and Amazon, which is its largest shareholder and for which it makes EV delivery vans.

The company has the potential to be a big long-term EV winner, but it is still young. Any investment at this point is on the more speculative side.

Should you invest $1,000 in Rivian Automotive right now?

Before you buy stock in Rivian Automotive, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Rivian Automotive wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $641,864!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 6, 2024

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Geoffrey Seiler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Volkswagen Ag. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Rivian Just Forecast This Important Metric Will Turn Positive. Is Now the Time to Buy the Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Vishakha Sadhwani, a Google Cloud architect based in New York and originally from a small town in India, exemplifies the importance of maintaining perspective in cloud technology. Her journey in DevOps and cloud technologies highlights how aptitude, leadership, and mentorship can significantly impact the tech industry.

Vishakha states matter-of-factly, "The cloud empowers people and businesses to achieve their goals. My work stems from the belief that making cloud technology more secure, accessible, and user-friendly unlocks its potential to transform industries and improve lives."

A Journey of Dedication and Growth

Vishakha discovered her passion for cloud computing over a decade ago. Despite facing challenges, she persevered, honing her skills through formal education and practical experience.

After coming to the US for her master's degree in computer engineering, she began working on the college campus as an office assistant. Her career took a pivotal turn during her master's program when she landed an internship at a regulatory firm. There, she was exposed to cloud technologies through a migration project, sparking her interest in this evolving field. This experience paved the way for her entry into the cloud industry and helped her land her first job at Brightspot as a DevOps engineer.

Vishakha later joined Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a DevOps engineer, quickly establishing herself as a Subject Matter Expert for their Infrastructure as Code (IaC) offering, CloudFormation. Her work and leadership garnered attention from colleagues and superiors, leading to AWS featuring her on their LinkedIn career page.

Vishakha reflects, "Working at AWS provided an opportunity to collaborate with some of the industry's brightest minds and contribute to developing advanced cloud technologies businesses worldwide now use."

Driving Cloud Innovation and Security

Since joining Google, Vishakha has spearheaded the design and development of large-scale cloud solutions for digital-native customers in various industries, including finance, AI/ML startups, retail, and cybersecurity. Her work has helped businesses achieve transformative results through automation and secure cloud deployments. To stay at the forefront of cybersecurity advancements, she furthered her expertise by earning another master's degree, effectively combining her cloud proficiency with security knowledge.

In her paper "Securing Cloud-Native Containerized Applications: Orchestration, Supply Chain, and Runtime Protection," she emphasizes the key pillars to strengthen both the application and the underlying cloud infrastructure.

Vishakha explains, "Developing such solutions presents complex challenges but showcases cloud technology's power and flexibility. By combining cloud architecture proficiency with an understanding of industry-specific needs, we can work towards meeting requirements while delivering real customer value."

Empowering the Next Generation

Beyond her technical contributions, Vishakha is dedicated to mentoring and empowering aspiring tech leaders, especially women and underrepresented groups. She actively shares her knowledge and experiences at tech, social, and career events such as Grace Hopper's Conference, Major League Hacking, Women in Tech, and the O'Reilly Learning Platform.

Her recognition as a "Mover & Shaker" by the University of Maryland Alumni network underscores her impact beyond her technical skills, demonstrating her commitment to empowering women in tech and promoting diversity within the industry. As a lead speaker at Major League Hacking events and a mentor to over 200 professionals, the positive testimonials from her mentees and her engaging presentations highlight her dedication to her work and the growth of the tech community.

Vishakha's commitment to mentorship and diversity is evident in her statement:

"Mentoring provides guidance, support, and inspiration, not just technical skills," Vishakha states neutrally. "Empowering diverse voices and perspectives in tech drives innovation, creativity, and positive change."

This dedication has earned her recognition, including the Presidential Club Award at Google for exceptional performance in the top 1%. The University of Maryland's alum magazine has also featured her achievements and contributions to the tech community.

Furthermore, her role as a technical recruiter at the Grace Hopper Conference and her active participation as a speaker and session chair at the IEEE Cloud Summit exemplify her commitment to fostering inclusivity in the tech world. Her involvement in these diverse areas showcases a breadth of influence that encompasses the practical applications of technology, guidance for newcomers, and a passion for the evolution of tech as a field of inclusive and collective growth.

A Future of Continuous Growth

As cloud technology continues to change, Vishakha remains focused on being part of its future. With her skillfulness, innovative mindset, and passion for empowering others, she is well-positioned to continue driving change and making a lasting industry impact.

"Cloud technology's potential is vast, and I'm committed to shaping its future," Vishakha states neutrally. "We can create a more secure, accessible, and transformative cloud ecosystem benefiting everyone by pushing boundaries and empowering the next generation of tech leaders."
Facing a slew of financial difficulties, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani may be forced to sell his waterfront condominium in Palm Beach to fulfill a court order.

Giuliani, who has made headlines as an attorney for former President Donald Trump, has agreed to a deal that would bring his personal bankruptcy case to a close while making him sell either his New York apartment or his Palm Beach condo within the next six months, and pay $100,000, according to a proposed order filed Wednesday in the Chapter 11 case in the Southern District of New York's federal bankruptcy court.

Giuliani on July 15 filed a declaration of domicile in Palm Beach County to declare the Palm Beach condo his permanent residence, potentially complicating any foreclosure proceedings on that property, which could be protected by Florida law.

Giuliani filed for bankruptcy in December after two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Moss, were awarded a $148 million judgment for their defamation suit against him related to false allegations Giuliani made in the media that Freeman and Moss were tied to alleged voter fraud in their state.

The proposed deal still must be approved by Judge Sean Lane.

The $100,000 and proceeds from the property sale would go toward court costs owed to Global Data Risk, a forensic accounting firm hired by Giuliani's creditors that is owed about $400,000, court records show.

If the deal is approved, Giuliani would have to give the $100,000 to his attorneys with Berger, Fischoff, Shumer, Wexler and Goodman to pay to Global Data Risk. He then must list either his New York apartment or Palm Beach condo, which is in the Southlake Condominiums at 315 S. Lake Drive.

Property records show Rudy Giuliani owns a condominium at the Southlake, a lakefront condominium facing the Palm Beach Marina in Midtown Palm Beach. The serpentine-shaped building is seen here in a photo taken several years ago.

As part of the proposed order, Giuliani also must maintain both properties at least in their current condition, and maintain property insurance for each residence that must be at least the amount that Global Data Risk is owed.

A spokesperson for Giuliani did not return an emailed request for comment. Giuliani's spokesperson in the past has denied any wrongdoing in the case, calling the $148 million judgment unfair and saying it was part of an effort to punish Giuliani "for exposing Hunter Biden's laptop."

Giuliani bought the condo for a recorded $1.41 million in 2010 with his then-wife Judith Nathan Giuliani, in February 2010. The apartment was last marketed for sale in 2019, before the Giulianis' bitter divorce, with an asking price of $3.3 million. But a buyer never emerged, and Giuliani took sole possession of the condo as part of the couple's divorce settlement.

Story continues

Former New York City Mayor Rudolf Giuliani and his wife Judith Nathan arrive at Donald Trumps wedding. [Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post]

The listing agents in 2019 were J. Ronnie and Jennifer Hasozbek-Garcia, then of Waterfront Properties and Club Communities but today with Premier Estate Properties. Ronnie Hasozbek-Garcia told the Palm Beach Daily News on Thursday that no one has been in contact with him or his wife about relisting the condo for sale.

According to court records, the condo is valued at $3.5 million. The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office website places its value at $2.67 million in 2022 and $3.07 million in 2023. If Giuliani is not able to sell either residence within the next six months, Global Data Risk will be able to foreclose on both properties, court records show.

Giuliani was disbarred in New York last month for his role in Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election by making false claims about voter fraud and election interference.

Stay up to date on South Florida's sizzling real estate market and sign up for The Dirt weekly newsletter, delivered every Tuesday! Exclusively for Palm Beach Post subscribers.

Giuliani has been beset by financial difficulties in recent years. In addition to the election-interference judgment and another lawsuit filed by a former employee, he faced an IRS lien on his Palm Beach condo.

He also fell behind on paying real estate property taxes on the condo in Palm Beach. Between Nov. 17  a little more than two weeks after The Palm Beach Post reported on a creditor's plans to foreclose on the condo by April  and June 28, Giuliani paid three years' worth of property taxes totaling $128,769.85, including fees, to the county, according to the Tax Collector's Office website.

The condo in Southlake is in an iconic serpentine-shaped building. The unit, 5D, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a balcony that faces the east and is within walking distance of Palm Beach's famed Worth Avenue.

Palm Beach Daily News staff writer Darrell Hofheinz contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani bankruptcy may sell Palm Beach condo
Thousands protest in Serbian capital against lithium mine



Belgrade, Aug 10 (AFP) Aug 10, 2024



Thousands hit the streets in Serbia's capital Belgrade Saturday to protest the rebooting of a controversial lithium mine set to serve as a vital source to power Europe's green energy transition.

Ahead of the rally, two leading protest figures said security officials had briefly detained them, warning them that any moves to block roads during the protest would be considered illegal.

Thousands chanted "Rio Tinto get out of Serbia" and "You won't dig" as they rallied in downtown Belgrade before setting off on a march through the city.

Interior Ministry figures later estimated the crowd size at between 24,000 and 27,000 people. Protestors later entered Belgrade's main railway station where demonstrators blocked tracks, halting traffic.

"The organisers and leaders were warned by the police both before and during the protest that their actions were not in accordance with the law," Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said in a statement, vowing charges would be filed against "all perpetrators".

Serbia has vast lithium deposits near the western city of Loznica. A mining project being developed by the Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has been a perennial political fault line in the Balkan country in recent years because of its potential environmental impacts.

The deposits were discovered in 2004, but weeks of mass protests forced the government to halt the project in 2022.

The government revived the project following a court decision last month that said the order to revoke the permits awarded to Rio Tinto was "not in line with the constitution and the law".

The Serbian government signed a memorandum of understanding with the EU that is seen as the first step in developing Serbia's lithium resources.



- Protesters promise disruption -



Lithium is a strategically valuable metal needed for electric vehicle batteries, making it key for helping the automotive industry shift to greener production.

The project, however, has continued to be unpopular with many in Serbia due to concerns the mine would pollute water sources and endanger public health.

"I am in Belgrade because the survival of life in Serbia is being defended here," said Slobodan Stanimirovic, 58, from western's Serbia's Radjevina near the site of the future mine.

The Belgrade protest was the latest in a series held across the country after the mine's licences were reinstated.

Late Saturday, protest leader Zlatko Kokanovic promised to block more rail crossings in the coming days.

"We will stay here all night and all day," said Kokanovic.

Activists and demonstrators want legislators to pass a law permanently banning the mining of lithium and boron in Serbia.

Environmental groups said they were prepared to block major traffic arteries across Serbia and engage in civil disobedience if the government refused to act before an August 10 deadline that activists set.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has repeatedly vowed that no mining operations will begin until guarantees over environmental safety protocols are established.
Death toll from Uganda rubbish dump landslide rises to 12: police



Kampala, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



The death toll from a garbage landslide at a vast landfill in the Ugandan capital Kampala has risen to 12, police said on Sunday.

Local media said homes, people and livestock had been engulfed in mountains of rubbish at the dump in Kiteezi, northern Kampala, on Saturday after heavy rainfall.

"We have so far retrieved 12 dead bodies from the garbage heap and rescued 14 people alive," Kampala's metropolitan police spokesman Patrick Onyango told AFP.

"The rescue operation is still ongoing until we are sure no one is trapped under (the garbage)," he said, adding that several animals had been rescued alive, including a dog.

Kampala Capital City Authority had initially given a death toll of eight including two children from the disaster.

"In our estimation, about 1,000 people have been displaced by the incident and (we are) currently working with other agencies of government and the community leadership to see how to help the affected people," Onyango said.

Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago told AFP on Saturday that the Kiteezi landfill, a 36-acre (14 hectare) site, was full to capacity.

"This is a disaster and was bound to happen," he added.
19 dead after Uganda rubbish dump landslide



Kampala, Aug 11 (AFP) Aug 11, 2024



Nineteen people including five children are confirmed dead after a landslide at a huge garbage dump in the Ugandan capital Kampala, a senior official said on Sunday, amid claims the site was a disaster waiting to happen.

Local media said homes, people and livestock were buried in mountains of waste at the landfill in the northern Kampala district of Kiteezi on Saturday after a collapse caused by heavy downpours.

President Yoweri Museveni said he had directed the army's special forces to help in the search and rescue operation and demanded to know who allowed people to live near such a "potentially hazardous and dangerous heap".

The area's resident commissioner Yasin Ndide told AFP after visiting the scene of the disaster that the death toll was now 19, including five children.

"The rescue mission is ongoing but with little hope of finding more survivors," he said, adding that local authorities were setting up temporary shelters for those affected by the disaster.

Ndide blamed the "encroachment" of local people who had breached the perimeter fence and settled on the site for the loss of life.

Kampala's metropolitan police spokesman Patrick Onyango had earlier told reporters at the scene that 14 bodies had been recovered on Saturday, and another four on Sunday.

Onyango also told AFP that 14 people had been rescued, while an estimated 1,000 were displaced and that the police were working with other government agencies and community leaders to see how to help those affected.

Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago said that "many, many more could be still buried in the heap as the rescue operation is ongoing".

He described it as a "national disaster", blaming corrupt officials who he said had been syphoning off money that should have been used to maintain the landfill.



- 'Danger zone' -



Museveni said in a statement posted on X that he had ordered payments to the victims' families of five million Ugandan shillings ($1,300) for each fatality and one million shillings ($270) for each injured person.

He also called for an investigation into how people were allowed to live so close to the site and ordered the removal of all those living in the "danger zone".

Excavators were still churning through huge mounds of rubbish on Sunday as crowds of local residents looked on, some wailing in despair.

Lukwago had on Saturday raised concerns about the safety of the 36-acre (14-hectare) landfill which was established in 1996 and takes in almost all garbage collected across Kampala.

"This is a disaster and was bound to happen as the landfill was full to capacity," he told AFP, adding that it received about 1,500 tonnes of waste a day.

In January, Lukwago had warned that people working and living near the site were at risk of numerous health hazards due to overflowing waste.

Several areas in Uganda and other parts of East Africa have been battered by heavy rains recently, including Ethiopia, the second most populous country on the continent.

Devastating mudslides in a remote mountainous area in southern Ethiopia last month killed around 250 people.

In February 2010, mudslides in the Mount Elgon region of eastern Uganda killed more than 350 people.

gm-txw/imm
You get slaughtered or you bleed to death a drop at a time: Dave Ramsey on minimizing seniors retirement tax burden

Like many multimillionaires, Curts biggest issue is taxes. The 66-year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania recently called in to The Ramsey Show to discuss how his hefty $7.8 million nest egg faces an imminent tax bill. I cant solve this, he told personal finance radio host Dave Ramsey.

Unfortunately, the situation is complicated enough to perplex Ramsey as well. One end of the spectrum is you get slaughtered, the other end of the spectrum is you bleed to death a drop at a time, he says. I dont know what to do.

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However, Curts situation isnt unusual and could potentially have been avoided with proactive financial planning at an earlier stage. Heres a closer look at his dilemma.

Potential tax bill of $2.5 million

Curt has managed to accumulate tremendous wealth. Unfortunately, much of his assets are locked in tax-deferred accounts such as IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts), 401(k) plans and 457(b) plans. These tax-deferred assets are collectively worth $6 million, according to his estimate.

Hes in an exclusive club. As of June 2024, only 937,747 Americans have $1 million or more in their 401(k) account, according to Empower. Meanwhile, nearly 2.2 million Americans have $1 million or more spread across all of their retirement accounts (including employer-sponsored plans, individual IRA savings and investments), but the average retirement account balance for this cohort is $2,296,695. Curts total net worth is more than triple that amount.

Way to go man! You did great, Ramsey tells him. I just wish it wasnt all in tax-deferred.

Curts financial adviser has explained to him that he faces a hefty tax bill at the age of 73, which is when a required minimum distribution (RMD) is triggered on all his tax-deferred accounts. This is going to boost me into the highest tax bracket I think and trigger IRMAA [income-related monthly adjustment amount] and other kinds of penalties.

Ramsey estimates that even if Curt rolled all of his tax-deferred assets into a Roth IRA, he stands to lose 30% of his nest egg or roughly $2.5 million. If he implemented a smaller rollover on an annual basis he would still face a substantial tax bill every year.

Story continues

That makes me want to shoot somebody when I think of $2.5 million going to the stupid government, Ramsey says.

Read more: Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year  but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free)

No magic bullet

Ramsey admits theres no magic bullet to resolve Curts situation and that he faces a hefty tax bill regardless of his strategy. He blames the current tax policy for this conundrum and encourages Curt to wait for the outcome of the 2024 election to see if the policy changes.

This is what tax policy does to people, he says. You work your whole freaking life and then you get screwed by the government again.

However, commenters on YouTube didnt share this perspective, noting that Curt had accumulated much of this wealth by deferring taxes on earned income during his career. He isnt getting screwed, he deferred his taxes, says one commenter. Gotta pay sometime, we all do.

That's how 401(k)s and 403(b)s have always worked. Did this guy just realize that? says another.

Indeed there are certain strategies for reducing tax liabilities on tax-deferred assets, ranging from intangible drilling costs (IDCs) on oil and gas investments to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), according to chartered financial consultant Brian Skrobonja. Curt could have potentially reduced his liability had he acted sooner with a financial advisor to hold on to as much of his wealth as possible.

When it comes to tax planning and working with a financial expert, starting early is often advantageous. However, the average American only seeks the services of a financial adviser at the age of 38, according to Northwestern Mutuals 2024 Planning & Progress Study.

In fact, Ramsey himself says he doesnt face the same situation because he planned ahead. I'm 63 and I've systematically moved 100% of my stuff to Roth over the past decade for that reason because I knew I was going to have RMD coming down my throat, he says.

Its not too late for Curt either. Ramsey believes if he rips the bandaid off and pays his taxes now, he could avoid a much larger tax liability if the assets grow to $20 million by the time hes 80 years old.

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Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep their wealth safe  you may want to do the same in 2024

Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market  and are betting on these assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Louisiana Inspired

Fiddler on the Roof may be many Americans image of Judaism, but American Jews heritage is stunningly diverse

Most ideas about Jewish culture in the United States come from Ashkenazi traditions, but theres a vast landscape of Jewish cultures around the world  and represented in the US.
KordaMentha asked Lowy what steps he had taken to understand the financial forecasts and viability of New Wilkie Energy before appointing an administrator. Mr Andrew Lowy confirmed he was simply acting under the direction of Mr Simon Raftery. Mr Andrew Lowy informed us that he has taken on similar roles at the request of Mr Simon Raftery for several other entities that entered external administration shortly after his appointment. Consequently, we have reported this information to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Raftery, 42, is a former employee of BRI Ferrier. He set up his own private credit and funds management group, Remagen, in 2013.

In 2023, he was a director of two food companies, In2Food group and Aussie Frozen Fruit, which collapsed in the first half of that year. Those food companies collectively owed about $80 million. Raftery stepped down as a director of Aussie Frozen Fruit two days before it went into liquidation; Andrew Lowy was appointed a director the same day Raftery stepped down. At the In2Food group of companies, Raftery stepped down as a director about six weeks before its liquidation, and was replaced on the same day by Lowy. In both those companies, liquidators have made allegations of potential insolvent trading and potential breaches of directors duties. Raftery has repeatedly denied those allegations to this masthead and stated that no breaches have been substantiated and any suggestion they have been or are likely to be substantiated is completely false. Lowy was also appointed as a director of Indus Mining in January this year, a company that is connected with Raftery. Indus Mining was wound up in April by a creditor on the grounds of insolvency and a liquidator was appointed in July.

Raftery ceased to be a director of Indus Mining in 2021. Loading Indus Mining was formed by Rafterys firm Remagen between 2018 and 2019, after it raised $55 million from investors, including asset manager BlackRock, to acquire Watpac Civil and Mining. Lowy was also appointed as a director of Highwall Mining, a company to which Remagen was a secured lender, with it owed about $11.7 million by that company and others within the group. That group went into liquidation in November 2023. Raftery stepped down as a director in June that year, and Lowy was appointed in September. Raftery and his firm Remagen, alongside Ben Madsen of Archibald Capital, were involved in organising loans for the New Wilkie group of companies from private investors. Administrators have estimated that between $150 million to $200 million was raised.

Raftery and Madsen are both involved in disputes in the Federal Court involving one of the private lenders and investors in New Wilkie Energy. The private lender and investor was the Hallinan family, which owns Hi-Quality group, an east-coast waste management and logistics firm. They have accused Raftery and Madsen of misleading or deceptive conduct, which both men have denied. The case is ongoing. Poor corporate governance KordaMenthas report into New Wilkie Energy also exposed boardroom ructions at the group, which resulted in one director being forced out weeks before the groups failure. It also claimed poor corporate governance was one of the factors contributing to the groups demise. This included an alleged failure by New Wilkies management and board to keep adequate books and records, and also that the group did not hold regular or documented board meetings until mid-2023. The group also didnt have a sufficient qualified or experienced chief financial officer until mid-2023, and personal email addresses instead of work email addresses were used for company matters, according to the report. KordaMentha has recommended that the New Wilkie Energy group of companies be put into liquidation.

Loading Its initial investigations found that New Wilkie Energy was possibly insolvent from June 2023, almost six months before it was placed into voluntary administration, and that the company potentially incurred more debts during that time. Our preliminary investigations indicate that since the date of insolvency, which we have estimated occurring around June 2023, the group may have incurred further debts. We are unable to quantify the exact value of those debts due to limited books and records. The Wilkie Creek mine only commenced operating in April 2023, which is two months before KordaMenthas report claims New Wilkie Energy was potentially insolvent. The Wilkie Creek mine was operated and owned by Peabody Energy from 1994 to 2013, after which it was put into care and maintenance, following multiple failed attempts to sell it.
After JD Vance was elected to the Senate from Ohio in 2022, he and his wife bought a five-bedroom house  their third home  for $US1.6 million ($2.4 million) in Alexandria, Virginia, not far from the Capitol. Their real estate agent told a local magazine that the buyers paid in cash.

When Tim Walz was elected governor of Minnesota four years earlier, his family was living in a heavily mortgaged Cape Cod-style house, with one room rented out, about 145 kilometres from Minneapolis. After moving into the governors mansion, they sold the house for $US304,000  less than the asking price.

Wealth gap: JD Vance and Tim Walz, vice presidential candidates. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

These real estate transactions are just one example of the vast gulf in wealth between the two vice presidential candidates. On their tax return for 2023, the Walzes reported $US299,000 in income, more than they had declared in years. Vance, a multimillionaire, had more than that in just his checking accounts the year before, according to his most recent financial disclosure form.

That distinction could come into play in battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where both campaigns are hoping the vice presidential candidates can present an everyman appeal to Midwestern and rural voters.
Turning to the WA Supreme Court now, and Liberal senator Linda Reynolds long-time partner, Robert Reid, is recounting the media frenzy that has persisted since claims she covered up former staffer Brittany Higgins alleged rape in 2019.

Reid told the court the first he knew the former staffer was allegedly raped by colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Reynolds ministerial suite was in February 2021, when an advertisement for Higgins tell-all interview with The Project was aired.

Lehrmann has long maintained his innocence.

Reid said his partner of 11 years declined to share her knowledge of the incident, a security breach he found almost impossible to believe because of strict security criteria.

I wanted to know who Linda told and when, Reid told the court.

She just kept saying, Its not my story to tell. She said she had promised not to talk about it.

Reid told the court he saw first-hand the toll the saga was taking on the person he loved, recounting Reynolds many sleepless nights and her anger at the publication of a version of events she couldnt reconcile against her own.

He became emotional describing how the unrelenting attack in parliament and the media culminated in a public breakdown that led to Reynolds being hospitalised over an undiagnosed cardiac condition, before a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra. Reid recalled how a doctor told him he might lose her.

Reid said the constant media attention continued when he returned to Perth.

Loading

I was basically a prisoner in my own house, Reid told the court, as he described scaling a ladder from his neighbours property to escape the media camped outside his Perth home.

The [TV reporters] were there for a long time, and they stayed there for a number of days and would ring the bell. I would leave to get milk and groceries and return via the ladder  that was my life.

Our relationship has been affected by this whole saga, this never-nding saga.

Reynolds sued Higgins in July 2023 over a series of social media posts she claims were defamatory of her, brought her into public hatred and caused her distress and embarrassment.

Higgins is defending the action on the basis the content in the posts was true, and that Reynolds mishandled her rape allegation and used the media to harass her.

Today is the sixth day of evidence in the defamation trial.
Loading Gleeson arrived soon afterwards at the 107-hectare property. The eight-room house appeared to be set up for off-grid living, with water tanks, solar panels and no main-line electricity. Walking into the kitchen and past the spent bullet cartridges, Gleeson found healthy food and toilet paper  lots of toilet paper. There was not a great deal of pre-packaged foods, a lot of non-perishable items, she told the coroner.

They stored a lot of toilet paper in their pantry cupboards. But there was, I guess youd say, healthy living, healthy food in the kitchen. An item on the kitchen bench also caught Gleesons attention. It was a makeshift Faraday box, a container used to block electromagnetic fields and phone signals. There were six mobile phones inside.

Negotiators had tried to call the Trains mobile phones every five minutes at one stage during the six-hour police siege that followed the ambush, the inquest heard. Attempts to negotiate with them were either ignored or answered with gunfire. Several bullet holes were found in the walls of the Wieambilla house. Credit: Nine Inside the house, which had two bedrooms, there was not much furniture but plenty of reading material. They just had basic furnishings. There were a large number of books, Gleeson said.

Within the bedrooms, it was again sparsely furnished, not a great deal of personal effects within wardrobes or cupboards or drawers. There were a number of diaries that were located. A number of little letters, little notes throughout the house. Books were also found at one of the propertys other features  the main sniper hideout. Located almost 200 metres down the dirt driveway, it consisted of a tent with a double mattress. A copy of The Godfather novel was among the items found in the hide.

Loading There was a well-worn track from the house to the sniper location, one of three firing positions on the property. Other defences included a metal-wooden barricade across the driveway and three mirrors outside the house designed to impede the sight of intruders. Satellite imagery revealed the sniper spots and barricade had been in place since at least October 2022  two months before the shootings. Evidence suggested former primary school principal Nathaniel Train was at the main hide and used the scope on his high-powered rifle to track four officers.

Constables Arnold and McCrow arrived with two colleagues about 4.30pm on December 12, 2022, for what they thought was a routine missing persons inquiry. They jumped the fence. A coffee mug with Have a Nice Day written on it was glued to a post on the front gate. Nathaniel (left), Stacey and Gareth Train held extremist religious views. Without warning, Arnold was shot in the chest and died. Then McCrow was shot in the back and legs while trying to crawl to cover.

She pleaded with Gareth Train before he fatally shot her in the head at close range, the inquest heard. The Trains started a fire to flush out the other officers, who later escaped under heavy gunfire. Neighbour Alan Dare was fatally shot when he arrived to investigate the blaze. About six hours later, tactical police shot the Trains dead within minutes of each other at the house after a gunfight. I never observed any actions by Gareth, Stacey or Nathaniel in a surrendering manner, investigator Detective Senior Sergeant Nathan McCormack told the inquest.

Loading The only communication was that YouTube video [titled] Dont be Afraid. Gareth and Stacey Train had shot and uploaded the YouTube video hours after the constables were killed, referring to police as devils and demons. Only minutes earlier, Stacey Train emerged from the house to give the brothers cups of coffee after her husband fired at a hovering police helicopter. At the time, police said the Trains committed a religiously motivated terrorist attack influenced by the fundamentalist Christian ideology of Premillennialism, believing the world would end soon.

The coroner heard Gareth Train might have had a mental illness that led to a shared psychotic disorder with his wife and brother. An expert is expected to tell the inquest the Trains were experiencing identical persecutory and religious beliefs that met the psychiatric definition for delusions. Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, who were killed in the Wieambilla ambush, and constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough, who survived the incident. COVID seems, in many ways, to be a trigger for some of the events that occurred, counsel assisting Ruth OGorman told the inquest. In March 2020, Gareth Train began to post conspiracy theories on social media that appeared to be shared by his wife.

By August, his brother adopted them, the inquest heard. After the Trains posted the YouTube video, tactical police arrived. Unlike the four ambushed constables, the specialist police were well aware of the looming danger. I thought, Who shoots police and just sits and waits?, Superintendent Timothy Partridge told the inquest. The Trains were all firing at police when they were shot in the head  Gareth at 10.32pm, Stacey at 10.36pm, and Nathaniel at 10.39pm.
Beijing will have been on alert amid a recent spate of military engagements between Japan and several Southeast Asian countries that China has disputes with in the South China Sea, according to observers.

And Beijing might seek to counter such activities in the region, they added.

The observations come as Japan pledged to deepen ties with Vietnam this week during a visit to the nation by Japanese defence minister Minoru Kihara, with Tokyo saying it would provide two supply transport vehicles to Hanoi as part of an agreement on defence equipment and technology transfer.

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Vietnam defence chief General Phan Van Giang called for the two countries to push ahead towards a "new, effective phase ... for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world", Vietnamese media reported.

A week earlier, Japan held a joint military exercise with the Philippines in the South China Sea - the first of its kind.

Manila called the drills "part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realising a free and open Indo-Pacific", according to a statement from the Philippine armed forces.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire resource-rich South China Sea. These claims overlap with several countries in the region, including the Philippines and Vietnam, which have led to ongoing disputes. Tensions have remained particularly high between Beijing and Manila over a series of recent clashes.

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said Japan's move to provide security-related material to Vietnam was not surprising, given that it has previously offered coastguard aid.

But it was a "notable step", he said, as the recent arrangement was directed by Japan's defence ministry compared to past instances which were led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

JICA is a government body which traditionally focuses on economic and social assistance to developing countries, but in recent years it has been involved in programmes related to maritime security.

Japanese defence minister Minoru Kihara, left, with Vietnamese defence minister Phan Van Giang during Kihara's recent visit in Hanoi. Photo: AP alt=Japanese defence minister Minoru Kihara, left, with Vietnamese defence minister Phan Van Giang during Kihara's recent visit in Hanoi. Photo: AP>

Story continues

The move, Koh suggested, was an example of Japan tailoring its Vientiane Vision - a defence initiative that guides Tokyo's cooperation with members of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) - to Vietnam's needs.

"Hence, it starts with non-lethal and relatively low-tech or unsophisticated material in the form of logistics vehicles," he said, referring to the supply transport vehicles.

"I believe this is a test balloon. This latest transfer may potentially elevate to the transfer or sale of more sophisticated equipment in the future, such as radars."

China would be "wary" of this development, Koh said, noting that Japan has close economic ties and growing security links with Vietnam.

"I think Beijing will have come to the long-term assumption that Tokyo would some day in the future transfer or sell lethal arms to Vietnam," he said.

"That will, however, boil down to Hanoi's eventual strategic calculations, especially in view of its proclivity to try to balance those key interests, including stable ties with China."

Greg Poling, director of the Southeast Asia programme at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said the recent agreement between Japan and Vietnam may be a sign of a deepening security relationship.

He pointed out that Vietnam has elevated its diplomatic ties with Japan to a comprehensive strategic partnership - the highest level in Hanoi's diplomatic hierarchy - as part of its efforts to deepen ties with other external partners to balance China's influence.

As for Japan's recent maritime exercise with the Philippines, Poling said it was "just the latest in a string of security developments in [their] security relationship".

Other examples include the four-way maritime drills by Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States in April, and a landmark agreement signed between Tokyo and Manila last month that would ease military access for both countries.

"Tokyo and Manila believe they face a shared threat in China and are responding accordingly," Poling said. Japan has competing claims with China in the East China Sea.

"The only thing Beijing could do now to halt that deepening partnership would be to stop using force and the threat of force in its maritime disputes, which is unlikely under Xi's leadership," he said.

Prashanth Parameswaran, a fellow with the Washington-based Wilson Centre's Asia programme, said the recent defence interactions between Japan and Southeast Asian states pointed to Tokyo's growing security role in the region, which "complicated China's quest for greater regional dominance".

"China may prefer the status of regional hegemon in Southeast Asia, but its own actions are leading countries to seek options elsewhere, including Japan, to balance its growing influence," said Parameswaran, who is also founder of a newsletter on regional developments called Asean Wonk.

"Japan's greater security role in Southeast Asia is slowly but surely becoming clearer."

Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute's Centre for China Analysis, called the Japan-Vietnam agreement "significant", saying it is an illustration of Japan's increasing role in supporting military technology transfers to South China Sea claimants.

As Japan is not a claimant of the South China Sea, defence exchange and equipment support was one of the main ways Japan could play a prominent role in aiding countries looking to bolster their capabilities, he said.

Morris suggested the recent developments would be seen as a "concerning trend" for China, which he said "did not like 'external powers' to intervene" in the territorial disputes.

"It suggests that claimants are eager and willing to engage other powers in the region to bolster their own defence capabilities. I would imagine China will lodge a diplomatic protest with Japan and urge Japan to stay out of the dispute and not complicate the situation," he said.

Koh said China might seek to counter such regional security arrangements with its own outreach - but so far that has brought limited success.

While there have been some wins with Southeast Asian states ranging from Cambodia to Laos and Thailand, it has not been the case for others, especially its rivals in the South China Sea.

"This is also a strategic reality that perhaps Beijing has come to terms with ... that there will be limitations to these outreaches for defence and security engagements with its Southeast Asian South China Sea rivals who appear more at ease having such engagements with extra-regional powers that clearly are designed to balance against China's moves," he said.

But, Koh noted, while Beijing would be wary of the recent developments, it "may not be overly worried" as it appeared to consolidate its "physical position" in the South China Sea with its rapid military and coastguard build-up.

"Beijing appears to exude a certain flair of confidence of its ability to handle extra-regional presence," he said.

While China still pushed its narrative that extra-regional powers - such as the US and Japan - were "meddling" in the disputed seas, it has so far not made significant moves to counter these activities.

Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University's Centre for International Security and Strategy, said the deepening ties between Japan and Southeast Asian countries reflect a shift in Tokyo's diplomatic strategy.

He said this stems from Japan's concern over a possible use of force by China in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, which he called "unreasonable".

"[Japan's] judgment of the regional situation has led to its desire to interact with those countries that have conflicts with China," said Zhou, who is a retired PLA senior colonel.

However, he added that Japan's recent agreement with Vietnam was "not a big deal".

"I don't think these [military] aids will play any role in changing the situation in the South China Sea," he said. "It's just a drop in the bucket. [China] does not need to respond to it."

Zhou stressed that China has always faced interference by "foreign forces" in the South China Sea.

"This sort of opposition [towards China] is inevitable in that they believe they have a stake in the security of the South China Sea. But since no one is impeding freedom of navigation, it won't necessarily have a big impact," he said.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The reason why I even took the case to police was that I couldnt keep the truth hidden and twisted in myself as a journalist. Loading But, she adds: The effect of trauma is never ending. It lessens, for sure, but then you keep circling back. The case drew international attention due to Yamaguchis high profile, as the then Washington bureau chief of the Tokyo Broadcasting System, and Itos singular focus in keeping the spotlight trained on him and the flaws in Japans legal and policing systems in the face of excoriating public backlash. But her story is less well known in Australia, where the saga faced by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has dominated headlines for years. There are many factual and contextual differences between the womens cases and their trajectories, but there is a theme that winds through both  as it has with cases the world over  about the high cost endured by women who go public with their allegations of sexual assault.

On the night of April 3, 2015, Ito met Yamaguchi at a restaurant in Tokyo after he offered to help her with her career. At the time, Ito was working as an intern at Thomson Reuters. During the evening she felt lightheaded in the restaurants bathroom. She says that her next memory was waking up to Yamaguchi raping her in a room at the Sheraton Hotel. He claimed the encounter was consensual. Former TV journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi was found by Japans civil courts to have raped Shiori Ito. Credit: AP The documentary shows grainy CCTV footage of Ito unsteady on her feet and stumbling as Yamaguchi escorts her from a taxi through the hotel lobby. At its core, Itos expose aims to smash the black box  a term used by prosecutors to describe her case as one that occurred behind closed doors and could not be proven  and to highlight Japans broken sexual assault laws, unchanged for more than 100 years and containing no reference to consent.

That is, until last year, when the parliament changed the definition of rape to non-consensual sexual intercourse and raised the age of consent from 13 to 16. For Ito and other campaigners, it is only a start. This black box that I had wasnt just my case. The black box is everywhere in society, she says. Im wishing for this film to push more [people] in Japan to change the law. Shiori Ito Im wishing for this film to push more [people] in Japan to change the law. The documentary navigates her journey through a criminal investigation that was abandoned by prosecutors after an arrest warrant for Yamaguchi is halted, a decision that came from within the highest ranks of Tokyos police department.

With no further criminal recourse, Ito decided to go public with her story in 2017 and launched civil action against Yamaguchi, and he later counter-sued. Before the documentary ends, we are told that Yamaguchis appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed in July 2022. The court upheld Itos claim that she was raped to the civil standard and upheld the damages she was owed, but found her allegation that Yamaguchi slipped her a date rape drug was lacking evidence and awarded him 550,000 yen ($5800). Throughout her journey, Ito covertly recorded conversations with police and other key players, and made video diary entries, forensically examining the people and systems that failed her and would continue failing other women unless something changed. Ito outside the Tokyo District Court in 2019 after the court ruled in her favour and awarded her 3.3 million yen. Credit: Getty Images In one particularly heart-wrenching scene, we see Ito break down sobbing when the doorman at the Sheraton Hotel agrees to testify in court with his memory of that night  that Ito had tried to make an escape toward the hotels entrance and appeared to be moaning and so intoxicated that she was barely conscious. Her crusade has been the subject of a BBC documentary, she has released a memoir (also called Black Box), and this year her own documentary screened at film festivals around the world, including Sundance  a bitter triumph that has invited many press interviews like this one, invariably stoking the trauma of that hotel room in April 2015.

Living with it this year, talking about it a lot, its affecting me a lot, she says. A month ago, I did Vipassana  you know, 10 days of not speaking meditation, just to keep balancing myself. Loading In the Q&A sessions that she has held with audiences following the documentarys screenings, Ito also has found a form of catharsis and bonding, aware that her story has resonated with many women carrying similar scars. It becomes like a huge sharing therapy session, over this Q&A, she says. Every time now, when people are sharing their traumatic experiences, Im asking them, Whats your coping mechanism?, so I can take it back home or share it with others.

With the release of Black Box Diaries, Ito wants to draw a line under this chapter of her life, not sealing off the box entirely, but not allowing it to consume her either. She has squeezed in this interview around her own freelance work. Beforehand, she interviewed a Japanese actor who had entrusted her with her own story of sexual assault at the hands of another actor. There are so many things coming out from that industry today, she says. For Ito, and sexual assault campaigners everywhere, the fight continues. National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line: 1800 737 732. Crisis support can be found at Lifeline: (13 11 14 and lifeline.org.au). Black Box Diaries screens at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) on Tuesday 13 August at ACMI 1 and Wednesday 14 August at Hoyts Melbourne Central. Director Shiori Ito is a guest of the festival and will be in attendance at both sessions of the film.
Kyiv: Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of starting a fire on the grounds of Europes largest and now Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Both sides reported no sign of elevated radiation.

The UNs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog, which has a presence at the vast six-reactor facility, said its experts had seen strong, dark smoke coming from the northern area of the plant in southern Ukraine following multiple explosions.

An image provided by the Ukrainian presidential press office showing smoke rising from a cooling tower of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station. Credit: AP

These reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety at the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. They must stop now, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in a separate statement, without attributing blame for the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces had started the fire to blackmail Kyiv after his countrys forces launched their largest incursion into Russian territory since the war began in 2022. The Ukrainian offensive was a surprise move that has brought the conflict into a new phase, after weeks of Moscows battlefield gains.
Former US president Donald Trumps presidential campaign claims it has been hacked and suggested Iranian actors were involved in stealing and distributing sensitive internal documents.

The campaign provided no specific evidence of Irans involvement, but the claim comes a day after Microsoft issued a report detailing foreign agents attempts to interfere in the US campaign in 2024.

Former president Donald Trump. Credit: AP

It cited an instance of an Iranian military intelligence unit in June sending a spear-phishing email to a high-ranking official of a presidential campaign from a compromised email account of a former senior advisor.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung blamed the hack on foreign sources hostile to the United States. In a statement, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said it takes any report of improper foreign interference extremely seriously and condemns any government or entity that attempts to undermine confidence in US democratic institutions, but said it deferred to the Justice Department on this matter.
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is excited to share that the Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) is one of six organizations nationwide selected as an awardee under the Economic Development Administrations Recompete Pilot Program. WRDF, the lead applicant, and its four co-applicants will receive $36 million over five years to fund innovative and Indigenous-based economic development strategies on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The four co-applicants include the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, Wind River Food Sovereignty Project, and Central Wyoming College.

WRDFs Recompete application  Creating a Sustainable, Indigenous-Based Economy in Wind River  proposed nine interconnected projects to strengthen Native sovereignty while simultaneously creating an equitable economy in the region.

Paul F. Huberty, WRDF Executive Director and a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe), shared: Almost a year ago, community members from across the region began thinking about how to create new economic opportunities that benefited everyone and that were uniquely designed to address the persistent economic distress on the Reservation. In our application, we told a story about the longstanding economic and systemic barriers facing Indian Country, and we proposed unique solutions that will strengthen Native sovereignty while rebuilding equitable economies based on our cultural values. We are so happy that the Economic Development Administration heard our story and that they are partnering with us on this new path forward.

The $36 million implementation grant will fund two new construction projects, including a Tribal Buffalo Center at the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative and a new office/museum and storage facility for Tribal Fish and Game. In addition, funding will support a new Native-focused workforce development program on the Reservation, expanded healthcare services, and increased access to healthy, indigenous-based foods, land planning, and grant implementation.

This grant creates an opportunity to build into our vision for buffalo, to restore our cultural connections and nutrition, and create educational and academic experiences for youth and community members, said Jason Baldes, Executive Director of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative and a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. Buffalo restoration is eco-cultural restoration and important for sharing with visitors to understand our history and contemporary efforts to protect what we have left. This grant will help us tell our story.

Erika Yarber, WRDF Director of Business Development and a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, added: This award is an immense opportunity to generate economic development and I am proud of the work our conscientious leaders put into this project. These leaders have dedicated their lives to building robust organizations that strive to help our people and our Tribes. From an economic development standpoint, we have identified an effective ecosystem, and through our Indigenous Sovereignty Framework, we will continue to strengthen that ecosystem. By thinking big, combining efforts, and working as a unified front, this award will support the preservation and management of our land, continue the repatriation of our buffalo, grow a resilient food system, and build a healthier workforce.

WBC West Central Regional Director Patrick Edwards supported the WRDF in their efforts by connecting them with partners, architects, and potential philanthropists as well as necessary data and other resources. He was honored to collaborate with the core team members who put the successful application together.

Im so proud of the WRDF team," Edwards said. "They exemplify the heart of taking a chance and putting in the hard work to bring opportunities to their communities. Paul and Erika persevered through every obstacle to ensure that the application was complete and they put together a team that worked extremely well. They did their absolute best to include everyone who wanted to be part of the project and Im excited to see what this project will do to enhance opportunities for the tribes in Wyoming.

We are so thankful for the more than 30 organizations that directly participated in our planning sessions, provided expert advice, supported our application and its development, and provided philanthropic funds, said Huberty. This award reflects an entire community coming together.

The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete) is a key part of the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda. The program was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act and targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment is significantly lower than the national average to close this gap through flexible, locally-driven investments.

The Recompete program isnt just an investment in American jobs or American workers, its an investment in communities that will allow local economies to grow and Americans to pursue quality careers in the places they call home, said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
61 confirmed dead in Brazil plane crash





VINHEDO :

A PASSENGER plane crashed into a gated residential community in Brazils Sao Paulo state on Friday, killing all 61 people aboard and leaving a smoldering wreck, officials and the airline said. Officials did not say if anyone was killed on the ground in the neighbourhood where the plane landed in the city of Vinhedo, about 80 kilometres northwest of the metropolis of Sao Paulo. But witnesses at the scene said there were no victims among local residents. The airline Voepass said that its plane, an ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop, was headed for Sao Paulos international airport Guarulhos with 57 passengers and 4 crew members aboard when it crashed in Vinhedo. It provided a flight manifest with passenger names, but not their nationalities.

A prior statement had said there were 58 passengers. The company regrets to inform that all 61 people on board flight 2283 died at the site, Voepass said in a statement. At this time, Voepass is prioritising provision of unrestricted assistance to the victims families and effectively collaborating with authorities to determine the causes of the accident. It was the deadliest airline crash since January 2023, when 72 people died on board a Yeti Airlines plane in Nepal that stalled and crashed while making its landing approach. That plane also was an ATR 72, and the final report blamed pilot error.
Bdesh Crisis: Impact On Hindus





By Shreyas Pannase :



The systematic targeting of Hindu places of worship not only undermines the cultural heritage of the Hindu community but also instills fear and insecurity among its members. Hindu women and children have been particularly vulnerable to violence amid the crisis

The crisis in Bangladesh has had significant repercussions for Indian States bordering Bangladesh, including West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. The ongoing instability in Bangladesh has resulted in a significant increase in the number of refugees and migrants entering Indian border States. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, nearly 1,50,000 refugees have crossed into India from Bangladesh in the past two years.

THE ongoing crisis in Bangladesh has escalated into a severe humanitarian and socio-political issue, with far-reaching consequences for Hindu communities in Bangladesh and the bordering Indian States. The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has endured a series of brutal and systematic attacks, exacerbated by the ongoing crisis. The desecration and destruction of Hindu temples in Bangladesh have become increasingly prevalent. Reports from human rights organisations, including the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (HBCUC), indicate that over 200 Hindu temples have been vandalised in recent years. These attacks often occur during periods of heightened political tension, reflecting a troubling pattern of religious persecution.

The systematic targeting of Hindu places of worship not only undermines the cultural heritage of the Hindu community but also instills fear and insecurity among its members. Hindu women and children have been particularly vulnerable to violence amid the crisis. Documented cases include abductions, forced conversions, and sexual violence against Hindu girls. The HBCUCs 2023 report reveals that more than 100 cases of abduction and forced conversion of Hindu girls were reported in the past year alone. Such acts of violence are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader campaign of intimidation and abuse against the Hindu minority. The trauma inflicted on these young girls and their families highlights the severe human rights violations occurring in Bangladesh. Economic and social discrimination against Hindus in Bangladesh further exacerbates their plight. Hindus often face barriers to accessing education, employment, and healthcare, which marginalises them within society. This systemic discrimination not only hinders their economic and social development but also perpetuates their vulnerable status.

The denial of basic rights and opportunities reflects a broader pattern of exclusion and inequality faced by Hindu communities in Bangladesh. The crisis in Bangladesh has had significant repercussions for Indian States bordering Bangladesh, including West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. The ongoing instability in Bangladesh has resulted in a significant increase in the number of refugees and migrants entering Indian border States. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, nearly 150,000 refugees have crossed into India from Bangladesh in the past two years. This sudden influx of people places immense pressure on local resources, including housing, healthcare, and education systems. The strain on infrastructure and services exacerbates existing challenges in these border regions, complicating efforts to provide adequate support to both local residents and newcomers. The refugee influx has heightened security concerns along the Indian-Bangladesh border. There is an increased risk of cross-border terrorism and illegal activities, including smuggling and trafficking. Indian security agencies have reported a rise in such incidents, which are linked to the movement of refugees.

The potential for these activities to destabilise border areas is a serious concern, requiring enhanced vigilance and security measures to protect both the local population and national interests. The economic impact on border States is substantial. The increased expenditure on border security and refugee management places a financial burden on local governments. This economic strain affects the overall stability of these regions, making it difficult for authorities to address both existing and emerging needs effectively. The diversion of resources to manage the refugee crisis hampers efforts to support local development and public services. The arrival of refugees has sometimes led to heightened tensions between local populations and the new arrivals. Instances of clashes between different community groups have been reported, reflecting increased social discord in border areas. These tensions strain communal harmony and exacerbate existing divides, further complicating the socio-political landscape in these regions. The crisis in Bangladesh has profound and far-reaching effects.

Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including international co-operation, effective governance, and targeted humanitarian assistance. Only through co-ordinated efforts can we hope to alleviate the suffering of affected communities and restore stability in the region. It is imperative for both national and international stakeholders to take decisive action to address the crisis in Bangladesh. Support for humanitarian aid, increased diplomatic engagement, and robust measures to ensure the protection of minority Hindu communities are essential. (The author is Senior Research Associate, Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Mumbai)
The board of Stamford Tyres Corporation Limited (SGX:S29) has announced that it will pay a dividend of SGD0.02 per share on the 24th of September. This payment means that the dividend yield will be 7.0%, which is around the industry average.

Check out our latest analysis for Stamford Tyres

Stamford Tyres' 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. The last dividend was quite easily covered by Stamford Tyres' earnings. This means that a large portion of its earnings are being retained to grow the business.

Looking forward, earnings per share could rise by 66.0% over the next year if the trend from the last few years continues. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 48%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend.

Dividend Volatility

The company has a long dividend track record, but it doesn't look great with cuts in the past. The payments haven't really changed that much since 10 years ago. Modest growth in the dividend is good to see, but we think this is offset by historical cuts to the payments. It is hard to live on a dividend income if the company's earnings are not consistent.

The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow

Growing earnings per share could be a mitigating factor when considering the past fluctuations in the dividend. It's encouraging to see that Stamford Tyres has been growing its earnings per share at 66% a year over the past five years. The company doesn't have any problems growing, despite returning a lot of capital to shareholders, which is a very nice combination for a dividend stock to have.

Stamford Tyres Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock

Overall, we like to see the dividend staying consistent, and we think Stamford Tyres might even raise payments in the future. Earnings are easily covering distributions, and the company is generating plenty of cash. Taking this all into consideration, this looks like it could be a good dividend opportunity.

Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. For example, we've picked out 3 warning signs for Stamford Tyres that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.

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.
Captive vultures attract wild ones in East Pench





By Kaushik Bhattacharya :

PTR management detects around 50 nests of wild vultures near aviary in East Pench. To feed wild vultures along with the captive ones before releasing them into the wild

White-backed and long-billed vultures, which are among the critically endangered species world-wide, are getting attracted towards the captive vultures dwelling in aviary situated in East Pench range of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR). PTR management has initiated the process of releasing all 10 captive long-billed vultures into the wild. We have started feeding our captive vultures inside the aviary and also the wild vultures outside the aviary. The wild vultures are getting closer to the aviary which is a good sign, said Dr Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Director, PTR. We attempted to release the captive vultures by placing food outside the aviary and allow them to mix with the wild vultures, but due to heavy rains it failed, Dr Shukla said.

When we constructed the aviary for breeding of vultures in East Pench there were around 13 nests of vultures in the area. However, the number of nests has increased by 50 in recent time. We have witnessed many wild white-backed and long-billed vultures near the aviary and fed them. Now, we want to release the captive vultures as the wild vultures are feeding outside the aviary. This way they will get mixed with the wild ones,adds Dr Shukla. It is difficult to say whether the number of vultures in Pench has increased because we do not have any previous data about their population. But the number of nests in East Pench has increased. After establishing the vulture aviary in East Pench we are planning to conduct a vulture census in the region soon, said the Deputy Director. There is a need of documentation and location mapping of nests to record data of wild vultures in the area.

If the number of nests have increased then it is a good sign and the Forest Department should include all stakeholders to conduct a proper census of vultures not only in Pench but all over the state, said vulture expert Dr Ajay Poharkar. Forest Department, with the help of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) brought 10 vultures from Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC), Pinjore to East Pench based vulture aviary for breeding last year. Government of India has established four Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centres at West Bengal, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. These four VCBCs in the country achieved success in conservation and breeding 750 vultures of three species -- White-backed, Long-billed and Slender-billed -- from looming extinction.

Government of India has started releasing these vultures in wild since 2020. Eight critically endangered Oriental White-backed vultures were released into the wild for the first time in Haryana. Close to three years later, five survived and two have paired and successfully nested in the habitat of the Shivalik range in the foothills of the Himalayas. After the success story of Haryana, the Government released 31 Oriental white-backed vultures in batches in West Bengal in 2021. Thereafter, 20 captive white-backed and long-billed vultures brought to Pench and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in which Pench management is planning to release their 10 vultures into the wild.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred Timor-Lestes highest civilian award





Dili :

President Droupadi Murmu was conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the countrys highest civilian award, from President Jose Ramos-Horta on Saturday, in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women. She was also accorded a ceremonial reception and Guard of Honour at the Presidential Palace, Dili, as she arrived in the Southeast Asian country on the last leg of her three-nation visit. The President also held a bilateral meeting with President Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste, underlining the strong connection and cooperation between the two democratic nations, and discussed opportunities for enhancing bilateral ties. Addressing the press with her Timorese counterpart, President Murmu expressed gratitude to President Horta and the people of Timor-Leste for giving the Indian delegation a generous reception.

I am deeply honoured by the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste bestowed upon me. This is a reflection of the deep bond of friendship between India and Timor-Leste, the President said, saying that the honour is a reflection of the ties of friendship between the two nations. India and Timor-Leste share warm and friendly relations based on our shared commitment to the values of democracy and pluralism. I am confident that this will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, President Murmu said. I had extensive discussions with President Ramos-Horta today on enhancing the bilateral cooperation between India and Timor Leste in the fields of IT, digital technology, health and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, capacity building and more, she added. Both the leaders also discussed the possibility of Timor-Leste joining the International Solar Alliance. The President also paid floral tributes to V V Giri, former President of India, on his birth anniversary at Dili.
Teach them young Making children financially literate for a secure future





CA Aman Jain and CA Premlata Saboo in conversation with The Hitavada on the need for financial literacy among youngsters. (Pic by Anil Futane)

By Vaishnavi Pillay :

Financial wisdom in childhood will ensure their financial independence: Experts

In a world where digital wallets are replacing physical cash, and complex financial tools and platforms dominate the news, the importance of financial literacy has never been more apparent than now. Understanding the language of money is not just about numbers, rather it is an essential skill-set that empowers one to make responsible choices, especially in the formative years. A group of Chartered Accountants from the city, Premlata Saboo, Aman Jain and Nayan Gupta, who are also educators, young parents, and run FLQ Knowledge Foundation NGO, identified a critical gap in financial literacy among youngsters. Recognising the importance of early financial education, they came together to curate interactive student-friendly books that introduces young children to the world of money and finance, starting from Class I. Speaking to the The Hitavada, Premlata Saboo states, The seeds of financial wisdom sown in childhood grow into a mighty oak of financial independence, where they understand its power to create, not just consume.

Saboo adds that money, for most kids, is a magical entity that appears when they ask for it, but in todays time it is neccesary to inculcate money values at a very young so they make informed decisions independently later in their life. Aman Jain suggested that financial concepts should be introduced as early as Class I rather than waiting until Class VI which he says is commonly practised in academic curriculums of schools. Todays children are smart and quick learners. Children at this age express desires for things like bicycles, toys, and snacks, an opportunity to introduce the concepts of needs versus wants, adds Jain. Saboo also adds that children often receive gifts in monetary form, so they can be taught about saving, budgeting, and delayed gratification, so they learn to wait for something they want. The books they have curated employ child-friendly, storytelling approach to break down financial concepts into easily understandable information. Saboo and Jain encourages parents to involve children in basic exposure of real-life financial situations and tasks such as going for grocery shopping, reading price tags, making them save money, making a budget for long-term goal, and letting child to make decision of need and want. Allow children to experience the impact of spending their own savings.

Parents should also ask their children to share money to buy household items, make them donate or do charity culminating a message of financial responsibility and empathy, adds Jain. Jain mentioned that the current generation is influenced by social media and often associate their identity with the brands they use, which leads to impulsive buying, overspending, and a distorted sense of needs. As a result, managing and reducing these inflated desires becomes increasingly challenging. Saboo expresses that parents actions also play role in shaping their childrens financial outlook and adds that with the trend of smaller families with fewer children, parents often fulfill demands or resort to scolding, both ways can have negative impacts. Parents should maintain a balanced lifestyle, be disciplined in money matters, and mindful of conversations about money in front of children. Practising gratitude and humility, regardless of financial circumstances, is the key, says Saboo.

The team shared their experience of introducing financial concepts to children during summer camps and received supportive response from parents who expressed that teaching such concepts from a young age at school-level would benefit a larger group. They are also planning to take forward their initiative by developing books in Hindi and Marathi language, and further in other regional languages too to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for children from diverse backgrounds. Saboo highlighted the necessity for teachers to be well-equipped to deliver the financial concepts to students in a practical manner with fun activities rather than just focusing on theory. The team envisions reaching out to more school, colleges and other educational institutions to guide young people with financial knowledge before they start earning.

We also aspire to educate homemakers about financial management, because many of them still do not know how to operate their bank accounts and are unaware of family insurance policies, adds Saboo. Jain advises youngsters who are earning to start saving early and invest responsibly. Even with minimal initial investments, individuals can build substantial wealth over time. Generally, the focus remains on earning without teaching how to manage and grow money, adds Jain. Just like one cannot learn swimming unless they are in water, true financial literacy and responsible money management require real-world experience.
Yunus condemns heinous attacks on Bdesh minorities





DHAKA :

BANGLADESHS interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Saturday condemned attacks on the minority communities in the violence-hit nation, terming them as heinous, and urged the youth to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm. Members of minority communities in Bangladesh faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, according to two Hindu organisations -- Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad -- in the country. Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus have been trying to flee to neighbouring India to escape the violence. Reaching out to students who are at the forefront of the protests, Yunus, a Nobel laureate, cautioned them not to let their efforts be sabotaged by those seeking to undermine their progress, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

There are many standing by to make your efforts futile. Dont fail this time, he said while addressing the students at the Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur city. Yunus unequivocally condemned the attacks on minority communities in the country, calling the acts heinous. He urged the students to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm. Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country; cant you save some families?...You must say  no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together, he asserted, underscoring the need for national unity. Stressing the importance of youth leadership, Yunus said, This Bangladesh, is now in your hands. You have the power to take it wherever you want. This isnt a matter of research  its a power within you. He also urged the people of Bangladesh to emulate the way student activist Abu Sayed stood valiantly during the anti-government demonstrations that led to the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina government. Sayed, 25, of Rangpurs Begum Rokeya University, was among the first protesters to be killed in police firing on July 16 during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Yunus met with Sayeds family in Rangpurs Pirganj upazila, The Daily Star newspaper reported.
Country Trust Bank purchased a new position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 350 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $26,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SCHW. Morningstar Investment Services LLC grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 98.0% in the 4th quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC now owns 4,691,362 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $326,284,000 after buying an additional 2,322,156 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 24.3% in the 4th quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 4,393,223 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $302,254,000 after buying an additional 857,734 shares in the last quarter. M&G Plc purchased a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at $11,452,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 22.2% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 883,379 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $60,776,000 after buying an additional 160,719 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 13.0% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 1,329,388 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $91,462,000 after buying an additional 152,967 shares in the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their target price for the company from $76.00 to $84.00 in a report on Monday, July 8th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $71.00 price target (down previously from $88.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Piper Sandler lowered Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $80.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Monday, July 29th. StockNews.com lowered Charles Schwab from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, May 24th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price target on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $66.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.27.

Charles Schwab Stock Down 0.2 %

SCHW stock traded down $0.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $62.41. The company had a trading volume of 4,255,160 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,392,225. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.42. The company has a market capitalization of $110.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.97. The Charles Schwab Co. has a fifty-two week low of $48.66 and a fifty-two week high of $79.49.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $4.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.68 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 18.65% and a net margin of 26.30%. Charles Schwabs revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.75 EPS. Analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is currently 41.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In other Charles Schwab news, CEO Walter W. Bettinger acquired 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $66.26 per share, for a total transaction of $1,656,500.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 827,377 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,822,000.02. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Charles Schwab news, CEO Walter W. Bettinger acquired 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $66.26 per share, for a total transaction of $1,656,500.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 827,377 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,822,000.02. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 1,150 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.20, for a total value of $74,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 61,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,035,032.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 247,271 shares of company stock valued at $17,567,508 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

About Charles Schwab

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Azul (NYSE:AZUL  Get Free Report) is scheduled to release its earnings data before the market opens on Monday, August 12th. Analysts expect Azul to post earnings of ($0.60) per share for the quarter. Persons that are interested in registering for the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Azul (NYSE:AZUL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 13th. The company reported ($0.57) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.53) by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $945.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $968.17 million. On average, analysts expect Azul to post $-1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $0 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Azul Trading Up 4.2 %

NYSE:AZUL opened at $4.24 on Friday. Azul has a 1 year low of $3.70 and a 1 year high of $11.26. The stock has a market cap of $1.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.74 and a beta of 2.00. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $4.54 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $6.18.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on AZUL shares. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Azul in a report on Friday, May 24th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $7.40 price target on the stock. Raymond James reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $12.00 price target (down previously from $13.00) on shares of Azul in a research report on Monday, April 15th. Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $9.50 price objective (down from $18.00) on shares of Azul in a report on Thursday, April 18th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Azul from $12.00 to $10.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Azul from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Azul has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.12.

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Azul Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Azul SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in Brazil and internationally. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated approximately 1,000 daily departures to 160 destinations through a network of 300 non-stop routes with an operating fleet of 183 aircraft and a passenger contractual fleet of 189 aircraft.

Further Reading

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It's been an exciting, if sometimes uncertain, year for the business of GLP-1s.

Just have a look at the past week. On Wednesday, Novo Nordisk (NVO) missed second quarter Wall Street estimates for its GLP-1 sales, reflecting ongoing supply constraints of weight-loss drug Wegovy. The stock slipped 7% on the news.

But on Thursday, Eli Lilly (LLY) blew past Wall Street estimates for its GLP-1 sales. It beat Wall Street quarterly sales projections by 13%  with total sales of $4.3 billion for weight-loss drug Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro. The stock surged more than 10% on Thursday as a result of Lilly signaling the easing of supply constraints helped Novo too. Its stock rose 5% that day.

In the background, there are other competing candidates inching towards their market debuts. Tema ETFs founder and CEO Maurits Pot told Yahoo Finance that the market will soon, for instance, include multiple players.

"We think actually over time this is going to be a four-to-six-horse race because right now you only have one device which is injectable going after one treatment, which is weight loss. But we're seeing innovation in parts of the market where we're looking at people looking at oral instead of injectable. People are looking at applications beyond weight loss," Pot said.

Which is why some say market moves based on quarterly results in the near term isn't a good strategy.

"Lilly is a reminder that it's silly to look at either of these names on a 90-day basis when the market is north of $100 billion," Jared Holz, healthcare sector expert at Mizuho, told Yahoo Finance.

But it's exactly that large market potential that is keeping investors on edge.

"At the end of the day, it is still the most meaningful market in dollars in all of pharma and biotech," he said.

Rough week? Novo Nordisk advertising flags and logo in Mainz, Germany. (Getty Creative) (Victor Golmer via Getty Images)

That all said, here's where some of the industry players stand after reporting second quarter earnings:

Novo Nordisk: Despite the miss in Wegovy sales, Denmark-based Novo remains the market leader with its share of the GLP-1 market. CEO Lars Jrgensen said the company has 69% of the market share globally, and diabetes drug Ozempic specifically leads with a 46% share. The company also got approval for Wegovy for patients at risk of heart disease. But it could cede its lead after delaying an FDA filing to treat heart failure with GLP-1s until early next year. Competitor Lilly reiterated its guidance to file this year.

Eli Lilly: Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound completed its second full quarter on the market and has zoomed into blockbuster territory at a greater clip than any of the other three new GLP-1s on the market  all while faced with supply constraints and lack of coverage by large employers and the federal government. It has now filed with the FDA to get approval for Zepbound to treat sleep apnea, which could change the coverage hurdle. Meanwhile, Lilly's drugs came off the FDA shortage list, and it launched in a handful of new global markets. The company is also focused on getting its oral version, orforglipron, to market to help increase access and broaden options for patients.

Story continues

Pfizer: Pfizer (PFE) is no longer seen as a near-term threat after it faced a setback with its oral GLP-1 candidate, danuglipron. The company had to nix its twice-daily pill and opt to test once-daily doses, which are still in mid-stage trials. The company could still get a piece of the pie, though, as demand will continue to outstrip supply.

Roche: The Swiss-based company (RHHBY) bet nearly $3 billion on a biotech, Carmot Therapeutics, and acquired a few GLP-1 candidates as a result. The investment is already providing a return. Both an injectable and an oral candidate in early-stage trials are showing promise with comparable weight loss to the current market leaders. That gives the Big Pharma company a chance to invest in and advance candidates more efficiently than if they were still under the biotech brand. The deal closed at the start of this year.

Amgen: One of the most promising and differentiated candidates advancing through trials is Amgen's (AMGN) MariTide. It could be used less frequently (once monthly) than the current once-weekly GLP-1 injectables. It also has a similar weight-loss profile to the current market leaders. It's already in phase II clinical trials but poised to enter the final stage, phase III, sometime in the near future. CFO Peter Griffith told Yahoo Finance the company is gearing up for more studies on obesity-related diseases as well. So far this year, the company has increased its research and development budget by 30%.

Viking: Viking Therapeutics (VKTX), the Swiss-based biotech, has had quite a year. Its stock so far in 2024 is up more than 200%, thanks to promising results for its oral pill. Viking, as a result, could also be an acquisition target, according to Mizuho's Holz. That's because it is now competing with big players, which can invest in drug trials at a much quicker pace. Even if Viking were to be acquired at a 100% premium, it would still be a deal for an acquirer, Holz said. Consider that the daily moves in the market for both Lilly and Novo are multiples higher than the total market value of Viking, he said.

Hims & Hers: The telehealth and mail order delivery platform (HIMS) is a different kind of player in the weight-loss craze. While it is not a maker of the injectables, it is planning to buy a compounding pharmacy in order to continue its offerings of GLP-1s  which is allowed by the FDA for drugs on the shortage list. The company only recently decided to start offering the drugs after only being in the support business for patients. In the second quarter, the company reported $16 million in revenue from GLP-1 sales. But once the shortage of branded GLP-1s ends, the future is uncertain. CFO Yemi Okupe told Yahoo Finance that the company was already seeing an increase in business prior to adding the GLP-1s. But adding them has given Hims a boost. Hims remains one to watch because it and other similar platforms offer these services for cash rather than through insurance, which signals the level of demand for the products as insurers continue to avoid coverage.

Anjalee Khemlani is the senior health reporter at Yahoo Finance, covering all things pharma, insurance, care services, digital health, PBMs, and health policy and politics. Follow Anjalee on all social media platforms @AnjKhem.

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Baldwin Brothers LLC MA lowered its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 22.2% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,002 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 1,141 shares during the period. Baldwin Brothers LLC MAs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $194,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tompkins Financial Corp raised its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 33.8% during the first quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 791 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 0.3% during the first quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 64,053 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $3,012,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 0.5% in the first quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 40,083 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $1,885,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,243 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the period. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 38.6% during the 1st quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 794 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 221 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock.

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Freeport-McMoRan Trading Up 0.0 %

FCX traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $41.05. The stock had a trading volume of 9,181,998 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,702,303. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $47.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $46.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.92. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.83 and a 52 week high of $55.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 2.40.

Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 7.83%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 15.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.35 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.67 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 15th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.55%.

Insider Transactions at Freeport-McMoRan

In other news, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 80,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.03, for a total value of $4,162,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 104,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,430,735.31. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on FCX. Morgan Stanley upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $49.50 to $62.00 in a research note on Friday, June 21st. Raymond James lowered their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 14th. Finally, Bernstein Bank increased their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $52.00 to $52.50 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $53.07.

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Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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Dutch Bros (NYSE:BROS  Free Report) had its price target lowered by Barclays from $35.00 to $31.00 in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the stock.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on BROS. Bank of America lifted their target price on Dutch Bros from $44.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Dutch Bros from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Dutch Bros from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Dutch Bros in a research note on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Dutch Bros from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $38.82.

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Dutch Bros Trading Down 2.4 %

Shares of BROS stock traded down $0.73 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $29.49. The company had a trading volume of 6,803,916 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,676,672. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 1.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.23 billion, a PE ratio of 163.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 2.53. The companys fifty day moving average is $39.01 and its 200 day moving average is $33.79. Dutch Bros has a fifty-two week low of $22.67 and a fifty-two week high of $43.49.

Dutch Bros (NYSE:BROS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.06. Dutch Bros had a return on equity of 1.99% and a net margin of 1.21%. The company had revenue of $324.92 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $317.39 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.07 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 30.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Dutch Bros will post 0.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Travis Boersma sold 54,359 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.02, for a total value of $1,958,011.18. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 1,281,743 shares in the company, valued at $46,168,382.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Chairman Travis Boersma sold 54,359 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.02, for a total transaction of $1,958,011.18. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 1,281,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $46,168,382.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Dm Trust Aggregator, Llc sold 27,135 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.02, for a total value of $977,402.70. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 2,116,783 shares in the company, valued at approximately $76,246,523.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 1,228,068 shares of company stock valued at $44,765,154. Insiders own 46.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in Dutch Bros by 41.8% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,598 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 471 shares in the last quarter. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of Dutch Bros by 5.2% in the second quarter. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management now owns 10,546 shares of the companys stock valued at $437,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares in the last quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI acquired a new stake in shares of Dutch Bros in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Wealth Management Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Dutch Bros by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Management Partners LLC now owns 18,790 shares of the companys stock worth $620,000 after purchasing an additional 756 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Dutch Bros by 3,321.7% during the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 787 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 764 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.54% of the companys stock.

Dutch Bros Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dutch Bros Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises drive-thru shops in the United States. The company operates through Company-Operated Shops and Franchising and Other segments. It serves through company-operated shops and online channels under Dutch Bros; Dutch Bros Coffee; Dutch Bros Rebel; Dutch Bros; and Blue Rebel brands.

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Bird Construction (TSE:BDT  Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by analysts at CIBC from C$25.50 to C$26.00 in a research report issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs target price would suggest a potential upside of 6.30% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on BDT. ATB Capital lifted their price objective on Bird Construction from C$25.00 to C$29.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Bird Construction from C$29.00 to C$30.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Bird Construction from C$30.00 to C$31.00 in a research note on Friday. Raymond James boosted their price target on Bird Construction from C$20.50 to C$25.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 16th. Finally, TD Securities raised their price objective on shares of Bird Construction from C$25.00 to C$30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$27.63.

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Bird Construction Trading Up 3.7 %

TSE BDT traded up C$0.87 during trading hours on Friday, reaching C$24.46. The companys stock had a trading volume of 186,038 shares, compared to its average volume of 137,546. Bird Construction has a 52 week low of C$9.15 and a 52 week high of C$27.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.15, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market cap of C$1.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$25.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$20.82.

Bird Construction (TSE:BDT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported C$0.42 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.38 by C$0.04. The company had revenue of C$873.54 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$772.65 million. Bird Construction had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 25.39%. Equities analysts forecast that Bird Construction will post 1.9383117 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Bird Construction

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Bird Construction Inc provides construction services in Canada. The company primarily focuses on projects in the industrial, and institutional, and infrastructure markets. It constructs large, complex industrial buildings, including manufacturing, processing, distribution, and warehouse facilities; and provides electrical and instrumentation, high voltage testing and commissioning services, as well as power line construction, structural, mechanical, and piping, including off-site metal and modular fabrication.

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Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported ($0.17) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by ($0.04), Zacks reports. Brookdale Senior Living had a negative net margin of 5.71% and a negative return on equity of 44.72%. The firm had revenue of $777.54 million for the quarter. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.15) earnings per share.

Brookdale Senior Living Trading Down 7.0 %

Shares of NYSE:BKD traded down $0.51 during trading on Friday, hitting $6.81. The company had a trading volume of 6,506,335 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,950,129. The stock has a market cap of $1.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.84 and a beta of 1.31. Brookdale Senior Living has a one year low of $3.62 and a one year high of $8.12. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.23, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently commented on BKD shares. Macquarie started coverage on Brookdale Senior Living in a research note on Friday, June 28th. They set an outperform rating and a $7.50 price target for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $9.00 price target on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Brookdale Senior Living from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, June 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $7.50.

About Brookdale Senior Living

(Get Free Report)

Brookdale Senior Living Inc owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors.

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Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Raymond James from $5.75 to $6.25 in a research report released on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a market perform rating on the basic materials companys stock. Raymond James also issued estimates for Coeur Minings Q4 2024 earnings at $0.05 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $0.27 EPS.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Roth Mkm reiterated a buy rating and set a $8.00 price target (up previously from $7.25) on shares of Coeur Mining in a research note on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered Coeur Mining from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Coeur Mining from $6.75 to $7.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Coeur Mining currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $6.44.

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Coeur Mining Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE CDE traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $5.44. 5,144,985 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,203,084. The company has a market cap of $2.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -17.55 and a beta of 1.60. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $5.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Coeur Mining has a one year low of $2.00 and a one year high of $6.82.

Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by $0.01. The company had revenue of $222.03 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $242.18 million. Coeur Mining had a negative return on equity of 6.28% and a negative net margin of 12.77%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 25.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.06) earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Coeur Mining will post 0.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Coeur Mining

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CDE. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Coeur Mining by 18.3% in the second quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 14,435 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 2,232 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System raised its position in Coeur Mining by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 98,725 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $322,000 after purchasing an additional 3,899 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Coeur Mining by 12.7% in the 1st quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 35,796 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $135,000 after buying an additional 4,030 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Coeur Mining by 831.5% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,030 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 4,490 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marotta Asset Management increased its stake in shares of Coeur Mining by 50.0% during the first quarter. Marotta Asset Management now owns 15,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares during the period. 63.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Coeur Mining Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Coeur Mining, Inc explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc in May 2013.

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Shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eighteen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and sixteen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $300.28.

Several brokerages have recently commented on STZ. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $291.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 5th. Roth Mkm lowered their price objective on Constellation Brands from $305.00 to $303.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 5th. Argus upgraded Constellation Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $306.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 15th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $287.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating and issued a $315.00 price objective on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Friday, July 5th.

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Constellation Brands Price Performance

NYSE STZ opened at $241.41 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $44.17 billion, a PE ratio of 17.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 1.19. The businesss fifty day moving average is $251.70 and its 200 day moving average is $254.19. Constellation Brands has a fifty-two week low of $227.50 and a fifty-two week high of $274.87.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 3rd. The company reported $3.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.46 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $2.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.72% and a net margin of 22.70%. Constellation Brandss quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.91 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Constellation Brands will post 13.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Constellation Brands Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th will be paid a dividend of $1.01 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.67%. Constellation Brandss payout ratio is currently 30.10%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Constellation Brands news, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total transaction of $254,997.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 2,706 shares of the companys stock, valued at $706,266. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Constellation Brands news, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total transaction of $254,997.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 2,706 shares of the companys stock, valued at $706,266. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Daniel J. Mccarthy sold 1,854 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.43, for a total value of $468,005.22. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,232 shares in the company, valued at $815,853.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 12.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. New Millennium Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, First Financial Corp IN bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 77.34% of the companys stock.

About Constellation Brands

(Get Free Report

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Get Free Report) and JBG SMITH Properties (NYSE:JBGS  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and valuation.

Risk & Volatility

Equity Residential has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its share price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, JBG SMITH Properties has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Equity Residential and JBG SMITH Properties net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Equity Residential 32.83% 8.53% 4.80% JBG SMITH Properties -25.40% -6.64% -2.69%

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Residential $2.92 billion 9.29 $835.44 million $2.41 29.61 JBG SMITH Properties $579.65 million 2.56 -$79.98 million ($1.39) -12.05

This table compares Equity Residential and JBG SMITH Properties top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Equity Residential has higher revenue and earnings than JBG SMITH Properties. JBG SMITH Properties is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Equity Residential, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Equity Residential pays an annual dividend of $2.70 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. JBG SMITH Properties pays an annual dividend of $0.70 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. Equity Residential pays out 112.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. JBG SMITH Properties pays out -50.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. JBG SMITH Properties is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

92.7% of Equity Residential shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.5% of JBG SMITH Properties shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Equity Residential shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.7% of JBG SMITH Properties shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings for Equity Residential and JBG SMITH Properties, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Equity Residential 0 10 7 0 2.41 JBG SMITH Properties 1 0 0 0 1.00

Equity Residential currently has a consensus price target of $70.91, indicating a potential downside of 0.62%. JBG SMITH Properties has a consensus price target of $14.50, indicating a potential downside of 13.43%. Given Equity Residentials stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Equity Residential is more favorable than JBG SMITH Properties.

Summary

Equity Residential beats JBG SMITH Properties on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Equity Residential

(Get Free Report)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Austin.

About JBG SMITH Properties

(Get Free Report)

JBG SMITH owns, operates, invests in, and develops mixed-use properties in high growth and high barrier-to-entry submarkets in and around Washington, DC, most notably National Landing. Through an intense focus on placemaking, JBG SMITH cultivates vibrant, amenity-rich, walkable neighborhoods throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Approximately 75.0% of JBG SMITH's holdings are in the National Landing submarket in Northern Virginia, which is anchored by four key demand drivers: Amazon's new headquarters; Virginia Tech's under-construction $1 billion Innovation Campus; the submarket's proximity to the Pentagon; and JBG SMITH's deployment of 5G digital infrastructure. JBG SMITH's dynamic portfolio currently comprises 14.2 million square feet of high-growth office, multifamily, and retail assets at share, 99% of which are Metro-served. It also maintains a development pipeline encompassing 8.8 million square feet of mixed-use, primarily multifamily, development opportunities. JBG SMITH is committed to the operation and development of green, smart, and healthy buildings and plans to maintain carbon neutral operations annually.

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Cypress Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 1,869 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $258,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Diversify Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $400,000. Optimum Investment Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 71.2% during the 2nd quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 481 shares of the technology companys stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Dell Technologies by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 25,554 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,524,000 after purchasing an additional 1,894 shares during the last quarter. Sanders Morris Harris LLC raised its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 6.8% in the second quarter. Sanders Morris Harris LLC now owns 2,350 shares of the technology companys stock worth $324,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Register Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 204.5% in the second quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,221 shares of the technology companys stock worth $168,000 after acquiring an additional 820 shares during the last quarter. 38.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 16,434 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.16, for a total transaction of $2,221,219.44. Following the transaction, the director now owns 806,352 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $108,986,536.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Dell Technologies news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 16,434 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.16, for a total value of $2,221,219.44. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 806,352 shares in the company, valued at approximately $108,986,536.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.75, for a total value of $379,559,628.75. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,412,241 shares in the company, valued at $2,730,137,233.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 7,058,131 shares of company stock valued at $963,293,619 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 46.70% of the companys stock.

Dell Technologies Trading Up 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE:DELL traded up $1.09 during trading on Friday, reaching $92.55. 8,405,010 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,206,317. The businesss fifty day moving average is $128.88 and its 200-day moving average is $119.91. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $53.62 and a 52-week high of $179.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.04. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 173.72% and a net margin of 4.00%. The business had revenue of $22.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.70 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were given a $0.445 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 23rd. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.92%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 36.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DELL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $165.00 price objective on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Monday, July 1st. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $155.00 price target on shares of Dell Technologies in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, May 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $135.81.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on DELL

About Dell Technologies

(Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) in a research note published on Thursday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Discover Financial Services from $140.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Discover Financial Services from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 8th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Discover Financial Services from $105.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Discover Financial Services from $115.00 to $119.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of Discover Financial Services in a report on Friday, June 7th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Discover Financial Services currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $131.33.

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Discover Financial Services Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:DFS opened at $126.39 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $130.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. Discover Financial Services has a 12-month low of $79.04 and a 12-month high of $147.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 1.43.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $6.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.06 by $3.00. Discover Financial Services had a return on equity of 20.92% and a net margin of 12.88%. The business had revenue of $4.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.18 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.54 earnings per share. Discover Financial Servicess quarterly revenue was up 17.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Discover Financial Services will post 12.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Discover Financial Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 22nd. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.22%. Discover Financial Servicess payout ratio is 31.93%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services in the second quarter worth $26,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd boosted its holdings in Discover Financial Services by 147.8% in the 2nd quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 223 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its holdings in Discover Financial Services by 72.5% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 226 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. Partnership Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services by 348.2% during the 2nd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 251 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the period. 86.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Discover Financial Services

(Get Free Report)

Discover Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, provides digital banking products and services, and payment services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Digital Banking and Payment Services. The Digital Banking segment offers Discover-branded credit cards to individuals; private student loans, personal loans, home loans, and other consumer lending; and direct-to-consumer deposit products comprising savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings accounts and checking accounts, and sweep accounts.

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Diversify Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IMCG  Free Report) by 3.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,400 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 501 shares during the period. Diversify Advisory Services LLC owned approximately 0.06% of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF worth $1,106,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IMCG. M&R Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 253.0% in the first quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 406 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 291 shares during the period. WASHINGTON TRUST Co purchased a new position in iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $45,000. Concord Wealth Partners bought a new stake in iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $69,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its position in iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 300.7% in the 1st quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 1,098 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,000 after buying an additional 824 shares during the period. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $109,000.

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iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:IMCG traded up $0.05 during trading on Friday, reaching $67.19. 47,013 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 137,244. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.94 billion, a PE ratio of 27.60 and a beta of 1.13. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $67.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $67.93. iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a 12-month low of $53.01 and a 12-month high of $70.85.

iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF Profile

The iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Mid Cap Broad Growth index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of US mid-cap stocks companies selected based on their growth characteristics. IMCG was launched on Jun 28, 2004 and is managed by BlackRock.

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A government agency is investigating after a series of scams on payment apps like Zelle. NurPhoto/Getty Images

Federal authorities are investigating how banks reimburse consumers who are scammed on Zelle.

Lawmakers say the banks behind payment apps need to offer more protections.

Zelle says it should fall on law enforcement to stop the scammers.

Scams on payment apps like Zelle are getting so out of hand that federal authorities are starting to investigate.

This week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launched an investigation into JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo  all part owners of Zelle  after Sen. Richard Blumenthal wrote a letter to the agency.

The Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found that reimbursements from the three banks for transactions that Zelle users disputed fell from 62% in 2019 to 38% in 2023, Blumenthal said in the letter.

"PSI's investigation of the three banks indicates that they provide their respective employees with broad discretion to determine whether a disputed transaction is unauthorized, and, in turn, whether a consumer is entitled to reimbursement," the letter says.

Zelle's chief fraud risk manager, Ben Chance, meanwhile, told Fortune that the app is doing everything it can to minimize the risk of scams. He also told the outlet that the best way to prevent scams on money-sharing apps is better user education, sound policy and more funding for law enforcement.

"The real solution is to focus on the criminals who are perpetrating these crimes across phone, text message, email, digital marketplaces, and social media platformsand of course, partnering with those platforms, along with financial services and law enforcement in the prosecution and removal of these criminal actors," Chance told the outlet.

But even for law enforcement, money lost in a scam can be difficult to recover. On August 2, Democrats in Congress introduced a bill that would give increased reimbursement protections to people who lose money to scams on peer-to-peer payment apps.

The Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act, proposed by Rep. Maxine Waters, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, would increase financial institutions' responsibility for helping consumers resolve fraud disputes.

Consumers can be reimbursed for unauthorized transactions under existing federal law, like purchases on a stolen credit card. However, getting money back after sending it through Zelle or other payment apps is much more difficult.

If you accidentally send money to a scammer, the Federal Trade Commission recommends asking the company you send the money through if there's a way to recover the funds. If you lose the money through a money transfer app, the agency says to report the fraudulent transaction to the app's parent company.

Story continues

"If you linked the app to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank. Ask them to reverse the charge," the FTC says.

Zelle did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider on Saturday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Diversify Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 2,744 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $400,000.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of DELL. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 58.2% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 223 shares of the technology companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new stake in Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Central Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new stake in Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter worth $34,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new stake in Dell Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Finally, EntryPoint Capital LLC boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 748.7% during the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 331 shares of the technology companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.10% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on DELL shares. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $130.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $113.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 19th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of Dell Technologies in a research report on Monday, June 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $135.81.

Dell Technologies Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of DELL traded up $1.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $92.55. The company had a trading volume of 8,405,010 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,206,317. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $128.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $119.91. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $53.62 and a 1-year high of $179.70. The stock has a market cap of $65.65 billion, a PE ratio of 18.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.04. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.00% and a negative return on equity of 173.72%. The firm had revenue of $22.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.70 billion. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.445 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 23rd. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.92%. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 36.33%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.75, for a total transaction of $379,559,628.75. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 20,412,241 shares in the company, valued at $2,730,137,233.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.75, for a total value of $379,559,628.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 20,412,241 shares in the company, valued at $2,730,137,233.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 389,189 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.79, for a total transaction of $61,799,321.31. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 731,612 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $116,172,669.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock worth $963,293,619 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 46.70% of the companys stock.

Dell Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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Ducommun (NYSE:DCO  Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued on Friday.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on DCO. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $72.00 price objective (up previously from $65.00) on shares of Ducommun in a research note on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Ducommun from $57.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ducommun presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $67.00.

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Ducommun Trading Up 0.1 %

DCO stock traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $61.70. 62,903 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 84,977. Ducommun has a fifty-two week low of $42.31 and a fifty-two week high of $65.89. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $59.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $54.82. The company has a market capitalization of $907.98 million, a P/E ratio of 51.85 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 2.99 and a quick ratio of 1.88.

Ducommun (NYSE:DCO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The aerospace company reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.18. Ducommun had a net margin of 2.29% and a return on equity of 6.06%. The business had revenue of $190.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $189.20 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.63 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Ducommun will post 2.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Stephen G. Oswald sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.23, for a total transaction of $116,460.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 347,539 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,237,195.97. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 8.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Ducommun

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Bragg Financial Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of Ducommun by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Bragg Financial Advisors Inc now owns 100,187 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $5,216,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in Ducommun by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 68,525 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,567,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Ducommun by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 24,834 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,274,000 after purchasing an additional 553 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Ducommun by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 7,839 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $402,000 after purchasing an additional 584 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ducommun by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 12,132 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $622,000 after purchasing an additional 999 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.15% of the companys stock.

Ducommun Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ducommun Incorporated provides engineering and manufacturing services for products and applications used primarily in the aerospace and defense, industrial, medical, and other industries in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Electronic Systems and Structural Systems. The Electronic Systems segment provides cable assemblies and interconnect systems; printed circuit board assemblies; electronic, electromechanical, and mechanical components and assemblies, as well as lightning diversion systems; and radar enclosures, aircraft avionics racks, shipboard communications and control enclosures, printed circuit board assemblies, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, interconnect systems, lightning diversion strips, surge suppressors, conformal shields, and other assemblies.

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DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC  Get Free Report) issued an update on its second quarter earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $0.70-0.75 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $0.66. The company issued revenue guidance of $3.19-3.22 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $3.19 billion. DXC Technology also updated its FY 2025 guidance to 2.750-3.000 EPS.

DXC Technology Trading Up 7.1 %

Shares of NYSE:DXC traded up $1.31 during trading on Friday, reaching $19.64. 2,590,522 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,490,428. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.54 billion, a PE ratio of 53.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.73. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $18.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.75. DXC Technology has a 12-month low of $14.78 and a 12-month high of $25.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

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DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.17. DXC Technology had a net margin of 0.67% and a return on equity of 18.43%. The firm had revenue of $3.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.14 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that DXC Technology will post 2.73 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DXC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of DXC Technology from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of DXC Technology from $21.00 to $18.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 17th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of DXC Technology from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of DXC Technology from $22.00 to $18.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of DXC Technology from $17.50 to $22.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have assigned a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.50.

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About DXC Technology

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DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Australia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS).

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General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Morgan Stanley from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a note issued to investors on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a $345.00 target price on the aerospace companys stock, up from their previous target price of $293.00. Morgan Stanleys target price would suggest a potential upside of 17.75% from the stocks previous close.

GD has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Robert W. Baird reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $345.00 price objective on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $320.00 price objective on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $301.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Friday, April 12th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $310.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, General Dynamics currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $315.06.

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General Dynamics Stock Up 0.8 %

GD stock traded up $2.19 during trading on Friday, reaching $292.99. 1,028,622 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,070,579. The company has a market capitalization of $80.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.33. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $291.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $285.16. General Dynamics has a 12 month low of $214.53 and a 12 month high of $302.75.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.30 by ($0.04). General Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.74% and a net margin of 7.89%. The firm had revenue of $11.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.46 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.70 earnings per share. General Dynamicss revenue for the quarter was up 18.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics will post 14.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at General Dynamics

In related news, VP William A. Moss sold 21,050 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.85, for a total value of $6,206,592.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 16,624 shares in the company, valued at $4,901,586.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other General Dynamics news, VP William A. Moss sold 21,050 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $294.85, for a total transaction of $6,206,592.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 16,624 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,901,586.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Kimberly A. Kuryea sold 13,344 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $298.16, for a total value of $3,978,647.04. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 79,255 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,630,670.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 46,483 shares of company stock valued at $13,770,716 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.52% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On General Dynamics

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Modera Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 0.4% in the second quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,120 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,356,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Rathbones Group PLC grew its holdings in General Dynamics by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 2,022 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $587,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of General Dynamics by 46.8% during the first quarter. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 113 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co increased its holdings in General Dynamics by 2.5% in the first quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 1,503 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $425,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fulton Bank N.A. raised its position in shares of General Dynamics by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 3,299 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $932,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. 86.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

General Dynamics Company Profile

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General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.

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William Blair upgraded shares of Global Payments (NYSE:GPN  Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a research note published on Wednesday, Zacks.com reports.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Global Payments from $172.00 to $158.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Susquehanna cut their price target on shares of Global Payments from $157.00 to $147.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Global Payments from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, June 10th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Global Payments from $163.00 to $155.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Global Payments from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $141.92.

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Global Payments Stock Performance

NYSE GPN opened at $102.06 on Wednesday. Global Payments has a twelve month low of $91.60 and a twelve month high of $141.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.25, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $97.48 and a 200 day moving average of $115.28.

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The business services provider reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.90 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.32 billion. Global Payments had a net margin of 13.40% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.48 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Global Payments will post 11.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Global Payments Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Global Paymentss payout ratio is 19.84%.

Insider Transactions at Global Payments

In other Global Payments news, CAO David M. Sheffield sold 1,651 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.73, for a total transaction of $166,305.23. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 20,531 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,068,087.63. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.98% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Global Payments

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its holdings in Global Payments by 18.8% during the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 524 shares of the business services providers stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Global Payments by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 4,752 shares of the business services providers stock worth $635,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Global Payments by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,930 shares of the business services providers stock worth $258,000 after buying an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its position in Global Payments by 30.9% in the first quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 453 shares of the business services providers stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oliver Luxxe Assets LLC increased its stake in Global Payments by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Oliver Luxxe Assets LLC now owns 34,435 shares of the business services providers stock worth $4,603,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.76% of the companys stock.

Global Payments Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services.

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Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Macquarie from $168.00 to $164.00 in a research note published on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. Macquarie currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Hyatt Hotels from $171.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $153.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $184.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Hyatt Hotels from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 17th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $172.00 to $168.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Hyatt Hotels currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $150.11.

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Hyatt Hotels Price Performance

Hyatt Hotels stock traded up $1.79 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $135.14. The company had a trading volume of 569,858 shares, compared to its average volume of 613,482. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $148.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $147.85. Hyatt Hotels has a 1-year low of $96.77 and a 1-year high of $162.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.67 billion, a PE ratio of 20.98 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.59.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.58. The business had revenue of $1.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.76 billion. Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 8.44% and a net margin of 10.21%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.82 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hyatt Hotels Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 27th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 27th. Hyatt Hotelss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.32%.

Insider Transactions at Hyatt Hotels

In other Hyatt Hotels news, Director Michael A. Rocca sold 1,189 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.52, for a total value of $177,779.28. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 20,219 shares in the company, valued at $3,023,144.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Hyatt Hotels news, Director Michael A. Rocca sold 1,189 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.52, for a total transaction of $177,779.28. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 20,219 shares in the company, valued at $3,023,144.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Joan Bottarini sold 305 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total value of $45,140.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 15,799 shares in the company, valued at $2,338,252. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 23.50% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hyatt Hotels

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of H. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels during the first quarter worth $26,000. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in Hyatt Hotels during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new position in Hyatt Hotels in the second quarter valued at about $30,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hyatt Hotels during the 1st quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hyatt Hotels during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $56,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.02% of the companys stock.

About Hyatt Hotels

(Get Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

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Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) CEO H Lynn Moore, Jr. sold 6,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $576.49, for a total value of $3,603,062.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 75,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,236,750. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

Tyler Technologies Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:TYL opened at $575.23 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Tyler Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $361.16 and a 12 month high of $593.50. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $516.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $467.23. The company has a market cap of $24.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 130.14, a PEG ratio of 5.26 and a beta of 0.76.

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Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The technology company reported $2.40 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.34 by $0.06. Tyler Technologies had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 9.66%. The firm had revenue of $540.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $541.01 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.53 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Tyler Technologies, Inc. will post 7.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Tyler Technologies

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new stake in Tyler Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new stake in Tyler Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Covestor Ltd raised its position in Tyler Technologies by 153.6% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 71 shares of the technology companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt purchased a new stake in Tyler Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Tyler Technologies by 329.4% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 73 shares of the technology companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. 93.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Tyler Technologies from $500.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Tyler Technologies from $529.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. JMP Securities increased their price objective on shares of Tyler Technologies from $490.00 to $580.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Tyler Technologies from $515.00 to $627.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Tyler Technologies from $515.00 to $577.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $582.31.

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Tyler Technologies Company Profile

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Tyler Technologies, Inc provides integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Software and Platform Technologies. The company offers platform and transformative technology solutions, including cybersecurity for government agencies; data and insights solutions; digital solutions that helps workers and policymakers to share, communicate, and leverage data; payments solutions, such as billing, presentment, merchant onboarding, collections, reconciliation, and disbursements; platform technologies, an application development platform that enables government workers to build solutions and applications; and outdoor recreation solutions, including campsite reservations, activity registrations, licensing sales and renewals, and real-time data for conservation and park management.

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Truist Financial reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Truist Financial currently has a $105.00 price objective on the building manufacturing companys stock, up from their prior price objective of $101.00.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on LPX. Seaport Res Ptn cut Louisiana-Pacific from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. TD Securities increased their price target on Louisiana-Pacific from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $88.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. DA Davidson raised their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $98.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 14th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Louisiana-Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Louisiana-Pacific presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $94.88.

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Louisiana-Pacific Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:LPX traded down $0.43 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $95.37. 631,630 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 936,760. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $89.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $81.43. Louisiana-Pacific has a one year low of $49.47 and a one year high of $101.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 3.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a market cap of $6.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.20, a P/E/G ratio of 13.92 and a beta of 1.89.

Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The building manufacturing company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.23. Louisiana-Pacific had a return on equity of 20.87% and a net margin of 9.74%. The firm had revenue of $814.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $797.26 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.55 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 33.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Louisiana-Pacific will post 5.23 EPS for the current year.

Louisiana-Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 20th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.09%. Louisiana-Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.57%.

Insider Transactions at Louisiana-Pacific

In other news, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 3,591 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.18, for a total transaction of $320,245.38. Following the transaction, the director now owns 23,501 shares in the company, valued at $2,095,819.18. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Louisiana-Pacific news, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 3,591 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.18, for a total transaction of $320,245.38. Following the transaction, the director now owns 23,501 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,095,819.18. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ozey K. Horton, Jr. sold 800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.10, for a total value of $76,880.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 29,008 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,787,668.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.26% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Louisiana-Pacific

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LPX. William Blair Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Louisiana-Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth $91,053,000. Channing Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Louisiana-Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $73,662,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in Louisiana-Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $53,186,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in Louisiana-Pacific by 16,827.7% during the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 717,059 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $50,789,000 after acquiring an additional 712,823 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 83.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,563,117 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock valued at $110,717,000 after purchasing an additional 712,671 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.73% of the companys stock.

About Louisiana-Pacific

(Get Free Report)

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides building solutions primarily for use in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structure markets. It operates through Siding, Oriented Strand Board, LP South America, and Other segments. The Siding segment offers LP SmartSide trim and siding products, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding products, LP BuilderSeries lap siding products, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions; and engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia products.

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Corpay (NYSE:CPAY  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by research analysts at Raymond James from $330.00 to $311.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Raymond James price target would suggest a potential upside of 9.49% from the stocks previous close.

CPAY has been the topic of several other reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $310.00 price objective on shares of Corpay in a research note on Friday, June 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Corpay from $326.00 to $327.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Corpay from $350.00 to $345.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Corpay from $325.00 to $355.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Corpay from $295.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $330.33.

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Corpay Price Performance

NYSE:CPAY traded down $2.29 on Thursday, hitting $284.04. 474,184 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 468,703. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.20. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $273.01. Corpay has a 52 week low of $220.39 and a 52 week high of $319.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.07.

Corpay (NYSE:CPAY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $4.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.51 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $975.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $973.84 million. Corpay had a net margin of 26.29% and a return on equity of 36.97%. Corpays revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.85 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Corpay will post 17.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Corpay during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Corpay during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. LGT Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Corpay during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Corpay during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, RFP Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Corpay during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.84% of the companys stock.

Corpay Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Corpay, Inc operates as a payments company that helps businesses and consumers manage vehicle-related expenses, lodging expenses, and corporate payments in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers vehicle payment solutions, which include fuel, tolls, parking, fleet maintenance, and long-haul transportation services, as well as prepaid food and transportation vouchers and cards.

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Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA  Free Report) had its price objective increased by Royal Bank of Canada from $20.00 to $23.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the industrial products companys stock.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on MWA. Baird R W upgraded shares of Mueller Water Products to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. StockNews.com raised shares of Mueller Water Products from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Mueller Water Products from $18.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, Oppenheimer increased their price target on Mueller Water Products from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $21.60.

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Mueller Water Products Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of Mueller Water Products stock traded down $0.47 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $19.87. 1,384,293 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,266,320. Mueller Water Products has a twelve month low of $12.13 and a twelve month high of $21.02. The company has a market cap of $3.09 billion, a PE ratio of 31.05, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 3.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $18.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $17.02.

Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The industrial products company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $356.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $329.67 million. Mueller Water Products had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 16.97%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Mueller Water Products will post 0.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mueller Water Products Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a $0.064 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 9th. This represents a $0.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.29%. Mueller Water Productss payout ratio is currently 39.06%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Kenji Takeuchi sold 6,658 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.09, for a total value of $127,101.22. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 28,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $540,896.06. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Mueller Water Products news, SVP Kenji Takeuchi sold 6,658 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.09, for a total transaction of $127,101.22. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 28,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $540,896.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Brian C. Healy purchased 2,650 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $19.18 per share, with a total value of $50,827.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $50,827. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mueller Water Products

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Mueller Water Products in the 4th quarter worth $1,509,000. Gabelli Funds LLC raised its position in Mueller Water Products by 3.7% in the first quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 757,810 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $12,193,000 after acquiring an additional 27,000 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Mueller Water Products in the 4th quarter valued at about $14,642,000. Perpetual Ltd boosted its position in shares of Mueller Water Products by 43.5% during the 1st quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 256,695 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,130,000 after purchasing an additional 77,810 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Mueller Water Products during the 1st quarter valued at about $452,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.68% of the companys stock.

Mueller Water Products Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mueller Water Products, Inc manufactures and markets products and services for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries in the United States, Israel, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions.

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Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Royal Bank of Canada from $161.00 to $167.00 in a research note released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Jacobs Solutions from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, June 22nd. William Blair cut Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Jacobs Solutions from $163.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial reissued a hold rating and issued a $158.00 price target (up previously from $153.00) on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $161.00 to $169.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 22nd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Jacobs Solutions presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $158.20.

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Jacobs Solutions Stock Performance

J traded up $1.24 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $143.50. 1,008,832 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 672,086. Jacobs Solutions has a 52 week low of $120.71 and a 52 week high of $154.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $141.80 and a 200 day moving average of $143.35. The stock has a market cap of $17.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.70, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.70.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.96. Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 3.83% and a return on equity of 14.59%. The business had revenue of $4.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.39 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.82 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Jacobs Solutions will post 7.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Jacobs Solutions Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be paid a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 26th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio is currently 22.39%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Steven J. Demetriou sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.88, for a total transaction of $1,028,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 527,138 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,426,029.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 21,000 shares of company stock worth $2,983,750 in the last ninety days. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Jacobs Solutions

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of J. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in Jacobs Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC increased its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 427.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 211 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the period. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Jacobs Solutions in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Union Savings Bank boosted its stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 78.1% during the 4th quarter. Union Savings Bank now owns 285 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.65% of the companys stock.

About Jacobs Solutions

(Get Free Report)

Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments.

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Brookfield (NYSE:BN  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by stock analysts at Scotiabank from $50.50 to $51.25 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a sector outperform rating on the stock. Scotiabanks target price suggests a potential upside of 14.09% from the stocks current price.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of Brookfield from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Brookfield from $61.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Brookfield from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $48.78.

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Brookfield Stock Performance

Brookfield stock traded up $0.48 during trading on Friday, hitting $44.92. The stock had a trading volume of 1,905,807 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,224,635. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The stocks 50 day moving average is $43.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $42.22. Brookfield has a 1 year low of $28.84 and a 1 year high of $49.44. The stock has a market cap of $73.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 73.64 and a beta of 1.52.

Brookfield (NYSE:BN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.78 by $0.57. The business had revenue of $23.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.24 billion. Brookfield had a net margin of 1.16% and a return on equity of 3.15%. The companys revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.75 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Brookfield will post 3.35 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Brookfield

In other Brookfield news, Director Ocm Growth Holdings Llc sold 400,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.90, for a total transaction of $4,760,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,779,668 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $128,278,049.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 11.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. lifted its stake in Brookfield by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 6,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $282,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Brookfield by 62.8% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 705 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the period. Mckinley Capital Management LLC grew its position in Brookfield by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Mckinley Capital Management LLC now owns 32,649 shares of the companys stock worth $1,367,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the period. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 6,622 shares of the companys stock valued at $277,000 after buying an additional 288 shares during the period. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its stake in shares of Brookfield by 20.6% in the 2nd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,734 shares of the companys stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 296 shares during the last quarter. 61.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Brookfield Company Profile

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Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients.

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Sealed Air (NYSE:SEE  Get Free Report) issued an update on its third quarter earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $0.67 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $0.72. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.33 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.36 billion. Sealed Air also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 2.650-3.050 EPS.

Sealed Air Stock Performance

Shares of SEE stock traded down $2.44 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $33.12. The stock had a trading volume of 5,738,566 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,193,024. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.49. Sealed Air has a 1-year low of $28.50 and a 1-year high of $41.14. The firm has a market cap of $4.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.30, a PEG ratio of 4.27 and a beta of 1.35. The businesss fifty day moving average is $36.31 and its 200-day moving average is $35.73.

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Sealed Air (NYSE:SEE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The industrial products company reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.19. Sealed Air had a return on equity of 94.93% and a net margin of 6.61%. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.31 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.80 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Sealed Air will post 2.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Sealed Air Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.42%. Sealed Airs payout ratio is currently 32.13%.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on SEE shares. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Sealed Air from $44.00 to $43.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 8th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Sealed Air from $43.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Sealed Air in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. They set a buy rating and a $47.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Sealed Air from $39.00 to $38.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $44.00 price target on shares of Sealed Air in a report on Monday, June 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $42.60.

View Our Latest Research Report on SEE

Sealed Air Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sealed Air Corporation provides packaging solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It operates through two segments, Food and Protective. The Food segment offers integrated packaging materials and automation equipment solutions to provide food safety, shelf life extension, reduce food waste, automate processes, and optimize total cost for food processors in the fresh red meat, smoked and processed meats, poultry, seafood, plant-based, fluids and liquids and cheese markets under the CRYOVAC, CRYOVAC Grip & Tear, CRYOVAC Darfresh, LIQUIBOX, Simple Steps, and Optidure brands.

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TD Securities upgraded shares of Suncor Energy (TSE:SU  Free Report) (NYSE:SU) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. TD Securities currently has C$59.00 target price on the stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Suncor Energy from C$60.00 to C$62.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Suncor Energy from C$61.00 to C$66.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Raymond James set a C$51.00 price target on shares of Suncor Energy and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Suncor Energy from C$60.00 to C$65.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. Finally, CIBC raised their target price on shares of Suncor Energy from C$60.00 to C$65.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, April 22nd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$61.96.

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Suncor Energy Stock Down 0.3 %

Suncor Energy Announces Dividend

Shares of TSE SU opened at C$54.48 on Wednesday. Suncor Energy has a 1 year low of C$40.07 and a 1 year high of C$56.69. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$52.24 and its 200 day moving average price is C$50.55. The firm has a market cap of C$69.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 36.00, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 1.51.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be given a $0.545 dividend. This represents a $2.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Suncor Energys payout ratio is currently 35.91%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Senior Officer Kristopher Peter Smith sold 100,000 shares of Suncor Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$51.66, for a total value of C$5,165,900.00. Company insiders own 0.01% of the companys stock.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products.

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Sweetgreen (NYSE:SG  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $25.00 to $27.00 in a research note issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Morgan Stanleys price target would indicate a potential downside of 22.88% from the stocks current price.

SG has been the topic of a number of other reports. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Sweetgreen in a report on Wednesday, May 15th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Sweetgreen in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $31.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Sweetgreen from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 10th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Sweetgreen from $36.00 to $33.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Sweetgreen from $26.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, June 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $33.60.

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Sweetgreen Trading Up 33.4 %

Shares of SG traded up $8.76 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $35.01. 15,864,979 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,687,511. Sweetgreen has a one year low of $8.64 and a one year high of $36.72. The business has a 50-day moving average of $28.33 and a 200 day moving average of $23.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -37.65 and a beta of 2.30.

Sweetgreen (NYSE:SG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.11) by ($0.02). Sweetgreen had a negative net margin of 17.15% and a negative return on equity of 20.74%. The business had revenue of $184.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $180.79 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted ($0.20) earnings per share. Sweetgreens revenue was up 21.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Sweetgreen will post -0.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sweetgreen

In other news, CEO Jonathan Neman sold 200,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.30, for a total value of $6,260,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,100,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $65,730,000. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Sweetgreen news, insider Adrienne Gemperle sold 3,889 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.35, for a total transaction of $121,920.15. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 125,518 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,934,989.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jonathan Neman sold 200,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.30, for a total transaction of $6,260,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,100,000 shares in the company, valued at $65,730,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 440,692 shares of company stock worth $13,738,038 over the last three months. 21.52% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SG. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen in the 2nd quarter worth about $76,000. Triumph Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen in the 4th quarter worth about $126,000. Handelsbanken Fonder AB purchased a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen in the 4th quarter worth about $137,000. Versor Investments LP purchased a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen in the 2nd quarter worth about $217,000. Finally, Perigon Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen in the 1st quarter worth about $223,000. 95.75% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sweetgreen

(Get Free Report)

Sweetgreen, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates fast food restaurants serving healthy foods at scale in the United States. The company also accepts orders through its online and mobile ordering platforms, as well as sells gift cards that do not have an expiration date and can be redeemed. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

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Savers Value Village (NYSE:SVV  Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note issued on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $10.00 target price on the stock, down from their prior target price of $14.00. The Goldman Sachs Groups target price suggests a potential upside of 13.90% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Savers Value Village from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $21.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Savers Value Village from $23.00 to $21.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Savers Value Village from $18.00 to $13.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Loop Capital decreased their target price on Savers Value Village from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $13.80.

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Savers Value Village Stock Performance

Shares of SVV stock traded down $0.90 on Friday, hitting $8.78. The company had a trading volume of 1,870,136 shares, compared to its average volume of 773,585. Savers Value Village has a twelve month low of $7.78 and a twelve month high of $26.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. The firm has a market cap of $1.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.41 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $11.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.48.

Savers Value Village (NYSE:SVV  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.06 by ($0.07). Savers Value Village had a net margin of 4.17% and a return on equity of 12.18%. The business had revenue of $354.17 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $354.88 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Savers Value Village will post 0.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Savers Value Village

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Savers Value Village during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,076,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Savers Value Village by 103.8% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 972,863 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,908,000 after purchasing an additional 495,482 shares during the last quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Savers Value Village in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $5,000,000. Alberta Investment Management Corp increased its holdings in shares of Savers Value Village by 345.3% during the 4th quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 206,564 shares of the companys stock worth $3,590,000 after buying an additional 160,176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wolf Hill Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Savers Value Village during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,714,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.78% of the companys stock.

Savers Value Village Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Savers Value Village, Inc sells second-hand merchandise in retail stores in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It operates stores under the Savers, Value Village, Value Village Boutique, Village des Valeurs, Unique, and 2nd Avenue brands. The company purchases secondhand textiles, including clothing, bedding, and bath items; shoes; accessories; housewares; books; and other goods from non-profit partners and then processes, selects, prices, merchandises, and sells them in its stores.

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Unison Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 0.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,087 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the period. Unison Advisors LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $3,661,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Diversify Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the second quarter valued at approximately $638,000. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 8.9% during the second quarter. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC now owns 17,869 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $2,249,000 after purchasing an additional 1,457 shares during the period. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 12.4% during the second quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,144 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $522,000 after purchasing an additional 457 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 11.4% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 62,842 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $7,910,000 after purchasing an additional 6,406 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 3.4% during the second quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 216,894 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $27,300,000 after purchasing an additional 7,124 shares during the period. 89.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on EOG. TD Cowen increased their price objective on EOG Resources from $130.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on EOG Resources from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, April 15th. Citigroup raised their price target on EOG Resources from $124.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, May 24th. StockNews.com raised EOG Resources from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on EOG Resources from $153.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 23rd. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, EOG Resources presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $144.45.

EOG Resources Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:EOG traded down $0.26 on Friday, hitting $126.53. 3,070,708 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,208,108. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 52 week low of $108.94 and a 52 week high of $139.67. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $124.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $124.18. The company has a market cap of $72.72 billion, a PE ratio of 9.99, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.30.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.18. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 25.65% and a net margin of 30.33%. The firm had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.07 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.49 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.13 earnings per share for the current year.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.88%. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is presently 28.75%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 2,685 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.29, for a total value of $349,828.65. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 109,040 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,206,821.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 2,685 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.29, for a total value of $349,828.65. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 109,040 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,206,821.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Ezra Y. Yacob sold 4,729 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.31, for a total value of $611,506.99. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 150,474 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,457,792.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

EOG Resources Profile

(Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Unity Software (NYSE:U  Get Free Report) had its price target cut by The Goldman Sachs Group from $26.00 to $22.50 in a research note issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups target price indicates a potential upside of 44.79% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on U. Benchmark reaffirmed a sell rating and set a $16.00 price target on shares of Unity Software in a research report on Friday, May 10th. Wedbush reduced their price target on Unity Software from $33.50 to $21.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Unity Software in a research report on Friday, May 10th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $31.00 price target on shares of Unity Software in a research report on Friday, May 10th. Finally, Macquarie reduced their price target on Unity Software from $20.00 to $14.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $26.46.

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Unity Software Stock Up 8.2 %

NYSE:U traded up $1.18 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $15.54. The companys stock had a trading volume of 35,526,561 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,780,860. The company has a market capitalization of $6.07 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.94 and a beta of 2.25. Unity Software has a 12 month low of $13.90 and a 12 month high of $43.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a current ratio of 2.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $16.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $23.12.

Unity Software (NYSE:U  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported ($0.32) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.44) by $0.12. The company had revenue of $449.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $438.37 million. Unity Software had a negative net margin of 40.11% and a negative return on equity of 7.73%. Unity Softwares revenue for the quarter was down 15.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.26) earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Unity Software will post -1.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Unity Software

In other news, insider Marc Whitten sold 31,466 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.10, for a total transaction of $601,000.60. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 958,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,302,403.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, insider Marc Whitten sold 31,466 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.10, for a total transaction of $601,000.60. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 958,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,302,403.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Anirma Gupta sold 1,506 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.73, for a total transaction of $25,195.38. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 409,540 shares in the company, valued at $6,851,604.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 245,005 shares of company stock valued at $4,798,048. 6.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Unity Software during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unity Software during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unity Software during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Tidemark LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unity Software during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Tradewinds Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Unity Software by 245.6% in the 1st quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 985 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.46% of the companys stock.

Unity Software Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Wednesday.

Separately, B. Riley dropped their price objective on shares of Vishay Precision Group from $36.00 to $31.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday.

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Vishay Precision Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VPG opened at $26.95 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $359.89 million, a PE ratio of 14.89 and a beta of 1.22. Vishay Precision Group has a 52 week low of $26.61 and a 52 week high of $36.93. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $31.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $32.82.

Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.32 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $77.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $78.57 million. Vishay Precision Group had a net margin of 6.30% and a return on equity of 7.48%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.58 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Vishay Precision Group will post 1.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 992,025 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $33,798,000 after purchasing an additional 13,939 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 624,770 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $20,980,000 after purchasing an additional 7,682 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 13.5% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 508,007 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $17,308,000 after purchasing an additional 60,509 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 199,094 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $6,059,000 after purchasing an additional 11,438 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 47.7% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 192,661 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $5,865,000 after purchasing an additional 62,186 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.61% of the companys stock.

Vishay Precision Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Vishay Precision Group, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets specialized sensors, weighing solutions, and measurement systems in the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Sensors, Weighing Solutions, and Measurement Systems.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four suspected drug traffickers and seized large US and UK-bound cocaine consignments in automobile parts and clothes in Lagos State.

The NDLEAs Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, said the operatives also intercepted shipments of Loud from Canada at Tincan, Lagos airport.

The NDLEA spokesperson further disclosed that NDLEA operatives also smashed cocaine syndicates and recovered multi-billion-naira drugs in their nationwide raids.

Babafemi said, In a nationwide intelligence-driven operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized massive quantities of cocaine, valued at billions of naira, cleverly hidden in various items such as heavy-duty automobile pivot shafts and Ghanaian Kente fabric, among others.

While 2.32 kg of cocaine concealed in Ghanaian Kente fabric going to the United Kingdom were intercepted at a courier firm in Lagos on Monday, August 5, 2024, 10.494kg of same class A drug buried in heavy duty pivot shafts heading to the United States were recovered at the same logistics company after the NDLEA sniffer dogs fished out the automobile spare parts containing the illicit drug, bringing the total weight of cocaine seized in the two shipments to 12.814 kilograms.

In the same vein, five other consignments going to the US, UK and Canada were also intercepted at the courier firm in Lagos on Friday 9th August 2024.

They include 517 grams of cocaine in clothing materials; different quantities of pentazocine injection, promethazine injection and cocodamol pills, all heading to the UK as well as 297 pills of tramadol 225mg going to Canada.

In a separate operation at a logistics company in Lagos, NDLEA agents seized 21 parcels of Loud, a potent synthetic cannabis strain, weighing a total of 10 kilograms. The illicit shipment, originating from the United States, was destined for delivery in Abuja.

In another intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives on August 7, arrested a member of a cocaine trafficking network identified as Obiora Joseph Agudosi, at Alafia Orile, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, while attempting to move 9.00kg of cocaine to Onitsha, Anambra state.

Two members of another cocaine syndicate based in Nnewi and Oba town, Anambra state were also arrested on Thursday, 8th August in a follow up operation following the seizure of their consignments in a GUO transport company bus at Benin, Edo state same day.

While the bus driver, Harrison Mbachu, 44, was arrested at Benin tollgate with a total of 2.865kg cocaine, Izuchkwu Arinze, 40, was picked at Nnewi town while attempting to collect his own consignment of 1.748kg cocaine and 514 grams sodium bicarbonate, with Ameachi Okoro, 39, arrested while trying to pick his own 1.117kg cocaine at Oba town, Babafemi said.

He further said, NDLEA operatives at Tincan seaport Lagos on Wednesday 7th August intercepted 532 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 265.25kg in a black Toyota Sienna bus, which is one of the three vehicles in a container marked MSMU 6029570 coming from Montreal, Canada.

The seizure was made during 100% joint examination with men of Customs Service and other stakeholders.

The following day, Thursday 8th August, the operatives recorded yet another seizure of 75 parcels of same substance weighing 37.5kg in a container marked FSCU-9274613, that came from Canada.

In Adamawa state, he said NDLEA operatives on August 8, with the support of men of operation Farauta Sector 3, Mayo Belwa, arrested 49-year-old Joseph Peter with 425 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 291.200kg in his Toyota Camry car marked Lagos KSF 381 HM.

He claimed he was bringing the consignment from Edo state to deliver in Yola, Adamawa State.

Two suspects: Adekunle Sunday Adebayo, 50, and Yahaya Mamuda, 35, were arrested at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Tuesday 6th August with 29.5kg cannabis, NDLEA operatives in Lagos recovered 1,169 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance from a bus along Orchid road, Ajah on Sunday 4th August.

No less than 1,230.00kg cannabis was destroyed on three hectares of farmland at Ikeje forest, Edimogo village, Igalamela/ Odolu LGA, Kogi state on Friday 9th August by NDLEA officers supported by men of the Nigerian Army while the owner, Danjuma Maji, 40, was arrested, the NDLEA spokesperson added.
The senior special adviser on digital and new media to the president, Otega Ogra, has said the naira redesign policy introduced by the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was responsible for scarcity of food and economic hardship in the country.

The presidential aide made the claim when he appeared as guest on Arise TV programme.

Ogra said, The most important thing is to realise what it takes to end hunger and guarantee food security in Nigeria. It is not a magic wand. The president has said on countless occasions that he does not want to look behind and lay blames.

But let us situate things properly. At the beginning of last year, we had the naira redesign. That Niara redesign ensured that a lot of farmers did not go to farms to plant and all that.

It simply meant we had limited food output at the end of last year.

In October 2022, the former CBN boss, Emefiele introduced the naira redesign policy where N200, N500 and N1,000 old notes were replaced with new notes. The CBN also announced a plan to end the use of the old notes by January 31, 2023.

Former president Muhammadu Buhari approved the extension of the legal status of the old notes to February 10, 2023 but the policy resulted in the scarcity of naira notes.

Meanwhile, Ogra added that the president is importing equipment from Belarus, Brazil and the US for mechanized farming.

Tinubus aide said, We cannot use short-term solutions for long-term problems and you know the problem of food security has bedeviled this country for a very long time.

Nigerians need to understand that this is a process. The president has also opened the borders for the importation of food items for six months in the first instance and from grains to other staples that Nigerians eat. We do hope that this will bear fruit.
No one is immune to antimicrobial resistance

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Shobha Shukla  CNS (Citizen News Service)

"Even the healthiest amongst us could face a life-threatening situation through a minor injury, routine surgery, or common lung infection, if antimicro-bials fail, said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Nepal. For those with pre-existing conditions like cancers, HIV, or diabetes, an untrea-table infection can become an unexpected and deadly adversary.

Why do infections become difficult to treat or untreatable?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites change over time and become resistant to (or no longer respond to) medicines, making infections harder (or impossible) to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. Misuse and overuse of medicines fuels AMR.

It is important to remember that it is the disease-causing microbe (and not the human being, animal or plant which is being treated) that becomes resistant to medicines. Therefore, even if a person uses antimicrobial medicines responsibly, they are still at risk of acquiring a drug-resistant infection.

Resistant microbes can pass between animals, plants and food, and in the environment. A "One Health" approach which recognises that the health of animals, humans, plants and the environment are inter-linked is therefore essential to respond to AMR.

No one is immune to AMR

AMR threatens to unravel a century of medical progress, turning once treatable infections into untrea- table life-threatening conditions, said Dr Pandav. "AMR is identified by the WHO as one of the top 10 global health threats facing humanity. AMR is making infections harder to treat, leading to prolonged hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased disability, morbidity, and morta- lity. AMR has a real and devastating impact on individuals, families, environ- mental health, agricultural and food productions, and livelihoods." Dr Pandav was speaking as a Guest of Honour at the South Asia Sub-Regional Media Workshop to prevent Antimi- crobial Resistance (AMR) held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshop was organised by Health TV Online along with co-hosts, including Ministry of Health and Population of government of Nepal, Nepal Health Research Council of Govern- ment of Nepal, Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA), and partners.

Almost 5 million people died of AMR in a year

In 2019 it was estimated that almost 5 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR including 1.27 million deaths being directly caused by it. Raising awareness is our first line of defence against AMR. It is a collective responsibility, and media plays a crucial role to shape public opinion, influence policy, and dispel myths and misinformation. Public messaging on AMR in media needs to be simple, consistent, and clear, said Dr Pandav.

Four quadripartite agencies that have joined hands to combat AMR globally include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), WHO, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

(To be contd)


Rebel groups call total shutdown on I-DayBe wary of divide and rule policy : SOREPA SOREPA too has called a general strike all over Kangleipak/Manipur on August 15 from 5 am to 5 pm.

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A statement issued by SOREPA publicity and organisation secretary MC Yaiphabi asserted that there is no reason for the people of Kangleipak/Manipur to join the Indian Independence Day celebration.

The revolutionary movements and liberation struggles of WESEA against India are legitimate as well as indispensable, it asserted.

Evolution of any Nation is a result of a long process of internal conflicts, revolutionary movements and liberation struggles. Without revolutionary movement and liberation struggles, no Nation can achieve independence or development or stability, it said.

The people of WESEA belong to the Mongoloid stock while the Indian people belong to the Aryan and Dravidian stocks. There is no similarity between the people of WESEA and the Indian people in terms of physical appearance, culture, traditions, food habits, language and dressing styles, SOREPA said.

It then called upon all the people to understand the Government of Indias divide and rule policy aimed at creating divisions and conflicts among the people of WESEA.

It also asked the people to study the implantation of a huge Indian population in WESEA with an objective to annihilate all the indigenous peoples of the region.

SOREPA said that its time for all the odd 40 revolutionary groups of WESEA to come together and fight the common enemy collectively with a new strategy.

It alleged that the violent conflict seen between two communities in Kangleipak/Manipur is a continuation of Indias Divide and Rule policy and it is nothing new.

It is only India which stands to benefit from the conflict while the two communities will suffer colossal losses and long term hostility, SOREPA said.

With the commissioning of the Loktak Hydroelectric Project, India rendered Kangleipak/Manipur fully dependent on them (India) for food grains.

Loktak Hydroelectric Project submerged 83,450 paris of paddy fields which used to yield 83,45,000 bags of paddy annually, it said.

After destroying all the productive capacity of the region, India has transformed WESEA into a captive market, it continued.

By rendering WESEA fully dependent on India for food grains, the Government of India has created a notion that WESEA cannot survive independently, SOREPA said.

However, if WESEA is politically independent, we can formulate our own economic policies and thus create a self-reliant and thriving economy, it said.
Residents condemn bomb attack

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IMPHAL, Aug 11 : Residents of Thangmeiband Kabow Leikai have strongly condemned the bomb attack at the residence of Diabetes Hospital Porompat's managing director Dr Maibam Dhanabir in Thangmeiband Kabow Leikai Nongchup on August 9.

Addressing a press conference today at Manipur Press Club, Dr M Dhanabir said that he has been serving the public for many years providing vital medical care to many diabetic patients from across the State.

He lamented that despite his efforts to serve the people of Manipur, the frequent threat, harassment and bomb attack at the hospital and his home by unknown miscreants has caused fear psychosis among his family members and the hospital staff.

"Even after repeated appeals to the authorities concerned regarding the constant threat from unknown miscreants, no actions have been taken up so far", he added.

Dr M Dhanabir further urged all concerned to not repeat such acts in the future and to solve any issue through negotiation.

Denouncing the bomb attack, Kabow Leikai Nongchup Welfare Association secretary Phurailatpam Inaocha said that the unfortunate incident has created more tension among the public who are already reeling due to the ongoing conflict.
"Pak pushing highly trained foreign terrorists into J&K"

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Jammu, Aug 11 : Pakistan has been pushing highly trained foreign terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir to destabilize its security situation, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha claimed Sunday and said a strategy has been formulated and security forces are being redeployed to foil the neighbouring country's nefarious designs.

In an interview with PTI in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor asserted that there would be a "big change in the situation in the next three months".

The Jammu region, previously known for its peaceful atmosphere, has seen a surge in terror incidents, particularly in the border districts. Attacks on an IAF convoy, a pilgrim bus and the killing of soldiers in Kathua during the last few months highlight the evolving threat.

On Saturday, two soldiers and a civilian were killed during an encounter between terrorists and security forces in Anantnag in south Kashmir.

Pointing to the terror incidents in the Jammu region, Mr Sinha said, "The incidents are sad. We acknowledge them and want to assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country that these incidents will definitely be controlled. The neighbouring country will not succeed in its evil designs."

"Pakistan is the birthplace of terrorism, it emanates from there. India and the Jammu and Kashmir administration are making concerted efforts to counter it, with several other countries also contributing to these efforts," he told PTI.

The L-G exuded full faith in the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police to control the situation, and said, "You will see a big change in the coming three months." "The neighbouring country is pushing in foreign terrorists to spoil the situation here. Considering previous incidents, security forces and the administration have formulated a strategy. Redeployment of forces has started... Deployment of army, CRPF, and police personnel has increased," Mr Sinha said.

He further said the security forces have completed their preparations and are moving forward to tackle these incidents of terror. "The (Union) home minister has reviewed the strategy. I feel better results will be seen in the region in the coming days," he said.

Asked to comment about Pakistan's continuance in fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "We seem to be unaware of the internal situation in Pakistan. The country cannot even provide food to its own people. Because of this, Jammu and Kashmir has become a favourite subject for them."

"The country fails to accept that India defeated it in wars; hence, it continues to attempt to destabilize the region. On the international front, there has been an increase in support for India. Even during the abrogation of Article 370, some countries, whose viewpoints differed from ours, acknowledged it as India's internal matter," the L-G said.

PTI
This June 7, 2023, image provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows the female Mexican gray wolf F2754 during a health check before being released into the wild in southeastern Arizona.
In the thick of protests against the death of a postgraduate student of R G Kar Medical College, two female physicians from two different hospitals in East Burdwan today brought charges of receiving intimidation from a drunken civic police volunteer and the son of a cardiac patient.

The district police responded to the charges immediately and booked the civic volunteer in one incident and also the kin of the deceased patient in another incident.

A heavily drunk Susanta Roy, the civic volunteer was taken to the Bhatar State General Hospital following complaints of dizziness and abdominal discomfort. An on-duty lady physician attended him. In her complaint with the Bhatar PS, the physician stated: I prescribed him primary management but suddenly he started misbehaving and arguing regarding treatment. He threatened me by mentioning the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital incident.

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She later said, Im very much devastated and worried with this verbal threat in the hospital premises while on duty.

The physicians, nurses of the hospital pressed a panic button and staged a demonstration today alleging dearth of security at the workplace. The police meanwhile arrested Roy, the accused.

At the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, one lady postgraduate trainee complained that the son of a lady patient, while pulling down the body of the deceased, had intentionally tried to make a physical contact with her. After she lodged a complaint, the police primarily booked Nuruddin Mondal and his father-in-law Lalon Sheikh. Nuruddin, the son of the snake bite victim Farsina Mondal, the lady physician complained: Was making objectionable advances towards me although hed ample space to remove his fathers body from the bed.

The PGT first lodged a complaint with the hospital superintendent and as suggested by the superintendent, the police booked Nuruddin and Lalon. The SP, East Burdwan, Amandeep Singh later said that the two were booked initially based on the hospital superintendents versions.

The BMCH and the Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital have issued advisories to the patient parties and the security staff of the hospitals in the wake of the R G Kar hospital incident. Dr Panchanan Kundu, medical superintendent, BSMCH, said, Weve started arranging special restrooms for the lady physicians by shifting the server room from its current location. Besides, weve suggested installation of at least 40 new CC cameras in the hospital as a precautionary measure.
The rape and murder of a lady intern at R G Kar Medical college have come as a great shock in the medical fraternity, eliciting strong protests from every corner.

The SUCI (c) at Chinsurah Ghori More staged a strong protest today, condemning the act of brutality on a lady doctor.

District committee members present at Ghori More, Dipankar Mondal, Shankar Das and others condemned the act of brutality in strong words and demanded exemplary punishment against those involved in the heinous act.

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The protesting comrades said atrocities against the women in the state are on the rise, even the medical fraternity is not spared by anti-socials and pointed out the police administrations failure in maintaining law and order. We demand that the chief minister should take stern steps to ensure safety and security to the medical practitioners and their family members, said the members.
A recent ground-breaking study led by professor Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) has debunked previous alarming claims of a severe ozone hole in the tropical stratosphere.

This international collaborative research provides new evidence that reassures the global community: there is no significant ozone depletion in the tropics, and no associated health threats to the millions of people living in these regions.

The study, titled No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropical Stratosphere in Recent Decades, challenges earlier assertions that suggested a massive year-round ozone hole in the tropics. Such claims had previously sparked concerns, as the potential health impacts could affect nearly half of the worlds population residing in tropical areas.

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Stratospheric ozone plays a critical role in protecting life on earth by absorbing the majority of the suns harmful ultraviolet radiation. Significant depletion of this ozone layer can lead to severe environmental and public health consequences, including increased risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues.

The researchers, including international experts from Germany and France, meticulously analyzed data from ground-based observations, ozonesonde (balloon-borne instrument) measurements, and satellite-based ozone readings to investigate trends over the past five decades (1980-2022). Their findings indicate that the amount of ozone in the tropics has remained relatively stable and is significantly higher than the levels that would signal an ozone hole.

Professor Kuttippurath explained, In contrast to previous claims, our study finds that there is no ozone hole in the tropics and, therefore, no health threat associated with that. The average ozone levels in the tropics are about 260 Dobson Units (DU), well above the ozone hole criterion of 220 DU. The slight decrease in tropical ozone in recent decades is attributed to changes in atmospheric dynamics, not to chemical processes.

The study also criticized the methodology of the earlier research that claimed the existence of a tropical ozone hole. The previous study used data from the surface to an altitude of 11 kilometres, which is insufficient to assess ozone distribution in the core ozone region, between 15 and 20 kilometres, said GS Gopikrishnan, a research scholar and co-author of the study from IIT Kharagpur. Moreover, the data set used had high uncertainty and large gaps, making it unfit to support any scientific conclusions.

The research team emphasized that the conditions required for an ozone hole, such as extreme cold temperatures, strong polar vortexes, and the presence of polar stratospheric clouds, are unique to Antarctica and do not occur in the tropics. Ozone dynamics in the tropics is primarily driven by atmospheric circulation patterns, added Professor Kuttippurath. The previous claim of a tropical ozone hole was based on a flawed theoretical framework and inadequate measurements.

Rolf Muller, Sophie Godin-Beekmann and Jerome Brioude, who collaborated on the study from institutions in Germany and France, reiterated that the studys results align with the current scientific consensus on ozone dynamics and atmospheric conditions.

This new research not only refutes the existence of a tropical ozone hole but also highlights the importance of accurate data and robust methodologies in environmental science. The findings are expected to reassure public health officials and policymakers worldwide, alleviating concerns about the potential health impacts of an ozone hole in the tropics.
Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, and Dar Al-Handasah, an international consulting firm, signed an agreement on Friday for the design and supervision of a new mega airport to be built near Bishoftu town, about 42 km east of the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

The new airport will have the capacity to handle 100 million passengers a year and provide parking for 270 aircraft, Mesfin Tasew, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines Group, said in a briefing, Xinhua news agency reported.

The new four-runway airport will be Africas biggest when the construction is completed in 2029, Tasew told reporters, highlighting that by undertaking a mega airport project, the airline is writing a new chapter in its aviation history.

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The CEO said Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, currently the main hub for Africas largest airline, will soon reach its capacity of serving 25 million passengers per year.

The new mega airport is a five-year project that will be finalised in 2029. It will have two phases, and upon completion of the first phase with two runways, the airport will have the capacity to handle 60 million passengers a year, Tasew said.

According to him, phase one alone will cost the airline at least $6 billion, and the money will come from loans from companies that have already shown interest.

Ethiopian Airlines carried 17.1 million passengers in the 2023/2024 financial year and expects to carry 20 million passengers in the new financial year that starts on July 8, 2024.

The new airport, to be built on a total area of 35 square km, will include shopping and hotel facilities. Once the project design is completed, the construction of the mega airport will be put out to tender.
Global engineering and product development company Tata Technologies on Saturday said that it has cancelled a project worth Rs 1,188.36 crore to develop 36 government ITIs (industrial training institutes) in Chhattisgarh.

In a regulatory filing with the stock exchange, the company said it received a letter from the Chhattisgarh government, informing the company about closure of the Project and termination of the MoA (memorandum of agreement) as they are exploring alternate options to meet the Project objectives.

Tata Technologies further said that it has today sent a letter to the Chhattisgarh government accepting the termination of the MoA and agreed to initiate steps for refund of the escrow amount.

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The MoA was signed on July 22, 2023. The company was the lead industry partner for executing the project under the MoA, which primarily entailed upgrading 36 ITIs as Centre of Excellence (CoE), in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Shares of Tata Technologies closed 1.01 per cent lower at Rs 989.45 per share on Friday.

The IT major posted a 15.4 per cent decline in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 162.03 crore in the April-June quarter. Consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,268.97 crore compared to Rs 1,257.53 crore in the year-ago period.

For FY24, Tata Technologies reported profit before tax (PBT) at Rs 932 crore in FY24, a 17.1 per cent growth (year-on-year), as the board recommended a final dividend of Rs 8.40 per equity share and a special dividend of Rs 1.65 per share.

The global engineering services company registered 15.9 per cent growth in total operating revenue to Rs 5,117 crore in the last fiscal year. In the last three years, revenue from operations has grown at 29 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) while operating EBITDA grew at a 35 per cent CAGR.
The Delhi Police Crime Branch said on Sunday that a 24-year-old gangster, identified as Ankit, who was allegedly involved in multiple serious crimes, including a recent murder in Haryana was arrested.

Ankit, a resident of Rohtak, Haryana, was apprehended from Chawala village, Delhi, by a team from the Anti-Gang Squad (AGS) of the Crime Branch recovered weapons, including three sophisticated pistols, a single-shot pistol, 13 live cartridges of various calibres, two magazines (one large and one small), and a stolen motorcycle from the accused.

The arrest is linked to a murder that took place on July 11, 2024, in the Gohana Sadar area of Sonipat, Haryana.

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Ankit and his associates are accused of fatally shooting Jaipal, with over 10 rounds fired. The motive behind the crime was a long-standing enmity, as Jaipal was allegedly involved in the killing of Ankits younger brother.

The suspects intercepted Jaipal on the main road near his village while he was on his way to Gohana to sell milk, carrying out the shooting and subsequently fleeing the scene. The incident caused significant fear and unrest in the local community.

The breakthrough in the case came when the Crime Branch received information about Ankits plans to commit another crime in Chawala, Delhi. Acting on this intelligence, the AGS team set up a trap and successfully captured the suspect, leading to the recovery of the weapons as mentioned earlier and the stolen motorcycle.

During interrogation, Ankit revealed his involvement in criminal activities since 2019, driven by a desire to assert dominance in his village. His criminal record includes seven previous cases, ranging from attempted murder to violations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act, in various police stations across Delhi and Haryana.
Korean boy band SEVENTEEN which has time and again taken over K-pop enthusiasts has now taken over BTS, one of the top K-pop acts, in Augusts Brand Reputation Rankings. The Korean Business Research Institute released the celebrated brand reputation rankings for boy bands in August. The institute analyses data from major K-pop boy band acts, taking into consideration- consumer participation, media activity, communication, and community indexes. From July 10 to August 10, the boy band SEVENTEEN managed to grab the coveted top spot.

The August showdown was marked by a cutthroat battle between the boybands BTS and SEVENTEEN. While the crown for July was taken by the global sensation BTS, for August the renowned K-pop act SEVENTEEN managed to reclaim the coveted top. Both the ARMY (the BTS fandom) and the CARATs (the SEVENTEEN fandom) thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling battle of numbers between South Koreas two most beloved boy bands.

Looking at numbers, SEVENTEEN led this months rankings with a brand reputation index of 5,988,919, amassing a 31.32 per cent increase since July. Key terms in their keyword analysis included the fandom name CARAT, unit, and world tour, with release, recapture, and donate being the top terms. The boy bands positivity-negativity analysis showed an impressive 90.94 per cent positive reaction rate. On the other hand, BTS recorded a brand reputation index of 4,980,992 while it boasted a brand reputation index of 5,555,349 in July marking a 35.67 per cent increase from June.

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As BTS took the second spot, the third spot was secured by Stray Kids with a remarkable 132.86 per cent increase in their brand reputation index, which reached 3,136,650. Last month, the K-pop group was in eleventh place. The group recently made a highly anticipated comeback with their latest album, ATE, which garnered immense success and became a chartbuster. Coming in strong on No. 4 is ENPHYN with TWS taking the fifth spot.

In related news, SEVENTEEN recently announced its RIGHT HERE world tour, sending their fandom into a frenzy. Since the announcement, the CARATs have been waiting to witness the boy band in their element live- fusing their suave moves and style with enchanting vocals as they perform their hit tracks, promising a memorable experience. On the other hand, except Jin, all the other BTS members are currently serving their mandatory military services as they continue to take over the K-pop stage with individual acts.
The newest celeb couple, the Made in Heaven star Sobhita Dhulipala and Majili actor Naga Chaitanya officiated their wedding processions with an engagement on August 8. The engagement garnered significant buzz on social media as fans flooded the comment sections with their views.

Following their intimate engagement ceremony, Monkey Man actress Sobhita Dhulipala has taken to Instagram to drop a bunch of adorable pictures from the ceremony and shared an endearing and emotional poem summing up their strong bond as they gear to embark on a new chapter in their lives. Sharing a bunch of snapshots, Sobhita captioned them as, What could my mother be to yours? What kin is my father to yours anyway? And how did you and I meet ever? But in love our hearts are as red earth and pouring rain: mingled beyond parting. From Kurunthogai, translated by A K Ramanujan.

Catch Sobhitas post here:

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sobhita (@sobhitad)

In the set of photos, Sobhita shared a monochrome photograph of her and Naga sitting on a traditional swing as they are captured from behind. The other images also show the duo enjoying each others company as they brim with love and laughter.

The news of the engagement was confirmed by Naga Chaitanyas father, superstar Nagarjuna who welcomed Dhulipala into the family and shared the happy news on the microblogging site X. Announcing the engagement, Nagarjuna wrote, We are overjoyed to welcome her (Sobhita) into our family. Congratulations to the happy couple! Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness. God bless! 8.8.8 A beginning of infinite love.

We are delighted to announce the engagement of our son, Naga Chaitanya, to Sobhita Dhulipala, which took place this morning at 9:42 a.m.!!

We are overjoyed to welcome her into our family.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness.  pic.twitter.com/buiBGa52lD  Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) August 8, 2024

Dating rumours of the Telegu star, Naga Chaitanya and The Night Manager actress Sobhita Dhulipala started making the rounds of the internet in 2022 when photographs of the two stars from a restaurant in London went viral. Further, the rumours solidified in June after the photos from their holiday in Europe took over social media.

For the unversed, Naga Chaitanya was previously married to Kushi star Samantha Ruth Prabhu and the couple tied the knot in 2017. The duo crossed paths while shooting for the film Ye Maaya Chesave and eventually started to date. However, Naga and Samantha got divorced in 2021 as the stars announced their separation in a joint statement in October 2021. The news of the couple splitting shocked several fans of the couple.

On the work front, Naga Chaitanya would be next seen headlining the film Thandel while Sobhita has the film Sitara in the pipeline.
Search operations have been intensified in the forests of South Kashmirs Kokernag where the death toll on Sunday increased to three with a civilian succumbing after being critically injured during the encounter between security forces and terrorists.

Another search operation was launched in the Paddar Batam Bridge of Kishtwar area in the Jammu division after a brief firefight between security forces and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists early this morning.

Two soldiers were killed and four injured on Saturday when the encounter broke out. Two civilians were also injured during the encounter in the Ahlan Gagarmandu forest area of Kokernag at an altitude of 10,000 ft in the Anantnag district.

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One of the two injured civilians, Abdul Rashid Dar, succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Srinagar early Sunday, officials said.

Reinforcements of the Army, the CRPF and the J&K Police have been deployed to comb the area and neutralise the fleeing terrorists.

The martyred Army soldiers have been identified as Havaldar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma.

The operation to track down the terrorists was continuing despite the challenging mountainous topography. The gunfight started on Saturday evening during a cordon and search operation that was initiated by the security forces based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of terrorists in the remote Ahlan Gagarmandu forest.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and All Ranks of the Indian Army saluted the supreme sacrifice of Bravehearts Havaldar Dipak Kumar Yadav and L/Nk Praveen Sharma, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Northern Army Commander Lt General MV Suchindra Kumar and all ranks of Dhruva Command also paid tributes to the Bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice beyond the call of duty in Anantnag.

The terrorists involved in the Kokernag encounter appear to be trained in jungle warfare as they managed to reach the mountainous southern part of Kashmir after terror strikes in the Doda district of Jammu in July when four soldiers, including a Captain, lost their lives.

A defence spokesman said these terrorists had sneaked across the Kishtwar range into the Kapran Garol area in South Kashmir. Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police have ever since relentlessly tracked these terrorists and precise operations were launched on the night of 9 and 10 August in the area East of Kapran, in the mountains, where these terrorists were reportedly holed up.

Joint teams of the Army, paramilitary forces and Police have also launched a search operation in Nowhatta, Naageni Peyaas and adjoining areas of Kishtwar following information about movement of terrorists.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the area after a group of terrorists opened fire at the security forces this morning.
US-based firm Hindenburg Research on August 10 alleged that SEBIs Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband had a stake in both the obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.

After putting out a teaser this morning, hinting at a significant disclosure involving India, Hindenburg by the end of the day published a new report that stated, We had previously noted Adanis total confidence in continuing to operate without the risk of serious regulatory intervention, suggesting that this may be explained through Adanis relationship with SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Buch.

What we hadnt realized: the current SEBI Chairperson and her husband, Dhaval Buch, had hidden stakes in the exact same obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds, found in the same complex nested structure, used by Vinod Adani, the report by the US hedge firm said.

The link to the entire report was posted on the X account of Hindenburg Research.

New from us, read the tweet adding Whistleblower Documents Reveal SEBIs Chairperson Had Stake In Obscure Offshore Entities Used In Adani Money Siphoning Scandal

Hindenburg Research said it has made the new allegations based on documents provided by a whistleblower and investigations carried out by other entities.

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Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch first appear to have opened their account with IPE Plus Fund 1 on June 5, 2015, in Singapore, per whistleblower documents. A declaration of funds, signed by a principal at IIFL states that the source of the investment is salary and the couples net worth is estimated at USD 10 million, the report stated.

In January 2023, Hindenburg published a report accusing the Adani Group of financial irregularities, leading to a significant drop in the companys stock price. The group at the time had rubbished these claims.

The Hindenburg report alleged stock manipulation and fraud by the conglomerate. The case is related to the allegations (part of a report by Hindenburg Research) that Adani had inflated its share prices. After these allegations were published, there was a sharp fall in the shares of various Adani group companies stocks, reportedly to the tune of over USD 100 billion.

The US short sellers 2023 January report was published two days before a USD 2.5 billion follow-up public offering was issued by Adani Enterprises.

The Adani group has repeatedly denied all the accusations in the Hindenburg Research report.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said here on Sunday that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is imperative to investigate this massive scandal in the wake of Hindenburg Research report against Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.

The US-based short seller, on Saturday, alleged that Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.

Reacting to the report, the Congress chief wrote in a post on X, SEBI had previously cleared Adani, a close associate of PM (Narendra) Modi, before the Supreme Court following the January 2023 Hindenburg Report revelations. However, new allegations have surfaced regarding a quid-pro-quo involving the SEBI Chief.

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Stating that the small and medium investors belonging to the middle class who invest their hard-earned money in the stock market need to be protected, as they believe in the SEBI, he said, A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) inquiry is imperative to investigate this massive scandal.

Until then, concerns persist that PM Modi will continue to shield his ally, compromising Indias Constitutional institutions, painstakingly built over seven decades, Kharge, who is also the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said.

Former Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, The integrity of SEBI, the securities regulator entrusted with safeguarding the wealth of small retail investors, has been gravely compromised by the allegations against its Chairperson.

He also posed a volley of questions to the government over the matter.

Why hasnt SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch resigned yet?If investors lose their hard-earned money, who will be held accountablePM Modi, the SEBI Chairperson, or Gautam Adani?In light of the new and very serious allegations that have surfaced, will the Supreme Court look into this matter suo moto once again?, Gandhi questioned.

Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, he said, It is now abundantly clear why Prime Minister Modi is so afraid of a JPC probe and what it might reveal.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, in a post on X, wrote, The latest allegations of SEBI Chiefs stakes in Adani Groups offshore funds are alarming. This explains the overall resistance of the regulator in probing allegations against the Adani group over the past year. If true, this conflict of interest casts a shadow over the trustworthiness of SEBI as well.

Attacking the ruling dispensation, he said, The loss of credibility of institutions under the Modi Government has directly contributed to crony capitalism in India. There should be an immediate inquiry into the allegations monitored by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh in a statement said, SEBIs strange reluctance to investigate the Adani Mega Scam has been long noted, not least by the Supreme Courts Expert Committee. That Committee had pointed out in its report that SEBI had in 2018 diluted and in 2019, entirely deleted the reporting requirements relating to the ultimate beneficial (i.e. actual) ownership of foreign funds.

The Congress MP said, The Hindenburg Research revelations show that SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband invested in the same Bermuda and Mauritius-based offshore funds in which Vinod Adani and his close associates Chang Chung-Ling and Nasser Ali Shahban Ahli invested funds earned from the over-invoicing of power equipment. These funds are believed also to have been used to amass large stakes in Adani Group companies in violation of SEBI regulations.

It is shocking that Buch would have a financial stake in these same funds. This raises fresh questions about Gautam Adanis two 2022 meetings in quick succession with Buch shortly after she became SEBI chairperson. Recall that SEBI was supposedly investigating Adani transactions at the time, he said.

Ramesh demanded that the government should act immediately to eliminate all conflicts of interest in the SEBI investigation of Adani.

The fact is that the seeming complicity of the highest officials of the land can only be resolved by setting up a JPC to investigate the full scope of the Adani Mega Scam, he said.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Congress Social Media Chairperson Supriya Shrinate said, This entire revelation has raised questions on the credibility of the SEBI Chief, government and the Prime Minister.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said here on Sunday that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is imperative to investigate this massive scandal in the wake of Hindenburg Research report against Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.

The US-based short seller, on Saturday, alleged that Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.

Reacting to the report, the Congress chief wrote in a post on X, SEBI had previously cleared Adani, a close associate of PM (Narendra) Modi, before the Supreme Court following the January 2023 Hindenburg Report revelations. However, new allegations have surfaced regarding a quid-pro-quo involving the SEBI Chief.

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Stating that the small and medium investors belonging to the middle class who invest their hard-earned money in the stock market need to be protected, as they believe in the SEBI, he said, A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) inquiry is imperative to investigate this massive scandal.

Until then, concerns persist that PM Modi will continue to shield his ally, compromising Indias Constitutional institutions, painstakingly built over seven decades, Kharge, who is also the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said,

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, in a post on X, wrote, The latest allegations of SEBI Chiefs stakes in Adani Groups offshore funds are alarming. This explains the overall resistance of the regulator in probing allegations against the Adani group over the past year. If true, this conflict of interest casts a shadow over the trustworthiness of SEBI as well.

Attacking the ruling dispensation, he said, The loss of credibility of institutions under the Modi Government has directly contributed to crony capitalism in India. There should be an immediate inquiry into the allegations monitored by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Earlier, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh in a statement said, SEBIs strange reluctance to investigate the Adani Mega Scam has been long noted, not least by the Supreme Courts Expert Committee. That Committee had pointed out in its report that SEBI had in 2018 diluted and in 2019, entirely deleted the reporting requirements relating to the ultimate beneficial (i.e. actual) ownership of foreign funds.

The Congress MP said, The Hindenburg Research revelations show that SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband invested in the same Bermuda and Mauritius-based offshore funds in which Vinod Adani and his close associates Chang Chung-Ling and Nasser Ali Shahban Ahli invested funds earned from the over-invoicing of power equipment. These funds are believed also to have been used to amass large stakes in Adani Group companies in violation of SEBI regulations.

It is shocking that Buch would have a financial stake in these same funds. This raises fresh questions about Gautam Adanis two 2022 meetings in quick succession with Buch shortly after she became SEBI chairperson. Recall that SEBI was supposedly investigating Adani transactions at the time, he said.

Ramesh demanded that the government should act immediately to eliminate all conflicts of interest in the SEBI investigation of Adani.

The fact is that the seeming complicity of the highest officials of the land can only be resolved by setting up a JPC to investigate the full scope of the Adani Mega Scam, he said.
Dismissing the latest Hindenburg report, the BJP on Sunday questioned what it called as the Oppositions tendency to align with foreign entities while attacking Indian companies.

The saffron party was reacting to the Hindenburg Research report against Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch on Saturday.

The US-based short seller alleged that Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.

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Reacting to the report, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said, The Hindenburg Report is under the lens of Indian investigative agencies. The question arises why does the Opposition always complement whatever transpires in foreign countries?

Responding to AAP MP Sanjay Singhs allegations that Parliament was adjourned sine die due to the governments foreknowledge of the Hindenburg reports release, the BJP leader, talking to a news agency, accused the Opposition of habitually complementing foreign developments.

Trivedi highlighted a pattern in which critical reports and documentaries, including last years Hindenburg Report, the BBC documentary, and others, have been released just before the commencement of the Budget session, suggesting that this prompts suspicion that Opposition might have had prior knowledge of these events.

The suspicion that the Opposition was well aware of the fact that something like this is going to happen before the Parliamentary session is growing stronger now that they are claiming this, Trivedi remarked.

The Rajya Sabha MP also pointed out that the dates for the Parliamentary sessions are determined by the Business Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from all political parties, not just the ruling party.

Reflecting on the Oppositions past actions, Trivedi asked, Why do Congress and the Opposition consistently aim to spread economic instability and anarchy?

Whether the company is private or government-owned, they always attempt to create confusion among the public. Last year, they claimed that LIC, HAL, and SBI were running at losses. This year, LIC recorded a profit of Rs 17,000 crore, SBI registered Rs 21,000 crore, and HAL posted Rs 29,000 crore, all of which are all-time highs. Now, they are targeting SEBI, he told the news agency.

The Rajya Sabha MP further accused the Congress party of having a history of supporting foreign entities, citing examples such as Union Carbide in 1984, Bofors in 1987, AgustaWestland, and more recently, the BBC and Hindenburg. What old relations does the Opposition have with these foreign companies that lead them to target every economic institution in India, he asked.

Trivedi concluded by contrasting the BJPs commitment to making India economically self-sufficient, whether in Opposition or power, with the Oppositions alleged focus on foreign interests. When we are in the Opposition, we talk about the Swadeshi movement, when we are in power, we take forward the Make in India programme under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP leader said.
Indias Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor, who is in Ukraine, held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys top aide, Andriy Yermak, in Kyiv.

The meeting came amid reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit the battle-ravaged nation this month. The two sides have not officially stated anything on the PMs proposed visit.

A statement by Kyiv said Mr Yermak emphasised the importance of restoring just peace for Ukraine and Indias participation in this process.

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Met with Indias Deputy National Security Advisor, Ambassador Pavan Kapoor. I emphasized the importance of restoring a just peace for Ukraine and Indias participation in this process. Expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contribute to these efforts, Mr Yermak said in a social media post on X.

Sources said the two sides also discussed Mr Modis planned trip to Kyiv later this month around Ukraines National Day on August 24.

The PM had held talks with President Zelenskyy in June on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italys Apulia.

At the meeting, He told the Ukrainian leader that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy.

He has repeatedly told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not the time for war.
Nine people, including eight family members from Himachal Pradesh, were killed and two others went missing after their vehicle was washed away in a flash flood in the Jaijon area of Punjab.

According to reports, twelve people were travelling in an Innova vehicle to attend a wedding ceremony when it was swept away by rising water in a ravine. Nine bodies have been recovered so far, one person is injured, and the search for the remaining two individuals is ongoing.

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident in which nine people from Dehla in the Una district lost their lives due to the flood in the Jaijon area of Punjab.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the peace of the departed souls.

The Chief Minister said that the state government stands in solidarity with the affected families during this time of distress.

Assuring all possible assistance from the state government, he directed the Una district administration to extend support in this effort.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday stated he was not threatened by the persistent threats and criticisms by Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H. D. Kumaraswamy.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said: I put up with H.D. Kumaraswamys criticisms and threats for the last 2-3 years. But he lost it after his sons loss in the elections. He is threatening to release documents about me. Let him release them. I am not the one who is threatened.

Asked why personal verbal attacks are increasing between him and the Union Minister, the Congress leader said: H.D. Kumaraswamy is the one who started it. He is talking in desperation after his son lost the election. I showed restraint as I had worked with him when he was the CM in the coalition government. I treated him like an elder brother, but I cant take this anymore.

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D.K. Shivakumar is not threatened by his warnings. If he has proof, let him file a complaint. I do not say I have made my assets through agricultural income like him. I am as much a businessman as I am a politician. I purchase land as per my ability but havent taken any property by force as has been accused (of doing that). H.D. Kumaraswamy threatened to put me in jail I have seen the jail. I am not threatened by such statements.

I have not come to politics with the privilege of being the son of a former Prime Minister. I come from a middle-class farmers family. My assets are an open book. H.D. Kumaraswamy can reveal any document he may have. Let him fire all the weapons he possesses. I havent made any mistakes. I know whom all H.D. Kumaraswamy has complained to in Delhi. I know the conspiracies that are brewing, the Deputy Karnataka Chief Minister added.

He further said that H.D. Kumaraswamy is a master of U-turns.

He initially said I released his nephew Prajwal Revannas pen drives but later said that former BJP MLA Preetham Gowda was responsible. He made so many allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah before the elections, but now he is singing praise for them, Shivakumar said.

Asked about H.D. Kumaraswamys claim that the Congress-led government in Karnataka would collapse within 10 months, Shivakumar said: I dont know the basis on which he has made the statement. He brought down the BJP government. Why is the BJP not talking about it? He cant digest the fact that an OBC leader is the CM for the second term. A lot of people in the BJP are not happy with him.

On being further asked about BJP leaders statements that their fight will go on till Siddaramaiah resigns as Karnataka Chief Minister, he said: There is no question of CM resigning. This is a political conspiracy to unseat him. They are daydreaming.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that his government was committed to empowering farmers at an event at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute here.

On the occasion, the prime minister released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified varieties of crops and interacted with farmers and scientists on the occasion. He said the climate-friendly and high-yielding varieties of crops would boost the income of farmers.

He expressed satisfaction with the farmers transitioning to natural farming.

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The prime minister listened to the experiences of the farmers and discussed with them the benefits of natural farming in detail.

In a post on X in Hindi, Modi said, We are committed to empowering our farmer brothers and sisters. In this direction, today we got the opportunity to release 109 new crop varieties in Delhi. With the increase in production from these climate friendly and high yielding varieties, the income of our farmers will also increase.

I am satisfied that our farmer brothers and sisters are also rapidly moving towards natural farming. Today, I got a chance to know his experiences closely. During this time we also discussed the benefits of natural farming in detail, the prime minister said in another post on X in Hindi.

The 109 varieties of 61 crops released by the prime minister included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals, millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre, and other potential crops were released. Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal crops were released.

Dwelling on the importance of these new crop varieties, Modi emphasised the significance of value addition in agriculture. Farmers said that these new varieties will be highly beneficial as they will help reduce their expenditure and also have a positive impact on the environment.

Modi discussed the importance of millet and underlined how people are moving towards nutritious food. He also talked about the benefits of natural farming and the increasing faith of common people towards organic farming, adding that people have started consuming and demanding organic foods. The farmers appreciated the efforts undertaken by the government to promote natural farming.

The farmers also lauded the role played by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in creating awareness.

The prime minister suggested that KVKs should proactively inform farmers about the benefits of the new varieties being developed every month to enhance awareness about their benefits.

Modi also praised the scientists for developing these new crop varieties. The scientists informed that they have been working in line with the suggestion given by the prime minister to bring unutilised crops into the mainstream.

Later, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said 109 varieties of seeds of 65 crops have been prepared. I congratulate the scientists for producing these varieties of seeds. The 109 varieties of seeds will increase the profit of farmers, be useful for the nutrition of the public and increase the exportPM Modi wanted information directly from the lab to the land, he said.

In three different places, PM Modi has dedicated 109 varieties of seeds to the nationPM Modi had a conversation with farmers and scientistsPM Modi also gave some suggestions to the scientistsIt is the resolve of the government to increase the income of the farmersIt is an ongoing process, those seeds which are released today will take one year from the breeder to foundation seed, the Union Agriculture Minister added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified varieties of crops at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute here and interacted with farmers and scientists on the occasion.

The 109 varieties of 61 crops released by the Prime Minister included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals, millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre, and other potential crops were released. Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal crops were released.

Discussing the importance of these new crop varieties, Modi emphasised the significance of value addition in agriculture. Farmers said that these new varieties will be highly beneficial as they will help reduce their expenditure and also have a positive impact on the environment.

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The Prime Minister discussed the importance of millet and underlined how people are moving towards nutritious food. He also talked about the benefits of natural farming and the increasing faith of common people towards organic farming, adding that people have started consuming and demanding organic foods. The farmers appreciated the efforts undertaken by the government to promote natural farming.

The farmers also lauded the role played by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in creating awareness.

The Prime Minister suggested that KVKs should proactively inform farmers about the benefits of the new varieties being developed every month to enhance awareness about their benefits.

Modi also praised the scientists for developing these new crop varieties. The scientists informed that they have been working in line with the suggestion given by the Prime Minister to bring unutilised crops into the mainstream.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated President Droupadi Murmu on being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, saying it reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between the two nations.

In a post on X, the prime minister said, It is a proud moment for us to see Rashtrapati Ji being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nations highest civilian award. This reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between our countries. It is also the recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years.

President Murmu was conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, from her counterpart President Jose Ramos-Horta on Saturday, in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women.

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Addressing media persons with her Timorese counterpart in Dili, President Murmu expressed gratitude to President Horta and the people of Timor-Leste for giving the Indian delegation a generous reception.

I am deeply honoured by the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste bestowed upon me. This is a reflection of the deep bond of friendship between India and Timor-Leste, the President had said, saying that the honour is a reflection of the ties of friendship between the two nations.

India and Timor-Leste share warm and friendly relations based on our shared commitment to the values of democracy and pluralism. I am confident that this will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, President Murmu had said.

I had extensive discussions with President Ramos-Horta today on enhancing the bilateral cooperation between India and Timor Leste in the fields of IT, digital technology, health and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, capacity building and more, she added.

The President wrapped up her three-nation visit on Sunday, adding renewed momentum to the bilateral ties with Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste.
To advance Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths commitment to transforming Uttar Pradesh into a clean state, the Urban Development Department has held a thorough review and orientation workshop for Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) and Officers in Charge (OCs) of local bodies, officials have said.

The workshop, which took place on Saturday at the Local Urban Bodies Directorate, covered key aspects of urban development, focusing particularly on the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and associated campaigns.

It included a thorough review of the Swachh Bharat Mission and highlighted the critical role of ADMs. The discussions emphasised their crucial contributions to Swachh Survekshan 2024, the Garbage Free City (GFC) initiative, and Open Defecation Free (ODF) protocols.

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The need for effective implementation and monitoring to meet the objectives of these programs was also underscored.

The workshop, chaired by Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, included a comprehensive review of the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U).

Key topics discussed at the workshop were Material Recovery Facilities (MRF), compost pits, solid waste management plants, public and community toilets, and used water management. The use of funds for these initiatives was also examined.

Additionally, the workshop covered various ambitious schemes of the state government, including the Mukhyamantri Vaishwik Nagarodaya Yojana, Aspirational Town Scheme, Namaste Yojana, Mukhyamantri Nagar Srijan Yojana, Park Adoption Policy, Kanha Gaushala, Funeral Site, Upvan Yojana, Vandan Yojana, and Chief Minister Green Road Infrastructure Development Scheme.

Principal Secretary Amrit Abhijat outlined a detailed roadmap for the Urban Development Department, focusing on future directions and goals. Following this, Local Urban Bodies Director Anuj Kumar Jha addressed administrative issues and the roles of District Project Managers (DPMs) and District Coordination Officers (DCOs) in the effective implementation of urban schemes at the district level.

The workshop was attended by Secretary of Urban Development Ajay Shukla, Additional Director of the Local Urban Bodies Directorate Ritu Suhas, Special Secretary of Urban Development Arun Prakash, and MB Singh.
Uttar Pradesh Congress slammed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday over his reported statement regarding the oppositions position on the situation in Bangladesh.

Yogi ji only works to spread animosity by making religion the basis of his politics. The kind of low-level statements he is making on the issue of Bangladesh are highly condemnable, state Congress president Ajay Rai said.

Reacting to the issue, Ajay Rai accused the BJP of lying. Hindu refugees coming to the border are not being allowed to enter India, yet Yogi ji is beating his chest and shouting that we will protect Hindus, he said.

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The state Congress president said that during the all-party meeting called by the government, the entire opposition had unanimously supported the governments stance on the issue. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, while expressing concern over the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, had asked the government what action the Indian government is taking to address the situation, he revealed.

Ajay Rai said that instead of questioning his partys government at the Centre, Yogi ji is spreading religious hatred here in Uttar Pradesh to get votes in the name of Bangladesh.

He said that the Prime Minister himself did not attend the all-party meeting on this unfortunate incident in the neighbourhood. This reveals the Prime Ministers insensitivity towards this serious issue and the security of minorities in Bangladesh, he added.

Rai urged Yogi ji to avoid making non-serious and irresponsible statements on such a sensitive matter.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during a public meeting in Ayodhya on Saturday, said, Today, the negative forces, who do not believe in Ram-Krishna and lack respect for Indianness, cannot raise their voice for any Hindu being tortured anywhere in the world because they fear losing their vote bank here.

How can those who view atrocities in the world through the lens of vote banks be your well-wishers? the CM had said.
R Venkataraman, a veteran member belonging to the Congress Party, who later became the President of the republic from 1987 to 1992, participating in the parliamentary discussion on 21 February 1979, expressed the solidarity of the House with the people of Vietnam. He was critical of the American acquiescence of the Chinese attack. He said, As you are aware, imperialism never dies; imperialism only sheds its trappings.

After the Second World War, a new imperialism came into vogue and the United States of America pronounced a theory that after the fall of the British and French empire, there is a power vacuum in several parts of the country one in Southeast Asia and one in the MiddleEast-and they tried to fill this power vacuum by supporting puppet regimes in the IndoChina region. It supported the puppet regime of Baodai, Sigman Rhee and the like, who were oppressing the people and who were acting contrary to the national interests.

The brave and valiant people of Vietnam struggled against this kind of oppression and they were able to throw (out) not only the French but also subsequently the United States hegemony over them. Referring to his visit to Ame rica immediately after the visit of the Chinese President, he said that a red carpet was rolled for him wherever he went. He spoke against the superpowers, meaning thereby the Soviet Union and the United States. He also spoke of their hegemony over the world. And what do you find now? After having attacked the two superpowers, China, as a super power has now started attacking her neighbour in this area, thereby showing what a split personality it has. It is not the first time that it has done that. They have been talking of Panchsheel, of peaceful coexistence between countries on the one side, and then at the same time, committing acts of aggression against others. It happened in 1962 so far as our country is concerned and the same thing has happened in Vietnam. The discussion resumed for the second day on 22 February 1979.

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One member, M.N. Govindan Nair, belonging to the Communist Party of India, while condemning the naked aggression, was critical of the role of All India Radio for not broadcasting the news of the Chinese attack, which was reported by other agencies such as the BBC and the Voice of America. He also criticized that Foreign Minister Vajpayee was not in formed, when he was present on Chi nese soil. He described the Chinese behavior as discourteous. He was also critical of the role of the Ministry of External Af fairs for their ignorance of what was happening all rou nd. He was critical of the tacit collusion between Chi na and the USA. Elucidating his point, he said, After the visit of the Chinese Vice Premier to the USA, Mr. Carter has entrusted the responsibility of keeping peace and order in the East with the Chinese.

The way they are trying to keep peace is shown by their actions in Vietnam. Every other state in Southeast Asia is terribly afraid about their security and here is a country, India, which is one of the major nations in this region He asked, Are we taking a line of giving some sense of security to these nations? Mr. Govindan Nair was critical of the great powers, particularly China, acting as the Policeman of the East. He said that the biggest tragedy of the century was a big nation like China, after fighting against the imperialists and establishing a Socialist Government, is breaking away from the socialist world and becoming a handmaid of imperialism When I speak about China, my thoughts go back to those days, those heroic days when the Chinese fought against the imperialism of both Japan and America. Millions of people in China laid down their lives to save their country from imperialists He bemoaned that all of them in their grave must be revolting against what is happening today in China. M. Satya Narayan Rao of the Congress, while endorsing the stance that there was collusion between the USA and China with regard to Vietnam said, There is a big conspiracy between the United States and China.

Recently the Chinese Vice Premier went to USA and had talks with President Carter; after discussions with him he came back to China and they wanted to involve our country and so when our foreign minister was visiting China, they wanted to give an impression that not only the United States, Japan and other countries, but also India is supporting China. It is a proof. They wanted proof. They did not know at that time that he would be bold enough to cut short his visit and come back soon and the condemnation resolution will be moved here and all parties will condemn it. They did not know that.

This is a conspiracy and I am happy this government did not fall into the trap He hoped that if anything happened in South East Asian countries, India should come to their rescue. He further urged that India should start negotiations with other countries and ensure that this aggression was stopped immediately. Taking a dig at the USA, he said,  Why is the USA interested? The USA failed in curbing Vietnam. They wanted to take revenge against Vietnam. That is why they found friendship with China and indirectly they are encouraging this. Now they are very much interested to see that Vietnam is defeated by China Another member, Prof Samar Guha, who belonged to the left leaning Forward Bloc, had a slightly different stance presumably on ideological grounds.

He said, Perhaps most unwittingly many members have forgotten by what they are saying they are trying to play into the hands of the very big power that was persistently and consistently tried to see the detente between India and China is not established because of certain international political relations that have developed in recent decadesThe sympathy of the Indian people and this House have been amply expressed in favour of Vietnam. There is another reason for this. The great people of Vietnam, who fought for 25 years against one big giant ~ the USA ~ have shown how even a small nation, with the spirit of determination to defend their freedom, could accept the challenge of a big power like the USA. That is ano  ther reason why we have our respect for Vietnam

(The writer is a former senior fellow of Indian Council of Social Science Research, affiliated to Indian Institute of Public Administration, and also a former senior fellow of Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi)
It is an undeniable fact that warriors and people of almost every state in British India fought tooth and nail against the oppression, injustice and brutality of foreign rulers, right from the time they wanted to impose their draconian rule on the native population. But our prejudiced textbooks dont mention the brave feats of many of our ancestors who laid down their lives fighting foreign aggression. At the national level, while only a selected few are glorified, many a name has remained in oblivion even in regional history textbooks. As we are again warming up to celebrate the Independence Day this month, we may remember one such name whose courageous saga does not make it to the mainstream narrative, yet whose inspiring story lives through local folklore, theatre performances and written records that chronicled the events of the time.

Steadfast in her loyalty to her people and her throne, she is an icon of rebellion, sacrifice and martyrdom in a long and glowing history of fighting colonial rule. She is Avantibai, the queen of Ramgarh and one of the grittiest women in the history of Indian freedom struggle. Avantibai raised an army of 4,000 soldiers, trained them and herself led them in a battlefield against the British in 1857.While most of us are aware of the heroic feats of Rani Laxmibai, not many know the bravery of Avantibai Lodhi who was the wife of Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh, the ruler of Ramgarh estate of the present day Madhya Pradesh. Immortalised in history for her unflagging courage, resilience and indomitable spirit, Rani Avantibai is one of the few Indian rulers who won a battle against the British in 1857. After their defeat, the British attacked her kingdom with additional forces and destroyed many a standing structure besides killing many.

went in hiding in the dense forests on the hills of Devharigarh and started resorting to guerrilla warfare techniques in several successful attempts until she was surrounded by enemy troops. As she felt that her defeat was imminent and capture certain, she struck herself with her sword and attained martyrdom. Until death she did not let the British capture or touch her. On 20 March 1858, as she fell upon her sword, her last words are said to have been: Our Durgavati vowed to never let the enemy get their hands on her while she lived. Dont forget this. In 2011, the HRD ministry made a suggestion to the NCERT to consider the inclusion of Rani Avantibai in school textbooks. The move came in the wake of an uproar made by some MPs in the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament.

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Following this, the NCERT decided to enter her name in the Class VIII Social Science textbook in the chapter titled When People Rebel It is unfortunate that not much information is available about Avantibais early life. She was born on 16 August 1831 to a Lodhi-Rajput family of Madhya Pradesh. Since her childhood she was known to have been extremely independent and she took her training in archery, horse-riding and wielding a sword. Her political and combat education was strong enough to make her suitable for being a ruler. Blessed with a charismatic personality, she was married at a young age to Raja Vikramaditya Singh of Ramgarh.

When Vikramaditya Singh fell seriously ill, Avantibai in her early twenties took over the reins of Ramgarh and started ruling the state wisely. The eyes of the British rulers fell on Ramgarh when they heard that the king was bed-ridden for several days. They declared him unfit as a ruler and tried forcefully to annex Ramgarh applying the notorious Doctrine of Lapse policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie. The policy permitted the East India Company to establish its authority in any princely state of India if the ruler was incompetent or died without a male heir, thus taking away Indian rulers rights to appoint successors. When the British appointed an administrator for Ramgarh, Avantibai took charge of the administration throwing out the administrator. One of the defining moments of Avantibais leadership came with the tragic death of her husband. Rather than succumbing to grief and despair, Rani Avantibai channeled her sorrow into a fierce determination to continue the fight against the British. Although the British forcefully employed officials in her territory, she did not let them enter Dindori Ramgarh fort.

In the meantime, the Sepoy Mutiny started in 1857 and in Meerut cantonment on May 10 Indian sepoys with the help of local civilians killed 50 Britishers. The news inspired all freedom fighters to rise in revolt against the British rulers. Avantibai too joined the movement with the objective of throwing the colonial rulers out of Ramgarh and Indian soil. She raised an army of 4,000 warriors with the help of neighbouring rulers and local zamindars. Seeking to infuse patriotism and to unite people, emissaries (who carried bangles and hand-written notes) were sent to neighbouring kingdoms with a strong-worded message to them: If you think you have a duty towards our enslaved motherland, raise your swords and jump into the war against the British, otherwise wear these bangles and hide yourself in your house. Her appeal aroused a wave of revolt in the central provinces.

In association with many Thakurs and Malguzars of the area, she first forced the British officers to leave Ramgarh and occupied the treasury on 26 September 1857. The infuriated British attacked Avantibais citadel with a huge force. The first encounter between the queen and the British took place in the village of Kheri near Mandla in Ramgarh. She led her troops with valour and skill, defeating the British in the battlefield. It was a rare victory against the mighty British by any Indian ruler in the Indian War of Independence in 1857. Enraged by the humiliating defeat at the hands of Avantibai, the British came back with vengeance and launched a vicious attack on Ramgarh after a few days. Unwilling to fall prey to the British onslaught, Rani Avanti moved to the hills of Devharigarh for safety. Failing to catch Avantibai, the British forces set fire to the city of Ramgarh besides destroying crops, buildings and other assets of the kingdom.

From the hilly forests, Rani Avanti then embarked on guerrilla warfare involving hit-and-run tactics, sabotage and quick raids as face-to-face battle was a difficult choice given the superiority of the British in terms of military strength and ammunition at that time. Applying such a strategy she attacked the camp of General Waddington and dispersed his army. But when she was surrounded on all sides by British forces and was asked to surrender, she would not let the enemy capture her. She attained martyrdom. At that time she was only 27. The saga of Avantibai had been blanked out of history textbooks till the other day. But it is not surprising given the fact that patriots like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Khudiram Bose and countless other bravehearts have been cold-shouldered by the blinkered narratives of our freedom struggle carefully engineered by a select few who are hellbent on demeaning the role of armed revolutionaries in our quest for freedom from British rule.

As for Avantibai, some steps have been taken in the last few years to pay tribute to her scintillating role in the freedom struggle. To pay homage to her indomitable spirit and valour, the Narmada Valley Development Authority has decided to name a dam in Jabalpur after her. Now called the Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Sagar, it is a multi-purpose irrigation and hydro-electric project across the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh. Both the Maharashtra Government and the Department of Posts brought out stamps in her honour. While ignored by mainstream historians for decades, Avantibais legacy lives on in public memory and folklore as a testament to the fearless spirit of freedom and courage. Her bravery in the face of the powerful British challenge and her supreme sacrifice will continue to instill hope and pride in the minds of Indians for generations to come.

(The writer, a Ph D in English from Calcutta University and a freelance writer, teaches English at the Govt.-sponsored Sailendra Sircar Vidyalaya, Shyambazar, Kolkata.)
The week that just went by was dominated by news of boiling, burning Bangladesh. The steady stream of reports flowing in from across the border was interrupted with the news of the death of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. I had a chance to interview the former West Bengal chief minister when I had gone on one of his campaign trails before the state elections of 2011 to cover it for the newsmagazine I worked for then. This was a particularly desperate time for the Left Front government which he led because it was during the days just after the Nandigram and Singur episodes and his party CPIMs ratings had taken a huge hit in terms of popularity. On the other hand, the popularity of the chief political rival of Trinamul, led by its fiery founder Mamata Banerjee had surged substantially. The Parliamentary elections two years earlier, in 2009, indicated that dip. The number of seats of Trinamul had shot up in one go from only one (Mamata Banerjees herself) in the previous polls to nineteen and the CPIMs had crashed by a whopping seventeen seats going from twenty-six in the previous polls to only nine. The Left Front comprising CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc and of course CPIM, had held thirty-five of the forty-two Parliamentary seats in the previous term and it dipped to a mere fifteen in 2009.

However, I found that the loss of twenty seats and the desperation to recover lost ground did not reflect in the demeanour of Buddhadeb Babu. On the contrary he exuded a confidence which I feel reflected his ability to count on his own unquestionable good intentions and the vigorous campaigning in the countryside which included him going from village to village saying sorry for mistakes made by his government. Though detractors dismissed such confidence, especially post the 2011 elections in which the Left Front was defeated, as the arrogance of overconfidence or even a lack of judgement as to the reality on the ground, Buddhadeb Babu clearly banked on his hard work and good will. We had lost touch with people at the ground level, he had told me during the interview. But we have re-established it. When I asked him about Nandigram and Singur he had said that these were part of the plan to usher in a better Bengal, one which would thrive in terms of industry without compromising on agriculture. Agriculture is our foundation, industry is our future, was his famous catch phrase at that time.

In the interview he told me, We were merely considering building a chemical hub in that area (Nandigram). And the people had been notified to that effect. But a rebellion was stirred up and subsequently lawlessness prevailed. Roads were dug up to prevent anyone from entering Nandigram and there was no administration in that area for nearly three months. The police were sent to Nandigram to contain the situation, and not to forcefully grab the land of the people against their wishes. The killing of innocent people (in the firing) should never have happened and we are sorry for that but the circumstances under which it happened were not a creation of the West Bengal government. About Singur, he was clear that a car factory would have improved the economy not just of the region but all of Bengal. He had said, (In Singur), 90 per cent of the people gave up their land willingly and were provided adequate compensation, with which they were satisfied. We were also negotiating with the remaining 10 per cent, but again a fire of rebellion, inciting unrest against the government was stoked up.

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However, he was hopeful that the Left Fronts good work over three decades would be remembered by the people of West Bengal when they voted. If you go to rural areas, you can witness the difference in the lives of the poor peasants there, he had said during the interview. They have come a long way since pre-1977 days in terms of land, literacy, health, education etc.

But by then people had decided, clearly, that they wanted Poriborton or Change, Mamata Banerjees promise of an uphaul of the status quo and the elections of 2011 determined that amply.

In fact, the demand for Change is what was at the root of the rebellion in Bangladesh too. I had visited our neighbouring country a number of times. I have been to towns and cities and lived for days in Dhaka. I have gone to the verdant villages, pond-dotted, tree-lined and all loci of harmonious co-existence. I have gone to Aricha, an 88 kilometre drive back and forth from Dhaka. It was at the confluence of rivers that flow through both India and Bangladesh. Farukh Bhai, who had taken us to this amazing destination where the riverbeds were so vast that one could not see the other side, said, This is like an ocean where all meet. Here the boatmen still sung songs from the time of the 1971 Bangladesh War including a paean to Mujibur Rahman, Hasinas father, who was the leader considered to be among the liberators of Bangladesh from East Pakistan and who was butchered to death in a subsequent coup. Mujib bayya jaao re.nirjatito dasher (desher) majhey jono goner nao re, Mujib.bayya jaao re. The lyrics are sung in the Bangal dialect and accent and mean, Mujib.come and sail the boat.the boat of the people of this oppressed land. The images of violent, angry mobs vandalising and breaking down the massive statue of Mujib as Bangladesh burned and boiled, did not quite comport with the sentiments of the song that had once reverberated through the open skies over the rivers of Bangladesh as boatmen rowed their own boats and sung.

How things change. The euphoria of victory eventually gives way to the enervation of anguish borne of the violence of the disgruntled and angry. If, at the moments of victory, we could all be given foresight of the truth of transience and act accordingly.without arrogance of power. However, hindsight is all that we have.
Chief of Indias market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Madhabi Puri Buch has been in the news since late night of Saturday due the high-level allegations levied by Hindenburg.

The US-based short seller, Hindenburg, has alleged that the SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband, Dhaval Buch, had hidden stakes in the exact same obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds, found in the same complex nested structure, used by Vinod Adani.

Vinod Adani is the brother of Gautam Adani, the Indian business tycoon against whom the Hindenburg had levelled allegations through a report in January 2023 of siphoning money.

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The report highlighted that we had previously noted Adanis total confidence in continuing to operate without the risk of serious regulatory intervention, suggesting that this may be explained through Adanis relationship with SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Buch.

Who is SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch?

Born in 1966 and raised in Mumbai, Madhabi Puri Buch is the first-female chairperson of Indias markets regulator SEBI since March 1, 2022.

Her appointment was not just a milestone for gender equality in Indian finance but also a significant moment for the countrys regulatory framework.

She was a former whole-time member of SEBI, replaced Ajay Tyagi, whose five-year term came to an end.

Buch oversees key departments relating to regulation, supervision and surveillance and spearheads economic and policy analysis, investor assistance and education and information technology departments.

The chief has direct supervision of the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM). Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the NISM and driving policy reforms aimed at modernizing Indias financial markets.

The IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus is the youngest SEBI chief and the first person from the private sector to head the securities market watchdog.

Educational background and previous career

Madhabi Puri Buch holds an MBA degree from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad and has a graduate degree in Mathematics from St Stephens College, New Delhi.

Buch has three decades of financial market experience.

Her journey in the financial sector began in 1989 when she joined ICICI Bank, where she rapidly ascended the ranks.

She also held a senior position at a private equity major and had a brief stint with the New Development Bank, set up by the BRICS bloc of nations.

At ICICI, she too diverse roles, from investment banking to marketing and product development.

Her leadership qualities came to the fore when she became the first woman to serve as Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Securities in 2009.

After ICICI, she expanded her horizons internationally, and served as a Consultant to the New Development Bank in Shanghai and led the Singapore office of Greater Pacific Capital, a private equity firm.

Upon returning to India, Buch held non-executive director positions on the boards of several major companies, including Idea Cellular Ltd and NIIT Limited.

She has also set up a small foundation that undertakes projects with grassroot NGOs. Buch has also served as a non-executive director on the Boards of various companies.

Who is the husband of Madhabi Puri Buch?

Madhabi Puri Buch is married to Dhaval Buch. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D), where he graduated in mechanical engineering in 1984.

Dhaval Buchs LinkedIn profile describes him as having deep experience in procurement and all aspects of the supply chain.

He is currently a senior advisor at Blackstone and at Alvarez & Marsal, and also serves as a non-executive director on the Board of Gildan.

Dhaval served as executive director at Unilever and rose to become its Chief Procurement Officer.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has revealed that she could have remained in power if she had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal, media reports said.

Disclosing the contents of her undelivered speech in India, where Hasina flew on August 5 amid violent protests in her country, the 76-year-old leader said that she resigned so that she does not have to see a procession of dead bodies.

These revelations are part of her undelivered speech, which she wanted to make but could not happen as protesters reached her residence and she was forced to flee the country.

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The former prime minister said she is pained over her party Awami League being targeted but said she will return to Bangladesh soon.

She said that she would pray for the future of Bangladesh.

I resigned so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it. I resigned from premiership. I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech to the people of my land, please do not be manipulated by radicals, her undelivered speech says.

The undelivered speech says, If I had remained in the country, more lives would have been lost more resources would have been destroyed. I made the extremely difficult decision to exit. I became your leader because you chose me, you were my strength.

In May, Hasina had claimed that conspiracies were being hatched to topple her government and alleged a white mans plot to carve a new Christian country out of Bangladesh.

Hasina had claimed that if she allowed a certain country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, then she would have had no problem.

Bangladesh saw protests against job quotas that snowballed into a wider movement against the Bangladeshi leadership, forcing Sheikh Hasina to resign from the Prime Ministers post.

Over 400 people lost their lives in the protests since mid-July.

After Hasinas departure to India, Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus took over as the head of the interim government on Thursday and assured that the new regime would not only restore peace in the country but also ensure the protection of Hindus and other minorities.

Amid massive student protests demanding judiciarys revamp, Bangladesh Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other top judges were forced to resign on Saturday.
The Environmental Protection Agency contractors caused a blowout at the Gold King Mine above Silverton in 2015, releasing 3 million gallons of acid mine waste and 800,000 pounds of heavy metals into Cement Creek and the Animas River.

Nine years later, Todd Hennis  who owned a mining claim on Cement Creek below the mine  finally settled a lawsuit against the EPA for failing to compensate him for the use of his land to help the agency mitigate ongoing acid mine waste flowing down the creek, according to his lawyer, Kara Rollins, the litigation counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA).

The 3-million-gallon slug of bright orange acidic wastewater poured from the lowest level of the mine, down Cement Creek and into the Animas River. It caused panic in downstream communities as far away as New Mexico and shutdowns of drinking water plants and irrigation diversions all along the river.

Shortly after the blowout, the agency, without asking, took over Hennis private property and built a filtration plant to treat ongoing mine waste drainage, according to a lawsuit he filed in 2021.

Rollins said that, at the time Hennis, recognizing the urgency of the situation, verbally authorized the government to temporarily use a portion of his property for an emergency staging area for equipment and supplies, recognizing that time was of the essence to mitigate the environmental disaster of EPAs own making.

Instead of just temporarily staging equipment for the emergency response, EPA built a $2.3 million filter plant on Hennis property, without consulting with him, and without his permission, Hennis' suit said.

Over the next five years, despite Hennis objections to the agencys actions, including repeated refusals to pay him for using his property, the EPA continued to use his property to filter solids into enormous fabric bags that were moved down to Silverton to be placed in a permanent landfill, the suit said.

Judy Pino of the NCLA told The Denver Gazette that in 2022, the EPA coerced" Hennis into allowing access to his lands by "threatening him with extortionate fines (over $59,000 per day) should he exercise his property rights."

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"Mr. Hennis eventually refused to sign an access document, so EPA is currently occupying his property by operation of the agencys own administrative orderand threatening him with fines if he challenges it, Pino said.

Soon after the disaster, the EPA declared most of the Silverton mining district to be an EPA Superfund site.

Pino claimed that, as of September 2022, EPA has spent more than $44.5 million responding to the disaster and has another $20.7 million yet to spend on the remediation. None of that money was allocated to providing compensation to Hennis for taking his property.

Hennis filed a lawsuit in August 2021, claiming the government had taken his property without compensating him in violation of his Fifth Amendment rights.

EPA settled with Hennis for an undisclosed amount this month.

Mr. Hennis brought the case to seek compensation for the taking of his property. As a condition of the settlement, the site transfers to and becomes the property of the United States, Rollins said.

The EPA did not respond to The Denver Gazette's email seeking comment.
Is the NITI Aayog an institute or a commission? With his childish penchant for converting Hindi words into English acronyms, Narendra Modi has expanded NITIsound adviceto National Institute for Transforming India, and then added Aayog, Hindi for commission. So, NITI Aayog remains mystified over its role. The erstwhile Planning Commission had hard financial clout. The NITI Aayogs role is at best advisory, moreover, the NITI Aayogs attempt to position itself as the principal think-tank of the government has failed because there is endless overlap between advice tendered by NITI and the quite separate counsels, often on the same set of subjects, by the prime ministers economic advisory council and the chief economic advisor sitting in the finance ministry (and oftentimes the Reserve Bank of India), not to mention the private think-tanks of saffron tendency such as the India Foundation and the Vivekananda Foundation, and earlier world-renowned independent think-tanks like the Centre for Policy Research that the saffron forces are attempting to sabotage and infiltrate. Worse, these various bodies outdo each other to act as echo chambers for what the prime minister wishes to hearfor if they did not, they would soon be out on their ear.

No wonder then that the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has called for the NITI Aayog to be scrapped and demanded that the Planning Commission be brought back. Seven INDIA alliance-led state governments boycotted the NITI governing council session and three other chief ministers found it not worth their time to attend. Not one CM ever stayed away from consultative meetings with the Planning Commission because it was not just a talk shop but a hard bargaining counter where states, irrespective of the political colour of their governments, were afforded a bilateral forum to negotiate their way to a mutually acceptable conclusion on rupees, annas and pies to undertake the development and welfare activities entrusted to them by the Constitution.

Imaging: Deni Lal

Then, the Modi government invented the double engine to back states governed by the BJP to the detriment of the equitable formulae that the Planning Commission used to promote fair distribution without regard to political colouring. So, instead of cooperative federalism, we have authoritarian federalism, threatening the unity and integrity of India. The non-attendance by ten CMs of the NITI governing council is an early warning signal that to save our nation we must reverse gear.

The Constitution was written under the shadow of a possible Balkanisation of the country. To prevent that from happening, authority was loaded in favour of the Centre. So, instead of declaring India a federal Republic, we became a Union of states. One deleterious consequence of this, which has become apparent only after we got Central and state governments of different hues, is that while the seventh schedule clearly divides responsibilities between Centre and states such that much of grassroots economic and human development have been entrusted to states and panchayat raj institutions, the raising and distribution of financial resources is principally the Unions responsibility. Therefore, the Constitution established an independent finance commission to determine the states share of divisible national resources, but as most remunerative taxes are reserved for the Centre, states stand with a begging bowl to get their due share, resulting in centrally sponsored schemes to bridge the gap between states duties and the funds required to discharge them. This aggravates central domination. That is the principal reason for our abject failure in attaining inclusive growth, that is, spreading the fruits of development to those most in need.

Modi aims at attaining Viksit Bharat 2047 through a clutch of oligopolists. That is the wrong way of making India prosperousfor it leaves ordinary Indians lagging behind. Gandhiji weeps.

Aiyar is a former Union minister and social commentator.
Every revolution has a defining moment. The Yanks had it when they hurled tea chests into the Boston Bay. The French had it when they stormed the Bastille. The Bolsheviks had it when battleship Aurora fired blank shots at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.

Revolutions, these days, have their defining moments when icons fall in town squares, or mobs invade palaces of the powerful. We saw it in Budapest in 1956, in several east European and central Asian capitals in the 1990s, in Cairo, Tripoli and Baghdad in the new century, and in Colombo two years ago. Last Monday, we saw it in Dhaka.

This time, however, few of us rejoiced; rather, many shed a tear. Not for the icon that fell in the town square, or for his politically misguided daughter who abused her power and wasted the democratic dividend that had been bestowed on her. We shed a tear for Bangladesh, a nation we had helped create.

Imaging: Deni Lal

The father and daughter offer a study on how democracies can elect dictators. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the toast of the liberal democratic world in the 1970s when he transformed a simple mother-tongue demand into an agitation seeking political liberties from a jackbooted regime, and finally metamorphosed it into a revolution seeking a representative government. Yes, the movement that ended up in the creation of sovereign Bangladesh had begun as a protest against the imposition of Urdu over Bengali. It turned into a political strife after protesters in the east were shot dead on February 21, 1952. (In 1999 the UNESCO adopted February 21 as the International Mother Language Day.)

Within months of coming to rule the newly created eastern republic, Mujib fouled up the economy that got crippled by a famine, curtailed civil liberties, imposed one-party rule, turned into an autocrat, and fostered a personality cult around him. Finally, a few colonels and captains shot him.

The daughter made the same mistake. Coming to power after years of exile and persecution, she unleashed a reign of revenge, hanging her fathers enemies, hounding the wise men, and jailing her critics. The economy grew fast, but she gave out few jobs which she sought to keep for the kin of her fathers fighters. Now destiny has caught up with her, too.

Why did India escape such turmoils? For one, we won our freedom without shedding blood. We had realised the futility of military violence in 1857 and of mob fury at Chauri Chaura in 1922, and since then explored the path of persuasion and petitioning first, peaceful non-cooperation next, and civil disobedience afterwards. When sent to jail, we went to jail; when the jails got crowded, they let us go.

Finally, this week 77 years ago, they let us all free; and we let them go in peace.

Neither on the dawn of freedom nor later, did we do violence even to their icons. Colonial statues, that had stood in town squares as in R.K. Laxmans introductory graphic in his brothers Malgudi Days tele-play, were taken off over the years with neither violence nor fanfare, and quietly moved into museums or art houses. Many that stood in the myriad roundabouts of imperial New Delhi have been re-erected in a picturesque park on the crowded citys outskirts. You can see George V, who had stood in the canopy near India Gate, and four of his viceroys still standing in the Coronation Park where he had held the empires third and last durbar, and from where he had decreed a new capital.

Our founding fathers taught us to be kind to our foes and to those who disagree with us. Let that spirit of non-violence prevail. Happy Independence Day!

prasannan@theweek.in
Jetsun Pema, the beautiful and accomplished wife of the handsomest living king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is the youngest queen consort in the world. She has a unique tulip in the Netherlands named in her honour, called, Queen Of Bhutan. She was married to the Oxford educated, suave and well-spoken King at a dream-like private ceremony (2011) in the mountain kingdom. Over 160 foreign journalists who covered the Bhutanese royal wedding were enchanted by the elaborate rituals performed by Buddhist priests in the palace of great bliss. Today, the royals are proud parents of three childrentwo boys and a girl.

Bhutans queen has strong connections with India, going back to the time she was a student at St. Josephs Convent in Kalimpong, West Bengal, and later in The Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Himachal Pradesh. No wonder she is fluent in Hindi. She graduated from Regents University in London with a degree in international relations, psychology and art history. An ardent advocate of environmental issues and the president of the Red Cross Society in Bhutan, the queen travels with her king, and actively supports his political and social campaigns.

Jetsun Pema, queen of Bhutan | instagram@queenjetsunpema

Let me tell you about the royal love story first. I was in Bhutan to attend the inaugural edition of Mountain Echoesa jewel of a lit fest. The year was 2011. Delegates, high on the clean mountain air (and more), were invited to dinner at the spectacular home of Indian high commissioner Pawan Varma (author and politician). It is considered one of the best diplomatic residences in the world. Suddenly, a dramatic palace announcement threw protocol out of the window! Wangchuck had shared a very important development in his personal life at the opening of the seventh session of the parliamenthe was engaged to be married! And his future wife was none other than the 20-year-old Pema, from one of the oldest, most-respected noble families of Bhutan. There was much jubilation as loyal subjects blessed their future queen, described by the besotted king as uniquely beautiful, intelligent and graceful unwavering in her commitment to serve the people and country. He added, As my queen, I have found such a person she will make a great servant to the nation. Wow! What a declaration. Bhutan allows polygamy (the kings father had married four sisters in one go), but Wangchuck promised his people he would never marry another woman.

Guess what happened next? We were told the king was on his way, with his fiancee of a few hours, to join our riotous party. Ever the charming and polished host, Varma, along with his gracious family, took firm control of the evening, which was threatening to go a little wild, and the royals were warmly welcomed, strict protocol in place. It remains an evening to remember, with the king and his future queen mingling unselfconsciously with guests.

The royal honeymoon was celebrated in Rajasthan, and it may not be too indelicate in this context to speculate that the heir apparent, Dragon Prince of Bhutan (their first child), was conceived in the jungles of Ranthambore. The deep and emotional connections India has always shared with Bhutan will be continued smoothly by the next generation of royals. This was the sentiment I experienced once again while attending the 13th edition of Bhutan Echoes: Drukyuls Arts and Literature Festival, in Thimpu, under the patronage of queen mother Ashi Dorji Wangchuck (69), an accomplished author and art patron, whose terrific book, Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan, provides a comprehensive and insightful view of the Himalayan kingdom. Queen mother has big plans for the lit fest, that she shared with me over lunch. Bhutanese legacy is in great hands.

www.shobaade.blogspot.com
Sebi Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval have denied the allegations levelled against them by Hindenburg Research, saying their life and finances are an open book.

In a statement released late on Saturday, they called the allegations "baseless", saying it is unfortunate that the US short seller is opting for character assassination after Sebi issued a show cause notice against the company.

Hindenburg, which cited whistleblower document accused the Sebi chairperson and her husband of holding stakes in obscure offshore funds where a substanital amount of money was invested by the associates of Vinod Adani, the brother of Adani Group's Gautam Adani. It alleged that these funds were used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.

Hindenburg also claimed that the market regulator has shown a surprising lack of interest in Adani's alleged undisclosed web of Mauritius and offshore shell entities.

In response to the allegations levelled by Hindenburg, Buch and her husband said the US short seller's claims are devoid of any truth, adding that all disclosures have already been furnished to the Sebi over the years.

The couple said they have no hesitation in submitting their financial documents to the authorities and that they will issue a detailed statement in due course to bring complete transparency.

Meanwhile, the Sebi chief and Adani Group came under fire from the opposition leaders. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh asked "who will guard the guards themselves", saying now it is clear why the Parliament session was adjourned abruptly. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra called it "crony capitalism at its finest" and asked whether the CBI and ED will file cases under Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Buch became the first woman to head Sebi in March 2022. She has been credited with improving efficiency in the market, including introducting the T+0 settlement in the equity markets. Her husband Dhaval is currently a senior advisor at Blackstone and Alvarez & Marsal and has a net worth of $10 million, as per Hindenburg Research report.
The Congress and other opposition parties sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the latest report by Hindenburg Research, which had alleged that Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch had stake in obscure offshore entities used in Adani scandal.

The integrity of SEBI, the securities regulator entrusted with safeguarding the wealth of small retail investors, has been gravely compromised by the allegations against its chairperson, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.

He wondered why the SEBI chairperson has not resigned yet. If investors lose their hard-earned money, who will be held accountablePM Modi, the SEBI Chairperson, or Gautam Adani?, he asked.

It is now abundantly clear why Prime Minister Modi is so afraid of a JPC probe and what it might reveal, he added.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge noted that the SEBI had previously cleared Adani, a close associate of PM Narendra Modi, before the Supreme Court following the January 2023 Hindenburg Report revelations.

However, new allegations have surfaced regarding a quid-pro-quo involving the SEBI chief, he alleged.

Saying that the small and medium investors belonging to the middle class who invest their hard-earned money in the stock market need to be protected, Kharge asserted that a Joint Parliamentary Committee inquiry is imperative to investigate this scandal.

Until then, concerns persist that PM Modi will continue to shield his ally, compromising India's Constitutional institutions, painstakingly built over seven decades, he further said.

The Trinamool Congress demanded Buchs suspension and a JPC and Supreme Court-monitored probe. "This situation is extraordinary. BJP is clearly on the back-foot in Parliament. We need both- a JPC as well as an SC monitored probe," TMC leader Derek O'Brien said.

The Aam Aadmi Party termed it a BJP scam and said Prime Minister Modi should step down on moral grounds.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the Hindenburg Research, which had earlier exposed the stock price manipulation by the Adani group of companies, has now levelled serious charges against SEBI chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband.

"Given these serious charges against the head of the regulatory authority, it is necessary that the Chairperson step aside till a proper investigation is conducted," the CPI(M) said in a statement.

"The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) reiterates its demand that the entire affair of the stock market manipulation of shares of the Adani Group be probed by setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee," it said.

CPI general secretary D. Raja demanded that Prime Minister Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speak on the issue. "SEBI is considered to be a market regulator. But SEBI chief has conflict of interest... It is a very serious moral question whether she can continue to be chief. She has to think over," he said.
Sanjay Roy, the accused in the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College Hospital on Friday morning was sent to police custody for two weeks. The 33-year-old accused was produced before a Sealdah court on Saturday, where no lawyer came forward to represent him.



A 31-year-old second-year postgraduate student from Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, was found dead in the seminar hall of the hospital The sexual assault angle was established and the Kolkata Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to nab the culprit at the earliest. Sanjay Roy was held under seven hours of the formation of the team.

ALSO READ | Protests erupt after medical student raped, murdered in Kolkata govt hospital

Here is what you need to know about the man who has confessed to committing the heinous crime to the medical professional in RG Kar Medical College Hospital:

1. Sanjay Roy was a Kolkata Police civic volunteer. Recruited in 2019, Roy had access to multiple departments of the Medical College.

2. This became possible as he was often posted at the police outpost in RG Kar Medical College. He reportedly used influence to get attested to the KP's Welfare Cell and made enough connections to ensure he could stay at the hospital complex.

3. The victim was found dead inside the seminar hall on the third floor of the Medial College's emergency building. CCTV cameras have caught the accused entering the emergency building at 4:00 am and leaving 40 minutes later, Times Of India said in a report.

4. Also seen in the CCTV visuals was a Bluetooth headset dangling around Sanjay's neck. The device was missing when he exited the building, the cops found out. A piece of the headset was found near the victim's body and the investigation team could confirm that it was paired to Sanjay Roy's mobile phone, the daily said.

5. The accused was taken to police custody just ahead of midnight. Among the five people who entered the building around the time of the murder, Roy was the only person without a legitimate reason to be there. Later, he confessed of having committed the crime, police told the press.
When attacked by the accused Sanjay Roy on Friday morning, the late doctor was asleep, Kolkata Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing her murder case said. The 31-year-old second-year postgraduate student was found dead inside a seminar room on the third floor of the RG Kar Medical College Hospital building.

According to the police, the victim and a handful of her friends stayed awake to watch Neeraj Chopra in action at the Paris Olympics. His event was slated at 11:45 PM IST on August 8.

ALSO READ | Kolkata doctor rape and murder: Roy's mobile paired to headset found at crime scene; used to often RG Kar MC's police outpost

After the javelin throw event was over, the five friends ordered food and ate it inside the seminar hall. While her friends decided to leave, the victim decided to stay back to study, Times Of India quoted the police as saying. Around 3:00 in the morning, she dozed off in the hall and was still asleep when the accused found her an hour later, the report added.

The postmortem report confirmed that the lady doctor was sexually assaulted. CCTV cameras have caught the accused entering the emergency building at 4:00 am and leaving 40 minutes late. Among all the people who were caught on camera accessing the building during the time of the murder, Roy, a Kolkata Police civic volunteer, was the only person without a proper reason to justify his presence. A piece of a headphone paired with his mobile phone was also retrieved from the crime scene.

The accused reportedly confessed to having committed the horrendous crime and was sent to police custody for two weeks. The 33-year-old accused was produced before a Sealdah court on Saturday, where no lawyer came forward to represent him.
The civic volunteer arrested for the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata had porn videos on his phone and he allegedly posed as police in the neighbourhood. The accused Sanjay Roy was sent to 14 days of police custody on Saturday.

Police probing the case said the accused has confessed to the crime, Hindustan Times reported. The accused, who was a civic volunteer, reportedly had porn videos on the phone and had easy access to all areas of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Kolkata police arrested Roy on Saturday after reviewing CCTV footage from the hospital. Police also reportedly found a torn part of his bluetooth earphone which helped them to zero in on Roy. Kolkata police have charged him under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the BNS.

The victim, 31, was found dead on Friday morning around 7.30am at the third floor seminar hall of the hospital with multiple injuries. A judicial inquest has found injuries in the private parts while there was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth. Her collarbone was broken and injuries were found in her neck, belly and limbs.

Human hair and blood stains were recovered by forensic experts from the mattress on which she was found dead. Her broken spectacles were also found.

Roy, a civic volunteer, reportedly posed as police in his neighbourhood and allegedly used to make money by making false promises of getting government jobs. A senior police officer told Telegraph India that Roy allegedly was interested in finding beds for those seeking admission at the hospital against money.
A middle-aged man travelling to Mumbai from Cochin International Airport landed in trouble after he made a loose comment about a bomb during baggage check. Airport security personnel handed over the passenger to local police for further probe.



The passenger, identified as Manoj Kumar (42), was scheduled to travel to Mumbai from Kochi on an Air India flight. He was arrested by security personnel during pre-boarding baggage checks at the airport and they conducted a thorough inspection of his baggage.

Airport authorities in a statement said, During the pre-embarkation security check, Kumar asked the CISF officer, Is there any bomb in my bag? This statement triggered immediate concern and prompted the airport security team to take swift action.

Airport authorities said the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad were called in and they conducted a thorough check of the passengers check-in and hand baggage. The checks revealed no threat, authorities said. Authorities handed over Kumar to Ernakulam police for further investigations.
Rescuers recovered two body parts on Sunday as search operations resumed in landside-hit areas in Wayanad. A massive search is being carried out as a last ditch effort to find over 130 persons still missing after the landslide.



Besides police, fire and rescue personnel and volunteers, members of youth outfits and survivors of the landslide are taking part in the search operation on Sunday. According to authorities, Rescue personnel recovered two bodies from the rivers Kanthanpara, OnManorama reported.

The search is being carried out in six zones in the affected areas including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Punchirimattam, and along the Chaliyar river. Special teams have been deployed for search operations at Soochipara and Kanthanpara. Cadaver dogs are being taken to affected areas to find bodies stuck under debris.

Though a massive search operation was launched on Friday, it had to be suspended by noon owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to affected areas. The prime minister, after visiting the affected areas and reviewing the rescue operations, pledged support for the relief and rehabilitation of survivors. During the visit, Modi also interacted with survivors and heard their plight.

During the review meeting on Saturday, the prime minister said, As soon as the state government submits details about the building of houses, schools, roads, infrastructure and securing the future of the survivors, especially that of children who have lost their parents, there will be full cooperation from our end. I assure you that the nation and the government of India will spare no efforts," PTI reported.

The state government has sought Rs 2000 crore from the Centre for rehabilitation. Revenue Minister K. Rajan said the region has incurred loss to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore.

Meanwhile, the district administration released a draft list of missing persons and as per the list, 130 persons are still missing. According to the government, 229 persons got killed in the landslide.
Colorado Springs police were able to peacefully take into custody a man threatening to shoot himself with a rifle on Saturday, according to law enforcement officials.

Officers responded to a 5:30 p.m. call about a man walking down the street with an assault rifle in the northwest part of the city, police said. When they found him in the 5000 block of Aubrey Way, near Flying W Ranch Road, he was still carrying the weapon and told police he intended to shoot himself with it.

A shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area while officers worked to deescalate the situation.

The man, whose name was not released, eventually surrendered to police and was taken into protective custody, officials said. No one else was threatened, and no arrests were announced.
After thousands of members of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh protested against the violence against the communuity following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster, Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim governemt, condemned the attacks as "heinous".

The Nobel laureate urged the student protesters to protect all minority communities, including Hindu, Christian and Buddhists, from being targeted. "Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country. Can't you save some families?" he asked the student protesters.

"You must say: No one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together," Yunus added.

He warned that the attacks targeting Hindus and other minorities could be a sabotage by those seeking to undermine their progress. "There are many standing by to make your efforts futile. Don't fall this time, Yunus told the students.

The protesters raised slogans urging Yunus as well as the media and citizen to protect the minorities. Some of the slogans were "Who are you? Who am I? Bengali, Bengali!" and "None of us are free until all of us are free".

Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad President Nirmal Rosario sent an open letter to Yunus as he said, "We stay up all night guarding our homes and temples. I have never witnessed such events in my life. We demand that the administration restore communal harmony in the country."

Reports pegged the number of attacks to at least 205. At least two Hindu leaders of the Awami League party have been killed in the violence. Several Hindu homes, temples and businesses have been vandalised.

Meanhwile, the police department in the country have ordered formation of citizen security committees in every police station limit to restore operations of the law enforcement authorities and maintain law and order. This comes in the wake of unchecked violence, theft, robbery and hijacking across the country.
Before resigning as Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina wanted to address the nation amid widespread violent protests by students. In her undelivered speech, Hasina accused the United States of a role in plotting a regime change in Bangladesh.

Hasina, who is currently in India, fled Bangladesh on August 5 amid violent protests across the country. After her ouster, an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been formed to lead the nation till elections are held in Bangladesh.

Hasina, 76, mentioned in the letter that she would have remained in power if she had given "Saint Martin and the Bay of Bengal to America." Saint Martin Island is located in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal.

Please do not be used by radicals, read the letter.

She also mentioned that she resigned so that she does not have to see a "procession of dead bodies".

The widespread protests, which initially began as a quota reform movement later turned to be violent demanding Hasina's resignation. Around 300 people died in the protests that erupted in the country last month.

Hasina said that if she had stayed on, more lives would have been lost and more wealth would have been destroyed.

Never called students 'Razakars'

While addressing the students, Hasina explained that she has never called the protesting students Razakars, which is used as a derogatory remark in Bangladesh. She said her words were distorted and urged the students to watch the full video of that day.

During a press conference on July 14 at her residence, Hasina was alleged to have said, "If the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not receive (quota) benefits, who would get it? The grandchildren of Razakars?"

She also mentioned in the letter that she would return to her country soon.

The US and Bangladesh had strained ties during Hasina's reign. When the Awami League returned to power in the Bangladesh elections held in January, the US alleged that it was not a "free or fair" election.

With the interim government taking over, the top priority of the government would be to bring the economy back on track.

Talking to reporters finance and planning adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said restoring the trust of common people in the banks while resuming the operations of the central bank.
In a promising sign for her campaign, Democrat presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris leads Republican candidate Donald Trump in three key swing states as the presidential race heats up in the United States. The recent poll survey has also revealed that Harris is leading Trump nationally as well.

Harris has surged to a five-point lead over Trump in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, putting her at 42 per cent to the Republican's 37 per cent nationally.

The New York Times/Siena College poll revealed Harris leading Trump by four points in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsinkey swing states determining the elections.

Reportedly, Trump is angry over the recent poll trends with Harris leading both nationally and in key battleground states.

Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Las Vegas, Harris made the announcement that she would work to eliminate taxes on tips paid to restaurant workers and other service employees. It is my promise to everyone here that, when I am president, we will continue our fight for working families of America, Harris said.

Including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers," she added.

Responding to Harris Las Vegas rally speech, Trump said that she "just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy."

All eyes on Trump vs Harris debate

Ending the speculations and doubts, Donald Trump has announced that he will face off with Kamala Harris in three upcoming debates for the US presidency. The first debate is scheduled for September 4 by Fox News and it will take place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The second debate will be held on September 10 by ABC News at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The third and final debate is scheduled to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 25.

Trumps campaign alleges its documents were hacked by Iran

Amid reports of likely foreign agents' interference in campaigns, former US President Donald Trump's campaign had alleged that its documents and emails were hacked by Iran.

The allegations were made against Iran by the campaign a day after Microsoft issued a report detailing foreign agents' attempts to interfere in the US campaign in 2024.

The report has mentioned an instance of an Iranian military intelligence unit in June sending a spear-phishing email to a high-ranking official of a presidential campaign from a compromised email account of a former senior advisor

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung blamed the hack on foreign sources hostile to the United States.
During a trip to Bangladesh in 2010, I asked several journalists at the Dhaka Press Club why Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went after Muhammad Yunus, the U.S.-trained, Grameen Bank-famed, development economist who dazzled his fellow Bengalis as a 2006 Nobel Prize winner.

I got two answers: One, she got upset because the microfinance pioneer supported Bangladeshi military's plan to banish the nation's top two politicians from politics; Hasina took this as a ploy by Yunus to replace them with himself. Two, Hasina was upset with Yunus because he won the Nobel Prize. She perceived that Yunus somehow manipulated the Nobel committee through strong-armed lobbying with help from his American friend, Bill Clinton, former U.S. president. According to this theory, she believed she deserved the prize for her role in ending a decades-old tribal insurgency in eastern Bangladesh.

With Yunus heading the interim administration following Hasina's ouster on 5 August, one may say the toppled prime minister's fear was not really unfounded. In fact, just days before Hasina was ousted by a popular upsurge, Yunus sought foreign intervention in Bangladesh to end mass street protests, a forecast that prompted Hasina's supporters to brand Yunus as a traitor to his fatherland. But others argued that Yunus hinted at India, because he also said New Delhi was supporting a wrong friend in Bangladesh. Hasina's backers saw the invisible hand of Uncle Sam, who was perceived to be unkind to the ousted leader.

Yunus' coming to power reminds one of the scenario under which Benito Mussolini became Italy's prime minister. In 1922, tens of thousands of armed fascists marched on Rome, demanding Mussolini be named prime minister. Italys King, Victor Emmanuel, refused to declare a state of emergency and impose martial law. Instead he dissolved the government and asked Mussolini to form a new one.

On 6 August, a day after Hasina took refuge in neighboring India, the agitating student leaders asked Yunus to run the country. The economist, who taught in Tennessee before returning home in the early 1970s, was sworn in on August 8 and the parliament was dissolved. He said he could not turn down the request this time around, even though he refused a similar offer in 2007 because he realized the peril of being an unelected ruler. Even a few months ago, he ruled out the possibility of entering politics, saying he was not cut out for it.

He, however, had supported a military plan to exile Hasina and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, abroad in an attempt to clean up messy Bengali politics. Shortly thereafter, being prodded by some pseudolectuals, or the so-called civil-society members, he floated a political outfit to contest parliament elections, but quit within weeks because his behind-the-scenes backers refused to join him.

Yet, Hasina was unsure what Yunus really had up in his sleeve. After Hasina's landslide victory in elections in 2008, she declared war on Yunus and his main backer, the United States. In 2011, Yunus was removed from the Grameen Bank. Many critics called it Hasina's personal vendetta because he had unsuccessfully conspired with the country's all-powerful military to banish Hasina and Khaleda from Bangladesh.

No one has fully explained the complex web of thinking that vitiated the prime minister's mind. She remained steadfast to remove Yunus, ignoring howls from his influential friends, including then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The myth that Hasina was upset because Yunus won the Nobel prize had no factual basis; it stemmed from statements by her aides. Hasina was miffed by Yunus' statement that 8.5 million Grameen members were not only citizens but also voters. This was a veiled threat that these voters could punch a mega hole in the Awami League's ballot box.

Still, it does not fully explain why Hasina put Yunus on her list of the condemned. To dig deeper, another question needs to be answered: If Yunus favored banishing both Hasina and Zia, why did the BNP chief come out in support of him? Not only did Zia hug Yunus, but she also exhorted Washington and London to protect the embattled professor from Hasina's fury.

In fact, Hasina's perception that Yunus was in bed with Zia doomed the professor. Her suspicion had merits. To understand fully one needs to step back to the early 1970s when Yunus returned home from the United States after Bangladesh became independent. After a stint at a government job, he started teaching at the University of Chittagong in eastern Bangladesh.

In 1975, Hasina's father was killed in a violent military coup. Eventually, Zia's husband, General Ziaur Rahman, deputy army chief at the time of the putsch, captured power following several coups and countercoups. Hasina remained convinced that the general connived with her father's killers.

Yunus, who was then experimenting with his microcredit program, got in touch with Ziaur Rahman in the late 1970s. By then the general had become president of the country and crafted an ambitious blueprint for a prolonged tenure. The professor sold the idea of the Gram Sarkar (village government) to the military strongman. The general ran with it, making it a catalyst of his political strategy intended to win public support in rural Bangladesh. Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in 1981 and his experiment came to a grinding halt. Shortly afterward, his widow, Khaleda Zia, became BNP chief.

Then in 1996, Yunus joined the non-party interim government as a BNP nominee. To the Awami League, this further indicated his hobnobbing with the political group that Hasina must defeat in the polls to rule Bangladesh. Despite these concerns, Yunus was still in Hasina's good graces. Hasina, who was not yet on firm ground in the political landscape of Bangladesh, followed an electoral strategy that focused on winning over influential people rather than antagonizing them. So, she promoted the microcredit concept in 1997 at a conference in Washington, D.C., which she attended as prime minister. The same year, she skipped two better qualified candidates to grant Yunus a license to start GrameenPhone, now a mighty wireless phone company in Bangladesh.

Deliberately or not, Yunus failed to return Hasina's favor. He did not visit her in hospital after an armed attack on her life at a political rally in Dhaka in 2004, an event Hasina thinks was perpetrated by the BNP. Yunus failed to wish her speedy recovery, a sore point on Hasina's mind, Hasina's Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni fumed to U.S. Ambassador James Moriarty.

Grameen plans alarm Hasina



Hasina also smelled rats when Yunus sought approval for several new Grameen projects. He wanted to create medical colleges, nursing schools, shoe-manufacturing and food-production ventures. She interpreted this massive undertaking to expand Grameen's empire as an attempt by Yunus to further solidify his hold on the nation.

In September 2009, Melanne Verveer, the first U.S. ambassador for Global Womens Issues in the Obama administration, informed Secretary Hillary Clinton about a conversation she had had with Yunus regarding how Hasina stalled Grameen initiatives.

Yunus complained to Verveer that Hasina was making his life difficult: She is making any progress very difficult. The health project he discussed with you can't get OKs... If she hears it's Grameen, she stands in way of licenses... There is some deep personal antagonism that he can't fathom..., Verveer relayed to the secretary in an email, quoting Yunus.

Yunus wanted the United States to be a peacemaker, but Hasina saw Washington as a war-monger. She received a phone call from Clinton, who asked why Yunus was removed from the bank. Hasina replied she had nothing to do with it; it was a court decision. America's interference set off an alarm bell in Hasina's belly. On 16 September 2009, she alerted the countrymen to the ongoing conspiracy of a special quarter and undemocratic forces who were still plotting to wipe out democracy and grab power.

Hasina had reasons to be panicked. Her new government was shaky. Just six months earlier, she had quelled a bloody rebellion by a paramilitary force in the capital city of Dhaka. The brutal killing of dozens of Army officers by the Bangladesh Rifles border guards took place just a month after her return to power in January 2009. During this time, Hasina was under constant pressure from Washington to hold new elections to accommodate Zia, who had boycotted the elections fearing vote rigging. Washington also pressed Hasina to make amends with Yunus.

Hasina perceived Yunus to be a pro-BNP element, even though the economist denied having any links with any political party. She thought America wanted to put Yunus in power along with Khaleda Zia. Dr. Kamal Hossain, Yunus' lawyer and a former foreign minister of Bangladesh, believed Hasina acted based on rumors, nothing else. Yunus' assumption of power proved Hasina was right.

Yunus faces tough time ahead



Now Hasina is out and Yunus is in. He might smell poetic justice in Hasina's demise and savor his sweet victory. But he faces an enormously tough time ahead as Bangladesh's ruler. Students pushed him into the limelight, but their honeymoon with the economically hit, violence-infected nation of 170 million Bengalis will soon be over. The country is not under his control yet. Unruly mobs rule Bangladesh now.

Yunus has no political structure to count on nor will he receive the full backing of the military, which has no real stake in his administration. It would be a miracle if he could effectively govern without support from a political group or the military. The army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, is a weak leader, and the military is now tilted more toward the right, a perfect recipe for trouble. The only possible group that might come to the interim leader's rescue for a short time is the theocratic Jamaat-e-Islami, an outfit that both America and India would hate to see in power. Jamaat's cooperation would be aimed at its long-term goal to capture total power. The United States opposed the 2007 military plan to banish Hasina and Khaleda because it feared Jamaat would fill the void. Even if Yunus, who is 84 years old, manages to bring the military, the BNP, and Jamaat under his control, he might end up being the Hamid Karzai of Bangladesh.

Right now, the most pressing task facing Yunus is to restore order and get the government machinery working again to restart the economic engine, a very tall order indeed. Foreign investors are scared like hell right now to go to Bangladesh. The country is in the worst shape since its birth in 1971; it has completely melted down. The garment industry, the main part of the economy, would soon see the fallout of the turmoil.

In foreign affairs, Yunus has already made a blunder by publicly venting that India had been supporting the wrong friend Hasina in Bangladesh. When General Zia, who ran Bangladesh from 1975-81, faced difficulty with India, he took a tough line. But G.W. Chowdhury, then a professor in North Carolina who was invited to be the regime's foreign minister, advised the general to go easy on India. He reasoned that if India did something to Bangladesh, everybody would make statements at the United Nations, but none would actually give any material help. Zia heeded Chowdhury's advice.

(B. Z. Khasru, a U.S.-based journalist, is author of Myths and Facts Bangladesh Liberation War: How India, U.S., China and USSR Shaped the Outcome, and The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link. His new book, One Eleven, Minus Two Prime Minister Hasina's War on Yunus and America, will be released shortly.)

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK
After Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that its 'surprise' ambush would "restore justice" and pressure Moscow's forces from its territory.

The battle along the Kursk region entered its sixth day on Sunday with Kyiv having an edge as Russia's reinforcements getting delayed. Meanwhile, Russia's Defence Ministry said that its troops are "continuing to repel an attempted invasion" by Ukrainian forces in the region.

Zelenskyy said he had discussed the operation with top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, vowing to respond in kind after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"Today, I received several reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressor's territory," he said.

He added that Ukraine is proving that it can restore justice and ensure the exact kind of pressure that is needed to pressure Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities on Saturday rushed to evacuate its residents along three border regions, while Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia, deployed more troops to its border with Ukraine as it accused Kyiv of violating its air space.

According to Kursk officials, 13 people were injured in the city after debris from a destroyed Ukrainian missile fell onto a nine-storey residential building.

Alexei Smirnov, Kursk's acting governor, ordered local authorities to speed up the evacuation of civilians in areas at risk. According to Russia's TASS state news agency, more than 76,000 people had been evacuated since the incursion.

"When Ukraine's long-range capabilities have no limits, this war will definitely have a limit," Zelenskyy had said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said in a statement: "The Kyiv regime is continuing its terrorist activity with the sole purpose of intimidating the peaceful population of Russia."

She added that Ukraine's recent attacks make no sense from the military point of view.

After Ukraine's incursion in Kursk, Russia has launched counter-terror operations by deploying more troops, tanks, equipment and rocket launchers to stop Kyiv's advancing troops.
Prof Manoj Kumar Jha

Let us begin by citing a book called When Poetry Ruled the Streets by Andrew Feenberg and Jim Freedman documenting the experience of the French student movement of 1968. The authors were passionate participants in the movement in Paris that was met with brute force by the French state. Their account is infused with the reasoned emotional efforts of the students to kindle political awareness in society. Our contemporary history bears witness that youth and student activism has played a crucial role in questioning authority, demanding accountability, and advocating for a more just society. This tradition of dissent has been a powerful force, whether in the freedom movement or the more contemporary challenges and social injustices across the globe.

During the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, institutions like the Presidency College in Calcutta and Fergusson College in Pune became the important nodes of revolutionary ideas and activities. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) saw widespread participation from students, who boycotted British educational institutions, opting for national schools and colleges instead, such as the Kashi Vidyapeeth and Jamia Millia Islamia.

The fervour of student activism did not wane after independence. The 1960s and 1970s were notable for student protests addressing issues ranging from educational reforms to political corruption. Seeking to address deep-seated, socioeconomic inequalities, the Naxalbari movement, emerging in the late 1960s, drew significant student support. During the Emergency, the Navnirman Andolan in Gujarat and the Bihar Movement, led by socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan, were fuelled by student participation. These movements played a crucial role in mobilising public opinion against authoritarianism, eventually leading to the restoration of democracy. It was the student leaders emerging from these agitations who defined the contours of Indian politics for almost four decades that followed.

It is often suggested by conservative voices that politics has no place in an institution of learning. However, I believe that student politics is a mark of excellent education. After the regimented environment of school, college or university gives young people a newfound freedom paired with significant accountability. This autonomy requires them to make and own their decisions, fostering personal growth. They learn not only from academics but also from interaction with diverse peers. These interactions and experiences cultivate curiosity, sensitivity, and responsiveness to societal issues. Energised and idealistic, students develop a respect for difference and harmony, environmental concerns and social justice. This fertile ground of intellectual and personal growth naturally extends into political activism, with students championing democratic values and mobilising against inequality, discrimination and injustice, thereby becoming crucial drivers of social and political change.

The French student movement, often referred to as May 68, opposed traditional authority structures, both within universities and in society at large. Starting at the University of Paris at Nanterre, the movement quickly spread because students radical demands for participatory democracy and social equality resonated with workers, leading to a general strike that brought the country to a standstill. This is reminiscent of the protest of Jamia Millia Islamia students against Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, sparking a wider movement of Muslims against discrimination. It is in the same vein that students on US campuses protested against the Vietnam War or the apartheid. More recently, students organised sit-ins demanding that their universities divest from companies that support or uphold Israeli occupation of Palestine and called for a ceasefire. The resonances of student movements or students sparking wider movements are many.

Students are often the first to observe and articulate the discontent of society. They do not struggle to improve their own conditions only. Allied with peasants and workers, they have risen up for the recognition and strengthening of civil rights, they have been rallying against authoritarianism, and they have been at the forefront of social justice movements. This is what a student who has learnt well is expected to do by professors who teach well and aim to shape students into knowledgeable, skilled, sensitive and brave individuals who can live autonomously, with dignity and confidence. When combined with a wish to lift others from limiting circumstances, these qualities are the hallmark of a good leader.

What is distressing is that instead of listening to students, petty institutional administrators as well as the state seek to criminalise their wholly democratic, peaceful and deeply ethical protests. The students have had to pay a heavy price. Police and vigilantes unleashed violence against them and many have had to face suspensions and bogus criminal cases. Some of the best minds of our times are spending precious years of their youth behind the bars, if not making endless humiliating rounds of the courts. Others became victims of what has been rightly called institutional murder.

If pummelling young people into silence is anyones idea of politics or governance, then it betrays a deep sense of insecurity. Intimidating students into timid and submissive individuals is a recipe for disaster.

The situation in neighbouring Bangladesh is instructive. The immediate trigger is an issue which signals exhaustion and impatience of students with having to compete for a piece of a small pie.

Looking at student action from across the world, including India, I can confidently say that young people have taken their role as citizens very seriously and have played a huge role in outlining the contours of a just and peaceful society.

Jha, a Rajya Sabha member, is the national spokesperson for the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and professor, the University of Delhi.
When the protesting students approached Muhammad Yunus to head the interim government in Bangladesh, the Nobel laureate had several examples he could turn to while weighing his options. While French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre had declined to be a leader of the 1968 students and workers-led movement, Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn refused to pursue presidency in the post-Soviet Union era because he preferred an authoritarian regime with traditional Christian values. Author Vaclav Havel, though, went the other way. He accepted the offer to become president of Czechoslovakia after the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

Yunus followed in Havels footsteps, and became the formal head of the interim government. This decision was made during a meeting at Dhakas Bangabhavan, the residence of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The meeting was attended by representatives from Students Against Discrimination (SAD), the group that led the anti-Sheikh Hasina movement, as well as three military chiefs of Bangladesh, two Dhaka University professors and two liaison committee members.

At 84, Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank, is being seen as the ideal candidate to fill the power vacuum and lead the country out of the crisis, resulting from the resignation of former Prime Minister Hasina and the eventual dissolution of her government. He is acceptable among every section of society, a Dhaka University professor, who was part of the meeting at the presidents residence, told THE WEEK on condition of anonymity. He is a Nobel laureate and will help Bangladesh in restoring its international identity. His community development banks microcredit and microfinance initiatives have had a positive impact on the lives of the poor.

Born in 1940 in the Chittagong district of undivided Bengal Presidency, Yunus was the third of nine children, and went to Chittagong Collegiate School. We are very happy that Dr Yunus has been chosen to lead us, Muhammad Sirajul Islam, the proud principal told THE WEEK. We are confident that he will do everything needed for the welfare and development of Bangladesh.

After completing his masters in economics at Dhaka University, Yunus briefly worked as a lecturer before receiving a Fulbright scholarship in 1965 to pursue his PhD in the US. In 1975, four years after Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan, he returned with the determination to alleviate poverty in his country.

The Bangladesh famine of 1974 greatly influenced Yunus. After personally lending $27 to 42 women in Bangladesh, the idea of microcredit occurred to him. He started the Grameen Bank in 1983 with the idea of disbursing small loans to the poor in Bangladesh without collateral.

Currently, Grameen Bank operates in 94 per cent of Bangladeshi villages, serving almost 4.5 crore people. As per its website, the bank has loaned more than $38.6 million to 1.06 crore borrowers, 97 per cent of them women. Yunuss microcredit movement has since spread to more than 100 developing countries. His efforts made him the first from his country to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. Today, he is known worldwide as the Banker to the Poor.

He has received numerous other prestigious awards and honours, including Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian award in the US) and the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Additionally, he was a founding member of The Elders, a group Nelson Mandela formed to address global challenges. A vocal critic of Hasina, Yunus has also encountered several corruption charges. Among these allegations is the claim that Grameen Bank aggressively collected loans from impoverished rural women. His supporters contend that he has been singled out because of his opposition to Hasina.

Bangladeshis are now banking on him. The world viewed Bangladeshs growing economy very positively. But they failed to realise the prevailing inequality in our country, Asif Mahmud, a coordinator of SAD, told THE WEEK from Dhaka. We are confident Dr Yunuss policies will direct us to a better future where inequality will lessen.

Generally, interim governments in Bangladesh have consisted of non-partisan members who were ineligible to run for office. However, in 2007, on the intervention of the army, an extra-constitutional military-backed caretaker government was formed, which ruled Bangladesh without legitimacy. People of Bangladesh are hopeful that the Yunus-headed government will not be influenced by the army, political parties or religious outfits. I dont think the army on any other group can influence the interim government much, academic Rasheda K. Chowdhury, who was an adviser to the caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed from 2007 to 2009, told THE WEEK. This is mainly because this time we are seeing a transition of power that is completely overseen by students, who are not like previous generations.
The developments in Bangladesh caught many governments by surprise, but it left a nagging concern for Indian diplomacy. Did India play its cards wrong by giving unflinching support to Sheikh Hasina despite the sentiment in Bangladesh against her autocratic policies? Was Indian diplomacy and strategic policy execution outpaced by the developments? Hasinas exit symbolised the failure of a major Indian initiative to retain a friendly relationship with Bangladesh.

A new regime that possibly could be inimical to Indian interests could create a situation similar to the Line of Control-Line of Actual Control, resulting in a huge diversion of men and material to guard the borders. Moreover, the narrow Chickens Neckstretch that connects the Indian mainland with the northeast would be very vulnerable from the military point of view. It was Hasina who had cracked down on the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) insurgents who had sneaked into Bangladesh after being evicted from Myanmar and Bhutan.

Anup Chetia, general secretary of the pro-talks ULFA faction told THE WEEK: The Hasina governments crackdown from 2009 was singularly responsible for the ULFA leadership to come to the negotiating table with the Indian government. It may not have happened otherwise.

Now the situation in Bangladesh could raise the bargaining power for the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA faction, which is against talks and is holding out from the jungles along the India-Myanmar border.

Insurgency from Manipur could see a spurt as well. One reason why the Meitei-dominated United National Liberation Front (UNLF) surrendered in hundreds in November 2023 and inked a ceasefire agreement with the government was the loss of safe havens in civil war-wracked Myanmar. Bangladesh could now become a new sanctuary for the anti-talks faction of the UNLF and other disgruntled elements. An exodus of mainly Hindus and Buddhists from Bangladesh to the northeastern states may pose another challenge.

The release of rightist Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Begum Khaleda Zia from jail and the likely return of her son Tarique Rahman make matters more challenging for India. BNP is closely allied with the Pakistan-backed Jamaat-e-Islami.

Veena Sikri, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, said that the regime change in Bangladesh was carefully planned for a long time and the student movement was a mere vehicle. Till July 15, the student movement was completely peaceful. Hasina had accepted the demands of the students,she said. But things took a turn for the worse after the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Islamic Chhatrashibir and top BNP leaders took over the movement. As for the army, we always knew there was a strong Jamaat cell in the army.

Sikri also pointed to Hasinas recent China visit, which was cut short apparently because she was upset with Beijings failure to keep its promise of financial aid and at the lack of appropriate protocolaccorded to her.

I was puzzled why it happened because China doesnt do this. Now I know the answer. Because they had decided to wipe their hands off Hasina,said Sikri. So it goes much deeper.

Without doubt, Indias neighbourhood firstpolicy, which has been the BJP-led NDA governments vital diplomatic plank, is in for a serious reverse. The latest developments also put into question the prospects of the India-Bangladesh Shared Vision for Future agreement signed during Hasinas visit to Delhi in June.
Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty

Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka with no option but to resign and leave the country. The military chiefs gave her an ultimatum that they were not willing to enforce the curfew and would not fire on the protesters. The chaotic situation, arising from students protesting government job reservation, had snowballed into a political agitation demanding Hasinas resignation. The chiefs arranged security and logistical support for her to go to the president, tender her resignation and fly out of the country in 45 minutes.

The militarys role in refusing to clamp down on the violence encouraged the political cadres of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). Did the military chiefs decide on this course of action because the rank and file of the defence forces, belonging to the younger generation, had turned against Hasina? The military chiefs might have come under internal pressure to act as they finally did. An anti-Hasina social media campaign by retired military officers also queered the pitch for the chiefs. Questions are being raised by observers who are wondering if the army chief, married to Hasinas second cousin and appointed by her, turned against her for political reasons or the pressure of circumstances. There have been changes in the army leadership with one general being sacked and several others transferred.

In 2007, the then army chief had tried to implement the so-called Minus Two formula in which the military-backed caretaker government took over, following nationwide chaos fomented by fighting among political cadres of the main political parties. The formula was meant to exile the two warring begums (Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia) and nurture a new leadership. Then Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was encouraged to promote a new political party. That effort failed and led to enduring bitterness between Hasina and Yunus. When Hasina returned to power in 2009, she foisted hundreds of cases against Yunus, and much of his time was spent in the courts.

Yunus is in the news again as the head of the interim government, following a demand raised by the student leaders. He is internationally known and has close ties with many western countries and India. He is not a professional politician and does not have experience in running a government and will require help from his cabinet members who are likely to be retired professionals from various fields. Some comments made by Yunus saying he was hurt by Indias calling the events in Bangladesh as its internal matter and why India supported Hasina and allowed her to come to India reflect his bitterness towards Hasina. As the head of the interim government, he has bigger challenges ahead for which India will be willing to help.

Hasina was the longest serving prime minister of Bangladesh and the longest serving woman prime minister internationally. It is surprising that with her political experience she misjudged and mishandled the students agitation. Misguided policies by the government in the form of instructing the Chattra League (student wing of Awami League) to attack the protesters, permitting the police to use firearms and derogatory remarks added fuel to the violence. If this decision had not been taken and if they had expedited the Supreme Court decision, the students would have accepted the judgment and called off the protest.

But the violence and around 200 deaths had ignited a fire which spread rapidly. It was too tempting an opportunity for Hasinas political opponents. The BNP and the JeI have been smarting from being excluded from power for more than 15 years and they capitalised on the students protests successfully. JeI cadres from the Islami Chhatra Shibir, its students wing, the Jatiyobadi Chhatra Dal, the BNPs students wing, Hefazet-ul Islams madrassa students poured into the streets and caused mayhem. Such violence must have been planned for quite some time and these cadres are trained for such violence. What began as a genuine students protest mutated into a violent political agitation to overthrow the government.

Several months ago, Hasina had said in an interview that conspiracies had been planned to topple her government and expressed fears that she could be assassinated like her father and family members. She also said that a white mans plot was afoot to carve a Christian country out of Bangladesh and Myanmar and she was told that no one would oppose her election in January 2024, if she allowed a foreign country to build an airbase in Bangladesh. What she had in mind is not clear, but she was obviously perturbed about some information that led her to make this public.

After Hasinas ouster, speculation has intensified about a foreign-based regime-change conspiracy. Pakistans ISIs role has cropped up and so has the name of Tarique Rahman, Khaledas son and political successor, living in exile in London since 2007 and the JeI. American nudging and Chinese funding have also been mentioned in media reports. Social media monitors have reported a steady flow of adverse information and comments mostly from handles in western countries and Pakistan.

Hasina and Pakistan never got along and Pakistan blamed her for decimating the JeI leadership which functioned as its fifth column in Bangladesh and collaborated with the genocidal Pakistani army during the Liberation War of 1971.

The statements issued by Islamabad after Hasinas ouster are noteworthy for their warmth. The US spokesperson called the protests lawful and patted the army for abjuring force. There was no censure of the military takeover. The US would be happy that finally it has achieved what it had set its sights onregime change via its proxy Pakistan. Evidence of American encouragement to Pakistan are apparent in the red carpet treatment to the Pakistan army and ISI chiefs a few months ago. The doubling of the tranche of IMF loan and $100 million in bilateral economic assistance show that carrots were on offer if Pakistan played ball. Pakistan played ball with Tarique Rahman and BNP/JeI supporters in the diaspora and in Bangladesh. Ironically, in a way, Pakistan, China and the US, allies that opposed the creation of Bangladesh, are again on the same page.

For India, the immediate issues are managing the safe return of its citizens, stopping the violence against Hindus and managing border security. Instability in Bangladesh is not in Indias interest. It will impact trade, travel, investments and economic growth. We can expect to see a quick engagement with the interim government once it is in place to assess the situation. Bangladesh has entered an unstable transition phase, increasing Indias neighbourhood challenge.

The author was high commissioner to Bangladesh.
This will be a new Bangladesh and it will be free of any fascist rule. The state will not fire on its students, and every citizen will have equal rights, Bin Yamin Mollah, a student leader told THE WEEK from Dhaka. He is one of the coordinators of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), the anti-government movement which forced prime minister Sheikh Hasina to quit and escape to India.

This is a revolution. People must not confuse it with normal power transition. The former prime minister didnt leave her seat peacefully. - Bin Yamin Mollah, student leader

The roots of the ongoing student movement lie in the protest against the quota system, which has been going on since 2018. The students rose in revolt against the system that reserved 56 per cent of government jobs for various groups, including 30 per cent for the families and descendants of veterans of the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. This forced the Hasina government to abolish the entire system. But, in June this year, the Bangladesh high court restored the quota, igniting a new wave of protests nationwide.

Starting from Dhaka University on July 1, students from across the country joined the protests. On July 15, the protests turned violent when members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Hasinas Awami League, allegedly attacked protesters on the Dhaka University campus.

As the situation escalated, the government responded brutally, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people. Internet was blocked, curfew was imposed and protesters were allegedly shot by government forces and attacked by the ruling party cadres in broad daylight. Hasina, on the other hand, blamed the banned Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition party, for the clashes.

The harsh action against students highlighted the authoritarian nature of the Hasina administration and ignited longstanding socio-political and economic discontent among various sections of society. Starting from July 16, the anti-quota movement evolved into a broader uprising against the Hasina government.

Ultimately, the movement was not limited to student protests, said Raheed Ejaz, correspondent of the Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo. It became a movement against inequality, lack of employment, shrinking spaces to voice dissent and the absence of power to exercise franchise.

The protests briefly paused after the supreme court reduced the reservation for the descendants and families of independence war veterans to 5 per cent on July 21. Student leaders demanded an apology from the prime minister and the removal of ministers who had insulted the protesters. The government responded by arresting over 10,000 people, including six student leaders.

It is alleged that these leaders were coerced to give a call for ending the movement, leading the SAD to initiate a non-cooperation movement on August 3. The protesters had a single demand: the resignation of the prime minister. On August 4, Bangladesh experienced widespread violence, with clashes occurring in several locations and resulting in the deaths of at least 97 people, including 14 police officers. Thousands of protesters took to the streets, engaging in fierce confrontation with the police and Awami League workers.

On August 5, with protesters on their way to her residence Ganabhaban, Hasina resigned and fled. The success of this mass movement is a reflection that people were not ready to accept the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina any longer, said Asad Bin Rony, a student leader associated with SAD. Now we will build a Bangladesh which our forefathers envisioned, where everyone will be equal.

However, the scenes that have been unfolding after the exit of Hasina may take Bangladesh far from where its founders wanted it to be. An unruly mob attacked and looted the prime ministers residence, desecrated Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans statues, vandalised the parliament building and set ablaze cultural institutions such as the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka. The lawlessness led to the deaths of more than 130 people on August 5, making it the deadliest day of violence so far during the ongoing crisis.

This is a revolution. People must not confuse it with normal power transition. The former prime minister didnt leave her seat peacefully on normal terms, said Mollah. Right now, we dont have people in key positions of the administration. As a result, the law and order situation has gone out of control. The interim government will soon take charge and peace will be restored.

But even after President Mohammed Shahabuddin, SAD representatives and three service chiefs jointly decided to have Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as head of the interim government, the law and order situation continues to deteriorate. Army chief Waker-uz-Zamans appeal for peace seems to have little effect as the countrys institutions, too, have came under severe attack.

A section of the protesting students have already voiced their concerns. People are still getting killed. Minorities are also being attacked. This is not what we wanted when we started our movement, said Mohammed Moajjam Hossain, another SAD coordinator. Students alleged that the violence and vandalism of the last two days were carried out by Awami League cadres. They are doing this to tarnish the image of our movement so that they can win back popular support, said Mollah.

These developments have raised the question whether the students have failed to keep control of the movement among themselves. There is every chance that other elements have joined this movement, said Ejaz, the journalist. What we have seen on streets across the country is that families, juveniles and the elderly joining the movement. So, of course, the elements [opposition political parties and extremist religious outfits] are there. This is the reason we are seeing this vandalism and violence.

Ejaz said the liberal ethos and secular values on which Bangladesh was founded could be put under further threat if mob violence did not stop.
Nearly 222,000 acres of National Forest and Bureau of Land Management property known as the Thompson Divide, south of Glenwood Springs and extending south beyond Crested Butte, was withdrawn from mining and oil and gas exploration by the Biden administration Wednesday.

Citing a broad interest in retaining the Thompson Divides contiguous landscape and protecting the area from potential impacts of mineral development, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland signed a public land order that prevents mining, mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years, subject to existing mineral rights.

Only Congress can authorize a permanent withdrawal.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw 5,000 or more acres for a maximum of 20 years, subject to renewal.

The Thompson Divide is iconic to Colorado and with these protections, it will remain an area that will continue to support incredible levels of biodiversity and public enjoyment for generations to come, said Gov. Jared Polis in a news release.

People come from across the country and around the world to experience our world class outdoors, which is why its so important to protect our states renowned public lands.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, much of the withdrawn area has not been available to oil and gas leasing for several years, and there is no current or planned oil exploration or production in the area.

Efforts to conserve the area span decades and recognize the outstanding habitat, fish and wildlife values, and the importance to local residents, said Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation in a release. We are glad that these efforts have officially paid off and we will continue to work on a permanent solution for this unmatched landscape.

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The Biden administration originally proposed withdrawal in October 2022.

According to the release, the Departments engaged extensively with a variety of stakeholders  including through five public meetings, close coordination with Tribes and multiple cooperating agencies, and a review of the approximately 31,000 comments received.

The withdrawal advances President Bidens America the Beautiful initiative to conserve and restore an additional 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.

The federal government already owns 36% of Colorado lands, and according to the Colorado State Forest Service, the federal government owns about 65% of Colorados more than 3 million acres of forests.

Nationally, the federal government owns about 28% of the total land area of the United States.

Colorado received $153 million of more than $18 billion in revenues generated by energy production on federal and tribal lands in fiscal year 2023, according to federal documents.

Colorado ranked fourth in the amount of revenues doled out to the states, trailing New Mexico, Wyoming, and Louisiana.


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As we grow closer to election day, I want to take a pause to speak personally and candidly to the people of Westerly. I believe everyone is hitting their limit wi Read moreLetter: Killam has deep roots in the community
Kamala Harris now leads Donald Trump in three crucial battleground states, according to new polls published Saturday, apparently eroding the advantage the former president has enjoyed there over the past year.

The polls of likely voters by The New York Times and Siena College showed Harris leading Trump by an identical 50 percent to 46 percent margin in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Under the US electoral college voting system, those three populous Midwestern states are considered key to victory for either party.

The polls are a reversal of surveys in those states which for nearly a year had shown Trump either tied with or slightly leading Democratic President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the race last month and endorsed Harris instead.

Much can change in the nearly three months before the November 5 election. The polling showed voters still prefer Trump on the key issues of the economy and immigration, though Harris had a 24-point advantage when voters were asked whom they trust on the issue of abortion.

Democrats, in any case, have taken heart in the surge of enthusiasm that has greeted Harriss candidacy, with many expressing relief after 81-year-old Biden stepped aside.

Her announcement Tuesday of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate also appears to have energized Democrats.

A new Ipsos poll shows Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump 42% to 37% in the race for the November 5 US presidential election. The poll, conducted August 2-7, found Harris widening her lead since a July 22-23 survey, which showed her up 37% to 34% over Trump.

The nationwide poll also found 4% backing independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., down from 10% in July. In a separate poll, Ipsos found Harris leading Trump 42% to 40% in the seven states where the election was closest in 2020.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
North Korea will not seek outside help to recover from floods that devastated areas near the countrys border with China, leader Kim Jong Un said as he ordered officials to bring thousands of displaced residents to the capital to provide them better care.

Kim said it would take about two to three months to rebuild homes and stabilize the areas affected by floods. Until then, his government plans to accommodate some 15,400 people  a group that includes mothers, children, older adults and disabled soldiers  at facilities in Pyongyang, North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.

KCNA said Kim made the comments during a two-day trip to northwestern town of Uiju through Friday to meet flood victims and discuss recovery efforts. The agency gave Kim its typical effusive praise, saying the visit showed his sacred leadership and warm love and ennobling spirit of making devoted service for the people.

State media reports said heavy rains in late July left 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural fields, and numerous other public buildings, structures, roads and railways flooded in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighboring town of Uiju.

The North has not provided information on deaths, but Kim was quoted blaming public officials who had neglected disaster prevention for causing the casualty that cannot be allowed.

Traditional allies Russia and China, as well as international aid groups, have offered to provide North Korea with relief supplies, but the North hasnt publicly expressed a desire to receive them.

Expressing thanks to various foreign countries and international organizations for their offer of humanitarian support, (Kim) said what we regard as the best in all realms and processes of state affairs is the firm trust in the people and the way of tackling problems thoroughly based on self-reliance, KCNA said.

Kim made similar comments earlier in the week after Russian President Vladimir Putin offered help, expressing his gratitude but saying that the North has established its own rehabilitation plans and will only ask for Moscows assistance if later needed.

While rival South Korea has also offered to send aid supplies, its highly unlikely that the North would accept its offer. Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest in years over the Norths growing nuclear ambitions and the Souths expansion of combined military exercises with the United States and Japan.

The North had also rejected South Koreas offers for help while battling a COVID-19 outbreak in 2022.

During his recent visit to Uiju, Kim repeated an accusation that South Korea exaggerated the Norths flood damages and casualties, which he decried as a smear campaign and a grave provocation against his government. Some South Korean media reports claim that the Norths flood damages are likely worse than what state media have acknowledged, and that the number of deaths could exceed 1,000.

(AP)
Mexican drug cartel leader Ismael El Mayo Zambada said that he was ambushed and kidnapped when he thought he was going to meet the governor of the northern state of Sinaloa, and then taken against his will to the United States, according to a letter released Saturday by his lawyer.

In the two-page letter, Zambada said that fellow drug lord Joaquin Guzman Lopez asked him to attend a meeting on July 25 with local politicians, including Sinaloa Gov. Ruben Rocha Moya, from the ruling Morena party.

But before any meeting took place, he was led into a room where he was knocked down, a hood was placed over his head, he was handcuffed, and then taken in a pickup truck to a landing strip where he was forced into a private plane that finally took him and Guzman Lopez, one of the sons of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, to U.S. soil, according to the letter.

Zambadas comments were released a day after the U.S. ambassador to Mexico confirmed that the drug lord was brought to the United States against his will when he arrived in Texas in July on a plane along with Guzman Lopez.

After Zambadas comments, which raised question about links between drug traffickers and some politicians in Sinaloa, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador asked reporters to wait to get more information and to hear the governors version.

The governors office didnt immediately reply to a request for comment on Saturday. When the arrests of Zambada and Guzman Lopez were announced, Rocha told local media that he was in Los Angeles that day.

In early August, Zambada, 76, made his second appearance in U.S. federal court in Texas after being taken into U.S. custody the week before.

Guzman Lopez apparently had been in negotiations with U.S. authorities for a long time about possibly turning himself in. Guzman Lopez, 38, has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges in federal court in Chicago.

But U.S. officials said they had almost no warning when Guzman Lopezs plane landed at an airport near El Paso. Both men were arrested and remain jailed. They are charged in the U.S. with various drug crimes.

Ken Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, said that the plane had taken off from Sinaloa  the Pacific coast state where the cartel is headquartered  and had filed no flight plan. He stressed the pilot wasnt American, nor was the plane.

The implication is that Guzman Lopez intended to turn himself in, and brought Zambada with him to procure more favorable treatment, but his motives remain unclear.

Zambada was thought to be more involved in day-to-day operations of the cartel than his better-known and flashier boss, El Chapo, who was sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. in 2019.

Zambada is charged in a number of U.S. cases, including in New York and California. Prosecutors brought a new indictment against him in New York in February, describing him as the principal leader of the criminal enterprise responsible for importing enormous quantities of narcotics into the United States.

(AP)
A Ferguson, Missouri, police officer was critically injured outside the citys police station during protests on the 10th anniversary of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, a pivotal moment in the national Black Lives Matter movement, police said Saturday.

Ferguson police chief Troy Doyle said Officer Travis Brown suffered a severe brain injury Friday after being knocked to the ground.

He is in an area hospital right now fighting for his life, Doyle said.

Two other officers also were hurt, one sustaining an ankle injury and another an abrasion.

The team of officers went out to make arrests Friday for destruction of property at the police station, where protesters gathered to remember Michael Brown, the unarmed Black 18-year-old who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer in 2014.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Earlier story follows below.

Police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson arrested two people and said more arrests were likely following protests on the 10th anniversary of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, a pivotal moment in the national Black Lives Matter movement.

Issues arose as protestors gathered outside the suburbs police station on Friday to remember Brown, the unarmed Black 18-year-old who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer.

The protest started as a reunion, with traffic diverted as around 40 people congregated outside the police headquarters, drinking beer and eating food, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

We wanted to give peaceful protesters the space to do so, police spokeswoman Pat Washington said Saturday morning.

Around midnight, however, at least five protesters tried to knock down part of the fence surrounding the police station, leading to the arrests.

Washington said the department is still trying to make arrests and review footage to decide the charges.

There will be others, she said Saturday.

Police didnt immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment. The departments Facebook page said the police chief would issue a full statement later in the day.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Fire Department placed a member of the department on leave after he made an social media post that the department described as insensitive.

We take this matter seriously and do not condone such behavior, the department wrote.

The department didnt disclose the contents of the post, but KMOV reported that it read: Happy ALIVE day to Darren Wilson!

Browns death turned Ferguson into the focal point of the national reckoning with the historically tense relationship between U.S. law enforcement and Black people.

In 2015, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice also found no grounds to prosecute Wilson. But the report gave a scathing indictment of the police department  raising significant concerns about how officers treated Black residents, and about a court system that created a cycle of debt for many residents.

(AP)
The case against a man accused of killing of a Detroit synagogue leader collapsed Friday as a judge dismissed a remaining murder charge, three weeks after a jury cleared him of a similar but separate charge.

Judge Margaret Van Houten said putting Michael Jackson-Bolanos on trial again for murder would be unconstitutional double jeopardy.

It is a victory for Jackson-Bolanos, who has repeatedly declared his innocence in the fatal stabbing of Samantha Woll. Prosecutors acknowledged that the pending murder charge probably had to be dismissed, but it still was a blow in the highly publicized case.

Woll, 40, was found dead outside her Detroit home last October. It raised speculation about whether the attack was some type of antisemitic retaliation amid the Israel-Hamas war, though police found no connection.

A jury in July acquitted Jackson-Bolanos of first-degree premediated murder. But it couldnt reach a unanimous verdict on a separate charge of felony murder, which in Michigan is murder committed during another crime. In this case, prosecutors alleged a home invasion.

The judge ruled out a second trial Friday, based on a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court decision involving partial jury verdicts.

Van Houten said it was a poor decision but that she had to apply it to Jackson-Bolanos. She dismissed the remaining murder and home invasion charges. Prosecutors pledged to appeal.

Van Houten then sentenced Jackson-Bolanos to 18 months in prison for lying to police during the investigation  his only trial conviction. Defense attorney Brian Brown asked for probation.

If lying was an Olympic sport, you would get a gold medal, sir, the judge told Jackson-Bolanos.

Wolls body was discovered outdoors, just east of downtown Detroit, hours after she had returned from a fall wedding. Investigators believe she was attacked inside her home but got outside before collapsing in the middle of the night.

Jackson-Bolanos testified in his own defense, insisting that he had no role but admitting that he touched Wolls body when he found it while in the neighborhood. Blood spots were on his coat.

Im a Black guy in the middle of the night breaking into cars, and I found myself standing in front of a dead white woman. That doesnt look good at all, Jackson-Bolanos said when asked why he didnt call police.

Brown said he simply was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Investigators first arrested a former boyfriend who made a hysterical call to 911 and told authorities that he might have killed Woll but couldnt remember it. He blamed an adverse reaction to medication for those claims and was not charged.

Woll was president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue and also active in Democratic politics, working for U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and state Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Woll was a beacon in her community.

(AP)
Former President Trumps campaign confirmed to Fox News on Saturday that some of its internal communications were hacked, following an inquiry from Politico, which had started receiving internal Trump documents.

These documents were obtained illegally from foreign sources hostile to the United States, intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process, said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign.

Cheung also referenced a recent Microsoft report, stating, On Friday, a new report from Microsoft found that Iranian hackers broke into the account of a high ranking official on the U.S. presidential campaign in June 2024, which coincides with the close timing of President Trumps selection of a Vice Presidential nominee.

He further connected the alleged Iranian hack to an earlier incident, noting, The hack allegedly by Iran came after recent reports of an Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump around the same time as the Butler, PA tragedy.

Cheung warned that, The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror just like he did in his first four years in the White House. Any media or news outlet reprinting documents or internal communications are doing the bidding of Americas enemies and doing exactly what they want.

The documents received by Politico included a 271-page dossier on Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, which dated back to February. The dossier highlighted Vances past positions, statements, and criticisms of Trump under a section labeled POTENTIAL VULNERABILITIES.

The Trump campaign did not disclose whether they had contacted law enforcement regarding the hacking. It also remains unclear if Politico utilized any of the hacked materials in its reporting. Fox News Digital reached out to Politico, which referred back to its original story.

Politico reported that it began receiving emails from an individual identifying as Robert using an anonymous AOL account on July 22, just days after the Republican National Convention ended and Trump announced Vance as his running mate. When questioned by reporters about the source of the documents, Robert reportedly responded, I suggest you dont be curious about where I got them from. Any answer to this question will compromise me and also legally restricts you from publishing them.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A chilling hate crime occurred in Crown Heights at around 2 AM Shabbos morning, when a Lubavitch bochur was stabbed near Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, close to Chabad Headquarters, by a man shouting Free Palestine!

The perpetrator, a black male in his early 20s, also asked the victim if he wanted to die before the attack.

Locals quickly responded to the stabbing, detaining the attacker until police arrived to make an arrest a few blocks away.

The victim was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover thanks to the swift response of paramedics. The incident is being investigated by the NYPDs Hate Crimes unit.

Yaakov Behrman of the Jewish Future Alliance condemned the attack, telling YWN, This act of hateful violence highlights the dangerous impact of anti-Semitic incitement and hate propagated by some local politicians and leaders When hate and incitement against a group are preached, it invariably leads to violence.

NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor of the Community Affairs Bureau told Yeshiva World News that this incident is being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force and there will be an increase in police presence at 770 from now through the Yomim Tovim.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
On Saturday morning, the IDF and Shin Bet security agency carried out an airstrike on a Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad command center located within the Tabaeen school complex in Gaza City. The IDF later announced that the strike successfully eliminated 19 operatives from the two terror groups.

The Hamas-run civil defense in Gaza reported over 90 fatalities in the strike, describing it as a horrific massacre. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from Western diplomats, Egyptian and Qatari mediators involved in ceasefire talks, and numerous Muslim nations. The White House expressed deep concern over the high civilian death toll in the ongoing conflict and called for more details about the strike.

According to the IDF, the operation targeted a command room embedded within a mosque at the school complex using three precision munitions. The military released footage showing that the surrounding buildings suffered minimal damage and stated that the reported casualties from the Gaza governments media office could not have been caused by the strike.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari noted that there is a high probability that Ashraf Juda, the commander of Islamic Jihads Central Camps Brigade, was present at the time of the strike, although it remains unclear if he was killed. Hagari accused Hamas of increasingly using civilian buildings, including schools, as military facilities and emphasized that the IDF took significant precautions to avoid civilian casualties during the operation.

However, Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses reported that many civilians, including women and children, were among the dead. The Wall Street Journal quoted a local resident describing the aftermath, with bodies and body parts scattered throughout the area.

Israels military also disputed the toll, saying the precise munitions used cannot cause the amount of damage that is being reported by the Hamas-run government. It said the steps it took to limit the risk to civilians included the use of a small warhead, aerial surveillance and intelligence information.

Walls were blown out on the ground level of the large building. Concrete chunks and twisted metal lay on the blood-soaked floor. Bodies, some in bloodstained shrouds, were placed shoulder to shoulder in makeshift graves, making room for more.

Fadel Naeem, director of the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that it received 70 bodies along with the body parts of at least 10 others. Gazas Health Ministry said that another 47 people were wounded.

The U.S. said it was deeply concerned about reports of civilians killed.

Far too many civilians continue to be killed and wounded, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement.

The strike came as U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediators renewed their push for Israel and Hamas to achieve a cease-fire agreement that could help calm soaring tensions in the region following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.

Egypt, which borders Gaza, said that the strike on the school showed that Israel had no intention of reaching a cease-fire deal. Neighboring Jordan condemned the attack as a blatant violation of international law. Qatar demanded an international investigation, calling it a heinous crime against civilians.

Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking to reporters traveling with her in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, said of the Israeli strike in Gaza: Yet again, far too many civilians have been killed.

Israel has a right to go after the terrorists that are Hamas, she said. But as I have said many, many times they also have, I believe, an important responsibility to avoid civilian casualties.

Pressed on the fact that such comments have done little to lower the numbers of civilians in Gaza killed in recent months, Harris said, First and foremost  and the president and I have been working on this around the clock  we need to get the hostages out.

We need a hostage deal and we need a cease-fire, she said. And I cant stress that strongly enough. It needs get to done. The deal needs to get done and it needs to get done now.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC / AP)
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Sunday ordered the government to halt funding for the babies and toddlers of Chareidi families whose fathers are eligible for the draft.

The cruel decision comes only three weeks before the school year begins, leaving about 6,700 families and about 10,000 children without daycare. The fees for daycare without the subsidies are not affordable for almost all kollel families.

The decision is especially outrageous considering that Arab-Israeli mothers whose husbands are criminals in prison receive daycare subsidies. The law requires that only the womans income be calculated without regard to her husbands income.

Chareidi journalist Aryeh Ehrlich said in response: An Attorney-General who has pity for heinous Nukhba terrorists and is cruel to Jewish babies. Let that sink in for a moment. This is Sodom.

UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf stated: It goes without saying that the Attorney-General would not have issued the same decision against the Arab public that doesnt serve or the children of foreign workers or illegal migrants who receive services and stipends as if they served in the IDF.

The Shas party stated: The Attorney-Generals decision to deny working Chareidi mothers daycare subsidies today, three weeks before the start of the school year, just because the husband is studying Torah  is cruel legal bullying and abuse of helpless children. This is a disgraceful mark of Cain on the forehead of the legal system which is supposed to protect and support women who seek employment. The purpose of the subsidies is to encourage women to work.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: A year ago, I told the Prime Minister to get rid of her. Lets send her home. She does whatever she wants.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni excoriated Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara for her decision to cut daycare funding for the babies and toddlers of Chareidi families whose fathers are eligible for the draft only three weeks before the new school year begins.

They talk all the time and preach to us morals about womens employment and equality, until it comes to Chareidim! Gafni said. Then they throw everything away and fight against us. Unparalleled rishus!

If we would do something like that, they would say we are primitive. They really are evil primitive people.

Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur (Shas) is holding emergency meetings with professional officials and legal counsel at the Ministry of Labor to examine the decision.

Unfortunately, the weighty legal arguments that the minister submitted to the Attorney-General did not receive professional consideration, Ben-Tzur said. The minister sees as serious the direct and severe harm against those helpless babies who will be left without supervised educational frameworks.

This is a serious blow to these families economic welfare since thousands of mothers will leave the workforce and turn from normative families into supported families. The minister will continue the just and moral battle for these babies using all legal tools and will not stop until justice is served.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
According to a report by Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian has successfully convinced Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to delay a planned attack on Israel. The postponement comes after the US established an emergency hotline with Iran over the weekend, urging Tehran to delay its retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by at least two weeks.

The US has proposed measures to address security concerns and close loopholes in exchange for Irans restraint. Iran has agreed to the delay, which will allow for continued ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel.

The postponement is also attributed to Khameneis wait for the new government to be approved by Irans parliament, a process expected to take two weeks. During this time, Pezeshkian aims to advance ceasefire talks and prevent escalation.

A senior Iranian official revealed that Khamenei opposes targeting Mossad elements in neighboring countries and insists on responding within Israels borders. However, the official emphasized that only Khamenei can make the final decision.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
One Israeli was murdered and a second injured after terrorists opened fire on their vehicles in the Jordan Valley on Sunday afternoon.

The victim was later identified as Yonatan Deitsch, Hyd, 23, from Beit Shean, who was due to get married in several weeks. He was released from IDF service just a week ago after fighting in Gaza. He was on the way to the yishuv of Ofra, where his kallah lives, when he was killed by the terrorists gunfire.

The terrorist opened fire from his vehicle at an Israeli car on Route 90 near the Mechola Junction.

The second victim, a man in his early 30s, is in moderate condition. He was evacuated to the hospital in an MDA helicopter with gunshot wounds to his lower body.

An initial investigation shows that the attack took place in two areas  one on Route 90 and the second near the yishuv of Rotem.

The terrorist fled the scene. A large number of IDF forces arrived at the scene and launched a manhunt.

Senior MDA EMT Matti Carmi said: We found a 33-year-old male casualty at the scene with gunshot wounds to his lower body, and while providing medical treatment including bleeding control, we evacuated him to the MDA helicopter. We then received a report of an unconscious casualty with gunshot wounds in another vehicle. Along with an IDF medical team we treated the second casualty, but his injury was critical and we were forced to pronounce him dead.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Israeli intelligence officials have assessed that Iran will directly attack the Jewish state within days, Walla reported on Sunday evening.

Two sources familiar with the matter said that contrary to recent reports that Iran has backtracked on its intent to attack Israel due to international pressure, the most recent intelligence assessment is that an attack is imminent.

The report added that there is currently internal friction on the issue in Iran between new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is warning against a major attack, and the Revolutionary Guards, who are pushing for an attack that is harsher and longer than the April 14 attack.

In response to the report, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that despite the recent reports, there are no changes in Home Front Command instructions and the public will be informed if any changes are necessary.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
40 years ago, the Gedolim established Emanuel as a new Torah city in the heart of Eretz Yisrael. Emanuels mission has always been to offer Jewish families a place to enjoy a quiet life totally infused with Torah values. From humble beginnings, Emanuel has developed into a major community and is now welcoming hundreds of new families every year. Emanuels leaders have started construction on a large new Torah Center to serve the needs of this young and growing community. With your help, Emanuel can continue to champion Jewish values and offer more religious families a warm home in a Torah city.

Join Emanuels mission by contributing to this citys historic growth. Each ticket purchase is an investment into a vision of a world revolving totally around Torah and Mitzvos.

Get your raffle ticket today for your chance to win YOUR OWN SEFER TORAH.

When you enter to win, you will be zoche to have someone daven for you at the kever of the Slonimer Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Noach Berezovsky ztl, on his yahrzeit  .
Eighteen years ago, tragedy struck a devoted family when the father, a revered figure in the community, passed away after a long battle with illness. He left behind a widow and ten young children, the youngest just two years old at the time. Since then, this courageous widow has shouldered the immense responsibility of raising her children with dignity, faith, and resilience. Against all odds, she has successfully married off seven of her children. But each wedding, while a source of great joy, has also brought significant financial burdens, leaving her family with mounting debts.





Now, as her youngest daughter prepares for her wedding, the widow faces an insurmountable challenge. This daughter, who never knew her father, dreams of a modest but honorable wedding, yet the familys resources have been exhausted. Despite her strength and determination, this widow is unable to provide the necessary means for her daughters marriage.





She has always been self-reliant, never seeking public assistance, but now she is left with no other choice. Her plea is simple yet heartfelt: **Help me marry my daughter.**





This family is well-known and respected within the Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh communities. Many owe their spiritual lives to the late father, a man who dedicated his life to the Torah and to uplifting others. Yet, in keeping with her humility, the widow wishes to maintain her privacy and not reveal her identity.





On Tu BAv, a day known in Israel as one of joy and unity, this young bride will stand under the chuppah, eager to build a home filled with faith and love. But the joy of this occasion is tempered by the widows fears and financial worries.





We cannot allow this day, which should be the happiest of this young womans life, to be overshadowed by financial strain. The widow has done everything in her power for nearly two decades; now, it is our turn to support her.





The Talmud teaches us that one of the questions asked in the heavenly court will be, Did you engage in acts of kindness, especially in helping the orphaned and widowed? Today, we have an opportunity to answer that question with a resounding Yes.





**Click here now** and be a part of this mitzvah. Let us ensure that this widows last daughter can celebrate her wedding with the dignity she deserves, and help this family experience true joy on this sacred day.





Together, we can turn tears of worry into tears of joy.
Providing free HRT and mid-life health checks for all women between 45 and 64 could save the State millions, a menopause expert has claimed.

Earlier detection of cardiovascular and bone-health issues caused by menopause would dramatically cut visits to GPs and hospitals by women, the chief executive of The Menopause Hub has said.

Loretta Dignam is calling on the Government to include free mid-life medical and Dexa bone density scans in the forthcoming Budget.

Ms Dignam welcomed the recent extension of the free contraception scheme to all women between the ages of 17 and 35 but is now calling for free prescriptions to help those at the other end of the spectrum who are suffering daily at the hands of perimenopause and menopause.

Figures from the Health Service Executive (HSE) say that at least 4.1 million euro is currently needed to make HRT provision free for women who already receive it under the State schemes.

Ms Dignam said: Offering free HRT and mid-life health checks to women as part of the Budget breaks will give relief to thousands of women in Ireland who are struggling to cope with a wide range of symptoms including anxiety, hot flushes and insomnia as a result of menopause.

Such a scheme will also save the Government millions of euro in healthcare each year in treating conditions directly caused by menopause and a mid-life check would diagnose bone and heart problems at an early stage, instead of treating advanced conditions such as osteoporosis, which may be only picked up by the current free bone density scan for women at 65 years of age.

Menopause, and the decline in hormone oestrogen primarily, contributes to cardiovascular and bone health issues, which are costly for the State.

The free contraception scheme is fantastic and takes the cost worry away for so many women, but women on the other side of the spectrum, those who no longer need contraception, need to be supported too.

Ms Dignam believes older women in perimenopause and menopause spend more of their disposable income in their daily lives than men through contraception aids such as the IUD as well as up to 70 euro a month for HRT, if they do not have a medical card.

They are also at an age where they missed out on the free contraception schemes now introduced by the Government.

Latest census figures show the number of women in the menopausal age bracket of 45-64 in Ireland is now 651,846, with 418,989 of these still in employment.

The Menopause Hubs clinics in Dublin and Cork have treated more than 10,000 women since opening in 2019.
The question of Mayor Q's involvement in support for the Harris/Walz ticket on a national level is gaining momentum amongst mainstream local newsies but we notice social media followers are already forming strong opinions.

And so we ask two questions on the topic . . . Here's a good place to start:



HAS CAMPAIGN 2024 COMPLETELY DISTRACTED MAYOR Q FROM HIS LOCAL JOB DUTIES?!?!

Consider . . . This weekend he's just getting around to responding to a robbery spree that happened on Sunday night last week.

We agree with his take on the topic but, clearly there isn't any sense of urgency in his remarks.

Here's what he had to say . . .



There is no such thing as petty crime for victims, Mayor Quinton Lucas told KCTV5 on Saturday. Robberies, break-ins, vandalism, and beyond is something we will never accept in Kansas City.



Lucas says the rash of crimes in the city needs to stop.



Prevention, accountability, and making sure the people of Kansas City know all of us care is something I will work with the police department on to ensure we are not hearing some of the same stories we saw earlier this week.

Also this weekend, the mayor mostly focused on Harris/Walz campaigning and seems far more engaged in the progressive push to win in November . . . Here's one of his latest social media messages . . .



"Just spent a wonderful evening across the line in Johnson County for the @JoCoDemsKS Forever the Free State event. Absolutely outstanding energy in Democratic organizations and exceptional remarks by local, state, and federal leaders. Everyone is excited heading into November!"

And so . . . Here's the second question . . .

HOW CAN VOTERS REFOCUS MAYOR Q'S ATTENTION BACK ON KANSAS CITY?!?

Sure . . . He's entitled to uphold the party line . . . But locals are noticing very little interest in pressing local issues from the Mayor's office and there's still a great deal of time left in his term and a lot of local work to accomplish.

Per ushe . . . We look forward to helpful suggestions from out www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community.

Developing . . .


Let's start by admitting bias . . .

TKC doesn't have much patience for clerics playing politics.

Why???

Faith leaders shouldn't use their position to actively engage in politics because their followers are mostly forbidden from calling them idiots and questioning their judgement . . . Which is the American way.

One more . . .

American politics is about the open exchange of ideas and fierce debate whereas the very best religions focus on prayer and service. Moreover . . . Bishops often get testy when their ideas are smacked down in public with clever insults and they don't have nuns armed with rulers to back them up.

Accordingly . . .

Kansas Catholic leaders marched the GOP into historic defeat and now their answer is to reveal even more political ignorance by doubling down their abortion-first political advocacy at a time when Democratic Party leaders are eager to leverage the issue to gain power.

With respect for their faith that we also call our own . . .

Kansas Catholic leaders have demonstrated divine stupidity when it comes to politics . . . BECAUSE they're fighting a spiritual war and working to save souls whereas more practical leaders are simply trying to preserve a Republican stronghold that's slipping away faster than anyone would like to admit.

In fairness . . . We share a recent "news report" from one of our favorite publications . . .



"Pro-life Kansans need to know that voting is still important. They need to vote for pro-life office holders in all parts of government."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Despite streetscaping efforts, stepped up patrols and law enforcement threats . . . There hasn't been much progress in protecting downtown residents from sideshows, ATVs and reckless drivers in and around the loop.

In fact . . .

KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS SAY THE PROBLEM IS GROWING WORSE!!!



There is legit debate on both sides of this crisis but locals can merely use their ears every weekend and understand that we're a long way from a solution.

Here's man on the street testimony and more reporting . . .



He lives and works downtown and told KCTV5 he thinks its gotten worse in the last month, saying its getting louder and happening earlier.



Its really tough for the residents, he said. Just revving their engines and going extremely fast and going up and down the street.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Li Hui has succeeded in his mission to consolidate the Global South, but this may come as a new obstacle to achieving a just peace

This week, the Chinese governments Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui was on his fourth round of "shuttle diplomacy" to Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, focused on a political solution to the "Ukrainian crisis", as the Chinese leaders refer to the war Russia is waging in Ukraine. Beijing sent its special envoy on this shuttle diplomacy mission on July 28, soon after Ukraines top diplomat, Dmytro Kuleba concluded his first visit to the People's Republic of China since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi in Guangzhou on July 24.

During this mission, Li Hui talked over the war in Ukraine and gave interviews to reputable local media outlets. The Chinese envoy did not make any sensational statements, but there was noticed a shift in statements he made during this and previous missions, which reveals how Beijing is adjusting its policy with respect to the Russo-Ukrainian war, and what Ukrainians can expect from China in the future.

photo via scmp.com/news

CONSOLIDATION OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Why Brazil, South Africa (officially the Republic of South Africa), and Indonesia? Because these are the lead countries of the Global South and front-runners in their respective parts of the world  South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

The views of these three governments are heeded by other governments in their respective regions, who tend to be guided by the positions of regional leaders in defining and pursuing their foreign policy goals. In other words, with support secured from Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia, one can hope for at least an understanding with a majority of policy stakeholders in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

That being said, Brasilia, Pretoria, and Jakarta pursue their own ambitions regarding their participation in global affairs and their "peace" initiatives for Ukraine. Last year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa even brought together a delegation of several African country leaders for a mediation mission to Kyiv first, then to Moscow in June, which, expectedly enough, ended up with nothing.

Brazil came out with own proposals on how to end the war, and continues in contact on that matter with Kyiv. The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak continually communicates with Celso Amorim, the international policy advisor to the Brazilian president, and a National Congress of Brazil delegation visited Kyiv earlier this week.

Indonesia, too, is seeking to be on trend. Last year, the then minister of defense and current president-elect, Prabowo Subianto pushed forward his own plan to end the war in Ukraine. In a recent interview with Ukrinform, Ukraine's ambassador to Indonesia, Vasyl Gamyanin was speaking about his meeting with Prabowo Subianto, the then-hopeful president, and expressed hope for his meaningful involvement in achieving a just end to the war.

What China and the three mentioned countries have in common in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war is that they are all located very far away, and Ukraine is not among their strategic priorities. Russia, alternatively, is one of the most important trading partners and a member of joint associations such as BRICS, as well as one of Jakartas strategic dialogue partners within ASEAN.

Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, like China, never condemned Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, neither did they join the sanctions the West slapped on the Russian Federation for its invasion of Ukraine. Instead, they declared to be neutral and went on with business as usual with Russia, pretending nothing had happened. Basically, these countries opt not to notice the big war ongoing in Europe, but they would like it to end sooner, in the hope the Wests anti-Russia sanctions may be lifted, and they return to trade as usual with Moscow.

The main result of the Chinese special envoys fourth "shuttle diplomacy" mission was that he managed to consolidate the Global South around China and its "peace" initiatives for Ukraine. Beijing has reinforced its position as the champion of the interests of developing countries, but failed to bring closer an end to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Photo Credit: Website of Chinese Foreign Ministry

CHINESE "PEACE" INITIATIVES FOR UKRAINE

During the first year of the great war in Ukraine, China and the Global South as a whole were just sitting on the fence, watching the rapidly changing situation on Ukrainian battlefields -- from the initial successes of the occupying Russian army to glorious counteroffensive operations by the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the humiliating defeats and losses suffered by the "worlds second army", as well as the growing barrage of sanctions against the aggressor country and its becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.

When the front line more or less stabilized in late 2022, and it became clear that the Kremlin's plans for a blitzkrieg had failed and the war would proceed into another year, a host of various proposals on how to end the war began pouring in from Latin America, Africa and Asia. But they all proved futile, mainly because their authors, in their calculations, mistakenly considered Putin to be a rational leader capable of acting wisely in the best interests of his country and people. But in reality, the Kremlins boss has long lived in a world of his own, detached from the real world, an imagined world in which he is saving Russia.

So the past year showed the unattainability of the aims of all the "peace plans" pushed forward by the Global South, excepting perhaps the Chinese plan, albeit with significant modifications needed. China's initial position on the war, set out in its 12-point peace plan Beijing introduced on February 24, 2023, a year after the breakout of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, has already become a thing of the past, giving way to the six-point consensus" proposed jointly by China and Brazil this May.

It is unknown for sure why Beijing gave up its initial plan, which was supported by all the countries amicable to China and highly praised by Moscow. There is a distinct difference this plan has compared to the six-point consensus; the latter omits a provision on respect for all countries territorial integrity and sovereignty based on the UN Charter.

In the Sino-Brazilian document, the first priority is the call to refrain from expanding the war to new fronts, to cease fire, achieve an armistice, and start negotiations to settle the disputes. This is how Beijing now sees an end of the war  through the cessation of hostilities along the contact line and through negotiations, thus effectively allowing time for the aggressor country, Russia, to quickly absorb the Ukrainian lands it seized and destroy everything Ukrainian.

During his latest round of shuttle diplomacy, as per reports by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Li Hui never once mentioned China's 12-point plan, which was previously mandatory when discussing China's role in the search for a peace in Ukraine. This plan has been eventually removed altogether from the official rhetoric. So China's position is now based on the six-point consensus, which harbors a danger for Ukraine and is more than welcome for the Kremlin.

At meetings with his colleagues in Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, the Chinese envoy also made no mention of a peace conference "recognized by Ukraine and Russia and with their equal participation." It looks like Beijing considers such a conference untimely and inexpedient, since neither Kyiv nor Moscow seem to be in a mood for negotiations due to a deep gap in their vision of preconditions for the start of the negotiation process.

Instead, in an interview with Brazilian media outlets, excerpts from which were published by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Li Hui emphasized that territorial integrity of every country must be respected. Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi made a similar statement at talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba in Guangzhou, something on which the Ukrainian side focused a lot of its attention.

The inviolability of territorial integrity is one of the fundamental principles of Chinas foreign policy and how China perceives its role in international affairs, this being related to its aspirations regarding Taiwan. This gives reason to confidently assume that Beijing has no intention to impose on Kyiv the demand to give up its territories to Russia in exchange for an end to the war, but it does not demand either that Moscow withdraw its troops from its occupied parts of Ukraine as a first precondition for the start of peace negotiations.

Photo via Shutterstock

CHINESE "CONSENSUS" AND THE RISKS IT HARBORS FOR ACHIEVING A JUST PEACE IN UKRAINE

During the fourth round of his shuttle diplomacy mission, Li Hui reiterated on multiple occasions that the Sino-Brazilian six-point consensus initiative was supported by more than 110 countries, over a half of 193 active members of the United Nations. The Beijings envoy did not reveal the names of the countries in question, and Chinas Foreign Ministry does not make such data public either, so its validity is difficult to verify.

It can be assumed that the Sino-Brazilian initiative gained support from countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and perhaps the PRC's partner countries in the Middle East. Kyiv never made public its response to the "consensus" officially. Ukraines top diplomat, during talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, confined his comment to saying that Ukraine attaches great importance to China's opinion and carefully studied all Beijing's initiatives, as quoted by Chinas Foreign Ministry in a press statement.

Moscows response to Beijings "peacemaking" initiatives was equally restrained. In fact, Putin has on multiple occasions explicitly made clear leaders of which countries he wants to see among the "mediators": these are African leaders, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as well as his best friend Xi Jinping. And right at the time Putin was talking about peace negotiations, or a day or two after, Russian army was pounding hospitals, schools and residential neighborhoods in Ukrainian cities.

The Russian president, as mentioned above, lives in his own world of fantasies, where he is an all-powerful ruler, the leader of the worlds largest and most powerful country named the Russian Federation. And he does not need any advisers-mediators, he only needs the unconditional surrender of Ukraine, whatever price Russia itself will have to pay for it.

However, this position of Moscow does not embarrass Beijing, which continues to gain profit from this war while simultaneously beefing up its global position, consolidating around itself non-Western states under whatever pretexts. Chinas activity on issues surrounding the Russian-Ukrainian war and ways to end it is also part of the arsenal of countermeasures Beijing is using in its confrontation with the United States of America and the Western World as a whole.

Particularly noteworthy in this context is a statement Li Hui made in an interview with the leading Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo regarding an intention by China and Brazil to push forward with their "six-point consensus" initiative at the next UN General Assembly session in September. The two countries seek to muster support for this "consensus" initiative from the majority of attendee countries of the upcoming UN General Assembly session so that it becomes an official proposal for negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

There is a pretty high probability that the Sino-Brazilian peace initiative will find sufficient support, given that over 110 countries have already responded positively to it, as claimed by China. This means to say that the global community is going to put pressure on both Ukraine and Russia to make them respect and fulfil the majoritys decisions.

The Kremlin will certainly ignore the UN General Assemblys consensus resolution, as it did with respect to all the decisions taken by international institutions unsympathetic to Moscow. But for Ukraine, it may be more difficult to disobey a decision by the worlds majority and avoid pressure and demands to take steps towards a ceasefire. As another option, Russias shelling attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities will probably add arguments in favor of Ukraine rejecting ceasefire deal with Moscow and continuing fighting against the aggressor state.

That said, in order to avoid bad surprises at forthcoming UN General Assembly session, it is worth starting to work with the countries favoring cease-fire proposals to expound the catastrophic consequences this may have for Ukraine and that Russia must be stopped now because appeasing the aggressor would lead to more atrocities elsewhere in the future. Examples of concessions to an aggressor becoming a prelude to bloody and devastating wars are aplenty in 20th century history, and also in more recent times, particularly after Putin's ascension to the presidency in 2000.

So, whatever and how many "peace" initiatives the Celestial Empires bureaucracy may invent for Ukraine, they are not able to really speed up the peace. In order to become an effective moderator in the conflict and to make the warring parties cease hostilities, a large influential country, which China undoubtedly is, must be ready for decisive moves, to exert pressure, to blackmail and threat, as the USA does in critical situations while pursuing its foreign policy goals.

And in order to act decisively, one needs to clearly define who is the aggressor and who is the victim, without differentiating whether it is a close partner or a competitor, and to choose a side instead of being neutral. Lack of vigorous action and rhetorical calls to end the war alone do not work, and even less so when dealing with someone possessing a large army and nuclear weapons. Putin never hesitates to sign with Xi Jinping joint statements on the need to de-escalate the war in Ukraine, and, hypothetically, an hour later, with the same hand signs an order to open a new front in the Kharkiv region, without caring too much about the commitments he made to partners.

The only thing that can end the war sooner is the invaders defeat on the battlefield, in which China nor the Global South as a whole are helpers for us. But we, however, still need to work with them, convincing them that, in the 21st century, the future of not only Ukraine, but of the entire civilized world is being defended on the Ukrainian battlefields, and any attempts to bring the world back to the medieval times with their wars of conquest and arbitrary redrawing of lines will end up with a disaster for the aggressor country.

Volodymyr Sydorenko, Beijing

Headline Photo via gettyimages
University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella will step down to become the next president of the University of Arizona.

Earlier this week, the Arizona Board of Regents named Garimella as its top candidate for the position following a national search. On Friday, the board officially appointed Garimella as the 23rd president of the institution. No start date has been determined yet.

"I am honored to be chosen by the board as the next president of the University of Arizona," Garimella said in a statement. "I have long admired the U of A and its stature in the state of Arizona and far beyond. The institution demonstrates the best qualities of a land-grant university with exceptional leadership in research and health sciences, highly acclaimed faculty and staff, and a diverse student population comprised of the best and brightest from around the world."

Current U of A President C. Robbins announced in April that he would step down at the end of his current contract in 2026, or earlier if a successor was found. His departure comes as the university faces a $177 million shortfall due to financial mismanagement and miscalculations.

The school is also undergoing a second rebranding effort, after announcing last month it was returning to using U of A after calling itself UArizona since 2019.

Here's everything we know about U of A's new president:
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal

said on Sunday that agriculture development was crucial for securing Pakistan's

economic future.

Talking to the media at 16th International Food, Hospitality & Beverage Industry

Exhibition and Conference here at Expo Center, he extending congratulations on

the successful organisation of the 16th food Asia International Trade Fair and

highlighting the countrys potential to significantly boost its resources through

agricultural exports, which could amount to billions of Dollars.

The planning minister emphasized that agriculture development was the only way

to effectively address the current challenges faced by the country. He detailed plans

for a transformative "Green Revolution," which would leverage technological

advancements to enhance agricultural productivity and drive national development.

Ahsan Iqbal pointed out that Pakistan had significant growth potential across various

sectors. He stressed the need for enhancing exports to advance economically

and noted that with thousands of agro-processing units already operating, Pakistan

should capitalize on global trends by developing its national brands to foster growth

and increase revenue. He also underscored the importance of improving product

quality to meet international standards.

Drawing inspiration from athlete and the javelin superstar Arshad Nadeem, who

succeeded despite limited resources, the minister suggested that Pakistan, with

its abundant resources, should also be able to achieve substantial progress.

Reflecting on recent challenges, he acknowledged the impact of political instability

and policy deficiencies on the country's trajectory.

The planning minister stressed the need for unity and focused efforts to overcome

these obstacles and steer Pakistan towards progress and development.

Recalling the government's past achievements, he noted the successful resolution

of the energy crisis in 2013, which improved public welfare and supported industrial

growth. He reiterated the ambitious goal of increasing Pakistans exports from $30 billion

to $100 billion.

He highlighted the importance of creating a strong "Made in Pakistan" brand focused on quality.

To a question, the minister said the Punjab government had introduced a farmers package

and revealed plans to send a thousand agricultural professionals and researchers to China

for training in advance agri sectors in September.

Ahsan Iqbal acknowledged Pakistans low productivity levels and stressed that improving

production, particularly in dairy, was essential for alleviating farmers' difficulties. He emphasized

that with sustained peace and stability, Pakistan could advance towards becoming a more

prosperous and robust nation.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) Provincial Information Minister and leader of Muslim League-N-Azma Bokhari has said on Sunday that certified thieves, corrupt and incompetent people will now give them a lecture on corruption.

Azmi Bokhari, while responding to Barrister Saif's statement, said that instead of making propaganda about Lahore's Mayo Hospital, the KP government should focus on the plight of Lady Reading, Khyber Teaching Hospital, in the province, where, even free medicines were stopped.

She said that Maryam Nawaz had started free medicines in all government hospitals soon after she came to power, adding the Chief Minister of Punjab has started a program of revamping all government hospitals.

"Hence, consider before giving us a lecture on good governance on the administration of hospitals and educational institutions of our province," she said

Azma Bokhari said that people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were being given anti-state narratives instead of education and health.

She said students of colleges and universities were being incited to violence and hatred, those who incite the young generation to rebellion are in Adiala Jail today. This is a proper lesson for the rest, she added.

Bokhari said, "Glory be to Allah, the certified thieves, corrupt and incompetent people will now lecture us on corruption, whose hospitals, universities and colleges in their own province, are closing down due to lack of funds.

They should not worry about the hospitals of Lahore," she criticized.

The minister said that government employees protest and strike every week due to non-payment of salaries, and there were no doctors available in the government hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The minister said that the inmate of Adiala Jail had established a team abroad to monitor the corruption of the KP government. She further said that Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur's ministers and his assembly members were upset with his corruption and interference in departments.
(@FahadShabbir)

SUKKUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) On National Minority Day, Barrister Arslan Sheikh, Spokesperson to the Sindh Government and Mayor of Sukkur, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of religious minorities in Pakistan and pledged ongoing commitment to their rights and equality.

In a heartfelt message issued on Sunday, he emphasized the significance of the day in the national Calendar, marking a reaffirmation of the principles championed by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. This day urges us to strive for the protection of the rights of followers of all faiths and to integrate them fully into national life, he a.

Reflecting on historical precedents, he noted the efforts made by Muslims throughout the countrys history to uphold minority rights. He highlighted the Pakistan People's Party's recognition of minorities' substantial contributions to the socio-economic development of the nation.

As equal citizens of Pakistan, we share our joys and sorrows," he remarked, highlighting the importance of unity in diversity.

The mayor reiterated that National Minority Day serves as a reminder of Jinnah's vision, underscoring the significant roles played by non-Muslim communities in the creation of Pakistan and nation-building endeavors. Celebrations took place across northern Sindh, where religious minorities came together to honor their contributions, services, and sacrifices in the nation's history, he maintained.

He concluded by stating that the observance of this day is a reaffirmation of Pakistan's commitment to unity, declaring, Despite our different faiths, we are one nation, striving towards a united and prosperous Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday paid homage to Lieutenant Uzair Mahmood Malik, who was martyred in an fire exchange with terrorists in Tirah Valley, the other day.

He expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyred Lieutenant.

Mohsin Naqvi said that Lieutenant Uzair Mahmood Malik bravely confronted the militants and sent four of them to hell. He further said that Lieutenant Uzair Mahmood Malik sacrificed his life in foiling the nefarious designs of the terrorists.

The interior minister saluted the great sacrifice of Lieutenant Uzair Mahmood Malik. He stated that Lieutenant Uzair Mahmood Malik achieved the highest rank of martyrdom and we are proud of such brave sons of the soil.

The minister said that the brave officers and soldiers of the security forces had made unforgettable sacrifices in the war against terrorism and they had created history. He expressed that the sacrifices of the martyrs would always be remembered.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) Pakistan on Sunday condemned in strong words the Israeli attack on Al-Tabeen School in eastern Gaza on Saturday, which led to the death of over 100 civilians, injuring many more.

In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson said, attacking an overcrowded school sheltering displaced persons, particularly when they were performing morning prayers, was a horrific, inhuman and cowardly act.

"The indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations and facilities is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and constitutes war crimes."

Israel must be held accountable for these war crimes and genocide in Gaza, the spokesperson said adding, "We call on the international community, especially the United Nations and backers of Israel, to take immediate steps to bring an end to the Gaza genocide and to protect the people of Gaza."
RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) Police have arrested six drug dealers and recovered more than 8 kg drugs from their possession during crackdown here on Sunday.

According to police spokesman, Rawat police seized 2.5 kg drug from Sohail. Similarly, Jatali police held Ifthikar and recovered 1.6 kg drug from his possession, while, R.A Bazaar police found 1.6 kg drug from Khurram.

Following operation, Airport police confiscated 1.3 kg drug from Muzaffar. Additionally, Naseerabad police recovered 600 gram of charas from Yasir and Gujjar Khan police recovered 560 gram of charas from Zakir.

Police have registered separate cases against all the accused and started further investigation.

City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani commended police teams and emphasized that the crackdown on drug dealers would be continued in order to eradicate crime. He made it clear that illegal businesses like drug dealing would be shut down. No leniency will be observed while dealing with drug dealers, he said.
UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) More than 75,000 Palestinians have been displaced from Khan Yunis in southwest Gaza in the past few days, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Sunday.

Over the decades, Palestinian civilians have been caught up in wars and conflicts, far too many times, Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA commissioner-general, said on X.

Just in the past few days, more than 75,000 people have been displaced in south west Gaza, he added.

Lazzarini noted that the Israeli authorities issued additional orders overnight forcing more people to flee, again and again.

Some of the fleeing Palestinians are only able to carry their children with them, some carry their whole lives in one small bag, he added.

They are going to overcrowded places where shelters are already overflowing with families. They have lost everything and need everything, Lazzarini said.

Unlike in other wars, the people of Gaza are trapped and have nowhere to go, he added.

The Israeli army issued late Saturday and early Sunday evacuation orders for residents in the Gaza Strip the latest of which was issued for the humanitarian safe zone in Khan Younis.

This marks the third time in about a week that the Israeli army has expanded its evacuation orders in Khan Younis, where it announced the start of an offensive military operation on Friday.

Despite appeals Thursday from mediators, including Egypt, the US and Qatar, to stop hostilities and reach a cease-fire and a hostage exchange agreement, Israel persists with its deadly onslaught against Gaza.

The Israeli onslaught has killed nearly 39,800 victims since October 7.

More than 10 months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.
UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) The UN Human Rights Office, OCHRC has condemned the increasing frequency of Israeli military bombardments on schools, where hundreds of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, with the latest attacks killing dozens at a Gaza City school.

At around 4:30 am during fajr prayer on Saturday, a mosque inside Al Tabaeen School was struck by the IDF at least three times, the OHCHR in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the attacks were conducted with apparent disregard for the high rate of civilian fatalities.

An initial report showed the strikes killed at least 93 Palestinians, including 11 children and six women, but workers are still digging up bodies.

Between 7 October and 8 August, at least 39,699 Palestinians were killed and 91,722 were injured in the ongoing war, according to Gazas Ministry of Health.

More than 90 per cent of Gazas population of 2.3 million has been displaced, many multiple times, since 7 October.

Schools, UN facilities and civilian infrastructure should not be targets, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, reiterated in a social media post on Saturday.

Another day of horror in Gaza, another school hit with reports of dozens of Palestinian killed among them women, children and older people, he said, adding that parties to the conflict must not use schools and other civilian facilities for military or fighting purposes and must, at all times, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Its time for these horrors unfolding under our watch to end, he said. We cannot let the unbearable become a new norm. The more recurrent, the more we lose our collective humanity.

The majority of fatalities resulting from the Saturday IDF strikes appear to have been inside the mosque performing their prayers, OHCHR reported.

Dozens of others were reportedly seriously injured, mostly children, women and older people.

This is at least the 21st strike on a school, each serving as a shelter, that the UN Human Rights Office has recorded since 4 July. These strikes have resulted in at least 274 fatalities, including women and children.

Despite IDF statements that all measures are taken to avoid civilian harm, the repeated strikes on shelters [for displaced people] in areas to which the populations have been forced to move and the consistent and predictable impact on civilians suggest a failure to strictly comply with obligations required by international humanitarian law, OHCHR stated.

The agency said these systematic attacks on schools came in the context where most of Gazas population has been displaced while the Israeli military continues detonating residential buildings and restricting the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance.

Internally displaced Gazans face indescribable horror after 10 months of hostilities, including multiple forced displacements, the rapid spread of diseases and ongoing denial of access to the basic necessities of life, OHCHR said.

For many, schools are the last resort to find some shelter and possible access to food and water, according to the UN agency.

While the co-location by armed groups of military objectives with civilians or the use of the presence of civilians with the objective of shielding a military objective from attack constitute violations of international humanitarian law, it does not negate Israels obligation to comply strictly, OHCHR said.

That includes the principles of proportionality, distinction and precaution when carrying out military operations.

Israel, as the occupying power, is obliged to provide the population it has forcibly displaced with basic humanitarian needs, including safe shelter, the UN rights office said.
(@FahadShabbir)

Vinhedo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2024) Emergency crews on Saturday recovered 50 bodies from the site of a plane crash in Brazil's Sao Paulo state that killed all 62 people aboard, as authorities sifted through the blackened wreckage to try to determine what caused the plane's dramatic plunge.

Videos showed the ATR 72-500 plane in a sickening downward spin Friday before it crashed into a residential area in the town of Vinhedo, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo city.

The plane, falling almost vertically, landed on its belly and exploded in flames, striking with such force that it was nearly "flattened," said Sao Paulo fire lieutenant Olivia Perroni Cazo.

The Voepass airline said there were 62 people on board, not 61 as it had reported earlier.

All 62 were Brazilian, the airline said, though at least one was apparently a dual citizen. Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saturday on X that one of its citizens was among the victims.

There were no casualties on the ground.

The fiery crash transformed the plane's fuselage into a mass of twisted metal, and a steady overnight rain complicated the recovery efforts by some 200 workers.

"So far 50 bodies have been removed from the scene of the accident, and two have already been identified" through fingerprints, the Sao Paulo state government said.

Vinhedo Mayor Dario Pacheco said they were the bodies of the pilot and the co-pilot, with many of the other bodies badly burned.

The dead are being transported to Sao Paulo's main morgue, and investigators were collecting DNA from the victims' relatives to aid identification.

The twin-engine turboprop, built by aviation firm ATR, was flying from Cascavel in southern Parana state to Sao Paulo's Guarulhos international airport.

According to the Flight Radar 24 website, the plane flew for about an hour at 17,000 feet (5,180 meters), until 1:21 pm (1621 GMT) when it began losing altitude at a catastrophic rate.

Radar contact was lost at 1:22 pm, the Brazilian air force reported. It said the plane's crew "at no time declared an emergency or were under adverse weather conditions."

Brazil's Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) has opened an inquiry into the cause of the crash.

Its experts in Brasilia are already analyzing data from two black boxes recovered from the wreckage, containing cabin conversations and in-flight data, said the center's chief, Marcelo Moreno.
Chinese drones were detected in Vietnams airspace twice recently, a response, experts say, to the joining of forces between Vietnam and the Philippines.

"The Chinese WZ-10 surveillance drone entered Vietnam's airspace twice in close succession, in response to joint exercises with the Philippines," Roni Sontani, founder of Indonesia-based Airspace Review said in a report Wednesday, the most recent drone flight.

Vu Duc Khanh, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who follows Vietnamese policies and its international relations, told VOA China always uses the tactic of "divide and rule."

"Any cooperation is likely to affect Chinas status as a regional power. Therefore, it will seek to disrupt it," Vu said.

The drone incursions came within a week of the joint coast guard training exercises between Vietnam and the Philippines. The first occurred on August 2 and the second on Wednesday during the Philippines naval commanders meeting with his counterpart in Hanoi.

In both cases, the drone, identified as a Wing Loong-10 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), took off from China's Hainan Island and entered Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), flying along the coastline for approximately 800 kilometers before turning back near Phan Rang province, the Belgium-based Army Recognition group said.

Data from Flightradar24 indicated that it was the same drone on both flights.

The Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to VOAs inquiry for comments.

On Tuesday, when asked by Reuters about a Chinese unmanned military aircraft that was seen flying over Vietnams EEZ on August 2, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said she didnt have any information and referred Reuters to the competent authorities.

On Friday, the Philippines and Vietnamese coast guards conducted their first joint drills in Manila Bay, off the west coast of Luzon, leading into the South China Sea.

Ha Hoang Hop, president of VietKnow think tank in Hanoi, told VOA that the Friday drill is the first between the two Southeast Asian nations who have competing claims over some parts of the South China Sea. Both countries have also been in disputes with Beijing in the same contested waters.

Both countries are claimants to the Spratly group of islands and became the most vocal critics of China's increasingly hostile actions in the disputed waters, where Beijing has increasingly asserted its territorial claims.

"The drill presents their mutual support and their readiness [for] conducting talks and finding ways to further cooperate to help gain common interests in solving the South China Sea issues," Ha told VOA by phone.

On Thursday, the Philippines completed two days of maritime exercises with the militaries of Australia, Canada, and the United States, a first involving the four countries, to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Vu says the warming relationship between the two countries is good for regional peace and security.

But he warned that Beijing could escalate tactics.

"No one is fooled by Beijing's expansionist objectives. Today, it may be drones, but tomorrow, it may be the People's Liberation Army (PLA) that intervenes," Vu added.

Last month (July) Vietnam filed a claim with the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, a month after the Philippines made a similar move in June.

China rejected the moves by both Hanoi and Manila, saying that such an act violated China's sovereignty and maritime interests and would not help resolve disputes.
Residents fled their homes Sunday in the village of Varnava near Athens as fire crews struggled to contain a fast-moving wildfire fueled by hot, windy weather that sent smoke clouds over the Greek capital.

More than 250 firefighters backed by 12 water-bombing planes and seven helicopters battled the blaze that broke out at 3 p.m. and quickly reached the village 35 km (20 miles) north of Athens.

"The village was surrounded in no time, in no time. It's really windy," resident Katerina Fylaktou told Reuters. "It started from one point and suddenly the whole village was surrounded," she said.

Authorities sent evacuation alerts for five nearby areas. By early evening, thick brown smoke hung over much of Athens and reached the island of Aegina to its south.

Hundreds of wildfires have broken out across Greece this summer, which has recorded its hottest June and July after its warmest winter. Like elsewhere in the Mediterranean, scientists have linked the fires to increasingly hot, dry weather driven by global climate change.

A European Commission report in April said the 2023 wildfire season in Europe was among the worst this century. Just this month, fires burned amid extreme heat in Spain and the Balkans as well as Greece.

Greek fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said the Varnava blaze spread due to gale force winds.

Flames as high as 25 meters (82 feet) swallowed up trees and shrubland.

Another blaze in a forested area near the town of Megara, west of Athens, had been contained by Sunday afternoon, the fire brigade said.

Several other regions across Greece were on high alert for fire risk Sunday and Monday.

"We are expecting a very difficult week," said Kostas Lagouvardos, research director of the Athens Observatory. "If the Varnava blaze is not contained during the night, we will have a problem tomorrow," he said.

Fire-fighting aircraft ceased operations at dusk.

On Saturday, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said he had called for emergency measures involving the army, police and volunteers to deal with forest fires until Aug. 15.

"Extremely high temperatures and dangerous weather conditions will prevail," he said. "Half of Greece will be in the red."

In June and July, above-normal temperatures were registered on 57 out of 61 days, Lagouvardos said. Greece is forecast to record its hottest ever summer.
Iran's new president presented his cabinet to parliament on Sunday for a vote of confidence, state media reported, proposing seasoned pragmatic diplomat Abbas Araqchi as foreign minister at a time of heightened regional tensions.

President Masoud Pezeshkian is shaping his cabinet at a time of an increased risk of escalation of the conflict in Gaza into a broader regional war, after the recent killings of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut drew threats of retaliation against Israel.

Following the death of hardline President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May, Pezeshkian won a snap election last month by promising to improve ties with the world, promoting a pragmatic foreign policy, and to ease social restrictions at home.

Pezeshkian's proposed cabinet lineup requires lawmakers' approval and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that parliamentary commissions will start reviewing his candidates on Monday.

Araqchi, 61, who was Iran's ambassador to several countries, including Japan, played a key role in negotiating Tehran's 2015 nuclear agreement with six world powers, which then-U.S. President Donald Trump exited in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

Araqchi later led Iran's negotiators during multilateral efforts - ultimately unsuccessful - to revive the pact via indirect diplomacy with Washington before he was replaced by hardline Ali Bagheri Kani in 2021.

The president's powers are limited in the Islamic Republic by those of the Supreme Leader, who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, appoints the head of the judiciary and has the last say on major policies.

Tensions between Iran and the West have increased over Tehran's fast-advancing nuclear program and its threats to "harshly punish" Israel over the assassination of Haniyeh.

Tehran and Hamas accuse Israel of carrying it out, though it has not claimed or denied responsibility for the killing.

Separately, Iran's president nominated Mohsen Paknezhad as oil minister, who has served as deputy oil minister overseeing hydrocarbon resources between 2018 and 2021.

Pezeshkian has also nominated Farzaneh Sadeq as the road and transportation minister. If approved by the parliament, she would become only the second woman cabinet minister in the Islamic Republic's history.

The first one was appointed in 2009 by hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who was president at the time.

Under the president's proposed lineup Raisi's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib would keep his position in the new cabinet.
This photo shot from above looks southeast across John Brown Canyon and the Dolores River Canyon to Bull Hill and Tenderfoot Mesa.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards are holding military drills in the western parts of the country that will continue until Tuesday, Iran's official news agency announced Sunday.

The drills, which started Friday, are ongoing in the western province of Kermanshah close to the border with Iraq to "enhance combat readiness and vigilance," an armed forces official told IRNA.

The drills are taking place as Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel after the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran.

Iran and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas accuse Israel of carrying out Haniyeh's assassination on July 31. Israel has not claimed or denied responsibility for the killing, which has fueled further concern that the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip was turning into a wider Middle East war.

In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Iran and its Lebanon-based proxy Hezbollah: "Whoever harms us in a way that has not been done in the past, is likely to be hit in a way that hasnt been done in the past."

He added that Israel did not want war breaking out on additional fronts, but that it must be prepared.

Cited by Iranian media, Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Ali Fadavi said Friday that the Iranian supreme leader's orders regarding the harsh punishment of Israel and revenge for Haniyeh are clear and will be implemented in the "best possible way."
The Israeli military ordered more evacuations in southern Gaza early Sunday, a day after a deadly airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in the north killed at least 80 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. The airstrike was one of the deadliest attacks in the 10-month war.

Hamas appeared to push back against resuming negotiations on Thursday on any new cease-fire proposals. In a statement, it urged mediators United States, Egypt and Qatar to submit a plan to implement what was agreed on last month, based on U.S. President Joe Biden's proposal, instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or new proposals that provide cover for the occupations aggression.

Israel has repeatedly ordered mass evacuations as its troops return to heavily destroyed areas where they previously battled Palestinian militants. The vast majority of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, in the besieged territory 40 kilometers long by about 11 kilometers wide.

The latest evacuation orders apply to areas of Khan Younis, Gazas second-largest city, including part of an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone from which the military said rockets had been fired. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of hiding among civilians and launching attacks from residential areas.

The humanitarian zone has steadily shrunk during the war with the various evacuation orders. Hundreds of thousands of people have crammed into squalid tent camps with few public services or sought shelter in schools, though the United Nations says hundreds of those have been directly hit or damaged.

Khan Younis suffered widespread destruction during an air and ground offensive earlier this year. Tens of thousands fled again last week after an evacuation order.

The new order came in leaflets dropped from the sky. As smoke rose on the horizon, hundreds of families carrying belongings in their arms left homes and shelters, seeking elusive refuge. One child carried a stuffed Hello Kitty doll as others walked through rubble-filled streets.

We dont know where to go, said Amal Abu Yahia, a mother of three, who had returned to Khan Younis in June to shelter in their severely damaged home. It was the fourth displacement for the 42-year-old widow, whose husband was killed when an Israeli airstrike hit their neighbors house in March.

She said they went to Muwasi, a sprawling tent camp along the coast, but couldn't find space.

Ramadan Issa, a father of five in his 50s, fled Khan Younis with 17 members of his extended family, joining hundreds of people walking toward central Gaza.

Every time we settle in one place and build tents for women and children, the occupation comes and bombs the area," he said, referring to Israel. "This situation is unbearable.

Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants, says the Palestinian death toll from the war is approaching 40,000. Aid groups have struggled to address the staggering humanitarian crisis, while international experts have warned of famine.

The war began when Hamas-led militants burst through Israel's defenses on October 7 and rampaged through farming communities and army bases near the border, killing around 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting more than 250 people. Of the roughly 110 remaining hostages, Israeli authorities believe about a third are dead.

The conflict has threatened to trigger a regional war, as Israel has traded fire with Iran and its militant allies across the region. I hope that they will think this through and wont get to a point where they will force us to cause significant damage and increase the chances of war breaking out on additional fronts, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Sunday.

In Lebanon, the Health Ministry said an Israeli strike near the southern town of Taybeh killed two people, without giving details. Israels military said it struck a cell of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah announced the deaths of three militants, without details, and said it conducted rocket and artillery attacks on Israeli military positions.

In the occupied West Bank, which has seen increased violence since the war began, Israel's military said that an Israeli civilian was fatally shot in an attack by terrorists in the area of Mehola Junction. The military said the terrorists opened fire from a passing vehicle at other cars, and another civilian was wounded. Soldiers were pursuing the attackers.

Israel's airstrike on Saturday hit a mosque inside a school in Gaza City where thousands of people were sheltering. The Israeli military said it killed 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. Hamas and Palestinian activists disputed that, saying two of the 19 were killed in earlier strikes and others were known to be civilians or opponents of Hamas.

Northern Gaza has been surrounded by Israeli forces and largely cut off from the world, and it wasn't possible to independently confirm accounts from either side. European leaders and neighbors of Israel condemned the strike.

Israel has since responded since the October 7 Hamas terror attack with an air and land assault on Hamas-governed Gaza, which both sides agree has killed more than 39,500 people. Israel says the majority of the dead are combatants. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says the majority of them women and children, but it does not estimate how many of the dead were combatants.

Nearly three-quarters of Gaza's 2.3 million population is displaced, and nearly the entire population is at risk of famine, according to the United Nations.
Seen from the sky, with its turquoise waters stretching out into the desert expanses in the shape of a crescent, you can see why they call Lake Balkhash the "pearl of Kazakhstan."

But pollution, climate change and its overuse are threatening the existence of one of the most unique stretches of water in the world.

One side of the Balkhash  the biggest lake in Central Asia after the Caspian Sea  has salt water, but on the other it is fresh. In such a strange environment, rare species have abounded. Until now.

"All the miseries of the Balkhash are right under my eyes," fisherman Alexei Grebennikov told AFP from the deck of his boat on the northern shores, which sometimes has salty water, sometimes fresh.

"There are fewer and fewer fish. It's catastrophic; the lake is silting up," warned the 50-year-old.

A dredger to clear the little harbor lay anchored, rusting and unused, off the industrial town of Balkhack, itself seemingly stuck in a Soviet time warp.

"We used to take tourists underwater fishing. Now the place has become a swamp," said Grebennikov.

In town, scientist Olga Sharipova was studying the changes.

"The Balkhash is the country's largest fishery. But the quantity of fish goes down when the water level drops, because the conditions for reproduction are disrupted," she told AFP.

And its level is now only a meter from the critical threshold where it could tilt toward disaster.

There was an unexpected respite this spring when unprecedented floods allowed the Kazakh authorities to divert 3.3 million cubic meters (872 million gallons) of water to the Balkhash.

The Caspian also got a 6-billion-cubic-meter fill-up.

China 'overusing' water

But the few extra centimeters have not changed the long-term trend.

"The level of the Balkhash has been falling everywhere since 2019, mainly due to a decrease in the flow of the Ili River" from neighboring China, said Sharipova.

All the great lakes of Central Asia, also known as enclosed seas, share a similar worrying fate.

The Aral Sea has almost disappeared, and the situation is alarming for the Caspian Sea and Lake Issyk-Kul in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

Located on dry lands isolated from the ocean, they are particularly vulnerable to disturbances "exacerbated by global warming and human activities," according to leading science journal Nature.

Rising temperatures accelerate evaporation, as water resources dwindle due to the melting of surrounding glaciers.

These issues are compounded by the economic importance of the Balkhash, which is on the path of a Chinese Belt and Road Initiative project, a massive infrastructure undertaking also known as the New Silk Road.

A 2021 study by Oxford University scientists published in the journal Water concluded the lake's decline resulted from China's overuse of the Ili River, which feeds it, for its agriculture, including cotton.

"If the hydro-climatic regime of the Ili for 2020-2060 remains unchanged compared to the past 50 years and agriculture continues to expand in China, future water supplies will become increasingly strained," the study said.

Beijing is a key economic partner for Kazakhstan, but it is less keen to collaborate on water issues.

"The drafting and signing of an agreement with China on the sharing of water in transborder rivers is a key issue," a spokesperson for the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources told AFP.

"The main objective is to supply the volumes of water needed to preserve the Balkhash," it said.

Heavy pollution

The water being syphoned away adds to "pollution from heavy metals, pesticides and other harmful substances," authorities said, without citing culprits.

The town of Balkhash was founded around Kazakhstan's largest copper producer, Kazakhmys.

Holiday makers bathing on Balkhash's municipal beach have a view of the smoking chimneys of its metal plant.

Lung cancer rates here are almost 10 times the regional average, which is already among the highest in the country, health authorities said.

Despite being sanctioned for breaking environmental standards, Kazakhmys denies it is the main polluter of the lake and has vowed to reduce pollution by renewing its equipment.

"Kazakhmys is carrying out protective work to prevent environmental disasters in the Balkhash," Sherkhan Rustemov, the company's ecological engineer, told AFP.

In the meantime, the plant continues to discharge industrial waste into another huge body of water, right next to the lake.
Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, cofounder of the Sinaloa drug cartel, claims he was kidnapped and is sitting in a U.S. federal prison cell in Texas because he trusted Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of the "Los Chapitos," the sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, his cartel cofounder.

Zambada made the claim in a Saturday statement from U.S. federal detention sent to VOA and other news organizations by his lawyer, Frank Perez.

Zambada has pleaded not guilty to seven federal charges in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Most of the charges involve drug trafficking, use of firearms and homicide. Guzman Lopez, who surrendered to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI on July 25, has pleaded not guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago on narcotics, money-laundering and firearms charges.

"The Justice Department has taken into custody two additional alleged leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement on July 25, the night they landed in a private airplane at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, in the border area near El Paso, Texas.

"I did not turn myself in, and I did not come voluntarily to the United States. Nor did I have any agreement with either government. To the contrary, I was kidnapped and brought to the U.S. forcibly and against my will," Zambada wrote in the statement. Zambada is waiting to be moved to New York, where the Justice Department transferred the case.

Why Guzman Lopez would come to the U.S., reportedly voluntarily, and forcibly bring Zambada to with him is not known. Both men face years in prison in the United States.

DEA sources have said Guzman Lopez had been coordinating his surrender for some time.

"I was ambushed," Zambada wrote in his statement, recounting a meeting at the Huertos del Pedregal ranch on the outskirts of Culiacan, the Sinaloa state capital, to resolve differences between political leaders to which he said he had been invited. The political leaders were Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya, who has denied being at the ranch and has distanced himself from knowing Zambada, and Hector Melesio Cuen Ojeda, a former federal deputy, mayor of Culiacan and rector of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa.

"A group of men assaulted me, knocked me to the ground, and placed a dark-colored hood over my head. They tied me up and handcuffed me, then forced me into the bed of a pickup truck."

Cuen Ojeda was killed that night allegedly in a robbery attempt, something Zambada disputes. "They killed him at the same time and in the same place where they kidnapped me," he wrote.

Zambada, until now untouchable, accuses Guzman Lopez of physical abuse. He said in his statement that Guzman Lopez hurt his back, knee and wrists as he forced him onto the private airplane.

Guzman Lopez "removed the hood from my head and bound me with zip ties to the seat," Zambada said, adding, "No one else was aboard the plane except Joaquin, the pilot, and myself."

The United States has stated that no resources from its government were used in this operation, according to U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar.

"This was an operation between the cartels where one handed over the other," he said at an August 9 press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, without giving details.

The Justice Department has made clear both men will face justice as the Sinaloa cartel is being singled out as the largest distributor of synthetic drugs in the U.S.

"Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, and the Justice Department will not rest until every single cartel leader, member, and associate responsible for poisoning our communities is held accountable" Garland said in his statement the night of the arrests.

Zambada has asked the governments of Mexico and the United States for transparency about the events.
Friday marked the start of the annual Florida Python Challenge, where hunters head into the Everglades to track down invasive Burmese pythons in hopes of grabbing a share of $30,000 in prizes.

The annual 10-day hunt, which started more than a decade ago, promotes public awareness of issues with invasive species in Florida while engaging the public in Everglades conversation, said Sarah Funck, the wildlife impact management section leader with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

"They are a well-established invasive species across much of South Florida, unfortunately, in our natural areas," Funck said of Burmese pythons. "A huge part of this challenge is to make sure that people understand about this issue and understand that in general, when you have a non-native species present in the state for whatever purpose, don't let it loose, that can be really detrimental to our environment."

Over the past decade, the python challenge has grabbed headlines for its incentive-based, only-in-Florida style of hunting as well as celebrity participation. This year, more than 600 people registered for the event, with two coming from Canada and 108 from other states.

During the challenge, hunters will linger around designated areas spanning through western Broward County to the Tamiami Trail in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, including other management areas like Southern Glades, Holey Land and Rotenberger.

The goal for the competition is to bring an incentive for hunters to remove Burmese pythons from the environment, especially in the late summer when python eggs hatch. The competition is also meant to educate the public about pythons and their danger to Florida's ecosystem, because they affect native snakes, can spread diseases among native animals and have high mercury levels that could be dangerous for native animals and for human consumption, said Zachary Chejanovski, an interagency python management coordinator with the Florida Wildlife Commission.

"The python problem, it's a big problem," Chejanovski said. "We want to make sure to get the word out as much as possible, because we can't do this alone."

Each category has its own prizes, with $2,500 going to the person or team that kills the most pythons, $1,500 going to the runner-up for most kills and $1,000 going to whoever kills the longest python. The grand prize for the most kills in all categories gets a $10,000 prize.

Each person can only win one prize, so if someone is tops in two categories, they will end up with the highest-valued prize and the next qualifying hunter gets the remaining prize.

During the competition, participants must turn in humanely killed Burmese pythons to any of the competition's three check stations in South Florida. Hunters can also choose if they want to get the snake carcass back after the contest's judging if they'd like to use the skin to make wallets, belts or bags.

Michael Huckabee and Jay Kattalikis attended the safety training Friday morning, after driving in from Mississippi to participate in the Florida Python Challenge. Kattalikis said this is his first time doing the state's python challenge, but that he's not worried since he and Huckabee are used to "wrangling gators" and handling copperheads and rattlesnakes.

Kattalikis said he and Huckabee came here on a whim after another friend told him about it, and he gave Huckabee only 15 minutes to get ready before driving down to South Florida.

"All I could think was, 'Holy crap, this is what I've lived doing my entire life, and there's a tournament doing it. I want to do this,'" Kattalikis said.

In 2017, the South Florida Water Management District and the state began hiring contractors to handle its invasive python problem year round. According to the wildlife agency's website, through 2023, more than 11,000 pythons have been removed by these contractors.

Last year's challenge brought in 209 pythons and the grand prize winner was Paul Hobbs, who bagged 20 pythons. Also during 2023, Florida wildlife agency and district contractors removed about 2,200 pythons.

Amy Siewe, the self-named Python Huntress, won a prize last year for catching a Burmese python measuring 3.27 meters. This year, she won't be participating in the challenge due to a knee surgery but said she's not a fan of the annual challenge.

Siewe, who used to work as a state contractor catching invasive pythons, said she believed the initial intent of the challenge was to bring awareness to the issue. Now, it's drawing large crowds of hunters, potentially scaring off pythons and potentially killing native snakes they mistake as pythons, like corn snakes, brown water snakes or cottonmouths.

"Pythons don't take on their normal behavioral pattern because there's so much traffic and they'll come up and then they'll go back into the swamp," Siewe said. "I feel for myself, it's counterproductive."

Participants are required to undergo an online training, including information on how to identify Burmese pythons versus other snakes, Funck said. She said there's also an additional optional in-person training participants can attend to properly identify Burmese pythons.

"That's a huge part of what we do, is try to get the word out on how to identify these pythons, how to safely and humanely capture it," Funck said.
Ahead of crucial talks with Somalia on Monday in Ankara, Ethiopias prime minister said he is seeking sea access in a mutually agreeable approach.

Following a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country is mediating between the two sides, Abiy Ahmed said he appreciates the Turkish leaders effort in finding a breakthrough.

PM Abiy expressed appreciation for President Erdogan's support in facilitating a resolution to the misunderstanding b/n Ethiopia & Somalia, said Ahmeds office in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

He emphasized the importance of providing Ethiopia, a nation of 120mil people, with access to the sea in a mutually agreeable approach.

Erdogans office has also commented on the phone call, confirming the two leaders discussed the Somalia and Ethiopia dispute in addition to touching on bilateral, regional and international issues.

The Turkish leader hinted he wants Ethiopia to affirm respect for Somalias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Underscoring that Turkiye (Turkeys preferred rendering of the countrys name) continues its efforts aimed at ending the tension between Somalia and Ethiopia, President Erdogan noted that steps to be taken by Ethiopia that would eliminate Somalias concerns regarding its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity will facilitate the process, the Turkish presidents office posted on X.

In a similar phone call with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Erdogan said he voiced his expectations of concrete results in the second round of the negotiations.

On his side, President Mohamud said Somalia is ready to "engage in economic and development cooperation with Ethiopia."

"Such partnerships must always respect Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and adhere to international law and norms," Mohamud said.

The dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia ignited on January 1 when the president of the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, and Ethiopias prime minister, signed a historic memorandum of understanding. Under the MOU, Somaliland officials said they would lease 20 kilometers of coastline for 50 years to Ethiopia in return for diplomatic recognition of its independence.

The Somali government has strongly rejected the deal and accused Ethiopia of violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Both Ethiopia and Somaliland defended the deal as mutually beneficial.

After a visit to Addis Ababa on August 3, Turkeys Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan announced Friday that a second round of talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, originally scheduled for September 2, has been brought forward to August 12.



Somalias minister of foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, who is leading his countrys delegation, arrived in Ankara on Sunday for Mondays meeting.

The first round of talks in Ankara on July 1, where delegations from the two countries did not hold face-to-face meetings, ended without a breakthrough.
Russia claimed Sunday it has halted Ukraines advance into the western Kursk region in several places that are up to 30 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border.

For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indirectly acknowledged late Saturday that Kyivs forces had extended the fight into Russia in the last six days. But the Russian defense ministry said its troops had "foiled attempts by enemy mobile groups with armored vehicles to break through deep into Russian territory."

Russia said it blocked the Ukrainian advance near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez in southwestern Russia, 25 and 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

In his nightly television address, Zelenskyy acknowledged ongoing Ukraine military actions to "push the war out into the aggressor's territory."

But fighting continued elsewhere, too.

Overnight into Sunday, a Russian drone and missile barrage targeting Kyiv killed two people, including a 4-year-old boy, while in Russia, Kursk's regional governor said 15 people were wounded when a Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defenses fell on a residential building.

The bodies of a 35-year-old man and his son were found under rubble after fragments of missiles fell on a residential area in Kyiv's suburban Brovary district, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said Sunday. Another three people in the district were injured in the attack.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said it was the second time this month that the Kyiv metropolitan area was targeted.

Popko said ballistic missiles did not reach the capital but that the suburbs took the hit, while drones aiming for the area were shot down.

Ukraine's incursion into Russia reached its sixth day on Sunday and is unprecedented for its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil. The exact goals of the operation remain unclear. Ukrainian military officials have adopted a policy of secrecy, and Zelenskyy did not elaborate in his nightly address.

In Russia, the defense ministry said 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Oryol regions.

Ukraine has not commented on the Sunday drone attacks inside Russia. But it comes as Ukraine has increased the pace of similar drone attacks largely targeting military infrastructure and oil depots in recent weeks.

In his Saturday address, Zelenskyy thanked his soldiers involved in the direct attack on Russia, saying, "Ukraine is proving that it can really bring justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed  pressure on the aggressor."

Russia said Saturday Kyiv's forces had initially crossed the border with about 1,000 troops, 20 armored vehicles and 11 tanks, although it claimed to have destroyed five times that much military hardware so far.

Belarus, Russia's close ally, on Saturday ordered military reinforcements  ground troops, air units, air defense and rocket systems  to be deployed closer to its border with Ukraine in response to Kyiv's incursion, its defense ministry said.

Russia's nuclear agency warned Saturday of the threat to the nearby Kursk nuclear power station, less than 50 kilometers from the fighting.

"The actions of the Ukrainian army pose a direct threat" to the Kursk plant in western Russia, state news agencies cited its atomic energy agency Rosatom as saying.

On Friday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressing similar concerns, had called for "maximum restraint."

Zelenskyy's comments Saturday notwithstanding, Ukraine's leaders have remained tight-lipped on the operation.

The United States, Kyiv's closest ally, said it had not been informed of the plans for the attack ahead of time.

Some material in this report came The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Abortion was slightly more common across the United States in the first three months of this year than it was before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and cleared the way for states to implement bans, a report released Wednesday found.

A major reason for the increase is that some Democratic-controlled states enacted laws to protect doctors who use telemedicine to see patients in places that have abortion bans, according to the quarterly #WeCount report for the Society of Family Planning, which supports abortion access.

The data comes ahead of November elections in which abortion-rights supporters hope the issue will drive voters to the polls. In some places, voters will have a chance to enshrine or reject state-level abortion protections.

Fallout from the Supreme Courts June 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization has remade the way abortion works across the country. The #WeCount data, which has been collected in a monthly survey since April 2022, shows how those providing and seeking abortion have adapted to changing laws.

The survey found that the number of abortions fell to nearly zero in states that ban abortion in all stages of pregnancy and declined by about half in places that ban it after six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. Fourteen states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with some exceptions, and four others bar it after about six weeks of pregnancy.

Numbers went up in places where abortion remains legal until further into pregnancy  and especially in states such as Illinois, Kansas and New Mexico, which border states with bans.

Abortion pills and telemedicine play a key role. In March, doctors in states with laws to protect medical providers used telemedicine to prescribe abortion pills to nearly 10,000 patients in states with bans or restrictions on abortion by telehealth  accounting for about 1 in 10 abortions in the U.S.

Laws to protect medical providers who use telemedicine to prescribe abortion pills started taking effect in some Democratic-led states last year.

It eases the burden on clinics, said Ushma Upadhyay, a University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine professor who co-leads #WeCount. So, it creates more space for the people who are coming to clinics.

Abortion opponents say the fight over the abortion drug mifepristone isnt over after a narrow Supreme Court ruling that preserved access to it for now. But so far there have not been legal challenges to shield laws.

The latest edition of the survey covers the first three months of this year. January was the first time since the survey began that it counted more than 100,000 abortions across the country in a single month.

Before the shield laws began kicking in and #WeCount started tallying them, people were still getting some pills in places with bans.

Upadhyay said that even before the fall of Roe, abortion demand was greater than access. She also said that even with the changing patterns, some women are continuing pregnancies they would have ended if they could have.

One of the states where the number of abortions increased was Florida. That changed in April, when a ban after six weeks' gestation took effect. The data doesn't yet reflect that change.

The policy could change again through a November ballot measure that would make abortion legal until viability, generally considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks into pregnancy. It would take at least 60% approval to add that to the state constitution.

One vote against it will come from Mia Adkins, a 20-year-old senior at Florida International University. She said the overturning of Roe and changes in Florida's law have brought more attention to abortion and have strengthened her belief that there should be limits.

Instead of pushing for more abortion legal later in pregnancy, we should be pushing for laws that protect these pregnant parents and students and provide them with the support that they need, said Akins.

Florida is one of six states where abortion-related measures are already on the ballot. Determinations from elections officials about adding similar questions are pending in four more states. In one, Nebraska, there are dueling amendments: One to allow access until viability and one to keep the current policy, which bans most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion-rights supporters have prevailed in all seven abortion ballot questions in the U.S. since 2022. That tracks with public opinion polling that has shown growing support for abortion rights, including a recent Associated Press-NORC poll that found 6 in 10 Americans think their state should allow someone to obtain a legal abortion if they don't want to be pregnant for any reason.

An amendment to protect access could be on the ballot in Arizona, a political battleground state where court cases have swung abortion policy  and access  since the Dobbs ruling.

The state Supreme Court ruled in April that Arizona should enforce an 1864 ban on abortions at all stages of pregnancy, only for lawmakers to repeal that law. The state's ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy remains. The ballot measure would expand it to 24 weeks.

Natalie Harper, a 23-year-old independent who usually doesn't vote, said the potential of bringing back the Civil War-era ban absolutely affects her decision to head to the polls and support the ballot measure this November. Seeing that as a possibility really made me realize that everyones pro-choice voices need to be heard in hopes it never goes in that direction again, she said.

In Missouri, which has outlawed almost all abortions and where nearly none were reported in the new data, election officials could soon certify whether a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights received enough petition signatures to qualify for the ballot in the reliably Republican state.

University of Missouri political scientist Peverill Squire said that if the measure is put before voters, it could draw out enough Democratic voters to help swing a few competitive legislative races.

They can seize on the personal freedom arguments the Republicans have generally owned over the recent elections, he said.
The United States has promised to make every effort to secure the release of three Americans whom it says are being held unjustly" by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.

Ryan Corbett, Mahmood Habibi, and George Glezmann were taken captive in separate incidents in Kabul in 2022, roughly a year after the Taliban stormed back to power in the Afghan capital.

My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan Corbett, Mahmood Habibi, and their families today, Thomas West, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, said on X, formerly Twitter, marking the two-year anniversary of the capture of the two men.

We will and we must continue every effort to bring them and George Glezmann home to their families, he wrote Sunday.

Roger Carstens, the U.S. special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, in separate remarks posted on X, said that the three have been held for far too long and their families have endured unimaginable pain.

Corbett is a humanitarian worker who had lived with his family in Afghanistan for years. He was evacuated during the August 2021 Taliban takeover following the withdrawal of U.S.-led Western troops.

Corbett returned to Afghanistan in 2022 and was detained by the Taliban but has not been charged with any crimes, according to his family.

Glezmann was visiting Kabul as a tourist lawfully traveling in Afghanistan when he was seized by the Talibans intelligence services on December 5, 2022, without just cause or formal charge, according to the Foley Foundation, working to secure freedom for Americans held unjustly captive abroad.

Separately on Saturday, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, released a statement seeking information into the disappearance of Habibi, saying he was taken from his vehicle near his home in the Afghan capital, along with his driver, on August 10, 2022.

The FBI stated that the Afghan-American businessman worked as a contractor for Asia Consultancy Group, a Kabul-based telecommunications company. It is believed that Mr. Habibi was taken by Taliban military or security forces and has not been heard from since his disappearance, the agency noted.

Habibi was detained by the Taliban reportedly on suspicion that his company was involved in a July 31 U.S. drone strike in Kabul that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the fugitive al-Qaida network chief. The FBI said that de facto Afghan authorities had also briefly detained 29 other employees of the Asia Consultancy Group.

The Taliban have officially not responded to the latest U.S. calls for releasing the three Americans.

While de facto Afghan authorities have publicly disclosed that Corbett and Glezmann are among several foreign nationals imprisoned in Afghanistan for allegedly violating local immigration and other laws, they refuse to acknowledge holding Habibi.

On Sunday, an Afghan television station quoted Zabihullah Mujahid, the Talibans chief spokesperson, claiming that they have imprisoned only two American citizens and are not holding Habibi.

He reiterated that Kabul would release the prisoners in exchange for Afghans in U.S. custody, the Ariana News network reported on its website.

We dont have anyone named Habibi in our prisons. But the investigation is ongoing to find out what happened in this regard, Mujahid stated.

The Taliban announced last month for the first time that they had discussed a possible prisoner exchange in direct talks with U.S. officials on the sidelines of an international conference in Doha, Qatar, hosted by the United Nations.

"During our meetings, we talked about the two American citizens who are in prison in Afghanistan," Mujahid told reporters after the meeting.

"But they must accept Afghanistan's conditions. We also have prisoners in America, prisoners in Guantanamo. We should free our prisoners in exchange for them, he said without elaborating.

Last week, the U.S. State Department spokesperson told reporters in Washington that U.S. officials have raised the detainees fate in every meeting with the Taliban.

Matthew Miller stated that Corbett and Glezmann are wrongfully detained, according to the U.S. legal determination. Thats not a determination we have yet made with respect to Mahmood Habibi, which is not to say were not working to try and secure his release, he explained.

Oftentimes, we cant make a wrongful detention determination because we dont have access to certain types of information or because the situation is unclear. There can be other factors as well, Miller explained.
SETU Arena: Irish Youth Wind Ensemble.

The Symphony Club of Waterford presented the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble to a packed house at the spacious SETU Arena on Saturday last and the Arena was the perfect venue for the concert. Given the volume and energy of the 80-strong band  including locals Adam Mernin on trumpet and his brother Daniel on the Euphonium  the open spaces of the Arena was just the perfect venue for the big, brassy ballyhoo of this orchestra.

And brassy was the word. An opening John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), 'At the movies', brought us all back to the flicks of the second decade of the 20th Century. When Sousa sent this suite to his publisher, he also provided the scenarios for cinematographers, describing the episodes he had in mind for these three movements. Mardhea timid maidens pleaded for safety from crafty villains, handsome hulks in college frats serenaded campuses and a third piece depicting dances on village greens as loud as a circus tent, with a catchy title that told its own story  'Balance All and Swing Partners'.

Richard Wagner (1813-1883), just adored medieval legend and the medieval colour and pageantry that were part of its tapestry. 'Elsas Procession to the Cathedral', from Lohengrin is perfect for a Wagner lib and score. It tells the story of Elsa, a princess in Brabant (what we now call Antwerp), who is rescued and wedded by a knight in shining armor, who insists on remaining nameless. In true Wagner fashion, theres drama, tragedy and death. In fact, nobody lives happily ever after.

Daniel Mernin, Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Joe Kelly and Adam Mernin at the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble at the SETU Arena.

Elsas Procession to the Cathedral comes at the end of Act II, when Elsa is on her way to be married to the knight, who we later learn is Lohengrin, knight of the Holy Grail. The music is epic. Even in its original form, this section is almost a band piece, dominated by winds and percussion and is an ever-popular standalone piece for wind bands.

Leonard Bernsteins Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, proves a popular choice on the night as the dances pan out the plot line of the Romeo and Juliet tragedy. The marquee swagger of the opening Jets and Sharks sequence, the 'Meeting' scene between Tony and Maria and the exquisite, fragile promise of a future for the two lovers in 'Somewhere' and that promise of 'I have a love' that cannot be kept.

I loved the Arturo Marquez (b.1950) 'Danzon no. 2', that features show-off solos all over the shop  for clarinet, oboe, piano, violin, double bass, French horn, trumpet, flute, and piccolo. The rhythm of the dance, that originated in Cuba and migrated to Mexico, just sucks you in with constant changes in tempo and accent. Its wild, flamboyant and blessed with an earthy sensuality that is electric.

Daniel Mernin, with Ronan O'Reilly (Artistic Director IYWE) and his brother Adam Mernin at the SETU Arena..jpg

Nigel Hesss (b.1953), 'East Coast Pictures', is just what it says on the tin. These tone pictures were inspired by several visits to a small part of the American East Coast, an area that provides great extremes in the geography and the people. 'Shelter Island' and the 'Catskills Mountains' evoke a natural landscape that is largely untouched while the urban soundscape of 'Manhattan' is full of the noise and frenzy of the city that never sleeps.

Alfred Reeds (1921-2005), 'El Camino Real' ('the Royal Road') is dedicated to the 581st Air Force Band and finishes the evening with a flamenco and fandango flourish. The piece just pounds along and the concentration of the young players is fascinating. Bobbing heads counting out the score and their parts, eyes glued to the music and conductor Ronan OReilly, who measures out the fast-slow-fast progression, and the whole piece just ends up in welter-belter of frenzied flamenco.

Finally a big shout out to the Music Generation Waterford Wind Band  guests of the IYWE and Symphony Club  who clicked and chanted their way into our hearts with a big and bold, "I like to move it, move it", from Disneys 'Madagascar'. With a carefully choreographed groovin, jazzin, thumpin rhythm and fine playing from the big ensemble, this was the perfect foot-tappin opening to a great night at the Arena.

Wellwhat a blast!
By Cate McCurry, PA

The Taoiseach has said that this weekend brings the grisly milestone of 40,000 deaths in Gaza a step closer, as he condemned an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter.

Around 80 people were killed in the strike on the school in central Gaza City, which also left another 47 people injured, Gazas health ministry said.

Simon Harris said there is growing evidence of a prolonged humanitarian catastrophe.

The Fine Gael leader said he is particularly disturbed by a confirmation from the United Nations that the number of aid deliveries reaching Gaza has halved, from a daily average of 169 trucks in April to fewer than 80 trucks a day in June and July.

Taoiseach Simon Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs also says that only 24 of 67 planned aid missions to northern Gaza this month have been facilitated by Israel, Mr Harris said in a statement.

The United Nations has also assessed that more than 80 per cent of the Gaza Strip has been placed under evacuation orders since October of last year.

When people are told to leave, they have nowhere to go, so they often go to schools.

Some 490 of Gazas schools have been bombed or damaged since the start of the war, and this weekends images from inside al-Tabaeen school are gut-wrenching. Ireland condemns outright such awful and wholesale loss of civilian life.

A ceasefire remains urgently needed, and all sides must immediately work in good faith to bring one about.

We have all been horrified by the many undoubted war crimes that have been committed in Gaza. There can be no impunity. Those responsible must be held to account.

Mr Harris said that all the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice must be implemented in full, which called for an end to its illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Too many innocent lives have been lost in 10 months, Mr Harris said.

The world is standing at the precipice of a horrific moment, and yet all levers to bring an end to the violence are not being used.

I again call for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The agreement contains human rights clauses, and I do not believe it is conscionable for the EU to continue to render them redundant.

Ireland calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of Israeli hostages, and for aid trucks to flow unimpeded.
By Cate McCurry, PA

Up to 15,000 people have taken part in an anti-racism rally in Belfast, following a week of rioting and disorder in the city.

Saturdays protest started at Writers Square, where a huge crowd assembled, many holding placards with anti-racism and pro-migrant messages.

Organised by the United Against Racism group, the protesters made their way to City Hall in Belfast, chanting When migrants rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.

Many waved Palestinian and Pride flags, with homemade placards that included Belfast-themed messages scundered for racists and Ulster says yeooo to migrants.

Demonstrators take part in a United Against Racism rally in Belfast, chanting and carrying placards. Photo: PA.

It came after around a thousand people gathered in the city for a counter-protest against several hundred anti-immigration demonstrators on Friday evening.

A heavy police presence and barriers were put in place to keep the two groups apart at Belfast City Hall, while Donegall Square North and Wellington Place were closed to traffic for several hours.

More than 120 groups took part in Saturdays demonstration.

Up to a dozen people made speeches on a stage outside City Hall, including women from migrant groups, a representative from a racial equality group, union representatives, politicians and a migrant whose business was attacked last week.

The Belfast community was praised for its inclusivity by migrants who spoke to the crowd. Photo: PA.

Areeg Fareh, from Anaka Womens Collective, said: We have made Northern Ireland our home. We are in communities all around the city.

Yes, we have experienced racism. It is challenging and it hurts but most people here have shown us kindness and understanding.

We bring skills and knowledge in a diverse range of areas, from medicine to engineering, to business and computers to art and culture. We have much to give and want to share with you all.

Raied Al-Wazzan, who is vice chairman of the Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality and a Muslim who has lived in Belfast for more than four decades, told the crowd that he feels proud to have chosen the city to make his home.

Today, I can see lots of good people around me from every corner of Northern Ireland, from every religion and age and every political background, he added.

Ethnic minorities are part of the fabric of Belfast. I have spent 43 years of my life here contributing to this community. And I am going to stay here.

And I will not go away.

Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey said: Belfast, its great to see so many of its citizens here today in defiance of the Islamophobic and racist violence and thuggery that we have witnessed the past week.

Belfast is a welcome, progressive and forward-looking inclusive city. Its a place I am proud to call home.

Its a place which is proudly diverse. It is the home of emancipation, of anti-fascism, of civil rights, community organising and the one that resisted oppression and discrimination.

The seeds of Islamophobia and racist violence and destruction and thuggery are disgusting and not reflective of the Belfast we love and know.

SDLP MP for South Belfast Claire Hanna said: Thank you for being here to stand up to racism and Islamophobia and thank you for pushing back on the joyless empty rhetoric from the same people who look for new ways to divide our community and look for new wedges to divide through this society.

Grifters trying to take people down another dead end, distorting the world views of others who are tired and easily preyed on.

People of all ages joined the peaceful rally. Photo: PA.

Thank you for pushing back on the mind-binding logic on the people who stood here yesterday with placards saying protect our kids, but who sent 10 and 12-year-olds to skirmish with the police.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: 15,000 people are here to say no to racism and the poison of fascism and that migrants are welcome.

Refugees are not the enemy. This city is an anti-fascist city and the racists will not win.

Everywhere they attempt to spread their poison, we will be there to oppose them every step of the way.

The racists do not represent the majority, they thrive off despair and hate and exploit peoples fears and anger and the antidote to politics of fear is politics of hope.

We say people have every right to be angry but your enemies are not refugees or migrants, your enemies are billionaires and politicians who have wrecked our society.

Saeb Shaath, who owns a Middle Eastern shop in Belfast, said: There are 3,000 asylum seekers in Northern Ireland. They are not illegal immigrants. They came here because bombs landed on their houses, war came to them and they wanted sanctuary.

The wars are caused by who? By the imperialists and the Zionists.

Bashir, a supermarket manager in Belfast whose business was burned in violent scenes following an anti-immigrant protest, said: It is really lovely to see all of the beautiful faces around me.

They call me the unofficial mayor of Belfast, can you believe that?

15,000 people today. What a number. Im so proud as a Muslim and part of your community and as someone who has lived in Belfast for over five years.

Four days ago when I was working, six guys wearing masks attacked me, and I was almost killed.

At the same time, our shop was burning down. I saw all that fire eating our shop, nothing left. Just ashes.

For what? For nothing.

Police have planned a significant operation ahead of the planned protests over the weekend.

Rioting erupted across the UK due to misinformation online that the suspect in the stabbing of three young girls in Southport last month was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Since last Saturday, businesses, homes and people have been targeted by anti-immigrant protesters across Belfast.

A total of 26 people have been arrested as part of investigations into disorder in recent days, with 22 people charged.
The August 11 Edition

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There are two phases for superannuation  the accumulation phase and the retirement phase. The accumulation phase is the phase we are all familiar with, where we contribute to superannuation. We can pay just 15 per cent tax on concessional contributions of up to $30,000 per year, which is usually a very tax-effective way of getting money in, on top of the 11.5 per cent of our salary were obliged to contribute every year. Those funds are then invested with the goal of driving compound investment returns for our future. Once your money is in super, it is very tax effective, as you only pay 15 per cent tax on income it generates, so it multiplies untouched for decades. Most people dont understand their superannuation very well, so the government has set up standardised ways that funds invest that are called My Super accounts, and they publicly benchmark how those are performing from fund to fund. You simply go to the YourSuper Comparison Tool on the ATO website and select your fund and compare it with others to see.

Then theres the retirement phase  the phase when you start drawing down on your superannuation using a combination of three different options. You can draw an income stream, called an account-based pension; purchase a guaranteed income stream, called a lifetime or term annuity, or you can simply draw out lump sums. The government benchmarks superannuation funds in the accumulation phase. However, there is no public benchmarking in the retirement phase. You can transfer up to $1.9 million into the retirement phase of superannuation in your lifetime, a limit which is known as the transfer balance cap. The rest gets held in accumulation and you pay higher tax. Once you enter the retirement phase, your money is invested completely tax-free. That is, theres no income tax and no capital gains tax on the money you hold in your retirement-phase account.

Theres one catch, and that is that you have to draw down a minimum amount each year, depending on your age, starting at 4 per cent of the balance from age 60 to 74 and increasing from there. It is designed to encourage you to spend your money on your retirement cost of living while youre alive, rather than hoard it for your bequests. Loading Theres only 1.3 million people who have elected to open a retirement-phase superannuation account today in Australia, despite nearly 5 million people calling themselves retired, possibly because many people just dont understand they can. The government offers public benchmarking for superannuation funds in the accumulation phase. However, there is no public benchmarking in the retirement phase. People cant access government-supplied data to check whether their fund is performing, outperforming or underperforming - something that frankly becomes frustrating as you work out how to best position your super. Its important to know that retirement-phase funds almost always outperform accumulation-phase funds simply because of the tax status of the members. That is, the fund doesnt have to pay income tax or capital gains tax for their retirement-phase members, so that money flows back into the funds performance metrics.

So, as you look at the performance metrics of the retirement-phase funds today, I want you to consider two things. How your fund has performed over the last 12 months - so you can see their short-term success, which is good to recognise - and, more importantly, how that fund has performed over the long term. We have to remember that superannuation is a long-term investment, and that we should not be moving funds around every year or two, but choosing a fund that knows how to get results over the long term. All the numbers here are provided net of investment fees, so you see the returns flowing back to you after those fees, regardless of whether the fees are large or small. The fee that bites you is really the administration fees, which most funds try to keep pretty low these days. According to industry analysts Chant West, the number one-performing growth fund for the year was CFS FirstChoice Growth Fund, with 12 per cent return over one year, closely followed by Brighter Supers Balanced Fund with 11.9 per cent return and Russell Investments Balanced Growth Fund with 11.7 per cent return.

The best-performing balanced fund was CFS FirstChoice Moderate Fund, with 10.1 per cent return, followed by Russell Investments Diversified Fund with 9.9 per cent and Brighter Supers Conservative Balanced at 9.8 per cent returns. Loading For me, one-year performance is not whats important. Sure, its fun to celebrate, but its the funds that can stick it over the long term, through good markets and bad, and come out with powerful long-term returns that really are doing the important work. The top-performing growth funds in the retirement phase over 10 years are Commonwealth Super Funds (CSC) Aggressive, with 9.6 per cent return, Hostplus Balanced Fund with 9.3 per cent return and Australian Retirement Trusts (ART) Super Savings Balanced Fund with 8.9 per cent return. The top-performing balanced funds in the retirement phase over 10 years are Vision Supers Balanced fund with 7.2 per cent return, AustralianSupers Conservative Balanced Fund with 7.1 per cent return and ARTs Super Savings Retirement Fund with 7.0 per cent return.
She said commercial stakeholders  in an industry estimated globally to be worth $600 billion  had infiltrated the Senate inquiry in an attempt to shape government policy. Loading I want to add to the calls of my colleagues this morning and urge the committee to consider the influence of commercial and vested interests in menopause generally, and this inquiry specifically, White told committee members. The number of commercial players in menopause is increasing incredibly rapidly, with many seeking to shape norms, knowledge, practices, investments and policies in ways that have the potential to damage individuals and public health. White said while there is no doubt some women are terribly affected by menopause, Jean Hailes data showed more young women are affected by heavy periods and pelvic pain than older women are by menopause.

One statistic repeated in submissions to the Senate committee and during its hearings around the country is that women retire 7 years earlier than men, which it is implied is largely due to unaddressed menopause. Grace Molloy, chief executive of the menopause workplace accreditation agency Menopause Friendly Australia, is just one of many who quoted it, telling the inquiry Australian women leave work 7.4 years earlier than men. But the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data states that the retirement gender gap is half that at 3.7 years, with men retiring at 66.9 years and women at 63.2. Molloy told the Sydney hearing that most of us will be grappling with menopause at work and three in four of us will be experiencing problematic menopause symptoms.

But representative data collected by Professor Susan Davis and Monash Universitys Womens Health Research Program found 83 per cent of perimenopausal women and 60 to 70 per cent of postmenopausal women in Australia do not experience moderately to severely bothersome symptoms. For many women, the menopause is a relief from menstrual symptoms and concern about contraception, Davis noted. Professor Susan Davis of Monash University says the impact of menopause on womens work capacity and performance is being exaggerated by influencers and other stakeholders. Credit: Penny Stephens Available data has shown that the majority of women in employment at midlife, 80 per cent, rate their work ability as good to excellent; only 3 per cent to 6.5 per cent rate their work ability as poor. At the Melbourne hearing, Davis warned bastardisation of her data had appeared in at least one submission, altering the published statistic that 3.3 per cent of women said they have poor work ability to saying that 30 per cent of women cant work well because of menopause.

Her research, conducted over decades, suggests a cluster of societal factors impacting women around the age of perimenopause (when hormones start fluctuating) and menopause (when periods stop) are putting pressure on women, while menopause is being blamed for the effects of this midlife collision. Placing major emphasis on menopause may be distracting from the core issues for midlife women in employment: less career progression than male counterparts due to time out for children, job dissatisfaction etc, combining childcare/family caring and trying to perform well at work, shift work, financial stress/insecurity, poor general health, Davis submitted. Menopause occurs at an age for women where work, personal health and carer responsibilities collide. It is not all about the biology of menopause. Calls for menopause leave to be managed into womens employment agreements had not been supported by working women consulted for 2017 research by Melbourne University Professor Martha Hickey, chair of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal Womens Hospital, Davis said.

Hickey says the best available data, found in Jean Hailes annual Womens Health study, does not show women are quitting due to menopause. We have also done a big study among health workers, mostly women, and similarly, they felt their work productivity was good, Hickey said. They specifically said they didnt want to be singled out as a problem group. That data that 900,000 women left the workforce in the UK is a piece of junk. That is unvalidated, messed up, marketing corporate-speak. Professor Susan Davis at the Senate inquiry into issues related to perimenopause and menopause Eye-grabbing social media posts by commercial providers about sweeping consequences of menopause are about money primarily; its an opportunity to make money out of women, she said. People dont know how to discriminate what is real from what is fake information. Asked at the hearing what senators should look out for, Susan Davis highlighted catastrophising of menopause and labelled much of the statistical information being presented to them as rubbish.

Davis called out inaccurate statements about depression and menopause, saying the biggest predictor of depression during menopause is depression before the transition. In this country, 30 per cent of women aged 18 to 39 have moderate to severe depression, and that drops to 15 per cent at menopause, she said. We need not catastrophise it, and we need not to jump into workplace policies that have people certifying workplaces for menopause when we dont even know what that means; we dont even know what women want. In the UK, scaled-up survey figures quoted in the media suggest that 1 million women there have already left jobs because they dont get menopause support. That data that 900,000 women left the workforce in the UK is a piece of junk, says Davis. That is unvalidated, messed up, marketing corporate-speak based on a survey of a thousand women who took time off work because of infertility, pregnancy and menstrual problems.

While there are women who say they feel like they have to leave the workforce, and that menopause is breaking up their marriages and having a detrimental impact on their lives, I implore you to look at the quality data  not the voices that are yelling the loudest, she says. Loading Director of the Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion at Work, Sydney University workplace professor Elizabeth Hill, shares Davis and Whites concerns that some of the claims being made at the inquiry could do harm to midlife working women. The co-convenor of the Australian Work and Family Policy Roundtable and the Body@Work research project, Hill said the massive global conversation around menstrual policies, menopause and fertility adjustments, and supports in the workplace is splitting feminists. Some are very enthusiastic about enhancing gender equality at work via recognition of the female body, others say it brings great risks.

Those who are deeply disturbed by this move argue it can lead to biological essentialism, and positions women as a problem in the workplace, and any measures to manage womens bodies and care responsibilities could become a disincentive to employ women workers, Hill said. Loading The suggestion that women are inherently predisposed to leaving work or retiring early due to menopause poses significant risk to womens retirement security and womens retention at work. The point being, we dont know, she said. A plus, however, of the focus on menopause is de-stigmatising and normalising topics that were once taboo, and making helpful changes such as introducing more flexible work and temperature management in workplaces. There is emerging research evidence that does show menopause can be a source of gendered disadvantage at work, [for] lack of workplace supports and accommodations  because of the intersection of sex and age, Hill said.

It might affect participation and retention, but there is no statistically representative studies as far as we are aware. She echoed that the womens health community is becoming increasingly concerned about commercialisation and monetisation of menopause responses when not everyone experiences severe symptoms. Women with chronic symptoms are faced with risks to their economic security, so the discussion needs to be nuanced and data-informed. The research evidence we have to date does not indicate a crisis. Workforce data shows womens participation rate has been on a steep rise since the 1990s, and women aged 50 to 59 are the fastest growing sector, so the argument women who reach the age of menopause are dropping out of the labor market in large numbers is not reflected in the data.
A helicopter that crashed into a waterfront hotel in Cairns, killing the pilot, was stolen from an airport and on an unauthorised flight, authorities say.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Double Tree by Hilton hotel on the Esplanade in the north Queensland town after the Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into the roof and burst into flames about 1.50am on Monday.

The pilot  who is yet to be identified  was a man in his 40s, Nine News reported.

Two hotel guests  an 83-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman  who were asleep when the helicopter slammed into the roof above them were taken to hospital. They were not seriously injured, but highly distressed, said Queensland Ambulance senior operations supervisor Joanne Selby.
A key business group says the federal governments advice to public sector bosses about how to comply with new right-to-disconnect rules for employees goes further than required under the new legislation.

An Australian Public Service Commission guidance document calls for government agencies to update position descriptions and job advertisements and be model employers when implementing the new workplace right.

Right-to-disconnect laws are set to come into effect later this month. Credit: iStock

The guidelines, released in late July, are designed to give public sector employers best practice advice before the right to disconnect comes into effect on August 26 for all non-small-business employers.

But the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industrys director of workplace relations, Jessica Tinsley, says the guidance goes further than required under the legislation, and that private sector employers should not pay much attention to it.
VeritasKarishma

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A number of charges have been raised against me, some serious, some trivial. Individuals seeking to control the corporation for their own purposes have demanded my resignation. Remember that no court of law in any state has found me guilty of any criminal offense whatsoever. In the American tradition, as you know, an individual is considered innocent until proven guilty. Furthermore, as the corporations unbroken six-year record of growth will show, my conduct of my official duties as chairman has only helped enhance the success of the corporation, and so benefited every stockholder.



Which of the following can be properly inferred from the excerpt?



(A) The chairman believes that all those who have demanded his resignation are motivated by desire to control the corporation for their own purposes.

(B) Any misdeeds that the chairman may have committed were motivated by his desire to enhance the success of the corporation.

(C) The chairman is innocent of any criminal offense.

(D) The corporation has expanded steadily over the past six years.

(E) Any legal proceedings against the chairman have resulted in his acquittal.

This is a conclusion/inference question. The correct answer would be something already given in the passage or something you can infer without a doubt.Let's look at each option:(A) The chairman believes that all those who have demanded his resignation are motivated by desire to control the corporation for their own purposes.The chairman only says, "Individuals seeking to control the corporation for their own purposes have demanded my resignation."It is possible that A, B and C are three individuals who are seeking to control the corporation and have demanded his resignation. That makes his statement correct. In addition, there could be others who are not seeking to control the corporation but have demanded his resignation. This will make option (A) incorrect. So we cannot say that the chairman's statement implies that EVERYONE who demanded his resignation is motivated by desire to control the corporation. Note that the chairman's statement only gives you partial information - there is at least one person who wishes to control the corp and has demanded his resignation. The chairman doesn't talk about everyone who wants his resignation.(B) Any misdeeds that the chairman may have committed were motivated by his desire to enhance the success of the corporation.Not mentioned. His misdeeds and his success as the chairman are two different things.(C) The chairman is innocent of any criminal offense.We cannot infer that. All we can say is that he hasn't been found guilty yet and he will be considered innocent (as of now at least) in the American tradition. Whether he actually is innocent, we can't say.(D) The corporation has expanded steadily over the past six years.The corporation has an unbroken six year record of growth. So we can say that the corporation has been expanding for the past six years. Here, I would doubt the 'steadily' part since we don't know whether the growth has been steady (let's say same rate of growth) but considering that no other option comes close to being an inference, I would have to overlook it.(E) Any legal proceedings against the chairman have resulted in his acquittal.We don't know that. All we know is that no court has found him guilty yet. Perhaps, some cases are still pending and the verdict is not out yet. We cannot say that he has been acquitted in every case.Answer (D)
Every bit of the Irish landscape has seen a lot of history: as Seamus Heaney put it in one of his poems, every layer seems camped on before'.

With summer the time to get out and about, I also like to take the opportunity to consider a little history on my travels. So this is the second of three articles about parts of our county that tell us plenty about all those layers of centuries past.

Last week I suggested a visit to the 12th-century round tower of Killala, and this week we jump forward to the 15th century, starting with a site that tells us much about those old Norman families in the story of Mayo. The Normans had arrived in 1169, and some of them came west. The most famous of those families were the de Burgos, a name which in time became Burke, or Bourke, as we all know.

Our next place to visit derives from the Lower MacWilliam Burkes, a spin-off of the original de Burgo family. The family had by that stage become more Irish than the Irish themselves, meaning that they had become quite Gaelic in their custom. One aspect of that was they no longer passed on the inheritance in the Norman way, to the first son. As a result, the de Burgos/Burkes had by this stage  to use our terminology  divided the farm, and so the Lower Burkes controlled much of Mayo, while the upper ones were located down in what is today Galway. The lower branch of the family dominated Mayo all throughout this period.

To get a sense of their world and of their ambitions, it is worth a visit to Burrishoole Priory, near Newport, and not least because the ruins of it are extensive. It is also easily accessible and not too far from the Greenway. The priory was founded by the Dominicans in the later medieval period  around 1469  under the patronage of Richard Burke of Turlough. He was the chief of the clan, but powerful and all as he was, he made a bit of mistake when he built that priory. For he did so without permission from the Pope, which is the equivalent nowadays of building without planning permission. All was well that ended well though, because the situation was regularised later  no doubt by paying the appropriate fee to Rome. Richard it seems built it as a place to retire, and he ended his life there as a member of the Dominican Order.

Great lords of this time built such places to give glory to God, to atone for their sins (and they had plenty) but also to show their power. All of those elements were in play. Lords of the time quite literally believed that you would have to account for your stewardship of your lands and people after you died, so building a friary or abbey was a good way to enter something into the credit side of the ledger. These people were very different to us, but anyone who knows anyone who has left anything to the church can understand the mind of Richard Burke of Turlough.

Such buildings also had meaning in this life. If a friary or an abbey was under your protection, you had some serious assets and everyone would know it. And a friary or abbey could be more than a place of prayer: often it became a place of learning and of trade. Such institutions were common across the middles ages in Europe. In places like Mayo, where towns had not yet begun to properly develop, such places really mattered. They often became a source of competition between local lords  a sort of keeping up with the medieval Joneses. If you want to get a sense of what some of the neighbours were up to around the same time, you can visit the Clare Island Abbey, where the OMalley clan were having magnificent frescoes painted. What both places will tell you is that this part of the world was not some backwater.

Burrishoole Priory is also a place that will tell you about the switch over from the Anglo-Norman to English control. The priory was occupied by the forces of Elizabeth I under the command of Sir Nicholas Malby, and they inserted a series of gun loops in the wall which can still be seen today. If you want to learn more about the often confused sets of struggles that led to the English domination of Mayo, you can follow the brilliant work of the Battle of Ardnaree group in Ballina. They have tales to tell and sites they have discovered, which add so much to our understanding of the period, and in a fun and accessible way.

Now, to get a sense of the period of English control, we have to skip through a lot of detail  tales of the Burkes and the Binghams would make for a good episode of Game of Thrones  and focus on a specific location that will be familiar to many, and head for Westport House. What Westport House can tell you and describes is the period of English domination in Mayo, and of the land system which was used to put that dominance into effect.

A number of families, some of them Gaelic, some Anglo-Norman and some new English, who had made astute or dishonourable (depending on your point of view) choices in the wars of the 17th and 18th centuries, came to control large tracts of lands around the region, which were organised into estates. As we all know, they became a common feature of life all over the county and region. The estate that centred around what became Westport House is a good example and perhaps the most famous.

These large family-owned estates had large centrally controlled farms at their heart, which were then supplemented by tenants who were settled on, and paying rent on, those parts of the estates that were often less valuable. The landlord families essentially soaked their tenants, extracting surplus from their back-breaking labour, which they then spent to make themselves look grand. The grandness was confirmed by titles from the King for services rendered to the Crown.

Many of these families invested the money they generated from these large estates into the British Empires other colonies, where they made even more money from trading slaves and from sugar. Very often, they then used the various forms of profit they gained to build houses like Westport House. They were the 18th-century equivalents of the castles of the Middle Ages. Unlike castles, they didnt need to be fortified because their occupants used the law and the power of the state to stay in control  supplemented by a local garrison or militia who could be called out if the natives got restless. But the house above all was the way to signal that control. Some of them, like Belleek, were built much later, but the underlying economic dynamic was the same.

The struggles between those families over who controlled what, as well as who took the political power in the county, played out until the latter part of the 19th century. They married between one another and more or less controlled the show. In the final article on this topic next week, we will be making our way to two important sites, both of which tell us much about what the rest of the people thought of these houses and those who lived in them.
Despite many perils, the fox survives in the Ox Mountains. It seems at times that the tougher it gets for the fox, the better he is able to cope with the changes and hardships that are hurled at him. Much maligned in some circles, persecuted in others, the fox still maintains an air of secrecy and mystery. He is our ultimate survivor.

Earliest times

Writing in 2014, Kat Kerlin of UC Davis (California), takes us back to the foxs earliest origins. Her study, Around the World in 400,000 years: The Journey of the Red Fox, contains some great information.

The new genetic research further suggests that the first red foxes originated in the Middle East before beginning their journey of colonisation across Eurasia to Siberia, across the Bering Strait and into North America. During the red foxes journey over millennia, ice sheet formation and fluctuating temperatures and sea levels offered periods of isolation and reconnection, impacting their global distribution.

While the fox is old, his ancient ancestors are older. Foxes are part of a family called canidae, which includes dogs, wolves, and jackals. Scientists agree that these species share a common ancestor, a dog-like creature called Prohesperocyon that lived about 40 million years ago.

The fox has been in Ireland for at least 5,000 years and it may even be one of the first post-glacial settlers on this island as far back as 10,000 years ago. One of the most successful small predators in the world, foxes have spread from tundra to temperate forests in huge numbers. They prey on small rodents, reptiles, and birds, but in some parts of the world they are themselves vulnerable to larger predators.

Folklore

The fox features widely in both worldwide and Irish folklore. It is no great surprise really because of their relatively secret lives and their reputation for being clever and sly. All of this makes them an animal of considerable intrigue.

In Celtic mythology, the fox is wise and cunning. A trickster who knows the forest better than anyone else, the fox symbolises the need to think fast and strategically. Highly adaptable creatures, they also symbolise the need to adjust to new situations. In ancient Celtic cultures, the fox was also seen as a messenger of the otherworld, and was believed to possess magical powers.

In European folklore, foxes are again portrayed as having a reputation of being tricksters. The character of Reynard is thought to have originated in Lorraine folklore, from where it spread to France and Germany.

Aesop, a popular character of ancient Greece, was known for his animal fables and had numerous stories featuring foxes. The fable, The Fox and the Grapes, was one that tells the story of a fox who tries to steal grapes that hang out of his reach, and try as he might, he cannot get them. After giving up, the fox says, Theyre probably sour anyway, which is the origin of the phrase sour grapes.

Mountain Home

This description of the habitat of the fox seems like he has the perfect home here in the Ox Mountains: rivers, wetland, marshland, deciduous woodland, mixed woodland and arable land. The Vincent Wildlife Trust provides information in relation to fox distribution in Ireland.

The fox is found throughout Ireland, although the density of fox populations is highly variable. They are most abundant in areas that offer a wide variety of food and cover. At high population densities, foxes generally have small home ranges and disperse over short distances. Some foxes become resident in an area and form stable home ranges, whilst others are nomadic and appear to wander from one place to another. Two crucial factors determining the size of a fox territory are the availability of food and the cost of defending the territory.

The red fox forms various sizes of family groups that range from monogamous pairs to small family groups. These family groups usually consist of one dog fox and several related vixens, one of which will be the dominant female. The dominant vixen comes into heat just once during the breeding season, which extends from December to February. In most cases the average litter size is between four and five.

In Ireland, most cubs are born between March and mid-April. In rural areas, the den can be in the form of an enlarged rabbit burrow or occasionally a chamber in a large badger sett is used. At approximately one month old the cubs make their first venture above ground. The growth of the cubs continues until, by early October, their size is much the same as that of the adults.

Survival

How the fox survives, and indeed thrives, is a minor miracle. They come in for a lot of bad press and suffer no end of persecution. The fox is not legally protected here, due its widespread distribution and abundance.

There is a long history of exploitation of the fox in Ireland. Fox skins were exported from Ireland as far back as the eighteenth century and were used as clothing here long before that. There is also evidence of fox hunting as a sport in early Ireland as it is described in a story in the Tain. Modern fox hunting with horse and hounds only developed here in the nineteenth century.

The income of many poor people was also augmented by trapping and killing foxes in times past. A recent article in the Irish Independent by Liam Collins (July 21, 2024) under the heading, How Much For a Foxs Tail and a Magpies Head, paints a cruel image.

Not so long ago, foxes had a bounty on their heads. In 1937, newspapers reported that 46,000 foxes had been killed under what was known as the fox destruction scheme. To collect their bounty, hunters and farmers had to present severed parts of their trophies at the local garda station. In the case of birds, the head or tail of a magpie was sufficient. As for foxes, its paw, tail (or brush) or even a severed tongue was required.

Contrasting images

A strange contrast comes into play when we consider the fox. On one hand, we have the sly and cunning animal of the wild who is perceived to be the demon of poultry pens and sheep flocks. On the other, we have the handsome Mr Fox, a beast of natural beauty and extraordinary intellect. Apart from the endearing robin, the fox is one of our fondest Christmas card images.

Thankfully, the fox has a few trump cards, among them his secret life and his adaptability. At times, we might think we are cleverer than the fox but really, we dont know him well enough to ever get the upper hand and I, for one, am ok with that.
By Cate McCurry, PA

A United Nations patrol vehicle with six Irish soldiers on board was caught up in an air attack in a village in south Lebanon on Saturday.

Eight troops, including six Irish and two Polish, were on an armed patrol when there was a drone or air attack on a village.

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin said none of the soldiers were injured in the attack, but damage was caused to the vehicle in which they were travelling.

A UN patrol vehicle at Camp Shamrock in Debel during a visit by Tanaiste Micheal Martin to Lebanon to meet Irish troops. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

Speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Mr Martin said that the incident is still under investigation and further clarity on the incident would be given later.

Essentially about eight soldiers, two armoured vehicles, six Irish and two Polish, they were on routine patrol and there was an attack, either drone or airstrike on the village that they were patrolling through, he said.

They had come out, it seems, from the other end of the village. And shrapnel or whatever appears to have pierced the vehicles.

They were safe and emerged unscathed, and are back at camp.

I would prefer to await further investigation (from Defence Forces) to identify the source of that.

We have ideas as to who would have made that particular attack but I would say at this stage, we will be making representations on foot of this, on the basis that both the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) and Hezbollah must fulfil their obligations to peacekeepers.

There are thousands of peacekeepers in Lebanon to keep the peace. Its the most noble, objective thing to do and we take the full protection of our soldiers very seriously and I have already been in touch with the (Defence Forces) chief Anthony McKenna of staff about this.

We will be receiving further information later this afternoon, but it is a serious incident and one I am very concerned about.

It illustrates the danger of a wider escalation of the war to Lebanon in terms of the danger to peacekeepers and the civil population in Lebanon.

And its matter of greatest concern.
One of the highlights of the Coleman Traditional Festival 2024 will be the performance of Seoid on Thursday evening, August 15th, at 8pm.

Seoid consists of Kerrie Herrity, Kenny Donagher, John Dwyer and Fiachra Guihen.

Kerrie, a Maugherow native and former All Ireland Banjo Senior Champion, was introduced to music and dancing by her parents at an early in Luton, UK where a thriving Irish scene nurtured and encouraged her progression on several instruments. In recent years, Kerrie has begun composing some of her own music which are included in the album Box and Banjo , with box player Kenny Donagher.

Kerrie has performed with many groups and artists to date including a performance on Broadway with the dance group Shaylyn and various Comhaltas tours in the UK and United States.

Kenny Donagher is an accordion player who grew up in a family steeped in music in Easkey. From a young age, Kenny joined the family on stage for concerts, ceilithe, at fleadhanna and on radio and television.

After a few years involved with with drama and musical theatre, Kenny got the opportunity to work in local radio as a sound engineer and subsequently as the presenter of the stations traditional music programme for the best part of a decade.

John Dwyer comes from Mullaghroe, near Gurteen. From a very early age Johns interest in traditional music was influenced, encouraged and nurtured by his late grandmother Babs Dwyer. During his formative years, he attended music classes for tinwhistle in Gurteen with teachers Paddy Ryan and PJ Hernon. Later, he progressed to the concert flute and piano.

Over the years John has played with and accompanied many trad groups, notably Shebeen and Ceili bands for Fleadhanna.

Fiachra Guihen hails from between Keadue and Arigna in Co Roscommon. He started playing music when he was seven years old on the tin whistle and then moved to the flute and later the harp. He plays regularly all around the locality at sessions, concert and at gigs with a few different groups but mainly with Gan Ainm.
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GREENSBORO  Despite earlier hopes, theres no likelihood for adding a local salary supplement increase for teachers into the schools budget, Superintendent Whitney Oakley said last week.

Oakley said county commissioners didnt provide the additional money to be able to do it, so she wont be including it among her revised budget recommendations to the school board.

The board passed an interim budget in June, but isnt expected to finalize the 2023-24 budget until after the state finishes up its budget, possibly in October or November.

Similarly, Oakley said, her recommendations wont include funding for a next phase of strategic pay increases for classified employees  another priority she and the school board tried unsuccessfully to get funded by the county. Classified staff include workers like custodians and bus drivers.

Last month, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners adopted a $207.2 million operating budget for schools  about $10 million more than the prior fiscal years funding. Thats enough, Oakley said, to cover expected mandatory cost increases, but not the priorities that school leaders had been hoping the county would fund like the teacher salary supplement increase.

Further down the road, she said, there is one possibility for funding those priorities. Last month, commissioners unanimously agreed to include a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot in November. If passed by voters, $25 million in annual revenue would go toward boosting school employee paychecks.

Weve had the sales tax on the ballot a couple of times, and we did not pass that as a community, Oakley said in June. This November, its going to be really important to pay attention to our teachers who have the biggest impact on our students life and learning outcomes.

However, teachers and classified employees in Guilford County Schools can expect to see raises from the state coming soon.

Last week, school administrators said its about a 3% bump for classified employees and an average of 3% for teachers, though the amounts for individual teachers will vary, based on state specifications. They said teachers and classified staff are likely to see the increases in their paychecks by late August, backdated to July 1.

Guilford County Schools will match the raises for local employees who arent paid by the state with money budgeted for that purpose, Oakley said.

Deputy Superintendent for Operations Julius Monk said for school nutrition workers, leaders are looking at whether they might be able to use the money to create differentiation in pay among them. That would mean additional money for years worked and for supervising other employees. Currently, theres no additional pay for experience, Monk said.

Last fall, frustrations from cafeteria workers over pay led many of them to temporarily leave their jobs for two days, rallying instead in front of the school administration building, disrupting or preventing meal service at many schools across the district.

Board of Education Chairwoman Deena Hayes-Greene and Oakley are working with county leaders now on how to share more information earlier in the budget process and predict upcoming funding gaps.

Hayes-Greene suggested the funding situation ties into larger issues in society.

Until we just sort of change the way that we think about how we compensate and value the profession, educators and all the people that make up this district, were always going to be nickel and diming, she said.

Tutoring

With no additional funding from the county or local municipalities, Guilford County Schools is turning to philanthropic organizations for help funding a scaled-down version of its high dosage tutoring program.

Oakley said she expects to find out exactly how much the district will get from philanthropic partners by the end of this month. Then that information will be shared with tutors and impacted schools.

High-dosage tutoring refers to one-on-one or small group sessions at least three times a week. The program was started in 2021 with federal pandemic relief funds. But now, those funds are expiring. Due to some special circumstances, district leaders will be able to keep using the money for this budget year to lease weapons scanners for middle and high schools next school year and for emergency radios, but not for tutoring.

What started as costing $3 million increased to $11 million as the sessions gained popularity and more students took advantage of the opportunity, Oakley said last month. In total, the program has provided half a million tutoring sessions.

Oakley said she and district leaders are looking to keep some level of tutoring at all schools. At some, the district will use federal Title I dollars, designated for schools that have relatively high levels of students from low-income families.

We know that learning loss is not over, and we have to continue to address learning recovery, Oakley said. Were just not going to be able to do it at the same scale.

Reached by phone, Guilford Elementary tutor Barbara Ann McAbee said she was disappointed by the lack of county funding to continue the program because kids are still grappling with the pandemics impacts. Many students, she said, fell behind academically and cannot afford private tutoring to complement school instruction.

In the small-group tutoring sessions, McAbee saw firsthand that the high-dosage tutoring program was helping students get caught up. Testing data showed it, too.

We need to give all of our children a chance to succeed in their learning process, McAbee said.

Restart dollars

Last fiscal year, about $5 million used to balance the school district budget came from money the state had intended to benefit specific schools striving to rebound from low-performance.

Under the model, schools with low performance on standardized tests and a plan to improve can apply to the state to become Restart schools and receive flexibilities similar to ones received by charter schools  such as making their own calendar, determining class size and deciding how money is spent.

Different restart schools, Oakley said this spring, use their money for different strategies.

For example, some schools might run a Saturday academy and they might have been able to do that in a prior year with more restart dollars than they might have in this year, she explained. Some schools might have an online program that students can access with their devices at home on the weekend.

By requesting more money from commissioners, Oakley had hoped to avoid pulling away those dollars from the specific schools to balance the district-wide budget.

But without the money, she may recommend doing it again. She said it depends on what the final funding numbers from the state will look like when lawmakers finalize their budget.
Easyjet flight returns to Liverpool airport after long holding pattern over Bwlchgwyn

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Aug 11th, 2024

Update: Good news, it appears the aircraft has landed safely.

The flight hit the most tracked leaderboard on FlightRadar24 this evening, with over 6,000 people following its progress.

Update 9:45PM The aircraft has stopped looping the area and is heading back to Liverpool airport.

Updates below:

The G-EZOA Easyjet plane has been conducting loops to the north west of Wrexham since taking off from Liverpool earlier this evening  reportedly due to a pressurisation issue with the cabin.

The EZY41CE flight to Malaga took off from Liverpool at around 8:40PM however changed course shortly after, to then enter a holding pattern over Bwlchgwyn / Llandegla up to Mold in a flight pattern that is visible from the city centre.

As of just after 9PM it is at 7000 feet and is not broadcasting a distress squawk but rather a standard UK transit code, reducing height to around 5000 feet later after Air Traffic Control authorisation.

The Airbus A-320 is the regular plane used for the Liverpool / Malaga route, completing one yesterday with no apparent issues.

Flying in such a loop  or holding pattern  is often carried out to burn fuel and could indicate the aircraft will be overhead in the area for a good while, pending a return to Liverpool airport at permittable landing weight.

No official statement has yet been made by EasyJet regarding the situation.
Wrexham community hub hosting free courses to develop work skills

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Aug 11th, 2024

A community hub in Wrexham city centre is hosting a series of free courses throughout August and September.

The programmes at Lle Hapus, on Eagles Meadow are aimed at helping to develop skills for those in or looking for work.

There are also courses for setting up a business or to improve digital skills including protecting against scams.

They are part of the Be Hapus Project which is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Wrexham County Borough Council.

Lle Hapus Co-director Sharon Rogers said, We have been putting on free workshops and courses since the beginning of June, we have given marketing courses, help with CV classes, introduction to various apps workshops and drop-ins on the software staples like Excel.

Ms Rogers added: We have enjoyed meeting all the people on the courses thus far, and listening to their stories.

One of them came along to our CV help drop in on a Friday and got a new job offer the Wednesday after. Its very rewarding.

If anyone would like to enrol on our courses, just go to our website or search Lle Hapus Wrexham on Facebook for details.

We have used the feedback and suggestions from previous events to improve the courses further.

Looking forward, we are currently exploring how to carry on the free courses after September and hopefully, if funding is provided, putting these courses online.
Wrexham residents warned over potential rental scams

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Aug 11th, 2024

A senior Wrexham councillor is urging those looking for rented accomodation to be aware of fraudsters targeting potential tenants.

The scam typically involves a criminal posing as a landlord or property manager to make potential renters pay money for a property that isnt available, doesnt exist, or isnt theirs to rent out.

These scams can occur in various ways, however three are more common than others:

Phantom Rentals : Listings for properties that dont exist or arent for rent. Criminals pull you in with attractive photos and great deals.

: Listings for properties that dont exist or arent for rent. Criminals pull you in with attractive photos and great deals. Hijacked Ads : Criminals copy legitimate rental ads and change the contact details, directing inquiries to themselves instead of the rightful owner.

: Criminals copy legitimate rental ads and change the contact details, directing inquiries to themselves instead of the rightful owner. Bait-and-Switch: The property advertised is unavailable, but the criminal offers a different, often inferior, property.

According to Action Fraud one victim lost 1,400 after being targeted by rental scammers.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, said: The rental market is particularly busy at the moment with many potential renters going after the same property.

This could mean the opportunity for fraudsters to scam someone out of their hard earned money is higher so its important to take follow the warning signs above to avoid falling victim to these types of scams.

Remember to stay smart and rent safely!

The avoid rental scams watch out for these common warning signs:

Low rent : If the rent is significantly lower than other properties in the area, be cautious.

: If the rent is significantly lower than other properties in the area, be cautious. Upfront Payments : Be wary of landlords who ask for money upfront before seeing the property, especially if they request payment via a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.

: Be wary of landlords who ask for money upfront before seeing the property, especially if they request payment via a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. No In-Person Meetings : Criminals often avoid face-to-face meetings. If the landlord is unable or unwilling to meet you in person or show you the property, this is a warning sign.

: Criminals often avoid face-to-face meetings. If the landlord is unable or unwilling to meet you in person or show you the property, this is a warning sign. High-Pressure Tactics : Criminals may pressure you to act quickly, claiming there are other interested people or that the offer is available for a limited time only.

: Criminals may pressure you to act quickly, claiming there are other interested people or that the offer is available for a limited time only. Incomplete or Vague Information: Legitimate listings provide detailed information. Be suspicious of ads with limited photos, vague descriptions, or typos and errors. If its an agent, they must belong to a redress scheme.

To stay safe only use reputable rental platforms. Check landlord out and verify their ownership of the property. Dont pay anything before you see the property and when you do, pay rent securely

If you find out that a property you see offered for rent does not exist please report it to Citizens Advice or Trading Standards.

If you see a property you are interested you can check out the landlord on Rent Smart Wales before handing over any money or signing contracts.

Interested parties should always check the legitimacy of properties and Landlords on the Rent Smart Wales website before handing over any money or signing contracts.
Writer and director Kurdwin Ayub was born in Iraq, but her family came to Austria as refugees when she was still a baby. Now, she is 34 and has been making a name for herself in the film world as an auteur.

Her 2016 feature documentary Paradise! Paradise!, which she wrote, directed, and handled the cinematography for, won the best camera honor at the Diagonale  Festival of Austrian Film. It follows Omar, the father of a family that has lived in Austria since 1991. Now, he plans to buy an apartment in Kurdistan as an investment. THRs review called the doc an engaging intersection of the domestic and the geo-political.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Her fiction short Boomerang premiered at the Filmfestival Max Ophuls Preis in Saarbrucken, Germany in 2019 and won the jury award for best short. Adnan is obsessed with going to his ex-wifes housewarming party, explains a plot description. Unfortunately, he isnt invited.

Ayubs fiction feature debut Sonne (Sun) world premiered at the 2022 Berlin Film Festival in the Encounters section, which wants to foster aesthetically and structurally daring works from independent, innovative filmmakers. The film focuses on three female friends who decide to shoot a burqa music video in a moment of ordinary madness. Ayub ended up winning the best first feature award, picked from across all sections of the festival.

On Sunday, her sophomore fiction feature Mond (Moon) will have its much-anticipated debut in the international competition lineup of the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival. Just like her first fiction feature, it was produced by Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion, with Austrian directors Ulrich Seidel and Veronika Franz as producer and associate producer, respectively, among other team members on the film.

Former martial artist Sarah leaves Austria to train three sisters from a wealthy Jordanian family, says a plot description on the Locarno website. What initially sounds like a dream job soon becomes unsettling: the young women are cut off from the outside world and under constant surveillance. The sport doesnt seem to interest them. So why has Sarah been hired?

In a directors note on the website, Ayub explains: Its all about sisters, no matter where they come from, and about cages, no matter where they are. Cages you want to leave and those you wish you could return to.

Ayub talked to THR about her new film, the importance of music, why she likes to provoke audiences, and what is next for her.

How exciting is it for you to bring Mond to a prestigious festival like Locarno?

To be really honest, there is some kind of pressure. Last week, I thought that Sonne had so much success, and I just suddenly realized that its not normal to get this big first film award at the Berlinale. When I realized it, I thought: Oh my god, Moon has to also be successful. But I have to deal with this kind of pressure. And I wish I can one day, maybe in a year, say: Moon was good and everything went perfectly.

People often say that second features are hard, right?

Its like a horror movie. Everybody is saying the second one is the hardest because then you must prove if you really are a filmmaker. With the first film, maybe you got lucky or so. At film festivals, they look for newcomers and they want to discover someone but with a second film, they look and think twice.

Tell me a bit about where you made Mond and how you cast the film.

We shot it mostly in Jordan. The casting procedure was very difficult because we went there and wanted to cast different young women and girls. And every time when we told them that we wanted them for the film, they ghosted us. It happened a lot. So I discovered that they just came for the castings and didnt tell their parents. When we chose them, they started to talk with their parents to ask if they could participate in a movie, but the parents didnt allow it.

Was that because of this specific movie or films in general?

No, its any movie. Acting for girls is for some not considered honorable work.

Mond (Moon)

So how did you end up finding your wonderful cast members?

I found them there. Andria Tayeh is a very famous Netflix star in Jordan. She was the lead in AlRawabi School for Girls. She is also a very big influencer. So when I go onto the street with her, everybody recognizes her. So, when we got her, everybody wanted to be part of it.

How did you cast Florentina Holzinger? I know she is well known in the Austrian dance and performance scene, and you work in the broader cultural sphere. Did you know each other before?

Yes, shes also from Austria and I knew that she did martial arts earlier. So when I wrote the story, I knew from the beginning that she would be the lead.

I felt she brings great depth to the character of Sarah

Yes, shes very good. In every take, she was very natural and great.

Why did you choose Jordan? Were there any real-life stories that happened there or in the broader region that you wanted to reference?

There are also stories in Jordan. I think the most famous story is about the sister of the king, who is Jordanian and was married to the ruler of Dubai and went away to England. But a lot of stories are happening, and its very common to hire personal trainers if youre a rich family. We had a makeup artist in our crew who also spent one year in the Gulf. I also wanted to have a country that is really liberal on the outside and also rich but still has these issues.

I could see some of your dialogue provoke debate. Some of the things people, such as Sarahs friends, say in the film are not politically correct. How important is it for you that there is this kind of bite in your dialogue?

Yes, I wanted to show the white chick going over there, and I needed to have this realistic approach. It has to go through your body for you to feel it. What they say is what I told them to say but how they say it and everything is them. So its also improvisation, but I guide them and tell them, You need to be more incorrect. I mean, I tell them what I need from the scene and how it ends and guide them. The biggest part is the casting procedure though. When I cast people, I do different scenes and try out everything, so that Im really sure that they are not only natural, but also smart and imaginative.

You obviously know the culture you are writing about really well. How much of your own experience do you pack into your movies?

I guess some parts of the characters and the movies somehow are myself because I wrote them. How Sarah, the character in Austria, sometimes feels, I also feel. And how the girls in Jordan in this special family felt, I also sometimes feel myself. The sisters in this family and their characters are inspired by cousins of mine.

When did you move to Austria, and how much did you go visit family back in Iraq?

I came as a baby but I went to Iraq a lot. Sometimes I feel like a stranger, like the Sarah figure, when I go to Iraq. So Im in the middle of these cultures. I have both of them, and I dont have any of them. I dont think in identities or borders or countries anymore.

What was your thought process behind the ending of the film? How did you decide whether to have a clear-cut end or an open end? [The next answer contains spoilers about the ending.]

I wanted to leave it like this because in reality, it would be like this. If you have just a glimpse of what you see or what you think you see, and will never truly find out. I wanted to show that. And Sarah is the perfect identification person for my culturally white audience. I realize that a lot of privileged white people go see my arthouse movies, so I thought I needed Sarah to guide them. And I wanted to have a white savior story but tell it in a very realistic way to tell the audience: Its not easy to help  you still like to?

Kurdwin Ayub

Also, on the other side of this cliche and stereotype are the refugees who come here and think there is help. That was my main goal: telling the story to show this stereotype and show both sides. This is not like in the movies.

So the themes you wanted to explore in Mond are

Like I said, its about the realistic approach to the white savior. And its about violence and also cages. Sarah is a cage fighter in a cage. And the girls are in a cage of wealth.

I would like to ask you about how you choose music. Because music does play a key role in Mond as well

The music is always very important for me. And especially for this movie, every piece of music in every scene, I chose for that scene. The music should add a special feeling to the scene, which goes along with what is happening. The last song is S&M by Rihanna. I guess I chose this song because Sarah chose violence for her work but she shies away from it in reality. So I wanted to show the different kinds of violence and how characters are fighting with it, and are for it or against it.

You have done Sonne (Sun) and Mond (Moon). Should we expect a trilogy ending with Sterne (Stars) or whats next for you?

I already have the story. Im writing it. We will hopefully be shooting it again in Jordan, maybe in 2026. And I dont know, maybe its the whole planetary system. I dont want to end it. I was thinking it should not end with Stars. Maybe its more. Maybe its Mars.

Anything you can share about the next story?

Its similar. Its about the escaping part but with another constellation.

Your cinematic voice is quite sarcastic and provocative. Where does that come from?

I got very cynical in my life. I think movies have become very nice lately in general. They try to be okay with everyone. And I dont like that.

I want to trigger people. Because everybody is scared to get triggered. But I had a lot of therapy in my life, and I found out that you have to know why you get triggered by something. And you have to think about it, and you have to go through it, and you have to learn. And if you see art or movies or read books, you feel after that experience, you see yourself and think about yourself. Thats great.

I want people after a movie to argue with each other and discuss things and think about how they would react in these situations because its an important subject. Its not a love story or comedy. Big things are happening there, so the film should live up to that.

And I have very dark humor. I like horror movies also. I was a baby when we fled Iraq during the Gulf War. But I guess when you survive war, or the trauma of war, you have this kind of very cynical humor.

Mond (Moon)

Your films feature strong female perspectives. Do you think of yourself as a feminist?

I think every woman is a feminist, right? I dont know. I first think of myself as an artist, but it comes very naturally to me to direct and write these subject matters because I also fought for my rights in my family. Its important to see this movie, for everyone, and for my family, too.

Anything else you would like to highlight?

I want to highlight that these characters in the movie are special and, of course, I show specific issues. But in the end, you can have to deal with sexism or being in a cage wherever you live. If its Baghdad or Amman or Vienna or another city. It doesnt matter where you live or where you are from. But the film is set there because I also want to provoke people and want to show something to give people something to discuss.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Harry told to acknowledge devastating impact of drug use

A friend of Prince William has told The Daily Beast that Prince Harry should apologize for taking cocaine as a young man on his and wife Meghan Markles forthcoming tour of Colombia, due to begin Thursday.

The friend said: Harry admitted to doing coke in his book (Spare). His trip to Colombia should include an admission that the country has been destroyed by narco-terrorists servicing wealthy drug users in the west, and he should stand up and apologize for his own participation in that disgusting trade. That would be a helpful intervention.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Colombia Tour Stokes Tension With King Charles

Drug-related crime has made the South American country one of the most dangerous places on earth to live. It has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Cocaine farming and manufacturing, often carried out in makeshift laboratories in the Amazon jungle, also has devastating impacts on the natural environment which campaigners have sought to highlight over the years. A recent campaign in Sweden on the issue claimed that four square meters of rainforest is destroyed for every gram of cocaine produced, and saw Swedish streets emblazoned with posters with slogans such as, I only sponsor gang wars when Im with friends, and, I only support child labour when there is something to celebrate.

Harry and Meghans quasi-royal tour of Colombia is due to begin on Thursday this week. In a statement announcing the tour, the government said that the couple were going there in recognition of their global leadership in fostering a safer online environment, adding that this was also part of the goal of a conference dedicated to ending violence against children, to be held in Colombia this November.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the medalists after the sitting volleyball final at the 2023 Invictus Games, Dusseldorf, Germany September 15, 2023. Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters

Asked about the stated motivation, the friend of Prince Williams witheringly told The Daily Beast: I cant imagine online trolling is the biggest risk to children being exploited, enslaved and murdered by drugs gangs.

Windsor loyalists have expressed irritation about the trip to The Daily Beast. One source recently told The Daily Beast: Im afraid it shows the utter contempt they have for the king and for very long-established ways of doing things. Royal tours have always, always been about diplomacy, building bridges and reinforcing friendships on behalf of Britain. This tour may well have the noblest intentions, but it is clearly not being carried out on behalf of Britain, and yet they still basically portray themselves as British royals. It shows you exactly why the royals want these two kept as far away as possible.

The Duke wrote in Spare that cocaine didnt do anything for me when he took a line aged 17. He also said, Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.

Harry implied in his book and in interviews that he has continued to use marijuana for mental health reasons.

Marijuana remains illegal in many jurisdictions and its production and distribution has been widely linked to gang crime, slavery and other human rights abuses, as well as ecological damage.

William applauds sky-high fundraising effort

Air ambulance services have long been a cause close to Prince Williams heart, understandable given that he worked for air ambulance services in East Anglia and Anglesey in the early days of his marriage to Princess Kate. He is also patron of the London Air Ambulance and has been a key part of their fundraising arsenal over the years.

Prince William begins his new job with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) at Cambridge Airport on July 13, 2015 in Cambridge, England. Stefan Rousseau WPA - Pool/Getty Images

On Friday the organization had much to celebrate, achieving a long standing goal of raising 15 million ($19 million).

William took to social media writing on the Londons Air Ambulance Charity official social media page, London, you did it...We are thrilled to announce we have passed our appeal target of 15 million to replace our helicopters and keep them flying for years to come.

Andrew looks ahead to Balmoral escape

Prince Andrew finds it hard to leave his home, Royal Lodge, a new report claims. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told U.K. tabloid the Sun: He does see a lot of his grandchildren and enjoys spending time with them.

I think because (Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie) know that hes kind of stuck at Royal Lodge, they will go out of their way to go and see him rather than him coming to see them.

Prince Andrew, December 25, 2022. Toby Melville/Reuters

Seward, editor of Majesty magazine, said: The Duke of York is quite limited as to where he can go, because he obviously doesn't want to be photographed and then subsequently criticized. So his world is very narrow. She added that Andrew is expected to travel to Balmoral Castle in Scotland in the coming weeks for the royal familys annual vacation.

King Charles supports anti-racist demonstrators

King Charles has spoken out in support of the anti-racist demonstrators who have taken to the streets to peacefully protest the far-right rioters whose violence has brought chaos, damage, and fear to British towns and cities in recent days.

The far-right protests were fueled by misinformation about the identity of the alleged killer of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance classand led to attacks on mosques, looting, and the attempted arson of a hotel where asylum seekers were staying.

People gather against an an anti-immigration protest, in Liverpool, Britain, August 7, 2024. Yves Herman/Reuters

A Buckingham Palace statement read, This evening the King held a phone audience with the Prime Minister, and additionally had a joint call with the Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex. In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder.

The statement added: The king shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many. It remains his majestys hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.

This week in royal history

Happy 74th birthday this week to Princess Anne, who was born on Aug. 15, 1950.

Princess Anne visits the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, in Gloucester, Britain, July 12, 2024. Cameron Smith/Pool via Reuters

Unanswered questions

How will Harry and Meghans visit to Colombia go? Will Charles visit the towns affected by far right protests?

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Gypsy Rose Blanchards estranged husband, Ryan Anderson, has stated that the paternity of her unborn child still needs to be clarified.

During a TikTok livestream on Saturday, August 10, the 38-year-old told his followers that he is required to undergo a DNA test as part of the process to establish who is the father--him or Ken Urker, given that Gypsy's pregnancy occurred while they are still legally married under Louisiana state law.

This latest news follows Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her new boyfriend, Ken Urker, announcing that they are expecting a baby girl together.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard Files For Divorce From Ryan Anderson

Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard

The ex-convict filed for divorce from Ryan, whom she married in 2022 while incarcerated, in April.

People have been asking what is going on in my life, she wrote in a post earlier this year. Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents home down the bayou. I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this. I am learning to listen to my heart. Right now I need time to let myself find who I am.

She and Ken revealed they are expecting their first baby together on July 9.

Who Is The Baby's Father?

Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Speculation has been swirling around who the baby's father could be based on when Gypsy left Ryan and began dating Ken. I have to get a DNA test. I don't have a choice, Ryan said in a TikTok Live, per People Magazine. ... I hate being in this situation.

I have to take a DNA test for court, he explained. The way the timeline matches up  I don't think it's mine, but I don't know. The DNA test is going to prove it. Crazier things have happened. I just don't know. I have my thoughts and I have my opinions."

What Do The Louisiana Laws Say?

Facebook | Gypsy Rose Blanchard

In July, a Louisiana attorney confirmed to People that Ryan could be listed as the father on Gypsy Rose Blanchards baby's birth certificate if the child is born before their divorce is finalized. According to Louisiana law, if the mother is married to someone other than the biological father at the time of conception or has been divorced for less than 300 days at birth, the husband or ex-husband is presumed to be the father unless paternity is otherwise established.

For Ken Urker to have his name on the birth certificate, Ryan would need to sign an affidavit acknowledging Ken as the father. If Ryan refuses to do so, Ken would need to file a court motion, which would require all three parties to undergo a DNA test to determine paternity.

"You love Ken? Good for you. I'm glad that community loves Ken. Good for that. But hopefully if you are here with me, you are team Ryan," the special education teacher also said during his live stream.

If DNA results confirm that Ken is the father, his name will officially replace Ryan's on the birth certificate.

DNA Test To Reveal Who Is The Father

Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Louisiana attorney Beau Brock explained to People in July that the law is designed "to protect the child" and ensure that "the child has a father and a mother to provide for them."

"All the laws in Louisiana concerning paternity are designed to protect the child and make sure the child has a father and a mother to provide for them. So that presumption can be overcome by DNA and that's what people have to do," he told the outlet. "If the husband goes and signs the affidavit along with the boyfriend, then the true father, if you will, if it's the boyfriend's name, will go on the birth certificate."

Brock added, "In these kinds of situations, we always recommend to do a DNA test because there are overlapping hookups that are possible. You don't know."

Gypsy Rose Blanchard Is Having A Girl

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gypsy-Rose Blanchard (@gypsy.rose.blanchard.insta)

On Saturday, Gypsy and Ken held a gender reveal party, where they announced the baby is a girl.

"The moment yall have been waiting for... Its a girl!" she wrote in an Instagram caption. "Ken and I are over the moon and are so excited to start our family. Were so thankful for our friends, neighbors, and families who came to our party today! We also want thank yall for your love and support!"

Ryan Anderson was not in attendance.
After Bruce Jones sold his company, Triton Submarines, in 2022, the now 68-year-old mulled a trip. Not a quick getaway, though, but a months-long adventurehe was determined to circumnavigate the globe. An inveterate traveler who grew up partly in the Philippines and has visited more than 120 countries, Jones had nurtured the dream for some time. So he and his wife, Liz, a fellow licensed pilot, invested in a twin-engine Diamond DA62 and started flying it on short hops, road-testing it for comfort. It failedbig time. Twelve hours in a smaller airplane, where you cant move around and theres no bathroom? Liz wasnt comfortable with that, Jones says.

The Idaho-based couple sold the plane and started looking for an alternative way to fulfill that globe-spanning wanderlustwhich is how weve come to find ourselves chatting somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, relaxing in comfy armchairs on an Airbus A340 jetting toward Tahiti. Jones out-sourced his dream to Safrans du Monde, signing up with the French firm for its 22-day private-jet trip around the world. Priced from about $104,000 per person, the journey includes all transportation and activities as well as five-star hotels in roughly a dozen ports of call, plus excursions to major sites such as the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu.

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Jones might not be piloting this plane, but at least it has a bathroomseveral, in fact. Theres a substantial wine list, too. (No self-respecting French travel operator would offer just a single variety of Champagne.) The craft, on lease from Maltese charter firm AirX, has ample space to move around; a sitting room, complete with sofa, is situated in the rear. Jones has never taken a group trip before, but here hes one of 70 or so passengers, further decanted into smaller groups of around 16 for most activities. Its an eclectic bunch: Sonia King is a mosaic artist from San Francisco traveling with her husband, Harvey Malloy, a retired executive director of a music nonprofit; while Maryland-based Leslye Staub and her husband, Tony, just sold their catering business. Mary Frances Ewing, a financial adviser from Arizona, is on board with her husband, Stephen, an architect. I was a member of a travel club when I was in high school, the Atlanta Skylarks, she recalls. They had one or two little planes and trips you could choose from. Thats what Id really love to have again.

Ready for takeoff: Safrans du Monde copilot Bjorn Alegren

These intrepid travelers are modern-day Phileas Foggs, tackling the gist of Jules Vernes Around the World in 80 Days if not the dilatory pacethis carefully plotted itinerary will shave weeks off that time frame. Such six-figure expeditions, nicknamed air cruises, are a growing niche in high-end travel. Four Seasons hotels operates its own branded 48-seat jet, while Aman has teased the launch of an 18-seat Airbus ACJ319 that will pinball between its properties on private charters in partnership with Asia specialist Remote Lands. Its scheduled to take off on its 21-day inaugural trip in September, with a price tag of $194,888 per person. TCS World Travel and Abercrombie & Kent are rival operators behind globe-trotting charters similar to those from Safrans, while Roar Africa hires a custom-fitted Emirates Executive Jet for its Greatest Safari on Earth program, which whisks a handful of travelers around the African continent on a 12-day, $195,000-per-person jaunt; that route now runs twice a year, due to increased demand since its launch as an annual adventure in 2021.

You can do all this on a cruise ship but it takes 134 days.  Jane Dowling

The main lounge area of the private Airbus A340.

Some people come to Dubai in their own planes and leave them there, says Roar Africa founder and CEO Deborah Calmeyer. If you want to do a trip in Africa, this crew knows how to do it, she says, whereas pilots without specialized experience in the area (i.e., your own, most likely) will be terrified for their safety, with animals on the runway and that kind of thing. Were a concierge service.

A preplanned private-jet trip is certainly the easiest way to hopscotch around the globe. This Safrans itinerary, which begins and ends in Paris and focuses on classic attractions (the company also offers a more unexpected itinerary that varies its route each time), includes hard-to-reach Rapa Nui, a.k.a. Easter Island. Commercial-air connections to the scrubby territory 3,700 miles off the coast of South America are spotty and often require travelers to linger longer than they might preferservice is solely to Santiago and sometimes just once per week. Our group, by contrast, touches down via private jet and spends Saturday night at a party, the sun setting behind an ominous, wide-eyed moai, one of the monumental figurative sculptures for which Rapa Nui is famous. The next morning, we wake early to race round the 63-square-mile island and see the major sites where these monoliths were carved and installed. From there its back onto the plane for takeoff to Tahiti, the ink on our passport stamps barely dry.

The Airbus A340s full flatbeds.

The itinerary was the clincher for me, says Jane Dowling, who lives in Arizona and runs a research company. Shes traveling alone, as she often has since her partner died. For her, destinations such as Angkor Wat and Sydneytwo other ports of callwere vital; shed had to cancel a pandemic-era trip Down Under. The speedy convenience was also appealing. You can do all this on a cruise ship, but it takes 134 days.

Convenient, yes, but not without hiccups: While hotel dining and accommodations are universally superb, as are the guides in every location, the plane itself is a little tiredindeed, early bookings promised an A321neo rented from La Compagnie before this decades-older A340 was swapped in, offering neither Wi-Fi nor reliable power sources at its seats. Theres a commercial connection from Lima to Cusco, PeruWe left it too late to get a landing slot at Cusco, the pilot tells me later, by way of apologyand its a jarring, cramped slog compared with the comfort of the jet. (Many complain, and a later planned commercial leg, to reach Agra in India, is replaced by a private charter.) The onboard catering is also hit-and-miss. Serving three-course meals often takes hours, and many are disappointed that the fine French dining, touted as a perk to the trip, is underwhelming. One of the grumblers, catering veteran Leslye Staub, jokingly offers to help upgrade the menu on future flights in exchange for free passage. I dont really know what the chefs purpose was, she says after returning home, referring to the onboard menu planner. The only thing that fell short on the trip was the food. Luggage coordination is similarly patchy: Checked bags are slow to be delivered, and the porter service that passengers were promised hasnt materialized. I didnt think I was going to have to handle the luggage as much as I have, says Dowling.

A Safrans guest photographing the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Still, its easy to understand the rise in popularity for this mode of exploration. The pandemic normalized private-jet travel as an option for a wider swath of fliers: Between 2019 and 2021, commercial carriers share of premium travel dropped from 90 percent to 80 percent, according to Alton Aviation Consultancy, while Hamburg-based market-intelligence firm WingX says the number of business jets in the sky has doubled from pre-pandemic levels and now accounts for a quarter of U.S. traffic.

Canny luxury operators, spotting a freshly primed market, swung into action by offering a memorable turnkey vacationthe air cruiseto charter newbies. But while its popularity has increased as of late, the concept itself isnt new. Charter-style trips like this debuted in the late 1980s, and Safrans founder and CEO Guy Bigiaoui ran his first such air cruises in the 1990s, which was around the same time that both TCS and Abercrombie & Kent began operating them.

What youre getting for $100,000 is peace of mind. Youre paying for them to babysit you. Thats a big part of what youre buying.  Henry Harteveldt, an aviation analyst

Anne Epting is senior vice president in charge of those itineraries for A&K now. She emphasizes that, for most, the major appeal is the luxury of the itinerary rather than the hotels or onboard fripperies. Reaching Saint Helena Island, for example, requires specially trained pilots who can handle the wind shears at its airport, precluding ready access, but when A&K offers the chance to visit, its with a Saint Helenaseasoned pilot in the cockpit. Founder Geoffrey Kent, a real-life Indiana Jones (aside from the cut-glass British accent), often leads the A&K air cruises, and the firm will even upgrade local amenities on its guests behalf. In Brazil, we took over a 100-room resort for 60 people and brought in furniture, added bath mats, upgraded the linens, and hired our own chef to work with the local team, says Epting.

Indias Amer Fort

Some travelers prefer an even more tailor-made option: a custom, private air cruise aboard their own jetalbeit a larger, comfier craft than Bruce Jones had planned. Take the man who has done it twice already and is now prepping for a third odyssey, each planned by Cookson Adventures. That client is also a VistaJet customer, and so used one of its planes for both journeys, each around 40 days long. The first followed the Tropic of Cancer, while the second traced the equator; next hell follow the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping off in Madagascar and the Kimberley wilderness in Australia, among other destinations. According to Cookson managing director Nick Davies, such trips can cost anywhere between $500,000 and $10 million. He often designs them so that clients sleep on the plane, then land in the morning in a far-flung locationsay, the Fijian island of Laucala, once owned by Malcolm Forbesto spend the day exploring, perhaps incorporating a luxury picnic with a jaw-dropping view, before sleeping on the plane en route to the next stop. Expedition doctors, videographers, and hosts on the ground to coordinate logistics are typical additions to the entourage.

Safranss Bigiaoui insists that such solo flights miss a key point of this type of trip. Every year, we have a mix of people on the aircraft who would never meetthats part of the richness of the tour, he says. I had a billionaire on board who told me, I could buy the aircraft or the airline, but traveling here, Ill meet people I wont in everyday life. 

A samba show at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro.

A doctor and a videographer are on this Safrans trip, too. Meanwhile, to Bigiaouis assertion, two couples have bonded so well that theyve already planned another joint holiday, albeit a more conventional villa rental. Bigiaoui says this isnt uncommonindeed, clients who met onboard and book again together are one of his best sources of repeat customers.

The sheer distance covered makes air cruises something of a philosophical anomaly in the industry today, where slow travel (spending substantial time in one place, with a more mindful, eco-friendly perspective) is the buzzword. But Bigiaoui bats away concerns over sustainability by noting, somewhat bizarrely, that the average air time for his plane is three hours per dayfar less than were it working a commercial route. We are saving the planet thousands of tons of carbon. This is mathematical, he says, with a Gallic shrug.

A Safrans guest strolling amid the moai on Rapa Nui, a.k.a. Easter Island, Chile.

Yet travel-industry observers flag other issues besides ecological footprint. Its an oxymoron, because the whole point of paying for private travel is to do whatever the heck you want, rather than have a specified itinerary, scoffs Richard Aboulafia, an aviation expert who runs Aerodynamic Advisory. Then theres the cost. Many passengers on this flight, who typically paid around $100,000 per person, consider the ticket price to be a bargain. My wife passed away, and Im affluent enough to do this, says Larry Wheeler, a 68-year-old financial adviser. Noting that he has no children of his own, he adds, So whos going to benefit from my passing? I figured: Screw it, lets bounce the check to the undertaker. Henry Harteveldt, an aviation analyst, calculates that this type of travel, accommodation, and food and beverage, handled independently and using commercially scheduled aircraft, would cost only $75,000 or so per person; even with the convenience and comfort of a private jet, he doesnt consider the trip particularly good value. What youre getting for $100,000 is peace of mind, Harteveldt says. Youre paying for them to babysit you. Thats a big part of what youre buying. He pauses, then adds, and an Instagram-worthy trip thats something to brag about.

Harteveldt raises another issue. Uniquely among operators of this kind, Safrans flies one plane but provides two different experiences simultaneously: Alongside my group, known as Premiere, theres another, less-expensive option dubbed Club, in which a ticket costs about $74,000. (At the time of writing, prices for 2025 had risen to about $108,000 for the Club experience and $152,000 for Premiere.) The groups are kept largely separate from one another, sitting apart on the aircraft and eating different meals. They dont even stay in the same hotels. The Premiere group enjoys extra perks, such as expedited immigration in Peru. The Club touring groups can be larger, too, at up to 25 people each. On the rare occasions when everyone is together outside the plane, as with that party on Rapa Nui, the groups dont mingle, and staying with the Club group in a tired, soulless Hilton hotel on Moorea, in French Polynesia, is a markedly less-lavish experience than the five-star glad-handing enjoyed by Premiere passengers at the Conrad hotel on Bora Bora.

Moorea, French Polynesia.

Harteveldt is flummoxed by this two-tier approach. Im shocked they do that, because one of the premises of these luxury air cruises is that everyone is a VIP, he says. Its anathema to what these trips are supposed to be.

That stop in French Polynesia was particularly poignant for Canadian Larry Wheeler, whose wife died unexpectedly last year. Keen travelers, theyd planned to visit Tahiti together, and he brought some of her ashes to scatter there when he finally touched down. And its impressive to see the Safrans team spring into action when Wheelers passport proves problematic: Thanks to diplomatic spats between Canada and India, hes alone in being barred from India and wont make the final two stops, in Agra and Jaipur. But within 24 hours, he has been rerouted (all at Safranss expense) on a custom private jaunt to Bangkok and Oman. Would I do it again? Absolutely, he says by phone after returning home.

An overwater bungalow at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui in French Polynesia.

Perhaps thats the best gauge of the trips success. Though theres griping around small issuesnearly everyone complains, unprompted, about both the baggage handling and the lackluster onboard foodthe overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive. My biggest conclusion is that the phenomenally fabulous idea of going around the world was pretty great, but its not for pussies, laughs artist Sonia King after finishing the journey. If youre not up to it, it will take it out of you.

The Sydney Opera House.

Arnold Weil has no reservations in recommending it. Everyone on the trip was a veteran traveler, but its arguably the most incredible trip Ive ever taken in my life. It was unequivocally excellent in almost every way, he says from his home in Miami. Weil is a youthful 62-year-old retired orthopedist who lives there with his wife, Glenda. Our group had fun, we were always laughing, and we just clicked. When I think about it, Im almost in tears: We flew in a seaplane over Sydney, rode in rickshaws in Vietnam, and took old classic cars through town in Jaipur. Its one of those experiences you cant even really explain to someone.

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As is typical these days, this food conversation began on TikTok. Users from the United Kingdom were innocently sharing photos of their grub when the Americans emerged, and thus began a clash to rival the Revolution. The metaphorical crates of tea? Chinese takeaway. The metaphorical Boston harbor? Dumbfounded TikTok duets, questioning the very core of the cuisine. The Americans said it was colorless. The Americans said it was entirely fried. The Americans wondered why there were fries served with every meal and what the sauce saturating every plate was.

The questions themselves weren't entirely without merit, even if they did take on the exaggerated nature of much internet discourse. It was just one of those British foods that Americans don't understand. From chicken balls with fried breading and chow mein noodles to fried rice and prawn crackers (what the U.K. gets instead of wontons), a lot of the food has a brownish hue. Equally, fries  or chips, as they're referred to across the pond  are served with many of the meals. And curry sauces of varying colors bathe most of the plates. For those unfamiliar with British Chinese takeaway, the sight was startling, and accusations of inauthenticity quickly joined the mix. But, as is the way of things online, it shouldn't be dismissed in that way, as the cuisine has a nuanced story.

Read more: The Ultimate Ranking Of American Fast Food Restaurants

Chinese Food In Great Britain Has A Long History

Chips covered in curry sauce - Larry Mcguirk/Shutterstock

The story of Chinese cuisine in the U.K. begins in the 1800s and has colonialism at its helm. British trading routes broadened to include Hong Kong and the New Territories (part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), and the shipping expansion led to a number of men from Southern China being hired by English companies and migrating to U.K. port cities. In order to set up a life in their new home, these men started noodle shops for sailors and the Chinese diaspora.

After World War II, laws were changed and there was an influx of immigration, resulting in the number of Chinese restaurants in the U.K. doubling between 1957 and 1964. But many of these restaurants, takeaways in particular, were adaptable and strategic. They didn't just recreate dishes from their respective regions in China, they started fusing them with British staples to please British diners and reach a wider customer base.

If you examine the menus of British Chinese takeaways and British fish-and-chips shops, you'll probably find several similarities. Chips, curry sauce, chicken balls, and even sausages are pretty foundational  and that's no accident. Chinese immigrants who opened restaurants and takeaways leaned into the familiar and thus created a kind of fusion cuisine that endured and became one of the most popular in the U.K.

American Chinese Food Has A Similar Story

Chinese takeaway and prawn crackers - DronG/Shutterstock

Although the unfamiliarity of the dishes to Americans may prove shocking, dismissing British Chinese takeaway as "inauthentic" is reductive. In fact, American Chinese food has a similar historical trajectory  the cuisine was sparked by immigration in the mid-1800s. As the food became more widespread, it began garnering backlash for its anomalous nature in the midst of accepted "American" foods. Over the years, dishes went through periods of Americanization, veering toward sweetness instead of spice to please local palates. This is why Chinese food tastes different in America.

It isn't a question of whether British fast food or American fast food is better. American Chinese food and British Chinese food are both the product of a need to survive and thrive in an unfamiliar place where the majority of locals wanted the familiar and rejected the "alien." Both cuisines are their own entities, versatile fusions of cultures that tell long and complex stories. Even if the flavors and aesthetics apparently don't speak to the online consumers in the States, British Chinese food is a principle piece of the United Kingdom's culinary landscape.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
A helicopter tour of Table Rock Lake impoundment and more in the latest Manitowoc outdoors report

This helicopter is the one we toured the Table Rock Lake impoundment on in Branson, Missouri. The pilot was very good at explaining what we were flying over as we made our way over Table Rock Lake.

Mary and I just returned from a trip to Branson, Missouri, and as always, I seek out things in nature that trigger my interests.

On one of the days, we took a helicopter ride to tour the Table Rock Lake impoundment.

The visible part of the dam that creates this impoundment lake is 1,602 feet wide, 252 feet tall and the top thickness of the concrete for the dam is 35 feet wide.

The total width of the structure is 4,821 feet wide, which includes the earthen buffers that help hold the dam in place, which is only a few hundred feet short of a mile.

Mary snapped this photo of the hydroelectric dam at Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, just to show the size of the structure. The impoundment has 67.34 square miles of surface water.

The dam has 10 spillways and turns six electric turbines. The electricity from two of the turbines goes just for operating the dam itself. The other four turbines generate power that goes directly into the grid.

Table Rock Lake is fed by the White River, James River and Kings River systems. This impoundment has 43,100 acres of surface water  67.34 square miles of lake surface. The facility generates more than 50,000 kilowatts of electricity for the grid.

Not only is this a power-generating machine, but it also serves as a freshwater source for drinking water for many communities.

Of course, big waters like this become a sportsmans paradise. Some of the fish species in the lake include walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish and more.

The helicopter pilot was very good. He recognized my blindness immediately and explained to me how the areas were lined up with chalets people can rent out. He also pointed out they had a beautiful sand beach. However, that country is all rock, so sand had to be trucked in to make the beach. Dozens of boat launch ramps were also created to help the fishermen get their boats in and out of the lake.

Read last week's column: Mishicots Fischer Schaus placed 9th in national high school clay target tournament

Morgan Siebert puts up great scores at Wisconsin State Shoot

Morgan Siebert learned to shoot trap at the Maribel Sportsmens Club and became an excellent shot. Siebert now attends Midland University in Nebraska and competes on the Midland University shotgun sports team. Now a senior, Siebert is keeping up with her shooting this summer and putting up some great scores. Heres how she did at the ATA Wisconsin State Shoot: Lady 1, Champion White Flyer handicapped; Lady 1 HOA runner-up; overall champion runner-up White Flyer handicapped; Lady 1 runner-up Diamond 8 Leather Doubles; Lady 1 runner-up Eau Claire Rod and Gun Doubles; and sixth place overall Wisconsin Handicapped Championship. The weekend before, she also shot in the North Bristol Buckle Shoot and was lady singles champion.

Challenge The Outdoors to hold grand opening

Challenge The Outdoors invites everyone to the grand opening of its new facilities Aug. 18, courtesy of Challenge The Outdoors and Steve and Kristi Nooyen of Home Instead Senior Care.

The commemoration will be of a new home at Peters Pond, N2647 Cherry Drive, Pulaski, on the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 160.

Doors will be open 1-5 p.m. with a program at 3 p.m.

Food, refreshments, fishing and tours will be included.

Learn more at ctoforme.org and see what CTO offers its physically challenged members.

Tickets on sale for Woodland Dunes Heiknbrew

Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve in Two Rivers has Heiknbrew tickets on sale now.

The event sold out last year, so people are urged to order tickets sooner rather than later.

The night will include nine craft brew stations and three wine stations along the Woodland Dunes trails, plus food, a bucket raffle and live music by Glo and Joe.

The event runs 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 and is for ages 21 and older only. Funds raised support nature-based education programs and conservation efforts on the 1,500-acre preserve.

To purchase tickets, go to https://www.woodlanddunes.org/heiknbrew-sept-6-2024/.

Maribel club gears up for fall trap leagues

Maribel Sportsmans Club will start its fall trap leagues with open trap Aug. 18 and Aug. 20.

The eight-week league will then start Aug. 25 and Aug. 27.

The youth trap league will also start at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 25.

Shoto club offers scholarships

Shoto Conservation Club is offering three $1,500 scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year.

Students must be entering their junior or senior year of college pursuing a career in the sciences or wildlife environmental field.

Go to shotoconservationclub.org and click on annual scholarships. Deadline to apply is Aug. 31.

Read more Bob Schuh: Click here to read more Scoping the Great Outdoors columns by Bob Schuh

Maribel club cancels Lewis shoot

Because of some scheduling confusion, the Lewis shoot at Maribel Sportsmans Club that was slated for Aug. 17 will not be happening.

Thats it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.

Outdoors columnist Bob Schuhs Scoping the Great Outdoors column appears each Sunday in the Herald Times Reporter. He can be reached at 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Helicopter tour of Table Rock Lake impoundment and more outdoors news
Here's a roundup of our top stories from the past week.

With a subscription to the Pensacola News Journal, you will receive full access to the work done by our journalists and photographers as they head out every day to help inform and explain the important issues affecting your community.

A new development project could bring up to 6 businesses under one roof on West Nine Mile

A new project proposal hopes to create a single-story building with over 10,000 square feet and multiple tenant spaces on West Nine Mile Road.

A new commercial strip mall called 9 Mile Plaza could be developed on West Nine Mile Road following a project proposal submitted to Escambia Countys Development Review Committee in late July.

Developers want to create a single-story, 10,400-square-foot building that will hold multiple commercial businesses, along with 38 parking spaces and a single access road leading onto West Nine Mile Road.

The proposed site of the project is 2.31 acres, according to its DRC application, however only 1.51 acres will be disturbed. Their current plan is to create six spaces within the building, according to the projects site plan filed with Escambia County.

Keep reading: New development project could bring up to 6 businesses under one roof on West Nine Mile

Pensacola bars: 6 of the most unique, from a secret tiki bar to a 70s inspired arcade

USA TODAY released its first-ever 2024 USA TODAY Bars of the Year list last week, tracking down some of the best beach bars, dives and swanky cocktail lounges across the country. Perdido Keys famous Flora-Bama scored a spot on the list. But if youve lived in Pensacola long enough, you know there are plenty more weird and wonderful bars to explore.

From a retro arcade bar to a secret tiki bar on the sand  weve compiled six of the most memorable bars in the Pensacola area to add to your local bucket list. Cheers!

Keep reading: Pensacola bars: 6 of the most unique, from a secret tiki bar to a 70s inspired arcade

Hard Rock reveals Reverb hotel part of proposed Maritime Park project

Renderings show what a proposed apartment and hotel development at Community Maritime Park would look like if a lease is approved by the City Council.

Hard Rock International announced that its Reverb hotel brand will be part of the planned hotel and apartment development at Community Maritime Park  a day before the Pensacola City Council approved the lease.

In a press release posted on PR Newswire, Hard Rock International announced the company will break ground on the new hotel in 2026 with the Dawson Company, also known as Inspired Communities of Florida, and open in 2029 even though the City Council doesn't vote on the lease until Thursday night.

Keep reading: Hard Rock reveals Reverb hotel part of proposed Maritime Park project

Pensacola's favorite food truck has been determined. Here's who won.

With almost 4,000 votes cast, Pensacola has named its favorite food truck  The Smokin Jokers BBQ.

Over the past month, we asked our readers to nominate their favorite food trucks for another March Madness-style bracket. We received nearly 800 nominations for about 80 food trucks in the area.

The 16 food trucks that made the cut included a few fan favorites, some well-known Pensacola institutions and a surprising number of newcomers. The latter shouldnt come as a shock to foodies, though.

Keep reading: Pensacola's favorite food truck has been determined. Here's who won.

Affordable housing for veterans and low-income residents to replace old Motor Lodge

Pensacola approved a lease to build 84 affordable housing units on the old Pensacola Motor Lodge property on Monday.

The deal calls for 42 units to be available to active-duty military or veterans, an additional 42 units to anyone with eligible income levels, and at least five of the units to be rented to homeless veterans.

All units will be one-bedroom and 15 units will be rented at 30% of area median income or below, 26 units will be rented at 60% area median income or below and 43-units at 80% of area median income or below for the entire duration of the 99-year lease.

The Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency voted 7-0 on Monday to approve the lease with Smith and Henzy Affordable Group.

Keep reading: Affordable housing for veterans and low-income residents to replace old Motor Lodge

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola top stories: New Hard Rock hotel and unique bars
A pair of friends received quite the surprise when one of their dogs spotted an endangered seabird during a walk on a United Kingdom beach, leading to a dramatic rescue.

As detailed by the Northumberland Gazette, Aleks Sle was strolling along Craster Beach with her dog, Dante, and friend Alex Farley when Dante's hunting instincts apparently kicked in.

"Suddenly he just paused, and he did his little pointer pose with his paw up and just wouldn't budge. I didn't see what he was seeing, but he just refused to move," Aleks told the Gazette. "We thought: 'Is that a paper bag? Is it a bit of rubbish?' Then Alex said, 'I think it's a bird.'  I went to check closer, and he was just sitting in the sand."

As the friends learned, Dante's discovery wasn't any bird. It was a puffin. Once thriving in Europe, the adorable creatures commonly depicted in children's books are now in trouble, having been listed as endangered on the continent since 2015.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, extreme weather (which has become more frequent and severe because of a warming planet) is one of the key threats, destroying their nests and causing mass mortality events. Invasive species, unsustainable fishing practices, and marine pollution are factors as well, while rising global temperatures have impacted their food supply.

After realizing the puffin was in trouble, the friends didn't hesitate to take action. They called Blyth Wildlife Rescue so someone could transfer the bird to a rehabilitation center  following expert advice that recommends calling in professionals for animal rescues.

However, as they waited, there was a problem: There were a number of dogs on the beach, and Dante, too, was dangerously curious about the creature, now named Inferno.

So, while Alex held Dante's leash, Aleks used her hoodie to pick up Inferno and cradled the puffin until a rescue volunteer arrived.

"He was quite alert, and he was trying to beat me through the hoodie, so I'm hoping it's a good outcome," Aleks told the Gazette.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
See Some of the Most Impressive Diamond Discoveries Made at Arkansas State Park in the Last 5 Years!

Those who visit Crater of Diamonds can search a 37-acre field" for various rocks, minerals and gemstones to take home with them

Arkansas State Parks (3) Three diamonds found Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas in the last five years.

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is a treasure trove of jewels.

Located in Murfreesboro, the state park offers a one-of-a-kind experience to those looking to dig up their own diamonds, as noted on its website.

Those who visit Crater of Diamonds can search a 37-acre field, which happens to be the eroded surface of a volcanic crater, for various rocks, minerals and gemstones that visitors can take home with them.

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.

Heres a look at some of the most impressive discoveries made at the state park over the last few years.

Nebraska Teacher Finds 2.12-Carat Diamond During Family Vacation

Discovered: July 24, 2019

Josh Lanik, a 36-year-old teacher from Hebron, Nebraska, discovered a 2.12-carat diamond near the southwest edge of Crater of Diamonds State Park while on a family vacation in July 2019.

Lanik found the diamond after about two hours of searching, Arkansas State Parks said in a press release at the time.

Crater of Diamonds State Park Josh Lanik.

It was blatantly obvious there was something different about it, Lanik said. I saw the shine, and when I picked it up and rolled it in my hand, I noticed there werent any sharp edges.

The diamond was about the size of a jellybean and was a dark brown color similar to brandy, according to Park Interpreter Waymon Cox. He believed the diamond was one of many unearthed after about 14 inches of rain fell in the area about a week prior.

Related: 170-Carat Pink Diamond May Be Largest Gem of its Type Found in 300 Years

Arkansas Man Finds Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found at the Park

Discovery date: Sept. 7, 2020

The diamond Kevin Kinard found on Labor Day in 2020 is the second-largest ever found in the park's history.

The 33-year-old originally thought the object he found was a piece of glass  but it was actually a 9.07-carat diamond, according to Arkansas State Parks.

Arkansas State Parks Kevin Kinard

This was the first time Kinard had ever found a diamond after regularly visiting the park since he first went there on a second-grade field trip.

I would have never in a million years dreamed that I had found anything, Kinard said at the time.

Related: Diamond Believed to Be the World's Third Largest Unearthed in Botswana

Washington Man Mining for Engagement Ring Materials Finds 2.2-Carat Diamond



Discovery date: May 7, 2021



Christian Liden, 26, found a 2.20-carat yellow diamond while searching for engagement ring materials at the state park.

The Washington man began dreaming of creating his own engagement ring for his bride-to-be in eighth grade, according to the state park.

Related: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Show Off Her New Engagement Ring on $500M Yacht  See Photos!

the state parks of Arkansas Christian Liden.

"I saw it shining as soon as I turned the screen over and immediately knew it was a diamond," Liden said at the time. "I was shaking so bad, I asked my buddy to grab it out of the gravel for me!"

Linden also spent five years panning for gold, and eventually found enough to make the band of the ring.



Calif. Woman Finds 4.38-Carat Diamond While Exploring with her Husband

Discovery date: Sept. 23, 2021

Noreen Wredberg, of Granite Bay, Calif., found a 4.38-carat yellow diamond while walking through the Crater of Diamonds State Park with her husband Michael in September 2021.

Arkansas State Parks said the couple, who retired in 2011, spotted the sparkling gem on top of the ground and brought it to the parks Diamond Discovery Center for identification.

"I didn't know it was a diamond then, but it was clean and shiny, so I picked it up," Noreen said at the time. "We really didn't think we would find one, let alone something that big!"

Related: Ancient City Unearthed in Iraq After Extreme Drought Dries up Tigris River, Archeologists Say

Arkansas State Parks Noreen Wredberg.

Local Man Unearths 'Big, Ugly' 3.29-Carat Diamond, Largest Since 2021

Discovery date: March 4, 2023

David Anderson, who lives in Murfreesboro, found a 3.29-carat brown diamond while wet-sifting soil in March 2023.

The diamond was the largest found at the park since the 4.38-carat gem was found in September 2021, per Arkansas State Parks.

The State Parks of Arkansas Facebook David Anderson.

"At first I thought it was quartz but wondered why it was so shiny," he said at the time. "Once I picked it up, I realized it was a diamond!"

Anderson also previously found a 3.83-carat yellow diamond in December 2011 and a 6.19-carat white diamond in April 2014, the park said.

Related: 119-Year-Old Shipwreck Unearthed by Hurricane Michael: 'Mother Nature Has a Mind of Her Own'

Another Arkansas Man Mistakes Diamond for Piece of Glass

Discovery date: Spring 2023

A second Arkansas man nearly mistook a diamond for a piece of glass in the spring of 2023. This time, the diamond was 4.87 carats in size.

Jerry Evans found the diamond within the first 10 minutes of visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park with his girlfriend, according to a news release.

Arkansas.gov Jerry Evans found the 4.87-carat diamond in 2023.

He later sent the stone to the Gemological Institute of America for identification, and learned it was more than just glass. Cox said Evans diamond was a complete crystal.

When they called and told me it was real, I was tickled to death, Evans said at the time.

Related: Man Finds 4.49-Carat Canary Diamond in Same Ark. Park Where a 9-Carat Diamond Was Unearthed

7-Year-Old Girl Finds 2.95-Carat Diamond While Celebrating Her Birthday

Discovery date: Sept. 1, 2023

Aspen Brown, a 7-year-old girl from Paragould, found a 2.95-carat golden brown diamond while celebrating her birthday at the park with her family on Sept. 1, Arkansas State Parks said.

The girl was resting with her father and grandmother when she made the stunning discovery, according to KAIT.

Arkansas State Parks Seven-year-old Aspen Brown, of Paragould, visited Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro on Sept. 1 and left with a 2.95-carat golden brown diamond.

She got hot and wanted to sit down for a minute, so she walked over to some big rocks by the fence line, Aspens father Luther Brown told the outlet. Next thing I know, she was running to me, saying Dad! Dad! I found one. 

Cox told KAIT the diamond was a complete crystal, adding, Its certainly one of the most beautiful diamonds Ive seen in recent years.

Related: What May Be the Largest Dinosaur Skeleton Ever Found in Europe Gets Discovered in Man's Backyard in Portugal

Tourist Names 7.46-Carat Diamond He Found After His Fiancee

Discovery date: January 2024

Julien Navas, who lives in Paris, found a 7.46-carat diamond in early 2024. He spent hours searching through muddy conditions, caused by rain days earlier, before he found the gumdrop-shaped diamond.

The diamond was the eighth-largest registered at the park since 1972.

Arkansas State Parks Julien Navas

Navas opted to name it the Carine Diamond, after his fiancee, and also plans to have the stone cut into two pieces: one for his partner and one for his daughter.

It is a magical place, where the dream of finding a diamond can come true!" he said. "It was a real great adventure."



Dad and Son on a Road Trip Find Second-Largest Diamond at State Park of 2024

Discovery date: July 27, 2024

Will and Marshall Barnett, of Arizona, were visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park on July 27, 2024 while on a boys week road trip when they found a two-carat, rectangular diamond while sifting through dirt.

The diamond is about the size of a pencil eraser and is light brown color resembling iced tea. It is the second-largest found at the park this year.

Crater of Diamonds State Park Di Will and Marshall Barnett with the diamond they found in July 2024

You could tell they knew they had found something special from the smiles on their faces, said Park Interpreter Ashlyn Keys in a statement.

Not only was this the 412th diamond registered at ASP this year, it was also the 36,500th diamond registered since Crater of Diamonds became a state park in 1972.

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From a tinted moisturizer that makes skin look flawless to a strengthening hair oil.

Target

The memes about not being able to leave Target with just what you came for and the romanticization of Target runs? I have never known these as I grew up in Target-less cities. I still didnt get it when they started popping up in New York City. My friends explained that its because theyre supposed to be these very large locations, full of every product you can think of, with an air that encourages endless meandering. (The opposite of anything and everything that exists in NYC.)

The online experience was not especially enthralling eitheruntil recently that is. Target has been continually popping up when Im looking for an everyday eyeshadow, affordable lip mask, and the like. So much so that one day I pursued its digital aisles for an hour resulting in a cart packed with a dozen products. In the interest of financial responsibility, I whittled that down to three products; Naturiums Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter, Ogxs Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Healing Dry Oil, and Cliniques Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator Tinted Moisturizer.

Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter

Target

$22 at howl.me

This is actually a repurchase. I finished a tub of this Naturium body butter about a year ago and have been in mourning since. Its always sold out on the brands website so it was a double surprise to see it on Target and in stock.

It has the richness of a butter but the smoothness and glide of an oil. It spreads across my skin effortlessly and is absorbed within a matter of minutes. It doesnt leave behind a residue of any sort but it does leave behind a slight sheen, a glisten on your gams. Naturiums Glow Getter Body Butter feels like an indulgent treat three times as expensive as it actually is.

Ogx Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Healing Dry Oil

Target

$8 at howl.me

I was a late convert to the world of hair oils, so Im making up for lost time by trying everything I can. This Ogx oil is a no-brainer. First, its $8 which is the price of my post-tip ice latte. Second, argan oil is a GOATed hair care ingredientit fosters a healthy scalp leading to glistening strands, protects from external damage, and heals breakage and split ends. Third, it has thousands of five-star ratings.

The review that sold me is from a shopper with pretty dead hair as a result of bleaching it more than half a dozen times. Ever since I started using this [my hair] is smooth and shiny and not split up. My coworkers keep asking me if I just got my hair done.

Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator Tinted Moisturizer

Target

$44 at howl.me

Ive been in my Clinique bag ever since trying its new Black Honey Mascara; the formula had a wow factor that surprised me, and now Im inspired to try more of its products starting with this tinted moisturizer.

Its a multi-tasking makeup/skin care product that I especially love during the summerthe fewer layers the better. Its moisturizing (hyaluronic acid), soothes skin (aloe vera), and has SPF 25 sun protection. As for the tint? Its subtle but has a transformative flawless finish that never fails to garner compliments, at least according to pleased reviewers.



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1 dead, 6 others hurt after driver crashes into SUV head-on in front of Hall County grocery store

A 63-year-old man has died after a head-on collision in Gainesville Saturday afternoon.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Just after 4:30 p.m., Georgia State Patrol were called to a multi-vehicle crash on State Route 53 along Winder Highway in the area of Strickland Road. The wreck happened in front of the Ingles Grocery Store.

Troopers learned that a Honda HR-V, driven by Juan de Dios Ramirez, 63, of Gainesville, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of the divided highway.

GSP said Ramirez hit a westbound GMC Acadia, driven by Kyle Fendlay, 52, of Manchester, MD, head-on, causing the Acadia to flip.

Andy Mijangos, 21, of Lawrenceville, who was driving a Toyota Camry was following behind the Acadia and swerved to avoid the wreck.

Mijangos drove off of the north shoulder and hit a curb, according to GSP.

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Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fendlay, his wife, and four children were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. Mijangos was uninjured.

Authorities said the westbound lanes of Winder Highway were closed for two hours for the investigation. At this time, impairment is being investigated as a possible contributing factor, officials said.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
The number of registered Republican voters in Florida officially surpassed Democrats by more than 1 million on Sunday, a milestone reflecting political shifts in the Sunshine State and the largest margin for the GOP since the late 1980s.

The newest figures  based on up-to-date numbers from county election supervisors  showed 5.33 million active Republican voters, compared to 4.33 million Democrats  a difference of 1,000,024 voters early Sunday. That means Republicans make up about 39% of Floridas voters, compared to about 32% for Democrats.

A significant number of voters in Florida, 3.92 million, or about 29%, are affiliated with no political party or the minor parties.

These are among the factors that drove Republican gains, or held back Democrats, according to interviews with experts and voters:

Shifting political views across Florida, once considered a battleground swing state, where Republicans now control the governors office, both houses in the Legislature, both U.S. Senate offices and 18 of 30 congressional seats. This is notable among Hispanic voters, especially in South Florida, who have newly embraced conservative themes and championed the GOPs descriptions of Democrats as socialists.

A Republican-backed law, which took effect last year, cracking down on outside voter registration organizations, which historically enrolled Black, Hispanic and college-age voters. These are groups that traditionally skew Democratic. The law imposes expensive fines up to $250,000 on groups that miss tight new deadlines or employ felons or non-citizens to help register voters. Most such third-party organizations have effectively shut down their operations in Florida.

Florida becoming a destination for conservatives moving from elsewhere in the United States. The states population has passed 23 million for the first time, adding roughly 600,000 people who move to Florida every year for the past decade, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Progressives, especially LGBTQ families, who moved out of Florida over GOP-backed laws and policies that made them uneasy, or residents who struggled with rising housing and insurance costs. About 450,000 each year move out of Florida, according to the chambers figures.

Florida is a closed primary state, meaning a voter cant cast a ballot in a Republican or Democratic primary unless the voter is registered in that party: Some voters change party affiliation strategically  which is allowed  to vote for or against candidates they otherwise couldnt. The states Democrats canceled Floridas presidential primary in March.

Gregory Wareham, 20, of Lake City, a finance senior at the University of Florida, switched earlier this year from the Democratic Party to the GOP because he said his values shifted after spending time in conservative circles.

I decided to switch over because when I initially registered to vote out of high school, I held values that aligned more with the Democratic Party, Wareham said.

Southern states like Florida were becoming more conservative, said Lonna Atkeson, a political scientist and director of the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University.

[People] dont want to live in California anymore, or maybe they dont want to live in Florida anymore, so those people who dont want to live here are moving out, Atkeson said.

People moving into the state align themselves with more conservative views and people moving out tend to have more liberal views, Atkeson said.

Since the last presidential election  when Donald Trump won in Florida 51-48 percent four years ago  Republicans have now become the dominant political party in eight more of the states 67 counties, such as Pinellas County, which includes the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, and St. Lucie County along the states East Coast north of West Palm Beach.

That means Republicans now make up majorities in 57 of 67 counties.

The other GOP-flipped counties since 2020 are in the Panhandle and across northern Florida, which is now redder than ever: Calhoun, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Liberty and Madison counties.

If you look at what the Democrats are trying to sell people, they are not interested in it, Evan Power, the chairman of the Republican Party in Florida, said in an interview during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Theyve become radicalized, they move far to the left and people do not want to be a part of a radical left agenda.

Democrats were the majority party among voters in 18 counties during the last presidential election but now only in 10. Even in those 10 counties, Republicans showed gains among voters in eight since January. Democrats since January lost voters in all but one of those same counties, tiny Gadsden County west of Tallahassee and the states only county with more Black than white residents.

Democrats still hold comfortable margins in some of Floridas biggest, urban counties:

Miami-Dade, home to the states largest block of nearly 1.5 million voters, where Democrats make up about 35% of voters and Republicans make up 31%.

Broward, one of Floridas bluest counties, where Democrats hold a commanding over 45% of more than 1.1 million voters compared to Republicans with 23%.

Palm Beach, home to Trump, where Democrats make up over 37% of more than 866,000 voters and Republicans have 32%.

Orange and neighboring Osceola, where Republicans make up only about 27% of more than 1 million voters, and Democrats make up 39%.

Republicans still trail but have narrowed margins to make it closer in two of Floridas biggest counties: Hillsborough, which includes Tampa, and Duval, which includes Jacksonville.

Republican incumbents Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio easily beat their Democratic challengers in both counties two years ago, although Trump lost there in 2020.

Ron DeSantis and this extreme Republican Party have done everything possible to suppress voters, change voting laws, whether it is the complete wipeout of our vote by mail registrations, to making it more difficult for minority organizations to go out and do voter registration, Nikki Fried, head of the Florida Democratic Party, said in an interview.

Fried said Democrats plan to mobilize the party by getting people interested and re-engaging inactive voters. She doesnt think the number of registered Republican voters will translate to people going to the polls.

Kevin Wagner, a pollster and researcher at Florida Atlantic University, said party registration is a good predictor of voter turnout, but that doesnt guarantee that voters will actually show up.

Its not necessarily clear what turnout is going to look like, so just because you have more registered voters doesnt mean youll have more voters on Election Day, Wagner said. Its important to not get so fixated on registration numbers and spend a little more time on turnout numbers, because your vote is only important if you cast it.

One example? Democrats in Miami-Dade voted in far fewer numbers in 2022 than Republicans there. What had been a Democratic stronghold along the states Gold Coast suddenly looked red  despite big margins for Democrats in voter registrations  as Republicans DeSantis and Rubio easily swept the vote there. DeSantis was the first GOP gubernatorial candidate to do that in Miami-Dade in 20 years

.Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, has been monitoring voter data for months from the states 67 county election offices to calculate exactly when Republicans would cross the 1 million advantage threshold. It happened Sunday, after trending toward the GOP for months.

The new figures include only registered voters defined as active, meaning someone who voted in the last two elections and whose address was verified.

Rhonda Sue Sammon, 70, a retiree from Grant-Valkaria along Floridas Atlantic Coast, switched her party registration to Republican to vote against Trump in the presidential primaries. Her husband did the same. She plans to change her registration back to no party affiliation after Novembers elections.

We are not fans of Mr. Trump, she said. Im currently dismayed that the GOP hasnt done a better job of trying to groom other candidates, younger ones, ones that are more measured and balanced, more middle of the road. Trump is divisive, and hes not the kind of leader that I think that America deserves.

Nearly 200 miles away, on Floridas other coast, Thomas Belcher, 88, of Sarasota and 40 other residents in a senior living development changed their party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

The reason? The sister of Michael Flynn, the controversial national security adviser during Trumps presidency, was running for a seat on the board that oversees the prestigious Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The move will allow them to vote Aug. 20 against Mary Flynn ONeill, who objected to how the hospital handled the pandemic.

The deadline to register for the November elections is Oct. 7.

A previous version of this article had incorrect percentages for Republican and Democratic registered voters in Florida, along with voters with no party affiliation. It has been updated to reflect the correct percentages.

Matthew Cupelli and Kirsten Maselka contributed to this reporting during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The reporter can be reached at landerson2@ufl.edu. You can donate to support our students here.
DENVER (KDVR)  One person suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds and another person sustained non-life-threatening stab injuries after an argument in an Aurora parking lot early Sunday turned physical, according to police.

The Aurora Police Department said officers responded to a housing complex in the 13700 block of East 4th Avenue at around 1:20 a.m. on a report of a shooting.

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Police said several people were gathered in the parking lot of the complex when an argument turned physical.

One man was shot multiple times and taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A second man was stabbed during the altercation. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One person was detained, and the investigation is ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
15 years ago a GA woman was abducted, remains found in woods. Her killer still hasnt been caught

Today marks 15 years since Kristi Cornwell, 38, was abducted while walking down a Union County road. Authorities are still searching for answers.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

It was Kristi Cornwells brother who found her remains in a wooded area off Moccasin Road in Blairsville on January 1, 2011.

Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had told the Cornwell family that they were planning to search the area again in January where Cornwell disappeared while walking near her parents Union County home. The GBI said it was just waiting until they had enough manpower after the holidays.

But Cornwells brother, Richard, didnt want to wait any longer, and went out to that wooded area during that weekend, and found his sister.

Were thankful that Kristi can now have a proper burial, said Richard Cornwell.

Hopefully this discovery will bring some closure to the family as far as knowing where their daughter is, said GBI spokesman John Bankhead.

TRENDING STORIES:

Authorities said they had a suspect in Kristi Cornwells disappearance, but he was dead.

Investigators said James Carringer, 42, killed himself inside a car during a standoff with Atlanta police in Buckhead.

The standoff shut down Peachtree between Deering Road and 26th Street for several hours. Police had cornered him after they said he abducted and raped a Kennesaw State University student in Gilmer County.

The GBI said it hasnt given up.

There is some information about Mr. Carringer that we havent released to the public that he may be involved in Kristis disappearance, said Bankhead.

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In December 2009, one of the things that caught investigators attention was the proximity of Carringers home in north Georgia to the place where Cornwell disappeared, and to cases in other states including the attempted abduction of a 10-year-old Alabama girl, and the near-abduction of a woman in North Carolina.

In January of 2010, the Cherokee County, NC Sheriffs Office and the Union County Sheriffs Office received an anonymous letter from a woman who said the sketch of the Ranger suspect looked like her grandson and that the grandson drove a Nissan Xterra. Her grandson was in that area of western North Carolina during the time of both incidents.

The GBI continues to seek information about Cornwells abduction and murder. Anyone with information is urged to contact the GBI Tipline at 800-597-8477 or call the Union County Sheriffs Office at 706-439-6066.

IN OTHER NEWS:




Former President Donald Trump has spewed so much dumpster fire untruths that various news outlets and organizations had to pull an analysis to track his lies over the years.



The list of things hes lied about goes on from criminalizing immigrants, spewingharmful stereotypes about every nonwhite group in America, giving misleading information about the COVID-19 virus to proclaiming the 2020 primary election was stolen from him. Between The Washington Post, PolitiFact and many more Trumps been caught in more than 3,000 lies to date.



Though seemingly silly on the surface, Trumps lies are not only false but dangerous because there are more people than we realize who believe his words as Bible. That said, heres 17 of his most bogus claims.

The only thing more RIGGED than the 2020 Presidential Election is the FAKE NEWS SUPPRESSED MEDIA. No matter how big or important the story, if it is even slightly positive for us, or negative for them, it will not be reported!

Photo: Spencer Platt (Getty Images)

To be honest, wed be here all day if we had to list all of Trumps stolen election claims. According to an Associated Press review of the votes, there was no evidence found that the states he lost factored in votes from imaginary people. Biden won fair and square by a margin of 74 electoral votes per CNN.



Theyll confiscate privately owned firearms. They want to take away your guns.

Photo: Win McNamee (Getty Images)

Trumps comment about guns was made December 2020, an attempt to discredit those who questioned the the Second Amendment because of mass shootings concerns. Per WashPo, Biden never suggested gun laws mean taking guns away from their rightful owners. He campaigned on more thorough background checks and banning regular Joe Shmoes from owning assault-style rifles.



Obama spied on our campaign - and got caught!

Photo: Paul ELLIS / AFP (Getty Images)

In his seemingly obsessive tirade against former President Barack Obama, Trump falsely claimed in a foolish conspiracy that Obama put a wiretap on him following a meeting Obama had with the FBI in 2017 to discuss the transfer of classified information to the incoming national security advisor, per WashPo. Trump translated this to treason (?????).



For 47 years Joe Biden viciously attacked black Americans. He called young black men super predators all the time.

Umm... did he though. I mean, we wouldve been all over that if that was the case. Trump was mixing up Biden for Hillary Clinton who used the term super predator in a speech referring to those who would be targeted by the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act that essentially waged war on young Black Americans. Quote correctly, Trump.

[Immigrants] are coming from prisons, theyre coming from jails, theyre coming from mental institutions and insane asylums.

Photo: John Moore (Getty Images)

Wrong again. In another sloppy attempt to paint illegal immigrants from Mexico as senile criminals, Trump falsely touted these folks emerged from insane asylums. No, sir. They quite frankly came from the southern border, according to PBS. You know, where he tried to build that wall?



They talk about a relatively small number of people that went to the Capitol and in many cases were ushered in by the police.

Photo: Olivier DOULIERY / AFP (Getty Images)

Small?!?!?!? Even though he was hiding in the confines of the White House, Trump knew damn well that crowd was not small. According to Capitol Police, there were over 250,000 people who showed up on Jan 6. Also, authorities confirmed (multiple times) that these rioters were not given a red carpet entrance into the building. Hundreds of videos show them breaking windows and beating down doors to get inside.



If you look at Martin Luther King, when he did his speech, his great speech, and you look at ours, same real estate, same everything, the same number of people, if not, we had more. They said he had a million people, but I had 25,000 people.

Photo: AmoneyResists (X)

*Face palm* Trump then wanted to claim his Stop The Steal Rally turnout was being larger than Dr. Martin Luther Kings March on Washington crowd. While Trump saw 53,000 supporters show up, per USA TODAY, King drew 250,000. Dont compare where you dont compete.



The problem they have is theyre radical because they will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month, and even after birth, after birth.

Photo: Brandon Bell (Getty Images)

He could at least try to make his lies make a little bit of sense. Abortions dont count for children who are... born. For clarification, no state opposing abortion laws have made it legal to kill children after birth.



We dont have a free and fair press. Our media is not free, its not fare. It suppresses thought, it suppresses speech, and its become the enemy of the people. Its become the enemy of the people.

Photo: Kevin Hagen (Getty Images)

Trump only slammed the media for being fake news when he got called out on his bull. As long as youre not Faux Media, consider yourself fake and unfair in his eyes.



I dont care about Twitter. Twitters bad news.

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris (Getty Images)

Oh yeah? Then why did he spend majority of his presidency twiddling his thumbs on Twitter with the caps lock on? Also, he received open support from Elon Musk just upon the transition of him taking over the platform which is now X. Musk even reinstated his account after it got banned. Boy bye!



The fact is that his big kill on the Black people is the millions of people that hes allowed to come through the border. Theyre taking Black jobs now.

Photo: Scott Olson (Getty Images)

Riddle me this... whats a Black job? During his shameful interview at NABJs conference this summer, he defined a Black job as anybody that has a job. For clarification, no evidence suggests undocumented immigrants are pulling Black employment rates down, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.



Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy. I finished it.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images)

In reference to his tirade against former President Barack Obama and whether he was born in the United States, Trump put his birther suspicions to bed by using Clinton as a scapegoat. President Barack Obama was born in the United States, period, he said like a mic-drop moment at the end of a rally.



I never called John (McCain) a loser.

Oh yeah? So, why in 2015 was Trump flapping his jaws in a clip saying he didnt like McCain after he lost the primary to Obama because he didnt like losers? He makes it so easy to catch him in a lie.

[Biden is] against God, religion.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images)

This is some BIG talk coming from a man who defiled the Christian Bible by publishing another one with his own nationalist, MAGA spin on it. However, Biden, the dedicated Catholic, goes to mass regularly, just held a prayer the National Prayer Breakfast at the White House a few months ago and has never, to date, implied being against the Bible or the constitutional right to freedom of religion.



Nobody was killed on Jan. 6.

(From left to right) Officer Brian Sicknick, Ashli Babbitt and Kevin Greeson - Screenshot: KTLA

Tell that to the families of Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt who was shot by a Capitol Officer, Kevin D. Greeson who died of a heart attack, Rosanne Boyland who was crushed in a stampede, Benjamin Philips who died of a stroke, Officer Brian Sicknick who was killed by the mob and Officers Jeffrey Smith and Howard Liebengood who both committed suicide after the attack, per The New York Times.

Like, how dare you?

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?

Photo: Kenny Holston-Pool (Getty Images)

While addressing the NABJ convention this summer, Trump pulled this stupid comment out. What do you mean happened to turn Black? How many times do we have to explain where she gets her color from?! Harris mother was Indian and her father is Black Jamaican. End of story. Move on!



Let me begin by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. Remember the word? Remember? We started five years ago, and I said, Youre gonna be saying Christmas again. We say it proudly again. Although theyll, theyll be trying to take that word again out of the vocabulary. Were not gonna let em do that....they even want to take away your beautiful Christmas that we just got back.

Photo: Drew Angerer (Getty Images)

Trump was so desperate in 2020 to push this radical woke politics narrative that he took to claiming the left influenced stores to stop celebrating Christmas. I dont know about yall but I had no trouble locating the holiday decorations.



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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  An alert was issued for Vanderbilt Universitys campus following a report of a shooting Saturday afternoon that resulted in multiple injuries and apprehensions.

According to the universitys AlertVU page, the incident was reported at Sutherland House, a first-year dorm building located in the 1900 block of South Drive:

ALERT! A shooting has been reported near the Vanderbilt campus at Sutherland.  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

 Police are responding! Avoid the area!

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

Metro dispatch said a disorderly crowd call came in from that same address just after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, but that call was upgraded to a shooting shortly after this story was published.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), investigators believe the incident happened between members of a construction crew working in Sutherland House over the termination of employment.

On Sunday, August 11, MNPD identified the two men arrested as 38-year-old Enrique Ramirez Sandoval and 27-year-old John Humberto. They added that a firearm was located on Sandoval and that he was charged with aggravated assault. Humberto has been charged with the facilitation of aggravated assault for retrieving the gun for Sandoval prior to the shooting.

Luis Enrique Ramirez Sandoval (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Jose Humberto (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

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An officer at the scene initially told News 2 that two people were injured in the shooting. MNPD officials later reported only one person was shot in the arm during the incident, but Vanderbilt told News 2 Saturday evening it was two people injured.

By 6 p.m., Vanderbilt updated its AlertVU page, saying, The suspect has been apprehended. There are no ongoing threats to the community. Officers remain at the 18th Ave S. and Horton area.

However, MNPD told News 2 that two suspects  one of whom had a firearm  were taken into custody at the nearby MAPCO gas station by members of the Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD) while MNPD officers were clearing the dorm building.

Then, shortly before 7:30 p.m., News 2 received a statement from the university saying five people were taken into custody:

Police are investigating an altercation between external contractors conducting maintenance at an unoccupied Vanderbilt University residence hall. At this point, police are reporting shots fired by at least two individuals and five people are now in custody. Two people have been transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. There is no ongoing threat to the university campus. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may be provided as they become available.

At 11:18 p.m.  more than an hour after the video at the top of this story aired  Vanderbilt provided another update to News 2, saying two people were still in custody and a total of three people were transported to VUMC with non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the shooting.

On Sunday, August 11, MNPD said in a press release that one 19-year-old man received a non-critical gunshot wound to the arm.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

News 2 got video from one woman who was working inside the dorms at the time of the incident. That footage captured what sounds like a shot ringing out, followed by individuals appearing to beat each other in the parking lot with long objects.

News 2 also spoke with Solalika Singhal, the mother of a Vanderbilt sophomore who was on campus at the time, training to become a resident advisor (RA). Singhal said she had never heard about something like this happening at the university, adding that it was very safe and secure the last time she came to campus to drop her daughter off.

I think its very scary for being a parent and when the kids are alone here, you cannot expect those kinds of things, that somebody with a gun is coming to the campus or something like that. Its very scary, Singhal explained.

No additional details have been released about this incident.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Residents of an apartment building damaged after shelling by the Ukrainian side leave the area in Kursk, Russia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (AP Photo)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Days after Ukraine began a surprise military incursion into Russias Kursk border region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has broken the governments silence on it by indirectly acknowledging the ongoing military actions to push the war out into the aggressors territory.

Zelenskyy's comment came in his nightly address late Saturday.

Ukraines incursion into Russia continued for a sixth day Sunday. It's the largest such attack since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022 and is unprecedented for its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil. Ukraine's raid into Russia caught Moscow unaware and was an embarrassment to Russian military leaders who have scrambled to contain the breach.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that its forces engaged Ukrainian troops in Tolpino, Zhuravli and Obshchy Kolodez, the official Tass news agency reported. Tolpino is 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Evacuation of civilians living in Russias border areas with Ukraine continued Sunday. Russian state television aired footage of evacuees at a tent camp in the city of Kursk. According to the report by RTR, more than 20 temporary accommodation centers have been set up in the region.

The exact aims of the operation remain unclear, and Ukrainian military officials have adopted a policy of secrecy, presumably to ensure its success. Military experts have said that it is likely intended to draw Russian reserves away from the intense fighting in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, while a presidential adviser suggested that it may strengthen Kyivs hand in any future negotiations with Russia.

But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Sunday that Ukraine understands perfectly well that the recent attacks make no sense from a military point of view.

The Kyiv regime is continuing its terrorist activity with the sole purpose of intimidating the peaceful population of Russia, she added.

Fire at the Zaporizhzhia Power Plant

Meanwhile, a fire in the vicinity of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Power Plant was reported by Ukrainian officials late Sunday. According to Yevhen Yevtushenko, the head of the military administration of Nikopol, which is across the river from occupied Enerhodar where the plant is located, Russian forces set fire to automobile tires in the cooling towers to make it appear as though a fire had broken out.

Perhaps this is a provocation or an attempt to create panic in the settlements on the right bank of the former reservoir, he said. Zelenskyy also said Russia was using the plant to blackmail Ukraine and playing on Western fears of escalation. Yevhen Balytskyi, the Russia-appointed governor of the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the plant and causing the fire. He provided no evidence for the claim.

Overnight drone and missile attacks

Overnight into Sunday, a Russian drone and missile barrage on Kyiv killed two people, including a 4-year-old boy. Russia attacked Ukraine with four ballistic missiles and 57 Shahed drones, Ukraine's air force said. Air defenses shot down 53 of the drones.

The bodies of a 35-year-old man and his son were found under rubble after missile fragments fell on a residential area in Kyivs suburban Brovary district, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service. Another three people in the district were wounded in the attack. It was the second time this month that Kyiv has been targeted, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Popko said ballistic missiles didn't reach the capital, but that suburbs took the hit, while drones aiming for the capital were shot down.

In Russia, Kursks regional governor said that a Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defenses fell on a residential building, wounding 15 people. The Russian Defense Ministry said that 35 drones were shot down overnight over the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Oryol regions.

Ukraine hasn't commented on the Sunday drone attacks inside Russia. But they come as Ukraine has increased the pace of similar drone attacks largely targeting military infrastructure and oil depots in recent weeks.

Belarus says it's sending forces to its border

Meanwhile, Belarus said that it was sending more troops to its border with Ukraine on Saturday, saying Ukrainian drones had violated its airspace as part of Kyivs military incursion into Russias Kursk region.

Authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Belarusian air defense forces destroyed dozens of targets flying from Ukraine over the Mogilev region, which borders Russia, on Friday evening.

The Ukrainian armed forces violated all rules of conduct and violated the airspace of the Republic of Belarus. In the eastern direction, very close to us in the Kostyukovichi district, Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk on Saturday.

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said the government regards the violation of its airspace as a provocation and is ready for retaliatory action."

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
DENVER (KDVR)  Two men have been sentenced to prison in the 2021 kidnap and murder of Rachel Holeman, 29.

Holemans body was found along an embankment off South Parker Road by Douglas County law enforcement after Fort Collins Police Services first began investigating her disappearance. Authorities learned she had last been seen in Aurora, prompting searches in Douglas County.

Pilot errors blamed for Osprey crash that killed Colorado Marine, 2 others

According to the 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office, Holeman was in Colorado with Casey Childers, 41, of Casper, Wyoming, and co-conspirator Shantel Edlund, 45, of Sheridan, Wyoming, to distribute drugs.

Fort Collins police turned the investigation over to Aurora investigators, who learned Holeman was kidnapped on Nov. 6, 2021, by Childers and Edlund, plus a third co-conspirator, Leo Vanbuskirk, 25, also of Sheridan, Wyoming, near Colfax and Victor Street in a Chevrolet Malibu.

The Chevrolet Malibu was captured on a dashcam of a Douglas County Sheriffs Office deputy responding to an unrelated burglary call on Nov. 7, 2021, and ran the sedans license plates. Later, investigators were able to connect the car and the location to Holemans disappearance.

The evidence shows this defendant senselessly murdered and left her body in a remote part of the county where he thought no one would find her, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Corrie Caler in an 18th DAs Office release. Fortunately, an alert deputy responding to a different call took the time to run a plate which helped narrow down the search area for Rachel.

Police in Sheridan, Wyoming, conducted a traffic stop on the same Chevrolet Malibu on Dec. 29, 2021, and arrested Edlund, Childers and Vanbuskirk on unrelated drug charges and warrants. Colorado law enforcement, based on statements made by Edlund and bolstered with dashcam footage, flew a drone over South Parker Road and found the 29-year-olds body.

This was not a hastily committed crime; it was deliberate, calculated and cruel. Casey Childers deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars, said 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner, in a release.

6 incidents reported of rocks thrown at vehicles in Jefferson County

Edlund pleaded guilty under a plea agreement in August 2022 to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and was sentenced to 18 years in the Department of Corrections.

Vanbuskirk pleaded guilty in May under a plea agreement to charges of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping. He was sentenced Friday to serve 25 years for each charge concurrently and will be subject to three years of mandatory parole after release.

Childers was found guilty by a jury on July 25. He was sentenced later that same day to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the charge of first-degree murder. He was also given 32 years for second-degree kidnapping and 16 years for conspiracy to commit second-degree kidnapping. Both sentences will run concurrently with his life 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 FOX31 Denver.
ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY)  A 23-year-old Scott man died in a single-vehicle crash Friday night in Opelousas, according to Louisiana State Police.

The crash, which was reported just after 10 p.m., claimed the life of Marquarious Solomon.

State police said in a news release that Solomon was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Impala south on U.S. 167 when the crash occurred.

For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet exited the roadway to the right, entered a ditch, and overturned causing Solomon to be ejected, state police said in a news release.

Police said Solomon was unrestrained and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Routine toxicology samples were collected for analysis, police said.

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.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  As Tropical Storm Debby clears out and Charleston slowly begins to dry out, the citys beloved 2nd Sunday on King Street returns to offer a welcome escape.

On the second Sunday of every month, King Street is closed to traffic from Queen to Calhoun streets, transforming the historic road into a pedestrian-friendly haven. From noon to 5:00 p.m., visitors can stroll down the street, exploring shops, enjoying delicious food, and soaking in the lively atmosphere.

This beloved Charleston tradition invites people to walk the historic street, discover new businesses, and interact with local artists and vendors who set up shop along the way. Without the hindrance of parked cars or through traffic, the street becomes a lively gathering place, where friends and neighbors can meet and enjoy the best that the city has to offer.

This months 2nd Sunday features Aaron Baldwin, a talented painter and printmaker from McClellanville. Aarons work, which celebrates the beauty of the Lowcountry, will be showcased at the 2nd Sunday Tent near the Apple Store at 301 King Street. Be sure to stop by and see his original hand-pulled linocuts from his studio, Woods and Creek.

Another special highlight this month is a nod to a cherished cultural traditionjumping the broom. Originally a symbolic act for enslaved people in the American South to recognize their marriages, this custom is now embraced by modern couples to honor those who came before them. Flowers By Vanessa will bring display brooms to 2nd Sunday on King Street, where visitors can view and order these meaningful keepsakes. You can find Vanessa at 293 King Street in front of Fire Grill Asian Fusion, home to what some say is the best Pad Thai in town.

For more details, including participating vendors and upcoming features, visit the official 2nd Sunday 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 WCBD News 2.
3 children among killed in Russian Aug. 9 missile attack on Kostiantynivka, prosecutors say

Russia's Aug. 9 missile strike on the town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast killed 14 people, including three children, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said on Aug. 11.

Russian forces launched a Kh-38 missile against Kostiantynivka, hitting a local supermarket. A total of 44 people suffered injuries, according to the officials.

Three girls, aged nine, 11 and 16, are among the killed, the prosecutors said.

A freight department of Nova Poshta, Ukraine's largest postal service, that was located in the targeted shopping center was also damaged, the company said.

Kostiantynivka, like other settlements in Donetsk Oblast, comes under regular strikes by Russian forces.

Another Russian attack on a local market in Kostiantynivka in September 2023 killed 17 people and injured over 30 others.

Read also: Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 8, injure 30 over past day

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Charles Aldrich, the Libertarian candidate in Iowa's 4th congressional district, spoke at the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 11, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Charles Aldrich, the Libertarian running in Iowas 4th Congressional District, told reporters at the Iowa State Fair Sunday that he was not concerned about challenges to Libertarian candidates appearing on state ballots.

Iowa voters affiliated with Republican politics have challenged the candidacy of three Iowa Libertarian candidates  Aldrich, 3rd Congressional District candidate Marco Battaglia, who spoke earlier Sunday and 1st Congressional District candidate Nicholas Gluba  on the basis that the Libertarian Party of Iowa did not hold county conventions to nominate congressional candidates.

While other Libertarians, including Battaglia and presidential candidate Chase Oliver, spoke about the challenges in their speeches at the Des Moines Registers Political Soapbox, Aldrich said the issue was not really worth mentioning, because in my opinion, it was inaccurate to start with.

This is something that  what theyre challenging is that we didnt have county participation in getting us on the ballot, and we did, Aldrich said. We elected people that would come to the next convention, because we had the convention earlier in the year, elected the people to come to the most recent convention after the primary, and select whos going to be on the ballot for open positions. So what theyre saying is inaccurate.

The challenges will be heard by the three-person State Objection Panel on Aug. 28, according to the Iowa Secretary of States office.

If the challenge is defeated, Aldrich will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and Democrat Ryan Melton for the 4th District seat in November. Melton, who spoke at the state fair Sunday, offered his support for Libertarian candidates being on the ballot.

The Republican leadership in the state is challenging the ballot access of my friends here, Marco and Chuck. And, you know, I think the voters deserve as much choice as we should give them, Melton said. And so the fact that the Republican Party is trying to put a halt to that, its awful, and Ill do whatever I can to help you guys out.

Aldrich said during his soapbox speech that he was running for office because the federal government is not adhering to the Constitution. He criticized Feenstra for writing legislation that he said violates constitutional standards.

Feenstra, the incumbent Republican, is favored by election forecasters to win in the longtime conservative district.

While Aldrich called for scaling back the federal government  calling for the elimination of federal taxation system and the U.S. Department of Education  he also said the U.S. government is not fulfilling its duty to protect the southern border.

The people that are coming in are not being vetted, he said.

Update: This story has been edited with information from the Iowa Secretary of States office on the scheduled date of the State Objection Panel.
5 men leave with a bag of cookies after breaking into Mitchells Ice Cream store

(KRON)  Five men broke into Mitchells Ice Cream, a popular San Francisco ice cream shop, early Saturday morning. Despite gaining entry, Mitchells said the burglars seemed to have only left with a bag of cookies.

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A collection of the home made ice creams at Mitchells Ice Cream in San Francisco, Calif. on Thursday June 4, 2009, the business was founded in 1953. (Photo By Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The store, located at 688 San Jose Ave., said the break-in occurred at about 3:30 a.m. The five men, according to Mitchells Instagram post, broke into the business by breaking the stores front windows.

Due to having cameras positioned both inside and outside the store, employees observed the suspects attempting to steal the stores safe, which is securely bolted to the floor, Mitchells said in their statement.

We always leave our cash drawers empty and open, so in the end, they left with a bag of cookies. But what a mess they left behind, the business said, telling KRON4 this wasnt the first time the shop had seen an attempted burglary in its over 70 years of business.

The San Francisco Police Department told KRON4 that upon arriving, they reported seeing significant damage. Store employees reported seeing glass everywhere, as well as seeing crushed bags of cookies that [the burglars] stepped all over when they entered.

Mitchells said they have noticed an increase in break-ins around the stores neighborhood, reporting a recent break-in at a nearby bar. Evidently, its often the same guys doing this, and unfortunately, they havent been caught yet, Linda Mitchell, Mitchells store owner, told KRON4.

Having had a rather smaller loss in damages compared to other city break-ins, Mitchells shared the following warning to fellow small business owners.

Be sure to leave your cash registers open so thieves can see theres nothing in them.

Put all your cash, checks, and valuable items in a safe bolted to the ground.

Get a good alarm system to make the thieves leave in a hurry.

Mitchells said their next step is to do what we can to make sure they never come back! SFPD said this is an active investigation and that no arrests have yet been made.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(WSYR-TV)  Many young adults consider fake IDs a rite of passage. Nearly 2 in 5 students in their third year of college admitted to having a fake ID, and about 1 in 8 precollege students admit the same, according to a Psychology of Addictive Behaviors study published in 2007.

Almost two decades later since the study, the popularity of fake IDs hasnt waned. Almost 7 in 10 Ohio State students said they have used or owned a falsified ID, according to an informal survey in 2021.

Not all fake IDs are created equal, but a sizable number are modeled on identification cards from the same few states. Spokeo used data from IDScan.nets 2024 Fake ID Report to identify the five states with the highest prevalence of fake IDs in circulation. IDScan.nets report is based on its scans of over 130 million physical IDs, with a minimum of 600,000 scans per state.

Fake ID usage peaks just before adults come of age to legally drink and consume cannabis. According to the report, fake IDs are most often spotted at cannabis dispensaries, with 64 out of 1,000 customers trying to pass off their IDs for the real deal, followed by alcohol and tobacco retailers at 49 out of 1,000 customers.

Though they may not be far from purchasing alcohol and cannabis legally, using fake IDs may indicate a greater appetite for risk-taking that often has major ramifications. College students with fake IDs are at higher risk of heavy drinking and alcohol-related arrests, as well as other substance use. Though the IDs themselves are not typically the cause of these behaviors, they do signal that some young adults may be falling into these habits earlier than they may have otherwise.

Creating, buying, possessing, or using a fake ID is considered a crime across the U.S. Penalties vary in different states; obtaining or using a fake ID is considered a misdemeanor across most of the country, though some states consider it a felony. The type of identification or how it is used can also elevate the level of the charge. Those convicted may have to pay fines, serve probation, or potentially spend time in jail.

Whats more, businesses caught providing underage individuals with alcoholeven unknowinglyface consequences. The establishments will likely be fined, and their liquor license may be suspended or revoked. Individual employees may also face criminal charges for serving minors, depending on the state and situation. Similar laws are in place for cannabis dispensaries.

To better understand the market for physical fake IDs, read on to learn more about the five states with the highest prevalence of forgeries created in their likeness.

The geography of fake IDs

People often opt to get fake IDs that look like theyve been issued from another state. Each state has its own variations and designs, so when an ID looks less familiar to those checking them, people may be less likely to notice any variations or inaccuracies.

Among the states with the most prevalent fakes, more than 1 in 100 IDs in circulation were found to be fraudulent. Though the percentage seems low, consider the prevalence of fakes among the #1 ranked state was 20 times higher than the state with the lowest share of fakes in circulation, Massachusetts. Other states with few fake IDs were Iowa, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Missouri.

Fake IDs have evolved alongside ever-changing technologies. Todays fake IDs deploy special inks like hologram paint and sophisticated equipment to try passing common ID checksvisual inspections, barcode scans, and magstripe swipes.

Earlier this year, artificial intelligence-generated fake IDs made the news for quickly and cheaply creating images of fake IDs that can be used for online purposes, such as defying age-verification laws online or creating bank accounts to make cryptocurrency exchanges. While AI-generated images of fake IDs are currently specialized for online uses, they indicate an industry keeping pace with modern technologies.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.

This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Depression and suicidal activity have decreased slightly for teens since 2021, but simultaneously there have been alarming increases in violence, bullying and school avoidance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2023, two in ten teens were bullied at school and one in ten did not attend due to safety concerns, 4% increases since 2021. Two percent more were injured or threatened at school. About one in ten experienced sexual violence, roughly the same amount as two years ago, according to 20,000 high schoolers surveyed nationwide for the latest iteration of the CDCs Youth Risk and Behavior survey.

For the first time, the CDCs 2023 survey prompted teens to reflect on racism, unfair discipline and social media use. Nearly one third of students reported being treated badly or unfairly at school because of their race or ethnicity by educators or peers.

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Some key indicators show progress in combatting the youth mental health crisis: About 10% of Black students reported attempting suicide in 2023, down from 14% in 2021. At the same time, fewer female and Hispanic students seriously considered suicide or experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2023 than in 2021. But roughly half of both groups still experience depressive symptoms, and at rates higher than national averages.

The data released today show improvements to a number of metrics that measure young peoples mental well-being  progress we can build on. However, this work is far from complete, said Debra Houry, chief medical officer with the agency, in a press release last week. Every child should feel safe and supported, and CDC will continue its work to turn this data into action until we reach that goal.

Only about half of teens felt close to people in their school, with key demographic groups reporting being especially vulnerable: Girls, LGBTQ and Native youth were forced into or experienced risky behavior more than their peers across nearly all metrics, including substance use, physical and sexual violence, depression, and suicidality.

Related

For Chicago Girls Confronting Violence, A School Solution for Reducing PTSD

The general rise in aggressive behavior, while concerning, is not particularly surprising to experts.

We are still seeing a long-tail of effect from the height of the pandemic with kids having been isolated The ninth grader of today is still a bit less mature, not as good at problem solving, not as clear in their communication with peers, especially when it comes to conflict, said child psychologist and Boston-area schools consultant Deborah Offner.

Students sexual activity and drug use overall mirrored rates from 2021, significantly declining over the last decade. Fewer teens have ever had sex, from about half to one in three. But those that have engaged in more risky behavior: fewer used condoms or were tested for STIs.

While overall declines in depressive symptoms and suicidality are not giant, said Offner, as we emerge from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, kids in my orbit are overall doing better on average than they were a few years ago. Most of that is [thanks to] the reentry into the social environment of school and activities.

Recommending stronger health education and opportunities for young people to build relationships, belonging at school, the CDC urged schools to prioritize adolescent well-being. Some ideas for schools include facilitating mentorship or advisory opportunities for older students to be role models for younger students, who may be feeling lost in their first years in high school, and training all school staff to be strong listeners, because you never know who a kid is going to tap into, Offner said.

Below are five key findings from the report:

1. Violence and bullying increased 2% and 4%, respectively, from 2021 to 2023, with about one in ten avoiding school for safety concerns and two in ten being bullied.

Sexual violence was as prevalent in 2023 as it was in 2021: roughly one in ten teens. Girls and LGBTQ youth were more likely than their peers to experience sexual and physical violence.

The frequency of bullying at school, students report, increased 4% since 2021, bumping back up to pre-pandemic levels. LGBTQ students experienced bullying the most of any subgroup, with three in ten having been bullied and two in ten missing school because of safety fears.

2. 2023 saw a 2% decline in the share of kids persistently sad, hopeless or making suicide plans, but significantly more experience depression symptoms than did in 2013.

Four in ten teens on average reported consistent depression symptoms, up from three in ten just a decade ago. While 4% fewer girls experienced such symptoms than and 3% less seriously considered suicide than in 2021, the proportion of girls experiencing depressive symptoms is much higher than their peers: over five in ten, 53%.

Among LGBTQ youth, six in ten felt persistently sad or hopeless, and two in ten attempted suicide.

Related

Nearly 1 in 5 Teen Girls Engulfed In Wave of Sexual Violence; Many Suicidal

Offner said while social media is often scapegoated as the core driver of depressive symptoms, the most common reasons youth cite as causes of internal conflicts are family or friend-related, like witnessing parents economic uncertainty or emotional instability, and working through friendship disagreements.

Many, she added, are also feeling climate anxiety and worried about material needs more than other generations  their parents placing intense pressure to succeed academically and go onto lucrative careers.

However social media does serve as a social comparison accelerator, she said, where teens may compare themselves to others or feel bad about being excluded from activities.

Native teens  the subgroup spending least amount of time on social media according to the CDC, with about half using it several times a day  are still the subgroup experiencing highest rates of poor mental health and persistent depressive symptoms.

3. One third of teens experienced racism, and nearly two in ten reported being unfairly disciplined.

With the CDC asking for the first time, 32% of high school students reported being treated badly or unfairly in school because of their race. Asian, multiracial, and Black students reported this more often than peers, at 57%, 49%, and 46% respectively.

On average, 19% of teens were unfairly disciplined at school in 2023, with male, Native, Black and multiracial students reporting at a rate 3-13% above average. One in three Native youth reported being unfairly disciplined, more than any other race or ethnicity.

4. No significant changes in teens sexual behavior since 2021. Overall, students are having less sex than in 2013.

While three in ten teens reported having had sex, down from about five in ten a decade ago; only a third used some form of oral birth control, and half used condoms.

Six percent of teens polled had four or more sexual partners in 2023, compared to 15% the decade prior.

Some reasons for the decline may be increased immaturity, said Offner, which is impacting kids relationship experience. She has also witnessed more young people express ownership of their bodies and wanting to go slowly in their sexual experiences, I think theyre learning from the mistakes of previous generations, too.

5. Alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug consumption is declining. But vulnerable student populations  LGBTQ, Native youth, and girls  used more than their peers.

In 2023, about 22% of teens reported drinking alcohol, a significant decrease from 35% ten years prior. The number is slightly higher for girls, with about one in four drinking. While the proportion of Black kids drinking increased from 2021 to 2023, their rate is still under average, at 17%.

Roughly the same amount used marijuana as did two years ago, about 17%, down from 23% in 2013.

Only about one in ten used illicit drugs, like psychedelics and stimulants, or misused prescription opioids. Teens illicit drug use has declined 6% overall in the last decade.

Offner observed teens today are a little more health cautious, and have witnessed more siblings and peers practice sobriety intentionally. Its much more acceptable to say that you dont use them or arent interested in using them, she added.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Additional resources are available at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. For LGBTQ mental health support, you can contact The Trevor Projects toll-free support line at 866-488-7386.
Abcarian: This is what makes JD Vance's attempt to 'swiftboat' Tim Walz's military service so pathetic

As soon as I heard Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance smearing the military service of his opponent, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, all I could think was: Seriously? Are we really doing this again?

Are we really going to allow Republicans  who are freaking out now that their presumed glide path back to the White House has become a very bumpy road  to slime Walz the way they slimed Vietnam veteran John Kerry 20 years ago?

When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? Vance said last week in Michigan. He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him  a fact that hes been criticized for aggressively by a lot of the people that he served with.

Numerous journalists have called out this lie. They have also reported that the people he served with are Republicans rooting for former President Trump.

Read more: Column: Even Trump and JD Vance can't match the unbearable weirdness of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard before being honorably discharged. During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, he was stationed in Italy, providing support to American combat troops. In early 2005, months before his unit was ordered to Iraq, he decided to retire from the Guard to run for Congress. He became only the second Democrat in more than a century to capture a traditionally Republican seat and continued to support the military as a member of the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees.

In 2018, when he was running for governor, Walz inaccurately claimed that he carried weapons in war in the course of making an argument against allowing civilians to possess assault weapons. Vance disingenuously accused Walz of "stolen valor," a phrase typically used to describe lying about military service or honors.

Trumps running mate should be ashamed of himself for attacking a fellow vet.

Read more: Column: The once-secretive right-wing ideology emerging as an overt threat to American democracy

Like Walz, Vance enlisted right out of high school. He served four years in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Iraq for about six months in 2005 and 2006. He worked in public affairs and was never in combat, though that does not mean he was never in danger. No American in Iraq in those days, military or civilian, was totally safe.

To many Americans, the attempted sliming of Walz has a familiar ring.

Republicans, Hillary Clinton wrote on social media last week, are re-running an old tactic and trying to smear a veteran whos also a Democrat.

Swift-boating worked once before. Why not try it again?

In 2004, then-Sen. Kerry, a bona fide war hero, ran against President George W. Bush. Like many privileged young men looking to avoid combat in Vietnam, Bush had served in the Texas Air National Guard.

Kerry had been a Navy lieutenant. He commanded a Swift boat on the Mekong Delta for four months in 1969, earning a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Devastated by what he had witnessed, Kerry became a leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War soon after he returned home.

How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake? he famously asked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in April 1971, nearly two years before the United States pulled out of Vietnam.

His activism earned him the lasting enmity of those who supported the misbegotten war. He was accused of endangering soldiers who were still fighting.

Years later, when Kerry accepted his partys nomination at the Democratic convention in Boston, he crisply saluted and said, Im John Kerry, and Im reporting for duty. This was threatening to Republicans, who settled on a then-novel strategy: They would turn Kerrys greatest strength into his greatest weakness.

Hence the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and eventually the term swiftboating.

The truth they promulgated was that Kerry was a fraud who lied about his service. It was such an outlandish and untrue accusation that Kerry tried to ignore it. By the time his campaign realized it was hurting him, the lie had already been lodged in the public imagination.

It should come as no surprise that Republican political operative Chris LaCivita, one of the architects of the disingenuous campaign against Kerry, is now one of two co-managers of Trump's campaign. His fingerprints are all over Vances outlandish claims about Walz.

The great irony is that Trump ducked service in Vietnam partly by claiming bone spurs in his heels.

That didn't prevent Trump from savaging Republican Sen. John McCain, a Navy pilot who spent nearly six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and bore the scars of his torture there his entire life.

I like people who werent captured, Trump said during his first presidential campaign.

As president, the Atlantic reported, he repeatedly disparaged service members who died in war  calling them losers and suckers  and requested that wounded veterans, especially amputees, not be allowed in military parades.

Nobody wants to see that, he told staff during a 2018 planning meeting.

Every time Vance attacks Walzs military service, Democrats should remind voters that it's in shameless service of a man who utterly disdains Americans who risk their lives to serve their country.

@robinkabcarian

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Nebraska voting rights activists and voters are suing state election officials for refusing to comply with a state law allowing people with felony convictions to register to vote after completing their sentence without delay.

The American Civil Liberties Union recently filed a lawsuit with the Nebraska Supreme Court after Secretary of State Bob Evnen ordered all county election officials not to allow those with felony convictions to register to vote in Novembers presidential electioncontrary to laws enacted by the legislature, and impacting some 7,000 eligible voters.

The suit is based on a new law passed in April, allowing individuals to register to vote immediately after completing their sentence for a felony conviction, instead of waiting for two years as required by the previous law.

Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen

Evnens decision was based on a July 17 opinion by State Attorney General Mike Hilgers, which argued that the law restoring voting rights to individuals completing felony convictions violates the state constitutions separation of powers. The opinion states that only the Board of Pardons, not the legislature, has the authority to reinstate the voting rights of Nebraskans with felony convictions.

But civil rights advocates point out that even the Nebraska Supreme Court acknowledged in 2002 that voting rights restoration is implemented through statute, meaning through legislation, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

It is an understatement to say that is extremely troubling that these Nebraskans have to sue our states top election officials just to get them to follow the law and let eligible voters vote, legal and policy counsel at the ACLU of Nebraska, Jane Seu said. But here we are.

Stacks of signs sit on a table at a press conference in Lincoln, Neb. Monday where Civic Nebraska and the Nebraska ACLU announced a lawsuit against the secretary of state.

Its disheartening: registration paused for newly eligible voters

Thomas Jeffrey King, also known as TJ King, is a plaintiff in the lawsuit and was about to register as a freshly eligible voter after finishing probation in 2022. However, the secretary of state suspended the law just days before registering to vote. Initially in disbelief, he felt disheartened when he realized he couldnt register to cast a ballot.

Being able to vote means a lot more than just being able to vote. It means you being who you were before you were system impacted. It means who you were before this thing happened that you paid your debt to society, King said. America is built on second chances. If we are not able to give grace to people that have made a mistake, then were in a bad situation.

Gregory Spung of Douglas County talks about not being able to register to vote after Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued an opinion stating a law that would have restored his right to vote is unconstitutional.

Another plaintiff, Gregory Spung of Omaha, said he was excited to vote leading up to the opinion.

I was extremely excited to get this law passed, and I would be eligible to participate. And conversely, very disappointed with the Secretary of States decision, Spung said.

The suspension of the law has created a wave of confusion and frustration among Nebraskans with felony convictions who have completed their sentences about whether they can register to vote, said Jasmine Harris, the director of public policy and advocacy for RISE, a Nebraska nonprofit that provides re-entry support to people post-sentence.

After the legislature rolled back the two-year waiting period, Harris and others educated and prepared newly eligible voters to register. Now, they advise them not to register until the courts weigh in.

These folks are getting jobs, theyre paying taxes, theyre buying homes, starting businesses. Its representation without having a say in how theyre being represented in their government, Harris said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska ACLU sues after halt on convicted felons' voter registration
Everybody is talking about the amazing things you can do with AI, but few are talking about the environmental and energy impacts it brings. In comes Pure Storage who has made this front of mind and says vendors like it must be helping businesses reduce energy consumption and boost sustainability.

Pure Storage CTO, International Alex McMullan has been visiting Australia to speak with customers and interested parties about their cloud journey. Pure Storage brings a lot of strength and expertise on this, including how to balance workloads across public and private clouds.

Where Pure Storage can also help is with cost-effective storage as a service (STaaS) and with sustainability. These are two conversations where Pure Storage is uniquely positioned, because the company has made these specific strategic focus areas, and dedicated significant thought, skill, and effort.

When it comes to STaaS, McMullan explains Pure Storage has "actual storage as a service" with a platform that brings automation and a full REST API, along with economic benefits.

"Our STaaS brings cloud native behaviour and cloud consumption. We want to disrupt," he said. "Many large tech companies will utility and leasing, but that's just finance by a different vehicle."

"Pure Storage's view is we want to do STaaS properly. You pay for a service vs. an asset, and we retain the asset, but the customer pays on a schedule with the same freedom as you'd have with Azure, AWS, GCP, etc."

"You can consume our tech as you would the public cloud," McMullan said. "It's a market-leading position. Many competitors have made a model that looks a bit cloudy but it's not."

When it comes to sustainability, Pure Storage is bucking the trend of big tech firms, saying it has a part to play in aiding customers achieve their sustainability goal.

It's a common trend globally that AI - particularly Generative AI - has taken the world's imagination by storm. The message from technology providers is consistent: companies who embrace AI will lead, those who delay or ignore it will fall behind.

So, it's no surprise then that McMullan told iTWire no matter where he is in the world customers want to speak about how to adopt AI. However, McMullan notes, they want to adopt it sustainably.

Pure Storage knows what it's talking about; it partnered with Nvidia seven years ago, back in 2017, before AI was the fashion and trend we see today. "We produced the first AI storage platform," McMullan said, "and had a public relationship with Meta/Facebook for the same period."

It's embedded AI in its own products, bringing predictability into the storage array, as well as a copilot so storage administrators can ask natural language questions about the system's health and find solutions to problems.

Over the last two decades there has been an increasing awareness worldwide that energy consumption must be reduced. Tech firms stood up to the challenge, minituarising equipment, consolidating services, simplifying packaging, all with the aim to cut carbon emissions. Yet, it's as if this no longer mattered in some ways with today's demand for more and more GPUs to drive ever-increasingly power hungry generative AI.

While organisations everywhere are striving to set and hit environmental and sustainability goals, with committments to reduce their emissions, they are, at the same time, being lured in by the promise of super-capable AI, along with the threat if they don't embrace it, their business will become irrelevant.

Pure Storage is tackling this challenge in a number of ways, saying it has a sombre responsibility. "Big business wants to be as energy efficient as possible, and green is part of that," McMullan said. "If we, as suppliers, don't have things that use less energy and generate less carbon then we're part of the problem."

To tackle this, Pure Storage has made storage a circular economy. "We want to give customers freedom," McMullan said. "We try to recycle assets as they come back. We want more than 50% of our STaaS cloud to come from recycled assets."

"It sets us apart from the typical equipment journey of buying, returning, landfill."

Additionally, Pure Storage continues to explore the materials it uses. "A Pure Storage system of 40 to 50kg has about four to five kilograms of carbon embedded in it because of all the supply chain processes," McMullan said. "It's a big tech debt," he said, and explained the company is taking a leadership role in working with all its suppliers of silicon to embed less carbon in the chips they supply, which in turn diminishes the carbon that lands up with the end customer. "The chip vendors tell us we're the ones pushing the limit on this."

As well, "we've invested in a company working on laser-etched ceramic glass," McMullan said as one example. "We think things like that are interesting to long-term move away from silicon - not just to keep the status quo, but to improve."

In fact, with all these activities, Pure Storage has already reached 50% scoped year reductions in the carbon it embeds in its device, over the last three years. The company set their goal to 60% by 2030 and is ahead of that schedule.

Sustainability isn't simply a feel-good topic. For McMullan it's a serious issue. "AI will cost more coal, more CO2 - it's something we should push hard on," he said. Pure Storage takes it so seriously it has a lobby group inside the European Union to push power consumption in the right place.

Carbon emissions are important, but that's only one part of the problem. "Even in the EU the power grids built in the 1950s were designed for families having a cup of tea as they huddled around the radio."

"The average GPU-based system has eight GPUs in a single box from Nvidia, with each consuming enough power to run a four-person house. Each GPU system you turn on is the equivalent of eight houses. If hyperscalers are turning on half a million ... you do the maths," McMullan said. "It's quite frightening to think about the power budget.

With AI competing against carbon reduction across the world it's evident something will have to give, given the paucity of power supply around the world. "As AI takes off this creates a whole new set of pressures on the grid worldwide."

This is what Pure Storage and its CTO, International Alex McMullan spend their time thinking about. "Everyone in the industry is on the same path of building bigger systems and reducing costs, but we don't see this same innovation about energy and sustainability from our competitors," he said. "They'll recycle laptops and so on, but not in the foundational way we are applying to having a circular economy. We're pushing hard and as publicly as we can, from ESG reports through to conversations like this one."

"They'll talk about their super next box, but not what it means for carbon and the future of AI."

McMullan sees a huge opportunity for others in tech. For example, "In ANZ there's a unique opportunity for service providers like big telcos to build an AI service that's ethical and sustainable, without drawing on coal power," he said. "Maybe solar or hydro, after all, there's a lot of sunshine in Australia and New Zealand."

"We need different ways of thinking. There's a whole confluence of things where we can build sustainable AI facilities the right way and minimise our CO2 footprint."

In fact, we risk having a dystopian future of haves and have-nots where a whole series of countries could be left behind the AI wave because they lack a suitable power grid. "Some AI use cases will change the world - healthcare, genomic research, material science, and others," but with a distinct possibility these world-changing innovations cannot be realised everywhere, leaving countries left aside.

Energy is a challenge the world needs to solve. "It's not just a problem for Pure Storage; it needs tech vendors, it needs compliance," he said. "As a society, if we're not going to talk about having no power for two hours a day, then we all must collaborate and think about the solution."

It's all very sobering, and iTWire hears daily from companies of all types and industries about the amazing things AI can do. It's rare, however, to hear about the huge power consumption, and carbon production, all this AI is creating. Here, Pure Storage is certainly lifting the veil and revealing the risks behind.

Of course, while this has to be solved, there's no denying AI can help a business with cost agility, efficiency, customer service, CRM, and many, many things. Having GPUs is imperative, but right now "the supply chain is horrendous," McMullan said. "Even if you were given a big cheque, spending is hard with delivery dates extending out to six, nine, twelvem onths depending on who you know."

Thus, McMullan's recommendation for smart CIOs is to experiment in the cloud while having your own GPUs delivered. "Use the cloud to train, refine, and to drive cultural change. Then industrialise on-premises."

"You need a data-driven culture to be foundational in the way your company uses AI. Every division has its own data sets, statistics, messaging, and reporting, and all this has to be clean and managed with everyone doing it together, rather than saying I own this bit or that bit."
After seven months of calling on the Wichita City Council to pass a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, activists have yet to see action from city officials.

On Oct. 7, Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist political and military movement, attacked Israel. Following the surprise attack, the Israeli government declared a complete siege of Gaza.

Israeli officials said 1,200 people were killed in the October attack. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in the following months.

With the ongoing war, more than a dozen individuals have visited the City Council since January, asking for council members to pass a resolution that would support a ceasefire to end the conflict.

These resolutions are important, and I know some of you have asked why would you get involved in something like this, Friends University history professor Gretchen Eick told council members on March 5. They demonstrate how unpopular Israels policy of total war against Palestinians in Gaza is with growing numbers of Americans. (Israel) may put a break on the indiscriminate murder and destruction that Israel has leveled on Palestinian people.

Hopes for a resolution

Advocates have told city officials a resolution would not be choosing a side, but instead show Wichitas support for an end to violence and death.

These resolutions are very balanced in that theyre concerned for both Israelis and Palestinians, activist Liesl Wright said. So Im trying to help them see that they can make a resolution that would appeal to most people in Wichita.

Some pro-Palestine activists also hope that passing a resolution will send a message to Wichita aviation companies that send aircraft to Israel.

Wichita has a lot of connections to the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and Israel, like a lot, Peschka said.

Textron Aviation, which owns Cessna and Beechcraft, has sold training planes and Boeing, which is returning to Wichita after buying back Spirit AeroSystems, has sold air tankers to the Israeli Air Force.

Wright pointed to other cities that have adopted statements or resolutions on a ceasefire in Gaza, such as Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis and more than 70 others.

If a resolution were to pass in Wichita, the city would become the second in Kansas to make a statement on the Israel-Hamas war, following a Lawrence proclamation that condemned violence in Gaza.

Several advocates for the ceasefire resolution in Wichita have also pointed to Wichita State Universitys student government, which passed a resolution in April following more than a month of calls to do so from the city and university community.

Maria Peschka, an exercise science major at the university, was one of the people behind efforts to move this resolution along.

While shes been an activist for Palestine for several years, Peschka increased her efforts after the war started. Peschka formed Free Palestine ICT and the WSU organization Students for Justice in Palestine.

Peschka and other activists think that getting Wichita to pass a ceasefire resolution would lead to action at higher levels of government.

Were also hoping that if we get the city of Wichita to pass it, we can also coordinate with other towns and cities, so that they can pass their own ordinances, Peschka said. And then hopefully, if enough of us do it, our hope is that the state will as well.

In May, a ceasefire resolution came before the City Council in Kansas City, Missouri. But it was removed from the agenda, as some members of the council said they didnt want to weigh in on the war.

Some members said they took the action they did so they will never be asked to comment on events in Gaza again, according to the Kansas City Star.

Response from city officials

On March 19, activist Bill Anderson called on each City Council member to individually state their position on passing a ceasefire resolution, saying that silence is complicity.

Council members Maggie Ballard, Mike Hoheisel and Brandon Johnson said they would support a ceasefire resolution at the meeting.

With a seven-member council, though, four are needed to pass a resolution.

When asked by Anderson, council member Dalton Glasscock made it clear he would vote no to a resolution, while Mayor Lily Wu deflected the question.

I will remain thoughtful and listening, but I will also be mindful that I have a focus on taking care of local government with my fellow council members, Wu said.

The last two council members, J.V. Johnston and Becky Tuttle, did not respond.

In a separate interview, Johnson said he doesnt expect any other council members to support the resolution and hed rather have no resolution presented than have one fail.

We kind of heard there wasnt support for it to pass, Johnson said. And so rather than have some embarrassing 4-3 defeat of it, it just hasnt (been introduced). He said he hasnt pushed it because I dont want that to send a message that we support Israel.

After this, Johnson said a resolution could be redrafted, but he doesnt like watered-down resolutions.

Id rather be more specific about what it is were saying, our intent, and what were calling on people to do, Johnson said.

So for the foreseeable future, it seems the Wichita City Council is at a standstill with a potential ceasefire resolution for Gaza.

Despite this, Peschka said pro-Palestinian activists are going to continue to do one thing: Were just going to keep showing up.
Our air conditioners might get a rest this week, SLO County. Forecast calls for cooler temps

Its official, this past July was Californias hottest month ever.

In fact, according to National Weather Service, last months average temperature across the state was 81.7 degrees, besting the previous record of 79.8 degrees set in July 2021. As I wrote last week, San Luis Obispo County nearly recorded its hottest July, while Santa Barbara County was slightly below average.

The coastal regions of the Central Coast remained significantly cooler than the inland areas of the state due to the persistent northwesterly winds and the marine layer these winds help produce. If we had experienced Santa Lucia winds, air temperatures would have also been scorching along coastal regions.

May gray, June gloom, No-sky July, and Fogust are some of the terms locals use to describe persistent overcast conditions along the beaches of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County.

But why does this happen?

As the northwesterly winds blow parallel to our coastline, the friction of the wind causes the oceans surface water to move, and the Coriolis effect turns it to the right or offshore. As the surface water moves away, deep and cold subsurface water rises to the surface to take its place along the immediate shoreline.

This process is called upwelling, and it creates our frigid seawater temperatures.

As the northwesterly winds move the airmass over the cold oceans surface toward our shore, it becomes chilled, like a gigantic natural air conditioner. If the marine air is cool enough, it reaches its dew-point temperature, producing a gray wall as moisture condenses.

Think of a cold glass of iced tea on a hot day when the water vapor in the air condenses on the outside of an icy drink. The exact process occurs along our coastline, except the water vapor condenses on microscopic dust or salt particles near the temperature inversion layer, producing marine stratus clouds.

The colder the seawater temperature, the more likely condensation will occur.

Fog comprises tiny water droplets suspended in the air column only about 0.025 of an inch in diameter. There may be thousands of droplets in 1 cubic inch of air. Depending upon atmospheric conditions  barometric pressure, temperature, and relative humidity  a cubic mile of fog may hold millions of gallons of water. Tiny fog droplets stick to leaves and pine needles, clumping together and forming larger drops that fall to the ground.

The extent of the marine layer is often determined by the height of its temperature inversion.

Due to changes in atmospheric pressure, inversion layers can occur anywhere from a few feet above the ocean surface up to thousands of feet in altitude. The marine stratus can surge into the inland valleys if the inversion layer is high enough.

If the onshore winds are between gentle and fresh, 8 to 24 mph, the mist from the Pacific can sweep in like a ghostly blanket moving through the trees. However, if the afternoon northwesterly winds are strong enough, they tend to mix out the temperature inversion layer, leaving behind windy and clear skies. Thats one of the reasons we often have foggy overnights but clear afternoons.

For this week, fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) northwesterly winds are our forecast during the afternoon, decreasing during the night and morning. This pattern will allow marine low clouds with pockets of fog and mist to develop overnight, clearing during the afternoon in the coastal regions. This onshore flow will also help to keep the inland valleys at seasonal norms, as cooler air filters through the passes and gaps of Santa Lucia mountains and Salinas Valley.

The inland valleys (Paso Robles) will warm to the low to mid-90s, quickly cooling during the evening. The coastal valleys (San Luis Obispo) will reach the mid to high 70s in the coastal valleys (San Luis Obispo). Temperatures along the beaches will reach the 60s, except for Cayucos, Avila Beach and Shell Beach, which will get the low 70s.

A significant amount of monsoon moisture will move into the desert southwest this week; however, only variable mid- to high-level clouds are expected for our area.

Surf Report

Strong to gale-force (25- to 38 mph) northwesterly winds off the California coast will generate 6- to 8-foot northwesterly sea and swell (with a 5- to 11-second period) along our coastline through next Sunday.

Combined with this northwesterly swell, will be a 1- to 2-foot southern hemisphere swell (with a 14- to 16-second period) on Monday through Thursday.

Surface seawater temperatures will range between 52 and 55 degrees through next Sunday.

On this date in Weather History (Aug. 11)

The Dog Days officially come to an end on this date, Aug. 11, having begun the third day in July.

1987: An early evening thunderstorm in Wyoming produced hail up to 2 inches in diameter from Alva to Hulett. Snow plows had to be used to clear Highway 24 south of Hulett, where hail formed drifts two feet deep. (The National Weather Summary)

1989: One of the most severe convective outbreaks of record came to a climax in southern California after four days. Thunderstorms deluged Benton, California, with 6 inches of rain two days in a row, and the flooding resulted in damage to homes and highways. (Storm Data)

This weeks temperatures

LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 61,97 55,93 53,91 54,93 55,94 56,96 58,95 57,96

LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 60,81 56,76 54,76 55,78 57,78 68,80 57,76 56,77

John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @PGE_John.
A series of leaked training videos provides new insights into Project 2025, including appearances by officials and allies of former President Donald Trump - who has disavowed the proposal despite numerous direct ties to the effort.

Across 14 hours of videos, obtained by ProPublica and Documented, a series of 36 speakers, more than two-thirds of whom worked for the Trump administration or one of Trumps campaigns,

Project 2025 is a think tank proposal for policies and efforts under Trump should he win in November. Many are far-right priorities and target Social Security cuts, ending abortion rights and numerous other objectives.

The videos, part of the programs Presidential Administration Academy initiative for members of an incoming administration, include a guest casting doubt on climate change and gender equity, as well others offering tips such as avoiding reading mainstream newspapers and suggesting not leaving a paper trail of government documents to avoid future public scrutiny.

A series of leaked training videos provide new insights into Project 2025 including appearances by allies of Donald Trump (Getty Images for Accountable.US)

In Hidden Meanings: The Monsters in the Attic, a video about watchwords and key concepts to be aware of, activist Bethany Kozma, a former deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Agency for International Development during the Trump administration, describes climate policies as part of an ultimate goal to control people.

Climate change, allegedly, is everywhere and if the American people elect a conservative president, his administration will have to eradicate climate change references from absolutely everywhere, she says in the video.

When I think of climate change, I immediately think of population control, dont you? she adds. I think about the people who dont want you to have children because of the impact on the environment.

In the same video, Katie Sullivan, a former assistant acting attorney general under Trump, argues a new president should take aim at school curricula on LGBTQ+ issues and roll back Joe Bidens initiatives to promote gender equity within government.

The noxious tenets of critical race theory and gender ideology should be excised from curriculum in every single public school in this country, Sullivan says in the video.

Other videos contain advice to future staffers to avoid readining The New York Times or Washington Post and choose conservative media sites intead. Others suggest handling sensitive matters in person to avoid creating documents that could later be subject to the Freedom of Information Act or reported by the press.

The Independent has contacted Kozma, Sullivan and the Heritage Foundation, creator of Project 2025, for comment.

(AP)

The Trump campaign has maintained it doesnt have ties to the project, and that its campaign platform is Trumps only official agenda, despite numerous links between Trump, running mate JD Vance and the right-wing wishlist.

During a recent rally, Trump dismissed the project as seriously extreme,

Like some on the right, severe right, came up with this Project 25, I dont even know, some of them I know who they are, but theyre very, very conservative, Trump said. Theyre sort of the opposite of the radical left.

But I dont know anything about it, I dont want to know anything about it.

The denial came after Democrats increasingly campaigned using warnings about Project 2025, and flies in the face of numerous connections.

Vance wrote the foreward to a forthcoming book about the project by Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts, describing the agenda as an essential weapon.

In 2022, Trump took a private jet flight with Roberts to a Heritage conference, and Roberts told The Washington Post this month, I personally have talked to President Trump about Project 2025.

Paul Dans, a former Trump adviser who directed Project 2025, stepped down from the initiative in July, and the book about Project 2025 has been delayed until after the election.

Theres a time for writing, reading, and book tours  and a time to put down the books and go fight like hell to take back our country, Roberts toldThe Independent in a statement. Thats why Ive chosen to move my books publication and promotion to after the election.
(FOX40.COM)  A 20-year-old man was arrested after the Lodi Police Department in Northern California said it discovered a large amount of drugs with evidence of intention to sell it in his vehicle.

 Video Above: Most commonly reported crimes in America

On Saturday night, Detective Kautz and Officer Galvan of the LPD Special Enforcement Team reportedly made a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. Police said the driver, a 20-year-old man, was driving without a valid license. The violation prompted officers to call for the vehicle to be towed.

Alleged drug dealer busted in Northern California: large amounts of cocaine, Xanax

Before towing, it is police protocol to take inventory of what is inside of a vehicle. During the inventory search, officers said they discovered 21 grams of cocaine, 22 Xanax pills, a scale, plastic baggies, and over $800 in cash.

The man was subsequently arrested and booked in jail for alleged possession of drugs with intent to sell.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
An Amazon Fresh grocery store is finally opening in Tinley Park after fits and starts, with customers being welcomed starting at 8 a.m. Aug. 22.

Amazon Fresh is the companys 11th location in Illinois, and opened after delays that included Amazon itself holding back on grocery openings. There is also an Amazon Fresh in Oak Lawn.

The 38,000-square-foot store is an anchor in an overhaul of the Tinley Park Plaza shopping center, southeast of 159th Street and Harlem Avenue, and plans for the store had been announced in the summer 2022.

The store, at 16017 S. Harlem Ave., will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the week, according to a news release from the company.

Signs had, literally, pointed to an opening in spring 2023, and along with a sign signaling the spring debut a large Amazon Fresh sign had been put up on the buildings exterior above the entrance in 2022. Then it was indicated an opening had been pushed back to sometime this year. The exterior sign was taken down.

Brixmor Property Group is revamping the shopping center Amazon is opening in, and it was viewed as a catalyst for drawing other tenants.

Tenants in Tinley Park Plaza include Burlington, Bath & Body Works, Planet Fitness and The Tile Shop. Five Below and Ross are expected to move into the center.

Burlington relocated from space on the south side of 159th east of Harlem, and Floor & Decor moved into that spot.

Grocer Walts had operated in a large anchor space in the portion of the shopping center just to the south of Amazon. It had been a tenant since 1984 and closed in June 2021.

That grocery space is part of a second phase of redevelopment now underway.

The slowdown in opening of Amazon Fresh stores around the country was a decision on the part of Amazon to hold back on new stores in the pipeline.

In an earnings call in February 2023, Amazon Chief Executive Andy Jassy discussed business segments, including groceries and Fresh stores.

He said the company is doing a fair bit of experimentation today in those stores to try to find a format that we think resonates with customers.

Weve decided over the last year or so that were not going to expand the physical Fresh doors until we have that equation with differentiation and economic value that we like, but were optimistic were going to find that in 2023, Jassy said at the time.

Fresh Stores represent Amazons biggest foray into physical retail space since buying Whole Foods in 2017.

Other Chicago area Fresh Stores are in Arlington Heights, opened last month, as well as Bloomingdale, Naperville and Schaumburg.

Amazon has a number of stores slated to open Aug. 22, including in California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There are now a bit more than 40 stores nationwide.

Along with other brands, Amazon stores stock the companys private label brands such as Aplenty, Fresh Brand, and 365 by Whole Foods Market.

The company said the Tinley Park store will feature the companys latest brick-and-mortar design unveiled last year in select Chicago and Southern California stores.

Amazon said the Tinley Park store will also offer the retailers Dash Cart and Amazon One shopping and payment technology.

Dash Cart allows shoppers to scan and weigh items as they shop, with a real-time receipt displayed on the carts screen showing all the items in the cart and total price. Shoppers exit the store through a designated Dash Cart lane, receiving an emailed receipt, according to the company.

Amazon One is a touchless payment system that employs biometrics to scan a customers palm to create a unique palm signature that can be read by an Amazon One scanner for grocery payment, according to the company.

As Amazon prepares to debut, work has been slowed on a nearby Petes Fresh Market grocery store at Harlem and 163rd Street.

Petes had originally expected to be in the store by Sept. 1, 2022, but problems such as procuring materials are delaying the opening until next spring.

Petes has locations in the south and southwest suburbs including Bridgeview, Calumet City, Evergreen Park, Lemont and Matteson.

Along with Tinley Park, the Chicago-area chain has stores either underway or planned in New Lenox, Orland Park and Palos Heights.
FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  There are some new updates in the case of Amber Spradlin, who was found dead in a home in Martin in June 2023.

The attorney for one of the accused killers, Michael McKinney III, filed to dismiss the indictment.

RELATED | Spradlin murder suspects lawyer files to dismiss indictment

Looking back on the past year, Spradlins cousin, Debbie Hall, reflects on what the healing process has been like.

We have not been able to move on at all, Hall said. I feel like my life has been on hold for the last 13.5 months. This has definitely been the worst year of my life. Its just filled with sadness and filled with anger. And its every day.

McKinney III; his father, Michael McKinney II; and Josh Mullins were indicted on July 30 in connection with 38-year-old Spradlins death.

RELATED | Attorney for Michael MK McKinney releases statement

Amber was such a sweetheart. She certainly didnt deserve what they did to her, Hall said.

Now, the attorney for McKinney III, or MK, has filed a motion to dismiss the indictment due to procedural flaws.

Hall doesnt seem too worried about this motion getting very far, though.

RELATED | Three arrested in Amber Spradlins death

Once I found out what it was, I wasnt too upset or worried about it, Hall said. Its just standard legal tactics. And Ive read the motion, and theres really no merit to his claims.

The defense argued the indictment wasnt properly filed, which, in turn, violates grand jury secrecy and prejudices the defendant.

Hall said she knew about the arrests but had no reason to say anything about them, knowing that could interfere with the investigation.

That was my right as being family of the victim to know that, Hall said. And I certainly didnt let anybody else know about it because I didnt want it to slip out and let the suspected know what was going on.

RELATED | Family of Amber Spradlin reacts to arrests as death investigation continues

Although nothing will bring Spradlin back, Hall hopes her family will get some sort of closure.

There is really no true justice, but I want to see the murderer put away for the rest of his life, or at least the rest of my life, Hall said.

McKinney II is currently out on bond, with his dentistry license suspended, while the younger McKinney has a bond set at $5 million, and Mullins bond is set at $100,000.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Court documents show the motion to dismiss will be heard on Aug. 19 in Floyd Circuit Court.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Tippah County, population about 20,500 in northeast Mississippi, was the states center of political power for one day this past week.

State Rep. Jody Steverson, a Republican who represents Tippah County, posted on social media, I would like to personally invite every Tippah County citizen to this historic event... Never in our countys history have the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker of Mississippi ever assembled in Tippah County simultaneously.

Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, House Speaker Jason White, as well as former Speaker Philip Gunn, were on hand for the ground-breaking of a project to four-lane about a 10-mile section of U.S. Highway 15 from the Tippah and Union counties line to about a mile north of Ripley, the county seat and largest city in Tippah County.

The ground-breaking was a big deal in Tippah County. The project has been on the drawing board since 2002 when the Legislature passed a bill called Vison 21 that established a method to four-lane highways in Mississippi based on needs and available money.

The section of U.S. 15 was on the initial Vison 21 map as an immediate need. More than two decades later, the states political leadership traveled to near the Tennessee state line to celebrate the ground-breaking.

Progress, finally.

Highway 15 has been in need of four-laning for decades, especially the section between New Albany in Union County and Ripley. Traffic on the two-lane road moves at a snails pace thanks in part to the big trucks at a furniture factory in the area and other businesses.

The ground-breaking more than two decades after U.S 15 was made a priority highlights the lack of funding the Department of Transportation has had for new highway construction projects. For more than a decade, the Department of Transportation has lacked enough money to maintain existing roads, much less construct new highways.

Thanks in large part to national economic conditions and federal funds, including the 2021 federal infrastructure bill, Mississippi currently has more money for roads and bridges. Mississippi has surplus funds that are being used, in part, on road and bridge needs. Work will begin soon on a few other highway projects.

But the surplus state money is not likely to last. The three Transportation commissioners and their executive director, Brad White, are still talking about the need for a source of new, sustained money to fund the states transportation needs on an ongoing basis. Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons focused on the need of a new source of revenue recently during the political stumping at the Neshoba County Fair.

Many also would argue that the lack of funding has been exacerbated at times by the Legislature passing bills to place projects above those cited as priorities by the process spelled out in Vision 21.

Gov. Reeves, who was no doubt the star in Tippah County at the ground-breaking, was blamed by some for bypassing the Vison 21 projects as lieutenant governor.

In 2014, the House voted to kill the Department of Transportation budget because of what House leaders described as the Senate leaderships insistence on placing pet projects in the bill.

Those projects included the six laning of Lakeland Drive in suburban Jackson near where then-Lt. Gov. Reeves, who presided over the Senate, lived.

The issue of Lakeland Drive was a major one during Reeves successful 2019 gubernatorial bid as it came to light that part of the Lakeland Project included building a $2 million frontage road to make it easier for people in the gated neighborhood where Reeves lived to gain access to Lakeland Drive.

The access road was scrapped by the Transportation Commission after it made news. The addition of the extra lanes on Lakeland Drive was completed.

Reeves took credit for the six-laning of Lakeland, but said he had no input on the frontage road. But emails at the time indicated that members of his staff were in discussions with MDOT officials about the project.

Then-MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath said in correspondence with Reeves that the Legislature in budgeting money for projects such as Lakeland Drive was ignoring the Vison 21 priorities.

Work is finally beginning on Highway 15 in Tippah County and the governor said he is happy about it.

On social media he posted, Stopped in Tippah County to break ground on a nearly $200 million Highway 15 expansion project. This massive investment will help further solidify Mississippi as a transportation hub for the country. Together, were making our infrastructure bigger and better than ever before.

Slowly, that might be finally happening.

This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter.
Animation workers and supporters argued that recent technological and business shifts have left their craft hanging in the balance during a packed union rally in Burbank on Saturday, with one speaker positing that the American animation industry is at stake.

The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) organized the event before it heads into bargaining over a new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that will tackle hot-button issues like AI and outsourcing. Gathering at the parking lot of IATSE Local 80 in sweltering, mid-80-degree heat, attendees heard from guild leaders, local politicians, rank-and-file workers and a few boldfaced names (director Guillermo del Toro sent a rallying cry, telling the workers to fight like hell), who emphasized the urgency and stakes of this years talks.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

The overall message was summed up by union president Jeanette Moreno King (Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe): Were at a crossroads in this industry with uncertainties we havent faced before, she told the audience, adding, Were not just defending our jobs, were defending the soul of this industry.

Top of mind for both attendees and speakers was the threat of generative AI to animation workers. Addressing the audience, emcee Mike Rianda compared the plot of his 2021 film The Mitchells vs. the Machines to the situation that todays union members face. Its funny that Im [now] part of a group of actual human underdogs who are fighting a very real threat of robot replacement with AI, he joked. Legendary character animator James Baxter (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) emphasized in a short speech that art is made by humans. If someone tells you that AI is just another tool, is just another paintbrush, they are wrong, he said.

The union, which bargains on behalf of more than 5,000 animation workers, has already disclosed that regulating generative AI is one of its top priorities for its 2024 negotiations. Also on the docket are addressing major layoffs that have swept the industry in the last few years (the union estimates that about one-third of its working members have been laid off in the last year alone) and outsourcing of work to foreign countries. During the rally, union business representative Steve Kaplan stated that improvements to wages and benefits will also be on the table.

Talks are set to begin at the Sherman Oaks offices of the AMPTP on Monday and last through Friday, which is the final day of the unions current contract extension.

In an interview at the event with The Hollywood Reporter, negotiating committee member and writer Joey Clift (PAW Patrol, Spirit Rangers) asserted that the union was fighting for the careers of current and future animation workers. This really, for us, feels like a do-or-die negotiation cycle, he said.

Dual Writers Guild of America and Animation Guild member Bill Wolkoff (Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts), who has been a member of the latter union since 2009, emphasized that he had never seen animation workers so fired up. This is the most engaged Ive ever seen TAG members before, and Im very excited to be out here for that reason and be a part of that, he said.

The crowd at Saturdays event was notably larger than the one attending a similar rally organized by the guild two years ago, during its last round of contract negotiations. While attendance numbers were not immediately available, according to negotiating committee member Clift, this year the union had over 2,000 RSVPs as of Friday, which more than doubles the crowd of the 2022 event.

It also had an engaged audience. Rock, Paper, Scissors writer Julia Prescott got a hearty response during a speech stating that if the union doesnt make major changes to the contract now, it wont have another chance. The American animation industry is at stake and the drawing kid from your childhood is not going down without a fight, she said. Storyboard artists Nora Meek and Charlie Jackson (The Patrick Star Show) also drew attention for their joint address. What were going to win in this contract is more than just slowing down the race to the bottom. Were going to win our industry back, said Jackson.

Packing in the f-bombs, Writers Guild of America West board member Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything) drew loud applause during his speech to the group. He advocated for animation workers not to seek out the respect of companies during the negotiations. You do not need their respect because they will never give it to you, he said. Their respect doesnt matter. What matters is your respect for yourself. And if you respect yourself enough to say, You know what, I will not work for you until I get what I deserve, then you will fucking win.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
A festival is returning this weekend to help raise funds for clean-up efforts.

The 14th annual Bluegrass Festival kicked off at the Erie County Fairgrounds.

Felines and Wines fundraiser brings a double dose of business for Erie Zoo, local wineries

There are 22 different bands from three states that come in to play bluegrass in 45-minute increments.

Many festival lovers are staying on the grounds for the weekend in campers and RVs.

Meet up with some furry friends as Corgi Fest returns this weekend

Theres actually a huge following. As you can tell, there are campers, people will come in Wednesday before the event and they go all over, not just PA but New York, Ohio, and they camp. You know, its a very close community, said Fern Stiffler, organizer for Wattsburg Bluegrass Festival.

On Sunday, they will be holding a gospel from 10 a.m. to noon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
(Live Japan)

The more well-known dishes in Japan tend to be fish, as in sushi, beef, as in yakiniku and chicken, for example kaarage, and in particular if we think of famous meat from Japan then Kobe beef quickly jumps to mind. However, pork is also a widely used meat which can be found in many different kinds of cooking, and in particular, it is a central part of cuisine in Kyushu, Okinawa, and the Kanto region (East Japan). Probably porks own version of Kobe beef can be found in Kagoshima prefecture in Kyushu, which is famous for its kurobuta black Berkshire pigs. In Okinawa there is another fairly well-known species of pig called agu, which actually has quite a long history and dates back to the Ryukyu Kingdom. Talking of history, in the Kanto area farms owned by people like the samurai it was quite common to raise pigs rather than cattle because it was much easier.

Across Japan pork can be found in a wide range of dishes at all kinds of restaurants, you might be surprised at just how many ways you can enjoy pork!

Butadon

Quite similar to gyudon, or beef bowl, butadon, also known as tondon, is a pork bowl dish. In it you will find thinly sliced pork as well as onions which have been simmered in a soy sauce broth until tender, and served in a donburi bowl over rice. This kind of cooking particularly became popular during a BSE scare earlier in the millennium when many restaurants temporarily stopped serving beef.

Japanese Hamburg

Now Japanese hamburg might put you in mind of beef, but actually the best tasting version includes both pork and beef! It might sound odd, but you can even find mixed beef and pork mince in supermarkets which is perfect for making Japanese hamburg.

Shabu Shabu and Rei-Shabu

This dish which again features thinly sliced meat, as well as bite-sized vegetables cooked lightly in a broth is known as Shabu shabu. The dish gets its name from the onomatopoeia shabu, shabu which means swish, swish. Quite often it is eaten with beef slices, but it can be eaten with pork as well. If you are cooking at home then you can easily find both pork and beef slices in supermarkets which have on the label that they are specifically for shabushabu (). Buta shabu meat can be chilled and served cold over a salad or cold noodle dish for a refreshing meal in the summertime called rei-shabu.

Yakiton

This is the pork version of yakitori, basically bite-sized pieces of pork that have been skewered and grilled. In addition to more familiar cuts of meat like pork loin and pork belly, dont be afraid to try some of the more unique items like pork jowl and liver.

Buta-Maki

Buta-maki is another version that can be skewered and grilled, but can also be pan-fried or steamed. Normally it is pork that has been wrapped with something, or even something wrapped with pork, for example bacon-wrapped cherry tomatoes, or thinly sliced pork rolled up with shiso (perilla herb).

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu can be found pretty much everywhere in Japan, this is deep-fried pork cutlet that has been breaded in crispy panko crumbs. It is served with a brown sauce, though there different types of sauces, and quite commonly served with shredded raw cabbage, a rice bowl and miso soup. In many restaurants they will give you unlimited rice, so this dish can be particularly filling if you are also a big fan of delicious rice. There are also different versions of this dish such as katsudon (a bowl of hot rice topped with sliced tonkatsu, onions, and egg), katsu curry (Japanese curry and rice with tonkatsu), and a katsu sando (a sandwich of white bread, tonkatsu, and sauce).

Tonkotsu ramen

Another version which you may or may not have tried is tonkotsu ramen! This started in the Hakata region of northern Kyushu and is one of the Top 3 most popular varieties of ramen in Japan. In its original form it is a bowl of creamy white pork bone soup eaten with thin straight noodles served al dente, sliced green onion, and tender slices of barbecued pork char siu.

Shogayaki

Shogayaki is an easy dish to make and is often made at home or included in bento boxes. It is a dish of pan or grill fried pork loin, the pork is thinly sliced, and this is cooked with soy sauce, sake, and mirin along with ginger.

Nikujaga

Nikujaga is a dish of meat and potatoes, made with thinly sliced pork simmered with vegetables in a dashi and soy sauce broth. The dish is considered to be one of the great comfort foods of Japan and reminds many people of their mothers home cooking. Its typically eaten as part of a traditional Japanese meal with rice, miso soup, and several vegetable side dishes.

Motsu-Nabe, Motsu-Yaki, Pork horumon-yaki and Nikomi

The term motsu refers to offal, the inners of an animal such as intestines and liver, and there are several popular ways of eating these particular cuts of pork in Japan. For example, a kind of hot pot which is famous in Fukuoka (Kyushu) is motsu-nabe, it is well seasoned with chili, garlic, and miso or soy sauce. The strong taste of the broth holds up well to the distinct flavor of the organ meat, which can be beef or pork. It is a good dish to drink alcohol with, and with friends and family. Other motsu dishes to try include motsu-yaki, or grilled pork giblets, and motsu nikomi, a dish of pork giblets braised in a tender stew. Similar to motsu-yaki, horumon-yaki refers specifically to pork intestines, which are marinated in a sauce and grilled. It goes great with beer and sake.

Gyoza

Gyoza originated in China, and was quite popular with Japanese soldiers serving overseas. When they returned to Japan they initiated a desire for a Japanese version of this steamed (or boiled or pan-fried) kind of dumplings. It is usually filled with minced pork and vegetables, but you can find other more unusual ingredients inside it. Nowadays it can be found as a side dish pretty much everywhere, from ramen restaurants to izakayas.

Kakuni

Kakuni is a dish of pork belly cubes stewed slowly in a soy sauce broth until they become meltingly tender and rich. The dish is also known as rafute in Okinawa, where it is a highly prized local dish.

Japan is famous for its fish, and with good reason, and it is famous for its beef dishes, for example yakiniku and sukiyaki, but we dont necessarily think of pork when we want to eat Japanese food. However there is an amazing selection of delicious foods which you simply must try, whether that is a side-dish of gyoza on order along with your ramen, or enjoying a gut-bursting large portion of katsu curry.

Via Live Japan
Annual Na Hula Festival returns to Kapiolani Park with public performances

HONOLULU (KHON2)  The 83rd Annual Na Hula Festival is returning to Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Since 1940, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has been hosting the festival to celebrate the artistry and grace of hula. Na Hula Festival is the biggest annual, non-competitive hula event in Hawaii, according to the Honolulu County website.

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Schedule of Performances

9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Royal Hawaiian Band

10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Na Wahine o ka Hula mai ka Puuwai

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Puanani Alama Hula Studio

Annual Made in Hawaii Festival returns to Hawaii Convention Center

Noon to 12:10 p.m. 2024 Lei Queen and her Court

12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m. Halau Hula o Pua Aala Hone

1:05 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. Halau Hula o Hokulani

Lahaina survivors open Merienda, to pursue new beginnings on Oahu

Attendees can bring their picnic blanket, covering, and food to the festival. Admission is free.

To view the past Na Hula Festivals, visit this playlist.

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Apartment building destroyed, one man killed, 22 displaced in fire

LANCASTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM)  A man, a dog, and a cat were killed and 22 people were displaced after a massive blaze at an apartment complex in Lancaster Township.

Lancaster County Coroner Eric Bieber reported this morning that one male was killed in the fire. Authorities are investigating the identity of the deceased.

According to the Lancaster Township Fire Department, crews were called to the Kensington Club Apartments off Wabank Road around 4:40 p.m. for a reported fire.

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Crews arrived to find heavy fire from Apartment 8 of an eight-unit apartment building.

A second alarm was struck, bringing crews from across Lancaster County to the scene.

Six of the eight apartments were damaged and 22 residents were displaced. Those residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

A dog and cat died in the incident, as well.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.









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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Albuquerque police are searching for a suspect they say carjacked someone near the University of New Mexico (UNM).

According to UNM authorities, the victim flagged down police near University and Lomas, saying someone pointed a gun at them. They also told police the suspect physically removed them from their car and took off.

Story continues below

The car is described as a silver Chevy Equinox. Anyone with information is asked to contact UNM Police.

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BECKLEY, WV  A man is under arrest according to the West Virginia State Police, after robbing Captain Ds on Eisenhower Drive.

The troopers arrived at the scene at 8:45a.m on August 10th, 2024. Troopers spoke with a Captains Ds employee who identified the robber as Brandon Jefferson. Troopers learned that Jefferson was a former Captain Ds employee.

Armed robbery suspect wanted in Fayette County

Jefferson fled the scene with $1152.47. Jefferson was caught near the restaurant. Troopers were able to successfully recover the money and handgun used during the commission of the crime.

Jefferson was arrested and charged with first degree armed robbery, Felon in possession of a firearm and use of firearm in the commission of a felony.

Fifth arrest made in connection to murdered Kansas moms

This investigation is complete awaiting the court process.

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Around 10 Shahed UAVs shot down over Kyiv, no damage reported in city

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast. Photo: Screenshot from video by Ukraines State Emergency Service in Kyiv Oblast

All the attack drones that Russia launched to strike Kyiv on the night of 10-11 August were shot down by air defence assets and personnel in the capital's airspace, causing no damage to the city.

Source: Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA)

Quote: "The enemy has launched airstrikes on Kyiv for the second time since the beginning of August. This night, 11 August 2024, began with the launch of ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv. Like the previous time, six days ago, the aerial targets (such as Iskander-M or the North Korean-made KN-23) did not reach the capital, and the suburbs took the brunt of the attack.

Several dozen Shahed attack UAVs were known to have been launched on Ukraine. After elaborate manoeuvres, about a dozen of them attempted to attack Kyiv. However, all the enemy UAVs have been shot down in the airspace of the Ukrainian capital by air defence assets and personnel."

Details: The KCMA stressed that the capital suffered no damage or casualties.

Background:

Around midnight, explosions rocked Kyiv as the Russians launched missiles on the capital.

At 03:00, an air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv for the second time overnight. The Russians launched drones and Ukrainian air defence units were responding.

A man and a child have been killed in the Russian missile attack.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  Austin Pride said Saturday evening that it met with community leaders to discuss recent controversy over how it selects sponsors and allegations that it banned the Palestinian flag and pro-Palestinian symbols, according to a social media post.

PREVIOUS: Palestinian coalition wants conversation with Austin Pride about sponsors, symbols

In that post, Austin Pride said it met with leaders from the Austin For Palestine Coalition, Jewish Voices for Peace and other local community leaders.

We acknowledge that we made a mistake and want to clarify that symbols of Palestine or pro-Palestinian liberation are not antisemitic or anti-Jewish, the post reads. We deeply regret how we handled this situation and sincerely apologize for the harm caused. We are saddened by the spread of anti-Palestinian rhetoric that has impacted queer, Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, Jewish and other communities.

Austin Against Apartheid, one of the organizations represented at the meeting, issued a statement Saturday evening. That post thanked Austin Pride, and was shared by the Austin For Palestine Coalition and Austin with Palestine.

After the meeting, Austin Pride has committed to evaluating its sponsors going forward based on BDS criteria and to not working with the Anti-Defamation League. Thank you [Austin Pride] and welcome to the Apartheid-Free community! the post reads.

BDS, or Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, is a political campaign organized by Palestinian activists. Pro-Israel groups have called the global campaign anti Semitic. Texas law prevents state and local governments from providing funding or contracting with businesses that boycott Israel.

Related: Despite protests, UT divestment from weapons unlikely

Austin Pride said it will evaluate future sponsors of the event based on BDS criteria, and that arms makers and unethical corporations will not be allowed to sponsor.

We hope that this weekend and in the future, Austin Pride can be a space where everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there! concludes Austin Prides statement.

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An author who has a goal of lifting up the voices of African American women is back in her hometown to host a special event.

Dr. Janet Dewart Bell held a book signing at Barnes and Noble on Saturday afternoon.

Sister of Larry Meredith speaks on his legacy, city hosts first annual walk in his name

She is an Erie native who concentrates on the Civil Rights Movement and the time between the Civil War to the 21st century.

Dr. Bell explained that she enjoys having a dialogue with those who come to her public events.

Erie Arts and Culture moving to historic downtown Erie building

I am a lifelong learner and its important for me to keep growing and to also listen to what people have to say. To me, the first rule of communication is listening, and by that, we can talk about what our values are and how we can move forward together, said Dr. Bell.

She went on to say that she currently working on a three-part memoir about her family.

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I will be back: Community hosts fundraiser for MCSO Deputy who was injured in wreck

I will be back: Community hosts fundraiser for MCSO Deputy who was injured in wreck

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The community showed its support Saturday for Madison County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) Deputy Josh Moseley by hosting a fundraiser to support him after a July wreck almost claimed his life.

Does it hurt being out here? It does. Im in pain right now, but nothing was going to stop me from being here to show my appreciation, said Josh Moseley.

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Following severe injuries and several surgeries, the detective credits his faith for still being alive, calling it a miracle.

In one of his first appearances since the wreck, the community embraced Moseley with hugs and expressions of appreciation.

The feeling that I have in my heart for this is a completely unexplainable feeling. To see this community come together like this, its really heartwarming, Moseley said.

Stan Clemons, a long-time friend of Moseley, described him as a human being like no other whod give someone his last. Clemons said Moseleys humbleness is what makes him even more special.

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Josh is one of a kind. He served our country number one, and now hes serving our community, and thats servants heart. If we had more Josh Moseleys, this world would be better off, Clemons said.

Saturdays event at Valhalla Funeral Home included vendors and small businesses, and all of the proceeds went to his family.

With first responders like Moseley putting their lives on the line daily, Kelly Russell says the fundraiser was a no-brainer.

We could not do what we do without the officers, their support staff and the EMTs. Their serving heart is unmeasurable, Russell said.

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Moseley doesnt remember a lot from the night he was injured, but what hell never forget is how the community has united to uplift him and his family during an unthinkable time.

He says whats helping him heal is seeing North Alabama rally behind him. Despite a long road to recovery, hes motivated more than ever to get back in uniform to serve his community.

Life is short, and times like this really make you realize that tomorrow is never promised. I want to give back to this community the best I can to show the same love that Ive been shown during this time of need, Moseley said.

Saturdays event raised thousands of dollars that will go toward Moseleys medical expenses and other unexpected costs.

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A popular and informative family event took place in Millcreek Township on Saturday.

Now that its August, families are gearing up to send their star pupils back to the classrooms.

Sometimes this can be an anxious time for kids and parents alike and Pennsylvania State Representative Ryan Bizzarros office helps relieve some stress.

The second annual free kids back to school safety expo was held Saturday at the Corner Ground in Millcreek Township.

Erie group providing back-to-school supplies with giveaway event

Its not all bad going back to school. There are some fun things that will happen throughout the year and were going to take the steps necessary to prepare them for that, said State Rep. Bizzarro.

There was a wide variety of demonstrations and presentations for children as well as opportunities for parents to gather information about local services.

Going into the school year, medical teams from LECOM said its important for parents to stay involved with their childs education.

Remain in contact with the teachers. Check their bookbags, go over their homework and ask them how they are feeling. Students have really big feelings about going back to school and what that means, reuniting with teachers and new friends, said Nicole Platz, chief community impact officer, of LECOM Behavioral Health.

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Platz said the beginning of the school year can be nerve-wracking for students and parents making an effort to show that they care can make all the difference.

Another key aspect to keep in mind is how to deal with physical injury, immunization and dental health.

A dentist said this was a great event to see the services they have an office for anyone in the community and ask for brushing and flossing daily.

Preferably three times and after every meal. Brush your teeth and floss. We certainly teach oral hygiene to every single patient who comes through, said Richard Troxler, dentist and clinical director at LECOM Dental.

Grover Open returns to benefit over 20-year-old scholarship program

One of the number one tips while boarding any bus is if you cant see the driver, they cant see you, and that includes their mirrors.

Make sure youre following at a safe distance if youre behind the vehicle. Always make sure that the bus comes to a complete stop before you board, said Sarah Morrison, director of marketing & public relations at EMTA.

Morrison explained that the event lets students know that there are many career options, like driving a bus.

This might be the first time a kid has ever seen or been on a public bus. A lot of them have probably been on their yellow school bus but an EMTA bus or public transit is a lot different so its a really fun opportunity for them to see a difference between mass transit and school transportation, said Morrison.

Bags of school supplies and water bottles were given away to the first 250 children.

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FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A local organization in Fort Smith is excited to have new technology at the Baptist Health Radiation Oncology in Fort Smith that can help accurately target tumors in their city.

Thirteen years ago, Tasha Schluterman, patient services manager at Reynolds Cancer Support House, got hit with one of the worst moments in her life.

My five-year-old was diagnosed with brain cancer, Schluterman said.

Fort Smith police warn against found child scams

Now, she is helping people who are in a similar situation.

Being on that end of it and advocating for him, being an advocate for myself, reaching out for help and support, I always knew I wanted to be on this end of it. I wanted to be the advocate. I wanted to be that support system, Schluterman said.

Schluterman was offered a job at the Reynolds Cancer Support House and now she is advocating for patients and their caregivers.

When the job was offered to me, I went home and talked about it with my family and my now 18-year-old who had brain cancer said, Its a no-brainer, mom, this is what youre supposed to be they need you just like I needed you. And so that is why my heart is here and why I am here, Schluterman said.

The support house is what Director of Operations Jessie Bickerton describes as a safe haven for cancer patients.

We just want the cancer patients to have somewhere where they can come. They feel safe, they get educated, they have people to talk to. They have a place that they can go to outside of the hospitals and doctors offices, Bickerton said.

When is the first day of school?

Patients can come here for many resources such as gas cards, cooking classes, yoga classes led by Yogaterrium and Tai Chi classes.

We provide them with Stus clean cooking, they get six meals, Schluterman said. We also provide them with a voucher to the River Valley Food Bank. We provide them with different support groups, and we provide nutritional supplements, wigs, breast prostheses, bras, pretty much anything they need other than certain medical equipment.

Many patients at the support house have to travel to other cities to receive treatment, like one mom Bickerton says had to go to Little Rock.

Her son was in New York and he couldnt get down here in time to help her, Bickerton said.

Now, the Baptist Health Radiation Oncology in Fort Smith has new technology to bring better care closer to home. The new technology is a linear accelerator used for surface-guided radiation therapy.

With radiation, what we try and do is target tumors, Dr. Daniel Schroyer, medical director of radiation oncology at Baptist Health Fort Smith, said.

The hospital started using this machine last month and Schroyer says hes treated about five to seven patients. This method is more accurate, comfortable and has less side effects for patients, Schroyer said.

Any technology that allows us to accurately target the tumor is going to lead to less side effects because our treatment margins are smaller, Schroyer said.

Before, patients would have a halo or a head frame physically screwed into their skull and attached to the table to prevent movement during the procedure. Patients now have an open face mask, and three cameras are hanging from the ceiling to monitor them.

If the patient does move, it automatically turns the radiation beam off, Schroyer said.

The new equipment makes the treatment process time faster, reducing treatment time by up to seven hours.

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This system allows them to do re-treatments and treat a lot of patients with stage 4 cancer more aggressively according to Schroyer.

We had a hard time doing it before because were so precise in how we do things, Schroyer said. The technology allows us to really put a treatment plan together over a course of a patients cancer diagnosis. I have patients that Ive treated five, ten times with radiation, its not just a one-time thing.

Having the linear accelerator here can also lift the financial burden of having to drive somewhere else for patients who live in the area.

To be able to come here and get their treatment and everything that they need at their back door, Im super excited, Schroyer said.

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The News

CAPE TOWN  Beauty pageant contestant Chidimma Adetshina officially withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition on Thursday 48 hours ahead of the event following a storm of controversy and public outcry questioning her citizenship.

Ever since the 23-year-old law student announced her spot in the contest in May, she has been the victim of brutal cyberbullying and xenophobic abuse, with online trolls saying she is not South African enough to compete.

Adetshina was born in Soweto, Johannesburgs historic township. She had previously said that her father is Nigerian and that her mother is South African with Mozambican roots. South African law states that citizenship can be acquired if you are born in the country and at least one of your parents is a citizen or permanent resident.

The trolls zeroed in on her Nigerian heritage, but it is the dispute over her mothers nationality that was the final straw. In response to a request from the competition organizers, a home affairs ministry investigation found early evidence that Adetshinas mother have committed fraud and identity theft in 2001. It suggested that she might not be a South African citizen.

Marches view

The wave of vitriol directed at Adetshina highlights a very particular type of bigotry in South Africa: Afrophobia.

The furor began long before the investigation into her mother. It really grew legs after a video of Adetshina celebrating her spot in the finals with her Nigerian family members went viral.

Nigerian nationals living in South Africa have long been used as scapegoats by local politicians to whitewash their own failures. The prevailing myth propagated by several right-wing parties is that Nigerians are drug peddlers bringing crime into the country.

This dangerous rhetoric has led to waves of xenophobic attacks, most notably in 2008 where violence was perpetrated against African migrants countrywide. Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, these hostilities have led to the displacement of over 100,000 people and the deaths of several hundreds according to Xenowatch.

Three decades since the birth of the so-called Rainbow Nation and some leaders in the Government of National Unity (GNU) continue to proliferate Afrophobic messaging.

Minority parties like the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and ActionSA (holding nine and six parliamentary seats respectively) ran election campaigns on an anti-immigration ticket and the PA specifically promised mass deportations if voted into power.

These parties, that once existed on the fringes of South African politics, are conservative and populist in both ideology and practice. They have track records of weaponizing poverty and the legitimate struggles of millions of the countrys citizens to fuel their rise to power.

The fact that unabashed bigots now hold decision-making power within the GNU is scary and could, in all likelihood, exacerbate a scourge that has the country in a chokehold.

The Miss South Africa fiasco is not about the law. It is about the deep-seated contempt for African foreign nationals and the politicians using it to their advantage.

The View From NIGERIA

Theres been an outpouring of anger on Nigerian social media at the treatment of Chidimma Adetshina. Its an especially sensitive topic because there have been multiple reports of xenophobic attacks and discrimination against Nigerians in South Africa for many years now.

In response to the news of her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant the organizers of the Miss Universe Nigeria invited her to participate in their competition. This is an opportunity to represent your fathers native land on an international stage, and we believe you would be an outstanding contender, said national director Guy Murray-Bruce in a statement.
Belarus sent military reinforcements to its border with Ukraine Saturday after it said several Ukrainian drones crossed its airspace and were intercepted by the countrys air defenses on Friday, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said in a statement.

We suspect these are attack drones, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said during a separate briefing Saturday. He called the incident a provocation and said the general staff of Belarus has been ordered to take relevant measures to ensure the security of the state.

Ukrainians show in this way that they are not ready for peace and continue to escalate this tension, Lukashenko said, speaking of the recent Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory.

Khrenin told journalists considering the situation in Ukraine and in the Kursk region of Russia Lukashenko has ordered to strengthen the grouping of troops in the Gomel and Mozyr areas bordering Ukraine in order to respond to Ukrainian provocations.

Military units of special operations forces, ground troops and rocket forces, including Polonez systems and Iskander (ballistic missile) complexes, have been tasked with marching to the designated areas. Air defense, rocket defense and aviation forces and assets have been built-up, Khrenin said.

On Saturday, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry summoned the Charge dAffaires of Ukraine and lodged a strong protest in connection with the incident, the ministry said in a post on X.

The Ukrainian diplomat was warned that in case of repetition of such provocations #Belarus reserves the right to take retaliatory steps to protect its territory, the ministry said, adding it may question the necessity of the continued presence of the #Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Minsk.

The ministry blamed Ukraine for criminal actions to radically escalate the situation and represent a dangerous attempt to expand the zone of the current conflict in our region. It asked the rest of Europe to not escalate the situation.

Ukraine has not publicly commented on Belarus accusations.

We appeal to the peoples of neighboring Europe: in the event of an expansion of the conflict, the fire will spread throughout the region, including to the EU countries. There will be no winners! the ministry said on X.

Belarusian state media BelTA said Saturday the Foreign Ministry will initiate consultations with allies and partners, as well as international organizations following the incident.

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Man suspected of double homicide in Belleville now in custody, police confirm

The man suspected in a double homicide in Belleville Sunday has been taken into custody, Belleville police said.

Multiple police agencies embarked on the manhunt after a vehicle crashed into a home in the 100 block of South Eighth Street, resulting in a fire and the deaths of two people, shortly after 9 a.m.

One juvenile was rescued from the burning building, according to Belleville police. The victims, whose names have not been released, were identified only as an adult female and a juvenile female.

Officers have reason to believe (the) actions were intentional, Belleville police stated in a release. This is being investigated as a double homicide.

Belleville police issued a Code Red alert asking residents near Citizens Park to stay in their homes and lock their doors until the suspect, believed to be armed with a machete, could be taken into custody.

According to police, he fled the scene on foot and was later spotted by law enforcement entering a wooded area near the railroad tracks off South 29th Street, near Otto Drive.

Police dispatch received a call reporting the suspect was possibly sighted near the Dollar Tree, at 5831 Belleville Crossing. Police arrived within seconds of the report and took the person of interest into custody, according to a release issued by police late Sunday afternoon.

The suspect will be held at Belleville Police Department pending further investigation. Belleville Police are not currently seeking any additional suspects in this case.

Were confident we have the person responsible in custody, said Belleville Police Lt. Col. Mark Heffernan. The investigation is ongoing, however, and well be presenting a case to the St. Clair County States Attorneys office.

An earlier report that the man was spotted inside a Main Street restaurant waving that machete around was not verified by police.

The Belleville News-Democrat does not publish the name of crime suspects until charges are filed. The victims names have not been released.

The homicide occurred about 9:15 a.m. in the 100 block of South Eighth Street. Police tape encircles the property and a vehicle was still embedded in front where it struck the two-story structure. The vehicle was partially hidden behind a tarp.

The house is heavily damaged by a fire that followed the collision.

Fire crews have left the scene, but investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies, including Belleville police and Illinois State Police, remained into Sunday afternoon. The entire street was blocked to traffic.

A neighbor who asked not to be identified said the incident began with a crash.

I heard it, I didnt see it, she said. I heard a big crash, but didnt think nothing of it until I heard all the firetrucks.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden host an Independence Day celebration at the White House in Washington

(Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said in comments broadcast on Sunday that he would campaign for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in November's presidential election.

Biden made his remarks in an interview with CBS, his first since announcing in late July that he would pull out of the race against Republican candidate Donald Trump over concerns about the future of U.S. democracy.

Harris leads Trump by four points each in Pennsylvania and two other key swing states, Wisconsin and Michigan, according to polls by the New York Times and Siena College released on Saturday.

Asked whether he would be campaigning for Harris, Biden replied: "Yes."

Biden said he and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro "are putting together a campaign tour in Pennsylvania. I'm going to be campaigning in other states as well and I'm going to do whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most."

Further details were not immediately available.

Biden and Harris are due to appear together in Maryland on Thursday to "discuss the progress they are making to lower costs for the American people," the White House said last week.

Harris, who officially became the Democratic Party's presidential nominee last week, on Saturday said she planned to unveil her policy positions in the coming week.

"It'll be focused on the economy and what we need to do to bring down costs, and also strengthen the economy overall," she told reporters.

Harris announced last week that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be her vice presidential running mate.

"He's my kind of guy, he's real, he's smart, I've known him for several decades. I think it's a hell of a team," said Biden.

The president, who decided to step down in the wake of a disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27, said internal polls showed the race would have been very close.

"But what happened was, a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races and I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic you'd be interviewing me about," he said.

In an initial excerpt of the interview released last Wednesday, Biden said he was not confident about a peaceful transfer of power in the United States if Trump lost.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren, Sarah Lynch and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Mary Milliken and Andrea Ricci)
President Joe Biden on Saturday approved a major disaster declaration for Florida counties affected by Hurricane Debby, including Manatee and Sarasota.

The president ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the storm.

The assistance can come in the form of grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the storm, the declaration said.

Bidens move makes federal funding available to those affected in the following counties:

Columbia

Dixie

Gilchrist

Hamilton

Lafayette

Levy

Manatee

Sarasota

Suwanee

Taylor

Anyone who has losses due to Hurricane Debby in the above counties can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA app.

  

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Biden orders federal aid for Hurricane Debby damage in Florida: What to know, number to call

Days after Debby's first landfall as a hurricane in Florida, President Biden declared that a major disaster exists and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the storm.

Debby made landfall as a hurricane in Steinhatchee, Florida, about 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5. Sustained winds were 80 mph. The tropical system later downgraded to Tropical Storm Debby, but made its second landfall just before 2 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, near Bulls Bay, South Carolina. Sustained winds for Tropical Storm Debby were 50 mph.

The storm brought historic rainfall from Florida to the Carolinas.

According to a press release from this weekend, the presidents action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in these areas:

Columbia County, Florida

Dixie County, Florida

Gilchrist County, Florida

Hamilton County, Florida

Lafayette County, Florida

Levy County, Florida

Manatee County, Florida

Sarasota County, Florida

Suwannee County, Florida

Taylor County, Florida

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from Hurricane Debby's effects, the release states.

Federal funding also is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in these areas:

Columbia County, Florida

Dixie County, Florida

Gilchrist County, Florida

Hamilton County, Florida

Lafayette County, Florida

Levy County, Florida

Madison County, Florida

Manatee County, Florida

Sarasota County, Florida

Suwannee County, Florida

Taylor County, Florida

Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide, a White House news release states.

Biden's order for federal aid for Hurricane Debby damage in Florida coincides with warnings from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, which is tracking a tropical wave that has a high formation for development. At 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, the system formed to become Potential Tropical Cyclone Five, according to the hurricane center.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Five was forecast to become a tropical storm Monday, Aug. 12. The next named storm will be Ernesto.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses from Hurricane Debby in the designated areas can apply for assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362), or by using the FEMA app. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida residents, business owners can apply for Hurricane Debby help
Biden says he was concerned staying in the race would be a real distraction

President Biden in a new interview offered his lengthiest explanation to date of why he opted not to seek reelection, citing concerns that it could negatively impact other Democrats running in November.

The polls we had showed that it was a neck and neck race, wouldve been down to the wire, Biden said on CBS Sunday Morning.

But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races, Biden continued. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. Youd be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say, why did  and I thought itd be a real distraction, number one.

Biden said the other factor was maintaining this democracy, arguing that defeating former President Trump was paramount.

The president announced July 21 that he would not seek reelection amid pressure from other Democrats to step aside following a disastrous debate performance against former President Trump.

Dozens of elected Democrats had urged Biden to pass the torch to another candidate, questioning whether he could defeat Trump in November.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who has served with Biden for decades, has given multiple recent interviews in which she has disputed that she personally phoned the president to express her concerns. However, she had been critical of his political operation and said she acted as a sounding board for other lawmakers.

Polls showed Biden trailing Trump nationally. Battleground states he won in 2020, like Nevada, Arizona and Georgia, were drifting further out of reach, while must-win states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin were closely contested.

Biden backed Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee upon dropping out, and she has quickly consolidated support within the party and electrified voters, drawing thousands of people to rallies in Detroit, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Las Vegas this week.

Polls have shown Harris has erased Trumps polling lead, making it a neck and neck race both nationally and in battleground 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 The Hill.
Biden says hell campaign for Harris in Pennsylvania and other states

President Biden intends to hit the road to campaign for Vice President Harris in the coming weeks after he ended his own candidacy, telling CBS Sunday Morning he will visit Pennsylvania and other states.

Biden said in an interview that aired Sunday that he talks with Harris frequently, and he offered praise for her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D).

Hes my kind of guy. Hes real. Hes smart. Ive known him for several decades. I think its a hell of a team, Biden said.

The president brushed aside questions about his health as he presides over the final five months of his time in office and signaled he would be a visible presence as the campaign heats up.

Look, I had a really, really bad day in that debate because I was sick. But I have no serious problem, Biden said. I was talking to [Pennsylvania] Gov. Shapiro, whos a friendhe and I are putting together a campaign tour in Pennsylvania. Im going to be campaigning in other states as well. And Im going to do whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most.

Biden has yet to appear on the trail either with Harris or on his own since he announced on July 21 that he would not seek reelection amid pressure from other Democrats to step aside following a disastrous debate performance against former President Trump.

Harris has consolidated support among elected Democrats and rejuvenated base voters, drawing huge crowds this week in multiple battleground states.

And while polls had shown Trump with a steady lead over Biden nationally and in key battleground states, polls in recent days have shown Harris and Trump running neck-and-neck.

Biden may be an asset with certain sets of voters, particularly older voters who could be critical in Novembers race. And he cited his ability to navigate the countrys emergence from the coronavirus pandemic and the economic recovery as examples of how he hoped history would remember his presidency.

But his overall approval rating remains mired around 40 percent, as it has for much of his presidency. A FiveThirtyEight average of approval rating polls showed Bidens sat at 39 percent.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Joe Biden says pressure from Nancy Pelosi led him to drop out of race

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Joe Biden says he was forced out of the presidential race by pressure from Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats in Congress.

The US president, who endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor last month, said disquiet from his own party had become a distraction that had hamstrung his campaign.

Mr Biden, 81, insisted that the contest with Donald Trump had been neck and neck before he dropped out and denied that any serious health issue had ended his re-election bid.

What happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and the Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races, he told CBS News on Sunday in his first interview since he quit the race.

I was concerned that if I stayed in the race that would be the topic youd be interviewing me about  why did Nancy Pelosi say... And I thought it would be a real distraction.

Ms Pelosi, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, is reported to have organised the campaign to oust Mr Biden and presented him with polling showing he could not beat Trump.

In a statement to the nation days after stepping aside, Mr Biden referred obliquely to the political pressure that had been brought to bear on him, but emphasised that his decision was for the sacred cause of this country.

He said that he needed to unite my party to protect democracy in the US, and that he had put aside personal ambition to do so.

At the time, he did not name any of those who had urged him to drop out although it had been reported that Ms Pelosi and the top Democrats in the House and Senate, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, had done so.

In his CBS News interview on Sunday, Mr Biden said he wanted to be remembered as a president who proved democracy can work and said that was factored into his decision to leave the race.

Although its a great honour being president I think I have an obligation to the country to the most important thing I can do, and that is, we must defeat Trump, he said.

Although he denied that his dire presidential debate performance  in which he repeatedly froze and lost his train of thought  was the result of a serious condition, Mr Biden also acknowledged his struggles with age.

When I ran the first time I thought of myself as being a transition president, Mr Biden said, having indicated in 2019 that he would likely serve just a single term in office.

I cant even say how old I am, its hard for me to get it out of my mouth.

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Momentum around the campaign to unseat Mr Biden gathered after he made a series of gaffes in the weeks after the debate.

At the Nato 75th anniversary summit in Washington DC, he referred to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader, as President Putin, and called Ms Harris vice president Trump.

Following criticism of his light schedule after ending his campaign, Mr Biden insisted to CBS that he was working every single day to avert a large-scale war in the Middle East.

Insisting a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was still possible, he added: Im working literally every single day and my whole team to see to it that it doesnt escalate into a regional war. But it easily can.

The day before the interview was broadcast, the 81 year-old was pictured relaxing on Rehoboth Beach near his home in Delaware with his wife, first lady Jill Biden, and granddaughter, Naomi.

Mr Biden added that he would also work to get Ms Harris elected, and was drawing up plans to campaign in the battleground state of Pennsylvania  where some have raised concerns about the vice presidents appeal.

Whatever Kamala thinks

We have to win Pennsylvania, my original home state, Mr Biden, who was born in Scranton, said. Im going to be doing whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most.

Mr Bidens decision to exit the presidential run came after weeks of acrimonious exchanges between himself and the press and mounting frustration over his stubbornness to stay.

While Ms Pelosi has sought to distance herself from accusations of forcing Mr Biden out of the race, she was publicly disparaging about his campaign and re-election prospects this month.

Ive never been that impressed with his political operation, she told the New Yorker in an interview on Thursday.

They won the White House. Bravo. But my concern was: this aint happening, and we have to make a decision for this to happen. The president has to make the decision for that to happen.

Ms Pelosi, who stood down as house speaker last year but is still a hugely influential power broker in the party, also said she lost sleep over the decision to move against Mr Biden, whom she considers an old friend.

I love him so much, I think hes been a fantastic president of the United States, Ms Pelosi said.

In everything she did, she was motivated by a desire that Donald Trump would never set foot in the White House again.

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03:59 PM BST

Thats all for now

Thank you for following our live coverage of Joe Bidens CBS News interview, in which he said he had dropped out of the presidential race following pressure from Nancy Pelosi. This live blog is now closed.

03:27 PM BST

Biden is doing more interviews than Harris

Frank Luntz, the pollster and commentator, noted that Joe Biden has done more interviews than Kamala Harris since she replaced him as the Democrat presidential candidate.

Ms Harris has come under fire for avoiding media scrutiny and has not done a single sit-down interview since joining the race.

Fielding questions from reporters on Thursday, she said she intended to have an extended interview before the end of the month.

Joe Biden has done more media interviews than Kamala Harris since she replaced him on the Democratic ticket 3 weeks ago. https://t.co/fLQE3LPPKg  Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 11, 2024

03:20 PM BST

Biden to campaign in must-win Pennsylvania

Joe Biden says he will be campaigning across Pennsylvania, his original home state, to keep Donald Trump out of the White House.

Mr Biden, who was born in Scranton, wrested the battleground state from Trump by a thin margin at the last election, but some have raised concerns about Ms Harris ability to keep hold of it.

I was talking to [Pennsylvania[ Governor [Josh] Shapiro whos a friend. We have to win Pennsylvania, my original home state.

He and I are putting together a campaign tour in Pennsylvania, Im going to be campaigning in other states as well. And Im going to be doing whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most.

03:14 PM BST

Biden says he will join Harris on the campaign trail

Joe Biden says he will be joining Kamala Harris on the campaign trail and praises her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as a great guy.

Mr Biden continued: We grew up in the same neighbourhood... hes real, hes smart, its a hell of a team.

The US President is expected to join Ms Harris, the vice president, at a campaign event on Thursday in Maryland to discuss the progress they are making to lower costs for Americans.

02:55 PM BST

Biden insists he is still working after dropping out

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02:31 PM BST

Family were proud when I left race, says Biden

Joe Biden says that, after dropping out of the race, his children and grandchildren said they were proud, and it mattered to me a lot.

02:29 PM BST

Biden: I dropped out because of pressure from Democrats

Joe Biden says he dropped out of the presidential race because he had an obligation to the country to ensure Donald Trump was defeated.

The polls we had showed it was a neck and neck race, it would have been done to the wire, he told CBS News.

But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and the Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races.

And I was concerned that if I stayed in the race that would be the topic youd be interviewing me about - why did Nancy Pelosi say... And I thought it would be a real distraction.

He also said that he had intended to be a transition president but things got moving for me so quickly.

A critical issue for me still, not a joke, maintaining this democracy... Although its a great honour being president I think I have an obligation to the country to the most important thing I can do, and that is, we must defeat Trump.

02:20 PM BST

Trump is a genuine danger to American security

Joe Biden attacks Donald Trump as a genuine danger to American security if he wins the election in November.

He says the Supreme Court, which he recently proposed reforming by introducing term limits and a code of ethics, is so out of whack.

02:18 PM BST

Biden: I proved democracy can work

Asked how he wants to be remembered, Joe Biden says: He proved democracy can work. It got us out of a pandemic. It produced the single greatest economic recovery in American history.

02:17 PM BST

Biden is working every single day despite beach photos

Joe Biden says he is working every single day in an interview with CBS, following criticism of his light schedule, George Styllis writes.

The president said he was trying to stay busy after exiting the presidential race and that he had directed his attention to the Middle East to see that it doesnt escalate into a regional war.

Mr Biden was recently photographed lounging on a beach with his family.

Joe Biden relaxes on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with his wife and granddaughter - SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images

Some Democrats have suggested his withdrawal from public view may stem from a feeling of being unwanted.

My Biden commented on his work schedule in an interview with CBS, his public appearance since quitting the presidential run.

02:15 PM BST

Biden: There may be violence if Trump loses

Joe Bidens interview is live now. Asked if there will be a peaceful transfer of power after the next election, he says: If Trump [loses], no Im not confident at all.

He means what he says - we dont take him seriously.

01:26 PM BST

When is the interview and how can I watch it?

The interview with the President has been pre-recorded at the White House.

The programme will air on Sunday on CBS News at 2pm UK time, (9am EST).

Mr Biden has been interviewed by American political reporter Robert Costa.

It will be broadcast on CBS News Sunday Morning and will last an hour and a half.

Viewers can also stream the interview on Paramount+.

Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

01:23 PM BST

Hello and welcome

Well be bringing you the latest from Joe Bidens first interview since he quit the 2024 presidential race as it airs 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.
Fans of fast food chicken sandwiches may feel good that Chick-fil-A hasn't had a lot of recalls, but the ones it has gone through have proven to be pretty significant. These recalls have hit nearly every aspect of the menu, including dipping sauces, nuggets, filets, sides, desserts, and even a couple of kid's meal toys.

Given that we could uncover only six recalls to hit the chain in a little over 20 years, the truth is that Chick-fil-A doesn't have too bad of a track record. Most of the food recalls were related to allergy concerns, while one was connected to a nationwide bacterial outbreak that struck other restaurants and suppliers. Meanwhile, all the kid's meal toys that were recalled were because of safety issues, although one was mired in political controversy as well. A few people ended up in the hospital because of items that were ultimately recalled.

Thankfully, nobody has been known to have died from any of the recalled products discussed here. Surely we all hope that Chick-fil-A and its customers will continue to have the same type of luck in the future as the company makes proactive choices to ensure the health of its customers. Here are all the details about these recalls and their repercussions for Chick-fil-A.

Read more: Ranking Fast Food Fried Chicken Sandwiches From Worst To First

Polynesian Sauce Dipping Cups

Chick-fil-A Polynesian Sauce grilled nuggets waffle fries - Chick-fil-A / Facebook

The most recent recall that hit Chick-fil-A took place in 2024 and concerned its Polynesian Sauce. The containers of this sauce were mislabeling, making it potentially dangerous for those with certain allergies who had read the label and assumed that they would be safe dipping their fries and nuggets in the sauce. The company moved quickly to announce its Polynesian sauce recall, adding signs in its stores, putting a banner on its website, and sending out an alert on its mobile app.

The problem was with supplier T. Marzetti Co., which produced Polynesian Sauce cups that actually contained Sriracha instead. Anyone with a wheat or soy allergy could have potentially had an allergic reaction to the sauce, assuming they were eating a sauce that was safe for them. After all, the Polynesian sauce has been around since 1984 and is quite familiar to those who frequent the restaurant. It would reasonably be known as a normally safe option for those with soy and wheat allergies. While the potentially mislabeled sauces weren't in every Chick-fil-A, they were in quite a few, with locations in 27 states out of 48 affected by the recall.

While Chick-fil-A stopped distributing the sauce in its restaurants, it was still concerned about leftover packets lingering in homes. The restaurant asked anyone who had gotten potentially affected packets of Polynesian Sauce between February 14 and February 27, 2024 to discard them.

Grilled Chicken Nuggets And Filets

Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets and Waffle Fries - Chick-fil-A / Instagram

When J.P. Powers and his mom, Francine,visited Chick-fil-A on August 13, 2022, they specifically asked whether the nuggets they were ordering contained any dairy products because of J.P.'s life-threatening allergies to the ingredient. After being told that they were safe, the teenager sat down to eat his meal. He proceeded to have an allergic reaction so strong that his throat started to close up and he needed emergency medical care. The family filed a lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court. The restaurant initially claimed that there was no dairy in the nuggets. However, upon further research, it turned out that Chick-fil-A was very, very wrong.

Later in that month, the restaurant admitted that its supplier had made a mistake that meant the product's actual ingredients didn't match the allergen information advertised on the Chick-fil-A website. As a result, both the Grilled Chicken Nuggets and Grilled Chicken Filets indeed contained dairy products.

The chain immediately let the public know about its mistake and demanded new grilled chicken products from its supplier without any dairy included. Currently, the restaurant lists neither the Grilled Chicken Sandwich (which features a Grilled Chicken Filet) nor the Grilled Nuggets as containing dairy. With increased scrutiny from the 2022 incident, this hopefully means customers with dairy allergies can safely order them.

Romaine Lettuce In Salads

Chick-fil-A Spicy Southwest Salad - Katherine Cullen Hundley / Facebook

In November of 2018, there was an outpouring of recalls on romaine lettuce that had been infected with E. coli bacteria. Chick-fil-A happened to be an unlucky recipient of some of the tainted lettuce and stopped serving salads until the outbreak could be traced and resolved.

Most of the people who got sick during the E. coli outbreak remembered eating something with romaine lettuce in it. We found an account of at least one customer who was able to trace her infection with the strain in question  E. coli O5157  directly back to romaine lettuce from Chick-fil-A. As per the Marler Clark law firm, Eunice Cintron was hospitalized with extreme digestive distress, fever, and a headache two days after eating contaminated romaine lettuce. The source appeared to be a Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad she had purchased from a Chick-fil-A location in Sacramento, California on April 9, 2018. She rated her abdominal pain level at a staggering 10 out of 10 and remained in the hospital for seven days before she was able to return home.

According to the CDC, Cintron was one of 62 people around the U.S. who fell ill after eating tainted lettuce acquired from various sources in 16 different states. The E. coli outbreak resulted in 25 hospitalizations. While there were no deaths reported as a result of this particular outbreak, two people developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Chick-fil-A Chocolate Chunk Cookie and milk - Chick-fil-A / Facebook

Chick-fil-A had an allergen-related recall in 2016 that directly affected its Chocolate Chunk Cookies. With the passage of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act in 2004 food companies were required to clearly list allergens on packaging. This also led to numerous recalls for undeclared allergens. While the act doesn't strictly apply to restaurants, many establishments like Chick-fil-A have become more allergen-aware, listing potentially harmful ingredients and recalling foods with possible allergens to avoid lawsuits. The chain's Chocolate Chunk Cookies were among the first allergy-related recalls for Chick-fil-A.

CSM Bakery Solutions, the supplier for the restaurant's Chocolate Chunk Cookies, let Chick-fil-A know that the cookies may have been contaminated with peanuts during production. Since the restaurant lists the cookies as nut-free, it was quick to pull the treats out of stores so as not to accidentally activate someone's peanut allergies, which can turn deadly. The company estimated it could get a limited number of safe cookies back on the dessert menu within a week or two. However, it didn't commit to having its normal supply for a full month while CMS Bakery Solutions was making up the difference for the recalled cookies.

Operating under an abundance of caution, Chick-fil-A asked customers to get rid of any cookies they had acquired before April 22, 2016, when the recall was enacted. It was also possible to bring your uneaten cookie to a local Chick-fil-A spot and ask for a refund.

Jim Henson Creature Shop Puppet Kid's Meal Toy

Chick-fil-A sign explaining toy recall - Facebook / Chick-fil-A

The earliest recalls that Chick-fil-A had concerned toys from its Kid's Meals, including a Muppets toy in 2012. While the stated issue with the toy was related to safety, it had ties to a boycott as well.

On July 19, 2012, Chick-fil-A recalled all its Jim Henson's Creature Shop Puppet toys from its Kid's Meals ostensibly because of safety concerns. The restaurant claimed that some children managed to get their fingers wedged in the puppets and had difficulty getting them out. The Muppet toys were scheduled from the middle of July until the middle of August. After they were pulled, kids received an Icedream cone instead until the next toy campaign started. However, at the time of the recall, it didn't appear that any kid had incurred any such reported injuries, leading some to speculate that there was more going on than simple safety concerns.

That's because of a statement made by then-president Dan Cathy, who had said that the restaurant only supported heterosexual couples. This was reportedly offensive to the Jim Henson Company, when then decided to boycott the restaurant on July 20 ... the day after the recall.

The Jim Henson Company sent all the money earned from the toys prior to the boycott to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination (GLAAD). While Chick-fil-A later issued a statement that it would respect customers regardless of sexual orientation, the damage was done. It also claimed that the recall and the boycott were unrelated.

Planet Discovery Kid's Meal Toy

Planet Discovery Kid's Meal toys - eBay

The earliest Kid's Meal toy recall at Chick-fil-A, which took place in 2001 and centered on toys that were part of the Planet Discovery collection, had no apparent political or social complications. Yet, there were several doubts raised about safety.

These Kid's Meal toys were collectible plastic disks that featured the sun, moon, and all the planets. They also had a suction cup on the back that allowed kids to stick them onto surfaces such as windows. However, the suction cup could easily come off of the toy. The company received seven reports of the suction cup detaching from the toy, with one report of a parent catching a small child choking on the detached part. Luckily, no children were seriously harmed, but a recall was clearly merited.

Over 1.5 million toys had already been given out in 800 restaurants in January 2001 alone. Ultimately, the company recalled around 3.8 million toys across the U.S. and planned to replace the toys with safer versions. Chick-fil-A warned parents that they should not let young children play with the toy and allowed customers to swap the potentially harmful toys for an Icedream dessert.

Read the original article on Mashed.
From left: State Sen. Bobby Powell, scholarship recipient Hugh Bailey Jr., Palm Beach County Commissioner Michael Barnett and Port of Palm Beach Commissioner Jean Enright pose for photos Saturday during the Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials scholarship luncheon at Florida Power & Light's Manatee Lagoon center in West Palm Beach.

WEST PALM BEACH  Karen Bailey knew her son, Hugh Bailey Jr., was destined for a career involving complex scientific equations when he proved both his parents wrong in one of his third-grade math homework assignments.

Hugh had asked his mother to check if he had done his work correctly. She thought not, so she erased his answers and worked with him to "correct" them, she said.

The next day, his teacher marked his homework wrong, but called his mother after noticing the erased answers and told her: "'All his answers you had changed were done right.' From that day on, we never questioned anything he did."

State Sen. Bobby Powell and Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard at Saturday's luncheon.

Karen Bailey recalled that story Saturday afternoon at Florida Power & Light's Manatee Lagoon complex on North Flagler Drive, beaming with pride as her son received a scholarship during a luncheon hosted by the nonprofit Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials. An 18-year-old Suncoast Community High School graduate, Hugh Bailey Jr. will attend Florida Atlantic University's Wilkes Honors College in Jupiter to study computer engineering and computer science.

Scholarship recipient D'Mya McCray, a student at Texas Southern University, attends the luncheon Saturday.

The families of Hugh Bailey Jr. and 26 other bright youngsters gathered that afternoon to each receive $1,000 scholarships from the caucus. Recipients had grade-point averages of at least 3.0 and had "demonstrated leadership, outstanding character, and dedication to community service," the caucus said.

State Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, the group's president, emceed the event. "We just had so many great students with so many great stories" who applied for the scholarships, he said, but not all of them could be awarded.

He implored new adults in the room to take college seriously while keeping his advice lighthearted. "Your parents did not send you there to play," he said. "I had a lot of friends but my best friend was the library."

Powell and two Palm Beach County commissioners  Mack Bernard and Michael Barnett  each read recipients' names as they or their families walked up to the podium to accept their awards and scholarship money.

Whenever Powell read the name of a soon-to-be freshman for his alma mater, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, he coiled his arms and hands into the rattlesnake shape of its mascot. Incoming freshmen for Howard University earned fist pumps from Port of Palm Beach Commissioner Jean Enright, the caucus treasurer, who earned her master's degree from the historically black college in Washington, D.C.

Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Addie Greene, who founded the Caucus of Black Elected Officials, hugs D'Mya McCray during the scholarship luncheon Saturday.

As for Hugh Bailey Jr., he's looking forward to living in the FAU Jupiter campus' dorms. He wants to work for a big tech company such as Google or Microsoft, he said.

"Technology is a huge gift to the world," he said, adding that he hopes to bring that gift to those who have trouble affording it.

The Palm Beach County Caucus of Black Elected Officials was founded in 2003 by then-Palm Beach County Commissioner Addie Greene, who also attended and spoke at the luncheon. Its current leadership has Powell as president, state Rep. Jervonte Edmonds, D-West Palm Beach, as vice chair, Riviera Beach City Council member Doug Lawson as secretary and Enright as treasurer.

The nearly 90 attendees also included elected officials including Port of Palm Beach Commissioner Deandre Poole, Belle Glade City Commissioner Tequella Collins, Haverhill City Council member Teresa Johnson, Lake Park Mayor Roger Michaud, Lake Park City Commissioner Michael Hensley, and Lake Clarke Shores Vice Mayor John Maples.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PBC Black Caucus officials present $1,000 scholarships
Blake Lively has broken her silence regarding the recent threats to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Last week, after the initial arrests were made, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl revealed that one of the suspects was taken into custody on suspicion of a planned attack and had engaged in "specific preparatory actions for a terrorist attack," and was targeting Taylor Swift's concerts.

On Thursday, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria's Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, confirmed that the 19-year-old suspect had confessed to planning a horrific attack at Taylor Swift's concert using "explosives and knives."

Allegations suggest that the suspects planned to drive a car into groups of Taylor Swift fans outside the concert venue and were found with homemade explosives.

Blake Lively Breaks Silence On Threats Made Regarding Taylor Swift's Tour

MEGA

In a TikTok video shared by Access Hollywood on Saturday, August 10, Lively was seen arriving on the red carpet at the London premiere of her new film "It Ends with Us." During the event, a reporter asked about her level of concern regarding "the Austria concerts."

Oh my gosh. I mean, how terrifying, Lively responded. But thank goodness that they are completely on top of that."

As previously reported by The Blast, two men were arrested on Wednesday, August 7, in connection with a plot to target major events in Vienna, including Taylor Swift's upcoming concerts. One of the arrested individuals, a 19-year-old, was alleged to have pledged allegiance to ISIS.

In response to these threats, the concerts scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were canceled.

Three Suspects Have Been Taken Into Custody

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Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the suspected terrorist plot.

The suspects include an 18-year-old Iraqi national, a 19-year-old Austrian from a town near the Hungarian border, and a 17-year-old who had been employed by a company contracted to provide services for the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Police questioned a 15-year-old regarding his potential involvement in the plot. According to USA Today, Vienna-based Kurier newspaper reported the teenager was released after being interviewed as a witness and is not considered a suspect.

Police Found Explosives At One Suspect's House

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During a search of one of the suspects' homes, officials found "chemical substances, liquids, explosive and technical devices that could be used to manufacture explosives," said Franz Ruf, director general for public security. Bomb-making instructions and machetes were also found.

"He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made," according to national intelligence head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner.

Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf later revealed that the 19-year-old suspect resigned from his job on July 25, allegedly mentioning he had "something big" planned. According to authorities, he intended to detonate a device near the concert venue.

Additionally, the 17-year-old who was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Vienna, had recently ended a relationship with his girlfriend.

Terrorist Threats Were Aimed To Be A Suicide Bombing

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According to Le Monde, Haijawi-Pirchner said, "His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert either today or tomorrow."

Authorities had estimated that approximately 65,000 fans would attend each of Swift's Vienna shows, with an additional 15,000 to 20,000 expected outside the stadium.

"It's a much more unstructured scene in which you have people who self-radicalize and sort of come together on online platforms, sometimes also offline," Lorenzo Vidino, director of the George Washington University's Program on Extremism, said, per ABC News. "But the online component is getting bigger over the last few years, and they activate themselves independently."

Insurers Facing Major Costs After Taylor Swifts Concerts Canceled Over Terror Threat

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Marcos Alvarez, managing director for global financial institution ratings at Morningstar DBRS, estimated that the losses from the cancellations could reach tens of millions of dollars, per Fox Business. Two unnamed sources "involved in insurance for her tour" revealed that several insurers are expected to incur costs related to the cancellation of Swifts shows at Ernst Happel Stadium.

However, Alvarez noted that insurance losses might be somewhat mitigated as the concerts have the potential to be rescheduled.

Between November 2022 and November 2023, the Eras Tour grossed $1.04 billion.
METAIRIE, La. (WGNO)  The American Red Cross reports there has been an increasing demand for blood donations.

That one hour of time it may take to donate blood will mean a lifetime to the person that receives it, said The Blood Center Medical Director Dr. Tim Peterson.

Blood donations have fallen as fewer people are donating blood daily. For Mic Mcnerney, he donates in honor of those who saved his brothers life.

New Orleans police investigate after body found in lagoon at Audubon Park

My brother has had cancer two times and survived both times. I know he lives in a different state, and I am just giving back to my brother for the life that was given to him, said Mcnerney.

Peterson says even here in Louisiana, theres an incredible need for blood donations.

Whether its for trauma that occurs, or surgeries that are taking place. Whether theyre unexpected or accidental. Plus, also with chemotherapy and other treatments, we need a lot of blood daily for patient use, said Peterson.

Currently, the center provides blood for about 35 hospitals, not including the centers in the area. Peterson explains during both the summer and winter theyve seen a decrease, especially in younger people donating.

When our colleges and high schools arent in, thats about 20% of our donations come from our younger donors. So, both of those times are very stressful when it comes to maintaining an adequate blood supply, said Peterson.

UNO students say questions remain after fall graduation reinstated

Mcnerney hopes more people will roll up their sleeves and donate, as its the best feeling in the world knowing you saved a life.

Its just a wonderful feeling to know I can give back, and on the website, they have pictures of kids who have cancer and used the plasma or the blood. Its just a warm fuzzy feeling, said Mcnerney.

The Blood Center is urging people to donate to help save lives.

If you have ever been a blood donor please consider. If you havent given us a call, we can explain the process to you, said Peterson.

For more information and to find a blood center near you, visit the Blood Center website or call 504-249-4450.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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The Lilly Endowment's College and Community Collaboration grants has awarded the Indiana University Foundation $16 million to accelerate development of Bloomington's Trades District.

Here's a rundown on development of the Trades District and how the funding will be used to accelerate economic development in the tech park.

What is the Bloomington Trades District?

The Trades District is a technology park in development in downtown Bloomington. It is a Certified Technology Park that allows for capture and reinvestment of state and local tax revenue into public infrastructure. Bloomington has pledged to invest in economic development within the park, including public and laboratory facilities, research and development facilities, and support of The Mill.

The Mill is a coworking, networking and business incubator space that opened in 2018. Dimension Mill Inc. is the nonprofit that operates that building and its programming. (H-T file photo)

The Mill, Bloomington's entrepreneurship incubator and coworking space, opened in 2018 and serves as the Trades District's hub.

The 12-acre tech park is part of the former Showers Brothers Furniture Factory site that once employed a "massive" workforce, according to John Fernandez, senior vice president for innovation and strategic partnerships at The Mill. The district also plans to add a hotel.

What is the Forge in Bloomington?

The Forge, a new tech center, being built across from The Mill on North Madison Street on Tuesday, June 26, 2024.

The Forge is the latest development in the Trades District. This $13 million tech center encompasses 22,000 square feet and is on track to open in late 2024. It is envisioned as an "innovation hub" that offers space for growth-stage companies, provides recent IU grads with employment opportunities, and gives tech companies access to an educated workforce and customers including the U.S. military at Crane.

How will the $16 million investment be used?

The $16 million grant will partially support development and activation of the Trades District. That includes expanding capacity to incubate entrepreneurs at The Mill, attracting high-wage jobs to The Forge, facilitating area development and revitalization projects, and creating new artwork, arts pathways and cultural programming that engages Bloomingtons creative community.

How is Indiana University involved in the Trades District?

A sign for the Trades District in Bloomington, Indiana on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023.

Development of the Trades District began in 2005 when the city's plan for a Certified Technology Park was approved by the state. In 2011, the city of Bloomington purchased the land for the Trades District from Indiana University.

According to a news release, the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design will be engaged in public art and cultural programming within the Trades District.

Artist Esteban Garcia Bravo, right, and Sean Starowitz, with the city of Bloomington, talk about Garcia Bravo's installation in the new Trades District Garage before a tour in 2020.

Additional schools across IU Bloomington are expected to participate, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, and the Kelley School of Business.

The grant also will enhance engagement by other IU schools and programs, including IU Innovates and IU Ventures, in projects that spur innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and in town. University partnership in the Trades District is aligned with the IU 2030: The Indiana University Strategic Plan, which calls for investments in innovative and transformative research with industry and community partners.

The IU Foundation was the recipient of the grant and partnered with the city and The Mill in completing the application.

What is Lilly Endowment's College and Community Collaboration initiative?

Lilly Endowment launched the College and Community Collaboration initiative in early 2023, according to a news release. The initiative is designed to encourage Indianas colleges and universities to work closely with community stakeholders to envision and jointly undertake significant community development efforts to create more vibrant places in which to live, learn, work and play.

Reach Jill Bond at jbond@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU Foundation receives $16M to advance Trades District tech park
The bodies of all 62 victims of a stunning plane crash in Brazil in which the aircraft plummeted to the ground in a residential neighborhood have been recovered, government officials said Sunday.

Investigators finished a search for victims at the site of the crash outside Sao Paulo on Saturday night, according to the state government in Sao Paulo, located in southeast Brazil. The cause of the Friday crash is still unknown.

Dozens of families of victims descended on a medical facility Sunday to help identify their loved ones.

The remains of all 62 victims  34 males and 28 females  were taken to a central police medical facility after responders completed their recovery efforts at 10:45 p.m. Saturday, about 33 hours after the crash, the Sao Paulo state government said in a Sunday statement. At least 31 bodies had been recovered as of Saturday afternoon.

In earlier announcements, authorities said there were 61 people onboard the flight, operated by Brazilian airline Voepass. The passenger total was later updated to 62.

A drone view shows people working at the site of a plane crash in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 10, 2024.

The flight had been traveling from Cascavel, a city along Brazil's southern border, to the Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo. The aircraft's pilots did not report an emergency or adverse weather conditions, Brazil's air force said in a statement. The aircraft was flying normally on Friday until 1:21 p.m., when it stopped responding to calls, and radar contact was lost at 1:22 p.m., the agency said. The crash happened shortly after, at 1:30 p.m.

In Sao Paulo, a group of about 40 doctors, dentists and other forensics experts "continues to provide uninterrupted and exclusive care to the victims of the plane crash," the state government said.

Who was onboard the Brazil flight that crashed?

The pilot and co-pilot of the Voepass airlines flight have been identified by local authorities as Danilo Santos Romano and Humberto de Campos Alencar e Silva, The Associated Press reported.

At least eight physicians were aboard, according to Gov. Ratinho Junior, the governor of the nearby state of Parana, home to the famous Iguacu waterfalls. Four college professors from Unioeste university in the western part of the state were also confirmed dead, according to AP.

Authorities work at the site of a plane crash where all passengers and crew on board died, in Vinhedo, Brazil, on Aug. 9, 2024

A 3-year-old girl named Liz Ibba dos Santos was the only child on the passenger list, AP reported. The girl had been traveling with her father. Another family was traveling with a dog whose remains were also found in the wreckage, according to AP.

What caused the Brazil plane to crash?

Authorities have not announced a cause of the accident, which saw a ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop airplane spiral out of the air and crash into a residential area in Vinhedo, just northwest of Sao Paulo.

City officials in Valinhos, near Vinhedo, said one home in the local condominium complex was damaged, but none of the residents were injured.

Voepass chief operations officer Marcel Moura said at a news briefing Friday that ice had been predicted at the altitudes the plane was flying at, but "within the acceptable range."

"But the plane is sensitive to ice, that could be a starting point," Moura said, noting the plane's de-icing system, along with the rest of the aircraft, had been deemed operational before takeoff.

Jaafar El-Awady, a professor of mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins University, told USA TODAY he was astonished by videos showing how the plane tumbled from the sky.

Its not like it was flying down. It looks more like a rock was falling out of the sky, El-Awady said, indicating the plane stalled midair.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, three of the deadliest airplane crashes in South America have occurred in Brazil.

Contributing: Mike Snider, Eduardo Cuevas, Jonathan Limehouse, Minnah Arshad, Will Carless, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brazil plane crash: 62 victims' bodies recovered in Sao Paulo
GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Several days after sharing a womans social media post about her son going missing, the Grundy County Sheriffs Office announced a body has been discovered.

The sheriffs office shared a Facebook post from Lori Morgan on Tuesday, Aug. 6, where she asked for help locating her son, Shawn Jacobs, who was last seen on Saturday, Aug. 3 in the Coalmont/Tracy City/Monteagle area.

2 injured, 5 in custody after shooting reported at Vanderbilt dorm building

On Thursday, Aug. 8, authorities said they found Jacobs vehicle in Grundy County, so they searched the immediate area, with some help from multiple law enforcement and emergency management agencies. However, they didnt find Jacobs anywhere near the vehicle.

Then, on Saturday, Aug. 10, the sheriffs office posted a body was found in a wooded area in Coalmont. While positive identification will require an autopsy, officials said they believe the body belongs to Jacobs.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The Grundy County Sheriffs Office cant express the help that was received in this case. Grundy County EMA, Franklin County EMA, Coffee County EMA, Monteagle Fire and Rescue, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Constable Kyle Collins, TWRA, J&B Construction, Grundy EMS, and all the volunteers, the sheriffs office wrote. These agencies have been working from daylight to dark in the matter of these searches and we cant express our gratefulness enough. We send our prayers and condolences to the family.

No additional details have been released about this ongoing investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI)  The body of a woman who drowned was found by authorities after a multi-agency search in Taunton on Saturday evening.

Taunton police officers and firefighters were first called around 4:30 p.m. to Bunk Pond for a report of a possible drowning, according to the departments.

The area was north of I-495 and on the Taunton and Raynham lines.

Both Massachusetts State and Environmental Police, among others, assisted in the search.

Tauntons fire and police departments said the body was recovered by members of the North Bristol County and SEMLEC dive teams.

No other information about the victim has been released at this time.

NEXT: 3 displaced by Taunton house fire

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Border buoys trial set to start two days after election. How will that affect the case?

When Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered that a chain of giant buoys be installed in the Rio Grande to discourage unlawful immigration, he was deliberately poking the Democratic Biden administration, which would be in office for at least another year and a half, on an issue that had pitted Texas against the federal government since January 2021.

More than two years before the buoys announcement was made during a news conference in Abbott's second-floor office at the Capitol, Texas had already begun insinuating itself into immigration enforcement efforts that had long been considered the province of the feds. Just six weeks after President Joe Biden took office and began unwinding some of former President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration policies, Abbott launched what seemed to be a comparatively modest border security initiative he called Operation Lone Star.

It's mission was to do little more than "integrate" the assets of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the state's National Guard to battle the illicit smuggling of drugs and migrants from Mexico across the Rio Grande to Texas. A few weeks later, the governor announced that he had dispatched about 1,000 DPS troopers and "hundreds of soldiers from the Texas National Guard" to the border.

Buoys were installed in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass on orders from Gov. Greg Abbott to prevent migrants from crossing into Texas.

Later, plans for a Texas-built border wall on property owned by willing ranchers and farmers would be implemented. And in time, the number of troopers and Guard soldiers would balloon to about 10,000, and the original $2 billion state outlay would spiral past $11 billion.

But it was the string of orange and white buoys anchored by a long row of concrete footings in the shallow and narrow river separating the Texas border town of Eagle Pass from Piedras Negras on the Mexican side that came to symbolize the deepening tension between Abbott and the president.

On July 24, 2023, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit, which named the governor as the defendant, seeking to remove the floating barrier from the Rio Grande. Since then, sundry motions and countermotions, rulings and overrulings have pingponged between the lawyers on both sides and between a federal judge in Austin and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

One year and one week after the court action was initiated, the 5th Circuit Court issued a split ruling that effectively scuttled plans to begin a trial last week. In a nutshell, the ruling said the buoys could remain in the water, over the objection of the federal government, until the merits of the case are finally decided.

More: Why Operation Lone Star is both expensive and politically popular for Gov. Greg Abbott

But because several of the Appeals Court judges wrote opinions on the rulings, and not all of those opinions on the prevailing side agreed with how the majority opinion was reached, that murkiness needed to be cleared up before either side could be expected to effectively make its case at trial.

Both sides let Senior U.S. District Judge David Allan Ezra know that they'd need a 60-day delay to sift though all of the written reasoning and to plan their cases accordingly. That would mean the trial would start around the first week of October, some 15 months after the case was filed.

Ezra, as he explained Tuesday at a status conference with the lawyers, said that a 60-day delay might be insufficient given the complexity of the issues and the implications inherent in a dispute over whether the state or the federal government has the final say when it comes to what happens on a body of water that makes up an international boundary.

So the judge extended the delay to 90 days.

And though the case seems to be moving at a snail's pace, a lot can happen in 30 days. And a lot will happen in the 30 days between the first week of October and the newly scheduled trial date of Nov. 7.

We're talking about the presidential election Nov. 5, and, to perhaps a lesser extent, the elections that in various states will decide which party controls Congress beginning in January.

More: Federal judge in the border buoys case has harsh words for state of Texas' lawyers

When Abbott launched, and subsequently expanded, Operation Lone Star, it was in the face of a mushrooming expansion of unlawful immigration across the southern border. But his response was also political.

With every proclamation, news conference and cable news appearance on the topic, Abbott made sure to lay the state's need for escalation at the feet of the president.

Assuming the trial goes forward Nov. 7, we should have a pretty good idea of who won the presidential election two days earlier. If it's Vice President Kamala Harris, who, when she inherited the Democratic nomination from Biden, was also bequeathed the scorn of Abbott, we can expect the trial to be robustly argued in Ezra's court.

If Trump prevails, immigration policy is likely to shift back to what played out in his first term. And that suggests his Justice Department will be less excited about slapping down the border initiatives championed by Abbott since the day Biden sent the former president packing.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Political and legal ramifications of US-Texas border buoys lawsuit
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Just before 6 p.m. on August 10, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a report of a water rescue and possible drowning on 150 Highway just west of Horridge Road.

FOX4 Forecast: Cool clouds stick around

KCFD reports that upon arrival, they learned that two people were canoeing in a pond when it overturned. One 8-year-old child was able to make it to the bank and self-extricate. The other victim, 23, was not able to swim to shore, was overcome and drowned.

Neither victim was wearing a life jacket, according to KCFD.

KCFD put swimmers in the water and searched the last known location. MSHP then put a water patrol boat in the water to search with sonar.

KCFD says it used a search dog, which quickly hit on a location. This allowed MSHP to locate and identify the victim on sonar and retrieve the body.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reportedly located and recovered the victim in the pond at around 8:15 p.m. on Saturday night.

KCFD would like to stress to the public to wear a life jacket any time youre in a large body of water.

This is an ongoing investigation. FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made available.

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It brings joy to my heart: Old Timers Festival creator says

It brings joy to my heart: Old Timers Festival creator says

PARK SLOPE, Brooklyn (PIX11)  How many times do you wish you could go back to your old neighborhood and see your old childhood friends?

Well, a Brooklynite grew up in Park Slope and did just that.

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John Lee created the Old Timers Festival, now in its fourth year, with his own money.

You cant put a price tag on people, John Lee, the creator of the Old Timers Festival, told PIX11 News.

Lee created this Old Timers Festival during COVID-19 in 2020.

The idea was to bring childhood friends together in the old neighborhood and have fun reminiscing.

It brings joy to my heart to see my old friend and see all the people come together and have a good time on a happy occasion, Lee told PIX11 News.

The queen of this festival is 93-year-old Consuela Fenton, who grew up right in this neighborhood of the festival at Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street.

Her daughters, who now live in New Jersey and Schenectady, just had to be here as well.

Its nice to be back, Renee Richardson, Consuelos daughter, told PIX11 News. To see the old neighborhood, old friends, the school where we all went to, she added.

New York City Council member Shahana Hanif announced a $5000 city grant to the Old Stone House to record the oral histories of these old-timers.

We are trying to capture their stories, said Dylan Yeats, a scholar in residence at Old Stone House.

We are documenting the unity and diversity still spreading its wings in Brooklyn, Natasha Fearon, museum educator at Lefferts Homestead House, told PIX11 News.

The festival creator was so generous. John Lee even invited this PIX11 reporter to play a little flute with the band before white balloons were released into the sky to remind us that those were no longer with us.

The Fifth Annual Old Timers Festival will be on August 9th, 2025.

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BROOKFIELD TWP., Ohio (WKBN)  The first Annual Warrior Nation Summer Fest Car Show kicked off in Brookfield Township at noon Sunday to fundraise for Brookfield Local School District.

The event is bringing the school community together, with food vendors, craft vendors and a kid zone. It ends at 5 p.m.

Superintendent Toby Gibson said money raised at the event will go toward the school for a solar speed limit sign.

We thought, heres an opportunity to bring two different worlds together  the car world, car culture, some area vendors, restaurants  and mash them all together and have a fun afternoon for families and communities, he said.

Gibson said the school district hopes to host the car show again.

Tino DiCenso contributed to this report.

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Budgeting: Iowa State Fair style

DES MOINES, Iowa  If youre looking to save a buck while youre out at the Iowa State Fair, there are plenty of value-priced food items to check out.

The 26-page list is linked here.

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Milton Friedman, the patron saint of free markets and a founder of the Nobel-adorned Chicago school of economics, took a very dim view of all tariffs  ours, theirs, anyone's.

Writing in Capitalism and Freedom, his surprising 1962 best seller, Friedman explained that if unilateral free trade is the goal, reciprocal negotiations of tariff reductions seems wrong. First, its too slow; He moves fastest who moves alone, he admonished.

In the second place, he continued, (i)t makes it appear as if tariffs help the country imposing them but hurt the other countries. In truth, the situation is quite different. Our tariffs hurt us as well as other countries.

Thats Friedmans entire tariff seminar: Our tariffs hurt us as well as other countries.

And don't worry about other nations tariffs, Friedman adds. We would be benefited by dispensing with our tariffs even if other countries did not.

Thats not a political statement; its a key tenet of free trade from one of the most influential Nobel laureates in history. Many deeply conservative politicians worldwide  among them Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher  however, did adopt Friedmans advocacy of the free market as their own.

So whats changed in world markets since that Kennedy-era pronouncement to now encourage former president Donald Trump to make import tariffs the centerpiece of his campaigns economic policy?

Absolutely nothing. Tariffs  ours, theirs, and anyones  remain terrible economics; they still hurt us as well as other countries.

Confirmation of this straightforward reality comes courtesy of the last Trump tariff fight in 2018 and 2019 on, chiefly, U.S. imports of Chinese steel and aluminum and U.S. exports of ag commodities. Neither tariff delivered what was promised: more American jobs, better economic growth and increased U.S. sales.

In fact, reported the New York Times on Aug. 27, 2019, Lucrative contracts that farmers long relied on have evaporated, with Chinese buyers looking to other nations like Brazil and Canada to get the commodities they need.

The story then quotes an American Farm Bureau estimate that total American agricultural exports to China were $24 billion in 2014 and fell to $9.1 billion last year, the first year of the Trump tariffs on U.S. commodity exports to China.

The Times wasnt the only one to notice Trumps southbound tariff policy. In January 2020, Forbes reported that the Trump administration gave more taxpayer dollars to farmers harmed by (its) trade policies than the federal government spends each year building ships for the Navy or maintaining Americas nuclear arsenal.

Despite the clear evidence, the Trump campaign insists its current push for import tariffs  from 10% on all U.S. imports to 60% or more on U.S. imports from China  will ensure the American economy grows faster than competitors.

Nonsense, says the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a nonpartisan economic research firm in Washington, D.C. Unlike (todays) Biden tariffs, the Institute posted in January, the Trump plan is for increased tariffs on all products from all countries.

Thats not just America First, the analysis continues, parroting the Trump campaigns economic theme, it is America alone. Tariffs are in fact added taxes on us, and having them will have real costs.

American farmers are very familiar with those real costs. Within weeks of imposing 25% import tariffs on Chinese products in 2018, Beijing accused the United States of launching the largest trade war in economic history, reported the Los Angeles Times in July 2018.

Then it fired back with dollar-for-dollar tariffs mainly on American farm products and other food. It also quickly pivoted to buying more from Brazil and Argentina.

Which is the exact outcome Milton Friedman predicted in 1962: Our tariffs hurt us as well as other countries.

Top Journal Star photos for August 2024
Burglar arrested after spotted entering business with sledgehammer in Silver Spring, police say

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) said that officers arrested a commercial burglar after someone saw him entering an office building with a sledgehammer in Silver Spring.

In a post on the X platform posted on Saturday, MCPD District 3 commander Jason Cokinos said a person called 911 reporting a strange person with a sledgehammer entering an office building in the 8700 Block of Georgia Ave. in downtown Silver Spring.

Plenty of rides, food and fun as Montgomery County Fair opens following postponement

According to Cokinos, 3rd District officers, K9 and the departments drone (Raven 1) responded to the scene. When police arrived, the suspect had already smashed the glass of a business and was inside.

(Courtesy: @MCPD3DCommander)

K9 Beno took the suspect into custody. Police said they would book the suspect on felony charges after processing.

You know the saying if you see something, say something. Well it DOES help! said Cokinos.

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A simulation operating room is pictured with Parminder Deo, a second year medical student, and Whitney Hall, a Standardized Patient, while Adam Jennings, DO executive director of Simulation Innovation and Research, observes at the Burnett School of Medicine, Texas Christian University. | The Burnett School of Medicine, Texas Christian University

Dr. Stuart Flynn likely knows more about taking a medical school from concept to full accreditation than anyone in the country.

Hes done it twice in recent years, once at state-supported University of Arizona-Phoenix, and more recently at the private, church-based Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

Its just an amount of detail that you just dont anticipate, even when you look at the accreditation standards, said Flynn in a recent interview.

I can only imagine what it must have been like back in the Gemini and Apollo days trying to go to the moon. It starts out big picture, but boy, eventually you end up really getting down to the nitty gritty of things like curriculum, faculty, mentoring and assessment, and every one of those things opens up a whole new world, said Flynn, founding dean of TCUs Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine.

Following the recent announcement by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that it plans to create a medical school at Brigham Young University, there has been intense interest over when the school will accept its first cohort, how long it will take for it to reach full accreditation and how it will differentiate itself from other medical schools nationally.

The announcement says more details will be announced in the future but it says the medical schools focus will be international health issues affecting members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its worldwide humanitarian efforts.

The BYU medical school will be focused on teaching with research in areas of strategic importance to the church. In time the school will draw students from within and outside the United States. The BYU medical school will not create its own hospital or hospital system, according to the announcement.

The road to accreditation

The journey from concept to full accreditation will be a multi-step process, said Dr. Marc Kahn, dean of the Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Roughly, from the time that you say youre going to start a medical school until you recruit your first class, youre practically talking about at least three years, said Kahn.

Flynn, who was also the founding dean of the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, said until a planned medical school achieves preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, you cannot even talk about your medical school. ... You do not exist.

Once the school is notified of preliminary accreditation, now youre accredited, and now you can start to talk about your medical school, start to advertise to recruit students.

According to a timeline on TCUs Burnett School of Medicines website, the school was awarded preliminary accreditation from the LCME in October 2018, which enabled it to begin recruiting its inaugural class.

The medical school submitted its provisional accreditation materials in November 2020, leading to provisional accreditation from the LCME in June 2021. The school submitted materials for full accreditation in November 2022 and a survey visit occurred in February 2023, and full accreditation was granted in June 2023.

TCUs cohort size is 60 students, which Flynn said was determined by the university administration, backing the medical school administrators recommendation. Our curriculum could only be accommodated by no more than 60 students a year so it was purely an educational paradigm, he said.

According to the medical schools website, the Burnett School of Medicine focuses on developing empathetic scholars, while embracing and leading major drivers in the future of medicine, including artificial intelligence, technology monitoring patient health and disease and genomics. Each student also does a four-year research thesis, nurturing lifelong inquiry and learning.

At UNLV, its medical school cohort is 66 students, after starting with 60. Its mission, according to its website, is to serve our patients, students, medical professionals, and community as a transformational force for improving healthcare in Nevada.

Wed like to get up to 90, but to have an increase of more than 10% requires approval from the LCME, the accrediting body. Theyre scheduled to come next year in 2025 so when we have our site visit, were also going to ask for an expansion of class size, Kahn said.

Both medical schools built new, state-of-the-art medical education buildings, but neither has constructed a teaching hospital. UNLV students train at the nearby University Medical Center, a nonprofit government hospital owned and operated by Clark County.

TCUs medical students train at various hospitals in the Fort Worth area and North Texas, including Cook Childrens Medical Center.

While both medical schools are relatively new  the Kerkorian Schools charter class graduated in May 2021  interest was high among prospective students and faculty at both institutions from the start.

We were fortunate when we started out that there was no other allopathic medical school in Las Vegas, said Kahn.

Secondly, were a state school, so our tuition is less than private schools. Thirdly, the founding dean raised money so that the first, almost two classes, went to medical school for free, he said.

When Flynn was hired to start Burnett Medical School at TCU, most of his administrative team from the University of Arizona College of Medicine came with him so they were well-acquainted with the accreditation process and they were a known entity.

Also, the competition for slots in accredited allopathic medical schools is so intense that students who want to train as medical doctors welcome additional options for possible admission.

TCU admitted its first class in 2019 after it was approved for preliminary accreditation in October 2018, which meant we had six weeks to recruit our first class, because its all regulated nationally on an admission cycle. So we had six weeks. If we had waited until the February date, we would have lost the whole year. But thats how fast all of that happened, Flynn said.

Why BYUs reputation will be an advantage

Kahn and Flynn both said they anticipate that BYUs planned medical school will be viewed favorably by prospective students and medical educators.

BYU has the advantage that its a well known institution, so I dont imagine BYU will have much trouble attracting faculty. If youre a small private school, that becomes much more challenging depending on your location, but I imagine a school with a reputation of BYU is really not going to have a problem, Kahn said.

Kahn said BYU will also have an advantage that we did, too, and that is that there were people very surprised that we were a new medical school.

When I told people at Tulane that I was leaving to become the dean of a newer medical school at UNLV, they said, Wait, UNLV hasnt always had a medical school? I said, No, I havent graduated a single student yet, ' said Kahn, former senior associate dean at Tulane University School of Medicine before joining UNLV in April 2020.

So that surprises people, and I think theres going to be people who just assumed BYU has a medical school, so when it actually graduates its first class and people apply in The Match, a lot of people arent going to realize that this is a new medical school and this is a first graduating class, and thats an advantage for schools like BYU and us, actually, said Kahn.

The Match is a process that helps medical school graduates and residency programs find each other for first- and second-year post-graduate training positions. The process is managed by The National Resident Matching Program.

The results of Match Day indicate how a medical school and its students are perceived nationally as they vie for a limited number residency programs.

Flynn said BYU is a big name, high caliber university and a state icon. If they want to start a medical school, then I would say theyve got the gravitas and the gumption to do it well, so hats off.

Medical schools already in Utah

There are three medical schools in Utah. The University of Utahs Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine was established in 1905. It is a public institution with a connected hospital and it is the only allopathic medical school in the state. Its current cohort is 125 students.

There are two private colleges of osteopathic medicine in the state: Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine in Provo and a branch of Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ivins, Washington County.

Another private school, Roseman University, has a campus in South Jordan. Its Nevada campus is currently trying to get accreditation for a medical doctor program.

Flynn said there are a growing number of private entities starting schools of osteopathy elsewhere in the country.

Perhaps this phenomena was part of a strategy of reflection on BYUs part because they are starting to get surrounded by all these other entities. Theyre big enough they can grow their own entity, and then the others have to respond to them instead of the other way around.

Flynn said the changing dynamics in medical education also impact the availability of clinical training sites.

The more you have, the fewer clinical training sites any school has to train its students. So what do you do? Some of the DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) schools, some of the offshore schools, start buying training time, and the kids pay for it. The medical school doesnt pay for it. So for $1,000 a month, you can go and work with this surgeon or $2,000 a month.

Well, the good news at every place Ive been, you know, for as grumpy as we get about things, my students pay tuition, but I have their training sites. They dont have to go out and try to barter and purchase them, he said.

Flynn said BYUs experience with accreditation, as with all nascent medical schools, will be intense and time consuming.

It seems like every day that youre working on it costs you three days, he said. Deadlines grow closer and closer, and you keep learning all these nuances that the LCME is going to hold you accountable for, right?

The first, the preliminary is, are you ready to matriculate a class? Thats the mirror they hold up, and you better be ready from a physical plant, from a financial plan, from a faculty, plant from a curricular, plant from all of those things, he said.

Flynn likens the experience to being put through a meat grinder and I think thats good. I should be put through it. BYU should be put through the meat grinder, Flynn said.

According to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, LCME accreditation signifies that national standards for structure, function, and performance are met by a medical schools educational program leading to the MD degree.

For medical school founders, taking a medical school from announcement to full accreditation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a professional school that can profoundly alter the trajectory of students practice and patients lives.

Kahn said BYUs foray into medical education appears promising.

With the resources of BYU, I have no doubt that theyre going to be successful, he said.

Said Flynn, Its their opportunity to build a medical school that the state will just be so, so proud of, he said.

Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine is pictured at Texas Christian University's Arnold Hall facing West Rosedale Street in Fort Worth, Texas. | The Burnett School of Medicine, Texas Christian University
Cafeteria Worker Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Stealing $1.5 Million Worth of Chicken Wings from School

Vera Liddell was charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise

Cook County State's Attorney's Office Vera Liddell

An Illinois cafeteria worker is heading to prison after stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings from a school district.

On Friday, August 9, former Harvey School District director Vera Liddell pleaded guilty to the crime, according to WGN-TV, ABC and CBS.

She was charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise, the outlets reported, and has since been sentenced to nine years in prison.

PEOPLE reached out to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office for additional information, but did not immediately hear back. It is not immediately clear if Liddell has legal representation to comment on her behalf.

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Liddell, 68, previously served as the food service director for the Chicago school district, despite having multiple bankruptcies in her past, according to CBS.

Per ABC, prosecutors said Liddell placed orders for the chicken wings with the districts main food supplier for nearly two years, starting in July 2020, though she would keep the food, despite charging the district.

Liddells theft was discovered after the district's food service department exceeded its annual budget by $300,000 mid-year, the outlet said.

Court records obtained by CBS state that the former school worker was accused of ordering more than 11,000 cases of chicken wings.

The food was meant to be used for take-home meals for students who were learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, WGN reported. Liddell had worked at the school district for more than a decade, the outlet said.

"The massive fraud began at the height of COVID during a time when students were not allowed to be physically present in school," said a prosecutor during a bond hearing, per WGN-TV. "Even though the children were learning remotely, the school district continued to provide meals for the students that their families could pick up."

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Fresno drivers headed to the Bay Area via Pacheco Pass on Highway 152 cant help but take note of a sprawling inland sea that seemingly appears out of nowhere among the yellowed, oak-dotted foothills.

This is San Luis Reservoir, essentially a 2 million acre-foot holding tank built to irrigate San Joaquin Valley farms and supply drinking water to Silicon Valley. Its construction was considered such a significant addition to Californias water supply that President John F. Kennedy turned out in 1962 to push the dynamite plunger.

It is a pleasure for me to come out here and help blow up this Valley, Kennedy quipped from a temporary grandstand erected atop a nearby hill.

Six decades later, the 3-mile long earth dam that towers above 152 and impounds the federally owned, state operated reservoir is getting fortified. Construction crews are 2 years into a $1.1 billion seismic upgrade of B.F. Sisk Dam that wont be completed until 2031.

Opinion

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Funded mainly by the 1978 Safety of Dams Act, the project will raise the 382-foot-tall dam by 10 feet and add additional safety features designed to ease concerns of widespread flooding if slumping were to occur during a major earthquake. (San Luis Reservoir lies within two fault zones and is situated uphill from the nearby communities of Los Banos and Santa Nella.)

So far, the 120 to 150 workers have focused on reinforcing and raising three different stability berms along the dams midsection where seepage had been occurring. Most of the material required, millions of cubic yards worth of boulders, riprap and gravel, is excavated from an on-site quarry and transported to the dam via a steady procession of dump trucks operating 12 hours a day.

Just by itself, the Sisk Dam safety modification project does not increase the reservoirs capacity. To accomplish that, the Bureau of Reclamation and San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority are teaming on a second 10-foot dam raise that would create an additional 130,000 acre feet of storage.

Enlarging the reservoir is projected to cost an additional $1 billion. But because the 10-foot storage raise would take place concurrently with the 10-foot seismic raise, work that isnt scheduled to begin until 2027, the partners have time to assemble a funding plan. The next public negotiations are Aug. 22-23 in Monterey.

We want to maximize the effort and minimize the expense, said Henry Garcia, the Bureau of Reclamations construction manager.

Looking down from the top of the B.F. Sisk dam, heavy machinery is seen preparing the ground with ONeill Forebay and Highway 152 seen in the background Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 near Los Banos.

Little scrutiny, zero opposition

The expansion of San Luis Reservoir is a small part of a larger effort by the state and federal agencies to increase water storage. But unlike virtually every other dam project in California, this one was approved with little public scrutiny and zero opposition from environmentalists  even though the extra 130,000 acre feet of water would come out of the heavily scrutinized San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.

Why is that?

As with everything involving water and the environment in California, there are multiple factors at play.

The first of those is overload. Ron Stork, policy director at Friends of the River, rattled off more than a half-dozen dam projects his Sacramento-based environmental group and others are rallying against. They include: Sites Reservoir, a 1.5 million acre-foot offstream storage site planned in Colusa County; the proposed 25-fold expansion of Pacheco Reservoir, just over the hill from San Luis and connected to it via a tunnel that runs through Pacheco Pass; and most urgently of all, the Trump-administration plan to raise Shasta Dam, which would inundate protected salmon habitat on the McCloud River.

With all that going on  in addition to the ongoing battle against the Delta tunnel  environmentalists are compelled to prioritize their efforts. And San Luis, a vital cog in the states conveyance system already in operation, ranks at the bottom.

Those other projects are taking out beautiful portions of Gods green earth where San Luis Reservoir would essentially extend the bathtub ring around an existing 2 million acre-foot reservoir, Stork said.

So, yeah, thats not so good. But if youre up to your neck in alligators, some alligators are more important than others.

The foothills near the Basalt Day Use area is seen with the B.F. Sisk Dam in the background at San Luis Reservoir Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 near Los Banos. ONeill Forebay is the water body in the far background beyond the dam.

Henry Garcia, construction manager with the Bureau of Reclamation, stands on top of the B.F. Sisk Dam at San Luis Reservoir discussing the construction project which will raise the dam but impact traffic along Highway 152 over Pacheco Pass for years. Photographed Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.

The least worst thing

Osha Meserve, an environmental lawyer who is among the coalition opposed to the expansion of Pacheco Reservoir by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, which receives drinking water from San Luis Reservoir, called the San Luis dam raise the least worst thing among all the storage projects currently planned in California.

Theres so many destructive water infrastructure projects being proposed right now that I think people are having to prioritize the ones that they believe are the most damaging to the environment and are the worst investments of public funds, Meserve said.

San Luis Reservoir doesnt rise to that level, Meserve added, because one can argue the worst environmental damage occurred during its original construction. Also, the federal government is largely footing the bill.

The fact that the 10-foot capacity raise and the 10-foot seismic raise were submitted as individual projects has also added to the general confusion. Despite that, mitigation measures included in the Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project essentially mirror those submitted for the seismic work. On top of that, the public comment period occurred in August 2020 during the height of the pandemic.

Only four letters not written by government agencies or water districts are included in the final Environmental Impact Report. Three were submitted from local farmers in support of more storage.

They did it in pieces so you cant see the entire project, and they did that at a time when public input was spotty, said Patricia Schifferle, director of the water consulting firm Pacific Advocates. It was designed to make sure the public doesnt comment. That was the intentional process.

Construction on the earth dam that contains the largest offstream reservoir in the United States will continue another seven years, at least. After which itll be structurally safer and 6.5% larger.

The B.F. Sisk Dam at San Luis Reservoir is seen as construction continues in the first of three phases to improve the dam just west of Los Banos Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.

Henry Garcia, construction manager with the Bureau of Reclamation, points out the green vegetation below the B.F. Sisk Dam at San Luis Reservoir, evidence of toe drain seepage Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
Vice presidential hopeful Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) defended former President Trumps stance on abortion pills, maintaining he wants these decisions to be made by the states amid reports the former president recently suggested an openness to curbing access to the pills.

CBS News Face the Nation anchor Margaret Brennan, speaking with Vance Sunday, pointed to last weeks news conference, when Trump was asked if he would take other actions to limit access to abortion besides a federal ban, such as directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to curb access to mifepristone.

Sure, you could, you could do things that will be, would supplement  absolutely. And those things are pretty open and humane, Trump said in response. There are many things on a humane basis that you can do outside of that, but you also have to give a vote, and the people are going to have to decide.

Some interpreted the remark as Trump was leaving the door open on abortion pill restrictions.

When Brennan asked Vance if he believed Trumps statement was wrong, the Ohio Republican suggested his running mate may not have heard the person super clearly.

First of all, even some of the reporters who were in the room at that press conference said it wasnt clear what the reporter was asking. Maybe he couldnt hear that person super clearly. So I dont want to put words in President Trumps mouth, he answered.

What he said very clearly in the debate is that he agrees with the Supreme Court decision, but more importantly, he wants these decisions to be made by the states. I think that is the President Trump vision for the Republican Party, he added.

Vance was referencing Trumps comments during the June presidential debate, in which he said he would not block access to mifepristone. He said he supported the Supreme Courts decision in June that it would separately uphold access to the abortion bill.

Trump has said he would not support federal restrictions on abortion and has argued that the issue should be left up to the states. At the same time, he has also taken credit for overturning Roe v. Wade after he nominated three conservative justices who formed the majority opinion.

I think his view on this has been very clear, Vance added. And Ive just articulated it.

The Republican vice presidential candidate said he and Trump want to ensure the FDA is prescribing the abortion pills in a safe way.

Again, you want the states to make these determinations, you also want to make sure the FDA is ensuring that these medications are safe for anybody whos taking them, Vance said.

Brennan interjected, noting mifepristone has been on the market for decades and approved by the FDA.

Antibiotics are safe, but we want to make sure theyre prescribed by doctors, and the doctors are properly monitoring this stuff so that people dont get hurt, Vance answered, adding he believes six questions of the interview focused on abortion.

Im still trying to get a clear answer, Brennan responded. So for an FDAcommissioner that you would be part of choosing, where that commissioner stands on this drug, would that determine whether or not they are chosen to be put in this key role?

Vance argued Trump believes there are not litmus tests on the specific issue.

He just wants to make sure that drugs are safe and effective before theyre out there in the market, and, of course, that doctors are properly controlling this stuff so that people dont get hurt, he said. And again, Margaret, I mean, we talk about abortion, I think President Trumps views on abortion are extremely clear.

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FERGUSON, Mo.  At least five people have been charged in connection with protests outside the Ferguson Police Department commemorating the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown Jr.s death, after one police officer was critically injured while attempting to arrest a protester.

The protests and confrontation happened on the evening of August 9 in the 200 block of South Florissant Road.

Police said Officer Travis Brown was part of an arrest team dispatched just before 11:50 p.m. to detain protesters who broke the police station security gate.

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While attempting to make an arrest, police said Brown was shoulder-tackled and knocked to the ground, where he struck his head. Two officers detained Elijah Gantt, the man accused of shouldering Officer Brown. Those officers suffered minor injuries while arresting Gantt.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Gantt with resisting arrest, first-degree property damage, first-degree assault, and two counts of fourth-degree assault. Bell is seeking charges against other protesters.

Four other protesters were arrested:

Emily R. Davis was charged with third-degree assault and resisting arrest. Police said Emily Davis shoved a Ferguson police officer while they attempted to provide first aid to a downed colleague. Davis is also accused of pushing and pulling away from an officer attempting to make an arrest.

Phillip H. March was charged with first-degree property damage. Police said March was seen on security video jerking on the gate and breaking its locking mechanism.

Keith W. Rose was charged with first-degree property damage. Police said Rose broke the lower part of the security gate by pushing and kicking on the gate.

Derrick Robinson was charged with first-degree property damage. Police said Robinson was seen on security video jerking on the gate and breaking its locking mechanism.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Proper package holidays in the middle of August for in the low 300s per person? The giant tour operator Tui is putting plenty of good deals into the market for the next couple of weeks, such as a departure on Tuesday 13 August from Newcastle to Zante for 309.

Nothing is so perishable as a plane seat that departs empty and a hotel room that remains unoccupied. Holiday companies, with commitments of aircraft and accommodation, can cut prices for late sales to whatever is needed to fill the booking void.

But I have been reading speculation online that the reason so many cheap deals are available is because Russians cannot travel outside their country. Without these often high-spending customers, the argument goes, hotels are reducing rates.

Having looked at the evidence: there are plenty of cheap holidays around this August, unusually. And there are restrictions on where organised trips from Russia can go, as well as some red tape for individual Russian travellers. But in this case, correlation is certainly not causation.

Sure, some five-star hotels in cities such as Nice, Monaco and Venice will be missing their usual complements of high-spending Russian guests. In Turkey and Cyprus, too, some hoteliers may have offered improved rates to UK holiday companies to fill otherwise empty rooms. These countries were very popular with both Russians and Ukrainians before Vladimir Putin decided to invade his neighbour, and demand has dwindled from the countries currently at war.

Yet I am also seeing good value in places such as Benidorm and Lanzarote, which were not visited by significant numbers of tourists from Russia and Ukraine before the conflict began.

The availability of cheap holidays across southern Europe, from Cyprus to the Canaries, is mainly due to a slump in demand and an excess of supply. Since the end of the pandemic, holiday prices have soared. Tempted by big profit margins, companies have piled on capacity. But growing unwillingness by the travelling public to pay outlandish prices, combined with pressure on household budgets, means buyers need to be lured by cheaper deals.

Turning to Russian tourists: many people in the West believe they have been unable to travel beyond their borders since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. That is simply not true. Russian airlines are banned from most of Europe (and vice-versa). But there are plenty of destinations where Russians are definitely welcome.

I took a snapshot of a days arrivals at a key Mediterranean sunspot: Antalya in Turkey, gateway for the Turkish Riviera. During the first eight hours of Wednesday morning, there were more than 40 arrivals from Russia. Sixteen of them were from Moscow and five from St Petersburg. But there were a further three planes from each of Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and Ufa, and single arrivals from eight other cities.

For comparison, six planes touched down from the UK and 31 from Germany (with Cologne by far the largest source). On these figures and within that time frame, Russia is sending more holidaymakers to this part of the Mediterranean than the two biggest outbound markets in Western Europe combined.

Dubai is also very popular with Russians, with three arrivals from Moscow and others from Yekaterinburg and St Petersburg in the first eight hours of Wednesday. And while British travellers cannot currently fly nonstop to Phuket in Thailand, Russians can choose from departures from Moscow, St Petersburg and Irkutsk in Siberia to the Thai island.

So, for Russians who have not been dispatched by Putin to fight his brutal war on the deadly front line in Ukraine, there are plenty of holiday options.

Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue  and what it means for you.
CHICAGO  A Chicago firefighter was critically injured in a crash Friday morning while riding a motorcycle.

Chicago police said the firefighter, identified by family members as 26-year-old Mason Maj, was riding a motorcycle in the 6400 block of W. Addison Avenue when he rear-ended a Nissan.

MORE COVERAGE: Chicago firefighter injured in crash, family seeks answers

Maj suffered serious injuries to his leg, as well as head trauma, according to police. He was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the Nissan was not injured.

Majs family told WGN he recently just got engaged and has a long road to recovery. At last check, Maj is in critical but stable condition.

3 sought in connection with Albany Park double-homicide

A GoFundMe has been created to help with medical expenses.

Meanwhile, police are encouraging anyone with information to call Area Five Detectives at 312-746-6554.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
China cracks down on bingeing food bloggers in a warning against waste

One hundred skewers of spicy Guizhou chicken proved to be too much for Mires, a YouTube blogger

In the end, one hundred skewers of spicy Guizhou chicken proved to be too much.

Alongside lashings of potato, dumplings and noodles, food vlogger Mires munched her way through the kebabs in a small local restaurant in the southern Chinese province.

In the video from May, the young woman leaves trails of sauce across her mouth as she slides dozens of meat-laden sticks between her teeth.

Visibly slowing after several hours, she eventually gives up. She then informs a waiter that the rest of the food, including a half-eaten bowl of rice, will have to be taken away.

I am really full, I dont think my stomach has endless space, she sighs.

While displays of greediness like this have earned Mires an avid following of 300,000 YouTube subscribers, they appear to have irked the Chinese government.

On Friday, Beijing announced a fresh crackdown on influencers and live-streamers, issuing 31 guidelines for their behaviour that included a warning against food waste.

The regulation by the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation also targeted traffic-driven videos, money worship, fandom culture, and abnormal aesthetics, a reference to Chinas ongoing efforts to restrain effeminate culture among men.

It is not yet clear what impact the regulations will have on thousands of so-called Mukbangs - live-streamers who gobble large quantities of food to the appreciation of an online audience.

As of Sunday, Mukbang videos can still be found on popular Chinese social media platforms including Douyin and Weibo.

However, the Chinese Communist Partys decision to clamp down on the countrys 15.8 million professional live-streamers and influencers is tied to an ongoing economic slowdown.

Ostentatious displays of wealth have already been banned including the account of Wang Hongquanxing - Chinas Kim Kardashian who boasted of never leaving the house in less than $1.4million in jewellery which was blocked in May.

Wang Hongquanxing, 'China's Kim Kardashian', has had his account blocked

Xi Jinping, Chinas president, has tightened government control over perceived cultural excesses at a time of slow growth, high youth unemployment and a troubled property market.

Mukbangs, who take on challenges from their audiences to eat staggeringly large plates of food, run counter to the Communist Partys messaging on waste.

According to a 2020 survey by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, at least 34 million tons of food are thrown away in restaurants alone in China every year. (Across the UKs entire supply chain, the figure is 10 million.)

The CCP has already attempted to curtail the Mukbangs. In 2021, China imposed an anti-food waste law that prohibits food vloggers from making and distributing binge-eating videos online, with fines of up to 100,000 yuan (around 10,937).

While the regulation reduced the number of Mukbangs who gorge themselves to the limit, many still order extreme quantities of food - they just are not seen polishing off the lot. Instead, they may cut away, or invite fellow diners to join them. Some add, out of extra caution, that they have exercised a lot to digest, or post a warning subtitle stating food wasting is not allowed, please stay healthy.

Mires, for example, presents herself as a guide to the delicacies of restaurants across China, rather than a greedy guts.

Zhang Xixi, a Youtuber from Sichun with 160,000 subscribers, recently posted a video at a barbecue restaurant where she ordered around two pounds of meat - enough for four people.

Before the 2021 regulation, YouTuber Zhang Xixi's table was strewn with unfinished food in most videos

But she invites passers-by to dine with her, showing the empty plates to her audience at the end of the meal. Before the 2021 regulation, her table was strewn with unfinished food in most videos.

Mukbangs audiences typically express adoration for the iron stomach and petite physiques of their favourite stars.

However, some commenters take the more critical approach of Mr Jinping.

It is impossible to keep that thin while eating such a huge amount of food, one Mires viewer responds, while asking bloggers to stop wasting so much.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Sioux Falls ministry known for being a church in a bar will soon have a new home.

Since 2021, the Table Ministry has hosted worship services at Shenanigans in Sioux Falls. But this week the church announced its moving out of the bar.

We had the opportunity to partner with the Military Alliance and bring a spiritual presence to their campus and they were able to give us this space to call home, so here we are, Erica Varcoe, pastor of the Table Ministry, said.

That space is in the old AAA building just two doors down from the Military Heritage Alliance.

We want this to be a safe place for everybody. For veterans, for the community. You dont have to be associated with the military to come to the Alliance, Nicole Ryan with the SD Military Heritage Alliance, said. A lot of people think you have to be and you do not have to be. So its going to be great to have a pastor on-call, 24/7 for anybody who would need the services here.

The new building gives the Table Ministry not only more room for worship and fellowship, but theres also an area for the kids.

Im just so excited to reach more people in our community, Varcoe said. Reach, you know, different groups of people and just really show everyone that theres a seat for them at the table. It doesnt matter what age or what season or where they live walk of life. We all just can gather together.

Inside KELOLAND: Heartwalk, child care and Sturgis

No matter the location, their mission stays the same.

We really have learned in the last four years of who we are and thats a non-traditional church, Varcoe said. You know, the church beyond the walls of a building.

The Table Ministrys last worship service at Shenanigans will be this Sunday, but Varcoe says they arent entirely moving away from being a church in a bar. With their new partnership, they will host a worship service once a month in the Alliances Club Lobo.

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An unnamed Columbus police officer is under investigation after firing a gun while responding to a report of a break-in Tuesday morning. A police spokesperson said nobody was hurt in the incident.

A suspect who exchanged shots with Columbus police Sunday morning near the Ohio State University campus was found dead about five hours later, ending a barricade situation, police said.

The suspect, identified by police as Asante Taaj Omar Miller, 21, who lived on the streets of Columbus, was pronounced dead at 1:15 p.m., police said. A cause of death had not been released yet Monday pending the outcome of an autopsy to determine whether Miller died by suicide or was struck by police during an exchange of gunfire.

The incident began at 8 a.m. when officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Worthington Street on a report of a burglary in progress. Police were told the suspect was inside the residence with a firearm, according to a police press release.The suspect fled from Worthington Street when officers arrived,but was found nearby.

"Officers gave the suspect multiple verbal commands to drop his firearm. The suspect refused to put his firearm down, which resulted in officers discharging their firearms," the press release said.The suspect then broke into another residence in the 100 block of West 8th Avenue.

While searching the home, officers encountered the suspect hiding in a room, which resulted in additional shots being fired, police said.

Police and SWAT units surrounded the home and used drones inside and outside the home as part of their efforts to assess the situation. The suspect was later found deceased inside the residence. It's not clear if he died from officer gunfire.

No officers were injured, police said.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting as per Columbus policy.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Asante Taaj Omar Miller found dead by Columbus police after barricade
Column: Katie Porter is nearly done with Congress. But she's not finished yet

Rep. Katie Porter expresses no regrets over her unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate and says her endorsement of former rival Adam B. Schiff is wholehearted and sincere. She won't rule out another try for political office, but has no immediate plans to run. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Katie Porter is seated at Starbucks, nursing an iced coffee and discussing might-have-beens as a stream of customers in seasonal uniform  shorts, flip-flops  flows steadily past.

This is not how she hoped to spend her summer.

The Orange County congresswoman had gone from unknown to political celebrity virtually overnight, wielding a whiteboard and marking pen to skewer lobbyists, torment chief executives and harry various corporate heavies  to the utter rapture of the online, cable-TV-consuming wing of the Democratic Party.

She transformed herself from UC law professor into a fundraising dynamo, a progressive heroine and oft-discussed prospect for higher office. Then it all came crashing down as Porter lost, badly, in a fractious Senate primary to fellow Rep. Adam B. Schiff. Now he's the one cruising to election and potential lifetime tenure in Washington, as Porter confronts the end of her congressional career a few short months from now.

She has, Porter says, no regrets.

Not for how she waged her Senate campaign. Not for yielding the national political platform she built. Not for walking away from a House seat  which Republicans are eagerly eyeing  after three terms and six years in Washington, a point when many in her line of work are just getting started.

"What in the universe do I wish was different?" Porter asked, before answering herself. "A lot. A lot."

The war in Gaza, for instance, which activated a peace movement in the Democratic Party and bolstered the candidacy of Rep. Barbara Lee, Porter's main competition for liberal support against the more centrist Schiff.

"Do I think I underestimated some factors and overestimated some others? Sure. Do I think that there were calculations and calculuses that I made? Yes," Porter went on. "But when I look at that campaign, I don't think there was ... a particular moment or a particular decision that shaped it either way."

Read more: Who needs passion or drama? Adam Schiff tries bland and steady in California U.S. Senate race

The morning rush had petered out. An egg-and-spinach wrap sat before Porter, untouched.

She's still smarting over the millions of dollars in negative advertising the crypto industry and tech bros dumped on her head to help Schiff. But, she says, her endorsement of her erstwhile rival is wholehearted and sincere.

"Adam and Barbara and I remained very cordial throughout the race," Porter said. "We saw each other every day at work. People forget that. We're sitting in delegation meetings together; we're on the airplane together. One of the first people I saw after I lost was Barbara Lee's son, who was like, 'You ran a great race.' We understand that when you run, someone wins and someone loses."

Her one hope for Schiff is that he uses the fall campaign (such as it is against his handpicked opponent, the hapless Republican Steve Garvey) to talk about some of the many issues facing California.

"We need a real policy debate in California," Porter said. "We have a narrative about California being [Gov. Gavin Newsom's] golden California dreaming, but also people who are like, 'This is a failed state; people are leaving'  that whole narrative. ... This race was a chance to have a real policy debate about our state, and I don't think that happened."

Blame the short attention span of voters. Blame a diminished political press corps. Blame a contest that managed to captivate very few Californians. Blame hairsplitting among generally like-minded Democrats and the lack of any real GOP competition to spur a deep and meaningful discussion.

Even as Schiff coasts to election, Porter said: "I hope Adam will go back to some of the policies that were really important in the Senate race  whether that was housing, whether that was the environment, energy, whether that was taxes  and try to have some of those conversations and arrive in the Senate really willing to think about 'What does California need from Washington?'"

Read more: Column: Northern California is losing its political dominance, and Adam Schiff's victory proves it

A customer approached Porter, wide-eyed, to offer good wishes. The 47th Congressional District, which runs along the Orange County coast, is home to one of the most competitive House races in the country, a fight pitting Democrat Dave Min against Republican Scott Baugh to replace Porter on Capitol Hill.

She has few illusions about the institution she's leaving behind.

Congress is a lumbering beast of a place, deeply polarized and highly antagonistic, and Porter said there's little desire by leaders of either major party to fix that.

"My colleagues want to talk  and you will hear them talk this fall, whether it's Congressman Schiff running for the Senate, or a House candidate or Vice President Harris  they want to talk endlessly about the crisis of confidence in the Supreme Court," Porter said. "What about the crisis of confidence in us, in Congress, and who we work for and how effective we are? That's a conversation worth having, too."

(There's a reason Porter was no favorite of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who threw her considerable clout behind Schiff in the Senate primary.)

For now, Porter is looking forward to returning to the classroom in January  her face lit up at the mention of standing in front of students again  taking up her old position at UC Irvine. Shell teach a first-year law class and courses on commercial law and legislation.

She has a new Burmese kitten, Dino, and a basset hound puppy, Poppy. As a single mom of three children, she'll gladly forsake the arduous cross-country commute to Washington, and also looks forward to being around when her kids get home from school.

A sip of coffee. Another passerby  a woman in a neon-green safety vest  bids Porter well.

Read more: Steve Garvey has been quiet since the March primary. So what was he doing in Israel?

She hasnt ruled out a future run for statewide office  Porter could be a formidable candidate for attorney general or governor  but feels no haste to decide. (By contrast, she was the first to jump in to the Senate race, even before the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein had stated her intention to step aside.)

Porter reprimanded the nearly half dozen gubernatorial hopefuls who've already launched their campaigns.

"Between now and election day, in my opinion, nobody should be campaigning for governor," Porter said. Democrats, quite rightly, insist that Donald Trump poses an existential threat to democracy and that the party must do all it can to stop him.

"If you believe that"  here Porter brandished a fist  "then that's what we should all be working on right now. Not jockeying in an election still more than two years off.

At 50, still in the blush of youth by today's silvered political standards, Porter has plenty of highway ahead of her.

She remains committed, she said, to public service of some sort.

"I'm not tired at all of being a candidate. I'm not tired of campaigning," she said, finally turning attention to her neglected spinach wrap. "But I just don't know what that looks like, and I'm not gonna be rushed.

"I'm going to look for the thing that feels right, whether that's elective office  I don't know at what level  whether that's administration, whether that's some kind of civil service board position in California," or possibly a role in a Kamala Harris administration.

Her brief, ascendant House career may be nearly over. But, Porter suggested, she's not through yet.

Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
When Confederate-glorifying monuments went up in the South, voting in Black areas went down

Confederate monuments burst into public consciousness in 2015 when a shooting at a historically Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, instigated the first broad calls for their removal. The shooter intended to start a race war and had posed with Confederate imagery in photos posted online.

Monument removal efforts grew in 2017 after a counterprotester was killed at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacist groups defended the preservation of Confederate monuments. Removal movements saw widespread success in 2020 following George Floyds death at the hands of the police.

These events linked Confederate monuments to modern racist beliefs and acts. But whether monuments carry inherent racism or are merely misinterpreted requires further exploration.

Research by economist Jhacova A. Williams has shown that Black Americans who live in areas that have a relatively higher number of streets named after prominent Confederate generals are less likely to be employed, are more likely to be employed in low-status occupations, and have lower wages compared to Whites.

I study economic and political history and have researched the effects of Confederate monuments in the post-Civil War South. I found that these symbols helped solidify the Jim Crow era, which established segregation across the South and lasted from the 1880s until the 1960s. These symbols were accompanied by increases in the vote share of the Democratic Party  the racist party that had supported slavery and, after the Civil War, supported segregation for another century. The building of these monuments was also accompanied by reductions in voter turnout. Further research I conducted shows that these political effects disproportionately occurred in areas with a larger share of Black residents.

In other words, as these monuments were erected, the vote increased for members of the then-racist Democratic Party, and people turned out to vote in lower numbers in predominantly Black areas.

These findings demonstrate that a connection existed between racism and these monuments from their inception  and provide context for modern monument debates.

Richmond, Va., city workers prepare to drape a tarp over a statue of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson in 2017. AP Photo/Steve Helber

Monumental history

The South saw almost no monument dedications during the Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. Monuments first appeared during the Reconstruction era  1865 to 1877  when Southern states were occupied by the North and integrated back into the Union.

Reconstruction-era monuments in general did not glorify the Confederacy. These monuments largely honored the dead and were placed in cemeteries and spaces distant from daily life. They compartmentalized the trauma of the war, commemorating lives but not placing the Confederacy at the center of Southern identity.

As Reconstruction neared its end in 1875, a Stonewall Jackson monument erected in Richmond, Virginia, foreshadowed the different monuments to come.

The monuments dedication drew 50,000 spectators and included a military-style parade. The potential presence of a local all-Black militia proved to be controversial. To avoid accusations of race mixing, organizers planned to place the militia and any other Black participants in the back of the parade.

The militia did not attend, likely in anticipation of the controversy, and the only Black Southerners present in the parade were formerly enslaved people who had served in the Confederacys Stonewall Brigade. This stark picture of Southern race relations served as a preview of political developments to come.

This trend continued after Reconstruction, which ended with the Compromise of 1877. This compromise settled the disputed 1876 presidential election, giving Republicans the presidency and Democrats, then a pro-segregation party, full political control of the South. Democrats subsequently established what would become known as Jim Crow laws across the South, an array of restrictive and discriminatory laws that disenfranchised Black Southerners and made them second-class citizens.

Monuments played a cultural role in establishing the Jim Crow South. Unlike Reconstruction monuments, post-Reconstruction monuments were erected in prominent public spaces, and their focus shifted toward the portrayal and glorification of famous Confederates. Monument dedication ceremonies were particularly popular around the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, peaking in 1911.

Additional Confederate monuments have been dedicated since that period, but those numbers pale in comparison to the monument-building spree of 1878 to 1912.

The Mississippi state and U.S. flags fly near the Rankin County Confederate Monument in the downtown square of Brandon, Miss., on March 3, 2023. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File

Monumental effects

My research investigates the political effects of Confederate monuments in the Reconstruction and early post-Reconstruction  1877-1912  eras, namely their effects on Democratic Party vote share and voter turnout.

I expected monuments potential effects to be directly related to their centrality to everyday life and glorification of the Confederacy. This is the primary difference between soldier-memorializing Reconstruction and Confederate-glorifying post-Reconstruction monuments.

I expected to find little political effect from soldier-memorializing Reconstruction monuments, but some pro-Jim Crow effects from Confederate-glorifying post-Reconstruction monuments. As monuments moved from cemeteries into central public spaces such as parks and squares, I expected them to affect voters decisions.

That is precisely what I found.

During Reconstruction, counties that dedicated Confederate monuments saw no change in voter turnout or Democratic Party vote share in biennial congressional elections. These symbols were soldier-memorializing and physically separate from public life and did not influence voter decision-making.

However, when monuments began to glorify the Confederacy and shifted into public life, political effects emerged.

Counties that dedicated monuments in the early post-Reconstruction period saw, on average, a 5.5 percentage point increase in Democratic Party vote share and a 2.2 percentage point decrease in voter turnout compared with other counties.

As monuments changed, so did their effect on the public. Glorifying public monuments communicated to the public that the Confederacy was worth preserving, thus strengthening Democratic majorities and lowering participation in the political process.

Larger Democratic majorities alongside lower voter turnout already suggests Black Southerners, who almost exclusively voted for Republicans at that time, were voting less in areas with monuments. I conducted further exploration and found that these political effects disproportionately occurred in counties with larger Black populations. This suggests that Black voters were more responsive to Confederate monuments, which suppressed their political activity by signaling they were not accepted by the local community.

The effects of post-Reconstruction monuments suggest that they played a role in continued racism throughout the South into the early 20th century.

Their controversy today demonstrates the values still conveyed by their presence in society. Recent research has demonstrated the long-run effects of the spread of Southern white culture and prejudices across the United States post-Civil War, connecting it to higher levels of modern-day Republican Party voting and conservative values.

It is thus no wonder Confederate monuments, as prominent symbols of pro-Confederate, Southern white culture, continue to be  and are likely to remain  cultural flashpoints.

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: Alexander N. Taylor, George Mason University

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Alexander N. Taylor 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.
Congress aims to boost enforcement at the border  with Canada

A U.S. Border Patrol agent walks along the U.S.-Canada border in upstate New York. (James Tourtellotte/Department of Homeland Security)

WASHINGTON  While much of U.S. border security talk focuses on the southwest corner of the country, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill in June aimed at a different target  growing migration along the U.S.-Canada border.

The legislation, titled the Northern Border Coordination Act, was co-authored by Sens. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, and Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat. The measure would hire additional U.S. Border Patrol agents for critically understaffed areas of the northern border and establish the Northern Border Coordination Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Detroit to coordinate border security strategy.

The Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent, but the House has not acted on it.

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The northern border is the longest international border in the world at just over 5,500 miles, divided into eight patrol sectors comprising 49 official border crossing stations.

It is also largely undefended.

Much of the border is undefined and unobstructed, marked only by a 6-foot clearing, or vista, that follows the length of the border, hundreds of white markers, and naturally occurring boundaries like streams or lakes.

Illegal crossings up

There has been growing attention from northern-state lawmakers in recent years over increased attempted illegal border crossings as migration from Latin America grows due to economic and political conditions.

In 2023, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered almost 190,000 individuals attempting to cross from Canada to the United States. Thats almost seven times more than in 2021.

CBP encountered almost 2.5 million individuals on the southern border in 2023.

The Swanton Sector, a 24,000-square-mile area spanning the northern borders of eastern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, has seen the highest number of illegal crossings. From October 2022 to September 2023, CBP saw a 550% increase in apprehensions of people crossing from Quebec into the sector.

Encounters are when border officials catch individuals illegally crossing from one country to another either at or between ports of entry. Individuals can then be sent back to their country of origin, Canada, or released into the U.S.

Collen Putzel, an associate policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, a liberal-leaning immigration policy think tank, said in an interview with States Newsroom that encounter numbers dont perfectly reflect the number of people entering the U.S.

The encounter numbers may be increasing, but it doesnt necessarily mean that the number of people actually entering are increasing, Putzel said.

Understaffed

Staffing on the northern border remains a critical issue in maintaining border policies and security. The U.S. Government Accountability Office conducted a study in 2019 and found there were an insufficient number of agents that limited patrol missions along the northern border.

GAO attributed many of the staffing shortages to be a result of competing priorities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

A CBP spokesperson told States Newsroom in a written statement that more congressional support is needed to address northern border issues.

CBP continuously adjusts to shifting trends while continuing to call on Congress to provide the resources and personnel necessary to sustain and improve our border security along all our borders, the spokesperson said.

Peters said his bill with Collins would help solve staffing shortages.

This legislation will further cement the centers role in coordinating border security efforts, supporting personnel training and conducting testing for new border security technologies, he said in a press release from Collins office.

Routes set by smugglers

Most of the people crossing the border come from areas outside Canada. About half come from Mexico, CBS News Boston reported. Others are from India, Bangladesh and Haiti.

Many buy one-way plane tickets to Toronto or Montreal.

The increased movement of people through Canada could be fueled by smuggling operations, Putzel said.

Oftentimes, migration routes are, in part, dictated by the smuggling networks that are controlling them, she said.

In February, Canada changed a visa rule for Mexican nationals, requiring citizens to obtain a Canadian or U.S. travel visa before entering Canada. Previously, no visas were required.

Canada has seen an increase in Mexican migrants claiming asylum over the past decade. In 2015, only 110 people from Mexico applied for asylum. At the end of 2023, almost 24,000 applied, the majority filing their claims from airport offices, according to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Department.

National security vulnerabilities

With more people moving from Canada into the U.S., the situation at the northern border has grown more precarious, prompting bills like the Northern Border Coordination Act, which was introduced in July 2023.

In 2023, the CBP Office of Field Operations, which monitors the border at ports of entry, encountered 484 individuals on the terrorist watchlist attempting to cross into the U.S. from Canada. Thats almost nine times more than in 2021, according to CBP data. Officials on the southern border only encountered 80 people on the watchlist in 2023.

Authorities have also encountered more drugs being brought over the northern border. According to the CBP, drug seizures in 2023 were up by about 29% from 2021 levels. Marijuana was the most common drug officers found, with just under 3,500 seizures in 2023 compared to just under 2,000 in 2021.

But weapons and ammunition seizures have decreased in recent years. In 2021, CBP seized over 9,000 weapons, ammunition, and gun parts. In 2023, that figure was down to just over 4,000.

Rep. Shri Thanedar, a Democrat who represents part of the Detroit area along the northern border, said in a statement to States Newsroom that the Collins-Peters proposal is essential to address the rising national security threat along the northern border.

I firmly believe this strategic investment will benefit the safety of communities within Michigans 13th Congressional District, Thanedar said.

Economic factors push more migrants to U.S.

The U.S. may be more appealing to migrants than Canada because of culture and the job market, Silvia Pedraza, a professor of sociology and American culture at the University of Michigan, said. Immigrants are more likely to get jobs in the U.S. than Canada, she said.

In Canada, people (immigrants) dont get decent jobs. They (Canadians) treat them nicely. Theyre even, I would say, hospitable and warm, said Pedraza. The fact of the matter is that they dont give them any jobs that are worth anything.

We (the U.S.) dont give them papers, but we give them jobs, she said, acknowledging the better job prospects immigrants seek to support themselves and their families.

But Pedraza also thinks that Americans should recognize the positive economic impact immigrants bring.

She said with U.S. citizens increasing levels of education, they are less willing to work jobs in the service industry, construction, and agriculture. In recent years, immigrant workers have begun to make up significant populations in these industries, according to a study by Pew Research Center.

We dont seem to recognize that we have a real need, a real lack of people in these sorts of jobs that are essential to the economy, said Pedraza.

Pedraza emphasized that the U.S. is a country built on immigration and that intense media coverage of the southern border wont help solve the crisis.

Its such a negative portrayal all the time that doesnt see the value of what immigrants bring to a country, she said.

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Independent presidential candidate Cornel West weighed in on his competitors running mates, saying Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) sold his soul to former President Trump and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) is a decent man in a party that is corrupt.

Vance has seemed to sell his soul to be subordinate to Trumps lies and his crimes, West said on NewsNation Saturday. Vance is much more intellectually sophisticated than brother Trump but its sad to see him give up on his claims of integrity and honesty and to find himself an extension of Trumps mendacity and Trumps criminality.

West was referring to the criticism thats been thrown Vances way since he was named as Trumps VP pick. In the past, Vance said he was a never Trump guy and compared the former president to Adolf Hitler.

Trump has come out in defense of his new running mate, saying Vance didnt know me but now that they know one another, he liked me maybe more than anybody liked me.

As for Vice President Harriss running mate, West said he thinks Walz is a very decent man in a corrupt party.

Walz was chosen as Harriss vice-presidential pick earlier this week and the two have been campaigning in several swing states since. In just a few weeks after President Biden bowed out of the presidential race, Harris has broken donation records, generated excitement from voters at huge rallies and cut down on Trumps lead in the polls.

And now hes got to somehow deal with the wickedness in high places like any other elected official, West said of Walz. And, well see, theyve been able to generate a tremendous amount of excitement and its a beautiful thing to see people expressing a certain kind of joy.

West, who is running a longshot campaign, said he believes people are excited about Harriss run for office because its desperation.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Despite a relatively low unemployment rate, Americans continue to fear job losses amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rates in Ohio using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Counties are ranked by their preliminary unemployment rate in June 2024, with initial ties broken by the number of unemployed people within that county, though some ties may remain. County-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Economists forecast a waning risk of recession and predict that the U.S. may instead be headed for an incremental slowdown in growth known as a soft landing. Still, layoffs among major U.S. employers, from Google to Tesla, have sparked concern among Americans. Whats more, unemployment has spiked in over half the countrys states since last year, which often indicates a looming recession, a chief global economist at Piper Sandler told Business Insider. Unemployment is also up in a vast majority of U.S. metros.

Still, as of July 2024, the national unemployment rate remains relatively low at 4.3%, with only a slight increase from the previous month. For comparison, the Great Recession of 2007-09 sent unemployment rates up to 10% as of October 2009, and a full recovery took years. At the height of the COVID-19 recession in April 2020, unemployment hit 14.7%.

Regional and state employment range widely depending on local economies. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state vary, ranging from just 2% in South Dakota to 5.4% in Washington D.C.

Read on to see the counties with the highest unemployment in Ohio.

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Keith J Finks // Shutterstock

#50. Huron County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%

 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points

 Total labor force: 29,228 people (1,491 unemployed)

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#49. Muskingum County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%

 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 42,469 people (2,173 unemployed)

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Almal3xia // Shutterstock

#48. Greene County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points

 Total labor force: 85,232 people (4,376 unemployed)

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#47. Morgan County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 7,195 people (377 unemployed)

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arthurgphotography // Shutterstock

#46. Hocking County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points

 Total labor force: 13,379 people (690 unemployed)

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#45. Henry County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 13,273 people (692 unemployed)

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#44. Darke County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 1.1 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.1 percentage points

 Total labor force: 26,699 people (1,384 unemployed)

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#43. Portage County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points

 Total labor force: 87,979 people (4,576 unemployed)

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BLAZE Pro // Shutterstock

#42. Stark County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 186,264 people (9,681 unemployed)

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#41. Butler County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 206,572 people (10,684 unemployed)

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photo.ua // Shutterstock

#40. Hamilton County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 436,346 people (22,540 unemployed)

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#39. Carroll County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%

 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.3 percentage points

 Total labor force: 12,953 people (690 unemployed)

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#38. Marion County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 27,747 people (1,474 unemployed)

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#37. Clark County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 65,378 people (3,471 unemployed)

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#36. Summit County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 273,760 people (14,578 unemployed)

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#35. Defiance County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.4%

 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 18,300 people (982 unemployed)

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#34. Harrison County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.5%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points

 Total labor force: 7,027 people (386 unemployed)

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#33. Perry County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.5%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 16,590 people (907 unemployed)

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#32. Allen County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.6%

 1-month change: Up 0.9 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points

 Total labor force: 48,425 people (2,710 unemployed)

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#31. Montgomery County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.6%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points

 Total labor force: 254,574 people (14,213 unemployed)

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#30. Shelby County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.7%

 1-month change: Up 1.4 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.4 percentage points

 Total labor force: 24,639 people (1,405 unemployed)

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#29. Ashtabula County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.7%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 44,653 people (2,567 unemployed)

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#28. Richland County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.7%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points

 Total labor force: 52,322 people (2,988 unemployed)

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#27. Guernsey County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 18,429 people (1,069 unemployed)

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#26. Brown County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 20,252 people (1,176 unemployed)

26 / 50

JNix // Shutterstock

#25. Columbiana County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 45,937 people (2,656 unemployed)

27 / 50

The American Explorer // Shutterstock

#24. Vinton County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points

 Total labor force: 5,612 people (332 unemployed)

28 / 50

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#23. Crawford County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points

 Total labor force: 18,416 people (1,078 unemployed)

29 / 50

JNix // Shutterstock

#22. Clinton County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 18,869 people (1,118 unemployed)

30 / 50

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#21. Mercer County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%

 1-month change: Up 2.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 3.4 percentage points

 Total labor force: 24,613 people (1,450 unemployed)

31 / 50

JNix // Shutterstock

#20. Belmont County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 29,011 people (1,725 unemployed)

32 / 50

Michael Shake // Shutterstock

#19. Lucas County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.0%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 211,595 people (12,628 unemployed)

33 / 50

JNix // Shutterstock

#18. Gallia County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.1%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 12,698 people (772 unemployed)

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#17. Highland County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.1%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points

 Total labor force: 18,008 people (1,106 unemployed)

35 / 50

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#16. Washington County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.1%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 27,761 people (1,694 unemployed)

36 / 50

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#15. Mahoning County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.1%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 101,354 people (6,209 unemployed)

37 / 50

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#14. Pike County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.2%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 11,695 people (727 unemployed)

38 / 50

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#13. Hardin County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.3%

 1-month change: Up 1.3 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.2 percentage points

 Total labor force: 13,202 people (828 unemployed)

39 / 50

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#12. Trumbull County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.3%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.9 percentage points

 Total labor force: 85,461 people (5,344 unemployed)

40 / 50

The American Explorer // Shutterstock

#11. Lawrence County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.4%

 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.9 percentage points

 Total labor force: 24,364 people (1,550 unemployed)

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#10. Adams County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.5%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 11,636 people (752 unemployed)

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James Marciniak // Shutterstock

#9. Jackson County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.5%

 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.0 percentage points

 Total labor force: 13,137 people (850 unemployed)

43 / 50

Madison Muskopf // Shutterstock

#8. Coshocton County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.5%

 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 14,329 people (934 unemployed)

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#7. Scioto County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.6%

 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 30,431 people (2,023 unemployed)

45 / 50

Kenneth Keifer // Shutterstock

#6. Noble County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.7%

 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.3 percentage points

 Total labor force: 4,765 people (321 unemployed)

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#5. Auglaize County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.7%

 1-month change: Up 3.0 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 3.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 25,943 people (1,737 unemployed)

47 / 50

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#4. Jefferson County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 7.3%

 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.3 percentage points

 Total labor force: 27,826 people (2,029 unemployed)

48 / 50

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#3. Monroe County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 7.5%

 1-month change: Up 0.9 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.7 percentage points

 Total labor force: 5,304 people (399 unemployed)

49 / 50

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#2. Meigs County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 7.7%

 1-month change: Up 0.9 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.4 percentage points

 Total labor force: 8,755 people (675 unemployed)

50 / 50

Wendy van Overstreet // Shutterstock

#1. Athens County

 June unemployment rate (preliminary): 8.1%

 1-month change: Up 1.7 percentage points

 1-year change: Up 2.8 percentage points

 Total labor force: 25,138 people (2,034 unemployed)

This story features data reporting by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Elijah Riley is happiest when his toes are in the grass, a fishing pole is in his hand and the sun is on his face.

He thrives outside, he said. Its where he feels the most like himself.

I find an extreme sense of place and sense of self when I'm outside, he said. It's for sure like a breath of fresh air.

But when he was 16 years old, and in the midst of a slight obsession with the Discovery Channel, Riley noticed there was a gap in representation in outdoor content. There werent many people of color in the industry  there werent many people who looked like him.

He wanted that to change, so he started teaching himself more and more about hunting, fishing and camping. He picked things up here and there from family members, coworkers at Scheels and countless YouTube videos.

Then, he used his passion for photography and videography to begin making his own content online. He wanted to show other kids like him that they could take advantage of whats in their backyards and learn all of the things hes picked up along the way, too.

I kind of wanted to be a new face and shake up the system, Riley said.

And so, Big Gumdrop Outdoors was born.

Over the years, the nonprofit, originally founded by Riley in 2016, has changed quite a bit, all while focusing on the same goal: to get kids outside and share his love for nature with local youth.

He started out by posting how-to videos to YouTube, but his content wasnt getting the traction online he had hoped for. A key piece to the organizations puzzle seemed to be missing, he said.

Then, on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica as a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he figured it out. Big Gumdrop Outdoors could be used to do more than just produce videos; he could actually engage with local students to help them appreciate and learn about the outdoors through the organization.

That was kind of like the light bulb moment in my mind, he said.

So, when Riley returned from Costa Rica last summer, the Lincoln native worked with the Malone Community Center to create an eight-week program for students to teach them about all things outdoors.

One unit covers animal identification, plant identification, the food chain and ecosystems in Nebraska. Another focuses on conservation storytelling and allows students to use tablets to take pictures and videos of the world around them. Then, they are tasked with telling a story about the things they saw and the varying emotions they felt.

Riley's program also teaches students how to build tents, what supplies are necessary for camping and how to cook over a campfire. Lastly, during the summer program, they went fishing  and every single student caught a fish, which made the whole experience even more exciting, Riley said.

Since then, Big Gumdrop Outdoors has engaged with nearly 4,000 students in Southeast Nebraska through community events like park clean-ups, fishing clinics and special nights at local lakes. The organization has also partnered with several local schools, including Everett and Belmont elementaries, to offer after-school programs.

Currently, the organization serves primarily elementary students and some middle school students, but Riley said he hopes to continue to expand and have more programs targeted toward older students in the near future.

The more students he can reach, especially those who live in urban areas, the more he hopes he can boost students' mental and physical health, he said.

Not having that opportunity (to be outside), I think will set them up for more failures than success because then when everything does start to go faster, when they do start to feel overwhelmed, whether it's in school or in their personal life, they won't have a resource where they can just go and feel okay, he said. So I'm really trying to give those kids, those urban youth, an opportunity at something that they wouldn't normally have, and trying to give them access to the amazing things of nature.

Kiera Barrys three elementary-aged children have been attending Big Gumdrop Outdoors events since Riley first began offering them.

They have a blast every time they go, she said.

Since becoming regulars with the organization, Barry said her children have learned life skills, like fire safety and fishing, and how to have fun outside.

Sitting inside is just plain boring, and getting outside and getting that fresh air is good for kids. And that's what I did as a kid. My dad started me young, going outside and fishing and being in the wildlife, she said. So I think it's good for my kids to be able to do the same thing, too, because I necessarily don't have the time to do it all the time. So with BGO, theyre able to do that every week.

Throughout his time running Big Gumdrop Outdoors, Riley has also been a full-time student, and is about to begin his fifth year as an agricultural and environmental sciences communications major with a minor in entrepreneurship through the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program.

Because of that, hes leaned on a small team of people to help him continue to offer plenty of high-quality events to the Lincoln community.

Building a team has helped me a lot, he said. Having more people that can help pick up the slack and can help us take more steps and make more connections and do things that are bigger than just myself has fundamentally changed everything we're able to do.

Kyndal Hudson, a senior at UNL studying agricultural leadership, joined the organization at the start of this year and has since taken over the brunt of the work planning activities and curriculum as the programming director.

Big Gumdrop Outdoors has helped her connect her passion for the outdoors to her passion for working with kids, she said.

It's just like a really cool way for me to connect those passions, she said.

While Riley is nearing the end of his college career, his future with Big Gumdrop Outdoors is just getting started, he said. He hopes to continue growing the organization until he touches every school in Lincoln. Then, hell move on to Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. Someday, he hopes Big Gumdrop Outdoors will be known across the country.

As we grow and start to build more of those things, see how we can get it across the nation and get it into those cities where kids are super landlocked and they spend more time on concrete than dirt, and give them the opportunity to get out, get their hands dirty and their feet in the mud, he said.

Photos: Big Gumdrop Outdoors hosts community lake day in Lincoln
When people, from different parts of the world, began arriving to settle in Britain, they should have encountered a nation that knew what it was and how it had come to be what they saw and heard.

Instead, they came across well-meaning but naive policies of multiculturalism which were as much about self doubt as about accommodating new arrivals.

The unintended but foreseeable consequences of this was that in place of integration and cohesion, communities were encouraged to maintain and nurture separate identities. This led to isolation from one another and, instead of mutual give-and-take and learning from one another, to suspicion, fear and sometimes downright hostility.

All right-thinking people will surely condemn the riots we have witnessed this last week. There can be no excuse for violence and attacks on homes, businesses and hotels. This should not allow us to forget that every state has the duty to consider the well-being of those already within its borders and to decide how many new arrivals the social and physical infrastructure will sustain, in terms of housing, schools and the health services. The news that the numbers of legal migrants coming here is beginning to fall will be welcomed by all who are concerned about our creaking services and the high worklessness among sections of the host population.

But there seems to be no let-up of those coming here illegally, especially in small boats, and no discernible plan that would effectively halt such arrivals and the significant drain on the economy caused by this failure.

We must continue to fulfil our moral and legal obligations to those who are genuine refugees. But Britain cannot be seen to have a monopoly on receiving refugees, especially those coming from safe countries. We need a new international agreement on nations accommodating refugees.

Numbers, while important, are not the only factor to consider. There is the more difficult-to-quantify question of social cohesion and integration.

It is sometimes suggested that the fact that some ethnic communities are doing very well economically and educationally shows that Britain has been successful in the integration of those who have come more recently. This is a welcome feature of our national landscape. It is not enough, however. Integration cannot be reduced merely to economic and educational indicators.

A socially cohesive society will be able to call, for instance, on a common memory, on a shared history and the cumulative beliefs, traditions and values which arise from such history and memory. This is particularly true of a nation like Britain which has an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach to developments in law, government, social attitudes and much else. The emergence of the Common Law tradition in England, the Bill of Rights and the successive repeal of the Test Acts all stand witness to a cumulative tradition in which the wisdom of the past is used to address issues in the present and what may emerge in the future.

Much of this way of thinking and doing has its roots in, and has been mediated by, the Judaeo-Christian tradition and its insistence on both personal freedom and social responsibility, as set out in the Ten Commandments, Jesuss summary of them and the most well known of his parables, that of the Good Samaritan. Even the most secularised of values can be traced to the pervasive influence of this tradition.

If there is to be any hope of maintaining and enhancing social cohesion, those coming here to live and work should be required not only to have some knowledge of the English language but also of the history, beliefs and values which have formed British society. This can be strengthened as they prepare for citizenship.

Knowledge is one thing, sympathy is another. We should expect those wanting to live here to have sympathy for the countrys history, traditions and values. Rather than the separateness encouraged by multiculturalist approaches, government policy should seek more than just a common language for social discourse. Housing policy, schools, community facilities and even higher education must all actively avoid ghettoisation and reward social mobility and the mixing of different communities.

Integration does not mean assimilation without remainder. Communities like the Jews, the Huguenots and East African Asians have shown how there can be integration, while maintaining their cultural and religious distinctives.

There is also a need to attend to those sections of the indigenous population which have become economically, educationally and socially deprived. There is no white privilege here. Without addressing their needs, it is unlikely that we will be a society at ease with itself. Strengthening family life, with father and mother contributing in their particular ways to the welfare of their children, is crucial. Single parents do a heroic job in bringing up their children but they would generally be the first to admit that it takes two to bring up human offspring.

There must be better provision and discipline in schools to improve educational attainment, and better vocational training, leading to secure and decently paid work. Such an educational renaissance, alongside investment for jobs and improvement in social facilities, can transform communities without hope into ones with a positive outlook for the next generation.

If we want to be a cohesive society at ease with itself, there is much work to be done.

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A couple tested out life in Canada and Italy. They chose to move where salaries are lower but life is sweeter.

Victoria Craparotta and Flavio Fabiani fell in love during a study-abroad program in Spain.

Craparotta is Canadian, and Fabiani is Italian, so they decided to test out life in both countries.

They've settled in Rome, where they feel the quality of life is better even if jobs pay less.

Victoria Craparotta and Flavio Fabiani had a decision to make.

In 2022, after maintaining a long-distance relationship for more than two years, Fabiani, an architect from Italy, moved to Toronto to be with Craparotta, who is Canadian.

They'd met at a study-abroad program in Spain in 2019.

It made sense for Fabiani to make the move at the time, Craparotta, 26, said, as he had just graduated from college and had fewer commitments. Meanwhile, she was working a full-time e-commerce job at Dyson, the technology and appliance company.

Fabiani and Craparotta have been living together in Rome for more than a year. Courtesy of Victoria Craparotta and Flavio Fabiani

As the expiry date for his working holiday visa neared, Fabiani, 27, said they settled on a solution: "Let's do the same experience in Italy. And then, at the end of it, let's decide where we're going to stay."

Craparotta, who was disillusioned with her job and ready for a fresh start, agreed. She quit her job and flew to Rome in May 2023 on a working holiday visa to start a new chapter with Fabiani.

A year later, the couple is still in Rome. There have been challenges, such as turning a dusty old apartment Fabiani inherited into their home, and plenty of adjustments, but they aren't interested in moving back to Canada anytime soon  here's why.

Italy is pedestrian-friendly and a convenient base for travel

One of Fabiani's first questions to Craparotta when he arrived in Toronto was, "Where are the mountains?"

Like many first-time visitors, Fabiani assumed that Canada was "covered in nature" and that places such as Banff National Park were a stone's throw away, Craparotta said.

But the best lakes are a two-hour drive from Toronto, she said, and potentially pricey flights are the easiest way to get to hot spots such as Vancouver.

As an architect, Fabiani enjoyed how "industrial-looking" Toronto was, but he wasn't a fan of how reliant the couple was on a car in the city's suburbs, where they lived with Craparotta's parents.

Fabiani said Toronto was much more "industrial-looking" than Rome. Allan Baxter

By contrast, Craparotta appreciates how much easier it is to walk from place to place within Rome, even in its outskirts, and how close it is to lakes, beaches, and quaint medieval towns.

Another upside is that the couple doesn't have to plan European vacations that far in advance.

"Back in Canada, I would have to plan and take a one-week trip to go anywhere in Europe," she said.

Living in Italy, it's relatively easy  and cheap  to book weekend trips on trains or budget airlines to Milan or the Amalfi Coast, as well as international spots such as London or Paris.

"I can easily travel around Italy or Europe for the same cost as a long-distance bus ticket in Canada," Craparotta said.

Food in Italy is better, healthier, and cheaper

Craparotta and Fabiani are big on food, as cooking is one of their favorite things to do together.

But Fabiani wasn't a huge fan of some Toronto dining options.

Craparotta said her mother was excited to take Fabiani to her favorite Italian spot.

Like most Italians she's met, Fabiani is "brutally honest," Craparotta said. When a waiter came by to ask how the food was, his response was: "Not the greatest."

It was only after Craparotta moved to Rome that she understood where Fabiani was coming from.

In Craparotta and Fabiani's experience, grocery shopping is cheaper in Rome than in Toronto. Alexandr Spatari/Getty Images

Italians "cook very simply," and there are fewer deep-fried or sugary dishes compared to restaurants in Canada, Craparotta said.

"I could eat out three days in a row, and I'm not going to gain a crazy amount of weight," she said.

Craparotta also said the produce is much fresher and cheaper in Italy.

In Rome, she added, she could pop over to a local vegetable vendor and buy a week's worth of fruit and vegetables for 10 euros (or about $10), whereas in Toronto, a single bag of lettuce could cost as much as 10 Canadian dollars (or $7).

Italian social life is less focused on drinking

In Toronto, Craparotta was used to a social life that revolved around drinking.

It came as a culture shock for Fabiani. When they lived in Canada, Craparotta remembered Fabiani being shocked by a rowdy party where people were playing beer pong and drinking out of red Solo cups.

"The first time that I experienced something different to that was when I was in Spain with my Italian friends, because they would always have dinner parties or wine nights," Craparotta said.

That's what most of their social life is like in Rome now, which Craparotta prefers as it's easier to get to know people and have more in-depth conversations.

"If we go out, it's like one or two glasses of wine, and they're not drinking more than that," Craparotta said.

Italy's job market can be tough, especially if you're used to North American salaries

Craparotta came to Rome on a working holiday visa and the expectation that she'd find work in e-commerce eventually  but it took longer than she anticipated.

Even though she felt she had the advantage of having worked for a well-known technology company for years, it became clear with every rejection that her lack of fluency in Italian was a real issue.

"With Italian culture, it's so social, especially at the office," she said, adding that most of the companies she interviewed at didn't feel she was a "social fit" because of her language skills.

Craparotta said learning Italian is key to making friends and getting a job in Rome. querbeet/Getty Images

Craparotta also wasn't used to how much lower salaries are in Rome compared with Toronto.

"When I got here, people were saying my expectations were way too high," Craparotta said.

As the months passed without an offer for her, she and Fabiani reluctantly toyed with the idea of moving back to Canada.

"I didn't want to leave," she said. "But the job market in Italy is not your friend."

But after over a year of applying, Craparotta secured a decent-paying job in Rome in e-commerce that she started in July 2024. While she is making less than what she would back in Toronto, Craparotta said the location is worth the pay cut.

"You can do more with less in Rome," she said. "There's always something to do, amazing food to eat, and people out enjoying life."

Correction: August 12, 2024  An earlier version of this story misstated the start date of Craparotta's e-commerce job in Rome. It was July of this year, not July of next year; she has started the role.



Read the original article on Business Insider
Search for missing kayaker on Yellow Breeches Creek now treated as recovery mission

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM)  The search for a missing kayaker on the Yellow Breeches Creek resumed Monday morning and is now being treated as a recovery mission.

A male juvenile had been separated from their kayak while navigating a section of the Yellow Breeches Creek, Mike Parker of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said Sunday. That individual left the kayak, entered the water and did not resurface.

The Fairview Township Fire Department said that multiple agencies across the Midstate were actively searching the creek throughout the day Sunday.

According to the Fairview Township Fire Department, the operation is now being treated as a recovery mission due to the amount of time passed since the victim was seen.

They added that personnel on scene are utilizing boats, drones, K-9 units, and other available resources to maximize search efforts in the operation. So far, there have been no specific updates.

Stay off waterways for now, East Pennsboro authorities ask

Crews were first called to the 1000 Limekiln Road area around 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Fairview Township Fire Department said the search continued at 8 a.m. Sunday.

The boy was riding in a group and Brandon Freistat, Fairview Township Emergency Management Coordinator, said the family has been in constant contact with first responders.

Crews from York, Cumberland, Dauphin, Adams, and Lancaster Counties were all deployed to the creek, which is the county line between York and Cumberland Counties.

Weve been utilizing a unified command system, Freistat said. So all of the agencies that are involved here, not one single person or agency is making any individual decisions. everything is a group decision on what to do from there.

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Parker said search crews plan to focus in on an area where they believe that theyll find something quickly and hopefully be able to report that news one way or the other.

Water levels were higher than usual following the downpours from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.

Conditions on many of our waterways were not ideal, Parker said. We went in many cases from having very low water, almost drought conditions, to partial or heavy flooding condition.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Notes are left at a makeshift shrine to Robin Williams at the San Francisco Victorian house used in the 1993 movie "Mrs. Doubtfire" on August 12, 2014. Williams died August 11, 2014. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI

Aug. 11 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1877, Thomas Edison described the fundamentals of the phonograph to an assistant and instructed him to build the first one.

In 1934, the first group of federal prisoners classified as "most dangerous" arrived at Alcatraz Island, a 22-acre rocky outcrop 1.5 miles offshore in San Francisco Bay.

In 1943, German military forces started evacuating Sicily, Italy, under threat by the Allies in World War II.

In 1952, Jordan's parliament ousted King Talal for being mentally unfit to rule and named his 17-year-old son King Hussein. The young king would go on to rule 43 years, until his death Feb. 7, 1999.

U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks at the National Urban League conference at the Washington Convention Center on August 4, 1997. On August 11, 1997, he became the first president to use the line-item veto. UPI File Photo

In 1954, a formal announcement ended the seven-year war in Indochina between France and forces of the communist Viet Minh.

In 1965, riots began in the Watts section of Los Angeles. In six days of violence, 34 people were killed.

Participants march in support of gay rights at the 2015 NYC Gay Pride March in New York City on June 28, 2015. On August 11, 2007, the Evangelical Lutheran Church voted to lift a ban on gay clergy members. File Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI

In 1984, in an off-air radio voice check picked up by TV cameras, U.S. President Ronald Reagan joked, "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in 5 minutes." The Kremlin wasn't amused.

UPI File Photo

Michael Phelps of the United States stands with his gold medal after taking first place in the men's 200m individual medley with a time of 1:54.66 at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 11, 2016. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI

In 1991, a Lebanese militant group, the Revolutionary Justice Organization, released U.S. hostage Edward Tracy, 60, who was a captive for nearly five years.

In 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton endorsed the "Brady Bill" handgun control measure and signed an executive order banning the import of semiautomatic assault-style handguns.

On Aug. 11, 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, younger sister of President John Kennedy, died in a Cape Cod, Mass., hospital. She was 88. File Photo by Doug Mills/UPI

In 1997, Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president to use the line-item veto, a power granted by Congress the year before.

In 1998, two boys, ages 12 and 14, were found to be "delinquent" (the juvenile court equivalent of a guilty verdict) in the fatal March shootings of four students and a teacher at their middle school in Jonesboro, Ark.

A memorial sculpture stands at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark., where, on March 23, 1998, four girls and a teacher were killed when two boys shot guns from a nearby wooded area. The boys were found guilty of the shooting on August 11, 1998. File Photo courtesy the Westside Consolidated School District

In 1999, the Kansas State Board of Education voted to drop the theory of evolution from the public school curriculum.

In 2007, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to refrain from disciplining members of the clergy involved in same-sex relationships.

On August 11, 1934, the first group of federal prisoners classified as "most dangerous" arrived at Alcatraz Island, a 22-acre rocky outcrop 1.5 miles offshore in San Francisco Bay. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI

In 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, younger sister of President John Kennedy, mother of former California first lady Maria Shriver and founder of the Special Olympics, died in a Cape Cod, Mass., hospital. She was 88. She devoted much of her life to raising funds for, and awareness of, people with mental disabilities.

File Photo by Doug Mills/UPI

King Husssein of Jordan answers questions from the audience following his speech at Brown University Commencement Forum on May 25, 1985. On August 11, 1952, Jordan's parliament ousted King Talal for being mentally unfit to rule and named his 17-year-old son King Hussein. The young king would go on to rule 43 years, until his death Feb. 7, 1999. UPI File Photos

In 2014, Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams died at age 63 in Tiburon, Calif. "This is a sudden and tragic loss," his publicist said. Williams' wife, Susan Schneider, said "the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings." Williams' death was ruled a suicide.

In 2016, Michael Phelps became the first swimmer to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals in a single event.

Thomas Edison poses in his laboratory in Orange, N.J., on June 16, 1888, amidst his first gramophone invention. On August 11, 1877, Thomas Edison described the fundamentals of the phonograph to an assistant and instructed him to build the first one. UPI File Photo

In 2020, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden chose Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., to be his running mate. She became the first female vice president when Biden was elected president on Nov. 3, 2020.

In 2021, Sicily set the new record for highest recorded temperature in Europe with 119.84 degrees Fahrenheit.
By Elias Biryabarema

KAMPALA (Reuters) -The death toll from a landslide at a vast garbage dump in Uganda's capital Kampala has risen to 21, police said on Sunday, as rescue workers continued to dig for survivors.

After torrential rain in recent weeks, a huge mound of garbage at the city's only landfill site collapsed late on Friday, crushing and burying homes on the edge of the site as residents slept.

President Yoweri Museveni said in a statement he had directed the prime minister to coordinate the removal of all those living near the garbage dump.

The government has also started investigations into the landslide's cause and will take action against any officials found to have been negligent, the Inspectorate of Government said on X.

At least 14 people have been rescued so far, police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said, adding that more could still be trapped but the number was unknown.

Tents have been set up nearby for those displaced by the landslide, the Red Cross said.

The landfill site, known as Kiteezi, has served as Kampala's sole garbage dump for decades and had turned into a big hill. Residents have long complained of hazardous waste polluting the environment and posing a danger to residents.

Efforts by the city authority to procure a new landfill site have dragged on for years.

There have been similar tragedies elsewhere in Africa from poorly managed mountains of municipal garbage.

In 2017 at least 115 people were killed in Ethiopia, crushed by a garbage landslide in Addis Ababa. In Mozambique, at least 17 people died in a similar 2018 disaster in Maputo.

(Reporting by Elias BiryabaremaEditing by George Obulutsa and Ros Russell)
Debby flooding: See how high the water rose in upstate NY

How dramatic was Friday's flash flooding across upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania?

Water levels in Tuscarora Creek didn't even reach half a foot when residents in South Addison went to bed Thursday night. By 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, though, waters raged over 12 feet high and forced the evacuation of residents across the area.

Several other towns in southern Steuben County were ordered to evacuate as the county issued a state of emergency due to dangerous floodwaters that threatened homes and washed away roads in some areas.

Tuscarora Creek hit the moderate flood stage, just shy of reaching the major flood stage of 13 feet, according to the NOAA. Classifications advance from the action stage to minor, moderate and major flood stages. Thresholds for each level vary by water body.

The Canisteo River in West Cameron also reached the moderate flood stage after rising from 3.71 feet Thursday night to 17.77 feet at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The Cohocton River at Bath hit the minor flood stage at 11.22 feet Friday. Many other waters in the region hit the action stage.

Here's how much major water levels in rivers and creeks across the Southern Tier rose from Thursday to Friday and into Saturday, in some cases.

Genesee River at Wellsville

Baseline: 4.4 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 9.61 feet at 7:15 p.m. Friday, action stage

Canaseraga Creek at Dansville

Baseline: 2.33 feet Thursday.

Flood crest: 4.19 feet at 5:30 p.m. Friday

Canacadea Creek above Hornell

Baseline: 1 foot Thursday

Flood crest: 2.14 feet at 12:45 p.m. Friday

Canisteo River at Hornell

Baseline: .72 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 4 feet at 3 p.m. Friday, action stage.

Canisteo River at West Cameron

Baseline: 3.71 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 17.77 feet at 8:30 p.m. Friday, moderate flood stage

Cohocton River at Bath

Baseline: 2.44 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 11.22 feet at 5:30 p.m. Friday, minor flood stage

Tuscarora Creek at South Addison

Baseline: .44 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 12.16 feet at 3 p.m. Friday, moderate flood stage

Canisteo River at Addison

Baseline: 3.18 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 15.76 feet at 5:33 p.m. Friday

Cohocton River at Campbell

Baseline: 2.29 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 9.87 feet at 10:45 p.m. Friday, minor flood stage

Tioga River at Lindley

Baseline: 4.28 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 11.11 feet at 5 p.m. Friday

Tioga River at Erwin

Baseline: 1.6 feet

Flood crest: 11.83 feet at 8 p.m. Friday

Cowanesque River at Lawrenceville, Pa.

Baseline: 7.73 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 10.96 feet at 10 a.m. Saturday, action stage

Tioga River at Tioga Junction, Pa.

Baseline: 7.59 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 13.67 feet at 2:30 p.m. Friday, action stage

Chemung River at Corning

Baseline: 15.15 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 23.19 feet at 9:15 p.m. Friday, action stage

Chemung River at Elmira

Baseline: 1.31 feet Friday

Flood crest: 10.03 feet at 1:15 a.m. Saturday, action stage

Chemung River at Chemung

Baseline: 3.3 feet Friday

Flood crest: 12.1 feet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, action stage

Susquehanna River at Owego

Baseline: 15.76 feet

Flood crest: 24.65 feet at 6:45 a.m. Saturday

Susquehanna River at Vestal

Baseline: 6.91 feet

Flood crest: 16.81 feet at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, action stage

Susquehanna River at Binghamton

Baseline: 4.08 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 12.24 feet at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, action stage

Susquehanna River at Conklin

Baseline: 5.12 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 13.6 feet at 1:30 a.m. Saturday

Susquehanna River at Windsor

Baseline: 5.51 feet Thursday

Flood crest: 13.37 feet at 1:30 a.m. Saturday

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Debby flooding: See how high the water rose in upstate NY
Delays in US aid contributed to Ukraine's $43.5 billion budget deficit, minister says

Delays in U.S. military aid have contributed to Ukraine's soaring budget deficit this year, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said in an Aug. 11 interview with the Financial Times.

Other government officials have estimated the deficit at just under a quarter of gross domestic product (GDP), or $43.5 billion.

The minister's acknowledgement of the difficult situation with military spending comes as Russian troops steadily advance across the Donbas front line. Ukrainian soldiers on the ground say they are critically lacking manpower, ammunition, and military equipment, making the defense of Ukrainian-held cities more difficult than ever.

Marchenko said that the disbursement of U.S. military aid has been "slow," more than three months after Congress approved $27 billion worth of direct military aid for Ukraine. This included $13.8 billion for Ukraine to buy advanced weapons and another $13.8 billion to purchase U.S. defense systems.

Marchenko elaborated that the Western military aid delays forced Ukraine to spend more money at the beginning of 2024 on purchasing necessary ammunition and weapons, leaving less for the end of the year.

"(The situation meant that Ukraine) will have a lack of money to cover salaries for our troops, Marchenko said in the interview.

Marchenko called on Western allies to accelerate the disbursement of a $50 billion loan to finance military spending.

Group of Seven (G7) leaders on June 13 confirmed an agreement on a plan to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan by the end of the year. The loan should be repaid using interest from some $300 billion in frozen Russian assets.

The agreement was reached after President Volodymyr Zelensky called on G7 leaders at the June summit to back the $50-billion loan but also urged the creation of a mechanism for the full confiscation of $300 billion in frozen Russian funds.

Read also: Ukrainian companies desperately need workers. There just arent enough

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Detectives asking for publics help finding shooting, arson suspect in Rowan County

Detectives in Rowan County are asking for the publics help to solve a shooting in late July.

The shooting happened on July 31 at the intersection of Majolica Road and Sherrills Ford Road. The victim was followed from the Lakewood Apartments in Salisbury by someone who was driving a red Hyundai Sonata. The suspect fired shots at the suspect, striking them in the head. They are recovering from their injuries.

The Sonata was later found on Aug. 2nd around 2 a.m. along East Monroe Street in Salisbury. It was left abandoned and on fire.

ALSO READ: 2 killed in separate shootings over the weekend in Salisbury, police say

If you have information on the shooting, the vehicle theft or arson, you are asked to call Detective Chris Greer at 704-216-8662.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 dead, child hurt after shooting in Salisbury)




TRUMBULL CO., Ohio (WKBN)  Trumbull County is among the eight counties Gov. Mike DeWine declared in a state of emergency after Tuesdays storms, which brought tornadoes and left hundreds of thousands without power for days across Northeast Ohio.

The counties are Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Summit, and Trumbull.

This declaration of a state of emergency will give the state the ability to give these communities expedited assistance. At the moment, we have no outstanding requests for services the state can provide to our local communities to help in the aftermath of these storms. However, we are in this for the duration and will continue to help local communities in Northeast Ohio as they recover from the damage left by the storm, should we receive any new requests for services as the State is able to provide, DeWine stated in a press release.

According to the release, DeWine has also asked Ohio Emergency Management Director Sima Merick to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to conduct a damage assessment in Northeast Ohio.

The release said the Ohio EMA has been closely working with the affected county EMAs to provide assistance and assess damage for potential reimbursements. Homeowners, businesses, renters and organizations are encouraged to contact their local County Emergency Management Officers for damage assessments.

DeWine also asked residents to give their local crews space to do their repair work in neighborhoods.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
The man leading the city of Chicagos planning efforts for the Democratic National Convention likes to compare the preparation needed for next weeks political celebration to hosting a house party. And he now has a clear directive: Its time to cut the grass.

For months, legions of city workers have been preparing for the estimated 50,000 politicians, national media and others expected to descend on Chicago for the DNC, which begins Aug. 19. The city has tackled projects big and small, from repaving roads and installing new signs to fast-tracking the new $80 million Damen Avenue Green Line stop near the United Center, where all the show business of the convention will occur.

But with just eight days to go, the fine-tuning is taking place in earnest.

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You cut the grass, you may plant flowers, you may decide to buy new patio furniture, you may decide to buy a new grill. It doesnt mean that you werent taking care of those things before, but when you decide that youre going to host  you want to make sure that when your guests show up that they have a wonderful experience, Chicago Chief Operating Officer John Roberson said in an interview with the Tribune. And part of that is doing things like painting light poles. Do we paint light poles on a day-to-day basis? Absolutely. But the ability for us to accelerate that type, that level of enhancement and aesthetic in advance of the DNC, just makes our city look more beautiful.

Much of the most noticeable work being done is within the several square miles bordered by Lake Michigan on the east, the United Center on the west, the Gold Coast on the north and McCormick Place on the south. Indeed, on Friday, crews were cutting the grass, whacking weeds and trimming trees in the shadow of the United Center by the corner of Wood and Monroe streets.

The last time Chicago hosted a political convention, the Democrats in 1996, the citys showing was widely credited with improving Chicagos national image. Still, then-Mayor Richard M. Daley bristled at the criticism that he cleaned up just enough of the city to make convention delegates comfortable but turned his back on immediate needs outside the zone where the out-of-towners would be.

This time, city officials insist the benefits of the Democrats coming to the city arent just centered in Chicagos downtown, River North or Near West Side neighborhoods. Nevertheless, Johnson is fending off political barbs that his speedy cleanup echoes some of Daleys efforts, including recent moves by the progressive mayors administration to clear homeless encampments in more highly visible areas. Several Johnson administration officials have denied the site removals are because of the DNC.

As the city moves forward on its beautification efforts, its also unclear precisely how much Chicago taxpayers will have to pay. Though the outlay likely will reach well into the tens of millions of dollars, city officials have offered little information about the size of the tab to impress the 50,000 visitors. Boosters have predicted economic returns of $150 million or more to cities that hosted recent political conventions, though economists have repeatedly said those numbers are often overblown.

Regardless, Roberson said, the city is viewing the improvements as more than just about making Chicago shine for the four-day event.

It is our residents and our city that are going to benefit from those enhancements long after the DNC has gone, Roberson said.

From sidewalks to a new CTA stop

Roberson can breathlessly note the fixes Chicago is making to put its best foot forward for the DNC: sidewalk repairs, light pole painting, refreshed street paint, new signs and better lighting. The Department of Streets and Sanitation is also hard at work, from picking up debris, to sweeping, to removing graffiti, Commissioner Cole Stallard said. The DNC gives his department a chance to show off its typically unnoticed everyday work, he added.

Weve been prepping on this for quite some time, Stallard said. Its an all-hands-on-deck approach.

The department brought in 70 recent Chicago Public Schools graduates to help boost its summer cleaning efforts for the DNC, Stallard said. An analysis of costs associated with the extra work will only be possibly after the convention, he added.

The Chicago Transit Authority is tidying up stations beyond its regular cleaning. CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. told the Chicago City Council last month the work included the stops at both Midway and OHare airports, where many delegates will begin arriving later this week and next weekend.

Were obviously also doing a little bit of sprucing up for the stations to make it a nice welcome for the delegates and our customers at those stations as well, he said.

In addition, new exterior artistic wraps will be affixed to CTA train cars before the convention, courtesy of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, a DCASE spokesperson said. And new murals focusing on themes such as democracy, civic duty and diversity will be added to several West Side neighborhoods and other spots across the city.

Another art installment will add a canvas of light underneath the Loops elevated tracks. The metal trusses along Wabash Avenue will be adorned with interactive neon lights paid for with private grant funding and donations, according to artist Jack C. Newell.

Though it doesnt involve bricks-and-mortar-type infrastructure improvements, the convention has focused on shoring up Chicagos human infrastructure by giving more business to diverse vendors and contractors with mentorship programs, DNC Host Committee spokesperson Natalie Edelstein Jarvis said. The host committee also has worked closely with the Chicago Department of Transportation to make the sidewalks and streets near the convention more accessible.

Nothing was built just for this moment, she said.

While the city will be absorbing many of the improvement costs, Chicago and Milwaukee, which last month hosted the Republican National Convention, each received $75 million in federal funds to help offset their convention security bills. Much of the grant will cover police overtime costs, but $11 million is being spent on a new CPD twin-engine helicopter.

That is a legacy piece that will be here long after the DNC, Roberson said.

Roberson also touted the resurfacing of Ogden Avenue between Randolph and Taylor streets.

But the crown jewel of city projects tied to the convention is the Green Line stop at Damen Avenue and Lake Street, which opened Monday. Roberson described the long-delayed $80.2 million project, paid for with tax increment finance district revenue, as a future focal point and an anchor in the area.

As with other projects, Roberson contended the Green Line station, first announced in February 2017, is a part of the citys daily work. But the convention brought the incentive to try to get it done as soon as possible, he said. The administration is working to identify where it can encourage developers to build affordable housing nearby, he added.

Shortly after Robersons interview with the Tribune, the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families unveiled a proposal to develop the parking lots surrounding the United Center a few blocks away from the new CTA station. The private project would include publicly available green spaces, a music hall and 5,000 new units of housing, 20% of them affordable.

We worked around the clock to make sure that we were able to complete it, so there probably is some cost that is associated with that, Roberson acknowledged about the Damen Avenue CTA station. But it also means that theres an accelerated benefit.

Most DNC-related projects will be paid for through the citys regular budget, Roberson said.

I think that the monies and the resources that we are investing in this beautification is going to pay dividends, he said.

Daley spent more than $60 million to pretty up the city ahead of the 1996 convention, according to a Tribune analysis at the time.

City leaders have made a point of saying they will spread DNC-related resources beyond the United Center and McCormick Place, a goal in tune with Johnsons stated ambition to reverse the downtown-centric policies of his predecessors that he says left working-class minority neighborhoods to languish without investment for decades.

But the administration has shared few clear details about DNC-related projects slated for the neighborhoods that wont be in the spotlight. Roberson said the administration is doing and and both, putting special effort into the convention while also bringing a sharper focus to less wealthy neighborhoods with policies such as Johnsons $1.25 billion bond program heavily earmarked for affordable housing.

We can focus on the areas around the DNC, he said. But we can equally focus and bring significant investments in places like Englewood and North Lawndale that are going to have the level of impact so that they in 25 years then can be the West Loops.

Taking notes from the past

To handle the convention, Chicago is taking notes from many past major events, including the NATO summit in 2012, the annual Lollapalooza musical festival in Grant Park, civil unrest that occurred in 2020 following the murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd and, of course, the 1996 convention.

But Chicagos last DNC occurred when Daley had already served seven years in office. Johnson has had far less time to prepare. Chicago was announced as the host city eight days after Johnson won the April 2023 runoff election, a month before he took office.

From the time that we came in, we have been in full preparation  to host the convention, Roberson said.

The short timeline makes this convention harder to plan for than the last, Roberson said. But he praised the foundation the event is built on  a West Loop he says was revitalized by the 1996 convention.

That effort was led by Daley deputy chief of staff Terry Teele, the same man who first hired Roberson into city government. Teele remembers Daley calling him into his office after the 1995 mayoral campaign to put him at the helm of tidying up the area around the United Center.

Lets just clean up the West Side. Lets fast-track a number of the projects that we have talked about wanting to do for a long time, he recalled the mayor saying.

What came next amounted to a reimagining of the area, Teele said. The neighborhood now sparked by development was then dotted with garbage, vacant lots and worn infrastructure, the last remnants of the citys Skid Row, he said.

Teele recalled seeing bikers and Rollerbladers stop and turn around when they got to the area in the years before the convention.

It was as if there was an invisible wall. They were just afraid to pass a certain point, he said.

Skid Row: A last resort, a place to disappear  or, for many, home

The struggles of Chicagos 1968 DNC, marred by police attacks on protesters, also hung over the citys planners.

We didnt need to remind anybody about that, Teele said. We were gonna show the new Chicago.

The efforts to fix up the area ramped up. The city greened school playgrounds, planted 800 trees and put a new median on Randolph Street. Daleys administration added antique street lamps, pushed vacant lot owners to install black wrought-iron fences, installed flower boxes and got businesses to upgrade facades with a rebate program, Teele said.

The administration also expedited the construction of replacement housing amid the demolition of the Henry Horner public housing buildings, and acquired the last Skid Row buildings and tore them down, Teele added.

Teele said he could not put a price tag on the 1996 cleanup effort. Patchwork funding came from federal grants, tax increment finance districts and the city budget, crafted that year with the convention in mind.

The result is visible today in the vibrant, still-growing Near West Side, he said.

What happened in 1995 and 1996 is still there. Its better, Teele said. Look at all the new residential. Its amazing.

That same potential is back this time, he added, sharing praise for the citys preparations.

Its an opportunity for the city to be seen worldwide. And its an opportunity for us to reintroduce our city to the world, he said.

The beauty of our city

While the city closed the remnants of Madison Streets Skid Row ahead of the 1996 convention, it did not need to clear out encampments before the event, though the city did try hard to shelter people living on Lower Wacker Drive, Teele said.

We didnt have the problem that exists like it does today, he added.

But Chicago appears to be clearing out tent encampments now.

The Johnson administration cleared a major homeless encampment along the Dan Ryan in mid-July. The 29 regular residents, who had been warned of the clearing ahead of time, were offered resettlement at other city-run shelters. City workers leveled the site with bulldozers after residents left.

City leaders have provided mixed messages on why the removal happened. Maura McCauley, managing deputy commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, at first said the city fast-tracked the removals ahead of the DNC over concerns that federal security authorities would require the camp be removed, resulting in a more sudden and traumatic forced displacement.

Roberson argued the clearing was not related to the DNC and was not a demolition.

What we have done is the work that the city does each and every single day, and that is to focus on our unhoused population. And to find shelter for them until we are able to create this unified system that were doing, he said.

The Secret Services security perimeter, released after the clearing, was nowhere close to the encampment. The city has since cleared out a second nearby encampment and another far north in the North Park neighborhood. Authorities also have given pre-convention exit dates to many residents at two migrant shelters close to the United Center.

The effort to show the city in a warm light goes far beyond cleanups and quickened work. The city has carefully prepped security and bulked up transit service. Businesses are readying for a potential jump in sales, while hospitals are bracing for worst-case scenarios.

The true sign of whether or not the countless nervous, proud strides were worth it will come when visitors return to their hotel rooms, pack up and go home, Roberson said. Thats when they will decide if Chicago is a place they want to return to and keep exploring.

But only if we can show them a glimpse of the beauty of our city, Roberson said.

Tribune reporter Sarah Freishtat contributed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has stated that Ukraine documents all the locations Russia carries out missile strikes from, and each of such strikes deserves a just response.

Source: Zelenskyys evening address

Quote: "Last night, our warriors shot down over fifty Shahed drones. There were also four ballistic missiles  the Russians launched them from Voronezh Oblast.

We document all locations from which the Russian army launches strikes  including Belgorod Oblast, Kursk Oblast, and other areas. Since the beginning of this summer alone, almost 2,000 strikes have been made on our Sumy Oblast from districts of just Kursk Oblast: artillery, mortars, drones. We also document every missile strike. And every one of these strikes deserves a [proper] response."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that one of the North Korean missiles killed two people in Kyiv Oblast on 11 August  a father and his four-year-old son. Three more civilians were injured.

Quote: "Our experts have precisely identified the type of missile, and we know the exact area of Russian territory from which it was launched. It is entirely fair for Ukrainians to be able to respond to this terror in the way necessary to stop it. With appropriate long-range strikes on missile launch sites in Russia, with appropriate destruction of Russian military logistics. Terror must always be defeated  this is the fundamental principle of protecting life.

And this is what we will continue to talk about with our partners  just as air defence protects lives, lifting restrictions on long-range strikes will save thousands of human lives."

More details: Zelenskyy added that strengthening the Ukrainian air defence and attack aircraft remains a priority.

"Much, indeed much, has already been done to improve our defence capabilities, but not everything we need is in place yet. We do not stop working with our partners to acquire more air defence systems and to ensure better quality training and supplies for all units of our skies' defenders," he said.

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How does the Chicago Air and Water Show impact animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo?

How does the Chicago Air and Water Show impact animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo?

CHICAGO  Huge crowds will flock to the Lake Michigan shoreline this weekend for the annual Chicago Air and Water Show, and the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo will get a front-row seat. But how do they feel about all of the noise?

Its very similar to a human, how we feel when something all of a sudden is really loud around us, it doesnt feel good, so we dont want to put the animals in that situation either, Katie Cronin, Director of the Animal Welfare Science Program at Lincoln Park Zoo, said.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Cronin and other scientists took on a study during the Air and Water Show in 2016 and 2017, where they looked at how different primate species reacted to all of the action.

The snow monkeys were on high alert, they were more anxious, more aware of the threats out there, compared to the chimpanzees and gorillas, Cronin said.

Researchers measured the sound levels near the animals and found the noise levels exceeded 90 decibels at times, similar to the noise level of a nearby leaf blower.

Cronin said its likely that the snow monkeys were more anxious, in part, because they werent used to the yearly commotion.

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We think that that might be because the snow monkeys havent been at the zoo as long as the chimps and gorillas have. The chimps and gorillas have had more time to experience this once-a-year jarring event, than the snow monkeys, but theres a clear difference between them, Cronin said.

In order to alleviate stress on the animals, the Lincoln Park Zoo offers choices for the animals.

One of the things that we do at the zoo is make sure that the animals have the choice to get away from these loud, noisy jets overhead. So they always have their behind-the-scenes space available to them, so some choose to use it, others choose to stay outside, Cronin said.

Printers Row Art Fest in Chicago features diverse artwork from over 90 artists

According to Cronin, some of the animals may actually enjoy the show.

I heard from keepers today, our lion Jabari, our big male lion, he has access behind the scenes, he could move away from it if he wanted to, but hes laying up on his big rock watching them fly overhead, so their responses really vary, Cronin said.

Cronin said zoo monitors will continue to test decibel levels inside enclosures and monitor the animals for any mood changes throughout the weekend.

I think thats key, if you see them outside, theyre choosing to be outside, Cronin 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 WGN-TV.
These dogs were left abandoned in a Bucks County dog park with a note. What it said

The handwritten note taped to the sign for the Morrisville Dog Park is heartbreaking and infuriating.

It starts: Dear person who finds these dogs

The anonymous author told a story of rescuing six young dogs from an old lady who already had too many dogs that keep getting pregnant. When the woman ran out of dog food, the letter writer convinced her to give up the animals.

Morrisville Police said Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 that they found six dogs abandoned at the dog park in town. They also found a note.

But when the rescuer couldnt keep the dogs, (I tried taking them to my apartment but its no dogs allowed. Someone saw me and snitched.), he or she left them in the dog park at East Philadelphia and Delmorr avenues.

This is the safest place I could think of to put them. I hope they find homes.

Morrisville Police said Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 that they found six dogs abandoned at the dog park in town. They also found a note.

Morrisville police investigate dog abandonment at park

Now Morrisville Police are investigating what happened after pet owners visiting the park found the abandoned pups around 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

Six dogs were abandoned at the dog park, a choice that, although seemingly motivated by good intentions, is not the correct approach, a post on the Morrisville Police Department Facebook page read. Please be aware that animal shelters are available for individuals who can no longer care for their pets.

The dogs appeared a little malnourished but otherwise healthy, and they may be labs or mixed breeds, Morrisville Police Officer Amanda DeLuca said.

According to the note, the letter writer didnt know the dogs names, but said the fluffy ones were less than a year old and the brown ones were 18 months.

The people who found the dogs immediately agreed to take three of them, DeLuca said. The other three were taken to the Bucks County SPCA shelter in Lahaska, she added.

In Pennsylvania it is illegal to abandon  or attempt to abandon  a dog, which is classified as animal abuse.

The summary offense carries penalties of a fine of $300$1,000, plus costs, and liability for the dog's care during the time they were abandoned. Charges can be upgraded if the abandoned dog is injured.

It is not the first time that dogs have been abandoned in the park, DeLuca said.

But finding the person who left the dogs may be a challenge. The area around the dog park does not have any surveillance cameras, DeLuca said.

Bucks County SPCA animal shelter seeing abandoned dogs

Bucks County SPCA Chief Humane Officer Nikki Thompson confirmed that the animal welfare agency has seen a steady increase in dog abandonment cases.

"Abandonment happens all over," Thompson added. "Reasons would probably include economic factors, behavior problems and a saturation of animals in rescues and shelters."

The animal cruelty case is the second one to capture public attention this week.

The Bucks County SPCA earlier this week removed 124 animals, many sick, malnourished, and dying, including goats, steer, and pigs, from a Narrow Way Farm in Newtown Township. The farm owner allegedly abandoned the animals and moved to Central America last month.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Dogs abandoned in Morrisville park. How to surrender dogs in Bucks
Donald Trump mocked Kamala Harris at an election campaign rally in Montana - NATALIE BEHRING

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Donald Trump has mocked Kamala Harriss speaking style and branded her a bumbling communist lunatic at a rally in Montana.

The former president, 78, unveiled two videos of Ms Harris, 59, on Friday night, one of which focused on Left-wing policies on criminal justice reform she backed during the 2020 Democratic primary.

It also honed in on her previous support for a ban on fracking, mandatory gun buybacks and a government-run healthcare programme like the NHS, from which she later retreated.

The other was a montage of her interviews and speeches that mocked her public speeches and questioned her intelligence.

Trump has ridiculed Ms Harriss laugh, branding her Laffin Kamala and more recently Crazy Kamala, as well as suggesting she has changed her accent to pander to ethnic minorities.

America cannot survive for four more years of this bumbling communist lunatic, Trump told supporters in Montana as he played the footage.

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It comes as Ms Harris claimed a surprising lead in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin in one of the first major polls of the critical states since she replaced Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket.

Ms Harris holds a four-point lead over Trump in the three swing states, with 50 per cent of likely voters backing her over 46 per cent for Trump in the New York Times/Siena College poll.

The Trump campaign has struggled to hone in on an effective line of attack on the vice-president since Mr Bidens exit from the race on July 21.

Trumps controversial comments over Ms Harriss dual heritage have triggered accusations of race-baiting while his staff have urged him to focus on attacking her as a radical liberal.

The videos he unveiled in Montana suggest a more disciplined approach to tackling his opponent.

However, in private, Trump is said to have found his change of rival disorientating and has vented his frustrations to aides and even major donors.

He has repeatedly ranted about Ms Harris, privately calling her a bitch, according to the New York Times, a claim denied by his campaign.

In public appearances, Trump has called Ms Harris nasty and not as smart as Mr Biden.

He has also bemoaned Mr Bidens withdrawal from the race, saying: If we didnt have a debate, hed still be there... Why the hell did I debate him?

The last three weeks have been somewhat turbulent for Trumps bid to reclaim the White House.

Ms Harriss entry into the race has triggered a dramatic shift in the polls and large crowds at her rallies.

It has gifted her a significant amount of free and largely positive domestic media.

Trump has hit back by claiming Willie Brown, a former partner of Ms Harris, divulged terrible things about her when the pair shared a dangerous helicopter flight. Mr Brown, a former San Francisco mayor, has refuted the claim.

The New York Times suggested Trump had been confused with Jerry Brown, the former governor of California, who confirmed he travelled in a helicopter with Trump in 2018 but said: There was no emergency landing and no discussion of Kamala Harris.

In an angry phone call to the New York Times, Trump insisted he had the flight records to support his claim and said he was probably going to sue over the newspapers reporting.

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Meanwhile, JD Vance, Trumps running mate, has come under fire for past comments in which he claimed the USA was run by childless cat ladies who do not have a stake in the countrys future.

Democrats have seized on the comments to paint the Republican ticket as weird in videos that have gone viral online.

Trump has fielded complaints from donors about Mr Vance, an Ohio senator, as well as the current state of the race.

He retorted that the weird slur was not about me. Theyre saying that about JD, according to the New York Times.

However, Trump is said to remain confident in his choice of vice-presidential candidate and has been pleased with the attack-dog role Mr Vance has adopted over the last week.

The 40-year-old senator has shadowed Ms Harris and her running mate Tim Walzs swing-state tour, lambasting the Minnesota governor over his military record and painting the pair as dangerous radicals.

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Donald Trump to visit Asheville, speak about the economy, campaign says. How to attend.

Former President Donald Trump will speak about the economy during a campaign stop in Asheville on Wednesday, his campaign said late Friday.

Trump will focus on economic hardships he blames on the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris is the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Hard-working Americans are suffering because of the Harris-Biden Administrations dangerously liberal policies, the Trump campaign said in a statement. Prices are excruciatingly high, and the cost of living has soared, leaving those on a fixed income unsure of how they are going to afford a basic standard of living in the future.

The Biden-Harris administration has countered those claims, saying nearly 11 million jobs have been created since Biden took office, including 750,000 manufacturing jobs. The unemployment rate is at a 50-year low, and a record number of small businesses have started up, the administration says.

Trumps appearance is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Harrahs Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St. Doors open at 1 p.m.

To attend the rally, register at DonaldJTrump.com.
In the upcoming November 2024 election, Missourians will vote on a trick measure seemingly banning non-citizens from voting. Its fair to be confused: thats been illegal for more than a century.

Beneath this tricky language lies a more harmful agenda: eroding local control and voters' power to decide electoral processes.

Yet again, the Missouri legislature is using "ballot candy": placing a shiny object in the first line on the ballot, and burying their actual agenda in fine print. Obscuring the real meaning of an amendment is lying  its taking away your right to vote for what you actually want. Reading the fine print is important, but you shouldnt need a law degree to understand what your ballot is really saying. Theres a reason a lot of people skip past the fine print in their daily lives and just click Accept the Terms and Conditions. We assume that nothing in the fine print is deliberately trying to take our rights away, but thats not the case with this ballot measure.

The measure bans voters' and local governments ability to decide what voting system they want to use. Specifically, it REQUIRES counties to use a pick-one voting system, in which whoever gets the most votes wins  even if that's only 35%, which is what Eric Greitens received when he "won" the GOP primary for governor in 2016.

The legislature's trick measure would stifle more accurate voting systems like pick-all-you-like, also known as approval voting  a system that lets voters choose multiple candidates at the ballot, reflecting the true level of public support for each candidate.

Approval voting is how we already make decisions as groups in our personal lives. When you want to decide what time to see a movie with friends, you might say youre free at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., or 9 p.m., not just one time of the day. Selecting all options that work for you helps people to cooperate, rather than seeing a movie at 9 p.m. because a small minority of 37% selected it, while 63% were split between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Approval voting isnt just a theoretical concept; its a proven method used by cities in the Midwest and organizations like the American Mathematical Society and the American Statistical Association for their elections. It helps find consensus as a group: When you can select all candidates you approve of, more votes go to unifying, broadly accountable leaders.

But the trick measure threatens to roll back this accountability by misleading voters.

As you prepare to cast your ballot, recognize this measure for what it truly is  an attack on local control and voters' power to hold leaders accountable. "Consent of the governed" requires a system that reflects the will of the people. Dont let deceptive measures undermine your voice, and keep in mind that this trick measure is an attempt to take your freedom away.

Benjamin D. Singer is CEO of Show Me Integrity, a political reform organization in Missouri advocating for more effective, ethical government. Learn more at showmeintegrity.org.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Deceptive ballot measure in Missouri election erodes local control
By Vitalii Hnidyi and Oleksandr Kozhukhar

SUMY REGION, Ukraine (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine had launched an incursion into Russian territory to "restore justice" and pressure Moscow's forces, in his first acknowledgement of Kyiv's surprise offensive into the western Kursk region.

Moscow's forces on Sunday were in their sixth day of intense battle against Kyiv's largest incursion into Russian territory since the start of the war, which left southwestern parts of Russia vulnerable before reinforcement started arriving.

Russian authorities rushed to evacuate residents and imposed a sweeping security regime in three border regions on Saturday, after the attack which military analysts say caught the Kremlin off-guard. Belarus, a staunch ally of Moscow, also sent more troops to its border with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of violating its air space.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said he had discussed the operation with top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, vowing to respond in kind after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.

"Today, I received several reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressor's territory," he said late on Saturday.

"Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and is ensuring the exact kind of pressure that is needed - pressure on the aggressor."

Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday it had destroyed 14 Ukrainian drones and four Tochka-U tactical ballistic missiles overnight over the Kursk region, and 18 drones over other Russian regions that Ukraine frequently attacks.

In a statement, it called the ground incursion "barbaric" and said it made no military sense.

Ukraine has at most occupied several tens of square kilometres of Russian territory without laying claim to it, while Russia controls more than 100,000 sq km of Ukraine's internationally recognised territory.

Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, said on Wednesday the attacks had been halted, but Russia has not pushed the Ukrainian forces back over the border.

Russian military bloggers said the situation had stabilised after Russia's reinforcements, though they said Ukraine was swiftly building up forces.

INJURIES AND EVACUATIONS

Zelenskiy said on Sunday Russia had launched nearly 2,000 cross-border strikes on Ukraine's Sumy region from the region of Kursk this summer and that such strikes deserved a Ukrainian response.

"Artillery, mortars, drones. We also record missile strikes, and each such strike deserves a fair response," the Ukrainian leader said.

Earlier, Kursk officials said 13 people were injured in the city after debris from a destroyed Ukrainian missile fell onto a nine-storey residential building.

An image posted by Kursk's mayor showed flames rising through a shattered apartment block surrounded by charred debris.

It was not clear whether there was further damage. Moscow and Kyiv rarely disclose the full extent of damage inflicted by attacks on them unless there are injuries or damage to residential buildings.

Alexei Smirnov, Kursk's acting governor, ordered local authorities to speed up the evacuation of civilians in areas at risk. On Saturday, Russia's TASS state news agency reported that more than 76,000 people had been evacuated.

Kyiv and Moscow deny targeting civilians in their attacks in the war, which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of Ukrainians, and has no end in sight.

Russian military bloggers say fighting is taking place as deep as 20 km (12 miles) inside the Kursk region, prompting some of them to question why Ukraine was able to pierce the Kursk region so easily.

A few dozen Russian soldiers, including fighters from Chechnya, who were captured allegedly in Kursk were shown in a video posted by "I want to live," a project which is linked to Ukraine's military spy agency. Reuters could not immediately verify the video.

After a father and his 4-year-old son were killed near Kyiv in what Zelenskiy said was a Russian air attack using a North Korean missile, the Ukrainian leader asked Western partners for "strong decisions" allowing his troops to strike deep inside Russia with Western weapons.

"When Ukraine's long-range capabilities have no limits, this war will definitely have a limit," Zelenskiy wrote on X.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said she had sent an appeal to the United Nations demanding it condemn Ukraine's actions in Kursk.

In a Telegram post, Moskalkova said she was asking the U.N. Human Rights commissioner to "take measures to prevent gross mass violations of human rights".

(This story has been refiled to remove an image after a post-publication review)

(Reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv, Ron Popeski in Winnipeg and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Additional reporting by Felix Light in Tbilisi; Writing by Lidia Kelly and Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, William Mallard, Ros Russell and Lincoln Feast.)
WOODBRIDGE, Conn. (WTNH)  More than 40 animals have been removed from a single household after the owner was charged with Animal Cruelty in Woodbridge early Saturday morning, according to Woodbridge Regional Animal Control.

Animal Control was contacted at 5:00 a.m. by Woodbridge Police who had a woman that wanted to surrender 14 dogs to the shelter. Police arrived with 20 dogs separated into five cages.

The video below aired on Aug. 10.

Jessica Moffo is the chief animal control officer at the Woodbridge Regional Animal Control. She estimates upwards of 70 animals were at the home. At the time of this writing 23 dogs, 20 cats and kittens, seven bunnies and one guinea pig have been impounded in the shelter. Moffo said there are 30-35 cats still at the home that she is planning to rescue on Sunday.

Moffo says the condition of the animals was horrid, and employees of the Animal Shelter were able to talk the owner into surrendering all of the animals that were at their residence. Moffo showed News 8 patches of matting removed from a dog.

This was actually cutting off circulation to the bottom extremity of his leg, she said. Honestly, a couple more weeks of that and he probably wouldve lost his leg.

Moffo said the shelter was at full capacity before all the animals were surrendered.

And we have dogs from another town that we are helping in another animal cruelty case, she said. So it was very overwhelming today.

Shelters and rescues from North Haven, East Haven, New Haven and Bridgeport stepped up to help. Some took dogs and others donated food. Moffo said dogs were spread out amongst One More Dog Rescue, Halfway Home Rescue, Perfect Imperfections Rescue and the Westerly Animal Shelter.

It takes a village and today, a village helped us. And I am so humbled by this.

The shelter is accepting monetary donations as well as cat and dog food. The surrendered animals will soon be up for adoption. Call Woodbridge Regional Animal Control at (203) 389-5991 to be instructed on how you can adopt.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Drivers in the Valley to see some road closures starting this week

(WKBN)  This week, drivers in the Valley will see some road closures starting Monday. Heres a look at projects beginning this week and their detours.

Trumbull County

Braceville Township

Beginning Monday, Benedict Leavittsburg Road will be closed between state Route 82 and Allen Smith Road in Braceville Township. It will be closed until further notice; the cause is unknown at this time.

No details on a detour route were given.

Mahoning County

Berlin Township

A culvert replacement project will close a portion of state Route 534 in Berlin Township starting Monday. The closure is between Shilling Road and Mock Road, and it will last through Friday.

The detour will be U.S. Route 224 to state Route 225, to Interstate 76 to state Route 534.

Youngstown

A complete reconstruction of Industrial Road in Youngstown will begin Monday. The portion of the road between South Meridian Road and Bears Den Road will be closed to through traffic for four months. The road will be open to local traffic only.

Detour signs will be posted accordingly.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A local family has grown concerned after a Parkland-area preschool has reportedly been the setting of loitering by homeless people, public drug use and a suspected break-in in recent months.

Devin Todd has two children that attend Cadence Academy Preschool  a private preschool and daycare at 1908 96th St.

Todd told The News Tribune the area around the school has had a presence of unhoused people. The school sits at the end of Hosmer Street  a corridor in South Tacoma notorious for instances of crime, drugs and homelessness.

Todd said in the last year things at the school have gotten worse.

He said at night there are often homeless people who go onto the daycares property and camp on the childrens playground, leaving behind drug paraphernalia and garbage. He said teachers and staff have to sweep the area and make sure there is nothing left behind for children to see.

His wife Kathryn said she saw a woman urinating into bushes in front of the schools window during daylight hours. She said when she reported it to staff at the school, she was given the impression it was a common occurrence.

Pierce County Sheriff Department spokesperson Sgt. Darren Moss told The News Tribune law enforcement received 113 calls related to the address of Cadence Academy Preschool since the beginning of 2020.

According to a police report, a man was arrested on the sidewalk in front of the school on June 27, 2024, for possession of drug paraphernalia after responding deputies found him with a pipe and burned foil. He had two outstanding warrants.

On July 29, school administrators made the decision to close for the day after they found a window had been unscrewed and evidence that someone had broken in overnight.

For the safety of everyone, we decided to close the second building to allow law enforcement to thoroughly sweep the school for trespassers and ensure no items were left behind, read an email to parents from Samantha Navarro, the regional director for Cadence Academy schools in Washington.

When asked if his children had noticed the interference and disruptions at the school, Todd said it was hard for them not to.

Kathryn Todd told The News Tribune her kids did not seem scared by the disturbances, but the events spurred conversations she would not have wanted to have with her children at this age.

While Devin Todd said teachers and staff at the school had done a good job of keeping parents informed of the issues, they are not able to do much to prevent what is happening.

Nothing is really getting done, Todd told The News Tribune. They arent security guards.

Since the issues began, Todd said, the school had erected a fence, put in lights, and for a time, hired a security guard.

Our Tacoma location has faced many challenges related to the transient population, and our school often serves as a safe haven at night. My team and I have been working tirelessly to keep our school safe and operational, Navarro wrote in an email to parents on July 29.

Navarro did not respond to requests for comment from The News Tribune.

City of Tacoma spokesperson Maria Lee told The News Tribune the school is in Parkland, so any law enforcement response would be from the Pierce County Sheriffs Department. The boundary for the City of Tacoma is on 96th Street, meaning the preschool is just across the street from the citys jurisdiction.

Lee said the citys homeless outreach team had been conducting outreach in the block adjacent to the school.

In the email, Navarro told parents staff at the school had taken several steps to address the issues, including meeting with local city council members to discuss the loitering problem and collaborating with the Pierce County Sheriffs Office.

The Pierce County Sheriffs Department did not respond to The News Tribunes requests for comment on the efforts being made to help Cadence Academy Preschool or to confirm they had been in contact with the school.

Pierce County Human Services spokesperson Jordan Chames said the county had not made contact with any encampments near the school as of Aug. 9.

Our homeless team is in the process of having an outreach group make contact with the folks, however, they wouldnt be able to enforce them to leave, told The News Tribune.

We are frustrated because we feel as parents we have done everything we can short of taking our kids out of the school, Kathryn Todd told The News Tribune.
Dupo police officer shot while on duty awarded over $3 million in damages

A Dupo police officer who was shot by a homicide suspect last year will receive damages from the shooters estate after a recent judges ruling that he is owed over $3 million for lost wages, pain and suffering.

Sgt. Patrick Carrier was responding to a call about a shooting the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, when the suspect shot him in the shoulder with an AR-15 rifle.

Carrier, 49 at the time, had worked as a police officer for 12 years. He rolled out of the way of a second shot at point-blank range that grazed his neck, his wife told the Belleville News-Democrat in 2023.

Reginald Reggie Allen, 40, of Dupo, was accused of fatally shooting his coworker Darryl Mantz, 46, of Belleville, at a home in the 400 block of McBride Avenue in unincorporated St. Clair County near Dupo before injuring Carrier.

Allen then took the squad car and drove to his house in the 700 block of McBride Avenue. He killed himself in his garage.

Carriers attorney Matt Chapman filed a claim in Allens probate estate and filed a civil lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court seeking compensation for Carriers injuries after learning about attempts to sell several properties Allen owned in the area, a news release from Chapmans firm Becker, Schroader and Chapman, P.C. stated.

Carrier had multiple surgeries to stop internal bleeding and to reconstruct his upper arm. He missed a year of work.

According to the release, St. Clair County Associate Judge Christopher Kolker on July 17 ordered that Carrier be awarded:

$1 million for past pain and suffering.

$500,000 for future pain and suffering.

$1 million in emotional distress damages.

$1 million for loss of normal life.

$74,602.84 for lost wages.

Id like to thank Judge Kolker for his compassion and fairness, Carrier stated in the release. And I am very grateful to have Mr. Chapman in my corner fighting for me in this trial and in my other claims that are still ongoing.

Attorney Hrant Norsigian Jr. is representing Allens son and executor of his estate, Kolbie Allen, in the lawsuit. Norsigian said Monday that the estate will be responsible for paying the damages to the extent it has assets.

Its limited to whats in the estate. Right now, were trying to figure that out, Norsigian said.

Kolbie, as the representative of his fathers estate, just expresses his deepest sympathies for Mr. Carrier and his family, he added. Its just a very unfortunate situation.
Dutch man injured in German hotel collapse placed in an induced coma

An excavator works on the demolition site of the collapsed hotel in Kroev in the morning. Harald Tittel/dpa

A Dutch man who was severely injured in the collapse of a hotel in western Germany that left two dead has been placed in an induced coma, police said on Sunday.

"His condition isn't good," a police spokesman said, adding that the man was being treated in intensive care in the city of Trier.

The man was among seven people who found themselves trapped in the rubble after one floor of the multi-storey hotel in the town of Krov, about 100 kilometres west of Frankfurt, collapsed with 14 people inside on Tuesday evening.

Two people, a 64-year-old woman and the 59-year-old hotel owner, were killed in the incident.

Five people were able to escape the site immediately, but the seven, including the Dutch man's wife and their 2-year-old son, were only rescued after spending several hours trapped in the rubble.

Clean-up efforts continued on Sunday, with debris and rubble still being removed from the site, according to the police spokesman.

He was unable to say how long it would take to demolish the building.

The cause of the accident is still unclear. The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation and commissioned an expert to find out how the accident could have happened.

Krov sits on the Moselle River in one of Germany's top wine-growing regions and is popular with holidaymakers who come to explore the lush hills.
Economic Expert Veronika Grimm has warned the German coalition government against once again passing a potentially unconstitutional budget.

If it is not possible to reform the strict rules limiting budget deficits, known as the debt brake, "then a good democrat must have the ambition to follow the rules. Or step down," the economist from the Technical University of Nuremberg told Sunday's edition of the mass-circulation Bild newspaper in comments seen in advance by dpa.

The debt brake has been enshrined in the German constitution.

Grimm, one of the five members of the German Council of Economic Experts, commonly known as the "Five Sages," went on to say that the centre-left coalition must not put forward a vulnerable budget.

If new complaints against a coalition budget were to succeed before the Federal Constitutional Court, it would discredit the government.

It must not become a habit, she said, to "ignore the legal situation just because current rules are considered inconvenient or incorrect." Otherwise majorities must be organized to adjust the debt brake, she added.

In the past few days, the dispute among the three parties in the coalition over the 2025 federal budget has flared up again.

The background includes plans intended to reduce the funding gap in the budget by a total of 8 billion ($8.7 billion).

Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) had commissioned expert opinions due to legal and economic concerns. These partially confirmed the concerns, but also showed ways to implement at least some of the measures.

By mid-August, Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD) and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the Greens aim to reach an agreement and secure a Cabinet decision.

Conservative opposition fears new budget tricks

According to Grimm, a relaxation of the debt brake would not be productive: "The additional leeway would be used up in no time, and the discussions would start all over again."

The economist warns: "If we are honest: it is not about 5 billion here or there. It must be about making structural adjustments to prepare the country for future challenges: The defence budget must increase, as well as spending on education in state budgets. And all this without losing debt sustainability."

Sebastian Brehm, financial and budget expert of the conservative opposition Christian Social Union (CSU) party, warned about new budget tricks by the federal government: "According to my information, preparations are under way in the Chancellor's Office to use new tricks to push the already maxed-out debt spiral even further.

"Apparently, they want to give the Autobahn company the opportunity to take on unlimited debt through sham revenue, such as from the toll on trucks."

He added that the government was aiming to conceal the actual level of national debt.
A school employee at Lorena Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights uses an umbrella during a heat wave in September 2022. Parents and community members held a news conference outside the school to demand L.A. Unified address sweltering school conditions. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

As the Los Angeles Unified School District prepares for the first day of school on Monday, it's unclear that students will have functioning air conditioning in every classroom. Technicians have been whittling away at more than 1,000 cooling systems service calls, including about 650 classrooms with units in need of repair.

The district says that level of demand is typical for this time of year. And it's crucial work. Having safe temperatures in classrooms should be a basic expectation, especially given that kids return to school during the worst heat of the year. But its not, because California doesnt require air conditioning in K-12 classrooms, a carelessly outdated position at a time when climate change is making heat waves more dangerous and intense.

The miserable reality is that some California students are returning to classrooms this month with inadequate cooling  or no air conditioning at all. In Long Beach Unified, the states fourth-largest school district, thousands of students will be returning this month to 556 classrooms at 13 schools that dont have air conditioning.

Read more: Editorial: Climate change is making more California homes dangerously hot. It's time state laws caught up

How can kids be expected to concentrate, let alone achieve their best, when they are sweating, dehydrated or suffering from heat exhaustion? Sweltering classrooms are unacceptably dangerous and unfair to children, who are at increased risk of fatigue, nosebleeds, headaches, vomiting and other symptoms of heat illness because their bodies warm up faster, take longer to start sweating and have more trouble regulating temperature than adults. Hot classrooms also impede student learning, and are linked to lower test scores and academic achievement.

Long Beach Unified, in response to more than a decade of complaints about dangerously overheated classrooms, now intends to install A/C in all schools that don't have it within the next three years. One exception is Long Beach Polytechnic High School, the districts largest, where the whole campus won't have A/C until 2028.

In the meantime, district officials said, classrooms without A/C will be equipped with chilled water dispensers, new or repaired window coverings and portable fans. But these are Band-Aids at best, and not much help to overheated students struggling to hear their teachers over the drone of fans that do little more than circulate hot air around like a convection oven.

Its shameful that it has taken outcry from parents alarmed by temperatures exceeding 90 degrees inside their childrens classrooms to push some school districts to act. But fortunately for teachers, students and staff, workspace safety rules could help force schools to do more, faster.

Read more: Editorial: California needs to protect schoolchildren from extreme heat

New state indoor heat illness prevention rules that took effect last month require employers to use air conditioning or other cooling measures to protect workers from overheating when inside temperatures are 87 degrees or higher and to keep records of those temperatures.

The rules apply to schools and classrooms, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. But it doesn't mean there will be automatic improvements. Enforcement usually happens in response to reports of illness or complaints from the public. Teachers and parents should not be shy about calling and emailing state regulators at the nearest district office if they think these standards are being violated in classrooms.

Its hard to say how many schools and classrooms statewide lack air conditioning. The California Department of Education and the Division of the State Architect, which oversees the construction of K-12 schools, said they do not keep track. They should start collecting this data.

Read more: L.A.s asphalt-covered schoolyards are an environmental injustice

L.A. Unified, Californias largest district, said that all of its school campuses and classrooms have air conditioning, and San Diego Unified, the second-largest, said it has air conditioning in all schools except San Diego High School, which is using portable air conditioning units while under construction as part of a major renovation.

But even at schools with A/C, there are aging or inadequate systems that just dont work well enough to provide a safe and comfortable environment for learning, especially when they depend on portable or window A/C units that arent up to the job of cooling down poorly insulated classrooms.

Thats been the case at L.A. Unified's Bell High School, which has been the subject of past complaints about sweltering classrooms that lack working A/C. Fortunately for Bell students, just a handful of A/C repairs are needed at the moment, according to the district. A request to replace the main building's aging system goes before the school board next year, which we hope will approve it.

Read more: Editorial: Trump and oil companies are lying to you about electric cars to serve their own interests

But school interiors aren't the only problem. Kids dont often find relief outside because many campuses also have inhospitably hot, parking lot-like schoolyards covered in asphalt that can heat up to 145 degrees. That calls for a holistic approach: investing in quick-turnaround projects to get adequate air conditioning inside classrooms while installing shade structures outside, planting trees and replacing heat-absorbing pavement with cooler, natural landscaping.

It's understandable why some schools were built without air conditioning. It wasn't considered a necessity decades ago, when average temperatures were about two degrees cooler, especially in communities closer to the coast. But global warming from our continued burning of fossil fuels has obliterated those assumptions, and state officials and school districts have been too slow to respond.

They need to catch up fast, and keep working until all kids can learn and play in an environment that's safe from the heat.

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.
Eight cancer doctors among dead in Brazil plane crash  as seven others changed flight at last minute

Eight cancer doctors among dead in Brazil plane crash  as seven others changed flight at last minute

At least eight cancer doctors who were heading to an oncology conference were among dozens killed in a plane crash in Brazils Vinhedo on Friday, an official has said.

The ATR 72 twin-engine plane carrying 58 passengers and four crew members was headed for Sao Paulos Guarulhos international airport when it nose-dived and crashed in Vinhedo, said Voepass airlines, which operated the aircraft.

Emergency crews confirmed on Saturday they had recovered the remains of all 62 victims, including an unaccounted person later found to be on the plane.

An official from the Regional Medical Council said he was able to confirm the deaths of the eight doctors.

These doctors were going to an oncology conference. These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, said Eduardo Baptistella, according to the Daily Mail.

Firefighters and rescue teams work at the site in a residential area where the plane with 62 people on board crashed in Vinhedo (AP)

He added that a total of 15 doctors were supposed to be travelling to the conference on the flight, but seven of them had taken an earlier service.

The Uopeccan Cancer Hospital in Cascavel confirmed to BBC Brasil that two of its trainee doctors were among the fatalities.

Parana state governor Ratinho Junior was also quoted as saying at least eight physicians were on board the flight, and that the death toll also included four professors at Unioeste university in western Parana.

Rescue workers and Brazilian emergency crews said the bodies of most of the victims  34 males and 28 females  have been moved to Sao Paulos police morgue for identification.

The debris of the plane is seen at the site of the crash in Vinhedo (AP)

The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were identified earlier on Saturday, said Dario Pacheco, the mayor of Vinhedo.

The victims include four people with dual citizenship, three Venezuelans and one Portuguese woman, said regional carrier Voepass.

Firefighters at the crash site said officials are using seat assignments, physical characteristics, documents and belongings such as mobile phones to identify the victims.

Police and rescue team members stand guard at Voepass Airlines Twin Engine ATR-72-500 crash site in Vinhedo (Getty Images)

Firefighters arrive at the entrance of Recanto Florido Condominium where the airplane crashed (Getty Images)

Family members of the victims are being taken to Sao Paulo to provide DNA samples to help in the identification of remains, said state civil defence coordinator Henguel Pereira.

Four people with dual citizenship were among the victims, three Venezuelans and one Portuguese woman, according to Veopass officials.

The Venezuelans were a 4-year-old boy, his mother and grandmother, local outlet Globo News reported. The boys dog was also on the flight, which the family was taking to later head to Colombia, according to the outlet.

Investigators are analysing the planes black box, said Marcelo Moreno, head of Brazilian aviation accident investigation centre Cenipa, at a press conference in Vinhedo.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Alleged Sinaloa cartel drug lord Ismael El Mayo Zambada confirmed in a detailed statement that he was kidnapped from Mexico and brought to the United States against his will when he was arrested on July 25 at the Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

As KTSM previously reported, Zambadas attorney Frank Perez had issued a statement several days after the arrest saying that Zambada had been kidnapped by the other man who was arrested that day, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of imprisoned cartel leader and drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

Zambada reportedly will stand trial in New York on federal drug charges.

Drug kingpin El Mayo arrested in El Paso

Guzman Lopez allegedly leads the Chapitos faction of the cartel and is seen as a rival to Zambada.

Zambadas statement, obtained by KTSM and Border Report on Saturday, Aug. 10, reiterates that he was kidnapped and brought to the United States against his will by Guzman Lopez.

The notion that I surrendered or cooperated voluntarily is completely and unequivocally false. I was brought to this country forcibly and under duress, without my consent and against my will, Zambada said in his statement.

Zambada also said he was issuing a detailed statement to dispel inaccurate reports in the media.

He said he was lured by the prospect of attending a meeting among political leaders in his home state of Sinaloa and thats how he ended up getting kidnapped.

He also said that former federal congressman and Culiacan Mayor Hector Melesio Cuen Ojeda was supposed to be at the meeting. Zambada described Hector Cuen as a longtime friend.

Hector Cuen was killed at the same time Zambada was kidnapped, Zambada said in his statement.

El Mayo attorney: Client kidnapped, brought to U.S. against his will

I am aware that the official version being told by Sinaloa state authorities is that Hector Cuen was shot in the evening of July 25th at a gas station by two men on a motorcycle who wanted to rob his pick-up truck. That is not what happened. He was killed at the same time, and in the same place, where I was kidnapped. Hector Cuen was a longtime friend of mine, and I deeply regret his death as well as the disappearance of Jose Rosario Heras Lopez and Rodolfo Chaidez who no one has seen or heard from since.

Zambada also said: I believe it is important for the truth to come out. This is what occurred,

rather than the false stories that are circulating. I call on the governments of Mexico and the United States to be transparent and provide the truth about my abduction to the United States and about the deaths of Hector Cuen, Rosario Heras, Rodolfo Chaidez, and anyone else who may have lost their life that day.

Here is Zambadas statement in its entirety.

Since I was brought by plane to the United States from Mexico on July 25, 2024, there have been many inaccurate reports in the media of both countries. In this statement I will provide the true facts of what happened that day. I wish to say at the outset that I did not turn myself in, and I did not come voluntarily to the United States. Nor did I have any agreement with either government. To the contrary, I was kidnapped and brought to the U.S. forcibly and against my will. The details of how this happened follow.



I was asked by Joaquin Guzman Lopez to attend a meeting to help resolve differences among the political leaders in our state. I was aware of an ongoing dispute between Ruben Rocha Moya, the Governor of Sinaloa, and Hector Melesio Cuen Ojeda, the former Federal congressman, Mayor of Culiacan, and Rector of the Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa (UAS), over who should lead that institution. I was told that in addition to Hector Cuen and Governor Rocha Moya,

Ivan Guzman Salazar would also be present at the meeting.

On July 25th, I went to the ranch and event center called Huertos del Pedregal just outside of Culiacan where the meeting was to occur. The meeting was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and I arrived a little early. I saw a large number of armed men wearing green military uniforms who I assumed were gunmen for Joaquin Guzman and his brothers. I was accompanied by four security personnel, of whom two stayed outside the perimeter. The two who entered with me were Jose Rosario Heras Lopez, a Commander in the State Judicial Police of Sinaloa,

and Rodolfo Chaidez, a long-time member of my security team.

While walking toward the meeting area, I saw Hector Cuen and one of his aides. I greeted them briefly before proceeding inside to a room that had a table filled with fruit. I saw Joaquin Guzman Lopez, whom I have known since he was a young boy, and he gestured for me to follow him. Trusting the nature of the meeting and the people involved, I followed without hesitation. I was led into another room which was dark.

As soon as I set foot inside of that room, I was ambushed. A group of men assaulted me, knocked me to the ground, and placed a dark-colored hood over my head. They tied me up and handcuffed me, then forced me into the bed of a pickup truck. During this entire ordeal, I was subjected to physical abuse, resulting in significant injuries to my back, knee and wrists. I was then driven to a landing strip about 20 or 25 minutes away, where I was forced onto a private plane.

Joaquin removed the hood from my head and bound me with zip ties to the seat.

No one else was aboard the plane except Joaquin, the pilot, and myself. The flight lasted about 2  to 3 hours, without any stops until we arrived in El Paso, Texas. It was there on the tarmac that U.S. federal agents took custody of me. The notion that I surrendered or cooperated voluntarily is completely and unequivocally false. I was brought to this country forcibly and under duress,

without my consent and against my will.

I am aware that the official version being told by Sinaloa state authorities is that Hector Cuen was shot in the evening of July 25th at a gas station by two men on a motorcycle who wanted to rob his pick-up truck. That is not what happened. He was killed at the same time, and in the same place, where I was kidnapped. Hector Cuen was a longtime friend of mine, and I deeply regret his death as well as the disappearance of Jose Rosario Heras Lopez and Rodolfo Chaidez who no one has seen or heard from since.

I believe it is important for the truth to come out. This is what occurred, rather than the false stories that are circulating. I call on the governments of Mexico and the United States to be transparent and provide the truth about my abduction to the United States and about the deaths of Hector Cuen, Rosario Heras, Rodolfo Chaidez, and anyone else who may have lost their life that day.

I also call on the people of Sinaloa to use restraint and maintain peace in our state. Nothing can be solved by violence. We have been down that road before, and everyone loses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(KRON)  A 75-year-old male hiker who fell over a cliff was rescued by multiple agencies on Saturday, according to the San Jose Police Department.

Around 8:30 a.m., an elderly hiker fell over 100 feet off of a rocky cliff down into a dry creek bed, according to SJPD. The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office responded to the scene and located the hiker. However, police said the hiker was stuck at the bottom of the cliff.

Image courtesy of the San Jose Police Department

Image courtesy of the San Jose Police Department

Image courtesy of the San Jose Police Department

Image courtesy of the San Jose Police Department

5 men leave with a bag of cookies after breaking into Mitchells Ice Cream store

The hiker was found seriously injured, according to police.

After 4 p.m., the departments helicopter (AIR3) responded to the scene. SJPD officer transported to the creek and extricated the hiker.

The hiker was transported by a life-flight transport helicopter to a trauma hospital for emergency care.

San Jose PD called AIR3 an invaluable resource and a lifesaving saving tool.

The location of the cliff was not specified.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PG&E serves shareholders, not customers

Gavin Newsom has a plan to lower California electricity bills. Heres what it would do

Electric prices in California are high because of the failed policies of the legislature and the governor.

President Pro-Tempore McGuire says in this article that California has always been an economic and climate leader. Nothing could be farther from the truth. California leads the nation with the highest housing costs, taxes, gas prices, utility rates, homeless population, welfare cases, unemployment, etc. Its carbon cap and trade program is just another tax to fund pet projects like a train to Bakersfield. It has no impact on climate change.

The California Public Utilities Commission doesnt regulate utilities, it enables them. PG&E announced record profits last week. Its a convicted felon that blew up San Bruno and burned down several communities because of greed and incompetence.

Why are SMUD and Roseville Electric rates half of PG&Es? Because they serve their customers. PG&E serves its shareholders at its customers expense.

Michael Bloom

Auburn

Opinion

Spicy VP? Lets do this

Harris picks a spicy VP in Minnesotas Tim Walz, who called Trump weird and it stuck (sacbee.com, Aug. 6)

Vice President Kamala Harris made an excellent decision in Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Together, they will govern effectively, inclusively, and boldly for the American people.

They wont back down under tight odds, either  from healthcare to school lunch. Lets do this.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Florida

Civil rights for humans just as important

Wild horse collapses during roundup, then federal worker kicks it in face, video shows (sacbee.com, Aug. 6)

While the video of Nevada federal agents abusing a wild horse possibly going viral worldwide, would there be the same equal kind of public outrage if the beating victim here instead was a human being accused for instance of being an illegal immigrant or being homeless?

Nevada laws since 1971 have been apparently enforcing fines and prison terms for the protection of its wild horses and burros, while not emphasizing the civil rights for human beings to not be unjustly attacked by either federal agents or civilians because of who they are or their situation.

There should be a federal investigation not only of Nevadas law enforcement but also of other U.S states on the Mexico border, because there are far too many unnecessary deaths of human beings.

Michelle Kunert

Sacramento

Walz now on the main stage

Kamala Harris selects Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as running mate (sacbee.com, Aug. 6)

A critical part of successfully campaigning for the presidency is a candidates ability to define themselves in positive terms  and avoid being defined negatively by their opponent. Kamala Harriss choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice president may provide us with a unique approach to the issue of how a candidate is defined.

Why is this so?

As a scholar of communication who studied political discourse for more than 45 years, I believe it rhetorically will be hard for Trump and Vance to define (actually redefine) Walz, a person who has not been on the national stage and someone most Americans dont know. Unlike other politicians, Walzs words and images paint a picture that is clear, genuine, authentic and understandable; and hence, hard to dispute.

Moreover, Walz proudly owns his identity and will use it to persuade independent and undecided voters  people who will like and identify with Walzs down to earth (tell it like it is, often humorously) discourse and common sense approach to governance.

Richard Cherwitz

Camas, Washington
Elon Musk described Humza Yousaf as a 'super, super racist' as the former first minister said the American billionaire is 'one of the most dangerous men on the planet'

Elon Musk has branded Humza Yousaf a super racist scumbag and dared the former first minister to sue him.

The billionaire said go ahead, make my day following reports that Mr Yousaf was considering taking legal action in an escalating social media row between the pair on X, formerly Twitter, which is owned by Mr Musk.

On Sunday, Mr Musk effectively branded Mr Yousaf a dangerous race baiter in response to the former SNP leader sharing an article in the Sunday Mail claiming that he was considering all options, including going to court.

The exchange came two days after Mr Musk described Mr Yousaf as a super, super racist and claimed that he loathes white people.

The comments were a response to an attack the ex-SNP leader had launched on Mr Musk at the Edinburgh Fringe.

He described Mr Musk, one of the wealthiest people in the world, as one of the most dangerous men on the planet and accused him of attempting to stoke civil wars in Europe.

The allegations of racism against Mr Yousaf by Mr Musk date back to last year, when he responded to a three-year-old speech Mr Yousaf gave at Holyrood at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The then-SNP justice secretary had pointed out that a succession of figures in Scottish public life were white.

Elon Musk is a dangerous race baiter who must be held to account for his actions.



I can't think what it is that upsets him so much about a Brown, Muslim, progressive politician?  But his billions won't stop me calling out his support for the far-right.https://t.co/d2i2PIpVMd  Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) August 11, 2024

Mr Musk has repeated the racism allegation over recent days in response to Mr Yousafs widely reported comments in the Scottish capital.

Anybody who goes on social media, even if they own the platform and thinks that free speech is absolute whether in the UK or USA, needs to think again, Aamer Anwar, Mr Yousafs lawyer, said.

Free speech carries responsibility and if you break the law there are consequences, as we have seen in recent days.

Elon Musk has effectively painted a target on Humza Yousafs back with his completely unacceptable, untrue and inflammatory comments.

On Sunday, Mr Yousaf shared the report on X that had raised the prospect of him taking legal action. He accompanied the link to the news story by calling Mr Musk a dangerous race baiter adding that his billions wont stop me calling out his support for the far-right.

Mr Musk responded by agreeing with a comment in which another social media user told Mr Yousaf it was he who was a dangerous race baiter who must be held to account for your actions.

Mr Musk later added: Hes obviously super racist against white people. I dare that scumbag to sue me. Go ahead, make my day

He's obviously super racist against white people. I dare that scumbag to sue me. Go ahead, make my day   Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2024

While the pair have clashed before on social media, their latest row has erupted over comments Mr Yousaf made at the Edinburgh Fringe to the broadcaster Matthew Stadlen.

In remarks that he later repeated in a broadcast interview with CNN, he accused Mr Musk of using his power and influence for evil.

It followed a series of inflammatory social media interventions by Mr Musk, including claiming that civil war was inevitable in the UK.

Mr Yousaf said: He is not accountable to anybody. He has vast wealth at his fingertips, and he uses it for some of the most wicked evil Ive seen.

The former SNP leader repeatedly said Musk was not an idiot and that the tech entrepreneur could easily do a simple Google search to disprove any of the false claims he spread on X.

Instead he seeks to amplify it and perpetuate it, Mr Yousaf said. So hes amplified these white supremacists, these far-right neo-Nazi conspiracy theories and has almost called for civil war in Europe.

Mr Yousaf has repeatedly rejected any accusations of racism and suggested last week that he may devote the rest of his working life to countering the far right and extremism.

In response to Musks initial attack last year, his spokesman said he had stood firm against hatred and bigotry, of any kind throughout his life.

The MSP has repeatedly spoken about being targeted by racist attacks.

Police Scotland received a deluge of complaints against Mr Yousaf for the Holyrood speech he gave in 2020, following the introduction of his hate crime laws, but dismissed them all.

A fact check by the news agency Reuters found that the speech had been misrepresented online to suggest Mr Yousaf had been arguing that Scotland contained too many white people, which he did not.

Both Mr Musk and Mr Yousaf have been approached for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
By Yves Herman

SOUTHPORT, England (Reuters) - The parents of one of three girls murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed event in northern England last month called for an end to the nationwide rioting that followed their deaths at an emotional funeral for their young daughter.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and two other girls died and eight were injured after being stabbed in an attack at the event at the seaside town of Southport two weeks ago.

Days of riots followed in Southport and in towns and cities across the United Kingdom, triggered by false online posts wrongly identifying the suspected killer as an Islamist migrant. A teenager, born in Britain, has since been charged and police say the incident is not being treated as terrorism.

At Aguiar's funeral, the area's police chief told the congregation that her grieving Portuguese parents, Sergio and Alexandra, had asked her to deliver a public appeal for calm.

"You have shown great courage in asking me to be here today ... to give a message from you, Alice's family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the United Kingdom in the name of your daughter," Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said.

"I am ashamed, and I'm so sorry that you had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter Alice.

"And I hope that anyone who has taken part in the violent disorder on our streets over the past 13 days, is hanging their heads in shame at the pain that they have caused you, a grieving family."

More than 900 people have been arrested and 466 charged with offences over the disorder, mainly targeted at migrants and Muslims, with dozens already sentenced and jailed as cases are fast-tracked through the courts.

Police and politicians believe the speedy, tough response from the authorities combined with thousands attending counter-protests since Wednesday have deterred people from taking part in further protests, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced as "far-right thuggery".

Starmer has cancelled holiday plans to deal with the response, and many more arrests and charges are expected over the coming months, prosecutors said. Justice minister Shabana Mahmood said the impact on the already stretched judicial system would be felt for years to come.

ANSWERS

At Aguiar's highly emotional funeral, her white coffin covered in pink flowers was brought to the church in a white horse-drawn carriage as hundreds of applauding locals lined the streets.

"You were taken away from us too soon, and we often ask why? Why here? Why us? Why you?" her parents said in a tribute read out by the girl's uncle at the service.

"We will never get over this pain, but we promise to get all the answers. Mummy has seen too much, and we need to know. We feel shocked, unimaginable pain. We miss you ... For now our beloved angel, keep dancing. Mommy and daddy will always, always love you."

Two other girls, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, were also killed, and Bebe's parents issued a statement on Saturday saying her death had shattered their world. They revealed her older sister Genie had witnessed the attack and managed to escape.

Politicians and police have blamed online disinformation for fuelling the violence that followed, and education secretary Bridget Phillipson said schoolchildren would now be taught how to spot fake news and "putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media".

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he had written to the Association of British Insurers to ensure that payouts to shops damaged by rioting were made swiftly.

(Writing by Michael Holden; editing by Giles Elgood)
UPDATE:

The Endangered Missing Adult Alert was canceled at 7:16 p.m.

INITIAL REPORT:

The Auglaize County Sheriffs Office has issued an Endangered Missing Adult Alert for a 74-year-old man.

Gary Frank Oen was last seen walking away from his residence on Middle Pike in Wapakoneta, Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

>> New splash pad opens in Miami County park

Oen is 5 feet and 9 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, has gray hair and blue eyes.

Authorities say Oen has Parkinsons disease and they are concerned for his safety.

If you see Oen, call 911.
Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire that broke out Saturday afternoon on the 1600 block of Lower Springs Road and Eureka Way, west of Redding.

The Lower Fire burned at a moderate rate of spread. Multiple resources, including aircraft, were summoned to fight the blaze, which burned in the area of Highway 299.

9:50 p.m. Saturday: Firefighters get handle on Lower Fire

Crews started making good progress on the fire around 7 p.m. Saturday and as the evening progressed, crews and equipment started getting released from blaze.

Evacuation orders and warnings also were downgraded in several zones late Saturday night.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

9:20 p.m. Saturday: Some evacuations in Shasta reduced to warnings

Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson on Saturday night downgraded evacuation orders to warnings for thirteen zones near and around the Lower Fire that's burning in the community of Shasta west of Redding.

The sheriff's office also lifted evacuation warnings for four zones: SHS-2880, KES-2900, SHS-2890 and KES 2750.

For a full view of the evacuation map for the Lower Fire, click here.

The fire continues to hold at 110 acres, according to the most recent incident report from Cal Fire. Although the agency has not updated data on the fire's containment, the sheriff's new directives point to the progress crews are making in bringing the fire under control.

A battalion has been released from the Lower Fire, according to the emergency scanner.

Highway 299 remains closed west at Buenaventura Boulevard and east at Rock Creek Road. For a full list of road closures, click here.

8:15 p.m. Saturday: Crews gaining control of Lower Fire

As work continues to contain the Lower Fire, officials have started to release some equipment from the fire lines, including at least one bulldozer, according to emergency scanner reports.

The fire continues to hold at 110 acres, according to Cal Fire's most recent update from 7:39 p.m.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office has said its evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect.

8 p.m. Saturday: 'I could see the smoke.' Lower Fire evacuees speak

Maria Garcia and her husband, Jose, were among the approximately two dozen evacuees who anxiously waited in a shopping center parking lot on Eureka Way early Saturday evening, sitting in their cars or on folding chairs and anxiously awaiting word of what had happened to their homes.

After losing their Cagle Lane house in the Carr Fire, the couple now lives in a mobile home on Iron Mountain Road. They said they had about an hour to pack up their Honda Accord sedan with clothing and their dog, Coco, who waited with them in a kennel cage.

Some of the people in the Sunset Marketplace shopping center on Eureka Way had been evacuated from their homes on Saturday afternoon due to the Lower Fire, which broke out west of Redding on Aug. 10, 2024.

The Garcias' daughter, Maria Gutierez, said her parents could see the fire right behind their house as they left. "They're really worried. They don't want to lose another home," Gutierez said.

Another evacuee, Jose Macias, said his family had just moved to their place on Old Stagecoach Road about a year ago. "We saw the sheriff was going door-to-door to tell people to leave. As soon as we saw that, we said 'it's time to go,'" said Macias as he stood holding the leash of Cherry, his French bulldog.And Charlotte Scott, who lives in the Trinity Center area, had made the drive to Redding to shop. When she came out of a restaurant at about 4 p.m., she said she saw smoke.

With Highway 299 closed due to the blaze, she said she'd probably be getting a hotel room for the night.

7 p.m. Saturday: Lower Fire reaches 110 acres. Evacuation shelter established

The Lower Fire has reached 110 acres, said Cal Fire spokeswoman Jas Shaw. Aircraft will be working the fire for the next few hours, said Shaw. She said fire crews are "making good progress" progress and expect to be working throughout the night.The Evacuation Shelter for the Lower Fire is being established at Central Valley High School, 4066 La Mesa Avenue in the City of Shasta Lake.

Saturday: Lower Fire breaks out west of Redding, evacuations in place, portion of Highway 299 closed

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in Shasta County due to the Lower Fire, which is burning in the area of Highway 299 west of Redding, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office announced shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The evacuation orders have been issued for the following Zones: SHS-2830, SHS-2820, SHS-6520, SHS-6530, SHS-6540, SHS-2850, SHS-2800, SHS-2870, KES-2790.

Evacuation warnings have also been issued for the following zones: SHS-2880, SHS-2890, KES-2760, KES-2770, KES-2750, KES-2900.

All zones can be found by going to https://protect.genasys.com/search

The Lower Fire started just before 4 p.m., according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. By 6 p.m., the blaze had risen to 110 acres in size, according to Cal Fire.

Highway 299 is closed to all traffic at Buenaventura Boulevard and Old Shasta.

The evacuation collection point is the shopping center at Eureka Way and Buenaventura Boulevard.

This is a developing story. Please come back for more information as it becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Lower Fire updates: Evacuation orders near Redding downgraded
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT)  The Evansville Wartime museum is celebrating being back open by hosting a community day, bringing in artists, honoring those who fought in the Vietnam War, and brought in the Columbus Indiana Heuy team who is offering helicopter rides.

Museum officials are happy to be fully open again, after fixing storm damage from earlier this year.

Evansville Mayor, Stephanie Terry stopped by to show support and proclaim August 10th as Evansville Wartime Museum Day.

Mayor Terry says, Its exciting to be here to see the improvements that have been made and just really see the value of preserving Evansville history is, Im so glad to be a part of it and to proclaim today Evansville Wartime Day.



Museum officials say this proclamation was a surprise and are grateful that the preservation of history is being appreciated by the community.

Dona Bone is the Chairperson for the Events Committee at the Evansville Wartime Museum.

Bone says, It just thrills us to death that we can be of service to the city by honoring our history by talking about what happened here in the city of World War II and what the veterans have done.



The museum offered activities for all ages, bringing in artists, exhibits, and giving those interested a glimpse into what a ride in a Huey helicopter from the 1970s is like.



Gary Galbraith is with the Columbus Indiana Heuy Team.

Galbraith says, When you say Heuy , they tend to know what it is and obviously the Veterans do and just so you can hear it now in the background that sound just what it means to our troops and to America and it speaks for itself and its own way.

Galbraith adds that this is a way to show people a piece of history through a flying museum.

Galbraith says, We like to give people the opportunity to be able to ride in one and because they have family members and family members of family members that there are some relationship to this aircraft and we like to show it off in that manner.



The day was filled with fun- but offered an educational aspect of remembering those who served our country.

This included a $500 donation to the museum, in honor of marines across the country.

More specifically one who was honored in Evansville today.



Bob Reutter serves as the Chaplain for the River Cities Dispatchment 1090, a Marine Corps League who spoke on the donation to the museum.

Reutter says, The marine we honored today served two tours in Vietnam. He was wounded three times, so he had three purple hearts. He let his family know that he wanted us there so when they called us, there was no question, we were there.



The Evansville Wartime Museum will continue to be open on Sunday with the Columbus Indiana Heuy team visiting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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).
At Wayne State University, the investment by Michigan families in higher education provides unparalleled value (Michigan college tuition sees across-the-board increases this fall, Detroit Free Press, Aug. 1.)

Since 2021, our average undergraduate tuition increase is the lowest in Michigan. Wayne State provides substantial financial aid to make college accessible for families. Last fall, for example, six out of every 10 incoming students paid no tuition. With our flat-rate tuition model, students pay the same amount for 18 credit hours as for 12, promoting faster degree completion.

Even with the $281 tuition increase per semester, Wayne State has the lowest tuition among Michigans top-tier research universities. In the heart of Detroit, supported by outstanding faculty, our students pursue college-to-career experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers.

Kimberly Andrews Espy

The writer is the president of Wayne State University

Walz is a winner

I think that Vice President Kamala Harris has hit on the right person to be her vice president for the potential Harris Administration.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is smart, witty, able to take on the GOP establishment disinformation machine and give it right back to them. He comes across as a real person  not fake like our former president or his VP in training wheels.

I only wished that I still lived in Michigan so that I could see up close what a battleground state is like  I moved before Michigan became one in the last 15 years.

Kenneth Lane

Houston

Hope, not gloom, in Harris campaign

The ballot has now been set. The contrast is clear. It's hope versus gloom. One side projects a positive future for America. The other side cheers for America's demise. One side says we can work together to form a more perfect union. The other side works to divide us and take freedoms away from women and hardworking Americans. One side expresses joy in working to earn America's trust. The other side congratulates Putin and autocracy, all while trying to stay out of jail.

The Harris-Walz ticket wants to lift America up, protect our personal freedoms, and find solutions to our problems. The Trump-Vance ticket wants to grind America down with hate and anger while trying to convince voters that things are so bad that only anti-Democratic methods can fix our problems.

I believe the country is tired of Trump's negative air and disrespectful name-calling. We are ready for the fresh air offered by the Harris-Walz ticket. It's a ticket that understands that elections are about the future, not the past. It's time for America to move forward, not backward, and to do it with joy, not hate. Hope, not gloom. As the crowd chanted at the ticket's introduction in Detroit Wednesday, "We're not going back."

Ernest L. Robinson Jr.

Southfield

Let's use different words

We need to return our political discourse to a more civil tone. Much of the division in our country is fostered by the media on both the left and the right. One simple step that the media, including the Free Press as well as the other Gannett papers, can take is to stop using terms like battleground states that suggest warlike action. How about using the older term, swing state?

Additionally, why not avoid the terms blue state and red state? Should we view our political parties as street gangs, protecting their turf? Why not use terms like Republican or Democrat leaning or safe state instead?

Robert Kollen

Brighton

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: At Wayne State University, most students pay no tuition | Letters
Experts issue warning about concerning health effect of rising temperatures on pregnant women: 'New pressure on top of all the other pressures'

Doctors and other experts are expressing increasing concern about the risks placed on pregnant women as global temperatures continue to rise, The Washington Post reported.

What's happening?

The publication cited a new study that found that more than 2 million preterm births (from 28 up to 37 weeks) and nearly 6 million early-term births (37 to 39 weeks) between 1993 and 2017 were tied to heat waves.

Juanita Constible, a senior climate and health advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council, explained to the Post that pregnant women are already carrying around "little space heaters," because the fetus and placenta "generate a lot of heat internally."

Pregnant women and their babies face a number of risks when it comes to hotter temperatures, the Post reported. For one, pregnancy places higher demands on the circulatory system, and extreme heat can push a pregnant body to the brink, resulting in lower birth weights and stillbirths. Plus, sweating to cool down can cause dehydration and lead to preterm or false labor contractions, which can ultimately result in preterm labor.

The publication also explained that extreme heat can decrease blood flow to the uterus and placenta, which can result in low birth weight. Plus, pregnant women's bodies are more prone to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Overnight heat is of particular concern.

Black women face even greater risks from heat waves, as they already suffer maternal mortality at two to three times the rate of other groups. Skye Wheeler, senior researcher in the women's rights division at Human Rights Watch, told the Post that extreme heat is a "new pressure on top of all the other pressures that are already on their bodies."

Why is this news concerning?

According to the Mayo Clinic, preterm births are linked with severe risks for babies, including low birth weights, difficulty feeding and breathing, heightened risk of infections, and developmental delays later in life.

Heat waves don't just affect pregnant women, however. For instance, California recently released results from a study that looked at 11 years of data covering seven heat waves in the state and found that these events resulted in at least 460 deaths, 5,000 hospitalizations, 10,600 emergency room visits, 138,000 outpatient visits, and cost the state $7.7 billion.

Meanwhile, things don't look to be getting better anytime soon. As our planet continues to overheat, one of the expected outcomes is hotter temperatures, per the United Nations. Plus, one new study found that pollution is making it worse, resulting in slower and longer heat waves.

What can I do to protect myself from heat waves?

Whether you're pregnant or not, it's important to stay safe during hot streaks  drink plenty of water even if you're not feeling thirsty and avoid using fans when it is over 95 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also limit oven and stove use during prolonged heat waves.

The Post article also suggests prioritizing air conditioning in your bedroom. If you don't have AC, you can take a cool shower (which helps lower your core temperature) or even soak your ankles in cool water. Alternatively, you can seek out a local cooling center.

You can also take steps to help stop the warming of our planet by reducing your dependence on dirty energy  some money-saving ideas include changing the way you get around, modernizing your home with more energy-efficient choices, and enrolling in community solar.

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Experts sound alarm as new model projects plummeting penguin species population crisis: 'The species could become extinct in the wild by 2035'

After compiling alarming data showing the steep decline of African penguins in recent years, researchers recommended the species be uplisted to the critically endangered list.

What's happening?

According to GroundUp, a team of 12 experts  including Dr. Richard Sherley of the Environment and Sustainability Institute/Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter in Cornwall, UK  conducted extensive research on the African penguin, which is currently categorized as endangered.

The team collected data on breeding pairs of African penguins from censuses taken between 1979 and 2023 in South Africa and Namibia. Their analysis, published in a paper titled "The African Penguin Spheniscus demersus should be considered Critically Endangered" by the scientific journal Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology, showed an alarming rate of decline in the species.

The researchers concluded that the African penguin meets the requirements for critically endangered categorization on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Experts estimate that at the start of the twentieth century, there were between 1.5 and three million penguins. The species has been in decline since at least the 1950s, aside from a brief recovery period between the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Today, there are only about 31,700 African penguins left in existence.

"The global population has more than halved in the last decade," detailed GroundUp.

According to the scientific paper: "Substantially more birds (more than 25%) have been lost in less than 10 years than now remain in the African penguin population. Thus, it is not unreasonable to be concerned that  if these rates of decline persist  the species could become extinct in the wild by 2035."

Why are endangered species important?

Our planet provides us with air, water, and food, and we must protect it in order to sustain a safe future where these vital necessities are still in abundance.

Every plant and animal is important to biodiversity, which affects our food supply and many industries. The food chain is a critical component of our planet, and when one animal goes extinct, it creates a void, which can have a drastic effect on other species, including humans.

In order to protect ourselves, our economy, and the future of Earth, conservation efforts are critical.

What's being done about conservation?

While there are many vulnerable ecosystems and animals, there are also a lot of conservation efforts.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service created a process to collect biological material from at-risk species to help rebuild populations. Conservationists around the globe work to reintroduce vulnerable wildlife to habitats they can thrive in.

And the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service conducts reforestation projects to help with conservation of both plants and animals.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Air defence units have responded in the Russian city of Kursk, where around 10 explosions have been reported. Local authorities later claimed that a downed missile had fallen on a residential building.

Source: Alexei Smirnov, the acting Governor of Kursk Oblast; Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS

Details: Alexei Smirnov reported a missile threat and air defence operations in Kursk late on Saturday night, 10 August.

TASS reported that air defence systems had responded in Kursk, where about 10 explosions had been heard.

Update: At 00:19, Smirnov claimed that a missile shot down by Russian air defence had fallen on a residential building in Kursk. A fire broke out.

Background:

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Extreme and utter failure: Lawmakers, families react to release of new Uvalde shooting bodycam, 911 calls

AUSTIN (KXAN)  It took 70 minutes before more than 400 officers confronted the gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde more than two years ago. Nineteen children and two teachers died in the shooting on May 24, 2022. On Saturday, the city released new bodycam and 9-1-1 calls from that day.

Everything that happened in Uvalde two years ago was extreme and utter failure of law enforcement, said Texas Sen. Roland Gutierrez. Theres no two ways about it.

RELATED: Ranger reinstated after Uvalde-related suspension, New Mexico wants Texas medical workers

Gutierrez spoke to KXAN after the release of new video, including the moment officers took down the shooter.

Zero transparency yet, still, from the Department of Public Safety in the state of Texas, who have refused to show any of their documents, or any of their materials, Gutierrez said.

He added he has seen all of the material that has not yet been made public.

The release of body cam video and the frantic phone calls come after a years-long legal battle.

KXAN asked how families of the victims were doing, and how they respond to material like this being released. Gutierrez represents Uvalde in the state senate.

You know, theyre tired, Gutierrez explained. Theyre tried of the drip, drip, drip of information that comes out in the whole event.

RELATED: 911 call reveals uncle begged to talk Uvalde gunman out of school shooting

Brett Cross nephew, Uziyah Garcia, who he cared for, was one of the victims.

Its a complete slap in the face, Cross told the Associated Press in a phone interview. They are spitting on our childrens memories by continuing to play buddy-buddy with the officers that were involved.

A fight that is far from over from both Gutierrez and the families involved.

The only thing these people have to look forward to is a duller sense of pain, Gutierrez added. But, I think all of us in Texas, we just deserve so much more. Truly those families deserve much more. And the greatest thing is accountability.

RELATED: Former Uvalde schools police chief says hes being scapegoated over response to mass shooting

Im disgusted that people are more worried about image and lawsuits than they are about the fact our children died that day, Cross said.

The massacre remains one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
BLUNT, SD (KELO)  Flags flew at half-staff across the state Saturday in honor of a South Dakota soldier who died during World War II.

A funeral took place Saturday in Blunt for Army Corporal Robert A. Bartlett, who was declared missing in action during combat in France.

Crash on 41st & Veterans Pkwy injures two

His remains were accounted for this spring and were recently returned to the state for burial with full military honors at Blunts Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Family of woman who died in Channel left with no option but to cross again amid rising death toll

The mother of a 21-year-old woman who died trying to cross the English Channel said the family will have to attempt the journey again as they have no options but to seek asylum in the UK.

Dina Al Shammari was travelling with her parents and three younger siblings, aged 13 to 19, when she died off the coast of Calais on July 28.

The comments come as two more migrants died in the Channel on Sunday.

Ms Al Shammaris family, who are Kuwaiti Bidoon, a stateless Arab minority, fled the Gulf state in 2018.

A migrant boat was reported in difficulty (Sunday) morning offshore between Calais and Dunkirk and two people were declared dead, according to the maritime authorities in France.

Authorities said several nautical resources were deployed to come to the aid of those on board, including a helicopter and several ships, and around fifty people were rescued.

Her mother Amira Al Shammari, 52, said the family of six arrived in France on July 1 2024, and had attempted the crossing five times before the night her eldest daughter died.

She said the family believed there would be 60 people on the boat, but on the day of the crossing they discovered the numbers were double.

The boat was so crowded. Dina was the first one, she ran to the boat because she wanted to go to the UK as soon as possible, she said through an interpreter.

Then they followed her and, just like squeezing her from all over the place.

When squeezing her she wasnt able to breathe, and she started shouting.

Her father, Ratham Al Shammari, 75, who uses a wheelchair, did not make it onto the boat, according to Ms Al Shammari, when the people carrying him left him at the shore as they tried to get to the boat themselves when they saw it starting to leave.

Dina's mother, Amira Al Shammari holding a picture of her daughter who had dreams of becoming a dentist in the UK - PA

The mother of four described the boat was at sea for about an hour before the French coastguard reached them.

She said some on the boat wanted to save her daughter, while some people threatened the family and the driver with a knife to keep going rather than call for help.

When we noticed the French coastguard in the sea, we were trying to say save us, save us because my daughter is choking, Ms Al Shammari said.

The people inside the boat, they threatened us dont stop the boat and they had a knife.

Of the driver, she added: He wanted to stop because he said this girl will die, and they threatened the driver with a knife and (said) dont stop and continue your journey.

Ms Al Shammari said the French coastguard tried to save them and picked up 20 people who were over Dina, adding: When they reached Dina, she wasnt breathing.

According to the French maritime prefecture, 34 people were rescued from the heavily loaded boat at about 5.30am, while others on the boat refused help and continued the journey to the UK.

Ms Al Shammari was taken to the Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital where she was declared dead.

Her mother described her as someone who liked cooking, travelling, nature and everything beautiful in this life. She wanted to study to become a dentist when she reached the UK, learn more English and above all feel safe.

Ms Al Shammari described her daughter as someone who liked 'everything beautiful in this life' - PA

Minority Rights Group, the human rights organisation, says that Kuwait currently categorises Bidoon people as illegal residents, and because of their stateless status, they face difficulties getting civil documents, finding employment, accessing health, education and social services, and many live in relative poverty because of it.

We always feel scared there, and Dina especially she (was) afraid of the police, Ms Al Shammari said.

We (werent) able to stand the situation there, so we decided to go to the UK.

When the family left Kuwait, they originally planned to seek refuge in the UK as they understood the country accepts Kuwaiti Bidoon people.

They took a flight to Turkey before continuing their journey to Greece and arrived in Germany in 2021, where they were processed but they were refused asylum there, prompting them to try to get to the UK.

If the German authority gave us the protections at the beginning, we wouldnt have had to use a boat and cross the Channel to reach the UK, Ms Al Shammari said.

I want to tell people Im struggling, Im really struggling to find my kids a better future and good career, she said.

This world is unfair, not all the persons, not all the world, (but) the people that we met during that journey.

Where should we go?

An investigation into Ms Al Shammaris death is continuing in France, while in the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested and bailed a 29-year-old Egyptian man on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, in connection with the crossing.

Ms Al Shammaris family are waiting for her body to be released by the authorities, and collective Groupe Deces in France are trying to raise 5,000 euros (4,280) to help pay for her burial.

Asked if the family will still try to get to the UK, Ms Al Shammari replied from Calais: We have no options here, where should we go?

Whos going to give us the protection? We have to do that again.

This year so far 25 people have died attempting to reach the UK via the English Channel.

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NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH)  A Licking County man has died after being stabbed presumably by his daughter, police said.

Nick Neagos, 75, was found on his front porch when police were dispatched to the 200 block of Parana Drive at 1:49 p.m., police said. Officers said when they arrived, Neagos was suffering from multiple stab wounds.

At the same time, his daughter, April Neagos, 47, was found walking on Parana Drive with multiple stab wounds, according to the Licking County Sherriffs Office.

Nick Neagos was pronounced dead at the scene, and April Neagos was transported to a Columbus area hospital. Police said her condition is unknown at this time.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, but preliminary information indicates April Neagos stabbed her father multiple times before stabbing herself.

According to police, the incident is still under investigation, and detectives will be formulating murder charges against April Neagos. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is processing the scene.

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GAULEY BRIDGE, WV (WVNS)  Firefighters were training a little differently in Fayette County.

Temporary Sheriff to be named after resignation of Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley

Eight different fire departments in Fayette County gathered at the Fayette County Firefighters Training Center for a training on August 10, 2024.

Some were there for certification; others were there to brush up on their training ahead of the school year.

West Virginia Public Service Training Instructor Cody Carr told 59News about one of the stations at this training center.

So over here today we have a bus set up on its wheels. We can do a couple different scenarios with that, whether it is a rear lift, to roll the vehicle, to lift it off of a vehicle that has overrun it or underrun it, as well as lifting the front; if someone were to be stuck underneath or something we need to get out, said Carr.

Dramatic video shows California woman rescued from raging river

Boomer Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Myers added, It is not your typical vehicle that we deal with in most cases. We want to make sure that everything is stable. So if we have to board a bus to get a passenger child out, we are not putting them at risk anymore [because] it not stabilized and moving while we are trying to work.

This is not only beneficial training for school buses, but also for buses of the different tourist attractions. Many outdoors businesses in Fayette County use buses for their services.

This training center offers much more than bus extraction.

To keep up with all the new skills and everything that firefighters are doing, our training center which opened in 2020 is a broad span of what we teach our firefighters, said John McGinnis, the Vice President of the Fayette County Firefighters Training Center.

Multiple West Virginia towns are finalists in the 14th annual Top Adventure Towns Contest

The training center facilitators recently brought in a new tanker for railroad training.

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Female NYPD cop has long road to recovery after being struck by repeat offender during wild brawl: union boss

The NYPD cop who was punched in the face and the man who allegedly punched her.

The female NYPD officer who was slugged in the face by a repeat offender in a wild, caught-on-camera attack in the Bronx has a long road to recovery ahead, police union officials said.

I spoke to the officer today, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry told The Post Saturday.

She is in pain but in good spirits, the union head said. She said she is deeply appreciative of the support shes getting from her fellow cops and the public. 

The female NYPD officer who was attacked in the Bronx has a long road to recovery ahead, according to a union leader.

The rookie officer was punched in the face by Ernst Delma while she attempted to break up a fight between him and a group of kids.

The rookie officer, identified in court documents as Mary Fay, also told him she was just doing her job that day, trying to keep the peace.

Shes looking forward to getting back to doing that job, he said. But she has a long road to recovery ahead.

Repeat offender Ernst Delma, 41, allegedly slugged Fay in the face when she tried to break up a fight between him and a group of kids on a Clason Point street corner around 7:10 p.m. Aug. 1, authorities and law enforcement sources said.

Officers subdued and arrested Ernst Delma after he allegedly assaulted a female police officer.

Video from the scene shows blood streaming from the officers face as a bystander helped her up.

Delma, who was on probation in New Jersey, was then tackled by other cops  embarrassingly leaving him with his buttocks showing in the video  at the corner of Rosedale and Randall Avenues.

Fay has just eight months on the job and five arrests under her belt, according to police records.

NYPD officers from the 43 precinct walk Ernst Delma, 41, after he was arrested. Matthew McDermott

Ernst Delma in a police car with an injured eye after the arrest. Matthew McDermott

Delma sported a stitched-up swollen eye  and tried to show remorse for his actions  when he was walked out of a Bronx police precinct hours after his arrest.

I didnt mean to punch her, said Delma, clad in a T-shirt sporting the iconic image of Muhammad Ali after he knocked out Sonny Liston. It was a self-defense thing.

Im really sorry for doing it. I didnt know I did it, I was intoxicated, he added before he was taken to court.

A judge was unmoved and set his bail at $100,000 bond. His next court appearance is set for Aug. 14.
An Ferguson, Mo., police officer was 'fighting for his life' on Saturday after sustaining head injuries during a disturbance on the 10th anniversary of the police slaying of Michael Brown Jr., local authorities said. File Photo by Alan Cleaver/Flickr

Aug. 10 (UPI) -- An officer in Ferguson, Mo., suffered severe head injuries after clashing with demonstrators at the city's police headquarters on the 10th anniversary of the Michael Brown Jr. slaying, authorities said Saturday.

The officer was hospitalized and is "fighting for his life" after he was attacked by protesters during clashes along a fence surrounding the station late on Friday, Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle told reporters at a press briefing.

The unrest came following day of peaceful tributes and memorials marking the death of Brown, a Black 18-year-old whose fatal shooting by a White Ferguson police officer on Aug. 9, 2014, triggered waves of protests and catalyzed the Black Lives Matter movement across the country.

Doyle said demonstrators gathered at the police station after dark and began shaking a security fence surrounding the building. At one point, the fence was broken by the shaking and a team of officers were sent out to make arrests on charges of criminal damage to property.

It was then that a protester "assaulted" the officer, who fell and his head after being shoved backwards, the chief said.

"As a result one of my police officers suffered a severe brain injury," he said. "He is in an area hospital right now fighting for his life."

St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell told reporters the injured officer was identified as Travis Brown. Elijah Gantt, 28, of East St. Louis, Ill., was charged with assault and other crimes in connection with incident and is being held on $500,000 bond.

Doyle decried the protest at the station, claiming that city officials in the predominantly Black suburb of St. Louis have reformed the department in the decade since Brown's slaying and that Friday's disturbances were unjustified.

"The Ferguson Police Department since 2014 has been a punching bag for this community," he declared. "We don't even have those officers here anymore, so what are you protesting?

"Everything that the activist community has advocated for -- body-worn cameras, crisis intervention training, all of it -- we have done it all. Ten years later I have an officer fighting for his life. It's enough."
Cal Fire has contained 18% of the Crozier Fire, up from the 8% containment reported Saturday.

The wildfire, which has been burning through forest land in El Dorado County since Wednesday, has reached 1,938 acres and remains within Cal Fires established perimeter. Cal Fire said in its Sunday morning status update that there is still a significant amount of dead fuel available for burning in the area, posing concerns for firefighters.

Cal Fire operations section chief Jeff Loveless said that crews are working to prevent burning and hot fuel sources from rolling out over perimeter lines amid the steep terrain, which could threaten communities in northern parts of the county.

Fire behavior was reported as moderate overnight, with slow-paced spreading and smoldering.

Aircraft are assisting fire crews in efforts to mitigate and put out the fire. Though Cal Fire has contended with challenging dry and hot weather this weekend, cooler weather predicted for the coming days is expected to improve the firefighting conditions.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place for several communities north of Placerville, and the Cameron Park Community Community Services District at 2502 Country Club Drive. serves as an overnight shelter for evacuees. No civilians and firefighters have been injured or killed in the Crozier Fire, according to Cal Fires status update. No structures have been reported damaged.

Cal Fire continues to investigate the cause of the fire. A community meeting to discuss the Crozier Fire took place at Sutters Mill Elementary School in Placerville Sunday.
Fleeing Russians tell of panic after Ukraines invasion of Kursk region

Russians who fled from a cross-border attack by Ukraine have described abandoning their homes and running for their lives as local government control collapsed.

Panic spread quickly through villages in the Kursk region, in southern Russia, as Kyivs forces staged the first foreign invasion of Russian soil since the Second World War last week.

We dont understand why they dont tell the truth, one woman told Russias Kommersant newspaper. On TV, they kept saying, this is an emergency.

What kind of emergency is it when there are foreign tanks on our land? This is already a real war.

On Sunday, Ukrainian forces posted videos of themselves ripping down Russian flags above government buildings in villages around the small town of Sudzha, 75 miles south-west of Kursk city.

Other videos showed dozens of bodies of dead Russian soldiers strewn across fields or lying on the fringes of woodland.

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Nikolai Volobuyev, head of the Belovsk District that neighbours Sudzha, also admitted that Ukrainian soldiers have now advanced into his region and ordered an evacuation.

The situation is stable, but very tense. Today we dont understand all the issues in the border areas, he said.

The Russian defence ministry inadvertently confirmed this advance by reporting that its forces had engaged Ukrainian troops near two villages 20 miles from the border.

Russian soldiers were also spotted apparently building a new defensive line that included trenches around the Kursk nuclear power plant, 40 miles to the west of Kursk city.

A Ukrainian security official told the AFP news agency that thousands of soldiers had been involved in the attack, which has captured an estimated 600 square kilometres of Russian land.

The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilise the situation in Russia, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It came amid reports that Russian forces had started a fire on a nuclear power station in Zaporizhzhia, southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials indicated that occupying soldiers had set fire to a large number of car tyres in the stations cooling towers. A 20-second clip circulated on social media showed plumes of black smoke pouring from one of the two towers.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, accused Moscow of attempting to blackmail Ukraine as it pushed into Russian territory in the Kursk region, but said that radiation levels were at normal levels.

However, as long as the Russian terrorists maintain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal, he said.

Since the first day of its seizure, Russia has been using the Zaporizhzhia NPP [nuclear power plant] only to blackmail Ukraine, all of Europe, and the world.

We are waiting for the world to react, waiting for the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] to react. Russia must be held accountable for this.

In scenes similar to those from across Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, tens of thousands of people have now fled the advance, pouring into Kursk city in cars, on bicycles and squashed into emergency buses, clutching a few bags of hastily-grabbed belongings.

Russian media reported that 20 evacuation centres had been set up for people fleeing the border region, but these quickly swelled to capacity.

In a video uploaded onto Telegram, a group of mainly middle-aged women who had fled from Sudzha described their terror  and their anger at officials.

Foreign soldiers armed with Nato equipment entered our land and within a few hours our city was turned into ruins, their spokesman said, ignoring a woman sobbing next to her. We lost our land, our homes. We fled under fire, mainly without documents.

Tens of thousands of people have now fled the advance, pouring into Kursk city - AP

Another man accused the Russian military of failing to protect the country. He said the evacuation had been chaotic and that people had been forced to flee in their underwear and T-shirts, with children wrapped in rags.

In one cut-off village, people had to swim across a river as best they could, he said.

In another video, a woman sitting on an evacuation bus said that she had to cower in the basement of her building overnight to survive the Ukrainian attack.

Everything was burning, drones were flying, missiles were whistling. We were in the basement all night, she said.

Another woman said that there had been total chaos.

Everything was destroyed. We only barely managed to escape thanks to our neighbour who led us through the forest, she said. The Nazis armoured vehicles were driving around the streets firing at houses.

Despite an edict by the Kremlin to its propaganda units to play down the Ukrainian attack, peoples shock and bewilderment leaked out across Russias usually pliant media.

In its lengthy article, Kommersant described how its correspondent had tried to reach Sudzha but had turned back because fighting was too fierce.

His report was reminiscent of scenes played out thousands of times across Ukraine since Russias invasion in February 2022.

A jeep was completely smashed, he wrote. A few minutes later, we noticed a white Niva [car] that had been blown into a ditch, also damaged by a drone attack. Another couple of hundred metres and another smashed jeep, right next to a religious cross, the correspondent wrote.

We then saw a burnt-out white car. The blow had been dealt recently, as the wreck was still smoking.

People who had fled the fighting also told the Kommersant correspondent how their increasingly panicked phone calls to emergency hotlines went unanswered as the Ukrainian military advanced and their villages were destroyed.

Two apartment buildings were destroyed on the central Lenin Street, a woman said of Sudzha. The prosecutors office building was badly damaged. The former sanitary and epidemiological station building was also damaged.

They also said that they had been forced to leave old and disabled people behind in the rush to flee, despite a lack of food and running water in the town.

One woman said that she was ashamed of the Russian military, which she described as a corrupt mess.

I thought we would take them, but it turns out they are taking us, she said of the invasion of Ukraine. Who made these plans anyway? Maybe we shouldnt have sent the guys to Kiyv right away.

The Ukrainian attack has also sent shockwaves beyond the Kursk region, deeper through the Russian system, with businessmen close to the Kremlin telling local media it has dealt a very big blow to the reputations of Vladimir Putin and the Russian military.

While hardcore Putin supporters living in St Petersburg and Moscow told The Telegraph that the Kremlin would shrug off the Ukrainian attack on the Kursk region and then finish off Ukraine as revenge, others said that people were becoming more wary.

One person living in a large Russian city said on condition of anonymity that work colleagues had discussed the attack and that they sounded more afraid.

One of my acquaintances is on the way to Kursk now, her mum lives there and she wants to take her away because of the fighting, the person said.

Ordinary Russians nervousness and accusations of incompetence and duplicity levelled at Valery Gerasimov, Russias top general, will alarm Putin who has relied on his usually hardcore propaganda to maintain public support for his war in Ukraine.

He has sent tanks, conscripts and mercenary units filled with hardened former Wagner fighters to Kursk to try and regain control of the border region.

According to news reports, Volodymyr Zelensky personally ordered the military incursion into Russia.

In a Telegram message to Ukrainians on Saturday night, the president acknowledged the attack as strategically important for the first time.

Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice and guarantees exactly this kind of pressure is needed, pressure on the aggressor, he said.

It has also given Ukrainians a major moral boost. In Ukraine, people have been celebrating, cheering on Ukrainian soldiers who they feel are giving ordinary Russians a taste of their own medicine.

Combined with the F-16 arrivals, it is finally giving people something positive to talk about, said a senior Western aid worker based in Kyiv.

They love it.

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Nightmare Fuel

As federal regulators wrap up their hearing into the Boeing plane door blowout debacle from earlier this year, one flight attendant's horrifying testimony is highlighting the terror of the entire situation.

The Washington Post reports that during testimony before the National Transportation Safety Board, an unnamed flight attendant told investigators that at one point, she literally had to ask passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines flight to Portland if anyone had been ejected from the plane.

"At the point where I first saw the hole, I saw five empty seats," the flight attendant told NTSB investigators soon after the incident, which was recounted during the agency's hearings this week into the fiasco. "So I was absolutely certain that we had lost people out of the hole and that we had casualties."

As the newspaper notes, the document cache from the regulators' investigation includes thousands of pages of interview transcripts with the four Alaska Airlines flight attendants they spoke to in the wake of the January 5 incident.

In them, the attendants detailed the chaos and panic surrounding the fuselage blowout, from the screaming children and unaccompanied five-year-old on his very first flight to the dreadful sensation of the explosive decompression that occurred as the door plug popped out mid-flight.

Traumatic Memory

By the time the plane had landed at its destination in Portland, the attendants who'd been busy trying to manage the nightmare scenario still weren't sure if anyone had been sucked out when the door flew off, which regulators believe occurred due to it missing all four of the bolts that were supposed to keep it in place.

The moment the incident occurred also sounds like something out of a horror film. The flight had been going normally and had ascended 16,000 feet when a hiss preceded a cannon-like boom. Overhead masks fell and lights turned on as panic ensued, the attendants told the NTSB.

"It was like an eternity of just disbelief," one of the AA employees told investigators.

When trying to figure out what had happened, one of the attendants realized when surveying the passenger aisles that a woman's hair was flapping in the wind from blowout  and that was how she realized that there was a whole hole in the side of the plane.

"'We lost passengers,'" an attendant recalled a colleague saying. "'We lost passengers out the window.'"

Luckily, that specific outcome of this worst-case-scenario didn't occur  especially considering that so much has happened with Boeing in the interim.

More on the Boeing hearings: Boeing Contractors Say They Were Treated Like "Cockroaches"
GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Florida teen  who has already run 1,500 miles on behalf of first responders  is planning to run a mile in honor of Sumner County Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford.

Sheriff Weatherford dedicated more than four decades to his community and died suddenly at the age of 65 on Friday, Aug. 2.

Thousands attend funeral for beloved Sumner County sheriff

Family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers described Weatherford as an unmeasurable man.

Thousands gathered in Hendersonville at Long Hollow Church on Friday, Aug. 9, to honor the sheriffs life.

Now, Zechariah Cartledge is planning to honor Weatherford with his Running 4 Heroes Inc. organization.

Community mourns loss of Sumner County Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford

Cartledge founded the organization when he was just 10 years old and has previously ran for first responders who have lost their lives.

In 2019, Cartledge ran a mile to honor Master Patrol Officer Spencer Bristol. The Hendersonville officer was hit and killed by a vehicle in December during a pursuit on I-65 South near Goodlettsville. Last year, the nonprofits founder also ran in honor of Sgt. William Cherry, who died in an on-duty crash.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

On Sunday, Aug. 11, the teen plans to run a mile in honor of Sheriff Weatherford. According to the nonprofit, the run will take place at 6:30 p.m. CT in Winter Park, Florida and everyone is encouraged to run in their own community to pay respects to the sheriff.

If you would like to donate to the nonprofit, click here.

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Former factory farmers turn to alternative farming trend thanks to a dedicated organization: 'This is the healthy way of making food'

Farmers across the U.S. are ditching industrial livestock farms for more sustainable and healthier vegetable farms, per a report by the Guardian.

Thanks to Transfarmation, an organization dedicated to helping farmers leave poultry farming and begin vegetable farming, farmers now have the resources and knowledge to make the sustainable switch.

On top of providing farmers with technical support, Transfarmation also gives grants ranging between $10,000 and $20,000 to farmers transitioning away from poultry farming.

Transfarmation director Tyler Whitley told the Guardian that the biggest barrier farmers face is a knowledge gap.

"It's very different raising chickens versus raising fresh fruits and vegetables, very different working for Tyson versus having to find your own customers," Whitley said.

The idea of Transfarmation grew out of the animal rights advocacy group Mercy for Animals. Leah Garces, president of Mercy for Animals, teamed up with former poultry farmer Craig Watts to develop the project. After years of working for Perdue, Watts made headlines for revealing the horrible conditions the company's chickens lived in.

Together, the team at Transfarmation has made it possible for poultry farmers across the U.S. to start their own vegetable farms.

Tom Lim, a former poultry farmer, is one of the farmers who has made the switch with the help of Transfarmation. Lim and his wife, Sokchea, have started to turn their chicken barns into greenhouses with the goal of transforming their land into a viable vegetable farm.

"To make a living growing vegetables on my land is my dream," Lim told the Guardian. "This is the healthy way of making food. In the chicken house, you deal with ammonia, the smell, insects, all that. Versus the greenhouse, you go in there it just feels fresh and healthy."

Other poultry farmers like Lim are also leaving industrial poultry farms for more sustainable vegetable farms. Transfarmation is also helping Watts transition his own farm into a vegetable farm.

Massive industrial livestock farms pose a risk not only to the environment but also to the workers tending the site. Poultry farmers like Lim and Watts can get sick from breathing inside the chicken house all day due to the ammonia in chicken waste.

Making the switch from livestock farming to vegetable farming also helps reduce the amount of harmful pollutants entering the atmosphere. According to a report by the University of Georgia, the manure and waste from poultry farms releases planet-warming gases into the environment.

By transitioning away from industrial poultry farming and toward more sustainable vegetable farms, farmers across the U.S. can create a healthier environment for themselves and the planet.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Military veteran Ray Decker, left, speaks with former Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, right, as Howard Grinager looks on during a USS South Dakota memorial event in Sioux Falls on Aug. 10, 2024. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota)

Military veteran Ray Decker, left, speaks with former Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, right, as Howard Grinager looks on during a USS South Dakota memorial event in Sioux Falls on Aug. 10, 2024. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota)

SIOUX FALLS  South Dakotas voter turnout has disappointed some military veterans.

Former Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, has launched an initiative urging citizens to Vote in Honor of a Veteran, emphasizing the sacrifices made by military personnel to secure the democratic rights Americans enjoy.

We always think that government is they, but it really is us, Michels said. We the people.

Michels shared the pitch Saturday to a crowd of about 100 during the annual USS South Dakota Day of Honor in Sioux Falls. He handed out sheets of stickers showcasing the slogan to fellow veterans, who were enthusiastic about the effort.

Its really about voting in honor of America, said Douglas Starr, a World War II and Korean War veteran.

Michels said he will continue sharing the message with veteran organizations in the state.

The event, held on the second Saturday of August, commemorates the legacy of one of the most decorated ships of World War II. The ship gained fame for its actions in the European and Pacific theatres, participating in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Michels told a story from the second battle of Guadalcanal, in which the ships electrical system became disabled as the ship was under fire from Japanese destroyers. He said the ship received 27 hits, including a 14-inch shell that hit the rear turret. During this battle, 40 crew members were killed and 180 were wounded.

Including 12-year-old Calvin Leon Graham, who had lied about his age to enlist, Michels said. He was the youngest American to fight in the war.

Decommissioned in 1947, the battleship remains a symbol of service. The USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial, which hosted Saturdays event, includes a concrete outline of the ships main deck and the actual anchor, propeller, a 16-inch gun barrel, mast and exhibit hall.

Proving authoritarians wrong

Michels described the heroism displayed during World War II as continuing a fight for freedom that began with the American Revolution.

If we pause and think about how this nation was started, Michels said. At the time, there were no nations that were governed by regular people. The monarchs, the kings and queens, those people were controlling everything. And those people thought regular people were too dumb. That they couldnt handle it.

Michels said its every Americans duty to prove authoritarians wrong.

Everyone 18 and over can honor these women and men who have protected us, served us, given their lives, he said. What is it we can do? We can vote.

Turnout across South Dakota in the June primary election was historically low at 17%  the lowest percentage since the state began combining presidential primaries with other primary races in 2000.

Its offensive, Michels said.

For those who were too busy to vote, Michels has a message: Yeah, well, a lot of people were too busy serving you and dying so that you would have this right.

Michels served as lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2019 and served prior to that in the Legislature. He was born in Pierre, grew up in Vermillion, and graduated from the University of South Dakota. He worked as a nurse from 1981 to 1985 while earning a law degree at USD. He then attended Naval Justice School and became a U.S. Navy officer, serving as a lawyer. He was honorably discharged in 1989.

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LAS VEGAS  The hack and leak operation aimed at the presidential campaign of former President Donald Trump could be a troubling sign of more cyberattacks to come between now and November, experts and officials are warning.

After POLITICO broke the news of the hack on Saturday, talk of it rippled through the DEF CON conference  one of the worlds largest gatherings of hackers, as it closed out its final day. At DEF CONs Voting Village, where security researchers rip apart voting infrastructure to find flaws, attendees were talking just as much about the worries for campaigns as they were about the security of ballot-casting machines.

Nicole Tisdale, a former director on the White House National Security Council, told a packed audience that shed changed what she planned to discuss on her panel after waking up to the news.

The idea that hack and leaks are going to happen in 2024 has been previewed and we have our first hack and leak of the Trump campaign today, said Tisdale, who is now an adviser to the Aspen Institutes Cyber Program.

Buckle up, Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, posted Saturday. Someone is running the 2016 playbook, expect continued efforts to stoke fires in society and go after election systems.

The hack involved the compromise of international communications documents by what the Trump campaign described as foreign sources hostile to the United States and blamed Iranian hackers, citing a report released by Microsoft Friday detailing how Iranian hackers were targeting an unnamed presidential campaign. POLITICO has not independently verified the identity of the hackers.

Its far from the first time presidential campaigns have been targeted in this way, and for some experts, it immediately brought to mind the hack and leak operation by the Russian government in the summer of 2016 against the campaign of then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. That effort involved both leaking emails from the Clinton campaign, as well as targeting voter registration databases in multiple U.S. states.

If theyre going into the more hack and dump type thing in 2016, thats obviously bad, and I would hope  that both campaigns are against hacking of any campaign so that we dont have a repeat of 2016, Jake Braun, former acting deputy principal national cybersecurity director, said Saturday on the sidelines of the DEF CON hacking conference.

The compromise of the Trump campaign is already raising concerns on Capitol Hill. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committees cyber subcommittee, told POLITICO Saturday night that he was hoping to be briefed in the next few days by federal agencies on the issue, and that he would be returning to Washington, D.C., from the summer congressional recess for this.

Foreign interference of any kind to help any party is wrong, and the best antidote is unity in condemning it, Swalwell said. If this is indeed a foreign hack, Donald Trump is lucky he will not be treated as dishonorably as he treated Secretary Clinton in 2016.

The Biden administration has been on high alert for this type of effort. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence put out a report last month warning that Russia, China and Iran were all likely to interfere in the upcoming election, and intelligence officials briefed reporters that foreign hackers were probing U.S. voting systems. Mark Montgomery, senior director at Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said these three nations are actively working to destabilize the U.S election process through cyber malicious activity.

Their ultimate aim is to undermine the American publics trust in the democratic process, and a hack like this serves exactly this purpose, Montgomery said.

A spokesperson for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency declined to comment on whether the agency had been in touch with the Trump campaign, or on whether CISA officials would be among those to brief Swalwell and other lawmakers, referring POLITICO to the Justice Department. Spokespersons for DOJ did not respond to a request for comment on both issues.
(WHTM)  While Patrick Murphy served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing southeastern Pennsylvania, he was also roommates with then-Congressman, now Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz in Washington D.C.

We were both in the Army, we were going through orientation as members of Congress, we both had young families we got the cheapest, crappiest apartment we could find, recounted Murphy.

(Walz) was a phenomenal roommate, Murphy added. You know why? He was a Command Seargent Major in the Army for 24 years so it was all about having it high and tight.

Murphy said Walz was an inspirational leader who did great work.

Our analyst, Danielle Gross of Clear Point Communications and Christopher Nicholas of Eagle Consulting, also discuss Josh Shapiros week on the national stage as a finalist for Kamala Harris running mate.

Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the weeks biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.

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Former President Trump plans campaign visit to Asheville on Wednesday

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Former President Donald Trump will be visiting North Carolina this coming week, according to his campaign.

A trip to Asheville for a rally on Wednesday will be the Republican presidential nominees second visit to North Carolina in three weeks.

Trump was in Charlotte for a rally on July 24.

In the visit to Asheville, Trump plans to speak about the economy, according to a Saturday news release.

The speech is set for 4 p.m. on August 14 at Harrahs Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St. in Asheville.

Doors for the event open at 1 p.m. and general admission tickets are available by registering.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against Trump for president, was scheduled to visit North Carolina this past week but the trip was canceled because of impacts from Tropical Storm Debby.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The News

Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, a pivotal figure in Googles early success, died at 56. Her husband said Wojcicki had been living with lung cancer for two years. She is survived by her four children.

After Wojcicki and her husband rented their garage in 1998 to Sergey Brin and Larry Page who were then working on Google, she joined the company as its 16th employee, devising the idea of allowing other websites to install Google search boxes on their own pages and creating an advertisement-brokering software, which gave the start-up a boost over established competitors.

She pushed Google to buy YouTube in 2006, and became the CEO of the video platform eight years later, growing it into a more than $30 billion company through ads and subscriptions, while contending with several controversial content moderation and regulatory issues.

Rarely the loudest voice in the room, Wojcicki developed a reputation as perhaps the most important Google employee few people heard of outside of the companys walls, The Wall Street Journal wrote.

In a tribute on X, Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote that Wojcicki was as core to the history of Google as anyone, and its hard to imagine the world without her.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks during his visit to the headquarters of the Philippine Navy "Jose Andrada Naval Station". Soeren Stache/dpa

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has shown himself open to a debate on the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany.

"[The debate is] important so that we as a society can, after weighing all the arguments, come to a position that we can all live with," the Social Democrat (SPD) politician told the broadsheet daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).

"We need this public debate to make it clear how serious the situation is: On the one hand, we are experiencing a new threat situation in Europe due to the aggressive stance of Russia, and on the other hand, we have a capability gap that we can only close in the short term with the help of our US allies until we have developed these weapons ourselves," said Pistorius.

On the sidelines of a NATO summit in Washington, the US government and the German government announced that, from 2026, the US intends to once again station intermediate-range weapons with conventional warheads in Germany, which would reach far into Russia.

These are expected to include Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometres, SM-6 missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons.

Criticism from within his own party ranks

Pistorius has faced criticism from his own party for this stance. For example, SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mutzenich warned of the risk of military escalation.

SPD Bundestag member Ralf Stegner spoke out against further armament.

SPD left-wing members demanded that the party grass roots be involved in the discussion on this issue.

The defence minister told the FAZ that his duty was to protect people from external dangers.

"And I have held this position multiple times in public since the announcement of this plan at the NATO summit in Washington and have received much support for it," Pistorius said.

"It goes without saying that we also have discussions behind closed doors within the parliamentary group." He emphasized that the debate did not have "sharp opposition within the SPD."
Palestinians carry their belongings as they flee Hamad City towards Al-Mawasi after the Israeli army dropped leaflets demanding that residents of a northern neighborhood in Khan Younis evacuate immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

The German Foreign Office on Sunday again called for a ceasefire in Gaza, one day after an Israeli airstrike on a school in the territory reportedly killed dozens of civilians.

"The reports from Gaza are terrible. The killing of civilians seeking protection is unacceptable. The repeated attacks on schools by the Israeli army must stop and be investigated quickly," the ministry wrote on the social media platform X.

"The entire region urgently needs the humanitarian ceasefire proposed by the US, Egypt and Qatar and the release of the hostages. This opportunity to alleviate the suffering must now be seized as a matter of urgency," the ministry added.

It also criticized the Palestinian militant group Hamas for using civilians as human shields.

The Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza said at least 93 people were killed in Saturday's strike in Gaza City, which Israel said targeted Hamas commanders.

Palestinians flee Hamad City towards Al-Mawasi after the Israeli army dropped leaflets demanding residents of a northern neighborhood in Khan Younis to evacuate immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Palestinians carry their belongings as they flee Hamad City towards Al-Mawasi after the Israeli army dropped leaflets demanding that residents of a northern neighborhood in Khan Younis evacuate immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Palestinians flee Hamad City towards Al-Mawasi after the Israeli army dropped leaflets demanding residents of a northern neighborhood in Khan Younis to evacuate immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
Germany to further limit knives in public after rise in attacks

Germany's Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser takes part in a press conference on the completion of the testing of critical components in 5G communication networks. Michael Kappeler/dpa

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Sunday said she wants to "further restrict the use of knives in public," amid a marked rise in knife crime.

Faeser told the Sunday edition of the German mass-circulation Bild newspaper that the coalition government is aiming to "create a general ban on handling dangerous flick knives."

The existing legal limit for knives carried in public of 12 centimetres is set to be shortened to 6 centimetres, the minister said.

"We will be submitting corresponding amendments to the weapons legislation shortly," she added.

According to police statistics, 8,951 cases of dangerous and grievous bodily harm were reported last year involving the use or threat of using knives, an increase of 5.6% on the previous year.

German police have registered more knife attacks in the first half of 2024, especially at railway stations, the newspaper said.

The interior minister of the southern state of Bavaria, Joachim Herrmann, criticized Faeser's plan as "symbolic politics."

"It is doubtful that further knife bans can solve the problem of knife crime," Herrmann told Monday's edition of the Munchner Merkur newspaper in comments seen in advance by dpa.

The recent stabbing of a police officer in the south-western city of Mannheim, for example, was "committed with a knife that was and is already prohibited under current law," he added.

Herrmann, from the opposition Christian Social Union (CSU) party, also questioned how the ban would be implemented in public places.

"Without consistent checks, further bans would only provide a false sense of security," he argued.

Deterrence through the threat of punishment is also hardly convincing, Hermann added. Instead, he suggested giving police more powers to search suspects and to focus on stopping repeat offenders.
Germany must be ready for war with Russia in 5 years, commander says

Germany should be prepared for a large-scale military conflict in five years, Captain Michael Giss, commander of the Hamburg State Command of the German Armed Forces, said in an interview with Die Welt published Aug. 11.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany has increased its military budget and pushed to ramp up its defense-industrial capacities.

"In Germany, we are still miles away from perceiving an external threat today, quite different from people in the Baltic states or Poland, for example," Giss told Die Welt.

"But my internal clock as a soldier is running and tells me that in five years' time we will have to be resilient as a society to withstand an external military threat."

Berlin began drawing up its "Operation Plan Germany," a national military preparedness strategy in partnership with NATO, in March 2023 in response to Russia's invasion. Giss said the plan calls for Germany to prepare for "a conventional attack by Russia within five years."

According to Giss, Russia is already engaged in hybrid warfare against NATO, having carried out cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns "for several years."

A growing list of countries have joined Germany in renewed military vigilance, warning that the Alliance must be better prepared for a potential war with Russia.

"The whole of Germany must be made ready for war," Giss said.

Read also: Opinion: The path to peace in Europe

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
"Remigration" is written on a poster at a protest camp against the opening of new refugee accommodation. Bodo Schackow/dpa

German police registered far fewer attacks on refugees and asylum seekers in the first half of 2024 than in the same period last year, preliminary figures suggest.

A total of 519 incidents were recorded in the first six months of the year, according to a government tally seen by dpa that was calculated in response to a parliamentary question from the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party.

According to the report, investigators recorded 1,155 assaults on refugees in the first half of last year - in the whole of 2023, the figure was 2,450.

However, the Interior Ministry emphasized that the figures for 2024 are provisional and may still change considerably in some cases due to subsequent and amended reports.

The cases include attacks against asylum seekers and refugees outside accommodation centres and criminal offences such as incitement to hatred, coercion and grievous bodily harm.

In the first half of 2024, 46 people were injured in such incidents, including six children, according to the response.

The vast majority of the attacks - 88% - are attributed by police to Germany's far-right scene. According to the statistics, there were also 69 attacks on refugee accommodation.

The Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung newspaper said attacks were highest in the eastern states of Saxony and Thuringia, where state elections are to be held on September 1.
Christian Lindner, Germany's Finance Minister, takes part in the press conference on the draft budget for 2025 and the supplementary budget for 2024. Michael Kappeler/dpa

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, the leader of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), has defended the planned deployment of long-range US missiles in Germany.

"Germany has been within range of Russia's nuclear-capable missiles for years. It is therefore of paramount importance to us that we establish a balance of deterrence," Lindner told the Funke media group in comments published on Sunday.

On the sidelines of July's NATO summit, it was announced by Berlin and Washington 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 decision caught some in Berlin by surprise.

Several parties, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's own centre-left Social Democrats, have criticized the plan and called for it to be referred to parliament for debate.

Regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November, Lindner said the United States must remain in Berlin's diplomatic focus.

"I am not resigned to the fact that the trans-Atlantic partnership is weakening," he said. "Even with difficult dialogue partners, we will have to do everything we can to convince the US that engagement in Europe is in its own interests."
German Chancellor Scholz speaks to the media following the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West in decades

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's chancellor has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that he should conclude a deal on a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas, a German government spokesperson said on Sunday.

Many military objectives in the fight against Hamas have been achieved while civilian casualties and human suffering in Gaza are enormous, Olaf Scholz told Netanyahu, according to a German government statement.

"An end to the war in Gaza would be a decisive step towards a regional de-escalation," the spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) follows from the stands the men's basketball 3rd place match between Germany and Serbia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Marcus Brandt/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday expressed concern about the danger of a regional war in the Middle East during a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a government spokesman said in Berlin.

The conversation came one day after an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza reportedly killed dozens of civilians, with the German Foreign Office later calling the attack "unacceptable" and calling for a ceasefire.

Scholz told Netanyahu that the German government strongly condemns threats from Iran, Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and others against the security of Israel and its citizens, spokesman Wolfgang Buchner said.

The chancellor stressed the need to "break the destructive spiral of retaliatory violence, reduce tensions and work constructively for de-escalation," the spokesman said.

Scholz also reiterated that the time has come to finalize an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by militants in the Palestinian territory.

He said that "many military goals" in the fight against Hamas have been achieved, but the human suffering in the Gaza Strip continues and is "enormous."

Concerns about a conflagration in the Middle East have grown. Iran and its allied militias have announced they are planning retaliatory strikes against Israel following the killing of two leading figures from Hamas and Hezbollah.

German Foreign Office denounces Israeli strike

Later on Sunday, the German Foreign Office again called for a ceasefire in Gaza, after denouncing Israel's strike on the school in Gaza City which sparked international condemnation.

"The reports from Gaza are terrible. The killing of civilians seeking protection is unacceptable. The repeated attacks on schools by the Israeli army must stop and be investigated quickly," the ministry wrote on the social media platform X.

"The entire region urgently needs the humanitarian ceasefire proposed by the US, Egypt and Qatar and the release of the hostages. This opportunity to alleviate the suffering must now be seized as a matter of urgency," the ministry added.

It also criticized Hamas for using civilians as human shields.

The Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza said at least 93 people were killed in Saturday's strike in Gaza City, which Israel said targeted Hamas commanders.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets with athletes during his visit to the German House in Paris. Jan Woitas/dpa
Former President Donald Trump continued his obsession with crowd size on Sunday, claiming photos that showed a large crowd outside Vice President Kamala Harris Detroit rally last week were AI-generated. But one photographer who was in attendance confirmed to the Daily Beast that the images his camera captured were very real.

Has anyone noticed that Kamala CHEATED at the airport? Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday. There was nobody at the plane, and she A.I.d it, and showed a massive crowd of so-called followers, BUT THEY DIDNT EXIST! She was turned in by a maintenance worker at the airport when he noticed the fake crowd picture, but there was nobody there, later confirmed by the reflection of the mirror like finish on the Vice Presidential Plane. Shes a CHEATER. She had NOBODY waiting, and the crowd looked like 10,000 people! Same thing is happening with her fake crowds at her speeches.

Trump then shared another photo of the Aug. 7 crowd from a distance and again claimed it was a fake crowd.

The former presidents sudden posts amplified a burgeoning right-wing conspiracy, which seemingly started on Saturday after far-right filmmaker and election denier Dinesh DSouza posted a photo from the rally on his X account with areas of the planes body circled.

Check the reflection in the plane, he wrote. Does this look like a real picture to you?

Check the reflection in the plane. Does this look like a real picture to you? pic.twitter.com/FQ873CEDCU  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) August 10, 2024

Trump ran with this narrative despite numerous photos and videos from the rally that showed thousands of people awaiting the arrival of Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The press pool captured nearly every angle of the event, from scenes of Harris and Walz on the steps of Air Force Two to the two addressing the raucous crowd from the stage.

VIDEO: Huge crowd for Kamala Harris in Michigan pic.twitter.com/1JJ7zPjuH9  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 7, 2024

Getty Images photographer Andrew Harnik covered the rally on Wednesday and tells the Daily Beast the crowd was significantly large enough that it spilled into the tarmac. The campaign also set up large LED screens so that attendees could see and hear the speeches.

It was a large crowd, and the pictures that I took that are on the Getty website speak to that, Harnik says.

People attend a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on August 7, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Andrew Harnik/Getty

Harnik explains that he used a zoom lens, a camera attachment commonly used by photographers that allows them to change the framing of a scene without moving from their spot. A high-end zoom lens allows a photographer to capture a subject from afar, though it can give photos a flat look and make the subject appear much closer than they arein this case, a plane to a crowd.

The plane is actually a pretty far distance from the crowd, Harnik adds.

2165785800 "DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 07: Air Force Two arrives with Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as they prepare to hold a campaign event on August 7, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Kamala Harris and her newly selected running mate Tim Walz are campaigning across the country this week. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)" Andrew Harnik

The Getty Images photographer has covered politics for decades, including Trumps past presidential campaigns, and says photographers simply capture whats in front of themwithout fear or favor: We keep our own opinions to ourselves and just cover what we see in front of us.

The efforts appeared to be part of Trumps quest to define the vice president after she stepped up to the top of the ticket last month, energizing Democrats and prompting a surge in financial and political support. Fresh New York Times polls on Saturday showed Harris leading Trump in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, contributing to a reported rage-fest from Trump in private thats begun to bleed into public view.

EVERYTHING ABOUT KAMALA IS FAKE! Trump wrote in another Truth Social post on Sunday.

The Trump and Harris campaigns did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment. Harris senior adviser David Plouffe posted that Trumps falsehoods were not conspiratorial rantings from the deepest recesses of the internet, but instead one of someone who could have the nuclear codes and be responsible for decisions that will affect us all for decades.

MAGA Plagiarism Meltdown Over Kamala Copying Trump Idea

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The GOP continues to hammer Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over his military record, with the Harris campaign quickly pivoting to quell fresh questions on his deployment during the Afghanistan War.

Walzs 24 years in the Army National Guard have come under intense scrutiny by Republicans since he was tapped as Vice President Harriss running mate, particularly on the question of whether he misrepresented his service.

In the latest attack, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.)  chair of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee  sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking if Walzs embellishments amounted to stolen valor.

The letter comes after a flurry of GOP lawmakers led by vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) piled onto Waltz for leaving the guard ahead of his units deployment to Iraq.

Vance, himself a Marine Corps veteran, also bashed Walz over a 2018 clip of him speaking out against gun violence, in which he says: We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at. The remarks suggest that Walz portrayed himself as having been in a combat zone.

In the Thursday letter to Austin, first reported by Axios, Banks writes of his concerns about how Walz represented his time in the guard.

The American people deserve transparency into the military records of service-members who serve in public office and especially when they represent such service as credentials for public office, he wrote.

Misrepresentation and deceit intended to mislead the public about their service erode the integrity of our military and impact all Americans who choose to serve.

Harriss presidential campaign quickly attempted damage control, issuing a statement Friday that asserts Walz misspoke in the video released by the campaign this past week, according to a campaign spokesperson.

Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any Americans service to this country  in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. Its the American way, they said in a statement, as reported by NBC News.

In making the case for why weapons of war should never be on our streets or in our classrooms, the Governor misspoke. He did handle weapons of war and believes strongly that only military members trained to carry those deadly weapons should have access to them, unlike Donald Trump and JD Vance who prioritize the gun lobby over our children, the spokesperson added.

The campaign also updated its online biography of Walzs military service, noting on its website that he once served at the command sergeant major rank. The change, first reported by Politico, is a small tweak from its earlier reference to the vice presidential nominee as a retired command sergeant major.

The website for Walzs gubernatorial office in Minnesota still describes him as Command Sergeant Major Walz.

Walz did serve as a command sergeant major while in the military, but he retired one step down as a master sergeant, as he had not completed required coursework for the higher rank.

The National Guard in the past has said Walz served as a command sergeant major while in the guard.

Walz attained the rank of command sergeant major and served in that role but retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefit purposes due to not completing additional coursework, Army public affairs officer Lt. Col. Kristen Auge said in a 2022 statement to the Star Tribune.

But that hasnt stopped Republicans from accusing the Minnesota governor of stolen valor, the act of wearing or claiming to have received unearned military awards or ranks.

The attacks have been a main component of the GOP offensive against the Harris-Walz ticket as they look to combat the overwhelming rush of support Democrats have enjoyed since Walz was announced as Harriss running mate.

Vance, who deployed to Iraq but never saw combat, suggested that Walz was inflating his credentials and that he abandoned his unit ahead of its deployment to Iraq to avoid serving in a war zone.

When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him, Vance said at a Michigan campaign event Wednesday.

And in his letter, Banks presses the Pentagon on when Walz started his retirement process, whether he was deployed overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan to serve in combat, and whether he misrepresented his service.

He also asked Austin if he believes Walz falsely claiming to have carried a combat weapon in war constitutes stolen valor, and whether there are consequences for service members who have lied about their military record.

Democrats, meanwhile, have staunchly pushed back on the accusations, stressing that Walz left the service to run for the U.S. House in May 2005 before a deployment order was given to his unit in August of that year. One man who served under Walz backed up that claim, telling NewsNations Joe Khalil that Walz suspected he might be deployed soon but had been given no such official order at the time of his retirement.

After 24 years of military service, Governor Walz retired in 2005 and ran for Congress, where he chaired Veterans Affairs and was a tireless advocate for our men and women in uniform  and as Vice President of the United States he will continue to be a relentless champion for our veterans and military families, the Harris campaign said in a statement of support.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
William Freeman was destitute, disabled, nearly friendless and without future prospects, all before his 21st birthday.

He'd just served five years in Auburn State Prison for stealing a horse; he swore he didn't do it. Unceasing prison labor had brought him debilitating injury but not even nominal compensation. All he got when he left the prison in September 1845 was two dollars, ideally to catch a stagecoach or train out of the city.

Freeman had few advantages, but he was determined.

A 1929 photograph of Auburn Correctional Facility.

"I have worked five years for nothing, and they have got to pay," he said over and over. What may have sounded at the time like empty muttering soon proved to be the kernel of a gruesome quadruple murder and the subject of a new book, "Freeman's Challenge."

Author Robin Bernstein, a historian at Harvard University, uses Freeman's case to interrogate the economic and racial foundations of the early Northern carceral system. The state prison in Auburn, founded in 1817 and operated continuously to the present, was one of the most influential prisons in the United States.

At issue was the very purpose of incarceration. Advocates elsewhere posited rehabilitation or punishment. Auburn found a third way: profit.

"Unlike their counterparts who built prisons in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and other nearby states, Auburn's leaders had no discernible interest in reform," Bernstein writes. "They viewed a prison as a vehicle by which to soak up state funds, build banking, stimulate commerce, manufacture goods, and developed land and waterways. In short, they reimagined the prison as an infrastructure for capitalism."

Cover of "Freeman's Challenge," by Robin Bernstein.

The role of unpaid convict labor

By the time 15-year-old Freeman was incarcerated in 1840, the system was working exactly as designed. The city of Auburn had swelled, and nearly the entire local economy was dependent on the prison in one way or another.

Unpaid convict labor factored in prominently. Freeman, whose grandfather had been enslaved by the city's founder, rebelled ferociously against prison rules that forbade talking, looking people in the eye or otherwise interfering with the manufacturing apparatus. He was beaten repeatedly while incarcerated, including one particularly brutal incident that left him deaf and, perhaps, mentally disabled for the brief remainder of his life.

More: Rochester man wrote first Black prison memoir from Auburn

Again and again after his release, Freeman demanded restitution for his work in the prison, to no avail. His constant refrain  "they have got to pay"  became distinctly threatening.

About six months after his release from prison, Freeman walked three miles south of Auburn, eventually coming to a house owned by a local white family for whom he briefly had worked. He knocked and was let in, then proceeded to stab five inhabitants, killing four.

Among them were a pregnant woman and a 2-year-old boy.

The crime shocked the region. When he was captured the next morning, Freeman gave an explanation that was consistent but seemingly insufficient: "(He) said the state owed him for five years' work, and they had to pay him, or someone had got to pay him."

In this sentiment, Bernstein finds an eloquent if unexpected indictment of the brutal conditions at Auburn State Prison as well as the economic basis of the institution and the city itself.

"Freeman saw what anyone could see if they cared to look: the state and the prison were operating through each other, both politically and economically," she writes. "The resulting violence could not be confined to the prison, no matter how thick the walls."

That was not the popular view at the time. White journalists, prosecutors, clergymen and the public at large rejected Freeman's explanation and proposed others. The crime was proof of inherent Black savagery, they said  but not insanity, a defense that might have kept Freeman from the noose.

William Seward steps into the story

Freeman was defended by Auburn's most prominent citizen, former New York Governor and later Secretary of State William Seward. He conceded Black people's inherent deficiencies but placed the blame for the crimes on white society for having failed to raise Freeman and the rest of Auburn's small Black population from their natural debased state.

"Prosecution and defense agreed, then, that Black people needed white assistance and supervision  without which they would commit crimes," Bernstein writes. "In both narratives, Freeman's murders proved that white people needed to control Black lives."

A jury determined that Freeman was sane enough to face the murder charges and another one quickly convicted him. He avoided execution only by dying in prison in August 1847, age 22.

Robin Bernstein

Freeman's critique was largely ignored during his life but was taken up by Frederick Douglass, who called his demand for compensation a "righteous demand."

Bernstein agrees and fits the 180-year-old story into a modern-day call for prison abolition.

"Prison as we know it was constructed, challenged, defended, adjusted, and re-entrenched by individuals working in concert," she writes. "By understanding their actions, we can imagine alternatives."

 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: 'They have got to pay': Book finds prison critique in quadruple murder
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, campaign in Eau Claire, Wis., on Wednesday.

Statement: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation giving free college  to illegal immigrants.

Republican critics of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the running mate of Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris, have focused on his immigration policies.

"Not only did Governor Tim Walz sign legislation giving free college and free health care to illegal immigrants, but he sat on the sidelines and watched Minneapolis burn for four days straight," U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote Tuesday on X.

We are examining Walzs record on health care for people in the country illegally and his response to riots after George Floyds May 2020 death in separate fact-checks. Here, we wanted to check whether Walz offered "free college  to illegal immigrants."

The Republican National Committees X account, conservative pundit Charlie Kirk and former National Intelligence acting Director Richard Grenell made similar claims about tuition.

The short story: Walz signed a scholarship program into law that covers tuition at Minnesota public colleges and universities for students who meet family income restrictions. Students in the country illegally qualify for the aid under certain conditions.

Program covers public college tuition for need-based eligible students

"Not only did Governor Tim Walz sign legislation giving free college and free health care to illegal immigrants, but he sat on the sidelines and watched Minneapolis burn for four days straight," U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote Tuesday on X.

In May 2023, Walz signed the North Star Promise Scholarship into law.

The program, part of a larger higher education bill, awards tuition scholarships to eligible students whose families earn less than $80,000. Scholarship amounts will vary; the state would pay what isnt covered by a students grants, financial aid and scholarships.

Students eligible for the Minnesota Dream Act can apply for the scholarship. That 2013 law, which came during Democratic Gov. Mark Daytons administration, makes students who attended a Minnesota high school for at least three years and graduated or received a GED certificate in Minnesota eligible for certain benefits, even if they are in the country illegally. Benefits include access to in-state tuition, state financial aid and private aid to attend Minnesota public colleges and universities.

The Walz-backed scholarship program will begin in the 2024-25 school year, "so as of now, no Minnesotan has received funding through the program yet," said Keith Hovis, communications director for Minnesotas Office of Higher Education.

To keep the scholarship, students must satisfy their college or universitys GPA standards.

In the 2021-22 school year, 314 Minnesotan students received financial aid through the Minnesota Dream Act. However, not everyone who is eligible for financial aid qualifies for the scholarship program, Hovis said.

In May, the Minnesota Legislature renewed the scholarship program. The original bill earmarked $117 million for the program. The second bill transferred $5 million of that money to a different college tuition grant program for certain students who went through foster care. Eligible students who are in the U.S. illegally also qualify for that grant.

A Republican senator introduced an amendment to restrict the scholarship program to students legally residing in Minnesota. But the amendment failed in a 34-33 party-line vote with Democrats in the majority.

The Migration Policy Institute, a think tank, estimates that 81,000 people in the U.S. illegally live in Minnesota. The Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning think tank, reported that immigrants in Minnesota illegally contributed about $222 million in state tax revenue in 2022.

PolitiFact's ruling

Graham said Walz signed "legislation giving free college  to illegal immigrants."

Grahams statement is onto something, but is a touch too broad.

Walz signed two higher education bills in 2023 and 2024 that covered tuition costs at Minnesotas public colleges and universities for students whose families earn less than $80,000 annually.

Students who are illegally in the U.S. can apply for this tuition aid if they have attended a Minnesota school for at least three years, graduated or received a GED certificate in Minnesota, and satisfied other requirements for income and maintaining their schools GPA standards.

We rate Grahams statement Mostly True.

Our sources

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: PolitiFact: Walz signed law giving some migrants free in-state tuition
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY)  On Sunday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin weighed in on the fatal shooting of a Smyth County deputy.

Smyth County Sheriffs Office Deputy Hunter Reedy, 27, was killed Friday, Aug. 9 during a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 16 and Hatchery Drive in Marion, Virginia.

A second deputy, Michael Fedorchuk was also shot, he was released from an area hospital on Saturday afternoon, according to the Virginia State Police.

Deputy killed, another injured in Smyth County, Va. shooting

We ask for everyone to lift-up in prayer and support the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Hunter Reedy, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Its a stark reminder that our law enforcement heroes risk their lives every day and his bravery and commitment to protecting and serving the Smyth County community will never be forgotten. Suzanne and I are so grateful for the support being poured out for Deputy Reedys family. We continue to pray for the swift and full recovery of Deputy Fedorchuk, who was also struck by gunfire in the same incident. During this difficult time, we stand united in support of our entire law enforcement community and their families. Gov. Glenn Youngkin

On Saturday, Smyth County Commonwealths Attorney Phillip Blevins announced that Timothy Wayne Goodman, 65, of North Carolina has been charged with one count of aggravated murder, four counts of attempted aggravated murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
(SOUTHERN COLORADO)  Governor Jared Polis visited several locations in Pueblo and Chaffee Counties on Friday, Aug. 9, to launch new housing opportunities, discuss Colorados wildfire mitigation efforts, and join a ribbon cutting for the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo.

In Buena Vista, Gov. Polis cut the ribbon for the new Department of Corrections workforce housing units, which include 12 fully furnished two and three-bedroom units. The units were a collaborative effort between Fading West Development and the Colorado Department of Corrections to provide much-needed accessible housing for correctional professionals in Buena Vista.

These new units will provide needed housing to help attract and retain talent for the Department of Corrections and support the Buena Vista community, said Governor Polis.

Courtesy: Colorado Governor Jared Polis Office

Courtesy: Colorado Governor Jared Polis Office

Courtesy: Colorado Governor Jared Polis Office

The governor then visited the Midland Apartments in Buena Vista, which are expected to open in 2025 and will provide 60 units of low-cost housing, as well as an early childcare center. Here in Colorado we are taking major steps to create more housing that Coloradans can afford, and this effort in Buena Vista is a great example of what we are seeing more and more of across the state, said Polis.

Gov. Jared Polis visited Colorado Firecamp, a recipient of a Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation grant. The camp trains wildland firefighters and forest management crews to enhance Colorados wildfire response and mitigation efforts.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

Poliss last stop was the ribbon cutting for the 45th anniversary of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo, an important catalyst of Pueblos and Colorados economy.

Theres just so many great Hispanic entrepreneurs and business owners and of course, many Hispanic-serving businesses, and the Latino Chamber in Pueblo County is a place where they can really come together, said Polis. Over 500 members [are] supporting one another and supporting the growth of businesses and good jobs here in Pueblo County and beyond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Its Sunday, August 11. Take a look at our top stories with KELOLAND On The GO.

Authorities are investigating a weekend shooting at a race track in western Iowa.

Iowa speedway shooting

Were learning new information about a crash we first reported on Saturday morning.

1 dead in motorcycle/truck crash near Hartford Friday

Flags flew at half-staff across the state Saturday in honor of a South Dakota soldier who died during World War II.

Fallen South Dakota World War II soldier honored

The first half of the weekend was about as close to perfect as you could get. Between sunshine, seasonable temperatures, and low humiditythere was little to complain about. Today, however, may be a different story.

Scattered Storms Sunday; Warmer by Wednesday  Storm Center AM Update: Sunday, August 11

A Sioux Falls ministry known for being a church in a bar will soon have a new home.

A church in a bar has a new home

Check out our Boredom Busters!

Sunday Boredom Busters: August 11th

Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Hamas says it wont take part in cease-fire talks planned for this week

Hamas leadership said Sunday that it will not attend cease-fire negotiations this week, insisting instead that the U.S. and allies submit an action plan to implement its cease-fire proposal agreed to last month.

The statement from Hamas, acquired by The Associated Press, urges the U.S., Egypt and Qatar to show how they can implement last months proposal instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or new proposals that provide cover for the occupations aggression.

President Biden insisted earlier Sunday that the cease-fire proposal is still viable despite some pushback from Israeli leaders.

The plan I put together endorsed by the G7, endorsed by the  U.N. Security Council, et cetera, is still viable, Biden said in a CBS News Sunday Morning interview. And Im working literally every single day to  and my whole team, to see to it that it doesnt escalate into a regional war. But it easily can.

Hamas leaders cited rising tensions in the region after Israel assassinated two top Hamas officials in Beirut and Tehran earlier this month. The group also noted that the Israeli military has killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians in airstrikes in recent days.

Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued a joint statement last week urging Israel and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire and hostage-release deal currently on the table.

The time has come to conclude the cease-fire and hostages and detainees release deal, the leaders said in the statement last Thursday. The three of us and our teams have worked tirelessly over many months to forge a framework agreement that is now on the table with only the details of implementation left to conclude.

There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay, they added. It is time to release the hostages, begin the cease-fire, and implement this agreement.

The proposed cease-fire talks were scheduled to begin Thursday, focused on a final bridging proposal, the three leaders said.

U.S. officials have hinted for weeks that talks are approaching the final stages, while some have admitted there are still key implementation details to be sorted out.

The deal for a cease-fire and the release of hostages would build upon a proposal from Biden in May, which would involve the most vulnerable hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and a temporary cease-fire. Israeli troops would also be required to withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza.

Miranda Nazzaro contributed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Israeli troops search a building in the West Bank city of Jenin during an Israeli military operation on Aug. 6, 2024. File Photo by Alaa Badarneh/EPA-EFE

Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Hamas warned Israel on Sunday against attacking a West Bank refugee camp after remarks from Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz indicated his support for bombing it.

The resistance militia called Katz's remarks "a clear expression" of Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people. According to the Palestine Chronicle citing Israel's state-run broadcaster, Katz had called for the Jenin camp to be treated the same as Gaza and urged for the evacuation of civilians.

"We warn against the criminal plans of the Zionist extremist government towards the occupied West Bank, which are revealed by the statements of the terrorist Katz," Hamas said.

Hamas also condemned recent statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir -- an illegal migrant living on Palestinian land in the West Bank.

"Starving and annihilating two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is a just and moral matter," Smotrich had said.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops are closing entrances to Palestinian cities in the West Bank, leaving residents fearing that their movement will soon be restricted.

The Palestine News Agency, also known as WAFA, reported that military restrictions were imposed around Jericho with military checkpoints set up at the entrances to the city.

And at the village of Jouret al-Sham'a, south of Bethlehem, Israeli forces installed an iron gate at the village's only entrance, according to the head of the village council.

He expressed fears to WAFA that Israel would "besiege its residents" and limit their freedom of movement.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces stormed the West Bank villages of Kardala and Bardala in the northern Jordan Valley and closed existing military checkpoints at Tayasir and Hamra.

"We affirm that these ongoing crimes, killings, terrorism, intimidation, and systematic sabotage practiced by the Nazi enemy government and army in the cities and camps of the West Bank will not succeed in dissuading our free people, their valiant resistance, and their revolutionary youth from the choice of steadfastness on this land," Hamas said.

Hamas vowed that Palestinians would remain resistant to Israeli occupation until the independent state of Palestine is fully established with Jerusalem as its capital.
What happens if you get pulled over on the state line between KS & MO? We found out

Uniquely KC is a Star series exploring what makes Kansas City special. From our award-winning barbecue to rich Midwestern history, were exploring why KC is the Paris of the Plains.

Some states are separated by rivers or mountains, but on State Line Road, you only need to cross the street to get to Kansas or Missouri.

The 12.5 mile street stretches from the University of Kansas Medical Center to Martin City and roughly follows the Kansas-Missouri border. It separates Kansas City, Missouri, from Kansas City, Kansas, Westwood, Mission Hills, Prairie Village and Leawood.

In 2023, State Line Road received an average of 13,000 daily travelers going both north and south, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. With so many drivers taking State Line, some of them are going to break the law.

But which police department is in charge of State Line Road? And what if a police chase crosses state lines?

The Kansas City Police Department shared how it handles traffic violations, like running a red light or texting while driving, on this unique Kansas City street.

How do police departments handle driving tickets on State Line Road?

Where you are in the street affects which state youll get a ticket from.

On some parts of State Line Road, the double yellow line is exactly the state line  going north you are in Missouri and going south youre in Kansas. In other areas, the road and border diverge.

While most general maps dont get this detailed, Capt. Jake Becchina, a KCPD spokesperson, said those who patrol areas close to the state line are familiar with its location.

Believe me, they really know, Becchina said.

In addition, the state you receive a ticket depends on where an officer sees you breaking a traffic law, not where you come to a stop.

So if a Kansas City police officer sees you speeding on the Missouri side, they can pull you over, even if you move into Kansas while doing so. But if that same officer sees you speeding on the Kansas side, they would have to let it slide or call their Kansas counterparts.

What about police chases?

If a chase starts in Kansas and crosses into Missouri, Kansas cops can continue to follow the car, though Becchina said theyd most likely call for reinforcements from their Missouri counterparts.

Once a driver is apprehended and placed in custody Missouri, Kansas police would need an extradition to move the suspect to the place where the crime occurred.

Becchina said this has happened from time to time and can take up to 48 hours to move through the court.

Have more questions about Kansas or Missouri traffic laws? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
The race for president has tightened up compared to polls a few weeks ago when President Joe Bidens substantial successes both in foreign and domestic policy were not registering with enough voters. Age was a critical factor, but with Vice President Kamala Harris now the Democratic Partys chosen nominee and Gov. Tim Walz joining her on the ticket as the vice-presidential candidate, that is no longer an issue for the Democrats.

Age should be an issue for Trump as he babbles on as though he has taken leave of his senses. Could there be any doubt?

With Biden judged on the age issue and attack dog Trump scurrying around the country holding his MAGA rallies of revenge, it is no wonder that Harris is moving the polls in her direction. If current momentum holds up, she is likely to be our next president. But regardless of the outcome in November, she has already provided a tonic for the body politic sorely in need of a morale booster.

No matter how hard the 81-year-old president tried to attract young voters, it wasnt working. One commentator complained that we were suffocating in a gerontocracy. But along comes Harris to centerstage after waiting in the wings and preparing as vice president for that moment when she grabs the baton and runs with it.

Aside from how her candidacy has thrown Trump into a tizzy flailing about at his rallies and complaining that the opponent he just spent 3 years attacking and demeaning is off the ballot, Harris offers the American people an alternative to what Walz called weird, the best description yet of Trump and vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance on the stump as candidates for the nations highest office.

Harris, this attractive, articulate and good-humored candidate for president, in addition to driving Trump on his short trip to the looney bin, can inspire and energize young women to take part in what is likely to be an historic presidential election. She will serve as a role model for young women getting active in politics and government.

Trump Republicans would love nothing more than to convince our youth that they are the party of the future. But theres a problem with that. Its a future not of much interest to younger voters today.

Its a future when women are still denied their reproductive rights. Its a future when guns are plentiful and there are no restrictions to keep them out of the hands of dangerous people. Its a future when freedom of press would no longer protect reporters from the heavy hand of government as Trump has promised his MAGA rallies. Its a future when books are banned by right-wing zealots. Its a future when elections are called off as Trump recently promised Christian conservatives when he said there would be no elections once hes returned to office.

That is the Republican future, and it is growing more dystopian and dangerous as Trump drives it farther to the right to keep violent extremists in his service. Add Vance to the mix, and heres a guy who believes women are only of value if they are having babies.

The rallying cry, Were Not Going Back, says it all and younger voters get it. The contrast is mind-blowing. Heres a woman of color who would be the first woman to be president, running against an aging convicted felon, the likes of whom she saw as a prosecutor on the other side of the law. In the initial first week of her campaign, she raised over $200 million, with 66% of those contributions coming from new donors. Many of those small contributions are likely from younger voters based on one of the latest polls. A recent Axios poll of 18-34-year-olds shows 60% for Harris and only 40% for Trump. Kamala Harris is dramatically changing how young women see themselves as key players in public life. They see the confidence and competence of a woman was would not allow anyone to hold her back from her political destiny,

From my experience as an American Politics instructor for 28 years, I know something about how students can be inspired by public officials and can also be misled by simplistic solutions to the problems facing our nation.

I was teaching in the college classroom when President Reagan assumed office with his famous invective, Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. Consequently, I witnessed students losing interest in political science and related disciplines such as history. Instead, they headed for the business major or others more in keeping with their changing interests. The public service was degraded and downgraded by Reagan, and we still pay the price for his simplistic slogans.

Its high time that todays youth in high school or college in red states deserve to see and experience the work of women in leadership positions as they do in blue-state Michigan where a most accomplished Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, as she says, got stuff done. Read up on Whitmer and you will learn that she uses a far more colorful word than stuff to describe her legislative and gubernatorial successes.

Whitmer faced death threats by a gang of far-right vigilantes who tried to kidnap and kill her. Despite how Trump mocked and set her up for right-wing attacks, she demonstrated the courage of her convictions, ran for reelection and won. Young women in Michigan are also inspired by other women in statewide office, Attorney General Dana Nessel, a civil rights advocate, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson who enforced election integrity in the 2020 election and paid for it with armed demonstrators at her home protesting the 2020 election.

Here In Idaho, there is a small delegation of men and women Democrats in the legislature who fight valiantly to move state government in a more moderate direction. Too often, they are foiled by Republican leadership and party regulars who kill their bills in committee, so they never see the light of day.

When it comes to Idahos representation in Washington, the four Republicans in Congress could give a hoot about reproductive rights to allow women access to abortions at least when there are medical emergencies. Not one of them comes even close to Harris when it comes to defending the rights of women over their own bodies. But as white guys, they have all the answers for the women of Idaho.

No matter how often their parents called for a Republican ballot in the past, there will be Idaho students who will look beyond an unimpressive cast of Idaho Republicans in federal and state office. They will see the promise of a new generation of leaders led by Harris and Walz. Finally, they will see the demise of a man who has ruined one political party and denigrated the other before his MAGA crowds to the extent that there is no decency or respect remaining as he excoriates anyone who differs with him. Idahos cowardly Republican officeholders, at the state and federal level, join him on his spiteful and vindictive journey without a peep of dissension.

I am confident this behavior will change over time at the highest levels of our government as Harris models civility and decorum for a political process that Trump has trashed. She offers hope to young people stranded in states with little or no loyal opposition to a brand of politics that is destroying our democratic way of life. I will place the future of our grandchildren in the hands of Harris and Walz without a moment of hesitation.

Bob Kustra served as president of Boise State University from 2003 to 2018. He is host of Readers Corner on Boise State Public Radio, and he writes a biweekly column for the Idaho Statesman. He served two terms as Illinois lieutenant governor and 10 years as a state legislator.
(Bloomberg) -- Vice President Kamala Harris tapped donors in her political home base of San Francisco after a swing-state tour introducing running mate Tim Walz, raising more than $12 million at an event attended by top California Democrats, her campaign said.

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Guests at the Sunday afternoon fundraiser included billionaire investor Tom Steyer, San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer and Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Governor Gavin Newsom also were among the attendees.

Harris ascent to presidential candidate has energized the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid in July, allowing her to outraise Republican nominee Donald Trump and erase his polling lead.

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I will start then with this: We will win this election, Harris, who has previously portrayed herself as the underdog, told the crowd. And we do not have a day to waste.

Her San Francisco stop sought to tap many of the Bay Areas wealthiest Democratic donors. Harris hauled in $36 million in the 24 hours following Walzs selection as running mate and raised $310 million in July, according to a campaign spokesperson.

Trump said on his social media platform that his campaign raised $28 million during his trip to Montana for a rally and to Wyoming for fundraisers late last week.

At a rally in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday, he pushed back against the weird moniker deployed by Walz against Trump and running mate JD Vance, and tested out new insults of his own against his opponents.

Pelosi, a key Democratic power broker who has represented California in the House for more than a quarter-century, heaped praise on Harris and Walz in an introductory speech, calling them the freedom ticket in an attempt to contrast them with the Republican agenda.

We have to have our message that is bold and progressive, but not menacing, and we have to have the money to get the job done, Pelosi said.

Harris and Walz kicked off a critical campaign stretch on Tuesday with a rally in Philadelphia presenting her newly minted running mate, followed by stops in Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Nevada  all battleground states in the election in November.

A New York Times and Siena College poll conducted Aug. 5-9 showed Harris with 50% support among likely voters in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, compared with Trumps 46% in each state.

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Senate Democrats are feeling more confident about their chances of keeping the Senate majority with Vice President Harris leading the ticket, arguing her momentum could lift them despite a nightmare battleground map.

The GOP has long been the favorite to take the Senate this fall because Democrats are defending more difficult-to-hold seats. Republicans need only to net two seats in total to take the majority even if they lose the White House.

With or without Harris, Republicans have been expected to pick up one seat in West Virginia, where Sen. Joe Manchin (I) is retiring and Gov. Jim Justice (R) is a heavy favorite. Unless both Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Montana Sen. Jon Tester can hold on to their seats in their red states, Republicans will take the chamber.

Still, Democrats think their slim hopes have grown with the jolts Harris has given the party.

The energy upsurge is dramatic, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who is up for reelection.

Ive even talked to red-staters who said, Well, no Democrats winning my states electoral votes, but in order for me to win my race, I need to have young voters energized  and theyre energized, Kaine said.

Democrats are relying on a similar playbook to their 2022 operation. That year incumbents nabbed reelection victories and Democrats expanded their majority.

But the map this go-around is littered with landmines, particularly in Montana and Ohio.

An Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey conducted earlier this month found Trump-backed Republican Tim Sheehy holding a 2-point lead over Tester in Montana, 48 percent support to 46 percent. In March, the same pollster found Tester holding a 2-point lead. Both numbers are within the margin of error.

In Ohio, however, Brown has consistently held a single-digit advantage over Republican Bernie Moreno. A poll conducted for AARP in the days after Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris found Brown with a 4-point lead.

Beyond that, early numbers for Harris and newly minted running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have given newfound confidence to Democrats vying to keep purple-state seats in Democratic hands  including Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), both of whom are running in states where Trump held commanding leads against Biden.

The Cook Political Report on Thursday shifted Arizona, Georgia and Nevada toward Harris. A poll released Thursday showed Harris with a 3-point lead over Trump in Arizona, while Gallego  who is vying for the seat held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent who caucuses with Democrats  held an 11-point lead over Republican nominee Kari Lake.

Harriss numbers have also rebounded in the blue wall states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. All three are within the margin of error, which is good news for Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). All three had been running ahead of Biden, but the states were still considered up for grabs.

The vibes are great. Were feeling really good about the map, and the amount of energy thats on the ground is significant, said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), chair of the Senate Democratic Senatorial Committee, who pointed to a recent Saturday canvassing kickoff in the state.

Getting volunteers out on a beautiful Saturday morning in Michigan is not an easy task in the summer. Its like, Do you want to go to the lake or do you want to go out door-knocking? Peters said, adding that the number of volunteers doubled in just one week.

Kaine nodded to a data point of his own to explain the uptick in excitement from the base. He said that prior to President Bidens departure from the ticket, there was a severe lack of interest from Virginia Democrats in attending the Democratic National Convention later this month.

Thats all changed now.

Nobody was reaching out to me and saying, Hey, can I get a ticket to come to the convention? I had precisely zero outreach from anyone, Kaine said. Usually you have folks like, Its going to be fun! Nobody had asked me about it.

Since Kamala became the presumptive nominee, my staff and I are dealing with all of these  What hotel is the Virginia delegation staying at? Can you get me on the floor? he continued. There were precisely zero before Kamala was the presumptive nominee.

Prior to him leaving the race, Bidens lead had evaporated in Virginia, a state that has turned increasingly blue in recent years.

Senate Republicans also indicated they have seen a swell of support in their states for the vice president, further complicating the map for them as many incumbents had already been running ahead of the top of the ticket. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a top ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), labeled it a boomlet.

Still, the map is brutal for Democrats. The nonpartisan handicapper Cook Political Report says four Democratic-held seats are toss-ups, while every seat held by a Republican is rated either likely or solid Republican.

And some Republicans argue that Harriss momentum will have a shelf life, potentially ebbing by Labor Day, once voters start to tune into the election more closely.

Five weeks ago today, I was in Atlanta for the debate. That feels like a lifetime ago, said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) ahead of the August recess. Labor Day  kids are back in school, people settle into what the fall campaigning and election season looks like. I still feel comfortable with the presidential race and the Senate map.

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U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris gives remarks at the Sheraton hotel, in Phoenix

By Jeff Mason

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told supporters in Nevada on Saturday she supported eliminating taxes on tips, taking a similar position to her rival Donald Trump in an effort to win over service workers, an important constituency in the state.

Harris and her Democratic running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, wrapped up a multi-day tour of battleground states on Saturday with their stop in Nevada, a western state that could play a pivotal role in the Nov. 5 presidential election.

"It is my promise to everyone here when I am president we will continue to fight for working families, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers," Harris said.

Harris said she would work to drive down consumer prices, vowing to "take on big corporations that engage in illegal price-gouging" and corporate landlords that unfairly raise rents on working families, as well as going after big pharmaceutical companies to drive drug prices lower.

Trump, who told a rally in Las Vegas in June that he would seek to end taxation of income from tips, accused Harris of stealing his policy proposal.

"Kamala Harris, whose 'Honeymoon' period is ENDING... just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy," Trump said on his Truth Social app. "The difference is, she wont do it, she just wants it for Political Purposes!"

A Harris campaign official said her proposal would require legislation to be passed by Congress.

"As president, she would work with Congress to craft a proposal that comes with an income limit and with strict requirements to prevent hedge fund managers and lawyers from structuring their compensation in ways to try to take advantage of the policy," the official said.

Harris, who officially became the Democratic Party's presidential nominee this week, has been campaigning with Walz in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona, all states that traditionally swing between supporting Republicans and Democrats in presidential elections.

To become president, a candidate need not win the national popular vote but must win 270 electoral votes. Each state has a number of electoral votes based on its population, making the swing states especially important.

After Nevada, Harris traveled to San Francisco in her home state of California, where she is slated to attend a fundraiser on Sunday with former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Nearly 700 people are expected at that event, which is expected to raise more than $12 million, a campaign official said.

Harris and Walz, whose selection she announced in Pennsylvania - another swing state - on Tuesday, are seeking to maintain and build on the momentum that she has generated since President Joe Biden stepped aside as the party's standard-bearer last month.

Harris was leading Trump, the Republican former president, by four percentage points each in separate polls conducted in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, another swing state, by the New York Times and Siena College, a marked difference from polls taken before Biden quit the presidential race.

The Trump campaign released a memo from its chief pollster, Tony Fabrizio, pushing back against the poll's results. "Once again, we see a series of public surveys released with the clear intent and purpose of depressing support for President Trump," Fabrizio said.

Nationally, Harris was ahead of Trump by five percentage points, 42% to 37%, in an Ipsos poll published on Thursday, wider her lead from a July 22-23 Reuters/Ipsos survey, which found her up 37% to 34%.

Harris has raised hundreds of millions of dollars and held rallies with thousands of supporters since becoming the Democratic candidate, regularly eclipsing the smaller events that Biden held and drawing ire from Trump, to whom crowd size has always been an important barometer of political strength.

The Harris campaign said more than 12,000 people were in the arena in Las Vegas on Saturday and police had turned away roughly 4,000 more because people in line were becoming ill in the Nevada heat. Temperatures reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) on Saturday.

Harris has spent the week drawing contrasts with Trump. On Saturday, before leaving Arizona, she said she disagreed strongly with the former president about the Federal Reserve.

She said she would not interfere with the independent Fed if elected president, in sharp contrast to Trump, who on Thursday said presidents should have a say over decisions made by the central bank.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal; Editing by William Mallard)
Vice President Harris at a Las Vegas rally Saturday night suggested she would support ending taxes on tipping  a policy initiative that has become popular with former President Trump on the campaign trail.

The idea  exempting tip income from federal income and payroll taxes  has become a common policy line item for Trump as a way of courting working-class voters.

With Harris adopting the same message, it appears they each want to earn support from service workers.

It is my promise to everyone here when I am president, we will continue to fight for working families, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers, Harris said Saturday night.

Harris was endorsed Friday by Culinary Union 226. Many members were in attendance for her rally in Las Vegas. Culinary Union is part of a group that represents 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno.

Her remarks are similar to ones from Trump. In June, also in Las Vegas, Trump said that hotel workers and other service industry employees should be very happy because if he is reelected he is going to not charge taxes on tips.

Some have questioned how the proposal would work and have noted it could carry a hefty price tag. In June, a budget watchdog estimated that implementing the practice could mean a decrease of up to $250 billion in federal revenues over a decade.

Changes to taxation on tipped income would require congressional approval. Lawmakers will take a look at the countrys tax policy next year after Trumps 2017 tax cut bill expires.

Trump railed against Harris in a post on Truth Social following her Las Vegas rally, accusing the vice president of copying his proposal.

Kamala Harris, whose Honeymoon period is ENDING, and is starting to get hammered in the Polls, just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy. The difference is, she wont do it, she just wants it for Political Purposes! Trump wrote.

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How Harris-Walz campaign is showing against Trump-Vance

How Harris-Walz campaign is showing against Trump-Vance

DENVER (KDVR)  The tops of the tickets are set.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joined Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail this week, touring battleground states ahead of the Democratic National Convention later in August.

On this weeks Colorado Point of View, analysts look at the race and how a recent poll stacks the campaign against former President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance.

Meanwhile, Colorado lawmakers are looking again at property tax relief. And as voter enthusiasm rises in an election year, so do the threats to election workers.

Watch the full episode in the video player above. Colorado Point of View airs weekends on Colorados Very Own Channel 2.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
When Vice President Harris was named Democrats presumptive presidential nominee, she put her past role as a prosecutor at the heart of her pitch to voters  and used it as an early attack line against her opponent who has faced a litany of legal troubles over the last year.

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, Harris said last month at her first presidential campaign rally. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trumps type.

Her selection this week of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate further solidifies a focus on criminal justice given that during Walz tenure, the state passed sweeping reforms  particularly in the wake of George Floyds 2020 killing in Minneapolis. The civil unrest that followed, however, quickly became a GOP line of attack against Walz and his handling of the protests.

Harriss record, too, has been put to much scrutiny, with a particular focus on her time as Californias attorney general before she became a senator.

But with Harriss prosecutorial background and Walzs progressive record, the newly minted ticket is well situated to make criminal justice central to their campaign, particularly in areas of police and prison reform as well as gun control.

Police reform

The murder of Floyd, whose neck was knelt on by a white police officer in Minnesota for nearly 10 minutes as pleas he could not breathe were disregarded, has proved consequential for both Harris and Walz.

The national racial reckoning inspired by Floyds killing came just as President Biden was narrowing his vice-presidential shortlist during his presidential campaign that year. Harris got the nod only after she withstood heavy scrutiny on her law enforcement career and self-description as Californias onetime top cop.

Now with Harris at the top of the ticket four years later, her running mates handling of the mass protests sparked by Floyds murder could prove key as he helps define Democrats ticket.

A month after Floyds death, Walz signed a bill into law banning chokeholds, mandating new trainings and making it officers duty to intervene and report if their colleagues use excessive force. It also established an independent investigation unit for deaths and sexual misconduct involving police.

Michelle Phelps, author of The Minneapolis Reckoning: Race, Violence, and the Politics of Policing in America, in an interview described Walz as a centrist Democrat who heeded calls from progressive coalitions to move left.

What Walz has done, is Walz has not stopped those [reforms]; Walz has not blocked those, Phelps said. He has really tried to thread this needle of signing into bills pretty progressive policies, but explaining them in a really common-sense way.

It was likely part of his appeal as Harriss vice-presidential pick, she added.

However, Walzs central role in the aftermath of Floyds death has also opened the door to criticism.

Republicans place the blame on Walz for not acting quicker when civil unrest exploded in Minneapolis, pointing to days of protests between Floyds death and Walzs activation of the Minnesota National Guard. Progressives, meanwhile, slammed the activation in the first place.

But Walz defended his decision-making, claiming in a press conference at the time that he was staying in the lane of state government by allowing Minneapolis leadership to handle the situation first.

Gun control

Though Harris has a long record of backing strengthened firearm regulations, gun rights groups were once big fans of Walz, who grew up hunting and championed Second Amendment rights.

In Congress, Walz sometimes broke with most Democrats to oppose gun control. He repeatedly earned the National Rifle Associations (NRA) endorsement and boasted an A rating, and in 2016, Guns and Ammo Magazine named Walz one of the top 20 politicians for gun owners.

No more.

Tim Walz is a political chameleon  changing his positions to further his own personal agenda, NRA Political Victory Fund Chairman Randy Kozuch said in a statement after Mondays selection, suggesting Walz sold out when seeking Minnesotas highest office.

But Walz attributes his shift to mass shootings, not his run for governor.

After Las Vegas concertgoers were gunned down in 2017, Walz said he donated all $18,000 he had ever received from the NRA. After a mass shooting at a Florida high school the next year, Walz came out in favor of banning assault weapons.

Minnesotans want common-sense solutions to ending gun violence, and they want them now. Theyve had it, and Ive had it, with the years of obstruction and inaction, Walz wrote in a Star Tribune op-ed days after the shooting.

By the time he won the governors mansion in 2018, Walz became a reliable ally of gun control advocates. He went on to sign background check requirements and a red flag law, which enables law enforcement to seize someones firearms when they are deemed a danger.

Prison reform

Harris has frequently faced criticism over a record that some say increased incarceration, particularly for minorities. But while running for president in 2020, she fell to the left of Biden on prison reform, proposing changes like forming federal clemency and sentencing review units that would consider early release for people who served at least 10 years of a 20-plus sentence.

However, the Biden administration has not implemented such policies. Walzs gubernatorial record shows more significant steps.

Last year, he signed into law an overhaul of the states criminal justice system aimed at cutting back probation, reducing recidivism and wiping out obstacles for people once released. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld a law he signed last year restoring the right to vote for felons who served their time.

Phelps said that effective criminal justice reform strives not only to fix one problem, like policing or prisons, but all of the other structural sources of racial inequality.

Has [Walz] solved the problem? Absolutely not, she said. But has he worked to try and implement that kind of how we can push forward change and here now, with the political coalitions that we have in the moment? I think he is among the Democratic governors that can say that they have at least made the effort to push towards those changes.

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In her remarks at a campaign rally in Nevada, Vice President Harris warned about the implications of the Supreme Courts ruling last month in former President Trumps immunity case.

So much is on the line in this election and understand, this is not 2016, this is not 2020. This time around, the stakes are even higher, Harris said. And thats because last month the Supreme Court basically told the former president that going forward, he will effectively be immune no matter what he does in the White House.

Harris was referencing the big win the Supreme Court delivered to Trump in early July.

The 6-3 decision along ideological lines determined presidents have absolute immunity for their actions that are taken while in office if they fall within the core responsibilities of holding that office.

The broad immunity granted to former presidents falls just short of granting the total immunity that Trump sought in the federal case involving his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Harris urged her supporters to think about what the decision means if Trump wins back the White House.

Donald Trump has vowed to be a dictator on day one of reelection. He said he will weaponize, essentially, the Department of Justice against his political enemies and even called for the termination of the Constitution of the United States, she said.

Harris continued, arguing that someone who suggests the Constitution be terminated should never again stand behind the seal of presidents of the United States.

We know what we stand for as Americans and you know, it all comes down to this, she said. We love our country and I do believe it is the highest form of patriotism to fight for the ideals of our country.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Primary Election voting wrapped up in Honolulu without a big rush of in-person voters where people walked in to Honolulu Hale to fill out their ballots, but there was a consistent flow of residents who pulled up to drop their ballots off at the drop boxes.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

Authorities said 98% of Hawaiis votes are sent in through the mail but some residents just preferred to turn out on election day.

Mark Villanueva waited until the last day to drop off his ballot.

Hawaii County mayoral race could be decided tonight

Better late then never. So, go ahead and vote! We had some time, but I just wanted to make sure that I could get through. And I see you have drive thru and you got the drops and everyones there to greet you, Villanueva said.

Other voters preferred to cast their vote by filing out their ballots at Honolulu Hale and said no vote, no grumble.

And if we stand aside and dont participate, then weve sort of give  in my mind  weve kind of given up our right to grumble about it, Linda Rich said. Thats part of why I like to vote in person. It just reminds me that we can do this and theres no one trying to prevent us from voting.

About 2% of votes are done in-person statewide, Hawaii County ballot counts as of 4 p.m. showed almost 45,000 mail-in versus just over 1,300 at the Voter Service Center.

More than 131k ballots cast in wake of Hawaiis primary election

On Maui, just shy of 25,000 ballots came in through the mail and a little under 500 voted in person. Over 150,000 votes came in through the mail on Oahu as of Friday, Aug. 9  only 1,200 in person and the Honolulu City Clerk called the pace a bit sluggish.

Every election is important, whether its a primary election, general or even a special election. But we tend to see lower turnouts in primary elections and in special elections that are held separately from the regular elections, Glen Takahashi said. Whether you do it by mail or in person, you know, just get it done. Thats the main thing.

Ive always said to my family, If you dont vote, you cant complain about who won or whatever,' voter Sherry Dela Cruz said.

Stolen jewels, boa constrictors killing owners, check out Weird News here

The statewide voter turnout was at 32% as of 6 p.m. on Saturday. Officials said they tested out a new voter service entrance at Honolulu Hale as a test run for the General Election  voters will need to enter on the sides of Honolulu Hale rather than on the entrance that is on the King Street side.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
A summertime pattern of sea breezes and afternoon thunderstorms will dominate South Florida this weekend with high temperatures near 95 degrees today and only slightly cooler Sunday.

The change from primarily southwesterly winds is partly because of the Bermuda High nosing its way back into the state with its onshore flow.

But the high is also steering a sloppy area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms toward the Caribbean that the National Hurricane Center says has a 60% chance of development over the next seven days.

NHC forecasters believe a tropical depression could form by early next week while the system approaches the Lesser Antilles. The area for potential development stretches from far west of the Lesser Antilles through Hispaniola and the southeastern Bahamas.

While weekend heat and storms may be the priority, the budding system in the fertile main development region of the tropical Atlantic should also be watched, said FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross.

The National Hurricane Center is watching a tropical wave west of the Lesser Antilles that has a 60% chance of development over seven days.

"It's raising eyebrows because computer forecast models show it developing into a significant tropical system  possibly a hurricane  near or east of the Bahamas next week," Norcross said in his Hurricane Intel blog. "We are moving toward the peak of hurricane season, so it's appropriate to pay attention."

Michael Lowry, a meteorologist with South Florida ABC-TV affiliate Channel 10, said in his daily tropical forecast that models are "quite bullish" on the area's development.

A dip in the jet stream closer to the end of the week may steer the system away from the east coast of Florida, but Lowry noted that a similar setup was forecast for Debby, which ended up in the Gulf of Mexico as a hurricane before making landfall in Steinhatchee on Monday.

"In general, we like to see theres a potential escape route ahead before reaching us here on the mainland, but its too soon to know for sure whether itll take it," Lowry said.

A thin layer of Saharan dust will keep the system sputtering for a few more days. If it does become a tropical storm, it would be named Ernesto, followed by Francine and Gordon.

Until a system forms a closed center of circulation, uncertainty in its destination is highly uncertain.

A hot weekend ahead with triple-digit 'feels like' temperatures

The National Weather Service in Miami is forecasting heat index or "feels like" temperatures Saturday to be as high as 107 in West Palm Beach. No heat advisory had been issued for the weekend as of Friday afternoon.

In Palm Beach County, a heat advisory is issued when heat-index temperatures are forecast to reach 108 degrees or higher for at least two hours.

More: Best ice cream shops, gelato, ice pops and more cool treats in Palm Beach County

The NWS announced in June that Broward County would join Miami-Dade County in an experimental program that starts advisories at a lower threshold level. In those two counties, an advisory is issued if heat-index temperatures of 105 or higher are expected for at least two hours. An excessive heat warning is issued if the heat index is expected to reach 110 or higher for at least two hours.

What is a heat advisory?

A heat advisory means people sensitive to warm temperatures should take precautions to avoid heat illness, including staying hydrated and seeking breaks if working or playing outside. Signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke include symptoms such as muscle cramps, excessive sweating, a throbbing headache, passing out, confusion and seizures.

An excessive heat warning, the highest alert level on a four-tier scale, means everyone needs to take precautions to stay safe in the heat because "you may become seriously ill or even die," the NWS says.

Tips for staying safe during extreme hot weather

Tips for keeping safe during excessively hot weather from the American Red Cross:

If you suspect heat injury, call for help.

Children and the elderly are among the most vulnerable.

Try not to work outside in the hottest part of the day; if you must work in the heat, slow down.

When outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade.

Drink plenty of water.

If you wait until you feel thirsty, you're already getting dehydrated.

Don't drink beverages containing caffeine or alcohol (sodas or beer). They interfere with the bodys temperature-regulating mechanisms.

Sweating is the bodys mechanism for cooling. If you stop sweating, call for help.

Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Heat advisory issued for south Florida hurricane center watching new area for development
Heidi Firkus' fatal shooting captured on her 911 call to report an intruder

This story originally aired on Dec. 2, 2023.

At 6:30 a.m. on April 25, 2010, Heidi Firkus called 911 after her husband, Nick Firkus, said an intruder was breaking into their Saint Paul, Minnesota, home. She was shot and killed. Nick Firkus told investigators that his gun discharged when he struggled with the intruder  but something in his story struck police as odd.

"It never felt right," Sgt. Nichole Sipes of the Saint Paul Police Department tells "48 Hours" contributor Jamie Yuccas. "The story never made sense to me."

A SHOOTING AT THE FRONT DOOR

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Well, this area of Saint Paul, where Heidi and Nick Firkus lived, I would characterize as generally a quiet neighborhood.

Back in 2010, nine years before she took charge of the Firkus case, Investigator Nichole Sipes of the St. Paul Police Department was a patrol cop who worked this neighborhood.

Jamie Yuccas: Do you remember first hearing about the Firkus case?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: I do.

NICK FIRKUS (to 911): Ahh, please, please, somebody just broke in our house and shot me and my wife. 911 OPERATOR: OK 

It was early on a Sunday morning.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: The 911 call was at 6:30.

Saint Paul Police responded to the home on Minnehaha Avenue after early morning 911 calls from Heidi and Nick Firkus. / Credit: Ramsey County Attorney's Office

Nick Firkus' story of a burglar didn't make sense to Sipes.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Most people are home at 6:30 on a Sunday morning, especially in a family neighborhood like that.  the last thing that most burglars want to encounter are people.

Jamie Yuccas: Did police ever have any luck tracking down the intruder that Nick described?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: No.

Branden O'Connor: You know, I'm looking, I didn't see anybody come out of that house.

Branden O'Connor was house sitting next door to the Firkus' and taking care of kittens.

Branden O'Connor: I was woken up by the kittens kinda walking around.  Some noise got my attention, so I stuck my head out the window (points to the window). Kinda listen.

In his first TV interview, O'Connor says he recalls hearing a muffled argument coming from the Firkus' house, listening through an open window.

Branden O'Connor: That's when I ended up hearing what sounded like gunshots.

Around this time, O'Connor said he also heard that voice crying out.

Branden O'Connor: Kind of this agonizing yell of, "you shot her, you shot me. Uh, please, please, no," something along those lines and then  then it was done.

Nick and Heidi Firkus / Credit: WCCO

First responders rushed to the scene. There was nothing they could do for Heidi; she was pronounced dead. Nick was rushed to a hospital and treated for a graze gunshot wound to his leg. He seemed not to be sure whether or not Heidi had been killed.

SGT. KANE (at the hospital): Like I said, we'll do our best to find out how, how Heidi is doing, OK? NICK FIRKUS: Please.

Hours later, Nick was transported to the St. Paul Police Department.

Sgt. Jim Gray: Then Nick and I started to have our conversation in the conference room.

Nick entered the conference room using crutches. Sergeant Jim Gray took Nick's statement.

SGT. GRAY (police interview) You know, I know this is a very traumatic situation, OK? And, I'm just going to try and ease into it, OK? NICK FIRKUS: OK.

Nick said the couple ordered in food the night before and watched the movie "Avatar." They went upstairs to their bedroom around 11 p.m. The next morning, Nick got up around 6 a.m. to get a drink of water from the bathroom.

NICK FIRKUS (police interview): I go back to sleep. I just kinda fitfully sleep for 10 or 15 minutes, and then I heard the screen door open.  kinda let it go for a little while, but then I started hearing fiddling with our doorknob. SGT. GRAY: And is Heidi still sleeping then? NICK FIRKUS: Yeah. SGT GRAY: OK. NICK FIRKUS: Like a rock.

Nick said he retrieved his shotgun from the closet.

NICK FIRKUS: I keep two shells for just in case things go weird  So when I heard things, this morning, I did load it.  and then I wake up Heidi. SGT. GRAY: OK.

According to Nick, he told Heidi someone was trying to break in and to call 911. As she spoke with the dispatcher 

HEIDI FIRKUS (911 CALL): Someone's trying to break into my home.

They headed downstairs so they could get out of the house.

SGT GRAY: Alright. So, you are going first down the stairs, or is she, is she behind you, or she in front of you, or what? NICK FIRKUS: Umm, she is front because I'm kinda trying to move her along quickly.

Nick said as they passed by the front door, it burst open.

NICK FIRKUS (police interview) The guy was there  I think he  he grabbed the barrel.  I don't remember exactly but the gun went off. So, my finger slipped onto the trigger.

Nick told Sergeant Gray during the struggle over the weapon, the gun fired, striking Heidi who he said was in the kitchen.

HEIDI FIRKUS (to 911): [Heidi screams] SGT. GRAY: OK, so the gun's  NICK FIRKUS: Gun's here, chest high. SGT. GRAY: Yep. SGT. GRAY (stands to demonsrate): You and I are like this? NICK FIRKUS: Yeah. SGT. GRAY: And then the gun goes off? NICK FIRKUS: Mm hmm. I mean, you know, I know it hit Heidi. I just know I did.  She was running away, so I definitely hit her in the back. SGT. GRAY: It hit her in the back? NICK FIRKUS: Yeah.

Marcus Sarazin: I couldn't believe it. I  I don't want to believe it.

Katina Sarazin: it can't be true, that's  there's no way.

Katina and Marcus Sarazin mentored Heidi at Calvary Church.

Katina Sarazin: I think she's one of those people that you can't not like. Everyone liked Heidi.  She genuinely loved people  she was the life of the party  always finding fun ways to engage people.  and she was very loyal.

Nick and Heidi Firkus / Credit: Ramsey County Attorney's Office

The couple met at the church, and in 2005, Heidi, 20, and Nick, 22, got married.

Marcus Sarazin: Nick Firkus  had a very warm and engaging personality, always smiling  he carried himself with confidence.  and he  had high character, high integrity in the church. That was the reputation he built for himself.

But just few hours after Heidi's death, Sergeant Gray found himself questioning Nick Firkus' account. He couldn't figure out why the couple would leave the safety of their bedroom.

SGT. GRAY (police interview): You come upstairs, you know, I hate to tell you this but my house, you know  I'm justified in killing you if you come breaking into my house. NICK FIRKUS: Yeah, I guess the 

Nick explained that the couple had a plan in place. If they were ever in a precarious situation, they would avoid a confrontation and escape to their car in the garage and get away.

NICK FIRKUS: If we can save ourselves, let's, let's do that instead of getting in a situation where 

Sgt. Jim Gray: His story, didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Gray started probing into their marriage.

SGT. GRAY: You guys, uh, have any problems or anything like that? NICK FIRKUS: Just the normal stuff like, ah, you know, stresses about finances and quality time and vacations and all that stuff. SGT. GRAY: Yeah. NICK FIRKUS: But  SGT. GRAY: You guys aren't behind on the bills or anything like that? NICK FIRKUS: We are behind on the bills which is a little stressful.  In fact we were planning on moving tomorrow. Um  SGT. GRAY: Moving where? NICK FIRKUS: Well, we hadn't figured that out yet.  We were and this is, ah, a hard, it's a hard place for us, but we, we're foreclosing, we foreclosed on our house.

Nick revealed they were behind on their mortgage payments and just 24 hours away from being evicted from their home.

SGT. GRAY: Well, that's kind of, I mean, kinda close notice. NICK FIRKUS: It is. And I think the reason is cause we're both kinda dealing with the shame of the whole thing 

Gray says his suspicions were raised. And, minutes later, he was struck by the way Nick asked about Heidi.

NICK FIRKUS: Well, I just wanna know the final answer on, ah, the final answer on Heidi. SGT. GRAY: She didn't make it. NICK FIRKUS: I figured that. I mean 

Jamie Yuccas: Is that typically how someone asks if their loved one or spouse has been killed?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Not only is that not typical, that that's how they'd ask it, but they wouldn't wait an hour and 40 minutes into this conversation to ask that question.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: I've watched the interview obviously numerous times. And I understand  people react to trauma differently.  But this was different than what I'd seen.  anybody that's watched that interview cannot help but be struck by Nick's demeanor during it.

Jamie Yuccas: And that demeanor was?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: This was just another day. This was something he had to get through 

Skeptical of Nick's story, Gray confronted Nick about what happened that day.

SGT. GRAY (police interview):, I, you know, part of me wants to ask you this question  Did you have anything to do with this? NICK FIRKUS: No, absolutely not. SGT. GRAY: OK. NICK FIRKUS Absolutely not. SGT. GRAY: Alright. NICK FIRKUS: Why is there a part of you that wants to ask that? SGT. GRAY: Well, Nick. I'm, I'm a police officer, OK? I got to ask, I got to ask the tough questions, alright?

After the interview, Nick left the police station. That day, investigators returned to the Firkus home with a search warrant. Gray says it did not look like anyone was planning to move out the next day.

Sgt. Jim Gray: Nothing was packaged up at all.  the closet was still full of clothes.  We noticed that there was still food in the refrigerator.

And there was something else that investigators questioned.

Sgt. Jim Gray: We didn't see any signs of  forced entry into the house.  based off of the physical evidence at the scene  his version of the incident couldn't be plausible.

A LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE

48 hours after Nick Firkus said an intruder shot and killed his wife Heidi, police went back to the crime scene to check out his story.

Sgt. Jim Gray (at the Firkus house): He told us that there was a  life and death struggle inside the house.

But Gray says the evidence at the scene didn't match Nick's account.

The Firkus' entryway did not appear to show signs of a struggle. / Credit: Ramsey County Attorney's Office

Sgt. Jim Gray (at the Firkus house): There was a vase, some receipts, a beer bottle  and none of that was knocked over. So that kind of raised suspicion to us that if there was such a struggle, why wasn't any of this stuff knocked over?

Gray says he examined the front door for signs of a break-in and did notice some markings.

Sgt. Jim Gray (at the Firkus house):  but it wasn't anything new  that would lead us to believe that the, the door had been forced open  the day of the murder.

In his interview with police, Nick said he heard someone fiddling with the front door from upstairs.

SGT. GRAY: Now what they were doing? I mean, were they just going like this? (jiggles door knob in the interview room) NICK FIRKUS: Yeah. SGT. GRAY: Kinda like that? NICK FIRKUS: Yeah. Just shaking the knob  SGT. GRAY: OK. NICK FIRKUS:  and shoving the door.

That day, Gray and his colleagues did a reenactment to determine if they could hear the front door shaking from the bedroom.

SGT. GRAY (police video): April 27th, 2010.

OFFICER: I'm in the bedroom ...

Sgt. Jim Gray: Sergeant Shackle and Sergeant Wright were upstairs in the bedroom.

SGT. GRAY: I'm at the front door, so let me know when you guys are ready, I'll try to knock for 15 seconds then.

OFFICER: We are ready.

Sgt. Jim Gray: They could not hear me fiddling with the door.

SGT. GRAY: Alright.

Gray says he also doubted Nick's story about the couple's eviction, and a scheduled move the day after Heidi was shot.

Sgt. Jim Gray: There didn't appear to be anything boxed up or packaged up to go.  There were a few empty boxes in the dining room area  there was not a grand stack of boxes  or anything for that matter that would lead us to believe that they were going to pack up all in one day.

Meanwhile Heidi's mentors from Calvary Church, Marcus and Katina Sarazin, were learning the details about her death and the eviction.

Marcus Sarazin: it just didn't add up. It's just  something wasn't right with that story.

Katina Sarazin: It seemed so out of the ordinary that she would be moving and not have notified anyone, not have anything prepared for that.  because she planned things out and she liked things to be orderly.

On April 30, 2010, five days after her passing, the Sarazins attended Heidi's funeral.

Marcus Sarazin:Yeah, the atmosphere at the funeral was  there was a lot of emotion.

At the funeral, Marcus and Katina say they were struck by Nick's demeanor.

Katina Sarazin: I remember going through the receiving line and shaking his hand  there was no grief showing.

Marcus Sarazin: ... it just felt like he lacked emotion.

Marcus says he went as far as asking some of the couple's friends if Nick could have shot his wife.

Marcus Sarazin: And the answer I got was, no, there's no way that Nick killed Heidi.  He loved her, there, there's just no way he could have done that. And I just wasn't so sure about that.

Sgt. Jim Gray: From what we gathered during our investigation, Nick and Heidi were in a loving relationship. There was no problems or issues that anybody saw.

Joe Friedberg: Your first impression upon meeting Nick Firkus is ... no way in the world could he have committed a violent act.

The day after the shooting, Nick's family hired attorney Joe Friedberg who advised Nick to stop talking to the police.

Joe Friedberg: It didn't take long to realize that he was being looked at as a suspect.

When investigators asked Nick to sit down with their artist to draw a sketch of the intruder, Friedberg advised him not to.

Joe Friedberg: They were going to use it as an opportunity to further interview him.

Instead, Nick and his attorney hired their own sketch artist.

Sgt. Jim Gray: It was quite odd that Nick would work with a private ... sketch artist.

And brought that drawing to police.

Sgt. Jim Gray: And at that point, we were basically told that Nick  would not be answering any more questions with regards to our investigation.

As the weeks went by, Nick Firkus provided a sketch of the suspect to investigators. It was released it to the public but did not generate any leads. / Credit: Ramsey County Attorney's Office

Investigators released Nick's sketch to the public, but it didn't generate any leads, they kept working the case...Nick moved out of their home a few weeks after Heidi's death.

Two months later, he began a friendship with the sister of one of Heidi's best friends, Rachel Sanchez, who was going through a divorce.

Rachel Firkus: At the time I thought  because we shared something traumatic, there was a deep connection there.  Because I had come out of something traumatic myself in a relationship 

Rachel Firkus: I think Nick seemed to be handling things well ... it felt like he was very grounded ... he was, with his friends a lot, and they were processing together. So I think just his  his steadiness ... was an attractive quality ...

Rachel says the two bonded over their faith. They began dating in the spring of 2011.

Rachel Firkus: At the time, God played a big part in my life  And I think that's another quality that I saw in him, that he, he loved God like I did.

One year into their relationship, Nick proposed.

Rachel Firkus: I knew it was coming. We had looked at rings before, and so it wasn't really a huge surprise.

Rachel Sanchez and Nick Firkus on their wedding day. Rachel says the two bonded over their faith. / Credit: Rachel Firkus

And a few months later, the couple married. They started a family.

Rachel Firkus: We did have kids pretty quickly.

And soon were the parents of three children.

Andrew Erickson: He absolutely loves his kids so much.

Andrew and Emily Erickson are friends of Nick. They say for a long time, Nick didn't talk much about Heidi's murder.

Emily Erickson: Yeah, it just didn't seem like there was a lot of room for his grief during that time.

But they say when he did talk about it, his story was always the same.

Jamie Yuccas: What did he tell you?

Emily Erickson: Same thing he's always told everyone from the first day, same thing he'd tell you today.  That someone was breaking into the house, and they were gonna try to get out. And there was an altercation and tragically, Heidi was killed

Investigators still did not believe that story, but five years after Heidi's death, with little movement in the case, they finally got a break when someone called in a tip 

Rachel Firkus: There was somebody that looked exactly like the sketch.

 and put a name to Nick's sketch.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Somebody called  and said, "I have an experience with this guy. I think I know who it is."

A NEW LOOK AT THE CASE

After five years without a break in Heidi Firkus' murder case, out of the blue, a tipster called police with a name after seeing the sketch of the suspect. But there was a problem, says investigator Sipes.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: He was already in prison on the date of Heidi's death.

Nick's second wife Rachel says her husband rarely talked about the case being solved.

Rachel Firkus: I had asked him  "are you gonna put effort into seeing if you can find the person that did this?"

Rachel Firkus: He didn't reach out to anyone as far as I know.  I know that from his lawyers he was told to "just stay silent."

Police found it odd Nick never checked in.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Through four investigators in this case  he never contacted one of us to ask the status.

Prosecutors Rachel Kraker and Elizabeth Lamin joined the investigation in 2015.

Jamie Yuccas: Was this case ever considered a cold case?

Rachel Kraker: It wasn't ever considered a cold case  because 

Rachel Kraker: There just was not a lot of new information coming in.

Elizabeth Lamin: Heidi's family  would check in on her birthday . Is there anything, new development?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes of the Saint Paul Police Department said Nick Firkus' account of an intruder

And there would be new developments when Sipes took over Heidi's case in 2019.

Jamie Yuccas: It seems her fresh set of eyes really made a huge difference.

Rachel Kraker: It was absolutely critical

Elizabeth Lamin: I think Sipes definitely restarted something.

Sipes dug deep  reviewing the entire case file, including an examination of a financial timeline she compiled with the help of the FBI.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: I had the luxury of looking back on all of these things several years later.

Sipes learned Nick worked at his family's carpet installation business; they were contractors for Home Depot. Heidi was a clerk at a financial services company in St. Paul. Their combined income was about $70,000 a year.

Elizabeth Lamin: They seem like they were on top of all the bills before they bought the house.

But Lamin says the home purchase in 2007 strained the couple's finances.

Elizabeth Lamin: And that home was just too much for them.

By the time Heidi died in April 2010, the couple was deeply in debt.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: He had not paid the mortgage in 22 months.

In fact, the couple had lost their home to foreclosure and would be forced to move out. But Sipes discovered Heidi apparently had no idea. After reviewing the couple's texts and emails, Sipes saw no evidence Nick ever told Heidi they were in financial trouble.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: There was no communication between the two of them to indicate that she had any idea of the depth of their financial issues.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: I was able to determine through the foreclosure and eviction attorneys that there was no paperwork Heidi had signed, that nobody had ever talked to Heidi, nobody met Heidi.  Heidi didn't go to the eviction hearing on March 8th, 2010.

Sipes says Nick and Heidi's family and friends didn't know the couple had to relocate.

Elizabeth Lamin: And if she was serious about moving  she would've gotten the day off.

Jamie Yuccas: So she was planning to go to work?

Elizabeth Lamin: Yes.

Jamie Yuccas: Why do you think he kept her in the dark so long?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Shame.  I believe he was concerned about the shame of what he had done, how it would look  that he couldn't come clean with her.  You know, it had gotten too big at that point.

And when Sipes talked to the couple's friends, she learned why Nick wanted to hide their financial situation.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: He was described by his friends as being wise and being the person that they would go to for advice.

Rachel Kraker: Nick Firkus really presented as somebody who had some of those bigger, tougher life questions figured out.  What kind of person do you want to be?  What kind of relationship do you want to have with God?

Jamie Yuccas: What does that tell you as you're investigating the case and you see someone in that type of personality?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: It just became easier to see that this was someone who did not want  his friends, his family  to know the extent to which he had failed.

Sipes says she discovered more of Nick's lies when she learned about a conversation Heidi had with a friend just the day before she died.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Heidi had talked to us about how Nick had told her that they were victims of identity theft.  it was somewhere around $180,000 to $200,000 worth of identity theft.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Wasn't true. They weren't the victims.  This was all untrue.

But as Sipes tried to figure out if there was a connection between Nick's lies and Heidi's death, she learned Nick and Rachel had divorced.

Rachel Firkus: I remember very well when Nikki Sipes came to my door.

And that Nick had also kept secrets from her.

Jamie Yuccas: Did Rachel ever say anything about why their marriage dissolved?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: She did.  There were financial issues between the two of them  Nick was lying about a lot of things.

Rachel Firkus: This is a story that's happened before, and it didn't end well.  that terrified me.

WHAT DID RACHEL FIRKUS KNOW?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Could there actually have been an intruder?

After spending 19 months digging deep into the Firkus case file, reviewing crime scene photos, 911 calls and Nick's video interview, Sipes had come to one conclusion.

NICK FIRKUS (police interview): She was running away so it definitely hit her in the back 

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: What really matters is what happened in that foyer.  and there was no third person.

Jamie Yuccas: You never found anyone else's DNA?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: No.  No DNA evidence, no physical evidence, no sign of a struggle. To me, there were only two people in that house when Heidi was killed.

Jamie Yuccas: And they were?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Nick and Heidi.

As part of the new investigation, Sipes reached out to Nick's second wife Rachel. What did she know?

Rachel Firkus: In 2020 she came to my door  And I was like, "Why are you here?" And she was like, "To talk about Heidi Firkus."

At first, Rachel, then divorced from Nick, says she was reluctant to talk.

Rachel Firkus: You're asking for a lot when you get involved in something like this. And I didn't want to.  But  I also knew that it was the right thing to do, and it was for truth.

Rachel told Sipes Nick had lied about their finances during their marriage.

Rachel Firkus: I found a letter saying that we hadn't paid our property taxes. And that we were gonna get evicted in 2020 if we didn't pay them. And when I saw that, I was like, Oh, no.  Like he was definitely repeating the same things he did with Heidi with me.

Rachel Firkus says Nick's dishonesty started to make her question whether he had also lied about Heidi's death. / Credit: CBS News

During that time, Rachel says Nick's dishonesty started to make her question whether he had also lied about Heidi's death.

Rachel Firkus: And I said, "We gotta sit down and talk."

Rachel secretly recorded the conversation on her phone.

RACHEL FIRKUS (on audio recording): Your actions have caused me to just distrust you completely.

Rachel Firkus: If there was gonna be a confession, I was gonna make sure that  I could prove that he said it.

RACHEL FIRKUS (on audio recording): And the fact that your lying was so easy for you to do in front of me over and over and over. Makes me think  NICK FIRKUS (on audio recording): That I could murder my wife? RACHEL FIRKUS (on audio recording):  that you could lie about something. NICK FIRKUS (on audio recording): That I could murder my wife. RACHEL FIRKUS (on audio recording): Yes. NICK FIRKUS (on audio recording): Oh

RACHEL FIRKUS: When I listen, I think "this silence kills me."

Rachel Firkus: He's angry at me  How dare I think those things.  Why aren't you saying you didn't?  Tell me I'm not right.

Rachel later shared the recordings with Sipes.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: The behavior that he exhibited in his marriage with Rachel was almost duplicative of  how he hid things from Heidi.

Elizabeth Lamin: We cannot let this man be out on the street any longer.

For prosecutor Elizabeth Lamin, the time had come to act.

Elizabeth Lamin: I told Sergeant Sipes  "we're charging him. Let's do it."

Eleven years after Heidi's death, Nick Firkus was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. A grand jury ultimately indicted Nick on first- and second-degree murder charges. / Credit: Ramsey County Sheriff's Office

On May 19, 2021, 11 years after Heidi was shot to death, a Saint Paul Police SWAT team arrested Nick Firkus at his house and charged him with second-degree murder. A grand jury ultimately indicted Nick on first- and second-degree murder charges.

Marcus Sarazin: Our minds were absolutely blown.

Heidi's friends Marcus and Katina Sarazin were relieved.

Marcus Sarazin: It's hard to, to say, I don't know what emotion you even put to it, it's hard to say excited.

Katina Sarazin: I felt grateful.

Emily Erickson: We don't understand.

Nick's friends Emily and Andrew Erickson.

Emily Erickson: You have to believe that a good man with no history of violence  killed the woman that he loved more than anything in life for no reason.  That's what you have to believe. We can't get there.

After remaining free on bail for almost two years, on Jan. 27, 2023, Nick Firkus went on trial. Prosecutors would not be allowed to call Nick's second wife Rachel to testify or use her taped conversation with Nick. The judge ruled her testimony, and the recording had no bearing on the case.

Natalie Micheal: I went into it with an open mind.

Natalie Micheal served on the jury.

Jamie Yuccas: Did he appear like a man who would kill his wife?

Natalie Micheal: No, he did not. .. A lot through the trial  he was putting his head down  when they showed the photos of the two of them together, you know he seemed like he really was in love with her.

Elizabeth Lamin: I think Nick was  someone who  lived two lives.

Prosecutors presented an unusual motive. They told the jurors Nick Firkus staged a burglary because he was desperate and ashamed his secrets were about to be revealed to Heidi and everyone else.

Elizabeth Lamin: All of his kind of cards of lies are about to crumble.  He would have been exposed as a complete failure, a liar  to his friends and community. And instead, he's a victim.  He walks away from this  supported by his friends, supported by his family.

Joe Friedberg: Nick had no reason.

Heidi and Nick Firkus / Credit: Ramsey County Attorney's Office

Nick's lawyers Joe Friedberg and Robert Richman say that simply makes no sense as a motive.

Robert Richman: There was nothing about murdering the woman who everyone agreed he loved that would help his situation.

And they say the state's contention that Heidi didn't know about the couple's finances simply was not true.

Joe Friedberg: Nick  said she was in on all of the major decisions.  He would say to us that  they're making Heidi out to be an imbecile.

Natalie Michael: At first, I was wondering how she couldn't know  about the finances or some of the foreclosures or some of the things happening.

But Natalie Micheal says the prosecution's case did not hinge on motive.

Natalie Micheal: The prosecution said  it really is  was there an intruder in the house or was there not an intruder?

Robert Richman: It was our position  that there had been an intruder exactly the way Nick described to the police, on the 911 call.

NICK FIRKUS (911 CALL): Somebody just broke into our house and shot me and my wife 

Robert Richman: At the scene 

Sgt. Jim Gray: The information that Nick have at the scene is that this intruder came into the house.

Robert Richman: At the hospital 

NICK FIRKUS (police interview): He just came in 

Robert Richman:  and to Sergeant Gray.

NICK FIRKUS (police interview): The guy that was there, I think he, he grabbed the barrel 

Nick's lawyers say police didn't find the intruder's fingerprints or DNA at the scene because, as Nick told investigators in his interview at the hospital, the intruder was wearing gloves.

OFFICER (hospital interview): And what else can you describe from him  NICK FIRKUS: Gloves. OFFICER: He's wearing gloves.

Joe Friedberg: You don't always leave DNA and especially when your hands are covered.

But prosecutors say there was something else missing from the scene besides fingerprints.

Jamie Yuccas: So what am I looking at here?

Elizabeth Lamin: This is a physical model to scale that was created by the FBI.

They used a model to show the jurors there was no evidence of a struggle.

Elizabeth Lamin: I felt that it was very important for us to be able to recreate how small that entryway is.

Jamie Yuccas (show and tell): Let's say the intruder gets in  they have the struggle.

Elizabeth Lamin: And they have this life and death struggle right in this area with nothing disturbed.

Jamie Yuccas: On the table?

Elizabeth Lamin: Exactly.  And then Heidi gets shot square in the back in a very clear shot.

Animation created by the FBI shows that the bullet that killed Heidi was most likely shot from shoulder level. / Credit: Ramsey County Attorney's Office

Animation created by the FBI shows that the bullet that killed Heidi was most likely shot from shoulder level.

Elizabeth Lamin: The height at which Heidi is shot fits exactly on Nick's shoulder to aim and to fire.

Nick's attorneys say there was direct evidence that showed there was an intruder.

Robert Richman: In fact, there were tool marks in the door, which would be consistent with someone wedging a screwdriver between the frame and the door.

Attorney Joe Friedberg says Firkus' next door neighbor Branden O'Connor testified he heard a voice.

Branden O'Connor: "  you shot her, you shot me. Uh, please, please, no," something along those lines

Joe Friedberg: That means there must have been another person in that house.  Nick was talking to a third person when he said that.

But prosecutors say O'Connor may have misheard Nick while he was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher.

Elizabeth Lamin: He is screaming about being shot  And he did that over almost seven minutes.

NICK FIRKUS (TO 911): Somebody just broke into my house and shot me and my wife. NICK FIRKUS (TO 911): Please! 911 OPERATOR: Please stay on the phone with me, OK?

Nick Firkus did not take the stand. After an 11 day trial, the case went to the jury.

Emily Erickson: If there's anything in this case, there's reasonable doubt.

Andrew Erikson: Yeah.

JUSTICE FOR HEIDI

As the state and Nick Firkus' defense team presented their closing arguments on Feb. 10, 2023, attorneys on both sides were hopeful the jury would make the right decision.

Elizabeth Lamin: It was a hard-fought litigated trial.

Elizabeth Lamin: We had great, we thought, circumstantial evidence that what Nick said happened did not happen.

Joseph Friedberg: It's not enough if you have a hunch.

Joseph Friedberg: There was no direct evidence that Nick murdered his wife.

In her closing argument, Prosecutor Kraker said Nick shot Heidi while she was on the phone with the 911 operator.

911 OPERATOR: Someone's trying, west ... [Gunshots heard] HEIDI FIRKUS: [Screams]

RACHEL KRAKER: So, that call does end with a very, very loud noise, and the call goes dead.  And we believe  that that's the gunshot.

According to phone records, 65 seconds passed from that moment until Nick made his 911 call.

NICK FIRKUS (TO 911): Hello, please, please  somebody just broke in our house and shot me ...

Kraker reenacted for jurors what she believed Nick did before he made that call.

Rachel Kraker: I walked over in the courtroom  to roughly as far as Heidi would have been on the ground, crouched down, turned her over to check for her pulse to be sure that she was, in fact, deceased  Walked back over. Picked up the firearm  and demonstrated how he could  shoot himself  and  call 911.

911 OPERATOR: Where's the guy that shot you?

Rachel Kraker: At 65 seconds  there was more than enough time for all of that to happen.

To prove their theory Nick shot himself in the thigh, they point to marks left by shotgun pellets at the bottom of the front door.

To prove their theory Nick shot himself in the thigh, they point to marks left by shotgun pellets at the bottom of the front door. / Credit: Ramsey County Attorney's Office

Elizabeth Lamin: When he shot himself, we believe that Nick was about here (puts model facing the front door)

Elizabeth Lamin: Which is how you would brace yourself, probably against the door  if you're doing it to yourself.

But Firkus' attorneys challenged the 65-second timeframe. Attorney Robert Richman says phone records also show Nick misdialed two numbers before getting through to 911, making it impossible to shoot himself.

Robert Richman: What they reenacted was  65 seconds, which was  ignoring the two misdials, which happened at 38 seconds.

Robert Richman: The fact that we cannot find the intruder  is not evidence that there was no intruder.  And if anything, because of the next door neighbor, because of the tool marks  because of the 38 seconds, we feel that the evidence supports that there was an intruder.

Emily Erickson: This isn't blind belief.

Nick's friends Emily and Andrew Erickson were convinced the prosecution failed to prove Nick was the shooter.

Andrew Erickson: We were open to hearing  an inconsistency of what Nick said  but that didn't happen.

On Feb. 10, 2023, the jurors got the case and in five hours returned with a verdict.

Emily Erickson: My last text to Nick was  it has to be innocent. There's no way that they got to guilty this quickly.  We rushed to the courthouse, and we were so wrong.

Nick Firkus was found guilty on two counts of murder  premeditated and intentional.

Katina Sarazin: I believe justice was served.

The Sarazins were in the courtroom when the verdict was read.

Marcus Sarazin: Justice may have been slow  but fortunately, the jury got it right.  it feels like this is the beginning of healing  it's the beginning of a  of a new chapter.

Elizabeth Lamin: Heidi's mom actually said  That for so many years they had to live with Nick Firkus' narrative.  And they knew it was wrong, but they just didn't have another narrative. And to finally be able to  have him finally held accountable it meant a lot to us 

For Sergeant Sipes, there is still the mystery of what led to the couple's financial problems.

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: We weren't able to definitively say what the money was spent on.

Jamie Yuccas: Does that frustrate you?

Sgt. Nichole Sipes: Greatly. I think it would help complete the picture for some people.

On April 13, 2023, Nick Firkus was back in court for his sentencing hearing and to hear victim impact statements.

Peter Erickson (in court): Growing up, Heidi was the quintessential little sister to me.

Peter Erickson Is Heidi's brother.

Peter Erickson: Because of the lies we were told as early as the day after her murder  it's been virtually impossible to find closure to our grief.

Nick refused to admit guilt.

Nick Firkus reads a statement at his sentencing. He refused to admit guilt. / Credit: WCCO

NICK FIRKUS (in court): I do maintain and will maintain to my dying breath my innocence of this crime  my body stands condemned to serve another man's sentence. But my soul, my soul remains free.

Judge Leonardo Castro imposed the maximum sentence.

JUDGE CASTRO: It is the sense of law and judgment of this court that you be committed to the commission of corrections for the remainder of your life without the possibility of release  Good luck to you sir, Godspeed.

Rachel Firkus: My kids are always what I think of first.  They lost in this too, because one day they had a dad that they thought was somebody, and the next day he's not that person anymore.

Nick's second wife Rachel often thinks about Heidi, too.

Rachel Firkus: I like to think I have a connection with Heidi.  she didn't get to have the voice that I have now. And so I can only hope that my voice  is something she would be proud of.

Katina Sarazin: Heidi was a genuine, loving, sincere young woman who wanted to live life to the fullest.

Katina Sarazin: She  wouldn't want people to become bitter or angry because of what she had to experience.  I think that Heidi would want people to choose to love regardless of circumstances.

Nick Firkus is appealing his conviction.

"48 HOURS'" POST MORTEM PODCAST

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Correspondent Jamie Yuccas and producers Asena Basak and Jordan Kinsey discuss theories of whether Heidi Firkus' death was an unfortunate accident or an intentional murder.

Produced by Asena Basak and Paul LaRosa; Jordan Kinsey is the field producer; Ryan Smith and Michelle Fanucci are the development producers; Richard Barber and Michael Baluzy are the editors; Anthony Batson is the senior producer; Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor; Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

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What would help the people of Greater Akron have a better life? Here's what we found

Several Akron-area newsrooms and a civic engagement organization are making an offer: Lets replace the anger and despair by quickly identifying where we agree and what can be done.

A recent brainstorming exercise by more than 260 area residents, for just minutes a day, suggested we can in fact agree on ways to improve life in the community.

Local newsrooms, including the Akron Beacon Journal, are participating in the We Can Disagree! project, aimed at helping area residents tell politicians what really matters as this election approaches. Journalists hope to use input from this dialogue to hold candidates and officials accountable on the issues most pertinent to the community.

Participants were given an initial question to answer on the app Polis: "What is needed to help people have a better life?"

Time for action: Here's your chance to tell politicians and media what's important to you

They offered more than 270 ideas and voted on each other's, casting more than 17,000 votes. They were able to watch in real time as ideas and votes were collected.

The computer application grouped people by common beliefs, then identified which of the ideas were most popular across the groupings.

Here are four statements with which at least 90% of all participants agreed:

We need leaders who we can trust to address complicated issues for all of us rather than divide us.

We are concerned about jobs for the future.

We need mental health care for police for their tension, PTSD, ability to engage constructively.

We need to work for peace in our homes  and the world.

Here are four others that at least 70% of all participants agreed with:

More people talking to one another, face to face.

Healthy food within easy traveling distance.

Police and community to work together.

Affordable and safe housing.

The computer application picked up on a main difference between groups, defined by two main beliefs:

The belief that we have assured reasonable equal opportunity  people just need to work hard to achieve their goals. This is often referred to as meritocracy. The belief that some people face hardships that impede on their attempts at hard work. Equity is often used to describe this belief that the community ought to level the playing field.

Admittedly, the current survey results do have limitations. People under the age of 40 are grossly underrepresented, and to a lesser degree, so are people of color. We continue seeking diverse participation that more accurately reflects the population in our community.

What is encouraging: Polis illustrated significant agreement among the two emergent groups.

The next steps

Now that we have landed on some shared values, lets not stop here. We pushed people's responses into artificial intelligence and asked it to make categories our brain can handle. We added our own insights to arrive at these eight categories needed to help people have a better life:

Economic security and opportunity

Health and wellness

Housing and community infrastructure

Education and lifelong learning

Social cohesion and diversity

Public safety and justice reform

Civic engagement and responsible governance

Environmental sustainability and energy innovation

Does this sound right to you?

These are eight categories people said they needed for a better life, as found by the recent community engagement project We Can Disagree.

All eight are important and work together for a better life. But lets pick one and go deeper.

Well begin with economic opportunity and security, which involves so many of the ideas submitted by participants.

Can we explore deeper to find even more agreement? The kind of agreement that results in peace in our families and world? The kind of agreement that tells politicians how they can address complex issues for us instead of divide us?

Join the next conversation by visiting pol.is/9bvrbxpb4m and answering the question: What can leaders, organizations or individuals do  or what are they already doing  to create more fulfilling jobs in Northeast Ohio that allow more of us to get ahead in life?

Well compile results, share them and dig deeper still. Yes, we CAN disagree, and we can still create meaningful change!

More about We Can Disagree!

Partners in the We Can Disagree! project are the Akron Beacon Journal, Signal Akron and Ideastream Public Media and Fighting to Understand, a Northeast Ohio nonprofit with experience designing and holding difficult conversations.

The Akron Bar Foundation and Akron Community Foundation are funders of this project.

The project uses Polis to regularly pose thought-provoking questions that foster community conversation and help find common ground.

Questions can be emailed to Ted Wetzel, ted.wetzel@fighting-to-understand.us, or Doug Oplinger, oplingerdoug@gmail.com.

We want to hear from you: What do you need to have a better life? | Cheryl Powell

Ted Wetzel is founder and executive director of Fighting To Understand, a nonprofit organized in 2019 for civic education. Doug Oplinger is a retired Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with the Akron Beacon Journal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Beacon Journal collaboration with newsrooms shows where we agree
Henry middle school employee accused of using inappropriate and unacceptable language during class

School officials are investigating an incident involving a contracted employee and a student that involved inappropriate and unacceptable language, according to the district.

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The incident occurred inside a classroom at Union Grove Middle School on Friday.

Parents and guardians were made aware of the incident after school officials sent a letter. Channel 2 Action News obtained the letter that reads:

This message is to inform you that we were made aware of an incident involving a student and a contracted employee using highly inappropriate and unacceptable language during a class period today. Please know we consider this unacceptable and we take these matters very seriously. This incident is currently under investigation as we are still gathering information to determine next steps and the necessary actions.

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The employees identity was not released. No other details were shared on what exactly was said or what led up to the incident.

Channel 2 Action News has reached out to Henry County School District for more information and is waiting to hear back.

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Their homes burned in the Camp Fire. Then the Park Fire destroyed their new ones.

At least four people whose homes burned down in this summer's Park Fire had also lost their houses to the Camp Fire in the same area in 2018.

Ken Baker was expecting a check to arrive in the mail at his new house  part of a settlement after his Paradise, California, home burned in the 2018 Camp Fire.

But that check wont reach its destination.

The address its supposed to go to is no longer, Baker said.

In a painful deja vu, the new house burned in the Park Fire on July 25. Some of Bakers family members watched their Ring camera feed until flames extinguished it.

Ken Baker.

Baker and his wife, Sylvia, had settled in Cohasset, a rural community with a scattering of houses along winding forest roads about 5 miles from Paradise. Now, they are staying in his sons spare bedroom back in Paradise, contemplating how to rebuild for the second time in six years.Daunting, he said, identifying with the Greek legend of Sisyphus. Rolling it up the hill and watching it roll back down again.

The Park Fire is the fourth-largest in Californias history, and Baker is not the only person who lost a second house to it. Three other Camp Fire victims told NBC News similar stories of back-to-back losses.

Ken Baker's property was destroyed in the Park Fire.

Displaced in the Camp Fire, Ken Baker plans to return to Paradise after his second home burned, too.

We had our peace. We had our spot, said Michael Daneau, adding that he and his wife, Kristy, had finally started to feel fully settled in Cohasset. Its gone once again. Theres no way in this moment to fathom how were going to recover from this, except staying positive and keeping with our family and group of friends.The families stories show how risky and challenging it can be for those whose lives are rooted in fire-prone parts of California, as destructive blazes become more extreme and frequent because of climate change and forest management issues.

They also demonstrate the way these losses can be compounding and cyclical: Several families said their displacement in the Camp Fire thrust them into a hard-luck housing market with little choice but to settle again in a wildfire-prone community. Others poured effort into hardening their new homes against wildfire, but it wasnt enough.





The Camp Fire burned for weeks in November 2018, killing 85 people and destroying more than 13,500 homes.

Rick Pero narrowly survived with his wife, Lisa Stone. The two tried to get out as quickly as possible, but their skittish cat, CatMandu, was zooming around their Paradise home.

It was eight minutes we did not have, Pero said.

The couple soon found themselves in the car with CatMandu, surrounded by flames, in a group of about 20 other vehicles  some with melting side panels. A fire truck used a water cannon and hydrant to douse the group.

Rick Pero with CatMandu.

Transformers and propane tanks were exploding. Houses were burning all around us, Pero said.Eventually, they made their way to a grocery store parking lot, then caravanned out when conditions improved.

About a year later, Pero, now 70, and Stone settled in a subdivision called Forest Ranch, just east of Cohasset. He became the head of the neighborhoods wildfire mitigation committee.

Each year, he brought in hundreds of goats to chew a fire break around the neighborhood. Pero chopped down bushes  ladder fuels  created a 40-foot buffer of defensible space around his property and built a fire road for truck access.

We had this wonderful, incredible view  365 days a year  the sunset. That was such a gift, Pero said.

Rick Pero manicured his landscape carefully to make it as fire-resistant as possible.

As the Park Fire erupted, he was in Mexico. His cat sitter was unable to corral CatMandu when the evacuation order came.Pero later visited his property, which burned to the ground, and found CatMandus remains in his usual hiding place  under the red TV chair. Pero buried his treasured pet near the house, one of only three that burned in the neighborhood of 28 homes.

We miss the loving cat, the cuddle-up in our arms, Pero said, choking up. I would kind of sing to him when he ate.

"That view was incredible. Unfortunately, it came with a cost," Rick Pero said of his home on a forested hilltop.





The Daneau family  Michael, Kristy and their four daughters  were scattered around Paradise when the Camp Fire evacuation notice came, and they fled separately with friends, family or strangers. Michael frantically took their calls.

At one point, he lost contact with Kristy, who had stayed at an elementary school to make sure students with disabilities got to safety; when their phones reconnected, Michael remained on the line as Kristy drove through flames.

When they finally found each other, Daneau said they shared a moment of realization: Now were homeless.

The Daneaus and their four dogs spent three weeks in a hotel, then two months in a fifth-wheel RV in a parking lot near the airport in Chico, California. The roof leaked.

Tension was high to say the least, Daneau said.

The couple secured a fire insurance payment and put offers on a dozen homes, but lost out. With tens of thousands of people displaced after the fire, survivors were left scrambling to find housing.

Thats what led us to Cohasset, Daneau said. We said absolutely not, were not going to move into a fire zone. We werent forced into it, but our only other option was staying in a fifth wheel.

Kristy and Michael Daneau.

In Cohasset, a man put his home up for sale with specific conditions: The buyer had to be a family that survived the Camp Fire.Everything was rainy and beautiful and green. The cedar trees were vibrant. You could smell the pines, Daneau said. My wife fell in love.

The seller gave them the house for $10,000 less than their offer.

The Park Fire started when a man pushed a burning car into a gully in a Chico city park on July 24, authorities say. That afternoon, temperatures climbed to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The car ignited vegetation, and the blaze grew to more than 70,000 acres in roughly 24 hours.

The fire reached parts of Cohasset that evening.

Michael and Kristy Daneau left with their youngest daughter, now 17, and joined a convoy of cars that became mired in confusion without consistent cell reception.

Kristy and Michael Daneaus Cohasset home after the Park Fire roared through.

People were blindly leading and following each other down a maze of logging roads, Daneau said. It took them seven hours to get to Chico, typically a 20-minute drive on their normal route.





Daneau, Baker and Pero were part of the settlement with Pacific Gas & Electric Co., whose utility lines started the Camp Fire. Each said they have still received only a few relatively small payments and are frustrated by the process.

Sylvia Baker

Baker, 59, is an Iraq War veteran who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Chico. During the Camp Fire, he said, the only reason I got out was because I grew up in this area and knew the shortcuts and back roads.He intended to rebuild in Paradise, but all the building materials and available contractors, everything started going up exponentially in price, he said. So he and his wife, Sylvia, bought a transition home in Cohasset.

When the Park Fire got close, he had a second narrow escape through the flames.

Now two-time wildfire victims, these families know whats ahead.

Ken Baker initially stayed behind to try to fight the fire at his property. Eventually, fire crews opened a path for him to flee in his vehicle.

Youve lost everything. Youve got nothing. Youve already gotten over that mentally once. When you have to do that a second time, you kind of know what to expect, said Alex Wood, 26, who also lost homes in both the Camp and Park fires.The 2018 fire destroyed all of Woods possessions when he was just 21. He spent months sleeping either in his 99 GMC Sonoma or on friends couches. Eventually, a family friend offered him a rental in Cohasset  a building the Park Fire decimated last month.

Wood bought a trailer that he plans to tow to the burned property. He hopes to purchase it and build anew.

If it werent for his family and his workplace, Wood said, I dont think Id stay in California.





Pero and his wife are considering their options now, including moving away.

Were thinking with drought and global warming and the water issues in California, were just kind of concerned with whats California going to look like, he said.

Peros house was insured, but the Daneaus gave up their insurance when the costs got too high. Insuring their Cohasset house cost about $7,000 the first year, then around $10,000 the next, Daneau said. When the quote jumped to $12,000, it became unobtainable.

Kristy and Michael Daneaus home in Cohasset, which burned down in the Park Fire.

The couple are staying with Daneaus father and dont know whats next. Theyd like to live near the coast but wont leave their children, who have all settled nearby.Their main priority is getting away from fires, Daneau said. Even if it means living in a city, well damn well do it. We cant put ourselves in this position again.

For Baker, generations of family remain in the Paradise area and he doesnt want to leave. He is negotiating with a developer to purchase a new home there.

He views the risk as lower now because so many trees have burned and the landscape has become more suburban. The city has new water systems and the houses are built to modern fire codes and with a sprinkler system.

Baker said hes been grateful for an outpouring of community support.

Its humbling to consider yourself a self-made man, and sit on the side of the street with no home and no property that two hours ago you had, he said. You have to reassess and redirect your efforts and prioritize and continue on with your mission  and of course the mission is living.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi needed 50% of votes plus one and he far exceeded that with 79% in the first printout. That means the race does not need to go to the general election.

Hawaii County mayoral race could be decided tonight

When interviewed earlier on Saturday, Mayor Blangiardi was full of energy and joy, riding around town on a trolley and greeting some of his sign wavers.

He said he inherited a time with a lot of pain and tragedy and moving forward, he wants to give people hope.

So tonight is one of those moments where hopefully the public sees that they respond accordingly at the polls. Well find out later tonight. But were really looking really good. Well, you know, wed like to win in the primary. Im not going to be coy about that. Weve said that all along. And if we can do that, it will allow us to get on with business and not have to deal with the campaign for the next several months. Mayor Rick Blangiardi

Mayor Blangiardi arrived in Downtown Honolulu between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to see if his three opponents Duke Burgoin, Karl Dicks and Choon James could force a general election.

The first printout results came in just after 7:20 p.m. where Blangiardi showed out with 72% or 115,017 votes.

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Its a challenge, a responsibility and a privilege of a lifetime rolled into one. So when you get to a moment like this, an overwhelming vote of confidence by the public who perceived the work we have done is good, not only is it validating, its inspiring, so Im pumped. This team is pumped. We were hoping this would be the case and it turned out that way, explained Blangiardi.

The second printout is expected to come in around 10:30 p.m.

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Horses, dogs and cockroaches? More than 100 animals seized from Southern California property

A search warrant served at a property in Riverside County resulted in the seizure of more than 100 animals ranging from livestock to exotic birds, according to the Riverside County Animal Services.

The agency said the warrant was served on Wednesday at a property located in the 44000 block of Bonny Lane in Aguanga, which is about 20 miles east of Temecula.

The majority of the 100 animals seized were livestock. Among the others included three horses, six goats, several dogs, chickens, exotic birds, mice and even pet cockroaches. Many of the dogs were wolf hybrids, the agency said.

The horses were in poor condition, the agency said, and the propertys owner failed to respond to two notices posted on July 31.

Animal Services was notified by a tip from a deputy with the Riverside County Sheriffs Department, who became aware of the situation while working the Nixon Fire.

Most of the animals were relocated and placed into care at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.

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CONWAY, Ark.- President Houston Davis is saying goodbye to Summer 2024 graduates this Saturday as he prepares to welcome what he believes could be a record-breaking enrollment for this years freshman class.

Yes, today we had graduate commencement for the Summer; we had 247 masters and doctoral students that received their degrees; it was just a wonderful celebration, Davis said.

This is life-changing New University of Central Arkansas program eliminates financial barriers for families

We do know at this point it likely will be the largest increase that weve ever seen in freshman classes year to year, Davis said.

Last year, enrollment numbers were over 1,700; this years numbers are expected to supersede.

The increase comes from the universitys natural, expected growth and the launch of the UCA Commitment.

These are things that we certainly have been planning for for a couple of years as we ready for our UCA Commitment Program to begin, Davis said.

University of Central Arkansas athletics and aviation programs receive new leaders

Data that the university has already obtained show that more than 400 students have registered for residential housing this year compared to last years numbers.

The UCA Commitment program is a new debt-free pathway for students, and the first cohort includes almost 760 students.

Then, there is also an increase in returning students wanting to live on campus.

While the university has dorms and apartment-style living, the huge increase was causing housing issues.

University of Central Arkansas raises more than $20 million in 2023

It was a good problem to have to be able to pick up the phone and call the edge, Davis said.

During times of need, UCA partnered with The Edge Apartment Complex, located near campus, but this year, they needed 96 beds.

We left the door open to have even more next year for those returning upperclassman students, Davis said. I can tell you that we were really glad to be able to say that all the freshmen are taken care of, and between The Edge and our apartment-style living at Bear Village, all those that made the application deadline for housing are taken care of as well.

Two dozen returning students still need to make their application deadlines, but the university is working to find solutions for them.

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Then the really fun puzzle is going to be thinking about what it is that UCA needs to do as we look to the future, Davis said.

Davis says adding more dorms and on-campus apartments would be a potential option, but it is a long-term decision that must be taken seriously and continuously worked on.

Until then, he is gearing up to welcome that incoming class on Sunday, August 18th, for move-in day.

We need to be ready for them, and we need to make certain theyre having a special experience once they get here, Davis said.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  People worldwide celebrated culture and diversity at Marshall Roy Park. Hundreds gathered Saturday for the African Community Festival in Springfield.

Hello Neighbor Community Festival provides day of family fun in Springfield

A PhD student from UMass Amherst, originally from Kenya says she was looking forward to it all week long.

The Tanzania food, I like the Jamaican, the Nigerian, and Ghana food, it was really good, said Margaret Ngureu.

One woman says after a long flight, shes just happy to celebrate.

I almost missed it because I came on Tuesday from Kenya and its such a blessing to be here, expressed Catherine Kabochi of Springfield.

A huge part of the festival was the traditional foods from different countries at every tent. All of the traditional food was so tasty, that it went quickly at almost every tent.

Im here representing the island of Jamaica today, explained Lattoy McDowell, the Owner of Flavians Kitchen. Which is where Im from. We brought our national dish; akeum saw fish, ox tail, rice, and peas. Jerk chicken, real rum cake, and rum pudding.

Several men and women showed up wearing their favorite traditional outfits as well.

This one is mostly made from animal skin. This is the main attire for such an event where we have many people with different cultures, said Julia Lotieng from Springfield.

Many who are considered royals in Africa also made an appearance to show the community what their continent means to them and how they enjoy sharing their culture with others. This years festivals theme was celebrating unity and culture.

Those who attended say they hope to keep promoting that message across western Massachusetts.

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FIRE ON THE TERRITORY OF THE ZAPORIZHZHIA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT on 11 August. Photo: Yevhen Yevtushenko on Telegram

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that its experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming out of the northern area of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) following numerous explosions on the evening of 11 August.

Source: IAEA on X (Twitter)

Quote: "IAEA experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from ZNPPs northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening."

Details: The IAEA added that its team had received a message from the occupying administration of the ZNPP about an "alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site".

"No impact has been reported for nuclear safety," the IAEA added.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russians started a fire on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and urged the IAEA and the international community to respond to the incident. No changes to radiation levels near the ZNPP have been documented.

Yevhen Yevtushenko, Head of the Nikopol District Military Administration, had previously reported that the ZNPP was operating as usual, and the Russians had likely set fire to a large quantity of car tyres in the cooling tower.

The Russian occupiers have blamed Ukraine for allegedly attacking the city of Enerhodar and claim that background radiation around the ZNPP is normal.

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ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY)  A single-vehicle crash Saturday morning claimed the life of a 22-year-old New Iberia man and severely injured a passenger, Louisiana State Police said.

The crash resulted in the death of Ridge Belaire.

State police said in a news release that Belaire was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe south on LA 347. The crash occurred just after 7 a.m. near Alexandre Hebert Road in St. Martinville.

23-year-old Scott man dies in single-vehicle crash, police say

For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet exited the roadway to the left, entered a ditch, and overturned causing Belaire to be ejected, state police said.

Belaire was unrestrained and suffered fatal injuries, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

A passenger of the vehicle was taken to an area hospital for treatment of severe injuries. State police said Saturday that the passengers restraint use is still be investigated.

Routine toxicology samples were taken for analysis, police said.

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HARVEY, Ill. (WGN)  An Illinois woman has pleaded guilty to stealing $1.5 million worth of food, mainly chicken wings, from the school district where she worked.

Vera Liddell was the food service director for Harvey School District 152 near Chicago.

Cook County prosecutors accused her of stealing massive amounts of food meant for take-home meals for students learning remotely during the pandemic.

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She allegedly ordered more than 11,000 cases of chicken wings from the school districts food provider and then picked-up the order in a district cargo van.

The massive fraud began at the height of COVID during a time when students were not allowed to be physically present in school, read a proffer presented at Liddells bond hearing last year. Even though the children were learning remotely, the school district continued to provide meals for the students that their families could pick up.

Vera Liddell is pictured here. (Photo courtesy of Cook County States Attorneys Office)

The Cook County States Attorneys Office told Nexstars WGN that Liddell entered a guilty plea on Friday, August 9, and received a 9-year prison sentence.

The scheme was first uncovered by the districts business manager during a routine mid-year audit. The manager found the district was $300,000 over its annual food service budget despite only being halfway through the school year, according to prosecutors.

WGNs Sam Charles and Andrew Schroedter contributed to this report.

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Investigation underway after driver injured in shooting along I-94 in northwest Indiana

Investigation underway after driver injured in shooting along I-94 in northwest Indiana

PORTER COUNTY, Ind.  A shooting along Interstate 94 in northwest Indiana on Friday afternoon has sparked an investigation by state police.

According to Indiana State Police (ISP), just before 1:30 p.m. on Friday, troopers were called to the scene of a shooting that was reported along I-94, just east of State Road 49, near mile marker 28 eastbound in Chesterton.

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When troopers arrived on the scene, they found a Jeep Grand Cherokee parked on the right shoulder of the road with several bullet holes in the drivers side.

Authorities said the driver of the jeep suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting and two other passengers in the vehicle, both juveniles, were uninjured.

Troopers rendered first aid to the victim before they were taken to the hospital for treatment.

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Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and authorities are asking for the publics help in their investigation.

Anyone who witnessed or may have information about the shooting is asked to contact ISP Detective Hamed at 219-696-6242.

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PACIFIC JUNCTION, IA (KELO)  Two men were killed at a shooting in Pacific Junction, Iowa at a musical festival following a shooting in the parking lot.

The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday at I-29 Speedway in Prairie Junction, Iowa, which is south of Omaha.

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The Iowa Department of Public Safety is confirming there are injuries related to the incident, and that law enforcement secured the area by 10:30 p.m.

Two men were killed in the shooting. The two men, Marcus Johnson, 28, and Charles William Jr., 27, were both from Omaha, Nebraska.

Law enforcement is asking anyone who has information about the shooting to contact the Mills County Sheriffs Office at 712.527.4871. This is an ongoing investigation.

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(Bloomberg) -- Irans reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has picked an architect of the 2015 nuclear deal as his foreign minister and an industry veteran for the top job in oil.

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Pezeshkian presented his nominee ministers to parliament on Sunday, state TV reported, as the Islamic Republic repeated its intention to retaliate against Israel after the killing of a top Hamas leader in Tehran on July 31.

Pezeshkians proposed ministers still have to be approved by Irans parliament, which is dominated by hard liners opposed to reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers that capped Irans nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief. Former US President Donald Trump exited the accord in 2018.

Pezeshkian has pledged to secure sanctions relief in order to improve the economy and boost the countrys oil exports.

If Pezeshkians choices for the top jobs are rejected, that will leave ministers from the administration of the late hard-line cleric Ebrahim Raisi in charge of key portfolios, until he can name alternatives.

Abbas Araghchi, who served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was a nuclear negotiator under moderate former President Hassan Rouhani, has been nominated to run Irans foreign ministry.

The acting foreign minister is Ali Bagheri Kani, a close ally of Raisi, who has been handling talks with regional counterparts about the conflict with Israel. He has said that Israel should pay for last months killing of a top Hamas leader in Iran. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

At the oil ministry, Pezeshkian has chosen Mohsen Paknejad for the top job. He has held several positions as the state-run National Iranian Oil Co. including a stint as acting managing director. He also served under Rouhani.

The only appointment of a woman in the list of 19 ministers is Farzaneh Sadegh Malvajerd, a 48-year-old architect and urban planner, who will serve as Irans first female minister of roads and urban development.

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Israel calls on residents in the north of Khan Younis to flee

Palestinians arrive at Deir al-Balah after being displaced from Rafah, where they will stay in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

The Israeli army has urged residents of a northern neighbourhood in Khan Younis to leave the area immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip city.

The al-Jalaa neighbourhood of Khan Younis will no longer be considered part of a humanitarian zone due to "significant terrorist activity" there, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday.

The IDF said civilians in al-Jalaa should move to a redrawn humanitarian zone. The IDF said residents had been informed via SMS, telephone calls, flyers and other messages in Arabic.

"The adjustment is being carried out in accordance with precise intelligence indicating that Hamas has embedded terrorist infrastructure in the area defined as a humanitarian area," the IDF said.

Nearly 100 people were reported killed in a devastating Israeli airstrike on a school building in Gaza City on Saturday, Palestinians said.

A spokesman for the Hamas-controlled Palestinian civil defence said at least 93 people died in the building, which was being used as a refugee shelter. The incident prompted international outrage.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack, which it said targeted a Hamas command centre located in the building. At least 19 commanders and fighters of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were killed, the IDF said.
Israel calls on residents in northern Khan Younis to flee new advance

Palestinians flee Hamad City towards Al-Mawasi after the Israeli army dropped leaflets demanding residents of a northern neighborhood in Khan Younis to evacuate immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

The Israeli army on Sunday urged residents of a northern neighbourhood in Khan Younis to leave the area immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip city.

The al-Jalaa neighbourhood of Khan Younis will no longer be considered part of a humanitarian zone due to "significant terrorist activity" there, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday.

The IDF said civilians in al-Jalaa should move to a redrawn humanitarian zone. The IDF said residents had been informed via SMS, telephone calls, flyers and other messages in Arabic.

"The adjustment is being carried out in accordance with precise intelligence indicating that Hamas has embedded terrorist infrastructure in the area defined as a humanitarian area," the IDF said.

Nearly 100 people were reported killed in a devastating Israeli airstrike on a school building in Gaza City on Saturday, Palestinians said.

A spokesman for the Hamas-controlled Palestinian civil defence force said at least 93 people died in the building, which was being used as a refugee shelter. The incident prompted international outrage.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack, which it said targeted a Hamas command centre located in the building. At least 19 commanders and fighters of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were killed, the IDF said.

Israeli killed in West Bank

Also on Sunday, an Israeli national was killed in a suspected attack in the West Bank, the IDF said.

The incident saw unknown perpetrators fire shots from a car at several passing vehicles in the north of the Palestinian territory.

According to the Magen David Adom, Israel's rescue service, two men travelling in separate cars suffered gunshot wounds.

One man was declared dead and the other was flown to hospital by helicopter.

The IDF did not initially provide any information on the identity of the perpetrators. According to Israeli media reports, they fled to a Palestinian village.

IDF forces were said to be still searching for them and blocked roads in the area.

The situation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has worsened significantly since the start of the current conflict in Gaza, which began after the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

More than 590 Palestinians have since been killed in the West Bank in Israeli military operations, confrontations or their own attacks in the West Bank, according to the Health Ministry.

Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has also increased markedly since October 7.

Palestinians carry their belongings as they flee Hamad City towards Al-Mawasi after the Israeli army dropped leaflets demanding that residents of a northern neighborhood in Khan Younis evacuate immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Palestinians flee Hamad City towards Al-Mawasi after the Israeli army dropped leaflets demanding residents of a northern neighborhood in Khan Younis to evacuate immediately ahead of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
The News

Israeli authorities ordered mass evacuations in southern Gaza a day after a strike on a school-turned-shelter killed at least 80 Palestinians, according to local health authorities  one of the deadliest attacks in Gaza since the conflict began.

Israeli officials disputed the death toll, saying the strike had targeted and killed 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters, the Associated Press reported.

The international community, including leaders from the EU, France, Germany, and the UK, condemned the strike; the White House said it was deeply concerned, and US Vice President Kamala Harris said far too many civilians have been killed.

Schools in Gaza are some of the last places in the war-torn strip that still have walls and access to limited plumbing, making them attractive for the simple reason that the alternatives are worse, The New York Times wrote, but they have now become frequent targets of the Israeli military.

The latest evacuation orders impact Khan Younis, Gazas second-largest city, including part of an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone from which the military said Hamas fired rockets. The safe zone has significantly reduced in area several times since the war began.

A majority of Gazas 2.3 million population has already been displaced; one UN official said Sunday that Gazans have nowhere to go.

Meanwhile, tensions with Hezbollah in the north continue to flare as Lebanon braces for a war with Israel.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel expanded evacuation orders in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip overnight, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinian residents and displaced families to leave in the dark as explosions from tank shelling reverberated around them.

The Israeli military said it was attacking militants from the Hamas group - which administered Gaza before the war - who were using those areas to stage attacks and fire rockets.

On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a school where displaced Palestinians were sheltering in Gaza City killed at least 90 people, according to the civil defence service, prompting an international outcry.

The Israeli military said it had struck a Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant command post, an allegation the two groups rejected as a pretext, and killed 19 militants.

In Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, the evacuation instruction covered districts in the centre, east and west, making it one of the largest such orders in the 10-month-old conflict, two days after tanks returned to the east of the city.

The announcement was posted on X and in text and audio messages to residents' phones: "For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately to the newly created humanitarian zone. The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone."

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations' agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, said people in Gaza were trapped and had nowehere to go.

"Some are only able to carry their children with them, some carry their whole lives in one small bag. They are going to overcrowded places where shelters are already overflowing with families. They have lost everything and need everything," he said.

The Israeli army said it had struck around 30 Hamas military targets in the previous 24 hours, including military structures, anti-tank missile launch posts, and weapons storage facilities.

The Islamic Jihad armed wing said fighters fired mortar bombs against Israeli forces massing in the eastern areas of Khan Younis.

Later on Sunday, an Israeli airstrike near the Khan Younis market at the center of the city killed four Palestinians and wounded several others, medics said.

Lines of smoke rose from areas where Israeli planes carried attacks in the eastern and western parts of the city. Residents said two multi-floor buildings were bombed.

Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in Gaza since the war broke out last October and the toll is rising by the day, the Gaza health ministry says.

Gaza health officials say most of the fatalities have been civilians but Israel says at least a third are fighters. Israel says it has lost 329 soldiers in Gaza.

Israel began its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

TENS OF THOUSANDS FORCED TO LEAVE OVERNIGHT

Most of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes, according to the United Nations, while their narrow strip of land has largely been reduced to a wasteland of rubble.

Palestinian and United Nations officials say there are no safe areas in the enclave. Areas designated as humanitarian zones, like Al-Mawasi in western Khan Younis where residents were being sent, have been bombed several times by Israeli forces.

Tens of thousands left their homes and shelters in the middle of the night, heading west toward Mawasi and north toward Deir Al-Balah, already overcrowded with hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

"We're exhausted. This is the 10th time I and my family have had to leave our shelter," said Zaki Mohammad, 28, who lives in the Hamad housing project in western Khan Younis, where the occupants of two multi-floor buildings were ordered to leave.

"People are carrying their belongings, their children, their hopes and their fears and running towards the unknown, because there is no safe place," he told Reuters via a chat app. "We are running from death to death."

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Angus MacSwan)
Palestinians search for victims following an Israeli strike that killed more than 100 people in a school sheltering displaced Palestinians. a medical source said, in Gaza City, on Saturday on August 10, 2024. Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/UPI

Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Israel's high rate of arrest of Palestinians in recent months has led to overcrowding in the prisons where the captives are held.

The Palestinian Commission of Detainees' Affairs, a governmental body of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, said in a statement Saturday that a third of the 500 captives in the Gilboa Prison are forced to sleep on the floor in crowded cells.

"This overcrowding constitutes a clear violation and transgression of prisoners' rights, according to international laws and agreements," the commission said, noting that the overcrowding also violates Israeli law.

Some cells, that are only meant to hold five prisoners, are holding captive as many as 15 people, according to the commission.

A lawyer for the commission visited the prison and met with two captives who described daily beatings and abuse by prison guards, including being sprayed with gas, from inside the prison.

The captives are 25-year-old captive Awad Mar'I, who was arrested in May 2022 and is serving a three-year sentence, and 38-year-old Islam Badr -- who has been detained since October and is being transferred to administrative detention upon recommendation from Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency.

Last week, the commission interviewed three Palestinians held captive at the Ofer Prison where they have endured "overwhelming pain" and "inhumane treatment" at the hands of their Israeli jailers.

"They used dogs to terrify and attack us, and sprayed pepper spray and tear gas in our cells without any reason," the captives said in a joint statement, adding that their Israeli jailers "broke our bones and left us bleeding from the heads and all body parts."

About 10,000 Palestinians are currently held captive in Israeli prisons, excluding many from Gaza. About 3,432 of them are under administrative detention, which allows Israel to indefinitely keep them captive without trial.

The human rights group Amnesty International has said the practice has "dramatically increased" since the war. Palestinians and their supporters often equate this practice to kidnapping.

Amnesty International has documented cases of Israeli soldiers torturing Palestinian detainees, including "severe beatings" and "humiliation." The human rights group said that such torture had been occurring "for decades" before Hamas' attack Oct. 7.

And, Israeli forces have continued to detain dozens of journalists and healthcare workers in Gaza.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday warned Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia to avoid retaliatory strikes against Israel, as Hezbollah said it attacked an Israeli training base with drones.

"Whoever harms us in a way that has not previously occurred will probably be hit in a way that has not previously occurred," said Gallant, arguing that Israel is fighting for its existence in a hostile environment.

Israel is bracing itself for an attack following the killings within days of two leading Israeli opponents in recent weeks: a Hezbollah commander in Beirut and the political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.

"I hope they think this through and don't get to a point where they force us to do significant damage and increase the likelihood of war breaking out on other fronts," said Gallant.

"We don't want that, but we need to be prepared," he added.

Earlier, Hezbollah said it used "swarms of assault drones on the Mahava Alon base" in northern Israel late on Saturday, "achieving a direct hit and causing confirmed casualties."

The attack came in response to Israel's killing of Hamas member Samer al-Haj on Friday in Lebanon's port city of Sidon.

Hezbollah also said it attacked a gathering of Israeli soldiers near the border.

The Israeli military confirmed drones flew over Israeli territory from Lebanon. One was intercepted and others crashed, with damage but no injuries reported, the army said.

A large-scale barrage by Hezbollah on Israel, perhaps in coordination with an attack by Iran, has been expected for days.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has sworn revenge after the targeted killing of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut on July 30. Haniyeh's death in the Iranian capital followed on August 1, prompting the leadership in Tehran also to swear vengeance on Israel, which it blamed for the attack.
The Israel Defense Forces reported around 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon on Sunday evening, though some fell into open areas and no injuries were reported.

Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in northern Israel, approximately 30 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon toward the area of Kabri, a number of which fell in open areas, the IDF said in a statement.

Rocket sirens were heard in the northern coastal city of Nahariya around 2 a.m. local time (7 p.m. ET).

Earlier Sunday, the IDF said its instructions to the public have not changed amid a possible retaliatory attack from Iranian forces after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The IDF and the security establishment monitor our enemies and the developments in the Middle East, with an emphasis on Iran and Hezbollah, and constantly assess the situation, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said. IDF forces are deployed and prepared in high readiness. If it becomes necessary to change the instructions, we will update about it in an orderly message on the official channels.

CNN Political and Foreign Policy Analyst Barak Ravid reported Sunday, according to two sources, Israeli intelligence assessed Iranian forces could be planning an attack within days, even before the August 15 hostage deal talks.

A source privy to the details told Ravid the situation is still fluid and the internal debate in Iran continues. It is possible Iranian decision-making will still change.

Ravid also reported that Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday and told him Iranian military preparations suggest Iran is getting ready for a large-scale attack, a source with knowledge of the call said.

As planned ceasefire talks are due to take place this week, the threat of an attack from Iran and Iranian-backed Hezbollah looms. The leaders of the United States, Qatar and Egypt said Thursday they may present what they called a final bridging proposal this week, urging Israel and Hamas to conclude a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel will send a delegation to the talks.

An Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN over the weekend Egyptian and Qatari mediators have conveyed to Israeli officials in recent days Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar wants a ceasefire deal. Hamas said Sunday it has asked mediators to implement a ceasefire plan based on previous talks such as those put forward by US President Joe Biden and the UN Security Council in July.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

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Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, declined to meet with US lawmakers

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, declined to meet with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner during their visit to Georgia.

Senator Shaheen expressed concerns about Ivanishvili's refusal, noting that Ivanishvili is perceived as the key decision-maker in the country.

Ivanishvili is also Georgia's richest man, with an estimated net worth of almost $5 billion. He made the bulk of his fortune in Russia in the 1990s.

Previously, Transparency International Georgia reported in 2022 that Ivanishvili owned an unreported Russian company through an offshore subsidiary.

Senator Shaheen criticized Georgia's adoption of the controversial foreign agents law, which she views as influenced by Russia and contrary to the will of the Georgian people.

"I don't understand it. What we hear from the Georgian people, they are against it, Shaheen said about the new law.

The legislation, which requires organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents" mirrors repressive Russian legislation used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics.

The law also allows the authorities to monitor such organizations and obtain personal data.

Meanwhile, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with the U.S. officials to discuss improving bilateral relations, which have soured following the law's passage.

This comes after the U.S. suspended over $95 million in aid to Georgia due to its perceived recent anti-democratic stance.

Read also: Georgian opposition to file complaint to Constitutional Court over foreign agents law

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  The battle for the House Speaker has Kim Coco Iwamoto optimistic but still anxious.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

With the second printout, at 10:30 p.m., Iwamoto kept her lead over incumbent Scott Saiki.

Well, I am still anxious, Iwamoto told KHON2, Ive never been ahead on a print out so thats whats different. It feels great.

Iwamoto is optimistic after running against Saiki two previous times.

Im just excited with the possibilities.

Blangiardi receives 79% of votes for Honolulu Mayor in first printout

Meanwhile, Saikis campaign issued the following statement:

This is still a close primary and were waiting on the second printout. We believe that there are still votes out there. In the meantime, we just want to thank all of our supporters and our friends and all the voters of district 25 that have voted that have taken the time to vote this primary.

The second printout is expected around 10:30 p .m. All race results can be found on KHON2.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 KHON2.
J.D. Vance came to Trumps defense when confronted with the fact that the presidential candidate had dinner in 2022 with white supremacist Nick Fuentes, who recently attacked Vances wife, Usha Vance, a child of Indian immigrants. Fuentes said last month he doesnt expect Vance  the guy who has an Indian wife  to support White identity.

What kind of a man marries somebody named Usha? Fuentes, who has often praised Hitler, said. Clearly, he doesnt value his racial identity, his heritage.

During an interview that aired Sunday on This Week, ABCs Jonathan Karl asked Vance about Fuentes remarks and Trumps dinner with the white supremacist alongside controversial rapper Kanye West, who has praised Hitler multiple times. Vance responded, The one thing I like about Donald Trump is he actually will talk to anybody, but just because you talk to somebody doesnt mean you endorse their views.

JD Vance on Trump dining with white supremacist Nick Fuentes, who made racist comments about his wife and Trump has never fully disavowed: "The one thing I like about Donald Trump is he actually will talk to anybody, but just because you talk to somebody doesn't mean you endorse pic.twitter.com/gB1vr8G2qi  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 11, 2024

Some of Fuentes views include that perfidious Jews and anyone who suppresses Christianity should be absolutely annihilated. When we take power, Fuentes said a Dec. 2023 livestream, they need to be given the death penalty, straight up. The white supremacist had previously praised Trump but declared war against his campaign in an X post on Friday, writing, Tonight I declared a new Groyper War against the Trump campaign. Groypers are far-right extremists and internet trolls and are linked to the nationalist America First PAC.

In his ABC interview, Vance continued to defend Trump, saying, Donald Trump has spent a lot of quality time with my wife. Every time he sees her, he gives her a hug, tells her shes beautiful, and jokes around with her a little bit.

This isnt the first time Vance has justified Trump dining with Fuentes. In May, he was asked about the dinner after Vance tried to claim President Joe Biden is anti-semitic.

Vance also told Karl that if these guys want to attack me or attack my views, my policy views, my personality, come after me, but dont attack my wife. Shes out of your league.

But over on CNNs State of the Union, Vance complained that his opponents, Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has been labeling him and Trump by calling them weird.

I want to move on to something that Governor Walz has called you and Donald Trump, and that is weird, anchor Dana Bash said to Vance during a Sunday interview. The New York Times reports that, when Donald Trump was asked about it, he said: Not me. Theyre talking about J.D.'

Well, certainly, they have levied that charge against me more than anybody else, Vance said. But I think that it drives home how theyre trying to distract from their own policy failures. I mean, look, this is fundamentally schoolyard bully stuff.

.@JDVance responds to Democrats calling him weird, telling @DanaBashCNN that its fundamentally schoolyard bully stuff and that he thinks its a little bit of projection. pic.twitter.com/1ySPsvljME  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) August 11, 2024

Its curious that Vance is calling Walzs weird label as schoolyard bully stuff when mere days ago, Vance said during a campaign event in Detroit, President Trump in particular has the best sense of humor of anybody Ive ever seen in American politics. He loves to joke. He loves to make fun of anybody thats out there.

Vance: Trump has the best sense of humor. He loves to make fun of people pic.twitter.com/LwxoJeGS0d  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 7, 2024

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1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them.

2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound.

3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes.

4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic.

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City Council Member Matt Carlucci has voiced strong support for Mayor Donna Deegans proposed budget, particularly emphasizing the importance of funding for affordable housing and homelessness.

Carlucci highlighted that these issues are the top concerns he hears from constituents daily, stating that they are real, pressing concerns that affect the lives of thousands of Jacksonville residents.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The Mayors budget initially included $10,000,000 earmarked for matching funds to support affordable housing projects, which, combined with private investments, would have resulted in a total of $30,000,000. However, the City Council Finance Committee cut this funding, a move Carlucci sharply criticized, comparing it to swimming halfway across the St. Johns river only to turn around and swim back.

Carlucci urged the Finance Committee and the entire City Council to maintain these funds in the budget, stressing the need for decisive action rather than mere discussion. He also highlighted the importance of other quality-of-life improvements proposed in the budget, arguing that these measures are vital for the well-being of the community.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Our city is at a pivotal moment, Carlucci said, calling on his colleagues to seize the opportunity to make meaningful progress on these critical issues. He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for these funds, stating that the council must recognize the significance of these investments for the future of Jacksonville.

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After a lengthy investigation, Jasper County police say a tip from a resident resulted in the arrest of the alleged killer in a January homicide of a young local arborist. The deceased was shot to death on a remote county road before two suspects reportedly sped away on ATVs.

Dillon Wayne Seagraves, 28, was arrested late Thursday on charges of murder and felony firearm possession. Sheriff Donald Hipp said the suspect lived in Tillman, an unincorporated area in Jasper County that borders the murder scene. Seagraves attended high school at the Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence, according to a public social media profile.

Seagraves is charged in the death of 24-year-old Ryan James Andrew Johnson, who was a resident of unincorporated Jasper County and employee of Action Tree Service in Beaufort. Johnsons obituary describes him as a car enthusiast, dedicated family man and the brother everyone wished they could have.

Johnson was shot multiple times the evening of Jan. 13 after an altercation in a homes front yard on Preschool Road, Hipp said in a press conference held Friday afternoon outside the Jasper County Law Enforcement Building. The 24-year-old was gunned down as the suspected shooter and one other person left the scene, possibly on ATVs, police previously told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

Police arrested Seagraves after receiving information from Johnsons family and a local tipster, according to Hipp. They also executed multiple search warrants on the suspects property.

In a Friday afternoon press conference, Jasper County Sheriff Hipp said police had made an arrest in connection with a Jan. 13 homicide near the Tillman area. We wanted to make sure we had the people that were responsible for this incident, he told reporters.

Hipp gave a reason for why it took nearly seven months to make an arrest in the case, saying investigators took the time to conduct a thorough investigation, not just rush to judgment.

We wanted to make sure we had the people that were responsible for this incident, the sheriff said.

Four days after Johnsons death, police reported an unrelated fatal shooting on Wagon Branch Road, located less than a half-mile from the site of the previous killing. Investigators had not announced any arrests related to the second incident, which claimed the life of 20-year-old Abel Huerta Jr. The sheriffs office turned over that homicide case to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division due to a limited amount of investigators, according to previous reporting.

A search of judicial records did not reveal any prior criminal charges or convictions for Seagraves. As of Friday afternoon, the suspect was in custody at the Jasper County Detention Center.

Two fatal shootings in unincorporated Jasper County occurred just four days apart in January 2024, the first on Preschool Road and the second on Wagon Branch Loop. The two rural roads lie less than a half-mile apart on S.C. 336 (Tillman Road). Police say the incidents are not connected.
An image of JD Vance allegedly dressed as a woman and wearing a blonde wig was posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday. The unconfirmed image quickly picked up steam and began trending under the hashtag #SofaLoren, a reference to the iconic Italian actress Sophia Loren and false claims that the Republican senator had sex with a couch.

A spokesperson for the Republican vice presidential pick did not deny the photos authenticity when approached by the Daily Beast, and did not offer any further comment.

The source who surfaced the alleged photo, Travis Whitfill, says the picture was taken by a fellow Yale classmate in 2012, when Vance was attending law school at the university, and sent to him by another friend. Whitfill then sent it to podcast host Matt Bernstein, who posted it to X.

Its from a group chat of Vances fellow classmates and is from a friend of a friend, he told the Daily Beast. I believe it was grabbed from Facebook and was taken at a Halloween party.

new: i have obtained a photo of jd vance in drag while at yale law school pic.twitter.com/jYf14Lwa4D  matt (@mattxiv) August 11, 2024

Whitfill also posted about his role in bringing the photo to light, sharing screenshots of the text conversation in which he first received the photo.

I didnt know him, Whitfill wrote, from all the sources Ive heard, JD was actually a good guy in law school. Not sure what happened after though

Doing my part for democracy , he added in another post.

Many commenters online connected Vances alleged history of cross-dressing with his legislative historywhich has long been a point of concern for LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.

The Ohio senator introduced the Protect Childrens Innocence Act, which aims to criminalize medical institutions that provide gender-affirming care to minors.

The Republican vice presidential pick also supports measures to limit classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity, and labeled critics of so-called dont say gay legislation groomers.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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JD Vance isn't the first. These 4 presidential elections also had Cincinnati candidates

Ohio Sen. JD Vance, a resident of East Walnut Hills, isnt the first candidate for vice president to hail from the Buckeye State, but it has been a while since an Ohioan has been up for the job.

Vance is, however, the first candidate from Greater Cincinnati on the ballot since James M. Cox ran for president in 1920.

Ohio was once a political powerhouse. The state claims eight U.S. presidents, five with strong ties to Cincinnati. Three vice presidents were also born in Ohio, but none lived there as candidates.

The last Ohioan on a major party presidential ticket was John W. Bricker, who ran for VP alongside Republican Thomas E. Dewey in 1944. They lost to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, elected to his fourth term.

Here are four memorable elections that featured candidates from Greater Cincinnati.

William Henry Harrison revolutionized political campaigns

William Henry Harrison, the first presidential candidate from Ohio, was actually born in Virginia in 1773, the son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Harrison served in the army in the Northwest Territory and was celebrated for the Battle of Tippecanoe against Tecumsehs Shawnee warriors. He settled in North Bend, west of Cincinnati, and represented Ohio in the Senate and House of Representatives.

William Henry Harrison, 1835, painted by James Reid Lambdin.

In 1836, Harrison ran for president as one of four regional Whig candidates. He carried seven states but lost to Martin Van Buren.

He ran again in 1840, this time relying on his exaggerated war hero reputation as Old Tippecanoe. The Whig campaign used a log cabin to represent Harrisons frontier virtues, when in reality he lived in a 16-room mansion.

In her biography of Harrison, Gail Collins wrote: Politically, Harrisons greatest achievement was to star in what is still celebrated as one of the most ridiculous presidential campaigns in history.

Harrison won the presidency but died after 31 days in office. His death was reported in the first edition of The Cincinnati Enquirer on April 10, 1841. He was buried at his familys estate in North Bend.

McClellan-Pendleton vs. Abraham Lincoln

Two candidates with Cincinnati ties challenged Abraham Lincoln in the 1864 election, which was held during the Civil War with grave ramifications for the wars outcome.

While President Lincoln strove to keep the Union together, Peace Democrats (or Copperheads) sought to appease the Confederate states to end the war, which meant maintaining slavery in the South.

A campaign poster for Democratic candidates George B. McClellan and George Hunt Pendleton for the 1864 presidential election. Printed by Currier & Ives, 1864.

For vice president, Democrats chose George Hunt Pendleton, a Cincinnati lawyer and prominent Peace Democrat. (As senator, he wrote the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, drafted at his home on Prospect Hill  which still stands.)

For president, they nominated Gen. George B. McClellan, who had been in command of the Union Army until Lincoln removed him following the disastrous Battle of Antietam.

But the general refused to embrace the partys platform of calling the war a failure, and Lincoln was reelected, no doubt helped by the Southern states that left the Union having no vote.

What was McClellans connection to the Queen City? He had been working in Cincinnati as president of the eastern division of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, headquartered at Third and Race streets, when war broke out in April 1861.

William Howard Taft spent election day in Cincinnati

William Howard Taft was the only president born in Cincinnati, rather than in the region. His birthplace and childhood home at 2038 Auburn Ave. in Mount Auburn is a museum.

He spent election day, Nov. 3, 1908, in his hometown, hosted by his half-brother, Charles Phelps Taft, in the stately mansion on Pike Street that today is the Taft Museum of Art.

William Howard Taft, the only Cincinnatian to occupy the White House and a Woodward graduate, addressed a hometown crowd at the laying of the cornerstone for a new Woodward High School on Nov. 4 1908.

The Taft residence was abuzz with four telegraph operators receiving reports on the election. Taft was the coolest person among the half hundred men and women who were at the Taft residence on Pike street last night to receive the election results, The Enquirer reported.

As word of his victory over William Jennings Bryan came in, Taft said simply, Im contented  perfectly contented.

The next day, the president-elect presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the new building of his alma mater, Woodward High School, at 1310 Sycamore St. in Over-the-Rhine.

Cox and Harding both made headlines

Two newspapermen from Ohio went head to head in the 1920 election. Its rare to have both candidates from the same state, much less the same profession.

Sen. Warren G. Harding, the Republican candidate, was the editor-publisher of the Marion Star newspaper in Marion, Ohio. Democrat James M. Cox, the three-term governor of Ohio, also published the Dayton Daily News.

Ambitious Home Run Hitters: A cartoon by Clifford K. Berryman of the Washington Star, Aug. 3, 1920, depicting presidential candidates James M. Cox and Warren G. Harding envious of Babe Ruths home runs.

Cox, born and raised in Butler County, began his newspaper career as a railroad reporter for The Enquirer in 1892. After a stint as a political aide to U.S. Representative Paul R. Sorg of Middletown, he founded the Dayton Daily News and built it up as the peoples paper.

In 1920, Cox teamed with young Franklin D. Roosevelt as his running mate. While Harding campaigned from his front porch in Marion, Cox toured 36 states by railway to meet voters.

The victor was Harding, the last president from Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How other Cincinnati candidates fared in past presidential elections
Donald Trumps running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) continued his brazen framing of Democrats as anti-child on Sunday, referencing COVID-19 masking as an attempt to paint his opposition as out of touch as he struggles through a weeks-long, often self-inflicted battering over his past comments.

Vance told CNN host Dana Bash that Democrats had become anti-family in policy and that Kamala Harris campaign was taking his childless cat ladies out of context. Before becoming a senator, he told ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson in 2021 that the U.S. was being run by childless cat ladies, name-dropping Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

(Harris is the stepmother of two children, and Buttigieg adopted two children in 2021.)

I criticized Kamala Harris for being part of a set of ideas that exist in American leadership that is anti-family, Vance said. I never, Dana, criticize people for not having kids. I criticize people for being anti-child. And I do think that Kamala Harris

You think shes anti-child? Bash shot back.

has made some bizarre statements, Vance continued.

He claimed Harris said it was reasonable for people not to have children due to climate change, a false reference to a remark Harris made last year empathizing with those struggling with climate anxiety as they considered having kids.

Ella Emhoff Claps Back at J.D. Vances Claim That Kamala Harris Is Childless

Vance then tried to compare it to COVID-era masking, saying Democrats didnt understand young children enough when imposing mask mandates on children. (Mask mandates started under the Trump administration.)

I think that if we had more people who took the right perspective and had a little bit more understanding of how little kids actually operate, we would not have made so many of those mistakes, Vance said.

People didn't know as much because it was literally a novel virus, Bash said.

The exchange left Vance frazzled, prompting an attack on Bash pursuing the line of questioning at all.

Youve now asked me three questions about comments that I made three years ago, Vance said. I wonder what Kamala Harris thinks about the fact that she supported policies that opened the American southern border. I wonder what Kamala Harris thinks about the fact that she lied to the American people about Joe Bidens mental facility for the office.

But Im interviewing you, not Kamala Harris, Bash reminded him.

Buttigieg, appearing after the taped interview, criticized Vance for skirting his past remarks and said the senator only knew one form of response: disparagement.

Im a dog guy with two kids, but Im one of millions of Americans he managed to insult there, Buttigieg said. But then the other part just is troubling, right, which is saying that anybody who disagrees with him is anti-child. And its part of just who he is, right? He seems incapable of talking about a vision for this country in terms of lifting people up or building people up or helping people out. It's always disparagement.

Daily Show Finds Fatal Flaw in J.D. Vances Childless Dig

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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JD Vance said Donald Trump could not be racistdespite his past association with white supremacist Nick Fuentesbecause of the quality time hes spent with his wife.

Vance dismissed Fuentes openly xenophobic comments about his wife in an interview with ABCs Jonathan Karl on Sunday after Karl noted the racist garbage Fuentes had lobbed his way. Fuentes questioned Vances marriage to Usha Vance in a podcast last month, wondering what kind of a man marries somebody named Usha? Clearly, he doesnt value his racial identity, his heritage.

Still, Karl noted, Trump has not completely disavowed the white supremacist after he hosted Fuentesalongside conspiratorial rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, for dinner in November 2022. That was back a year and a half ago, and Trump still hasnt given a full-throated denouncement of this guy, Karl said. I mean, hes a white supremacist.

Vance demurred, claiming Trump has issued plenty of condemnations on this. Trump condemned white supremacists in 2020 after declining to do so during a debate with Joe Biden and he said Fuentes views wouldnt have been accepted during his dinner if expressed, though he has not specifically disavowed Fuentes.

Usha Vance Reveals Truth on Claims Hubby JD Vance Wears Eyeliner

The one thing I like about Donald Trump, Jon, is that he actually will talk to anybody, Vance said. But just because you talk to somebody doesnt mean you endorse their views. And look, I mean Donald Trump spent a lot of quality time with my wife. Every time he sees her, he gives her a hug, tells her shes beautiful, and jokes around with her a little bit.

Trumps racist rhetoric came into full force last month after he questioned Vice President Kamala Harris race during an interview before the National Association of Black Journalists convention. He claimed Harris had turned Black and had only previously leaned into her Indian heritage. Harris father is Jamaican and her mother is Indian.

Im not at all worried about Donald Trump. Im worried sometimes about these ridiculous attacks, Vance continued. But again, this is what you sign up for when you come into politics. I wish people would keep it focused on me. But, whatever. Theyre going to say what theyre going to stay. My wifes tough enough to handle it and thats a good thing.

JD Vance Stuns CNN Host by Calling Stepmom Kamala Harris Anti-Child

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(KRON)  San Francisco Fire Department Chief Jeanine Nicholson has announced her retirement after spending over 30 years battling fires around the city. Nicholson was a beloved community member and the first openly LGBTQI fire chief in the fire departments history.

Chief Nicholson has been an incredible leader for the San Francisco Fire Department and is retiring with a distinguished and decades-long record of public service, Mayor London Breed said, praising Nicholsons efforts, such as incorporating a nationally recognized street response team.

Deputy Chief Jeanine Nicholson (second from right) and Mayor London Breed (right) stand with others after a news conference where Mayor Breed announced Nicholson as the new San Francisco Fire Chief on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. (Photo By Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Nicholson announced her retirement on July 31. She said she is retiring due to unforeseen medical circumstances.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the City and County of San Francisco for over 30 years I am proud of the San Francisco Fire Department and the people who work day and night to protect our city and its citizens. It has been a great privilege and honor to serve as your Fire Chief for the past five years, Nicholson said.

Shahira Lopez, left, stands with instructor Jeanine Nicholson, a Captain with the San Fransisco Fire Department at Camp Blaze, a firefighting camp for girls aged 16-19, Jul 29, 2016. Twenty-four girls from across the country attended the week-long camp, which teaches firefighting and leadership skills.(Genna Martin, seattlepi.com) (Photo by GENNA MARTIN/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Nicholson joined SFFD in 1994. Throughout her time with the department, she had an opportunity to work throughout most of San Francisco, such as positions including:

Firefighter in the South of Market and the Western Addition areas

Firefighter Paramedic in the Ingleside and Richmond

Lieutenant in Bernal Heights

Captain in the Financial District

Battalion Chief in the Sunset and Chinatown

Nicholson was sworn in as the 26th SFFD Fire Chief on May 6, 2019.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) defended current Gov. Tim Walzs (D) record amid attacks from Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) regarding his military service.

I think Vance is doing a disservice to the United States Marine Corps because I know a lot of great Marines, and Marines show respect, Ventura said Saturday on MSNBC. Thats the one thing you get out of a Marine is respect, and Vance ought to look in the mirror and behave like a Marine.

Walz served more than two decades in the Army National Guard. Vance served in the Marines.

Walz, who was named Vice President Harriss running mate earlier this week, has been attacked for leaving the military before his unit was deployed, though men who served under him have said his decision came before they received the deployment orders.

Vance went after Walzs record this week.

I wonder, Tim Walz, when were you ever in war? Vance said on the campaign trail in Michigan. He has not spent a day in a combat zone  Id be ashamed if I was him and lied about my military service like he did.

Ventura, a former professional wrestler who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, shut down the retirement accusation from Vance, saying anyone can retire when you want to after serving for 20 years.

In a statement to The Hill, Vances spokesperson Luke Schroeder said Walz has been caught red handed lying about going to war.

To make matters worse, after a week of nonstop lies from the Kamala Harris campaign claiming otherwise, a command sergeant major senior to Walz has now confirmed he knew he was being sent to Iraq months before he decided to abandon his men so he could run for Congress, Schroeder said. Theres nothing more insulting to veterans who do answer the call to serve in a combat zone than those who engage in stolen valor to benefit their own political career.

Democratic veterans have come to defend Walzs record, including Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who asked if Vance forgot what the Marines taught him about respect.

Ventura also praised Walz as a unique governor, saying that 24 hours after Walz was elected to the statewide position in 2018, he called Ventura to pick his brain and get the perspective of someone who wasnt a Democrat of how he could best govern the state.

No other governors ever done that, Republican or Democrat, but Tim Walz did, and thats what showed me Tim Walz [is] the kind of guy whos out for success, Ventura said.

Walz legalized adult-use cannabis in Minnesota last year, which Ventura attempted to legalize in the state when he served as governor. He said Walz wanted him to be there to celebrate the legislation since he was the one who started the idea.

Thats the kind of person Tim Walz is, he said.

Ventura was previously floated as a running mate for Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this year. Kennedy ultimately chose California lawyer Nicole Shanahan.

Updated at 10:38 p.m. EST.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura praised current Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz while speaking with MSNBCs Rev. Al Sharpton on Saturday  especially for the Democratic VP picks push to legalize marijuana in the state. Twenty-some years ago, I tried to legalize cannabis marijuana. I lit the match, the independent politician began.

Well, the match simmered for 20 years and finally became a flame, and Gov. Walz called me and he said, Gov. Ventura, you need to be in my office Monday at 11. Im going to sign in the law ending the prohibition of marijuana in Minnesota. It was your idea. Youre still alive. You should be there to take credit for this because youre the one who done it,' Ventura continued.

Thats the kind of person Tim Walz is, Ventura warmly concluded.

The former Minnesota governor, a military vet himself, also defended Walzs military service against attacks from GOP vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and the Republican Party, who have criticized Walz for retiring after 24 years of service.

First and foremost, any point after 20 years, you can retire when you want to, Ventura explained. Second, Vance is missing the point. What he ought to be asking is this: why is the National Guard being shipped out and fighting in foreign wars and other lands? That isnt their role.

Their role is to be here in our nation protecting us inside our own country. Thats why theyre called the National Guard,' he continued, exasperated.

Ventura blamed the issue on former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. During the Iraq War, They couldnt bring back a draft. It would be political suicide. So what did they do? Bush signed an executive order now sending our National Guard over in the world combat zones. That is ridiculous.

Sharpton and Ventura also spoke about the elephant in the room: Donald Trump, and their own past friendships with him. Sharpton asked if Trump is the same person that Ventura was once friends with  a question the former governor replied to with a resounding no.

He is not the guy that came to me back in 98 after I won, Ventura said. Ventura even recruited Trump for the Reform Party in an earlier potential run for president. Back then he was much more liberal, but you need to understand, Donald Trump is for Donald Trump, and Donald Trump is going to do whatever it is that supports Donald Trump.

So he looked the situation over. He obviously saw that he could take over the Republican Party. So he changed his views. You know, he went from pro-choice now to, you know, no rights for womens reproduction. Hes gone far right. Hes trying to say hes now a religious person. Well, to me, if youre going to be a religious person, you have to live it, Ventura continued.

Ventura sarcastically noted that he, as an atheist/agnostic, thinks hes more religious than Trump.

And Donald Trump hardly lives it. I mean, hes had multiple wives. I often laugh and think, what would the Republicans have said if Barack Obama would have had multiple wives and multiple children and ran for president, like Donald Trump? What would the Republican response be to that? It would have been horrifying to see what Republicans would have said if that would have been Barack Obama.

You can watch the interview with Jesse Ventura in the video above.

The post Jesse Ventura Praises Tim Walz for Legalizing Marijuana and Giving Him Credit: I Lit the Match | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
An antisemitic thug allegedly yelled Free Palestine and stabbed a Jewish man in a hateful attack near the Chabad Headquarters in Crown Heights on Saturday morning, according to eyewitnesses.

The suspect allegedly approached Yechiel Dabrowskin around 2 a.m. near the Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue and shouted Free Palestine and Do you want to die? before knifing the victim, according to Yaacov Behrman, a spokesperson for Chabad-Lubavitch.

Its very, very painful, Dabrowskin told Kan 11 News in Israel. I had internal bleeding but thank God I had a miracle.

Video released by Shmira Public Safety of Crown Heights shows the attack on Saturday, Aug. 10. Crown Heights Shmira Patrol

He said he was part of a group that sat down to a peaceful dinner near the rebbes synagogue late Friday before the trouble broke out.

At 2 a.m. they were saying that there was a person outside who was threatening children and teenagers, Dabrowskin said. I heard him say, Free Palestine, You want to die? [and] I asked him to leave.

When you look at the footage you can see that me and a friend of mine were trying to distance him from us, he continued. All of a sudden he pulled out a knife.

The knife went very close to my heart, Dabrowskin added. We all tackled him and we all called the police.

Dabrowskin and his attacker, identified by police as 22-year-old Vincent Sumpter of Brooklyn, allegedly exchanged words before the shocking attack, Behrman wrote on X.

Youtube / collivedotcom

Dabrowskin was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover, Behrman added.

He was slashed in the stomach, the NYPD told The Post on Sunday.

Members of a neighborhood watch group were able to detain the attacker until police arrived to make an arrest, Behrman said.

Sumpter was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

Law enforcement sources said Sumpter does not have a prior criminal record in New York City.

One witness told Freedom News TV that the attacker was looking for trouble before the encounter.

It does make me a bit worried, but at the same time Im comfortable here, the man said. I do watch my back in general, but at the same time its making you just be more wary and make sure theres nothing happening behind you and you suddenly turn around and theres a guy about to stab you.

You just watch your back, basically.

Jewish community leaders also blasted the attack as just the latest assault on the Jewish community in New York following a rise of antisemitism since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and subsquent war in Gaza.

Mark Treyger, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, slammed the abhorrent and abominable attack on a young Jewish person in Brooklyn, noting the attack cannot be seen as an isolated incident.

This is a dangerous escalation of the current climate we are in and it should outrage every New Yorker because it is an attack on every New Yorker, he wrote on X.

We need ACCOUNTABILITY and ACTION NOW!

In July alone, the NYPDs Hate Crimes Task Force investigated 30 anti-Jewish offenses, compared to only 10 during the same period last year.

Antisemitic hate crimes made up the majority of the 52 bias offenses investigated by the department last month, the data shows. The NYPD probed 48 hate crimes in July 2023.

So far this year, 229 anti-Semitic hate crimes have been reported to the NYPD through last Sunday, according to NYPD data.

By that time last year, 126 such incidents were reported.

The rise in antisemitic crimes has prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to consider a partial mask ban for New York Citys subways, as hate crimes by mask protesters spike, including one recent incident in which masked protesters demanded that Zionists raise their hands on a crowded train.

It was not immediately clear what condition the victim, who has long-standing ties to the community, was in following the stabbing.

Video shared to X by Shmira Public Safety shows the confrontation unfolding in front of a group of about four other Jewish men who were walking together on the sidewalk. The Post has reached out to Shmira Public Safety for additional information.

A witness said that the attacker came out of the subway looking for trouble.

He was provoking the Jews walking, yelling antisemitic slurs and Free Palestine and stuff like that and they ignored him and he was looking for other people  he was looking for trouble basically  and he continued harassing other people passing by and physically threatened another group, yelling  You wanna die and Free Palestine, the witness said.

Moments later he withdrew a knife and stabbed one of the men, who he believed to be between 18 and 20 years old, the witness added.

The attacker then tried to stab another person before he was detained by Shmira, which is the neighborhood patrol, the witness said.

Elchonon Schagalov, 55, ran outside the nearby temple when he heard the attack unfolding outside, he told The Post on Sunday.



Hes local. Hes originally from Israel. I see him all the time. Hes a nice kid. He has 2 brothers, Schagalov said of the victim. Hes not a provoking kid. He doesnt speak extremely good English. English is his third or fourth language.

An orthodox Jewish man was stabbed by an assailant during a scuffle that occured early Saturday morning around 2:00 AM near 305 Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights. Gregory P. Mango

Schagalov said the group of young men had just finished Shabbat dinner and were chatting outside when the attacker approached them talking about Palestinians, but none of them understood what he was saying since English is not their first language.

They thought he was just joking. They didnt think he was malicious. They werent expecting it, Schagalov said.

The victim then allegedly asked the suspect What do you want from us? and he started yelling at them about Palestine before asking, Do you want to die? and slashing the victim in the stomach, Schagalov said.

This pissed off a lot of people. That someone would come into our community just to provoke, he added. Its definitely made the community more alert.

The victim told Kan 11 that antisemitic harassment has become all too common since the sneak Hamas attack in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7.

Every time I go on the subway and walk on the street I hear the Palestinians curse out the Jews, he said. We prefer not to respond to them because I know if I respond Im going to get beaten up. I prefer to keep my mouth shut.

Im not ashamed to hide my signs of being Jewish, he added.

Im proud to be Israeli. But over the past few months, its gotten very scary to respond to them.
Before President Joe Biden pulled out of the 2024 election, polls showed that it was a neck-and-neck race, would have been down the wire, he told CBS Sunday Morning. But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. Youd be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say and I thought itd be a real distraction, number one.

The second reason Biden chose to discontinue his campaign, he added, was that when I ran the first time, I thought of myself as being a transition president.

His age weighed heavily on Bidens mind. I cant even say how old I am. Its hard for me to get out of my mouth. But things got moving so quickly, it didnt happen, Biden said, adding, the critical issue for me still  itss not a joke  maintaining this democracy.

But I thought it was important because, although its a great honor to be a president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do what [is] the most important thing you can do, and that is we must, we must, we must defeat Trump, he concluded.

Bidens family was in the Oval Office during his announcement, and were quick to tell him how proud they were of him, the president said. He also thought of his son Beau Biden, who died in 2015, and what advice he might have had. Look, I can honestly say that I think of him all the time. Whenever I have a decision, thats really hard to make  I literally ask myself, what would Beau do?

You know, Beau was committed to my staying committed. We had a conversation toward the end, when everybody, we knew he wasnt going to live, Biden continued. And he said, Dad, I know, we know its going to happen. So Im going to be OK, Dad. Im all right, Im not afraid. But Dad, youve got to make me a promise. I said, Whats that Beau? He said, I know when it happens, youre going to want to quit.'

His son made him give his word that he would stay committed to his political career, and Biden complied. And then thats why I had not planned on running after he died. And then Charlottesville happened, Biden said.

Anti-racism demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia turned deadly on Aug. 12, 2017, and activist Heather Heyer was killed after James Alex Fields Jr. drove his car into a group of protesters. Biden has credited the moment with inspiring him to run for office in 2020.

When I spoke to the mom who lost her daughter, the consequence of those neo-Nazis and white supremacists coming out of fields in America with torches, carrying Nazi banners, singing the same sick, antisemitic bile that was sung in Germany in the 30s  when her daughter was killed, the press went to the then-President Trump and said, what do you think? He said, Theyre very fine people on both sides,' Biden explained.

I knew then, I knew I had to do something. Thats how I decided to run. Because democracy is literally at stake, he added.

From that point on, Biden said, Trump proved every fear the opposition had about him. Of Trumps plan to pardon Jan. 6 offenders, Biden explained, Every other time the Ku Klux Klan has been involved they wore hoods so theyre not identified. Under his presidency, they came out of those woods with no hoods, knowing they had an ally.

Biden also repeated his fear that if Trump loses the 2024 election, he will not accept a peaceful transfer of power in January 2025. I mean, if Trump loses, Im not confident at all, Biden explained. He means what he says, we dont take him seriously. He means it. All the stuff about if we lose, therell be a bloodbath. Its happening, a stolen election.'

You can watch the interview with President Joe Biden in the video above.

The post Joe Biden Names Nancy Pelosi While Explaining Why He Dropped Out of Presidential Race | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
A federal judge on Friday ordered Illinois prison officials to move most of the people incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center to other prisons around the state by Sept. 30 after civil rights lawyers argued the living conditions at Stateville were too hazardous for those housed there.

The court order from U.S. District Judge Andrea R. Wood gives the clearest first steps yet for the Illinois Department of Corrections to begin the process of closing the sprawling facility after state officials announced earlier this year a plan to dismantle the prison and build a new one on the Stateville grounds.

The plan is part of a nearly $1 billion project that includes tearing down Logan Correctional Center, a womens prison in downstate Lincoln, and possibly rebuilding that as well on the Stateville site in Crest Hill, near Joliet.

State officials previously said they would not begin to wind down operations at Stateville until at least September and that plans to tear down and rebuild Stateville and Logan were expected to take three to five years. In addition to the lack of specific dates for each phase of the plan, officials have not laid out a plan for how those housed in Stateville will be handled during the transition.

Rather than order the State or Department to complete extensive repairs needed to protect (plaintiffs) from the risk of irreparable harm posed by the deteriorated masonry at Stateville, the Court instead is requiring the Department to accomplish what it has publicly reported and recommended it would do  namely, moving forward with closing Stateville by transferring (plaintiffs) to other facilities, Wood wrote in the order. The Court defers to the Department to develop its own plan to transfer (plaintiffs) and implement that plan in a time and manner of the Departments choosing, provided that the Department completes the required transfers by the Courts deadline of September 30, 2024.

Woods decision was based on a court motion filed by civil rights lawyers representing people housed at Stateville, originally requesting that IDOC transfer or release them by Sept. 20, citing the aging prisons degradation and deterioration. The motion was filed as part of 2013 litigation thats meant to address the horrid conditions at the nearly century-old facility.

In granting the lawyers request for a preliminary injunction, Wood found a probable risk of irreparable harm from falling concrete attributed to the deteriorated masonry walls, ceilings, steel beams, and window lintels at Stateville; and a lack of an adequate remedy at law.

According to the order, IDOC does not have to transfer people housed in Statevilles health care unit, which is a separate building that does not exhibit the risks of falling concrete that exists in the general housing units. The order also doesnt prevent the department from releasing people from Stateville who are qualified to be released.

The preliminary injunction motion last month by civil rights lawyers from the Chicago firm Loevy + Loevy described floors, beds and sinks at Stateville covered in bird feathers and excrement and discolored, bad-smelling drinking water from faucets.

Although some repairs have been made at Stateville, the facility continues to be extremely dangerous, according to the motion. The structural damage and disrepair to Statevilles many compromised buildings pose an ongoing risk to (plaintiffs), as well as those employed there.

For the lawyers and several people living in Stateville, the sordid conditions came to a head last month when 51-year-old Michael Broadway, who was locked up in Stateville, died during a June heat wave. The Will County coroners office has yet to release a cause of death for Broadway, who graduated last year from Northwestern Universitys Prison Education program.

The proposal to dismantle Stateville and Logan and rebuild both facilities was announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration in March. The budget Pritzker signed in June sets aside $900 million in capital funds for the project. Both prisons are in disrepair, and the plan would allow the state to avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance costs, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

A spokesperson for IDOC could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, meanwhile, has expressed opposition to relocating people incarcerated at Stateville at this time. Instead, the union, which represents state prison employees, said it supports building a new prison on the Stateville grounds while keeping the current facility open during construction and continuing to make repairs as needed.

The closure of Stateville would cause immense disruption to the state prison system, its employees, individuals in custody and their families, AFSCME spokesperson Anders Lindall said Sunday. We are examining all options to prevent that disruption in response to this precipitous ruling.
For the record:

5:53 p.m. Aug. 11, 2024: An earlier version of this article said Kamala Harris was elected district attorney in San Francisco in 2002. She was elected in 2003.



In a boisterous homecoming after becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris returned to California on Sunday and reveled in being surrounded by supporters she has known for decades, while also warning of a bleak future for the nation if Democrats do not win in November.

It's good to be home, Harris told about 700 people who roared and leaped to their feet as she walked on stage in a hotel ballroom in San Francisco. This is a room full of dear, dear friends and longstanding supporters  folks I have known for my entire career. ... We've been through a lot together. I want to thank everyone in here for your love and longstanding support and friendship and for your dedication to this country."

The mood at the fundraiser was warm and optimistic  one woman in the front row waved a sign that said "Make America Joyful Again." But Harris turned serious when she argued that fundamental rights such as healthcare, same-sex marriage and abortion are at stake in the race against former President Trump.

Read more: Amid the gloom, doom and anger, can joy win voters over?

"We know what we need to do  we need to knock on doors, we need to register folks to vote, we need to get people to the polls. And every day matters," she said. "That's why we're going to win, but let's not take anything for granted."

The event, which drew House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Rep. Barbara Lee, San Francisco Giants Chief Executive Larry Baer and a slew of other elected officials and donors, raised $13 million in the city that laid the foundation for Harris political career. Tickets cost between $3,300 and $500,000.

Harris worked as a prosecutor and a City Hall attorney in San Francisco before being elected district attorney in 2003, which served as a springboard to her later roles as state attorney general and then U.S. senator.

"This is a good day when we welcome Kamala Harris back home to California," said Pelosi, who introduced the vice president. "She makes us all so proud, she brings us so much joy, she gives us so much hope."

The event had the feel of a family reunion. Harris' niece's young children posed for pictures in front of a large Harris/Walz campaign sign on the stage. She called out several attendees from the stage, showering the most attention on Newsom. She reminisced about the day in 2004 when they took their oath of office in San Francisco, she as district attorney and he as mayor, and also their work marrying gay couples that year.

"I have known Gavin as a friend and colleague for so, so many years," she said. "I want to thank you in front of all of our friends who are here for being an extraordinary leader of California and the nation."

The event capped a whirlwind three weeks in the presidential campaign, with President Biden announcing he would not seek reelection, Democrats quickly coalescing around the vice president as their nominee and Harris selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Read more: Harris thrives as she drops Biden's campaign themes

In Biden's first interview since he announced he would not seek another term, he said his decision was driven by the importance of beating Trump, the concerns among some members of the House and the Senate that he could harm their chances and that his candidacy could "be a real distraction."

"The critical issue for me still, it's not a joke, maintaining this democracy," he said on an interview that aired on CBS on Sunday. While "it's a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do what I  the most important thing you can do  and that is, we must  we must  we must defeat Trump.

Harris and Walz spent last week barnstorming battleground states  events that have drawn large crowds.

"Folks are coming to these events and they're bringing with them so much joy. People are singing and they're dancing in the aisles long before we get there," Harris said. "They're showing up not only because we must beat Donald Trump, they're showing up because they believe in our country and our freedom."

On Saturday, the Democrats collected the endorsement of the powerful Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas, and Harris announced she supported not taxing tips  an immensely popular proposal among service industry workers and one Trump backed in June.

Copy Cat Kamala directly plagiarized President Trumps No Tax on Tips policy proposal to let hard-working service workers keep more of their own hard-earned money, the Republicans campaign said in a statement.

Sunday's fundraiser also took place four years from the day Biden selected her to be his running mate, months after Harris 2020 presidential campaign sputtered out.

Its been the best decision I've made, Biden wrote in a fundraising appeal. Kamala's sharp. She's tough. She's going to make one hell of a president.

California Republicans chose the location of Sunday's fundraiser to cast doubt on Democratic leadership and point out dysfunction in San Francisco.

For anyone unsure of what a Harris presidency would look like, take some time to tour her hometown where crime is running rampant, homelessness is visible on seemingly every street corner, and storefronts and office spaces sit empty as businesses close and people move away with no plans to return, said state GOP chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson in a statement.

Read more: Willie Brown wasn't on that frightening helicopter ride with Trump. Here's who was

Given Californias deep blue tilt, it will not be contested in November. But it is home to so many wealthy donors that it provides the most campaign cash to candidates on both sides of the aisle. The GOP's vice presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, recently headlined two fundraisers in the state.

On Tuesday, Walz will be in Los Angeles to address the AFSCME convention, the union that represents 1.4 million workers, including nurses, corrections officers and child-care providers. He is also expected to attend a fundraiser Tuesday in Newport Beach, the same day Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff raises money at an event in Los Angeles.

Attendee Susie Tompkins Buell, the co-founder of Esprit and The North Face who has known Harris since the 1990s, said she could not recall the last time she had seen this much energy among Democrats, which she attributed to Harris candidacy as well as the danger to our country from within posed by the prospect of Trump winning another term.

Kamalas youth and positive energy is like a fresh gust of a cool breeze on a sweltering, humid day. So refreshing and hopeful, said Tompkins Buell, whose husband served as Harris finance chair during her district attorney and attorney general campaigns.

She has been an important part of our community for years, she added. I am so impressed by her consistency. She is very confident in who she is and her style has always been the same, just improved. Its all impressive.

Updates:

7:42 a.m. Aug. 12, 2024: This article was updated with a new fundraising total. The previous amount was more than $12 million.



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Katie Couric, the legendary former anchor of CBS Evening News, said she was more than a little disappointed in her former employer after the network announced it would replace anchor Norah ODonnell with two male hostsa decision she called odd and more than a little out of touch.

In an editorial written in the New York Times on Sunday, Couric praised the outgoing anchor, commending her for her role in steering the Emmy-winning program for five years. I cheered Ms. ODonnell as she carried out her duties with intelligence and grace. I was proud of the fact that she tackled topics that were especially important to women, Couric wrote.

ODonnell took over the top spot at Evening News in July of 2019. Her departure came only four weeks after celebrating her fifth anniversary as the programs anchor and managing editor. ODonnell said she made a long-term commitment to CBS, and will transition into a new role focusing on big interviews and contributions to Evening News and Sixty Minutes.

Shortly after ODonnells announcement, CBS announced she would be replaced by John Dickerson, the current host of The Daily Report, and Maurice DuBois, an anchor at the networks local affiliate in New York.

Dont get me wrong: I know, like and respect these two journalists, Couric wrote. But soon, on the big three networks, there will be four male anchors.

Female Network News Anchor Is Replaced by Two Men

NBC Nightly News has been hosted by Lester Holt since 2015, and David Muir has anchored ABC World News Tonight since 2014.

Couric critiqued the decision as especially tone deaf after CBS recently named two women to top executive roles: Adrienne Roark, who will take over as president of editorial and news gathering, while Jennifer Mitchell is set to become president of stations and digital.

Couric went on to criticize the CBS execs behind the scenes making the decisions, who she identified as three white men: Bill Owens, Guy Campanile and Jerry Cipriano.

Couric said Cipriano was formerly her right-hand writer and heaped praise on her former colleague, but also warned that male writers can have blind spots.

Were also in the midst of a campaign that could result in the election of the first woman president, and first woman of color as president, Couric wrote. Its a potentially historic story  one that needs a diverse group of journalists covering it.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  UPDATE: The Rooks County Sheriffs Department has reported that Robert Lindsey was located and is safe. The silver alert is now canceled.

The Rooks County Sheriffs Department has requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide silver alert for a missing man from Stockton, Kansas.

Robert Lindsey, 89, of Stockton, Kansas was last seen leaving his residence at 6 a.m. Saturday, August 10. He is believed to be driving a grey or silver Chevy Trailblazer with Kansas plates.

Lindsey is five feet nine inches tall, 185 pounds and has gray hair with blue eyes.

If you see him, please contact dispatch at 785-425-6312.

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BURGIN, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Kentucky correctional officer is facing charges after allegedly trying to enter the Northpoint Training Center with over 20 ounces of an illegal liquid substance on Friday morning.

According to Kentucky State Police (KSP), just before 8 a.m., Post 7 in Richmond got a call from the Northpoint Training Center in Burgin asking for help investigating a correctional officer who had been accused of bringing an illegal liquid substance, believed to be methamphetamine, into the facility.

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A preliminary investigation by KSP showed that 27-year-old Chad Cairo of Danville entered the training center with approximately 23.9 ounces of a liquid substance contained within a clear water bottle, suspected to be methamphetamine, in exchange for money.

Cairo had been working as a correctional officer at Northpoint for just over a year, according to law enforcement.

27-year-old Chad Cairo of Danville was lodged in the Boyle County Detention Center on Friday. (Boyle County Detention Center)

Cairo was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance  first offense (less than two grams of methamphetamine) and first-degree promoting contraband.

An investigation into the alleged drug trafficking incident remains ongoing.

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Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) dismissed concerns that Vice President Harris has not done enough media interviews since launching her White House bid after President Biden announced he would not seek reelection.

ABC Newss This Week anchor Jonathan Karl noted Sunday that it has been three weeks since Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris as his successor, but she has yet to hold a press conference and has taken few questions from reporters.

Twenty-one days, Jonathan. Three weeks [she] started running for president. Before that, she did tons of interviews. Shes done interviews with you. Shes done interviews, Im sure shes going to do interviews, Klobuchar said.

The Minnesota Democrat argued next months debate between Harris and Trump will be a premier moment for each candidate to lay out their very different visions for the nation.

If you look at whats happening with the momentum and the polls and whats happening in swing states like Wisconsin, with the numbers changing, whats happening in Michigan, whats happening in Pennsylvania, it is incredible, she added.

Harris has come under scrutiny from the Trump campaign for declining to take questions from reporters in the nearly three weeks since launching her White House bid.

She fielded questions from reporters traveling with her in Michigan last Thursday and said she hoped to sit for an extended interview before the end of the month.

Ive talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month, Harris said before boarding Air Force Two.

Harris has energized the Democratic base since she replaced Biden atop the ticket in late July and has seen a surge in the polls against former President Trump.

Her campaign said she drew 14,000 people to Philadelphia last Tuesday alongside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), and 15,000 people attended the vice presidents rally in Detroit last Wednesday.

The people of this country, independents, moderate Republicans, as well as, of course, Democrats, are saying, Wait a minute, I dont want to go back to this world of Donald Trump; I want to move forward and get someone thats going to work on things that matter to me and not just matter to himself,' Klobuchar said.

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Trumps vice presidential running mate, has repeatedly criticized Harriss lack of media engagement while on the campaign trail. He has posted daily updates on social media about how long Harris has gone without taking questions.

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The Kremlin has likely opted to declare a counterterrorism operation (CTO) regime instead of martial law to downplay the scale of the incursion into Kursk Oblast and to avoid causing panic or backlash domestically.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: The Russian authorities are also showing reluctance to take more radical measures in response to the situation.

According to the Russian opposition media outlet Verstka, a source within the Defence Committee of the Russian Federation Council revealed that the Russian Presidential Administration had advised MPs and senators to avoid commenting on the situation in Kursk Oblast "until further notice". They were instructed to keep their discussions brief and strictly adhere to official statements.

Russian military bloggers suggested that the Kremlin should formally declare war on Ukraine and have criticised the decision to impose a CTO regime instead of declaring martial law.

The declaration of martial law would have enabled the Russian authorities to implement more stringent measures, such as banning rallies and demonstrations, imposing curfews, and organising the production of war-related products for the military. However, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has avoided officially declaring a state of war, demonstrating a reluctance to fully put Russian society on a military footing. He has also refrained from declaring general mobilisation to avoid potential internal discontent that could destabilise his regime.

Putin likely appointed Alexander Bortnikov, Head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and Chairman of the National Antiterrorism Committee, to lead the counterterrorism operation due to Bortnikov's track record of effectively managing crises that have threatened Russia's internal stability and the Kremlin regime.

ISW analysts believe that the complex command and control system of the FSB-led CTO under Bortnikov's leadership could reduce the effectiveness of Russia's response to the Ukrainian operation.

The analysts also stressed that Russian forces have been more adequately defending themselves in Kursk Oblast after the arrival of additional conscripts and more experienced personnel from the war zone in Ukraine.

Map depicting areas in Russia's Kursk Oblast under Ukrainian control.

Photo: ISW

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 10 August:

The Russian National Antiterrorism Committee announced a counterterrorism operation in Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk oblasts on 9 August in response to the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast.

The Kremlin likely decided to declare a counterterrorism operation  as opposed to a state of war or martial law  to downplay the scale of the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast and prevent domestic panic or backlash  demonstrating the Kremlin's reluctance to take more drastic measures to respond to the situation.

Putin likely appointed Bortnikov as the head of the counterterrorist operation because Bortnikov has previously proven himself to be an effective manager during crises that threatened Russian domestic stability and the Kremlin regime.

A complicated command and control (C2) arrangement for the FSB-led counterterrorism operation under Bortnikov may degrade the effectiveness of the Russian response to Ukraines operation.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) appears to be relying on a combination of Russian conscripts already operating in Kursk Oblast, elements of the Northern Grouping of Forces, and elements redeployed from lower-priority frontline areas in Ukraine to defend against the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast, likely exacerbating the disorganisation of Russias chosen response.

Russian forces' usage of conscripts and forces already in Kursk Oblast, nearby forces fighting in northern Kharkiv Oblast, and lateral redeployments across the theatre to defend against the Ukrainian incursion is consistent with a number of likely Russian courses of action (COAs) that ISW forecasted.

The Russian MoD appears to be relying on select, battle-hardened units to conduct offensive and defensive operations in its most critical sectors of the front.

Russian forces appear to be more adequately defending against Ukrainian assaults following the arrival of additional conscripts and more combat effective personnel from frontline areas in Ukraine.

Geolocated footage and Russian reporting from 10 August indicates that Ukrainian forces largely maintain previously reported positions in Kursk Oblast and have advanced slightly further than their previously confirmed positions.

Ukraines cross-border operation into Kursk Oblast threatens the Kremlin with a potential political crisis regarding casualties among Russian conscripts, whom the Kremlin has increasingly relied upon to defend the Russian state border with Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces recently struck a Russian ship and a gas platform in the western Black Sea.

Iran will reportedly deliver "hundreds" of ballistic missiles to Russia in the near future.

Russian forces recently advanced near Kreminna, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Donetsk City.

A Russian milblogger claimed that the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has begun to form the "Black Raven" strike drone volunteer unit and asked readers to donate to the 16-million-ruble (about US$184,324) goal to supply the unit with drones and equipment.

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Kyiv Oblast authorities on Russian nighttime attack: no direct strikes, damage in three districts

Aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast. Photo: Prosecutors Office

A Russian attack on the night of 10-11 August caused damage in three districts of Kyiv Oblast, but authorities noted that there were no direct strikes.

Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "No direct strikes were recorded. Two people were killed as a result of the fall of enemy targets. A father and a four-year-old son.

Three people were taken to the Brovary multidisciplinary clinical hospital."

Details: Authorities specified the injuries of the three people. A man, 46, has a fractured ulna, a woman, 51, received bruises to her body, wrist and hand, and a child, 13, suffered a concussion and a spinal injury.

Quote: "The consequences of the attack were recorded in three districts of the oblast. The complete destruction of 2 houses and damage to 22 more has been reported so far.

Nine cars were damaged. In addition, the dome of a church was damaged in one of the settlements."

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the Russians had fired North Korean-supplied missiles on Kyiv Oblast.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Air Force did not report any such missiles being shot down last night. In total, the Russians fired four KN-23 ballistic missiles.

As a result of the Russian missile attack, civilians were killed: a man and a child.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  As of Friday, about 80 people  more or less  are running for the 12 seats on the new Portland City Council. Three councilors will be elected by ranked-choice voting in each of the citys four districts.

The race for District 2, which includes North and Northeast Portland, is attracting the most number of candidates, 23. Portlanders running in District 2 include Jonathan Tasini, a writer, political strategist and labor activist who has run for the U.S. and House of Representatives in New York.

Hes a past president of the National Writers Union and president of the Economic Future Group, a national consulting group.

On this weeks Eye on Northwest Politics, Tasini discussed how his primary emphasis on labor issues and support from labor unions informed what he would do on City Council.

The most inspiring place that Ive ever been in terms of building community is on picket lines when workers are standing together as a community to make sure that they get a fair break and they get fair wages, he said. When I was president of the union, for example, the Writers Union, I did budgeting, strategy, organizing. But the main thing I did, which is relevant to the job I hope to have at the City Council, is doing lobbying at the local, state, and federal level to advance all sorts of legislation around Social Security, Medicare for All, workers rights, wages.

When asked how he distinguishes himself from the crowd of 23 candidates running in District 2, Tasini said it, once again, ties to his connection with unions. The labor movement is the most powerful economic force for good in our country.

Workers are the ones that create the value for companies, not CEOs. Workers in the public sector are the ones that deliver the services, not the supervisors. Those are the people that I want to stand up for, he said. I am the only candidate in this race whos saying that the minimum wage should be $25 an hour in the city.

Tasini added that every single renter in the Portland area will see him as an ally, emphasizing his intent to defend their ability to hold on to a home.

In order to rent a house  a two-bedroom house, which would be for a small family  in this city, the minimum wage should be $32 an hour. So Im gonna propose and fight for it, he said. I know this is something we have to win at the state level. Im gonna propose that over stages.

Tasini further asserted that the ability to have good wages and pay rent is at the crux of most major issues Portland is currently facing.

If you look at, for example, addiction, people who end up on the street because of addiction, oftentimes thats an economic issue. If you have a good paying job, the chances that youre going to end up on the street because of addiction go way down, he said. And I want to say  not just to the working people  I want to say to those people in the neighborhoods that are doing relatively well, you want us to be successful. You want wages to go up. Because to have a vital economy, to have a really good community where were sticking together, where all the issues that people are concerned about are dealt with, you have to have high wages for folks.

With the new Portland City Council model in effect in January 2025, Tasini said he is very excited about this clean slate.

There should never be a sentence in the City Council that thats the way we used to do things, he emphasized. We have a chance to be a beacon for every city across the nation, to create a sustainable place where unions are powerful, unions represent people, union workers have decent rights and we all can be satisfied that people are getting a fair shake.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

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I see the consensus now is prison works. Four weeks ago, Labour said it would let people out of jail early; post-riot, the state has arrested over 700 suspects and threatened sentences of up to ten years. This is the short, sharp shock. It will be followed by a long war on free thinking.

The rioters deserve it, though the sentences are rather stringent. William Morgan, a 69-year-old with no previous, got 32 months for violent disorder and carrying a wooden bat. But then the point is to Send A Message: join in with this nonsense, laddie, and youre going down.

Still its odd because I thought justice was blind and, until recently, comically lenient. Steal a Prada coat in peacetime, slap on the wrist; nick a computer monitor during a looting spree, you get 11 months. The establishment has swapped its milk for gall and inverted every axiom we thought it lived by. Crime is no longer the product of poverty. Riots no longer the cry of the oppressed. It turns out theft is not a comment on Liz Trusss mini-Budget! Now offenders are malicious, far-Right thugs who must feel the full force of a law that hitherto operated at a fraction of its potential.

In Teesside, the lawyer of Steven Mailen, who joined the riot after a heady afternoon at the Bingo, asked the court to go easy on his client because he had experienced discrimination as a gay man. Nice try. It wouldve worked a week ago, but Mailen got 26 months.

Where were these stiff sentences when rapists went down? Where were the mass arrests when knife crime surged? Where was the intolerance for aggressive public behaviour when Jews felt intimidated? This two-tier approach is probably shaped by ideology. To much of our elite, the law is not only a tool for order but also for social engineering. Thats why some groups and categories of crime appear to be handled differently. Though we were all horrified by the riots, the liberal-Left was offended on another level because they were a rejection of their project (multiculturalism) by a constituency they regard as their own (poor whites).

We might expect sociologists to go wild trying to explain this rebellion, maybe identifying addiction  booze played a big part  alienation, loss of jobs or mass migration. The last, however, cannot begin to be considered. As all good citizens have tattooed across their chest, DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH  so the real culprit, in this instance, is whoever seeks to divide the multicultural society. Elon Musk might be to blame. Vladimir Putin, almost certainly; that little tinker gets everywhere.

The bewigged judges dispensing justice-as-revenge  like something from the 1950s  is only the first salvo against dangerous liberty. District Judge Francis Rafferty said that anybody present at a riot can be remanded in custody, even if they were only a curious observer. Next will come a trial of social media  posting and hosting  followed, one assumes, by the roll-out of facial recognition and tougher anti-hate legislation.

Its all gearing up to a moral crusade against the Right, starting with far then moving to centre. There have already been suggestions that GB News be squeezed, and that Nigel Farage is personally responsible for riots he condemned. Coming soon to BBC1: a groundbreaking drama, The Brexit Riots, starring Stephen Graham as a docker radicalised by Andrea Leadsom.

The elite knows that we are governed as much by our imaginations as by law, so will seek to discredit and delegitimise, to shrink the field of acceptable opinion down to a narrow, carefully curated strip of fake grass.

The same techniques, probably the same agencies, that policed Islam so keenly in the 2000s will now be used to focus on policing opponents of Islamism. Conservatives who previously cheered the states war on dissident philosophy might come to regret it.

Will this intellectual lockdown work? Lets ask the late Tony Benn, an actual socialist.

I recently stumbled upon a speech that Benn gave to the Commons in 1991 on the loss of sovereignty to Europe, and found it prescient. If citizens feel disenfranchised, warned Benn, three things will happen.

First, people may just slope off and stop voting (I note that turnout in Sunderland Central in July was a whopping 53 per cent). Second, they might riot: an old-fashioned method of drawing the attention of the Government to what is wrong. Third: nationalism can arise built out of frustration that people feel when they cannot get their way through the ballot box.

Modern readers often express surprise at Bennite statements that couldve come from the mouth of a Tory, but the Old Left and Old Right, survivors of Depression and war, believed in democracy and felt responsible for the descendants of the men who fought at Ypres and Dunkirk. Benn would have excoriated the goons who set fire to an asylum seeker hotel, but would also have had an analysis ready for why they did it  economic and moral, a grasp of what turns desperate human beings into fascists.

Whats missing in Keir Starmers transformation into super cop is a unifying vision of Britain or a promise of change.

Why? Because he fundamentally believes everything here is okay. This is a man who watched the 2012 Olympic ceremony and assumed it was a documentary. Questioning the liberal experiment is, to fellows such as him, a sign of madness or deviousness: weird as Kamala Harris says in America. From now on, thanks to these stupid riots, Labour can tar critics of the status quo as sympathetic with arson and looting.

A pity, because theres clearly a state-of-the-nation debate that we need to have. Mid-riot, William Morgan shouted at the police that he was an old man, to which one of them, a consummate professional, replied: Then... why are you at a f****** riot? Morgan also yelled Im English!  a fascinating statement, about him, his ethnicity, his perception of rights and fear of the other that it would profit us to examine. But Im reluctant to do it, lest my words are taken down and given in evidence.

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Labours building targets will spark constant warfare on housing across rural England, council leaders have warned.

Local authorities bosses told The Telegraph that the new Government was expecting countryside communities to build Londons homes  without providing extra funding for infrastructure.

They warned that life would only get worse for rural residents already grappling with gridlocked roads and oversubscribed GP services.

Labour has committed to building 1.5m new homes over the next Parliament and has handed councils their own fresh targets.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has said those who do not meet their targets will have housing plans imposed on them, and wrote to authorities to say they have not just a professional responsibility but a moral obligation to see more homes built.

But while some rural areas face increases to their housebuilding outputs of as much as 80pc, Londons housing target has instead been slashed.

Council leaders are now pleading with the Treasury to increase funding for infrastructure projects before all these new homes are built.

Richard Clewer, leader of Conservative-run Wiltshire Council, said: These new targets will just lead to constant warfare on housing. Its like watching a nightmare car crash. In five or 10 years time, it will have just increased our cost pressures and made residents lives worse.

Well have to settle for hundreds of unsustainable, cookie cutter developments with zero infrastructure around them. I dont want to be expected to build Londons homes.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already begun to cut infrastructure funding to councils, as part of efforts to patch up the surprise 22bn black hole in the countrys finances.

David Simmonds, shadow parliamentary under secretary for housing, said the loss of infrastructure  including GPs, roads and bus funding  will make it even harder to get Labours homes built.

The Tory MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner added: There are around 1.4m unbuilt homes with planning permission already, so its odd that Labour is prioritising removing greenbelt protections rather than getting homes that are shovel-ready built first.

Wiltshire Councils target for new homes has shot up by 81pc, so it will now need to build 3,476 homes a year, rather than 1,917.

Since setting these targets, Labour has also scrapped 2bn plans to fund the two-mile Stonehenge Tunnel destined to ease traffic congestion along the A303 in Wiltshire.

Martin Tett, leader of Conservative-run Buckinghamshire Council, said the new targets were cataclysmic for his residents.

With a third of the county classed as green belt or areas of outstanding natural beauty, Mr Tett fears the lung for London will now become a landbank for developers.

He said: The Governments objective is to force local councils to take all the really difficult decisions. They want the councils to be unpopular, not the Government.

These top down targets have [been] weighted away from the big cities where the housing need is greatest. It wont escape anyone that London has a Labour Mayor who is failing in his housing targets.

Buckinghamshire now needs to build 4,122 homes a year, rather than 2,912  marking a 42pc increase. Meanwhile, four-week waits for a GP appointment in the county reached 131,010 last year, a 44pc annual increase, according to analysis of NHS data by the Liberal Democrats.

North Norfolk County Council has been told to build 70pc more homes a year, but Liberal Democrat leader Tim Adams said residents already had difficulty accessing GPs and dentists.

He said: More services are closing, and its hard to attract people to run these practices out here. This issue will only grow with the pressure of new homes, if we arent given funding to keep pace between the two.

Developer contributions dont build a doctor or dentist, and they certainly dont fund the running of them.

Kent County Council leader Roger Gough, a Conservative, said rural communities were taking the overspill and feeling the impact of London not being able to consume its own smoke on housing demands.

He said: Its a bit galling seeing this underwritten. And in the same breath, the Government is taking the cork off green belt constraints. Thats a major change.

The Local Government Association said council spending power had fallen 23pc over 15 years and faces a further 6.2bn funding gap over the next two years.

A government spokesman said: We have made clear we will work closely with councils to deliver the homes we need. Homes will come alongside the necessary infrastructure, including roads, schools and GP surgeries, and making use of poor-quality grey-belt will help us protect our precious green spaces.

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Your Language Could Make It Easier to Tell Different Colors Apart

The time it takes for you to distinguish between similar shades and colors could depend on the words you use to describe them.

Research has repeatedly found speakers of languages with significantly different terms to distinguish between colors and shades  such as the Russian words siniy and goluboy for light blue and dark blue  are faster at distinguishing between those hues than languages that pile on adjectives.

Still, questions remain on whether this effect is malleable, and whether busying the brain with the right language might speed things up, or simply get in the way and slow the process down.

A new study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Oslo in Norway has found evidence that the language our brain uses to process our surroundings at any given moment affects how other cognitive activities build a sense of perception.

"This supports the idea that the language we use can affect how we perceive colors  and that this link is very dynamic and dependent on the activation in the brain," says Mila Vulchanova a linguist at NTNU.

For this study, a group of 106 volunteers consisting of Lithuanian speakers, Norwegian speakers, and Lithuanians proficient in Norwegian was put through a series of tests.

There's one word in Norwegian for blue, but two in Lithuanian. (Akvile Sinkeviciute)

All three groups participated in two tests that timed how long it took to distinguish between pairs of chips of varying shades of blue. One test was conducted in relative silence, the other requiring them to memorize a series of eight digits. Those who were bilingual heard the numbers in Lithuanian first and then in Norwegian.

This was followed by a third test, where participants were timed in how long it took for them to identify a single shade of color.

Like Russian, Lithuanian has two words for blue (zydra for light blue and melyna for dark blue), where Norwegian has just one  bla. As previous studies had suggested, the bilingual volunteers could distinguish between color chips of different blue shades faster in Lithuanian than in Norwegian. Monolingual Lithuanians were also faster at noticing color differences than the monolingual Norwegians.

When the brain was kept busy remembering a string of numbers spoken in Lithuanian, bilingual speakers continued to have a speed advantage that didn't exist when they heard the numbers in Norwegian.

"The research reveals that the language being actively used by bilingual individuals can significantly affect their perception of color," says Akvile Sinkeviciute, previously at NTNU and computer scientist now at Northeastern University London in the UK.

"The findings show that the language you use can shape how you perceive the world, right down to basic color perception."

While many of us may take color perception for granted, because our brains work everything out in a snap, being able to distinguish between colors is hugely important  from the red of a warning sign to the blackness on a moldy banana.

This color perception can be impacted in many ways, including through smell, and the results reported here add to what we know about language and cognition, and how the way we speak can train the brain.

"Our research and research done by others show that this is a two-way process," says Vulchanova. "This means that language can activate and influence cognitive categories, and vice versa, that cognitive mechanisms and categories influence language."

The research has been published in Language Learning.

Related News
Latinos are excited about Harris, but she has work to do to win the crucial voting bloc, experts say

Latino voters and leaders say they are enthusiastic about Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, but for her to win their crucial support, they want to know where she stands on issues like the economy, immigration and education.

Vanessa Cruz Nichols, an assistant professor of political science at Indiana University, said Harris has considerable potential to appeal to Latino voters but is going to have to win over independents and those planning not to vote in the November election.

Shes got some work to do, reintroduce herself, let people know where she stands on a variety of issues, Cruz said. She will have to work aggressively to appeal to voters, especially young Latino voters who are even more nonpartisan, more willing to either sit out an election or vote for a third-party candidate.

As the nation's largest minority group  19.5% of the total population, according to the 2020 census  Latinos form a key voting bloc in what's shaping up to be a tight presidential election. Harris, the daughter of immigrants, has won the backing of influential Latino groups, and some feel her success hinges on energizing young Latino voters.

Maria Teresa, president of Voto Latino, said Harris jumping into the race has sparked a coalescing of the community. In focus groups that the organization started after President Joe Biden announced he would drop out of the race, more than half of young Latinos who initially said they were voting for a third party said they were shifting to vote for the Democratic Party, Teresa said.

There is no path to the White House without specifically the young Latino vote, she said. Our path to a different direction of the country is through young people.

More than 6 in 10 Latinos voters supported Biden in 2020, according to AP VoteCast, and 35% supported former President Donald Trump. However, a July poll from Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only about 4 in 10 Latinos said they were somewhat or very optimistic about the future of the Democratic Party, and about one-quarter said the same about the Republican Party.

According to the same survey, Hispanic adults are divided in their opinions on Harris, with 44% holding a favorable view and 43% holding an unfavorable view. But about half of Hispanic adults said they would be satisfied with Harris as the Democratic nominee, up from 15% earlier in July.

After watching the presidential debate between Trump and Biden, Peruvian Mexican small-business owner Guillermo Francisco Cornejo, 35, said he was not going to vote in the presidential election. That changed when Biden stepped down and endorsed Harris. But Cornejo's decision is mostly guided by fear of what Trump will do if he wins, he said.

Now its like, yeah, for sure I will vote Democrat, said Cornejo, adding that he sees Harris as very well-qualified to be commander in chief. If Trump gets elected, hes turning this country into Latin America in the way he does politics and everything.

On Friday, the League of United Latin American Citizens endorsed Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, through its political arm, the LULAC Adelante PAC, the first time the countrys oldest Latino civil rights group has endorsed a presidential candidate since its founding in 1929.

We can trust them to do what is right for our community and the country, Domingo Garcia, chairman of LULAC Adelante PAC and LULACs immediate past president, said in a statement. The politics of hate mongering and scapegoating Latinos and immigrants must be stopped!

Harris was criticized for comments she made in 2021 telling migrants not to come to the U.S, when she was tasked with overseeing diplomatic efforts to deal with issues spurring migration in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as well as pressing them to strengthen enforcement on their own borders.

But Harris' being a daughter of immigrants provides a sense of representation to many Latino families, which could help her get their vote, civic engagement advocates say.

Pascale Small, 35, a Costa Rican American who is a daughter of immigrants and a single mother of three Afro-Latina girls, said Harris appeals to her because of her familys background and her commitment to ensuring that we are healing and growing as a country.

She has a spirit of service, which I really admire and really appreciate. She has an amazing pursuit of equity and that is really important to me as I am raising my children, said Small, who wants to see the vice president address issues such as climate change, education, the economy and immigration reform.

Maca Casado, the Hispanic media director with the Harris campaign, said Harris has a record of supporting Latinos and the issues they care about, like health care and gun violence.

Vice President Harris campaign knows Latinos political power and is the only campaign working aggressively to make the case because we wont take their votes for granted, Casado said.

But Bob Unanue, the Hispanic Leadership Coalition chairman for the America First Policy Institute said Trump  not Harris  continues to show commitment to issues that resonate with the Hispanic community such as job growth, education freedom, parental rights and securing the border.

Unlike Kamala Harris, who has failed to address the crisis at our southern border ... and continues promoting failed economic policies, Trump offers a vision of prosperity and safety that many Hispanic voters are rallying behind, Unanue said.

Experts have said Harris pick of Walz will help the campaign appeal to voters in the important battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Teresa, the Voto Latino president, said in a statement that Walz has a strong record of defending democracy, voting rights and standing up for working families in Minnesota  values that align with those of the Latino community. Harris also has an opportunity to make her case in states like Pennsylvania with a large Puerto Rican population, which as U.S. citizens can vote once they move to a state, Teresa said.

Charlotte Castillo, managing director of Poderistas, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing civic participation by Latinas, said the announcement that Harris would be the Democratic nominee energized so many in the Latino community, which will be critical as in previous elections.

I think in particular Latinas, typically we like to say, are the CEOs of their families. They are really driving the decisions for their families and have a huge influence on that, Castillo said. So, I certainly think that Latinas have the potential to make a real outsized impact.

Castillo said whichever party is consistent in their outreach to Latino voters will get their vote.

Once the community is engaged, they remain engaged, Castillo said. Both parties need to start knocking on doors and doing it more consistently.

___

AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux in Washington, D.C., contributed.

___

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Layton man drowns trying to save son in storm at Willard Bay  second drowning in a week

BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A 38-year-old Layton man drowned at Willard Bay on Saturday while trying to save his son, who had jumped into stormy waters to save another, according to Utah State Parks. This incident marks the second drowning death at Willard Bay this week.

At around 4:20 p.m. on Aug. 10, Andre Leon Debose, 38, of Layton, was swimming and boating with his 17-year-old son and others when stormy weather began hitting the area. They were located in the northwest section of Willard Bay Reservoir near Eagle Beach.

One individual  a 19-year-old woman  was swimming in the water when she began to struggle. Deboses 17-year-old son jumped in the water to help, officials said.

RELATED: Body of man lost in Willard Bay found following multi-day search

The woman was reportedly wearing a life jacket and was able to be brought back aboard the boat safely. Deboses son, however, was unable to reboard, and began to struggle in the water.

At this point, according to witnesses, Debose then jumped in the water to save his son. While in the water, both Debose and his son were holding on to one life jacket.

It was then that Debose went under the water and did not resurface. His son was able to make it back to the boat, a press release from Utah State Parks states.

Park rangers responded to the area and began searching for Debose. His body was recovered from the water at around 11:15 p.m. Saturday night. Deboses son was cleared by medical responders on scene.

This incident marks the second drowning death at Willard Bay State Park within the week.

The Utah Division of State Parks extends our deepest condolences to Deboses family and friends during this difficult time. We would also like to express our thanks to the agencies who assisted in the search and recovery efforts, the release states.

The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation ROV Team, Box Elder County Search and Rescue, and Weber County Search and Rescue also assisted in the response.

As the recreation season continues, we urge all outdoor recreators to prioritize safety. Always recreate with a buddy, wear a life jacket, and remain aware of weather conditions. Ensure someone knows your location and expected return time, officials warned.

For more information on water safety and Utahs state parks, visit the Utah State Parks website here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Letters to the Editor: Want to make Half Dome safer? Remove the climbing cables for good

Hikers use cables to make their way toward the Half Dome summit in Yosemite National Park in 2015. (Marc Martin / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: My suggestion for making Half Dome safer is to take the cables down. Not just part of the year, as is done now, but all year. ("After a young woman falls to her death in Yosemite, Half Dome's risks are on everyone's mind," Aug. 8)

Pounding more wooden slats into the rock just makes the situation worse and the rock more unsightly. It also would give climbers a false sense of security.

Half Dome is dangerous. And that's as it should be. National parks aren't Disneyland; they are part of nature. Nature includes danger. Visitors can't expect to be perfectly safe, especially when climbing an almost vertical rock face.

It's tragic that a young woman fell to her death descending Half Dome and that her father saw her die. My heart goes out to him. But we shouldnt commemorate her death by trying to subdue Half Dome and national parks in general. Wild places, even semi-wild places, are good for the soul.

To make Half Dome safer, take down the cables.

Connie Stewart, Santa Monica

..

To the editor: Your article seems to indicate that Yosemite National Park is responsible for making the climb to Half Dome's summit safer.

In my opinion, adding additional wooden slats to the route would not remove the significant inherent risk of the climb, especially when the steep granite gets wet.

Having climbed the Half Dome cables twice, I join thousands of other successful climbers in completing the outing safely. All experienced outdoor enthusiasts know there are significant inherent risks to the climb, and they proceed with extreme caution when the weather is threatening.

I can understand why Yosemite officials did not respond to your request for comments on revising the cables. The only effective solution is to permanently remove them altogether, as the park does for much of the year. If your article generates a significant response, that unfortunately could be the outcome.

I say all of this with extreme sympathy extended to Grace Rohloff's father and her entire family. What a tragic loss.

Robert James Riewerts, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: At age 27 in 1978, I was an experienced climber and wilderness guide. I wore Vibram-soled climbing boots, no harness and no gloves when I easily ascended the Half Dome cables.

I see no problem with the cables today. Climbing the cables is in no way dangerous. The danger lies with inexperienced people attempting a climb that is far beyond their ability.

Two inviolable climbing rules when ascending any peak are be prepared and know when to turn back. The problem with the cables is that people break these rules.

People who break these rules represent a danger to themselves and other climbers. People who fail to turn around when they are unprepared, scared, exhausted and obviously stretched beyond their abilities are the true danger on Half Dome.

Let the cables be. Screen permit applicants more carefully, as the danger lies with some of them, not the cables.

Bill Smart, Santa Barbara

..

To the editor: Anyone's death on Half Dome is a tragedy.

Hiking up the last quarter-mile of the quartz monzonite batholith is dangerous. Anyone considering it is advised that it is a long, difficult hike that ends with a challenging and, yes, somewhat dangerous quarter-mile final ascent.

Adding more footholds would not make it particularly safer. Leave Half Dome as it is.

GP Williams, Pasadena

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Immanuel Baptist Church, one of Lexingtons largest congregations, is adding a fourth location.

The church will officially launch its campus at 4451 Winchester Road on Aug. 11, though services have been ongoing at the site, which was previously Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Lexington is seeing tremendous growth in the 40509 ZIP code. We have a large television audience in Clark and Bourbon counties. This new campus is strategically located to give the residents of several counties a great option to find their place at Immanuel, Ron Edmondson, Immanuels lead pastor, said in a news release. Our prayer is to ultimately lead more people closer to Jesus.

Immanuel announced in a Facebook post in June 2023 that Cornerstone had voted unanimously to become part of the Immanuel Church family.

Edmondson said in a video shared on Facebook last summer that the two churches had been in conversation for a number of months before the merger became official.

It was a struggling church, Bradley Stevenson, Immanuels communications director, said in an interview. Many churches these days are struggling for attendance, and that affects the financial situation.

He said attendance at Cornerstone had dwindled to about 25 people before the merger, and most of those people have chosen to stay.

Last week, Stevenson said, about 130 people attended services at the new Winchester Road campus. Services are at 11 a.m.

Stevenson said Immanuels total attendance on Sundays numbers about 2,000 people, including about 1,500 at the main campus on Tates Creek Road. He said the nearby Armstrong Mill Road campus and Georgetown location attract about 175 each.

That puts Immanuel among the areas largest churches, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, which also includes Southland Christian Church in Nicholasville and Crossroads Christian Church in Lexington on its database of megachurches.

Each of Immanuels campuses has its own teaching pastor providing a live sermon on site each week. Mackey Gaskin is the teaching pastor at the Winchester Road campus.

The campus has a new kids area, and community groups will be created to provide opportunities for people to gather and grow in their faith, a news release stated.

With increasing development in the Hamburg area in Fayette County, including a new hospital and school, Stevenson said the 20-acre Winchester Road campus is primed for growth.

We just knew there was going to be a lot of new housing, he said.

Five counties demographically feed into this location, Edmondson said in the video last summer. We believe were going to reach a lot of people who dont have a church home.

Stevenson said this isnt the first time Immanuel has brought a declining church into its fold, and it may not be the last.

He said the Armstrong Mill Road campus was a struggling congregation when it became part of Immanuel in 2017.

Our goal is to not let any church die, but to facilitate growth and revitalization, Stevenson said.

The Georgetown campus was a new church plant.

Immanuel rents space at Scott County High School for those services, and Stevenson said the group will meet in the auditorium of the new high school beginning in September.

Edmondson said in a statement that each of the locations is unique, but similar, in that all have live preaching, engaging worship and welcoming fellowship.

In addition, 5,000 to 10,000 people view Immanuels services online each week, and about 25,000 watch the services on WLEX, which has been broadcasting Immanuels services for 67 years, Stevenson said.

About eight years ago, the Lord really began to challenge our staff leadership with the phrase to whom much is given much is required based on Luke 12:48, Edmondson said. We have a long history as a church and have been blessed with influence and impact through our online and television ministry throughout Central Kentucky. We became increasingly burdened for the community around us and began looking for ways to reach more people with the Gospel. This family model of additional campuses grew out of those prayers and intentionality. ...This model probably isnt for every church, but it seems to be working for us.
Libertarian Marco Battaglia blasts efforts to take him off ballots in state fair speech

Libertarian candidate for the 3rd District Marco Battaglia blasted Republican Party officials who are challenging his right to be on the November ballot in a speech to the Iowa State Fair crowd (Photo by Jack O'Connor/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Des Moines native Marco Battaglia attacked Republican efforts to take his name off the ballot in a speech Sunday at the Des Moines Registers Soapbox event at the Iowa State Fair.

A Libertarian candidate in Iowas 3rd Congressional District, Battaglia works as a correctional officer at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women but also ran for Iowa attorney general in 2018 and lieutenant governor in 2022.

Those filing petitions to keep Battaglia off the ballot allege 3rd District Libertarians did not hold county party conventions and thus his name should be pulled from the ballot.

Battaglia told reporters the party fulfilled state legal requirements by having nominating conventions where people would split off by county. Battaglia added that those challenging his right to be on the ballot should withdraw their challenge but even if their challenge is successful, he will continue his campaign as a write-in candidate.

If you want to save taxpayers money and you want to not waste the auditors time, not waste the secretary of states time, not waste the attorney generals time, you can withdraw this objection and you can save time and money, Battaglia said.

Battaglia is running against incumbent Republican Rep. Zach Nunn and Democrat Lanon Baccam. Sabatos Crystal Ball, an election forecaster, says the 3rd District race is leaning Republican.

While no Libertarian candidate has ever won an election for federal office in Iowa, Battaglia could affect the races outcome. When Nunn defeated former Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne in 2022, he won by about 2,000 votes or less than 1 percentage point.

Battaglia said the Libertarian Party offers an alternative to the two major parties.

Both these parties are just really weird to me, Battaglia said. All I care about is liberty and justice and freedom.

For Iowa Libertarians, the main focus of the upcoming November election is likely to be on retaining the partys registered-party status by having Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver receive 2% of the vote for president in Iowa. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 2% of likely Iowa voters would vote for Oliver.

As a recognized party, Libertarians can participate in primary elections and have their party included as an option on voter registration forms.

We keep growing the party, weve been growing the Libertarian Party for every cycle since 1971, Battaglia said.

Battaglia attacked the drug use policies of Nunn and the Republican Party. If elected, he added, he would work to have marijuana legalized.

I have friends and family that use cannabis as medicine and itd be a lot easier for them to get if the governor wasnt out here trying to rekindle the war on hemp of all things, Battaglia said.

Battaglia joined the list of politicians at the Iowa State Fair who spoke out against eminent domain.

Battaglia also accused his Democratic opponent of not actively campaigning and called on Baccam to answer more questions about his specific policy positions.

Where have you been, buddy? I have yet to see you anywhere. What do you think of ethanol? What do you think of eminent domain? What are your views on foreign policy? Battaglia said.

Battaglia is among four Libertarians who have given, or intend to give, a speech at the Iowa State Fair. 1st District candidate Nicholas Gluba and Oliver both spoke on Saturday, while 4th District candidate Charles Aldrich was scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Nunn spoke on Friday while Baccam is scheduled to speak at the Iowa State Fair on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

More soap box coverage:

Democrat Christina Bohannan vows to defend abortion in Iowa State Fair speech

Democrat Ryan Melton says pipelines, corporate influence are pivotal issues in 4th District race

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Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver spoke asked for Iowa voters to support the Libertarian Party at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 10, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

While major changes have shaken the 2024 presidential race in recent weeks, Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver said at the Iowa State Fair Saturday it was important for voters to show their opposition to the two-party system regardless of who tops the ticket.

When the Libertarian presidential candidate visited the Iowa State Fair in 2023, he told the crowd about the unpopularity of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, then the presumptive major party nominees for the 2024 presidential election. While Trump has since officially been nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, Biden dropped out of the race in July. The president, who won overwhelming in Democratic nominating contests, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential nomination after announcing he would not seek reelection.

The Democratic National Committee announced Monday that Harris had secured 99% of delegate support to become the Democratic presidential nominee ahead of the Democratic National Convention later in August.

In his previous visit, Oliver, 38, contrasted himself with Biden and Trump as a young candidate offering a fresh perspective when voters had concerns about the age and divisiveness of the two leading candidates, who had also competed in the 2020 election. But just because the Democratic presidential nominee has changed doesnt mean that the rhetoric that comes out of the Democratic Party has changed, Oliver said.

I feel comfortable that were still going to be providing a real alternative to what the two-party system has given us, even if the top of the ticket is now Kamala Harris and not Joe Biden, Oliver told reporters. My Democratic opponent is now a couple decades younger than my Democratic opponent was a couple weeks ago, but Im still ready to be the first millennial candidate, and put a new and exciting message out there for voters.

Oliver spoke about his opposition to the use of eminent domain for building carbon dioxide pipelines, support for drug legalization and his commitment for making government less intrusive during his speech at the Des Moines Registers Political Soapbox. As he spoke to the crowd, he also called for people to support the Libertarian Party of Iowa and Libertarian candidates running in the state  like 1st Congressional District Nicholas Gluba, who spoke at the soapbox earlier Saturday.

Oliver is the only presidential candidate scheduled to speak at the state fair this year  a stark contrast to 2023, when 14 presidential hopefuls, largely GOP candidates, descended on the fair in the lead-up to the 2024 Iowa caucuses. There was one other third-party candidate who planned to speak at the soapbox Saturday, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who canceled his appearance earlier this week because of increased security concerns, according to the Des Moines Register.

Projections by FiveThirtyEight find that Harris is slightly ahead of Trump in national polls at 45.7% to 43.4% as of Aug. 10, with Kennedy receiving 5.1%. Oliver is not ranked in most of the compiled polls.

Oliver gained national prominence for his 2022 Senate candidacy in Georgia, a campaign some political analysts said led to the runoff between Georgia Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and GOP challenger Herschel Walker. While some critics said Libertarian and other third-party candidates act as a spoiler in elections, Oliver said that the thing that is actually spoiled rotten to the core is the two-party system as it exists. He called for states to implement ranked-choice voting systems that he said would help create more civil elections and would give voters the ability to support third-party candidates without feeling as though their vote is wasted.

Oliver said supporting his campaign  and supporting the Libertarian Party  is a better way of opposing the two-party system than supporting other alternatives like Kennedy.

If you want to invest in building up a true challenge for the two-party system, voting for the Libertarian candidate is better than voting for RFK, because RFK is a one-and-done candidate, Oliver said. He will run in this election, if he does not win  poof, hes gone in most every state.  But if you vote for me, youre investing in Libertarian Party. Youre investing in ballots access wins, major party status wins, and that goes beyond me.
Judge L. Clifford Davis was surrounded by a plethora of people, including his mentees, on Saturday afternoon.

A living legend, the attendees of his 100th birthday celebration coined him. They filled the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum in southside Fort Worth to honor Davis, one of the first Black district judges to be appointed in Tarrant County.

Ive lived ninety nine years, nine months, three weeks, and five days, said Davis. So Im a happy old man.

It was there at the museum where the community reminisced on his accomplishments and the lasting impact hes had on civil rights, education, and community representation  on both national and local levels.

Brenda Sanders-Wise, the executive director of the Tarrant County Black Historical & Genealogical Society, began the celebration honoring Judge L. Clifford Davis 100th birthday Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum.

He is the embodiment, I would say, of the lawyer that everyone should seek to be like, said Fort Worth attorney Bobbie Edmonds.

In addition to his notable judgeship, Davis opened one of the first African-American law offices in Tarrant County.

An Arkansas native, his tenure in law began after he graduated in 1949 from Howard Law School. He joined an Arkansas-based law firm with William Harold Flowers, a leading figure in the civil rights movement in the 1940s.

In 1954, two Dallas lawyers, C.B. Buckley and Louis A. Beckford, joined Davis to establish one of the first Black-run law firms in Tarrant County.

That law firm filed two lawsuits in the 50s and the 60s, resulting in the desegregation of the Mansfield and Fort Worth school districts. Their law firm assisted attorney Thurgood Marshall of the NAACP on the landmark case that became Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

Judge Davis has a saying ... I open the door, I can let others walk through. It doesnt have to be me. I will knock down the barriers and then you can walk in to make your lives better, said Edmonds.

In his time practicing law, Davis developed a philosophy he vowed to live by. He explained that his philosophy, civil responsibility, encouraged him to work for the people.

We have a civil responsibility, individually and collectively, to treat all inhabitants with dignity, courtesy, respect, and integrity, without discrimination based on any socioeconomic concept, said Davis. To practice, advocate for freedom, liberty, justice for the general welfare of the community.

He said his rejection into the University of Arkansas due to segregation policies inspired him to become a lawyer.

I opened a gate. I didnt go in on the playing field, but others did, said Davis.

His involvement in the civil rights movement in Arkansas helped lead to the integration of students at the University of Arkansas.

Chris Nettles, District 8 city councilman, provided a statement at Judge L. Clifford Davis 100th birthday celebration Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, honoring his career in law.

He proudly reflects on the impact his career in law has had, particularly the desegregation of schools.

I loved to see that result, Davis said. From working for the general welfare.

But he said he couldnt have done it without those who stood by and worked with him.

I dont claim I did all this. I said, we did this.... It was a collective effort, said Davis.

John White, a mentee of Davis, is one of many attorneys who had the privilege of collaborating and working with the judge. He gave his gratitude to Davis at the celebration.

The judge [Davis] encouraged me to expand myself with regard to any opportunities that I might have, in addition to representing a black influence, said White.

White went on to become the second Black assistant district attorney for Tarrant County. He was glad to join Davis in the legal fight.

I learned a lot of compassion with regard to him, said White.

Davis also worked to correct discrimination in housing, employment, and public facilities in Fort Worth.

Local leaders said they would continue the work that Davis started in the Fort Worth community. Chris Nettles, District 8 city councilman, said the community can help by voting in local elections.

What I like so much about that is he started this fight, and this fight is still going on, said Nettles. On behalf of the mayor and the entire city council, we want to tell you happy birthday, we honor you and we stand on your shoulders.

As you celebrate 100 years of life, you have made an impact on the lives of many through the great historical achievements youve made for African Americans, said Congressman Marc Veasey, of Texas Congressional District 33, in a statement to Davis. Although there is much more work to be done, it is up to us to keep up the momentum.

The judges daughters, Avis and Karen Davis, concluded the celebration, extending their thanks to the community and to their father.

Dad has a conscience of service, a willingness to give back, extending a hand up to many, said Karen Davis. I believe that a community can be made better and theres value in working hard together.

Their fathers accomplishments inspired their careers as he mentored them throughout their education. He ignited Avis Davis interest in servicing the community and tending to public interest.

Getting to know some of the work that he was doing on behalf of folks was the way that influenced me and gave me inspiration to develop my career more in the vanguard of public service and public policy, said Avis Davis.

I certainly would not have imagined that I would know, have lived with someone who has traversed 100 years from the earliest part of the 20th century into the magnificent 21st century, she said. It is so amazing and a blessing to be able to share this centennial year with dear old dad and with all of you.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local convenience store is celebrating a milestone of service.

Sami Quick Stop Food-Beverage is celebrating its 50th year of business. Its located at the intersection of Midlothian Boulevard and Market Street.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Dozens of Democratic supporters and volunteers gathered to rally for leaders who they say will strengthen the right to vote and protect American democracy.

State Senate candidate Jim Wertz made an appearance at the Democratic headquarters Saturday morning.

Local political experts comment on Tim Walz as Harris Campaigns VP pick

It was a grand reopening of the campaign office after Vice President Kamala Harris announced her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He said its time for a change in the Senate.

Our campaign mantra has always been do all the things. And we have a wonderful team in place who is helping us to do that. Andhundreds and hundreds of volunteers come through the door every year to help us meet our goals. So we like where were at right now and were going to continue to work hard for the next 87 days and make sure that when November 5th hits, we know where we stand, said Wertz.

Dan Laughlin meets students for EC3, part of Whole Home Repair legislation

The campaign has had over 150 volunteers sign up just this weekend to participate.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
People hold a banner reading "#Occupy our beaches" on a beach in Mallorca in protest against mass tourism on the Balearic island. Clara Margais/dpa

Some 100 locals in Mallorca on Sunday occupied an infamous party beach to protest against the millions of tourists that descend on the Spanish island every summer.

"We want to remind people, even if only for a few hours, that the beach belongs to all Mallorcans," activist Eloy told the Diario de Mallorca newspaper.

The protest took place on the Playa de Palma beach in an area popular with German tourists and known to them as the Ballermann.

The activist said the tourists understood their demands.

"The action is not directed against them, but against the tourism model," said Eloy.

Locals in Mallorca and other parts of Spain popular with holidaymakers have been protesting against mass tourism for months.

Tens of thousands of people joined separate rallies held in Palma de Mallorca in May and June to protest the effects of mass tourism, including the rising cost of living and a lack of affordable housing.

While the protests have been peaceful so far, graffiti slogans including "Kill a tourist" have surfaced in Mallorca recently, according to local media.

People demonstrate on a beach in Mallorca in protest against mass tourism on the Balearic island. Clara Margais/dpa

"Tourism - No" is written on two pieces of paper on a parasol on a beach in Mallorca in protest against mass tourism on the Balearic island. Clara Margais/dpa
The 3rd Baron Colwyn, who has died aged 82, was a prominent London dentist who sat in the Lords as a Conservative from 1966 to 2022; he was one of the 90 hereditaries elected to stay on in 1999 when most were excluded.

Colwyn chaired the Lords refreshment committee from 1997 to 2004, and from 2007 until his retirement in 2022 was a Deputy Speaker. He was vice-chairman of the all-party group on dentistry  and co-chairman of the group on jazz, his great passion.

As Tony Hamilton-Smith, he started a dance band at Cheltenham College with his friend Jim Beach. They travelled through France and Spain playing in bars, and the band went on to play at hunt balls, deb dances  and Arts Balls they organised in Cheltenham Town Hall  throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

When Beach left to become consigliere to the group Queen  Freddie Mercury christening him Miami  Colwyn kept the band going, leading it as a nine-piece group until 2004 with his unique brand of sharp wit. A special honour was playing for the Queen and Prince Philips private Ruby Wedding dance in 1987.

For Colwyn, the other great highlight was playing trumpet on stage at Ronnie Scotts alongside Adelaide Hall. For a while he also put together a-24 piece Big Band that played at the Albert Hall with Red Skelton for HBO.

He was a founder director of Jazz FM, with Dave Lee and John Dankworth, and secured funding for the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, launched in 2005.

Colwyn was a keen supporter of live music in pubs, speaking in its favour when legislation covering it was going through. He also spoke regularly on health and dentistry, particularly advocating sedation in dental care.

From 2002 he was vice president of the British Fluoridation Society  opponents of the practice accusing him of conflict of interest when he spoke on it in the Lords.

Lord Colwyn: his childhood was overshadowed by seismic events - Alamy

He was born Ian Anthony Hamilton-Smith on New Years Day 1942, to the 2nd Baron Colwyn and his first wife Miriam Ferguson. His great-grandfather had been a Liberal supporter, made a baronet by Asquith in 1912 then given a peerage by Lloyd George five years later.

Tonys childhood was overshadowed by seismic events. His stockbroker father, wounded during war service with the Gordon Highlanders, was cashiered in 1947 after admitting five charges of gross impropriety with Italian men on Ischia and at Turin. Lady Colwyn testified to the court-martial over her husbands moral character, but the marriage broke up soon after; the 2nd Baron married twice more, but there were no further children.

From Cheltenham College, Tony studied dentistry at St Bartholomews Hospital and the Royal Dental Hospital, graduating in 1966. He practiced as a dentist from 1965 to 2005, during his career chairing Dental Protection, the professions legal support organisation.

Colwyn succeeded to his title on his fathers death in 1966. Initially his attendance was low-key, but by the time Tony Blairs administration removed most of the hereditaries, Colwyns work in the upper house was felt to merit his staying on.

From 2006 to 2010 he served on the Science and Technology Select Committee. He was also president of the all-party group for Complementary and Integrated Healthcare, and chairman of the group for Emergency Ambulance and Paramedic Services.

In 2005 he took the chair of the financial services company Campbell Montague International, but he stepped down three years later because of his commitments in the Lords.

Colwyn at various times was president of the Natural Medicines Society, the Huntingtons Disease Association, the Arterial Health Foundation, the Society for Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and the Metropolitan Branch of the British Dental Association; chairman of Raw FM and Banbury Local Radio; patron of the Research Council for Complementary Medicine and a trustee of the Portman Estate.

He was appointed CBE in 1989.

Lord Colwyn married, first, in 1964, Sonia Morgan; they were divorced in 1977, and she died in 2006. In 1977 he married, secondly, Nicola Tyers. She survives him, with a son and a daughter from his first marriage and two daughters from his second. His eldest daughter, Jacqueline, is married to the actor Sean Pertwee.

He is succeeded as 4th Baron by his son, Craig Peter Hamilton-Smith, born on October 13 1968.

Lord Colwyn, born January 1 1942, died August 4 2024

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said her city is working to make the Summer Olympic games car-free when theyre held in her city in 2028.

Were already working to create jobs by expanding our public transportation system in order for us to have a no-car Games, she said in a Saturday release. And thats a feat for Los Angeles, as weve always been in love with our cars. Were working to ensure that we can build a greener Los Angeles.

Ahead of Sundays closing ceremony at the Paris Olympics, Bass is attempting to address a big issue for the next games: Los Angeles traffic.

Bass said the only way to access the Olympic venues will be public transportation. The city will borrow 3,000 buses from all over the country and ask businesses to allow their employees to work from home, The Associated Press reported.

Part of have a no-car Olympics means getting people not to drive, Bass said.

The AP noted that officials in Paris have been praised for how accessible the events have been, since nearly every venue has been reachable by public transportation.

Bass also highlighted Los Angeless efforts to invest in small businesses during the next games.

The mayor said the city plans to meet with its major employers and talk about staggering work hours, which is something that was done 40 years ago and before todays technology.

I think the workforce, probably around the world, certainly around our country, is grappling with remote work now, she said. So I do think that there might be some employees that we could say, Could you be remote for 17 days?

Its going to be a lot easier because we did go through COVID, so people will have some reference point in recent history as to how you could do that, Bass said.

Bass, the first female mayor of Los Angeles, will receive the flag Sunday from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the citys first woman to hold the office.

The Associated Press contributed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) hosted the First Gen Bridge to Success event, which invited 18 first-generation students and alumni to share their stories and what helped them succeed.

LSUS defines a first-generation student as an individual pursuing a college degree when neither parent holds a four-year college degree.

Its very frightening, and even though I had strong support from my parents, they had jobs that didnt require a college degree, shared first-generation nonprofit You Too organizer Kesha Simmons.

You Too supports first-generation students in navigating college and provides connections to peers, mentors, and essential resources.

According to FirstGen Forward, a network that empowers first-generation students with the tools to succeed, first-generation students face many barriers, such as managing a low income.

These barriers result in reduced participation in school extracurriculars and fewer social activities while juggling 20-30 hours of work and maintaining grades.

According to FirstGen Forward, 54% of undergraduate students in the United States identify as first-generation.

Navigating financial aid can be overwhelming for college students, especially without an older sibling or parent with a baccalaureate.

Simmons donated 13 chests of dorm room and school supplies through her organization to help other first-generation students make the transition.

According to the news release, LSUS alumni shared their personal challenges as first-generation students.

Demitrius Brown said he often struggled more with what was happening back home than the academic coursework.

Theres a pressure that I had to get this right, and I was navigating the emotional concept that I had opportunities that my family didnt have back home, Brown said.

He mentioned that his job enabled him to achieve food security, as his family didnt always have enough food at home.

My family and I both noticed that there started to be significant changes between us, that I was going down a different path. But you have to be radically selfish about your education and your opportunity because thats the only way you can lift up others, said Brown.

The news release detailed First Gen Bridge to Success, which held workshops on specific topics such as:

explaining college GPA,

how to maintain eligibility for financial aid and scholarships,

developing mentor connections among current students and staff,

and creating a roadmap using available resources.

Laura Perdue, the director of the LSUS Foundation, stated that college graduates, on average, earn $1.4 million more over a lifetime than their counterparts with just a high school degree.

The main objective of this workshop is to have first-generation students come in before classes and start to meet each other and to meet us, said Angie Pellerin, assistant vice chancellor for student success. I was a first-generation student, and I want these students to know that a lot of LSUS faculty and staff were as well.

LSUS recently earned membership into the FirstGen Forward Network because of its programming for first-generation students.

The event was held at the Noel Memorial Library.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A machete was used in an attack in Northeast Portland late Saturday morning, sending one man to the hospital for treatment and another man to the Multnomah County Jail.

The assault at an off-road bike trail in Gateway Green Park, in the 1200 block of NE 92nd, happened around 11:30 a.m., Portland police said. Both the victim and witnesses gave officers a description of the attacker and told them which way he went.

Man hospitalized with serious injuries after NE Portland stabbing

After a short search, officers found the machete and the suspect, Victor A. Peterson. The 37-year-old was booked for second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, both felonies.

The victim, who suffered a serious cut to the arm, went to the hospital in a private car for treatment. His condition was not released.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call PPB.

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Editors Note: Watch CNNs Donie OSullivans full report in MisinfoNation Part 2: Patriots, Pillows and Paper Ballots on The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper Sunday, August 11, 8pm ET/PT

If I was trying to blend in, it wasnt working.

It was October 2020  the height of Covid  and I was one of the only people wearing a facemask at a meeting in a drab windowless hotel conference room in Scottsdale, Arizona.

One attendee, dressed in some kind of elaborate costume, directed a disapproving grunt my way.

We listened as speaker after speaker explained that Trump was certain to win the 2020 presidential election  then just weeks away  in a landslide. Anything less would be a sign the Democrats had cheated.

If that happened, warned a man from the podium, we may need to take matters into our own hands. Political violence, he argued, wasnt all that bad  American history had been shaped by it after all.

A little more than two months later that man would take part in an attack on the US Capitol. He is now serving an 11-year prison sentence.

The other man  the one in costume who had grunted  would soon achieve global infamy. His painted face, and his headpiece made of animal horns, would land him on the cover of newspapers all around the world. Wed all come to know him as the QAnon Shaman.

Stop the Steal hasnt stopped

The Scottsdale event I had wiggled my way into in 2020 was QCon, a meeting of QAnon enthusiasts who were still fringe. Trump feigned ignorance about the movement and refused to denounce it. I dont know much about the movement other than I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate, Trump said at the time.

Some of the people in that conference room talked tough, but, I thought, maybe thats about all they would do.

It wasnt. And we now know what happened next.

Thats what concerns me most about the moment we are in now in the United States.

The conspiracy theories didnt go away. Theyve proliferated thanks to a sophisticated, relentless campaign. A surge of alternative social media sites, so-called free speech platforms like Trumps Truth Social and the video streaming platform Rumble have cropped up. Theres also been an explosion of online MAGA influencers and video streamers, some with millions of followers.

All of them are pushing the same conspiracy theory: The 2020 election was stolen, and the only way Trump can lose in 2024 is if it is stolen again.

This is false, of course. Not least since polls show Trump and Harris neck-and-neck.

In the middle of this growing MAGA misinformation-industrial complex: an affable pillow salesman.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell speaks to CNNs Donie OSullivan outside a MAGA event in Las Vegas earlier this year. - CNN

Mike Lindell, better known as the MyPillow guy, says he had never voted before 2016. Now, he is a Trump ally who is on a misguided crusade to, as he sees it, save American democracy.

Lindell has bought into the conspiracy theories about the 2020 election  specifically that voting machines were hacked to steal the election (they were not). So he set up his own social media and video streaming services, Frank Social and Frank Speech respectively. They include programming from the likes of Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani. Shows decrying the demise of American democracy and warning of stolen elections are punctuated with pillow promotions.

The Patriot economy

When I met Lindell recently at the Republican National Convention, he was on his way to a live taping of the Steve Bannon show War Room to promote his political prisoner special  a discounted deal on a mattress topper. Political prisoners are what the MAGA world calls people convicted for their actions on January 6. Its also how they sometimes refer to Bannon, who is currently serving four months in federal prison for defying a congressional subpoena. Bannons daughter filled in for him as host at the RNC.

A vast array of Trump-supporting, election-denying influencers who are thriving on the new free speech platforms have their own pillow promotion codes. They help sell Lindells pillows, and in turn they get a cut.

The promotion of election conspiracy theories is being subsidized by the sale of more and more patriot products. There are freedom steaks made from unvaccinated cows. A patriot cellular service that bills itself as Americas only Christian conservative wireless provider. There is even patriot water named Freedom2O. Its website sells Yeti products inscribed with quips like This drink aint woke.

Its very possible that if you are reading this youve never heard of any of these so-called free speech social media platforms. We are living in a far more fractured media environment today than we were at the time of the last presidential election.

Millions of Americans are now getting their news, information, and misinformation on these platforms  and they are being primed for another stolen election if things dont go Trumps way.

Many of us want to tune it all out, pretend its not happening. We want to ignore the conspiracy theories, the absurdity of QAnon Shamans and political prisonerpillow promotions.

But just because its all a bit absurd doesnt make it any less dangerous.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A Columbus man was arrested this week for allegedly making a Molotov cocktail and threatening to set a woman on fire.

Columbus police were called Tuesday to the Creekside Apartments on the East Side, where they arrested Tyonte Diggs, who allegedly assaulted and attempted to set the victim on fire.

Police found two dish towels near a bottle of grain alcohol and a lighter. The victim told police that Diggs was upset because she no longer wanted to be in a relationship with him.

He had life: Vigil held for Kamarion Woody in place of 13th birthday party

Thats when, police said, Diggs assaulted her and threatened to set the apartment on fire. Diggs reportedly set a towel on fire while holding the bottle of alcohol before blowing the flames out. Diggs allegedly then placed part of another dish towel inside the bottle, placed it over the womans head and lit it on fire, before blowing it out again.

The victim told police she recorded the conversation on her phone, and police said video captured the assault.

Diggs was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated arson and assault. He was issued a $400,000 bond and $100,000 bonds for the respective charges and ordered to next appear in court on Aug. 16.

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Indianapolis Metropolitan Police arrested a man on two arson charges after he was accused of setting his own home on fire and barricading himself inside.

On Saturday, at around 5:45 p.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police responded to a domestic call in the 1100 block of Mount Street. There, they removed a man from his burning home after occupants said he intentionally set it on fire and barricaded himself inside, according to the Indianapolis Fire Department.

In a social media post, the police department said officers removed a dresser blocking the front door to enter the home, where they found a man refusing to leave with an active fire in a nearby bedroom. Officers pulled the 58-year-old from the burning home and placed him under arrest.

Law enforcement attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher, but it grew larger.

Indianapolis firefighters were called to the scene, where they worked to extinguish fires on both the structure and a vehicle in the driveway to prevent it from spreading to nearby homes.

According to the fire department, ammunition inside the vehicle began to go off as it made contact with the flames.

The fire was under control in 20 minutes, but one firefighter sustained a slight injury and was transported to Methodist to be checked out.

Two adults were displaced because of the fire.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police and the Indianapolis Fire Department are investigating the circumstances that led to the fire.

Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formally Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis man arrested on arson charges after home set on fire
VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man was arrested in North County Saturday after authorities found a loaded ghost gun in his vehicle during a traffic stop, said the San Diego County Sheriffs Department.

The driver, identified as 36-year-old Michael Beason, was pulled over around 10:30 p.m. near the 1900 block of West Vista Way in the city of Vista for equipment violations and expired registration. The traffic stop was initiated by deputies with the Vista Sheriffs Stations Gang Enforcement Team.

Arsenal of weapons seized after deputies raid Vista home

During the stop, authorities said Beason was found to be in possession of privately made firearm, commonly referred to as a ghost gun.

These types of weapons are not marked with serial numbers, so there is no way to track their origins or their owners. This makes it harder for law enforcement to investigate or solve a crime involving a privately made firearm, the sheriffs department explained in a press release detailing the mans arrest.

Beason was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges of possessing an undetectable firearm and other related firearms charges, authorities said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Man claiming to be Uvalde shooters uncle begged authorities to let him talk him down during the shooting, 911 call reveals

A man claiming to be the uncle of Uvalde school shooter Salvador Ramos called 911 during the May 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School and begged a dispatcher to connect him with his nephew in hopes that he could help end the situation.

The thing thats happening at Robb right now, hes my nephew, the 911 caller, who identified himself as Armando Ramos, said. I was wondering, maybe he could listen to me because he does listen to me, everything I tell him, he does listen to me.

The audio is part of a trove of bodycam and dashcam videos, audio recordings of 911 calls and radio communication, documents and text message the city released more than two years after the shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead in Uvalde, Texas.

Most of the material released was previously reported by CNN. The files - some of which were redacted - were released only after CNN and more than a dozen other major news organizations filed a lawsuit to obtain public records related to the massacre.

Ramos call came into dispatch at 12:57 p.m., just seven minutes after law enforcement used a janitor key to breach the locked classroom door, and shot and killed the suspect, CNN previously reported.

Unaware that his nephew was already dead, Ramos said if he could speak with him, maybe he could stand down or do something to turn himself in.

The conversation lasted just over six minutes, during which time Ramos could be heard saying, why did you do thisWhy? and, please dont do nothing stupid.

At one point Ramos told the dispatcher, I think hes shooting kids. He has the classroom hostage.

Ramos said his nephew was with him the night before the shooting, along with other family members, and while he told the dispatcher he wasnt aware of any changes in the shooters behavior prior to the incident, he did mention his nephew indicated his grandmother was bugging him.

Calls for accountability mounted after the public learned that the gunman was left alone with victims for over an hour during the massacre. - Texas House Investigative Committee/Reuters

Families continue to demand accountability

For families of the victims, the release was long overdue.

Law enforcement has been heavily criticized for their failed response to what became one of the deadliest shootings at a K-12 school in the United States.

While victims lay wounded, it took the 376 law enforcement officers on scene 77 minutes to confront and kill the gunman from the time he entered the school through an unlocked door. More than 90 Texas Department of Public Safety officers responded to the scene and were among the first to arrive.

In one of the 911 calls, first reported by CNN in the months after the shooting, a 10-year-old girl trapped in a classroom tells the police dispatcher to hurry as there are a lot of dead bodies.

Brett Cross nephew, Uziyah Garcia, 10, was killed in the massacre. Cross told The Associated Press families were not given advanced notice of the records being released Saturday but said it was long overdue.

If we thought we could get anything we wanted, wed ask for a time machine to go back in time and save our children, but we cant, so all we are asking for is for justice, accountability and transparency, and they refuse to give this to us, Cross said.

Jesse Rizo, the uncle of Jacklyn Cazares, 9, who was also killed in the shooting, said the document release reignites anger because the documents show just how long law enforcement waited. Perhaps if they were to have breached earlier, they would have saved some lives, including my nieces, he told the AP.

Officers worried for their own safety

As criticism was mounting in the hours and days after the massacre, some officers were worried for their own safety, text messages released Saturday show.

Among the hundreds of pages of messages, a series of texts show a group of officers expressing fear for their safety. In the text messages, multiple officers ask for their photos to be removed from the departments website after they felt like they were being blamed for the failed response.

One group chat mentions the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, saying, the DPS director just through [sic] everyone under the bus..!!!

Is there a way to get our pictures off the PD website for our safety..?..take the website down, one officer wrote.

In a news conference after the mass shooting, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said the on-scene commander made the wrong decision and did not attempt quickly enough to breach the classroom where the gunman was. He would later say the first few officers on scene, including local Uvalde Police Department who are seen communicating in the newly released texts, acted against active shooter training by initially retreating and never regaining momentum to take out the shooter.

CNN has reached out to the Texas Department of Public Safety for a response to the officers assertions Saturday.

In an interview this week, former Uvalde school police chief Pete Arredondo told CNN he felt he was scapegoated from the very beginning.

Arredondo was indicted in June by a grand jury and was booked on 10 counts of child endangerment and known criminal negligence for failing to recognize the incident as an active shooting and for failing to take proper action to intervene. Arredondo has said he never considered himself to be the incident commander.

He entered a plea of not guilty to these charges last month, CNN previously reported.

Former school police officer Adrian Gonzales was also indicted on criminal charges related to law enforcements failed response to the shooting. Gonzales entered a plea of not guilty on July 25.

CNNs Lauren Mascarenhas, Rachel Clarke, Camila Bernal and Amanda Musa contributed to this report.

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A DeKalb County man is going to spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury convicted of him murdering the man who helped him pull off an insurance fraud scheme.

Norman Simmonds Jr., 45, was found guilty of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault and other gun charges in the death of 24-year-old Tyrese Washington in August 2019.

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Investigators say an off-duty Douglasville police officer heard gunshots at an apartment complex on Ashley Creek Circle in Stone Mountain. When he walked toward the gunshots, he found Washington face down with a gunshot wound to the head.

They later learned that Washington had told a friend that he was going to the apartment complex because someone there owed him money.

As they investigated, an agent from the Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner told them he was working a case in which Washington and others staged an accident involving a U-Haul truck in Clarkston.

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During that investigation, Washington admitted that he was involved in insurance fraud. He told them that Simmonds set up a fake accident and promised to pay Washington $1,000, but never died.

Prosecutors say phone records show a number registered to Anthony Jones, an alias for Simmonds, called and texted Washington several times in the minutes before the shooting. The same records also placed Simmonds at his home, then at the crime scene at the time of the murder and then back at his home.

Simmonds was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional five years.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  An argument in the northeast Las Vegas valley turned deadly on Sunday when a shot was fired and resulted in a mans death, police said.

Around 2 a.m. on Aug. 11, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received reports of a man shot at the intersection of north Sandhill Road and Tully Avenue near east Bonanza Road.

LVMPD investigators determined the man was approached by two unidentified individuals, and during an argument, one of them shot him. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

Investigators ask anyone with information on the shooting to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or via email at homicide@lvmpd.com. Additionally, those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or via the organizations website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Man dies after falling off floating device in Lake Hartwell

HART COUNTY, Ga. (WSPA)  The Hart County Coroners Office confirmed the death of a man who drowned in Lake Hartwell, Saturday evening.

The victim, 45-year-old Levi Magana Nino from Athens, Georgia, had fallen off a floating device in Elrod Ferry, according to coroners office. Nino couldnt get back on the float, and had gone under.

The incident occurred around 6:40 p.m., and bystanders managed to pull Nino out of the water by the time EMS arrived.

He was transported to the hospital where he later died, according to the coroners office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
DENVER (KDVR)  A man died after a dispute in a parking lot of Old Town Fort Collins led to a shooting early Sunday morning.

Fort Collins Police Services said officers responded to the 200 block of Remington Street around 1 a.m. for a reported shooting. Officers found two victims had been shot after a dispute between two groups in the parking lot.

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A male victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital where he later died. A second victim, a woman, was also taken to a local hospital. She is expected to survive, police said.

The suspect has not been arrested as of Sunday morning. Police said they should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information is asked to contact the FCPS tip line at 970-416-2825 or email tipsline@fcgov.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
ANKENY, Iowa  A man has been life flighted after sustaining injuries in a garage fire.

At around 2:20 p.m. the Ankeny Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire on the southwest side of Ankeny, located at 2306 NW 71st place. A neighbor called 911 after hearing an explosion and seeing smoke coming from the garage of the address.

Waukee drowning reignites important conversations surrounding pond safety

After calling 911 the neighbor pulled an adult male from the building. The man received extensive burns to his body. A medical helicopter was requested, and the man was flown to the University of Iowas Burn Unit.

Upon arrival the Ankeny Fire Department began working to extinguish the fire. The fire was upgraded to a second alarm, which brough multiple agencies to assist in efforts to extinguish the fire including the Altoona, Bondurant, Johnston-Grimes, and Polk City Fire Departments.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway and there are no updates on the condition of the man transported with life-threatening burns.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
EDITORS NOTE  This story has been updated with new information from police about the victim.

PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said officers are investigating after a teenage boy was shot and killed in the county Saturday night.

Police said that at around 7:30 p.m., officers responded to the 1900 block of Lebanon Street for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they located a crime scene but no victim.

Deck collapses in Prince Georges County, fire officials say

A short time later, officers were advised that a teenager was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

The department said that investigators are working to determine the circumstances of the shooting but that anyone with information should call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or submit a tip using the P3 Tips app.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Marriott International has filed a $2.6 million federal lawsuit against a hotel in Queens for becoming a migrant shelter in violation of its franchise agreement.

The hotel chain claims the owners of the Pride Hotel in Jamaica had a 2015 deal with Marriott to operate a dual-branded Aloft and Element hotel at 149-03 Archer Avenue, according to the complaint filed last week in the Southern District of New York.

Pride Hospitality Group was supposed to open a dual-branded Aloft and Element hotel at 149-03 Archer Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. Google Maps

Marriott alleged the hotels owner, Pride Hospitality Group, made a lucrative agreement with the city to house migrants and asylum seekers just months before its slated Nov. 1 opening, after eight years of construction. In doing so, it broke the agreement and gave up the right to use Marriott branding.

By Aug. 22, 2023, Marriott says it confirmed the property  an 18-story hotel with 283 units near John F. Kennedy International Airport  was being used for migrant housing.

Pride Hotel nevertheless kept using Marriotts signage and proprietary marks, the suit claims.

The lawsuit alleges the Pride Hotel breached its franchise agreement and failed to remove Marriotts branding. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Marriott International has filed a $2.6 million federal lawsuit against a hotel in Queens for becoming a migrant shelter in violation of its franchise agreement. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Pride Hotel sent Marriott a letter proposing an agreement to use the hotels for migrant housing. Marriott provided a list of requirements that needed to be satisfied in order to consider the change in use, but didnt hear back for two months  while migrants continued to live on site, according to the suit. Pride Hotel meanwhile sent Marriott none of the franchise agreements required fees, the suit maintains.

Marriott says it sent Pride notices of default and provided opportunities to resolve the issue in November and December to no avail, before terminating the agreement on March 18.

Having Marriott signage on a migrant hotel has caused and will continue to cause significant harm to Marriott, the suit claims. In addition, Marriott says it would be tough for it to reenter the lucrative Jamaica market serving JFK, as its already saturated with existing hotels.

Pride Hotel could not immediately be reached for comment.
BOSTON (WWLP)  An investment banker from Boston was sentenced for violating a consent judgment that prohibited him from participating in the offer or sale of securities.

Plymouth teen taken into custody after deadly multi-vehicle crash on Sagamore Bridge

According to the Department of Justice, 64-year-old Craig Medoff was sentenced to 20 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine. Back in May of this year, he pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt for violating a court order.

Medoff previously worked at multiple investment firms, including Nova Capital International, LLC and Sabrex Development, LLC. He was accused of securities fraud in 2012 in a lawsuit brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He resolved the civil case against him in 2016 by agreeing to a consent judgment that prohibited Medoff from participating in the offer or sale of securities for 10 years. Medoff then created Nova Capital International, LLC, as well as an alias, Alexander Carlin, that he used to continue in the securities industry notwithstanding the consent order. Between 2016 and 2023, he used his company and alias to operate as an investment banker on behalf of several private companies that were raising money through the sale of securities. Medoffs company in total received millions in income, more than $1.6 million of which went to him personally.

In September of 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission sought an order of civil contempt and sanctions based on Medoffs violation of the 2016 consent judgment. In February of this year, the Court found that there was probable cause to believe Medoff knowingly and willfully violated the 2016 consent judgment, and was charged with criminal contempt.

They appointed the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts to prosecute the case. The Securities and Exchange Commissions civil case is still ongoing.

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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.

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Meet the 11th Assembly District candidates in the Democratic primary in Tuesday's election

Two candidates are running in the Democratic primary for the 11th Assembly District seat of the state Legislature in the Aug. 13 primary election.

Amillia Heredia and Sequanna Taylor face off in the primary. There's no Republican candidate so the primary winner will win the Nov. 5 general election.

There's no incumbent in the race because the previous incumbent, Dora Drake, won a special election in July for the 4th Senate District seat and is running for a full four-year term in November.

The 11th Assembly District includes parts of Milwaukee further north and west of the 10th Assembly District, with Havenwoods State Forest as the center point.







See the new state Assembly districts

This map shows Wisconsin state Assembly districts under the previous 2022 map on the left, and the new 2024 map on the right. Each district is colored according to whether itleans Democrat, leans Republican, or is acompetitive district (within 5%).

Old maps (2022)

New maps (2024)

Note: The partisan lean of districts is calculated based on voting data from national and local elections from 2016 to 2022. Districts with less than 5% difference in Republican and Democratic votes are considered competitive districts.

Map by Andrew Hahn and Eva Wen / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Here's what to know about the candidates:

Amillia Heredia

Residence: Milwaukee

Political experience : Two-term UW-Milwaukee student government president

Occupation : Milwaukee County Board intern

Policies: On her campaign website, Heredia lists her priorities as expanding children's access to housing, food and education; enacting transformative justice; increasing access to health care; and improving the foster care system.

Sequanna Taylor

Residence: Milwaukee

Political experience : Milwaukee County supervisor, 5th District, since 2016; former Milwaukee School Board member

Occupation : Family Violence Prevention program coordinator, City of Milwaukee; Milwaukee County supervisor

Policies: In an interview with Urban Milwaukee, Taylor listed issues she's interested in working on at the state level that include youth empowerment and education, health and human needs, mental health, housing, economic development and the criminal justice system.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Meet 11th Assembly District candidates in Democratic primary election
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced last Sunday an initiative to invite Texas doctors to consider relocating to her neighboring state of New Mexico, in response to Texass draconian abortion ban.

The governor launched a direct appeal to Texas health care providers, running a full-page ad in five major Texas newspapers last Sunday. The ads contained an open letter to Texas healthcare providers telling them that they are welcome in New Mexico to practice medicine without restrictions.

I know that legal restrictions on healthcare in Texas have created a heavy burden for medical practitioners  especially those of you now barred by law from providing the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare. It must be distressing that a draconian abortion ban has restricted your right to practice and turned it into a political weapon, Lujan Grisham wrote in the open letter.

I certainly respect those of you who remain committed to caring for patients in Texas, but I also invite those of you who can no longer tolerate these restrictions to consider practicing next door in New Mexico, she added.

Lujan Grisham said her state was taking steps to make sure New Mexico does not follow in Texass footsteps in passing restrictive abortion laws.

You have my word: I will never interfere with the fundamental right of health workers to care for their patients in New Mexico, she wrote at the end of the letter. Whether you are a nurse, a resident, a physician assistant, or a doctor, we cordially and enthusiastically invite you to the Land of Enchantment, where you are free to care for your patients.

Texas has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, banning the practice in almost all circumstances. Private citizens may sue health care providers and those who help women who seek abortions at approximately six weeks. Texas is one of 22 states in the country with abortion bans or restrictions that are harsher than the standard set by Roe v. Wade, which was overturned in 2022.

Lujan Grishams letter is part of a larger initiative called the Free to Provide campaign. In July, the effort was behind six billboards placed around the Houston Medical Center that said, Come to New Mexico where you are free to provide.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts (R) press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, responded to the initiative in a statement to CNN.

People and businesses vote with their feet, and continually they are choosing to move to Texas more than any other state in the country. Governor Lujan Grisham should focus on her states rapidly declining population instead of political stunts, Mahaleris said to CNN.

The Hill has reached out to Abbotts office for comment.

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE)  Industry, labor, and education partners are collaborating and looking to add to the ever-growing film industry in New Mexico. A multi-million-dollar project could boost local and state revenue while providing hands-on experiences for media students throughout the state.

If youre creating new film production opportunities, then youre creating a stable workforce, said Jeff Steinborn, state senator and president of Film Las Cruces.

Its been years in the making, and now, thanks to a collaborative effort, Las Cruces will soon be seeing an influx of film resources located at New Mexico State University.

Documentary highlights New Mexicans among first women to serve in the Navy

We now have an agreement in place with the Economic Development Department at the state, and theyre going to, through the legislation, theyre going to fund the soundstage, and [the] Arrowhead Center will get it built, and NMSU will operate it, said Arrowhead Park Executive Director Wayne Savage.

With its ability to provide a controlled environment and creative space, the 20-thousand-square-foot soundstage is what filmmakers say will bring industry attention to southern New Mexico.

Its not just going to attract small independent films, which we have been getting here in Las Cruces, but finally were going to attract big studio films and television series, said NMSU Professor Ross Marks.

Our goal is to have two hundred new full-time jobs in the industry here. There will be others that come in to support the productions and then leave. The productions, while theyre on the ground here, will be spending a great deal of money, said Savage.

The soundstage, along with production support buildings, will also provide opportunities for NMSU and Dona Ana Community College creative media students to get hands-on experiences.

As a former film student and as somebody who taught in film schools and film education settings, to be adjacent and in close proximity to a real production is really key, said New Mexico Media Arts Collective Acting Executive Director Mateo Frazier.

Advertising once again allowed on Albuquerque city buses

With big industry players like Netflix and Universal putting roots down, the states film incentive with a rebate of up to 40 percent, and experienced crew members, the new soundstage adds to a long list of reasons why filmmakers say the Land of Enchantment is the place to be.

Often, cinematographers talk about theres a special light to New Mexico and a look that you cant duplicate anywhere else, said Frazier.

Project collaborators hope to have someone running the building by the time its completed in January of 2026.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Michigan AG Nessel: Details 'scarce' about what data was leaked in McLaren cyberattack

Details about what, if any, protected patient information was compromised in the Aug. 5 cyberattack at McLaren Health Care remain "scarce," said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

These events serve as a clear warning that our most private information is under constant threat from cybercriminals, Nessel said in a statement her office issued Friday. I encourage everyone to be diligent in safeguarding their accounts and to be on the lookout for any indications of personal data exploitation.

"Unfortunately, at this time, information is scarce as to what information may have been exposed. While more than 30 other states have laws requiring state notification of significant breaches, Michigan is not among them, and consumer protection agencies like ours often only learn of these attacks by media reporting.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel talks to the press Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 at her new office in Lansing.

It's the second time in a year, cybercriminals have attacked McLaren's technology platforms. The Grand Blanc-based health system confirmed Wednesday the cause of a disruption to all 13 of its Michigan hospitals, surgery, infusion and imaging centers, along with its network of 113,000 medical providers throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

"The disruption ... was the result of a criminal cyber attack," said a statement sent to the Free Press. "Our information technology team continues to work with external cyber security experts to analyze the nature of the attack and mitigate the impacts of the threat actors. At this time, we have not determined if any patient or employee data was compromised."

The disruption began early Monday, and crippled some parts of the system's operations.

Patients told the Free Press they couldn't get radiation treatments for cancer or cardiac testing as a result of the cybersecurity incident. And for a short time, ambulances were diverted from McLaren Port Huron Hospital. Some appointments had to be canceled because physicians couldn't access radiology reports, lab test results or orders for additional testing and procedures.

McLaren has not said when its systems were expected to be fully functional again.

McLaren Macomb hospital on Harrington Road in Mt. Clemens on July 21, 2021.

Last August, a ransomware gang known as BlackCat/AlphV claimed responsibility for another attack on McLaren, posting online that it stole 6 terabytes of data, including the personal information of 2.5 million patients.

The health system reported at the time that it had shut down its own computer networks "out of an abundance of caution" after its information technology security team found suspicious activity during routine monitoring.

Nessel urged Michiganders to be vigilant, and watch for the following signs that suggest medical information was compromised in the McLaren cyberattacks or others that have plagued health care companies in recent years:

A bill from your doctor for services you didnt receive.

Errors in an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) report from your insurance company. An example would be seeing services you never received listed on an EOB or insurance coverage for medications you dont take.

Calls from debt collectors about medical bills you dont owe.

Medical debt collection notices on your credit report that you dont recognize.

A notice from your health insurance company saying youve reached your benefit limit.

Insurance coverage denial notices for a preexisting medical condition you dont have.

Nessel said the health care industry is a target for cybercriminals because of the large amount of personal health Information stored on its systems.

The McLaren cyberattack comes just a few months after an attack on 140 Ascension hospitals in the U.S., including in Michigan, cut off electronic access to medical records, lab test results, radiology imaging and even impaired the ability for doctors to issue medical orders.

More: McLaren patients say they can't get cancer treatments, heart tests in wake of cyberattack

More: How to protect yourself from health care cybersecurity breaches

Also in May, the personal information of more than 56,000 people  including names, medical record numbers, addresses, dates of birth, diagnostic and treatment information, and health insurance details  was compromised in a cyberattack at Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan.

If you receive notification that your personal data was involved in a cybersecurity breach, Nessel recommends:

Changing the passwords on any medical portals you use.

Carefully checking your insurance company's explanation of benefits documents

Contacting your bank and credit card companies to place an alert on your accounts.

Another option is to consider a credit freeze, which prevents creditors from accessing your credit report. This can stop identity thieves from getting new loans or credit cards in your name. By law, credit bureaus must allow you to place, temporarily lift, or remove a credit freeze for free.

If you choose to freeze your credit, you'd have to contact all three credit bureaus:

Equifax: 888-766-0008

Experian: 888-397-3742

TransUnion: 800-680-7289

When you place the freeze on your credit, you'll get a personal identification number that also can be used to unfreeze your credit should you choose to apply for a loan or a new credit card. The same PIN can be used to reinstate the freeze, if you choose.

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan AG offers tips, says details 'scarce' on McLaren cyberattack
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, says Cumbria is in prime position to be a 'clean energy superpower' - Anadolu

Ed Miliband has been urged to intervene in a row over a mini nuclear power plant in Cumbria, amid fears a government quango is hoarding land needed for the project.

Moorside, located near Sellafield, is one of six sites currently being assessed by Great British Nuclear (GBN) as it aims to roll out a new generation of reactors.

However, MPs and businesses have warned the energy secretary that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is putting Moorsides hopes of hosting the first small modular reactors (SMRs) in jeopardy.

That is because GBN has signalled it will only pick sites that have enough land available for several SMRs.

As a result, Moorside is at risk of missing out after the NDA unveiled plans to use most of the sites space for other decommissioning purposes.

In a letter seen by The Telegraph, MPs, Lords, business leaders and union officials urged Mr Miliband to instruct the NDA and GBN to prioritise the land at Moorside for new nuclear use first and foremost, warning that failure to do so would have considerable consequences.

A lack of clear direction on Moorside is likely to knock West Cumbria out of the running for the GBN process and our community will once again have had their hopes raised and dashed, the letter says.

One insider said the key qualities that GBN officials are looking for in sites are scale and speed, meaning how many SMRs they can accommodate and how ready they are for development.

Other options for the SMRs include Wylfa in Wales; Oldbury near Bristol; Bradwell, in Essex; Heysham, in Lancashire; and Hartlepool, in County Durham.

Visits to all the sites are understood to have been completed, and it is thought that GBN will submit its recommendations to ministers before the end of this year.

Moorside is seen as a potentially strong candidate because it is already in state ownership.

By comparison, Bradwell is still owned by China General Nuclear  which has been frozen out of future British nuclear projects  and Heysham and Hartlepool, owned by French giant EDF, are still used by operational nuclear plants.

Previous plans for a new nuclear power station on Moorside were scrapped after the Japanese conglomerate Toshiba pulled out of the project in 2018. The site would have generated about 7pc of the UKs electricity needs.

The energy secretary visited Cumbria earlier this year, claiming that the areas history around nuclear power, such as its links to Sellafield, put it in prime position to be a clean energy superpower of the future.

The mounting pressure on Mr Miliband and the NDA comes after Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, effectively blocked a new coal mine in the area that would have created thousands of new jobs.

In its manifesto, Labour has vowed to roll out new nuclear power stations to strengthen the UKs energy security.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: New nuclear power stations will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while creating thousands of skilled jobs.

Moorside is one of several sites that have the capability to host future civil nuclear projects, though no decisions have yet been made.

We will continue to support Sellafield and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in its important mission to manage our nuclear legacy and clean-up sites safely.

An NDA spokesman said: We are committed to decommissioning our sites safely, securely, and sustainably, leaving a positive long-lasting legacy for future generations.

As an arms-length body, it is for us to support and implement policies and decisions made by the Government and as such we are working with our sponsor department, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Great British Nuclear to explore how we can use our expertise, resource, and assets to best support ambitions, including greater energy independence, whilst ensuring we continue to deliver our mission.

This includes consideration of how the land at Moorside may be used.

A GBN spokesman declined to comment.

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Minister warns justice system will feel impact of riots for years as offenders risk up to a decade in jail

The impact of the appalling scenes on the countrys streets will be felt in the criminal justice system for months and years, a cabinet minister has warned.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the riots would set back Labours plans to fix the system, already struggling with a huge backlog of court cases and overcrowding in prisons.

She said the Ministry of Justice has risen to the challenge of bringing rapid charges against  thugs and hooligans, in recent days.

But she added: The impact of these days of disorder will be felt for months and years to come. They make the job of rebuilding the justice system harder.

They also offer a sobering reminder of how much worse things might have been had this Government not acted fast, a few weeks ago, to address the crisis in our criminal justice system before it was too late.

Police are braced for another night of violence, with concerns raised about the safety of immigration law specialists. (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Wire)

In recent days more than 500 prison places have been brought forward to ensure space for those being sentenced by the courts, Ms Mahmood wrote in The Observer.

Last month, she announced plans to release some inmates early to free up prison space, blaming the last Conservative government for leaving prisons too full. Her warning came as Britains top prosecutor said the worst offenders faced up to ten years in jail.

Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, said the number of charging decisions was expected to soar and talked of a "new phase" of cases set to include "more serious charges with stiffer penalties".

While many of the prosecutions so far have been for violent disorder, which carries a maximum sentence of five years, Mr Parkinson said the more serious offence of rioting, which carries up to 10 years, was under consideration.

"We warned of the consequences and we will deliver those consequences," he told the Sunday Times. "Its not about exacting revenge, its about delivering justice."

Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

Mr Parkinson, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), also said that Elon Musks comments, including his claim that the UK was heading towards civil war, were "deeply unhelpful".

Mr Parkinson said prosecutors were likely to authorise "hundreds" more charges in the coming days and weeks, as most suspects are on bail as police gather more evidence against them.

Mr Parkinson said: "Theres inevitably going to be more police work involved to put those cases together, but the maximum sentence is ten years, rather than five years.

"Were expecting a lot of work to come in next week as a result of those cases that have been bailed."

Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

On Friday former attorney general during the 2011 riots warned the recent far-right violence should be a wake-up call for the countrys broken justice system.

Dominic Grieve praised the rapid convictions of those who took part in the violence, saying they had used similar tactics in 2011 and that the authorities in recent days had risen to the occasion.

But, he stressed, high-profile arrests and sentences will not necessarily prevent future violence on the streets unless extensive court delays caused by years of underfunding are dealt with.

There is a much wider and longer-term issue, which is the justice system in this country is not functioning properly, he told The Independent. It can rise to the occasion, as one can see in current circumstances. But generally speaking, the length of time it takes for somebody to be brought to justice is much too long.

And I think that in a society where there are very, very long delays in dealing with ordinary criminality, it is an extremely unsatisfactory state of affairs, and that comes from persistent underfunding. In fairness to the last Conservative government, the underfunding goes back way before they came into office as the coalition in 2010, but it certainly hasnt been improved since.

If justice is not routinely delivered, people lose confidence in democracy and the rule of law, Mr Grieve added. And I think you could even make an argument theres a connection between that and people going out and rioting in the streets, I think its a bit of a wake-up call. 

The justice system was in a state of almost collapse, he added.
A missile struck an apartment building in the Russian city of Kursk overnight, injuring 13 people, Kursk Oblast's acting Governor Alexey Smirnov reported on Aug. 11.

Russian air defense units downed a Ukrainian missile, which then struck a residential building, Smirnov said. A fire broke out on the premises, and emergency workers were dispatched to the site.

The attack injured 13 people, two of whom are in serious condition, according to Smirnov.

The Ukrainian military has not commented on the alleged attack.

The reported strike on Kursk comes amid Ukraine's ongoing incursion into Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive into the Russian border region on Aug. 6 and have continued to advance deeper into Russian territory.

Smirnov declared a "state of emergency" in the region on Aug. 7, and Russian authorities instituted what they called a "counter-terrorism operation" along the Ukrainian border on Aug. 10.

Russia has evacuated over 76,000 people from Kursk Oblast amid Ukraine's ongoing incursion, according to Russian state media.

Smirnov on Aug. 11 said that he had instructed local officials to "speed up" the evacuations.

While Kyiv has largely remained silent on the incursion, President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the offensive in his evening address on Aug. 10, saying Ukraine had taken "actions to push the war out into the aggressor's territory."

"Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice," he said.

Read also: Ukrainian forces enter Belgorod Oblast as Kursk incursion continues, media say

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Concerned family members and authorities are searching for a missing Southern California man who hasnt been seen in over two weeks.

Michael Martinez, 23, disappeared on July 25, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

He was last seen on the 1200 block of 5th Avenue in Los Angeles at around 3 p.m. and last heard from at around 6 p.m. that day.

The next day, his vehicle was found abandoned in a remote San Bernardino County area near the 15 Freeway and Wild Wash Road.

Martinezs family is extremely concerned, saying its uncharacteristic for him to not return home. He does not have any medical or mental health issues that would contribute to his disappearance, loved ones said.

Michael Martinez, 23, disappeared on July 25, 2024. (Los Angeles Police Department)

Martinez is described as a Hispanic male who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black thin sweat top sweater, blue jeans, and white sandals, LAPD said.

No further details were provided as the search for Martinez continues.

Anyone who may know his whereabouts or has information on his disappearance is asked to call the LAPDs Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800.

The public can also call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mobile operators are resisting plans to ensure their networks have power during extreme weather or cyber attacks amid fears over prohibitive costs.

BT, Vodafone, Virgin Media and O2 would be required to provide at least one hour of battery back-up power at all their mobile mast sites under new guidance being considered by regulator Ofcom.

The watchdog has said tougher measures are needed to improve the resilience of critical networks, as they come under growing pressure from volatile weather and hackers.

It has warned that the fallout from network outages is likely to become more severe as society becomes increasingly dependent on them to function.

However, mobile network operators have pushed back against the potential new rules, which are expected to cost the industry up to 1.8bn.

In responses to Ofcoms consultation, BT, Vodafone and VMO2 warned it would be disproportionate for providers to bear the costs of the measures alone.

Smaller rival Three branded the costs prohibitive.

BT suggested that operators could be encouraged to invest more in their networks if Ofcom reduced the annual fees it charges for use of mobile spectrum.

The companies also questioned the need for the measures, arguing that the impact of short-term power outages was minimal and could be largely mitigated by nearby sites.

They have also urged regulators to focus on better resilience in the grid.

Mobile firms currently provide battery back-up at sites, but the extent of coverage and duration of reserve power varies significantly across networks.

In addition to requiring one hour of battery back-up at all mobile sites, Ofcoms suggested rules could also enforce four hours of back-up in broadband cabinets.

The calls for greater resilience come amid concerns that Britains crucial communications networks may be increasingly vulnerable to crises.

Ofcom pointed to extreme weather events such as storms and floods in the winter of 2021/2022, which left some communities without any means to communicate, including making calls to emergency services.

This has been exacerbated by the switchover from copper to digital landlines, which are more liable to failure in the event of power outages.

BT has delayed its rollout of the new technology following a number of serious incidents where so-called telecare devices  personal alarms designed to be activated in a health emergency or after a fall  failed because of digital landlines.

An Ofcom spokesman said: We havent made any proposals at this stage  the costs we included in our call for input were part of an illustrative example only.

Were considering the responses weve received, and well work with industry and Government to identify and pursue ways to address any potential issues.

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Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's claim that several drones from Ukraine were shot down over Belarus on Aug. 9 is false, the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun said on Aug. 11.

Lukashenko announced on Aug. 10 that Belarusian forces downed several aerial targets from Ukraine the previous night and called the incident "a Ukrainian provocation." He then ordered military reinforcements to border areas near Ukraine.

Belarusian Hajun, an open-source intelligence project, called Lukashenko's allegation "nonsense."

"According to the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun, on Aug. 9, 2024, during flights of the Belarusian Armed Forces, no drones (UAVs) were detected," the group reported on Telegram.

With both Belarus and Russia as neighbors, Ukraine's northern border has been under threat since the full-scale war. When Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine, it also used Belarus as a launching pad to invade Ukraine from the north.

Following the alleged drone incursion, Lukashenko ordered Belarusian forces to strengthen their military presence in the Gomel and Mozyr directions, including sending the Polonez rocket systems and Iskander mid-range ballistic missile complexes there. On the Ukrainian side, the area borders Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv oblasts.

Speaking on Aug. 11, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said that Ukraine has not seen additional Belarusian troops being deployed to the border amid Minsk's claims of reinforcements.

"The situation along the border is fully controlled. We do not record the movement of either equipment or personnel near our border," Demchenko said.

Russian drones have crossed into Belarusian airspace several times over the summer on their way to attack Ukraine, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group has reported.

Read also: Belarus Weekly: Russian drones again cross into Belarusian airspace

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Whos most likely to commit crimes in Wichita? Police say math will tell them

Wichita police are using a different way to identify people most likely to commit a crime. And those on the top offender list have no way of knowing theyre on there.

Police adopted the top offender model, which uses a mathematical equation to determine a persons likelihood of committing a crime, in March. The predictive policing method has been used by some other law enforcement agencies for years.

The program launched as city officials worked out a settlement over a multi-year lawsuit that called the Wichita Police Departments gang list unconstitutional.

There is a lot of subjective human input into that (gang) list, Chief Joseph Sullivan said during a Wichita Police Department town hall meeting on June 8, the first time police spoke to the public about the top offender model.

This completely eliminates all of that. I cannot give somebody a high score in any way shape or form. Its simply based on the math and nothing else. I cant influence it.

The mathematical formula is not based on a persons arrests or convictions. Instead, it assigns 35% for a persons criminal history based on Wichita police cases, 35% from intel police receive and 30% for a personal connection in Wichita Police Department cases to other people who also might be committing crimes.

Victims in a case could be included, but with less weight than someone who was arrested, police said.

A copy of the math equation Wichita police use to determine who might be involved in a shooting.

The top offenders list is being called a new gang list by some. Its been criticized as a way for cases to constantly be made against people on the list if they are under surveillance or live in areas with greater police presence.

It seems they just broadened their gang list to include the whole community  thats too invasive, said Aujanae Bennett, president of Northeast Millair Neighborhood Association, who attended the town hall meeting. Why would you retain such information, why would you create such a list if you werent going to watch these people?

Police also told the roughly 25 people in attendance at the town hall meeting that they would soon launch a second program called risk terrain modeling, which uses a mathematical equation to figure out areas where crime is most likely to happen based on neighborhood factors, such as vacant buildings and liquor stores.

Whos on the list?

People have no way of knowing if they are on the top offender list. Police would not say what personal information is included in the list.

Wichita Deputy Chief Paul Duff told those at the town hall that people make the top offender list only if they commit a crime.

After the meeting though, when asked if a victim could be included in the list, Capt. Aaron Moses said a victim could be included based on connection and criminal history but that would have less influence in the score calculation of the criminal history than the role status of (a) suspect or arrestee.

A decay rate in the formula ensures people who dont commit more crimes wont stay on the list forever, police said. The longest would be five to seven years for a homicide and just a few months for minor crimes, Wichita police crime analyst Geoffrey Vail said.

ACLU staff attorney Kunyu Ching, however, said its easy to keep people involved in police cases in overpoliced areas, or if police are following a certain person, making it a skewed sample.

I also think that in general there is a heavy potential here for discrimination against protected classes or demographics, she said. I think its common knowledge these sorts of algorithms can produce bias, including racial bias. I think its also well known that Black and brown communities and low-income communities are policed far more heavily than others and that combined, these circumstances can snowball and become sort of a self-enforcing feedback loop that results in overpolicing certain areas or demographics.

Police are now using the top offender model only to find people who might be involved in a shooting. It could be expanded to include other crimes, police said. Every week, officers receive an updated list with the Top 12 offenders.

When asked what happens to people on that list and if theyll be under surveillance more, Moses said, No. Not necessarily.

Moses said police could use that list to prioritize individuals  when they are involved in less severe incidents that otherwise wouldnt garner much attention.

If we have a hotspot for crime, our analysts can use this mathematical equation to identify people who are believed to be involved in that activity or most likely to be involved in that type of activity in the near future so that we can provide that information to our patrol officers to have some data-driven enforcement information, Moses said.

Top offender lists, gang lists have both led to lawsuits

Programs like the top offender model and Wichitas gang list have led to lawsuits.

A program similar to the top offender model in Pasco County, Florida, led to ongoing federal lawsuits after a Tampa Bay Times investigation found that people on the list had been subjected to more monitoring and harassment by sheriffs deputies.

Wichita polices gang list was challenged in court in 2021 by Kansas Appleseed and the ACLU of Kansas lawyers on behalf of Progeny, a nonprofit juvenile justice organization. People could have ended up on the list just by being seen with known gang members.

In April, Wichita reached a settlement in its gang list case. A federal judge is expected to sign off on the agreement on Aug. 23.

Here is what that settlement entails:

Wichita paying $550,000 in court and legal fees

Wichita paying $75,000 annually for three years to a judge-appointed special master to oversee how the Wichita Police Department uses the list

A mechanism for people to see if they are on the list and the ability to appeal being on the list

Matthew Guariglia, a senior policy analyst at civil liberties and data security organization Electronic Frontier Foundation, said absolutely yes, he thinks the top offender model is Wichitas new gang list.

Mathematics provides a veneer of legitimacy, he said.

Sullivan says this way removes any biases.

Ching said that without more information she couldnt say if the top offender model is the new gang list.

But I would certainly hope that the city and WPD specifically would have learned something from the gang list lawsuit, she said. I think policing could be a lot more effective with a good amount of transparency and honesty with the public.

WPD did not tell the ACLU about the new program, she said.

Bennett, the neighborhood president who called the program the new gang list, said people should know if they are on the list and when they get off.

Id like to see what is the racial profiling of that list? Is it 50% Black, 50% white? We know thats not the case, but Id like to know  because that would help us hold them accountable for overpolicing, she said. If they want that system they need to make it work for everybody, she said. If they cant do that, they dont need to do it at all. I really dont think they should do it at all but if you are going to do it, it needs to have some parameters.

Data has shown that minorities have been disproportionately affected by both the gang list and traffic stops.

The citys gang list, which is still in use, has more than 5,200 people on it, with 60% of them Black, 25% Hispanic and 6% white. Roughly 3,500 people will be removed from the list as part of the settlement.

Citation data also shows that Wichita police have given minorities disproportionately more tickets. Black people make up 11% of the Wichita population, but they received 18% of all traffic tickets between April 19, 2021 and December 31, 2022, according to Wichita police data. Hispanic people were twice as likely as white people to receive a non-moving violation, the data shows, and Black people were nearly 3.5 times as likely.

Modeling used elsewhere

The top offender model program Wichita police implemented is not new to law enforcement.

Nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the country use predictive policing techniques, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

That number is probably low. The foundation uses crowd sourcing to compile its information, which means Wichitas new program hasnt been recorded yet.

Wichita based its top offender model on a program the Milwaukee Police Department started in 2016. Wichita uses a similar mathematical equation.

Milwaukee used it as a way to curb a rise in teens involved in motor vehicle theft and robberies, but later expanded it to include gun violence.

A 2018 Milwaukee police presentation to other law enforcement officials talked about targeted police contacts and preemptive targeted contacts of people on the list.

So the people we put on this list, we want to focus on, theyre the ones causing problems, a law enforcement official said during the two-hour-plus presentation. Lets provide officers with locations of  who they associate with, current criminal activities.

That slide in the presentation included a card with mock information for a person on the list that consisted of things like their school or where they work, any gang affiliation, a picture of them, address and any intelligence on them.

Milwaukee police crime analyst Garrett Knuth said during the 2018 meeting that officers could use the list to be proactive.

Theres surveillance, so sitting outside an active offenders house, you may be able to observe some stolen vehicles, he said. Be creative, neighborhood canvass. Dont knock on the  offenders door, knock on the neighbors door and ask if they have a known auto thief in the neighborhood. Maybe you can get some intelligence that way. Home visits. You have to be careful on these, because some parents just get upset with the police. If we keep knocking on doors we can burn bridges. But, at the same time, you want to do home visits to reach out to the youth  for two parts: one is, hey we have our eye on you, but also, two, to offer resources to them.

MPDs media relations department said the program played a big role in cutting down on vehicle thefts during the Kia/Hyundai theft trend.

In 2022, our most recent year of completed data, 52% of (people on the list) were criminally involved in at least 1 vehicle theft, robbery, or firearm offense while they were published on the (list), the agency said in an email. This shows us that the Program does a good job of correctly identifying the key offenders.

The department did not respond to questions about whether people on the list are notified or if the program has faced any lawsuits.

The Pasco County Sheriffs Office in Florida touted drops in property crime under its modeling program since it started in 2011.

But Pascos drop in property crimes was similar to the decline in the seven-largest nearby police jurisdictions, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Over the same time period, violent crime increased only in Pasco.

Former Pasco County Sheriffs Cpl. Royce Rodgers told The Tampa Bay Times that they would find violations for people on the list when they or their family wouldnt cooperate.

We would literally go out there and take a tape measure and measure the grass if somebody didnt want to cooperate with us, he told The Tampa Bay Times.

The sheriffs office sent the Times a 30-plus page statement defending its program, saying other departments used similar techniques and accused the paper of labeling basic law enforcement functions as harassment.

The implementation of the program in Pasco County has led to its ongoing federal lawsuit.

Give it a year to see what happens

The town hall meeting was held in Council Member Brandon Johnsons district. Police have held other town hall meetings in other districts and have more planned.

Johnson, who advocated for reforming the gang list even before being elected in 2017, said people should have due process of knowing if they are on the top offender list and appealing whether they should be.

I think everyone is right to have their own suspicions about it, he said. But I think we also need to give it a healthy one-year period to see what happens from it and if it is similar (to the gang list), we have work to do.

Johnson said, after a years time, hed like to see demographic and location data to see if the list is targeting certain groups or areas.

He said people need to hold police accountable if this is misused.

Anybody who was concerned about that with the original gang (list) has a right to be concerned about that with this, he said. The proof is going to be in the pudding. If we are actually targeting people and following them  let me know, I will address it  People have to hold us accountable  I dont tell anyone that they shouldnt be concerned, because weve seen things in the past that we said werent going to happen and they did.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Tragedy has struck in South Memphis after a shooting left a 67-year-old man dead.

Memphis Police say officers found a man with a gunshot wound off South Parkway and Florida at around 6:30 a.m. Friday. He was rushed to Regional One Hospital in critical condition, but his mother says he didnt survive.

Magnolia Brown says her son, James Brown, was the man who was shot.

Man critical after shooting in South Memphis

A lady came by and told me the same day it happened. Another woman told me someone else was shot. They shot up that store down there, Brown said.

She says he was previously assaulted by a group near his home, and now shes hoping for answers.

Yeah, hes been jumped before right out here in the driveway. Somebody pulled up out there and beat him all over the head, Brown said.

She didnt feel comfortable showing her face on camera, but she says right now shes too scared to even shop at the local stores in her area and avoids them at all costs.

Teen missing after telling family he was going to Beale St.

I dont go to these little side stores where all the people are hanging around because its dangerous, Brown said. Theyll snatch your purse and get your car.

Brown is hoping that sharing the story of her sons death will help police crack the case and bring him justice. She wishes people with information would contact the detectives but doesnt think that will ever happen.

They should be but theyre scared. They think their lives will be taken, Brown said. I just pray that they catch them but this is nothing but gang bangers around here. Theyre not working, and theyre only targeting old folks.

Police have not said why James Brown mightve been targeted. So far, no one has been arrested in this case.

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(KRON)  A motorcyclist died after crashing westbound on State Route 24 in Orinda early Saturday morning. The California Highway Patrol made an arrest since the crash, saying they suspect the driver who crashed into the motorcyclist was driving under the influence at the time of the crash.

SF man wrongly accused of assaulting severely intoxicated friend, prosecutors say

CHP received reports of a crash between a Honda SUV and a motorcycle on SR24 near the Saint Stephens offramp at about 12:05 a.m. Responding officers found a motorcyclist and their vehicle blocking the second lane, with excess debris reported in the middle lanes.

About 15 minutes later, CHP blocked all of SR24s five westbound lanes, and a coroner and a tow truck were called to the scene. At 12:44 a.m., CHP reopened a single lane, and all lanes were reopened just before 1 a.m.

CHP reported the fatality at the scene. They did not release the motorcyclists identity. CHP said the person driving the Honda SUV was arrested under suspicion of a felony DUI.

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We must defeat Trump: Biden details Democrats pressure for him to step down in his first interview since leaving presidential race

President Joe Biden talked about the pressure from his fellow Democrats to leave the race as he sat down for his first interview since becoming the first sitting president in over 50 years not to seek re-election.

Speaking to Robert Costa of CBS News, Mr Biden said that while polling showed him neck and neck with Donald Trump, a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races.

I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic youd be interviewing about, he said in the intervew which aired on Sunday, adding that he had first run as a transition president and that maintaining democracy is a critical issue, the combination of which led to his decision.

Although its a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do what I the most important thing you can do, and that is, we must, we must, we must defeat Trump.

President Joe Biden gave his first interview since dropping out of the 2024 presidential election to CBS News and talked about the pressure from Democrats for him to exit the race (CBS Sunday Mornings)

The president said his family is proud of him and when asked about his late son Beau, to whom he promised to stay engaged after his death, he said: Whenever I have a decision thats really hard to make, I literally ask myself, what would Beau do?  He should be sitting here being interviewed, not me. He was really a fine man.

Mr Biden restated that he had no plans to run for the presidency in 2020, but changed his mind after seeing white supremacists demonstrating in Charlottesville in 2017, saying they saw Mr Trump as an ally in the White House.

Asked if he believed there would be a peaceful transfer of power in January 2025, the president responded: If Trump loses Im not confident at all. He means what he says, we dont take him seriously. He means it, all the stuff about if we lose, therell be a bloodbath.

Reflecting on his time in office, Mr Biden was asked how he would like to be remembered, and said: He proved democracy can work. He got us out of a pandemic. He produced the single greatest economic recovery in American history. Were the most powerful economy in the world.

Mr Biden added: [He] demonstrated that we can pull the nation together.

Biden said he decided to run in 2020 after seeing white supremacists demonstrating in Charlottesville in 2017 (CBS Sunday Mornings)

On that same theme, the president said: Look, democracy works, and it was very important to prove that it worked  I mean, look what weve been able to do. Weve created 16 million jobs  Weve gotten around a brief of having the private sector invest over a trillion dollars, a trillion dollars, in the American economy.

He added: One of the things I fought for as a senator for a long time was to change the dynamic of how we grow the economy, not from the top down, but from the bottom up. The idea of trickledown economics doesnt work, in my view.

Asked what he could say to those who expressed skepticism about his health and ability to be out on the campaign trail, the president said: All I can say is, watch, thats all. Look, I had a really, really bad day in that debate because I was sick, but I have no serious problem.

Mr Biden confirmed he will be out campaigning for vice-president Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in the run-up to election day in November.

I was talking to Governor [Josh] Shapiro, whos a friend weve left and went to Pennsylvania, my original home state. He and I put together a campaign tour in Pennsylvania. Im going to be campaigning in other states as well, and Im going to do whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she still loves and respects President Joe Biden, despite her work to get the Democrat to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

The former speaker of the House was asked about comments she made regarding her fractured friendship with the president during an appearance on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki on Sunday, where Pelosi discussed why she had to put politics over their personal relationship.

Is there a way back with your friendship? Psaki asked Pelosi.

Detailing the deep connection between her and Bidens families, the California politician explained how her family has three generations of love for Joe Biden.

My husband and I  of course weve known him for a very long time  respect and love him, and he and Jill are so remarkable, and their family, she said. Our kids have always loved them. I have pictures with him from our children growing up, and now our grandchildren growing up.

.@jrpsaki asks @SpeakerPelosi about Biden: Is there a way back for your friendship?



Pelosi: In our family, we have 3 generations of love for Joe BidenBut the most important thing we have to do is to win the election to sustain his legacy.



Full interview Sunday at 12pm ET pic.twitter.com/xcVuULtekW  Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) August 9, 2024

Despite her deep admiration for the president, Pelosi went on to say that the most important thing we have to do is to win the election and that Bidens decision to end his reelection bid was the best way to sustain his legacy and to have the legacy be to do even more in the presidency and the vice presidency of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Maintaining an optimistic tone, she added, Onward to victory, one good day in front of another.

Organize, own the ground with mobilization, message with boldness and progressiveness ... its all in place, one good day in front of another, she continued.

In an interview with CNNs Dana Bash on Monday, Pelosi revealed that she and Biden havent spoken since he decided to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Asked by Bash if things were OK between Pelosi and Biden, the former House speaker said, Youd have to ask him, but I hope so.

Related...
Welcome to the governors race edition of our Under the Dome politics newsletter. Im Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief.

Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, who are running against each other for governor, have had difference experiences when it comes to labor.

Robinson spent most of his career as a factory worker, while Stein has spent most of his career as an attorney.

Robinson has spoken often about NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), and how his career was impacted by companies moving factories out of the United States. That happened to him when he was at Steelcase furniture factory in High Point, a job that he thrived in as an upholsterer and zone leader, he wrote in his We Are the Majority! memoir.

Steelcase closed the plant in 2014, WFMY reported, laying off hundreds of workers. Robinson wrote about finding out the factory was shutting down and being moved to Mexico, and watching more than 300 people lose their jobs.

Robinson worked next at Davis Furniture, while also going back to college to finish his degree at UNC-Greensboro, according to his memoir.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson delivers remarks during the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI.

On the gubernatorial campaign merchandise front, Robinsons campaign sells some of his from distributor MAGA Mall, which is a retailer and wholesaler for many Republican candidates. MAGA Mall uses some factories overseas, company president Ronald Solomon told The New York Times in 2022, so the products are not all made in America.

A Robinson campaign spokesperson declined to comment about using MAGA Mall and merchandise made overseas. MAGA Malls website says it donates to conservative causes and candidates to help Make America Great Again.

Stein, who is endorsed by labor unions, sells his merchandise from Bright Blue Ink, which touts its wares as products that are union made. That company is based in Texas, and its union is affiliated with the Communication Workers of America. Stein is endorsed by the N.C. State AFL-CIO.

North Carolina has consistently held the second lowest union membership rate in the country, second only to South Carolina.

North Carolina bans collective bargaining for government sector employees. While there are a few unions that operate in the state, including UE Local 150, which has some state employees, there is no bargaining power. The North Carolina Association of Educators is not a union. The State Employees Association of North Carolina is not affiliated with any unions, either. State employee salaries are set by the General Assembly.

Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic candidate for governor, speaks during the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Cooper defends DHHS handling of Balanced Nutrition, talks about Walz

N.C. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper talked to reporters after the Council of State this past week, the group of 10 statewide elected officials. Robinson did not attend the meeting; Stein did.

I asked Cooper for his response to Robinson and his wife Yolanda Hills characterization of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services handling of her former nonprofit, Balanced Nutrition, as politically motivated.

Cooper said it is solely the Department of Health and Human Services doing its job in trying to make sure that government money is spent effectively and efficiently.

N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper talks to reporters after a Council of State meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 at the Department of Transportation building in downtown Raleigh.

Cooper also talked to reporters this week about Vice President Kamala Harris pick of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a running mate.

Governor Walz will work to protect middle class families, protect reproductive freedom. He will be an outstanding governing partner and running mate with Vice President Harris, Cooper said.

People who know Tim Walz like him a lot. He understands what everyday people go through. He was a public school teacher. Im very excited about this pick, and I know that theyll make a good team, he said.

Stay informed about #ncpol

Also this week, I wrote about the latest lawyer letters exchanged between the campaigns of Robinson and Stein about Steins attack ad on Robinsons former family childcare center.

Dont forget to follow our Under the Dome tweets and listen to our Under the Dome podcast to stay up to date. Our new episode posts Monday morning, and Im joined by higher education reporter Korie Dean and intern Emmy Martin to talk about the announcement of Lee Roberts as chancellor, not just interim chancellor, of UNC-Chapel Hill.

You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters. Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up.
Neighbors worry about safety after shooting death in Salisbury

SALISBURY, N.C (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Neighbors living in this multi-family living space are not one grieving a family member being shot and killed, but a young girl suffering from life-threatening injuries as well.

One neighbor says hearing so many gunshots is something hell never forget.

Jumped up out of my bed, hit the floor, crawled to the living room. Just kind of stayed in a fetal position until the shots stopped going, the neighbor said. He didnt want to be on camera for fear of the shooters returning.

PREVIOUS: Man killed, child severely injured in Salisbury shooting

It was around 5:20 Saturday morning when he said he was woken up by a barrage of gunshots.

At least 15-20 seconds Thats a long time, he told Queen City News.

Salisbury Police responded to a shots fired call around 5:30 a.m. on Rowan Mill Road. Officers arrived to find a man suffering from a gunshot wound. But after immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead on the scene.

While there, officers discovered a child with gunshot wounds from the same shooting had arrived at Novant Hospital. She was transferred to another area hospital and authorities say she is in stable condition, but still suffering from life-threatening injuries.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

The neighbor says this isnt the first time the street experienced gunfire.

Somewhere like the third time, since like October, he said.

He and other people living in the housing space were escorted out of their homes immediately after the shooting.

Salisbury police investigators took over 8 hours processing the scene, taking pictures of broken windows on the home and even the cars. leaving neighbors outside in the heat, waiting for answers.

Yeah no, Im definitely going to look for somewhere else to go. Im not trying to be around here tonight, he said.

Salisbury police say there are no suspects, and the community is not in any danger.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Hannah Huckabay regularly combs livestock auctions online for horses she can rehabilitate and train at her Colorado ranch. But when she saw a video in February of a mule for sale in Kansas, she could hardly believe what she was seeing.

The stocky animals short black mane shot straight up like a mohawk, and its white belly stood out against its tan coat. As it nervously paced in its corral, Huckabay said it bore a striking resemblance to Przewalskis horse, a critically endangered species shed learned about while studying equine science.

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I was like, There is no way. That is not a mule, Huckabay recalled thinking. Thats a purebred Przewalski.

Such a find would be incredibly rare. Once extinct in the wild, around 2,500 Przewalskis horses remained worldwide as of 2022. Theyre native to Mongolia and in June, seven were reintroduced to nearby Kazakhstan as part of an effort to return them to their natural habitats. They are the only truly wild horse remaining (mustangs are feral horses).

But scientists say Huckabays hunch appears to be correct. Hair samples from the animal Huckabay purchased - along with a second horse recently surrendered at a Utah sanctuary - were sent to Texas A&M Universitys animal genetics lab. Both appear to be Przewalskis horses, said Rytis Juras, the genetics labs director who tested both samples.

The hair test looks for genetic markers associated with different horse breeds to determine an animals likely ancestry. Unequivocally confirming that the horses are purebred Przewalskis and not hybrids would require advanced blood tests that are expensive and would mean sedating the equines.

The blood tests look at the number of chromosomes in a horses cells - 66 in a purebred Przewalski, versus 64 in a common horse or 62 in a donkey. An even more advanced version could sequence the horses entire genome.

But Juras and two other scientists who reviewed the findings said the hair-test results are reliable.

If I would have gotten it from a zoo  that would be one thing, Juras said of receiving the samples. But two random tests with Przewalskis results were surprising and a little bit disturbing, he said. This is weird.

How the horse Huckabay found - and the second in Utah - ended up in livestock auctions is a mystery, said Christopher Faulk, a professor of animal science at the University of Minnesota who has studied Przewalskis horse genetics and also reviewed the DNA results.

Someone had to have known what they were, they dont just appear out of anywhere, Faulk told The Post. Especially to have been disposed of in that way is even weirder, he said, since livestock that arent purchased at auction can end up in slaughterhouses.

Thats like finding a Ferrari in a junkyard, he added.

Huckabay bought the animal for $1,375 in February and, after three weeks in quarantine, the ragged and underweight animal sold as a mule arrived at her ranch outside Denver.

Seeing its features in-person left her even more convinced it was a Przewalskis horse, she said. With a large clunky head and stiff black mane, her daughter said the horse was so ugly, he was cute, Huckabay recalled. They named him Shrek, after DreamWorkss beloved ogre.

After almost two months of helping Shrek acclimate, Huckabays daughter stumbled upon a video posted on June 9 from a sanctuary in Utah.

Did we just have a Przewalski mare surrendered?! the caption read.

Kelsey and Gunnar Bjorklund - who own the Lazy B Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in Utah - suspected their mare was also a Przewalski. But they had no idea there was a second possible Przewalski, saved from another auction.

The Bjorklunds horse was brought to their facility after being purchased for $35 in January at an auction in Utah, where she was advertised as a mule.

It takes more money to get your nails done, Kelsey said, adding that her previous owner decided to surrender the mare after she flunked out of a professional training program.

When the horse arrived and was unloaded from the trailer, we were just in shock, Gunnar said. It was clear the animal wasnt a mule or a mustang, he said.

Anyone getting possible Przewalski vibes!? the Bjorklunds posted. A true wild, endangered species of equine How cool would that be!

In response to seeing the Bjorklunds viral video, Huckabays daughter posted her own videos of Shrek two days later. One got over 11 million views.

After coming across Shreks video, it was easy for the Bjorklunds to settle on a name for their mystery horse - Fiona, the princess-heroine from the Shrek movies.

The rescuers were stunned that two possible Przewalskis horses could have surfaced almost simultaneously. The Endangered Species Act allows private ownership of endangered animals, but only with a permit, and under strict stipulations. The law prohibits the possession of illegally obtained endangered animals or their transport across state lines without permits.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to comment on whether officials are investigating the horses chain of custody.

Some livestock auctions have occasionally served as hubs for illicit trade in exotic animal species.

Because most Przewalskis horses descend from only about a dozen surviving individuals, scientists closely manage breeding genetics for diversity. Compared to the feral mustang, Przewalskis are more resilient, said Dolores Reed, a biologist who helps oversee a small herd of the endangered horses at the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Przewalskis horses are built for the Mongolian steppes harsh climate, she said, adding, theyre very tough, and can be unpredictable.

There are about 100 Przewalskis horses in U.S. zoos, Reed said.

Shrek and Fiona are adjusting to their new environments, their owners said. After keeping his distance from people and trotting in circles in his pen while stressed, Shrek has relaxed and moved to a larger field. He has bonded with two gentle mares and while he wont accept treats from peoples hands, he loves when apples and carrots are left in his feed bucket, Huckabay said.

Hes very piggy, she said.

In Utah, Fiona has put on weight and made friends with a miniature mule and a quarter horse filly at the Bjorklunds sanctuary.

The rescuers wonder what wouldve happened if Shrek and Fiona hadnt been saved. The endangered animals mightve been sent to slaughter and nobody would have known about it, Gunnar said.

Huckabay and the Bjorklunds plan to care for the horses as long as needed, but said theyd prefer to see their rescued Przewalskis move to a professional conservation program.

Shrek is happy on the ranch, but Huckabay said shed rather see him with a herd of his own.

That would be the best-case scenario, she said.

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Ukraine does not spot additional Belarusian troops being deployed to the border amid Minsk's claims of reinforcing the border, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on Aug. 11.

His statement came a day after Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ordered reinforcements to be sent to border areas near Ukraine following reports of several drones from Ukraine getting shot down over Belarus on Aug. 9.

Lukashenko ordered to strengthen military presence in the Gomel and Mozyr directions, including sending the Polonez rocket systems and Iskander mid-range ballistic missile complexes there. On the Ukrainian side, the area borders Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv oblasts.

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Belarus Weekly

Demchenko called the actions of Minsk "a whipping up to play along with Russia." The spokesperson did not rule out that Belarus could take photos and videos "for information influence."

"The situation along the border is fully controlled. We do not record the movement of either equipment or personnel near our border," Demchenko said.

Russian drones have crossed into Belarusian airspace several times over the summer on their way to attack Ukraine, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group has reported.



The monitoring group said that "despite the massive and regular flights of drones into the airspace of Belarus," Minsk made "practically no comments" on the situation.

After claiming Ukrainian drones entered Belarus, Minsk summoned Ukraines Charge dAffaires to Belarus on Aug. 10.

Read also: Belarus Weekly: Russian drones again cross into Belarusian airspace

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No drones were found on 9 August, Lukashenko's statements are nonsense  Belarusian monitoring project

Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring project, states that despite the words of self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, no drones were detected during the flights of Belarusian aircraft on 9 August.

Source: Belaruski Hajun

Quote: "According to the monitoring group Belaruski Hajun, no drones (UAVs) were detected during flights of the Belarusian Armed Forces on 9 August 2024.

No missiles were launched from a SU-30 fighter jet or MI-24 helicopter.

It follows that the latest loud statements by the self-proclaimed [president] Lukashenko are just nonsense."

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North Franklin Township issues burn ban until further notice

A Washington County community has issued a burn ban following a brush fire on Saturday.

The North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company says they put out a very large brush fire around 2 p.m. Saturday after a controlled burn got out of control.

Hours after that incident, North Franklin Township supervisors issued a burn ban until further notice.

While the ban is in effect, township residents cannot burn anything outdoors or light off fireworks. All burn permits are revoked under the ban, as well.

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Crash involving 2 motorcycles prompts road closure, large response in North Versailles 120-mile detour in place due to Pennsylvania Turnpike closure this weekend Man causes extensive damage to Allegheny County Jail door in attempted break-in, police say VIDEO:Man causes extensive damage to Allegheny County Jail door in attempted break-in, police say DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
(FOX40.COM)  The United States Postal Service announced it is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who robbed a letter carrier in Sacramento.

Around 5:52 p.m. on July 31, USPS reported a robbery near the intersection of Rio Linda Boulevard and Lampasas Avenue. The suspect fled the scene on a black bike with wide tires, according to USPS.

If seen, officials said to take no action to apprehend these persons yourself. Anyone with with information about the incident is advised to call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 and say law enforcement. The reference case number is 4352051-ROBB and USPS said all information will be kept strictly confidently.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
KEWASKUM, Wis. (WFRV)  Back in late July, officers in eastern Wisconsin closed a daycare center to conduct an investigation, now an employee of the facility has been arrested with a possible charge forthcoming for the facilitys owner as well.

According to a release from the Kewaskum Police Department that briefly details a lengthy investigation involving multiple child and adult interviews, officers provided updated information on why Forever Friends Learning Center was temporarily closed.

Wisconsin State Patrol aerial enforcement catches motorcyclist speeding at 175 mph

On July 23, Kewaskum PD got information relating to possible physical abuse to a child who was in the care of Forever Friends Learning Center in the Village of Kewaskum. The initial investigation reportedly led the facilitys owner to agree to a voluntary closure during the investigation.

An employee at the daycare center, a 20-year-old woman, was arrested as a result of Kewaskum PDs investigation. Officers have requested the following charges through the Washington County District Attorneys Office:

Two counts of Physical Abuse of a Child / Reckless Causation

Two counts of Failure to Report Abuse / Neglect as Required

20-year-old dies in Kaukauna motorcycle crash, man arrested & booked on multiple charges

A charge of Failure to Report Child Abuse / Neglect as Required has also been requested on the owner of Forever Friends Learning Center.

This incident affects many families in and around the Village of Kewaskum and I appreciate the communitys patience through this process. Confidentiality was important in this case due to the nature of the investigation, and I ask for continued respect for those families affected and allow them the privacy they deserve in this case. Chief of Police Thomas F. Bishop, Kewaskum Police Department

No other details have been released.

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Aurochs, a long-extinct ancestor of all cattle, has returned to Europe  kind of. The ancient species has been resurrecting via a process called "back-breeding," Discover Wildlife reported, in which six different still-existing types of cattle were bred together to form the closest possible approximation to the aurochs.

The resulting species is being called tauros (though many are simply calling it aurochs), and it has been reintroduced to places such as Croatia, the Iberian Highlands east of Madrid, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.

The group responsible for this project is called Rewilding Europe. Led by Dutch ecologist Ronald Goderie, the reintroduction of aurochs to the European landscape represents decades of work for the rewilding movement.

Goderie and Co. believe that among the most important and effective ways to restore ecosystems is to bring back large grazing herbivores. "Rewilding Europe and its partners want Tauros to occupy the niche the auroch once filled, keeping Europe's rich mosaic of open landscapes flourishing through natural grazing," the organization's website states.

Tauros may soon come to the United Kingdom as well thanks to the efforts of David Bennett, the owner of the Drumadoon Estate on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.

"We know aurochs were in Scotland, there's evidence of them as far north as Orkney until the early Bronze Age [about 3,000 BC]," Bennett told Discover Wildlife. "We think there's also a possibility they were roaming on Arran alongside the earliest settlers."

Bennett is working with a nature restoration technology company called CreditNature, which solicits corporate investments to help with rewilding projects.

Other recent rewilding efforts have included the reintroductions of beavers to the English countryside, white rhinos to a preserve in South Africa, wolves to Colorado, giant tortoises to the Galapagos Islands, and more. All these reintroductions are expected to have profound positive impacts on the ecosystems to which these animals were once native.

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Officials reveal strategy after years of public pressure to fix hazardous salmon habitat problem: 'We really need to be comprehensive if we want to successfully recover salmon'

In an effort to get the local fish ecosystem back on track, both the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Department of Fish & Wildlife have been working on removing barriers blocking salmon and steelhead migration.

The two species are anadromous fish, meaning they are freshwater-born, grow to adulthood in the ocean, then return to spawn. That lifecycle supports the local ecosystem, as many die after reproducing, thereby providing food and nutrients to other life-forms.

As Phys.org reported, a judge ordered the state to "repair or replace its culverts" that blocked this natural process. Twenty-one northwest Washington tribes had asked the U.S. District Court to show that the state has a treaty-based duty to preserve these fish runs. While it's been working to resolve this, things have moved slowly, and population levels continue to decline.

Five species of Pacific salmon use waterways in the area, with 50% of them using national forests locally as spawning and rearing habitats. Today, 14 population groups of salmon and steelhead in the area are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, per the State of Salmon report.

In 2020, the local legislature realized there was a need to prioritize and plan the work in order to mathematically optimize progress.

"We really need to be comprehensive if we want to successfully recover salmon," said Carl Schroeder, a fish barrier board member representing the Association of Washington Cities, according to the report.

Natural and human-caused environmental changes have also impacted migratory patterns, with the fish venturing farther north than previously thought. At the same time, Washington state locals have been seeing warmer-climate tropical fish in the area.

NPR affiliate KUOW reported that each culvert replacement is expected to cost about $20 million. As part of the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the state received $1 billion specifically for culvert replacements and work has been ongoing, as Phys.org noted.

By June 2023, the Department of Transportation had fixed 114 culverts, opening access to 502 miles of previously blocked rivers, with plans to open 90% of blocked habitat by 2030.

It's taken nearly four years to gather a panel of scientists and experts to devise a plan for prioritizing fixing fish passage barriers, but a draft of this strategy has already been handed to tribes for feedback.

The hope is to finalize it by the end of the year, while the DOT will ask for further funding to continue its important work.

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Flooding was reported in the metro area on Sunday, including areas shown here in southern Cleveland County.

As much of central Oklahoma awoke to heavy thunderstorms Sunday that brought flooding to streets, the National Weather Service in Norman issued a flood warning through 11:30 a.m.

About midmorning, meteorologist John Pike told The Oklahoman that Oklahoma City had received 6.4 inches of rain.

There's still storms coming in, Pike said. Its basically going to be ongoing until about noon.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department conducted 12 water calls by midmorning, but could not yet confirm how many people were stranded in their cars.

Sometimes you get there and people are in the them, and sometimes they are not, Battalion Chief Grant Roberts said.

State troopers also conducted several rescues Sunday because of the heavy rainfall. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety issued an advisory to avoid areas near Interstate 35 and NW 63 as well as I-35 and Interstate 240 junction.

Sooner and Council roads near Interstate 40 were also areas to avoid.

District 3 Cleveland County Commissioner Rusty Grissom reported heavy flooding Sunday morning from Noble through Slaughterville and into Lexington.

In south Cleveland County, District 3 Commissioner Rusty Grissom reported heavy flooding from Noble through Slaughterville and into Lexington.

Grissom said county road crews ran out of signs marking the high waters and flooded zones. He asked residents in the Noble and Slaughterville area to stay indoors until the flooding subsides.

The National Weather Service forecasts more heat when the rains clear out.

Afternoon heat indices of 105 to 110 degrees will be likely across southwest Oklahoma and western north Texas this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. A heat advisory is in effect for those areas.

Once that sun comes out, it doesnt take long for us to heat up, Pike said. Theres a warm front down near the Red River thats going to lift up through the day. Were gonna start getting above average as far as temperatures go. Looks like maybe starting tomorrow.

This is a continuing story. See updates on Oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma flooding leads to water rescues Sunday
Embryologist Ric Ross holds a dish with human embryos at the La Jolla IVF Clinic February 28, 2007 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Oregon Health & Science University researchers found women undergoing fertility treatments can face potential problems from poor air quality, an issue thats expected to get worse as climate change increases wildfire activity across the West.

In a new study published in the journal Fertility & Sterility, OHSU researchers investigated the impact of unhealthy air quality from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires on patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment, or IVF. The research team studied 69 patients who underwent ovarian stimulation and IVF treatment during the six weeks preceding the 2020 wildfires, which caused 10 days of unhealthy air in southern Oregon making it one of the worst places in the world at the time. They found that poor air quality affected the treatments.

The unfortunate reality is that we are seeing more wildfires because of climate change, so I worry about how this will continue to affect not only patients undergoing fertility treatments, but all individuals who are trying to conceive, said the studys lead author Dr. Molly Kornfield, assistant professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the OHSU Center for Womens Health.

Every year, tens of thousands of babies are born through assisted reproductive techniques. In 2021, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, they accounted for 2.3% of newborns in the U.S. That means that in Oregon, more than 900 were born through assisted reproductive technology out of the more than 40,000 babies born in the state that year.

The researchers found patients who were exposed to wildfire smoke had fewer blastocysts, which are clusters of 150 to 200 cells that form during embryonic development and can be immediately placed in a uterus or frozen for future implantation. Patients with no wildfire smoke exposure had more blastocysts, which are especially important for people trying to conceive through IVF.

During a standard in vitro treatment cycle, patients get one to two weeks of hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries and grow eggs. An egg is then retrieved and fertilized by sperm to grow blastocysts, which can develop into an embryo that eventually becomes a fetus.

The smoke didnt completely thwart the treatments, however: Most of the patients ended up getting pregnant but fertility providers may want to consider delaying IVF or embryo transfer for high-risk patients when the air quality is particularly poor, Kornfield said.

The study didnt look at traditional pregnancies that didnt involve fertility treatments. But Kornfield said based on other studies, pregnant people who face poor air quality should try to stay indoors as much as possible and use air filters in their home. OHSUs Center for Womens Health treats about 500 patients with fertility needs annually. Though based in Portland, the center treats patients from across the state.

If I had a patient who lived in eastern Oregon and was especially impacted by the wildfires, I would be more concerned about that patient and really poor air quality, Kornfield said.

That also means providers need to protect patient treatment areas and laboratories. OHSUs fertility lab has advanced air filtration systems that can respond to poor air quality. During a routine fire season, theres no need to reschedule treatment, but the 2020 fires were unusually bad for air quality, Kornfield said.

For particular patients, in particular situations, we may consider delaying or canceling if things can be predicted, and then advising patients to take as much precaution as possible, Kornfield said.

Even amid wildfires, life finds a way, the study found. While the smoke impacted embryonic development, the treatments went well when the wildfires ended.

It gives an element of hope that even during these seasons, as long as youre protecting yourself as much as possible, Kornfield said. But we should just do our best, since these are increasing, to try and protect ourselves.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Olathe Police Department has found a missing and endangered 16-year-old boy who was last seen late Saturday night in Olathe, Kan.

According to OPD, Zemede Swenson is a Black male with curly, medium-length hair and brown eyes. He is described as 5-foot-11 inches tall and 130 pounds.

23-year-old man capsizes, drowns in Kansas City pond, 8-year-old safe

Swenson was last seen at about 10:30 p.m. in the area of South Alden Court and West 142nd Street riding his silver bicycle. He was wearing a white shirt and a backpack.

Police said Swenson listed him as endangered due to prescribed medication. However, the Olathe Police Department confirmed the teen was found safe Sunday afternoon in a post on X.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke to Dana Bash on Sunday, during a segment of CNNs State of the Union, weighing in on JD Vance presenting himself as someone who is "suddenly very particular about precision in speech and very concerned about honesty," directing attention to the man he's running with, Donald Trump, who was recently called out for making 162 misstatements, exaggerations and outright lies during his hour-long news conference on Thursday, fact-checked by NPR.

On the subject of Vance stating in a recent interview of his own on CNN that Kamala Harris' VP pick, Tim Walz, lied about his military service for "political gain," Buttigieg told Bash:

"Theres something I think much bigger at play here . . . Hes running with Donald Trump, somebody who has set records for lying in public life. He just gave a press conference where fact-checkers estimate that he told 162 distortions or lies that, frankly, is just impressive in terms of being able to physically do that. Its like the Olympics of lying. So maybe just because its Sunday morning, I cant stop thinking about the scripture that says, how can you look at your brother and say, let me take the speck out of your eye when you have a plank in your own eye?

Buttigieg: "I watched @JDVance present himself as suddenly...very concerned about honesty. He's running w/Trump, [who] just gave a press conference where..he told 160 lies. That frankly is impressive in terms of being able to physically do that. It's like the Olympics of lying" pic.twitter.com/NkThoRw9Uj  Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) August 11, 2024

Per NPR, the outlet that ran the numbers on Trump's fibs during his presser as being more than two a minute, Vance's questioning of Walz' service was met with grace by his opponents. In a statement from the Harris campaign, they write:

In his 24 years of service, the governor carried, fired and trained others to use weapons of war innumerable times. Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American's service to this country  in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. It's the American way."
One in critical condition after shooting at presumed strip club

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is in critical condition after a shooting in northern Columbus.

Police said one person was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition following a shooting on the 6000 block of Sunderland Drive. Police said they were dispatched to the scene at 10:45 p.m.

According to a search of the address given by police, the location is likely a gentlemens club. Police said they have no other information at this time.

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One injured after sign falls in Downtown Crossing

One person was injured after part of a sign fell off the side of a building in Downtown Crossing Saturday afternoon.

Boston police say part of the sign fell off a building at 429 Washington Street and hit someone below around 2:16 p.m.

The person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Inspectional Services was called to investigate.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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EAST MOUNTAIN, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) One man is in custody after kidnapping a woman Saturday in Scranton.

According to a release made by the Scranton Police Department, police were dispatched to the East Mountain area of Scranton for an armed male breaking into a residence.

Washed out driveway traps family in Wyoming

The man, later identified as William Vasquez, reportedly assaulted the victim, and took her against her will.

The woman was later recovered with help for New York State Police and NYPD.

Vasquez was taken into custody and charged with Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, Strangulation, and Simple Assault among other charges.

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DALE COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN)  A Tuskeegee man is dead and another man was injured after a high-speed police chase in Dale County on Saturday night.

Dale County Coroner John Cawley says the chase occurred on Alabama Highway 105 in the Skipperville community when Jacob Lane Dewberry, 20, of Tuskeegee, and another man were being chased and crashed their motorcycle.

Rickey Stokes News reports that the chase started in the 900 block of Andrews Street in Ozark and that two suspects were running from Ozark Police officers and officials with Alabama Game and Fish.

During the chase, the suspects allegedly dropped a backpack that had a gun inside, before the chase ended in a crash.

Dewberry was taken to an area hospital where Cawley pronounced him dead. The other victim was life-flighted to an area hospital, his condition is unknown at this time.

Stay with WDHN News as we follow this developing story.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Two people died after a shooting in Commerce City overnight Sunday.

According to the Commerce City Police Department, officers responded to the area of 65th Avenue and Monaco Street after technology alerted them to gunfire.

A passenger in the back of a vehicle, that police later learned was stolen out of Thornton, had been shot. A second person was found dead in the yard of a house.

Police: 1 dead, another critically wounded in 7-Eleven shooting Friday

The vehicle with the shot passenger drove away and tried to flee from police. The chase ended in Aurora when police said the stolen vehicle crashed.

The passenger was declared dead. A second passenger and the driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. Both were taken into custody, police said.

It is the third serious or deadly shooting in the city since Friday. The first happened at a 7-Eleven parking lot on Friday night when two people were critically wounded. The two victims died of their injuries after several days in the hospital and the suspect was also discovered dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

1 dead in Pioneer Park shooting: Police

A man was also found dead in the parking lot of Pioneer Park on Saturday evening. Commerce City acknowledged the violence in a post about the shooting on social media.

We want to preface this post with this message: This has been one of the most violent weekends weve ever had in Commerce City, and we want to assure our community this is not typical, the post said.

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Arguments that question the racial identity of the hip-hop artist and the presidential candidate deny the complexity of Blackness. (Los Angeles Times photo illustration; photos by Carmen Mandato / Getty Images, Matt Rourke/ Associated Press)

On the same day that former President Trump claimed before a national gathering of Black journalists that Vice President Kamala Harris was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she became a Black person, his running mate Sen. JD Vance accused Harris of being a phony who grew up in Canada (she attended high school in Montreal) and used a fake Southern accent at a rally.

Both mens accusations sound eerily like those leveled against the rapper Drake by his fellow hip-hop titan Kendrick Lamar (and many others) in a rap beef whose effects linger. Drake has been accused of being a colonizer whose Canadian identity and eager embrace of various aspects and accents of a wide range of Black culture make him racially suspect.

Read more: Where do Kendrick Lamar and Drake go from here?

Such arguments, whether made by racially troubled white men or Black icons, deny the complexity and diversity of Blackness.

Trump and Vance have little understanding of and less respect for the multiracial strains and complicated cultural mixtures of Black identity. Harris has from the start acknowledged her Indian heritage and her Jamaican roots. In our national context, biracial Blackness has always covered a multitude of skin types, light or dark, Caucasian or Indian and lots more besides.

Millions of Black Americans, because of the history of slavery conservatives tend to ignore, have all sorts of ethnic blood in their veins and all sorts of figures in their family trees  a grandfather who was Native American rests on one branch, a great grandmother who was Irish on another.

The one-drop rule of Black identity reflects the compulsion to reduction in American racial politics: Each body genetically shaped by white and Black ancestors has been viewed as tainted and inferior and labeled as Black. The same is often true for Black bodies mixed with Latinx and Asian identities.

Read more: Harris has ushered in a new 'F' word for Democrats: Fun

Nonetheless, many mixed-race folks proudly tout their one-drop Black identity. Harris Indian mother understood she was rearing Black daughters, however often they dressed in saris and visited India. Like millions of Black folks, she understood Blackness diverse expressions.

Trumps argument that Harris pivoted from her Indian to her Black identity also flies in the face of the facts of Harris' biography, her education at Howard University and her affiliation with the Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. Trumps narrative that Black people pimp their race for social gain appeals to those who believe that Black progress comes at the expense of white prosperity. Vances vacuous turn of phrase reflects his faux shrill-billy white resentment of Harris cosmopolitan Blackness.

Ironically, that cosmopolitan vision of Blackness is at the heart of the Lamar and Drake dustup. Their kerfuffle  playing out fiercely this spring in a series of releases  is a battle over cultural cachet, racial authenticity and group pride. And it exposes a provincialism that undercuts the global currents of hip-hop.

Read more: Column: Trump is trolling the Democratic Party about Harris' mixed-race identity. Will it work?

In his hit Not Like Us, Lamar accuses Drake of being a colonizer because Drake supposedly run[s] to Atlanta to partner with some of the paragons of its trap music to bolster his Blackness. Lamar's argument echoes long-standing criticisms that Drakes biracial Canadian roots render him suspect as a bona fide Black artist. Drakes artistic experimentation with different accents and musical genres has prompted many to claim, as Vance did with Harris, that Drake is a phony.

Lamar's beef with Drake is rooted in a parochial, claustrophobic vision of Blackness.

Drake grew up in Toronto the son of a Jewish Canadian mother; he spent summers in Memphis, Tenn., with his Black American musician father. His artistic tastes were deeply influenced by a wide swath of the Black diaspora  Afro-Caribbeans, Londoners, American Southerners, especially Memphians, and Torontonians. The multicultural makeup of Toronto, with its sizable Italian, Portuguese, Jamaican and Filipino immigrant populations, also fed his musical appetite.

Read more: Ive never had an identity crisis: Kamala Harris on the power of mixed-race California

The argument that Drake is somehow a culture vulture who appropriates varieties of Black culture misunderstands not only his influences but hip-hop as an art form with universal reach. Drakes critics seek to confine it, and Black culture in general, to the United States, which received far fewer Black folks in the slave trade than, say, Peru, Mexico, Brazil and Jamaica.

Oddly enough, the attempt to define him as a colonizer overlooks how Black people in the United States often believe that our Blackness is superior to that of other Black people, itself a colonial view that is far more problematic than anything of which Drake might be accused. And given that Canada offered a prominent pathway to freedom for those who escaped American slavery, it is utterly bizarre to paint Drake as somehow alien or an enemy of hip-hop because he is Canadian and not from Compton or Detroit.

At a Trump rally in Charlotte, N.C., a white female commentator sought to remind Black Americans that Harris is not one of you. Lamar's Not Like Us is unfortunately propelled by much the same limiting racial logic. As we fight to expel the racially troubling ideas and mischaracterizations Trump and Vance voice about Kamala Harris, Black folk must be careful not to permit those very same ideas in through the back door of our culture.

Michael Eric Dyson is a professor of African American studies at Vanderbilt University and the author, most recently, of "Entertaining Race: Performing Blackness in America."



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Just as the climate crisis affects everyone, we all can work together toward planet-size solutions, says Catholic theologian and author Erin Lothes, Ph.D.

Lothes will highlight the critical importance of transitioning rapidly to renewable, peaceful energy and practical steps we can take to engage communities working for change during her virtual presentation, Peaceful Energy For Renewing the Earth, 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Shell share insights and resources from Laudato Si  Pope Francis encyclical calling for care of the natural environment and all people  as well as other aspects of the Christian tradition focused on care of creation.

This program is offered by the Tri-State Network, a coalition of congregations of women religious in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin who focus on peace, justice and spirituality. The Franciscan Spirituality Center, a sponsored ministry of Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, is part of this network.

Cost to participate is $10. Registration is requested by Sept. 16; visit www.prairiewoods.org or call 319-395-6700. A Zoom link will be sent by email upon registration.

Options to gather in person to watch and discuss the presentation are available at Benet House Retreat Center in Rock Island, Illinois, and Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, Iowa.

Lothes is the author of "Inspired Sustainability: Planting Seeds for Action" (Orbis, 2016) and "The Paradox of Christian Sacrifice: The Loss of Self, The Gift of Self" (Herder and Herder, 2007), as well as many articles on faith-based environmentalism, divestment and energy ethics. She was an associate professor of theology for a decade and is now senior manager of the Laudato Si Animators Program with the Laudato Si Movement. She has been a longtime collaborator with many faith-based environmental coalitions, such as the Catholic Climate Covenant, GreenFaith, the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale, and the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, where she is presently a visiting scholar. Most recently, she has written a commentary to introduce the Orbis Books paper publication of Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum.
The Democratic Party, and its presidential nominee Kamala Harris, should stop touting border security and offer a new approach to the immigration debate, one firmly rooted in American values of justice, opportunity and truth-telling.

The contrast with Donald Trump should be easy to sell: The former president is promising to enact the largest mass deportation in the nation's history and issue an executive order denying birthright citizenship to any child born of residents who are in the country without papers. These actions would have a devastating impact on millions of people, many of whom have been in the United States for decades. It would wreak havoc on our economy, which is not just dependent on immigrants with and without papers, but bolstered by them. And it would tarnish beyond repair our moral standing as a human rights leader around the world.

Read more: Hold the 'blue wall,' or light up the Sun Belt? Harris eyes path through U.S. battlegrounds

While the Republican Party's embrace of exclusion is frightening, equally troubling is the Democrats embrace of policies that falsely equate border security with more restrictive asylum regulations, including President Bidens executive order in June that closes the border to asylum applicants when numbers reach certain limits. The hope seems to be that a somewhat less cruel approach than mass deportation will satisfy those sympathetic to immigrants but also pull some would-be MAGAistas away from the xenophobic abyss.

Harris seemed to play into this strategy with her now infamous 2021 remarks telling Guatemalans: Do not come ... If you come to our border, you will be turned back. Although it may have been more a statement of fact than a threat, it revealed a serious lack of understanding about the forces leading migrants to leave their homes. It also hurt her  and the administrations  credibility with immigrant communities; a "big blemish," as a political scientist at UC Irvine told The Times. Her latest talking points  emphasizing drug cartel prosecutions and the border crackdown bill Republicans tanked earlier this year  lean in the same anti-immigrant-tinged direction.

Read more: Why California's surge in immigration is lifting our economy

So what should Harris say and do? To borrow her own emerging slogan, she should argue that  we are not going back  to divisive policies and build the wall attitudes. Tough talk against immigrants has a short political shelf life. We in California know this story first-hand.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the states passage of Proposition 187 in 1994, a measure that sought to block undocumented immigrants in California from accessing basic, lifeline services  especially healthcare and public education for their children. It required every teacher, school nurse, firefighter and police officer to report anyone they merely suspected to be undocumented. The initiative was stayed and eventually deemed unconstitutional by federal courts, but even without going into effect it ignited a counteroffensive on behalf of all Californians.

Three decades later, Californias political terrain has shifted so significantly that the state has extended earned income tax credits , college tuition programs and health insurance to undocumented residents. Most significantly, it is now nearly impossible for an anti-immigrant candidate to win statewide office.

Read more: Calmes: Reports of the death of Trump's Project 2025 are greatly exaggerated

The move away from exclusion didn't happen on its own. At first, it activated a tug-of-war between California moderates and progressives about how to push back against anti-immigrant fear and fervor, with some arguing for the defensive middle ground, similar to Harris' stance now.

What prevailed instead was a grassroots effort to establish a multiracial, cross-sector coalition of support for commonsense policies in a sanctuary state. In just one example, when anti-immigrant jurisdictions began using traffic stops to criminalize non-citizens  upending families, communities and swaths of the economy, not to mention traffic  the coalition got Assembly Bill 60 passed, after a battle spanning more than a decade, in 2013, giving undocumented immigrants access to a special driver's license.

Along the way the process proved the benefits of inclusion to the state. As The Times reported last week, international migrants have "lifted" the U.S. and California economies, filling and creating jobs and "pumping millions of tax dollars" into government coffers.

Read more: VP's campaign launches 'Republicans for Harris' in push to win GOP voters put off by Trump

Indeed, Golden State politicians are now likely to remind their audiences that the state's economy  the fifth largest in the world  is home to more than 10 million immigrants with $383 billion in spending power, and that 40% of the states entrepreneurs are immigrants. Even undocumented immigrants are a proven boon: At a national level, they contribute $13 billion more annually to the Social Security system than they will even be able to withdraw.

Californias shift away from Proposition 187 thinking can and should be exported nationally. Its a ready-made opportunity for any political figure, but especially Harris and the Democrats, to look to the future.

Surveys show that despite the attacks on their very existence, immigrants and their children are largely optimistic, a sharp contrast to the dark tones of a MAGA movement that thinks America can only be great if it goes back to some mythical, all-white past. Harris should wholeheartedly embrace a more hopeful vision of America, one rooted in facts that prove the contributions of immigrants, instead of being tempted to in any way countenance Trumps hate-filled agenda.

We are both the children of once-undocumented parents. We know that immigrants enrich our society, that the demonizing of newcomers is morally and factually wrong. A bold and brave commitment to inclusion will strengthen the United States, reflect the values of a democratic and diverse nation, and move us closer to realizing the American dream that so many, especially immigrants, aspire to.

Manuel Pastor is a professor of sociology and director of the Equity Research Institute at USC. Miguel Santana is president and CEO of the California Community Foundation.



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Dean Hagerman remembers a rocket landing right outside a building he was in just a few days after having arrived in Iraq in early December 2004.

Hagerman was one of the people who were mobilized in May that year as part of the Idaho National Guards 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (the largest deployment of Idaho National Guard soldiers in state history, though other states are part of the team).

And this weekend in the Treasure Valley, brigade members are gathering to commemorate the mobilization, honor the fallen and celebrate the friendships forged.

Im not going to say it was hell, but it was rough and challenging. We bonded in that experience (of deployment).

The United States attacked Iraq in March 2003 in part because of then-President George W. Bushs false assertion that the Middle Eastern country had weapons of mass destruction, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

Hagerman said their mission was to provide stability and encourage democracy.

This weekends events started Friday and will continue until Sunday. Former Governor Dirk Kempthorne spoke to former brigade members on Saturday.

During the weekend, people will remember soldiers such as Carrie French, from Caldwell, who died at age 19 in 2005 in Iraq.

Former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne speaks Saturday in Boise at the 20 year reunion of the Idaho National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment.

Its an opportunity to heal, Hagerman said. The remembrance ceremonies are a more somber event, but the rest of it, its meant to be a party, to enjoy each others company, catch up on whats going on with peoples lives.
A sick California sea lion lies collapsed on Cayucos State Beach recently. The Marine Mammal Center has reported a surge in sick California sea lions washing up on Central California beaches in the last month. Their symptoms have been consistent with domoic acid poisoning. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

By the time the rescue squad got to her, a small crowd had formed around the agitated California sea lion. As the team crept toward her  carrying large wooden shields and a giant net  the animal's head weaved, craned and rocked back and forth in frenzied rhythms.

Lucille  as she was later named by the Marine Mammal Center's Morro Bay field office  had barely registered her captors' approach as the team of five animal rescue volunteers pounced on her. A small struggle ensued as the creature's body went rigid with seizures, but the team managed eventually to push her into an XXL portable dog crate.

"It's really hard when they're not acting like sea lions," said Jake Roth, a 22-year-old volunteer who helped with the rescue.

Read more: Scores of reports of sick sea lions along California's Central Coast

It was the first of dozens of frantic rescue phone calls made by horrified beachgoers that day, as an acute domoic acid outbreak continued to wreak havoc along the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara coasts this summer.

"The levels we're finding inside these animals is off the charts," said Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesman for the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center. "It's all hands on deck."

Domoic acid is a neurotoxin released by Pseudo-nitzschia, a common phytoplankton species found in coastal waters. Sea lions  and other marine mammals  become poisoned when they eat large amounts of fish or invertebrates that have been chowing on the contaminated diatoms.

Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, unusual behavior, seizures, loss of pregnancy and death.

Marine Mammal Center volunteer Cris Lewis guides a sick sea lion into a crate during a rescue at Cayucos State Beach. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Domoic acid, which is an amino acid, is not always produced by the phytoplankton. It is only manufactured under certain conditions  ones which scientists are still trying to determine. But upwelling of seawater seems to be a common factor  and strong upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water is currently hugging the Central California coastline.

The outbreak has been at crisis levels since late July.

"One of the things that has come out again and again in a lot of our studies... is that, yes, when you get upwelling  which is typified by colder water temperatures and lots of nutrients  you will stimulate a bloom of diatoms," said Clarissa Anderson, director of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System and the Cooperative Institute for Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Systems, which are operated out of UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

"But then the bigger question  the one we've not been able to totally wrap our heads around  is, when does it produce the toxin? What is the mixture of conditions that requires that? Because this organism is around all the time," she said.

Domoic acid outbreaks are not new. They have been happening for decades, if not millennia. And although it wasn't identified in California waters until 1991, it is believed to have been behind outbreaks before that  including the 1961 "invasion" of chaotic sea birds in Capitola that partly inspired Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film, "The Birds."

What has changed, said Anderson, are the frequency, timing and location of the events.

Read more: This L.A. marine mammal rescue center is at max capacity. Here's how you can help

"We know that upwelling season in California has always been a great time to expect a Pseudo-nitzschia bloom and potentially a domoic acid event, and that can start as early as March," she said. As a result, scientists had associated springtime with domoic acid outbreaks.

"But now we're starting to see something different: These past three summers there have been these intense, long, lasting blooms," she said.

And while Monterey and Humboldt Bay had been considered the classical hot spots, it's Southern California that has been clobbered since 2022.

She said climate change is likely playing a role in these changes  but not necessarily because of warm water temperatures.

Marine Mammal Center veterinarian Greg Frankfurter inspects a newly admitted California sea lion that was rescued from a beach showing signs of domoic acid poisoning in Sausalito. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

"One of the things we have seen in our years and years and years of data is that it's the mixture of nutrients that come with upwelling that is potentially responsible for turning the toxin on or off," she said. "And that mixture of nutrients may be impacted by global climate change, because climate change is changing ocean circulation physics at the basin scale  like the Pacific Ocean scale  and that can have ramification on what kinds of water  the flavor of water  that is upwelling onto the coast in California."

Raphe Kudela, a professor of ocean science at UC Santa Cruz, said there might also be a connection to heat and runoff from inland rivers.

He said in the last few years, really wet winters have contributed to an increase in river runoff  and a resulting dump of nutrients into California's coastal waters.

"So you get a pulse of upwelling, which brought some cool water with even more nutrients to the surface, and then everything warmed up. That's just absolutely perfect conditions for a bloom like this," he said.

It's also a perfect recipe for creatures like sardines and anchovies, who feast on the diatoms, algae and phytoplankton in these cool, nutrient-rich waters. And those fish bring in predators, such as sea lions, dolphins, fur seals, birds and other fish that then proceed to feast on these "toxic bullets."

Anderson said people will occasionally ask her if they, too, could get sick from eating anchovies.

"I'm like, are you planning on eating as many anchovy as a sea lion?" she said, noting that sea lions eat roughly 5% to 8% of their body weight per day. For a 150-pound person, that would be 7.5 to 12 pounds of anchovy.

Read more: Valley fever sickens attendees of Kern County music festival

And that's part of the tragedy of this latest outbreak.

Barbie Halaska, a necropsy specialist with the Marine Mammal Center, showed visitors the milk-rich tissue enveloping the single six-inch incisions she had made in the chests of six of the dead sea lions that had died at the Morro Bay center.

All six were adult, lactating females, she said, with thick layers of fat.

"You can see how big she is. She's gorgeous," said Halaska, pointing at the dead but otherwise healthy-looking animal. "They've got a great food supply. It just happens to be tainted. When they're lactating, and they find a good food stock, they just go and go and go. Unfortunately, that means the neurotoxin just bioaccumulates."

She said female sea lions tend to give birth around June 15  "we call it sea lion birthday"  which means these females most likely had a young, dependent pup with them before they were stranded. Sea lion pups are dependent on their mothers until they are about 9 months old.

Research shows that pups growing inside contaminated pregnant females suffer brain damage. Milk from contaminated females also carries the toxin, suggesting it could be transmitted to pups.

By early afternoon, Lucille and three other sea lions were being treated for domoic acid poisoning.

Lucille was passed out, snoring on the cement floor of the pen. Soon after she arrived, a center staff member had delivered a shot full of phenobarbital and midazolam into her back haunch, to control the seizures. Staff then hooked her up to an IV bag of fluid to help flush the toxin out of her body.

But one of the three newer arrivals, a large, adult female named Yippee, arrived with a broken and dislocated jaw. Staff concluded she'd die if she was returned to the wild. They made the hard decision to medically euthanize her.

She struggled to flee from the small team that came in to deliver the shot, but was finally backed into a corner and succumbed. Her breathing slowed and within a few minutes, she was still.

Rulli said such episodes are always painful, and the center works hard to support staff who respond to these events. Repeated encounters with suffering animals can take a toll.

Read more: First giant pandas sent from China in decades unveiled at San Diego Zoo. Newsom declares California Panda Day

Roughly 30% of the animals that have come to the center in this latest outbreak  which began at the end of July  have died, said Aliah Meza, operation manager of the Morro Bay field office.

Farther south, where staff from the Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute are responding to animals along the Santa Barbara and Ventura coasts, the number exceeds 50%, said Sam Dover, founder and chief veterinarian of Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.

To keep these facilities running and these teams operating, both institutions rely on donations and some level of state and federal funding.

State funding was nearly pulled last year when the governor's office struck $2 million in funding from the state budget. For smaller operations, such as Dover's, that would have been a 50% hit on their operating budget. The groups were able to convince lawmakers to replace the funding.

"I don't envy the sharpened pencil and eraser work that they were doing," said Jeffrey Boehm, the marine center's chief external relations officer, who said he and others went to Sacramento to make the case that their work is in the public interest. "Having an entity that is prepared, skilled and professional to respond to wildlife that might be having a seizure on a public beach, that's in the public interest. As is the science we advance through doing this work... Because at the end of the day, it's all just one system."

Lucille, who recovered from her seizures, was transported to the center's Sausalito hospital via air-conditioned truck the following day. She died in transport.

Veggie, another sea lion who was rescued the same day, did make it to Sausalito however. She is now undergoing a seven-day protocol at the hospital, where roughly 50 other sea lions are being treated.

Rulli said that two sea lions were recently released back into the wild at Point Reyes National Seashore, where there is no sign of an outbreak and where humpback whales are currently feeding  an indication that there's plenty of food available.

"Let's just hope they stay up here," he said.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
DENVER (KDVR)  A paddleboarder died after falling into the water at Carter Lake Saturday afternoon, according to the Larimer County Sheriffs Office.

Larimer County said a call came into the Fort Collins 911 Dispatch Center around 2:15 p.m. The caller said a man had fallen off his paddleboard and did not come up.

The caller told dispatchers that he was not wearing a lifejacket and also did not have a tether to his paddleboard.

People in the area tried to find the man but were unable to.

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Several agencies, including the Larimer County Sheriffs Office, Berthoud Fire Department, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS and Larimer County Rangers responded to the scene.

Dive teams from Berthoud Fire and Loveland Fire began searching the area where the man was last seen.

He was located and pulled out of the water at around 3:50 p.m. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The victims identity will be released at a later time, according to the sheriffs office.

Anyone with further information on the incident is asked to contact LCSO Investigator Matthew Koyn at 970-498-7408.

The sheriffs office said it responded to multiple other paddleboard-related water emergency calls on Saturday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
As Locarnos 8,000-strong Piazza Grande audience welcomed Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan on stage Saturday evening, a much smaller crowd congregated across the way for an alternative film event.

Organized by local left-wing cooperative Coordinamento Unico a sostegno della Palestina/ Coordination in support of Palestine (Cusp), a group of local activists and out-of-towners, mostly Locarno festival delegates, huddled around a pop-up projector for an evening of film screenings about Palestine.

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The pop-up event was hosted on a piece of green next to the Teatro di Locarno, the festivals venue for press screenings, a few meters back from the large Piazza Grande screen. The event began with a book drive where literature on Palestinian history and merch like keffiyeh scarves were sold. The demo proved controversial with many unaffiliated people passing by the event and stopping to voice their displeasure.

Return the hostages and well stop the bombs, one counter-demonstrator, who was part of a delegation visiting the Locarno Film Festival, could be heard shouting to the crowd. The counter-demonstrator appeared to be referring to Israels ongoing campaign in Gaza. As the crowd grew the organizers screened a series of Palestinian-shot shorts followed by American journalist Abby Martins feature documentary Gaza Fights for Freedom (2019).

Locarno.

The event was not held in collaboration with the festival but organizers have said they plan to hold a second evening of screenings on August 16, the penultimate night of the festival. The headline film that night will be Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsens doc Israelism, which just landed U.S. distribution via Watermelon Pictures. The controversial documentary follows two young American Jews who travel to Israel to gain a greater understanding of the countrys history and the role it has played in their own identities.

The Locarno Film Festival runs until August 17.

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Passenger caught using electric wheelchair to smuggle more than 100 mobile phones into China

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In early August, customs inspectors at the Gongbei port of entry between mainland China and Macau became suspicious of a passenger in an electric wheelchair. Believing the wheelchair appeared to have been modified, officials performed an X-ray inspection of the wheelchair, finding that it was being used to smuggle old mobile phones into China. A customs release obtained by IT Home detailed the discovery.

A Macau resident named Chen entered mainland China on August 3 in an electric wheelchair, going through the no declaration queue of the Gongbei Port Passenger Inspection Hall in an electric wheelchair. Customs officers noticed the wheelchair appeared to have modification traces and stopped the man for further inspection.

After noticing abnormalities on the scanned image of the wheelchair, officials began disassembling the mobility aid. They found the battery compartment modified, with 121 old mobile phones stashed away inside.

More than a hundred mobile phones hidden inside the battery compartment of an electric wheelchair

According to Chinese law, any attempt to evade customs supervision by hiding, disguising, concealing, falsifying or other means, and transporting, carrying or mailing goods or articles that are prohibited or restricted from entering or leaving the country, or goods or articles that are subject to tax according to law, is considered smuggling.

While reports dont indicate whether Chen faces criminal charges for the smuggling, it is certainly possible. Chen could be held criminally liable if the Chinese courts deem the actions serious enough to constitute a crime.

Using electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters to smuggle objects has become increasingly popular. In China alone, at least three incidents in the past year have involved passengers getting caught with items sequestered into hidden compartments in their wheelchairs.

In December 2023, a passenger was found with 300 Nintendo Switch game cartridges hidden in their wheelchair. In two other instances, in August 2023 and March of this year, Chinas customs officials seized 328 mobile phones hidden in electric wheelchairs. In another March 2023 incident, a man tried smuggling 84 SSD storage devices inside a recreational scooter.
Passengers have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Delta Air Lines alleging that the impact of the carriers flight cancellations after the CrowdStrike outage was disastrous and that Delta refused or ignored requests for refunds.

The suit, filed by law firms Sauder Schelkopf and Webb, Klase & Lemond on behalf of Delta passengers, also says the airline refused to provide all affected passengers with meal, hotel and ground transportation vouchers, despite its previous commitments, forcing passengers to spend money on unexpected expenses.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, seeks refunds for those affected. It also seeks punitive damages and other damages and relief, as well as attorneys fees.

Delta declined to comment on pending litigation.

The airline in a July 26 update told customers whose travel was disrupted due to a canceled or significantly delayed flight could cancel their flights via the Delta website or app and receive an automatic refund for the un-flown portion of the trip. It also directed customers to submit expenses through its website for fast processing for reimbursement.

As Delta was recovering from the outage, CEO Ed Bastian said in a message to customers who were affected: I want to thank you for your patience and apologize again for the disruption to your travel.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating Delta and its treatment of passengers during the operational meltdown.

While nearly every other airline recovered quickly from the July 19th Tech Outage, Deltas passengers remained stranded, waiting in lines for days trying to get to their destinations, said Sauder Schelkopf attorney Joe Sauder in a written statement. When our clients sought refunds, Delta again failed to deliver. We look forward to litigating the case on their behalf.

CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity software firm that had the initial outage, has also been hit with a class-action lawsuit filed by airline passengers whose flights were delayed or canceled as a result of the outage.

The plaintiffs in the case against Delta include passenger Arben Bajra, who had two round-trip tickets for a July 20 trip to Amsterdam from Denver connecting through New York, and due to the flight disruptions was rebooked for July 22. That flight was also canceled, Bajra was told that there were no available flights for several days, the complaint says. He ultimately went through multiple flight cancellations and disruptions and incurred out-of-pocket expenses of about $1,975, and had not yet gotten a refund or reimbursement, according to the suit.

Another plaintiff is Florida resident John Brennan, who missed an anniversary cruise from Seattle due to the Delta flight cancellations and ended up stranded in Atlanta with his wife without their luggage, the complaint says. They ended up buying tickets to take a Greyhound bus back home to Tampa.

The impact on Delta passengers was disastrous, according to the filing. Deltas failure to recover from the CrowdStrike outage left passengers stranded in airports across the country for days, in many cases thousands of miles from home.

The suit also alleges that when Delta told passengers their flights were canceled, it offered e-credits as compensation but made no mention to passengers of their rights under federal law to receive cash refunds.

Even when agreeing to reimbursements, Delta forced passengers to release their legal claims against the airline, the complaint says.

The plaintiffs also include passengers Asher Einhorn and Melanie Susman, whose Delta flights were canceled according to the complaint.

The suit alleges multiple counts of breach of contract - for failure to refund fare, failure to cover additional amenities and breach of implied or oral contracts when Delta promised refunds. It also alleges Delta committed other violations, including fraud for misrepresentations or omissions concerning refunds for canceled flights and reimbursements, unjust enrichment and violations of state laws.

The lawsuit says there could be tens of thousands of people in the class of people affected - but the number would ultimately be determined based on Deltas records.

According to Bastian, the fallout from the outage cost Delta half a billion dollars.

Last week, the airline said it has hired law firm Boies Schiller Flexner to pursue potential claims against Microsoft and CrowdStrike.

Attorneys for Microsoft and CrowdStrike fired back at the airline this week. CrowdStrike raises questions about the resilience of Deltas IT infrastructure and decisions on system upgrades, Microsoft accused Delta of not modernizing its technology before the outage.
By Jeff Mason

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the case for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign at a California fundraiser on Sunday that raked in millions of dollars at the conclusion of a swing state tour by Harris and her running mate.

Pelosi appeared with the Democratic presidential nominee in San Francisco at an event that the Harris' campaign said raised more than $12 million.

"This is a good day when we welcome Kamala Harris back home to California," Pelosi said about the former U.S. senator, attorney general and district attorney from the state.

"She makes us all so proud. She brings us so much joy. She gives us so much hope," Pelosi said at the fundraiser, held in a hotel ballroom.

Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have just finished a tour of multiple political swing states, packing rallies with thousands of people and building on the momentum that has propelled her since she took over at the top of the Democratic ticket.

Pelosi, the longtime lawmaker and Washington power broker, is credited with helping to usher President Joe Biden out of the presidential race.

Biden, 81, stepped aside last month after a poor debate performance against Republican Donald Trump sparked turmoil within the Democratic Party and concerns that he could not beat the former president nor complete a second four-year term.

Pelosi's comments in a television interview suggesting that Biden had not yet decided whether to step aside were viewed as giving an opening to worried Democratic lawmakers to urge him to leave even as the president had said he was staying.

Pelosi has praised Biden's achievements while criticizing his former campaign. On Sunday she connected Harris, 59, to the accomplishments of Biden's administration.

"She knows the issues. She knows the strategy. She has gotten an enormous amount done working with Joe Biden," Pelosi said.

Harris acknowledged the enthusiasm but cautioned against getting caught up in it.

"We can take nothing for granted in this critical moment," she said, after thanking Pelosi for her friendship and support.

"The energy is undeniable," Harris said. "Yes, the crowds are large."

California Governor Gavin Newsom, once seen as a potential Democratic replacement for Biden before he stepped aside, also attended.

Harris, making her own case against Trump, said that if the former president got back into office, he would sign a national ban on abortion into law and warned that California would not be immune. Trump has sought to distance himself from Republican efforts to ban abortion, saying it should be up to individual states.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; editing by Diane Craft)
Secretary Pete Buttigieg pushed back at Republicans accusing Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) of misrepresenting his military record with a scathing claim about presidential candidate Donald Trump.

During an appearance on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, the Secretary of Transportation defended the new Democratic candidate for vice president for comments about his time in the Army National Guard, calling Walzs words a simple case of clumsy-speaking before he turned the criticism back on the GOP.

Look, I think in many ways, its the exception that proves the rule, If the only thing that they can find about Tim Walz to complain about is to disparage his military record that is clearly honorable, Buttigieg explained.

Turning his focus towards Republican running mate Sen. JD Vance (Ohio), who, during an earlier interview on the show, accused Walz of lying about his service for political gain, Buttigieg said, Theres something, I think, much bigger at play here.

Pete Buttigieg defended Gov. Tim Walz for misspeaking about his military record while criticizing Donald Trump's lies during a Sunday interview on CNN. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images

I watched JD Vance present himself as suddenly very particular about precision in speech and very concerned about honesty, the cabinet member remarked.

Hes running with Trump, Buttigieg reminded viewers. Somebody who has set records for lying in public life.

Offering evidence, the secretary pointed to Trumps rambling hour-long press conference from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, on Thursday.

He just gave a press conference where fact checkers estimate that he told 162 distortions or lies, Buttigieg said. That frankly is impressive in terms of being able to physically do that. Its like the Olympics of lying.

NPR published a detailed fact-check on the former president this Sunday, finding that Trump either exaggerated or outright lied over 13 dozen times.

His mistruths included comments about crime, the economy and the border, as well as a muddled account of a terrifying helicopter emergency from back in 1990.

Watch the Secretary of Transportations full comments here:

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Pete Buttigieg Slams JD Vance for Saying Democrats are Anti-Family: Im One of Millions of Americans He Managed to Insult | Video

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance lied when he told CNN on Sunday that he never criticized people who dont have children, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told anchor Dana Bash Sunday morning. I dont know which part of that is worse, he said. The lie that he just told when he says he never criticized people for not having kids because of course he very much did, including Kamala Harris and me and a lot of other people, millions of Americans in fact, who he disparaged as childless cat ladies.

And look, Im a dog guy with two kids, but Im one of millions of Americans he managed to insult there, Buttigieg added.

He appeared on CNNs State of the Nation shortly after the show aired an interview with Vance.

Bash asked about the conservative talking point that the Democratic Partys policies dont contribute to the pursuit of family in this country  an idea that Buttigieg soundly rejected.

Lets be clear, were the ones trying to get the Child Tax Credit expanded, and J.D. Vance couldnt be bothered to show up in the Senate and vote for it, he began. And Republicans have blocked that from being expanded or it would be the law of the land right now.

So if you want to talk about promoting children, promoting family, put your money where your mouth is, Buttigieg continued. Same with a lot of other policies like, I dont know, paid family leave, something that Tim Walz delivered in Minnesota, something that the Biden-Harris administration sought to deliver for the American people. Right now, Republicans are blocking it, but thats something that they could certainly change their tune on.

If the GOP has offered any indication of what family-focused policies might look like under a second Trump administration, Buttigieg added, its in the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 proposals, which is full of things that, in my opinion, are bad for families.

Lets remember also that last time I checked, he doesnt even think I should legally be able to have a family, Buttigieg said. Now, if you really got his way in his anti-marriage equality views, I dont know if that means that he would want me and my husband to be forcibly divorced and separated from our children, or if hed be satisfied just to have us lose legal protections like the ability to do our taxes together or visit them in a hospital. I dont know exactly what his vision of us not having a family looks like, but I know that its not pro-family for me.

Vances appointment as Trumps running mate was met with opposition from GLAAD due to his support for legislation the organization believes goes against the best interests of the LGBTQ+ community. This has included his support for a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and his opposition to federal protection for gay and interracial marriages.

Elsewhere in the interview, Buttigieg expressed surprise that Vance is comfortable criticizing the military record of Walz, who retired after 24 years in the National Guard. The fact that a veteran wants to go out and disparage another veteran just goes against certainly everything I learned during my time in service, he explained.

Look, I think in many ways its the exception that proves the rule. If the only thing that they can find about Tim Walz to complain about is to disparage his military record that was clearly honorable  remember, you can retire at 20 years. Tim Walz served for 24, Buttigieg said.

Vance seems incapable of talking about a vision for this country in terms of lifting people up or building people up or helping people out, Buttigieg told Bash. Its always disparagement.

This is exactly the kind of politics that people are sick of, he said. I think its why people feel a sense of exhaustion when they look back to what the Trump era was like and have very little interest and appetite in going back to that politics of disparagement and destruction and insult.

The incredible amount of joy and lift around the Harris/Walz campaign is part of what accounts for the extraordinary momentum that were seeing as they tour the country, Buttigieg continued.

You can watch the full interview with Pete Buttigieg in the video above.

The post Pete Buttigieg Slams JD Vance for Saying Democrats are Anti-Family: Im One of Millions of Americans He Managed to Insult | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
(Bloomberg) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said actions by Chinas air force against a Philippine plane patrolling a South China Sea shoal were unjustified, illegal and reckless.

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The Southeast Asian nations military said two Peoples Liberation Army aircraft dropped flares and made dangerous moves while a Philippine Air Force patrol was over Scarborough Shoal on August 8. The incident happened as the two sides are trying to ease maritime tensions.

China warned off the Philippine aircraft in a professional manner and in accordance with the law after its illegal intrusion, Beijings state-backed Global Times said Sunday.

The Philippines last month said it had reached an understanding with China on the resupply of its troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the Second Thomas Shoal thats been at the center of tensions between the two nations.

We have hardly started to calm the waters, and it is already worrying that there could be instability in our airspace, a statement from Marcos communications said Sunday.

WATCH: Why the South China Sea Could Spark a US-China War

The Philippines is committed to resolve disputes through diplomacy, but China should demonstrate that it is fully capable of responsible action, both in the seas in the skies, the statement said.

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MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday condemned Chinese air force actions in waters of the South China Sea claimed by both countries, calling the actions "unjustified, illegal and reckless".

Manila and Beijing accused each other on Saturday of disrupting their militaries' operations around the Scarborough Shoal in the first incident since Marcos took office in 2022 in which the Philippines has complained of dangerous actions by Chinese aircraft, as opposed to navy or coast guard vessels.

The Philippine military on Saturday condemned "dangerous and provocative actions" when two Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of a Philippine aircraft during a routine patrol around the shoal on Thursday.

The Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command countered that the Philippines had disrupted its training, accusing Manila of "illegally intruding" into its airspace.

On Sunday, Marcos urged China to act responsibly both in the seas and in the skies.

"We have hardly started to calm the waters, and it is already worrying that there could be instability in our airspace," Marcos said in a statement posted by the Presidential Communications Office on the social media platform X.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

The Scarborough Shoal is one of Asia's most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights.

Chester Cabalza, president of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said China's actions were a "show of force" in response to Manila's participation in multi-nation drills that promote freedom of navigation and overflight.

"After a series of gray zone tactics at sea, we may probably see dog fights up in the sky if China continues its growing antagonism in the Philippines' air and defence zones," Cabalza said.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

China rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that Beijing's expansive claims had no basis under international law.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and William Mallard)
Denise Dessecker and Erin Byrne are leaders of Philomatheon Society for the Blind of Canton and are organizing a celebration of the group's 100th anniversary.

The Philomatheon Society for the Blind of Canton is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The group, dedicated to exercising the rights of the visually impaired, organized in 1924, when concerned citizens gathered to push for hiring and other rights. The nonprofit at 2701 Tuscarawas St. W has been a fixture in Stark County since, thanks to support from concerned citizens who recognized the need for its services.

The decendant of one of the group's founders, Harry Stiller, will attend a private celebration on Aug. 17. Also during the event, organizers say membership will be gifted to two supporters.

"We're taking in two honorary members," said Denise Dessecker, the society's president. "David Miller, a past president who served for 10 years, and Shirley Zelina, who's served in a couple of roles as vice president and treasurer, and has been a board member."

The first efforts of Philomatheon Society

Erin Byrne, a board member and recording secretary, said today's Philomatheon Society for the Blind offers much-needed support, including social activities, education and other benefits for the sight-impaired.

"'Philomatheon' is Greek for 'lovers of learning,'" she said. "When the society began, it was a group of people gathered together who were being read to, or were reading to each other. They formed a network of support for each other over the years, and that's what it became. It became an organization to provide local support for people in their lives, and at one time, housing, too."

Byrne added dinner speakers will underscore the organization's purpose.

"After the dinner, we'll have about five people come in and say a little bit about what we're doing in the society, how it has shaped our lives and how we're helping other individuals," she said. "Basically, what the society has been doing."

Started by 17 concerned citizens

The roots of the Philomatheon Society go back to the 1920s when Emma Wernet, an alumnus and teacher at the State School for the Blind in Columbus, returned home to Canton and invited a group of seven blind friends and 10 sighted friends to form a council to promote educational, housing and employment opportunities for the sight-impaired.

The Canton Philomatheon Council, Welfare Association of the Sightless of Ohio, was formed in the spring of 1924. Wernet served as its first president.

In 1941, the society was incorporated as the Philomatheon Society for the Blind Canton Inc. The group purchased the former Ann Day Nursery Home at 716 Cleveland Ave. SW that year for $1 from the Children's Mission and the Junior League. It served as a residence for 12 people, who each paid $25 a month.

Society members Harry Stiller and Phil Fleischer pressed businesses and industries to hire the blind. During World War II, their efforts garnered national media coverage when the Timken Roller Bearing Co. hired 16 blind employees as bearing testers.

In 1951, the Hartung Family gave the group their home at 2810 Tuscarawas St. W. The residence closed in 2000. It was slated for demolition by the new owner, Aultman Hospital, but the Canton Preservation Society saved it from demolition, moving it to its current location, 121 Wertz Ave. NW. Canton Preservation Society repurposed it for its offices and leased office space.

Also in 1951 the group's name was changed to the Philomatheon Society of the Blind of Canton, Ohio, Inc.

The current office opened in 2003, and plaques inside honor Barbara Fawcett Schreiber, the late Canton educator and community volunteer and daughter of Ralph and Leta Fawcett, who were among the organizers.

The Hartung House was given to the Philomatheon Society for the Blind in 1951, and served as a home for the blind until 2000. Canton Preservation Society saved the structure, at 121 Wertz Ave. NW, from demolition.

Byrne: 'Tech is wonderful. Braille is literacy'

"Circling back to what Philomatheon is, and was, I would say we're a social network for the blind in our area to socialize at our membership meetings," Byrne said. "Right now, we have an activities group that meets every Thursday. I know one of our members is doing a crafting class."

Byrne, who tutors people who want to learn Braille, said that despite advances in technology, knowing how to read braille remains hugely important.

"Tech is wonderful. Braille is literacy," she said. "Braille is still extremely important to have if you do not see. I think it's still an important skill to have. Technology is wonderful and I can tell you that it's opened so many doors and put me on an equal playing field. But the bottom line is everybody reads. It's a privilege everybody gets to share in this country and I think everybody should."

Byrne added that without Braille, "you don't have an understanding of language or composition."

"I could go on a soapbox a long time because it's what everybody asks," she said. "It's just important that everybody reads."

Current membership stands at about 35.

"Like everyone during the pandemic, it affected us," Dessecker said. "Over the last 10 years, we had about 50 or 60 members. We'd like to build that back up. We serve Stark County. We provide information on things that are available."

For instance, they can help people acquire materials from the Cleveland Public Library's MLS Book program, she said, and they network with the Cleveland Sight Center which serves nine counties, including Stark.

The Philomatheon Society for the Blind receives no public money. It is funded through private donations and endowments.

Dessecker said one of the biggest misconceptions about blind people is that they can't do anything for themselves.

"People don't see blind people as typical people," Byrne said. "We come in all different shapes and sizes. Or, people still think we have some giant tragedy attached to us because we don't have sight, or people really believe we have more of a handicap than is often the case. A lot of people who are blind or low-vision have adapted to living with the condition and have built a lifestyle.

"I think the biggest other thing is we don't have an identity totally connected to our blindness. It's not about that. While I think it's good we have places like this offering support so people can have understanding and empathy with each other, I think people are still surprised at the level of independence a lot of us have."

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. To learn more visit philomatheon.com or call 330-453-9157.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton's Philomatheon Society to celebrate 100 years of work with the blind
Plane lands upside down at Quonset State Airport

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  An investigation is underway after a small plane landed on its roof at the Quonset State Airport on Saturday afternoon, 12 News has learned.

Around 4:34 p.m. an aircraft had reported engine problems and experienced an accident during the landing, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) told 12 News.

The pilot was brought to Rhode Island Hospital.

According to the RIAC spokesperson, this aircraft had a registration of N55YA from Chatham, Massachusetts.

NEXT: Police ID woman killed by vehicle in Cranston

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A Plattsburgh man is in the Clinton County Jail after a reported stabbing and police standoff in Beekmantown.

Tucker Hackett, 30, is accused of stabbing someone in the shoulder at a home on Burke Road shortly before 1:00 p.m. Thursday. New York State Police say the alleged victim got away, called for help and was taken to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Hackett reportedly barricaded himself in the house when troopers arrived. They couldnt talk him into coming out and surrendering, so the Tri-County Special Response Team entered the building instead. Investigators say the team found him in a bathroom and took him into custody without further incident.

Hackett is charged with two counts each of second-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. All four charges are felonies.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A 19-year-old Plymouth man was taken into custody following a multi-car crash Friday night at the base of the Sagamore Bridge that claimed the life of a 79-year-old woman and seriously injured her companion, according to Massachusetts State Police.

State police say shortly before 7 p.m. the Plymouth man was driving in the left lane on Route 6 west when he tried to illegally pass another vehicle by shifting into the right lane. The man's vehicle, state police say, did not have enough clearance and crashed into a Toyota Corolla already traveling in the right lane. Following the collision, the Corolla hit the curb, spun across the median and crashed into another car traveling in the opposite direction, state police said in a news release.

The head-on collision led to the death of Martha Sheldon, 79, of Plymouth, a passenger in the Corolla, state police said. The 83-year-old man who was driving the car was seriously injured.

Crews from Bourne Fire and Rescue arrived in just under two minutes and used hydraulic cutting tools to free the injured people from the car, according to interim Fire Chief David S. Pelonzi. A fire/rescue lieutenant on the scene asked for medical evacuation helicopters, but none were available, he said in an email to the Times. Two other people were evaluated on scene but not taken to hospitals. Crews also helped contain fluid leaks from the vehicles after the crash.

The Plymouth Fire Department lent a hand at the scene and the Sandwich Fire Department sent crews, but they were canceled en route, Pelonzi said. Bourne Fire/Rescue crews remained until 10:42 p.m., helping with keeping the area safe while police investigated.

Following the crash, the 19-year-old Plymouth man was "taken into custody" on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, state police said.

For the safety of motorists, investigators, and highway workers, officials closed both lanes of travel to the Cape (Route 6 east) and the left lane of travel off the Cape (Route 6 west) for several hours. In addition to troopers from Troop D, MassDOT, State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section, and State Police Crime Scene Services Section responded to the scene.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Plymouth man, 19, faces charge following Sagamore Bridge fatality
Police arrest a man climbing the Eiffel Tower, prompting an evacuation hours before closing ceremony

French police evacuated the area around the Eiffel Tower after a man was seen climbing the Paris landmark hours before Sundays Olympics closing ceremony.

Police intervened and the man was arrested, Paris police said.

The shirtless man was seen scaling the 330-meter (1,083-foot) tall tower in the afternoon.

Its unclear where he began his ascent, but he was spotted just above the Olympic rings adorning the second section of the monument, just above the first viewing deck.

Police escorted visitors away from the area around 3 p.m. Some visitors who were briefly locked on the second floor were allowed to exit around 30 minutes later.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Police investigating after shots fired incident outside home in Braintree

Braintree police are investigating after a shooting outside a home on Sunday morning.

Officers responded to an incident of shots fired at a home on the 2000 block of Washington Street.

Video from the scene shows multiple evidence markers in the front yard and the glass to the front door shattered.

According to police it appears to be a targeted/isolated incident and not a random act.

Authorities have not identified any suspects and additional information is not available at this time.

POLICE ACTIVITY: This morning, the Braintree Police Department is investigating a "shots fired incident into a home" in the 2000 block of Washington Street. It appears to be a targeted/isolated incident and not a random act. More information will be available at a later time.  Braintree Police Department (@BraintreePolice) August 11, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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GBI identifies suspect shot, killed during shootout with Athens-Clarke police at Quik Trip

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department says a man is dead after a shootout early Sunday morning.

Police said around 1:20 a.m., officers responded to the area of Lexington Road and Gaines School Road after getting reports of a man with a gun. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to investigate the incident Sunday morning.

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The GBI said the incident started when reports came in to Athens-Clarke police about a man walking around waving a machine gun.

The officers arrived at the scene, near a Verizon store, and found 26-year-old Marquavious Sims armed.

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The GBI said Sims ran across the road to a Quik Trip gas station parking lot and officers chased him, repeatedly telling him to drop the gun.

Instead, the GBI said Sims turned and fired at the officers.

Police said at least two officers fired back, hitting Sims multiple times. Officers then provided emergency medical assistance until EMTs got to their location, and took him to a hospital.

Athens-Clarke police said the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

Sims later died from his injuries, the GBI and ACCPD said. No officers were injured in the shootout.

Sims body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur for an autopsy and the agency will continue its independent investigation.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  Investigators with the St. Louis County Police Department have identified a man found dead in a creek in north county last week.

According to Sgt. Tracy Panus, county police spokeswoman, officers received a call around 6:15 p.m. Friday for a man found dead in a creek in the 10100 block of Imperial Drive, just north of Chambers Road.

Officers found the man in the creek and a motorcycle near his body.

The deceased motorcyclist was identified as Alejandro R. Bryson, 21.

Brysons family reported him missing on August 5. Its believed he crashed into the creek that evening and remained hidden until August 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 FOX 2.
Police seek help in search for teen girl missing for nearly 2 months

CHICAGO  A search is underway for a teen girl who Chicago police say has been missing from the citys West Side for nearly two months.

According to police, 13-year-old Marrayalean Salgado has been missing from the 2400 block of South Spaulding Avenue in Little Village since June 13, and has not been contacted since.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Officers said the teen girl, who stands 5-foot-2 and weighs around 180 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes.

Salgado was last spotted wearing a black sweater and black pants and police said she is also known to wear two gold chains.

Police seek help in search for teen girl missing for nearly 2 months

Police did not provide details on the teens last known whereabouts.

Authorities notified the public about Salgados disappearance in a news release on Sunday afternoon.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 13-year-old Marrayalean Salgado is asked to contact the CPD Area Four Detective Division at 312-746-8255 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Police shoot knife-wielding man during I-44 traffic stop

SULLIVAN, Mo.  A deputy and a police officer shot and killed a man who allegedly approached them with a knife on Interstate 44 in Sullivan. The incident happened just before 7:40 p.m. last night.

According to a joint statement from the Franklin County Sheriff and the Sullivan Police Chief, police dispatch requested help with a man walking east in the westbound lanes who appeared angry. When officers arrived, they stopped traffic to prevent the man from being hit by a car.

St. Charles County voters suspect voter fraud from election director

Despite repeated commands to drop the knife, the man continued to approach the officers aggressively. Both the officer and the deputy fired their weapons, striking the man. They provided first aid, but he later died at the hospital.

The Missouri State Division of Drug and Crime Control is handling the investigation, following standard protocol.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Police shut off water to keep inmate from flushing drugs

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A Henderson man is facing multiple drug charges, including trafficking with inmate, when he attempted to flush drugs down a toilet at the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center.

Evansville Police say they performed a traffic stop on a vehicle with unreadable tags, in which Artravious Gaither was sitting in passenger seat allegedly faking being asleep.

Police say Gaither failed to identify himself properly until they obtained his Kentucky ID. It is said they also found a blue pill on his person which police suspect it to be fentanyl.

Gaither was arrested and taken to VCCC where he said he needed to use the restroom. Police say they searched him and shut of the water in the cell prior to letting him use it.

Gaither allegedly had a small baggie concealed on his person and was unable to flush it down the toilet with the water shut off. Police say they were able to obtain the the baggie where it tested positive for THC.

Gaither was booked into the VCCC on the following charges:

False reporting

Resisting law enforcement

Possession of a controlled substance

Trafficking with inmate

Possession of marijuana

Obstruction of justice

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Editor's note: This story, from the Palm Beach Post archives, was originally published in 2017. The 2024 Florida Python Challenge is going on now through Aug. 18.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay joined the fight against Floridas invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Python Challenge.

The Emmy-nominated chef tagged along with one of the South Florida Management Districts python hunters, catching three snakes in western Miami-Dade County.

The hunt is part of an upcoming segment for his latest series, "The F Word with Gordon Ramsay," which airs Wednesday on Fox.

Their kills bring the total number of invasive pythons eliminated by the SFWMD Governing Boards Python Elimination program to 317 snakes in four months.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his son, Jack, pose with SFWMD Python Hunter Kyle Penniston and Jason Catarineau and two of the three Burmese pythons they eliminated.

The multi-Michelin starred chef is no stranger to South Florida. In 2022, Ramsay stopped in at Benny's on the Beach restaurant after fishing on the pier with his son, Jack.

Gordon Ramsay visits popular beachfront restaurant in Palm Beach County

Chef Gordon Ramsay meets with the staff of Benny's on the Beach after stopping by the restaurant on April 8, 2022.

Chef Gordon Ramsay stopped by Benny's on the Beach in Lake Worth Beach on April 8, 2022, for a slice of the restaurant's homemade Key Lime Pie.

What is the Florida Python Challenge?

The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition that happens in August. Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible. The 2024 python removal competition begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 9 and ends at 5 p.m. on August 18. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons.

Why hunt Burmese pythons?

Burmese pythons are an invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in the Everglades. Florida pays hunters annually to catch the snakes. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons. State-approved hunters can win up to $25,000 this year.

209 snakes were caught during the 2023 Florida Python Challenge. The prize was $10,000.

Prizes will be awarded for the longest or most snakes caught. Hunters can register right up until the last day of the competition on August 18. To register, go to FLPythonChallenge.org.

Laura Lordi is the Digital Audience Editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at llordi@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gordon Ramsay kills Burmese pythons in Florida Python Challenge
Editor's note: This story, from the Palm Beach Post archives, was originally published in 2017. The 2024 Florida Python Challenge is going on now through Aug. 18.

Burmese pythons have become their own kind of South Florida celebrity since the South Florida Water Management District began its python control program in March.

Since its inception, celebrity-chef Gordon Ramsay has participated in a hunt, cooking up a snake on site after it was caught.

And over the summer, legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his son Jack were taken on a snake hunt for the show Ozzy & Jacks World Detour.

The senior Osbournes recollection of the excursion in a Rolling Stone article is laced with characteristic obscenities, but the so-called Prince of Darkness said he didnt think it was very cool to be in a boat surrounded by snakes and alligators, and that it was not his cup of tea.

Ozzy Osbourne accepted the key to the city from West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel. (Bruce R. Bennett/The Palm Beach Post)

Theres snakes on the land and theres (expletive) alligators in the water. I wasnt the ol Prince of darkness then, I was (expletive) scared (expletive)less, Osbourne told Rolling Stone.

Osbournes tour guides included Dusty Wildman Crum, a contract worker for the South Florida Water Management District who hunts invasive pythons when hes not doing his day job as an orchid designer.

The 37-year-old, who hunts barefoot, may be one of the more eccentric bounty hunters roaming South Florida these days in an effort to rid the Everglades of the invasive and voracious Burmese python.

The cadre of hired killers  a blend of eco-warriors, swamp scamps and a former political activist  began their landmark mission in March, earning minimum wage as contract workers, plus bonuses based on snake size.

They have killed 788 snakes as of Wednesday, including females with dozens of eggs, and one massive 17-footer that weighed 130 pounds.

This is a historic effort, said Crum, who lives in Myakka City east of Sarasota and deals in orchids when hes not hunting pythons. Were out there at least a few days a week putting it to them.

The program began as an experiment by the South Florida Water Management District. It was set up with a $175,000-budget and a sunset date of June 1. When money remained at the scheduled end date, it was extended, and then extended again with another $125,000 approved this month by the districts board. The Dec. 14 vote also expanded the program to Palm Beach County.

It is the most successful python removal initiative Florida has tried, said University of Florida wildlife ecology professor Frank Mazotti, and not just because of the numbers of snakes removed.

A clutch of celebrity tourists and politicians have joined in hunts, ginning up a South Florida sensation that has gained international interest.

I think putting boots on the ground, and the right boots on the ground, has been part of the success, Mazotti said about the program and the 50 hunters hired by the district. But one of the best things is the attention it has brought to the problem.

What is the Florida Python Challenge?

The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition that happens in August. Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible. The 2024 python removal competition begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 9 and ends at 5 p.m. on August 18. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons.

Why hunt Burmese pythons?

Burmese pythons are an invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in the Everglades. Florida pays hunters annually to catch the snakes. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons. State-approved hunters can win up to $25,000 this year.

In last year's hunt, 209 snakes were caught during the Florida Python Challenge. The prize was $10,000.

Prizes will be awarded for the longest or most snakes caught. Hunters can register right up until the last day of the competition on August 18.

How to register for the 2024 Python Challenge

Hunters interested in participating in the Python Challenge can register until the last day of the competition at flpythonchallenge.org. As of Tuesday, August 6, there were 622 people registered for this year's Python Challenge. That included 106 people from other states and two from Ontario, Canada.

Participants must take an online training course to learn how to identify pythons. It also has information on the humane way to kill a snake.

Firearms are not allowed to be used during the event, but air guns and captive bolts can be used to humanely kill pythons.

More on Burmese pythons

Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ozzy Osbourne hunts Burmese pythons in Florida
Guest Opinion. The Cherokee Nations story contains more than our fair share of chapters where we struggled for survival. And yet with the support and sympathy from our allies, we continue to persist. Weve faced forced removal from ancestral lands, health crises, loss of land and the power to self-govern, as well as a hostile federal government time and again.

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.

More importantly, our history overflows with stories about finding strength and resolve within ourselves and our neighbors. In our darkest hours, we leaned into our intellect. We relied on diplomacy against harrowing odds and prevailed, creating one of the worlds greatest democracies in the process.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.

To build and maintain our democracy, we wielded the power of the written word, shaping our destiny through communication and rhetoric. We dared the United States to live up to its highest ideals while drafting our own. The development of Sequoyah's Cherokee syllabary played a critical role in the advancement of our ability to communicate and remains a cornerstone of Cherokee culture.

Journalism is an important aspect of free-speech exercise. It works alongside our three-branched government as a counterpart to our system of checks and balances. The free press, often referred to as the fourth branch of government, is core to our Cherokee story. As we coalesced into a governmental institution, so did the Cherokee press.

The Cherokee Phoenix was the first Native American language newspaper in the U.S., first printed in 1828. Through communication afforded by the Phoenixs circulation, we fought against removal. The Phoenix, which in 1829 was called the Cherokee Phoenix and Indians Advocate, became a target of the government to disrupt our sovereignty. It wouldnt be the last time.

The Phoenix closed in 1834, and that printing press was seized by the Georgia Guard. Although the federal government won for a dark period, Cherokee journalism lived on, reforming in Cherokee Nations new homelands. A new physical press took on the important work and printed the Cherokee Advocate from 1844 to 1906.

Tragically, history repeated itself. The federal government again targeted our exercise of free expression and shuttered the Cherokee Advocate, ordering the press to be sold.

The press  the workhorse that our people relied on for mass communication  was lost to us for more than a century. While the Cherokee Advocate and, later, Cherokee Phoenix would prevail again later in the 20th century, we could only admire from a distance one of the most critical tools our ancestors harnessed in those turbulent pre-statehood days. That changed this week.

Along with incredible friends at the city of Tulsa and its Gilcrease Museum collection, we celebrated the return of one our most powerful instruments of communication  now wholly owned by Cherokee Nation and its citizens.

For those who have visited the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, the Cherokee Advocate press has been a featured exhibit for years. However, it was on long-term loan from Gilcrease Museum, which acquired the press as a part of its world-renowned American art and artifacts collection.

In many ways, Gilcrease Museum preserved this significant cultural artifact, and we are grateful for good neighbors. Last month, the Tulsa Parks Board voted to return ownership of the press to the Cherokee Nation, an act of voluntary repatriation that we deeply appreciate.

This gesture came amid an active dialogue we have begun across the nation and world as part of the Cherokee Nation Repatriation Project. The goal of the project is to restore historical and cultural belongings to Cherokee Nation. Core to this project is partnering with the organizations that hold these significant items to ensure they are returned in a culturally appropriate and mutually beneficial manner.

We have been working with the U.S. National Park Service that administers the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act on recent improvements to that critical piece of legislation. Enacted in 1990, new rules were recently issued following a 2022 review of which we participated.

The act, also known as NAGPRA, now requires museums and organizations to obtain informed consent prior to displaying or researching human remains or cultural items that fall under its purview. It also requires museums to communicate inventories and strengthens the authority of tribes in the repatriation process. The act allows museums five years to comply with the new rules, and Cherokee Nation stands ready to receive these important items.

One example comes from Harvard Universitys Peabody Museum. In 2022, the museum issued an apology and pledged to return hair samples taken from 700 Native American children forced to attend government-run boarding schools. We are currently working with Harvard to recover and appropriately return these remains.

These new rules are critical to ensuring precious artifacts and remains are not lost, discarded or otherwise inappropriately conveyed when returned to rightful owners. Gilcrease Museum and its beneficiaries  the residents of Tulsa  stand as a strong example for organizations across the world.

Our artifacts, our hair and our bones are not novelties for display without permission or regard for our story. We look forward to working with many more organizations in the coming years to protect our storied past.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Navajo Nation.
Progressives are growing increasingly angry with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) after squad member Rep. Cori Bushs (D-Mo.) primary loss earlier this week.

Bush was unseated by fellow Democrat Wesley Bell in a primary where AIPAC spent aggressively against her. Just weeks prior, the group poured $15 million in a primary to defeat Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.). Both races taken together, AIPAC invested nearly $24 million to take out two of the most prominent Black members of the left-wing cohort.

She was such a fighter for everyday people, said one progressive organizer who was cheering for both Bushs and Bowmans reelection efforts.

Now all that district has is a Democratic nominee who has proven that his loyalty rests with big money interests that dont give a damn about hungry babies in St. Louis, the progressive said.

AIPAC celebrated Bushs loss against Bell, a prosecutor from St. Louis, as a key step toward protecting the countrys alliance with Israel.

Our sole criterion for supporting candidates or opposing candidates is their position on the U.S.-Israel relationship, AIPAC spokesperson Marshall Wittmann told The Hill after Bushs loss.

Wittmann pointed to Bell and George Latimer, who ousted Bowman in his Bronx-Westchester district, as important pickups whom he believes still carry the progressive torch in less divisive ways.

The pro-Israel mainstream has sent a powerful message that America stands with Israel as it battles Iranian terrorist proxies, he said. Voters across America are rejecting anti-Israel voices in favor of candidates who understand the vital importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Progressives rooting for Bush and Bowmans seats to be saved vehemently disagree with that view. Those who came out against AIPACs spending say that the group has become more prominent and has a greater record now of defeating their opposition.

While many on the progressive left are united in anger at the groups influence, there is some daylight in terms of how they think they should counter it.

Progressives in Congress and organizers working to maintain their coalition say that changing the campaign finance structure is the most important step to curb the power of outside spending groups like AIPAC.

If theres any one strategy to focus on in the aftermath of Bowman and Bushs election results, its campaign finance reform, said Hassan Martini, who runs No Dem Left Behind, a progressive group that recruits and trains new left-wing candidates.

Martini, who like many Democratic strategists has been critical of the seemingly boundless cash influx, said that such reform should be of interest to both parties and the factions within them.

Pushing for changes would empower democracy by amplifying small-dollar donors, increasing transparency in funding, and lowering barriers for everyday candidates, he said.

Since Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton, progressives have been pushing to restructure the system powering elections but havent gotten very far. Sanders was able to get his presidential campaign through two cycles using that model, but other candidates have replicated it with different levels of success, depending on their district, the strength of their rivals and their individual flaws.

AIPAC had to spend $8.5 million to get 51% of the vote to defeat Cori Bush, Sanders wrote in a post on the social platform X. Billionaires buying elections is not what this country is supposed to be about. We have to end Citizens United and super PACs and move to public funding of elections.

Others on the left speculate that things will get worse before they get better, meaning that there could be more candidate casualties as the country prepares for a presidential election and possible shift of power on Capitol Hill.

I havent heard of an actual strategy to combat AIPAC money deciding races. If Im being totally honest, I havent seen a cohesive or significant left strategy in quite some time, said Tim Black, an independent media figure with progressive leanings who hosts a popular YouTube show.

Another progressive projected even less confidence in the lefts approach to AIPAC.

I think the Democratic ticket would rather lose the election than defy Israel, said the left-wing voice, who is in touch with prominent leaders in the movement. I would love to be wrong about that.

In the short term, voters looking for decency and morality on this issue will be very frustrated, the source said, calling it a runaway freight train.

Both the populist left and right are getting more furious about our Israel policy every passing day, the source said. There will be a huge uprising next year, if this conflict continues, no matter who is president. And if Israel starts this giant war in the Middle East and we back them, there will be the largest protests this country has ever seen.

Bush herself gave voice to the growing anger over AIPAC in the immediate aftermath of her primary defeat.

AIPAC, Im coming to tear your kingdom down, Bush said Tuesday night, sparking backlash from moderate Democrats.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was among those who denounced the remarks.

This kind of rhetoric is inflammatory and divisive and incredibly unhelpful, she said to reporters. Were going to continue to condemn any type of political rhetoric in that way, in that vein.

President Biden and Vice President Harris, the partys new nominee, did not wade into the primary, much to the chagrin of progressives who argued it could have helped Bush win.

Bush and Bowman both lost over what some deem as careless errors and bad optics, including a federal investigation into Bushs use of security and Bowmans improper pulling of a fire alarm in a Capitol Hill building.

Adding to the narrative that they were against Biden, Bush voted against the infrastructure bill and both called for a cease-fire during the Israel-Hamas war.

Progressives say those political blunders could have been overcome in isolation, but taken together made them easy targets. And their firmness in what AIPAC, the United Democracy Project and other pro-Israel groups deem as working against their cause was made worse by the lack of support from the administration.

Quickly, many so-called progressives will find themselves caught being much less committed to the issues than Bush or Bowman, said Black.

They seem far more committed to maintaining this pathetic identity politics lest be branded a racist, a misogynist or a Trump supporter, he said.

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These properties have been in Ga. families for generations. Will eminent domain take them?

A lawyer representing several Hancock County property owners asked the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) Tuesday to overturn a hearing officers recommendation to let Sandersville Railroad Co. condemn 43 acres through eminent domain.

The freight rail line is seeking to use the states eminent domain power to acquire the land for the Hanson Spur, which would be used to ship locally mined granite, farm products and timber along a CSX line to markets.

Some of the properties have been in the affected families for generations. One owner inherited their land from an ancestor born into slavery, while another family has owned their property since the Civil War.

The hearing officer ruled in April that the project would serve a legitimate public purpose and, thus, eminent domain would be justified.

But the company has failed to demonstrate the project either would benefit the public or that other alternatives wouldnt accomplish its purpose, Bill Maurer, a senior attorney for the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm based in Arlington, Va., told the PSC.

This commission got remarkably little information, remarkably few documents for a project this size, Maurer said. We believe it is impossible for the commission to find this is a legitimate purpose because we simply do not know enough about this project.

But Robert Highsmith, the lawyer representing the company, said the state law governing eminent domain doesnt require such details as a feasibility study, a noise impact analysis or an economic analysis of the projects value.

Highsmith also argued that eminent domain exists in state and federal law for good reason.

Every condemnation is a failure of a private negotiation for sale but a recognition that a public use and a public need is enough to justify the exercise of eminent domain, Highsmith said. Without it, we wouldnt have airports, we wouldnt have roads, we wouldnt have railroads.

Maurer and Highsmith also clashed over whether the Hanson Spur project would benefit the public.

This project is not about meeting a public need, nor is it about providing a necessary service to the public, Maurer said. It arises for one reason and one reason only: the private want of private companies for more money.

Maurer went on to the argue that reforms to Georgias eminent domain law the General Assembly passed in 2006 explicitly state that economic development does not constitute a public purpose for a project.

But Highsmith said that same 2006 law also states that business conducted by railroads qualifies as a public purpose.

(The spur) opens a channel of trade, and that channel of trade is going to be used by multiple customers, he said.

Highsmith said five business owners who plan to use the spur provided testimony to the hearing officer.

A lawyer for the Southern Poverty Law Center also addressed the commission, arguing the spur would have an impact beyond the specific property owners affected by the project. Jamie Rush spoke on behalf of the No Railroad in Our Community Coalition.

Members have an interest in seeing this historically and predominantly Black neighborhood maintain its nature and character, including preventing increased industry and environmental burden on its residents, she said.

Maurer asked the commission to at least stay any eminent domain order the PSC approves until after the case has been litigated in court.

Highsmith countered that a stay isnt necessary because the project could not be built until negotiations establishing just compensation for the properties are completed.
House Speaker Tim Moore accepts a letter on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 signed by N.C. parents urging Republican lawmakers to keep their promise to fully fund private school vouchers for 55,000 students on a state waitlist. Critics of the voucher expansion say lawmakers should prioritize public schools.

Back to 1954?

The writer is director of teacher education at North Carolina Wesleyan University.

In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that legalized segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Yet, here we are 70 years later watching the resegregation of public schools.

In our state and across the country, the tools maintaining this drive towards quasi-legalized segregation continue to be vouchers and charter school policies.

If we work to fully integrate and equally fund our public schools, and remove the voucher system, we will see a positive impact on our society at large. As children get to know and respect those who are racially, ethnically and socioeconomically different from themselves, as adults they will implement the ideal that all men are created equal

To do otherwise, we may find ourselves in a society 70 years from now that is more representative of the hatred of 1954.

Kelvin Spragley, Rocky Mount

School vouchers

Regarding Parents lobby NC House GOP for private school voucher plan, (Aug. 1):

These parents are asking for our state tax dollars to fund their kids private school tuition instead of that money going to public schools. School voucher money given to private school parents deprives our public schools  which serve all students in this state.

I pray that years from now well look back at this insane program of funding private, often religious-based schools with public tax dollars as the most irresponsible legislation ever devised by the GOP. Oh wait, there was that bathroom bill... And the ballot initiatives to amend the state Constitution. Alas, so much recklessness to choose from.

Brad Bradshaw, Raleigh

Robinson, abortion

When he was young and in a big fix Mark Robinson believed abortion access was a necessary thing. As a candidate  now in a fix of another kind  he says he now believes in abortion up to 12 weeks. His new stance on abortion is a practical one.

There are many people who dont believe abortion should be legal until they need it themselves. Lets be forgiving of Robinson, his wife and all women who choose abortion  and lets return to the abortion law we had for 50 years before the Dobbs decision.

Janice Woychik, Chapel Hill

Dangerous liberal?

Republican leaders were quick to label Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz as dangerously liberal.

Is Walz dangerously liberal because he advocates universal background checks and the banning of assault weapons? Or perhaps it is his support for the protection of Social Security and Medicare and the preservation of the Affordable Care Act. Or maybe it is his support for a womans right to make her own decisions about her reproductive health.

Walz and presidential nominee Kamala Harris know that most voters support the positions they have taken, and these commitments will likely determine the outcome of the next election. Republicans should be worried.

Thomas K. Spence Jr., Sanford

Congress

As sanctimonious members of Congress in both parties excoriated the Secret Service director for her failure to do her No. 1 job  prevent assassination attempts  and insisted she resign, one could only agree with their conclusion.

Using the same logic, since job No. 1 for Congress is passing a complete budget prior to the start of a new fiscal year, all of Congress should resign if the budget is not in place.

Since Congress hasnt passed a timely budget for 25 years, voters should demand accountability. Every candidate must commit to resign if the budget is not in place before the fiscal year begins.

Thomas Shute, Raleigh

ACC realignment

The ACC is dead. Yes, there is a large group of teams from around the country that will sometimes play together, but the excitement of the interplay between schools like NC State, Wake Forest, UNC and Virginia is over. We will continue to follow a couple of the schools that are important to us, but we will no longer watch an event simply because it is between two ACC teams.

Robert C. Jensen, Holly Springs
Public urged to look out for missing man with dementia who disappeared in Southern California

Authorities and worried community members are urging SoCal residents to be on the lookout for a man with dementia who disappeared in Glendale.

According to the Glendale Police Department, Maurice Ainsworth was last seen walking westbound in the 600 block of Myrtle Street on July 31 at 6:35 p.m.

A missing persons flyer distributed on social media and sent to KTLA by multiple viewers dictates that he was last seen on July 30 after walking away from his nursing home facility, Glendale House, which is located in the 600 block of Myrtle.

Missing Southern California mans car found abandoned, family pleads for help

Ainsworth is a 59-year-old Black man standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, police said. The flyer sent to KTLA by viewers lists him as around 6 feet, 9 inches tall and usually 190 pounds but will be thinner.

He is reported to have dementia, and may appear confused, disoriented and afraid, Glendale police added.

The flyer stated the same information but added that Maurice is gentle and kind.

Beginning Thursday, KTLA received several emails from concerned community members searching for information regarding Ainsworths whereabouts.

In the emails, people described him as a friend of many who never hesitates to be of service whenever and wherever its needed.

According to one viewer, Ainsworth, a native of Oakland, is a beloved member of the Alcoholics Anonymous community. He has been sober  and helped countless others on their journey to sobriety  for decades.

Suspected DUI driver arrested after fleeing scene of fatal North Hollywood hit-and-run

He was recently diagnosed with early onset dementia, and she says that his cognitive and physical decline has been dramatic and heartbreaking.

Due to his diagnosis, he was moved to the nursing home in Glendale, where he became confused and scared after two days of living there, the viewer added.

Its deeply painful to know he has been lost in an unfamiliar city, suffering from dementia, another viewer said. We are doing all we can to locate him and get him home safely.

Anyone with information on Maurice Ainsworths whereabouts is asked to contact the Glendale Police Department.

According to the missing persons flyer distributed by community members, anyone who sees Maurice can call or text 510-393-3596 or call the Glendale House at 818-484-7464.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  On Friday, August 9, 2024, around 8:30 p.m., Pukalani residents were evacuated from their homes while Maui Police Department and FBI investigated a stolen vehicle potentially linked to the Pukalani IED incident.

Wailuku Patrol officers located the vehicle which was later deemed safe and unrelated to the IED case.

At around 10:57 p.m. roadways were reopened and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
After more than eight weeks, the Pioneer Fire was just 13% contained Friday night, as the fire continued its charge up Lake Chelan.

According to fire crews, no structures have been damaged or lost, though the flames have sometimes come within 20 feet of properties.

Crews credit a significant sprinkler system and hose line theyve deployed across 27 miles.

The center of the fight is now in Stehekin, a small community on Lake Chelan thats only accessible by boat (or air).

Its been pure hell, Stehekin resident Darrel Newman said.

Newmans cabin has been in his family for nearly 75 years.

Weve fought many fires down there but this was unbelievable, he said.

Fire crews were able to keep his cabin standing, but Newman says backfire burned about 75% of his property.

Stehekins rugged and steep terrain has proven challenging and dangerous for firefighters. With no roads in or out, crews have had to rely on barges and ferries to ship personnel and equipment from Chelan.

I have to say, in my 20-plus career of doing this I dont think Ive ever been on a fire that was almost entirely supported logistically via boat, said Stephen Fillmore, Deputy Incident Commander with California Fire Incident Management Team 15.

Nearly 800 firefighters were fighting the fire on Saturday. Crews have been deployed from all across the country, including California and New York.

Fillmore estimates that somewhere between 75-90 residents have remained in Stehekin, despite the community being under a Level 3 Evacuation.

Some have jumped into action to save lives and structures.

It was a panicked phone call, said Nick Davis, who lives in Stehekin. She said, Hey the fires jumped the line.

Davis gathered a few others and rode a boat down to assist his friends in crisis.

We set up lines and pumps, he said. Spent about four to five hours knocking down the fire.

Even though all of the towns structures are still standing, Davis knows the impact will be long-lasting.

Here in Stehekin, weve got about four months to earn our living, he said.

Without the business of the fire crews battling the fire, his business, Stehekin Reservations, would have been shut down all summer.

Not only are you staring down the barrel of a 50% reduction of annual income, but the money that you have in the bank is disappearing quickly because youre processing refunds, he said.

While fire officials advise residents to leave, those who have stayed behind have done their part to assist crews on the ground.

Theyve been transporting firefighters, Fillmore said. Theyve kept the bakery open.

Families here all pulled together and helped the fire service, Newman said.

Crews continue the fight 24 hours each day, both on the ground and by air. Theyre also using an infrared drone to monitor for hot spots. Still, no end is in sight.

The U.S. Forest Service has warned multiple firefighters in the Pacific Northwest that the fire may continue to burn until the region experiences significant rainfall or snowfall this fall.

You can monitor the latest updates on the Pioneer Fire here.
Why Finlands quiet archipelago is now on alert for Russian spies

Lieutenant Juri Jalava keeps a stern eye on the red granite shores of the Baltic coastline as his patrol ship cuts through the water.

When he joined the Finnish coastguard in the aftermath of the Cold War, Lt Jalava was mainly inspecting pleasure boats and perhaps fishing out the odd drunk tourist.

Today, his patrol routine has been transformed by the tensions with Moscow; since the invasion of Ukraine and Finlands entry into Nato, he is on alert for potential Russian spies or saboteurs.

Everything has become more intense, Lt Jalava told The Telegraph as his vessel cruised past a cluster of wind power turbines near the Aland Islands, an autonomous territory of Finland which is his main area of surveillance.

We are taking great care watching what happens, not exactly in our area of operations but further, to get indications of what is possibly approaching our waters, he said.

Though sea surveillance has increased across Europe, the situation is much more complex around the Aland Islands, a remote archipelago of 30,000 residents covered in timber fishing huts and sauna shacks.

Under a Soviet-era security pact, the islands are completely demilitarised, with no fortifications or military forces allowed in the area. This means Lt Jalavas small but vigilant border guard has become much more important in surveilling the waters for any Russian threats.

As tensions rise, some defence and intelligence voices in Finland have started to openly suggest it is time for the Aland area to be re-militarised, following the example of Swedens Gotland island, which was rearmed in response to the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Pekka Toveri, a former head of the Finnish intelligence services, has claimed that re-armament of the Aland Islands would make it easier for us to react when necessary and increase the safety of the Alanders and the rest of us if the situation worsens.

Others have gone as far as describing the Aland Islands as the Baltics Achilles heel, pointing out that whoever controls them can block maritime access to the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland.

At the same time, around 96 per cent of Finlands trade passes along waters near the Aland Islands, granting them major strategic value.

Lt Juri Jalava surveys the Sea of Aland, a strategic region in the Baltic Sea - David Rose/The Telegraph

Lt Jalava with his deputy commander, Ilja Iljin - David Rose/The Telegraph

As Lt Jalava continues his patrol, he says a key concern for the Aland area is loitering boats and ships which may be trying to cut undersea cables or damage other key infrastructure. Such attacks are part of Russias hybrid war on Europe, a revenge of sorts for the Wests strong support of Ukrainian forces.

He has good reason to be suspicious: the Balticconnector, a 77km-long gas pipeline connecting Nato members in the Baltic Sea, was mysteriously damaged in October 2023, with Russia the prime suspect.

This follows suspected Russian sabotage attacks in Britain, Poland and Germany, where a major arms factory supporting the Ukrainian army was set ablaze in May 2024.

Finland has also been forced to close its 1,300 km-long border with Russia in response to Moscow trying to push migrants and asylum seekers across the frontier.

Lt Jalava said: 'Everything has become more intense' - David Rose/The Telegraph

Another issue for the Aland Islands is Russias so-called shadow fleet, a gaggle of rusty, foreign-flagged tankers that evade sanctions by transporting oil and other goods to Russia.

As the ships only skirt Finlands territorial waters, little can be done to stop them  but they also pose significant environmental hazards as they are in such a poor state of repair, Lt Jalava said.

On the islands themselves, which have a fierce spirit of independence, there seems to be little appetite for sullying the red cliffs, sauna resorts and pine forests with military bases or air defence batteries.

Jorgen Pettersson, the speaker of the Lagting, the Aland Islands parliament in the capital of Mariehamn, said: Were not naive, were following very carefully whats happening, but we are convinced our internationally agreed solution is good enough, so the islanders dont have to be afraid.

We dont really see the point of being nervous, we managed storms and we managed unforeseen things that have happened over the years, he said during a tour of the parliament, where he pointed out a bloody mural by a local artist depicting several Russian incursions into the islands over the past two centuries.

The island archipelago of Aland is an autonomous group of Swedish-speaking islands under the protectorate of Finland in the Baltic Sea - David Rose/The Telegraph

The island's autonomous status is closely interwoven with its existence as a demilitarised zone, a status that has existed for more than 80 years - David Rose/The Telegraph

There is also scepticism as to whether re-armament, which requires international consensus, would make the islands any safer. Finland is already committed to defending the islands with its surrounding navy, and as a new member of Nato it can call for aid from the Western alliance if a Russian invasion happened.

Its not true that its a black hole, said Minna Alander, a Finnish security expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. Just because it is demilitarised, it doesnt mean there are not plans to defend it.

Finnish officials bristle at the suggestion they could just withdraw from the pact with Russia and rearm the island.

Concerns over existential invasion

Consistently ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, they pride themselves on sticking to a rules-based order  a moral high ground that would be lost if they broke the treaty by unilaterally sending troops to the Aland Islands.

But the concern remains that Russia may set its sights on Aland, even if the islanders dont feel that re-armament is the solution. Mikael Boden, the head of the Swedish armed forces, has warned that he believes Putin has both eyes on Gotland and probably...the Aland Islands as well.

As for the wider region, a recent joint statement by British and Baltic diplomats said that Russia may in a few years pivot from the war in Ukraine to an existential invasion of the Baltic Sea.

In interviews with The Telegraph, Finnish and Estonian diplomats have warned that Russia is probing defences in the Baltic region in what may be part of early planning to capture the region in the event of a Nato-Russia war.

In recent months Moscow has also reignited other border disputes with Finland and Estonia, publishing a proposal to revise its sea frontier with Finland and removing sea buoys in Estonian waters used to mark out the border with Russia.

Viljar Lubi, the Estonian ambassador to Britain, said at the time: This is part of this ongoing hybrid warfare: Russia is aggressively trying to destabilise our society and also our support for Ukraine.

We need to be well prepared.

Island residents have mounted a very vocal daily protest outside the Russian Consulate in the capital Mariehamn every day since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine - David Rose/The Telegraph

Back on the Aland Islands, residents have for the past 900 days been gathering in the evenings outside the Russian consulate  which remains in place due to the demilitarisation pact  to demand an end to the invasion of Ukraine.

Every evening at 5pm, islanders bearing Putin go home and murderers, leave Ukraine placards gather outside the consulate. Sometimes they even approach tourists arriving from the ferries nearby and encourage them to take part as well.

I try to come as often as I can, said Anne-Maj Morn, 80, whose father had several brushes with death during the 1939 Winter War against the Soviet Union. One way or another we hope there will be a solution but of course thats too optimistic as long as Putin is in power.

Another islander, Harriet Tuomien, 78, put it more starkly: If the war in Ukraine goes wrong, maybe Russia will go further to try and get more land.

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I quit Goldman Sachs to be a stay-at-home dad. More men should look after the kids so women can have careers.

Pranshu Dwivedi spent more than a decade working at Goldman Sachs, before leaving in 2024.

He wanted to become a stay-at-home-dad, taking on more duties at home while his wife worked.

Dwivedi said more men need to stay home with the kids to allow women to have careers.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Pranshu Dwivedi, 35, from New Delhi, about quitting his job at Goldman Sachs to be a stay-at-home dad. Business Insider verified his employment at Goldman Sachs with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I joined Goldman Sachs as an intern in 2011, and in 2012 I got a full-time job as an analyst working in their Bengaluru office.

I spent close to 12 years at the company. It's where I met my wife, who joined the company after me. We had two children in 2018 and 2023.

In 2023, I resigned from my job and became a stay-at-home dad. I enjoyed a great career, but now I want to focus on my family and take the mental load of housework off of my wife  I think other men should be open to doing the same.

I loved my experience at Goldman Sachs. My family and career grew while I worked there.

I joined Goldman Sachs full-time in 2012, working on the equity research team. Working at a preeminent financial institution like Goldman is a dream job. I was earning a good salary and felt like I'd gotten somewhere in life.

I had a great experience at Goldman. There was a flat hierarchy where junior employees could contribute at the highest level. I loved working in different locations, and I always felt like I was growing.

My long tenure is a testament to how much I enjoyed working there  it's the only job I've had.

I met my wife when she joined the company in 2014. We started dating and got married in 2017. Later that year, we both relocated to the Hong Kong Goldman office.

We had our son in December 2018, and in January, we were both promoted: my wife from analyst to associate and myself from associate to executive director. It was a great period; our family and careers were expanding.

The pandemic made us rethink our parenting arrangements and I eventually decided to quit my job

Our son was a top priority, but we were both working hard and near the start of our careers in Hong Kong.

My wife went back to work after maternity leave, and we hired a full-time helper to look after our son. We tried to finish work by 6 or 7 p.m. and drop home for lunch whenever we could.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our son was just over a year old. We got to work from home and spend more time with him, but still had our helper around most of the time. Seeing our son experience our presence made us realize that with our second child, we wanted at least one parent to always be around.

Mothers typically take career breaks to be with their kids, but we had similar careers, and I was open to taking a break instead.

When our second child was born in February 2023, my wife had moved to a different company. Goldman introduced 20 weeks off for parents irrespective of gender, and we both took parental leave.

It reinforced our decision that I should leave my job.

We'd been in Hong Kong for nearly six years, but we didn't want to build our lives there. The plan was for me to quit, and we'd move to Delhi, where my wife's family lives.

My wife's firm was flexible, allowing her to work from home in Delhi and be around the kids. Meanwhile, I wanted to fully devote my time to family rather than juggling a job and parenting.

Working parents claim our jobs are just a salary, but in reality, we tie our identities to them and center our days around them.

We spend eight to 10 hours a day at work. We may have a couple of hours with our kids at home, but they aren't the center of our calendars, even if they are the center of our lives.

I wanted to change that, so I handed in my resignation in November 2023 and left the company in February 2024.

We were both earning six figures in USD at our jobs and had enough saved that finances wouldn't be an issue after I quit, especially living in India, where the cost of living is lower than Hong Kong. We now fund our lifestyles through my wife's income and the returns from our joint savings.

I'm very privileged to be able to leave my job. I got to build a financial cushion and experience a great career.

I've tried to take on more responsibilities at home and relieve my wife of them

I've tried to take on as many childcare responsibilities as I can. Now, I drop off and pick up my son and care for our younger child while my wife is at work. We split tasks like bath times and putting the kids to bed 50/50, but I've taken more ownership of other chores.

It's great not having to look at my calendar for anything my wife and kids need me for.

We still have a helper who cooks, but childcare is handled completely by my wife and me.

My wife has always been the captain of the household tasks. Since I don't instinctively know what needs to be done, she delegates tasks to me. I want to help take the mental load off of her.

She's still in charge of the kitchen, giving instructions to our helper and cooking occasionally herself. I'm not into cooking, but I want to learn.

I'm now probably busier during the day than I was at Goldman. I also have side ventures like angel investing and writing, which help me stay intellectually stimulated. They only take up a couple of hours when my family is asleep.

I want to keep anchoring my life around my family, but once my daughter starts school, I'll need to fill up my time. It's more likely that I'll work on a passion project rather than a corporate job again unless circumstances require me to have another job.

Stay-at-home dads are still a rarity, and I think that needs to change

I'm proud of being a stay-at-home dad, but in a society like India, it's still conventional for the man to be the breadwinner. I've kept the news about what I'm doing now on a need-to-know basis.

Even outside India, fewer women occupy senior positions at work. We live in a world that recognizes gender inequalities more than ever before, but there's still so much more room to change things.

A lot of women take career breaks to prioritize their kids, which enables the men to work. If there's ever going to be parity between men and women, more men need to be the ones staying home with the kids.

Do you have a story about being a stay-at-home parent or breadwinner that you'd like to share Business Insider? Email ccheong@businessinsider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  The Texas Department of Public Safety reinstated a Texas Ranger in early August after a suspension over his response to the May 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

In May 2022, a lone gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in conjoined classrooms at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. It took 77 minutes for law enforcement officers from dozens of agencies to breach the classroom and take down the 18-year-old gunman. In total, there were 376 law enforcement officers who responded.

DPS Director Steven McCraw informed Texas Ranger Ryan Kindell on Aug. 2 that he would be removed from suspension and allowed to return to his position in Uvalde County, according to documents obtained by Nexstar on Aug. 5. A grand jury in the county determined Kindell did not break protocol or laws in his response to the mass shooting.

BACKGROUND: DPS to fire Texas Ranger for inaction during Uvalde school shooting

McCraw previously told Nexstar that he was waiting on the completion of an internal criminal investigation, as well as the Uvalde County grand jury findings, before making a final decision about Kindells job status.

I have decided to alter my preliminary decision based upon a review of the completed Texas Ranger criminal investigation, McCraw wrote. An internal review of the actions of Texas Department of Public Safety officers who responded to the attack and subsequent to the review by the Uvalde County grand jury of the law enforcement response at Robb Elementary.

In his Friday letter, McCraw noted that Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell and the grand jury did not find Kindell to have any criminal culpability for his actions during the shooting.

READ MORE: Texas Ranger reinstated after suspension for role in Uvalde school shooting

The Uvalde grand jury reviewed all law enforcement officers who responded to the attack at Robb Elementary and no action was taken on officers employed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Further, [Mitchell] has requested that you be reinstated to your former position, McCraw wrote.

The DAs findings are consistent with internal records obtained by KXAN in a 2023 investigation, which showed the two highest-ranking Texas Rangers said Kindell should not face repercussions based on his actions that day.

McCraws initial determination to terminate Kindell went against the recommendations of the chief and assistant chief of the Texas Rangers who found there is a lack of evidence to suggest Kindell should have acted differently on May 24, 2022.

Kindells attorney declined to comment.

New Mexico launches campaign to recruit Texas medical workers

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham paid for full-page advertisements to run Sunday in five major newspapers, including the Austin American-Statesman. Those ads included an open letter from the governor, where she framed her pitch around offering a different political environment for Texas medical workers.

I know that legal restrictions on healthcare in Texas have created a heavy burden for medical practitioners  especially those of you now barred by law from providing the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, Grishams letter read. It must be distressing that a draconian abortion ban has restricted your right to practice and turned it into a political weapon.

The ads also feature a link to a Free to Provide state website where approximately 120 medical providers in New Mexico have now posted openings for positions that range broadly from nurses to doctors. State leaders told KXAN theyll circle back with these providers as early as next week to see whether New Mexicos campaign led to an increase in applicants.

I certainly respect those of you who remain committed to caring for patients in Texas, but I also invite those of you who can no longer tolerate these restrictions to consider practicing next door in New Mexico, Grisham wrote. Were fiercely committed to protecting medical freedoms here and were taking steps to ensure that what happened in Texas never happens in New Mexico.

The state is spending about $400,000 to run this monthlong campaign, which also features a series of six billboards placed around Houston hospitals to encourage workers there to consider relocating to New Mexico.

Were providing a lot of health care to Texans right now, and we didnt create the legal or political dynamic that Texas has created, said Patrick Allen, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health. Every state out there is looking for providers, taking advantage of every opportunity that it has where it thinks it has a competitive advantage over another state, and I cant see why on earth we wouldnt take advantage of the decisions Texas has made so far.

Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, slammed the effort Monday. He also included a link to a June study from the University of New Mexico showing the states population growth is projected to remain flat and get increasingly older.

People and businesses vote with their feet, and continually they are choosing to move to Texas more than any other state in the country. Governor Lujan Grisham should focus on her states rapidly declining population instead of political stunts, Mahaleris said.

However, Dr. Tina Philip, president of the Travis County Medical Society, called New Mexicos campaign a bold move that some physicians may seriously consider.

Is there a moment where you think, well, maybe this could be a possibility? Sure, Philip said. But I think ultimately, most of us, we live here for a reason. We are committed to being in Texas  whether its family or weve grown up here or we moved here and we love it. It would be great if we felt that we could practice medicine without interference, but ultimately, I think most people are committed to being in Texas.

Extremely violent and scary: St. Davids surveillance video shows ER crash

It looks like it felt, Levi Bernard said. It was really, really, extremely violent and scary.

Six months after a drunk driver sped into St. Davids North Austin Medical Center, newly obtained surveillance footage shows how it all unfolded.

The Bernard family says its important for the public, and policymakers, to see what happened  especially as Austin leaders, other cities, and at least one state senator, consider new hospital safety laws following a KXAN investigation. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, is even asking for a bollard review of all federal facilities in the southwestern U.S.

EXPLORE: KXAN finds hundreds of hospital crashes, no bollard requirement

Were still very grateful to be alive, said Nadia, Levis wife, who is still recovering. Were doing better. Its a slow progress.

In a statement, St. Davids asked KXAN not to air the videos, even with faces blurred, citing concerns over the privacy of our patients and employees. A city attorney who released the videos said it is evidence, and now public information, in a closed police case. KXAN editors ensured any identities beyond the Bernard family have been concealed.

Levi and Nadia Bernard with their toddlers, Sunny and Rio, left, before being run over by a car in the lobby of St. Davids North Austin Medical Center. (Source: Austin Police Department)

The footage shows a white Acura sedan arriving to the hospital around 4:55 p.m. on Feb. 13  more than 30 minutes before the deadly crash. At 5:34 p.m., video shows the car speeding toward the hospital ER doors. Inside, more than a dozen people are in the lobby waiting room, including all four members of the Bernard family.

The surveillance video shows just how close other patients came to being run over, including one person who jumped out of the way at the last second. Nadia and Levi were standing next to a large aquarium at the time with their two toddlers, whose faces were pressed up against the glass to get a closer look at the fish. In an instant, the car smashes into them, sending water, glass and debris flying everywhere. The car stopped when it crashed into a wall at the registration desk.

The driver, Michelle Holloway, had a blood alcohol level three to four times the legal limit to drive, toxicology results found. She never let off the gas as the car increased speed from 15 to 47 miles per hour, a police investigation found.

KXAN attempted to reach members of Holloways family but were unsuccessful.

The footage is now evidence in a $1 million lawsuit against St. Davids alleging gross negligence for not having security bollards at the time  a security feature in place at its other hospitals. St. Davids North Austin Medical Center installed a dozen bollards after the crash.

READ MORE: St. Davids surveillance video shows ER crash

Why they waited until afterwards is a question only St. Davids will be able to answer. And we are going to get that answer, said the Bernard familys attorney Sean Breen, with the Austin law firm Howry Breen & Herman. It is a 100% engineering probability that bollards would have stopped this car, and nobody would have been hurt.

Concern grows about using AI technology in political ads

The Federal Communications Commission is rushing to finalize a rule mandating TV and radio advertisers disclose when theyre using AI technology in political ads.

Groups like Public Citizen, which has been pushing AI guardrails, praised the FCCs action but admit its unlikely the rule will pass before the November election.

So, its entirely possible that we are going to have late breaking deep fakes that show a candidate drunk or saying something racist or behaving in outrageous ways when theyve never said any of those things, says Public Citizen President Robert Weissman.

Nearly two dozen states already passed bills to clamp down on AI generated images and Big Tech CEOs have promised to remove or label deep fake content posted on their platforms.

However, federal legislation remains stalled. Before leaving for recess, Senate Republicans blocked two bipartisan bills, one to ban deep fake political ads and another to require labels on AI-generated ads.

On the floor, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) argued it would be outrageous to allow the technology to go unchecked this close to an election. She says Elon Musks decision to retweet an AI-generated parody video that impersonates the voice of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris underscores the problem.

Musk did not include a note labeling the video as AI generated. He argues that because the video was a parody, it did not need a label.

Klobuchar promised to try and pass both bills again once lawmakers return from recess in the fall.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Rat poison is just one of the potentially dangerous substances likely to be mixed into illicit drugs

Over 150 people in Illinois started bleeding uncontrollably after using synthetic cannabis-based products  including fake marijuana, Spice and K2  that contained the rat poison brodifacoum in March and April 2018. By the end of July 2021, these banned products were still being sold in 10 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in hundreds of severe bleeds and several deaths.

Illicit drug use was responsible for an estimated 166,613 deaths worldwide in 2017 due to overdose. The increased risk of disease and injury associated with illicit drug use caused an additional estimated 585,348 premature deaths. And its impossible to tease out whether people were harmed by the drugs themselves or by the myriad impurities added to them.

I am a clinical pharmacologist and guest editor for a special supplement in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology on commonly abused substances. I also surveyed the research in 2021 on whats known about illicit drug adulteration. The research is clear: Adding impurities to, or adulterating, illicit drugs is a longstanding and widespread practice with harmful consequences.

You seldom get what you pay for

Drugmakers include other ingredients for a few reasons, whether to cut costs by bulking up their product with cheaper nonactive ingredients or to achieve particular effects by adding other drugs to mask poor product quality or imitate the desired effect of the drug itself.

Prior to the 2000s, drugs including cocaine and heroin were being cut, or diluted, with inactive ingredients like sugars to enlarge supply and increase profits. Since then, buyers of cocaine and heroin products frequently receive a cocktail of adulterants that mimic the products intended effects or mask side effects due to poor quality.

For example, the active ingredient of ecstasy, MDMA, is what produces the products intended effects. However, a 2004 study assessing ecstasy tablets from drug seizures at raves found that 20% of the products contained no MDMA, and dosage varied widely in products that did. Cheaper and more dangerous stimulants and psychedelics like synthetic bath salts and LSD are frequently swapped for MDMA without alerting the buyer.

Some drugs are so adulterated that they contain little to none of the active ingredient that buyers seek. portokalis/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Drugs added to intensify effects

Over 70% of cocaine products contain levamisole, a drug for worm infections that increases the intensity and duration of stimulant effects. It was banned in the U.S. in 1999 because it suppresses red and white blood cell production and increases the risk of life-threatening infections and anemia. These side effects are seen at doses over 150 milligrams, and 35% of seized cocaine products in the U.S. exceed that level.

Other additives are commonly added to cocaine to intensify effects. Aminorex, a stimulant and appetite suppressant, was withdrawn by the FDA in 1972 after it caused a number of pulmonary hypertension cases that resulted in heart failure and death. Similarly, caffeine is frequently added to intensify the adrenaline rush. While safe when taken alone in lower doses, higher doses of caffeine in combination with other stimulants can induce seizures and heart rhythm problems.

For heroin, veterinary anesthetic xylazine is commonly added to intensify its relaxing effect. And fentanyl is increasingly being used as a substitute. Because fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, a smaller amount of total product can produce similar effects. But adding even just a slightly larger amount of fentanyl than expected can easily result in an overdose.

Covering up adulteration and poor manufacturing quality

Manufacturers also add impurities to compensate for lost effects due to adulteration. Anesthetics like lidocaine and benzocaine are added to adulterated products to reproduce the tingling sensation on the gums or tongue that drug dealers look for to assess cocaine quality. While these anesthetics are FDA approved, they can cause seizures and heart rhythm problems with the wrong dose.

A similar technique is used for heroin. Manufacturers commonly add malaria drug quinine to mimic heroins bitter taste and the initial drop in blood pressure when its administered.

Adulterants may be added to mimic the expected effects of a particular drug. KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Poor heroin production also creates a lot of impurities that can cause severe chills and pain at the injection site. To get around these side effects, manufacturers frequently add antihistamines like Benadryl and pain relievers like Tylenol. The pain reliever metamizole, which was recalled in 1977 for health risks, is sometimes used instead of Tylenol.

The double-edged sword of field testing

Adulterants can lead to dangerous side effects. But because additives arent disclosed to the buyer and most of them have been banned by the FDA, clinicians might not recognize or even suspect that an adulterant is the cause of a patients symptoms.

While consumer-based methods to test for drug impurities may help, they arent foolproof. Volunteers at music festivals in the 2010s offered MDMA purity testing so attendees could decide whether they wanted to use the drugs they had. If they were injured, attendees could alert emergency personnel about potential adulterants they were exposed to. Unfortunately, over 40% of the adulterated samples were missed by those field testing kits and discovered days later only with sophisticated laboratory equipment.

With illicit drugs, the difference between what you believe you are buying and what is actually in the product can be the difference between life and death. If you are suffering from drug addiction, resources are available to help you manage your addiction and achieve sobriety.

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: C. Michael White, University of Connecticut

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C. Michael White 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.
What was really behind the denial of this Idaho solar farm? | Opinion

Ada County commissioners made a shortsighted and arbitrary decision in denying a proposal for a solar farm in a rural part of the county.

As the Idaho Statesmans Sarah Cutler reported, Ada County commissioners on July 30 voted to deny a solar developers application for a nearly 2,500-acre project west of South Robinson Road and north of Kuna Cave Road that could help power nearly 45,000 homes.

Commissioners cited testimony from neighbors opposed to the proposal.

If (solar developer Savion has) future solar projects, commissioner Ryan Davidson said, I hope they and other solar companies do take into consideration that people move to Idaho for a certain way of life, and people dont really want to see that change.

By that logic, then, why approve anything?

Why approve, for example, Spring Rock, a 2,750-house subdivision on 776 acres of land near Kuna, which Ada County commissioners approved last year?

And make no mistake, while Ada County commissioners approve massive developments like Spring Rock, the Treasure Valley is going to need more power.

Add on the needs of companies such as Meta, which is building a massive data center outside of Kuna, and Micron, which is building a new $15 billion manufacturing facility, and the valley is going to need a lot more power.

Solar is going to have to be a big part of it, and we need to get over fears that are overblown and in some cases based on misinformation.

Much of the opposition centered around how the development could change the character of the farming community.

But well tell you what would change the character of the area: a housing development like Spring Rock.

Because heres the thing: There arent many options for the land. Either develop it or leave it as farmland.

Of course, the neighbors want the owners to keep it as farmland, but the owners, whove been farming for decades and simply want to retire, couldnt find any buyers who wanted to farm it.

And as one of the owners, Shane Beus said, This property is owned privately. Its kind of interesting; all of a sudden, its Idahos farm ground, or my neighbor wants to claim it as his farm ground. I dont know where they were at when it was time to pick rocks, fix the water on a Sunday morning, or bale hay all night. It is our farm ground  We have the right to do with our property as we desire.

The commissioners were more concerned about a hypothetical impact on neighbors property values (which probably wouldnt be affected by the solar farm, anyway) than they were about the very real impact on the property value of private landowners trying to sell their land to another private individual.

Ada Countys commissioners are Republicans, the party that supposedly values freedom and private property rights.

But, in essence, the commissioners, by denying the proposal, have diminished those private property rights.

When Shane Beus and his brother Steve put their land up for sale about five years ago, they didnt get any offers.

Eventually, housing and solar-farm developers expressed interest.

The solar developers, eager to put up solar panels near a power substation, with easy access to the grid, were offering more money than the housing developers.

The free market at work.

But Ada County commissioners seemed to bend over backwards to look for any reason to deny the application.

Davidson even said he made his decision based on the health and safety of the community.

First of all, were not talking about a company dumping hazardous waste. Solar farms are passive and pose little to no health and safety risks to the community.

Further, isnt Davidson the same guy who voted against an ordinance banning fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county on the grounds of freedom?

Yes, thats the same guy, who thought nothing of the health and safety of the community when it comes to the high possibility of starting a wildfire and burning land and potentially houses but suddenly becomes concerned about health and safety when it means solar panels.

And, as Steve Beus pointed out, unlike housing developments, solar farms dont use any roads; they dont use any schools; they dont add traffic. But they do provide property tax revenue for the county.

With such unfounded grounds for denial, it seems that the denial had everything to do with simply being against solar.

Commissioner Tom Dayley said hes got nothing against solar, but then he made some comments about how it receives government funding, which he called tenuous. And then he suggested that California is overproducing solar energy, which has more to do with infrastructure, storage and delivery. We have plenty of demand for solar power.

And these solar farms are going to have to go somewhere. Yes, this proposal has a few neighbors, and, yes, there are parts of Idaho that are even more remote and secluded.

But if we let neighbors dictate what gets approved and what doesnt, we likely wouldnt have any development at all.

The development still goes before the Canyon County commissioners. We hope they show more wisdom than Ada County commissioners and approve the proposal.

Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Greg Lanting, Terri Schorzman and Garry Wenske.
Rep. Espaillat previews Dominican Day Parade, talks Democratic VP pick

NEW YORK (PIX11)  The 42nd annual National Dominican Day Parade kicks off Sunday, promising bright floats and good music along Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.

This years parade, themed Merengue: Nuestro Ritmo, will celebrate Merengue and its impact on Dominican identity.

More Local News

Rep. Adriano Espaillat of the 13th Congressional District sat down with PIX on Politics host Dan Mannarino to chat about his excitement for the parade. He invited everyone to join the festivities.

Merengue is contagious music, and its easy to dance. It is something I grew up listening to at home. Any time theres a family party, they play merengue. We love it and follow it everywhere, he said.

Espaillat also discussed the selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Vice President Kamala Harris running mate in the 2024 presidential election, calling him a great pick.

I think its a great choice. I havent seen this kind of enthusiasm in the party in a long time, said Espaillat.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Shots missed

Among various takeaways from Tuesdays primary election, a most gratifying one is this: Republican candidates for Missouri governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general whose TV commercials most prominently glorified their attachments to guns lost.

You might have assumed that with Donald Trump being the worlds best-known recent gun-violence survivor, savvy Republicans would have downplayed their affinity for guns. Nope.

In the future, maybe ambitious Missouri office-seekers should write TV scripts free of firearms. After all, Missouri has the nations fifth highest gun death rate, according to a study by the Violence Policy Center using numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Missouri also routinely ranks near the bottom in the annual list of states with strong gun laws, as evaluated by the nonprofit Giffords Law Center.

Candidates who want to win elections next time might want to holster those weapons. Even better, store them safely with gun locks.

- Judie Becker, Grandparents for Gun Safety, Leawood

Poor service

When will Jackson Countians demand that County Executive Frank White and Director of Assessment Gail McCann Beatty step down from their positions?

Theyve served us so hard, it hurts.

- Richard F. Thomas Jr., Kansas City

Great examples

Why cant the politicians learn from the Olympians?

It has been such a refreshing change to turn on the television and see what practice and honest hard work can accomplish. No negative comments about their opponents, and no blaming someone else if they dont win the top prize. Then, at the conclusion of their events, only love and respect for their competition.

The political world needs to learn what the viewing public wants to see and hear  not the blazing guns and sickening disrespect too many of our politicians show and convey.

- Dennis Rabbitt, Overland Park

Violent words

Republicans who blame President Joe Biden for Donald Trump getting shot at are appallingly hypocritical. From the moment he entered the political arena, Trump has hurled words of derision and disrespect at opponents.

Demeaning nicknames and accusations are rarely accompanied by justification. Trump uses words highly charged with negative connotations, hoping theyll fester in minds that dont question them and permanently stain the image of the person attacked. He characterizes opponents as communists, losers, vermin and people who hate America, dehumanizing them and potentially making them targets of extremists.

Those who proclaim Trump a hero for getting wounded should recall how he repeatedly sought to discredit and diminish Sen. John McCains military record. McCain, a fighter pilot of 23 bombing missions over Vietnam, who spent 5 1/2 years as a POW and refused early release unless his men were also released, and who carried for life the physical ravages of the torture he endured, deserves admiration. McCain is a real hero.

Perhaps Trumps mantras will be his undoing. He recently called Vice President Kamala Harris evil. Instead of shouting agreement, his crowd fell silent, perhaps shocked and dismayed at such a damning accusation. If so, Trumps hate speech may finally be backfiring on him.

- Michael Chapman, Kansas City

Were No. 1!

I wonder if there is a poll of the worst state primary ads. After this past election cycle, surely Missouri is No. 1.

- Susie Rawlings, Leawood

Two-way help

As local public school districts embark upon the annual tradition of holding events at which families in need receive free school supplies, the time is overdue to restructure the process.

Few would disagree that tangible areas of needed improvement exist in all districts  for example, buildings that require cleaning, painting, trash removal and so on. In exchange for school supplies, families should be provided the opportunity to address these areas of need as a means of reciprocation.

Aside from obvious advantages of the receipt of school supplies and civic improvement, parents and children alike could develop a sense of gratification and pride, as opposed to a status quo reflective of exploitation and repression.

- Donald Robertson, Blue Springs

Done dirty





Imagine if MAGA Republicans were running Team USA at the Olympics with Donald Trump. I imagine they would challenge every event that a U.S. participant was in and was not given a gold medal. Republicans would say there was fraud and unfair judging because Trump and his party challenge them.

It has been almost four years since I began asking Sen. Roger Marshall and other Republican officials for facts as to why they challenged the 2020 Electoral College count. I have received nothing from them. They basically lied to the people of Kansas and the United States.

MAGA Republicans believe in elections that are heads, Republicans win; tails everyone else loses. They do not understand the concept of fair and free elections.

I am so proud of our Olympians. They win with grace and lose with grace. I cannot say that for the Trump Republicans. They want only themselves to win. That was why Project 2025 was written  so Republicans in power can always win and the people of the United States get nothing except autocracy.

- Karen Bradfield, Lenexa
One winter night in 1924, a 19-year-old named Dorr Legg snuck away to a "charming park," where he had his first sexual experience with another man, something he had been desiringand studyingfor several years.

Born in a large home overlooking the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Legg came from a long line of Republicans: His family had been active in the GOP since its first convention in their state in 1854. Like many Midwestern Republicans, his father deplored Wall Street and the fat-cat bankers of the Northeast, even if they largely belonged to his political party; he taught his son that prosperity grew out of self-reliance and individual endeavor, not collusion and backroom deal-making. As for the Democrats, his father added, they ran corrupt machines in the big northern cities and used violence and intimidation to deny blacks their rights down south.

An autodidact from a young age, Legg had been spending time hidden away in the University of Michigan's library stacks, secretly reading everything he could find on homosexuality in books of medicine, psychiatry, criminology, witchcraft, and Sigmund Freud. The readings showed Legg that he was not alone. They also convinced him that he was the expert on his own condition. When medical doctors deemed homosexuals sick and religious leaders called them sinners, Legg shrugged it off.

But the law, which counted homosexuals as criminals, was another matter: The threat of arrest and imprisonment required that homosexuals live a double life. Sometimes haughty, always self-assured, Legg resented the fact that he couldn't live freely as he pleased. As Legg faced arrest by the police and harassment by the FBI through the years, his general Republican leanings hardened into what one historian called an impassioned "libertarian distrust of government." The government, he believed, was the homosexual's enemy.

***

In 1928, Legg moved to New York City. He'd just finished a master's degree in landscape architecture, and he arrived just in time for the tail end of the city's boom. The Great Depression meant his design work disappeared, so Legg then found employment with the new public urban planning projects in the city and on Long Island. But the Republican in him could never bring himself to support the New Deal, even if it had kept him above water.

New York was an electrifying place for homosexuals in the 1930s, and Legg dove right in. He met like-minded men at Child's, a restaurant underneath the Paramount Theater that served as a boisterous and freewheeling homosexual hangout. Even in the relative freedom New York afforded, he kept tight control of himself, always dressing in a conservative suit and tie and maintaining a masculine manner. Legg had little patience for the effeminate and flamboyant "queens" who were part of New York's gay underworld. He wouldn't "send up flares," as he described the way some men signaled to each other, and he detested the "unseemly whoops" some groups of homosexuals brashly made as they paraded down the streets. He worried that their shenanigans and gender-subversive behaviors risked detection by law enforcement.

Those concerns didn't keep him from attending a handful of drag balls in Harlem, where he met several black friends and lovers. Their accounts of the prejudice and discrimination they experienced gave Legg new insight into his own condition. "I too was a member of a stigmatized group," he realized.

Legg's careful self-presentation was not enough to keep the eyes of the law off him. When he returned to Michigan in the mid-1940s to care for his ailing father and manage the family business, his public outings with attractive black men drew police attention. The Detroit cops began surveilling Legg, and they finally arrested him on a charge of "gross indecency" two years after Legg's father died in 1947. Legg the libertarian was outraged that the police would spy on a law-abiding citizen and was furious that the government would interfere in his private life. "Did not the 'Don't tread on me,' of the rattlesnake flag," he fumed, "mean anything anymore?"

When the news of his arrest got out, Legg's church suspended him and his landlord threatened to kick him out. Legg didn't wait around to see what else was coming. He packed his bags for Los Angeles, joining hundreds of thousands of Americans who had been moving into Southern California for the previous two decades, drawn by its cheap land and plentiful jobs. Like many of his fellow transplants, Legg looked to California as a place where rugged individualism could flourish. He hoped Los Angeles' tolerant and relaxed reputation meant he would be left aloneby the cops, anyway.

After 1945, L.A.'s already large homosexual population ballooned as thousands of returning gay servicemen and women decided to stay in their port of entry, just as others did farther north in San Francisco. Yet Los Angeles' gay boom coincided with the federal government's crackdown on homosexuals, and Legg soon found that Los Angeles wasn't all that different from Detroit. Nowhere was in the 1950s. L.A.'s new chief of police, "Wild Bill" Parker, directed his department to "clean up" the city's bustling streets. The police department's head criminal psychiatrist provided medical justification for rounding up homosexuals: They were pathological degenerates, he argued, who preyed on anyone, especially children. Los Angeles' police department quickly racked up a list of 10,000 "sex offenders," made up almost entirely of the homosexual men and women who had been arrested during raids of gay bars and public parks or even while just walking down the street. L.A.'s politicians joined in the attack, passing laws meant to shut down the bars, restaurants, and other establishments where homosexuals gathered.

California's Supreme Court would strike down several of the lawson the grounds that the businesses should be able to operate, not as an endorsement of homosexuals' right to congregate. Either way, the city's robust anti-gay regime had its intended chilling effect, driving gay men and women even further underground.

On the federal level, both major political parties increased the government's power to target homosexuals. In 1950, Harry Truman's Democratic administration began rooting out suspected homosexuals from the federal government. Three years later, Republicans upped the ante: President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued Executive Order 10450, which banned homosexuals from working in the federal government, officially codifying the witch hunt into law.

Yet even in this oppressive era, a handful of homosexuals began planting seeds of resistance that would eventually grow into gay liberation. They called their cause the "homophile movement," a term consciously chosen to emphasize the "love of fellow man"; they felt that society used "homosexual" to focus attention on the sexual acts it condemned. These leaders of the early homophile movement came from assorted walks of life and held political philosophies that ranged from libertarianism to communism.

***

A year after arriving in L.A., where he continued to work as a landscape architect, Legg joined Merton Bird, a black accountant, in creating the Knights of the Clock, an organization that provided counseling, social service support, and legal aid to interracial gay couples. Around the same time, Legg became one of the first members of the Mattachine Society, widely considered the first homophile organization in the United States.

Founded by Harry Hay, a labor activist and Communist Party member who had grown up in a wealthy, conservative Republican family, the Mattachine Society operated as a homosexual secret society modeled on the Communist Party's cell structure, a system that organized members into small groups that remained separated to minimize the risk of a police raid blowing the lid off the whole clandestine operation. Everyone also used made-up names. Legg had no use for Mattachine's Communist leadershiphe "found Marxism completely absurd, a ponderously silly utopianism"but he didn't think it was worth worrying too much about. As it grew, the group soon had more non-Communists than reds, including a number who identified as conservative or libertarian, such as Dale Jennings, a young writer from Colorado.

Mattachine meetings focused on discussing homosexuals' civil rights. Not everyone wanted just to talk. In October 1952, Legg hosted a Mattachine meeting at his apartment. The night's guest speaker was a former member of the Los Angeles Police Department vice squad who had recently quit his job in protest over the underhanded tactics his unit used to lure homosexuals into arrest. The strategies, he explained, included hiring especially handsome men, often aspiring Hollywood actors, to entrap homosexuals in parks, public restrooms, and bars. For most of the 75 men and women in attendance, including Legg, nothing about the officer's talk came as a surprise. Earlier that year, Jennings had been arrested after trying to ignore a suspicious man trailing him on his walk home who then forced his way into Jennings' apartment. There, even as Jennings continued to resist his advances, the man shoved Jennings' hands down his pants before flashing him his police badge. Even in their homes, homosexuals couldn't find sanctuary from the law.

Still, it was something else to hear straight from the horse's mouth how coordinated and even corrupt the police were in their efforts to incriminate homosexuals. The normally civilized Mattachine discussion group turned into a yelling match, all the pent-up frustrations and anger erupting into cacophony. No one could hear a word at first. Eventually, it became clear that half of the attendees wanted to keep talking about what they had just learned and the rest wanted to do something about it. This second group, led by Legg and Jennings, moved to Legg's kitchen. They were joined by Martin Block, a New Yorker who owned a local bookstore and who had already been close to his breaking point with the Mattachine Society for "each and every one of their Communist enthusiasms." The time finally felt right for a split.

Someone proposed forming a separate organization. Someone else proposed starting a magazine. They opted to do both.

They called the new organization ONE, Inc. The name had been inspired by a quotation from the philosopher Thomas Carlyle: "A mystic bond of brotherhood makes all men one." The "Inc." denoted their registration as a corporation, but it was also a deliberate move to signal that the group had no connections to communism. ONE would go on to host lectures and discussion groups and to fund research studies on homosexuality. It launched ONE Magazine in January 1953, three months after the group's founding. The magazine was the very first publication in the United States devoted to positive coverage of homosexuality.

Legg quit his lucrative career to work full time as ONE Magazine's business manager and assistant editor. The job paid a paltry $25 a week, but he felt compelled by this new mission. "The simple truth," he wrote, "was that my profession no longer came first. The minority with which I was increasingly identifying myself was rapidly acquiring the nature of an imperative obligation."

Legg approached his work with the entrepreneurial spirit his father had instilled in him. He drove all over Los Angeles selling the magazine to newsstands and traveled to homophile groups around the West Coast to promote the publication. Within a year, ONE Magazine had more than 5,000 subscribers around the countryand a much larger readership, as the copies got quietly passed around.

On the masthead, Legg went by William Lambert. It wasn't exactly a pseudonym: more a variation of his full name, William Dorr Lambert Legg. Under other bylinesMarvin Cutler, Hollister Barnes, W. G. Hamilton, Valentine Richardson, Sidney RothmanLegg penned articles to fill its pages. Sometimes he wrote as Wendy Lane, since the magazine couldn't get many lesbians to write for it at first. Although Legg used pseudonyms to keep from being detected by legal authorities, the fake names had an added benefit: They kept his readers from realizing how few writers actually contributed to ONE Magazine in its early years.

The magazine debuted as the U.S. Post Office, like the FBI and local police, was clamping down on homosexuals. It tracked men who subscribed to physique magazines, where muscular male models posed wearing almost nothing. Investigators sometimes participated in pen-pal clubs, where they formed connections with men they suspected of being homosexual and then surveilled their mail to determine who in their correspondence might also be gay. Nearly two-thirds of ONE's subscribers shelled out an additional dollar above the annual $2 subscription price to have their copies sent in a plain, sealed envelope with nothing indicating its origins. But a homophile magazine had little chance of going undiscovered. If homosexuals weren't protected from having vice squads barge right into their homes, there was no way their mail wasn't going to get opened too.

The Comstock Act of 1873, still in effect, made it illegal to mail anything lascivious, lewd, or obscene, and ONE's coverage of homosexuality put it in constant jeopardy of being said to violate the law. The Los Angeles post office refused to mail the August 1953 issue due to its cover title: "Homosexual Marriage?"

Legg wasn't going to let the government intimidate his magazine into silence. He hired a young lawyer, Eric Julber, who started hounding the Postal Service. After three weeks, the post office finally released the issue when the solicitor general in Washington, D.C., declared it wasn't obscene. On the magazine's next issue, Legg deliberately poked at the authorities with the headline "ONE Is Not Grateful." A cover note elaborated on Legg's anger. "Your August issue was late," it read, "because the postal authorities in Washington and Los Angeles had it under a microscope."

Los Angeles' postmaster made his next move when he declared that the October 1954 issue included "obscene, lewd, lascivious, and filthy" content and ordered that all the copies be kept from distribution. Legg instructed Julber to sue. Recognizing the case would hinge on whether the magazine's First Amendment rights had been violated, Julber asked the American Civil Liberties Union's L.A. office for help. But the group wasn't interested in a case involving homosexuals.

Local law enforcement regularly came to ONE's shabby offices in downtown Los Angeles. In 1956, the FBI showed up too. The bureau's director, J. Edgar Hoover, was irate over an article that suggested its top officials were homosexuals. For more than a decade, rumors had swirled that Hoover was carrying on an affair with his right-hand man, Clyde Tolson. Incensed, Hoover fired off an angry note to Tolson: "We've got to get these bastards." A day later, FBI agents were pounding at ONE's office door.

Their terrifying presence only reinforced Legg's conviction that the government had too much power over the lives of everyone, especially homosexuals. Gathering his nerve and his unwavering belief that he didn't have to answer to anyone, Legg ignored the agents' questions and ordered them out. "I'm not going to give you any information," Legg declared. "What are your names and numbers? That's all I'm interested in."

Meanwhile, ONE's court case dragged on. Initially, both a district court and a court of appeals sided with the postmaster. But the appeals ruling provided an opening when, citing an article in the confiscated October issue titled "Sappho Remembered," it ruled the magazine was "cheap pornography calculated to promote lesbianism." ONE's lawyer took this language straight to the Supreme Court, asking whether simply being a positive portrayal of homosexuality was enough to make a text obscene, and therefore not covered by the First Amendment. Up until then, the Court had never even considered a case concerning homosexuality, and it found this assertion so novel that, even without hearing oral arguments, it unanimously reversed the lower courts' rulings.

The Supreme Court issued no written opinion, and The New York Times gave only one sentence to the case about "a magazine dealing with homosexuality." But Legg and his colleagues knew they had won a landmark decision in ONE, Inc. v. Olesen (1958). The nation's highest legal authority had cleared the way for ONE and the two other homophile publications, Mattachine Review and The Ladder, to freely operatethe first national victory for the fledgling movement. Legg also took pleasure in knowing that he had helped push back an overbearing, invasive government. "We took on the whole federal government for a period of four years," Legg enthused, "and they spent big money, with top lawyers from Washington, to squash us. And they didn't! We won."

***

Eight months later, Legg wrote an article for ONE titled "I Am Glad I Am Homosexual." It voiced his frustration that most homosexuals continued to see their homosexuality as inherently wrong, an attitude that led them to live secret lives of shame while accepting society's judgments of them as sick, sinful, and criminal. While the fact that Legg had written the piece under a pseudonym indicated he still was taking steps to conceal his own identity, the article also showed he had little patience with homophile organizations who felt they "should cooperate to the fullest extent with 'public authorities.'" Instead, Legg counted himself among the small group of "admitted homosexuals" who "are actively, resiliently proud of their homosexuality, glad for it." These homosexuals believed they should have "the same legal and social privileges as others, no more, but also, no less."

Although ONE, Inc. had been created as a breakaway group from the Mattachine Society, it continued to work closely with Mattachine and with the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), a lesbian organization out of San Francisco. "We had to stand shoulder to shoulder because the movement was so small," Legg has explained. But by 1958, the loose bonds that connected the small homophile movement were beginning to fray. The irony was that it was Legg the Republican, and not the generally more left-leaning members of the DOB and Mattachine, who insisted that homosexuals were a minority group deserving of equal standing under the law.

Legg's view that homosexuals should be able to live free of government interference also put him in conflict with his own political party in the 1950s. Republicans in Washington, such as Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy, had become eager to root out homosexuals who worked for the government and to curtail the civil liberties of gay men and women everywhere. Legg detested McCarthy. "True conservatives," he would say, "are libertarians. They believe in limiting the hand of government."

Legg thought the homophile movement should spell out homosexuals' basic civil liberties, among them the right to be free of government surveillance and discriminatory laws. He suggested that the 1961 ONE Midwinter Institute, an annual convening of the three homophile groups, could be focused on outlining a "Homosexual Bill of Rights." Legg didn't imagine any of this as controversial, at least not among homophile activists. Indeed, what he was advocating was an early example of the identity politics that gay liberationists would heartily embrace more than a decade later.

But in 1961, Legg's proposal was virtually dead on arrival, because of disagreements over politics and political strategy. An early planning meeting for the conference almost fell apart when no one could agree over what words like "liberty, rights, freedom, [and] free-will" even meant, the very words that had been Legg's guiding principles all his life. In the DOB's magazine The Ladder, Del Martin argued that publishing a bill of rights would generate a backlash that was "likely to set the homophile movement back into oblivion" by making political demands that would never be granted. When the 1961 Midwinter Institute finally did meet, Jaye Bell, the DOB's president, delivered a crushing blow at the banquet event. A Homosexual Bill of Rights, she told the gathering, would "be potentially an extremely dangerous act to the work which has been done and is being done to change public opinion." Bell stressed a gradual approach of continuous education to change common perceptions about homosexuals, rather than the radical act of demanding rights. "Either these are rights we already have, or they are rights which cannot be asked, because to do so would be to demand that people have the attitudes we prescribe for them," she argued. "One cannot demand or legislate attitudes."

There would be no Homosexual Bill of Rights. Legg was furious, lashing out at "brain-washed" lesbians who, "by virtue of their own infrequent personal contact with the brutal realities of the denial of rights the male homosexual so continuously experiences, were but a small step ahead of heterosexuals in their comprehensions of what the problems are."

Legg's comments betrayed both an ignorance of and an indifference to lesbian concerns: In fact, police raided lesbian bars all the time. But lesbians didn't usually cruise in the ways that gay men did, and that made them less vulnerable to the practices by which law enforcement regularly surveilled and entrapped homosexual men, which Legg had experienced.

An editorial likely written by Legg and Don Slater, the head editor of ONE and also a Republican, expressed dismay that the majority who had opposed the Homosexual Bill of Rights had acted as if "the lot of the homosexual is not so bad after all." It was the view of ONE, on the other hand, that the homosexual was a "second-class citizen" who required the "safeguarding of individual liberty from [the] tyranny of the majority."

The language of personal freedom signaled Legg's libertarian views. His demand for action marked him as a militant. These were reinforcing rather than contradictory positions, originating together from Legg's firm conviction that government's powers had to be restrained in order for anyone, especially the homosexual, to have real freedom. Those politics and that temperament made him an outlier in the homophile movement.

For a decade, that hadn't mattered much. But the fallout over the Homosexual Bill of RightsONE and the DOB would have little connection going forward, and things with Mattachine also grew increasingly strainedforeshadowed the alienation Legg would soon feel. In a short time, the growing successes of the New Left and the Civil Rights Movement led leaders of the DOB, Mattachine, and a new umbrella group, the East Coast Homophile Organizations, to change their tactics. The once apolitical movement became politically active, even going so far as to use public demonstrations to protest discrimination, and now spoke in the language of minority rights by the mid-1960s. From there it grew into the decidedly left-leaning gay rights movement of the 1970s.

Meanwhile, another group of gay men and lesbians started founding what they called "gay Republican clubs" to make their presence known to the GOP. In 1977, Legg became one of them, as a founding member of the Lincoln Republicans of Southern California. The group would soon rename itself the Log Cabin Club. By the mid-1980s, the Los Angeles organization would be the largest and most powerful gay Republican club in the nation. In the early 1990s, it linked up with other gay Republican groups to form the national Log Cabin Republicans organization.

Legg would grumble about the "1969ing [of] everything." By this he meant how so many saw that year's Stonewall Rebellion as the moment that launched the gay rights movement, failing to recognize the "twenty years before [of] a hell of a lot of hard work by hundreds and hundreds of dedicated people who put their lives and their jobs and everything else on the line." Some of this was just the understandable response of a cantankerous man in his 70s annoyed by younger generations who didn't know or appreciate the risks and sacrifices that had led to their moment. But it also reflected Legg's opposition to where the gay rights movement was going as it aligned with the issues and organizations of the left.

Not that he was all that happy with where his Republican Party seemed headed either. Another group of Republicans was putting the GOP on a collision course with the likes of Legg, and with any gay Republicans who believed that their party stood for limited government, personal privacy, and the freedom to live their lives as they saw fit.

This article has been adapted from Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right by permission of The University of Chicago Press.

The post The Republican Radical Who Helped Launch the Gay Rights Movement appeared first on Reason.com.
Republicans say Harris is in the honeymoon phase. But her crowds and momentum keep growing

Republicans continue to insist that Kamala Harriss momentum out of the gate is merely a honeymoon phase that will slow or halt soon  but theres no sign of it slowing down just yet.

As GOP attacks focused on her running mates military record and work as governor of Minnesota, they have largely failed to resonate with voters thus far.

Harris is charging into August with another $36 million in the bank after the successful rollout of Tim Walz as her vice presidential nominee last Tuesday. Her campaign is also surging in the polls as enthusiasm among Democrats and independents for the Democratic ticket has rebounded following Joe Bidens withdrawal from the race.

Republicans have dismissed her sudden shift in the races dynamics as nothing more than a temporary plateauing of support for Harris even though they have shown no signs of being able to blunt it. The vice president and her running mate will appear onstage in front of a major national audience later this month at the four-day Democratic National Convention, and given that party conventions are typically accompanied by boosts in popularity Harris could see her momentum continue through the end of the month.

In the wake of Donald Trumps rambling, nonsensical press conference this past week aimed recapturing the headlines, his party is attempting to make the argument that Harris is hiding from journalists. The vice president has responded to this saying shell do a full sitdown interview by the end of the month, and she sometimes takes reporters shouted questions while coming to and from events.

Republicans keep saying Kamala Harris is in a honeymoon phase after her nomination - but it hasnt slowed down her momentum. (Getty Images)

All this is a little bit of a honeymoon phase with Harris. She still hasnt taken any questions from media. Shes done no interviews whatsoever, and shes hiding from her record. You have to answer those questions at some point, Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican, told NewsNation on Sunday in the latest attempt by a Republican to land that attack.

Trump has also launched his own attacks on Harriss honeymoon. On Sunday, Trump wrote on Truth Social: Kamala Harris, whose Honeymoon period is ENDING, and is starting to get hammered in the Polls, just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy. The difference is, she wont do it, she just wants it for Political Purposes! This was a TRUMP idea - She has no ideas, she can only steal from me. Remember, Kamala has proposed the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY - It wont happen. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

Even Trumps pollsters noted the shift in the polling since Harris took the Democrats top spot. Pollster Tony Fabrizio told campaign staff that polls would get worse before they got better, but stressed the race had not fundamentally changed, according to the New York Times.

Fabrizio said voters will saddle Harris with Bidens policies and her backing of a liberal approach to criminal justice. That will cause a dip in her polls, but not for three weeks, according to the Times.

So far, there have been few signs of a dip.

Just a few weeks ago, Democrats were widely reported to be privately inconsolable over their electoral prospects for the fall, fearing wipeouts not just at the top of the ticket but in the House and Senate as well. Now, that feeling has all but evaporated in Washington.

Harriss campaign heads into the Democratic convention suddenly very competitive  if not winning outright  in swing states where her former running mate Joe Biden had been struggling for months. Places such as Nevada and Arizona and even red-leaning purple states such as Florida and North Carolina have seen a resurgence in interest and enthusiasm for Democratic candidates.

Its hard to even describe the excitement, the energy, momentum, and what weve solved over the last week, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party, Nikki Fried, told The Independent in late July after the first week of Harris campaigning as the presumptive party nominee.

Trump and other Republicans keep saying Harris is in the honeymoon phase, which is why she continues to rise in the polls. (Getty Images)

A new Democrat-aligned poll of North Carolina, which was won by Donald Trump in both 2020 and 2016, released on Sunday found Harris tied with her opponent in the state.

Even if Harris is unable to win states such as North Carolina, Ohio and Florida in November her newfound competitive edge in these Republican-leaning swing states could force her foes to play defense to the tune of millions of dollars in ad spending.

A second poll released by the Financial Times showed the vice president leading Trump slightly on the issue of the economy, after he had led Biden on the issue for months.

Trump on Sunday released a slew of posts on Truth Social claiming without any proof that Harriss campaign had used artificial intelligence to inflate the size of the crowd at her most recent rally as reports continue to pick up steam on social media extolling the sizable crowds coming to see the vice president in Georgia, Arizona and other recent rallies.

He has also lashed out at the media for supposedly not adequately covering the size of crowds at his own rallies.
KANAS CITY, Mo.  The August Primaries are behind us in Kansas and Missouri. Now, a brief respite before things gear up again for the November General Election.

This week were joined by Republican Annie Presley and Democrat Jason Grill to review the outcomes in the Missouri governor and attorney general races, and the police funding measure Amendment 4.

In Kansas, key congressional races are now set in districts 2 and 3. Plus, we look ahead to the general election.

Read more Politics stories from FOX4

Then a look at the national scene, with both tickets now set in the run for the White House.

Finally, did Chiefs and Royals fans win in the Missouri governor primary outcomes? And the battle between the state and Jackson County of property assessments.

A full agenda this week on 4 The 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV)  On Saturday, community members in Richmond Hill came together to clean up after Debby left record amounts of water in neighborhoods

Were just trying to get ahead of it, some people its a little too late, said Richmond Hill local Betty Bransfield who was coordinating relief efforts in the area.

The Richmond Place and Rushing Street communities are getting dangerously close to going under.

WSAV News 3 and Parkers Kitchen to host donation drive for victims of Tropical Storm Debby

Theyre all stuck and half their neighbors out here are stuck, and thats the sad part, said Willie Puskas, who was helping his in-laws in the neighborhood. Theyve either got to walk out of here  even then Ive heard theres been some sewer back up so theyre stepping in this water so theres a little bit of that mixed in there too.

People there say that waters have been rising throughout the day, despite sunny skies.

Were just trying to put up some sandbags, stop the water from coming in there and trying to help out in any way we can out here, said Puskas.

Through Facebook groups, calls to friends and favors cashed in, the community came out to help, filling sandbags and delivering them by boat.

Were a tight community, Richmond Hill we stick together, said Puskas. We get some help on our side itd be nice but we tend to tie in and battle whatever challenge that we have ahead of us.

Among the busy people News 3 found helping out Saturday very few were actually living in the neighborhoods affected. Many, with little damage at their houses, just came out to see how they could lend a hand.

As a community we come together to do the best we can to try and help those in need, said Bransfield.

Parts of the neighborhoods are flooded high enough for motorboats to get through. First responders are helping with evacuations.

Food, drinks and other help is set up at First Christian Academy. Theyre asking the public for more small boats to get in and out of the neighborhoods.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Former Texas Tech President Robert Lawless, who led a decades-long career in academia before serving as Tech's 11th president and later President of the University of Tulsa, died Saturday in Lubbock.

He was 87.

Lawless, a Texas native who served as Tech's president from 1989 to 1996 following a career in academia and time as Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Airlines, is being praised for leading Tech through a time of change and advancement.

Robert Lawless served as the President of Texas Tech and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center from 1989-1996. He died on Aug. 10, 2024 at the age of 87.

Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec issued a statement expressing his condolences to the family for their loss and reflecting on Lawless' impact on not only Texas Tech but also on him.

"The Texas Tech family is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Robert W. Lawless, the 11th president of Texas Tech University," reads Schovanec's statement. "Dr. Lawless was a man of impeccable integrity who left a legacy of excellence, tirelessly working to raise the universitys national academic profile and pushing it toward fully realizing its immense potential. He was a dear friend and a personal mentor. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Marcy, and his family during this time of loss."

Texas Tech Alumni Association President Curt Langford took to social media to share his sadness about Lawless' passing, and offering prayers for Lawless' wife, Marcy Lawless.

"One of his successful objectives was to get the University in the Association of Research Libraries and he elevated Techs endowment from $40 million to $150 million," Langford wrote. "Dr. Lawless began the 'Service Plus' program at Texas Tech, challenging us all to be more service minded with students. Proud to still have my certificate of completion signed by Bob."

Lawless, who earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the University of Houston and a Ph.D in industrial engineering (Operations Research) from Texas A&M University, had an academic career spanning 32 years.

During his career, Lawless served as a faculty member at Texas A&M University, the University of Houston. He also served as an executive vice president and COO of Southwest Airlines until 1989, when he was selected to serve as the 11th president of Tech and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

For context, the president of Texas Tech also served dually as the TTUHSC's president until the creation of the Texas Texas University System in 1996.

In a statement, Chancellor Dr. Tedd Mitchell said Lawless' impact shaped what the university system is today.

Dr. Lawless made an indelible mark on our universities during his time as president," reads the statement. "His countless contributions helped advance our position in higher education and ultimately shaped what is now our broader Texas Tech University System. We share our deep appreciation for his visionary leadership and constant support, which continued well beyond his tenure, and extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Marcy, and his loved ones."

During his seven-year tenure as president, Lawless oversaw growth in the school's endowment from $40 million to $150 million. Enrollment numbers held steady at around 24,000 students at Texas Tech, with a drop in undergraduate enrollments but an increase in graduate and law students.

Near the end of his tenure at Texas Tech, Lawless oversaw the establishment of the International Cultural Center. The center houses resources for international students and faculty, Tech's study abroad programs and TTU Costa Rica Campus.

In 1996, Lawless stepped down as president at Texas Tech, taking the position of president of the University of Tulsa. In a statement released to the A-J, UTulsa President Brad Carson said Lawless left a lasting legacy at the university and in the city.

President Emeritus Lawless left an indelible mark on our university and our city. Our hearts go out to his wife, Marcy, his entire family and those whose lives he touched, stated Carson. Bob Lawless unprecedented accomplishments set the bar for every successive UTulsa president for the past two decades. I am honored to one day be remembered in the same company as such a strong and effective leader.

Lawless retired from UTulsa in 2004. He would later move back to Lubbock, where he was active in the community, including at First Christian Church.

Even though he left Texas Tech, Lawless' legacy and impact can still be felt on campus, not only through the ICC but also the Honor College, which he helped grow during his tenure. The Honors College's Lawless House is named in honor of the former president, carrying the motto "Integrity," according to an Honors College description of its namesake. The College stated that Lawless lived by the adage, "To thine own self be true."

A memorial service is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 at First Christian Church, 2323 Broadway.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Robert Lawless, former president at Texas Tech and Tulsa, dies at 87
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson (R) suggested the FBI is leaving Congress out of its probe into the assassination attempt on former President Trump.

Unfortunately, I think our congressional investigations will pretty well end up in an investigation of the FBI and Secret Service investigations. Were not being given access to the individuals in a timely manner, Johnson told radio host John Catsimatidis in a Sunday interview on The Cats Roundtable on WABC 770 AM.

Johnson said that Congress has tried to interview local, state, and federal law enforcement about the failed July assassination attempt where a 20-year-old gunman struck Trump in the ear with a bullet. However, he said the federal law enforcement agencies have clammed up.

We are going four weeks since [the attempted] assassination and there are basic pieces of information we dont know because the FBI, the Secret Service, they are the law. So they think theyre above the law. They dont think theyre accountable to the American public because theyve never been held accountable by Congress and the American public, he said.

Johnson added that Congress had not received results of the autopsy of the shooter or much cooperation from federal authorities about the assassination attempt.

Johnson also claimed that local law enforcement said that one of their officers took a shot at the gunman but that the Secret Service has not acknowledged that fact or released any information related to it.

Thats why we need to interview those snipers, because the acting director said that the sniper didnt have him in his sights until a split second before he took the shot, Johnson said. Its curious, isnt it, that the acting director didnt credit local law enforcement at taking a shot that might have deterred or ended his shooting.

Democrats and Republicans have both blasted the Secret Service for their role in providing security to Trump at the July 13 Butler, Pa., rally.

Republicans attacked former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle almost immediately after the shooting, and she resigned in the wake of a Congressional hearing where she failed to give answers to most questions from lawmakers.

She did the right thing. Yesterdays performance was awful. It was all secret and no service. And she answered none of the questions that the American people have, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, told reporters following Cheatles testimony.

The Senate held a hearing with her successor, Acting Director Ronald Rowe, on July 30, which also left Republican lawmakers frustrated over a lack of answers to many of their questions.

The Secret Service has acknowledged that there were security gaps at the event, and local law enforcement has accused the Secret Service of poor planning and poor communication.

Republicans, led by Johnson, have also questioned why the Secret Service did not have a person present on the roof from which the gunman shot at Trump, and the Secret Service has said that they did not place a sniper on that roof because it was sloped.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Mahaska Health hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa, includes a building built in 1928. The facility was expanded in the 1960s, during a rural-hospital building boom fueled by federal incentives. Such expansions coincided with the baby boom, during which hospitals handled a surge in births. The annual number of babies born to Mahaska County residents has dropped by more than half since the baby booms height.(Tony Leys of KFF Health News)

OSKALOOSA, Iowa  Rural regions like the one surrounding this southern Iowa town used to have a lot more babies, and many more places to give birth to them.

At least 41 Iowa hospitals have shuttered their labor and delivery units since 2000. Those facilities, representing about a third of all Iowa hospitals, are located mostly in rural areas where birth numbers have plummeted. In some Iowa counties, annual numbers of births have fallen by three-quarters since the height of the baby boom in the 1950s and 60s, when many rural hospitals were built or expanded, state and federal records show.

Similar trends are playing out nationwide, as hospitals struggle to maintain staff and facilities to safely handle dwindling numbers of births. More than half of rural U.S. hospitals now lack the service.

People just arent having as many kids, said Addie Comegys, who lives in southern Iowa and has regularly traveled 45 minutes each way for prenatal checkups at Oskaloosas hospital this summer. Her mother had six children, starting in the 1980s, when big families didnt seem so rare.

Now, if you have three kids, people are like, Oh my gosh, are you ever going to stop? said Comegys, 29, who is expecting her second child in late August.

These days, many Americans choose to have small families or no children at all. Modern birth control methods help make such decisions stick. The trend is amplified in small towns when young adults move away, taking any childbearing potential with them.

Hospital leaders who close obstetrics units often cite declining birth numbers, along with staffing challenges and financial losses. The closures can be a particular challenge for pregnant women who lack the reliable transportation and flexible schedules needed to travel long distances for prenatal care and birthing services.

The baby boom peaked in 1957, when about 4.3 million children were born in the United States. The annual number of births dropped below 3.7 million by 2022, even though the overall U.S. population nearly doubled over that same period.

West Virginia has seen the steepest decline in births, a 62% drop in those 65 years, according to federal data. Iowas births dropped 43% over that period. Of the states 99 counties, just four  all urban or suburban  recorded more births.

Births have increased in only 13 states since 1957. Most of them, such as Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada, are places that have attracted waves of newcomers from other states and countries. But even those states have had obstetrics units close in rural areas.

In Iowa, Oskaloosas hospital has bucked the trend and kept its labor and delivery unit open, partly by pulling in patients from 14 other counties. Last year, the hospital even managed the rare feat of recruiting two obstetrician-gynecologists to expand its services.

The publicly owned hospital, called Mahaska Health, expects to deliver 250 babies this year, up from about 160 in previous years, CEO Kevin DeRonde said.

Its an essential service, and we needed to keep it going and grow it, DeRonde said.

Many of the U.S. hospitals that are now dropping obstetrics units were built or expanded in the mid-1900s, when America went on a rural-hospital building spree, thanks to federal funding from the Hill-Burton Act.

It was an amazing program, said Brock Slabach, chief operations officer for the National Rural Health Association. Basically, if you were a county that wanted a hospital, they gave you the money.

Slabach said that in addition to declining birth numbers, obstetrics units are experiencing a drop in occupancy because most patients go home after a night or two. In the past, patients typically spent several days in the hospital after giving birth.

Dwindling caseloads can raise safety concerns for obstetrics units.

A study published in JAMA in 2023 found that women were more likely to suffer serious complications if they gave birth in rural hospitals that handled 110 or fewer births a year. The authors said they didnt support closing low-volume units, because that could lead more women to have complications related to traveling for care. Instead, they recommended improving training and coordination among rural health providers.

Stephanie Radke, a University of Iowa obstetrics and gynecology professor who studies access to birthing services, said it is almost inevitable that when rural birth numbers plunge, some obstetrics units will close. We talk about that as a bad event, but we dont really talk about why it happens, she said.

Radke said maintaining a set number of obstetrics units is less important than ensuring good care for pregnant women and their babies. Its difficult to maintain quality of care when the staff doesnt consistently practice deliveries, she said, but it is hard to define that line. What is realistic? she said. I dont think a unit should be open that only delivers 50 babies a year.

In some cases, she said, hospitals near each other have consolidated obstetrics units, pooling their resources into one program that has enough staffers and handles sufficient cases. Youre not always really creating a care desert when that happens, she said.

The decline in births has accelerated in many areas in recent years. Kenneth Johnson, a sociology professor and demographer at the University of New Hampshire, said it is understandable that many rural hospitals have closed obstetrics units. Im actually surprised some of them have lasted as long as they have, he said.

Johnson said rural areas that have seen the steepest population declines tend to be far from cities and lack recreational attractions, such as mountains or large bodies of water. Some have avoided population losses by attracting immigrant workers, who tend to have larger families in the first generation or two after they move to the U.S., he said.

Katy Kozhimannil, a University of Minnesota health policy professor who studies rural issues, said declining birth numbers and obstetric unit closures can create a vicious cycle. Fewer babies being born in a region can lead a birthing unit to shutter. Then the loss of such a unit can discourage young people from moving to the area, driving birth numbers even lower.

In many regions, people with private insurance, flexible schedules, and reliable transportation choose to travel to larger hospitals for their prenatal care and to give birth, Kozhimannil said. That leaves rural hospitals with a larger proportion of patients on Medicaid, a public program that pays about half what private insurance pays for the same services, she said.

Iowa ranks near the bottom of all states for obstetrician-gynecologists per capita. But Oskaloosas hospital hit the jackpot last year, when it recruited Taylar Swartz and Garth Summers, a married couple who both recently finished their obstetrics training. Swartz grew up in the area, and she wanted to return to serve women there.

She hopes the number of obstetrics units will level off after the wave of closures. Its not even just for delivery, but we need access just to womens health care in general, she said. I would love to see womens health care be at the forefront of our governments mind.

Swartz noted that the state has only one obstetrics training program, which is at the University of Iowa. She said she and her husband plan to help spark interest in rural obstetrics by hosting University of Iowa residency rotations at the Oskaloosa hospital.

Comegys, a patient of Swartzs, could have chosen a hospital birthing center closer to her home, but she wasnt confident in its quality. Other hospitals in her region had shuttered their obstetrics units. She is grateful to have a flexible job, a reliable car, and a supportive family, so she can travel to Oskaloosa for checkups and to give birth there. She knows many other women are not so lucky, and she worries other obstetrics units are at risk.

Its sad, but I could see more closing, she said.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Aerial view of what is said to be a firing Ukrainian tank in Kursk region - Russian Defence Ministry

Russia appears to be building new defensive trench lines in the Kursk region, not far from a nuclear power plant, according to the BBC.

It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that his military was now pushing the war onto the aggressors territory.

A video analysed by the BBC showed heavy machinery next to a long line of piled earth, just south-east of the Kursk nuclear plant.

Contrasting satellite imagery of the same location captured yesterday showed what appeared to be several newly constructed trench lines in the vicinity.

Russia has cast the Ukrainian attack  which military analysts say caught the Kremlin off-guard  as a major provocation, and vowed a tough response.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, said it had raised morale and was restoring justice.

05:15 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thanks for following our live coverage on the Ukraine-Russia war.

We will be back soon with more updates.

05:14 PM BST

Moscow vows tough response to Ukraines offensive inside Russia

Russias foreign ministry has vowed a tough response to Ukrainian attacks on its border regions.

The warning comes after president Vladimir Putin cast the Ukrainian attack  which military analysts say caught the Kremlin off-guard  as a major provocation.

A tough response from the Russian army will not be long in coming, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Russian officials said that 15 people were injured late on Saturday when the wreckage of a downed Ukrainian missile fell on a multi-storey building in Kursk. Russia has imposed a sweeping security regime in three border regions, and evacuated more than 76,000 people.

04:42 PM BST

Russia builds extra defences near nuclear plant

Russia appears to be building new defensive trench lines in the Kursk region, not far from a nuclear power plant, according to the BBC.

A video analysed by the BBC shows heavy machinery next to a long line of piled earth running parallel to the E38 road, just south-east of the Kursk nuclear plant.

Contrasting satellite imagery of the same location captured yesterday shows what seem to be several newly constructed trench lines in the vicinity, with the nearest roughly 8km (5 miles) from the power station.

04:18 PM BST

No additional Belarusian troops near Ukraines border

Ukraine can not see any additional Belarusian troops being deployed to its border, the State Border Guard Service has said.

The statement came a day after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko ordered reinforcements to border areas near Ukraine, following reports of several drones from Ukraine getting shot down over Belarus on Aug 9.

The situation along the border is fully controlled. We do not record the movement of either equipment or personnel near our border, said State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko.

04:05 PM BST

Russia sets up 20 accomodation centres for evacuees

Evacuation of civilians living in Russias border areas with Ukraine has continued today.

Russian state television aired footage of evacuees at a tent camp in the city of Kursk.

According to the report by RTR, more than 20 temporary accommodation centers have been set up in the region.

03:31 PM BST

MoD update on destruction of Bakhmut

The Ministry of Defence has compiled a selection of before-and-after images to show the destruction of Bakhmut, Ukraine, since the Russian offensive of the city.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 11 August 2024.



Destruction in Bakhmut, Ukraine, since the Russian offensive of the city.#StandWithUkraine   Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) August 11, 2024

03:26 PM BST

We are on the offensive, says Ukraine

Thousands of Ukrainian troops are taking part in a major incursion into Russian territory, aiming to destabilise Russia by showing up its weaknesses, a top Ukrainian official has told AFP.

Russias army on Sunday appeared to acknowledge Ukraine had pierced deep into its territory in the six-day offensive, saying it had hit Ukrainian troops and equipment in places around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

We are on the offensive. The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilise the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border, the security official said on condition of anonymity.

03:09 PM BST

Russia appeals to UN

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said she had sent an appeal to the United Nations demanding it condemn Ukraines actions in Kursk.

In a Telegram post, Ms Moskalkova said she was asking the UN Human Rights commissioner to take measures to prevent gross mass violations of human rights.

02:54 PM BST

Analysis: Ukraine struggles to gain support in Africa after claims it helped rebel group

Ben Farmer reports:

Ukraines foreign minister was this week supposed to have been in Africa winning allies and spreading Kyivs influence on a continent that has often remained stubbornly neutral, at best, over Putins invasion.

As Dmytro Kuleba set out he said he wanted to discuss the participation of African states in global efforts to restore a just peace for Ukraine and the world.

Instead his trip to Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius was overshadowed by anger from several other African countries that Kyiv had appeared to boast of helping Tuareg rebels massacre a force of Russian mercenaries.

After appearing to suggest Ukraine had given the rebels intelligence, Ukrainian media published a photo purporting to show Tuareg fighters waving a Ukraine flag.

The suggestion led two countries to suspend diplomatic ties with Ukraine and a West African regional power bloc to warn against foreign meddling.

The incident highlighted not only the ongoing war for influence being waged far beyond Europes battlefields, but also how far Ukraine has to catch up with Russia in Africa and the potential perils of intervening.

Read the full story here

02:39 PM BST

Ukrainian soldiers tear down Russian flag in Kursk

Click here to view this content.

Ukrainian soldiers have removed a Russian flag from a council building in the Kursk region, as Kyiv continues its attacks on the border region.

In a video shared online, two soldiers who appear to be dressed in Ukrainian uniform, break down the flag in Sverdlikovo and throw it on the ground.

Another video circulating shows destroyed military vehicles lining the side of the road  inside some are injured or dead soldiers.

02:27 PM BST

Soldiers raise Ukrainian flag in Russian village

A group of soldiers have filmed themselves raising a Ukrainian flag while trampling a Russian one in a video uploaded to social media and located by the BBC to an administrative building in the village of Guevo, in the Kursk region of Russia.

This village is just over 3km (1.8 miles) into Russia.

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02:18 PM BST

Watch: Ukrainian tanks in Sumy region

01:56 PM BST

Dozens of marked Ukrainian armoured vehicles visible in border region

Dozens of armoured Ukrainian vehicles daubed with a white triangle have been traversing the border region of Sumy, where Kyivs army have mounted an incursion inside Russian territory, AFP journalists reported Sunday.

The reporters in the border territory witnessed military vehicles of varying types marked with the insignia, apparently used to identify hardware being used by Ukraine for its offensive in Russias western Kursk region.

01:29 PM BST

Moscow says hit Ukraine units 30 km into Russian territory

Russias army appeared to acknowledge on Sunday that Ukrainian units had driven deep into the country, saying it had hit troops and equipment around 30 kilometres from the border.

Kyiv launched a surprise border incursion last Tuesday, shocking Russia, which has sent in additional reserves, tanks, drones, artillery and aviation to try to quash the offensive.

The defence ministry in Moscow said Sunday that its troops had foiled attempts by enemy mobile groups with armoured vehicles to break through deep into Russian territory.

01:09 PM BST

Aerial images show Ukrainian tanks in Kursk region

An aerial view shows what is said to be a firing Ukrainian tank in the Kursk region - Russian Defence Ministry

Aerial view of what is said to be a burning Ukrainian tank following a Russian army strike - Russian Defence Ministry

12:47 PM BST

Russian army hit Ukraine troops around 30 km into its territory

Russias army said it had halted Ukraines advance into its western Kursk region in several places, hitting troops and equipment in areas up to 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

The defence ministry said Russian troops had foiled attempts by enemy mobile groups with armoured vehicles to break through deep into Russian territory, including near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, 25 km and 30 km from the Russia-Ukraine border.

12:25 PM BST

Russia pledges tough response to Ukraine border strikes

Russias army will deliver a tough response to Ukrainian attacks on its border regions, the foreign ministry in Moscow said Sunday.

A tough response from the Russian army will not be long in coming, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said , after Russia said a Ukrainian missile strike on the city of Kursk injured 15.

12:12 PM BST

Analysis: Nuclear power swap video fake

The Kremlin has described a video of foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova allegedly offering to transfer control of a captured nuclear power station to Ukraine as a deep fake.

In the video, Ms Zakharova is shown offering to trade control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that Russian forces captured in February 2022 in exchange for guarantees that Ukrainian forces will not capture the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in their invasion of Russia this week.

Ukrainian special services, with the assistance of Western curators, continue to use deepfake and other artificial intelligence-based technologies to spread false information about the situation in the border regions of our country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In the video released on social media, Ms Zakharova is seen making a statement in what appears to be an official Russian Foreign Ministry briefing room.

The lip-synch with the video, though, is poor.

11:57 AM BST

In pictures: Aftermath of Russian missile attack in Kyiv region

A residential building heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike overnight - REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Ukrainian men survey the damage in the village of Rozhivka - REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

A local resident removes debris from a damaged home - REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

11:41 AM BST

Palestinian president to visit Russia on Monday

Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas will visit Moscow next week to discuss the Gaza war with Russian president Vladimir Putin, a Palestinian envoy said.

Russias state-run TASS news agency cited the Palestinian ambassador in Moscow as saying Mr Abbas will arrive on Monday and meet Mr Putin on Tuesday.

Abbas heads the Fatah Palestinian movement, a rival to Hamas.

Ambassador Abdel Hafiz Nofal said the two leaders would discuss events in Gaza since the October 7 attacks on Israel. They will talk about Russias role, what can be done.

He added: We have a very difficult situation, and Russia is a country that is close to us. We need to consult each other.

Moscow for years tried to balance relations with all major players in the Middle East  including Israel and the Palestinians.

But since the Israel-Hamas war and Russias own offensive on Ukraine, Mr Putin has moved closer to Israels foes, Hamas and Iran.

The Kremlin has repeatedly criticised Israels response to the October 7 attacks and called for restraint.

11:00 AM BST

How Ukraine seized a foothold inside Russia with first invasion since Second World War

Early last week Russian commanders in Kursk warned of an unusual build-up of Ukrainian forces on the border.

Drones had begun to hammer at trench lines manned by inexperienced border guards.

But Moscow paid little heed to the situation on this hitherto quiet section of the frontline in Ukraines north-east.

Facing little resistance, Kyivs forces hauled up electronic warfare systems to the front and knocked out Russian communications.

First-person view drones (FPV) also targeted and struck Russian surveillance drones used to provide a birds-eye view on the marshy fields below.

Then, at 8am on Tuesday morning, came the thrust. Hundreds of Ukrainian troops, supported by a dozen tanks and more armoured vehicles steamed across the border.

It was the first foreign invasion of Russia since the Second World War.

Click here to view this content.

Read the full analysis here

10:46 AM BST

Zelensky says Russia used North Korean missile in deadly Kyiv region strike

Russian forces likely used a North Korean missile during an overnight air strike on the Kyiv region that left a father and his four-year-old son dead, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday.

According to preliminary information, the Russians used a North Korean missile in this attack - yet another deliberate terrorist strike against Ukraine, he wrote on social media.

Pyrotechnic experts are still working to determine the exact data regarding this missile.

10:25 AM BST

Ukraine says it destroyed 53 Russian drones during overnight strike

Ukrainian forces destroyed 53 out 57 attack drones launched by Russia during an overnight air strike, Kyivs air force said on Sunday.

The drones were destroyed across various parts of Ukraine during the attack, which the air force said also included four North Korean-made missiles.

10:08 AM BST

Zelensky confirms military pushing into the aggressors territory

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in his late night address on Saturday that Ukraines military was now pushing the war onto the aggressors territory as attacks on the border region continued.

Moscows forces are in their sixth day of intense battles against Kyivs largest incursion into Russian territory since the start of the war. More than 76,000 people have been evacuated from the area.

In a sign of the gravity of the situation, Russia imposed a sweeping security regime in three border regions on Saturday, while Belarus, a staunch ally of Moscow, sent more troops to its border with Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky thanked Ukraines warriors, and said he had discussed the ongoing operation in Russia with the countrys top military commander  Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Today, I received several reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressors territory, Mr Zelensky said. Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor.

Today, I received several reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding the frontlines, our actions, and the push to drive the war onto the aggressor's territory. I thank every unit of our Defense Forces that is making this possible. Ukraine is proving that it truly knows how pic.twitter.com/qY81u1ahCl  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 10, 2024

09:51 AM BST

Incursion into Russia has greatly raised our morale, says Kyiv official

The Ukrainian incursion into Russias Kursk region has greatly raised morale in the country, a senior Ukrainian security official told AFP.

This has greatly raised our morale, the morale of the Ukrainian army, state and society, the official said, adding: This operation has shown that we can go on the offensive, move forward.

09:45 AM BST

Ukraine says it will respect international law in Russia incursion

Ukraine will strictly observe humanitarian law during its incursion into Russia and does not plan to annex any territory, a senior Ukrainian security official told AFP.

It is very important that Ukraine does not violate any convention. We strictly observe humanitarian law: we do not execute prisoners, we do not rape women, we do not loot, the official said on condition of anonymity, contrasting this position with multiple alleged violations by Russian troops.

09:38 AM BST

Downed Ukraine drone damages administrative building in Voronezh

Debris from a downed Ukraine-launched drone damaged an administrative building and a utility facility in the Russian city of Voronezh, the governor of the Voronezh region said on Sunday.

There were no injuries, Governor Alexander Gusev wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

09:37 AM BST

In pictures: Ukraines border offensive

Residents of the apartment building damaged in Kursk - AP Photo

Aftermath of attack on Kursk - AP Photo

A fire in a residential building following a missile attack in Kursk - Kursk Mayor Igor Kutsak

A car destroyed by debris from a downed Ukraine-launched missile - Russian Emergencies Ministry

09:28 AM BST

Kursk officials say 13 people injured after residential building hit by debris

Early on Sunday, Kursk officials said 13 people were injured in the city after debris from a destroyed Ukrainian missile fell onto a nine-storey residential building.

It was not clear whether there was further damage. Moscow and Kyiv rarely disclose the full extent of damage inflicted by attacks on them unless there are injuries or damage to residential buildings.

Alexei Smirnov, Kursks acting governor, ordered local authorities to speed up the evacuation of civilians in areas at risk.

On Saturday, Russias TASS state news agency reported that more than 76,000 people had been evacuated.

09:22 AM BST

Father and four-year-old son killed in Kyiv region

Rescuers work at a site where residential buildings were damaged during a Russian military strike in Brovary - State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Two people were killed, including a four-year old boy, in a Russian drone and missile barrage on the Kyiv region overnight into Sunday.

The bodies of a 35-year old man and his son were found under rubble after fragments of missiles fell on a residential area in Kyivs suburban Brovary district, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service. Another three people in the district were also injured in the attack.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration said the it was the second time this month Kyiv was targeted.

Mr Popko said ballistic missiles did not reach the capital but that suburbs took the hit, while drones aiming for the capital were shot down.

09:16 AM BST

Russia says it downs 14 Ukraine-launched drones over Kursk region

Russias air defence units destroyed 14 Ukraine-launched drones and four Tochka-U tactical ballistic missiles over the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, Russias defence ministry said on Sunday.

Sixteen drones were downed over the Voronezh region, several hundred kilometres south of Moscow, and three drones over the border Belgorod region, it said.

One drone each was destroyed over the Bryansk and Orlov regions, the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

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Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russian forces attacked Kyiv Oblast overnight on Aug. 11, killing two people and injuring three others, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported.

Missile fragments fell on residential buildings in the region's Brovary district, the authorities said. The bodies of a 35-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were found under the rubble during search and rescue operations.

The attack also injured three people, including a 13-year-old.

Ukraine's Air Force announced an aerial alert overnight on Aug. 10-11 due to the threat of Russian missiles in the region. Residents reported hearing explosions in Kyiv's suburbs shortly after 12:30 a.m. local time. The Ukrainian outlet Suspilne also reported explosions in Poltava and Khmelnytskyi oblasts throughout the night.

Russian forces have intensified attacks against Kyiv in the summer of 2024. A mass drone attack launched on July 31 was the heaviest drone strike on the capital since the beginning of the year, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Russia also targeted Kyiv in a missile strike on July 8 that hit a children's hospital, killing two people and injuring 32 others.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: At least 57 victims in Russian attack on Kostiantynivka; Kyiv strikes Russian airbase

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Russian attacks against Ukraine killed eight people and injured 30 over the past day, regional authorities said on Aug. 11.

Russia targeted a total of 11 Ukrainian oblasts  Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Sumy, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in the latter seven regions.

Russian forces launched a long-lasting drone attack against Ukraine overnight on Aug. 11. About 10 Shahed-type drones were shot down over Kyiv, Kyiv City Military Administration said.

According to the local authorities, Russia also launched Iskander-M or North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, that were downed in Kyiv Oblast.

Missile fragments fell on residential buildings in Kyiv Oblast's Brovary district, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. The bodies of a 35-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were found under the rubble during search and rescue operations.

The attack also injured three people, including a 13-year-old.

In Kharkiv Oblast, a Russian attack on the village of Zolochiv on the evening of Aug. 10, damaged the local House of Children and Youth Creativity, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

A Russian missile hit the two-story administrative building, causing a fire on the roof, he said.

An 87-year-old man was killed in a Russian attack on the village of Lisova Stinka near Kupiansk, according to Syniehubov.

The aftermath of a Russian attack on the village of Zolochiv in Kharkiv Oblast on Aug. 10, 2024. (Oleh Syniehubov/Telegram)

Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones attacked the village of Dniprovske in Mykolaiv Oblast, damaging a house and a car, Governor Vitalii Kim said. Two men suffered injuries, he added.

Later on Aug. 10, Russian forces shelled the town of Ochakiv in the region, injuring four people  two women, aged 70 and 73, and two men, aged 44 and 69. One woman was hospitalized, Kim said.

The attack damaged seven houses and a power line. The fires caused by the attack were extinguished, the governor said.

Russian forces also attacked Kramatorsk, Hrodivka and Stinky in Donetsk Oblast, killing three people over the past day, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Three more people suffered injuries.

Another attack on the city of Kramatorsk on the morning of Aug. 11 injured four people, according to the governor. An infrastructure facility was hit, he said.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian forces attacked the Polohy district, killing a 68-year-old man and injuring a 63-year-old woman, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

Russian forces attacked the city of Kherson with drones, injuring 10 people, including a 15-year-old boy, according to Roman Mrochko, the head of the city military administration. One person was killed and one more injured in the region over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

A total of 34 explosions were recorded in Sumy Oblast, the local authorities said. Two people were injured as a result of Russian attacks, Ukraine's National Police reported.

Read also: Russian attack against supermarket in Donetsk Oblasts Kostiantynivka kills 14, injures 43

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A missile shot down by Russian air defence units fell on an apartment block in Kursk. Photo: Russian media

Local Russian authorities have claimed that several Russian oblasts experienced a large-scale drone and missile attack on the night of 10-11 August.

Source: Alexander Gusev, Governor of Voronezh Oblast; Alexei Smirnov, acting Governor of Kursk Oblast; Vyacheslav Gladkov, Governor of Belgorod Oblast

Details: One of the downed missiles fell on an apartment block in Kursk Oblast. Cars parked near the high-rise building also caught fire. At present, 13 people are known to have been injured, two of them are in a serious condition.

Windows from the ground floor to the fourth floor were smashed in the apartment block. Emergency services are working at the scene.

According to local authorities, Russian air defence units shot down 15 UAVs in Voronezh Oblast overnight. There were no casualties. A local authority building, a municipal facility and houses sustained damage.

Drones targeted the town of Shebekino in Belgorod Oblast. One high-rise building caught fire, and windows were smashed in two houses. Part of the town was cut off from the power supply.

An aircraft-type drone was also supposedly destroyed over Belgorod Oblast. There were no casualties or damage reported.

Update: Russia's Defence Ministry claimed that air defence units had destroyed 14 UAVs and four Tochka-U tactical missiles over the territory of Kursk Oblast overnight.

Another 16 UAVs were "shot down over the territory of Voronezh Oblast and three UAVs over Belgorod Oblast".

One drone was supposedly destroyed over the territories of Bryansk and Oryol oblasts.

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Russian forces attacked the city of Kherson with drones on Aug. 10, injuring 10 people, including a 15-year-old boy, according to Roman Mrochko, the head of the city military administration.

The teenager is in moderate condition, as are most of the victims, Mrochko reported.

A 74-year-old man is in serious condition following the attack, Mrochko said. Two of the victims suffered only mild injuries. The report did not include details as to the victims' injuries.

Most of the victims resided in the Dniprovskyi district, which the Russian military targeted with drones on Aug. 10, Mrochko reported.

Ukraine liberated the southern city of Kherson from Russian occupation in November 2022. Since then, Russian troops have regularly attacked the city and nearby areas along the western bank of the Dnipro River.

Read also: July was deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since October 2022, UN says

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Editor's note: The latest articles on Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast can be found here.

Russian forces have begun constructing defensive lines near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) as Ukrainian forces advance deeper into Kursk Oblast, the BBC reported on Aug. 11, citing photos analyzed by BBC Verify.

The Ukrainian military launched the surprise incursion across the border on Aug. 6, bringing regular Ukrainian forces into Russia for the first time. Ukraine has continued to advance farther into Kursk Oblast amid ongoing fighting.

Photos appear to show Russian forces digging trenches near the KNPP as Ukrainian troops reportedly advance within 50 kilometers of the nuclear facility, the BBC said.

The KNPP is located nearly 80 kilometers from the Kursk Oblast border town of Sudzha, the focus of Ukraine's initial incursion. The independent Russian news outlet IStories reported on Aug. 9 that Russia is preparing to defend the Kursk plant as Ukrainian troops approach.

In response to Ukraine's offensive, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called on both Kyiv and Moscow to "exercise maximum restraint" in order to avoid a nuclear accident.

According to Grossi, two of the six nuclear reactors at the KNPP are in shutdown, while another two are fully operational. The remaining two reactors are under construction.

Russian authorities have introduced a "counter-terrorism operation" in the border regions in response to the Ukrainian offensive. While the Russian Defense Ministry has tried to downplay Ukraine's incursion, it also admitted on Aug. 11 that Ukrainian forces had reached the villages Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, which are around 25 and 30 kilometers from the border.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 10 that Ukrainian forces have begun "to push the war out into the aggressor's territory," which marked his first public acknowledgement of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast.

Read also: Ukraines unprecedented attack on Kursk Oblast brings war back to Russian soil

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Russian forces target Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast for second morning in row: 4 civilians injured

The aftermath of the Russian attack on the town of Kramatorsk. Photo: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Russian forces have attacked the town of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast for the second morning in a row, leaving four people injured on 11 August.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Details: The authorities reported that Russia had targeted an infrastructure facility again.

Among the injured, one person is in a serious condition and undergoing surgery, two others sustained minor injuries and have received the necessary medical care, and one person does not require any assistance.

Background: On 10 August, an employee of a critical infrastructure facility was killed in a Russian strike on Kramatorsk.

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Russian Ministry of Defence claims old videos as footage of strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kursk Oblast  media

The videos released by the Russian Ministry of Defence as recordings of "successful strikes" on the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) in Kursk Oblast had been filmed elsewhere, and a long ago.

Source: The Insider investigators, Russian Ministry of Defence

Details: The Russian state-owned propaganda news agency RIA Novosti, citing the Russian Defence Ministry, posted a video on 10 August showing how "Russian Mi-28NM helicopters hitting Armed Forces of Ukraine manpower and armoured vehicles in the Kursk [Oblast] border area with S-13 air missiles".

The investigators found out that the video was actually filmed in the Ukrainian towns of Kreminna and Chasiv Yar.

 -         

On the left is a screenshot of the Russian MoD's video of a strike on Ukrainian forces "in the border region of Kursk Oblast". On the right is a map of Kreminna, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine.

Photo: The Insider

 -         

On the left is a screenshot of the Russian MoD's video about a strike on Ukrainian forces "in the border region of Kursk Oblast". On the right is a map of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.

Photo: The Insider

The Russian Ministry of Defence published a video on 9 August showing allegedly new strikes by the Russian military against the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Sumy Oblast.

"The crew of the Su-34 multirole supersonic fighter-bomber of [Russias] Air and Space Forces fired upon an accumulation of AFU manpower and military equipment at a temporary deployment point identified in one of the districts of [Ukraines] Sumy Oblast bordering Kursk [Oblast]," the video description reads.

However, this video was filmed a long time ago  it was posted by the state-run TASS news agency on 14 July.

The Insider

Photo: The Insider

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence said on Sunday afternoon that the Russians had prevented attempts by Ukrainian mobile groups on armoured vehicles to break through deep into Russian territory near the settlements of Tolpino, Zhuravli, and Obshchii Kolodez in Kursk Oblast, and also prevented an attempt by the Armed Forces to break through into the Belovsky district in Kursk Oblast.

The Ukrainian authorities and military leadership have not officially reported on the operation in Kursk Oblast and have not commented on the progress in the area.

Background:

On the morning of 6 August, Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of Russia's Kursk Oblast, claimed that Ukrainian forces had mounted an attempt to infiltrate the Sudzha and Korenevo districts of Kursk Oblast. Russian propagandists and milbloggers are claiming that Ukrainian forces have secured a foothold in the border area. Russian ruler Vladimir Putin called the situation a "provocation".

Earlier, Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed the advance of supposedly Ukrainian forces in two districts of Kursk Oblast and noted that it had moved reserves to the border and was "attacking Ukrainian troops from the air".

On 9 August, Russias Ministry of Defence issued a statement on the situation in Kursk Oblast, acknowledging that Ukrainian forces were on the outskirts of the town of Sudzha.

Igor Korpunkov, Mayor of the Russian town of Kurchatov, where the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is located, reported that fighting is now taking place a few dozen kilometres away from the town borders, but urged residents not to panic.

A counter-terrorist operation (CTO) regime was imposed in Russias Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod oblasts on the night of 9-10 August. A state of emergency was declared in Kursk Oblast on 7 August, two days after the supposed Ukrainian incursion.

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A man has been killed and his wife injured as a result of a missile attack on the village of Novopavlivka in Orikhiv hromada of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The Russians have killed a civilian in a frontline hromada in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The Russians attacked civilian buildings in the village of Novopavlivka in Orikhiv hromada.

An enemy missile hit the house that belonged to a couple. The woman was wounded, and the man was killed on the spot."

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Four civilians were injured in a Russian strike on the town of Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast on Saturday, 10 August.

Source: Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: The attack damaged seven houses and a power line.

A fire broke out on the premises of one of the houses.

Based on the updated information, four people were injured: two women aged 70 and 73, and two men aged 44 and 69.

The condition of three of them is satisfactory as of this morning. The 70-year-old woman has been taken to hospital in Mykolaiv and is in a serious condition.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that the Russians have started a fire on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram; Yevhen Yevtushenko, Head of Nikopol District Military Administration; Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, cited by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine; the occupying administration cited by Russian Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Enerhodar [the town where the ZNPP is located  ed.]. We see from the city of Nikopol that the occupiers have started a fire on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

As of now the radiation level is normal. However, as long as Russian terrorists remain in control of the nuclear power plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal. Since the first day of the occupation of the ZNPP, Russia has used it purely to blackmail both Ukraine and the whole of Europe and the world.

We await the worlds response, as well as the response of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Russia must be held accountable for this. Only Ukrainian control over the ZNPP can guarantee a return to normality and complete safety."

Details: Yevhen Yevtushenko, Head of the Nikopol District Military Administration, had previously reported that the ZNPP was operating as usual, and the Russians had likely set fire to a large quantity of car tyres in the cooling tower.

Quote from Yevtushenko: "Unofficial reports obtained from sources on the opposite bank say that the Russians set fire to a large quantity of car tyres in the cooling tower. This may be a provocation or an attempt to cause panic in the settlements on the right bank of the former reservoir.

At the moment the ZNPP is operating as normal, or as close to normal as possible in conditions of occupation. Please keep calm."

More details: Later Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, reported that as of 22:30 no changes to radiation levels at the ZNPP had been documented and no radionuclides of man-made origin have been detected.

He noted that Ukrhydrometcentre (the Ukrainian meteorological service) posts near the plant were operating as usual in order to facilitate timely monitoring of the background radiation.

Meanwhile, the occupying Russian authorities have blamed Ukraine for an alleged attack on Enerhodar, yet they claim the background radiation around the ZNPP is normal.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Sunday that Vice President Harris should be very proud of the administrations record over the past few years and brushed off concerns about reversals in some of her policy positions.

She should be very proud of the record of the Biden-Harris administration in taking on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and creating millions of jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, Sanders said on CNNs State of the Union.

We have done more in that area than any administration in history. We are working hard to combat climate change, creating jobs, doing that, Sanders added. So we are making some progress.

Sanders said he has been campaigning for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, across the country and is committed to getting them elected.

I am going to do everything that I can to see that Donald Trump is defeated and they are the next administration in this  in our country, he said.

When asked about Harris reversing her support on issues including Medicare for All, fracking and some aspects of immigration policy, Sanders brushed off those concerns.

Well, look, she has to run her campaign, and I am sure she is talking to all kinds of people to come up with an agenda that will lead to victory in November, Sanders said when asked if he has concerns about those reversals.



But I believe that, when you contrast what her policies are compared to Donald Trump, who doesnt even believe that climate change is real, he thinks it is a hoax, who wants to give more tax breaks to billionaires, who has begun to talk about the kind of income and wealth inequality that we have in this country, who talked a big game about taking on the drug companies, but did nothing during his administration, I think the contrast is very clear, he said.

Sanders noted that Harris plans to release her economic agenda next week and pointed to recent internal polling his team conducted that he said showed Americans overwhelmingly support expanding Medicare to cover dental, hearing and vision; raising the minimum wage to a living wage; and expanding Social Security by lifting the cap on taxable income.

This is an agenda that is not only good policy. Its what we should be doing, when so many of our working people are struggling, he said. Its good politics 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 The Hill.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A murder suspect wanted in Santa Fe, New Mexico was arrested Saturday, Aug. 10 in Las Cruces after allegedly committing an armed robbery at a local fast-food restaurant and carjacking a vehicle with a female accomplice, according to the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD).

At about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, officers learned of an armed robbery that occurred at the Arbys located at 2341 E. Lohman Ave., according to LCPD.

LCPD said officers learned a man and a woman entered the restaurant where the man pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money.

After leaving the restaurant, the suspects allegedly forced a woman out of her vehicle at gunpoint at 2305 E. Lohman Ave. Shortly thereafter, the stolen vehicle crashed near Missouri Avenue and Triviz Drive and the suspects fled from the crash, according to LCPD.

LCPD located and arrested Zachary Ryan Babitz, 38, nearby but his female accomplice has yet to be identified or located.

The woman whose car was stolen was not hurt, Las Cruces Police said.

Babitz was booked in the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is being held on a warrant from Santa Fe that charges him with a felony count of murder, robbery, felon in possession of a firearm and parole violation, according to LCPD.

Babitz, who was released from prison in March 2024, still faces several felony charges for incidents that occurred in Las Cruces, local authorities said.

LCPD is still investigating the incidents that occurred in the city.

In Santa Fe, Babitz is wanted for the fatal shooting of Gordon Peter Wilson, 83, that happened Tuesday, Aug. 6, according to LCPD.

LCPD also said they learned the car the suspects drove to the Arbys restaurant was reported stolen out of Albuquerque.

Babitzs female accomplice was last seen on the 2400 block of Missouri Avenue in Las Cruces. LCPD said it appears she cut her hair, a braid, to avoid being recognized.

LCPD obtained this photo of the woman who was seen with Zachary Babitz.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the woman who was with Babitz is asked to call Las Cruces Police at (575) 526-0795.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA)  There are entire neighborhoods of empty homes where furniture lines the streets in Sarasota.

Many residents have been displaced and are living out of hotels, shelters, or a friends home while they assess the damages left by Hurricane Debby.

Parrish resident says 6-foot flooding in backyard was from more than just rain

A group of snowbirds have been helping each other fix up their Sarasota vacation homes and its making the cleanup process quicker for some people around the Pinecraft community.

We were just getting ready to switch over and then this happened, Karen Fisher, part-time Pennsylvania resident and Sarasota homeowner said.

Fisher said there are about a dozen of them from Pennsylvania who know each other there and all have homes in Sarasota. Some of the Pennsylvania community came to town to help Fisher recover her home.

So we didnt actually pile our things by the road like a lot of people have to unfortunately, Fisher said. We were blessed with having a guy where he would load it up and he would take it.

Fishers home is nearly empty after losing almost everything to Hurricane Debby last week.

VIDEO: Sarasota roads still heavily flooded days after Hurricane Debby

Meanwhile, many neighbors have crews out to begin the gutting process.

We see stuff like this almost every day, said mold remediator Denzel Bohanon. But to this magnitude, its kind of tough to see.

While Fisher said shes lucky to have help post-storm, it was terrifying for her during the storm because she wasnt there when her 92-year-old mother was staying in her home.

She said the waters on my bed now and it was at that point we definitely panicked, Fisher said.

She helped guide her mother to the front door while on the phone.

WATCH: Woman rescued from car in Manatee County flooding

She kept wanting to tell me everything thats happening in the house you know shes like your furniture, its floating and I just kept trying to keep her on track, Fisher said. You know Mom we need to get you out of there.

After hours of anxiety, Fisher said her neighbor was able to get the attention of a rescue crew to save her mother.

She looked at the boat and said, well I cant get in there and the guy picks her up, and puts her in the boat.

Fisher said her mom was brought to safety and is OK.

8 On Your Side talked to the neighbor who helped get the elderly woman to safety but he declined, saying it would make him too emotional.

Their family is staying at one of their Pennsylvania friends nearby vacation home that was seemingly untouched by the storm.

Fisher told 8 On Your Side that once theyre ready to begin the rebuilding process, there will be a lot more people in Pennsylvania waiting to get the call to come help.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MELVILLE, N.Y. (PIX11)  The Suffolk County Police Department announced Friday they were able to recover $49,000 taken from an 89-year-old man on Long Island on Wednesday.

Police say the 89-year-old fell victim to a scam after he called a number he found online to help him with his computer password problems. The number he called connected him to a man who convinced the victim his personal bank accounts had been hacked. The scammer then told the Long Island man to remove all his money from the bank.

More Long Island News

At 1:30 p.m., the victim went to a Bank of America branch and withdrew $28,000. He then proceeded to another branch to withdraw $21,000. The scammer warned him his financial institution was involved in the theft and advised him to provide a false reason for the withdrawals, the police said.

He withdrew the money and told the bank employees he was buying a vehicle. According to authorities, he drove home, and the scammer came to his residence on foot and asked for the money.

The swindler then took photos of the victim and walked off with two envelopes containing cash, authorities said.

The Suffolk County Police Departments Financial Crimes Unit conducted an investigation that helped identify the thief, a resident of Flushing, Queens. The Queens man turned himself in, and returned all the money to the victim.

No charges were filed, and an investigation remains ongoing.

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.
Scholz warns against spiral of violence in phone call with Netanyahu

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern about the danger of a regional war in the Middle East during a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a government spokesman said in Berlin on Sunday.

Scholz made clear the German government strongly condemns threats from Iran, Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and others against the security of Israel and its citizens, spokesman Wolfgang Buchner said.

The chancellor stressed the need to break "the destructive spiral of retaliatory violence, reduce tensions and work constructively for de-escalation," the spokesman said.

The chancellor reiterated that the time has come to finalize an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by militants in the Palestinian territory.

He said that "many military goals" in the fight against Hamas have been achieved, but the human suffering in the Gaza Strip continues and is "enormous."

Concerns about a conflagration in the Middle East have grown. Iran and its allied militias have announced they are planning retaliatory strikes against Israel following the killing of two leading figures from the Hamas and Hezbollah militant groups.
Mayo Madness

Beyond being a delicious addition to a sandwich, mayonnaise may help scientists figure out how to harness the power of nuclear fusion.

Mechanical engineers at Pennsylvania's Lehigh University are, per a press release, using Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise  yes, they specified the brand  as a stand-in for plasma, the highly-charged state of matter that occurs when electrons are shed during the collision of atoms.

Neither solid, liquid, nor gas, plasma is believed to hold the key to fusion power, which despite various steps forward remains impractical for generating power at scale.

Arindam Banerjee, the mechanical engineer who led this experiment at Lehigh, and his team are experts in what's known as inertial confinement fusion. This discipline aims to heat small capsules filled with fuel (in this case, hydrogen isotopes) to Sun-like extreme temperatures, which then melt and become plasma.

Fused and Enthused

As one might expect, melting down hydrogen can create some wildly unstable conditions. To simulate the process, Banerjee and his team decided to use mayo, which as the scientist noted "behaves like a solid, but when subjected to a pressure gradient, it starts to flow."

One needn't subject Hellmann's to Sun-like temperatures or pressures to get it to melt, either. Instead, the mechanical engineer and his colleagues built what they called the Turbulent Mixing Laboratory, a huge contraption that whipped the condiment rapidly until it entered a plasma-like state.

"As with a traditional molten metal, if you put a stress on mayonnaise, it will start to deform, but if you remove the stress, it goes back to its original shape," Banerjee explained in the press release. "So there's an elastic phase followed by a stable plastic phase. The next phase is when it starts flowing, and that's where the instability kicks in."

Obviously, rapidly-spun mayonnaise isn't the same thing as plasma. But the scientists behind this new research, published in the journal Physical Review E, hope that they can scale up the findings by orders of magnitude and try to translate it when trying to achieve fusion.

"We're another cog in this giant wheel of researchers," Banerjee said. "And we're all working towards making inertial fusion cheaper and therefore, attainable."

More on fusion: MIT Claims Superconducting Breakthrough Means Fusion Power Can Be Practical
Scientists warn living in wealthy community can't protect against growing threat: 'The most affluent  cannot escape the hazards'

Rutgers University geographers conducted a nationwide study comparing hazards and risks among America's richest and poorest communities.

What they found might surprise you: Wealthy Americans are at higher risk of natural disasters and air pollution exposure based on where they live.

What's happening?

Phys.org reported that the researchers designed the study to investigate how the connection between where you live and the risks you face is more complex than it seems.

While looking at 200 locations across all 50 states, they found that people living in wealthy communities are more prone to natural hazards like droughts and hurricanes, as well as higher air pollution due to polluting facilities nearby.

Meanwhile, residents of poorer, rural communities have fewer of these risks but also have higher suicide and homicide rates, less access to healthcare, and fewer educational opportunities.

The researchers used FEMA's National Risk Index in their analysis and determined that seven of the top 10 natural hazard locations are in California. Houston, Oklahoma City, and Huntsville, Alabama, rounded out the top 10 list due to their vulnerability to fires, floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Why is understanding your community's risks important?

This study stands out because it puts us all on a more equal playing field regarding environmental hazards, regardless of income bracket. No matter who you are or how much money you make, you are still not safe from the effects of rising global temperatures, toxic air, and extreme weather events.

"Low-income areas are burdened by many hazards, yet even the most affluent suburban residents cannot escape the hazards of living near industrial and waste management facilities," said Michael Greenberg, one of the lead researchers.

The study also provides valuable information about learning the risks where you live to be more prepared and ensure your health and safety.

What's being done about risk-related disparities?

The researchers encourage Americans to check out the free databases they actually used in their assessments to assess their own risks related to air quality and environmental hazards.

For example, the EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool is a resource that combines socioeconomic and environmental indicators to help you understand local concerns and potential environmental justice opportunities.

Additionally, you can also educate yourself about typical storm patterns, keep a survival kit packed and ready, and know the signs of adverse health conditions caused by extreme weather.

At the same time, local governments can use this study and other risk analysis data to fairly allocate funds to where they are needed most, keeping residents safe and providing resources to underserved populations.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
It is neither overstatement nor a cliche to say, if you are looking for the greatest evil on Earth, look no further than psychiatry.

Those were among the words Scientology leader David Miscavige delivered to a crowd of followers that included Tom Cruise and several other Scientology celebrities, including Walking Dead actress Jenna Elfman, during his opening remarks at the organization's annual tribute to its biggest donors this past November.

It was the 39th anniversary gala of the International Association of Scientologists, a typically annual event held under a giant tent at Scientology's UK headquarters, a Sussex estate known as Saint Hill Manor where founder L. Ron Hubbard had lived in the 1960s, and the first IAS gala to take place there since a four-year hiatus imposed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Outward appearances suggested that the pandemic had been very hard on Scientology, and especially on Miscavige, who had been dodging process servers in the U.S. looking to serve him papers on various lawsuits brought by former members. One federal court found in February 2023 that Miscavige was purposely evading servers and named him a defendant in a labor trafficking case.

Now, with Cruise, who had flown in on his own helicopter that afternoon, in attendance, and several thousand Scientologists in the audience, Miscavige had an opportunity to convince his followers that all was well as he launched into his first international speech in four years.

And almost the first thing he can be heard saying on an audio recording of the speech that was smuggled out later, was that vehement denunciation of psychiatry.

From Scientologys perspective, calling psychiatry the greatest evil on Earth is not an exaggeration. Founder L. Ron Hubbard claimed that psychiatrists were the most malevolent force in the universe who had been implanting booby-traps in the minds of what would become human beings for trillions of years.

Today, Scientologys anti-psychiatry campaign is carried out by a front group Hubbard established in the 1970s, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights. And Miscavige, in his speech, said CCHR's mission was more vital today than ever. He explained that its goal was the overriding CCHR strategy of inform, expose, prosecute, obliterate.

As in, obliterate the psychiatric profession itself.

And just to make it crystal clear what he meant, Miscavige later added that CCHR is pushing legislation to forever rid this world of psychiatry. Hence, the CCHR campaign tagline, psychiatry global eraser.

23 years ago, The Atlantic published a lengthy examination about how Scientology and CCHR's anti-psychiatry focus was particularly aimed at one target: ECT.

Electroconvulsive therapy, the application of electrical current to stimulate a grand mal seizure, is more popularly known as "electro-shock" therapy by the public.

The Atlantics 2001 article explained that ECT had emerged from a terrifying past to become a safe and effective treatment for some of the worst effects of serious mental illnesses. But Scientology, through its campaigns and by pushing legislation, was promoting outdated myths about the procedure for a public that knew little about it.

Miscavige's November 3 speech illustrated that Scientology is still pushing this agenda more than 20 years laterbut with one big difference.

While Scientology has continued to campaign against ECT on various fronts, it has pursued a little known but very effective strategy against ECT's most vulnerable spot: Namely, the two small companies that manufacture the devices that physicians use during the procedure.

For decades, Scientology has quietly waged a litigation war against those two companies, SigmaStim and Somatics, and it has both nearly on the ropes.

Scientology knows that if the two companies go out of business, federal regulations mandate that doctors will no longer be able to use their devices, and ECT will become unavailable in this country and around the world.

Those medical providers say that ECT is a safe procedure that is saving lives every day, and they are extremely concerned that it is nearly on the brink of disappearingand only because of the relentless attacks of Scientology on the device manufacturers, a war that has flown completely under the radar until now.

Its an incredible story that goes back decades," says Harold Sackheim, one of the national figures who is most associated with ECT and helped develop many of its advances at Columbia University. "I've been dealing with this since entering the field in 1979. And Scientology looks like it's going to be successful at killing an industry."

Adrian Kettering, who runs SigmaStim, wanted to make sure it was clear just how unusual it was that she was willing to give an interview at all, and especially about something as sensitive as litigation against her company.

But the situation was so dire, she said, that she was willing to talk. Kettering also said that some of the most well-known physicians in the field, who were also normally very reluctant to talk, would also be willing to speak out precisely because they are so concerned about the threat posed to ECT by Scientology.

Duke, Yale, Harvardall of the top figures in the field are very worried, Kettering says in a telephone call from SigmaStim's office. We get calls from doctors saying, You cant go out of business. We'll have hundreds of patients dying if you do. Were trying so hard to stay in business.

Kettering is SigmaStim's CEO, but it's also a family legacy. The firm, previously known as MECTA, was started by a physician who died in a fishing accident in 1980. Kettering's paternal grandfather, an engineer, decided to rescue the firm at that point and make it his own. Kettering eventually took over the business from her parents.

The company has been the target of Scientologist attorneys for more than 30 years, she says, and by 2021 that battle bankrupted the company. By sheer luck, she says, a COVID-era law, passed to lessen the pandemic's effect on struggling businesses, allowed MECTA to reorganize as SigmaStim and continue on.

Still, the lawsuits keep coming.

Theyre copycat lawsuits, she says, and they are so boilerplate, she recognizes the same typos that get copied over and over again. They're laughable, theyre poorly written. But they dont care. They just want to file seven or eight of them every year so we cant get liability insurance. And they have endless funds to do it.

She says that SigmaStim has only 13 employees, and her competitor Somatics only about half of that. (Representatives at Somatics did not respond to a request to be interviewed, but did send links to litigation and articles written by the company's CEO.)

Both companies manufacture machines about the size of a suitcase that deliver precise electric current with paddles applied to the temples of patients who are sedated during the procedure. The electric current lasts only a few seconds, and is designed to create a seizure that might cause some slight twitching, but nothing like the violent reactions the public associates with ECT because of films like 1975's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

After coming to, a patient will experience serious short-term memory loss that providers say soon goes away. They deny reports that there is long-term brain damage from the procedure, and they say that it is providing near-miraculous effects for people who have exhausted other approaches to their depression or catatonia. Both sides in the battle over ECT estimate that about 100,000 Americans are undergoing treatments each year.

Both of my parents are Holocaust survivors. And when I started getting involved in ECT, I was blown away by its humanistic aspects, Sackheim says in a telephone interview. My very first patient, a woman, believed she was burning in hell. She put a noose around her neck and hanged herself at one point. She had four treatments of ECT and was well. A week later she was back home, and teaching school.

Several other nationally-known providers said the same thing repeatedly: ECT is not merely a treatment, but a cure.

Its under-appreciated how severe depression can be, a provider from a major national university said, asking not to be named for fear of retaliation from Scientology. For those folks, it is remarkable the turnaround that they can have. We have a woman in her 60s, and the difference between when shes ill and not is so profound. After six or eight treatments, shes living her life again. Suddenly her thoughts make sense. Its one of the most dramatic treatments Ive seen in medicine.

ECT is in many ways the closest psychiatry gets to laying on hands, Sackheim, a psychology professor and researcher at Columbia University, says. I have never seen a catatonic patient that didnt have a profound improvement after a single session.

But his name recognition as one of the top experts in the field has made him a target, he says: If you look at Scientologys most recent movie, a documentary in 2019, Im the major villain in that thing.

The documentary, Therapy or Torture: The Truth About Electroshock, does indeed featured Sackheim, but he is only one of a dozen medical figures who show up, most often in footage of depositions from the lawsuits against the device manufacturers.

This is the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a global organization dedicated to revealing the abusive and coercive practices of the psychiatric industry, the film reveals at its opening.

What follows is a slick production, very consistent with Scientologys other recent films that show up on its DirecTV channel, that says ECT puts a dangerous amount of voltage into a patients brain, resulting in permanent brain damage.

Sackheim and other providers say that isnt true, and they point out that Scientologys obsession with psychiatry and ECT in particular goes back to its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

"Hubbard had a chip on his shoulder about psychiatry," Sackheim says.

In 1947, after his disappointing experience as a Navy lieutenant in the Second World War left him hospitalized with bursitis and pinkeye (he never saw actual combat), Hubbard sent a letter to the VA begging for psychiatric care.

This is a request for treatment After trying and failing for two years to regain my equilibrium in civil life, I am utterly unable to approach anything like my own competence. My last physician informed me that it might be very helpful if I were to be examined and perhaps treated psychiatrically or even by a psycho-analyst I cannot account for nor rise above long periods of moroseness and suicidal inclinations, and have newly come to realize that I must first triumph above this before I can hope to rehabilitation myself at all Would you please help me?

He didnt get the care he was seeking. And then, only two years later, Hubbard was sending around a manuscript to the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, claiming that he had become the first person in 50,000 years to discover how the human mind works. He was dismissed as a crank, which he never forgot.

A year later, his manuscript was published as a bestselling book that changed his life completely. Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health became a phenomenon when it debuted in May 1950, and began a movement that a couple of years later he renamed Scientology.

To this day, Scientology, based on Hubbards writings, considers psychiatry to be the most evil force in the universe. And in writings only meant for Scientologists, Hubbard claimed that psychiatry has been around for trillions of years. (Cosmologists estimate the universes age at about 13 billion years, and psychiatry emerged only in the late 19th century.)

In Hubbards cosmology, based on hundreds of lectures he gave over decades and many books that he authored, we are all immortal beings he called thetans which have lived countless times. Over that span, which he referred to as our Whole Track, we have lost sight of who we were and how powerful we were in the past. Only through Scientology counseling, Hubbard claimed, could we recover memories of our entire Whole Track and regain godlike abilities.

Part of the reason we had lost sight of that powerful past, he argued, was the interference of evil psychs who had implanted our minds with booby-traps going back trillions of years.

So for that reason, former top-level Scientology executive Mike Rinder explains, Hubbard had targeted electroconvulsive therapy as particularly forbidden for Scientologists.

It is an article of faith in Scientology that ECT is barbaric, Rinder says. Using electricity to alter behavior is what psychs have done on the Whole Track for eons. Hubbard claims that this is how you capture and control thetanswith electricity. Never mind that it makes no sense, because thetans are not part of the physical universe. Scientologists would laugh at the idea of tying down thetans with ropes or chains, but they accept that electricity can accomplish this and has been the tool of the psychs for eons. So, the fact that the current ECT is safer is irrelevant.

In public, however, when Scientology attacks psychiatry with the use of its front group CCHR, it avoids talking about thetans or Whole Track memories. Instead, it attacks ECT because even its biggest proponents have admitted that they weren't sure why it is so effective.

New studies, however, may be providing an answer to that question. In November, researchers at UC San Diego reported findings which suggested that the seizures induced by ECT increase something called aperiodic activity in the brain, which has been described as the brains background noise.

Were now seeing that this activity actually has an important role in the brain, and we think electroconvulsive therapy helps restore this function in people with depression, UC San Diegos Sydney Smith told Science Daily when the studies became public.

Leah Remini Opens Up About Her Journey Since Leaving Scientology

Like other national figures in ECT who described their backgrounds in the field, Dr. Ziad Nahas, vice chair of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota medical school, says he has had to deal with Scientology's ongoing interference with his work.

A couple of years ago, I had a patient committed. He was a very psychotic patient, and he had been committed by the court to receive ECT, Nahas told me by phone. He had a mother who was also psychotic, and they managed to send these petitions and we started getting quite a bit of harassment with the community that is affiliated with Scientology. I was medical director and I had to ask the physician, who was no longer willing, to step aside and I took over the case, and they started directing the harassment at me. They were sending letters to the governor, and they created a stressful environment. Security had to be called in. And legal had to get involved.

Nahas says that Scientologys influence is not only making things very hard on the device manufacturers, but is also felt in the community of people delivering the therapy. Their approach is to drive ECT devices out of business, but they have also managed to harass clinicians as well. And so there are fewer willing to do it, he says.

Both Nahas and Sackheim also acknowledge that ECT has evolved over time is simply not the same treatment that Scientology is portraying from the 1950s.

Back in 1979, the average time for a patient to know their name, following the treatment, was six to eight hours. Over half of them stopped prematurely because they were so confused, Sackheim says. Today, after a series of innovations to stimulationvirtually all at Columbia now it's 10 minutes. And with the newest stuff being tested, it's down to six minutes.

In March, Dr. Conrad Swartz, the CEO of Somatics, published a lengthy article arguing that the term brain damage itself is a colloquial expression, not a scientific term, that Scientology uses to confuse the public.

Doctors study brain injury, not brain damage, he explained, and studies have shown again and again that ECT devices like those manufactured by Somatics and SigmaStim do not cause brain injury. There is no evidence of permanent structural changes or brain cell injury following ECT, Swartz wrote.

In 2021, the FDA downgraded the risk level of ECT devices from Class 3 to Class 2, a move that CCHR had fought bitterly for years. Scientologys in-house counsel Kendrick Moxon led a lawsuit against the FDA for making the change. The FDA responded by filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in October, and the court has not yet ruled on it.

Scientology's controversies have received more media attention than ever in recent years, thanks to figures like Leah Remini, the King of Queens actress who was a Scientologist for more than 30 years and denounced Scientology on her A&E series Scientology and the Aftermath.

But Reminis show and documentaries like Alex Gibneys 2015 HBO film Going Clear have tended to focus on the alleged abuses of Scientology against Scientologists themselves.

Kettering and Sackheim and the other ECT figures point out that Scientology in this case is poised to deny life-saving therapy from hundreds of thousands of non-Scientologists, people who are suffering some of the worst effects of serious mental illnesses and may never have even heard of L. Ron Hubbard or his technology of the mind.

The loss of MECTA [SigmaStim] and Somatics would be a disaster, Dr. Vaughn McCall, chair at the Medical College of Georgia's psychiatry department and a prominent national figure in ECT, says. As with GM and Ford, probably neither would be unhappy if the other went out of business. But thats not the goal here. The point being, we cant afford to let either company go out of business.

On top of that, he adds, Scientology doesn't seem to be interested in winning any of these lawsuits.

He and Kettering and others argue that the point of the litigation seems merely to wear down the device manufacturers with costs. When the cases actually go to trial, the manufacturers usually win them pretty easily. But he and others pointed out that in a Florida lawsuit in 2018, Somatics took a serious hit.

Somatics agreed to put some language in the device information that conceded that ECT could cause problems, McCall explains.

"They managed to get Somatics to write in its manual that it causes brain damage without any proof that it does," Dr. Ziad Nahas adds, echoing others who said the settlement set a bad precedent.

Somatics itself, in its most recent product manual for its ECT device, the Thymatron System IV, found a way to fight back, at least in a footnote: In the interests of avoiding litigation we provide here our warning that Scientology and its affiliate CCHR have threatened to sue ECT device makers and psychiatrists in the USA who do not deliver a warning that ECT can cause brain damage, regardless of any evidence about it.

Other than that, these companies have succeeded, but at great cost," McCall says. "The M.O. from Scientology seems to be to file as many suits as possible and ratchet up costs until it breaks the bank.

Adrian Kettering admits that it is a battle that has taken its toll on her and her company.

These are small companies chugging along, she says. Its a very strategic move by Scientology. Its what they're known for. And its a strange circumstance to be in. Theyre going to be taking away a treatment that is saving so many lives.

Kettering says that providers are constantly reaching out to her, asking her how they can do something to counter Scientology's attacks. All of these doctors, theyre trying to figure it out. Should they make an appeal to Congress? To the FDA? To the APA? How should we do this, they are asking, she says.

With both companies struggling to survive, a new court ruling arrived this year that may tip the balance and allow Scientology to deliver the killing blow. On June 20, the California Supreme Court responded to a lawsuit brought by Scientologist lawyers Wisner and Baum by overturning a longstanding doctrine that had provided the device manufacturers with some legal protection.

The court overturned previous rulings which reasoned that if a device manufacturer communicated warnings about the risks of their products to doctors who passed them on to patients, those patients couldnt sue the manufacturers for following their doctors advice.

Now, with the new ruling in a lawsuit against Somatics, the court decided that a patient could sue the manufacturer for not giving a stronger warning about risks, even if their doctor had recommended the procedure.

Kettering predicted that the ruling, while not proving that brain damage had actually occurred, would lead to even more lawsuits against Somatics and SigmaStim, and would be a catastrophe.

Tony Ortega is a journalist who was formerly the editor of The Village Voice and has written about Scientology since 1995. You can find more of his work at The Underground Bunker.

Inside the Secret Hell of Going to War With Scientology

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People with symptoms of long COVID attend a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on long COVID in January. A group of senators is now urging the Social Security Administration to grant greater access to disability payments for people with long COVID symptoms. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Several U.S. senators have called on the Social Security Administration to take steps to make it easier for people with long COVID to access disability benefits, actions that disability rights advocates and patients say are desperately needed.

Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) signed the letter released on Monday. They said the agency should make the process more transparent, track and publish data on long COVID applications, and consider expanding the listing of impairments the SSA considers in applications for benefits.

In some situations, these symptoms can be debilitating and prevent an individual from being able to work, take care of their family, manage their household, or participate in social activities, the senators wrote to SSA Commissioner Martin OMalley.

Long COVID is a chronic health condition, which often includes fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath, following a COVID-19 infection. About three in 10 American adults have had long COVID at some point according to KFFs April analysis of long COVID data. About 17 million people had it in March 2024. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released guidance on long COVID as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Kaine has been outspoken about his own experience with long COVID and Sanders introduced legislation this month to provide $1 billion in funding each year for 10 years to support long COVID research by the National Institutes of Health.

Lisa McCorkell, co-founder of the Patient Led Research Collaborative, a group of long COVID patients and patients with associated illnesses, told States Newsroom, Creating a ruling or listing would be a huge improvement  having that specific guidance for how to document long COVID, its related diagnoses, and its associated impairment would assist physicians who may not be as knowledgeable about long COVID.

The SSA administers disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs. The former program requires past employment payment into Social Security. The latter one does not have those restrictions and is based on financial need but to receive benefits, applicants have to prove they qualify as having a disability. The average monthly disability benefit for Social Security Disability Insurance is $1,538.

Long COVIDs economic cost

Researchers and economists are still trying to understand the full impact of COVID-19 infections and long COVID on the workforce. A 2023 study estimated that COVID-19 brought down the labor force by 500,000 people and that the average loss of labor is equivalent to $9,000 in earnings. More than 25% of people with long COVID said their condition had an impact on their employment or work hours, according to a 2022 Minneapolis Fed paper.

Long COVID is not going to go away, particularly as government protections on the federal, state, and local level to reduce the spread of COVID are severely lacking, said Marissa Ditkowsky, who serves as the disability economic justice counsel at the National Partnership for Women & Families, an organization focused on health, economic justice, and reproductive rights for women and families.

While COVID continues to be a reality, we know that COVID disproportionately impacts women, disabled folks, and people of color, and the folks who are most impacted already have issues with access to appropriate health care, access to employment, and access to equitable wages, said Ditkowsky, who has long COVID herself. A lot of folks might be working in low-wage jobs where theyre in the service industry and constantly out there and more likely to contract COVID. It starts not just with the programs for how to deal with folks with long COVID, but how to prevent people from getting long COVID.

In the meantime, she said people with long COVID, as well as other people with disabilities, would benefit from the changes senators are advocating, such as restoring the treating physician rule, which was repealed in 2017. The rule allowed the agency to give greater weight to medical evidence from a physician who treated a patient for years compared to, say, a doctor who examines a patient once.

Giving your own doctor the weight [they] deserve is huge, Ditkowsky said.

Mia Ives-Rublee, senior director of the disability justice initiative at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, said there is an opportunity for the Biden administration or the next administration to revamp how the agency administers disability benefits. She said that given the aging population, there is more reason than ever for the agency to make significant improvements to the application process. Advocates for people with disabilities say its also imperative to boost funding for the agency.

Not only are we seeing an increase in disability in younger folks, but were also looking at the big boomer generation getting older  Were going to see a huge pressure on the [SSA] and we need to see real changes and funding and think of ways to manage the wide variety of experiences that people have in order to deal with differences in applying for these benefits, she said.
(KRON)  A San Francisco resident with a felony warrant was arrested after attempting to purchase a car at a Colma car dealership with a false identification, according to the Colma Police Department.

Around 6 p.m. on July 26, a car dealership in the 600 block of Serramonte Boulevard notified Colma PD of a person using a fraudulent identification card to buy a vehicle. Responding officers were informed by the manager that the suspect did not match the photo that was on the identification card he had provided the business.

The suspect gave police a false identification twice when being detained, said Colma PD. For the first name the suspect provided, there was information populated in DMV records. According to police, the second ID card did not match the suspect.

Image courtesy of the Colma Police Department

Daly City PD looking for 2 suspects who stripped victims of their jewelry

The suspect was arrested and fingerprinted, which identified the suspect as 45-year-old San Franciso resident Francisco Romero. CPD said he was in possession of drug paraphernalia at the time of the arrest.

Colma PD said records showed Romero had a $15,000 felony warrant for his arrest from a neighboring agency.

He was booked into San Mateo County Jail for multiple charges, including:

Identity theft

false personation

giving false identification to police officers

possession of drug paraphernalia

misappropriation of found property

felony warrant

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Despite social media posts to the contrary, there was no shooting inside Washington Square Mall in Tigard on Sunday.

A disgruntled employee shattered a glass case inside a store, police said, leading others to speculate about the sound.

Salem SWAT team home search leads to alleged bank robbers arrest

About 12:35 this afternoon, we started getting calls from several people calling into 911 who thought there was some kind of shots fired or active shooter incident at Washington Square Mall. Fortunately that was not the case, Tigard PD spokesperson Kelsey Anderson told KOIN 6 News. We learned that there was a glass case that was shattered by a disgruntled employee inside one of the stores at the mall.

Tigard PD Public Information Officer Kelsey Anderson, August 11, 2024 (KOIN)

People inside the mall didnt know what the sound was and reacted differently, she said.

They responded in a variety of ways. Some people ran out of the mall. Some were inside stores and sheltered in place. Some hid in back storage areas.

Tigard officers went to the mall and contacted everyone they could to share the news the mall was safe and always had been.

They contacted everyone who had been hiding inside the stores there and helped share that message as well, Anderson said.

The way people responded was understandable, she said.

Its a busy summer Sunday afternoon and thats a very busy shopping center. So we understand why there was that sense of panic there as they worked to figure out what they heard, Anderson told KOIN 6 News. But again, fortunately it was just shattered glass and nothing else.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A woman from Shelby was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly throwing her newborn into a California dumpster nearly four decades ago, according to ABC 7.

The Riverside Police Department booked Melissa Jean Allen Avila, 55, on Aug. 5 after North Carolina law enforcement extradited her from Shelby. Avila was booked on a charge of first-degree murder.

She was given a $1.1 million bail and is still in custody.

ALSO READ: Deputies arrest man wanted for shooting at police, school bus

Detectives discovered the baby girls body on Oct. 13, 1987. A man searching for recyclables found the remains inside a dumpster behind a business. The death was ruled a homicide. The case was opened back up in 2020 and detectives turned to DNA samples recovered at the scene to reignite the investigation, ABC 7 says.

She was given a $1.1 million bail and is still in custody.

Detectives worked with partners at the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Team and the nonprofit Season of Justice to identify Avila as the babys mother. After identifying Avila, police worked with the U.S. Marshals to track her down to Shelby.

Investigators said new DNA technology and evidence from the scene in the 1980s led detectives to Avila.

We went out, we located the individual, took her into custody, brought her into the Cleveland County Detention Center and from that point shes now back out, or on her way to California now, said Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman.

Norman said his department was contacted by Riverside police in March 2023 to look into Avila as a person of interest. A felony warrant was issued for her arrest after she was interviewed in Shelby.

Avila has been in jail in California for a week.

We cant bring the deceased back first and foremost we do know that, but it does give that victims family some type of closure to know that the individual is in custody that committed that crime, Norman said.

Norman said hes happy to assist any jurisdiction in cases like this.

(WATCH BELOW: Suspect wanted for murder in Shelby, police say)
Six women face felony charges after fight in Davenport

Six women face felony charges after fight in Davenport

Six women face charges after Davenport Police went to a disturbance on the 1700 block of Pleasant Court shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday, according to court records.

(Clockwise from top left) Paris Hanes, Gia Hill, Arosea Howell, Kaliyah Howell, Lashya Kirk and Vivianna Sutton (Scott County Jail)

Paris Hanes, 19; Gia Hill, 22; Arosea Howell, 22; Kaliyah Howell, 20; Lashya Kirk, 18; and Vivianna Sutton, 19; each face a felony charge of participation in a riot, according to court records.

Police allege in affidavits that a group was fighting on a public street/roadway and causing a disturbance.

The women, police say in affidavits, were engaged in a fight, throwing punches, kicking, hair pulling, cursing, and screaming, disrupting the neighborhood.

All have been released from Scott County Jail, court records show.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (WJHL)  After two Smyth County deputies were shot in the line of duty, leaving one of them dead, community members are working to repay the service of their men and women in uniform.

Deputy Hunter Reedy

Deputy Hunter Reedy was tragically killed in a shooting during a traffic stop on Friday night, and Deputy Michael Fedorchuck was injured.

Were all distraught, said Sheriff Chip Shuler following a press conference. Were a small agency, and were all very close.

Our officers are always right here when we need them, said Cori Fullen, owner of Blue Ridge Outfitters in Marion. So we want to be there for them like they are for us.

SEE ALSO: Deputy killed, another injured in Smyth County, Va. shooting

On Saturday afternoon, Law enforcement agencies participated in a procession that brought Fedorchuck home from the hospital after he had emergency surgery.

Fullen said her cousin helped lead the procession. She said the procession showed the impact that Friday nights tragedy had.

It is amazing the support from all of the local agencies that have just stepped in and kind of taken over our county, so that all of our deputies and officers can be where they need to be with their fallen officers, Fullen said.

Sheriff Shuler repeated the same sentiment.

Ive got calls from all over the state offering assistance to my office, said Shuler. Were all brothers and sisters in brown, blue, gray, whatever we wear.

Fullen chose to designate a place for donations to Reedy and Fedorchuks families in her store. She said she has seen an impact after just one day.

Weve had customers come in just to put money in the box, said Fullen. Its just been overwhelming, the response. And this just goes to show how strong Smyth County can be as a community.

Fullen is also partnering with Forever and Always Designs of the Appalachias to create a #SmythStrong t-shirt. All proceeds from the shirts will be donated back to the families of Fedorchuk and Reedy.

Gov. Youngkin provided an updated statement on Sunday regarding the shooting, and said hes ordered flags in the Commonwealth to be flown at half-staff on the day of Reedys memorial service.

We ask for everyone to lift-up in prayer and support the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Hunter Reedy, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Its a stark reminder that our law enforcement heroes risk their lives every day and his bravery and commitment to protecting and serving the Smyth County community will never be forgotten. Suzanne and I are so grateful for the support being poured out for Deputy Reedys family. We continue to pray for the swift and full recovery of Deputy Fedorchuk, who was also struck by gunfire in the same incident. During this difficult time, we stand united in support of our entire law enforcement community and their families. Governor Glenn Youngkin

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Sole Survivor of Car Crash That Killed 9 Tried to Save Family, Witness Says: 'He Was Saying, 'Please Help Me' '

"He was diving under the water nonstop and he had to be doing that for quite a while before I got there," the witness said

WPLG/Youtube The scene of the accident

A 26-year-old man, who was the sole survivor in a deadly Florida crash that killed nine of his family members, tried to pull his family out to safety after the incident, according to a witness.

Authorities said a woman had been driving a 2023 Ford Explorer filled with her family members on Aug. 6, when she failed to negotiate a 90-degree curve in the road and hit a guardrail, before flipping upside down in a canal, per The Palm Beach Post.

Witness Warren Prescott told WPBF he was one of the first people who came upon the scene and called 911, before getting out of his car to help. He said he found the young man  later identified as Jorden Rickey Hall  in the canal, diving underwater as he tried to get his family members out of the submerged vehicle.

"He was saying, 'Please help me, please help me. Ive lost my whole family. This is my whole family,' " Prescott recalled to the outlet.

Related: Six of Nine People Killed in Single-Car Florida Crash Were Younger Than 15: 'Precious Lives Lost'

I know I read that he was injured, and Im sure he was, Prescott continued. I mean, he was like a machine. He was diving under the water nonstop and he had to be doing that for quite a while before I got there because he had already removed six of the victims.

Prescott told WPBF that he helped carry some of the passengers that Prescott removed from the car to the canal bank and tried to administer CPR. He said he eventually flagged down a passing work van with four or five guys inside, who got out of their car and tried to move the submerged SUV into a better position so they could get out the remaining children trapped in the car.

He said that Hall kept trying to dive under the car to find more family members until police got to the scene and pulled him away so they could send divers to search for the rest of his loved ones in the submerged vehicle.

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He repeated multiple times that it was his whole family in the car. I just lost my whole family. Why? Why me? Why am I still here? It was one of the most heart-wrenching things Ive ever seen, Prescott told WPBF.

The guy was a total hero. It unfortunately wasnt the best outcome, but he really tried his hardest and tried to save his family, and it was really something astonishing to see, Prescott added.

GoFundMe A photo of the nine victims in the fatal crash, as seen on a GoFundMe for the family.

Four of the SUVs occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while the others were transported to a local hospital, where they later died, authorities confirmed in a press release.

Related: Colo. Students Grieved Friends Fatal Overdose. Then They Fought for Statewide Change  and Won

The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office identified the victims as driver Pamela Wiggins, 56  who would have celebrated her birthday on Aug. 6  and passengers Leiana Alyse Hall, 30; Anyia Tucker, 21; Michael Anthony Hall, Jr., 14; Imani Hall, 9; Kamdien Edwards, 5; Yasire Smith, 5; Ziaire Mack, 3; and Naleia Tucker, 23 months, per The Palm Beach Post.

Hall sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital, per the outlet.

According to a crash report obtained by NBC affiliate WPTV, none of the victims were wearing seatbelts. The NTSB announced that it was sending a team to conduct an investigation into the crash.



A GoFundMe started by Wiggins daughter has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses and to remember these precious lives lost."

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Read the original article on People.
A South Carolina man was killed Saturday morning when the tractor trailer he was driving crashed and overturned, officials said.

Larry L. Priester, a 38-year-old Barnwell County resident, died in what the Aiken County Coroners Office called an accident.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 7:15 a.m., according to Master Trooper William Bennett of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Priester was driving a 2015 Freightliner tractor trailer north on S.C. 19/Edgefield Highway, according to Bennett. Near the intersection with Old Friar Road the semi truck ran off the right side of the road and overturned, Bennett said. Thats not far from Exit 18 on Interstate 20.

At about 8:30 a.m., Priester died at the scene, Coroner Darryl Ables said.

Bennett said Priester was the only person in the tractor trailer, and no other injuries were reported.

There was no word if Priester was wearing a seat belt.

Information about what caused the tractor trailer to veer off the road was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroners office. An autopsy will be performed in Newberry, according to Ables.

Through Aug. 4, at least 534 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 20 people have died in Aiken County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 38 deaths reported in the county in 2023, DPS reported.
South Carolina woman arrested for stealing more than $50,000 from church, cops say

A South Carolina woman was arrested for stealing more than $50,000 from the church where she worked, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Lynn Evans Myers, a 67-year-old St. George resident, was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent ($10,000 or more), SLED said in a news release.

Between February 2019 and July 2023, Myers stole church funds from her employer  St. George United Methodist Church  for her own personal gain, according to an affidavit.

Myers held a position of trust at the church, where she was responsible for the safekeeping, transferring and dispersing of church funds, the affidavit said. Instead, she did take, steal, or convert to her ownership these funds with intent to deprive St. George United Methodist Church, it said.

Myers used the churchs credit cards to buy $39,364.34 worth of services/goods for her personal use via Apple.com, according to the affidavit.

She also deposited $12,300 of church funds into her personal SouthState Bank account, the affidavit shows.

There was no word about what personal items Myers bought with the $51,664.34 in stolen money, or if all of it was spent.

SLED said Myers was booked into the Dorchester County Detention Center, but shes not currently listed on the jails inmate roster. Information about Myers bond was not available.

Myers will be prosecuted by the 1st Circuit Solicitors Office.

If convicted on the felony charge, Myers faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison, according to South Carolina law.
St. Pauls Italian Fest concludes after a perfect weekend of culture, food and weather

A historic festival wrapped up in Eries Little Italy neighborhood on Sunday representing a certain heritage from Europe.

The Italian festival at Saint Pauls Church on Walnut Street held its last day after a weekend of celebrating Italian heritage.

Sounds and smells of Italy fill the air at the 2024 St. Pauls Italian Fest

The festival wrapped up with a performance from Italian dancers each representing a different region in Italy.

One chef said the weekend was a big success with clear weather and a great turnout from the community.

Animal lovers jam out at humane societys 5th annual Rock and Rescue Charity Concert

I can tell you that were probably going to go through 3,000 cannolis, and weve made 1,300 cream puffs and thats almost gone, about 6,000 to 7,000 cookies. Its been a wonderful experience, said Luigi Pontillo, Italian Festival captain.

Pontillo added the Italian community in Erie has dwindled in the past years, and it is important to bring the community together to celebrate their heritage.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
A Kentucky polling place welcomes voters in November 2023. Kentucky is among the states where lawmakers are exploring legislation to protect against the deceptive use of artificial intelligence in elections. Matthew Mueller/Kentucky Lantern

LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Inside a white-walled conference room, a speaker surveyed hundreds of state lawmakers and policy influencers, asking whether artificial intelligence poses a threat to the elections in their states.

The results were unambiguous: 80% of those who answered a live poll said yes. In a follow-up question, nearly 90% said their state laws werent adequate to deter those threats.

It was among the many exchanges on artificial intelligence that dominated sessions at this weeks meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the largest annual gathering of lawmakers, in Louisville.

Its the topic du jour, Kentucky state Sen. Whitney Westerfield, a Republican, told lawmakers as he kicked off one of many panels centering on AI. There are a lot of discussions happening in all of our state legislatures across the country.

While some experts and lawmakers celebrated the promise of AI to advance services in health care and education, others lamented its potential to disrupt the democratic process with just months to go before Novembers elections. And lawmakers compared the many types of legislation theyre proposing to tackle the issue.

This presidential election cycle is the first since generative AI  a form of artificial intelligence that can create new images, audio and video  became widely available. Thats raised alarms over deepfakes, remarkably convincing but fake videos or images that can portray anyone, including candidates, in situations that didnt occur or saying things they didnt.

We need to do something to make sure the voters understand what theyre doing, said Kentucky state Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe.

The Republican lawmaker, who chairs a special legislative task force on AI, co-sponsored a bipartisan bill this year aimed at limiting the use of deepfakes to influence elections. The bill would have allowed candidates whose appearance, action or speech was altered through synthetic media in an election communication to take its sponsor to court. The state Senate unanimously approved the proposal but it stalled in the House.

While Bledsoe expects to bring the bill up again next session, she acknowledged how complex the issue is: Lawmakers are trying to balance the risks of the evolving technology against their desire to promote innovation and protect free speech.

You dont want to go too fast, she said in an interview, but you also dont want to be too behind.

Rhode Island state Sen. Dawn Euer, a Democrat, told Stateline shes concerned about AIs potential to amplify disinformation, particularly across social media.

Election propaganda and disinformation has been part of the zeitgeist for the existence of humanity, said Euer, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now, we have high-tech tools to do it.

Connecticut state Sen. James Maroney, a Democrat, agreed that concerns about AIs effects on elections are legitimate. But he emphasized that most deepfakes target women with digitally generated nonconsensual intimate images or revenge porn. Research firm Sensity AI has tracked online deepfake videos for years, finding 90% of them are nonconsensual porn, mostly targeting women.

Maroney sponsored legislation this year that would have regulated artificial intelligence and criminalized deepfake porn and false political messaging. That bill passed the state Senate, but not the House. Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont opposed the measure, saying it was premature and potentially harmful to the states technology industry.

While Maroney has concerns about AI, he said the upsides far outweigh the risks. For example, AI can help lawmakers communicate with constituents through chatbots or translate messaging into other languages.

Top election officials on AI

During one session in Louisville, New Hampshire Republican Secretary of State David Scanlan said AI could improve election administration by making it easier to organize election statistics or get official messaging out to the public.

Still, New Hampshire experienced firsthand some of the downside of the new technology earlier this year when voters received robocalls that used artificial intelligence to imitate President Joe Bidens voice to discourage participation in a January primary.

Prosecutors charged the political operative who allegedly organized the fake calls with more than a dozen crimes, including voter suppression, and the Federal Communications Commission proposed a $6 million fine against him.

While the technology may be new, Scanlan said election officials have always had to keep a close eye on misinformation about elections and extreme tactics by candidates or their supporters and opponents.

You might call them dirty tricks, but it has always been in candidates arsenals, and this really was a form of that as well, he said. Its just more complex.

The way state officials responded, by quickly identifying the calls as fake and investigating their origins, serves as a playbook for other states ahead of Novembers elections, said Cait Conley, a senior adviser at the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency focused on election security.

What we saw New Hampshire do is best practice, she said during the presentation. They came out quickly and clearly and provided guidance, and they really just checked the disinformation that was out there.

Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams told Stateline that AI could prove challenging for swing states in the presidential election. But he said it may still be too new of a technology to cause widespread problems for most states.

Of the 99 things that we chew our nails over, its not in the top 10 or 20, he said in an interview. I dont know that its at a maturity level that itll be utilized everywhere.

Adams this year received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for championing the integrity of elections despite pushback from fellow Republicans. He said AI is yet another obstacle facing election officials who already must combat challenges including disinformation and foreign influence.

More bills coming

With an absence of congressional action, states have increasingly sought to regulate the quickly evolving world of AI on their own.

NCSL this year tracked AI bills in at least 40 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C.

Without a doubt, artificial intelligence is being used to sow disinformation and misinformation, and I think as we get closer to the election, well see a lot more cases of it being used.

 Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Texas

As states examine the issue, many are looking at Colorado, which this year became the first state to create a sweeping regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. Technology companies opposed the measure, worried it will stifle innovation in a new industry.

Colorado Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, said lawmakers modeled much of their language on European Union regulations to avoid creating mismatched rules for companies using AI. Still, the law will be examined by a legislative task force before going into effect in 2026.

Its a first-in-the nation bill, and Im under no illusion that its perfect and ready to go, he said. Weve got two years.

When Texas lawmakers reconvene next January, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione expects to see many AI bills flying.

A Republican and co-chair of a state artificial intelligence advisory council, Capriglione said hes worried about how generative AI may influence how people vote  or even if they vote  in both local and national elections.

Without a doubt, artificial intelligence is being used to sow disinformation and misinformation, he said, and I think as we get closer to the election, well see a lot more cases of it being used.

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No innocent person should be forced to serve out a prison sentenceor be executedjust because they were convicted based on junk science. Thats why, ten years ago a group of bipartisan legislators took an extraordinary step in enacting Article 11.073 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The first law of its kind in the United States, it was meant to provide relief for innocent individuals wrongfully convicted based on junk science. However, its implementation has fallen disturbingly short in practice.

On July 29, Texas Defender Service released An Unfulfilled Promise: Assessing the Efficacy of Article 11.073, the first study examining more than 70 cases in which people challenged the use of junk science in their trials. The study found that the law's powerful promise has been unfulfilled.

Fog enshrouds the Texas State Capitol dome on Jan. 8, 2019. (Credit: Ken Herman/American-Statesman/File)

One of these findings is that the law has not consistently led to unwinding wrongful convictions of innocent people condemned using junk science. Instead, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals mainly grants relief to people who can identify alternate perpetrators or eliminate any rational basis for guilteven though this showing isnt required in the law itself. For the vast majority of people who are actually innocent, meeting this high evidentiary burden yearsor decadesafter the conviction is virtually impossible. Innocent incarcerated people are almost never in a position to do the intensive investigative work required to reconstruct a crime scene, uncover previously unknown eyewitnesses, or track down an alternate perpetrator.

Further, the Court of Criminal Appeals primarily grants relief in cases involving DNA evidence, ignoring many other cases involving false forensic evidence. This is concerning because most wrongful convictions dont involve DNA evidence. Of the over 3,400 exonerations in the U.S. since 1989, only 594 involved DNA.

The Court of Criminal Appeals has also never granted relief to a single person sentenced to death in the laws history. Given the high rates of exoneration nationwide among people serving death sentences, the deadly consequences of this pattern are clear.

Disconcertingly, people who cannot afford to hire counsel are essentially barred from relief under the law. Only one person without a lawyer has ever received relief under the 11.073, and he was out on parole.

Of people who have sought relief under the law, 80% have lost. It would be comforting to believe that they lost because their convictions were not based on junk science in the first place; however, the reality is quite different. So many people who lost had incredibly compelling claims backed up by scientists and other experts. Exhibit A is Robert Roberson, who was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death 20 years ago and whose efforts to seek relief under Texass junk science law have failed thus far.

Innocent incarcerated people are almost never in a position to do the intensive investigative work required to reconstruct a crime scene, uncover previously unknown eyewitnesses, or track down an alternate perpetrator. Now, unless the courts or the governor intervenes, on October 17, Mr. Roberson will become the first person in the U.S. executed based on the now-debunked shaken baby hypothesis.

Mr. Roberson isnt alone. Even under conservative estimates, thousands of people in Texas prisons are innocent. Texas needs reforms that integrate scientific advancements into the judicial process and make courts accountable for upholding justice in light of new understandings. To address these failings, the Texas Legislature must amend 11.073.

For innocent people, the consequences of leaving the law as-is can mean enduring years of unjust punishment oras in the case of Mr. Robersonfacing the irreversible penalty of death. Theres still time to turn things around for Mr. Roberson and fix our broken junk science law. The past ten years have shown that the junk science law is not working as intended. We hope that during this next session, the Texas legislature will take action to protect the innocent.

Alcala served on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from 2011 to 2018 and is working on a memoir about her career as a prosecutor and judge. Hebron-Jones is an attorney and the director of Special Projects at Texas Defender Service.

Alcala was on the Court of Criminal Appeals when it first authorized trial court review of Robert Robersons 11.073 claim in 2016, but was no longer serving on the court when it denied his claim in 2023.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas' junk science law isn't working - state lawmakers should fix it
A Sterling man was arrested for first-degree murder in relation to a stabbing incident.

On August 11 at approximately 12:03 a.m., Sterling Police Department officers were notified of a vehicle that crashed in the parking lot of CGH Medical Center on E. LeFevre Rd. in Sterling. Inside the crashed vehicle, Officers found a man with stab wounds. The victim was given aid and medical treatment but later died from his injuries at CGH Medical Center. The name of the victim, 41, of Sterling, is not being released at this time pending notification of family.

During the course of the investigation, officers found Robert Ager, 40, in the area of CGH Medical Center. Ager was arrested for first-degree murder in relation to the incident and taken to the Whiteside County Jail, pending a detention hearing.

Robert Ager (Sterling Police Department)

Preliminary investigative information shows the victim and Ager were acquaintances and familiar with each other. Further evidence indicates this was an isolated incident, and there is no further threat to the community. The Sterling Police Department was assisted by the Rock Falls Police Department, Whiteside County Sherriffs Office, Illinois State Police and CGH Medical Center.

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Once upon a time, a young boy from a poor neighborhood played with seashells on the shores of Bacoor, Cavite, while his father eked out a living selling table salt.

That boy struggled with his studies financially, but eventually became an industry leader, holding various executive positions in multiple companies both at home and abroad.

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Presently, Edgar Chua is chairman of the Makati Business Club and the Philippine Business for the Environment. He is also chairman of the College of Saint Benilde, the University of La Salle Bacolod, and chief executive of De La Salle Philippines.

He has served as an independent director of Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. and the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. since 2017, and of Philcement and First Gen Corp. since 2021. He is also a trustee and treasurer of the Philippine Business for Education, and a trustee for De La Salle Greenhills since 2019, the English-Speaking Union of the Philippines Inc. since 2009, Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation Inc. since 2005, and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. since 2003.

Chua is a member of the advisory board of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. and Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines. He is also affiliated with the Integrity Initiative, the National Resilience Council, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.

He held key positions in various subsidiaries of the Shell Group of Companies, both locally and globally, including chairman and president of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum from September 2003 to May 2017.

Chua was first elected as an independent director of Phinma in April 2021.

He earned his bachelors degree in chemical engineering from De La Salle University in 1978 and attended various international seminars and courses, including a senior management course at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

In retrospect, Chuas journey to power and success began in a life of poverty in Bacoor. However, he excelled as a high school student in Paranaque City, where Cardinal Antonio Tagle was a classmate.

He initially considered studying medicine at the state-run University of the Philippines, although he also applied to De La Salle University. He weighed his options: UP offered lower tuition, but was far from home, which would have required substantial spending on daily commutes. Meanwhile, his father suffered a heart attack and was bedridden, setting back the family finances.

I had to consider the cost of transportation. And more importantly to me then was to start making money for my family. It would take ten years in medicine for that to happenfour years in pre-med and another five years in proper. Then a few more years for internship, and then the board exams. So, I asked myself, where do I go? Chua recalled.

Sometimes, problems are solved without you taking action. Relatives who were better off offered to shoulder his studies at DLSU. Education is the great equalizer. It gives everyone a shot at a fairly brighter future, Chua said matter-of-factly.

After college, his first job was at Procter & Gamble, selling a popular brand of margarine.

It was short-lived, and two days later, he quit to join Unilever as a technical management trainee. After about a year, Shell hired him as a salesmanwith a car to boot. Altogether, he was receiving P1,800 a month, and he was happy with it.

Chua stayed about 36 years with Shell, gradually climbing the corporate ladder. There were tempting offers along the way, but he stuck it out with the fuel industry, where he eventually met his wife, Veronica, who was then working for Caltex.

Outside, we were competitors, but we also worked hard together to ensure the overall quality of petroleum supply and strengthen our industry, he said.
Meteors will stream across the sky in one of the years most anticipated celestial shows

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Its that time of summer to watch the most anticipated meteor shower of the year: the dazzling display known as the Perseids.

Streams of light and color will travel across the sky while explosions of fireballs linger, leaving behind even brighter streaks than the meteor trails from the Perseids passing through the atmosphere.

Visible annually from mid-July to September 1, the Perseid meteor shower is set to peak between Sunday and before dawn Monday. Up to 100 meteors are expected per hour, moving at a speed of 133,200 miles per hour (214,365 kilometers per hour).

Bill Cooke, head of NASAs Meteoroid Environment Office, described the Perseids as the richest meteor shower of the year because of the bright fireballs. Its the closest thing each year to a celestial fireworks display, Cooke said.

Unusually bright meteors, fireballs can surpass 1 meter (3.3 feet) in diameter and are brighter than Venus  according to NASA and Cooke. Venus is one of the most luminous objects in the night sky.

These fireballs are brighter than any star or planet in the sky, said Robert Lunsford, the fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society. Like human-made fireworks, fireballs tend to leave persistent streaks in the sky that will look like smoke and slowly dissipate over a few seconds after the meteor has gone, Lunsford said.

This year is optimal for watching the shower because moonlight conditions will not wash out faint meteors, allowing viewers to observe both bright and dim ones, Cooke said. Get in the entire shower this year, he said, pointing out that last years moonlight conditions kind of shut down the show and obscured dim meteors.

During the peak of the shower, the moon will be 50% illuminated and will set around midnight  ideal conditions for meteor watching with dark skies contrasting with the balls of light.

There are meteor showers going all the time, but again, theyre so weak, most people wouldnt even notice theyre happening, Cooke said. (In a rare instance last month, however, observers spotted a fireball meteor in broad daylight in parts of the Northeast.)

This is your best opportunity to see these celestial fireworks, and what they tell us is exactly when we pass through certain orbits of the comet (Swift-Tuttle) that produced these meteors, Lunsford said. And besides, its kind of fun  like having another Fourth of July.

In 1865, Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli discovered that the Perseids resulted from Earth passing through debris trails originally released by the comet Swift-Tuttle.

The meteor showers name comes from the location in the sky that it appears to originate from  whats called the radiant  near the constellation Perseus. The constellation can be identified with a stargazing app, which can help viewers pinpoint the showers starting point.

How to view the Perseids

NASAs Cooke recommends four tips for optimal viewing. You dont need instruments such as a telescope or binoculars, but find the darkest sky you can without light pollution. If you can, lie flat on your back and look straight up, taking in as much sky as possible. Give your eyes 30 to 45 minutes to adapt to the dark. Dont look at your cell phone, because that screen ruins your night vision, and it takes your eyes off the sky, Cooke said.

Lunsford suggested bringing a comfortable chair so you can lie back and enjoy the scene, taking in as much sky in your view. Avoiding sources of light in your viewing location will allow you to see more meteors since most of them are faint, Lunsford said. Otherwise, you will only spot the brightest ones.

The best time to view the shower is after midnight around 2 a.m., when the source of the meteors will be the highest in the northeastern sky, both experts said. Mother Nature doesnt respect peoples sleep, Cooke joked.

Any sky-gazer can see the shower in the Northern Hemisphere, but the maximum (peak) will be later so the best place to see (it) is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii, Lunsford said. The Perseids are not visible in Antarctica because the radiant never rises in the view of the sky there, he added.

Referring to John Denvers 1970s hit Rocky Mountain High with the lyrics of Ive seen it rainin fire in the sky, Cooke said, Hes talking about the Perseids. He saw them from Colorado.

So theyre good enough to be inserted into a song (and) so thats good enough reason for me to go outside.

Remaining meteor showers

Here are upcoming meteor showers, with the dates they are expected to peak:

Draconids: October 7-8

Orionids: October 21-22

Southern Taurids: November 4-5

Northern Taurids: November 11-12

Leonids: November 17-18

Geminids: December 13-14

Ursids: December 21-22

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STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN)  The St. Anthonys Youth Bocce League continued its third week with a playing session on Sunday.

There are 37 kids in the league this year from ages 3 to 12. Kids ages 4 to 6 were learning how to roll the ball, kids ages 7 to 9 were learning how to play, and kids 10 and up were playing against each other.

League co-director Tara Sodeman said the community has supported the league through donations.

We had multiple people give donations. They were in increments of $50 or $100  whatever they wanted to give for that, we accepted all of them. We also have a banner coming. It should be here by the next session, but it has all of our sponsors. The community is great. They offer tons of support, Sodeman said.

The league plans to have a session for the kids in the fall.

Tino DiCenso contributed to this report.

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Students return to school in Central Florida facing new security rules and ongoing bus worries

Central Florida public school students return to school Monday as school districts debut enhanced safety rules, open new campuses and wrestle with the ongoing bus driver shortages.

Student safety is a top concern for school districts across the state, most of which also start the 2024-25 school year Aug. 12. This year, that includes an initiative to keep all campus doors locked at all times, in accordance with a new state law.

Our parents need to know, said Orange County Sheriff John Mina, at a Friday news conference, that our deputies have been instructed and will risk their lives for the safety of their children.

This year, parents and other visitors will need to show identification at a camera stationed outside before entering school lobbies.

In Seminole, a sheriffs office dog will randomly sniff through classrooms in search of any weapons hidden in students backpacks.

In Osceola County, the district will begin random weapons searches of middle and high school students backpacks and try out a weapons-detection system at Osceola High School.

The hope is the quick random searches will deter students from packing weapons and other items, like vaping devices, that are not allowed on campus, said Superintendent Mark Shanoff.

Then a classroom can get on with the business of learning, he said.

Seminole County Public Schools in July debuted a remodeled bus equipped with computers and desks to make school registration easier for families. Once school starts, the one-stop shop will continue running, offering English classes, homework help and other community support initiatives, said Minnie Cardona, a district employee who helps run the bus effort.

Dubbed the Student Success Express, the bus was parked most recently at Tuskawilla Middle School and Action Church in Sanford, where 30 people boarded to get help.

Lynn Ruperto got on Thursday morning to register two of her children for school at Tuskawilla, the same school she attended when she was a teen. She said doing paperwork on the bus was convenient.

Instead of having the small little office getting packed up with parents, she said, the bus is ideal. Im all for it.

Three new campuses are slated to open in Orange, the fourth-largest school district in the state. The Osceola school district will open two new K-8 schools to accommodate enrollment growth in the fast-growing county.

School districts remain short of bus drivers and worried about teacher vacancies, though officials said there are fewer teaching jobs unfilled this year than last.

Orange County Public Schools still needed about 100 bus drivers on Friday.

Superintendent Maria Vazquez said only 2% of classrooms are missing teachers  and she expects all classrooms to be staffed on the first day of school.

In Osceola, Shanoff said the district had 72 instructional vacancies on Wednesday, down from more than 100 at the same time last year. District staff will help make sure no classroom is without a teacher next week, he said.

In Lake County, the first-ever graduate of Tavares High Schools teaching academy, is returning to the district as a kindergarten teacher at Astatula Elementary School.

Like similar initiatives in other Central Florida school districts, Lakes grow-your-own program aims to help combat the ongoing teacher shortage. The program is a partnership with the University of Central Florida. Teacher Ashley Ellixson, who graduated from Tavares High in 2021, has now earned her college degree and will start work Monday.

The first week of school always means more traffic and then inevitable bus delays. In response, OCPS launched a tracker on its website so parents can monitor their students bus status.

The district also decided students will have to scan an ID to board their buses, an initiative thatll help drivers ensure students are getting on and off the buses as expected.

Inevitably, the first day of school we always find some child that didnt make it home in time, said Bill Wen, the districts transportation director. This will help us narrow down that search.

Despite the worries, back-to-school still delights school leaders, they said.

This time of year is so exciting, said Teresa Jacobs, chair of the Orange County School Board. We see all these smiling faces of kids coming in, faculty comes in, staff comes in. Theyre all renewed and rejuvenated.
Suicidal man armed with gun shot by DeKalb police after charging toward officers identified

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a second officer-involved shooting within hours of each other.

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Around 8:44 a.m., DeKalb County officers were called to the area of Southland Ridge and Southland Point in Stone Mountain.

Authorities received a call from a woman indicating that her son was making threats to harm himself.

When officers arrived, they found the man with the shotgun. The GBI identified the man as Israel Johnson, 23, of Atlanta.

DKPD said Johnson was given orders to drop the gun several times but he refused.

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The GBI said Johnson was holding the shotgun to his head.

Officials say, Johnson charged at the officers, and thats when two officers fired several shots.

Johnson was shot once and first responders immediately rendered aid. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he is currently stable.

No other person was injured during the incident. The mans age and identity were not released.

DKPD requested the GBI to investigate the shooting. The officers have been placed on administrative leave. Their identities were not released.

DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos shared an update on Facebook.

DKPD investigates an Officer Involved Shooting Please see the update below in reference to an incident near Southland Ridge and Southland Point with the facts as we know them at this time. Were asking residents to stay clear of the area as the GBI investigates. Further updates will be provided by the GBI. #WeAreDKPD Posted by DeKalb County Police Department on Sunday, August 11, 2024

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There are no ongoing threats to the community.

Earlier on Sunday morning, 26-year-old Marquavious Sims was shot and killed after a shootout with Athens-Clarke police at a Quik Trip.

Athens-Clarke police said the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Two-and-a-half years after Russia attacked Ukraine imagining it would install a Moscow-backed puppet regime within days, the war has now moved on to its own territory. For the first time since the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa in 1941, Russian territory has been invaded by foreign forces.

The scale of the disaster inflicted on his country by Vladimir Putin is being dramatically demonstrated in the region around Kursk, scene of a famous Soviet counter-offensive in 1943.

Thousands of Ukrainian troops have crossed the border to occupy territory more than six miles inside Russia and now await the Kremlins response. It is inconceivable that Vladimir Putin will allow the Ukrainians to remain for long on Russian soil and yet the initial response from Moscow was relatively muted, possibly because it was such a surprise.

Since the invasion in February 2022, Kyiv has been in the impossible position of being expected only to defend itself with no recourse to a counter-strike apart from sporadic forays. Few countries in the world would put up with the bombing and missile strikes they have endured without hitting back at the aggressor.

But in order to secure Nato backing, there has been a tacit agreement that western weapons would not be fired into Russia to avoid triggering a wider conflict.

Faced with the slow delivery of promised aid, President Volodomyr Zelensky has taken the biggest gamble of the entire conflict by ordering a direct incursion into enemy territory. He might hope this will force Russia to redeploy its forces and relieve pressure on the front line further south. He will also be hoping both to boost domestic morale and remind the world that Ukraine is not prepared to be ground into submission.

The Kremlin has laughably called the invasion a terrorist act, seeking to maintain the ludicrous fiction that they have all along been engaged in a special military operation. But it will play into Mr Putins argument that the motherland itself is under threat, not just from Ukraine but from Nato. Exploiting those fears may even strengthen his hand.

It is also a risk for Mr Zelensky who has his critics at home both political and military. Western capitals seem to have been taken completely unawares by the Ukrainian demarche and have yet to articulate a common response. Are they prepared to give him unequivocal backing? We are about to see the oft-made promise to support Ukraine whatever it takes tested to the limit.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Police say a suspect surrendered after officers de-escalated a dangerous situation in a Rockford neighborhood on Sunday.

According to authorities, the incident happened in the 2000 block of Vermont Street, which runs between Auburn Street and Javon Bea Hospital Rockton, on the citys West side.

At 4:15 p.m., police said the suspect in the standoff surrendered peacefully after negotiators were brought in.

Officials said the incident was contained and there was no danger to the public.

Photo: Winnebago County Jail

The suspect in the crime, James Watkins, 31, was arrested, and a 57-year-old woman, Felicia Jackson, was also taken into custody on charges of obstruction, resisting arrest, and possession of a firearm with a revoked Firearm Owners Identification.

Police obtained a search warrant and said inside the home they found two guns, one of which had been reported as stolen.

Watkins was charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery, Unlawful Restraint, Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and No Valid Firearm Owners Identification.

Both Watkins and Jackson were booked into the Winnebago County Jail pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Another big week in the presidential race as things continue to heat up.

Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock talked with longtime Arkansas Democratic strategist and communications director Brad Howard, who is also the president of Washington D.C.-based Corcoran Street Group. Hell share his perspective on the shakeup in the presidential race.

Trump trails Harris by 4 points in 3 key swing states: Poll

Roby then talks with Bentonville Chamber of Commerce CEO Brandom Gengelbach who shares what he can see happening in the fast-growing northwest Arkansas corridor.

Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to TalkBusiness.net.

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Many of Taylor Swifts fans indicated support for a safety measure that Wembley Stadium said it would implement at the pop stars upcoming Eras Tour shows in London, England.

Swift, 34, performed three nights at the iconic venue in June and is now slated to perform there again for five more nights starting on Thursday, Aug. 15. While the Cruel Summer songstress was initially scheduled to perform three shows in Austria before returning to London, her concerts in Vienna were suddenly canceled after local authorities revealed that they had uncovered a suspected terror plot potentially targeting an Eras Tour show.

Austrian authorities announced on Aug. 7 that they had made arrests in connection with the suspected terror plot. Shortly afterward, Londons mayor assured Swifties that the megastars upcoming shows at Wembley Stadium would move forward as scheduled.

Related: Taylor Swift Fans Speak Out About Last-Minute Eras Tour Seating Changes for London Stop

There is, however, expected to be one major change for ticketless fans who may have hoped to listen to Swift perform while gathered outside the stadium. While thousands of fans have done this during previous Eras Tour concertsincluding at Wembleythe stadium said on its website that this activity will not be permitted.

"To support with the safe entry and exit of everyone within the stadium, no one is allowed to stand outside any entrance or on the Olympic Steps at the front of the stadium, Wembleys Eras tour event page said. Non ticket holders will be moved on.

Related: Fans Declare Taylor Swift 'in a League Amongst Herself' as Swifties Swarm Hill Outside Munich Eras Tour Stadium

A few of Swifts fan accounts shared information about the safety measure on X, formerly Twitter. While the news was disappointing for many fans, most seemed to understand and accept the decision.

| Wembley Stadium will no longer allow individuals without a ticket to be outside the stadium for the upcoming 5 shows of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in London as an increased safety and security protocol #LondonTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/vcrKIzBakb  The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) August 11, 2024

For the safety of all, this is good, one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Sad but understandable with everything that happened, another fan said.

This was actually needed, one Swiftie decided, adding, Its for safety purposes.

I feel so sad for the fans who wanted to be there outside the stadium, but if it's for the safety of you guys, that would be fine. Please please please, stay safe for the next week you guys, another Swiftie tweeted.

Yeah it sucks for those without ill intent, but its necessary for not only Taylors, but everyone in the stadiums safety, an X user agreed.

Next: Thousands of Taylor Swift Fans Crash Couple's Wedding Photos in 'Epic' Moment in Vienna
Taylor Swift fans in London are preparing for her return to the city, as she is set to play five shows at Wembley Stadium between Aug. 15 and Aug. 20. But in light of the uncovered foiled terrorist attacks connected to her three concerts in Vienna, Austriaand the subsequent cancellation of those concertsmany fans are wondering if the U.K. shows will go ahead.

SwiftTIMEs 2023 Person of the Yearhas yet to make a statement about the planned attack, nor about her upcoming London Shows, the next in her Eras Toura concert series that has become the highest grossing tour ever at over $1 billion.

As of Sunday, Swifts official website shows that the London dates are still a-go. Furthermore, multiple London officials have made statements to ensure the public knows that safety is a top priority and that they will keep new information under careful review.

There is nothing to indicate that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have an impact on upcoming events here in London, a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Policethe police force for Greater Londontold TIME in an emailed statement on Sunday.

The Met works closely with venue security teams and other partners to ensure there are appropriate security and policing plans in place.

Taylor Swift is joined on stage by boyfriend Travis Kelce at Wembley Stadium on June 23, 2024. Gareth CattermoleGetty Images

On Thursday, the U.K.'s Minister for Policing, Diana Johnson, stated on British radio station LBC that the police will be on high alert for the London shows.

Clearly, the police will be looking at all the intelligence and making decisions, they risk-assess every event that happens in this country, and thats something for the police, Johnson said.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, corroborated that the Swift shows will go ahead in Englands capital city.

Were going to carry on, working closely with police [and] ensuring that the Taylor Swift concerts can take place in London safely, Khan told Sky News.

Wembley Stadium has yet to release an official statement regarding any new safety precautions in relation to Swifts upcoming concerts, but on the websites Eras Tour-specific page, the venue states that no one is allowed to stand outside any entrance or on the Olympic Steps at the front of the stadium. This statement was in place back when the pop star came to Wembley in June.

On Aug. 7, Swifts three sold-out shows at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna were canceled by organizers, following the arrest of two people who allegedly plotted a terrorist attack in Vienna, authorities said. During a press conference in the Austrian capital on Friday, it was announced that a third suspect had been arrested in connection to the foiled plot.

Concert organizer Baracuda Music let fans know that all tickets would be refunded. The same message was relayed on Swifts official website under the Vienna dates.

Read More: Taylor Swifts Vienna Concerts Canceled After Police Say They Uncovered a Planned Terrorist Attack

Fans of U.S. singer Taylor Swift stand and sing on Cornelius Strasse street in Vienna, Austria, on Aug. 8, 2024 after organisers cancelled the concerts due to a foiled terrorist attack. Alex HaladaGetty Images

Austrian authorities said that one of the suspects confessed to planning the attack, a 19-year-old Austrian, the Associated Press reported on Aug. 8.

He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made, said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence.

The man, who lived with his parents in Ternitz, located south of Vienna, is said to have pledged an oath of allegiance to ISIS, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday.

The second suspect, a 17-year old Austrian, had recently started a job with a company providing services at the venue for the concerts. Authorities also found Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at his home.

The third suspect is an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen who was found to be in contact with the main suspect, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told reporters at a press conference.

He had been in contact with the main perpetrator but is not directly connected to the attack plans, Karner said during the press conference. But, as was found out a few days ago, he took an oath of allegiance specifically to the IS on Aug. 6.

In the aftermath of the canceled shows, fans grappled with the loss of their moment to see the famous pop star and hear their favorite songs. A large crowd of disappointed fans congregated at Corneliusgasse, as the street name echoes Cornelia Street, the name of a beloved pop track from Swifts 2019 album, Lover.

The fans swapped friendship braceletsa popular activity among the Swifts Eras Tour crowdsand sang songs.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A year after the deadliest school shooting in state history, Tennessee lawmakers wasted another chance to create meaningful change to protect children and communities.

Just last summer, Gov. Bill Lee called an unprecedented special session to find common ground between political parties on gun safety issues.

The capital in Nashville was overwhelmed with constituents calling for policy solutions to keep dangerous people from easily accessing firearms. Families impacted not only by The Covenant School shooting but the daily violence in communities across Tennessee raised their voices for change and became the foundation for a growing movement.

Safe firearms storage and suicide prevention should have been priorities

Ignoring this public outcry, state lawmakers took little consequential action in the special session. They returned to the General Assembly this spring with legislative solutions including arming teachers. Signed into law by Governor Lee on April 26, HB1202/SB1325 allows the concealed carry of handguns in school facilities by teachers and staff who adhere to permitting, training, and approvals from administrators.

Members of the public urge House lawmakers to vote against a bill allowing armed teachers in Tennessee schools.

While the law prohibits carrying a handgun in certain sensitive areas, such as auditoriums and stadiums during school events, it does not provide any guidelines on where or how guns should be securely stored when not being carried.

With no safe storage rules incorporated into the bill  Tennessee is effectively allowing teachers to leave firearms unlocked and accessible in a school setting. Additionally, the bill does not require disclosure of teachers and staff who are armed to parents or other administrators in the school, further adding to the obscurity of Tennessees poorly devised plan to keep students safe in school.

While the legislature chose a dangerous path that will do nothing to improve the gun violence epidemic, public health researchers have readily identified life-saving solutions that would help Tennessee reduce all types of shootings, such as safe storage and child access prevention requirements and extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), sometimes called red flag laws.

Contrary to popular belief, Tennessee enacted firearm safety laws. Here's what happened.

Safe storage and child access prevention laws are an evidence-informed solution that could meaningfully reduce gun deaths and injuries. More than half of gun owners store their guns without locks. Child access prevention laws require gun owners to lock and secure firearms and ammunition to be stored separately to prevent young people from accessing guns.

These laws are proven to reduce youth suicide, youth unintentional shootings, and interpersonal gun violence, such as shootings at a school. It codifies the responsibility inherent in owning a firearm. This is a policy that could and should have been introduced, debated, and enacted. Instead, Tennessee now allows teachers and staff to bring firearms into schools without even the requirement or guidance of proper safe storage in the schools.

More: With few wins so far, Covenant parents settle in for long-haul gun reform push

'Red flag' laws could have gone a long way to help keep children safer

Extreme risk laws are another avenue the General Assembly leadership ignored. Advocates called on lawmakers to pass an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), sometimes called red flag law, bill during the special session last summer, but it failed to gain the support needed. This spring, conservative leadership not only refused to hold hearings on a proposed ERPO bill, they passed legislation banning all localities from enacting their own.

Yet we know these laws work and are supported by gun owners and non-gun owners alike. In many high-profile shootings and firearm suicides, family members saw their loved ones engage in risky behaviors and grew concerned about their risk of harming themselves or others.

When extreme risk laws are in place, these warning signs present an opportunity to proactively intervene to temporarily remove firearms rather than wait for a tragedy to occur. Research shows that extreme risk laws have promising potential to reduce firearm suicide, mass shootings, and domestic violence. Polling conducted by Vanderbilt University last year showed 72% of registered Tennessee voters support a red flag law to prevent gun violence. In pre-empting the implementation of this tool, state leaders sent a clear message that they value partisan politics and the gun industry over public health and their constituents desire for a safe community.

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in Tennessee and across the nation. With this new law, Tennessee schools will no doubt be a more dangerous place for students and educators alike. According to Voices for a Safer Tennessee, 32 counties or school districts have announced their decision to opt-out of allowing teachers to carry guns on campus. It is clear that teachers, administrators, and parents do not want more guns in their schools.

The people of Tennessee want and deserve more from their leaders. They want impactful public health solutions that will make their children and their communities safer.

Jen Pauliukonis, MPH, is the director of policy and programming at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Pauliukonis is a national leader in advocating for data driven gun violence policies. She works to strengthens state movement building efforts across the country through a program supporting state-level gun violence prevention advocates.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Firearms in Tennessee: Lawmakers should have done more on gun violence
The Philippines longest-running travel fair is back, as the 35th Philippine Travel Mart takes place from Sept. 6 to 8 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), this years event promises exciting travel packages, exclusive deals, and discounts, offering both domestic and international adventures.

Celebrating the beauty and culture of the Philippines, the fair has grown popular for its grand regional pavilions, showcasing diverse destinations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This years theme, Love the NextGen Tourism, highlights trends such as sustainability, digitalization, inclusivity, and health and wellness, reflecting PHILTOAs commitment to the future of tourism.

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With nearly 300 exhibitors, including tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and resorts, attendees can explore a wide array of options to satisfy their wanderlust. Last year, the event drew around 60,000 visitors, eager to book tours to both well-known spots and hidden gems across the country. This years offerings include packages to popular international destinations like Asia, the US, Europe, and Australia.

The 35th Philippine Travel Mart features various travel packages, exclusive deals, and discounts for both domestic and international travels

The three-day fair is an opportunity to discover new corners of the Philippines and beyond. Whether revisiting favorite destinations or exploring new ones, the Philippine Travel Mart is the perfect place to plan your next adventure.

Visit the Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

For more information, visit philtravelmart.com, email philtravelmart@philtoa.com, and follow @philtravelmart on Facebook and Instagram.

The event is supported by the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board, and sponsored by UnionBank, GCash, and Philippine Airlines, with NEO Retro Radio FM as the media partner.

The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) is a leading organization in the travel and tourism industry, dedicated to promoting domestic and international tourism in the Philippines. Comprising members from various regions, PHILTOA plays a key role in advancing the countrys tourism sector.
More than two years after the deadly massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, the city on Saturday released bodycam and dashcam videos, audio recordings of 911 calls and radio communication, documents and text messages related to the shooting.

Most of the material released was previously reported by CNN. The files - some of which were redacted - were released only after CNN and more than a dozen other major news organizations filed a lawsuit to obtain public records related to the massacre.

In one of the 911 calls, first reported by CNN in the months after the shooting, a 10-year-old girl trapped in a classroom tells the police dispatcher to hurry as there are a lot of dead bodies.

The massacre at Robb Elementary School left 19 children and two teachers dead, making it one of the deadliest shootings at a K-12 school in the United States. Law enforcement was heavily criticized for their failed response to the May 2022 incident. While victims lay wounded, it took the 376 law enforcement officers on scene 77 minutes to confront and kill the gunman from the time he entered the school through an unlocked door. More than 90 Texas Department of Public Safety officers responded to the scene and were among the first to arrive.

Law enforcement officers guard the scene of a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello - Marco Bello/Reuters

Officers concerned about their own safety

Among the hundreds of pages of text messages released Saturday, a series of messages show a group of officers expressing fear for their safety in the hours and days after the massacre, as community anger and national questions grew over why victims were left with the gunman for well over an hour.

In the text messages, multiple officers ask for their photos to be removed from the departments website after they felt like they were being blamed for the failed response.

One group chat mentions, the DPS director just through [sic] everyone under the bus..!!!  referring to the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Is there a way to get our pictures off the PD website for our safety..?..take the website down, one officer wrote.

In a separate text message, one concerned officer questions whether their department Nixle account  a communication system connecting residents with public safety agencies  can be disabled, to which the police chief responds, There is a work order for that already.

The police chief also writes, staff is asking if we can take their photos down from our fb (Facebook) page. He adds, Command staff is worried.

In another group chat, officers remind each other to get some rest and take care of each other.

Anything I can do to help? one officer asks. Rest and relax, another answers. That is impossible, the first officer replies. Being at home I feel useless, the officer adds.

In a news conference after the mass shooting, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said the on-scene commander made the wrong decision and did not attempt quickly enough to breach the classroom where the gunman was. He would later say the first few officers on scene, including local Uvalde Police Department who are seen communicating in the newly released texts, acted against active shooter training by initially retreating and never regaining momentum to take out the shooter.

CNN has reached out to the Texas Department of Public Safety for a response to the officers assertions Saturday.

Brett Cross wears a t-shirt that features his son and Uvalde mass shooting victim Uziyah Garcia during a Generation Lockdown event on gun control at the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 24, 2023. - Alex Wong/Getty Images/File

Families say release was long overdue

Families of the victims are expressing anger over just how long it took for law enforcement to release the documents to the public.

Brett Cross nephew, Uziyah Garcia, 10, was killed in the May 22 massacre. Cross told The Associated Press families were not given advanced notice of the records being released Saturday but said it was long overdue.

If we thought we could get anything we wanted, wed ask for a time machine to go back in time and save our children but we cant, so all we are asking for is for justice, accountability and transparency, and they refuse to give this to us, Cross said.

Jesse Rizo, the uncle of Jacklyn Cazares, 9, who was also killed in the shooting, said the document release reignites anger because the documents show just how long law enforcement waited. Perhaps if they were to have breached earlier, they would have saved some lives, including my nieces, he told the Associated Press.

In an interview this week, former Uvalde school police chief Pete Arredondo told CNN he felt he was scapegoated from the very beginning. Arredondo was indicted in June by a grand jury and was booked on 10 counts of child endangerment and known criminal negligence for failing to recognize the incident as an active shooting and for failing to take proper action to intervene.

He entered a plea of not guilty to these charges last month, CNN previously reported.

Former school police officer Adrian Gonzales was also indicted on criminal charges related to law enforcements failed response to the shooting. Gonzales entered a plea of not guilty on July 25.

CNNs Rachel Clarke, Camila Bernal and Amanda Musa contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Third day attendance at the Iowa State Fair broke a record. Here's the total

A weekend of nice weather continued Saturday for the third day of the Iowa State Fair.

Attendance has been up already this year compared to 2023, which had the second-highest attendance.

How many people attended the Iowa State Fair on Day 3?

The Iowa State Fair saw 128,732 people attend the third day on Saturday, shattering its single-day attendance record. The new record breaks the fair's all-time single-day attendance, which was set on the second Saturday of the 2022 State Fair with 128,298 attendees. This number also surpasses the previous first Saturday record of 127,227, set in 1991.

How does attendance at the 2024 Iowa State Fair compare to 2023?

In 2023, 118,286 attended the third day of the fair. This is 10,446 more than 2024's second day.

The third day of the 2023 Iowa State Fair saw the highest number of people attending that year.

Day: 2024 (2023)

Thursday: 90,822 (87,380)

Friday: 109,854 (101,177)

Saturday: 128,732 (118,286)

Sunday: (114,937)

Monday: (100,214)

Tuesday: (101,244)

Wednesday: (98,751)

Thursday: (101,475)

Friday: (112,048)

Saturday: (112,732)

Sunday: (85,714)

Total: (1,133,938)

How many people attended the Jelly Roll's concert at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand?

Jelly Roll was a sold-out show at the 2024 Iowa State Fair, bringing out a total of 16,001 people Saturday night.

Here's the attendance from the other Grandstand acts this year:

Lauren Daigle: 9,726

Foreigner: 11,141

Jelly Roll: 16,001

More: Which shows are sold out for the 2024 Iowa State Fair? See how ticket sales are going.

What were the big moments at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday?

The first Saturday of the Iowa State Fair saw Des Moines native and comedian Steve Higgins visit his likeness sculpted in butter, a new Iowa State Fair queen crowned, the Mr. Legs Contest, and Jelly Roll at the Grandstand.

Iowa State Fair attendance: 15 biggest fairs

2019: 1,170,375

2023: 1,133,938

2018: 1,130,260

2017: 1,130,071

2022: 1,118,763

2015 : 1,117,398

2008: 1,109,150

2012: 1,097,142

2021: 1,094,480

2011: 1,080,959

2004: 1,053,978

2013: 1,047,246

2016: 1,031,278

2014: 1,015,902

2006: 1,013,557

2003: 1,012,309

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Third day of the Iowa State Fair breaks an attendance record
ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) reports that three people were injured on Saturday evening in a crash on Highway 66 near Cherokee High School.

According to a crash report from the THP, a Nissan was traveling south on Highway 70 at around 6:23 p.m. At the intersection of Highway 66 and Highway 70, the Nissan reportedly failed to yield the right of way to a Dodge traveling north on Highway 66.

The Nissan struck the Dodge, causing it to go into the ditch.

Both the driver and a passenger in the Nissan were injured in the crash and neither were wearing a seatbelt, the report said.

The driver of the Dodge was also injured in the crash, according to the 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Maternal deaths often point to the conditions in which people live and work, said one researcher connected to a new study on maternal deaths. Photo via Getty Images

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives proposed a party line, federal funding bill that would completely eliminate funding for Title X, our nations only program dedicated solely to providing affordable, family planning services. To put it bluntly, they want to defund a program that provides contraception to people who want contraception but cant afford contraception.

This doesnt make sense.

If the U.S. House of Representatives funding bill is enacted, this shortsighted, politically-motivated proposal would be disastrous for the tens of thousands of patients that rely on Montanas network of 22 Title X family planning clinics.

Title X is truly a lifeline for millions of people across the country, the majority of whom have incomes at or below the federal poverty level. In Montana, more than 18,000 people turn to Title X for care every year for indispensable contraceptive care and vital sexual and reproductive health services including: More than 4,100 breast exams, 3,600 cervical cancer screenings, and 21,000 screenings for sexually transmitted infections.

Despite the programs successful track record, Title X has been flat funded for more than a decade and subject to politically motivated attacks like this recent House funding bill that eliminates the program altogether. Without Title X, Montanans who want birth control but cant afford birth control would have limited access to a longstanding network of health agencies across our state including Bridgercare, community health centers, Planned Parenthoods and health departments.

Again, this just doesnt make sense.

Birth control is a public health imperative that has been used by 99% of sexually active women in the U.S. and has overwhelming support among Americans. But the science and the near universal public support for birth control are simply dismissed for ideologues gain.

We see every day that the assumption that even though Roe vs. Wade has been overturned, at least people have access to contraception is far from reality in Montana communities. Attacks against the legitimacy and legality of contraception have intensified, mis- and disinformation is rampant, and efforts to target access to high-quality, confidential contraceptive care are on the rise.

At a time when people are already suffering due to more cruel restrictions on abortion access, Congress should be making it easier for people to get the contraceptive care they need by bolstering funding for the Title X program, not gutting it. The U.S. House of Representatives has truly failed to meet the moment by suggesting the elimination of Title X and pushing highly qualified providers to the financial edge.

After more than 20 years in family planning work, I see the extraordinary impact that contraceptive care and sexual health services can have on peoples health, lives and future. I also see the dedication, expertise and thought that our healthcare providers give so generously to their patients, knowing the impact it will have on their lives. I urge Congress to fully fund Title X. Without this essential funding, our patients and communities suffer.

Stephanie McDowell is the executive director of Bridgercare and Montana Family Planning in Bozeman.
Three arrested after shooting outside New Hampshire hookah bar

Three people were arrested after a shooting outside a New Hampshire hookah bar allegedly ended with a confrontation with police early Saturday morning.

Manchester police say they responded to the Babylon Hookah Bar on Maple Street for a report of shots fired.

Arriving officers were told a man had gotten into an altercation with people inside the bar before the argument spilled outside.

Bar staff then locked out 23-year-old Dominick Lundrigan from the building, Manchester police said. Lundrigan then started to fire his gun in the air in the parking lot. Manchester police arrested Lundrigan and charged him with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon.

Responding police told people to leave the parking but Jonathan Bunzigyie, 32, of Westbrook, Maine allegedly refused to leave. Police arrested him and charged him with disorderly conduct.

Adhok Yac of Lewisham, Australia was also arrested after Manchester police say she threw a solo cup at an officer.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The Perseid meteor shower peaked overnight Sunday into Monday, giving astronomy fans one of the best shows of 2024 as they look to the skies.

The shower started in July and will continue through most of August, but just peaked, NASA said. The Perseids are considered the "best meteor shower of the year" by NASA, with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour under ideal conditions.

What time did the Perseid meteor shower peak?

The best time to catch the Perseids was in the pre-dawn hours, according to NASA, but it was possible to view its meteors as early as 10 p.m.

NASA noted that the moon was to set just as the Perseids started to peak. The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonset times for different ZIP codes across the United States.

Where was the Perseid meteor shower visible?

The best view of the Perseids meteor shower was from the Northern Hemisphere. NASA urged astronomy fans who wanted to check out the shower to get away from the bright lights of cities.

A meteor streaks across the sky during the Perseids meteor shower peak at Pedernales Falls State Park, on Aug. 12, 2024, in Johnson City, Texas. / Credit: RICK KERN / Getty Images

"Try to get to the darkest location you can," NASA wrote. "The darker it is where you are, the more meteors you will see streaking across the sky."

Around 50 to 75 meteors an hour could be seen in darker locations.

A shooting star from the Perseid meteor shower streaks through the night sky amid the vivid colors of aurora borealis over the North Sea near Pilsum, Germany, on Aug. 12, 2024. / Credit: Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images

Where was it best to look to see the meteor shower?

NASA had a simple suggestion: Look up! NASA suggested lying on your back, enabling your eyes to adjust to the dark  and staying off your phone. There was no need to look in any particular direction as the meteors could generally be seen all over the sky.

The space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory suggested facing roughly northeast as you lay down, but to try to take in as much of the sky as possible because meteors can appear all over.

This time-lapse photo shows the Perseid meteor shower in the skies over the massive stone head sculptures at the archaeological site of Mount Nemrut in Adyaman, southeastern Turkey, on Aug. 11, 2024. / Credit: KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images

A huge Perseid meteor is seen in the night sky over Haputale, Sri Lanka, on Aug. 4, 2024. / Credit: Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images

When will the next meteor shower be?

Two other meteor showers are actually active right now. The Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower began last month and will run through Aug. 21. It peaked in late July. The alpha Capricornids, a small meteor shower, also started last month. It will continue through Aug. 11, according to the American Meteor Society.

The next major meteor shower, the Orionids, won't be active until late September, with a peak in October, according to the American Meteor Society. NASA describes the Orionids as one of the most beautiful showers of the year. The Orionids are known for their brightness and speed.

What are meteor showers?

Meteors  space rocks that enter Earth's atmosphere  streak through the sky every night, but meteor showers happen less frequently. During a meteor shower, many meteors hit Earth's atmosphere over a short period of time. When they pass through the atmosphere, the meteors leave behind streaks of light caused by glowing, hot air.

While most meteors burn up as they fall, some survive the trip and reach Earth. Those surviving space rocks are considered meteorites.

Look up  what else can you see in the sky this summer?

There are two more full moons this summer. August's full moon, known as the Sturgeon Moon, reaches peak illumination on Monday, Aug. 19. September's full moon will reach peak illumination on Tuesday, Sept. 17, just days before the start of fall.

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Mali asked the Swedish ambassador to leave the country amid strained relations with the West.

The ambassador was ordered on August 9 to leave the country within 72 hours following what Bamako considered hostile statements.

The decision came following Malis decision to cut ties with Ukraine over an ambush that killed many Malian soldiers and Wagners armed men north of the country by Tuareg rebels.

You cant support Russias illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and at the same time receive several hundred million kronor each year in development aid, said Swidish Ambassador Johan Forssell on social media platform X.

The government has therefore decided to phase out Swedens bilateral aid strategy with Mali in 2024.

In January, the government in Stockholm announced it would end its development aid to Mali this year. In the past decade, Sweden has provided more than $330 million in assistance to the West African nation.
Ernesto strengthens while barreling through Caribbean; It's to become the Atlantic's next major hurricane

On the heels of Hurricane Debby, AccuWeather hurricane experts are tracking the latest tropical system, Ernesto, across the central Atlantic Ocean, as it sweeps through the Caribbean bringing heavy rain, strong winds and rough surf into midweek.

Late Saturday, Aug. 10, AccuWeather initiated a forecast track map for a tropical rainstorm, highlighting the risk for impactful weather across the Caribbean and Bermuda. At Monday, 5 p.m. EDT, the tropical rainstorm strengthened and became a tropical storm (sustained winds of 39-73 mph on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale), claiming Ernesto as the next name on the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season storm lineup.

At 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Ernesto reached hurricane strength with 75-mph winds and was moving northwest at 16 mph. The tropical storm was located about 175 miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Sea-surface temperatures in the vicinity of Ernesto are well above the minimum threshold required for tropical development (>26 C, or 78.8 F), currently reading between 28-30 C (82.4-86 F).

"Ocean temperatures across the Atlantic basin as a whole remain near record levels, only trailing 2023 values," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist and Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.

Ocean Heat Content, a measure of how much energy and warmth is absorbed by the sun and takes into account the depth of how far that warm water extends vertically, is also at near-record levels in the Main Development Region. Not only are water levels anomalously warm at the surface, the elevated ocean temperatures extend hundreds of feet down below the ocean's surface.

"Factors such as near-record ocean heat content levels can help to significantly contribute to the rapid intensification of hurricanes. Both Hurricane Beryl this year and Hurricane Ian in 2022 took advantage of very high sea-surface temperatures and ocean heat content, which allowed these storms to rapidly intensify as a result," added DaSilva.

AccuWeather hurricane experts warn that areas of the western Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and eastern Hispaniola will continue to be impacted by Ernesto on Wednesday as the storm takes a general northwesterly track. Wind shear is forecast to be pretty light as the storm moves through the northeastern Caribbean Islands, which will allow Ernesto to gain strength.

After moving through the islands, the storm will likely be drawn to the north by an amplified southward dip in the jet stream, pulling it away from the Bahamas and the United States. Even though these areas are likely to avoid direct impacts from Ernesto, a strengthening storm will allow strong waves to reach the beaches, leading to dangerous seas and rip currents for the Southeast.

At this time, Ernesto is expected to veer northward around midweek and then slightly northeast by late week. AccuWeather meteorologists believe that Ernesto will become the Atlantic's next major (Category 3 or stronger) hurricane and could pass close to Bermuda by the upcoming weekend.

Beyond Bermuda, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland could feel impacts from Ernesto in the form of strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas early next week.

As Ernesto advances north of Puerto Rico on Wednesday, it will deliver rounds of squally rain, gusty winds and rough seas and surf.

Heavy rain from this feature will pose the risk for flash flooding, mudslides and washouts across the islands, especially across the mountainous terrain. In general, tropical rainfall totals will range up to 4-8 inches for the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and 8-12 inches in Puerto Rico.

Gusty winds can be expected in Puerto Ricol through midweek as Ernesto travels north of the island. Gusts can exceed 80 mph in Puerto Rico and winds can even surpass 100 mph, primarily over water, as the storm strengthens and begins a more northwest to northerly course on Wednesday.

Due to impacts of flooding rain, gusty winds and storm surge from Ernesto, the AccuWeather RealImpactScale for Hurricanes is a 1 across the Northeast Caribbean and a 3 in Bermuda.

AccuWeather meteorologists insist that a super-charged Atlantic hurricane season will unfold this year, with a large number of tropical storms and hurricanes. Some storms are likely to undergo rapid intensification due largely to the ongoing higher-than-historical average water temperatures.

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A tropical disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean could become Tropical Storm Ernesto on Monday night, and bring swells and a potentially increased risk of rip currents along Florida East Coast beaches later this week.

On Sunday, the National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories for the storm, calling it Potential Tropical Storm 5. Its track forecast calls for the system several hundred miles east-southeast of Antigua to become a tropical storm on Monday night and a hurricane by Wednesday evening.

The storm is forecast to move near or over Puerto Rico on Wednesday as it begins a northward turn into the Atlantic. But forecast tracks for potential tropical cyclones are much more uncertain than usual because of the greater uncertainty in the initial center position, the hurricane center warned.

Residents and visitors in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are advised to monitor the storm over the next couple of days, warned the National Weather Service in Puerto Rico.

The forecast turn to the north meant residents along the Gulf of Mexico coast in Louisiana and Texas are not expected to experience any impacts from the storm, said the weather service office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In Florida, increasing swells along the coast could increase the risk of dangerous rip currents later in the week.

The storm comes just days after Debby inundated the Carolinas and much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast with flooding and strong winds. The tropical disturbance, or tropical wave, appeared Sunday morning to be getting more organized because of a lack of wind shear, or winds blowing in different directions, meteorologists said.

A potential tropical system in the Atlantic Ocean east of Antigua is expected to become Tropical Storm Ernesto, then cross over or near Puerto Rico as it curves northward in the Atlantic Ocean later this week.

That will allow for there to be additional, gradual formation," Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told USA TODAY on Sunday.

If the system east of the Caribbean turns into a tropical depression, characterized by wind speeds up to 38 mph, it could next become a tropical storm, defined by wind speeds of 39 to 73 mph. After that, the storm, which would be named Ernesto, could be on track to strengthen into a hurricane.

Right now, other factors contributing to the storm's strengthening include less dry air, according to AccuWeather.

Tropical disturbance part of a likely above-average storm season

The high likelihood of tropical depression formation comes just days after scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the chance of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season has increased to 90%.

The updated seasonal outlook from NOAA calls for 17 to 24 named storms to form, of which eight to 13 will spin up into hurricanes. (An average year sees 14 named storms, of which seven are hurricanes).

Those numbers include the four storms that have already formed this year, including deadly and devastating Hurricane Beryl and the current system menacing the East Coast, Tropical Storm Debby.

Federal forecasters said Beryl kicked off the hurricane season with an "early and violent start" when it became the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record on July 1.

Storm trackers at Colorado State University also recently updated their hurricane season forecasts, predicting a total of 23 named storms. Of those, CSU scientists predict 12 hurricanes and six major hurricanes.

A tropical wave could develop into a tropical system, forecasters say.

Where is the tropical disturbance headed?

As of Sunday, the tropical disturbance was moving westward toward the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, Taylor said. Residents of those islands should "continue to monitor" the rainstorm's whereabouts, he said.

Beyond the middle of this week, meteorologists can't predict the storm's exact track  such as whether it will head toward the southeastern U.S. or the northeast coast, Taylor said.

A lot depends on exactly how the storm forms," Taylor said, adding there's also a chance the storm system could move away from the U.S.

Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network  Florida

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Weather disturbance in Atlantic could become Tropical Storm Ernesto
Donald Trumps advisers are getting increasingly anxious about his flailing public appearances since the attempt on his life and Democrats presidential candidate switcherooall while knowing hes unlikely to change.

According to a new Axios report, Trump has grown increasingly angry and frustrated in private as Kamala Harris has surpassed him in multiple polls, a lead thats only likely to grow after next weeks Democratic National Convention. Fresh polling from The New York Times on Saturday showed Harris leading Trump by four pointsjust within the margin of errorin three key battleground states, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The Times also reported that two recent private polls in Ohio conducted by Republicans revealed that Trump is garnering less than 50 percent of the vote against Harris. In 2020, Trump won Ohio with 53 percent of the vote.

Trumps anger over Democrats resurgence was first apparent in a Times report on Friday, which noted that Trump repeatedly called Harris a b---h in private. He also had an aide text billionaire Miriam Adelson, one of Trumps wealthiest supporters and the funder of super PAC Preserve America, to complain that the people in charge of the group were RINOsRepublican in name onlyaccording to the Times.

Donald Trump Privately Rants That Kamala Harris Is a B***h as His Polls Plunge

Aides feared that Adelson, who was reportedly stunned by the outburst, may scale back her donations.

But Trumps advisers are also aware that they are unlikely to change a 78-year-old man known for his stubbornness. Therefore, theyre focused not on the need for him to change but on the need to adapt his message to win, a source told Axios.

But he has to convince himself to leave the other garbage behind, the source continued.

The deeply rattled advisers are also hoping hell take on a new hard-hitting stump speech that pushes a winning message, and theyve invested tens of millions into TV ads in an ad blitz targeting states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan.

Manipulated Trump Blows Up Billionaire Megadonors Phone With Angry Texts

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Sean Webb didnt expect to be sitting at his keyboard, sharing painful childhood memories.

But thats what the 35-year-old employment specialist in Denver found himself doing recently.

In a series of Facebook posts, Webb wrote about how invisible he once felt when standardized test forms forced him to select a race by checking just one box. He wrote about the first, harsh moment when he realized others saw him differently than he saw himself  describing how a classmate once berated him with questions insisting he was Chinese or Japanese (He isnt). And he wrote about the time when his high school civics class once spent an entire period debating whether he was a US citizen (He is).

Webbs mom is Filipina. His dad grew up in Appalachia. Hes inherited those identities. He takes pride in them. Sometimes, his feelings about them may even go unsaid.

But Webb says he felt like he had to speak out and share his reflections on Facebook after hearing recent remarks from former President Donald Trump. Trump was taking aim at Vice President Kamala Harris before an audience at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention, but his words hit Webb hard.

Is she Indian or is she Black? Trump said, falsely claiming his political rival for the presidency happened to turn Black a few years ago.

It felt like a direct attack against me and against other mixed-race people, Webb says. Especially his comment that implied that Vice President Harris should have to choose one or the other, and that you cant be both. Thats my lived experience. You really must be both. Both sides of me inform my experience.

Its an experience that an increasingly large number of people in the United States can relate to. Webb, Harris and more than 33 million other multiracial Americans are, by some measures, part of the nations fastest growing demographic group. And for many of them, former President Donald Trumps repeated attacks on Harris identity feel particularly personal.

Americas population is becoming more diverse

Theres little doubt that Trumps comments were in some part reflective of the countrys changing demographic realities, says Martha S. Jones, a professor of history at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Results from the 2020 Census revealed the country is more racially and ethnically diverse than ever. The number of people in the US who identify as two or more races grew a stunning 276% between 2010 and 2020, according to Census figures, though experts say that jump may largely be the result of better measurement of the existing population.

But when it comes to thinking about the scale of the shift, Jones says shed estimate it differently. Yes, there are more than 33 million people who identified as two or more races in the census. But imagine, she says, the vast network of people connected with them  parents, spouses, other family members, even friends.

Theres a math to do that says this is not (33 million) people, this is a hundred million people, says Jones, whos working on a memoir about her familys own multiracial history.

That all adds up, Jones says, to a country where many are likely to bristle at Trumps framing of the issue, because their own lived experiences have shown them a different and more fluid reality.

Of course, multiracial Americans arent a monolithic group  the umbrella term encompasses a vast array of beliefs, cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. And some wouldnt describe themselves as multiracial or mixed race, preferring different terminology.

Some conservatives make an argument about race and political expediency

For her part, Harris has brushed off Trumps criticism as the same old show. Referencing his remarks at a speech in Houston that same day, she slammed Trumps divisiveness and disrespect and added that the American people deserve better.

Harris father is from Jamaica, her late mother from India. In addition to honoring her South Asian heritage, she attended a historically Black university and has embraced and discussed her Black identity for decades, beginning long before she became a political candidate.

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That hasnt stopped Trump from doubling down and sharing numerous social media posts painting her as a political opportunist as he calls her racial identity into question. On Thursday, he told reporters he thought she was disrespectful to both sides of her heritage. The former presidents surrogates and supporters have also defended and repeated his false claims, arguing that Harris has only recently embraced her Black identity.

Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance, himself the father of three biracial children, told CNN last week that Trumps comments didnt give him pause at all.

Look, all he said is that Kamala Harris is a chameleon, Vance said.

Shes only Black when its time to get elected, said Michaelah Montgomery, a Black GOP activist, drawing cheers from the crowd at a recent Trump rally in Georgia. While youre touting her as a savior for Black people, she identifies as an Asian woman. She chose her side, and it wasnt ours.

Republican vice presidential nominee US Sen. JD Vance carries his daughter Maribel Vance as he and his family greet supporters at the Park Diner in St Cloud, Minnesota, in July. - Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Model and media personality Amber Rose, who is biracial and a fervent Trump supporter, echoed that point in a recent interview, drawing a contrast between her own approach to racial identity.

I have a Black mom and a White dad. And you know, for me, people get mad at me because I identify as biracial. I dont pick a side. I dont say Im a Black woman. I dont say Im a white woman. I dont feel like either. I feel like both, she said. And so I think the confusing part with Kamala is she really promoted herself as an Indian woman, and she picked a side essentially. Even though shes biracial, she picked a side. And now all of the sudden she wants the Black vote. And its like, Oh, Im a Black woman now  It seems disingenuous.

This California woman worries about the ripple effects of harmful rhetoric

Angela Lee was dreading the ripple effects when she first heard Trumps remarks last week. The 38-year-old nonprofit executive director in Pasadena, California, says shes played the video of Trump over and over in disbelief.

Lee identifies as Afro-Latina. She immediately thought about her two young daughters, who are Black and Puerto Rican, like her, and Korean, like their dad. Her heart sank as she imagined how theyd feel if someone said something like that to them on the playground.

Theres a permission that was given in what he said, for other people to continue that conversation, she says. It gives me a stomachache.

Angela Lee, center, poses with her husband Paul and their family, 14-year-old Lizzie, 4-year-old Ayla and 5-year-old Justise. Lee says she makes a point of teaching her daughters to embrace their full identities and steers away from using fractions to describe their heritage. - Courtesy Angela Lee

Lee says shes offended by the implication that Harris is denying her Blackness if she emphasizes her Indian heritage at certain points.

In a recent post on Truth Social, for example, Trump shared a video of Harris cooking alongside Indian American actress Mindy Kaling and slammed the vice president as a stone cold phony. Lee says Trumps interpretation is completely incorrect.

The reality is, as mixed-race folks, when we show up in spaces, depending on the room, we are constantly taking the temperature. Does this space require me to be more Black? Does this space require me to be more Latina? she says. In that space, she was cooking Indian food with another South Asian, so of course shes going to talk about her Indian heritage, because thats what that moment required of her.

Trump, Lee says, keeps raising the kinds of accusations she knows all too well.

In high school, kids would tell me to my face that I wasnt Black enough because of the lifestyle that my family and I lived, or the way that I spoke.  Or I was told I wasnt Latino enough because my hair couldnt be slicked back in a bun. Whatever it was, there was something about my presentation that negated my racial identity in their eyes, she says. And its painful.

This Texas man is proud of his United Nations family

When asked to describe his race, Anthony McDowell generally has a go-to response: Human.

McDowell, 50, of Houston, also took to Facebook when he heard Trumps recent comments, sharing a snapshot of more than a dozen family members with a caption.

My mixed family. So I can identify as white, Asian, or even Asian American. See how that works.

Anthony McDowell shared this photo of his family on Facebook after hearing Trump's recent remarks questioning Harris' racial identity. "My mixed family. So I can identify as white, Asian, or even Asian American. See how that works," McDowell wrote in the caption. - Courtesy Anthony McDowell

McDowells mom is Vietnamese. His dad was the first generation in his Irish family born in the United States. My sister-in-laws Black. My wife is Hispanic. Two of my sons are blonde hair, blue eyes.  When we go places, when people see us all, they think were like a church group, or were just like friends hanging out, when were actually a family. Weve been called the United Nations of families.

But since Trumps 2016 campaign for the presidency began, McDowell says the pride he feels in his familys diversity has been accompanied by a sense of dread amid what he says is growing hostility theyve faced.

Im scared for my mother whenever she goes somewhere by herself, he says. I have even been told to go back to my country, and Im like, I was born here. I was born in Texas. I was born in Houston. This is my country. I served it. My moms a citizen.

And in this divisive and decisive political moment, McDowell says his fears are intensifying. He worries about the great replacement theory rhetoric from some on the far right who he says seem to be threatened by racial diversity.

I just want people to love other people. But it doesnt seem like they see it that way, he says. They think that people are coming here to take everything from them, and no ones doing that.

Depending how the election goes, McDowell says hes prepared to sell everything and move overseas to protect his family.

I know this is a great country. I served in the military. I did my time for our country, he says. But its just gotten so fearful and so hateful lately.

This Colorado man is drawing hope from the Olympics

Despite his misgivings about Trumps recent comments, and the painful personal memories they evoked, Sean Webb says hes feeling hopeful about the future.

There are many things that excite him about Harris candidacy, including her mixed-race heritage. That part of her background, he says, helps make her even more qualified for the presidency, as she can draw on experiences navigating and embracing different cultures.

I know she understands the feeling of coming from two worlds, and possibly being pulled between the two, he says. But she very clearly puts forward that she is both.

And Webb says another event is also inspiring his optimism.

While watching this years Olympics, Webb says hes also been struck by another reality.

Especially on the gymnastics teams, on Team USA, you see every demographic representation, he says. And I think thats whats really beautiful, and what America should be, and what makes us strong.

CNNs Daniel Dale, Steve Contorno, Alejandra Jaramillo and Alayna Treene contributed to this report.

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Donald Trump arrives to speak to supporters near the White House in Washington, DC on 6 January 2021.

Donald Trump arrives to speak to supporters near the White House in Washington, DC on 6 January 2021. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

JD Vance is only the latest in a parade of personnel misfires launched by Donald Trump. The junior senator from Ohio turned unpopular vice-presidential pick follows other bad staffing ideas like Omarosa Manigault Newman, Anthony Scaramucci and Rob Porter.

In Trump in Exile, her new book on the former presidents time out of power, Meridith McGraw of Politico reminds us of Trumps limited vetting skills, as well as his antipathy toward Floridas Ron DeSantis, and his cravings for cash. Oh  and his fetish for being tanned.

Trump was still getting bronzed and ready for the day when a group of reporters joined him aboard his private jet, McGraw writes.

Most politicians start their day with a shower, a jog, maybe a haircut. Trump? Note bronzed as a verb.

Trump in Exile is well-paced and well-sourced. McGraw leaves the reader smirking, scowling and shaking his head. An ABC producer turned reporter, she captures Trumps moods, moments and those around him.

Susie Wiles, a former DeSantis operative who fell from the governors grace, and Chris LaCivita, a seasoned Republican and a key player in scrutinizing the military records of John Kerry and Tim Walz, Kamala Harriss running mate, receive attention for  mostly  seamless competence.

McGraw travels back to 2021, when Trumps future looked murky. Out of power, after defeat by Joe Biden and the January 6 attack on Congress, he seethed, yearning for vengeance and relevance. Most of all, he needed to be needed. In a storm, any port will do  Trump seized onto Kevin McCarthy, then the House speaker.

Like Napoleon, Trump dared to return. McCarthys craven acceptance meant it wasnt impossible, but it wouldnt be easy. The insurrection filled the canvas. Trumps instincts remained imperfect, his appetites bottomless.

In September 2021, Trump backed Sean Parnell, a former army ranger, for senator in Pennsylvania. Trump expected Parnell to fight for Election Integrity, Strong Borders, our Second Amendment, Energy Jobs, and so much more. It never happened.

Right before Thanksgiving, Parnell dropped out. A state court granted his wife primary custody of their three children. Allegedly, he was abusive. Trump felt blindsided. Predictably, the buck stopped elsewhere. He blamed his son for encouraging him to make the endorsement, McGraw writes.

As with Vance, all roads led to Don Jr. But Trump wasnt the only one harboring doubts. GOP elders felt the same about him as he felt about Donnie.

Parnells ugly custody battle laid bare the concerns from top Republican officials about the vigor of Trumps vetting process and whether he was backing people who might not be able to win in a general election. In the end, Trumps missteps paved the way for the election of Josh Shapiro as Pennsylvanias governor.

Fast forward to August 2024. Trumps chosen running mate once compared him to Hitler. Vance once said he hated police. He held a six-figure investment in Rumble, an online video platform that hosts Russian propaganda and Nazi images.

On the other hand, Vance has a Yale law degree and looks vice-presidential. In Trumpworld, aesthetics atone for multiple sins.

You are one handsome son of a bitch, McGraw reports Trump telling Vance in 2022.

One criterion with outsized importance to Trump was physical looks and being telegenic, two things he would frequently tell people he liked in Vance.

Trumps lack of vetting skills were again on display. Even he seems to have realized it. Last week, as Vance flailed, Trump said: This is well-documented, historically, the vice-president in terms of the election does not have any impact, virtually no impact.

Translated: if he had to do it again, it wouldnt be Vance.

By contrast, Trumps takedown of DeSantis, Floridas martinet-lite governor, was masterful. After grudgingly endorsing DeSantis for re-election in 2022, Trump prepared his evisceration. Trump minions branded the socially awkward and self-righteous DeSantis as strange, a misfit.

Ron DeSanctimonious would also come to be remembered as governor pudding fingers, after an ad depicting him snarfing chocolate pudding, sans spoon.

Ron DeSantis loves sticking his fingers where they dont belong, the ad began. It helped suck the life out of his campaign. The governor never denied the pudding incident, reportedly on a flight with a donor. Think Senator Amy Klobuchar eating salad with a comb  a real story from the 2020 primary. That worked too.

The incident  gross and funny and strange  was gossiped about  and quickly became part of Tallahassee lore, McGraw writes, of DeSantiss decision to prod the pudding.

It was all about ridicule.

When discussing their strategy, one Trump adviser referred to Saul Alinskys Rules for Radicals, an influential 1971 book. Trumps staffers focused on Rule number five: Ridicule is mans most potent weapon. There is no defense. It is almost impossible to counter-attack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.

The pudding ad was both disgusting and clever, its goal to get under DeSantiss skin and start signaling to the public that he was, well, strange.

McGraw also examines the birth of Trump Media & Technology Group, a publicly traded company. Suffice to say, Trump got the best of the deal. After a meeting in January 2021, the parties agreed that Trump would own a 90% stake, McGraw recalls. The only capital hed be investing would be his name.

Like so many before them who had done business with Trump, it wouldnt take his new partners long to discover that in deals with the devil, the benefits all go one way.

Fewer than 90 days from election day, Trump and Harris are locked in a footrace. He is no longer a clear favorite or the younger candidate. The polls and prediction markets signal a toss-up. Pennsylvania is again a political battleground. Even Kyle Rittenhouse, the acquitted killer, wavers in his support for Trump.

Regardless, since he landed in Palm Beach on 20 January 2021, ejected from Washington, seemingly for good, Trump has traveled far. He could yet be back.

Trump in Exile was published in the US on 6 August 2024 by Penguin Random House
Trump and Harris now both advocate no tax on tips  but what are the potential pitfalls?

Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have now said that they would scrap taxes imposed on income from tips given to service industry workers.

That doesnt mean it is a guarantee to change under the next president.

The former president first pushed the idea at a rally in Las Vegas in June. The vice president did the same last night in the same city having been endorsed by the Culinary Union, which represents workers who would benefit most from such a policy.

As a center of tourism, the votes of people who work in hotels, restaurants, bars and casinos are crucial to winning the state of Nevada, one of the key battlegrounds in the 2024 election, which Democrats have won in the past four presidential contests.

At Saturdays rally at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Vice President Harris said: When I am president, we will continue our fight for working families of America, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers, she said.

Harris talked about the idea of not taxing tips during her Las Vegas rally, after Trump first proposed the idea. (AP)

An apparently furious Trump took to Truth Social after hearing her remarks, writing: Kamala Harris, whose Honeymoon period is ENDING, and is starting to get hammered in the Polls, just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy.

He continued: The difference is, she wont do it, she just wants it for Political Purposes! This was a TRUMP idea - She has no ideas, she can only steal from me. Remember, Kamala has proposed the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY - It wont happen. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

He later added: How long will it be before Kamala Harris comes out with another TRUMP policy like, No Taxes will be paid by our Senior Citizens on Social Security? Shes looking really bad now! Everyone is waiting to see what idea, or policy of mine, she will copy next.

The Harris campaign shed more light on her proposal, noting that it would require legislation and that as president she would work with Congress to craft a bill that comes with an income limit and strict requirements to prevent hedge fund managers and lawyers from structuring their compensation in ways to try to take advantage of the policy.

She would also push for the proposal alongside an increase in the minimum wage.

Bloomberg reports that were such a proposal to pass into law, tax bills would be lowered for some 6 million hospitality workers who reported a total of $38.3 billion in tipped income in 2018  the most recent year for which Internal Revenue Service data are available. That averages out to about $6,250 per tipped worker.

Both of Nevadas Democrat senators, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, have backed such legislation, and bills have cropped up in both the Senate and the House.

Kamala just announced she is stealing President Trump's "NO TAX ON TIPS" proposal.



But like everything else she says, it's a pure political calculation she'll never actually do  but President Trump WILL. pic.twitter.com/8MiJ8eFreu  Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 11, 2024

But that doesnt mean the policy isnt without its pitfalls or political hurdles to clear before becoming law.

According to the Tax Foundation, citing the Yale Budget Lab, only 2.5 percent of the workforce work in tipped jobs, and only 5 percent of workers in the bottom 25 percent of earners do. Any policy would have no impact on the majority of low- and middle-income earners.

Additionally, some tip earners do not pay personal income taxes as they pay less in taxes than the standard deduction.

Further, having one type of income untaxed versus taxed wages could lead to more businesses moving to more of a tip-based payment approach  such as for servers in a restaurant  and those who already use tipping to increase suggested tip amounts.

The Harris campaigns statement appears to head off some of that from the get-go when it talks about non-tipping industries trying to switch payment models. Another catch is that to qualify as a tip the payment must be voluntary and not previously agreed. For a lawyer to pre-agree a tip as part of their compensation would be not be covered.

Existing bills do not include much in the way of rules to prevent any of this happening, nor anything that would not result in making taxes more complex for anyone to whom it applies.

The move would also exclude many to whom a tipping wage model would not work, for example, a cashier or store worker versus a server or taxi driver.

The Tax Foundation suggests a more equitable model would be to increase the standard deduction thereby giving a tax cut to everyone regardless of how they are paid  though it might not be as catchy a campaign slogan.
Trump Says 'No Taxes On Tips' Was His Idea. It Was A GOP Candidate's Proposal Years Ago

Former President Donald Trump took to social media late Saturday night to claim that he came up with an idea to end taxes on tips despite another Republican candidate proposing such a policy over a decade ago.

Trump, in a rant on his Truth Social platform, called Vice President Kamala Harris a COPYCAT and shared a screenshot of a right-wing social media account that accused her of having plagiarized directly from him.

At a Las Vegas rally on Saturday, the Democratic presidential nominee promised to eliminate taxes on tips paid to service and hospitality workers, which her GOP rival similarly proposed back in June.

This was a TRUMP idea - She has no ideas, she can only steal from me, the former president claimed in one post.

He continued in another post, Kamala has no imagination, whatsoever, as shown by the fact that she played COPYCAT with, NO TAXES ON TIPS!

The alleged TRUMP idea arrives years after ex-Republican presidential candidate and former Rep. Ron Paul, in a January 2012 op-ed for the Las Vegas Sun, called it an outrage that wait staff and other service workers had to pay taxes on tips they earned on the clock.

The ex-Texas lawmaker, in 2007 and yearsthereafter, introduced legislation in Congress that looked to exempt tips from federal income and payroll taxes.

Thats because I understand ending taxes on tips will give these workers a pay raise, letting them keep more money to put toward things like a house or car payment, their retirement, or their own and/or their childrens education, Paul wrote in the 2012 op-ed.

Congressional records also show that at least one other lawmaker has called for no taxes on tips, as former Rep. Phil Crane (R-Ill.) pushed the proposal back in 1982.

HuffPost reached out to the Trump campaign, which was not immediately available for comment.

Trump, at a Las Vegas rally in June, declared that hotel workers and others who are paid tips would be very happy, as he vowed to not have taxes on tips should he win the presidential election.

Were not going to do it and were going to do that right away, first thing in office, because its been a point of contention for years and years and years, he said.

And you do a great job of service, you take care of people, and I think its going to be something that really is deserved.

Trumps comments came over a week before Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with other GOP lawmakers in both the Senateand Congress, backed legislation in June that looks to exempt tips from being taxed.

Both Trump and Harris would likely need the help of Congress to follow through on their pledges, The Associated Press noted.

Related...
Donald Trump falsely claimed in a series of social media posts Sunday that nobody attended Vice President Kamala Harris Michigan rally last week  and said his Democratic rival should be disqualified over a fake crowd picture.

The former president appeared to have fallen for a far-right conspiracy theory  one easily disproved by photos and videos captured by attendees and media showing thousands of supporters at the event at an airport hangar near Detroit.

The false claims about attendance at Harris event come as Trump navigates the contours of a changed presidential race, with the vice president riding a wave of new Democratic enthusiasm after replacing President Joe Biden atop the ticket. The GOP nominee, who regularly draws large crowds of his own, has long been fixated on audience size, with his speeches often filled with exaggerated boasts about the turnout.

Trump, on his social media website Truth Social, made the fabricated claim that Harris had been turned in by an airport maintenance worker who noticed the fake crowd picture.

He then said Harris should be disqualified from the 2024 election because the creation of a fake image is ELECTION INTERFERENCE. Anyone who does that will cheat at ANYTHING!

However, photos and videos of the event  including videos captured with CNNs cameras  reflect a sizable audience for Harris Wednesday event. The crowd filled a large hangar and spilled onto the sprawling tarmac where Air Force Two had stopped. Two large risers and many rows of chairs were outside, as were several giant screens for the outdoor crowd that couldnt see the rally stage.

Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said on LinkedIn that he analyzed the photo with two models designed to detect patterns associated with AI-generated images. Both models found no evidence of AI generation, he said, adding that the text on the signs and plane [showed] none of the usual signs of generative AI.

While the lack of evidence of manipulation is not evidence the image is real, he said, we find no evidence that this image is AI-generated or digitally altered.

People listen to Harris speak at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on August 7, 2024, in Romulus, Michigan, where screens were set up for those who couldn't see the stage. - Julia Nikhinson/AP

David Plouffe, a Harris campaign senior adviser, wrote on X: These are not conspiratorial rantings from the deepest recesses of the internet. The author could have the nuclear codes and be responsible for decisions that will affect us all for decades.

Trump on Sunday shared a screenshot of an X post that featured two photos: one shared on X by a Harris staffer that showed thousands of people greeting Harris plane; another zoomed in on the curved, reflective side of one of Air Force Twos engines in which the crowd isnt clear.

Has anyone noticed that Kamala CHEATED at the airport? There was nobody at the plane, and she A.I.d it, and showed a massive crowd of so-called followers, BUT THEY DIDNT EXIST! Trump wrote on Truth Social. She was turned in by a maintenance worker at the airport when he noticed the fake crowd picture, but there was nobody there, later confirmed by the reflection of the mirror like finish on the Vice Presidential Plane.

Shes a CHEATER. She had NOBODY waiting, and the crowd looked like 10,000 people! Same thing is happening with her fake crowds at her speeches, Trump added. She should be disqualified because the creation of a fake image is ELECTION INTERFERENCE. Anyone who does that will cheat at ANYTHING!

Trump has twice been indicted over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

He falsely claimed in another post, Look, we caught her with a fake crowd. There was nobody there!

In reaction to Trumps false claims, rally attendees and Harris staffers were sharing their own photos from the event on social media Sunday afternoon.

Lavora Barnes, chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party, shared on X a photo from the event showing her speaking to a large crowd before Harris was introduced. Barnes joked that she was honored that whoever made the AI image of 15,000 excited Democrats welcoming Harris and running mate Tim Walz to Detroit was kind enough to include me at the lectern.

That AI crowd was really loud, my ears just stopped ringing from their imaginary cheering, Barnes said.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Kate Sullivan and Jeff Zeleny contributed to this report.

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Morocco is taking part in a US-led military exercise dubbed, Arcane Thunder 24, focused on electromagnetic warfare precision synchronization exercises that will take place in Germany and Morocco.

Arcane Thunder 24 will apply non-lethal effects within the multi-domain concept to ensure Allied and partner nations have a decisive advantage against potential adversaries across all domains and the human, physical and information dimensions of the operating environment, Col. Patrick Moffett, 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force commander, said in a statement.

Its another opportunity to further strengthen cooperation and highlight the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Morocco through the testing and synchronization of capabilities, he said.

Approximately 200 U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force and Multi-Domain Effects Battalion participate with approximately 100 Allied and partner Soldiers from the United Kingdom, Germany and Morocco.

Exercises like Arcane Thunder are conducted to build strong and strategic relationships while improving ability to ensure that partner forces are equipped with the capability to synchronize and employ non-lethal effects across all domains against adversaries.

The exercise is taking place from August 5 to 16
Trump is still trying to make Harriss laugh a problem. People who know her well explain why

Long before Kamala Harris was running to be president of the United States, Mark Buell noticed that she had a certain anxious tic.

"[Harris] is very funny. She has a very good sense of humor, and when she enjoys herself, she has a very hearty laugh," recalls the San Francisco real estate developer and Democratic donor, who was one of Harriss earliest political patrons, in an interview with The Independent.

But back then, he says, when she was nervous that laugh became more prominent... so between the two, it would show up sometimes at inappropriate times.

Two decades later, Donald Trump and other conservatives are trying to use Harriss distinctive and frequent peals of whole-body laughter as an attack line, with the former president even adding Laughing Kamala to his notorious roster of nicknames.

You ever watch her laugh? [...] You can tell a lot by a laugh. Shes crazy. Shes nuts, said Trump at a rally in Michigan last month.

According to Buell, that is no coincidence. He believes that someone tipped Trump or his team off about Harriss old habit, and  "in keeping with Trumps approach to politics, looking for weaknesses and faults in people"  he went after it.

Yet old friends and allies claim that Harriss sense of humour is one of her most appealing characteristics, and a sign of her genuine willingness to connect with other people emotionally.

Indeed, on TikTok Harriss laughter has become one of the most-memed sounds of the 2024 election, endlessly and affectionately remixed by superfans, comedians, and dance musicians.

I dont know that I have any memory of, quote, the laugh, which Republicans have used as a weapon against her since she became VP, says Mark Leno, a former California state legislator who has been friends with Harris since the mid-Nineties. But it does speak to her vivaciousness, her energy, her love of life, her passion. And I think its terrific that it has now been turned around to be an asset."

Former California state legislator Mark Leno with his old friend Kamala Harris at her inauguration as a US senator in 2017 (Mark Leno / US Senate)

It bubbles up, and sometimes it gets loud

When Donna Sachet first met Kamala Harris in 2003, one of the first things she noticed was the way she laughed.

Yes, its the same laugh," the now fifty-something LGBT+ activist and drag performer tells The Independent. It bubbles up, and sometimes it gets kind of loud.

Sachet got to know her during Harriss (victorious) campaign to be district attorney of San Francisco, challenging an eight-year incumbent. Leno, a mutual friend, had suggested she help raise funds for Harris, sparking a friendship that lasted through all her subsequent campaigns and into the present day.

Politics  to me, as I was beginning to get involved in it  seemed very dry. Some of the speeches would go on and on, says Sachet. "But she often had humor in her speeches, and if you made a joke and she found it funny, she laughed fully, she laughed boisterously.

We had fun with it. She would even sometimes cover her mouth and say, Oh, Im being too loud!"

Sachet adds that they would often discuss fashion together, complimenting each others outfits and comparing heel heights (Harriss shoes tended to be slightly lower, since she had to wear them throughout the day).

Donna Sachet, right, with Kamala Harris (center) and her husband Doug Emhoff at the vice-presidents residence in Washington, DC in June 2023 (Donna Sachet / Office of the Vice President)

Leno, in turn, had first met Harris in 1995 through her then boyfriend Willie Browns campaign to be mayor of San Francisco. After the pair broke up in 1996, Leno and Harris became deeper friends, accompanying each other to the San Francisco Symphony  a strictly platonic date, since Leno is gay.

The Kamala I see on the national and international stage today is no different from the woman who befriended me almost 30 years ago, he says.

Harris herself appears happy to make laughter part of her brand, proudly telling the actor and TV host Drew Barrymore back in May  admittedly an aeon ago in this election  that she has her mothers laugh.

Apparently some people love to talk about my laugh, she said. Let me just tell you something... I grew up around a bunch of women in particular, who laughed from the belly. They laughed. They would sit around the kitchen drinking their coffee, telling big stories with big laughs.

She went on: You know, Im never gonna be... Then she covered her mouth demurely and gave an exaggeratedly feminine giggle. Im just not that person! And I think its really important for us to remind each other, and our younger ones: Dont be confined to other peoples perceptions about... how you should act in order to be, right?

Today, Buell contends that Harris has lost her old habit of laughing when she is nervous. Thats long past, and shes matured out of it, he says.

But that hasnt stopped her opponents from honing in on it.

Mark Leno and his old friend Kamala Harris photographed by the San Francisco Chronicle while attending a symphony orchestra performance in 1996 (The San Francisco Chronicle via Mark Leno)

Shes running against a man with no sense of humour

Donald Trump has been trying to make this attack stick for several years. As early as October 2020, at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, he said: Is there something wrong with her? She kept laughing at, you know, very serious questions.

In 2021, right-leaning news outlets such as The New York Post and Mail Online reported on Harriss seemingly nervous laughter when confronted by journalists asking about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as she boarded a jet to Singapore.

In 2022, Republicans also criticised Harris for laughing during a press conference about the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian-American GOP state legislator Victoria Spartz calling it a very serious situation and not a laughing matter.

The implication of these criticisms tends to be that Harris doesnt treat her job, or the lives and welfare of the millions of people affected by her decisions in office, with sufficient gravity. In other words, that its all a joke to her.

This year, Trumps allies and sympathetic pundits have warmed to the theme. The National Republican Senatorial Committee last month flagged up Harriss habit of laughing at inappropriate moments as a potential weakness of her candidacy, while Fox News host Sean Hannity compiled a supercut of Harriss laughter, which he said made voters detest her.

In fact, one of the very first YouTube uploads of Harriss now-famous coconut tree remarks came from an official GOP account  apparently not anticipating how enthusiastically her words would be adopted by her coconut-pilled supporters.

Feminist academics and authors have argued that this smacks of misogyny and racism, saying that women  and especially women of color  are often harshly policed over the minutiae of their emotional affect. Back in the Noughties, Hillary Clinton was similarly mocked for her Clinton cackle.

Many younger progressives say they feel charmed by Harriss open expressions of levity.

Its like shes surprised at the laugh, said comedian Allison Reese, who is widely known on TikTok for her impressions of Harris, in an interview with The Washington Post. It feels more uninhibited... the laugh is truly coming from this place of inner joy.

All of which dovetails with the Democrats newfound strategy of painting Republicans less as dangerous would-be dictators, as Joe Biden did, but as weird and joyless puritans, pruriently obsessed with other peoples private lives.

That line of attack is especially effective, Buell argues, because Donald Trump is someone who, despite his undeniable skill at making other people laugh, almost never laughs himself (at least in public).

If you look at who shes running against  a man who has no sense of humor  its a contrast, says Buell. The root of narcissism is massive insecurity... narcissists are always trying to create an image of themselves. [Thats why] hes always denigrating other people and building up himself.
The Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance might be slipping in the polls, but remains unmatched in the Olympics of lying, according to the transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg.

The senior Democrat was responding on Sunday, the final day of the Paris Olympics, to remarks by the Ohio senator criticizing Tim Walz for misstating his military service in an interview six years ago.

The Minnesota governor, announced this week as running mate to the Democratic candidate and vice-president Kamala Harris, served 24 years in the army national guard, but never in a combat zone, which he seemed to suggest in the 2018 interview.

In an appearance on CNNs State of the Union, Buttigieg assailed Vance, himself a former Marine Corps journalist, for disparaging Walzs military record at a rally this week and moments earlier on the same show.

I watched that interview and watched JD Vance present himself as suddenly very particular about precision in speech and very concerned about honesty, Buttigieg said.

Hes running with Donald Trump, somebody who has set records for lying in public life. He just gave a press conference where factcheckers estimate that he told 162 distortions or lies. That, frankly, is just impressive in terms of being able to physically do that. Its like the Olympics of lying.

It was quite the zinger from Buttigieg, a former intelligence officer in the US navy reserve who has established a reputation for eloquent takedowns of Republican political positions.

The fact a veteran wants to go out and disparage another veteran just goes against certainly everything I learned during my time in service, he said.

The fact they have to go back to find a clip from 2018 to find the one time that he slipped up when he talks about the weapons of war that he carried and said something instead about carrying a weapon in war, its kind of an exception that proves the rule in terms of how hard you have to look to find Tim Walz saying anything that isnt precise and accurate.

On State of the Union, Vance insisted he was not impugning Walzs military service, but the fact that he lied about his service for political gain.

I think thats what Tim Walz did. Thats what I was criticizing. And, yes, I do think its scandalous behavior, he said.

A statement from the Harris-Walz campaign on Saturday turned Vances earlier criticism around. Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any Americans service to this country. In fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. Its the American way, it said.

He did handle weapons of war and believes strongly that only military members trained to carry those deadly weapons should have access to them, unlike Donald Trump and JD Vance who prioritize the gun lobby over our children.

Buttigieg, on CNN, also condemned Vances much-maligned commentary that senior Democrats were a bunch of childless cat ladies. As part of his cleanup effort for those remarks, Vance claimed on Sunday he was not criticizing people for not having children, but for being anti-child.

I dont know which part of that is worse, the lie that he just told when he says he never criticized people for not having kids, because of course he very much did, including Kamala Harris and me and a lot of other people, millions of Americans, in fact, who he disparaged as childless cat ladies, said Buttigieg, who has adopted a daughter and a son with his husband.

The other part, just as troubling, is saying that anybody who disagrees with him is anti-child. Its part of just who he is, right? He seems incapable of talking about a vision for this country in terms of lifting people up, or building people up, or helping people out.

 This article was amended on 12 August 2024 because Pete Buttigieg and his husband have adopted a daughter and a son, not two sons as an earlier version said.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  Presidential candidate Donald Trump declared on X that he will face Vice President Kamala Harris in a presidential debate in Harrisburg next month.

According to the post, Trump says the first of three debates with Harris will be with FoxNews on September 4th, 2024, LIVE from beautiful Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The post did not disclose a specific location or time.

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The post says the second debate will take place on Fake News ABC, home of George Slopadopoulos, to be anchored by David Muir, on September 10th, 2024, in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The third debate will be on NBC, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 25th, 2024, to be anchored by Lester Holt  Details to follow, per the post.

Vice President Harris has only agreed to participate in the ABC debate on September 10th so far. However, she has stated that she is open to additional debates.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Two people displaced after fire on Reed Park

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The Rochester Fire Department is investigating a fire that took place at a house on Reed Park near Hudson Avenue in Rochester late Saturday evening.

When firefighters arrived to the scene they saw smoke coming from the rear of the house. It took firefighters just over 20 minutes to bring the fire under control.

The rear apartment suffered significant damage which made the house uninhabitable. Red Cross responded to assist two adults displaced from the home.

Firefighters say no one was injured during the fire. AMR and RG&E also assisted at the scene.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
U.S. says it hasnt offered Maduro amnesty to leave power, but is open to suggestions

The Biden administration has not offered Nicolas Maduro and his aides any form of amnesty to leave power in Venezuela, but is open to all possibilities as it works to find a way out of the countrys political crisis, a senior administration official told McClatchy on Sunday.

The U.S. has concluded that Maduro lost last months presidential election there in a decisive vote. But Maduro has refused to acknowledge the results, declaring himself the victor instead and cracking down on democratic opposition with sweeping arrests.

We have not made any offers of amnesty to Maduro or others since the election, the official, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said. We are considering a range of options to incentivize and pressure Maduro to recognize the election results and will continue to do so.

The responsibility is on Maduro and the Venezuelas electoral authorities to come clean on the election results, the official added.

The official made the comments in light of an article in the Wall Street Journal on Sunday saying the administration is pursuing a long-shot bid to encourage Maduro to step down in exchange for amnesty.

Citing three people familiar with the situation, the Journal reported that the pardons being offered would also cover top Maduro lieutenants, some of whom face the same U.S. drug trafficking charges filed against the Venezuelan ruler.

If Maduro agrees to step down before January, the administration would be willing to provide guarantees not to pursue the extradition of regime members, according to the Journal story. Maduro and other top regime members have been accused of conspiring to flood the U.S. with cocaine and the U.S. issued a $15 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the Venezuelan strongman.

Biden administration officials have been in intensive talks with allies throughout the region to find a way forward, with some, including Panama, suggesting Maduro be offered asylum to leave.

We have made it clear that Maduro needs to recognize the results of the July 28 election, in which [opposition candidate] Edmundo Gonzalez received the most votes, the official said. We are in close contact with our regional and international partners to find a solution to this electoral impasse.

The efforts to find a negotiated solution to the Venezuelan crisis intensified last week amid Maduros violent effort to put down a wave of protests triggered by the controversial announcement from the regime-controlled National Electorate Council that he had won the election with close to 52% of the vote.

The opposition, which claims Gonzalez resoundingly beat Maduro by a margin of 65% to 30%, has been able to provide the official election tallies from 80% of the voting stations supporting their claim, while the regime has been unable to do the same despite repeated calls from the international community to prove that Maduro won.

In the face of the adverse national and international public opinion, Maduro has launched a wave of repression against protesters and opposition figures that has led to the arrests of at least 2,000 people, while causing the death of 21 others and severe injuries to dozens more.

The regime also attempted to tighten its control over the population by taking steps to shut down social media apps inside the country, and block the access to the websites of independent news organizations abroad.
A school in Bakhmut destroyed by the Russians. Photo: UK Defence Intelligence

The UK Ministry of Defence has posted satellite images of some of the buildings in Ukraine's city of Bakhmut destroyed by Russia.

Source: UK intelligence on X (Twitter) on Sunday, as reported by European Pravda

    

A school in Bakhmut destroyed by the Russians

Photo: UK Defence Intelligence

Details: During the Russian offensive to capture Bakhmut, intense fighting and random strikes on buildings led to significant destruction throughout the city.

      

Several apartment buildings in Bakhmut destroyed by the Russians

Photo: UK Defence Intelligence

As a result, schools, railway stations, residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged and even destroyed in some cases.

      

A railway station in Bakhmut destroyed by the Russians

Photo: UK Defence Intelligence

Background:

At the end of July, UK intelligence predicted that Russia would continue its tactical advance in the coming weeks despite its limited operational capabilities.

On 9 August, the UK Ministry of Defence stated that Russia had made further tactical progress in Donetsk Oblast.

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Ukrainian air defense shot down 53 of the 57 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on Aug. 11, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said.

Russia launched the drones from the Russian port town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, located on the coast of the Sea of Azov, and occupied Balaklava in Crimea, Russia's Kursk region and the town of Yeysk in Krasnodar Krai, according to Oleshchuk.

Aircraft, missile and electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force intercepted the drones over Odesa, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Kherson, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Rivne oblasts, the commander said.

Air alert in Poltava Oblast lasted up to 14 hours due to the drone attack threat.

Moscow's troops also launched four North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles from the Voronezh region.

"KN-23 ballistic missiles, although they rarely hit their intended targets, pose a serious threat to the population," Oleshchuk said.

Missile fragments fell on residential buildings in Kyiv Oblast's Brovary district, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. The bodies of a 35-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were found under the rubble during search and rescue operations.

The attack also injured three people, including a 13-year-old.

Russian forces also shelled the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Oleshchuk said.

Read also: Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 8, injure 30 over past day

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Ukraine must decide what to do with territory it holds in Russia  The Hill

US newspaper The Hill has called the Ukrainian counter-offensive into Russian territory "stunning" and interviewed experts who discuss the plans of the Ukrainian military.

Source: The Hill

Quote: "Ukrainian forces pushed into Russia this week to attack a border region in a stunning counteroffensive that comes after Kyiv has been largely on the defensive for the past year and a half."

Details: The publication writes that Ukraine will now have to decide what to do with the territory it holds in Russia and whether this is a distraction from defence efforts on the front line.

Tomasz Blusiewicz, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, believes that Ukraine will most likely withdraw from Kursk, but only after forcing Russia to move several brigades that would use positions on the front line.

Quote from Blusiewicz: "Now they have to move. And the Russians are bad at this. They are bad at logistics.

It was a brilliant move by Ukraine.  They have already achieved a huge success by forcing Russia to move its troops, by demonstrating that Russia is defenceless in other areas. Its a huge prestige blow to Putin."

More details: The Hill also notes that Russia has sent reinforcements to Kursk and says it will be able to repel the Ukrainian forces.

Alena Kudzko, Vice President for Policy and Programming at GLOBSEC think tank, says that while it is unclear how the offensive will play out, Ukraine has successfully changed the narrative of the war by breaking into Russia.

Quote: "Ukrainians are trying hard to change the narrative of the war. Before [Kursk], there was a feeling that the war has become rather predictable, and on many sides, the war was already perceived as frozen.

By doing this attack, Ukraine actually has managed to demonstrate that theres really space for making this war unpredictable, that theres space for surprising Russia."

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Ukrainian forces have begun "to push the war out into the aggressor's territory," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Aug. 10.

The statement marks Zelensky's most public acknowledgement of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, which began on Aug. 6.

"Today, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi has already reported several times, on the front-line situation and on our actions to push the war out into the aggressor's territory," Zelensky said.

"I thank every unit of our Defense Forces that makes this happen."

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack against Kursk Oblast, which borders Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast, on Aug. 6. Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged the incursion on Aug. 9, admitting its forces were fighting the Ukrainian army on the outskirts of the town of Sudzha.

Russian authorities on Aug. 10 announced a so-called "counter-terrorism operation" in bordering Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts in response to the incursion.

Ukrainian troops on Aug. 10 then reportedly entered Russia's Belgorod Oblast, three kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

Kyiv has largely maintained a policy of silence on the incursion, despite the ongoing fighting and Ukraine's continuing advance. Zelensky has previously alluded to the move, saying on Aug. 8 that "Russia brought war to our land, and it should feel what it has done."

While Zelensky did not mention Kursk or Belgorod oblasts directly in his Aug. 10 remarks, he acknowledged that the Ukrainian military is taking action to bring the war back to Russian soil.

"Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed  pressure on the aggressor," he said.

Read also: Ukraines unprecedented attack on Kursk Oblast brings war back to Russian soil

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the inscription of five new African sites on the World Heritage List.

We are pleased to announce the inscription of five new African sites as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, following the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2024. These sites illustrate the cultural and natural diversity of the continent and the importance of their preservation for humanity, says the UN organization in a press release.

The new inscriptions concern the sites of Melka Kunture and Balchit, in Ethiopia, the Royal Court of Tiebele, in Burkina Faso, the Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi, in Kenya, in addition to the Pleistocene Occupation Sites and the Nelson Mandela Heritage Sites, in South Africa.

These new inscriptions reinforce our commitment to protecting Africas cultural and natural heritage, says UNESCO.

They are a recognition of the global importance of these sites, not only for their historical and cultural value, but also for their educational and inspirational role for future generations, notes the UN organization, inviting people to explore these unique sites and support its efforts for their conservation.

The 45th session of the World Heritage Committee also saw the removal of the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal) from the List of World Heritage in Danger, thanks to the joint efforts of the Senegalese authorities and local communities, with the support of UNESCO, to reduce the threats to the site, according to the same source.
View shows Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the bank of Kakhovka Reservoir in Nikopol

View shows Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the bank of Kakhovka Reservoir in Nikopol

(Reuters) -Russia and Ukraine accused each other of starting a fire at the dormant Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Sunday, but both sides reported no sign of elevated radiation.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog said its staff had seen thick, dark smoke coming from the northern part of the vast six-reactor plant in southern Ukraine, currently in "cold shutdown", after multiple blasts.

"These reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety at the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. They must stop now," IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned in a separate statement, without attributing blame.

The fire comes less than a week after Ukraine's forces launched their largest incursion into Russian territory since the war started in 2022.

Interfax news agency quoted Alexei Likhachev, head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, as saying the fire had burned for about three hours and caused "very serious damage" to the cooling towers.

He said, without providing evidence, that it had been caused by two Ukrainian drone strikes. It was not clear whether the damage was reparable or whether one of the towers might need to be replaced, he added.

Ukraine's nuclear power company Energoatom said in a statement that one of the cooling towers and other equipment were damaged.

Grossi said the IAEA had requested "immediate access" to the tower to assess the damage. There was no immediate response from Moscow or Kyiv to Grossi's statement.

Russia captured the plant from Ukraine shortly after launching a full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour in 2022, which it calls a "special military operation".

SMOKE APPEARS TO BILLOW FROM COOLING TOWER

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of lighting the fire, which he said was visible from the Kyiv-held city of Nikopol, overlooking the Russian-held plant. It started at around 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Sunday.

The IAEA said no impact on nuclear safety had been reported.

"Team was told by (the nuclear plant) of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site," it wrote on X.

Ukraine's Energoatom said Russian "negligence" or arson could have sparked the fire. Without providing evidence, it also said Russia used the cooling towers to store military equipment and explosives.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of deliberately trying to destroy the plant and sow "nuclear terror".

Zelenskiy published grainy video showing black smoke apparently belching out of a cooling tower with a fire burning at its base.

"Currently, the radiation indicators are normal. But as long as Russian terrorists retain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal," he said.

The six dormant reactors, located close to the front line of the war, rely on external power to keep their nuclear material cool and prevent a catastrophic accident.

Moscow and Kyiv have routinely accused each other of endangering safety around the plant.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Yuliia Dysa; Writing by Lidia Kelly and Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
The News

Ukrainian troops have advanced 30 km inside Russia, Moscow said Sunday, marking the largest offensive by Kyiv since the 2022 invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the assault for the first time on Saturday, saying Kyiv is proving that it can indeed restore justice and put pressure on the aggressor, while the Kremlin promised a tough response.

Analysts have been pessimistic about a successful counteroffensive, but the latest incursion proves that Kyiv has been biding its time, The Atlantic wrote. Its also a sign of what Ukraine can achieve if it has both the tools and the latitude to fight Russia, primarily the ability to use foreign weapons on Russian soil after the US and Germany recently loosened restrictions.
Key developments on Aug. 1011:

Ukraine pushing war into "aggressor's territory," Zelensky says

Russian forces start fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Ukraine says

July was 'deadliest month' for Ukrainian civilians since October 2022, UN says

Ukraine destroys another Russian patrol boat in occupied Crimea, military intelligence says

Ukrainian forces enter Belgorod Oblast as Kursk incursion continues, media say

No additional Belarusian troops, equipment recorded near Ukraine's border, Border Guard says

Ukrainian forces have begun "to push the war out into the aggressor's territory," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Aug. 10.

The statement marks Zelensky's most public acknowledgement of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, which began on Aug. 6.

"Today, Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr) Syrskyi has already reported several times, on the front-line situation and on our actions to push the war out into the aggressor's territory," Zelensky said.

"I thank every unit of our Defense Forces that makes this happen."

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack against Kursk Oblast, which borders Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast, on Aug. 6. Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged the incursion on Aug. 9, admitting its forces were fighting the Ukrainian army on the outskirts of the town of Sudzha.

Russian authorities on Aug. 10 announced a so-called "counter-terrorism operation" in bordering Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts in response to the incursion.

Ukrainian troops on Aug. 10 then reportedly entered Russia's Belgorod Oblast, three kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

Kyiv has largely maintained a policy of silence on the incursion, despite the ongoing fighting and Ukraine's continuing advance. Zelensky has previously alluded to the move, saying on Aug. 8 that "Russia brought war to our land, and it should feel what it has done."

While Zelensky did not mention Kursk or Belgorod oblasts directly in his Aug. 10 remarks, he acknowledged that the Ukrainian military is taking action to bring the war back to Russian soil.

"Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed  pressure on the aggressor," he said.

Read also: Ukraines unprecedented attack on Kursk Oblast brings war back to Russian soil

Russian forces start fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Ukraine says

A reported fire at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was likely started by the Russian military, Ukrainian officials said on Aug. 11.

Russian forces set fire to "a large number of automobile tires in cooling towers," Yevhen Yevtushenko, the head of the military administration in Nikopol, said on Aug. 11, citing sources across the river in occupied Enerhodar.

"Perhaps this is a provocation or an attempt to create panic in the settlements on the right bank of the former reservoir," he said.

According to Yevtoshenko, radiation levels at the plant are normal.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to hold Russia accountable for the provocation.

"As long as Russian terrorists retain control of the nuclear power plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal," Zelensky said in a Telegram post Aug. 11.

"We are waiting for the world's reaction, waiting for the IAEA's reaction."

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. Its position near the front line has led to heightened nuclear safety risks throughout Russia's full-scale war.

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July was "deadliest month" for Ukrainian civilians since October 2022, UN says

At least 219 civilians were killed and 1,018 injured in Ukraine in July, making it "the deadliest month for civilians" since October 2022, the U.N. human rights office said in a report on Aug. 9.

"The high number of casualties in July continues a trend of increasing civilian casualties since March 2024," reads the report.

Russia carried out a mass aerial attack against Ukraine on the morning of July 8, targeting Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kryvyi Rih, among other cities, killing over 40 people and injuring at least 147, including seven children.

Okhmatdyt, Ukraine's largest children's medical center, was hit during the Russian July 8 missile attack. Two people, including a doctor, were killed there while one hospital building was destroyed and four others damaged.

A boy who was evacuated from the Okhmatdyt children's hospital after the attack died at another Kyiv hospital on July 10.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the U.N. estimates that at least 11,520 civilians have been killed and at least 23,640 injured.

The actual figure of civilian casualties is likely much higher.

The number of dead and injured has yet to be fully accounted for, and some of the places that saw the heaviest combat in early 2022 are still under Russian occupation, making it all but impossible for outside observers to investigate.

Read also: Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 8, injure 30 over past day

Ukraine destroys another Russian patrol boat in occupied Crimea, military intelligence says

A Magura naval drone operated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) destroyed a Russian KS-701 Tunets (Tuna) patrol boat and damaged three more Russian watercraft in occupied Crimea, HUR reported on Aug. 10.

The attack took place overnight on Aug. 8-9 near the village of Chornomorske on the northwestern coast of Crimea, according to HUR.

This is not the first successful Ukrainian attack on Russian high-speed Tunets boats used for patrolling and logistics. HUR said it had destroyed two Tunets patrol boats and damaged another two near the Crimean coast in May.

The Magura V5 is a multi-purpose naval drone developed by Ukraine and has been extensively used in attacks against the Russian Black Sea fleet, mainly by ramming into enemy vessels while loaded with explosives.

Newer versions of the Magura V5 are equipped with air-to-air guided missiles.

According to HUR, Ukraine hit a total of 18 Russian vessels with Magura drones, destroying nine, including a landing ship Caesar Kunikov, a Sergei Kotov patrol ship, high-speed Serna and Akula landing crafts, and a Tarantul-class Ivanovets missile corvette.

Read also: Last Russian patrol ship left occupied Crimea, Ukraines navy says

Ukrainian forces enter Belgorod Oblast as Kursk incursion continues, media say

Ukrainian troops have apparently entered Russia's Belgorod Oblast during the ongoing incursion into Kursk oblast, Ukrainian media reported based on a video published on the morning of Aug. 10.

In the video, posted by Ukrainian media, five uniformed men with blue tape armbands are standing outside the building as one of them says: "I wish you health, the 252nd battalion is in the village of Poroz, Belgorod Oblast. Glory to Ukraine!"

The soldiers in the video held the battalion's flag and a Georgian flag, and the sign on the building behind them reads "Porozovsky Village Club."

The Ukrainian-based fact-checking project VoxCheck confirmed the video as filmed in Poroz, three kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

The date of the video's filming is unknown. It is also unknown whether it was a raid or an expansion of the ongoing cross-border incursion into Russia.

While Ukrainian officials and military command have so far not officially commented on the operation in Kursk Oblast, media are forced to rely on limited and questionable information circulated by Russian Telegram channels and videos of Ukrainian forces that often surface anonymously.

Russian authorities on Aug. 9 introduced a so-called "counter-terrorism operation" in bordering Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts in response to Ukraine's incursion.

Earlier on Aug. 9, Russia's Defense Ministry said it was sending additional military equipment to Kursk Oblast's Sudzha district, 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of the Ukrainian border.

However, Russia may be resisting the pressure to redeploy troops from the other front line directions to Kursk, as it could disrupt Russian offensive operations in Ukraines east, according to the report by the Institute for the Study of War on Aug. 9.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Viacheslav Gladkov announced on Aug. 10 that the entry to the village of Poroz is closed due to a counter-terrorism operation regime.

He also claimed that residents who have just left say they have not seen the enemy and have not heard any shooting.

About 10 people still remain in the village, Gladkov added.

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers cross into Belovsky district overnight, Russian official claims

No additional Belarusian troops, equipment recorded near Ukraine's border, Border Guard says

Ukraine does not spot additional Belarusian troops being deployed to the border amid Minsk's claims of reinforcing the border, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on Aug. 11.

His statement came a day after Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ordered reinforcements to be sent to border areas near Ukraine following reports of several drones from Ukraine getting shot down over Belarus on Aug. 9.

Lukashenko ordered to strengthen military presence in the Gomel and Mozyr directions, including sending the Polonez rocket systems and Iskander mid-range ballistic missile complexes there. On the Ukrainian side, the area borders Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv oblasts.

Demchenko called the actions of Minsk "a whipping up to play along with Russia." The spokesperson did not rule out that Belarus could take photos and videos "for information influence."

"The situation along the border is fully controlled. We do not record the movement of either equipment or personnel near our border," Demchenko said.

Russian drones have crossed into Belarusian airspace several times over the summer on their way to attack Ukraine, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group has reported.



The monitoring group said that "despite the massive and regular flights of drones into the airspace of Belarus," Minsk made "practically no comments" on the situation.

After claiming Ukrainian drones entered Belarus, Minsk summoned Ukraines Charge dAffaires to Belarus on Aug. 10.

Read also: Monitoring group denies Lukashenkos claim of Ukrainian drones in Belarus

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editor's note: The latest articles on Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast can be found here.

Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups entered the territory of the Belovsky district in Russia's Kursk region overnight on Aug. 11, head of the district, Nikolai Volobuev, claimed.

The Ukrainian military launched the incursion across the border on Aug. 6. Kyiv has so far maintained a policy of silence on the incursion, despite the ongoing fighting and Ukraine advancing deeper into Russian territory.

According to Volobuev, the group's appearance created "a lot of panic" in the Belovsky district. He described the current situation as "stable, but very tense."

The Belovsky district is located some 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Sudzha, a town in Kursk region, in less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border with Ukraine. Ukrainian troops posted video footage on Aug. 9, claiming to be on the outskirts of Sudzha.

"Today we do not understand some moments in the border areas," Volobuev said in his video address on Telegram.

Alexey Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk region, claimed that there are no clashes in Belovsky and Oboyansky districts as of morning of Aug. 11.

"Border guards and military protect the border," he added.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

Anti-Kremlin Russian armed groups fighting for Ukraine and Ukrainian military intelligence have previously entered Kursk and Belgorod oblasts, although without holding territory for long. This is the first time regular Ukrainian forces have entered Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 10 that Ukrainian forces have begun "to push the war out into the aggressor's territory," which marked his first public acknowledgement of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Kursk region.

Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry also said on Aug. 9 that the situation in Kursk region had been declared a "federal emergency," and began sending additional military equipment into the region.



Ukrainian media reported on Aug. 10 that Ukrainian troops had apparently entered the village of Poroz, in Russias Belgorod region, three kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

Read also: Over 76,000 Russians evacuated from Kursk Oblast amid Ukraines incursion, Russian authorities say

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We are buoyed by the effervescence of hope and possibility. For us old geysers, watching the worlds young athletes perform in Paris is like splashing around in a fountain of youth. The Kamala Harris and Tim Waltz ticket has put wind beneath the wings of the Democratic Party. After the Philadelphia rally introduced the Minnesota Governor, millions of dollars were raised, tens of thousands have attended rallies, hundreds of thousands have volunteered to work on their campaign.

The popularity polls have begun to shift. But the road forward is not without its potential stumbling blocks. Those of us old enough to recall remember the last time the country was in similar circumstances.

In 1968 President Lyndon Johnson, the incumbent, decided not to run for reelection. The country, in turmoil, was divided over U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Johnson decided to use his office to fix it. Over a half million American troops were deployed there. North Vietnam and the Viet Cong had recently scored a propaganda victory with the Tet Offensive. Some presidential candidates supported the U.S. military efforts. Others ran on a peace platform. The leading candidate was Senator Robert Kennedy, an anti-war candidate and brother of the slain President John F. Kennedy. In June, RFK won the California primary. Tragically, that very night he was assassinated by Sirhan B. Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian. He objected to RFKs support for Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Six months before that, Rev. Martin Luther King had been gunned down in Memphis, which resulted in riots and insurrections in many American cities. That spring anti-war and anti-racist student protesters took over Columbia University. Hundreds were arrested, which sparked protests on other campuses. Led by Coretta Scott King, hundreds of protesting poor people camped out in Resurrection City. The DC police evicted them. The year 1968 was a bloody and chaotic time.

Democrats held their National Convention in Chicago, hoping to unify the party and the country. This was not to be. Thousands of anti-war activists, mostly young people, protested outside on the streets. The whole world watched as the mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, used tear gas and billy clubs to suppress the demonstrators in a police riot. Even some delegates and members of the media were assaulted. There was conflict inside the hall as well. Candidates, pro-war and anti-war, vied for the nomination. Ultimately the Convention selected Hubert Humphrey, Johnsons vice president, who had not won any primaries, to be the candidate. After Chicago the Democratic Party imploded.

In November Republican Richard Nixon narrowly defeated Humphrey by a half million votes (0.7%). The American Independent Party candidate, Alabama Gov. George Wallace, ran on a white supremacist platform. He won 14% of the popular vote and five deep South states. The Democrats barely kept control of both houses of Congress. Nixon was reelected. He remained president until he resigned during the Watergate scandal.

Fifty-six years later the country is in a different but similar situation. We have fortunately survived an assassination attempt on a major party candidate. Though no American troops are on the ground, our countrys resources are heavily committed in two wars. People are divided over U.S. involvement in the Israel/Palestinian conflict. A U.S. aircraft carrier group has been deployed to the front.

Thirty neighbors petitioned the Bellefonte Borough Council for a cease-fire resolution. The State College Borough Council has already passed one. Congresswoman Cori Bush, a supporter of a middle east cease-fire and a two-state solution, lost her seat when she was challenged by the AIPAC funded candidate. Demonstrators and dissidents have begun to taunt presidential candidate Harris about the administrations Israel/Palestinian policies.

We hope there will not be a major disruption by protesters at the DNC in Chicago. To remember the past does not require repeating it.

Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Partys nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He was the 2022 Lions Paw Awardee and Living Legend honoree of the National Black Theatre Festival. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
The United States first national river is in Arkansas

The United States first national river is in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Arkansas is home to the first national river ever established in the United States.

The Buffalo National River, running through Newton, Searcy, Marion and Baxter counties, was officially designated a National River on March 1, 1972, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

However, the journey to this title first began in the 19th century.

A river not destined to be controlled

Boy jumps in the Buffalo River at the Ozark National Forest Park, Arkansas, USA. (Photo by: Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Prehistory through the pioneers

The river has long been a significant attraction for its inhabitants, from prehistoric times through the first European and American settlements of the late 1820s, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

Many cultural sites are located in the park today, including terrace village sites, bluff shelters occupied by Archaic Period Indians and cabins built by early settlers.

These Arkansas-affiliated athletes have won medals at the Paris Olympics

The Buffalo River was rarely seen as navigable by settlers due to its irregular flow and shallow channel. Although it supported several gristmills, periodic floods, as recorded by American journalist Timothy Flint in 1828, made milling operations risky, according to NPS archives.

Early dam proposals

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, there were several attempts to harness the rivers energy.

In 1911, Arkansas engineer W.N. Gladson proposed a twenty-foot dam and a half-mile tunnel, but these plans never materialized, according to NPS archives. Nonetheless, they ignited a national conversation about the rivers potential.

The Great Depression intensified interest in controlling the river, inspired by successful projects like the Boulder Dam. On May 18, 1933, President Roosevelt signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act, leading Congress to explore similar projects, including on the Buffalo River.

In 1937, the Drainage Basin Committee proposed the Lone Rock Dam for power and flood control, although construction was delayed by World War II. By 1954, the Corps of Engineers recommended two dams on the river, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

Despite Congress including the dams in a 1956 flood control bill, President Dwight Eisenhower vetoed it twice, citing concerns over planning and economic justification.

Conservation efforts ignite

Although officials like Senator Fulbright continued to push for dam construction, their efforts sparked a strong conservation movement in Arkansas.

Northwest Arkansas non-profit helps veterans to heal through kayaking, fishing

In April 1962, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglass float trip with dam opponents drew significant media attention to the preservation cause.

Throughout the 1960s, local support for the dams remained robust, despite opposition from groups such as the Ozark Society and the Buffalo River Landowners Association, who aimed to stop the projects, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls area in the Ozark National Forest Park, Arkansas, USA. (Photo by: Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The Corps of Engineers persisted in advocating for the dams, while the National Park Service, represented by Jackson E. Price, opposed them, arguing they conflicted with the rivers potential as a national park.

Public support for preserving the river grew, and the Lyndon Johnson administration and Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus eventually backed preservation. Faubuss formal opposition was crucial in persuading the Corps to withdraw their dam proposals in 1966.

The political landscape shifted significantly when Congressman James Trimble, a strong pro-dam supporter, lost his seat in 1966. This loss helped clear the way for the introduction of national river bills by Senators Fulbright and Representative Hammerschmidt in 1967, according to NPS archives.

Congress did not act on the bills until 1971, amid a crowded legislative calendar and the war in Vietnam.

How these Northwest Arkansas cities got their names

First in its class

That year, the Senate passed the national river bill, while the House held cautious public hearings in late October.

However, the hearings revealed strong local opposition to federal land acquisition for either dams or park preservation, according to NPS archives. Residents traveled to Washington and submitted letters opposing federal control, emphasizing personal rights and local economic concerns.

In 1968, voters surrounding the river overwhelmingly opposed the national river proposal. Despite this strong local resistance, the subcommittee favored the bill, which the House passed on February 7, 1972.

President Nixon signed Public Law 92-237 within a month, establishing the Buffalo National River on the one-hundredth anniversary of Yellowstone becoming the first national park.

The park today

A scenic canoe trip down the Buffalo National River in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas, 1996. (Photo By Buddy Mays/Getty Images).

Spanning 135 miles of its 150-mile length, the Buffalo is one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in the lower 48 states, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

The largest sorority in the U.S. was founded in Arkansas

The Buffalo River, originating in the Boston Mountains of the Ozark Plateau, flows west to east and empties into the White River in Baxter County. The park surrounding it covers 94,293 acres, including lands under private easements.

Since its establishment, the Buffalo National River has faced environmental challenges, including pollution threats from a nearby hog farm. Despite these issues, the river remains a top tourist destination, attracting over 800,000 visitors annually, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

To learn more about the Buffalo National River, please visit their website linked 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 KNWA FOX24.
In 1948, hours after the Jewish people declared independence from British colonial rule in their ancestral homeland, United States President Harry Truman became the first to recognize the State of Israel. In the 76 years that have followed, the partnership between Israel and the United States remains as important as ever. Candidates for elected office must learn from history and continue to support the only democracy in the Middle East.

Israel won its War of Independence in 1948 but still faces nearly constant existential threats of elimination. Today, Israel is still at war with two bordering countries as it attempts to navigate the complexities of regional relations. Countries such as Iran export antisemitism as a part of their foreign policy, and actively arm terrorist organizations to target the state of Israel and Jewish people around the world. The Ayatollah leads that regime in chants of Death to Israel and Death to America. The two slogans are interchangeable in the Islamic Republic because our free and democratic systems of governance threaten the theocracy and their ability to control the population.

The United States and Israel are natural allies because the tenets of our democracies are aligned. Both countries have a free press, independent judiciary, free markets, civil liberties, freedom to worship, contested elections, peaceful transitions of power and the rule of law. The State of Israel is demonstrably a member of the Free World which the United States leads. Just like with other modern democracies, the United States maintains its military alliance with Israel because it is in the best interest of our nation.

U.S.-Israeli partnership paves the way for economic cooperation and prosperity. Throughout the earlier years of Israeli statehood, considerable resources were dedicated to making the desert bloom, in a region with limited fresh water and arable land. Conservation of these limited resources became a matter of national security. The resulting advances in agricultural techniques, most notably drip irrigation, have allowed Israelis to secure their food supply and increase water conservation worldwide. Drip irrigation tools are now available in any hardware or online store. Less invasive surgeries and shorter recovery times are also a direct result of cutting-edge pharmaceutical research and surgical techniques developed in Israel. These are just two examples of the opportunities we enjoy thanks to our mutually beneficial trade with Israel.

Shared values like democracy, security and a free-market economy help make Israel one of our most significant cultural trade partners. It may surprise many to know that many of our favorite movies and television offerings first aired in Israel. The culinary flavors we commonly enjoy in American restaurants and kitchens have roots in Israeli kitchens. Moreover, for many Americans, a connection to the Holy Land is an article of faith. The ability to walk where biblical figures walked and to do so in peace and security transcends our nationalities. The connection to the land is the foundation of Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions worldwide, and all visitors, regardless of religious tradition, are afforded elevated safety and security at these holy sites.

Foreign aid to Israel largely benefits U.S. companies and creates countless jobs for Americans. The technical cooperation involved with joint programs strengthens U.S. military programs. U.S. military technologies are being battle-tested and improved for future U.S. defense efforts.

For those of us who identify as Jewish, the war in Israel has a direct effect on our day-to-day lives. In 2023 ADL catalogued a 140% increase in antisemitic incidents last year. The timeline illustrates a dramatic spike in the immediate aftermath of the horrific terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, which was the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. Now, as in past times of conflict in the Middle East, the American Jewish community is suffering open animosity from adherents to multiple ideologies that espouse anti-Jewish hate. This time, however, the American Jewish community will not simply endure this harassment and worse.

This time were speaking out and we need our leaders to do the same. As they ask for our votes this year, our political leadership regardless of party needs to stand up to this rising tide of hate. We need leaders who will stand up for not just our American Jewish community, but for the alliance in the interest of all Americans.

Jordan Kadosh is the regional director of ADL Heartland in St. Louis.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Safeguarding US-Israel alliance is in United States' interest
US Ambassador on Russia's night attack on Ukraine: Russia has not ceased bombing of peaceful civilians

US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has responded to the Russian attack on Sunday night that killed a father and son in Kyiv Oblast.

Source: Brink on X (Twitter), European Pravda reports

Details: Air raid warnings and explosions were heard throughout the night around Kyiv as Russia launched numerous missile strikes, killing a man and his 4-year-old son, Brink wrote.

Quote: "A terrible reminder that Russia has not stopped its illegal invasion of Ukraines sovereign territory and its bombing of peaceful civilians."

Air alerts and explosions sounded all night around Kyiv as Russia launched multiple missile attacks, killing a man and his 4-year-old son. A terrible reminder that Russia has not stopped its illegal invasion of Ukraines sovereign territory and its bombing of peaceful civilians. pic.twitter.com/Sj782XuafZ  Ambassador Bridget A. Brink (@USAmbKyiv) August 11, 2024

Background:

A man, 35, and his four-year-old child were killed in a Russian missile attack in Kyiv Oblast on Sunday night. The missile debris fell on private homes in the Brovary district in Kyiv Oblast.

Around midnight, explosions were heard in Kyiv: the Russians were launching missiles towards the capital.

Around 3:00, an air raid warning was issued for the second time that night. The Russians were attacking with drones and air defence systems were in operation.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Google searches for "NSW scabies outbreak" have spiked over recent days in light of an outbreak of the contagious skin condition in New South Wales.

According to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District south of Sydney, an initial case was detected at Wollongong Hospital in late July. Since then, at least 11 patients and 23 staff have been diagnosed with scabies across four hospitals in the region.

So what is scabies, and is this outbreak cause for concern?

An itchy rash

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite (a type of microscopic insect), which buries underneath skin and lays eggs.

Generally, the symptoms show up as an itchy rash, raised bumps, or bites. You may also see "tracks" on your skin, which might appear as thin, tiny, raised or discolored lines.

Scabies most commonly appears in folds of the skin, such as between the fingers, under the armpit, or in the groin area. The itch is usually worse at night or after you've had a hot shower.

Scabies can look a lot like other rashes, such as eczema, psoriasis, or even just dry skin. So the best thing to do if you think you might have scabies is to go and be assessed by a doctor or other health professional. They will be better able to tell whether or not it's scabies, and may also take a skin sample to identify it.

How does scabies spread?

Scabies spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It can also spread via towels, bedding and clothes. This is because the mite can survive outside a human for roughly 48 hours.

Once you've been exposed to the parasite and it has been transmitted, it can take between two and eight weeks for symptoms to present. This is because it takes time for the mite to enter the skin, lay their eggs there, and for the eggs to hatch, which contributes to the symptoms.

However, you can be a source of transmission even before symptoms appear, which is why scabies can be so difficult to control.

Can it be treated?

It's important not to scratch scabies. Doing so may spread the newborn mites under your skin, meaning a larger area can become affected. Scratching could also cause a secondary bacterial infection.

The good news is scabies can be treated quite easily once it's identified. Your doctor will usually recommend a cream or lotion, which will generally be available over the counter. The cream is normally applied to your whole body (staying away from sensitive areas such as the head and neck) once before bed, and then again around a week later. But follow the instructions for use on the product or any guidance from your doctor.

The topical treatment kills the mites and eggs, so it's safe for someone who has had scabies to mix with other people 24 hours after the initial treatment.

How contacts are managed or treated will be advised by health authorities or professionals. But, given scabies is so contagious, it's generally recommended that close contacts of known cases receive treatment too, via a single application of the cream or lotion.

If you or someone in your house has scabies, wash any bedding, towels or clothing used in the previous 48 hours in a hot-wash cycle. If you don't have access to a hot wash, another option is to collect these items into a plastic bag and leave it for a week. The mites will have died by the time you retrieve them.

Scabies is quite common

According to the World Health Organization, at least 200 million people worldwide have scabies at any one time. Scabies can occur anywhere but is most common in areas with high population density.

It's endemic in some remote communities in Australia, where it predominantly affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Sometimes, outbreaks will occur in regional and metropolitan areas, as we're seeing now in NSW.

Outbreaks can spread easily in places like nursing homes, child care centers, detention centers and prisons, where people live or spend time in close quarters.

What about the NSW outbreak?

Information about how the outbreak in NSW started is currently unavailable. It's unlucky an outbreak has affected hospitals, which have strong infection prevention and control procedures.

Health-care facilities have plans in place to manage an outbreak of this nature if it occurs. Any patient with scabies, or suspected to have it, would likely be put into what we call "contact precautions." This means they would have their own room and bathroom, and staff looking after them would have to take extra protective measures.

It's recommended any staff member with scabies should not return to work until 24 hours after they've received the appropriate treatment.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District also says it's undertaking extensive contact tracing to identify people who may be at risk.

But even with stringent infection prevention and control procedures and a thorough public health response, the outbreak is likely to take some time to bring under control. This is mainly because of the challenges of diagnosis and the time between when a person is exposed and when symptoms appear.

If you've spent time in one of the affected hospitals, or live in the local area, there's no need to panic. But keep an eye out for any unusual rash, and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
US and coalition personnel sustained minor injuries in Friday drone attack in Syria, official says

Several United States and coalition personnel were treated for minor injuries after a drone attack in Syria on Friday, a US defense official said, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Personnel were treated for minor injuries, including smoke inhalation, but none were seriously hurt, the official said Saturday. Others are being examined for traumatic brain injuries.

Several service members were taken from Rumalyn Landing Zone to a separate location for further assessment, according to the official. The attack caused damage to at least one set of facilities, the official added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the official said.

The strike comes after seven US personnel were injured when two rockets hit Al Asad Airbase in Iraq on Monday. The US Defense Department blamed Iran-aligned militia groups for the attack, calling it a dangerous escalation.

Those injured in the Monday attack included five US service members and two US contractors. All were stable as of Tuesday, a defense official said.

Both recent attacks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as the US has been bracing for Iranian retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran last week, CNN previously reported.

US officials have long blamed Iran-backed militia groups for attacks on troops in Iraq and Syria. Between October 17 and January 29, there were more than 150 attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria. Those attacks slowed after three American troops were killed in a drone attack on a small US outpost in Jordan, resulting in a significant US response that hit 85 targets at seven locations.

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The US Navy's warship production is in its worst state in 25 years. What's behind it?

The Navys ability to build lower-cost warships that can shoot down Houthi rebel missiles in the Red Sea depends in part on a 25-year-old laborer who previously made parts for garbage trucks.

Lucas Andreini, a welder at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, in Marinette, Wisconsin, is among thousands of young workers whove received employer-sponsored training nationwide as shipyards struggle to hire and retain employees.

The labor shortage is one of myriad challenges that have led to backlogs in ship production and maintenance at a time when the Navy faces expanding global threats. Combined with shifting defense priorities, last-minute design changes and cost overruns, it has put the U.S. behind China in the number of ships at its disposal  and the gap is widening.

Navy shipbuilding is currently in a terrible state  the worst in a quarter century, says Eric Labs, a longtime naval analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. I feel alarmed," he said. "I dont see a fast, easy way to get out of this problem. Its taken us a long time to get into it.

Marinette Marine is under contract to build six guided-missile frigates  the Navys newest surface warships  with options to build four more. But it only has enough workers to produce one frigate a year, according to Labs.

Where have all the workers gone?

One of the industry's chief problems is the struggle to hire and retain laborers for the challenging work of building new ships as graying veterans retire, taking decades of experience with them.

Shipyards across the country have created training academies and partnered with technical colleges to provide workers with the skills they need to construct high-tech warships. Submarine builders and the Navy formed an alliance to promote manufacturing careers, and shipyards are offering perks to retain workers once they're hired.

Andreini trained for his job at Marinette through a program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Prior to that, he spent several years as a production line welder, making components for garbage trucks. He said some of his buddies are held back by the stigma that shipbuilding is a crappy work environment, and its unsafe.

But thats not the reality, he said. His health benefits are better than at his previous job, hell be getting a pension for the first time, and theres an opportunity to acquire skills even more advanced than what he received during his initial training.

Plus, Andreini says, he feels like he's serving his country.

It makes me happy to be able to do my part, and possibly make sure sailors and some of my friends in the service come home safely," said Andreini, whose father was in the Navy in Vietnam.

Alonie Lake, also a welder, fellow graduate of the technical colleges program and a single mom, is happy for a job with long-term stability  something Marinette's backlog of Navy contracts virtually guarantees.

Lake, 32, said she thinks a lot of younger people are interested in jobs in the trades "and the satisfaction of working with their hands to create tangible results.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro recently underscored the importance of training programs during commencement ceremonies at a community college in Maine. The college has partnered with nearby Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to teach workers the skills needed to repair nuclear submarines.

It is incumbent upon all of us to consider how we can best lend our talents and, in the case of the graduates, their newly developed skills, to build up our great nation for all Americans, and defend against the threats and challenges of today, he said.

Once workers are hired, will they stay?

The Navy is trying to help shipyards ensure that once new workers are trained and hired, they stick around in a tight labor market.

In Wisconsin, part of $100 million in Navy funding that's being provided to Marinette Marine is being used for retention bonuses at the shipyard, whose past employee retention was described by Del Toro as atrocious.

The shipyard, which employs more than 2,000 workers, is providing bonuses of up to $10,000 to keep workers, said spokesperson Eric Dent. The workforce shortage is definitely a problem and its a problem across the board for all shipyards, he said.

Retention is a concern even for shipyards that have met their goals, including Huntington Ingalls Industries, which makes destroyers and amphibious warships in Mississippi and aircraft carriers and submarines in Virginia.

The company is creating training partnerships with colleges and public schools at all grade levels. Enhancements in Mississippi include more than a million square feet (92,900 square meters) of covered work area, cooldown and hydration stations, and a second dining area with a Chick-fil-A. Huntington Ingalls also collaborated with the Navy and the city of Newport News, Virginia, to build a new parking garage for workers and sailors.

A problem decades in the making

Much of the blame for U.S. shipbuilding's current woes lies with the Navy, which frequently changes requirements, requests upgrades and tweaks designs after shipbuilders have begun construction.

Thats seen in cost overruns, technological challenges and delays in the Navys newest aircraft carrier, the USS Ford; the spiking of a gun system for a stealth destroyer program after its rocket-assisted projectiles became too costly; and the early retirement of some of the Navy's lightly armored littoral combat ships, which were prone to breaking down.

The Navy vowed to learn from those past lessons with the new frigates they are building at Marinette Marine. The frigates are prized because they're less costly to produce than larger destroyers but have similar weapon systems.

The Navy chose a ship design already in use by navies in France and Italy instead of starting from scratch. The idea was that 15% of the vessel would be updated to meet U.S. Navy specifications, while 85% would remain unchanged, reducing costs and speeding construction.

Instead, the opposite happened: The Navy redesigned 85% of the ship, resulting in cost increases and construction delays, said Bryan Clark, an analyst at the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute. Construction of the first-in-class Constellation warship, which began in August 2022, is now three years behind schedule, with delivery pushed back to 2029.

The final design still isn't completed.

Shifting threats and changing plans

Complicating matters further is something out of the Navy's control: the changing nature of global threats.

Throughout its history, the Navy has had to adapt to varying perils, whether it be the Cold War of past decades or current threats including war in the Middle East, growing competition from Chinese and Russian navies, piracy off the coast of Somalia and persistent attacks on commercial ships by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

And that's not all. The consolidation of shipyards and funding uncertainties have disrupted the cadence of ship construction and stymied long-term investments and planning, says Matthew Paxton of the Shipbuilders Council of America, a national trade association.

Weve been dealing with inconsistent shipbuilding plans for years, Paxton said. When we finally start ramping up, the Navy is shocked that we lost members of our workforce.

The Navy insists it's taking the shipbuilding problems seriously.

The Navys role in defending our nation and promoting peace has never been more expansive or mattered more," said Lt. Kyle Hanton, a spokesperson for Del Toro's office. We continue to work with our industry partners to identify creative solutions to solving our common challenges."
The News

The US is planning a last-ditch effort to offer amnesty to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for stepping down, as mounting evidence shows he lost last months election, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The US has discussed pardons for Maduro and his top allies who are facing criminal indictments on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges, and sources told The Journal that the US may be open to dropping extradition efforts for those involved.

The Biden administration has put everything on the table to convince Maduro to cede power before January, one source said.

Maduro has previously expressed willingness to negotiate with the US, though he has appeared more resistant since the election, telling Washington not to mess with Venezuelas internal affairs at a news conference on Friday.

The US offers could fall flat if former President Donald Trump is re-elected in November, The Journal reported, given his previous hardline approach to Venezuela. Still, Maduro is suspicious of any US administration, including Bidens, which dropped most sanctions against cash-strapped Venezuela this year in the hopes of enticing him to hold free elections.

New voting data shows that diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez won last months election, but the Maduro regime has since jailed thousands of dissidents, maintained the militarys support, and asked the pro-Maduro Supreme Court to solve the election dispute. Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly has offered to mediate the election results if Maduro invites third party observers.
Officials in Uvalde, Texas have released police body camera footage and a collection of audio and video recordings of the deadly mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in 2022.

The footage release comes after the Associated Press and other news organizations brought a lawsuit against the city because officials initially refused to publicly release information from the shooting, which left 19 students and two teachers dead.

One of the first calls that police received that day was from a woman who reported a truck crashed into a ditch and a person was running onto the schools campus, the AP reported.

Oh my god, they have a gun, she told police.

A few minutes later, a man calls to say, Hes shooting at the kids! Get back! He informed police that the 18-year-old gunman was inside the school.

Oh my God in the name of Jesus. Hes inside the school shooting at the kids, he said.

According to the body camera footage from police, an officer asks the gunman to please dont hurt anyone else and to put his gun down. It showed blood on the floors in hallways and classrooms.

Law enforcements response was sharply criticized after the shooting.

A scathing report by the Department of Justice (DOJ) found that a lack of preparation, communication and urgency resulted in nearly 400 members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies standing outside the school for 77 minutes while the gunman was inside.

The gunman, Salvador Ramos, shot his grandmother at her home before taking a truck to the school. His uncle made several 911 calls hoping to be put through to his nephew to beg him to stop, the AP reported.

Maybe he could listen to me because he does listen to me, everything I tell him he does listen to me, Ramoss uncle said on the call. Maybe he could stand down or do something to turn himself in.

The outlet noted that the call came too late, after police fatally killed Ramos.

In the body camera footage, published to YouTube by KSAT 12, officers pull children from the school windows and one says Thank you. Officers tell them to hurry out, saying, We got you.

Families of the victims renewed their calls for police officers to face charges after the DOJ report cited unnecessary deaths, as officers detained parents who attempted to enter the school but did not go in themselves.

Earlier this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety reinstated a state trooper, Steven McCraw, who was suspended after the shooting.

McCraw said the officer in command on the scene of the shooting believed that the situation had shifted from an active shooter situation to a barricade situation and children were no longer in danger.

Only two other officers face criminal charges. Both have pleaded not guilty.

The Hill has reached out to the City of Uvalde 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.
(Bloomberg) -- Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance floated more than doubling the federal child tax credit to $5,000, seeking to reframe a pro-family stance that has come under attack from Democrats.

Most Read from Bloomberg

I dont think that you want this massive cutoff for lower-income families, which you have right now, the Ohio senator and Donald Trumps running mate said on CBSs Face the Nation. He didnt offer specifics on who would quality if the tax credit were expanded from its existing maximum of $2,000 per child.

Its called the child tax credit, and we should expand the child tax credit, Vance said.

Subscribe to the Balance of Power podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

Vance went on three network political talk shows Sunday after a shaky start on the GOP ticket, damaged in part by resurfaced comments in which he belittled Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, as childless cat ladies.

Vance, 40, a father of three, has also suggested a lower tax rate for parents than for people without children.

His comments drew criticism from both parties. Tomi Lahren, the conservative commentator, blasted the senator on social media in response to the cat lady remarks. I like JD Vance, but Im not sure the calculation as VP pick checks out, Lahren said in a post on X on July 25.

Asked Sunday on CNNs State of the Union about how he would appeal to swing-state voters put off by those remarks, Vance accused the Harris campaign of lying about what he said.

I criticized Kamala Harris for being part of a set of ideas that exist in American leadership that is anti-family, he said. I never criticize people for not having kids.

Trump defended Vance at a rally in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday.

Hes really stepped up, Trump said. I said, you got your sea legs, you know, because the first day they were hitting him with a lot of nonsense.

Pressure on Trump and Vance has heightened since President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid in July. Harris emergence at the top of the Democratic ticket and her pick of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as running mate have shaken up the campaign, largely erasing Trumps lead in many polls.

A New York Times and Siena College poll conducted Aug. 5-9 showed Harris with 50% support among likely voters in battleground states Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, compared with Trumps 46% in each state.

Vance skipped a Senate vote on a bipartisan tax plan in early August, prompting attacks from Democrats who accused him of ditching his job to campaign.

The $78 billion package would have allowed more of the $2,000 tax credit to be paid to those whose income is too low to qualify for the entire credit. Senators werent able to reach the 60 votes required to overcome a Republican filibuster.

Vance dismissed the recent tax package vote as a messaging ploy.

It was a show vote, Vance said. And if I had been there, it would have failed.

Big Business

Vance reiterated his support of Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, a Biden appointee who has focused antitrust efforts on big tech companies.

I dont agree with Lina Khan on every issue, to be clear, but I think that shes been very smart about trying to go after some of these big tech companies that monopolize what were allowed to say in our own country, Vance said on CBS.

The comments signal that major tech companies like Alphabet Inc.s Google could continue to face legal challenges under a Trump-Vance administration. The Justice Department already has two pending antitrust cases against the company.

(Updates with additional Vance comments starting in fifth paragraph.)

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Trump's running mate made the media rounds on Sunday, addressing, among other things, his past criticisms of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz's military record.

JD Vance, former President Donald Trumps running mate in the 2024 election, made the rounds on several morning news shows on Sunday.

In a series of interviews, the Republican senator from Ohio addressed Trump's recent comments about possibly restricting access to mifepristone, the so-called abortion pill, as well as his controversial statements about childless cat ladies, and questions he's raised about the military service of Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Vances Sunday morning media blitz.

On blocking medication abortion nationwide

In an interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS News Face the Nation, Vance sought to downplay comments made by Trump last week, suggesting that, if returned to the White House, he could be open to imposing a nationwide ban on mifepristone.

Vance, however, indicated that a Trump-Vance administration would not seek to revoke access to the medication that, according to the Associated Press, was used in two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. last year, insisting that he and the former president intend to defer to the states on abortion.

.@JDVance says a Trump-Vance administration would not use the FDA to block access to mifepristone, the widely used abortion pill mifepristone, even as Donald Trump suggested he is open to restrictions on it.



"You, of course, want to make sure that any medicine is safe, that it's pic.twitter.com/pdaNpeWEPk  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 11, 2024

What the president has said very clearly is that abortion policy should be made by the states, Vance said.

Asked whether a second Trump administration would reverse the Food and Drug Administrations 2000 approval of mifepristone, Vance said, You, of course, want to make sure that any medicine is safe, that it's prescribed in the right way, and so forth, but the president wants individual states to make these decisions.

Vance was also questioned about Trumps intentions with mifepristone by CNNs Dana Bash during a separate interview on State of the Union. Bash noted that Project 2025, a conservative policy proposal often associated with Trump and Vance, includes a plan to restrict access to the abortion medication nationwide.

Vance claimed that Project 2025 is not affiliated with the Trump-Vance campaign, telling Bash that Trump is not trying to prevent women who have nonviable pregnancies from getting access to the medicare medical health care they need. We are going to let voters make these decisions.

In a video message posted on the Democrats' official YouTube channel on Sunday, Walz appeared to respond to Vance's comments, saying that Vance and Trump are "going to ban medication abortion."

"We have a rule," Walz said of himself and Harris. "Whether you would make the same decision as someone else, just mind your own damn business."

Bash asked Vance to address the recent backlash over previous comments hes made about childless Americans, including during a July 2021 interview with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson in which he described Democratic leaders, including Harris, as childless cat ladies.

Vance insisted that he wasnt criticizing people for not having kids, but rather criticizing Harris in particular for being anti-child, saying that she has said it is reasonable for people not to have children because of climate change.

According to Factcheck.org, this explanation seems to be based on a misinterpretation of comments made by Harris during a college tour last year, during which she said young climate activists expressed their anxieties about climate change, including with regard to having children, but she did not endorse the idea of not having kids due to environmental concerns.

Asked about his past comments calling Vice President Harris and Pete Buttigieg "childless cat ladies," @JDVance argues that Harris is part of a set of ideas that exist in American leadership that is anti-family and claims shes anti-child. pic.twitter.com/ObTUMvlIgi  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) August 11, 2024

Discrediting Walzs military service

On CNN, Vance was pressed about past comments he made about Walzs military service  including at a press conference last week in Michigan, where he claimed that Walz dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go [to Iraq] without him. Walz, who spent 24 years in the Nebraska and Minnesota Army National Guards, has stated that he chose to retire from the National Guard in 2005 because he was making a bid for Congress at the time.

Vance told Bash that he never criticized what Walz did when he was in the military, but rather, Im criticizing the fact that he lied about his service for political gain.

Vance had accused Walz of lying about serving in Iraq when Walz told a crowd in 2018 that private citizens shouldnt have access to weapons that I carried in war. The Harris-Walz campaign later stated that Walz, who was never deployed to a combat zone during his years of service, misspoke.

Vance served in the Marines from 2003 to 2007 and was deployed to Iraq.

Pro-family values

When pressed on questionable comments hes made about families  including in a 2021 speech before the conservative group, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, where he suggested that those with children should have extra votes  Vance accused the Harris campaign of misconstruing his words.

Do I regret saying it? I regret that the media and the Kamala Harris campaign has, frankly, distorted what I said," he told This Weeks Jonathan Karl about the comments. They turn this into a policy proposal that I never made. I said, 'I want us to be more pro-family, and I do want us to be more pro-family.'

Vance said he hopes to do this by expanding the child tax credit and by making housing more affordable so young families can afford to buy a home.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan bill that would have expanded the child tax credit  Vance wasnt present for the vote due to a scheduled visit at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Speaking to Face the Nation, Vance characterized that vote as a show vote, adding, If I had been there, it would have failed.
Vance lashes out at Harris and Walz as he attempts to seize back momentum

Republican vice-presidential hopeful JD Vance lashed out at Kamala Harris and Tim Walz during a whirlwind tour of political shows on Sunday as he attempted to seize back momentum to his own faltering campaign.

The Ohio senator claimed the pairing on the Democratic presidential ticket were uncomfortable in their own skin over their policy positions ahead of Novembers election.

He also criticized Harris and Walz for what has become an increasingly successful attack line of their own: calling Vance and Republican candidate Donald Trump weird for their extremist positions on policies including abortion and gun control.

I think what it is, is two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who arent comfortable in their own skin, because theyre uncomfortable with their policy positions for the American people, Vance told anchor Dana Bash on CNNs State of the Union.

And so theyre name-calling instead of actually telling the American people how theyre going to make their lives better. I think thats weird, Dana, but look, they can call me whatever they want to.

Seemingly oblivious to Trumps fondness for belittling adversaries with juvenile name-calling of his own, Vance portrayed the weird line first aired by Walz as fundamentally schoolyard bully stuff.

Shortly after the interview, and without a hint of irony, a Trump-Vance campaign memo branded Harris copy cat Kamala for echoing a policy promising to make service industry tips non-taxable.

Vance was speaking as Harris and Walz concluded a buoyant first week on the campaign trail together, and new polling data showed them catching Trump or overhauling him in a number of crucial swing states.

Vance was also appearing on ABCs This Week and CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday in the wake of growing criticism over his own recent performances, which include trying to clean up comments he made calling leading Democrats a bunch of childless cat ladies.

The embattled senator insisted this week that his remarks, gleefully seized upon and circulated by Democratic supporters, were sarcasm, and part of a media-orchestrated campaign to damage him.

Vance has struggled to create a new narrative following the controversy, and tried again on Sunday to switch focus back on Harris and Walz, the Minnesota governor she announced Monday as her running mate.

On CNN, he insisted that the Democrats were insulting Americans intelligence by refusing to set out an agenda if they won in November.

If you go to Kamala Harris campaign page right now, they still dont have a policy [or] policy positions about what theyre going to do, Vance said.

I think thats really insulting to Americans.

Conversely, after criticizing Harris for a lack of policy, he then claimed she really has been the one calling the shots for the Biden administration because Joe Biden clearly isnt capable of doing the job.

Talking to White House reporters Sunday, Harris said she would be rolling out her official policy platform next week. She said: Itll be focused on the economy and what we need to do to bring down costs.

During his CBS interview, Vance attempted to tie Harris to a number of what he said were policy failures afflicting the country. They included a claim that the as yet non-existent Harris administration was responsible for allowing people on the US terrorism watchlist into the country.

Harris, he said, was also to blame for Americans becoming hooked on fentanyl.

If Harris was applying proper leverage to the Chinese and the Mexican drug cartels, we would not have so many, he said.

You walk into Beijing, you talk to [Chinese president] Xi Jinping, and you say: Your entire economy is going to collapse unless you get access to American markets. You need to take this fentanyl seriously or we are going to impose serious tariffs and economic penalties for not following our laws and not helping us stem the flow of this deadly poison.

Vance also defended Trump for calling Xi and Vladimir Putin lovely individuals during a Friday rally in Montana.

President Trump gets along with world leaders. Theres nothing wrong with him complimenting them as people if it makes him more effective diplomatically, Vance said.

Republicans have also attacked Harris for not staging a press conference since naming Walz, which Vance repeated on Sunday.

Claiming he was confused by Democratic criticism of his position over expanding the child tax credit, he told Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan: They should clarify it, maybe in an interview with you. But of course, Kamala Harris refuses to do interviews with anybody.
Vance refuses to back down from childless cat lady comments and calls for 1 million to be deported

Vance refuses to back down from childless cat lady comments and calls for 1 million to be deported

Republican vice presidential contender JD Vancemade a case for himself and Donald Trump on Sunday as he faces another week of backlash around his insults regarding childless cat ladies, Democrats and Americans without children.

On Sunday, Vance was asked about his comments regarding traditional families in America and decisions made by people who do not fit that mold. Its a point that has been viewed by the left as a signal to right-wing conservatives, given that both Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow Democrat Pete Buttigieg came to start families through nontraditional means: in Harriss case, through marriage to a single father; in Buttigiegs, through adoption.

CNNs Dana Bash questioned the Republican candidate on State of the Union whether he viewed those families as legitimate.

Of course, Vance responded, before pivoting to claims that the Harris campaign was lying about the context of his remarks. Bash attempted to press him further, but he easily steamrolled past her follow-up.

Dana, I was raised....one of the first people I gave a hug to after my RNC convention speech was my step-mom, he said.

So shes not childless, then? Bash asked.

Of course shes not childless, the Ohio senator responded.

Speaking with ABC News, he elaborated further about his broader remarks regarding childless Americans and the stakes that they do or do not supposedly have in the countrys future. Vance, in his 2021 remarks to then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, claimed that weve turned our country over to people who dont really have a direct stake in it while referring to Harris, Buttigieg and other Democrats  the same people he had just ridiculed for supposedly being childless.

Do I regret saying it? I regret that the media and the Kamala Harris campaign has, frankly, distorted what I said, Vance told ABCs Jonathan Karl. They turn this into a policy proposal that I never made.

The senator also discussed with ABC the Republican platform that has caused shockwaves - Donald Trumps pledge to lead the largest deportation operation in history if elected president in November.

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance speaks in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He refused to admit he regretted his childless cat lady comment. (Adam Bettcher/Getty)

Vance and Trump have stated that they want to deport as many as 20 million immigrants living undocumented in the United States. Such an operation would have massive effects on the US economy, culture and communities.

On ABC, the senator was asked what that operation would look like  whether officers would be going door-to-door asking Americans for their papers.

"You start with what's achievable," Vance responded. "I think that if you deport a lot of violent criminals and frankly if you make it harder to hire illegal labor, which undercuts the wages of American workers, I think you go a lot of the way to solving the illegal immigration problem."

I think its interesting that people focus on, well, how do you deport 18 million people? Lets start with 1 million, Vance told ABC. Thats where Kamala Harris has failed. And then we can go from there.

Harris, now at the head of the Democratic ticket, has gone on the offense on immigration, as some Democrats have seen blood in the water.

Republicans, they reason, face an unprecedented weakness on the issue after a bipartisan border security compromise that would have given the US president authority to freeze the asylum system was tanked by conservatives earlier this year, on Trumps behest.

The vice president, speaking in Arizona this weekend, told voters that her administration would pursue strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship if returned to the White House next year with a Democratic majority in Congress.
Vance says of course he wants to debate Walz

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trumps running mate, said of course he wants to debate the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Of course, Vance told CNNs Dana Bash in a State of the Union interview that aired Sunday.

I want to debate Tim Walz. I think its important, and I think that it goes to a very fundamental difference between the Trump-Vance ticket and our opposition. We believe in talking to the media. We believe in answering questions. We believe in debating, Vance said.

I think its really important. I mean, look, Im asking the American people to make me their vice president. Its really important to stand before the American people to make that case, and Im going to keep on doing it in whatever form I get the opportunity, Vance added.

Vance has repeatedly attacked the newly formed Democratic ticket for not yet sitting down with the media to conduct a formal interview since President Biden withdrew from the race.

Walz said, at his first rally this week with Harris, that he cant wait to debate the guy, referring to Vance.

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Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said in a Sunday interview that Democrats are engaging in schoolyard bully attacks by calling the GOP ticket weird.

It drives home how theyre trying to distract from their own policy failures. I mean, look, this is fundamentally schoolyard bully stuff, Vance said on CNNs State of the Union with Dana Bash. They can accuse me of whatever they want to accuse me of.

Im doing this because I think that me being vice president will help improve peoples lives, so I accept their attacks, but I think that it is a little bit of projection, Dana, Vance added.

Vance tried to levy similar attacks on the Democratic ticket, saying Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D)  Harriss new running mate  gave his wife a nice, firm Midwestern handshake when he was tapped as the vice president pick and then tried to sort of awkwardly correct for it.

So I think that what it is is two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who arent comfortable in their own skin because they arent comfortable with their policy positions for the American people, and so theyre name-calling instead of actually telling the American people how theyre going to make their lives better. I think thats weird, Dana, but look, they can call me whatever they want to, Vance said.

Walzs description of Vance as weird set off a political firestorm that helped establish Walz as the vice presidential pick. Democrats have repeatedly used the term to describe their Republican opponents in recent weeks.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

In 1874, a surgeon in South Australia telegraphed wound care instructions for a patient 2,000 kilometers away. A few years later, in 1879, a letter in The Lancet medical journal suggested physicians use the telephone to cut down on unnecessary patient visits.

As the telephone and telegraph spread, the idea of telemedicineliterally "healing at a distance"inspired science fiction writers to conjure up new ways of treating patients across great distances.

Real-world technology has developed in tandem with scifi speculation ever since. Today, certain kinds of telemedicine have become commonplace, while other futuristic tools are in the offing.

The radio doctor and the teledactyl

In his 1909 short story The Machine Stops, English novelist E.M. Forster described a telemedicine apparatus that, when telegraphed, descends from the ceiling to care for patients in the comfort of their home. His story is also the earliest description of instant messaging and a kind of internetboth important for real-life telemedicine.

In 1924, Radio News magazine printed a cover story showing the future "Radio Doctor." The cover depicts a physician examining a patient through a screen. Although the magazine story itself was a bizarre fiction that had little to do with a radio doctor, the imagery is evocative.

In a 1925 cover story for Science and Invention, US writer Hugo Gernsback describes a device called "The Teledactyl" (from tele, meaning far, and dactyl, meaning finger). The device uses radio transmitters and television screens to allow a doctor to interact with a patient. The added twistthe physician touches the patient using a remotely controlled mechanical hand set up in the patient's home.

Gernsback was a futurist and pioneer in radio and electrical engineering. Nicknamed the "Father of Science Fiction," Gernsback used fictional stories to educate readers on science and technology, and often included extensive scientific details in his writings. He helped establish science fiction as a literary genre, and the annual Hugo Awards are named after him.

From seafarers to spacefarers

The radio was important for early telemedicine. In the 1920s, physicians across the globe started using the radio to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and provide medical advice for sick or wounded seafarers and passengers. The radio is still used to provide medical consultation to ships at sea.

In 1955, Gernsback returned to the idea of distance medicine with "The Teledoctor." This imaginary device uses the telephone and a closed-circuit television with mechanical arms controlled by the physician to provide remote patient care. Gernsback said the doctor of the future "will be able to do almost anything through teledoctoring that he can do in person."

In 1959, psychiatrists in Nebraska started using two-way closed-circuit televisions to conduct psychiatric consultations between two locations. This is considered one of the first examples of modern-day telemedicine. Early telemedicine networks were expensive to develop and maintain, which limited broader use.

In the 1960s, NASA began efforts to integrate telemedicine into every human spaceflight program. By 1971, a telemedicine system was ready for trial on Earth in the Space Technology Applied to Rural Papago Advanced Health care (STARPAHC) program. Using a two-way television and radio connection and remote telemetry, the program connected Tohono Oodham people (then known as Papago) with nurses and physicians hundreds of miles away.

The internet and a pandemic

It wasn't until 1970 that the word telemedicine was officially coined by US doctor Thomas Bird. Bird and his colleagues set up an audiovisual circuit between the Massachusetts General Hospital and Logan Airport to provide medical consultations to airport employees.

From the 1970s onward, telemedicine started gaining more traction. The internet, officially born in 1983, brought new ways to connect patients and physicians.

Satellites could connect physicians and patients across greater distances without the need for two-way closed-circuit televisions. The cost to develop and maintain a telemedicine network decreased in the 1980s, opening the door to wider adoption.

In his 1999 science fiction novel Starfish, Canadian writer Peter Watts describes a device called the "Medical Mantis." This device allows a physician to remotely examine and perform procedures on patients deep beneath the ocean's surface. In the early 2000s, NASA's Extreme Environment Mission Operations started testing teleoperated surgical robots in undersea environments.

The evolution of telemedicine has kept pace with advances in information and communication technology. Yet, throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, telemedicine remained little used.

It took the global COVID pandemic to make telemedicine an integral part of modern health care. Most of this is consultations via video callnot so far away from what Gernsback envisioned a century ago, though so far without the robotic hands.

What's next? One likely factor pushing real-world telemedicine to match the dreams of science fiction will be developments in human spaceflight.

As humans progress in space exploration, the future of telemedicine may look more like science fiction. Earth-based monitoring of astronauts' health will require technological breakthroughs to keep pace with them as they travel deeper into space.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) brushed off concerns about former President Trumps praise for world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing there is nothing wrong with such remarks.

Pointing to the former presidents comments about Xi and Putin at a Montana rally last Friday, CBS Face the Nation anchor Margaret Brennan pressed Vance on whether he agrees with the characterization that the two were lovely individuals.

I think that President Trump gets along with world leaders, Vance responded. And theres nothing wrong with him complimenting them as people, if it makes him more effective diplomatically.

Brennan interjected, suggesting Trumps comments are different than walking in and laying down the law to Xi Jinping.

Oh no, its not actually, because youre better able to lay down the law, like President Trump did, if you actually have a good relationship with people and they trust you to follow your word, Vance said. We have to remember that Democrats, including Kamala Harris, attacked Donald Trump for having a good relationship with Vladimir Putin

Trumps comments regarding Xi and other foreign leaders have been criticized at times by Democrats and even some Republicans as being too friendly toward authoritarian leadership.

The former president last year described Xi as smart, brilliant, everything perfect, and noted he runs China with an iron first.

Trump has spoken similarly about Putin and claimed last year he was the apple of [Putins] eye during his presidency.

Vance on Sunday repeated Trumps common point that Putin did not invade another country under his term, attempting to contrast it with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war that broke out under the Biden administration.

Well, when Donald Trump was president, Vladimir Putin didnt invade another country. When Kamala Harris was vice president, he did, Vance said. So maybe they should take a lesson from Trumps  playbook about diplomatic legitimacy, because I think Donald Trump got a lot done because world leaders respected him.

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Vehicle sought in connection with Near West Side hit-and-run

CHICAGO  Chicago police are searching for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash on the Near West Side back in late July.

Police said just before 6 p.m. Friday, July 26, a 45-year-old man was riding a scooter across Ruble Street near UIC when a black Dodge Charger hit him in the 600 block of West Taylor Street.

Chicago firefighter critically injured in crash while riding motorcycle

The victim was seriously injured, according to investigators.

Police described the vehicle as a black Dodge Charger with damage to the front passenger windshield. The vehicle has Illinois license plate number ER88171 and was last seen driving westbound on 71st Street and Halsted Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call the CPDs Major Accident Investigation Unit at 312-745-4521.

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Victim rescued after falling from Heart of America Bridge in KC

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  One person is in the hospital with serious injuries after falling from the Heart of America Bridge Sunday morning, according to the Kansas City Police Department.

KCPD said officers were dispatched to the bridge, which carries Route 9 across the Missouri River, just after 10 a.m. on reports of a person who fell from the structure.

23-year-old man capsizes, drowns in Kansas City pond, 8-year-old safe

Upon arrival, KCPD and KCFD found the victim and were able to place them on a medic board and carry them up the rock base to an ambulance.

According to KCPD, the victim suffered serious injuries and is currently in the hospital.

No details have been released about the victims identity or how they fell from the bridge. However, stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Virginia Task Force 2 is returning to Hampton Roads Sunday.

The task force deployed to South Carolina on Monday, Aug. 5 to assist with the preparation for Tropical Storm Debby.

Tropical Storm Debby doles out repeat deluges for weather-weary residents

Members of the task force were scheduled to leave South Carolina at 10 a.m., and they are expected to arrive at the Harry E. Diezel Fire Training Center in Virginia Beach around 6 p.m.

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The virus responsible for COVID-19 is now widespread in wildlife. A new study in the US identified exposure rates of up to 60 percent in some species.

"I think the big take-home message is the virus is pretty ubiquitous," says Virginia Tech conservation biologist Amanda Goldberg. "We found positives in a large suite of common backyard animals."

Testing almost 800 nasal and oral swabs from animals in rehabilitation centers or that were trapped and released in the wild, the researchers identified six different species with antibodies indicating they'd been infected with SARS-CoV-2 at some point.

Most of the infected species are common across North America and the researchers think it's likely that wildlife exposure to the virus is widespread.

But Goldberg and colleagues stress that they found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 being transmitted back to humans from wildlife.

Sites with high human activity had three times the prevalence of viral antibodies in animals, suggesting that, as with most diseases, humans are doing the majority of the spreading. Humans pass on twice as many viruses to other animals as we receive from them.

As humans rarely come into physical contact with wildlife, the researchers suspect most wildlife exposure to SAR-CoV-2 occurs indirectly through trash and wastewater.

The species found to have been infected included eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), racoons (Procyon lotor), eastern deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), groundhogs (Marmota monax), and eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis).

Not all species showed symptoms of the virus or viral shedding when tested in laboratory conditions.

"Our results highlight that evaluating the importance of each species in the context of a broader community of hosts will be critical for controlling future zoonotic disease risk," explain the researchers.

Multiple animals tested positive for current infections at the same sites within four days of each other, suggesting animal-to-animal transmission is occurring.

"The virus aims to infect more humans, but vaccinations protect many humans," says Virginia Tech molecular biologist Carla Finkielstein. "So the virus turns to animals, adapting and mutating to thrive in the new hosts."

The concern is a sylvatic cycle developing  where the virus mutates enough to sustain itself in wild animal populations  becoming another potential source of new mutations with potential risks for humans.

Analyzing 126 blood samples, the researchers found most of the strains in the wildlife were the same as those found in humans. But they did detect one previously unreported mutation in the virus taken from an opossum. This mutation may make it easier for the virus to avoid our current antibodies.

These findings highlight the need for continued COVID-19 surveillance and further research to understand the virus's movements within and between species.

"It will be important to continue to sequence variants from wildlife as well as humans to assess if SARS-CoV-2 is adapting to new wildlife hosts," Goldberg and team conclude.

This research was published in Nature Communications.

Related News
Volunteer arrested for possession of child porn, over 600 obscene images of minors: police

Authorities believe there may be additional victims after a man who volunteered in local organizations was arrested in a child sexual exploitation investigation.

Investigators with the West Covina Police Department, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Securitys Los Angeles office and the L.A. County Sheriffs Department, executed a federal warrant on Thursday, West Covina police stated.

The man, 39-year-old Matthew Mullen, was arrested and booked for possession of over 600 obscene images and possession of minor in sexual act/pornography material.

Suspected DUI driver arrested after fleeing scene of fatal North Hollywood hit-and-run

Due to Mullens volunteer efforts in local organizations, investigators believe there may be additional victims, authorities said.

HSI Los Angeles and the West Covina Police Department are asking for information from the public that may aid in the investigation.

To submit a tip, contact West Covina PD Detective Iside by calling 626-939-8520. Information can also be submitted to the HSIs TIP Line (1-877-447-4847); callers should reference the Matthew Mullen case.

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VP pick Walz to visit RI on Thursday for campaign fundraiser

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The date for Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walzs visit to Rhode Island for a campaign fundraiser is set.

R.I. Democratic Party Chair Liza Beretta-Perik told 12 News that Walz will be coming to the state on Thursday.

READ MORE: VP pick Tim Walz expected in RI next week for campaign fundraiser

The fundraiser is taking place during the mid to late afternoon, Beretta-Perik said, with additional details to be decided.

News of this visit emerged on Wednesday after an invitation obtained by 12 News indicated the Minnesota governor was expected to be in Newport on Friday, Aug. 16.

An updated invitation shows those in the fundraisers host committee include Gov. Dan McKee, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, former gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes and the congressional delegation.

Organizers said last week they hope to raise $500,000 for Vice President Kamala Harris campaign.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  A Virginia Beach based charity is working to raise money and awareness for essential health services that will aid disadvantaged communities across Africa.

Health Focus Africa provides free medical camps and critical medical treatment to those who need it most. The organization is working to raise $24,000 to fund a mobile clinic that includes vaccines, personal protective equipment and medication. The money will also help to offer volunteers a stipend for their work.

On Sunday morning, nearly 50 people joined the Walk to Save Lives 5K at Mount Trashmore.

Theres a need everywhere. Here in Hampton Roads, theres a need! We have the homeless situation. We have all kinds of situations. Kenya as well. On that part of the world, it is worse because we lack basic medications, like even over the counter medication, said Polycarp Ombati, Health Focus Africa Chief Executive Officer.

Ombati was born in Kenya, he explains to 10 On Your Side over the counter medications are not easily accessible.

There are people dying for lack of basic medication. That is my drive to be able to make a difference, said Ombati. I am very passionate. I use my personal funds to make a difference.

Last month, on July 12, the Siaya Medical Camp hosted by Health Focus Africa served 341 people.

Courtesy Health Focus Africa

Courtesy Health Focus Africa

Courtesy Health Focus Africa

Courtesy Health Focus Africa

Courtesy Health Focus Africa

Courtesy Health Focus Africa

Courtesy Health Focus Africa

We have had medical camps where we had overwhelming amount of people show up, but we didnt have enough medication to give. Some people had to go without the medication, said Ombati.

The next trip to Kenya is planned for September of this year.

We can serve a lot of people there, because the cost of living there is not very high. We can be able to do a lot more with a lot less, said Ombati.

The hope is to expand to other countries in Africa.

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BAY COUNTY, FL. (WMBB)  Waller Elementary School students did some last-minute back-to-school preparation at the schools community day on Saturday.

About 25 organizations were at the school handing out school supplies, treats, and more to students. They received items such as backpacks, crayons, scissors, highlighters, and even hygiene kits.

The Bay County Sheriffs Office also provided free hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and drinks to attendees.

Emergency officials urge parents to be aware of children in hot vehicles

Waller Elementary School social worker Judy Wade says this event helps students start the school year off on the right foot.

If you dont meet someones hierarchy of needs, theyre not going to learn in the classroom. We need those basic needs so that they can be effective during the school year, Wade said.

Wade said this event helps nearly 250 families prepare their students for the school year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) criticized former President Trump, saying he knows nothing about service, as the campaign trail debate over Walzs military record continues.

Walz, speaking at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, said he was proud to wear the uniform of this country for 24 years.

Each of you talk about service, Donald Trump knows nothing about service, he said. Its pretty hard to provide service to others when youre too busy looking out for only yourself.

Trump has been criticized for dodging the draft after he received five deferments from the military draft during the Vietnam War. He was granted one medical and four educational deferments.

Trump, in a post on TruthSocial earlier this week, slammed Walz as a disgrace when commenting on an opinion piece that criticized Walz over his military career.

The former presidents new running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), has criticized Walz for leaving the military before his unit was deployed. Members who served under Walz have said his decision came before they received the deployment orders.

Walz has also been criticized for allegedly inflating his rank in retirement, and for claiming that he carried a weapon in war, when he never saw combat.

Veterans in Congress are taking sides in the battle over the military records of the two vice presidential nominees.

The Minnesota governor said Saturday that the GI Bill, which helps soldiers pay for college, helped him continue his education.

On the campaign trail this week, Walz has criticized both Trump and Vance.

He said the former president is responsible for deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic because he froze. By not addressing the virus soon enough, he drove the economy into the ground, Walz said.

Theyll restrict our freedoms. When they do, theyll do what theyve done. Theyll rig the economy so that the middle class gets nothing and the rich get richer, Walz said. If this guy gets an opportunity again, he wont only pick up where he left off, it will be much worse than it was last time.

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This Week in Louisiana Politics: Lawsuit against 10 Commandments in classrooms, ankle monitors and auto insurance rates

This Week in Louisiana Politics: Lawsuit against 10 Commandments in classrooms, ankle monitors and auto insurance rates

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  On This Week in Louisiana Politics, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill held a news conference explaining why the state is asking a federal court to throw out a lawsuit that argues Louisiana posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms is unconstitutional.

Local and state lawmakers met with Governor Jeff Landry for what theyre calling a juvenile justice summit. The meeting was after Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams called for more transparency from the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center, like notifying the public when theres been an escape, or if a violent juvenile tampers with their ankle monitor.

New Louisiana law aims to hold electronic monitoring companies accountable

Louisiana lawmakers are taking a deep dive into why the state has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Later, Fred Childers sits down with Jeremy Alford from LaPolitics to talk about taxes.

This and more on Your Local Election Headquarters.

Latest News

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CHICAGO  The Chicago Air and Water Show is the largest free air show of its kind in the world. It draws huge crowds every year, typically somewhere around a million people.

And when the US Navy Blue Angels come roaring by, every one of those people is in awe.

READ MORE: Chicago Air and Water Show kicks off this weekend

The Blue Angels are the best of the best, says Dave Adams, operations manager for the Air and Water Show. Everybody, when they know the Blue Angels are flying, they come out in droves.

Whether youre 55 or five years old, and you see those jets flying by, everybody turns into a kid with their mouth open, and theyre in awe.

READ MORE: Day 2 of the Chicago Air and Water Show set up for a spectacular day on the lakefront

This weekends splendid weather has certainly drawn as many or more people to the lakefront than usual, with the second and final day of the annual Air and Water Show running Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The show can be viewed from Oak Street to Fullerton, but North Avenue Beach is the main venue for viewing all the aerial histrionics.

For Sundays edition of the WGN Weekend Morning News Weekend Break, Julian Crews  donning a hat absolutely perfect for the brilliant sunshine  headed to North Ave. Beach and chatted with Adams and Ann Hickey, Chicago Deputy Commissioner of Operations.

Adams reminded people that there are great shows on the water, too, which get going about 10 a.m. Sunday.

READ MORE: How does the Chicago Air and Water Show impact animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo?

He also said hes never seen a better three days of weather, including for Fridays practice run, that what Chicago has been blessed with this weekend. Adams has been working the show since 1994.

I cant recall having three days of perfect conditions, low humidity, not a cloud in the sky, he said. This is a real treat.

Adams also talked about some of the air performances lined up for Sunday. See the video attached to this story for more.

Hickey, meanwhile, said it takes a citywide effort to plan and execute the Air and Water Show.

While our office may actually coordinate it, it takes so much more to put it on, she says.  People are in the air, in the water and on the land.

Hickey also noted that with a crowd in the hundreds of thousands, getting to Chicagos lakefront could be a challenge. So she reminded those planning to head to the Air and Water Show that there are public transportation methods available.

Metra and the CTA has added resources for the show, and patrons can also park in the Millennium Garage and take a free trolley to North Ave. Beach.

There are a lot of people coming, but there are still ways to get here, Hickey said.

See the video below for more from Hickey:

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ST. CLOUD  Minnesota's Aug. 13 primary election is upon us, and with high candidate turnout in St. Cloud's municipal races, voters have a lot to learn before hitting the ballot box.

St. Cloud's six mayoral candidates will be narrowed down to two finalists, which will go head-to-head during the Nov. 5 general election. The city's 16 city council candidates will be slashed down to six come November.

The St. Cloud Times interviewed all six of the city's mayoral candidates and explored the impact these two races could have on the region's political atmosphere. Here is a brief synopsis to help you cast an informed vote come Tuesday.

A screen on new ballot boxes will display any issues with voters' ballots as they are entered into the machine.

St. Cloud's mayoral race

Mayor Dave Kleis is passing on the reins this election cycle by not seeking reelection after holding the post for nearly 20 years, and hosting more than 1,000 town halls along the way. The long-time mayor ran unopposed in 2008, 2012 and 2016, making the field of six unique. Here are the candidates:

Jake Anderson

Age: 44

Occupation: IT project manager for Stearns County, St. Cloud City Council member

Education: St. Cloud State, bachelor of science in information systems

One thing you want to accomplish as mayor: Id like to build relationships the city has between business, K-12 education, higher education, non-profits and other local governments. Id like to do this to better leverage our strengths, address our shortcomings and build a sense of pride in our community. Ive grouped this under Quality of Life in my campaign priorities, and I think working towards St. Cloud Proud is a goal the community can get behind.

Anderson hopes to become next mayor: Mayoral candidate Jake Anderson looks to change St. Cloud's aesthetics if elected

Anne Buckvold

Anne Buckvold poses for a photo at Lake George looking towards Downtown St. Cloud on February 6, 2024.

Age: 48

Occupation: Therapist/social worker MSW LICSW

Education: University of Maine, Orono and Social Pedagogical College, Virum, Denmark

One thing you want to accomplish as mayor: Its hard to choose one thing, but as one critical component of transportation work Id like to get done, as well as a catalyst for downtown revitalization  (both) east and west; I want to accomplish getting intercity passenger rail to and through St. Cloud from the Metro to Moorhead/Fargo.

More on Buckvold: Anne Buckvolds mayoral campaign announces initial plans for St. Cloud

Mike Conway

St. Cloud City Council member Mike Conway looks to become the city's next mayor this election cycle.

Age: 58

Occupation: Solution consultant with Wolters Kluwer, St. Cloud City Council member

Education: 1994 graduate of St. Cloud State with a degree in biology and education

One thing you want to accomplish as mayor: One of the many things to focus on is expanding the growth and development of downtown. Realizing there is no quick fix will be important for all to remember. This will need to be supported by private and public investment.

More on Conway: Councilmember Mike Conway becomes third mayoral candidate in 2024 election

Carol Lewis

Age: 67

Occupation: Attorney, St. Cloud City Council member

Education: Bachelors in history and masters in gerontology from St. Cloud State; juris doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline College of Law)

One thing you want to accomplish as mayor: To maintain the Citys fiscal health, without that, nothing else can be done.

More on Lewis: Councilmember Carol Lewis announces mayoral bid

Steven Schiller

Steven Schiller is running for St. Cloud mayor in 2024 after trailing to Mayor Dave Kleis in 2020.

Age: 61

Occupation: Chief financial officer of Oile LLC

Education: Bachelor's degree in local & urban affairs from St. Cloud State

One thing you want to accomplish as mayor: Creating a network so that the needs of our citizens are being heard. Remembering that we are here for the people to administrate what they want the city to be. It is a city for the people, of the people.

Diverse job creation to of mind: Mayoral candidate wants to eliminate the fear of diversity

James Trantina III is one of six candidates running for St. Cloud mayor. The primary election is on Aug. 13.

James Trantina III

Age: 38

Occupation: CEO of Collins Brothers Towing of St. Cloud

Education: High School Diploma from Elk River High School

More on Trantina: Mayoral candidate James Trantina III talks about goals, St. Joseph residency allegations

One thing you want to accomplish as mayor: To make St. Cloud a city we all want to live in, work in and play in, make it safe for all. There are many things I have in mind to change to make it better.

When thinking about who will become St. Cloud's next mayor, Minnesota Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, said the mayor can play a role when getting things done in St. Paul, saying a supportive, collaborative mayor can help St. Cloud's representatives rally votes from their legislative colleagues. Efforts to expand passenger rail service to St. Cloud is an example, he said.

City Council

Mayor Dave Kleis interviewed the 16 candidates vying for the city's three open at-large city council seats. These interviews are available at https://govtv.stcloudcity.com/CablecastPublicSite/show/1814?site=3.

Those seeking St. Cloud's three open city council seats include incumbent George Hontos, Scott Brodeen, Tami Calhoun, Patrick Crooks, Alex Cutchey, Bill Doll, Mindy Ellingson, Charlie Hobbs, Lenora Hunt, Hudda Ibrahim, Mark Johnson, Nicholas Lengyel, Emmanuel Oppong, Michael Peterson, Omar Abdullahi Podi and Garrett Zimmerman.

Unity in politics: St. Cloud City Council candidates campaign together

While municipal elections are nonpartisan, local Republican and DFL units announced their recommendations for city council. St. Clouds local Republican unit told voters at a July 10 town hall that it recommended city council candidates Brodeen, Cutchey, Doll, Johnson, Lengyel and Zimmerman. Meanwhile, the Senate District 14 Democrats as of July 15 recommend city council candidates Calhoun, Hobbs, Hontos and Podi. Kleis warns against voting along party lines, saying political ideologies rarely factor into local 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.

With a crowded playing field, one may expect increased tensions among candidates, but some candidates were found campaigning together. St. Cloud's Somali population also looks to gain city council representation this election cycle with candidates Ibrahim and Podi.

Community looks to City Hall: St. Cloud's Somali population looks to diversify city council

Sauk Rapids mayor: Who's running? Meet the candidates

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: St. Cloud's primary election is Tuesday. Here's what to know
Why did we not learn about this Arizona atrocity in school?

Re Losses to Indian Boarding Schools, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, Arizona Republic:

Such an important piece! Please follow up with an article on the details of the horrible treatment of Indian children in these so-called schools. Describe the indoctrination and motivations of the so-called redeemers. Identify the culprits and churches involved, those who defamed their beliefs as Christians. Lets tell it like it was.

This was done in my lifetime, and it lasted for years into my adulthood. I had no knowledge of this ongoing tragedy then. I was never taught about it in school. Those responsible need to be named and held accountable. If they are ashamed, all the better.

This information is a wake-up call. We will either teach the truth or we will be subjugated, suppressed, dominated and indoctrinated as we witness the demise of our democracy.

Arleen Lorrance, Scottsdale

Remember Horne's work in 2026

Tom Horne has been an incompetent disaster for Arizona schools.

Whether its the voucher fiasco that resulted in replacing the person running it, the sudden yanking of funding for school improvement or for schools with high poverty populations, or his absurd parent hotline  which has yet to provide a single example of a school teaching critical race theory  Horne has shown he cant run one of the most important departments in our state government.

In fact, he seems more interested in scoring political points than managing the department he was elected to. Witness his getting a Scottsdale parent to sue a district her kids arent even in because he doesnt like that districts dual language program.

Unfortunately, Arizonans are stuck with Horne for two more years. But come 2026, we should show Horne the door before he inflicts more of his incompetence on our school kids.

Mike McClellan, Gilbert

Wolves roam to survive. Let them

A Mexican gray wolf family has been peacefully occupying the western slopes of the San Francisco Peaks and the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness. Theres no need to move them, except that their presence symbolizes a change that the agencies have been adamantly resisting: allowing wolves to wander north of the Interstate 40 boundary.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department claimed last month in these pages that it is committed to conversations about Whats best for the wolf and whats best for the recovery program. Whats the best way for her to contribute to recovery?

This assumes that humans know better than she does. It belies their fixation on dictating the terms of wolves wildness, and of second-guessing the fact that shes already found a good place on the landscape and is contributing to recovery in the way that comes naturally to her: by surviving.

The department likes to insist on strict adherence to the concept of historic range, and to keeping wolves within it. But wolves live in the present and face an uncertain future.

Its time for the agencies to adjust to the reality that the wolves  and the best available science  say it is time to let them roam.

Greta Anderson, Tucson

The writer is deputy director of Western Watersheds Project.

Build power for Arizona, not California

I just finished reading Gov. Katie Hobbs position piece on the need for more high voltage power lines, and it sounds like a windfall for everyone  except the ratepayer.

If you need to better understand it, take a look at your electric bill. The majority of it is taxes, fees, losses, adjustments, and in some cases contributions to help people who can no longer afford their bill.

If building power lines to California and New Mexico were such an amazing idea, Ms. Hobbs wouldnt need to write op-eds for it.

More letters: I called 911 to report a wreck. No one answered

Renewable energy is not baseline power generation. There is no guarantee this energy is going to be available when we need it.

Build baseline gas and nuclear generating capacity locally to meet Arizonas needs. In doing so, we lose less power in transmission and maintain an electricity mix that is appropriate for us.

Fortify Arizonas baseline and peaking generating to serve Arizona industry and communities. Leave the power lines and renewables to the birds and out of state energy companies.

Barry Soben, Phoenix

LGBTQ+ community is under attack

The MAGA-captured U.S. Supreme Court is mounting attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans. President Bidens Supreme Court reform proposal can help stop them.

After former President Trump locked in the courts supermajority, the justices turned back the clocks on our freedoms, recently declaring that some businesses could discriminate against LGBTQ+ patrons.

We have seen the Project 2025 playbook to further unleash discrimination and read the courts paper trail to dismantle marriage equality. We know the pain we have already endured is just a preview if this court is left unchecked.

The presidents proposal reminds us there is a path forward. We ask our elected representatives to fight for us by heeding his call to reform the court.

We know what happens when that call goes unanswered. We have lived it. And we cannot go back.

Michele White and Michael Fornelli, Phoenix

Whats on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Indian boarding schools are a horrible, buried part of Arizona's past
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Like Dels Lemonade or the Gaspee parade, Victory Day is one of the Ocean States unique summertime traditions.

Monday is Rhode Islands 76th annual Victory Day, making the state once again the only place in America that honors the end of World War II with a legal holiday.

While the actual event that Victory Day commemorates happened on Aug. 14  when Japans surrender was announced in the United States, ending the war  the holiday is today observed on the second Monday in August.

And despite what many residents believe, the legal name of Rhode Islands holiday was never V-J Day (short for Victory Over Japan). It has always been called Victory Day on the statute books, going all the way back to its establishment in 1948.

Rhode Island has been an outlier with Victory Day since 1975. Thats when Arkansas lawmakers adopted a new list of legal holidays that left off the states Aug. 14 commemoration, which had been adopted back in 1949, according to state historian David Ware. (Arkansas state employees were given their own birthdays off instead.)

While some websites claim Victory Day used to be a federal holiday, too, that appears to be a myth  there is no mention of it in an authoritative 1999 U.S. Senate report on the topic, and a 1950 government publication showed only Rhode Island and Arkansas marking the holiday.

As far back as the 1950s, The New York Times wrote that Victory Day  which the paper, like many news outlets then and now, referred to as V-J Day  was always a big legal holiday in Rhode Island. Author Len Travers, in his Encyclopedia of American Holidays and National Days, remarks: The tenacity of Rhode Island in celebrating Aug. 14 deserves special attention for its interplay of state, local, national, and even international politics.

(Story continues below video.)

1 in 10 Rhode Islanders went to war

Rhode Island established Victory Day in March 1948, almost three years after the end of World War II, when the General Assembly passed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Richard Windsor, a long-serving East Providence Republican, to designate Aug. 14 as a state holiday. (In the late 1960s, the legislature changed the law to fix the holiday as the second Monday in August.)

Veterans groups had been pushing for a World War II holiday since as early as 1946, the year after the war ended, and Windsors bill had initially passed the House in March 1947 with bipartisan support.

But not everyone liked the idea. The Providence Journals editorial board argued Rhode Island lawmakers should cancel an existing holiday rather than add a ninth one in the form of Victory Day.

Every day added to the list we now have imposes a very serious handicap on industry, The Journal warned, by increasing its costs, decreasing its production, and making it more difficult than ever for it to survive in competition with industries in other States that have fewer holidays.

The paper suggested combining a World War II holiday with the already-existing Armistice Day, on Nov. 11, which marked the end of World War I. (Congress did just that at the federal level in 1954, rechristening Armistice Day as Veterans Day.)

But the editorialists argument fell on deaf ears at the State House, and the Senate passed the bill to create Victory Day the following year. Republican Majority Leader William Thompson said that while there may be merit to the economic concerns about creating another holiday, we certainly can set aside a day to honor the men who won the greatest war in history.

An article in the Cranston Herald edition of Aug. 14, 1948, notes the first annual Victory Day. (Credit: Cranston Public Library)

Indeed, considering how much World War II had affected Rhode Island, the rationale may have seemed obvious at the time. About 92,000 Rhode Islanders served in the war  more than one out of every 10 residents  and almost 2,200 of them were killed, according to Dr. Patrick Conley, the states historian laureate.

During World War II, Rhode Island was an armed camp, Christian McBurney and Brian Wallin argue in a recent book about the state during the war. The Navy had a huge presence in Rhode Island during the conflict, and three future presidents  John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush  all did some of their training in the state.

The local manufacturing industry also went into overdrive, supplying everything from ships and blankets to medals.

If ever a state was at the center of the American war effort in World War II, it was Rhode Island, veteran political reporter Scott MacKay wrote in a 2010 essay. From Westerly to Woonsocket and everywhere in between, Rhode Island was focused on winning what has become known as, in Studs Terkels famous words, The Good War.

A proposed alternative: Good Friday

Rhode Island was always an outlier with its Victory Day observance. In 1953, the Associated Press called it the only state in the union that voted to make V-J a legal holiday  which was inaccurate, as the news service acknowledged two years later when it reported that Arkansas celebrates the anniversary also. (It was called World War II Memorial Day there.)

In 1963, one state lawmaker argued that Rhode Island was simply ahead of the curve, predicting that Victory Day would eventually become a national holiday. But Congress never took that step, apparently viewing Memorial Day (for the war dead) and Veterans Day (for all who served) as sufficient.

Meanwhile, local pushback against the holiday started early.

In 1957, state Sen. Edward Gallogly, a veteran of D-Day and future Democratic nominee for governor, proposed eliminating Victory Day as a legal state holiday. He suggested replacing it with Good Friday  an idea with obvious appeal in heavily Catholic Rhode Island.

The following year, a different legislator proposed eliminating Victory Day altogether, on the grounds that it put border-town businesses at a disadvantage against their competitors in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

A decade later, in 1968, proponents succeeded in permanently setting the holiday as the second Monday in August. That move mirrored a federal law that Congress passed the same year called the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which fixed Washingtons Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day on Mondays starting in 1971, allowing for three-day weekends. (Veterans Day was moved back to Nov. 11 in 1975.)

Efforts have often been made to remind Rhode Islanders of the reason for the holiday, but frequently in vain. In 1951, just six years after the end of World War II, veterans groups were already complaining about low attendance at parades, and the Newport Daily News reported that Victory Day was generally observed in Sunday fashion, most people heading for the beaches or taking an afternoon ride.

Later that decade, an editorial in the same paper complained of general apathy surrounding Victory Day, asking, When will Rhode Island, compelled to observe the day as a holiday, remember those who made the supreme sacrifice? Such complaints only grew over subsequent years as the war receded further into the past.

(Story continues below video.)

I have always felt uneasy

By the mid-1980s there was a new source of controversy surrounding Victory Day: its connection with the defeat of Japan. Some questioned whether it was appropriate to continue celebrating Victory Day in light of growing economic ties between the U.S. and Japan, particularly since so many people persisted in calling the observance V-J Day rather than its legal name.

Japanese officials said the holiday was harming trade between the two nations; a local Chamber of Commerce official called it embarrassing. At one point the Rhode Island Japan Society even hired lawyers to press a case against the name.

Hiroko Shikashio, a North Providence resident of Japanese descent, told The New York Times in 1990 she felt uncomfortable leaving the house on Victory Day. Because I am Japanese, I have always felt uneasy about going outside on that day, she said. I think it is nice for people to have a holiday, but they should call it something else.

In response, then-Gov. Ed DiPrete tried to transform Victory Day into Governors Bay Day, and lawmakers made multiple attempts to rename it Rhode Island Veterans Day or Peace and Remembrance Day  all unsuccessful. (Governors Bay Day is still proclaimed annually but is not a legal holiday.)

In recent years, peace activists have sometimes counterprogrammed Victory Day with an event in Jamestown remembering the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, and an online petition urging state leaders to change the holidays name garnered nearly 300 signatures.

In an effort to distinguish Victory Day from V-J Day, the General Assembly passed a resolution in 1990 which stated: If this holiday had indeed been meant to celebrate annually the subjugation of one nation by another, and if indeed the holiday were officially Victory over Japan Day, then the pleas to change the name of the holiday would be justified. Such is not the case.

Victory Day is not and should not be called VJ Day, the resolution warned, adding pointedly, The most frequently publicized usage of this erroneous and offensive term is in Rhode Island commercial advertising.

In 1999, the Assembly apparently determined the first resolution had not been enough, so lawmakers passed a new law decreeing: No state or municipal governmental department or agency shall refer to the second Monday of August, Victory Day by any other name in an advertisement paid for by the department or agency.

Another push to eliminate Victory Day came in 2013, but had nothing to do with history  the effort was backed by businesses who said they wanted more flexibility in scheduling workers hours. The Rhode Island AFL-CIO successfully beat back that effort, arguing that it would be disrespectful to veterans to turn Victory Day into a floating holiday.

There is now a renewed push underway to rename the holiday. State Rep. Jennifer Stewart, a Pawtucket Democrat, put forward a bill during this years General Assembly session that would change Victory Days name to Peace and Remembrance Day.

By changing the name, we can remember what so many Americans fought and sacrificed for, Stewart said. They did not fight and sacrifice so we would later end up like our opponents  unable to engage in honest reassessments of our past and unable to question our policies and priorities  and they did not fight for a perpetual state of war. In fact, they fought because they wanted lasting peace.

But state Rep. Patricia Morgan, R-West Warwick, spoke for those who oppose changing the name. She said it would be an atrocity to get rid of Victory Day, arguing that youre taking away the honor and bravery that those men and women deserve.

The renaming bill died in committee at the end of the legislative session.

And so it has gone for decades in Rhode Island, as protests from military groups and traditionalists  not to mention the general desire for a day off in August  thwarted attempts to jettison Victory Day. Some have even linked the celebration with the states status as the first to declare independence in 1776.

Should we stop celebrating the Fourth of July because it offends the English? one VFW official asked in 1988.

Defenders have also frequently noted that Japan, not the U.S., started hostilities by bombing Pearl Harbor. Who did the attacking, them or us? Rene Bobola, a World War II veteran, once asked a reporter. I dont think they have any right to tell us they dont like V-J Day because we won the war. Others have pointed out that if Germany had been defeated after Japan rather than the other way around, the colloquial name would be V-E Day (short for Victory in Europe).

Fewer than 1,000 RI WWII vets still alive

Lazar Berman, a journalist at The Times of Israel, argued in 2011 that there were good reasons to continue commemorating the end of World War II seven decades later (though even he used the wrong name).

V-J Day keeps alive the magnitude of the event, and even those who use the day to sail in Narragansett Bay or visit the beaches in Newport have more awareness of the event it marks than they would if it were abolished, Berman wrote. It is easy to forget how difficult and bloody the Pacific war was up until the very end, and the million Allied casualties that would have resulted from an invasion of the home islands. It was a war that opened with humiliating and painful setbacks, but the determination and courage of the U.S. armed forces and citizens slowly but surely turned the tide.

He continued, Were these means justified? Does America still have what it takes to force unconditional surrender? Will we ever face a war quite like WWII again  a conventional clash of major powers, with clear moral lines and a final, and deeply constructive, military and political resolution? These important questions are open to debate, and observance of V-J Day reminds us that these questions, as well as the past sacrifice of our fighting men, remain worthy of our reflection and attention today.

One thing that has changed about Victory Day: the conflict it recalls is no longer in living memory for the vast majority of Rhode Islanders. Japans surrender is now 79 years in the past  farther from today than the attack on Pearl Harbor was from the end of the Civil War.

And with the passage of time, the ranks of those who actually fought the war continue to dwindle. The National World War II Museum estimates barely 750 of the Rhode Islanders who served in the war were still alive as of last year, down from 8,000 in 2010 and 26,000 in 2000.

Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Threads and Facebook.

This is a revised version of an article that was previously published.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Creating deepfake videos and releasing revenge porn are becoming more prevalent, fueling what advocates are calling the rise of digital sexual harassment.

The U.S. Department of Education announced a new slate of Title IX rule changes that took effect on Aug. 1, but dozens of advocacy groups and nonprofits are pushing for the agency to provide more guidance and bring more awareness to help stop it.

Omny Miranda Martone is the founder and CEO of the Social Violence Prevention Association. The SVPA has published a letter recently sent to the D.O.E. and co-signed by 37 other organizations that encourages the department to go further.

Martone said new data shows just how quickly the harmful trends are spreading. When it comes to deepfakes, a 2023 report from an identity theft service says there are at least 95,000 known deepfake videos floating around the internet. Thats up 550% from 2019.

In terms of revenge porn  or explicit photos or videos shared with one party and then disseminated widely without permission  data from the National Organization of Women says the number of reported victims rose by 400% between 2016 and 2019.

But why focus on the D.O.E. and Title IX? Martone says it is because college campuses and K-12 schools are known hot spots for harassment.

This is very common on college campuses and in K-12 schools. Were seeing a majority of our cases be people under 35, Martone told News 8. Oftentimes, when this happens in K-12 schools and in colleges, it is resulting in students not getting the education and learning experience that they should be getting.

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Martone labels it a Title IX issue because it overwhelmingly affects women over men.

The 2023 report found that of all the known deepfake videos, 98% are considered pornographic in nature and 99% impersonate women. Data from the Cyberbullying Research Center says 23% of people who have ever sent explicit photos have later been victims of image-based sexual abuse  including 1 in 10 of all female college students.

Martone detailed stories from all across the country, specifically highlighting an incident in California in which a group of middle school students made deepfake content of 16 classmates.

The result was that some of the 13- and 14-year-olds who had been a victim of this were terrified to go to school, didnt want to address anything, which means that theyre not getting an education. Unfortunately, some of them were experiencing suicidality and other very significant mental health issues related to this, she said.

5 Americans charged in sextortion scheme that led to Michigan teens suicide

Beyond the obvious mental health impact, deepfake images can have ramifications years down the road.

It can follow these people for a very long time. We have seen people not be able to get jobs. We have seen people get turned down for internships and all of this stuff because (they were victims of digital sexual harassment), she said.

Martone said that even her actions standing up against digital sexual harassment has made her a target.

It was shared on Twitter and that really underlined for me how little protections there are, how quickly it can spread, and that the internet really is forever, she told News 8. We were able to get a bunch of the posts taken down and then more would come with the same image. People still had it.

Sextortion bills named for UP teenager who fell victim

Many states have taken action in recent years. Michigan amended its penal code in 2016 to cover sexually explicit material. It is a misdemeanor charge and first-time offenders typically only face 93 days in jail, but repeat offenders could face up to one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000.

The U.S. Senate, led by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., recently passed the DEFIANCE Act  Disrupt Explicit Forged Images And Non-Consensual Edits. It would double the default statute of limitations to 10 years and create charges for people who produce, distribute or even receive deepfakes.

The new Title IX rule changes include coverage of digital sexual harassment. The SVPA says its only a start and that more needs to be done.

All (the rule changes) said was that it covers digital sexual harassment. It didnt specify what Title IX administrators need to do to address and prevent it, Martone explained. And what we have been hearing from Title IX administrators at K-12 schools and colleges across the country is they are very confused as to what action they should be taking.

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In the letter, the SVPA states calls for specific guidance to be more effective and to protect schools and administrators from any legal ramifications, particularly at K-12 schools.

Cases with minors, there is a very particular way that they need to be collecting evidence and handling the case. Thats why we need that guidance from the Department of Education so these administrators can do their job and can help address this issue, Martone said. Title IX administrators are the reason we are doing this. They asked us for this. They want to take action, they want to help students, they want to make sure they can do this. They just need to be empowered to do so.

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Ukrainian cadets attend a ceremony for taking the military oath at The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, in Kyiv, on Sept. 8, 2023. Credit - Roman PilipeyAFP/Getty Images

Ukraine is not about to seize Moscow, but its armed forces surprised many with its assault deep into Russian soil, now reportedly extending their reach from an initial six miles to more than 20. The recent counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces into Russias bordering Kursk region not only signifies the resolve of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, military leaders, and soldiers but also evokes important events in military history worth remembering.

In just a mere 24 hours, Ukraine's forces defeated two major lines of fortifications in the Kursk region that took Russia over two-and-a-half years and over $170 million to construct. Leading Kremlin critic, financier William Browder called this triumph is a profound humiliation for Putins aura of invincibility weakening his image before the Russian people.

While Ukraines advances are only slight in a geographical sense, they are significant in other ways that are equally, if not more, essential to finding success on the battlefield. Parallel moments in history show the strategic and symbolic implications of this campaign.

Boosting Ukrainian morale

The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte considered morale to be an underlying principle for military success, going as far as stating: In war the moral is to the physical as three to one. In World War II, the Battle of Iwo Jima served as a turning point in the war for the Pacific. While providing a strategic position, that hard-fought battle for the first Japanese home island catalyzed Allied troop and civilian morale.

The surprise attack by Ukraine could serve as a similar inspiration. Amid a concerted Russian offensive, an outmanned and exhausted Ukraine defied expectations and, for the moment, turned the tide. As with Iwo Jima, Ukraines quest is not to conquer new land, rather it is to stymie the enemy, reclaim their homeland, and ensure peace and prosperity for its people. The bold move by Zelenskyy and his military commander-in-chief, Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, may be the impetus for Ukrainian soldiers to continue fighting elsewhere.

Forcing Russia to the defensive

In late 1776, General George Washington and his Continental Army had just suffered a series of defeats. Moreover, with an Army severely short of supplies, many were beginning to doubt their commander-in-chief and the prospects of success. Washington sensed the moment and decided to lead his troops through two pivotal battles, the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, in the middle of winter shifting the momentum to favor the revolutionaries and forcing the British to the defensive and to redeploy resources.

Like the Continental Army, Ukraine finds itself with both a limited number of supplies and troops. Success will only come in the form of carefully designed counterattacks that favor Ukraines smaller, nimbler forces, all while defending against unrelenting Russian pressure. The recent incursion may instigate Russia to divert resources from other regions, such as eastern Donetsk, where it has been conducting several offensives.

Opportunities for additional countermeasures by Ukrainian forces may present themselves as Russia redeploys troops, and potentially calls in conscripts, as well as resources from the eastern front and adjusts from an all-out offensive strategy to one that is more nuanced.Zelenskyy and Syrskyi must nowshow as Russia mounts its response, showing caution not to relinquish the invaluable manpower and equipment used for the original assault.

The confusion goes well beyond the battlefield for Russia. While Putin has been embarrassed on the world stage by Ukrainian advancements, leaders in the Kremlin have scrambled to recast the event as an act of terrorism, which further justifies Russias invasion of Ukraine. Russia's National Counter-Terrorism Committee imposed a "counter-terrorism operation" regime across three regions on Friday in response to Ukraine's surprise cross-border incursion. Meanwhile, Russia's state Tass news agency has reported more than 76,000 people have been evacuated from the border area with new orders by Russian leadership to expedite additional evacuations. Such desperation will only continue to seed doubt among Russian soldiers and the public.

Solidifying international support and quieting doubters

Again, a look at the Continental Army of the Revolutionary War can tell us about the importance of financial and military support from foreign partners. In 1777, at the Battle of Saratoga, General Horatio Gates and his American soldiers defeated British forces just north of Albany to solidify their own advances, ultimately persuading the French to provide the revolutionaries with additional, and more significant, financial and military support. Frances aid was essential to America continuing their fresh offensive and the eventual success in Yorktown that ended the war for independence.

Perhaps the most consequential implication such an offensive provides, though, is the reassurance to international partners who have supported Ukraine up to this point in the war. As with France during the Revolutionary War, Ukrainian-allied investments have not been squandered. It is that same financial and military support that has enabled Ukraine to continue their resistance against Russian aggression and mount a swift and surprising incursion into Russian territory. The continued support will also likely dictate Ukrainian success in the current offensive and broader war. The recent act of resilience will provide additional fodder for those continuing to press for the continued support of Ukraine and will quiet those supporters-in-name but detractors-in-reality who have begun to call for appeasement with Russia.

So far, the free world has not wavered in its support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and Putins quest to rebuild the Russian empire. Zelenskyys bold actions in the last week have given the people of Ukraine and the world a renewed hope, like that of Washington traversing the Delaware or the US Marines raising the flag over Iwo Jima after a hard-fought victory.

In 1917, Russias Czar Nicholas II fled after several years of war, massive military losses and a collapse of morale at the front and at home; a general civilian strike and a military mutiny in Petrograd, the monarchs authority collapsed. No one knows where Putins tipping point might be.

Correction: The original version of this story misstated the year that Czar Nicholas II fled Russia.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Woman Charged for Allegedly Throwing Her Newborn Baby's Remains into California Dumpster Nearly 40 Years Ago

The 55-year-old woman was extradited to California after police used DNA evidence to identify her as the mother of a baby left in a dumpster in 1987

Riverside Police Department Melissa Jean Allen Avila

A California cold case investigation team has arrested and charged a woman who allegedly disposed of her newborn's remains in a dumpster nearly 40 years ago.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, the Riverside Police Department, located east of Los Angeles, announced in a press release that the Riverside County regional cold case team had found a suspect in a decades-old case using DNA.

Melissa Jean Allen Avila, 55, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in her child's death, according to jail records.

According to police, authorities discovered a baby girl's body on Oct. 13, 1987, after a man searching through the dumpsters behind a business found her remains.

At the time, the Riverside County Coroner's office ruled the baby's death a homicide, but the case eventually went cold as detectives never found any more evidence.

Riverside Police Department An older image of the crime scene

"Riverside Police Homicide Detectives worked diligently on this case, but all leads were exhausted and a suspect was not identified," police wrote in the press release.

In 2020, the department formed a Homicide Cold Case Unit and reopened the case, eventually using DNA evidence with the help of the nonprofit organization Season of Justice to identify Avila as the child's mother, the release added.

According to the press release, Season of Justice gives financial assistance through grant funding for authorities and families looking to solve cold cases through DNA and genealogy.

Avila would have been 19 at the time of her daughter's death, and police said that "detectives have no reason to believe the babys father had any criminal culpability in the murder." No further details about the manner of death have been released.

Riverside Police Department Melissa Jean Allen Avila's mug shot

Avila was located in Shelby, North Carolina, police said, and local authorities worked with U.S. Marshals to extradite her to Riverside County. According to jail records, she was arrested on Monday, Aug. 5, at 11:30 a.m. and was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, California.

She is being held on $1,100,000 bail, police said.

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The Riverside Police Department also said that California enacted the Safe Arms for Newborns (or the safely surrendered baby law) in 2001. The law states that parents of newborns  three days old or younger  can be surrendered to any hospital emergency room or fire station without prosecution.

Information about Safely Surrender Baby site locations and more can be found on the California Department of Social Services website.

Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case, Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said in the press release. We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure.

Police noted that anyone with information about the case can contact the Homicide Cold Case Unit at (951) 320-8000 or by sending an email to HomicideColdCase@RiversideCA.gov.



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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A 55-year-old woman was shot in Salt Lake Citys Glendale neighborhood Saturday night, according to Salt Lake City Police.

At around 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 10, police received information regarding a shooting near Concord Street and California Avenue.

Officers responded to the scene and learned that two people had approached a house and began shooting at it. Police said at least one of the rounds went into the home, hitting a 55-year-old woman.

Layton man drowns trying to save son in storm at Willard Bay  second drowning in a week

Paramedics took the woman to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The motive for the shooting is unknown at this time. SLCPDs Gang Unit is leading the investigation.

No arrests have been made and there is no suspect information available at this time.

Anyone with information on this case, including those with photos or video, is asked to call 801-799-3000 or submit an anonymous tip using the CityProtect App and reference case number 24-183102, officials said.

No further information is currently available.

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Woman injured after argument leads to stabbing on North Side

Woman injured after argument leads to stabbing on North Side

CHICAGO  Police are searching for two people who stabbed a woman during an argument on the citys North Side early Saturday morning.

According to Chicago police, the incident unfolded around 3 a.m. in the 4400 block of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive, near Montrose Beach in Uptown.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Officers said a 20-year-old woman got into an argument with two other people before the altercation turned physical.

Officers said the two other people were both female, but their ages were unknown.

The two people then battered the woman and stabbed her in the back several times.

The victim took herself to the hospital where she was listed in serious condition.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Officers say no arrests have been made and an investigation into the stabbing is now underway.

Anyone with information is asked to call CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 or dial 911.

Those with information can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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WORCESTER  Five months after indicating security risks made posting data about its spending online too risky, the city this month began posting it again as part of a revamped and expanded open data portal.

We now have a modern, open data portal, Michael Hamel, the citys chief information officer, told the Telegram & Gazette Friday as he detailed a number of improvements he said will balance transparency and security concerns.

Five months after indicating security risks made posting data about its spending online too risky, the city this month began posting it again as part of a revamped and expanded open data portal.

Called Informing Worcester, the system gathers in one place a bevy of city data that will now be updated more frequently, and often automatically, as a result of an extensive redesign the city has undertaken, Hamel said.

The redesign includes resumed posting of spending data the city used to post years ago but stopped posting, citing cybersecurity risks.

City Manager Eric D. Batista told the T&G in March that the city had decided against bringing its prior check registry back online, citing cybersecurity concerns.

That prompted five good government organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, to write a letter to Batista urging him to restore such data in the interest of transparency.

The organizations wrote that while cybersecurity concerns are serious, they had not identified any security experts who recommended such drastic action. The Massachusetts Municipal Association was not able to point the T&G to any similar trends elsewhere in the state.

Batistas March statement prompted several city councilors, including Mayor Joseph M. Petty, to urge the city to see what it could do to restore access in some form.

Neither an Aug. 1 blog post from Batista nor a city press release announcing the revamped data portal referenced the ACLU's letter or the city's prior stated security concerns.

Batista did not fulfill interview requests last week. In response to questions posed by email to a city spokesman, Batista asserted that the citys prior statements did not state the data would not be brought back but rather that the prior system as it existed would not return.

When he was asked for comment in April following the ACLUs letter, Batista provided a statement through a spokesperson that said while the city appreciated the organization's sentiment, the municipality still has concerns, both policy and logistical, which are being deliberated.

Hamel told the T&G Friday he believes the city, with the revamped portal, was able to strike a balance between its security concerns and transparency.

The citys old system exposed check numbers that made fraud a concern and had other vulnerabilities, Hamel said, that have now been addressed through a new security infrastructure.

He said the decision was also made to redact specific vendor information on certain purchases that could impact security information or critical infrastructure, though he said doing so would be rare, and done in conjunction with city lawyers.

As of now, I dont imagine were talking more than 10 transactions, he said, adding he anticipated the spending amounts would still be posted.

Representatives from the organizations that wrote the letter to Batista applauded the city for putting the data back online.

We are very happy to see the City of Worcester once again embrace fiscal transparency  a hallmark of good governance and prerequisite for a strong democracy, Kade Crockford of the Massachusetts ACLU wrote in an email. Worcester residents have every right to see where their tax dollars are spent, so we are relieved and heartened to see the city reverse course and reopen the checkbook for public inspection.

Phineas Baxandall, policy director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center; Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition; and Deirdre Cummings, legislative director of MASSPIRG, offered similar sentiments.

This data is important to have so that public officials can be held to account and trusted with public dollars, Baxandall said.

The data, such as data on which contracts are awarded to which companies, is often an important jumping-off point for questions, Baxandall said, by taxpayers, policy experts and journalists.

In addition to fiscal data, the new portal has dozens of other information points that were previously not available or not as easily searched for, Hamel said.

Hamel listed several dozen points of information added to the portal as part of the relaunch, including historical executive orders, budget information, police documents like use-of-force reports, and information on tax incentive deals.

The city has produced a short video telling people how to use the system on YouTube.

Hamel said while some of the information on the revamped portal was available elsewhere, much of it was not automatically updated  a flaw the new redesigned system has taken care of.

Hamel said he was extremely excited about the addition of StoryMaps, a data visualization technology that makes it much easier to understand and interact with information.

Its a great new component of this platform, where we can take data and make it much more accessible, Hamel said.

Batista noted in his blog post that there are currently four StoryMaps  a History of Worcester in 10 Maps, a virtual tour of artwork on Main Street, an explanation of the citys green infrastructure, and a detailed Climate Resilience map that includes a variety of climate maps, including an interactive heat map.

My hope is that Informing Worcester will only continue to grow to include more StoryMaps, datasets and documents and in its accessibility to the public, helping my administration expand its transparency, he wrote.

I want the portal to act as a hub for all information coming out of City Hall, whether you want to read an executive order or see if there are any existing building permits on a house you plan to buy, Informing Worcester will be where you go to find it.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester restores and revamps online date portal previously closed
Shipwreck hunters investigating a patch of the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco have uncovered a heavily armed pirate vessel from the 17th century which experts call a precious echo of one of the western Mediterranean's great maritime horrors."

Experts believe that the ship, identified as a Barbary corsair (or pirate ship) from the 17th century, was most likely headed to the Spanish coast to capture and enslave locals, Live Science reported. To disguise their insidious venture, the ship was packed with Algerian pots and pans to disguise itself as a trading vessel.

Its discovery marks the first Algiers corsair found in the Barbary heartland, according to Sean Kingsley, a researcher on the project and editor-in-chief of Wreckwatch Magazine, which covers underwater exploration.

Researchers determined that the 45-foot-long ship was a tartane, a small boat favored by pirates on the Barbary Coast because it could be easily disguised as a fishing vessel. "I've seen tartanes described as 'low-level pirate ships,' Kingsley said. The wreck neatly fits the profile of a Barbary corsair in location and character. The seas around the Straits of Gibraltar were the pirates' favorite hunting grounds, where a third of all corsair prizes were taken.

Seascape Artifact Exhibits Inc.

Amongst the wreckage, scientists found a treasure trove of stolen goods and weapons. The ships arsenal included four large cannons, 10 swivel guns, and numerous muskets for the 20-man crew. Also found were a rare spyglass, which experts believe was pilfered from a European ship; and remnants of pottery, such as bowls and vases, which helped identify the vessel as an Algerian corsair.

The vessel was first discovered during a separate expedition in 2005 by the Florida-based company Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME). Scientists then investigated the wreck with the help of a remotely operated vehicle called Zeus, a sophisticated robot equipped with archaeological tools.

"Throw into the sunken mix a collection of glass liquor bottles made in Belgium or Germany, and tea bowls made in Ottoman Turkey, and the wreck looks highly suspicious, Greg Stemm, OMEs founder and the expeditions leader, explained. This was no normal North African coastal trader.

"Two defining characteristics of pirate ships are heavy weapons and cosmopolitan cultural contentsassembled from the many prizes taken," Kingsley explained. He noted that the ship's arsenal could be quickly installed for attacking crews in the rigging and on decks" if the captain were to encounter trouble.

Seascape Artifact Exhibits Inc.

Kingsley continued: "The bulk of the pottery is linked to kilns dug up in Martyrs' Square in Algiers, which strongly points to the home port. The fact that the collection includes unusual glass liquor bottles made in Belgium or Germany, tea bowls from Ottoman Turkey, and a European spyglass [means] the wreck looks unlike any known regular Mediterranean trader."

Lawless pirates ruled the Barbary Coast, which spans modern-day Morocco to Libya, for 200 years. They attacked upon ships and carried out raids on unsuspecting towns along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, kidnapping people who they later ransomed or sold into the North African slave market.

"The threat of Algiers' corsairs was an everyday terror for the West. The shipwreck found in deep waters is a precious echo of one of the western Mediterranean's great maritime horrors," Stemm told Newsweek.

The reign of terror wrought by the pirates came to an end in the 19th century, after they were defeated in the Barbary Wars by a joint coalition of the United States, Sweden, and the Norman Kingdom of Sicily.

Experts are unsure for how long the recently discovered ship was in use, and when exactly it was constructed, but Kingsley believes it sank around 1760. "The Ottoman bowls on the wreck stopped being made in Turkey around 1755. The tightest dating comes from the glass bottles that were blown, at latest, 1740-1760. So the ship can't postdate 1760," he explained.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  New Yorkers filled the streets of midtown Manhattan for the 42nd annual Dominican Day Parade.

As far as the eye could see, thousands of people were waving the Dominican flag along Sixth Avenue from 37th to 55th Streets.

Just before the parades start, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced millions of dollars in state funds for a new project at CUNY.

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We have to celebrate the culture, the dance, the music, the arts; thats why I allocated $12.5M today to have the nations first-ever cultural center dedicated to the Dominican people, Hochul said.

More than 700,000 people of Dominican descent live in New York City, and Mayor Eric Adams says they make a vital contribution to the Big Apple.

When you come out and march in a parade, it just shows how the city leas the globe on diversity. And thats what my administration is like. We are the first administration to have a Dominican deputy mayor, the first Dominican head of the largest Department of Transportation in the country, Adams said.

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Actress and film director Celines Toribios story epitomizes the American dream. She encourages young Dominican people to honor their homelands heritage by working hard and never giving up.

My message is to continue to have God in their hearts, to have their goals very well set, and to put our country at the highest level with our work and discipline, Toribio said.

The floats, the dancers, the music, the bond of the Dominican people for their homeland, and the place they call home made the parade an experience people will remember for a long time.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his countrys troops are fighting inside Russia, marking the first time the leader publicly recognized the surprise attack into the western Kursk region.

Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed  pressure on the aggressor, Zelensky said Saturday in a video address to the country on the social platform X.

Zelensky said he received several reports from top Ukrainian military official Oleksandr Syrskyi about the nations front lines, describing actions and the push to drive the war onto the aggressors territory.

I thank every unit of our defense forces that is making this possible, he added.

The surprise attack last week marked the first from a foreign nation on Russias European soil since World War II and set off an emergency in the Kursk region bordering Ukraines northeastern Sumy province.

Ukrainian troops and armored vehicles entered the Kursk region Tuesday night and advanced at least 20 miles into the area following days of fighting. Troops captured dozens of Russian border guards, took several towns and surrounded the city of Sudzha, where fighting is ongoing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the incursion a major provocation, stoking fears the Kremlin will escalate the war against Ukraine, or with the U.S., the primary supporter of Kyiv.

The Defense Department said last week Ukraines attack in Russia was not escalatory and is consistent with U.S. policy.

The U.S. has a policy of allowing Ukraine to make strikes in Russia with American-made weapons as long as it is related to a cross-border attack from Russian forces, and Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the Kursk attack, even though it involves troops instead of missiles or drones, is consistent with that policy.

Russian authorities tried to evacuate residents and imposed a security regime in three border regions Saturday, Reuters reported, and Belarus  an ally of Russia  sent more troops to its border with Ukraine.

Russias Ministry of Defense said Sunday it destroyed 14 Ukrainian drones and four Tochka-U tactical ballistic missiles overnight over the Kursk region, along with 18 drones over other Russian areas, the news wire added.

Zelensky on Sunday said he was grateful for the defense packages and is eagerly awaiting decisions on long-range capabilities from the U.S., United Kingdom and France.

Zelensky confirmed last week the first F-16 fighter jets arrived in Ukraine following a lengthy delay.

Brad Dress contributed.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) inspecting the construction of fortifications at an undisclosed location in Volyn region. -/Ukraine Presidency/dpa

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for the lifting of restrictions on how Ukraine can use long-range weapons supplied by its Western allies, after a deadly Russian airstrike near Kiev that he said likely involved a North Korean missile.

"The Russians have no geographical restrictions on the use of such weapons - since the first days of the full-scale war, the entire territory of our state has been under constant threat of attack," Zelensky wrote on X on Sunday.

"When Ukraine's long-range capabilities have no limits, this war will definitely have a limit - we will truly bring its just end closer."

Ukraine is not allowed to to use Western weapons to fire on targets deep into Russian territory, in part because leaders in Europe and the United States fear it could draw them into the war.

Zelensky said that Russia had fired 30 missiles and over 800 glide bombs at Ukraine in one week.

He condemned Russia's "deliberate terrorist strike" in a Kiev suburb at the weekend that killed a father and his 4-year-old son, saying preliminary information suggested the Russians had used a North Korean missile.

However, there were conflicting accounts out of Kiev. Zelensky's adviser Andriy Yermak said an Iranian-designed drone hit the family's house in the suburb of Brovary. Earlier, rescue workers said that missile fragments hit the house.
Missile strikes against Ukraine launched from Russian border regions deserve "a fair response," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on Aug. 11.

Russian forces launched over 50 drones and four missiles at Ukraine overnight on Aug. 10-11. One missile strike in Kyiv Oblast killed a father and his four-year-old son.

"Russians launched them from Voronezh Oblast," Zelensky said, referring to the ballistic missiles.

"We are recording all the places from which the Russian army strikes, including Belgorod Oblast, Kursk Oblast, and other areas. ... We record every missile strike. And each of these strikes deserves a fair response."

Zelensky's promise to respond to Russian border areas, including Kursk and Belgorod oblasts, comes as Ukrainian troops continue to advance on the sixth day of their surprise incursion into Russian territory.

Ukrainian troops entered Kursk Oblast on Aug. 6, triggering a state of emergency in Russia.

Ukrainian media reported on Aug. 10 that Ukrainian troops had apparently entered Belgorod Oblast, expanding the incursion into another Russian region. Russian authorities on the same day launched a "counter-terrorism operation" in bordering Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk oblasts.

Kyiv has largely maintained a policy of silence on the offensive, but Zelensky on Aug. 10 acknowledged that Ukrainian troops had moved into Russia, saying that the military was pushing "the war out into the aggressor's territory" in order to "restore justice."

Read also: Ukraines unprecedented attack on Kursk Oblast brings war back to Russian soil

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that the Russian military had started a fire on the grounds of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), warning of potential damage but assuring that radiation levels in the area remain normal.

We have recorded from Nikopol that the Russian occupiers have started a fire on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, he wrote on the social platform X. Currently, radiation levels are within norm. However, as long as the Russian terrorists maintain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal.

The Russian military has occupied the plant since early March 2022, weeks after the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly warned that Russia could hamper civilian access to power by shutting off the plant, or worse: cause a nuclear meltdown event.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused the other side of planning to sabotage the plant, raising fears about nuclear safety.

Since the first day of its seizure, Russia has been using the Zaporizhzhia NPP only to blackmail Ukraine, all of Europe, and the world, Zelensky continued. We are waiting for the world to react, waiting for the [International Atomic Energy Agency] to react. Russia must be held accountable for this. Only Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP can guarantee a return to normalcy and complete safety.

Video included with Zelenskys message shows what appears to be a large fire at the base of one of the plants two massive cooling towers, with black smoke billowing from the tower.

Fighting around the plant in 2022 sparked international alarm and eventually led International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to station permanently at the plant that fall. Fears revived in June 2023 as Ukraine said Russian forces were withdrawing from the site and accused Moscow of preparing to blow up the nuclear plant from the inside.

A 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive in the region made little progress toward liberating the plant, and front-line movement in the area has mostly halted since.

The Ukrainian military launched a daring offensive into Russia itself last week, taking land near Kursk, marking the first time Russian land has been occupied in the war and sending Russian command scrambling.

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Urban living in Ulsan, South Korea, just got an eco-friendly upgrade thanks to the world's first "hydrogen apartment" complex, which was recently unveiled in the Buk-gu district.

Called the Yuldong With You apartments, all 437 units are powered completely by hydrogen fuel cells, which can not only lower residents' electric bills by 30-40%, but also have a positive impact on the planet, per FuelCellsWorks.

Large cities like Ulsan, which has a population of over 1 million, use a ton of energy to power industries, homes, businesses, transportation networks, and much more. Unfortunately, in many cities, much of this energy comes from dirty fuel sources such as oil, coal, and gas. However, as the United Nations has explained, that's rapidly changing as the cleaner energy transition picks up speed.

Apartment complexes like Yuldong With You prove that city life can be both more sustainable and comfortable with a little ingenuity. According to Interesting Engineering, the Yuldong Combined Heat and Power Plant, located around a tenth of a mile away, supplies power to the apartments. The plant utilizes hydrogen as a byproduct from nearby industries and effectively generates clean electricity and heat.

Most importantly, this hydrogen production method is reportedly the cheapest option compared to other processes, as FuelCellsWorks explained. Since the power plant first came online in June, it has generated around 840 megawatts of energy, valued at about 150 million won (over $109,000). That means hydrogen could be a game-changer when it comes to powering big cities with clean, abundant energy.

Three container-sized fuel cells on the complex's roof produce up to 1.32 MW of electricity from around 112 pounds of hydrogen per hour. Interesting Engineering explained that this is enough energy to provide a month's worth of power to four average-sized households each hour.

In addition, heat generated in the process is captured and stored in a 40-ton energy-efficient thermal storage tank. The water  which can reach up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit  is then piped into the apartment units for heating, making the entire process planet-friendly, per FuelCellsWorks.

The outlet explained that Ulsan City officials are working to make hydrogen-generated electricity even more affordable and sustainable by amending the Electricity Business Act, which could give residents direct access to clean energy.

If the act is changed, the Yuldong With You apartments would be fully carbon neutral, setting a precedent for eco-friendly urban living.

Developers worldwide are proving that living in harmony with nature is possible, even in dense cities. From Toyota's hydrogen-fueled smart city in Japan to an apartment complex in Switzerland made with recycled concrete and powered by solar, hydropower, and geothermal power, green technologies are starting to play a larger role in modern life.

As more developers and cities adopt these clean energy sources, it will help residents save money on electric bills and safeguard them from extreme weather driven mainly by rising temperatures and pollution levels.

Plus, it's undoubtedly cool to be able to say you live in a home or apartment powered by hydrogen.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Turkey has restored access to Instagram after the social media site agreed to meet the countrys demands around censorship and crime-related content, Bloomberg reports. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced the agreement in a post on X. Instagram was blocked for a little over a week; users in the country abruptly lost access on August 2 , but no official explanation for the decision was provided at the time.

However, the block came after Turkeys head of communications, Fahrettin Altun , accused the platform of censoring posts that expressed condolences for Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader who was recently killed. In the post on Saturday, Uraloglu cited concerns over content relating to catalog crimes  which include murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking and torture, according to Reuters  and censorship imposed on Instagram users. NetBlocks , which first reported that Instagram had been blocked in Turkey earlier this month, confirmed on Saturday that access had begun to return.
Editor's Note

To make informed decisions, voters need accurate, timely and impartial information, and they need it in the language they speak. So, with generous support from the Yakima Free Press Fund, the Yakima Voter Project is providing free access to general election coverage by the Yakima Herald-Republic and El Sol de Yakima. To contribute to the Free Press Fund, visit www.yakimafreepress.org.
International Youth Day is a global observance dedicated to celebrating the contributions of young people to society and addressing the challenges they face. Established by the United Nations, this day highlights the importance of youth engagement in shaping a better future and recognizes their role in global development.

Date of International Youth Day 2024

International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12. In 2024, the date will fall on a Monday, continuing the tradition of focusing on youth issues and celebrating their achievements on this day.

Significance of International Youth Day

International Youth Day serves several important purposes:

Highlighting Youth Contributions: The day acknowledges the significant contributions of young people to various fields, including politics, culture, technology, and community service. It showcases their innovative ideas and their role in driving positive change.

Addressing Youth Challenges: It brings attention to the various challenges faced by young people, such as unemployment, education access, mental health issues, and social inclusion. The observance aims to promote dialogue and solutions to these pressing issues.

Encouraging Youth Engagement: International Youth Day encourages young people to be actively involved in their communities and to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and futures.

Promoting Global Goals: The day aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to education, employment, and reducing inequalities.

History of International Youth Day

International Youth Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, following a recommendation from the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth held in Lisbon, Portugal. The conference emphasized the need for global recognition of the role of youth in achieving the UNs goals and promoting peace and development.

The first International Youth Day was celebrated on August 12, 2000, and since then, it has been observed annually. Each year, the UN selects a specific theme to focus on different aspects of youth empowerment and development.

Themes and Celebrations

Each year, International Youth Day has a unique theme that addresses specific issues relevant to young people. Themes have included topics such as mental health, education, climate action, and social justice. The theme for 2024 is expected to continue addressing contemporary youth issues and aspirations.

Celebrations of International Youth Day:

Events and Workshops: Many organizations and communities host events, workshops, and discussions on youth-related topics, providing a platform for young people to voice their concerns and ideas.

Cultural Performances: Youth groups often organize cultural performances, art exhibitions, and music events to celebrate their achievements and express their creativity.

Social Media Campaigns: Online campaigns and hashtags are commonly used to raise awareness about youth issues and to mobilize support and engagement from a wider audience.

Advocacy and Awareness: Activists and youth organizations use the day to advocate for policy changes and raise awareness about key issues affecting young people.
Tulsidas Jayanti is an important Hindu festival celebrated to honor the birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas, the revered poet-saint and author of the epic Ramcharitmanas. His contributions to Hindu literature and spirituality have left an indelible mark on Indian culture, and Tulsidas Jayanti is a day to remember his teachings and literary works.

Date and Timing of Tulsidas Jayanti 2024

In 2024, Tulsidas Jayanti will be observed on Monday, August 19th. The exact date of the celebration varies each year as it is based on the Hindu lunar calendar, specifically on the Saptami (seventh day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Shravan.

Significance of Tulsidas Jayanti

Tulsidas Jayanti is a day of great spiritual significance, especially for devotees of Lord Rama, as Tulsidas is best known for his devotion to Lord Rama and his epic retelling of the Ramayana in the form of the Ramcharitmanas. Written in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi, the Ramcharitmanas made the teachings and stories of the Ramayana accessible to the common people, promoting the values of righteousness, devotion, and moral conduct.

Tulsidas's works have had a profound impact on the Bhakti movement in India, emphasizing the importance of personal devotion to God and the expression of love for the divine in everyday life. His writings continue to inspire millions of people, making Tulsidas Jayanti a day of reflection, recitation of his works, and spiritual renewal.

Rituals and Celebrations

On Tulsidas Jayanti, devotees often visit temples, particularly those dedicated to Lord Rama, to offer prayers and participate in special pujas. Recitations of the Ramcharitmanas are common, with devotees singing and reading passages from the text to honor Tulsidas's legacy.

In many parts of India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, cultural programs, kirtans (devotional singing), and lectures are organized to commemorate the life and teachings of Tulsidas. Scholars and spiritual leaders speak about his contributions to literature and spirituality, and his influence on the Bhakti movement.

Tulsidass Legacy

Tulsidas's impact extends beyond his literary works; he is credited with popularizing the worship of Lord Rama and Sita through simple, accessible language that resonated with the masses. His devotion and literary genius have ensured that the stories and values of the Ramayana are deeply ingrained in Indian culture.

Even today, the Ramcharitmanas is recited in homes, temples, and public gatherings, keeping Tulsidas's message alive and relevant. His other works, such as Hanuman Chalisa, are also widely revered and recited by millions of devotees around the world.

Tulsidas Jayanti is more than just a celebration of a great poets birth; it is a day to reflect on the values he espoused and the timeless wisdom he shared through his writings. As we observe Tulsidas Jayanti in 2024, let us take inspiration from his devotion, his teachings, and his unwavering faith in the divine, striving to live by the principles he so beautifully captured in his works.
New Delhi: After nearly a year and a half, Hindenburg is making headlines again. In January 2023, Hindenburgs report caused a stir by targeting the Adani Group. Now the focus has shifted to SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch with the latest report addressing them.

Hindenburg on Saturday night released a report accusing SEBI Chief Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch of having connections to the alleged Adani scandal. The American short-seller firm, Hindenburg Research cited documents claiming that Madhabi Buch and her husband held stakes in the offshore fund with significant investments from Vinod Adani, Gautam Adani's brother.

Several serious allegations have been made by Hindenburg in its report against SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. One claim suggests that the annual earnings of a company in which Madhabi has a significant stake are higher than her annual salary. Both Madhabi Puri and the Adani Group have dismissed these allegations as baseless. Previously, a similar report from Hindenburg caused significant damage to the Adani Group. Now, let's find out who Hindenburg is.

What is Hindenburg: The Mind Behind the Report?

Hindenburg is an American short-selling firm. The name has a historical connection to an event from 1937 in Germany. At that time, Germany built a commercial passenger airship named the "Hindenburg." On May 6, 1937, the airship flew from Germany to America. It experienced a massive explosion, and within just 30 seconds, it turned into a fireball, resulting in many fatalities. The firm's name is linked to this tragic incident.

What Does Hindenburg Do?

According to its website, Hindenburg is an American short-seller firm that monitors market malpractices and irregularities. The company claims to act like a whistleblower, exposing financial misconduct and inconsistencies within companies. Hindenburg asserts that its revelations help protect market investors from potential losses.

Who Owns Hindenburg Research?

Hindenburg Research was founded in 2017 by Nathan Anderson. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Nathan started his career as an ambulance driver before launching a data firm called FactSet Research Systems. He later worked with investment management companies. Hindenburg Research has made similar revelations about several companies and earned substantial profits through short selling stocks. The company has released a total of 19 reports on various firms, including the Adani Group.

How Much Does Anderson Earn?

Hindenburg Research makes money through short selling, targeting companies from the U.S. to India. While there is no official information on Nathan Anderson's net worth, estimates suggest he has assets of over 50 million dollars.

150 Billion Dollar Loss for Adani

Last year, Hindenburg released a report against the Adani Group, causing the company's stock prices to plummet. As a result, Adani's companies suffered losses exceeding 150 billion dollars. Gautam Adani's net worth dropped to $80 billion dollar Within just 10 days of the Hindenburg report's release, Gautam Adani fell out of the top 20 billionaires list.
New Delhi: Hindenburg, U.S. investment research firm that previously attempted to shake the Adani empire has once again made a startling revelation about the Adani Group of industries. The Hindenburg Research has accused Madhabi Puri Buch, the chairperson of Indias market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) and her husband of holding stakes in foreign funds linked to Adani Group.

The latest report from Hindenburg targets both Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband. However, SEBI's chief and her husband, Dhaval, have issued a joint statement, dismissing Hindenburg's allegations as baseless and unfounded.

In the joint statement released to the media, they said, "In the context of allegations made in the Hindenburg Report dated August 10, 2024 against us, we would like to state that we strongly deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report.

- Hindenburg has dropped another bombshell. This time, the target is SEBI Chief Madhabi Buch. Hindenburg has claimed that SEBI's chief has close ties with the Adani Group.

- Hindenburg accuses them of not taking strict action in the investigation against the Adani Group, alleging that no investigation was conducted for 18 months.

- Hindenburg Research claims that the investigation against the Adani Group was not conducted impartially.

- Hindenburg Research also stated that despite the evidence, no action was taken against the Adani Group.

- Hindenburg Research also claimed that shares in Bermuda and Mauritius funds were hidden. According to the report, current SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch concealed their holdings in the same obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds that were part of a complex structure linked to Vinod Adani.

- Hindenburg Research also alleges that no action was taken against Adani Group's offshore funds. It claims that money was used in a siphoning scandal, with various funds being utilized for financial manipulation. According to Hindenburg, the Buch couple holds stakes in offshore entities.

- In its latest report, Hindenburg stated that the total wealth of the Buch couple amounts to 10 million dollars. A fund declaration, signed by a key person at IIFL, indicated that the source of their investments was "salary," and the couple's total wealth was estimated at 10 million dollars. The report alleges that, despite the availability of reputable Indian mutual fund products, SEBI Chief Madhabi Buch and her husband chose to invest in a multi-layered foreign fund with lower assets.

- Gautam Adani and Vinod Adani face serious allegations: Hindenburg, citing whistleblower documents, claims that the accused's assets passed through high-risk jurisdictions. These assets were reportedly managed by a company allegedly involved in the scandal. This same unit was run by Adani's directors and was significantly used by Vinod Adani in the alleged Adani cash manipulation scandal. Offshore funds, also known as foreign funds, are those that invest in foreign markets.

Earlier, Hindenburg Research had accused the Adani group of brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme in January last year, noting that the company is pulling the largest con in corporate history. However, the group completely dismissed these allegations as baseless. The Adani Group has now responded to this latest report as well. Hindenburg's accusations have also raised several important questions, including whether the government will investigate the matter.
New Delhi: Targeting Hindenburg Research over its fresh allegations, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said that the US short seller had chosen to attack the SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch instead of responding to a notice from the market regulator.

"Hindenburg's "Something big" is a pathetic damp squib. The announcement prior to its alleged big revelation itself reveals its motive: to destabilise India's stock markets. The pre publicity ill behoves a reputed "research analyst ". As regards the "big" something there is nothing new against the Adani group," his post on X read.

The target is now the regulator- SEBI -Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. SEBI had issued a notice to Hindenburg seeking information regarding the circumstances of the Adani short sale as it was entitled to.

Instead of responding to the show cause notice, Hindenburg has chosen to attack its chairperson on the ground of conflict of interest (more on the grounds on which the attack is based after Ms Buch issues a detailed statement as announced; suffice it to say that the grounds are prima facie rubbish)," Jethmalani said. The senior advocate also urged the government to turn serious attention to those who were looking to devastate the economy.

"The picture thus is one of a US-based profiteer who made millions of dollars at the cost of Indian retail investors now hedging questions legitimately asked by the Indian regulator and brazenly defaming the latter without answering its questions. This reeks of colonial arrogance of days bygone and contempt by a rich country national fortified by safe harbour, of the economic sovereignty of an Emerging nation. And as is to be expected a host of left-leaning media outlets - slaves to foreign masters all and wannabe rulers with their help- have called for Ms Buch's head. It is time, the govt of the day turned its serious attention to these anti nationals who have no other agenda but to disrupt India's social fabric, distort its polity and now devastate its economy," Mahesh Jethmalani said in his post on X.

Earlier on July 19, Jethmalani had called on the government to probe the links of political voices, who sought to target the Adani group after the Hindenburg report, with China. He had also flagged an alleged Chinese hand behind the report by the American short seller Hindenburg that targeted the Indian conglomerate.

Jethmalani alleged that the hit job on the Adani group was Chinese vengeance for losing out on infrastructure projects like the Haifa Port. Meanwhile, the Adani group has also rejected the latest allegations by Hindenburg calling them a manipulation of available information.

"The latest allegations by Hindenburg Research are malicious, mischievous, and manipulative selections of publicly available information to arrive at pre-determined conclusions for "personal profiteering with wanton disregard for facts and the law", an Adani Group spokesperson said on August 11, hours after the US-based short seller shot off fresh allegations.
Shortly after US-based short seller Hindenburg Research on August 10 alleged that SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband had stakes in "both the obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal," the SEBI Chairperson and her husband issued a joint statement rejecting the allegations. Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband accused Hindenburg Research, against whom SEBI has taken enforcement action, of character assassination. In the joint statement released to the media they said, "In the context of allegations made in the Hindenburg Report dated August 10, 2024, against us, we would like to state that we strongly deny the baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report. The same are devoid of any truth. Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years. We have no hesitation in disclosing any and all financial documents, including those that relate to the period when we were strictly private citizens, to any and every authority that may seek them. Further, in the interest of complete transparency, we would be issuing a detailed statement in due course." "It is unfortunate that Hindenburg Research against whom SEBI has taken an Enforcement action and issued a show cause notice has chosen to attempt character assassination in response to the same," the statement from Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch read. A detailed statement from Madhabi Buch and her husband is also expected later in the day. Earlier on Saturday, US short seller Hindenburg had alleged, "We had previously noted Adani's total confidence in continuing to operate without the risk of serious regulatory intervention, suggesting that this may be explained through Adani's relationship with SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Buch." "What we hadn't realized: the current SEBI Chairperson and her husband, Dhaval Buch, had hidden stakes in the exact same obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds, found in the same complex nested structure, used by Vinod Adani," the report by the US hedge firm said. Hindenburg Research said it has made the new allegations based on documents provided by a whistleblower and investigations carried out by other entities. "Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch first appear to have opened their account with IPE Plus Fund 1 on June 5, 2015, in Singapore, per whistleblower documents. A declaration of funds, signed by a principal at IIFL states that the source of the investment is "salary" and the couple's net worth is estimated at USD 10 million," the report stated. In January 2023, Hindenburg published a report accusing the Adani Group of financial irregularities, leading to a significant drop in the company's stock price. The group at the time had rubbished these claims. The Hindenburg report alleged stock manipulation and fraud by the conglomerate. The case is related to the allegations (part of a report by Hindenburg Research) that Adani had inflated its share prices. After these allegations were published, there was a sharp fall in the shares of various Adani group companies' stocks, reportedly to the tune of over USD 100 billion. The US short seller's report in January was published two days before a USD 2.5 billion follow-up public offering was issued by Adani Enterprises. The Adani group has repeatedly denied all the accusations in the Hindenburg Research report. (ANI)
New Delhi: Sebi Chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch have been named in the latest Hindenburg report in which the US-based short seller has alleged that the couple had stakes in in offshore funds linked to the Adani Group.

The Hindenburg latest report, citing Whistleblower Documents, said that it showed Madhabi Buch, The Current Chairperson of SEBI, And Her Husband Had Stakes In Both Obscure Offshore Funds Used In The Adani Money Siphoning Scandal. (Also Read: Will Stock Market Investors Wealth Be Affected?)

Sebi chief, giving a point by point rebuttal to the Hindenburg report has said that certain allegations made against SEBI would be addressed by the institution independently, while the couple would like to address the issues pertaining to them in their personal capacity. (Also Read: Hindenburg Now Trains Guns On Sebi Chief Madhabi Buch)

Hindenburg Allegations--Here's all that the Sebi Chief along with her husband has said: Read Full Text

In the context of allegations made by Hindenburg on 10th Aug 2024 against us, and in line with our commitment to complete transparency, we are issuing a detailed statement as below.

There are certain allegations made against SEBI which would be addressed by the institution independently. We would like to address the issues pertaining to us in our personal capacity.

We would like to state the following:

1. Madhabi is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and has had a corporate career of over two decades in banking and financial services, largely in the ICICI Group.

2. Dhaval Buch is an alumnusof IIT Delhi and has had a corporate career of 35 years in Hindustan Unilever Limited in India and then in Unilever globally as part of its senior management team. During this long period, Madhabi and Dhaval have accrued their savings through their salaries, bonuses and stock options.Insinuations about their net worth and investments referencing Madhabis current government salary is malicious and motivated.

3. From 2010 to 2019, Dhaval lived and worked in London and in Singapore  both with Unilever.

4. From 2011 to March 2017, Madhabi lived and worked from Singapore, initially as an employee of a Private Equity firm and subsequently as a consultant.

5. The investmentin the fund referred to in the Hindenburg report was made in 2015 when they were both private citizens living in Singapore and almost 2 years before Madhabi joined SEBI, even as a Whole Time Member.

6. The decision to invest in this fund was because the Chief Investment Officer, Mr Anil Ahuja, is Dhavals childhood friend from school and IIT Delhi and, being an ex-employee of Citibank, J.P. Morgan and 3i Group plc, had many decades of a strong investing career. The fact that these were the drivers of the investment decision is borne out by the fact that when, in 2018, Mr. Ahuja, left his position as CIO of the fund, we redeemed the investment in that fund.

7. As confirmed by Mr. Ahuja, at no point in timedid the fund invest in any bond, equity, or derivative of any Adani group company.

8. Dhavals appointment, in 2019, as Senior Advisor to Blackstone Private Equity was on account of his deep expertise in Supply Chain management. Thus his appointment pre-dates Madhabis appointment as SEBI Chairperson. This appointment has been in the public domain ever since. At no time has Dhaval been associated with the Real Estate side of Blackstone.

9. On his appointment, the Blackstone Group was immediately added to Madhabis recusal list maintained with SEBI.

10. Over the last two years, SEBI has issued more than 300 circulars (including Ease of Doing Business initiatives in line with the developmental mandate of SEBI) across the entire market eco-system. All regulations of SEBI are approved by its Board (and not by its Chairperson) after extensive public consultation. Insinuations thata handful of these matters related to the REIT industry were favours to any specific party are malicious and motivated.

11. The two consulting companies set up by Madhabi during her stay in Singapore, one in India and one in Singapore,became immediately dormant on her appointment with SEBI. These companies (and her shareholding in them) were explicitly part of her disclosures to SEBI.

12. After Dhaval retired from Unilever in 2019, he started his own consultancy practice through these companies.Dhavals deep expertise in Supply Chain allowed him to work with prominent clients in the Indian industry. Thus, linking accruals in these companies to Madhabis current government salary is malicious.

13. When the shareholding of the Singapore entity moved to Dhaval, this was once again disclosed, not just to SEBI, but also to the Singapore authorities and the Indian tax authorities.

14. SEBI has strong institutional mechanisms of disclosure and recusal norms as per the code of conduct applicable to its officers. Accordingly, all disclosures and recusals have been diligently followed, including disclosures of all securities held or subsequently transferred.

15. Hindenburg has been served a show cause notice for a variety of violations in India. It is unfortunate that instead of replying to the Show Cause Notice, they have chosen to attack the credibility of the SEBI and attempt character assassination of the SEBI Chairperson.
New Delhi: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday attributed the attack on Uddhav Thackeray's convoy by MNS workers to frustration stemming from the absence of condemnation following a similar incident involving himself.

On Saturday evening, MNS workers hurled tomatoes and cow dung at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray's convoy in Thane, a day after some individuals in Beed district threw betel nuts (supari) at Raj Thackeray's motorcade.

Authorities had detained over 40 MNS workers in connection with the attack on Uddhav's convoy and subsequently allowed them to go. Later, police registered two FIRs naming 54 MNS workers, said an official on Sunday.

In a detailed social media post, Raj Thackeray stated that the MNS workers reacted due to the lack of censure directed at the Shiv Sena (UBT) district chief in Beed.

The actions of the MNS workers (in Thane) were fuelled by their frustration due to the absence of condemnation for the behaviour exhibited by the Shiv Sena (UBT) district chief in Beed district. This lack of response led to the reaction by the MNS workers," he stated.

Raj Thackeray appealed to his workers to back down for now but warned of addressing the behaviour of some people who have refused to change their ways, after assembly elections.

Claiming attempts were made to create obstacles during his Marathwada region tour, the MNS chief said some individuals who demanded the reservation for Marathas were found to be affiliated with the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Their true associations were exposed on social media, the MNS chief added.

Shiv Sena (MP) Sanjay Raut has distanced his party from the attack on Raj Thackeray's convoy, attributing it to individuals advocating for the Maratha quota.

The MNS chief said he had warned against meddling with his supporters and party workers, saying, "You cannot even imagine what they (MNS workers) would do. I stated this in my media interaction. And yesterday, people realised what I meant."

In his appeal for peace, Raj Thackeray emphasised the importance of maintaining decorum in political discourse and urged the media to avoid sensationalism.

"Politics encompasses intense scrutiny and policy clashes, yet this does not warrant unwarranted language against opponents. It is imperative to act in a manner that does not escalate tensions in Maharashtra," he added.

Despite the recent altercations, Raj Thackeray advocated preserving Maharashtra's political culture of accommodating dissent. He called for fair elections and vowed to address any unruly behaviour post-elections.

"I appeal to people to not mess with me or my party workers. Some people may be established (in politics), but I have the support of displaced ones," he added.

Meanwhile, police have registered two FIRs against 54 MNS workers, including women, in connection with the protest in Thane on Saturday, an official said.

Ten persons, including MNS Thane and Palghar chief Avinash Jadhav, have been named in one FIR, while 44 activists from the party have been shown as accused in the second FIR for allegedly blocking traffic during their protest.

The FIRs have been registered under the Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita (BNS) and Motor Vehicles Act, the official added.
Following the opposition's criticism of the government regarding the US short seller Hindenburg's allegations against SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her spouse, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed the report as a "conspiracy" aimed at undermining India's financial system, stating that the report lacks credibility. Chandrasekhar also accused Congress of soliciting foreign assistance to destabilize India's financial system and create disorder by targeting the independent regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

BJP leaders' reaction to Hindenburg's fresh report on SEBI chairperson in 10 points:

1. In an interview with ANI, BJP leader and ex-Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Congress of engaging in a decade-long strategy of deceit and now allegedly seeking foreign assistance to undermine India's financial stability. He criticized the attacks on SEBI and its chairman, labeling them a conspiracy to destabilize India's economy and discredit its financial institutions.

2. He emphasized that such actions should not be tolerated as India is progressing and growing. He dismissed the credibility of the report, calling it a crime to use innuendos and lies against an independent regulator.

3. Chandrasekhar further claimed that there is a deliberate plan behind these reports, suggesting that they contain a mix of speculation and small truths. He boasted about the strength of India's financial system, contrasting it with the failing banks and stock markets in the USA, and credited PM Modi for rebuilding the financial sector over the past decade, leading to India's rapid economic growth.

4. Additionally, BJP Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi hinted at Congress's involvement in the Hindenburg report, noting that such foreign reports tend to surface when the Parliament session begins.

5. While speaking with ANI, Trivedi said, "In recent years, it seems that the commencement of Parliament sessions is often accompanied by the release of foreign reports. Whether it's a BBC documentary, the Hindenburg report in January, or various reports on religious freedom and farmers, these tend to surface right as Parliament convenes. The opposition's promotion of such reports raises suspicions of their international ties aimed at disrupting the sessions."

6. Trivedi also criticized the Congress party for seeking intervention from foreign entities in India's affairs, stating, "This issue is of grave concern, especially since the only election where a foreign individual, George Soros, openly declared a billion-dollar investment to overthrow the Modi government."

7. "It's puzzling why Rahul Gandhi reserves his criticism for international platforms. The opposition appears to be orchestrating economic turmoil through confusion, targeting both public and private sectors, Trivedi added.

8. Responding to new accusations from Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group, the conglomerate's spokesperson denounced the claims as "malicious and manipulative, cherry-picking public information to support biased conclusions for personal gain, while blatantly ignoring the facts and legal framework."

9. Earlier, Hindenburg Research had made allegations on August 10 against SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her spouse, claiming they held stakes in certain offshore entities.

10. Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband accused Hindenburg Research, against whom SEBI has taken enforcement action, of character assassination.
The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday reported detention of eleven Bangladeshi nationals who were attempting to cross into India via the international borders of West Bengal, Tripura, and Meghalaya. The detainees are currently undergoing questioning and will subsequently be transferred to the jurisdiction of the respective state police for further legal proceedings.

A BSF representative said that the force maintains regular communication with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to address shared concerns, particularly those pertaining to the safeguarding of Indian nationals and minority communities in Bangladesh. Following Hasina's exit, an interim government has been sworn in Dhaka under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

In response to the recent governmental changes in Bangladesh, the Union Home Ministry of India has established a committee led by the BSF's Additional Director General (ADG) of the Eastern Command. This committee is tasked with examining the safety and security challenges faced by minorities in Bangladesh post the departure of the Sheikh Hasina administration.

The BSF, tasked with the protection of the extensive 4,096-kilometer India-Bangladesh border, has been on heightened alert following the political upheaval in Bangladesh. This border spans across five Indian states: West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, and Mizoram. Amidst the ongoing disturbances, the BSF has successfully intercepted numerous infiltration attempts and, with the cooperation of the BGB, has repatriated a significant number of Bangladeshi nationals.

A recent statement from the BSF's South Bengal Frontier, headquartered in Kolkata, revealed that ADG Ravi Gandhi presided over an operational conference on Saturday. The meeting's agenda included a comprehensive review of the border security in light of the current unrest in Bangladesh and the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The statement further detailed the capture of eleven Bangladeshi individuals at the border as they were trying to infiltrate into India. The breakdown of apprehensions includes two individuals each from the West Bengal and Tripura borders and seven from the Meghalaya border. The spokesperson added that extensive discussions were conducted during the conference to enhance border control and security measures.
PM Narendra Modi is set to unveil an initiative aimed at revolutionizing Indian agriculture. On Sunday, August 11, PM Modi will introduce 109 new high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified crop varieties at a special event in New Delhi.

Benefits Of New Crop Varities

This move is part of the government's ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming practices, and address nutritional challenges across the country. The event will also feature interactions between the Prime Minister, farmers, and agricultural scientists, highlighting the importance of these new crop varieties in boosting the income of farmers and fostering rural entrepreneurship.

About Crop Varieties

A total of 109 varieties across 61 different crops will be introduced, including 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. The field crops will feature seeds of millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibers, and other grains.

The horticultural crops will include new varieties of fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants.

Sustainable Agriculture

Prime Minister Modi has consistently promoted sustainable farming practices and climate-adaptive methods. He has emphasized the importance of biofortified crop varieties in government initiatives aimed at combating malnutrition, such as mid-day meal schemes and Anganwadi programs.

Focus on Biofortification

The new crop varieties being released are specifically designed to address nutritional deficiencies. Biofortification, which enriches crops with essential vitamins and minerals, is a key focus to improve public health and combat malnutrition across India.

Economic Impact

The release of these high-yield crop varieties is part of a broader strategy to ensure higher income for farmers and to open new entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture. During the event, Prime Minister Modi will engage in discussions with farmers and agricultural scientists, focusing on the impact of these new crop varieties on farming practices and agricultural productivity. This initiative aligns with India's broader agricultural goals, including boosting food security, increasing agricultural exports, and supporting the country's rural economy through innovative and sustainable farming practices.
New Delhi: The tragic incident took place on Sunday after nine people, including eight members of a family, died and two others went missing after their vehicle was swept away by the flooded Jaijon Choe, a seasonal rivulet located about 34 km from here, Police said.

The rivulet swelled due to the heavy rainfall that affected various parts of Punjab and other areas.

The family members were travelling in the SUV from Dehra near Mehatpur in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh to Mehrowal village in Punjab's SBS Nagar district to attend a wedding, police said, PTI reported.

The SUV was crossing the Jaijon Choe, which was swollen due to heavy rain and their vehicle got swept away, the police said.

The police informed that some locals had even warned the driver not to cross the Jaijon choe because of the strong water current in the rivulet but he ignored it.

A viral video of the incident on social media showed that the vehicle was stuck in the flooded choe.

Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said that a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been dispatched to aid in the rescue and search operations for the missing individuals.

Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba said that nine bodies, including those of five females, have been recovered from the rivulet.

According to PTI, The family members of the deceased informed the police that there were twelve people in the SUV.
New Delhi: In a disheartening incident that took place in Kolkata, the junior doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Friday. The incident has triggered widespread outrage within the medical fraternity. The prime accused name Sanjay Roy arrested for the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor.

The prime accused had been married four times, while three of his previous wives left him due to his abusive behaviour, India Today reported.

Meanwhile, the mother of the accused, Malti Roy, said that she could not believe anything like that.

"My mind will never say that he has done anything...I do not believe anything like that, " said Malti Roy, ANI reported.

Reacting to the incident, Sourav Ganguly said that there is a need to strengthen CCTV cameras and security arrangements everywhere.

"This is an unfortunate and heinous incident, strict action needs to be taken on this. This is not right at all. There is a need for more monitoring of women's safety. This can happen anywhere, so to prevent this from happening, there is a need to strengthen CCTV cameras and security arrangements not only in hospitals but everywhere," Ganguly said.

However, a scuffle broke out when outsiders attempted to join the protestors rallying against the murder of the medical student in Kolkata, resulting in injuries to two police personnel.

"When the students were peacefully protesting, some people came from outside and joined the protest. The students did not want them to join the protest and a scuffle broke out. The police then intervened and did not resort to lathi charge. Two police personnel also got injured while controlling the situation. We are seeing what legal action can be taken," Abhishek Gupta, DCP North, said.
New Delhi: A massive search operation is underway after a heavy exchange of fire in the Gagarmunda forest area of Anantnag in South Kashmir. Two army personnel and one civilian have been killed, and two army personnel and one civilian have been injured.

Three to four terrorists are present in the Gagarmunda forest area and they possibly came from Doda, the IG of Kashmir said.

The IGP of Kashmir reached the operation site along with top police and army officials and is monitoring the situation. The official stated that it appears a group of four to six terrorists is present in the area, and the police are investigating the role of civilians in how they were able to get so close to the terrorists.

Speaking to reporters at the operation site, IGP Kashmir VK Birdi stated that the number of terrorists seems to be between three and four. "We are investigating the role of civilians to understand why and how they reached so close to the terrorists," the IGP said.

He mentioned that it cannot be ruled out that the group may have come from Doda, as Anantnag and Doda share adjoining borders. He confirmed that two soldiers and one civilian have been killed, while another civilian is undergoing treatment. An extensive search operation is underway. "The terrain and weather are challenging," he added.

Security forces are engaged in a major operation in the Gagarmunda forest area of Kokernag for the second consecutive day, during which two Indian Army soldiers were martyred and one civilian was injured.

The operation was triggered after terrorists opened fire on security personnel, injuring three soldiers and two civilians. Tragically, two of the injured soldiers later succumbed to their injuries, while one is currently admitted to an Army hospital in Srinagar. The civilians caught in the firing were immediately given medical aid and rushed to a nearby medical centre, but one of them later succumbed to his injuries.

The operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs indicating that terrorists responsible for recent violent incidents in Doda had infiltrated South Kashmir from the Kishtwar range of Jammu. The Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have been tracking these suspects since the beginning of August.

For the past year, terrorists have changed their modus operandi and are now hiding in the mountains within the dense forests of the Pir Panjal Range instead of in settlements and towns. They are moving from one location to another through these mountains, travelling from Rajouri to Poonch, Udhampur, and Doda to Kishtwar via Kokernag, as the borders of these areas converge.

Security forces believe that 70 to 80 trained Pakistani terrorists are present in these mountains, taking advantage of the forests and naturally formed caves. These terrorists are equipped with sophisticated weapons, ammunition, and communication systems.

The army stated that security forces continued their operation through the night. More security personnel were called in for the encounter this morning, and the cordon around the area has been expanded. Drones and hexacopters have been deployed for assistance. However, the operation is becoming very difficult due to the dense forest and natural caves, as the terrorists are taking advantage of these features. This operation is being conducted at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level.

The Gagarmunda area is connected to the Kapran and Gadol Ahlan villages of Kashmir on one side and to the Desa and Lal Daraman areas of Doda on the other side, where terrorists attacked the army in July, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers.
A disgruntled 44-year-old widow's alleged attempt to attack her former lover with 'acid' in the run-up to his wedding in Nandalur on Sunday ended up in the marriage getting cancelled, a police official said.

Around 11 am, Jaya, a former software engineer from Tirupati, who has a 22-year-old son, came to the venue of the wedding at Aravapalli village in Nandalur mandal to confront Sheikh Syed (32), who was preparing to marry another woman without her knowledge.

According to police, both were in a relationship for about 10 years but in the last three years Syed had left for Kuwait to work as a driver. He returned to India and was ready to get married on Sunday.

"During the confrontation, Syed declared that he would not stay with Jaya and in a fit of rage she tried to attack him with bathroom cleaning acid but he dodged it. The acid fell on Syed's aunt," the police official told PTI.

As it was a bathroom cleaning acid, Syed's aunt did not suffer any serious injuries.

Meanwhile, the bridegroom retaliated with a ceremonial knife used as an adornment during weddings, leading to minor injuries to Jaya, whose last name is not known.

Police registered cases against both under relevant sections and arrested them.
New Delhi: Stock exchanges and brokers, catering to retail traders, could be hit hard by the regulator Sebi's proposed measures for Futures & Options (F&O) trading regulations, with market volumes slumping 30-40 per cent, according to reports.

If these measures are implemented, the number of investors could decrease, it added. Moreover, discount brokers, who depend heavily on retail investors, are expected to be more affected than traditional full-service brokers.

Sebi, in its consultation paper in July, proposed seven measures, including increasing minimum contract size and upfront collection of option premiums, intra-day monitoring of position limits, rationalisation of strike prices, removal of calendar spread benefit on expiry day and increase in near contract expiry margin.

Sebi stated that these measures are aimed at enhancing investor protection and promote market stability in derivative markets.

According to a report by Jefferies, Sebi's proposed measures to reduce the number of weekly option contracts from 18 to 6 could impact around 35 per cent of industry premiums. However, if trading shifts to the remaining contracts, the overall impact can be reduced to 20-25 per cent.

Among its 7 proposed measures, IIFL Securities see the highest impact from the withdrawal of weekly options (only 1 per exchange allowed) as index Options account for 98 per cent of the volumes.

IIFL Securities expects the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to be more affected than the BSE because 60 per cent of NSE's revenue comes from options trading, compared to 40 per cent for BSE. It estimates that by the financial year 2026, NSE's earnings could be reduced by 25-30 per cent while BSE's earnings could drop by 15-18 per cent.

Jefferies also believes that removal of Bankex weekly contract can impact BSE's earnings per share (EPS) by 7-9 per cent over FY25-27.

It further said that BSE might see a small decline in earnings, but if trading activity shifts from discontinued products, it could offset the impact or even lead to earnings growth.

"We don't see any impact on MCX from these regulations. Within the value chain, discount brokers are likely to be more impacted than traditional full service brokers given former's dependence on retail investors," IIFL Securities said.

Jefferies believes that clearing members like Nuvama, which caters to institutional players High-Frequency Traders (HFTs) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) are less impacted.

Rationalizing weekly options to only one benchmark index per exchange will significantly affect the NSE because it currently has four weekly index expiries, with "Bank Nifty" being the most important, contributing to 50 per cent of its options volume. The change could reduce NSE's overall trading volumes by 30-35 per cent, IIFL Securities said. On the other hand, BSE is expected to be less affected since it only has two contracts, with Sensex making up 85 per cent of its volumes in FY24.

Even if "Bankex" contributes 30 per cent by FY26, the impact on BSE's volumes is expected to be smaller compared to NSE, it said.

Additionally, with just two expiries, BSE might actually gain market share and experience higher trading volumes, resulting in an estimated 20 per cent reduction in its overall volumes, it added.

Jefferies said that Sebi's proposed measure of increasing lot sizes by 3-4 times over six months could lead to higher costs for retail traders, potentially reducing their participation in the market.

The proposed margin increase for options sellers close to expiry could reduce leverage and profitability, especially for retail traders with limited funds. "Finally other measures like increasing ELM (extreme loss margin) around expiry, withdrawal of calendar spread margin on expiry will increase the margin requirements and thereby could impact the liquidity. Based on our initial estimates we expect a 30-40 per cent impact on market volume," IIFL Securities said.

Sebi Chief Madhabi Puri Buch recently mentioned that households are losing up to Rs 60,000 crore a year in the problematic futures and options segment.

Earlier, Sebi research showed retail traders lose money in nine out of 10 trades in the F&O segment Last month, the government in the Union Budget raised the securities transaction tax (STT) on both futures and options trade from October 1 to allay concerns about hyperactive interest in the derivative segment.

Before that, the Economic Survey flagged concerns over rising retail investors' interest in derivative trading. The survey stated that speculative trade has no place in a developing country.

It also pointed out that the sharp increase in retail investor participation in F&O trading is likely driven by humans' gambling instincts.
NIPL is an international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

NIPL collaborated with Fonepay, Nepal's largest payment network, to launch the cross-border P2M UPI acceptance in March 2024.

Supported by a Mobile-based real-time payment system, UPI is already widely accepted in several countries, including Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, making it one of the largest real-time payment platforms globally.

In addition to UPI, NIPL has also partnered with Nepal SBI Bank Limited (NSBL) to operationalise RuPay cards in Nepal, further enhancing cross-border financial transactions between the two countries, as per the statement.

As reported by the NPCI, payments through the UPI have recorded a 45 per cent yearly growth.

The value of transactions also saw a growth of over 35 per cent, totalling Rs 20.64 trillion.

This marks the third consecutive month when total transactions exceeded Rs 20 trillion.

In June 2024, the total UPI transaction value was Rs 20.07 trillion, while in May it was Rs 20.44 trillion.

As per the data, the average daily transaction value through UPI in July 2024 was Rs 466 million, or about Rs 66,590 crore.

Underscoring the success of UPI, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its monthly bulletin noted that UPI transactions have seen a ten-fold increase in volume, from 12.5 billion transactions in 2019-20 to 131 billion transactions in 2023-24, which accounts for 80 per cent of the total digital payment volumes.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions experienced substantial growth, increasing by 57 per cent year-on-year in FY24.

Within this segment, PhonePe and Google Pay dominated, holding a combined market share of 86 per cent, according to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Banking Sector Roundup for 2023-24. (ANI)
New Delhi: Veteran photographer Pradeep Bandekar passes away on sunday morning. As per reddif.com After a family dinner last night, veteran photographer Pradeep Bandekar felt unwell around 3 a.m. on Sunday. Despite his son Prathsmeshs swift efforts to get him to a nearby hospital, Pradeep passed away before any medical intervention could be provided.

Have A Look At The Post:

The Post read, ''Really sad and shocking. Senior film press photographer Pradeep Bandekar passed away early this morning. He was fine until last night and had gone out with his family members. Late at night, he started feeling uneasy, and his son, Prathmesh, decided to take him to the doctor. However, before he could do anything, Pradeep took his last breath. The funeral will be held today after 3 p.m. as his daughter is coming from Dubai. Pradeep's strongest qualities were his patience and hard work. No wonder he earned the respect of all senior actors and the film industry. Om Shanti''

According to Viral Bhayani, Pradeep Bandekars funeral will be held today after 3 p.m., once his daughter arrives from Dubai.

His sudden demise has deeply saddened the entire industry. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
In Noida, a bustling hub of high-rise buildings and rapid urbanization, elevators are a crucial part of daily life for thousands of residents. However, recent incidents have revealed a growing danger within these vertical transport systems. From terrifying free falls to deadly malfunctions, lift accidents in Noida are on the rise, turning what should be a routine aspect of modern living into a source of anxiety and fear.

In response to a series of elevator mishaps in high-rise buildings across Noida and Greater Noida, the Uttar Pradesh government introduced the Lift Act. Although the act was passed in February 2024, it has yet to be fully implemented. The Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Associations (NOFAA) has now written to IAS officer Manish Verma, District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, urging the implementation of the UP Lift and Escalator Act and the appointment of a Nodal Officer for the district.

The NOFAA, representing over 100 high-rise societies, emphasized the urgency of implementing the Lift Act. "Noida and Ghaziabad account for nearly 75 to 80% of residential high-rise societies in Uttar Pradesh. There are around 80,000 lifts operating in various high-rise societies in Noida alone. Lifts are the backbone of vertical living. Although the UP Lift and Escalator Act is in place, it has not yet been implemented. The lack of implementation makes living in high-rise societies very unsafe. Regular faults and maintenance issues have become a major concern for lift users," said Rajiva Singh, President of NOFAA.

The association has requested the District Magistrate to appoint a Nodal Officer to oversee the implementation of the UP Lift and Escalator Act across the district.

This Lift Act 2024 requires building owners to notify the District Magistrate, relevant authorities, and local police of any lift accidents within 24 hours. Following an incident, the District Magistrate is tasked with conducting an inquiry before the Electrical Inspector's examination, after which lift repairs may proceed. The act also mandates that builders and Apartment Owners' Associations (AOAs) enter into an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) to ensure regular lift inspections, with authorities kept informed.

The Lift Act also faces accusation of being just a poll gimmick as it doesn't have any penal power. However, Nishant Kr. Srivastava, Advocate On Record (AOR), Supreme Court, doesn't feel this way. We have to first understand that this Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act, 2024 (the Lift Act) is not in derogation of any of the other legal remedies available like one under s. 106 (1) Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) (the old s.304A of the IPC) or any of the other compensation rights and remedies available to a victim or the family of the victim as available under law of Torts or under the specific provisions of sub-clauses (7) & (8) of the section 12 of the Lift Act," said Advocate Srivastava.

However, he called for timely implementation of the Act. "The delay in notifying the Rules framed under the Lift Act is disheartening. All will agree that the timely enforcement of the provisions of the Lift Act, at least will ensure regular compliances as to maintenance, inspection and maintenance of the statutory records/ log books, which ultimately will ensure proper functioning of lifts and preemption and arrest of such cases of lift malfunctioning/ incidences of free fall etc. Thereby, preventing injury or loss of invaluable human life, said Advocated Srivastava.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has broken her silence a week after her abrupt resignation and departure to India, hinting for the first time that the United States may have played a role in her ouster. Hasina has accused the USA of trying to remove her from power because she refused to give up Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal.

Sheikh Hasina claimed that she could have stayed in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to dominate the Bay of Bengal, The Economic Times reported.

Appealing to the public, she urged, "Please do not be manipulated by radicals."

Indias neighbour Bangladesh is currently experiencing political instability after Hasina stepped down on August 5 amid growing student protests. Due to escalating violence and concerns for her safety, Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka on a military aircraft. She is now in a secure location in India. The demonstrators demanded the abolition of the contentious quota system for government jobs.

I resigned to avoid witnessing further violence. They aimed to seize power over the dead bodies of students, but I prevented that by resigning, Hasina said.

Hasina stated that her decision to leave the country was made to prevent further bloodshed and destruction.

"I became your leader because you chose me; you were my strength," she emphasized.

The violence that erupted after Hasina's resignation has claimed over 230 lives, pushing the total death toll since the protests began in mid-July to 560.

"My words were twisted to provoke you," Hasina told the protesters.

Earlier, many claimed that Hasina used the term Razakars for the protesting students, a word used to describe people who were believed to be collaborators of the Pakistani military during the 1971 Liberation War.

Former Bangladesh PM clarified, "My words were distorted to incite you. Watch the full video of that day to understand how conspirators have exploited your innocence to destabilise the nation.

An interim government, headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been formed to manage the transition and organize early elections.
After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh has seen a surge in violence against its Hindu minority. Hundreds of Hindus have reportedly been injured in attacks on their homes and businesses, prompting widespread protests across the country.

On Saturday, an unprecedented number of Hindus took to the streets in Bangladesh to protest the ongoing violence against their community. The rallies, which took place in both Dhaka, the capital, and Chittagong, the country's second-largest city, saw participation from lakhs of people.

Protesters blocked traffic for over three hours in Dhaka's Shahbagh area, demanding justice for those responsible for the attacks on minorities. Among their demands were the establishment of special tribunals to expedite trials for perpetrators of violence, the allocation of 10 percent of parliamentary seats for minority communities, and the enactment of a minority protection law.

Violence and Destruction Continue

Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, there have been over 205 reported incidents of violence against minority communities across 52 districts in Bangladesh. This includes the vandalism of several Hindu temples and the killing of at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with Hasina's Awami League party.

The violence has prompted thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus to attempt to flee to neighboring India in search of safety. The situation has become increasingly dire as minority communities continue to face targeted attacks.

Muhammad Yunus Condemns Violence, Calls for Unity

Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has condemned the attacks on minority communities, calling them "heinous" acts. In a statement on Saturday, Yunus urged the nation's students, who have been at the forefront of the protests, to protect Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.

"Are they not the people of this country?" Yunus asked. "You have been able to save the country; can't you save some families? You must say - no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together," he emphasized, underscoring the importance of national unity in these tough times.
US President Joe Biden acknowledged being pressured out of the contest. Biden blamed the mounting concerns from within his party. The 81-year-old specifically named Nancy Pelosi while discussing the internal Democratic Party pressure that led to his unprecedented decision.

In his first appearance since leaving the 2024 presidential race last month, Biden spoke on CBS News Sunday Morning, acknowledging that his colleagues were concerned his campaign could harm their own chances of reelection.

"What happened was, a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic," explained Mr. Biden, adding that he thought it would be a "real distraction. Youd be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say -why did - and I thought itd be a real distraction, Biden told CBS News correspondent Bob Costa.

He also delivered a sharp criticism of former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump, saying, We must, we must, we must defeat Trump. Biden labelled trump as a danger to American security.

After Biden's poor performance in the CNN debate, rumors about his withdrawal started to spread widely. By the end of July, he confirmed these speculations by releasing a long statement announcing his exit from the race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. Although people had been talking about it, Biden's decision still shocked the nation, with many media outlets suggesting that Nancy Pelosi was behind the move to push him out.
Dhaka: Muhammad Yunus was Sunday acquitted in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over the misappropriation of funds from the Grameen Telecom Workers and Employees Welfare Fund, three days after he took oath as the head of Bangladesh's interim government, according to a media report.

Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge's Court-4 of Dhaka gave the order after accepting the graft agency's application, seeking to withdraw the case under the Code of Criminal Procedure, an official of the anti-graft agency was quoted as saying by The Daily Star newspaper.

On August 7, the Labour Appellate Tribunal acquitted the Nobel laureate and three top officials of Grameen Telecom - Ashraful Hassan, M Shahjahan and Nurjahan Begum - in a labour law violation case in which they were sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined Tk 30,000 each in January.

Yunus, the 84-year-old economist, on Thursday took oath as the interim government's chief adviser - a position equivalent to the prime minister.

Nurjahan Begum, who was also an accused in the graft case, is a member of the 16-member Council of Advisers, which will assist Yunus in running the state's affairs.

Yunus had been in a protracted row with the Sheikh Hasina government due to obscure reasons while authorities initiated a series of investigations against him after she came to power in 2008.

Bangladesh authorities launched a review of the statutory Grameen Bank's activities in 2011 and fired Yunus as its founding managing director on charges of violating the government retirement regulation.

Yunus was charged under dozens of cases during Hasina's regime.

Many people believe Hasina became enraged when Yunus announced that he would form a political party in 2007 when a military-backed government ran the country and Hasina was in prison.
Former US President Donald Trump's presidential campaign said on Saturday that it had been hacked, as reported by US-based news agency, Politico. The claim follows an anonymous email from an account using AOL, identifying itself as "Robert," which included documents from within Trump's campaign, Politico reported.

The campaign pointed to a Microsoft report, released on Friday, which attributed the breach to "foreign sources hostile to the United States," as reported by Politico. The report claimed that Iranian hackers "sent a spear phishing email in June to a high-ranking official on a presidential campaign." Microsoft, however, did not identify the campaign targeted by the email.

Politico further reported that it did not verify the hacker's identity and did not know the motivation behind the act.

"These documents were obtained illegally from foreign sources hostile to the United States, intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process," Cheung said. "On Friday, a new report from Microsoft found that Iranian hackers broke into the account of a 'high ranking official' on the U.S. presidential campaign in June 2024, which coincides with the close timing of President Trump's selection of a vice presidential nominee," Politico reported, quoting Trump campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung.

Politico reported receiving emails from a senior Trump campaign official containing a research dossier dated February 23 on Trump's running mate, JD Vance, and a similar document on Senator Marco Rubio.

The dossier, a 271-page document, included publicly available records of Vance, with a section labelled "Potential Vulnerabilities." The hacker also sent to Politico a part of a similar research document on the finalist for the vice presidential nomination, Senator Marco Rubio, as reported by Politico.

Some reports emerged in July that US intelligence received evidence that Iran was plotting to kill Trump as revenge for his decision to order the killing of Iranian military officer Qassem Soleimani in 2020, as reported by Politico. There was no indication of whether Trump's shooter, who attempted to assassinate Trump at his Pennsylvania rally, was linked with Iran.

"The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror just like he did in his first four years in the White House," Cheung said in a statement as quoted by Politico.

The Iranian mission to the UN said it does "not accord any credence to such reports," adding, "The Iranian Government neither possesses nor harbors any intent or motive to interfere in the United States presidential election," the mission said in a statement, as reported by CNN.
US Vice President Kamala Harris has been leading former US President Donald Trump by four points each in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin among likely voters, according to the new polls conducted by The New York Times and Siena College.

Kamala Harris has transformed the 2024 presidential elections as it shows a major shift from previous Times/Siena polls, which found Trump leading Harris and President Joe Biden by an average of one or two points each across the same three states.

However, sometimes, it is hard to explain why polls shift from week to week or month to month. The New York Times reported that it is hard to explain why voters shift at all in today's polarised politics.

Until now, the basic dynamic of the race was driven by US President Biden's unpopularity. It prevented Democrats from running their usual strategy against Trump and his MAGA allies, making an election a referendum on Trump by running a broadly acceptable candidate.

Notably, millions of voters were left with an agonizing choice between two candidates they disliked. In the poll, at least 49 per cent of likely voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin highlight that they have a favourable view of her, a level neither Harris nor Biden obtained in any previous Times/Siena poll this cycle, The New York Times reported.

Donald Trump's views haven't diminished, in fact, his favorability rating ticked up slightly, to 46 per cent across the three states, which is just enough to represent his highest rating in the history of Times/Siena polling. According to a majority of people, Harris is honest and intelligent and she brings the right kind of change and has the temperament to be president, adding that she has a clear vision for the country.

However, a majority doesn't think she's too far to the left, either, only 44 per cent of likely voters say she's too liberal or progressive, compared with 44 per cent who say she's not too far either way and another 6 per cent who say she isn't progressive enough, as reported by The News York Times.

Moreover, Kamala Harris may be polling like a generic Democrat, but she will now be subject to much more scrutiny and attack, The New York Times reported. Until now, Haris has been benefitted of very favourable media coverage for a few weeks now, along with major endorsements and an outpouring of goodwill from voters who had been yearning for an alternative to two disliked older candidates.

However, this period will not last forever, and the question is whether she will retain this kind of support when the going gets tough, The New York Times reported. Certainly, the poll doesn't offer an indication either way. But the huge swing in opinion on Harris in just the last few weeks is a reminder that the public doesn't necessarily have firmly held views about her.

If Trump's lead over Harris in earlier polling wasn't necessarily based on solid views of the vice president, it can't be assumed that her lead over Trump stands on firm ground today
As the protest escalated and demonstrators marched into former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas residence, she had no choice but to flee Bangladesh. Hasina has sought refuge in India. Recently, the media has retrieved her undelivered speech, the last address she intended to give to the protesting students but never delivered.

In a portion of her unrendered speech, Sheikh Hasina asserted that her government could have remained in power if she had handed over St. Martin's Island to the United States. The timing of Hasina's remarks raises questions about why she chose to bring up the sovereignty of this strategically significant island located in the Bay of Bengal amid ongoing protests against her leadership.

Why Is St. Martin's Island In Spotlight

The contentious island is a small coral island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. Located roughly nine kilometres south of Bangladesh's southernmost peninsula, Cox's Bazar-Teknaf, near Myanmar.

St Martins Island recently came into the spotlight amid allegations that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), under former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had plans to sell the island to the United States for the construction of a military base.

The alleged deal was reportedly intended to secure U.S. support for the BNP in winning the upcoming elections.

The island, commonly referred to as 'Narikel Jinjira' or Coconut Island in Bengali, is named for its abundant coconut trees. It is also known as 'Daruchini Dwip,' which translates to Cinnamon Island.

This is Bangladeshs only coral island.

The island covers three square kilometres and is home to approximately 3,700 residents.

The inhabitants mainly engage in fishing, rice cultivation, coconut farming, and seaweed harvesting, with the seaweed being dried and exported to Myanmar.

St Martins Geopolitical Importance

The island is in proximity to the Bay of Bengal and shares the maritime boundary with Myanmar; this strategic placement has intensified its demand, especially among the US and China, as they are eyeing strengthening their presence in the region.

In June of the previous year, Sheikh Hasina accused the United States of attempting to obtain St. Martin's Island and establish a military base there in exchange for a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) electoral victory.

She further claimed that the BNP would sell the island to the US if elected. Hasina stated that her government would remain in power even if St. Martin's Island were leased out, but emphasised that she would never permit such an action while she was in office.

"I have no intention to go to power by selling the country's assets," a report by Prothom Alo English quoted Sheikh Hasina last year.

She added, BNP came to power in 2001 by pledging to sell gas. Now they want to sell the country. They want to come to power by pledging to sell St. Martins island.

History Of St Martins Island

The island's history dates back to the 18th century, when it was first settled by Arabian merchants who named it 'Jazira.' In 1900, a British land survey team incorporated St. Martin's Island into British India, naming it after a Christian priest, Saint Martin. However, some reports suggest the island may have been named after Mr. Martin, the Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong at the time.

In 1937, the coral island remained under British India's control following Myanmar's separation. It stayed under Indian administration until the 1947 partition, after which it became part of Pakistan.

Following the 1971 Liberation War, the island was incorporated into Bangladesh, according to the Daily Star. In 1974, Bangladesh and Myanmar formally agreed that the island would belong to Bangladesh.
Amazon Web Services is keen on significantly expanding its data centre operations in Telangana, augmenting AI offerings in a big way. According to a statement from the Telangana CMO, Amazon Inc. has expressed keen interest in making significant investments in expanding its data centre facilities and workforce in Hyderabad. A team of Amazon senior leadership, led by Kerry Person, Vice President, AWS Data Centre Planning and Delivery, and a Telangana delegation led by IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, convinced Amazon to give a stronger thrust to their data centre operations in Telangana. A data centre is typically a large group of networked servers used by organizations for the remote storage or distribution of large amounts of data. Data localization plans are expected to trigger investments in data centres, besides incentives by various states to attract such investments. On August 4, a delegation from the Telangana government, led by Chief Minister and IT, landed in New York. They were scheduled to have meetings with business leaders in the US and South Korea over the next 10 days. Amazon already has a strong presence in Telangana which includes their largest corporate building in the world in Hyderabad. Amazon launched its dedicated air cargo network 'Amazon Air' in Hyderabad in 2023. As per the Telangana CMO statement, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has designated Hyderabad as a strategic region and three big data centres are already operational. "They shared plans for further expanding their business, including new hyper scale data centre in Hyderabad that are critical for AI/ML enabled services," the CMO added. Minister Sridhar Babu, who led the discussions for the state, said, "Our talks with Amazon were extremely positive and successful. We assured the corporation that we will provide them with best incentives and complete support to make their goals in Hyderabad successful. We expected huge expansion of their presence in our state." Speaking after the meeting, Kerry Person, Vice President Data Center Planning and Delivery at Amazon Web Services, said, "I am excited by the opportunity to further expand our cloud infrastructure in Hyderabad, Telangana, as an integral component of AWS's strategy in India. We expect the AWS Region in Hyderabad will play an increasingly important role in supporting AWS's growth of cloud services in India, including Artificial Intelligence in the near future. AWS is committed to contributing to Telangana's digital ambitions, empowering our customers and partners across the State and country to drive towards India's trillion-dollar digital economy goal." With the expansion of Amazon Web Services business in Telangana, the state is set consolidate its position as a leading hub for cloud and data centre infrastructure sector in India, the CMO said. Amazon provides a range of cloud business services including computing, storage, databases, networking, machine learning, analytics, and other services, which will now also include AI. Amazon, headquartered in Washington DC, US, has a market cap of about USD 1.89 trillion and has an over 1.5 million workforce across the globe. (ANI)
Confirming the news of his demise with ANI, Pradeep's son Prathamesh informed that his father died in the wee hours of Sunday. He was 70.

After learning about the demise of Pradeep Bandekar, several members of the Indian film industry including Ajay Devgn and Bipasha Basu took to their respective social media handles and paid condolences.

"Pradeep Bandekar ji's passing is a personal loss...His decades-long bond with our family goes beyond the lens....He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. Om Shanti," Ajay wrote on X.

Reacting to the demise of Pradeep Bandekar, Bipasha on her Instagram wrote, "RIP Pradeep ji. strength to the family."

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh also expressed grief.

Taking to Instagram Story, Neil wrote, "Pradeep ji you will be missed. Rest in peace. Thank you for capturing some beautiful moments of our lives and leaving us behind with your infectious smile and positivity."

In his decades-long career, Pradeep had worked closely with film stars. From Ajay Devgn to Manoj Bajpayee, he shared a great relationship with the members of the film industry. (ANI)
Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz are now engaged and releasing 'Blink Twice', the film she directed and starred in. However, the two had never met until Kravitz sent Tatum the script, which she also co-wrote, as per The Hollywood Reporter. "It was pretty crazy, I didn't know Zoe before she sent me the script. I never had met her before -- I got a text from Riley Keough, she's like, 'Hey, my friend Zoe wants to send you a script.' I was like, 'Great, I love Zoe as an actress, I'd love to act with her.' I didn't know she wanted to make this thing," said Tatum at the film's Los Angeles premiere. She sent over the script under the movie's original title 'Pussy Island' and I was like, 'OK, Zoe Kravitz is giving me something called Pussy Island, I guess I should really read this.'" And that was like six years ago, and it's been just such a journey," he concluded. "The script from the first time I read it has changed so much, from the first time we even shot it and edited it has changed so much -- she's truly going on a beautiful first-time director's journey." Tatum, who received a special thank you from Kravitz during her speech at the premiere said of watching her direct, "She's just an obsessive person, in the best possible way. And 360, she's not just worried about the way it looks or the way the actors are playing their parts -- it's down from the floor to the ceiling, she just doesn't ever stop. That I think I was more in awe of than anything. I knew she was creative, I knew she had a taste, I knew she knew how to act and how to direct actors, and she has a visual aesthetic." 'Blink Twice' is a psychological thriller that stars Tatum as Slater King, a tech billionaire who meets cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) at his fundraising gala. He invites her to join him and his friends on a vacation to his private island, where things begin to go awry. Adria Arjona, Simon Rex, Alia Shawkat, Haley Joel Osment, Christian Slater and Geena Davis make up the starry supporting cast. 'Blink Twice' hits theatres on August 23, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
During the attack, MNS workers allegedly threw coconuts and cow dung at Thackeray's convoy.

Speaking to ANI, Dubey said, "Now we understand why Raj Thackeray and his party are called 'suparibaaz.' Uddhav Thackeray's convoy was attacked in Thane. Despite having Z-category security and being the son of Balasaheb Thackeray, if he is not safe in the state, how can they ensure the safety of ordinary people?"

Dubey also criticized the state government, stating, "This attack is a failure of the state government. The law and order situation has completely collapsed, and the home minister should resign."

MNS workers claimed the attack was in retaliation for an incident on Friday afternoon when MNS chief Raj Thackeray's car was pelted with betel nuts and tomatoes.

Police have confirmed the incident and detained over 20 individuals. A case was also registered in connection with the incident, and, according to a senior officer, Thane police were further looking into it.

Raj Thackeray, who is the estranged cousin of Uddhav Thackeray, was touring central Maharashtra at the time.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
A group of doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh, held a candlelight march on Saturday evening to protest the death of a female post-graduate trainee (PGT) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal's Kolkata. "Expressing deep condolences, RDA AIIMS Bhopal organized a candle march in honour of the innocent soul who passed away. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support and participation," the doctors at AIIMS Bhopal said. Similarly, doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi also protested, demanding a CBI inquiry into the incident. Protesters carried posters and chanted slogans such as, "We want a CBI inquiry." Dr Gautam, a protesting doctor, emphasized the need to prevent such incidents and ensure justice. "Women are not safe even on campuses where we talk about women's empowerment. The government should act swiftly to catch the guilty," he said. Another female protestor expressed frustration over the lack of progress, questioning, "Who will be next?" Dr Ritik Ghosh criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assurances, noting that similar incidents have occurred without adequate punishment for the culprits. "This is not the first time such heinous crimes have happened, and we are dissatisfied with the assurances from the Bengal CM. It is a shame for both the Bengal government and India," he said. Congress workers in Kolkata also took out a protest rally for justice on Saturday. A second-year medical student was found dead at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Friday morning. The incident has sparked a political storm in West Bengal. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul has also demanded a CBI investigation and a re-postmortem from a central government hospital. Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Suvendu Adhikari, has also demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and West Bengal BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul visited the residence of the female post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor. He attacked the TMC government over the law and order situation in West Bengal and termed the incident "shameful and horrific." Sukanta Majumdar said, "A very shameful and horrific incident has happened. This is a repeat of the Nirbhaya case in Delhi. The kind of incident we are seeing shows that law and order is not good in West Bengal. It is not at all safe for the women. The government should take responsibility for the same. The CBI should investigate it." (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav affirmed on Sunday that the decisions taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will empower women and change the atmosphere of the entire state. "It is a matter of great fortune for us that sisters have come from such faraway places to tie Rakhi during Sawan... The joy of festivals celebrated with collectiveness is different. It is said that there are 12 months and 13 festivals. Raksha Bandhan is like the king of all the festivals and there is no comparison to it. Today, 1 crore 29 lakh women have gotten not just Rs 1250 under the Ladli Behna Yojana but also an addition of Rs 250. I am happy that the decision taken by our government will empower women and change the atmosphere of the entire state," said the Chief Minister during a programme organised under 'Rakshabandhan and Shravan Utsav'. On the occasion, the CM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development works worth Rs 344 crore. Furthermore, the Chief Minister transferred over Rs 52 crores to over 25 lakh women under the Gas Cylinder Refill Scheme for providing LPG at the rate of Rs 450 during the programme. Additionally, over Rs 332 crores were transferred to more than 55 lakh beneficiaries under the Social Security Pension Scheme on the occasion. Before joining the programme in Sheopur district, CM Yadav participated in an event of similar kind in Tikamgarh under Rakshabandhan and Shravan Utsav. During this, he distributed benefits to the beneficiaries of various schemes. Women of the self-help group also presented a huge Rakhi to CM Yadav on the occasion. The Chief Minister also announced that soon Tikamgarh would get a medical college. Earlier on Saturday, a group of women tied Raksha Bandhan to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at Gwalior Airport. On the occasion, CM Yadav presented sweets and sarees as a return gift to women on tying Rakhi. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the demise of former EAM Natwar Singh and said that he made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Natwar Singh Ji. He made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy. He was also known for his intellect as well as his prolific writing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti." Former External Affairs Minister and Congress leader K Natwar Singh passed away on Saturday night at the age of 93. He passed away at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram (Haryana) last night, following a prolonged illness. His last rites will be performed at Lodhi Road Crematorium tomorrow, August 12. Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala confirmed Singh's demise, saying, "The news of the demise of former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh ji is sad." "May God give strength to his family to bear this loss and grant peace to the departed soul," Surjewala said in a post on X.Singh had a distinguished career in diplomacy and politics, serving as the External Affairs Minister from 2004 to 2005 in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh of the UPA government. Singh was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1984. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) party President Sudesh Mahto. Assam CM Sarma also met Jharkhand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Babulal Marandi on Saturday. After meeting AJSU President, the Assam Chief Minister said, "AJSU is our very important component, we just met and talked to Sudesh. Everything is fine, we will fight the elections well." Earlier on August 2, during his Jharkhand visit, Sarma conveyed about the BJP's preparations for upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand and said that the BJP should win elections for the better future of Jharkhand. BJP's co-incharge of Jharkhand for upcoming elections, Sarma said, "I witnessed a lot of enthusiasm in the workers of the party and they have affirmed that we will win the elections and form our government in Jharkhand. The mantra for winning is only to work 24 hours a day, for a better future in Jharkhand, we must win the assembly elections in Jharkhand. We will work hard to win." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP Jharkhand co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma accused 'Bangladeshi infiltrators' of grabbing tribals' land. Sarma also highlighted that despite court orders that Tribal families should be given their land back, the administration is not taking any necessary steps about the same. Notably, Jharkhand will go for the assembly polls in 2025. Along with Jharkhand, Haryana and Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir will also undergo assembly polls. The terms of the existing Jharkhand Legislative Assembly will end in January 2025 and the Election Commission (EC) has kicked off preparations for holding Assembly elections. In 2019, JMM fought the assembly elections in alliance with the Congress and Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) and got a comfortable majority with forty-seven seats in the 81-member house. (ANI)
BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- "It is always a pleasure to greet a friend from afar." This old Chinese saying perfectly exemplifies the cultural openness deeply rooted in the Chinese people who are always ready to welcome friends from around the world with open arms. The current "China Travel" boom is a prime example of this. In the first half of this year, China received nearly 15 million foreign travelers, up 152.7 percent year on year. Many travelers shared their experiences through videos on social media, showing how attractive the country is and how hospitable its people are to visitors. It's no surprise that "China Travel" has become a top trending search on multiple global social media platforms. The travel boom reflects the country's steadfast commitment to openness. As the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee held in mid-July emphasized: "Opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. We must remain committed to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continue to promote reform through opening up." In fact, the travel fervor is fueled by a range of facilitation measures rolled out by the Chinese government to let more foreign visitors set foot in China and have pleasant stays. As of July, China has rolled out a 15-day visa-free entry policy for 15 countries on a trial basis and expanded the coverage of its 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports of entry, allowing citizens of 54 countries the opportunity for short-term travel and business visits. Over half of the total entering foreign visitors in H1, or 8.5 million, entered China visa-free, an increase of 190 percent year on year. The country has also enhanced services for inbound tourists by facilitating mobile payments for foreigners, implementing reservation-free entry at scenic spots, and offering multilingual support and various payment methods to simplify ticket purchases for international travelers. To see is to believe. Foreign visitors experience a genuine China through firsthand encounters, which helps them develop objective and comprehensive perspectives on the country. As they cultivate a deeper understanding of China during their stay, they come to realize how misleading and limited Western media reports about the country can be. Moreover, against the backdrop of a sluggish global economic recovery and rising uncertainty, the "China Travel" boom has provided a valuable boost, helping strengthen economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. With the continuous introduction of facilitation measures, the "China Travel" boom is expected to last, allowing more foreigners to feel China in person. Openness, inclusiveness, and mutual understanding will further transcend seclusion, narrow-mindedness and prejudice. By Sun Wenji, Liu Jie
To ensure 'quality' over 'quantity' in the education sector, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday gave a timeline to kickstart the reformation process of all government schools in the state that would be mandatory. Speaking at the concluding day of the 3-day Chintan Shivir cum Education Conclave - 2024 in Itanagar, Khandu directed elected representatives, deputy commissioners and deputy directors of school education (DDSEs) to review the status of all government-run schools in their respective jurisdictions and finalize a roadmap for reformation by September 15. By October 20, he said all finalized roadmaps should be positively submitted to the Education Department by all district administrations. "By November, the state government will finalize a roadmap keeping given those submitted by the districts after consultations with all stakeholders. As 2025 begins, we will roll out this roadmap and ensure it is fully implemented in the next five years," Khandu announced. He called upon all MLAs, Panchayat leaders, DCs and DDSEs to strictly follow the timeline without fail. Khandu also drew the attention of the education department towards the National Education Policy (NEP), which as per directions of the Prime Minister's Office has to be implemented by all states by 2030. "It's time for us to pull up our socks. We hardly have 6 years at hand," he reminded. Arunachal CM Khandu expressed concern over the poor quality of education in government schools and called for a drastic change. "Regular government teachers receive the best salaries compared to teachers in private and NGO-run schools. Despite it, it is quite incomprehensible how the quality of education is so bad in government schools," he expressed surprise. He stressed that this must change and emphasized that a time should come in future when children of politicians and government officials are studying in government schools. Commending the education department headed by Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona and his Advisor Mutchu Mithi for the timely conclave, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the outcome would be incredibly valuable and provide insightful inputs to enhance Arunachal's education system. "Our goal is to elevate the standard of government schools to a level where every parent feels proud and eager to send their children to these institutions. We envision a future where government schools are the preferred choice for all, regardless of socio-economic background," he added. (ANI)
Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand sculpture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the message 'Har Ghar Tiranga', at Puri beach on August 10. He created an 8-high sculpture depicting the Prime Minister changing his profile picture with Tiranga, on all social media platforms. Appreciating the beauty of the sand art, locals who gathered at the Puri beach said that everyone should feel pride in their nation and render as much service as possible to the nation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign across the nation. During this period, the central government urged the citizens to hoist the tricolour on every house, shop, and office. A cleanliness drive will also be carried out. "I am an Indian. There should be Tiranga in every home. Independence Day is around the corner. This sand art has been created...We are proud to be Indian," a local at the beach told ANI. "It should be made in every home. The feeling of being an Indian should come to everyone and this is our National flag". Hailing from Bhubaneshwar, Divanshi, said she believed that everyone should give their respect to the flag. "One should have a high feeling of pride about his nation. Render good service to the nation as much as possible." Appreciating the beauty of the sand art, she said, "We can learn more from it. Like, we should know about everything happening in our country and at every moment, develop our life. Probably, everyone must be desiring so". Coming from New Delhi, Manoj Kumar, a chartered accountant, said the Prime Minister's message of ("Har Ghar Tiranga) should reach to everyone in the face of external forces (attempting to harm the country's integrity). Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the citizens to hoist the national flag at their homes as part of the party's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day on August 15. In the 112th 'Mann Ki Baat' on July 28, Prime Minister Modi called upon all Indians to take part in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to celebrate Independence Day. He highlighted the growing trend of taking selfies with the national flag and sharing them on social media. He urged party leaders and workers to ensure that the national flag is hoisted on houses, offices, and shops. Har Ghar Tiranga' is a campaign that forms part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It was started in 2021 to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India's independence. (ANI)
The Uttar Pradesh government is set to commemorate Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14. In a letter dated August 10, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said, "Like last year, paying homage to those who lost their lives during the partition of India, it has been decided to commemorate 'Partition Horrors Memorial Day' on August 14, 2024 in their memory." The letter further said that the partition of the country was no less than a tragedy. "Millions of Indians sacrificed their lives to achieve independence, at such a time the pain of the country being divided into two parts struck millions of families like a wound. At the same time Bengal was also partitioned. In this, the eastern part of Bengal was separated from India and East Pakistan was formed; which became an independent nation in 1971 as Bangladesh," the Chief Secretary said in a letter. This geographical partition of India shook the people of the country socially, culturally, economically and mentally, the letter mentioned. "'Partition Horrors Memorial Day' not only remind us to end discrimination, animosity and ill will but also inspire unity, social harmony and human empowerment," the Chief Secretary added. As in the past, the state government will organise various events/programs in the entire state on the occasion of "Partition Horrors Memorial Day" on 14th August in all 75 districts of the state including Lucknow. The letter stated that the members of families displaced during the Partition should be invited and two minutes of silence should be observed in memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the tragedy along with them. Instruction was issued to District Magistrates and Chief Secretaries across the state. The letter said that an exhibition related to the Partition should be organized in a large auditorium in which photographs of the then events, newspaper clippings, literature, government records, preserved material of displaced families, etc. should be displayed. The Chief Secretary further said that the displaced families affected by the Partition should also be requested to come to the exhibition site so that they can share the sufferings their families have faced. "In all the 75 districts of the state, films/documentaries related to the 'Partition' should be screened in schools/colleges/universities and at the exhibition site. Students of various educational institutions should be taken on a tour of these exhibitions and they should be made aware of this historical event," the letter added. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday extended his wishes to President Draupadi Murmu for receiving Timor-Leste's highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste. Saha said that this award acknowledges her remarkable dedication to public service, social welfare and women's empowerment. Taking it to a social media post on X, Manik Saha wrote, "Warmest congratulations to Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji on receiving Timor-Leste's highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, from President Jose Ramos-Horta. This prestigious award acknowledges her remarkable dedication to public service, social welfare and women's empowerment, as well as the thriving friendship between India and Timor-Leste. @rashtrapatibhvn." https://x.com/DrManikSaha2/status/1822521956069175724?t=MBTZT0pcrPHa0RhCvFSTCg&s=08 Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it was a proud moment for the people of the country as President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, and said that this reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between the two nations. President Droupadi Murmu was conferred with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest civilian award on Saturday. The award is in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women. PM Modi posted on X, on Sunday, emphasising that the award is also a recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years. "It is a proud moment for us to see Rashtrapati Ji being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nation's highest civilian award. This reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between our countries. It is also a recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years," PM Modi stated on X. After receiving the award, President Murmu said that the "honour is a reflection of the ties of friendship between India and Timor-Leste."President Murmu arrived in Timor Leste on Saturday, after concluding her visits to Fiji and New Zealand. In a special gesture, she was warmly received by President Jose Ramos-Horta at the airport. Moreover, cheerful children also greeted her on the way from the airport. She also held a bilateral meeting with her Timor Leste counterpart today in Dili, underlining the strong connection between the two nations. The two leaders also discussed the opportunities to enhance the bilateral cooperation between India and Timor Leste. President Murmu's visit is the first-ever Head of State level visit from India to the South East Asian country. She also addressed the Indian Community Reception in Dili. President Murmu was accorded ceremonial reception and guard of honour at the Presidential Palace in Dili. The President's visit to Timor Leste comes at the invitation of the President of Timor Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta. (ANI)
In a significant development to the Pipli village attack case, the Jalandhar Rural Police have arrested a total of 10 persons. The police have also recovered multiple weapons and vehicles linked to the crime, an official statement released on Sunday said. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said these arrests were made as part of the ongoing investigation into the August 3 attack on ex-serviceman Balwinder Singh's family in Pipli village, Lohian, as per the statement. "The police teams led by SHO Lohian Bakshish Singh and Inspector CIA staff Jalandhar Rural have apprehended 10 suspects. Our teams have seized various weapons and vehicles connected to this case," SSP Khakh told media. The arrested accused have been identified as Sukhjeevan Singh alias Gaggu, Amandeep Singh alias Amna, Pupinder Singh alias Pindu, Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggi, Gurjit Singh, Harpreet Singh alias Happy, Gurpreet Singh alias Baba, Shamsher Singh alias Sabi, Jatinder Kumar alias Bobby, and Yogesh Kumar alias Jerry. The police have recovered one .32 bore pistol with 4 live rounds, and one country-made pistol (.315 bore) with 4 live rounds. Additionally, kirpans (ceremonial swords), datars (curved blades), sticks, and kahis (farm tools) were also recovered, it added. SSP Khakh added that the attack was allegedly orchestrated by two NRI brothers, Dara Singh and Darbara Singh, both currently residing in England. "We are continuing our investigation into their role and are proceeding with the issuance of lookout notices," he added. In a related development, Assistant Sub-Inspector Avtar Singh has been suspended for the alleged negligence of duty in connection with this case. According to a report from the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sub Division Shahkot), ASI Singh failed to take appropriate action on a prior complaint related to the land dispute, which might have prevented the violent incident. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against him, the statement added. "The dereliction of duty will not be tolerated", said SSP Khakh. The case, registered under various sections of the IPC and Arms Act at Lothian Police Station, is part of a special campaign against criminal elements in the district. The operation was conducted under the guidance of SSP (Investigation) Jasroop Kor Bath and SP Shahkot Sub-Division Vijay Kunwar Pal, it added. All accused have been presented before the court, and police remand has been obtained for further interrogation. The Jalandhar Rural Police are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend any remaining suspects, it added. SSP Khakh said, "We are following all leads in this case. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the police." The SSP also provided details about the incident, stating that it was related to a land dispute involving 10.5 acres of land in Pipli village. The attack reportedly involved a group of about 100 individuals who entered Balwinder Singh's house, allegedly assaulted family members, vandalized property, and stole valuables, as per the statement. The Jalandhar police are committed to thoroughly investigating this case and bringing all culprits to justice, it added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief and Union Minister JP Nadda is set to visit the flood-affected regions of Himachal Pradesh today.

His visit will focus on assessing the damage in Samej, a disaster-stricken area in Rampur, and interacting with the local residents impacted by the recent severe weather events.

Nadda's visit comes amid ongoing relief and rescue operations in the state. Heavy rainfall and a series of cloudbursts have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The state's disaster management efforts are currently addressing the aftermath of these incidents, with a particular emphasis on the areas most affected.

The Shimla Police has been continuing their search and retrieval operations in various locations, from the Samej village to the Sunni area on the bank of the Satluj river.

As per data from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 55 people have been missing since August 1, including 33 people from Samej and the Bagipul area of the Shimla and Kullu districts.

Additionally, 128 roads have been closed in the state, along with 44 electricity schemes and 67 water schemes which have been disrupted.

The recent heavy rainfall and flood situation in Himachal Pradesh has led to a devastating loss of Rs 900 crore to the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH), Public Works Department (PWD), and the state's road infrastructure, a government release said on Friday. (ANI)
After a second-year medical student was found dead at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday, the mother of the accused, Malti Roy, said that she could not believe anything like that. "My mind will never say that he has done anything...I do not believe anything like that, " said Malti Roy. Meanwhile, a scuffle broke out when outsiders tried to join the protestors protesting over the murder of the medical student in Kolkata, during which two police personnel got injured. DCP North, Abhishek Gupta, stated, "When the students were peacefully protesting, some people came from outside and joined the protest. The students did not want them to join the protest and a scuffle broke out. The police then intervened and did not resort to lathi charge. Two police personnel also got injured while controlling the situation. We are seeing what legal action can be taken." Amid the uproar over the death of the medical student, Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday called for the introduction of an ordinance or bill to ensure the completion of rape trials within seven days. He stated that the politicisation of this issue should not be done. We should instead bring an ordinance or a bill so that there can be quick justice in seven days. The protesting BJP leaders should bring a bill to punish rapists in seven days and as the opposition, the job of the TMC and Congress is to support the bill. Why will the trial take 5-6 years? A mother and father lost their daughter. He further mentioned that the West Bengal government is taking the RG Kar incident seriously, and an accused was arrested within 24 hours. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient and biofortified varieties of crops at the India Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He also interacted with the farmers and scientists on the occasion. Discussing the importance of these new crop varieties, the Prime Minister stressed the significance of value addition in agriculture. The farmers said that these new varieties will be highly beneficial as they will help reduce their expenditure and also have a positive impact on the environment. He discussed the importance of millets and underlined how people are moving towards nutritious food. He also talked about the benefits of natural farming and the increasing faith of common people in organic farming, adding that people have started consuming and demanding organic foods. The farmers appreciated the efforts undertaken by the government to promote natural farming. The farmers also lauded the role played by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) in creating awareness. The PM suggested that KVKs should proactively inform farmers about the benefits of the new varieties being developed every month to enhance awareness about their benefits. PM Modi also lauded the scientists for the development of these new crop varieties. The scientists informed that they have been working in line with the suggestion given by him to bring unutilised crops into the mainstream. The 109 varieties of 61 crops released by the PM included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals including millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre and other potential crops were released. Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers and medicinal crops were released. Meanwhile, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "109 varieties of seeds of 65 crops have been prepared ...I congratulate the scientists for producing these varieties of seeds. The 109 varieties of seeds will increase the profit of farmers, be useful for the nutrition of the public and increase the export...PM Modi wanted information directly from the lab to the land." "In three different places, PM Modi has dedicated 109 varieties of seeds to the nation...PM Modi had a conversation with farmers and scientists...PM Modi also gave some suggestions to the scientists...It is the resolve of the government to increase the income of the farmers...It is an ongoing process, those seeds which are released today then it will take one year from the breeder to foundation seed..." he added further. (ANI)
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh attended the launch ceremony of the book titled '75 Great Revolutionaries of India' by Rajya Sabha MP Bhim Singh in New Delhi on Sunday. Speaking to ANI at the launch ceremony of the book, Harivansh Narayan Singh said, "Rajya Sabha MP Bhim Singh has done a creative and inspiring work. He worked on the lesser-known and unknown heroes of history". Hailing the MP Bhim Singh for bringing up this book, Singh added, "He researched and collected facts. In this row, he prepared 3 books on the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation...It is a beautiful work (done) by him." The Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman said one gets inspiration for building a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) from the sacrifices of these lesser-known heroes. He added, "Many historians have mentioned that you get the strength for the future from the past...When we read about such heroes, we get the strength and inspiration for building a 'Viksit Bharat' from the sacrifices of these lesser-known heroes." He further said that the book consists tells stories of 75 revolutionaries and one gets inspired after reading about such great leaders. "...He (Rajya Sabha MP Dr Bhim Singh) came up with 3 books. This book consists of 75 revolutionaries and their stories...When you read about such leaders, you get inspired and get to know about the untouched and unknown stories of their struggle and devotion," he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to freedom fighters who participated in the 'Quit India Movement' led by Mahatma Gandhi. "Homage to all those who took part in the Quit India Movement under Bapu's leadership. It was truly a watershed moment in our freedom struggle," PM Modi had said in a post on X. The Movement was accompanied by a mass protest on non-violent lines by which Mahatma Gandhi called for "an orderly British withdrawal; from India." Through his speeches, Gandhi moved people by proclaiming that "every Indian who desires freedom and strives for it must be his own guide." The day is observed as August Kranti Day every year. (ANI)
Amid Bangladesh's political turmoil, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the process to verify the identities of Bangladeshi nationals who are coming to Odisha will be initiated soon as a lot of people are coming to our nation and Odisha through West Bengal. "A lot of people are coming to our nation and Odisha through West Bengal. The process to verify the identities of Bangladeshi nationals who are coming to Odisha will start very soon. We have already alerted our coastal security," Harichandan told reporters. He further stated, "The Odisha CM has also reviewed the situation. All the marine police stations have been sensitised after the political turmoil in Bangladesh." Meanwhile, thousands of Canadians staged a protest on Sunday across downtown Toronto to stand in solidarity against the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. The protesters urged the Canadian Government to press the Dhaka Government to protect Hindus in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, tendering her resignation from her post on August 5 in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, led majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8 night, three days after Sheikh Hasina resigned from the position of Prime Minister and left the country amid widespread unrest. Seventeen members of Bangladesh's interim government took their oath at a ceremony in Dhaka on Thursday. Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus, 84, was sworn in as the country's chief advisor. Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Yunus for his role as chief advisor, which is the equivalent of a Prime Minister. (ANI)
As the Jharkhand Assembly elections approach, Assam Chief Minister and BJP's election co-incharge Himanta Biswa Sarma met state BJP president Babulal Marandi and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) president Sudesh Mahto. "AJSU is our very important component, we just met and talked to Sudesh. Everything is fine, we will fight the elections well," said Sarma. He also met with BJP leaders at former state minister Nilkanth Singh Munda's residence in Ranchi. LoP Jharkhand Legislative Assembly Amar Kumar Bauri, former minister and BJP MLA Bhanu Pratap Shahi, MLA Amit Mandal were also present. Earlier on August 2, during his Jharkhand visit, Sarma conveyed about the BJP's preparations for upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand and said that the BJP should win elections for the better future of Jharkhand. BJP's co-incharge of Jharkhand for upcoming elections, Sarma said, "I witnessed a lot of enthusiasm in the workers of the party and they have affirmed that we will win the elections and form our government in Jharkhand. The mantra for winning is only to work 24 hours a day, for a better future in Jharkhand, we must win the assembly elections in Jharkhand. We will work hard to win." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP Jharkhand co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma accused 'Bangladeshi infiltrators' of grabbing tribals' land. Sarma also highlighted that despite court orders that Tribal families should be given their land back, the administration is not taking any necessary steps about the same. Notably, Jharkhand will go for the assembly polls in 2025. Along with Jharkhand, Haryana and Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir will also undergo assembly polls. The terms of the existing Jharkhand Legislative Assembly will end in January 2025 and the Election Commission (EC) has kicked off preparations for holding Assembly elections. In 2019, JMM fought the assembly elections in alliance with the Congress and Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) and got a comfortable majority with forty-seven seats in the 81-member house. (ANI)
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated his commitment and resolve for the welfare and empowerment of the SC/ST communities. SC/ST MPs of the BJP met PM Modi on the reservation issue on Friday. After meeting the ST/SC MPs of BJP, PM Modi chaired the cabinet meeting and categorically asserted that the principle of the creamy layer does not apply to reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Taking to X Kiren Rijiju said, "BJP's SC/ST MPs met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on reservation issue. PM reiterated his commitment and resolve for the welfare and empowerment of the SC/ST communities." Bharatiya Janata Party MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha belonging to ST/SC communities met with PM Narendra Modi at the Parliament House. The MPs jointly submitted a memorandum regarding the Supreme Court's observation on the creamy layer for ST/SC and demanded that this decision should not be implemented. PM Modi assured them that he would look into this matter, said BJP MP. After meeting with PM Modi on August 9 in the Parliament BJP MP Prof (Dr) Sikander Kumar told ANI that a few days ago, Supreme Court gave its decision on SC, ST reservation. A delegation comprising around 100 MPs from both Houses met PM Modi and raised their concerns. "The PM heard all MPs and assured us that the govt will work in favour of the MPs," he said. BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste said that the Prime Minister has told that this should not be implemented. "We told the PM that the SC decision on (identifying) creamy layer from SCs/STs (and their exclusion from reservation benefits) should not be implemented. The PM also said that this should not be implemented," he said. The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling on August 1, ruled that states have the power to sub-classify SCs and STs and said that the authority concerned, while deciding if the class is adequately represented, must calculate adequacy based on effective and not quantitative representation. The top court ruled by a majority judgement of 6:1, that sub-classification within the SCs and STs reservation is permissible. BJP's SC/ST MPs ministers, including Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Meghwal, L. Murugan, V. Satish, and Kamlesh Paswan (Rural Development), Savitri Thakur (MoS, Women and Child Development), and Durgadas Uikey (MoS, Tribal Affairs), Shantanu Thakur were present in the meeting. As many as six separate opinions were delivered in the case. The judgement was delivered by the seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, which overruled earlier judgement in the EV Chinnaiah matter, which had held that sub-classification was not permissible because SC/STs form homogenous classes. Besides CJI Chandrachud, other judges on the bench were Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma. Justice BR Gavai suggested that the state evolve a policy for identifying the creamy layer, even from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to exclude them from the benefit of affirmative action. Justice Bela M Trivedi, in a dissenting opinion, said that she disagreed with the majority judgement that sub-classification within the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes is permissible. (ANI)
Two people including a child died and another three were injured after a house collapsed in the Nadi Darwaza area of Karauli district following heavy rains on Sunday morning. The deceased were identified as Zakir Khan (35) and Jiya Khan (12). Ramkesh, the Principal Medical Officer (PMO) of Government Hospital, Karauli gave information on the incident and said, "Around 7.15 am we received information in the hospital that a house collapse incident has taken place and many people have been feared dead in the debris at the site." "Initially, two bodies were sent to the hospital, of Jiah Khan and her father Zakir Khan. Additionally, three people came in with minor injuries. Two of them were given first aid and the third person was sent after an OPD. More people are feared trapped in the collapse incident," said the official. Police said that at least five people were buried in the debris after the house collapsed. After the rescue operation, two were found dead and three others injured. "Police officers reached the spot on information and the injured were admitted to the Karauli Hospital. The incident took place in the Nadi Darwaza area around 6.30 in the morning," said police. The officials also said that the house had become dilapidated due to continuous rainfall. Further details on the matter are awaited. Parts of Rajasthan witnessed intense rainfall, causing severe waterlogging in many areas, including Gangapur City in the past three days. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast additional downpours in certain areas for the upcoming week. The met department predicted that on Sunday, there is also a chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall at certain locations in the divisions of Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Udaipur, and Bharatpur. The heavy rain activities are expected to continue in these areas for the next five to seven days. The next five to six days may see moderate to heavy rain in some areas of western Rajasthan's Bikaner and Jodhpur divisions, with a chance of heavy rain at some locations in the Shekhawati region. (ANI)
Following an attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's convoy on Saturday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that "Ahmad Shah Abdali (indirectly attacking Union Home Minister Amit Shah)" of Delhi is giving 'supari' to spread anarchy in Maharashtra. "His (Uddhav Thackeray's) convoy was attacked at night. You are being made to do this. Ahmad Shah Abdali of Delhi is giving you 'supari' to spread anarchy in Maharashtra. You are being used. Your leaders take the 'supari' and stay silent, but you are made to fight against each other. This is not right for our state. I am not naming any party, but they are trying to mislead people as the Vidhan Sabha elections are approaching in Maharashtra," Raut claimed on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers hurled coconuts and cow dung at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's convoy. Earlier, Anand Dubey criticized Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, and demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, following an attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's convoy on Saturday. Speaking to ANI, Dubey said, "Now we understand why Raj Thackeray and his party are called 'suparibaaz.' Uddhav Thackeray's convoy was attacked in Thane. Despite having Z-category security and being the son of Balasaheb Thackeray, if he is not safe in the state, how can they ensure the safety of ordinary people?" Dubey also criticized the state government, stating, "This attack is a failure of the state government. The law and order situation has completely collapsed, and the home minister should resign." MNS workers claim that it's in response to the incident on Friday where MNS chief Raj Thackeray's car was attacked with betel nuts and tomatoes. Police have confirmed the incident and have detained over 20 people. Raj Thackeray, the estranged cousin of the Sena (UBT) chief, was on a tour of central Maharashtra region. Earlier on August 4, Uddhav Thackeray claimed that Amit Shah is a "political heir" of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan ruler who defeated the Marathas in the battle of Panipat. Uddhav responded to the Union minister's remark, labelling him (Uddhav) as the head of the "Aurangzeb Fan Club. (ANI)
The Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts between the Central and State Governments to ensure the well-being of women and children across the country, according to WCD press release. Annpurna Devi stated, "Our aim is to ensure that the benefits of our efforts reach the grassroots level, for which it is imperative to work closely with the States. This will not only lead to the development of the States but will also contribute to the overall progress of our country, which is in line with the Prime Minister's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'." Annpurna Devi chaired her first national-level meeting with the Ministers of Women and Child Development/ Social welfare in the States and Administrators/ Lieutenant Governors in the Union Territories via video conferencing on Saturday. 21 out of 28 State Ministers participated in the meeting which focused on reviewing the progress of on-going programmes and future strategies for various key initiatives under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, added the release. She ensured that the benefits of these initiatives reach the grassroots level. She specifically highlighted the Ministry's flagship programs under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti. The Union Minister further urged all State ministers and administrators to actively collaborate alongwith the central government to enhance the implementation of the missions. Devi also stressed that the collaboration was essential to realise the vision of a developed India and ensure the well-being of women and children across the country. Ministers from the states highlighted that specific efforts were being made towards the empowerment and well-being of women and children in their respective States. The ministers also appreciated the engagement at the Union Minister's level and opined that it would provide enhanced momentum to the implementation of the three missions in all the states and compliment their ongoing efforts. Union Minister assured the ministers of continued periodic engagement at her level. Additionally, the Ministry is also committed to promoting an inclusive environment and pursuing policies that support the empowerment and well-being of women and children in the country. (ANI)
Fourteen people, including six women and four children, were admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital after they were rescued from a fire that broke out at a four-storey residential building in Fatehpur Beri area in the early hours of Sunday, police said. Two suffered burn injuries while others faced breathing problems due to excessive smoke, police said. According to the Delhi Fire Service, a fire call was received from the Jagbir Colony, Asola Village area in Fatehpur Beri and three fire tenders were rushed to the site to douse it. According to a primary investigation by the Delhi Police, the fire occurred on the ground floor due to a short circuit. The fire had also engulfed some vehicles and electric metres in the stilt parking of the building. A total of 10 electric metres, six motorcycles and two scooters were gutted in the fire, police said. Neelam, a resident of the building, said, "I live on the first floor. The fire started at around 3:00 to 3:30 am but no one knew as everyone was sleeping. People outside the building were shouting that there was a fire. When we opened our balcony doors, we saw fire in our building. I was confused about how to escape so I jumped from the first floor to escape the fire. Police rescued the other people through the roofs of the other buildings and those who came through the stairs got burned." (ANI)
Union Minister of State and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday wrote to Union Health Minister JP Nadda to take steps to prevent future tragedies like the recent one at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. A female post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor was found dead with injury marks inside the seminar hall of the RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests and candle marches by students and staff. There have also been calls for a thorough and impartial investigation from various groups, including the victim's family, Majumdar noted. "Given the seriousness of the situation, I kindly urge you to consider the following corrective measures to address the immediate concerns and prevent such tragedies in the future," Majumdar continued. He emphasised the growing demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to ensure an unbiased investigation. "Considering the gravity of the crime and the need for swift justice, I request you to advocate for a CBI investigation and ensure that the case is fast-tracked to bring the culprits to justice," Majumdar wrote. Majumdar also highlighted the need for enhanced security measures in government-run medical colleges and hospitals across the country. He urged the Health Ministry to send a team from the National Medical Commission to investigate and enforce stricter security protocols, including more CCTV cameras, adequate security personnel, and restricted access to sensitive areas. "This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures in government-run medical colleges and hospitals across the country. I request to send a team of National Medical Commission to investigate the matter and take appropriate action. Also enforce stringent security protocols, including the installation of more CCTV cameras, the presence of adequate security personnel, and the restriction of unauthorised access to sensitive areas within medical institutions," Majumdar said. Additionally, he called for psychological and moral support for the doctors, nurses, and staff at RG Kar Medical College. "It is crucial to provide counselling services and create a safer working environment for healthcare professionals," Majumdar said. Majumdar emphasised the need to review and improve facilities to ensure safe and secure spaces for doctors during on-call duties. "The fact that the victim was found in a seminar room, reportedly because there was no separate on-call room, raises concerns about the infrastructure provided to medical staff. It is imperative to review and improve the facilities available to doctors, ensuring that they have safe and secure spaces to rest during their on-call duties," Majumdar said. "This incident is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by healthcare professionals, who dedicate their lives to serving the nation. It is our collective responsibility to ensure their safety and dignity," Majumdar said. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the tragic incident in which nine persons from Dehla of Una district lost their lives due to flood in the Jaijon village located at Himachal-Punjab border. The Chief Minister has extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the peace of the departed souls. Taking to X he shared, "The news of about 9 people, residents of Dehla village of Una district, becoming victims of an accident due to strong water flow near Jaijon (Himachal- Punjab border) is very sad. I am in touch with the local administration. May God give place to the departed souls in his holy feet and give courage to the bereaved family in this difficult time." He further said that relief and rescue work is underway. Instructions have been given to provide all possible help to the affected families. The Chief Minister said that the state government stands in solidarity with the affected families during this time of distress. He assured that all possible assistance will be provided to them by the state government and the district administration of Una has been directed in this regard. According to reports, twelve people were travelling in a vehicle to attend a wedding ceremony when the vehicle was swept away by rising water in a ravine. Nine bodies have been recovered so far, one person has been injured, and the search for the remaining two individuals is ongoing. (ANI)
Hindu organisations and residents in various parts of Uttar Pradesh took out a protest march on Sunday over attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. People in Varanasi took out a protest march in the city. In Ayodhya, Mahants and Hindu organisations took out a protest march in the city. Former BJP leader Pandit Sunil Bharala said, "The Hindu minority in Bangladesh is under threat at the moment. The temples and mutts are not secured and at night they are guarding it. Our daughters are also not safe. I condemn these attacks and appeal to the Bangladesh interim government to protect them. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a strong stand on it. There is anger in the country. India should take a strong decision on this issue if this continues." Earlier a large crowd gathered outside the Houses of Parliament in London and the White House in Washington to protest the alleged violence against minority Hindus and other groups in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka with Hindu leaders to foster interfaith harmony and emphasise that the country belongs to all its citizens, regardless of religion, and everyone has equal rights. Further, the leader stressed that there should be no issue of majority or minority; everyone is equal, adding he highlighted the importance of treating people with respect and dignity, recognising them as human beings. Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, tendering her resignation from her post on August 5 in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, led majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests. Recently, an interim government was formed in the country, with seventeen members taking oaths at a ceremony in Dhaka on Thursday and Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus, 84, as the country's chief advisor. (ANI)
The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA) will hold a protest against the death and sexual assault of a female post-graduate trainee doctor in Kolkata. The safety of women doctors, who are part of the night duty and emergency department duty work, has always been a matter of concern, said KGMCTA. It is the responsibility of the respective governments to create a safe working environment so that they can perform their work fearlessly. Not only is there laxity in ensuring that there are no lapses in security, but there is also a failure to find the real culprits as soon as possible, bring them to justice and ensure timely and correct punishment, said KGMCTA. The KGMCTA is also joining the nationwide protest by doctors' organisations demanding that the real culprits be arrested at the earliest and steps be taken to ensure safety at the workplace. It hereby informs that the same protest measures will be reflected in government medical colleges in Kerala if further agitational programmes are required in this regard, added the statement. As part of this, medical teachers, PG doctors, house surgeons and medical students will organise protest programmes in all government medical colleges in Kerala at 10.30 am on Monday, said KGMCTA. Meanwhile, doctors at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi held a protest on Saturday in support of the female post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor who was found dead inside the seminar hall of the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal. The protesting doctors were seen carrying posters and were heard sloganeering, "We want a CBI inquiry." Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Suvendu Adhikari, has also demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident. (ANI)
The Chief Minister said in his condolence message that the late Natwar Singh had served as Foreign Minister in the government led by then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh from May 2004 to December 2005.

Taking to X he shared, "The demise of former Union Foreign Minister Natwar Singh is sad. Late Natwar Singh served as Foreign Minister in the government led by then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh from May 2004 to December 2005. I pray to God to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to his family to bear this moment of grief."

Former External Affairs Minister and Congress leader K Natwar Singh passed away on Saturday night at the age of 93. He passed away at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram (Haryana) last night, following a prolonged illness. His last rites will be performed at Lodhi Road Crematorium tomorrow, August 12.

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala confirmed Singh's demise, saying, "The news of the demise of former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh ji is sad."

"May God give strength to his family to bear this loss and grant peace to the departed soul," Surjewala said in a post on X.

Singh had a distinguished career in diplomacy and politics, serving as the External Affairs Minister from 2004 to 2005 in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh of the UPA government. Singh was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1984. (ANI)
Security forces are conducting vehicle checks in the Bhimber Gali and Manjakote sectors as part of heightened security measures.

Earlier today, security forces initiated a search operation following a brief exchange of fire with terrorists in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, according to the police.

On Saturday, two Army soldiers lost their lives in an encounter.

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army on Sunday paid tribute to Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, who lost their lives in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag on August 10.

"General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and All Ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme Sacrifice of Bravehearts Hav Dipak Kumar Yadav & L/Nk Praveen Sharma, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, in Anantnag, J&K," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army), said in a post on X.

Recent months have seen a rise in terror attacks in Jammu, including an assault on an army convoy in Kathua and skirmishes in Doda and Udhampur.

In July, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reported to the Lok Sabha that 28 people, including civilians and security personnel, were killed in 11 terror-related incidents and 24 counter-terror operations up to July 21 this year.

Last month, Indian Army troops thwarted an attack by the Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district's Machchal sector. The skirmish resulted in the death of one Pakistani intruder and the loss of one Indian Army soldier, with four others, including a major-rank officer, sustaining injuries. (ANI)
The police acted upon information received by them, after which the Anti Human Trafficking Cell of Navi Mumbai Police raided a residential building in the Koparkhairane area.

The Bangladeshi citizens were identified as Mayra Aslam Malik, Naseema Begum Bakkam Ghazi, Fatima Fazlu Khan, Firoza Shahadat Mulla, alias Firoza Aneesh Sheikh and Aneesh Asruddin Sheikh.

An officer of Koparkhairane Police Station said that during the interrogation of the intruders, it was found that all of them had entered India with the help of fake documents.

All four women used to work as domestic maids in nearby houses, while the 38-year-old man used to do painting work here, the police added.

Later, a case has been registered against the intruders by the police. (ANI)
The Indian Air Force has concluded the rescue operations in Kedarnath valley after evacuating the last survivor from the landslide-hit area of Uttarakhand, the IAF said on Sunday. A total of 218 personnel were rescued from Gaurikund, where a cloudburst had caused devastating landslides, stranding pilgrims, according to a post on 'X' from the Indian Air Force-Media Co-ordination Centre. "The 10-day operation saw IAF Mi-17 V5 and Chinook helicopters navigate challenging conditions, evacuating the old, injured, and ailing. Over 6 tons of relief material was airlifted. A Chinook remains on standby, while the Mi-17 V5 has been de-inducted," the post added. Earlier, a release from the Chief Minister's office said that 78 people, including local shopkeepers, saints, horse-mule drivers, etc., who voluntarily stayed back in Kedarnath, were taken to Guptkashi on Sunday through MI-17. With this, the MI-17 helicopter of the Air Force has been sent off. Now there are no pilgrims left. All the local people who were to come down have been brought. Food items and other essential items and logistics material which were to be delivered to Kedarnath Dham have been delivered through MI-17 and state helicopter, the release said On the other hand, the Chinook helicopter of the Indian Air Force has been stopped for delivering some heavy machines to Kedarnath. As soon as the weather clears, the Chinook will also be sent off. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their cooperation in the rescue operation. He said that immediately after the disaster, he sought the help of the Air Force from the Government of India to safely rescue the passengers and the Prime Minister and the Home Minister accepted his request and immediately provided MI-17 and Chinook helicopters. Dhami said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was so concerned about the safety of the passengers after the disaster that he himself kept taking updates of this rescue operation. Chief Minister Dhami has thanked various agencies engaged in relief and rescue operations for their commendable contribution in the campaign launched to safely rescue passengers and local people from various places after heavy rains in Kedar Valley on July 31. In his message, he said that more than 15 thousand people were saved in this rescue operation. Various agencies engaged in relief and rescue operations worked in a planned manner with a great strategy and this operation could be completed in less than a week. In his message issued on Sunday to various agencies engaged in relief and rescue operations, Dhami expressed his gratitude to all. He said that in difficult times and adverse circumstances, the Indian Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, District Administration, Police, PWD, Irrigation, etc., departments did commendable work and rescued thousands of people safely. The Chief Minister expressed special gratitude to the temple committee as well as the Vyapar Mandal, local shopkeepers and local residents for their cooperation. Notably, Dhami himself monitored every moment of the entire rescue operation. On August 1, the Chief Minister reached the State Emergency Operations Centre at the SDMA, took stock of the situation and directed the officials to conduct relief and rescue operations at a fast pace. When he requested the Government of India to provide the help of the Air Force for the rescue, the Government of India immediately provided one MI-17 and one Chinook helicopter. On the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Secretary of the Public Works Department and the Secretary Disaster Management visited the affected areas and camped there. The Chief Minister also visited the affected areas, reviewed the situation and gave instructions to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing. The priority of the government is that the situation in Kedarghati should be normal as soon as possible. (ANI)
"We will field two party candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. Other NDA partners will help us to secure both seats. A two-day crucial meeting of the BJP North Eastern region was held in Guwahati on August 10 and 11. Party Presidents of all North Eastern states, senior party leaders BL Santosh, MPs and other senior leaders were present in the meeting. During the meeting, issues of upcoming Panchayat polls, and Rajya Sabha polls were discussed," Bhabesh Kalita told ANI.

He further said that tomorrow another crucial party meeting will be held and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma will also be present in the meeting.

On the other hand, talking about the current situation in Bangladesh, the Assam State BJP president said that, we appeal to the new government of Bangladesh to provide safety and security for the Hindu minority people in the country.

Hitting out at Congress on the Bangladesh issue, Bhabesh Kalita said that, Congress is now silent on the issue of attacking Hindu minority people in Bangladesh.

"Congress is silent in this issue," Bhabesh Kalita said.

Earlier Sarbananda Sonowal and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa were elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam and after winning in the Lok Sabha polls, two Rajya Sabha seats from Assam were vacated by them.

Election to vacant RS seats will be held between 9 am and 4 pm on September 3. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav participated in the joint event of Rakshabandhan and Tiranga Yatra in the Mandla district on Sunday and said that a unique blend of both celebrations was observed on the occasion. The Chief Minister also extended warm greetings of Rakshabandhan to all the sisters here and said that the festival celebrates women's empowerment. Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said, "We celebrated the festival of sisters with great fervour in Mandla today. I am really glad that everyone participated in the celebrations. "There are around 3.5 lakh Rakhis here from every house. The Tiranga rally was also a beautiful event ahead of Independence Day. I want to extend my greetings of Rakshabandhan to all the sisters. The unique blend of both celebrations was witnessed here in Mandla today," said CM Yadav. Earlier on Friday, CM Mohan Yadav participated in the 'Rani Durgavati Mahila Sarpanch Sammelan' and Rakshabandhan Program organised at CM house in Bhopal. On the occasion, women tied Rakhi to CM Mohan Yadav and after tying the Rakhi, women offered sweets to CM Yadav. The CM was also seen offering sweets to women. After the event on Friday, CM Yadav told reporters, "In the direction of women empowerment, an additional Rs 250 will be transferred to women along with the monthly aid of Rs 1,250 to 'Ladli Behnas' in view of Raksha Bandhan through a single click on August 10. The program will be celebrated at around 25,000 places across the state." In a post on X, CM Yadav wrote, "I participated in 'Rani Durgavati Mahila Sarpanch Sammelan and Rakshabandhan and Shravan Utsav Program' at my residence in the state capital Bhopal. On this occasion, I am extremely overwhelmed by the blessings I received from the sisters with auspicious songs and flower showers." "Sisters who came from far-flung areas participated in the program and also tied Raksha Bandhan on my wrist during the program. I also promise them to make every possible effort for their welfare and happiness," CM wrote. Several ministers of the state cabinet and other dignitaries were also present in the program. (ANI)
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday demanded a CBI inquiry into the rape and murder of a woman doctor at a medical college in Kolkata as the Police had initially labelled the case as a suicide before changing it to a murder case. "It is a very shameful incident. The inquiry should be conducted properly. We demand a CBI inquiry because the police first said that it was a case of suicide and then said that it was a murder case. The accused they have arrested is also a part of the police administration," he said. The post-graduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The tragic incident has led to widespread outrage and protests. The Federation of Resident Doctors Associations (FORDA) has called for a nationwide halt of elective services, including OPD, wards, and elective OT's, in hospitals on August 12 to support the residents of RG Kar Medical College. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Maulana Azad Medical College will suspend elective services in solidarity. The tragic incident has ignited a political storm in West Bengal. On August 10, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee proposed introducing an ordinance or bill for expedited rape trials, criticizing the politicization of the issue. On Saturday, August 10, a group of doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh, held a candlelight march on Saturday evening to protest the death of a female post-graduate trainee (PGT) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal's Kolkata. Similarly, doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi also protested, demanding a CBI inquiry into the incident. Protesters carried posters and chanted slogans such as, "We want a CBI inquiry." Congress workers in Kolkata also took out a protest rally for justice on Saturday. Earlier, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, had called for a CBI investigation in the RG Kar Medical College incident. (ANI)
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday hosted "Clean and Green" campaign to support environmental sustainability and community involvement. "In a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) successfully conducted a "Clean and Green" campaign on 10th August 2024," as per a press release from JNU. The event, organized in collaboration with ISHAN BODH, NISHREYAS, and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), witnessed enthusiastic participation from across the JNU community and beyond, reinforcing the university's role as a leader in promoting eco-friendly initiatives. "The campaign featured a highly anticipated cyclothon, attracting 554 cyclists who embarked on an 11 km journey starting from the JNU Administration Office. The scenic route, which passed through Nelson Mandela Marg and Vasant Kunj, culminated back at the university campus," the release stated. The event was honoured by the presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Water Transport, Government of India who served as the Chief Guest. In his address, Sonowal highlighted the critical importance of environmental preservation, referencing ancient Sanskrit scriptures to emphasize our collective responsibility in safeguarding the planet. He also reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Sonowal had the privilege of flagging off the cycle rally, commending JNU and its co-organizers for their visionary approach to raising environmental awareness. "In addition to the cyclothon, the event included a significant tree plantation drive, with 200 different varieties of fruit trees being planted across the JNU campus. The tree plantation drive symbolises a long-term investment in the environment, aimed at creating a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for future generations," as per the release. The event also featured the participation of Dilip Saikia, Member of Parliament from Assam, and Lumbaram Choudhary, Member of Parliament from Rajasthan, both of whom expressed their appreciation for JNU's proactive environmental conservation efforts. The event commenced with JNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit warmly welcoming all guests and participants. She reaffirmed JNU's commitment to environmental preservation and emphasized the university's mission to support students from marginalized communities across India. "Professor Manuradha Chaudhary, Dean of Students, provided a comprehensive overview of the day's activities and expressed sincere gratitude to the event's sponsors, Deendayal Port Authority and NHPC, whose support was crucial to the campaign's success," as per the release. The day concluded with a recognition ceremony, where cyclists were awarded medallions, mementos, and T-shirts in appreciation of their participation and dedication to the cause. (ANI)
A day after two army soldiers lost their lives in action in an encounter with terrorists, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that security forces have changed their strategy and will be able to bring the terror incidents under control. Speaking to ANI on the security situation, the Union Minister said, "The security forces have changed their strategy. In the coming weeks, our security forces will be able to bring the situation of terror incidents well under control." When asked about the BJP's preparedness for the assembly polls in the Union Territory, Jitendra Singh said, "BJP is always ready for all types of elections, be it the Vidhan ZSabha, Lok Sabha or the Panchayat polls. BJP is a 24/7 party. It does not need preparation, it is always prepared." Two Army soldiers lost their lives in action and two civilians were injured in an operation on Saturday. As per officials, the encounter broke out during a joint operation launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the general area of Kokernag in Anantnag. Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma laid down their lives in the line of duty in Anantnag. The incident occurred at an altitude of 10,000 feet on Saturday, as security forces continued operations despite the challenging terrain. "Two Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in an encounter in Anantnag district of Kashmir," Defence officials had said. They were injured in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Kokernag area of Anantnag, officials had said. Earlier, the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu visited Jammu and Kashmir to review the preparedness for the upcoming assembly elections. The Election Commission of India has indicated that assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, the deadline set by the Supreme Court. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Friday said that the Election Commission is "committed" to conducting polls in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest, adding that the people of J-K will give a befitting response to "disruptive forces." CEC further said that all parties in Jammu and Kashmir are "batting strongly" for holding assembly elections. In December of last year, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to conclude the election process by September 30, 2024. Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years, as the last assembly election was held in 2014. The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the latter withdrew support to the then-Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti. (ANI)
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Jharkhand Health Services Association (JHSA) on Sunday held a joint meeting to protest the biometric attendance system introduced by the state government for doctors and paramedical staff. The associations have decided to boycott the biometric system from August 20, demanding a more practical approach. Key demands include - Appraisal for doctors, relaxation of biometric rules for paramedical staff and doctors, increased hospital beds and staff in smaller hospitals and stronger laws to protect doctors from violence. Both associations cited complexities and potential issues with the system, including - Four WhatsApp messages and wage cuts for non-compliance, inapplicability due to varying duty hours and technical difficulties in areas with poor internet connectivity. "We are not against the biometric decision, but it needs to be made practical for the paramedics and doctors. When the hospitals do not have enough staff, then it is difficult to follow the biometrics. We want the PM and ministers to work on the appraisal for the doctors. There have been so many cases where doctors go to work but forget to punch due to the work pressure," said Dr Pradeep Singh, Secretary of IMA. He further added in areas like Jharkhand, the shortcomings of clinical establishments should be understood and demanded that atleast 50 beds should be there in the smaller hospitals to make sure that everyone is treated well. "In areas like Jharkhand, the concept of clinical establishments should be understood and taken seriously to make sure that their dream of making sure everyone is taken care of is achieved. At least 50 beds should be placed in the smaller hospitals," said Dr Pradeep Singh. Dr Mrityunjay, JHSA Secretary said that an emergency meeting was called regarding a lot of complexities in the introduced portal. "We called an emergency meeting for the portal introduced by the state government for the doctors and paramedical staff members. The portal had a lot of complexities. As per the portal, the doctors and the paramedical members who will be doing the duty will receive four messages on their WhatsApp if they do not punch in. Their wages will be cut down and the doctors will face a lot of issues because of the portal. Considering this, we called a meeting and have discussed the decision carefully along with the Bihar biometric system decision also," he said. He also raised the issue of wage cuts for the doctors and the paramedical members in Sahibganj, Palamu and Garhwa. Further, he added "The wages of the doctors and the paramedical members have been cut down in Sahibganj, Palamu and Garhwa because of the biometric system. We have come up with the decision that on August 20 we will protest against the biometric system. We are not against the decision but the rules implied are wrong." He further said that the clauses in the decision of the biometrics mentioned that the decision would apply to workers in all departments but was only being applied to the paramedical workers and doctors. "The clauses in the decision have mentioned that these rules apply to workers in all departments but it is still being applied only to the paramedical workers and the doctors. Our PM is aware that the biometric system is difficult in areas that do not have internet, then our question is how is this being followed. Our demands are not being met hence our decision to protest. We are trying to talk to the PM regarding the decision before we start the protest," he further added. Additionally, the members of the IMA and Jharkhand Medical Association also condemned the death and sexual assault of a female post-graduate trainee doctor in Kolkata. The post-graduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Pradeep Singh said "The Jharkhand government is with the family of the doctor. We will make sure justice is served. This is a very sad incident which has taken place. The government should take this incident seriously, and wonder why there are no laws on this. Doctors of the country will not feel safe until there are proper laws and measures taken." (ANI)
MANDERA, Kenya, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan security forces have launched a manhunt for al-Shabab militants who killed a government official on Saturday before hijacking and fleeing with his official car in Mandera County which borders Somalia.

Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako who confirmed the incident on Sunday said that the militants ambushed and killed the official at 3 p.m. local time at Kamor area in Mandera town before fleeing with his vehicle.

Ochako said a woman who was in the car jumped out of the moving vehicle and escaped.

Abdikadir Baricha, Mandera deputy director of Enforcement and head of the County Installation, said the vehicle was later driven towards the Somalia border by suspected al-Shabab militants.

Baricha said in a security alert that the current security situation in Mandera town is unpredictable and called on the county ministries and departmental heads to advise the drivers under their command.

"I urge the county drivers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities," he said, noting that it is imperative that all county drivers prioritize safety protocols and restrict unnecessary parking of county vehicles in towns.

The incident comes barely a week after security forces conducted operations in northeast Kenya to flush out the al-Shabab militants from the region.

Since the Kenyan military crossed into Somalia in 2011, several attacks believed to have been carried out by al-Shabab militants have occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties of northeastern Kenya. 
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday expressed his deep condolences on the demise of state resident Lance Naik Praveen Sharma in Jammu and Kashmir. Sharma, a native of Sirmaur, laid down his life in the line of duty during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday. He was posted at 1Para Special Force, a statement said. CM Sukhu expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and said that in this hour of grief, the state government stands with the martyr's family and assured all possible help. Later taking to X, Sukhu said, "The news of the martyrdom of Praveen Sharma, the brave son of Palu village, Rajgarh district, Sirmaur, while fighting terrorists in Anantnag is extremely heartbreaking. I pray to God to give place to the holy soul of Praveen Sharma ji in his feet and provide patience and strength to his family members in this hour of immense grief. This nation will always salute the immortal martyrdom of Praveen Sharma ji in the service of the country. Humble tribute." Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri and Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan also expressed their deep condolences to the martyr's family and prayed to God to give strength to the bereaved family. Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta said that the martyr's body will reach Chandigarh on Monday. The administration has arranged for an ambulance to bring the body from Chandigarh. Khimta said that appropriate guidelines have also been issued to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajgarh in this regard. The martyr's last rites will be performed with military honours in his native village, Habban of Rajgarh, in Sirmaur district on Monday. (ANI)
Pointing to the increasing terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah on Sunday questioned the central government and said that the Union government should answer the entire nation. "How have the terrorists, which are around 200-300, come? From where have they come? Someone is responsible who is double-crossing...Who is dying- our Colonel, Major, and soldiers? How is all this happening? The central government should answer the entire nation. Even the Bangladesh border is porous now," Farooq Abdullah told ANI. Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been placed on high alert ahead of Independence Day to ensure the safety and security of the people. Security forces are conducting vehicle checks in the Bhimber Gali and Manjakote sectors as part of heightened security measures. Earlier today, security forces initiated a search operation following a brief exchange of fire with terrorists in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, according to the police. On Saturday, two Army soldiers lost their lives in an encounter. Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army on Sunday paid tribute to Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, who lost their lives in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag on August 10. "General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and All Ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of Bravehearts Hav Dipak Kumar Yadav and L/Nk Praveen Sharma, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, in Anantnag, J&K," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army), said in a post on X. Recent months have seen a rise in terror attacks in Jammu, including an assault on an army convoy in Kathua and skirmishes in Doda and Udhampur. In July, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reported to the Lok Sabha that 28 people, including civilians and security personnel, were killed in 11 terror-related incidents and 24 counter-terror operations up to July 21 this year. (ANI)
The Border Security Force (BSF) has recently apprehended two smugglers and seized cattle and Phensedyl bottles in a recent operation at the international border. Additionally, BSF also caught 11 Bangladeshi nationals attempting to cross into India--two each from the Bengal and Tripura borders, and seven from the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border. "BSF field formations, in a special drive on the International Border, in the last 24 hrs, during Ops Alert have apprehended 2 smugglers on the border and seized Cattle & Phensedyl bottles in West Bengal. Besides, in other operations, 11 Bangladeshi Nationals have been apprehended on the border while infiltrating into India i.e. 2 each from the Bengal and Tripura border and 07 from the Meghalaya border with Bangladesh," as per a press release from the BSF. They are being questioned and will be handed over to Police for further legal action, BSF said. "Further, on Aug 10, to strengthen Border Security on International Border and also in the wake of the coming August 15, Independence Day, an Operational Conference chaired by ADG, BSF, Eastern Command was held at HQ SPL DG (EC) BSF, Kolkata with Inspectors General of all Frontiers, under Eastern Command to review ongoing Border situation amid the current unrest in Bangladesh," as per the release. Detailed deliberations were held to further enhance Border control, security and management. Besides, it was decided to continue the close collaboration with the counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), BSF stated. "Similarly, close coordination with border District authorities and Sister Agencies like Police, Customs, etc to enhance border management was also discussed and strategy worked out," BSF said in the release. In this regard, it is mentioned that BSF has been holding multiple Flag meetings with BGB to sort out mutual issues amicably, especially for the prevention of atrocities on Indian nationals and people from minority communities in Bangladesh and counterpart BGB has been responding well, BSF stated. "In wake of the present situation, Seema Praharies are working very hard and dominating the border round the clock with full dedication and zeal," BSF said in the release. (ANI)
Assam Bharatiya Janata Party president Bhabesh Kalita hit out at Congress on the Bangladesh issue and said that Congress is now "silent" on the issue of atrocities against Hindu minority people in Bangladesh. "Congress is silent in this issue," Bhabesh Kalita said. On the other hand, talking about the current situation in Bangladesh, the Assam State BJP president said that "we appeal to the new government of Bangladesh to provide safety and security of the Hindu minority people in the country." Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, tendering her resignation from her post on August 5 in the wake of mounting protests. He further said that the BJP will field its two candidates for the polls of the Rajya Sabha for two seats in the state. "We will field two party candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in Assam. Other NDA partners will help us to secure both seats. From yesterday a 2-day crucial meeting of BJP North Eastern region held in Guwahati. Party Presidents of all North Eastern states, senior party leaders BL Santosh, MPs and other senior leaders were present in the meeting. During the meeting, issues of upcoming Panchayat polls, Rajya Sabha polls were discussed," Kalita told ANI. He further said that, tomorrow (Monday) another crucial party meeting will be held and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma will also be present in the meeting. The two Rajya Sabha seats in Assam feil vacant as the sitting members, Sarbananda Sonowal and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa were elected to the 18th Lok Sabha in April this year. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has scheduled elections for September 3 to fill 12 vacant Rajya Sabha seats in different states, including Assam. (ANI)
Following the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee (PGT) female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal on Sunday said that as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court, the post-mortem report has been handed over to the family, adding that Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chandan Guha) posted on duty on the night of the incident has been removed from the post. The post-graduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. "Joint CP Crime has met the family of the deceased today also. The post-mortem report has been handed over to the family as per the Supreme Court guidelines. The questions of the students have been heard and answers have also been given to them. Students can contact us at any time with any problems. Students of any college can meet us for any problem. The appeal to the students is that if you have any input, then share it with us. Their (students) demand was that the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chandan Guha) posted on duty on the night of the incident should be removed from the post, so we have removed him. When they (the students) will end their protest, it is up to them but the police-administration has full support. They can contact us with any problem without hesitation," Goyal said. The students and doctors of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital met the Commissioner of Police of Kolkata. Dr Shreya Shaw said that the Commissioner of Police of Kolkata has given some assurance that a few of the demands that the students placed before the authorities, administration. "We had a meeting with the Commissioner of Police of Kolkata. He has given us some assurance that a few of the demands that we placed before the authorities, administration, and the investigation team that the postmortem report and CCTV footage be shown to us. At least some of us should be able to see the evidence so that we know there is no tampering of evidence and an honest investigation is being carried out... They have agreed to our demands. For now, we have some assurance but we are not fully satisfied because this protest is still going on and not all our demands are met. Emergency and non-emergency are not going on at RG Kar till all our demands are met," Shaw said. The Residents Doctors Association in AIIMS, Delhi, held protests over the alleged rape and murder of a medical student. The protesters held a candle march and demanded justice for the victim. Meanwhile, JMM MP Mahua Maji said that the incident is highly condemnable. "Wherever such incidents are happening, it is highly condemnable and the government of any state will have to take this seriously and whoever is guilty will have to be found immediately and given the harshest punishment...This matter should not be politicised," Maji said. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar demanded a CBI inquiry into the rape and murder of a woman doctor at a medical college in Kolkata, as the police had initially labelled the case as a suicide before changing it to a murder case. "It is a very shameful incident. The inquiry should be conducted properly. We demand a CBI inquiry because the police first said that it was a case of suicide and then said that it was a murder case. The accused they have arrested is also a part of the police administration," he said. The tragic incident has led to widespread outrage and protests. The Federation of Resident Doctors Associations (FORDA) has called for a nationwide halt of elective services, including OPD, wards, and elective OT's, in hospitals on August 12 to support the residents of RG Kar Medical College. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Maulana Azad Medical College will suspend elective services in solidarity. The tragic incident has ignited a political storm in West Bengal. On August 10, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee proposed introducing an ordinance or bill for expedited rape trials, criticizing the politicization of the issue. On Saturday, August 10, a group of doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh, held a candlelight march on Saturday evening to protest the death of a female post-graduate trainee (PGT) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal's Kolkata. Similarly, doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi also protested, demanding a CBI inquiry into the incident. Protesters carried posters and chanted slogans such as, "We want a CBI inquiry." (ANI)
The Himachal Pradesh government is all set to establish a state-level model drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre at Kotla Barog, in the Pachhad sub-division of Sirmour district. The proposed centre is aimed to assist individuals battling substance addiction and help them overcome their dependence on drugs and reintegrate into society with self-sufficiency. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasised the government's commitment to combating drug abuse. "The state government has implemented various initiatives to raise awareness about substance abuse among the youth, aiming to prevent them from falling prey to this menace. In today's context, keeping our youth away from drugs is one of our greatest challenges. However, we must also support those who are already struggling with addiction and are determined to break free. To this end, the state government is establishing the State-Level Model Drug De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre," he said. The facility would be a part of a broader strategy to address the escalating drug abuse crisis in the state, particularly the widespread use of synthetic substances in both rural and urban areas. The centre would tackle the severe health and social issues resulting from this crisis by offering a wide range of services within a single complex. The proposed centre would feature accommodations, including rooms and dormitories, toilets, and dining areas, as well as recreational spaces, a library, a mini gymnasium, and facilities for sports, meditation, and yoga. Additionally, it would provide skill development and vocational training, in-house treatment, and essential services such as food, clothing and laundry facilities. This holistic approach is intended to standardise treatment and rehabilitation services while offering crucial support and recovery pathways for those affected by addiction. With a 100-bed capacity, evenly split between male and female patients, the centre aims to guide the state's youth away from drugs and towards positive contributions to society. The selected site for the facility spans 157 bighas and seven biswas, offering ample space for development. Existing buildings on the site can be repurposed with minor repairs, and additional infrastructure is planned. The Public Works Department has been tasked with preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to advance the project. "The establishment of this centre demonstrates the government's commitment to tackling the drug abuse crisis and providing crucial support for individuals in need of rehabilitation and reintegration into society," Sukhu said. "Once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is finalized, the state government will allocate sufficient funds for the construction of the Model Drug De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Center. Additionally, adequate staffing will be ensured for proper care centre's residents," Sukhu added. (ANI)
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia convened a high-level meeting at his residence on Sunday. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders including AAP member Sandeep Pathak, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Delhi State Convenor Gopal Rai, National Secretary Pankaj Gupta, Ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj and other AAP leaders were present in the meeting ahead of the Delhi assembly elections. AAP MP Sandeep Pathak confirmed that a meeting would be held with all MLAs on Monday after which day after tomorrow another meeting will be held where the councillors would meet Manish Sisodia. "After discussing the situation, a meeting will be held tomorrow with all the MLAs. After that, the day after tomorrow the councillors will be meeting Manish Sisodia. Later, on August 14 Manish Sisodia will be meeting the people of Delhi through a padayatra," Pathak said speaking to the reporters. He further added that the BJP government and PM Modi only have one aim of bringing down the AAP party, however, the people are now convinced that AAP has been giving their best to the people. "The people are now convinced that AAP has been doing their best for the people. The BJP party and PM have only one agenda and that is bringing down the AAP party. However, our party has been growing in every state. Full preparation has been going on in Haryana and all the leaders have been preparing to win the elections. The meeting held today was focused on Haryana. The Haryana elections will be a high-octane election," he added. Earlier today, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said that AAP will deliberate on the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi in the meeting adding that the BJP will not win even a single seat in the upcoming elections. Sisodia was released from Tihar Jail on August 9 after the Supreme Court granted him bail in connection with the Delhi excise policy case after almost 18 months. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday criticised SEBI's investigation into the Adani Group, calling it "baseless and irrelevant," and urged the Supreme Court to take action. His statement follows allegations made by US short-seller Hindenburg Research against SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. Singh asserted that SEBI's investigation was flawed due to the involvement of SEBI Chief Madhabi Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch, who allegedly invested nearly USD 10 million in the same dubious funds under investigation. At a press conference, Singh said, "The entire investigation by SEBI is baseless and irrelevant, and the information and report presented in the Supreme Court regarding Adani's matters hold no significance. The Supreme Court should take note of this." "(Hindenburg) new report claims that SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch invested nearly USD 10 million in the same dubious funds they were supposed to investigate. In other words, their money was invested in the very corruption they were supposed to be investigating," Singh added. "The case was taken to the Supreme Court, which instructed SEBI to conduct the investigation. SEBI began its probe and filed a report in May 2023, which was quite ridiculous. SEBI is now saying they are investigating 13 cases but admit they don't know how far the investigation will go, describing it as directionless. The new Hindenburg report explains why," Singh said. The Hindenburg report, released on August 10, alleged that SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband had stakes in the same obscure offshore entities involved in the Adani money siphoning scandal. Hindenburg Research, which SEBI has taken enforcement action against, accused the Buchs of character assassination in response. "We had previously noted Adani's total confidence in continuing to operate without the risk of serious regulatory intervention, suggesting that this may be explained through Adani's relationship with SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Buch," US short seller Hindenburg had alleged on Saturday. Hindenburg's report claimed that the Buchs' investments were in the same Bermuda and Mauritius funds used by Vinod Adani, which were found in the complex structure of the scandal. The report is based on documents from a whistleblower and investigations by other entities. "What we hadn't realized: the current SEBI Chairperson and her husband, Dhaval Buch, had hidden stakes in the exact same obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds, found in the same complex nested structure, used by Vinod Adani," the report by the US hedge firm said. Hindenburg Research said it has made the new allegations based on documents provided by a whistleblower and investigations carried out by other entities. In January 2023, Hindenburg published a report accusing the Adani Group of financial irregularities, leading to a significant drop in the company's stock price. The group at the time had rubbished these claims. The Hindenburg report alleged stock manipulation and fraud by the conglomerate. The case is related to the allegations (part of a report by Hindenburg Research) that Adani had inflated its share prices. After these allegations were published, there was a sharp fall in the shares of various Adani group companies' stocks. In January 2024, the Supreme Court refused to transfer the probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group to an SIT and had directed market regulator SEBI to complete its probe into two pending cases within three months. Earlier this year, the SC also dismissed a plea seeking to review the verdict that had sought an investigation by the market watchdog SEBI in the Adani-Hindenburg case. (ANI)
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid met with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar during his visit to Male on Saturday, expressing confidence that India will always be the first to assist the Maldives in times of need. Shahid acknowledged the economic and diplomatic setbacks caused by the previous government's anti-India stance and welcomed the current shift towards improved relations. In a post on X, Shahid said that the Maldives' government's "Anti-India" stance led to economic losses and a decline in the country's international standing. "Great pleasure to warmly welcome and meet Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to the Maldives with my colleagues from @MDPSecretariat. The Maldives has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives "dials an international 911," he wrote in his post. "The current government's initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives' international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges," Shahid wrote further. https://x.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1822314926074990753?s=46&t=m-HOd78EUiH8mSxk_l-Lgw "With this in mind, the MDP welcomes the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzu's government, from its previous India Out policy. The MDP hopes that this shift will not be temporary or superficial, but consistent and meaningful in the best interests of the people of the Maldives. Further, the MDP calls on the Government of President Muizzu to issue a public apology for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments from its officials which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives foreign and economic outlook," he added. The MDP also issued a statement mentioning various projects funded by India. "The Maldives-India relationship has always been based on the principles of mutual respect, respect for international law, territorial integrity, a common desire for regional security, and an open and peaceful Indian Ocean," it said. The MDP welcomed the visit of Jaishankar to Addu City, during which he handed hand over the projects funded by India to the Maldives. "The MDP notes with appreciation that during this visit, Minister Jaishankar will hand over the reclamation and shore protection project and the inauguration of 4-Lane Detour Link Road comprising of 1.463 kms which connects Maradhoo to Hithadhoo around the Hankede Island. The construction of the road is a crucial aspect of the Hankede Integrated Tourism Project, and is vital to the successful economic development of the South. It is also a major component of the "Design and Build of Consturction of Roads and Drainage System in Addu City Project", and also marks the completion of the shore protection project. Both projects are funded through the EXIM Bank line of credit facility from Government of India, and were conceptualized, signed and initialized by the administration of President Solih," the MDP said in its post. The MDP further pointed out that President Muizzu's anti-India stance caused difficulties for the Maldives, stating, "The current government's initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives' international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges." The MDP further hailed the exchange of notes during this visit, to train a further 1,000 civil service officers in a key human resource program initiated during President Solih's government. MDP also welcomed the signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Economic Development and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), on enhancing and expanding digital and integrated payment systems - another MoU that was discussed and finalised during President Solih's administration. "MDP welcomes with gratitude to India, the inauguration and handover of six High Impact Community Development Projects, implemented with grant assistance from the Government of India, and signed and implemented during President Solih's administration. The High Impact Community Development Project scheme is a highly successful and beneficial grant assistance scheme initialised in 2019," it said. The MDP further welcomed the handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands financed through the EXIM Bank of India. These projects were undertaken through the USD 800 million Line of Credit extended by the Government of India, during the first State Visit of President Solih to India, in December 2018, and inaugurated during President Solih's administration. It further said that the assistance that India provided to Maldives in the last five years. "During the past five years, India has assisted the Maldives in a variety of areas, including the funding of the largest infrastructure project in the country the Greater Male Connectivity Project. Other large-scale projects include the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) in Addu City, the Coast Guard Building in Male, the development of Maldives National Defence Force Harbour and dockyard in Uthuru Thila Falhu, the Addu Roads and Sewerage Development Project, the Development of Water and Sewerage projects in 36 Islands, the Koodoo and Felivaru Fisheries Expansion Project, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, IGMH Hospital. The Government of India has also extended grant assistance through the High Impact Community Development Projects scheme, for 47 projects in over 60 islands across the Maldives, amounting to over 250 million Rufiyaa. India also provided extensive support to the Maldives to tackle and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, including through vaccines, medical consumables, financial assistance, and humanitarian assistance," the MDP added in its statement. Jaishankar was accompanied by Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil, Vice President Hisaan Hussein, Youth Wing President Rifqa Shiham, Foreign Relations Committee Members Aminath Shauna and Hussein Shaheem, and Secretary General Shaazly Shafeeq. Earlier in the day, EAM S Jaishankar handed over a major water and sanitation project worth USD 110 million to the Maldives, funded by India. The project spans 28 islands. Jaishankar, who is in Male on a three-day official visit from August 9-11, virtually inaugurated the projects during the event. (ANI)
A large crowd gathered outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Saturday to protest the alleged violence against minority Hindus and other groups in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this week. Protesters carried Bangladeshi flags and held posters with messages such as "Protect our temples in Bangladesh," "Hindu lives matter," and "We want justice." They chanted slogans demanding peace and equality amidst the recent surge in violence. The demonstration included activists from various human rights organizations, members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, and Indian-American Hindu allies standing in solidarity with Bangladesh's Hindu community. Unadi, a protester from Bangladesh, expressed concern over the helplessness of Bangladeshi Hindus, saying that the majority population prevents them from speaking out against injustices. "Our country became independent in 1971 so that all communities could live peacefully. But now, we are suffering from atrocities committed by the majority community," Unadi said. He compared the situation in Bangladesh to other countries, noting that while governments around the world protect their minorities, the opposite is true in Bangladesh, forcing many to flee the country. "The mentality of the people has to change so that we can live peacefully. In modern times like these, all communities must learn to coexist peacefully. We are all equals," he added. A protester from the Bengali Christian Association in the UK highlighted the need for equal treatment of all communities. "I demand the interim government to amend the constitution, as it currently states that Bangladesh is a Muslim country. However, all communities fought for Bangladesh's independence, so the country belongs to everyone," she said. Another protester pointed out that Bangladeshi minorities are being forced to flee due to ongoing atrocities by the majority community. "We are gathered here because, for the past five to six days, people in Bangladesh have been torturing and burning our houses. They cannot take our country from us, and they cannot deport us. We want to live safely and peacefully in our country. The violence against minorities must stop," he said. Another protester shared that his home in Bangladesh had been looted and set on fire just days ago. "My house was burned. A few days ago, many people looted our house," he said. (ANI)
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Blayne Mills and Lance Cpl. Adrian Montano unveil the Medal of Honor headstone for John Edward Jackie Kilmer. He was saluted Saturday by members of a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post who wanted to honor his heroism. Kilmer was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 18, 1953, less than a year after he had died while saving another man on a battlefield in Korea. Robin Jerstad The new Medal of Honor headstone for John Edward Jackie Kilmer. He was saluted Saturday by members of a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. He was killed Aug. 13, 1952, at a place the Americans nicknamed Bunker Hill while shielding a wounded Marine. Robin Jerstad Laurie Zotzky and her husband, Michael, of Loudon, Tenn., accept a Challenge Coin given to them by Gordon Dalton following the unveiling of a Medal of Honor headstone for her uncle, John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad Veterans salute during the unveiling of the Medal of Honor headstone for John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad Flags flew along Mission Road for the unveiling of a new headstone for Medal of Honor recipient John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad Laurie Zotzky and her husband, Michael, center, listen to remarks during Saturdays unveiling of a Medal of Honor headstone for her uncle, John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad Hospital corpsmen reaffirm their pledge during the unveiling of a headstone for Medal of Honor recipient John Edward Jackie Kilmer. He was saluted Saturday by members of a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post for his heroism. Robin Jerstad The VFW color guard began the Saturday ceremony for the unveiling of a new headstone for Medal of Honor recipient John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad The VFWs John Rodriguez speaks Saturday during the unveiling of a new headstone for John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad People wait for the start of Saturdays ceremony to unveil the new headstone of Medal of Honor winner John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Blayne Mills and Lance Cpl. Adrian Montano stand at attention Saturday after unveiling the Medal of Honor headstone for John Edward Jackie Kilmer. Robin Jerstad

Killed in Korea while saving another mans life, John Edward Jackie Kilmer, a U.S. Navy hospitalman, was quietly buried on San Antonios South Side.

Less than a year later, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on June 18, 1953. His mother received the medal from Navy Secretary Robert Anderson.

The decades passed. The young medics heroism became a whisper in the wind as his parents and contemporaries died, with only a hearty band of veterans marking the anniversary of his death starting in 2006.

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But 72 years after his life ended two days before his 22nd birthday on a faraway rocky hillside in Korea, Kilmer was remembered Saturday by members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9186 and a crowd of around 75 who wanted to embrace his selflessness and devotion to duty.

They dedicated a Medal of Honor headstone at his grave in San Jose Burial Park. A sailor read a letter from one of the many Marines whose life Kilmer had saved. A honor guard from two VFWs, Posts 76 and 8397, offered a somber salute. Rifle volleys were fired. Taps was sounded by a Navy bugler.

It was a big stir in the family when Jackie got killed, said cousin Ray Brown, 76, of Rockport. The retired harbor tug captain was 5 when he last saw Kilmer.

I didnt know him, but I served in Korea at the same time, said Navy Cross recipient and retired Master Chief Petty Officer Donald Mason, 91, of San Antonio. Lets get em home safely. Thats exactly what he was thinking.

U.S. Marines and Chinese communist forces fought for weeks in August and September of 1952 at a place nicknamed Bunker Hill, northeast of Panmunjom near todays Demilitarized Zone.

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Kilmers part in it lasted two only two days, Aug. 12 and 13. On the 13th, he dodged enemy fire to aid and evacuate wounded Marines until he was hit by shrapnel trying to reach one more. He pressed on, treated the man, then shielded him as the shelling intensified.

Kilmer didnt survive. The wounded Marine he protected, who wasnt identified in the Medal of Honor citation, made it home alive.

His unyielding devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service, the citation states. He gallantly gave his life for another.

Kilmer is among the least known of the 32 Medal of Honor recipients who were born, raised, enlisted or retired in the Alamo City.

John Rodriguez, 81, a past commander of the VFW post who organized Saturdays event, wanted to change that.

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He deserved to be remembered for his sacrifice, said Rodriguez, an exuberant Marine veteran of Vietnam who has been involved with veterans groups here for decades. You know, we always hear ultimate sacrifice, which is great, but he truly made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life so another could continue to live his.

Of those 32 Medal of Honor recipients with a local connection, Kilmer is the only Navy man and the only one who received the medal for his service in Korea. Hes one of only four who are not buried at either Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery or San Antonio National Cemetery on the East Side.

Born in Highland Park, Ill., he moved to San Antonio as a child, ran track at Sam Houston High School and served in its ROTC program. He quit school to join the Navy and trained at the Naval Hospital Corps School in San Diego, Calif.

Besides providing medical care for sailors aboard ships or on base, the Hospital Corps trains combat medics who serve with Marines, SEALs and Seabees. Hospitalmen are often called doc by Marines.

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Kilmer had a monument at his grave, dedicated in 1985, but Rodriguez said it incorrectly stated his rank and failed to mention the Purple Heart he also received for the mortal injuries he suffered.

An official Navy photo of Kilmer shows a dark-haired young man with the outlines of a mustache on an angular and serious face.

And there is a record of his last moments in the Medal of Honor citation.

With his company engaged in defending a vitally important hill position well forward of the main line of resistance during an assault by large concentrations of hostile troops, HM Kilmer repeatedly braved intense enemy mortar, artillery and sniper fire to move from one position to another, administering aid to the wounded and expediting their evacuation, it states. Painfully wounded himself when struck by mortar fragments while moving to the aid of a casualty, he persisted in his efforts and inched his way to the side of the stricken Marine through a hail of enemy shells falling around him.

He skillfully administered first aid to his comrade and, as another mounting barrage of enemy fire shattered the immediate area, unhesitatingly shielded the wounded men with his body. Mortally wounded by flying shrapnel while carrying out this heroic action, HM Kilmer, by his great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice in saving the life of a comrade, served to inspire all who observed him.

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The idea for the new headstone started last year with James Kenny, a VFW member and friend of Rodriguez who worked with him and others to make it a reality.

Rodriguez and his wife, Nellie, have spent 17 years saluting Kilmer on Aug. 13, the day he was killed and the day before their wedding anniversary.

So I said, You want to do this?" Rodriguez told his wife. "Lets do something for someone. It may be for an individual, but overall for all veterans who are really forgotten. And he has no family in San Antonio, but we decided to hold a ceremony for him and it has really blossomed.

John and Nellie Rodriguez have spent those 19 years also helping provide memorial services to homeless veterans. They take the flags presented at services where the veteran has no relatives present and donate them to San Antonio-area high school ROTC programs.

A 1962 Burbank High School graduate, he served as a sergeant assigned to the 36th Marine Air Group in Chu Lai, South Vietnam from 1965-66, and retired as a civil service employee at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in 2006 after 17 years.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday while addressing a farmers' convention alleged that the ruling government of Pakistan failed to revive Pakistan's economy, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. Rehman alleged that Pakistan's economy was in a "poor state" and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could not fulfil the promises he made, ARY News reported. Rehman alleged that the country's economy has fallen to such ruins that the next government will not be able to turn it around, ARY News reported. "If the law and order situation worsens, the economy will suffer further damage," ARY News quoted Rehman as saying. Rehman further said that China expressed "concerns" about Pakistan's economy, ARY News reported. "China asked Pakistan to first improve the situation before seeking investment. I also told PM Shehbaz that his visit to China was not successful," ARY News quoted Rehman as saying. Rehman said that the objectives of the US and Western countries towards Pakistan were not in its best interests, and warned that if the present instability remained unchecked, it would not be in Pakistan's interests, ARY News reported. As per ARY News report on Saturday, amid economic distress, the financial difficulties faced by urban Pakistani households have soared by 14 per cent over the past year. As a result, a staggering 74 per cent of the urban population in the country is unable to meet their monthly expenses with their current income. This represents a significant increase from May 2023, when 60 per cent of households reported financial struggles, according to the latest study by Pulse Consultant. Of those currently struggling to make ends meet, 60 per cent have had to cut back on essential expenses, including groceries, while 40 per cent have resorted to borrowing money from their acquaintances. Furthermore, 10 per cent of people have taken on part-time jobs to supplement their income, as per ARY News. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that it detected eight Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels were detected, and three of the aircraft entered its Air Defence Identification Zone from 6 am (local time) on Saturday to 6 am (local time) on Sunday. Of the eight Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), three aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwan's MND said that it has monitored the situation and responded accordingly. In response to China's military action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity. In a post on x, Taiwan's MND said, "8 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1822437780557078868 This latest incident adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and military exercises near the island. On Saturday, Taiwanese MND said that 28 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels were operating from 6 am (local time) on Friday to 6 am (local time) on Saturday. Of the 28 Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), 22 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). According to Taiwan News report, grey zone tactics are "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force." Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. (ANI)
Shafi Burfat, the exiled leader of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, in a powerful statement, has called for the immediate return of Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, asserting that her presence could significantly alter the nation's political landscape and thwart ongoing conspiracies against the country. Burfat, a vocal advocate for Sindhi rights in Pakistan, emphasised that the recent incidents of vandalism against statues of Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the rising violence against the Bengali Hindu community are part of a broader scheme to destabilise the country. He warned that these events are eroding Bangladesh's status as an independent nation and undermining its moral and political legitimacy. "The current scenario indicates a concerted effort to push Bangladesh towards fundamentalism and foster anti-Hindu and anti-Indian sentiments," Burfat stated, pointing directly at Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as a key player in this conspiracy. "Sheikh Hasina's return will not only inspire her supporters, political workers, and the public, but it will also provide secular political activists and the Awami League cadre with a much-needed psychological and moral advantage," Burfat added. He further argued that addressing the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh should be the responsibility of the current government, not Sheikh Hasina. However, he believes her return could politically transform the situation, making it more challenging for international and regional powers to manipulate Bangladesh's internal affairs. Burfat also stressed that the violence against the Bengali Hindu community should not be seen as an attack on a minority but as part of a global conspiracy aimed at undermining Bangladesh's existence, political stability, economic progress and strategic importance. Burfat, currently living in exile in Europe, further explained that Sheikh Hasina's removal from power was orchestrated through "mob blackmailing" by fundamentalist political forces and international powers, with Pakistan's ISI playing a pivotal role in the conspiracy. He urged the international community to recognise the gravity of the situation and support Sheikh Hasina's return to restore democratic governance and counter these destabilising forces. As the founder of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, Burfat has long fought for the rights of the Sindhi people in Pakistan and demanded the creation of Sindhudesh, a separate nation for the Sindhi people. His appeal for Sheikh Hasina's return underscores the shared struggles of oppressed communities in the region and highlights the critical importance of her leadership in maintaining Bangladesh's sovereignty and stability. Burfat concluded by reaffirming that the Hindus of Bangladesh are an integral part of the nation, just as Sindhi Hindus are to Sindh. "This is not an issue against any minority," he said, "but a global conspiracy against Bangladesh's existence, which must be understood in its broader context." Sheikh Hasina's potential return is now being viewed by many as a crucial step in safeguarding Bangladesh's democratic institutions and preventing the country from succumbing to external pressures and internal unrest. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, said that it was a proud moment for the people of the country as President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, and said that this reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between the two nations. President Droupadi Murmu was conferred with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest civilian award on Saturday. The award is in recognition of her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women PM Modi posted on X, on Sunday, emphasising that the award is also a recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years. "It is a proud moment for us to see Rashtrapati Ji being honoured with the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nation's highest civilian award. This reflects the strong ties and mutual respect between our countries. It is also a recognition of her monumental contribution to public life for several years," PM Modi stated on X. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1822501755055202350 After receiving the award, President Murmu said that the "honour is a reflection of the ties of friendship between India and Timor-Leste." President Murmu arrived in Timor Leste on Saturday, after concluding her visits to Fiji and New Zealand. In a special gesture, she was warmly received by President Jose Ramos-Horta at the airport. Moreover, cheerful children also greeted her on the way from the airport. She also held a bilateral meeting with her Timor Leste counterpart today in Dili, underlining the strong connection between the two nations. The two leaders also discussed the opportunities to enhance the bilateral cooperation between India and Timor Leste. President Murmu's visit is the first-ever Head of State level visit from India to the South East Asian country. She also addressed the Indian Community Reception in Dili. President Murmu was accorded ceremonial reception and guard of honour at the Presidential Palace in Dili. The President's visit to Timor Leste comes at the invitation of the President of Timor Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta. (ANI)
Maldivian Foreign Affairs Minister Moosa Zameer and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will soon commence the handing over ceremony of the reclamation and shore protection project and the inauguration of the 4-lane Detour Link road project. The Maldivian Foreign Affairs Minister welcomed Jaishankar to Addu City on Sunday. Moosa Zameer took to X and highlighted that both these projects are facilitated by the Indian government under the LoC of EXIM Bank. Further, he noted that these projects will contribute to the development and prosperity of the people of Addu City. "Pleasure to welcome External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to Addu City. We will soon commence the handing over ceremony of reclamation and shore protection project and inauguration of 4-Lane Detour Link road project. Both projects facilitated by the Government of India under the LoC of EXIM Bank. These projects will contribute to the development and prosperity of the people of Addu City," Moosa Zameer said in a post on X. https://x.com/MoosaZameer/status/1822513985616486637 Earlier on Saturday, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid met with EAM Jaishankar during his visit to Male, expressing confidence that India will always be the first to assist the Maldives in times of need. Shahid acknowledged the economic and diplomatic setbacks caused by the previous government's anti-India stance and welcomed the current shift towards improved relations. The MDP also issued a statement mentioning various projects funded by India. "The Maldives-India relationship has always been based on the principles of mutual respect, respect for international law, territorial integrity, a common desire for regional security, and an open and peaceful Indian Ocean," it said. The MDP further hailed the exchange of notes during this visit, to train a further 1,000 civil service officers in a key human resource program initiated during President Solih's government. Moreover, Jaishankar also handed over a major water and sanitation project worth USD 110 million to the Maldives, funded by India, on Saturday. EAM Jaishankar's visit marks his first visit to the island nation after his re-appointment for the second term. (ANI)
Misri is in Kathmandu at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Sewa Lamsal.

The Foreign Secretary was welcomed by Nepali Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal at the VIP Lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

The Foreign Secretaries of both the nation "will discuss various matters on further strengthening Nepal-India relations and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation", according to the release issued by the Foreign Ministry.

The Indian embassy in Nepal took to X, and stated, Foreign Secretary of @VikramMisriarrives in Kathmandu for an official visit from 11-12 August 2024. Warm reception by Foreign Secretary Ms. Sewa Lamsal @sewa_lamsal."

The embassy further stated that Misri's visit underlines India's commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy.

"The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level bilateral exchanges & underlines India's commitment to its #NeighbourhoodFirst policy," the embassy added.

https://x.com/IndiaInNepal/status/1822498361083347097

During the visit, Foreign Secretary Misri will call on the high-level dignitaries of Nepal.

Moreover, the Foreign Ministry of Nepal also stated that the "visit is in continuation of the regular exchange of visits between two friendly neighbours."

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary of India will also call on the high-level dignitaries of Nepal and no agreements or decisions would be made, a source privy to the issue from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu confirmed to ANI.

"It will be an introductory visit and courtesy call from Indian Foreign Secretary. No official engagements would be made during the visit," the source confirmed to ANI.

The Foreign Secretary of India is scheduled to leave Kathmandu on August 12. (ANI)
Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) observed National Minorities Day on Sunday, and raised voices through a protest rally, on the theme of religious freedom. The HRFP observed National Minorities Day at the Vision Hall, Faisalabad in Pakistan. The event focused on the topic of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah's speech on August 11, 1947, about religious freedom, particularly emphasizing Jinnah's often-quoted part of the speech: "You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion caste or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the state". The speakers passionately discussed and raised this powerful theme at the event, the HRFP said in a press release. The attendees from different fields included political workers from various parties, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, lawyers, teachers, youth, women, and other stakeholders. They discussed Jinnah's ideology, focusing on his struggle and historic speech from August 11. Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), emphasized that Jinnah's speech is one of the most extraordinary addresses on religious freedom, citizen's rights, and political mainstreaming. However, he expressed disappointment that political parties tend to only use it for their campaigns, promises, and manifestos, without actually executing any of the intended actions, Walter said. He further pointed out that the reserve seats make minority representatives more loyal to their parties than to the communities they are representing, the release stated. The president of HRFP unequivocally stated that minorities are consistently being targeted for their religious beliefs. He stressed that these incidents are on the rise due to the lack of resolution in previous cases that have been occurring for far too long. Citing an example, Walter said, that in the past year, a horrifying incident occurred in Jaranwala where a violent mob set fire to and vandalized Churches and homes. Tragically, yet another incident took place in May 2024 where a mob allegedly committed violence against Nazir Masih and his family, leading to his untimely death. Naveed Walter further highlighted the unforgettable tragic incidents in Gojra and Koriyaan in 2009 and lamented that a similar incident took place once again in the same city of Gojra where a Christian family and accused Saima and Sonia was attacked due to a false accusation of blasphemy on August 6. Later, the accusers openly announced that they would kill the family if they returned to village, Naveed Walter added. Moreover, he emphasised that the government must prioritise the protection of minorities, adding that it is unfortunate that the authorities seem to be neglecting these crucial issues, thereby allowing perpetrators to go unpunished while unfairly punishing innocent individuals. He highlighted the case of Jaranwala, where a Christian youth named Ehsan Shan was accused and sentenced to death, while the real perpetrators were released from prison without facing any consequences. Naveed Walter stressed that it is crucial for the government to take decisive actions against the real culprits and facilitators of the blasphemy accusation against two innocent Christian sisters in Gojra. He urged for justice to be brought to those who take the law into their own hands for personal vendettas, Naveed Walter added. The president then urged the authorities to make such decisions on the occasion of National Minorities Day to prevent acts of violence arising from false accusations of blasphemy. He called for measures to make minorities feel safe and secure in their own country instead of being ignored, stressing that minority status should never deprive anyone of their fundamental rights, the press release stated. The speakers, including Ejaz Jacob Gill, James Lal, Manzoor Anthony, Ejaz Ghauri, Rashida Emmanuel, Bashira Bibi, Shadman John (HRFP), Hamdosh Samuel (HRFP) and others, emphasised that the 11th of August's speech of Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah should be actively promoted and implemented. However, they noted that to this day, minorities in Pakistan continue to feel neglected, isolated, and unconcerned about most of the state matters. Moreover, the panellists stressed the importance of addressing the challenges faced by religious minorities, protecting their fundamental rights, and uniting them to advocate for their rights and equality. Later, a resolution was passed to incorporate Jinnah's 11th August speech into the constitution, which declared state matters as separate from religion. (ANI)
Thousands of Canadians staged a protest on Sunday across downtown Toronto to stand in solidarity against the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Canadians of Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Jewish origin gathered in Downtown Toronto. People in the protest held in Downtown Toronto were seen chanting, "We want justice - Bangladesh Bangladesh". The protesters urged the Canadian Government to press the Dhaka Government to protect Hindus in Bangladesh. One of the protesters lamented that they also sent emails to the Bangladeshi mosques in Toronto, but they have not responded yet. "We have also sent emails to Bangladeshi mosques in Toronto. So far, we have not heard any response from them, maybe we will, maybe they are busy because of the weekend," he said, adding, "Whatever is happening in Bangladesh, is to their own brothers..." The protester further said that the community has gathered in an unprecedented number, which is a good sign. "We would love if they would also stand in solidarity. The community is here in unprecedented numbers which is a good sign. What is disappointing is the involvement of Canadian politics. They are disproportionately not listening to us after emails, tweets and calls...," he stressed. Moreover, the community leaders showed their concerns over attacks on Hindus. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called for the "safety and protection" of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh in a message on X on Thursday. "My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development," PM Modi said in a post on X. Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus have been fleeing to neighbouring India to escape the violence. Hindus, who make up about 8 per cent of Bangladesh's 170 million population, have traditionally supported Hasina's Awami League party, which has faced backlash following violent clashes between anti-quota protesters and security forces last month. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], August 11 (ANI/WAM): Tomorrow, the UAE will join the world in celebrating International Youth Day under the theme: ''From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development''. The Day is celebrated annually on 12 August to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today's global society. It also offers a chance to raise awareness of the need to ensure the engagement and participation of youth, which is essential to achieve sustainable human development. The vision of empowering, qualifying and investing in youth energies in the UAE has achieved tremendous leaps over the past years, which was evident in their increasing presence in the decision-making process and their active participation in the comprehensive development witnessed by the country. The UAE's youth empowerment strategy is based on the vision of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who said, "Empowering and investing in youth and preparing them with future skills and sciences is a fundamental pillar within the UAE's comprehensive development vision. Youth are the strength, energy, ambition and true wealth. They are also the pillars of development and the leaders of tomorrow in their communities. They must acquire everything that enables them to contribute effectively to the progress of their country and create a prosperous future for it." The UN says data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision-making. With a profound impact across economic, social and environmental dimensions, digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70 per cent of the 169 SDG targets while potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to USD 55 trillion. In May 2024, The Cabinet approved the National Youth Agenda 2031, which aims to empower young Emiratis to be a role model regionally and globally. The Agenda seeks to increase their contribution to economic and social development. The Agenda focuses on five main pillars: aiming for the Emirati youth to be a major contributor to the national economic growth, to contribute effectively to the community while adhering to Emirati values and principles, to globally drive positive change and be a global role model, to keep up with the latest breakthrough in advanced technologies and be highly proficient in mastering the skills of the future, and to enjoy the highest levels of health and quality of life. The National Youth Agenda 2031 aims to qualify more than 100 young Emirati to represent the country in global organizations and forums related to the national sectors of priority, and to provide 100% suitable career pathways for youth in the labour market. The Agenda seeks to place the UAE among the top 10 countries globally in terms of the quality of life provided to youth. The agenda aims to enhance the national consciousness among the youth, ensuring that Emirati youth are the proudest of their identity and national affiliation, and to launch the National Charter for Youth in this field. The UAE's National Youth Strategy targets Emiratis from the ages of 15-35. The strategy splits this 20-year timespan into five stages: education, work, family formation, citizenship practice and national action. It forms a roadmap for various institutions, bodies and entities concerned with youth in the country, and for various government and private initiatives to empower youth in all fields. The strategy has resulted in programmes and initiatives that support Emirati youth, and enable them to maximise their capabilities, realise their potential, and pursue opportunities of their choosing. In June 2019, the UAE Cabinet made it mandatory for federal government entities to include young Emiratis (under 30 years old) in the Boards of Directors of their respective entities.The Federal Youth Authority has launched a series of initiatives to engage young people in various fields, such as Youth Councils, which harness the energy of young people and empower them in various sectors. The authority's key pillars include Youth Engagement Policy, the Youth Housing Policy and several other policies which recognise the positive impact youth can have on the society. The policies aim to empower the youth to be more proactive in the development of the country. Youth Retreat helps young people create a plan for themselves, and the Youth Agenda, the first-of-its-kind, enhances the role of Emirati youth in creating positive change. The UAE also identifies young leadership talents through the UAE Government Leaders Programme, and empowers the role of UAE youth globally through the Emirates Youth Global Initiative. In 2017, the UAE launched the Arab Youth Center (AYC) during the World Government Summit as a regional initiative that helps to develop youth capabilities and supports innovation and creativity in the Arab world. It implements initiatives across different sectors, and conducts research amongst young Arabs to help decision-makers shape youth-friendly policies. he center aims to help groom a generation of young Arab leaders who can shape a brighter future for the Arab world, through organising initiatives, events and programmes that refine their capabilities, maximise their potential, and encourage them to participate in driving change and leaving a positive impact on their communities. The center launched an array of strategic initiatives and projects implemented by young individuals, including the Arab Youth Hackathon, the Arab Youth Projects Market initiative, and the Young Arab Diplomatic Leaders Programme. t also launched a series of initiatives from the UAE to the Arab World, including the Youth Development Delegates Programme in the Arab region, a joint initiative launched by the AYC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to embed young Arabs in 13 UNDP offices to acquire new skills, develop their knowledge and networks, and harness their learning experiences to implement initiatives that benefit them, their countries, and the whole Arab region. In April 2022, the UAE launched the National Youth Survey, which aimed to gauge the social, political, economic and cultural maturity levels of the youth, as well as collect youth-related data in different areas that will be made available to decision-makers and researchers to help them draft appropriate policies and strategies, to improve the quality of life of the youth, support their needs and invest in their skills. In the space sector, the UAE launched, in July 2020, the Arab Space Pioneers' Programme, a three-year intensive training programme that incubates young talents and aims to expand their career prospects in the region's emerging space technologies. Overseen by the UAE Space Agency, the programme will equip young Arab researchers, scientists, inventors and creative talents with skills and expertise required to lead a career in the growing space sector. (ANI/WAM)
Aiming to keep goods made with forced labour out of the country's supply chains, the United States recently banned imports from five more Chinese companies over alleged human rights abuses involving the Uyghurs. These China-based companies have been accused of profiting from the slave labour of Uyghurs in what Beijing calls "poverty alleviation" programs. As per the United States, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the addition of five entities based in the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, bringing the total entities listed to 73. This means that Americans are now explicitly banned from doing business with these 73 companies. A broader prohibition on importing any goods produced even in part by the slave labour of Uyghurs is also in place. Fertilizer manufacturer Rare Earth Magnesium Technology Group Holdings and its parent, Century Sunshine Group Holdings, both are based in Hong Kong but stand accused of sourcing tainted inputs from the Xinjiang region of China. The Kashgar Construction Engineering (Group) Co Ltd, Xinjiang Habahe Ashele Copper Co Ltd and Xinjiang Tengxiang Magnesium Products Co Ltd are accused of directly employing the slave labour of Uyghurs. These additions to the UFLPA list, the DHS said, build on its commitment to eradicate forced labour and promote accountability for China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)." Effective August 9, 2024, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply a rebuttable presumption that goods produced by Century Sunshine Group Holdings Ltd, Kashgar, Construction Engineering (Group) Co Ltd, Rare Earth Magnesium Technology Group Holdings, Ltd; Xinjiang Habahe Ashele Copper Co Ltd, and Xinjiang Tengxiang Magnesium Products Co, Ltd will be prohibited from entering the United States. "As DHS identifies more entities across different sectors that use or facilitate forced labour, we act to keep their tainted goods out of our nation's supply chains," US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N Mayorkas cited in a statement. The UFLPA was signed into law in December 2021 and the UFLPA Entity List includes companies that are active in the apparel, agriculture, polysilicon, plastics, chemicals, batteries, household appliances, electronics, and food additives sectors, among others. "Companies must conduct due diligence and know where their products are coming from," said the DHS Under Secretary for Policy Robert Silvers, who serves as Chair of the Forced Labour Enforcement Task Force Participation (FLETF). The FLETF is an interagency task force that includes the US Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Departments of Labour, State, Justice, the Treasury, and Commerce (member agencies). The US government has since 2021 accused Beijing of carrying out "genocide" against Uyghurs and other Muslims in far-west Xinjiang, including by sterilizing women and imprisoning Uyghurs in high-security internment camps. Washington-based Campaign for Uyghurs has lauded the US decision to expand the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) entity list. There are "well-documented abuses and repressive policies" of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has "implemented a system of forced labour designed to alter the demographic makeup of East Turkistan through labour transfers and to erase Uyghur culture--key strategies in the ongoing Uyghur genocide," it said. The non-profit organisation's Executive Director Rushan Abbas stated "Uyghur genocide has turned into a profitable enterprise for big business." "By expanding the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to cover these five CCP-controlled companies, the US government is sending a strong message: it is committed to making this human rights crisis economically unsustainable," Abbas said. She said that the "only way to end this atrocity is for the global community--businesses, nations, and organizations--to unite and enforce substantial, effective consequences against the CCP's brutal actions, rather than settling for mere statements of condemnation," Abbas said. Meanwhile, a Chinese researcher has said that US allegations are groundless talking. The use of the "human rights" card to curb the development of Chinese enterprises is yet another US stunt, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday. (ANI)
Liz Teitz covers environmental news and the Hill Country for the San Antonio Express-News. She writes about the San Antonio Water System, news in New Braunfels and Comal County and water issues around Central Texas. She can be reached at liz.teitz@express-news.net.

Liz joined the Express-News in June 2023. She has been a reporter for eight years, covering housing, government, education and other topics for the Ouray County Plaindealer, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and the Beaumont Enterprise. Liz grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Georgetown University.
The employees of the Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) staged a protest outside the Quetta Press Club, demanding the payment of their salaries and dues, the Express Tribune reported on Sunday. The protestors said that they had not been paid for the last three months. Additionally, the president of the university's Academic Staff Association, Sohail Anwar along with other protesters, criticized the government and the university administration for their mismanagement of university affairs. The faculty members during the protest carried placards and banners, chanted slogans and demanded payment of their dues. Currently, the BUITEMS has more than 10,000 students and has been facing a severe financial crisis, challenging its existence. The university is ranked to be among the top 500 universities in Asia, the Express Tribune report claimed. The Express Tribune quoted a senior university official, "Yes the employees are without salaries for the past three months." He also requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. The participants warned that more rounds of protest could follow if their demands were not met within a week. Previously another educational institution in Balochistan, the University of Makran in Panjgur held a press conference to voice their frustrations over the severe lack of basic amenities at their institution, The Balochistan Post mentioned in a report. The students highlighted a range of issues that have significantly impacted their educational experience. One of the primary concerns raised was the unavailability of cold drinking water in campus, which forces students to purchase water from outside. Additionally, students pointed out the university's failure to operate generators during power outages, causing great discomfort amid the extreme heat. This lack of power exacerbates their difficulties, especially during the summers. The students also complained about inadequate infrastructure, including the absence of proper motorcycle parking and substandard canteen facilities, The Balochistan Post reported. Classroom conditions were another major issue, with students noting the lack of projectors. This shortcoming further impacted the quality of their education. Security and management concerns were also raised, as students reported that outsiders frequently entered the university premises without being questioned. This lapse in security adds to their growing list of grievances. According to The Balochistan Post, students have repeatedly informed the university administration about these issues, but their complaints have not been taken seriously, and they have often been threatened into silence. (ANI)
The users are complaining about 'disruption in services.' Many users are encountering an error message that reads, "Couldn't download the document. Try again. If the problem keeps happening, try connecting to Wi-Fi."

The disruption in services has left users struggling to access and share content on the popular messaging app, as per ARY News.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has downplayed the ongoing issues with WhatsApp services being experienced by cellular users in the country, attributing it to a possible "technical glitch."

According to a 2024 report by the World Population Review, there are 52.3 million WhatsApp users in Pakistan.

In April, internet users faced a major setback as the fibre optic cable linking Singapore to Pakistan and Europe was damaged at several points.

According to the details, the fibre optic cable linking Singapore to Pakistan and Europe was damaged near Indonesia from several areas, affecting access to the internet in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Meanwhile, there is a recent showdown of internet services in Pakistan in Muharram, where Pakistan's Punjab government has requested the country's interior ministry for a 'temporary suspension' on social media platforms from July 6-11 during Muharram processions, Dawn reported.

The home department of Punjab province has sent a letter to Pakistan's interior ministry recommending the suspension of popular social media applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. (ANI)
According to police reports, the woman and her husband were on their way to make a purchase when two robbers on a motorcycle approached them.

The robbers stole 2,500 rupees and a mobile phone from the couple, and then one of the robbers took the woman to a nearby field and allegedly raped her, as per ARY News.

The police further mentioned that a case has been registered at Sandal Bar Police Station on the complaint of the husband, and the culprits will be arrested soon.

In another terrible incident, four women including two sisters were allegedly raped by a gang of dacoits in Faisalabad.

According to ARY News, the terrible incident took place in Dasuha town of Punjab's Faisalabad district where six dacoits allegedly raped four women on December 28 at midnight.

According to the report, the gang of dacoits stormed the dera of a landlord Babar Ali. After looting valuables, they tied up the servants in the house and raped four women.

Meanwhile, In June a 10-year-old boy was allegedly raped and blackmailed by a perpetrator who recorded and circulated objectionable videos on social media, Dawn reported.

The incident, reported from Jatoi tehsil's Bet Mirhazar Khan area, has prompted swift police action and sparked widespread concern over child safety and digital exploitation.

According to authorities at Bet Mirhazar Khan police station, the suspect lured the young victim to a tubewell under false pretences of bathing, where the assault occurred and was filmed. These videos were later used to coerce and blackmail the child, highlighting the vulnerability of minors to online predators, according to Dawn.

This case underscores the growing prevalence of sexual crimes against children and the alarming trend of using social media platforms to perpetrate such offences, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)
The Philippines on Sunday denounced China's "unjustified, illegal and reckless" actions against one of its planes that was conducting patrols earlier in the week in the disputed South China Sea. Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr in a statement "strongly condemns" the air incident and stands by the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The country's state news agency cited the Armed Forces of the Philippines reporting on August 10 about the "dangerous and provocative actions" of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) which harassed a PAF aircraft conducting maritime patrols over Bajo de Masinloc, located some 120 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales, well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The air incident took place in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) when two Chinese fighter jets executed a dangerous manoeuvre at around 9 a.m. and dropped flares in the path of the NC-212i on August 8. Notably, Scarborough Shoal is controlled by China. China seized the shoal in 2012, following a standoff with the Philippines. Sovereignty of islands in the area has not been determined by an international court. Meanwhile, the Philippines refer to it as the West Philippine Sea. "The actions of the People's Liberation Army - Air Force aircraft were unjustified, illegal and reckless, especially as the PAF aircraft was undertaking a routine maritime security operation in Philippine sovereign airspace," the Presidential Palace, Malacanang, said in a statement posted on social media. "We have hardly started to calm the waters, and it is already worrying that there could be instability in our airspace," it added. China has however claimed that Philippine aircraft "illegally entered the airspace" over its Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. In a statement released by the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday as cited by China's state-run Global Times. Philippines and China recently reached an agreement to allow the seamless resupply of Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal, state media PNA reported As per a statement attributed to the Presidential Palace, President Marcos stated the Philippines remains committed to "proper diplomacy and peaceful means of resolving disputes". He urged China to "demonstrate that it is fully capable of responsible action, both in the seas and in the skies." China claims the entirety of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea where Manila enjoys sovereignty, refusing to recognize a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its claims and affirmed the Philippines' EEZ, as per PNA. The Philippines has been drumming up support from its allies in the international community, including longtime military ally the United States, while also strengthening the capabilities of its armed forces. Meanwhile, Chinese state media Xinhua in an editorial stated that the current Philippine Marcos government has been "actively engaging in reckless provocations" in the South China Sea, while "misleading the international community by exaggerating a void and null "arbitration award" eight years ago to conceal the country's infringements on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests." It termed the South China Sea arbitration case "a pure political drama" staged in the name of the law "with the United States pulling strings behind the scenes." (ANI)
Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) council members joined together to pay homage to the protestors who were killed in Baloch Raji Machi (Baloch National Gathering) on Sunday. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1822571048136499480?t=sb-KHTyv4Evbf7xoHUeJCg&s=08 Baloch Yakjehti Committee shared the photos and video of the gathering on X and stated, "Diwan started in memory of the martyrs of Baloch Raji Machi, in which homage will be paid to the martyrs of Baloch Raji Machi." Recently, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has called off its sit-in in Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan as a result of negotiations held with government representatives that ended late on Thursday night, Dawn reported. The talks took place in Gwadar. On August 9 the Baloch caravans left for Turbat from Gwadar. Later in the evening, a special assembly is to be held at Turbat. While speaking to the national gathering lead activist Mahrang Baloch said, "It should be noted that today the government delegation has accepted the demands of the sit-in. The Baloch Solidarity Committee will end its sit-in after the demands are implemented. After the dharna ends, the caravan will march towards Turbat. This caravan will announce its plan by holding a gathering in Turbat." Earlier, the BYC demanded the Pakistani government be notified that "no participant or helper of the Baloch National Gathering will be harassed," no further FIR will be filed in this regard, and no unnecessary force will be used in any future peaceful programme. It also said that the Balochistan government compensated the general public for the financial damages caused by the state military and intelligence agencies during the Baloch National Gathering, "including breaking into their homes, burning vehicles, or confiscating personal belongings." The situation in Balochistan has long been marked by ongoing tensions and conflicts between Baloch activists and Pakistani security forces. The region has witnessed numerous human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. (ANI)
Amman [Jordan], August 11 (ANI/WAM): King Abdullah II of Jordan has called for exerting the utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region and reach comprehensive calm, in order to prevent a full-out regional war. He said this during a meeting with a delegation of US congressional aides in Amman, that covered current regional developments and means to bolster the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States. Jordan News Agency (Petra) quoted a royal court statement, which stated that the King warned that the region will remain vulnerable to an expansion of the conflict that threatens its stability, as long as the war on Gaza continues, which demands stepping up international efforts to stop the war by reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire. His Majesty reiterated that Jordan will not be a battleground for any party, and will not tolerate any threats to the lives of its people. The King warned of the dangers of extremist settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. His Majesty reaffirmed the importance of creating a political horizon to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, which is the only way to guarantee the security of the Palestinians, the Israelis, and the entire region. The King called for maintaining support for UNRWA to enable it to continue undertaking its UN mandate to provide humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the region. (ANI/WAM)
Amman (Jordan) August 11 (ANI/WAM): King Abdullah II of Jordan has called for exerting the utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region and reach comprehensive calm in order to prevent a full-out regional war. He said this during a meeting with a delegation of US congressional aides in Amman, that covered current regional developments and means to bolster the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States. Jordan News Agency (Petra) quoted a royal court statement, which stated that the King warned that the region will remain vulnerable to an expansion of the conflict that threatens its stability, as long as the war on Gaza continues, which demands stepping up international efforts to stop the war by reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire. He reiterated that Jordan will not be a battleground for any party, and will not tolerate any threats to the lives of its people. The King warned of the dangers of extremist settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. King Abdullah II reaffirmed the importance of creating a political horizon to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, which is the only way to guarantee the security of the Palestinians, the Israelis, and the entire region. The King called for maintaining support for UNRWA to enable it to continue undertaking its UN mandate to provide humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the region. (ANI/WAM)
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar concluded his Maldives visit on Sunday. During his visit to Male, Jaishankar signed MoUs on capacity building and inaugurated six High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. Jaishankar also called on Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and reviewed bilateral relations with Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, the statement added. In his meeting with Muizzu, he extended greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muizzu appreciated India's continued developmental assistance provided to the Maldives and reaffirmed his commitment to deepen the India-Maldives relationship further. At the President's Office, EAM and the Foreign Minister jointly inaugurated, in the presence of President Muizzu, India's Line of Credit (LoC)-assisted project of water and sewerage network in 28 islands of Maldives, the statement said. In his meeting with his counterpart, Moosa Zameer, EAM held productive discussions as both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the India-Maldives defence and security partnership. EAM also met the Ministers of Finance and Economic Development & Trade and the Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority and discussed ways to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries. During these interactions, the Maldivian side appreciated India's support to the overall development of Maldives, including social, infrastructural and financial sectors. EAM also met a delegation from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led by its President Abdulla Shahid, the statement said. MoUs on capacity building of additional 1,000 Maldivian civil servants in India and on the introduction of UPI in Maldives were exchanged. Six High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) under grant assistance from India in the areas of mental health, special education, speech therapy and street lighting were also jointly inaugurated. EAM along with Zameer and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, planted a sapling at the Lonuziyaaraiy Park as part of Prime Minister Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' initiative and Muizzu's 5 Million Tree Project, the statement said. EAM accompanied by the Foreign Minister and Minister of Construction & Infrastructure of Maldives, visited the India-assisted Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) site and jointly reviewed the progress of this flagship development project that will connect Male with the adjoining islands of Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. EAM also interacted with Indian community members in Male and appreciated their contribution to India-Maldives relations, the statement added. EAM also visited Addu city on Sunday, during which he, along with the Foreign Minister and Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, jointly inaugurated the Addu Reclamation and Shore Protection Project and Addu Detour Link Bridge Project. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1822639811405992211 The visit highlights the importance of the Maldives, India's maritime neighbour, as a key partner in the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and India's Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). Maldives remains an important partner of India in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy concluded his US tour on a high note, securing over Rs 31,500 crore investment plans, said a statement from the CM's office, adding that this investment would bring over 30,750 new jobs, a statement from the CM's office said. The delegation held Roundtable Conferences on business, AI and semiconductors, spanning coast to coast, and also met with CEOs, founders and business alliances and groups, inviting them to come to Hyderabad and consider Telangana in their future plans, the statement said. https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1822695881097027679 The delegation pitched Hyderabad and Telangana to business heads and investors across different sectors and closed new and expansion deals in IT, GCC, Lifesciences, Pharma, Data Centres, AI, Cloud and Data Centres, Electric Vehicle and batteries, green energy, FMCG and manufacturing, the statement added. https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1822698756426654147 Major announcements in the IT sector include the Charles Schwab GCC, one of America's leading financial sector corporation, the statement said. The Trinet deal opens major forays ahead in the HR solutions sector. The significant expansion announcements by global IT major Cognizant, and Arcesium, reinforced the edge of Hyderabad in the IT/GCC space, the statement added. The pharma/life sciences sector saw fresh investments from nearly dozen American companies, the statement said. The MoU with Corning on skilling and flow chemistry reiterates the companies' commitment to grow in Telangana and also reinforces the city's R&D capabilities, the statement said. The announcement by Amgen, top biotech company, to set up a new R&D tech facility is a major breakthrough for Hyderabad. New GCC by Zoetis Inc, leader in animal health sector, and significant expansions by HCA and Thermofisher are set to give a further boost to the life sciences ecosystem of Telangana, the statement said. https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1821793909716169001 Another major takeaway of the visit was the decision by Amazon to make significant expansions in their data centre presence in Hyderabad and use the city as a hub in a big way to drive their India presence, the statement said. https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1822329398605062597 Aurum Equity too made a significant announcement to set up an AI-powered green data centre, the statement added. https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1822128700030435815 Monarch Tractors adds a crucial fillip to our Telangana's ambition of growing in high-end manufacturing, the statement said. https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1822317939795669312 The delegation led by CM Revanth Reddy also engaged with Apple, Google, Stanford University. https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1822179806089224660 https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1822172522093174956 https://x.com/TelanganaCMO/status/1821760774693638652 "The trip opened a myriad of areas for accelerated partnerships, setting new horizons and showcasing our wealth of potential for newer opportunities. From our plans in AI to building the Future City, corporations, startups, business leaders, tech and business associations and influencers have agreed to take our breathtaking vision to more people," said Revanth Reddy, before leaving for South Korea. Sridhar Babu, IT and Industries Minister, said, "we have exceeded our goals, which were audacious to being with. Am delighted we could generate so much excitement in American business world, which will lead to a Multi-fold impact on investments and new jobs. The pipeline ahead is exciting. We will rigorously follow up to ensure many more closures in coming months." (ANI)
In this episode of Battle Lines, we look at how Israel is preparing for a possible war with Iran and a deep dive into how Hamas fights with Middle East Correspondent Jotam Confino. We also pop over to Paris to talk to the Telegraphs Henry Samuels and see how the French have been covering the riots and what advice they would give the UK. Plus we get an explainer of the political turmoil in Bangladesh with Sarah Newey.

Across the world, from Europe to Asia, from the Americas to the Middle East, tensions are rising between nation states as the traditional alliances and alignments evolve in the 21st century.

This year sees war in Europe and the Middle East, and elections in major economies, from the US and the UK to Taiwan. Insurgencies flare in Yemen and Burma, tensions escalate in East Africa, and all around the world the international security architecture buckles under increasing pressure.

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Maria Lani Bagunas landed in the United States with six boxes and four pieces of luggage.

Her husband was back in Bahrain, where he was recovering from a stroke.

Lani Bagunas, who is from the Philippines, had taken a teaching job with Topeka USD 501. She didn't know what to expect after her long journey.

What she found in Topeka was free room and board, thanks to her new boss, superintendent Tiffany Anderson.

"I'm really grateful for the support that I'm having right now," Lani Bagunas said. "With a warm welcome and great support, I'm really thankful for that. I did not expect any."

The houses purchased by Tiffany Anderson are fully stocked with appliances, furniture and amenities to help lessen the stress of international teachers moving to Topeka.

Anderson has purchased several houses in Topeka over the past seven years.

The houses have been used to help teachers needing transitional spaces to get back on their feet. More recently, Anderson has used the homes for Filipino teachers as they immigrate to the United States.

"It's important to provide wraparound services to the whole family in ways that you can," she said, "and if you don't do that, you know who will."

Anderson invests her own salary back into Topeka Public Schools

Anderson said she has invested about 20% of her salary into buying houses to use as transitional places for educators.

"This allows my salary to be recycled right back in the community," she said.

Anderson said she wants to personally ensure the well-being of her staff.

Topeka Public Schools USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson walks out earlier this month after inspecting work being done on her latest house purchase. Anderson has purchased multiple houses around town to help accommodate teachers in Topeka.

"It makes a big difference psychological and mentally," Lani Bagunas said. "I can only speak for myself. I really felt like I was welcome and I was secure. The security was that I will not be alone here in Topeka.

"So somebody will be with me, you know, the support system will be OK. It will be great."

One house is used for staff members from the Philippines who are already here. They don't pay rent but will eventually cover utilities.

Another property was previously used for a Ukrainian family and district staff or their families in need. A special education agency is renting the home for five years to support special needs young adults in need of affordable housing.

A third property is rented to a USD 501 parent for affordable housing as they save for home ownership.

The most recent property purchased is for additional faculty from the Philippines who will move to Topeka in mid-August. About 40 Filipino teachers are expected to join USD 501 this fall, said Pilar Mejia, direction of cultural innovation.

Topeka superintendent seeks housing savings for teachers

With the cost of living rising, Anderson said she has convinced multiple apartment complex providers into giving reduces rent rates for educators. According to Anderson:

The Chalet offers an 8% discount for teachers.

Raintree Apartments waives the application fee and gives a 10% discount on monthly rent.

Kansan Towers offers reduced rent prices depending on the floor layout.

Wheatfield Apartments waives the application and administrative fee, along with offering a $250 rent credit.

Anderson said she would like to find a way to provide ride-sharing services through the district for international teachers who don't have driver's licenses or vehicles.

Roy Tiongson shows a photo of his father, Raul Tiongson, as inspiration for why he came to the United States to teach in Topeka Public Schools. Tiongson is from the Philippines and had taught in Qatar.

Her efforts have resonated with international teachers.

"I am so thankful to the district and to the community that we have here, because my family and I fell in love with what we have here," said Roy Tiongson, who is from the Philippines and taught in Qatar before coming to Topeka. "I want to make sure that I thank Dr. Anderson for all the deeds that she's been doing for us, not only for the Filipino community, but also for the teachers in the district.

"This is the first time that I experienced a superintendent that will take care of the teachers to be honest."

Anderson also said she is in the early stages of seeing whether district's school board would approve purchasing properties that can be used as transitional homes for international teachers and U.S. teachers in need of assistance.

"Places in rural areas  the school districts buy houses," she said. "So, I'm buying houses and I have many of them. That's not sustainable for me to keep buying houses. I have a number of mortgages now."

From details like marks left on the wall to blinds fitting in the windows, Tiffany Anderson on Aug. 1 closely inspects the work done on her latest house, where international teachers will be offered a free place to live while working for the district.

The struggles that come with being an international educator

Within Topeka Public Schools, 27 countries and 39 languages are represented, according to the director of cultural innovation Pilar Mejia. As of this school year, Filipino educators will be the largest of any other nationality.

Out of all these countries represented, there are approximately 80 international teachers and 55 of them are new this year.

"The powerful thing is the families that come to 501 because they're staff, but they're also parents," Anderson said. "So, it's really diversifying our student population in addition to helping diversify our international staff."

Anderson saw a need to support the international teachers after seeing the struggles they had when immigrating to Kansas.

"God gives us what we have for the benefit of others," she said, "and so, the blessing is all mine."

Most of the international teachers come over on two main visas:

J-1 visa, an exchange-based program that allows teachers from foreign countries to learn about American education and take that knowledge back to their home countries.

H-1B visa, which allows people to come into the country to work specialty jobs that require a bachelor's or master's degree.

James Austin, a USD 501 attorney who covers the district's immigration cases, said the visas prevent family members accompanying the teachers from working, which can cause a financial strain.

Tiongson said he has lived in the United States for several years, but he and his family still struggle financially because he is the only one who can work. His wife has the experience and the educational background to work in the medical or educational field.

"That's one of the transitions that we're still having a difficult time with because when we were in the Middle East, both of us were working," he said. "Here, I'm the only person working."

Often, international teachers come to Kansas with few personal belongings. They often don't have furniture, kitchenware or vehicles and sometimes possess few clothes.

Topeka Public School USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson and district administrators pray Aug. 1 with Filipino teachers Anderson helped adjust to living in Topeka.

The impact Anderson and TPS has made on international teachers

Since 2006, Topeka Public Schools has welcomed international educators to breathe new life into the district.

Our goal in Topeka is to hire our graduates and members of the immediate community and most of our staff represents our Topeka community," said Michael Berry, human resources manager, in a written statement. "However, nationally and locally, the teacher shortage has continued to grow, especially in areas with increasing demand, such as special education.

"Therefore, in areas where there are no candidates, recruiting internationally people who are highly qualified experienced educators who are eligible to work in the U.S. has helped us fill classes that may have otherwise been vacant with diverse, talented staff."

Nearly 20 years later, the district is actively investing in the growing international community.

Cherryl Delacruz was the Kansas Region 2 teacher of the year in 2024. She immigrated to Topeka 16 years ago from the Philippines.

"It really truly is a very humbling experience," Delacruz said. "However, it's also been a privilege to have the opportunity to advocate for staff and teachers and our students. Like I said earlier, I didn't come here on my own. It really, truly represents a collective or community collective effort."

Anderson has built a team of teachers to improve the lives and experience of those immigrating to Kansas to teach in USD 501.

Within this team, she has longtime teachers who have immigrated, the district's media team, the district's attorney who also facilitates the immigration process and, more recently, iBridge Education Inc., a recruiting firm that processes foreign educators and helps facilitate hirings across the country.

iBridge CEO Lolita Brown said she was amazed with Anderson's work and USD 501's dedication to teachers.

"She's phenomenal," Brown said. "Don't take it that my words are to praise her just because we are in this interview. I am humbled of how she shows her authentic self and she is not a showoff with her way of helping.

"In the landscape of education, we need people like her."

As part of the expansive wraparound services the district provides for the USD 501 community, they have been working to collect furniture and home essentials donations to help make the transition for international teachers and their families smoother.

Filipino teachers join Topeka Public Schools superintendent Tiffany Anderson, third from left, and other district administrators in front of a house on S.W. Granthurst Avenue. Anderson purchased the house to help transition teachers to their new community.

Anderson and Topeka Public Schools ask community for help

Anderson said she hopes to include as many organizations and community members in the process. She said she's hoping for people will donate time or resources to the initiative.

Aarion Gray, general director of instructional services, said the district is looking for more renters to give reduced rent rates.

"Our staff believe in the mission of service above self and we are grateful for any landlord that wants to join us in giving added discounts to Topeka Public School educators as they join by investing in our staffs mission of service," Gray said in a written statement.

Gray also said they are looking for dealerships to reduce cost for vehicles.

Bill Cochran, director of transportation and campus police for USD 501, arranged for bus passes. The district has also partnered with Lewis Toyota.

"An educators discount or a public service employee discount that helps teachers, military, police and fire officials would be another way to invest in our city by making housing affordable for educators who are serving the most vulnerable in our community," Gray said in a written statement.

For those interested in donating time, home necessities, services or other things, contact Gray at agray@tps501.org.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka superintendent fulfills housing need for international teachers
Graphic rendering of a completed military gallery at the North Dakota Military History Museum. (Contributed/State Historical Society of North Dakota)

The new North Dakota Military History Museum will be tall enough to suspend a helicopter or drone. It will incorporate thousands of personal service stories from North Dakota veterans and, according to the states adjutant general, represents a Thank you for your service from every North Dakotan to the states military service members.

The Capitol Grounds Planning Commission voted unanimously this week to approve conceptual designs and the basic floor plan. The step allows project designers to move forward with more detailed construction designs in preparation for an expected groundbreaking in 2025 and scheduled completion in 2027.

Brian Berg, principal architect for Zerr Berg Architects, told the commission the designers tried to keep some uniformity with other structures on the Capitol grounds in the designs for the museums exterior that will be attached to the North Dakota Heritage Center.

Craig Peterson, a design architect at BWBR, a design firm working with Zerr Berg, said the new museums main entrance will be similar to the entrance to the Heritage Center, which utilizes stone, copper and glass.

The new military gallery will be two levels, Peterson said, and large enough to hang large military vehicles or equipment from the ceiling. The gallery will be an enclosed space with little to no natural sunlight penetrating into the gallery in order to better preserve the items on display, he said.

The military gallery will total about 20,000 square feet, he said, and will equal the size of the Heritage Centers largest gallery, the Inspiration Gallery. The facility also will include an expanded food service area and outdoor courtyard and amphitheater.

Bill Peterson, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, said his staff has collected about 2,000 oral history recordings from North Dakota veterans.

The exhibits company that we are working with has been fully committed to working with us to develop these stories that highlight the experiences and the lives of real North Dakotans in this gallery space to make it very personal, Bill Peterson said.

The military museum will showcase a history of Native American military units that will include pre- and post-contact with the United States.

It will be a very complete story with everybodys histories included, he said.

Craig Peterson said the museum designs leave space for the possible additions of an agriculture gallery and structure for large object storage.

Aside from when the North Dakota Legislature is in session, there appears to be ample parking around the campus to accommodate the new museum traffic, Peterson added.

State Rep. Bernie Satrom, R-Jamestown, told the designers he had just visited the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, and said many of the people he talked to there were proud of their facility that was established in 2018.

After going through that, I thought, You know what? Thats great, but what were doing is going to be so much better, Satrom said. He also said he hoped to incorporate the stories of North Dakota veterans into the gallery, similar to Ellis Island in New York.

Berg said the design team is putting together a final preliminary project cost that should be ready in coming weeks.

Bill Peterson told the Legislatures Budget Section in December the final project cost is estimated to be about $55 million to $60 million. This week, Peterson said the goal is for $30 million to be raised in private fundraising through the National Guard Foundation.

About $400,000 in pledges had been secured for the project as of late July, said Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general.

The Historical Society plans to submit a funding request for the project to be considered in the upcoming legislative session, Bill Peterson said.

A bill in the 2023 session authorized a $20 million line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota that must be paid back. The bill directed the Historical Society to request funding in the 2025 session from Legacy Fund earnings.

During the meeting, Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard, praised the collaborative effort on the museum project.

When I look at this project, its the state of North Dakota saying, Thank you for your service, Dohrmann said. Its a tangible sign that we appreciate that less than 1% that raises a right hand to defend the Constitution, up to and including the cost of their own life.

Commissioner Wendy Van Duyne abstained during the vote on the museum designs due to a conflict of interest involving her employer being involved with the design process.

For more information on the North Dakota Military History Museum, visit the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum website.

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Met Office warns of thunderstorms today as UK set for 34C on hottest day of year

Met Office warns of thunderstorms today as UK set for 34C on hottest day of year

People across the UK are bracing for two different types of extreme weather on Monday, with some facing the hottest day of the year while other regions expect thunderstorms.

Temperatures in the south of England are set to soar to an intense 34C on Monday in what the Met Office has predicted to be the hottest day of the year so far.

The forecasters said warm air will move up from Europe through the weekend and on Monday, before temperatures dip once again on Tuesday.

Met Office thunderstorm warnings for August 12, 2024 (Met Office)

The heat is likely welcomed by most, as Britain has seen a largely drizzly and grey summer so far, with only brief periods and sunshine being seen across the nation.

However, not everyone will be able to enjoy the fleeting signs of summer this week, with the forecasters issuing yellow weather warnings for large swathes of the UK on Monday.

The hot weather will be driven by tropical storms from North America, according to the weather authority.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, Dan Holley said: Along with the rise in temperatures, there is also an increasing threat of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Sunday night and into Monday.

This looks most likely across portions of Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and southern and eastern Scotland, but the advice is to keep up to date with the latest forecast and any warnings by checking our website or app.

Thunderstorms and torrential downpours are affecting parts of the UK this morning with a warning in place across Scotland and northern England 



Over 5000 lightning strikes have been recorded in the last 24 hours across the UK, the majority of these in northern areas  pic.twitter.com/tyAw0ePsPF  Met Office (@metoffice) August 12, 2024

Mr Holley, said: We expect to see a relatively brief hotter and more humid spell of weather for Sunday and Monday, before these hotter conditions recede on Tuesday, allowing more unsettled conditions to return.

This change to hotter conditions is caused, in part, by the effects of Tropical Storm Debby in North America. Debby is helping to strengthen the jet stream, causing it to meander over the Atlantic. This will allow hot air over France to move into the UK later this weekend, and early next week.

Pollen and UV levels will also increase as temperatures rise.

The hot weather may continue in some areas on Tuesday, the Met Office said when the hot air will likely be displaced by fresher weather conditions.

The weather is then set to become unsettled again with occasional showers.

Parts of the UK face thunderstorms (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

MET OFFICE OUTLOOK

Monday:

A very hot and humid day in the south with some sunny spells and staying largely dry. Some isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible in eastern England. Cooler in the north with spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms during the morning.

Monday night:

Another warm and humid night in southeast England, but feeling fresher elsewhere. Mostly dry and clear at first, but cloud and patchy rain pushes into the west after midnight.

Tuesday:

Gradually turning cloudier through the day with outbreaks of light rain in places. Staying dry and hot in eastern England, but fresher elsewhere. Turning windy across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Largely dry and bright on Wednesday. Windy on Thursday with a spell of heavy rain. Sunny spells and a few showers on Friday. Temperatures returning closer to average.
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility  your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Sign up here for free  just click TechCrunch Mobility!

Anyone paying even a little bit of attention to Tesla has probably heard about Dojo. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has referenced Dojo repeatedly over the years, oftentimes noting that the AI supercomputer is essential to the companys future.

But what is Dojo really? TechCrunch reporter Rebecca Bellan dug into what is supposed to be the cornerstone of Teslas AI ambitions. Check out her explainer here.

Theres more, of course, to read about beyond Elon Musk and Dojo. Lets dive into the news.

A little bird

blinky cat bird green

A little bird dropped us a few tidbits recently about Monarch Tractor, the startup developing electric autonomous tractors. It seems Monarchs leadership team is going through quite a bit of change. Weve learned that Monarchs chief revenue officer Kent Carroll left in August; chief commercial officer Sam Abidi and VP of product Danny Beck left in June; and Daron Hovanessian, who led product design, left in July. Abidi and Carroll were at Monarch for only a year.

Their departures could mean anything  were not here to speculate, as there is always a bit of churn in the AV industry and tech sector as a whole. But it does come at a curious time of layoffs and new funding.

Monarch Tractor recently raised $133 million in a Series C funding round co-led by agri-food tech impact firm Astanor and HH-CTBC Partnership L.P., an affiliate fund of Foxconn. The new round values the startup at more than $500 million. Monarch CEO Praveen Penmetsa told TechCrunch last month that recent layoffs were less than 15% of Monarchs 250- to 300-person workforce and were part of a necessary reshuffling as the young company looks to support its growth.

Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, Sean O'Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Or check out these instructions to learn how to contact us via encrypted messaging apps or SecureDrop.

Deals!

money the station

Lucid Motors might have set a new sales record for its electric luxury sedan in the second quarter  results that brought in $200 million  but that doesnt mean the EV startup is in a comfy financial position. Lucid lost $643 million the second quarter and is burning through cash as it pushes to bring its second EV, the Gravity SUV, to market.

In short: Lucid needs money. Enter the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which happens to own 60% of Lucid stock. The countrys sovereign wealth fund committed another $1.5 billion, with half coming in the form of a private placement and the other half as a loan facility.

As senior reporter Sean OKane notes, the deal further deepens the ties between Lucid and its majority owner, which has already committed to buying at least 50,000 of its EVs in the coming years and is helping the company build a brand-new factory in the Kingdom.

Side note: This is the second time Lucid has turned to Saudi Arabia for more money since Lucids CEO Peter Rawlinson told the Financial Times in a March 2024 interview that he was wary of being overreliant on the Kingdoms sovereign wealth fund.

Other deals that got my attention 

3V Infrastructure, an EV charging infrastructure company, raised up to $40 million from an affiliate of Greenbacker Capital Management.

Aurora Innovation, the self-driving technology startup that went public via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company in 2021, recently arranged to sell up to $420 million worth of shares. The young company ended up exceeding its goal and raised $483 million. CEO Chris Urmson posted a blog that offers a bit more context on where the company is headed.

Reminder: The newly raised funds come a little over a year since Aurora completed a capital raise of $820 million from a public and concurrent private offering of its stock.

H3X, a startup that makes electric motors, raised $20 million in a Series A round led by Infinite Capital, with participation from Hanwha AM, Cubit Capital, Origin Ventures, Industrious Ventures, and Venn10 Capital, as well as from existing investors Lockheed Martin Ventures, Metaplanet, Liquid 2 Ventures and TechNexus.

Notable reads and other tidbits

Autonomous vehicles

Waymo is adding another 10 square miles to its robotaxi service area to include cities surrounding San Francisco. The move, which adds Daly City, Broadmoor and Colma, pushes its total commercial service territory to about 55 square miles. Waymo is also expanding its service territory in Los Angeles by another 16 square miles.

Remember last week when I highlighted a story about how Nuro is gearing for a comeback? The AV firm recently secured approval from California regulators to expand its driverless testing area. Now its giving a few hints on social media. The company posted on X that its self-driving system  dubbed the Nuro Driver  is being tested on highways. That tweet reminded me that Nuro acquired self-driving truck startup Ike way back in 2020.

Electric vehicles, charging & batteries

Rivian reported Q2 earnings, and the results show financial losses have crept up as the EV maker pushed out the last of its first-generation R1 trucks and SUVs in favor of newer, more cost-efficient versions. The cash burn is notable and confirms what some of us have been thinking: The $5 billion deal with Volkswagen Group came at the perfect time.

Ride-hailing and the gig economy

Uber and Lyft posted second-quarter earnings this week, and there were a few notable highlights, including that both ride-hailing companies brought up autonomous vehicles.

Lyft reported its first quarter of GAAP profitability  but that success was tempered somewhat by a soft forecast for the third quarter. Lyft also announced plans to pilot a new feature that will let a rider purchase a monthly subscription that caps the price for a specific route at a specific time. CEO David Risher said its part of the companys broader plan to open up a can of whoop ass on primetime  the word Lyft uses to refer to surge pricing.

Meanwhile, Uber (which reported strong second-quarter results, with gross bookings and net profit both up) highlighted the success of its autonomous vehicle effort. The company said the number of trips performed by autonomous vehicles rose 6x from a year earlier. Biggy caveat: Uber didnt provide a baseline for that figure.

This weeks wheels

Pedego moto ebike

TechCrunch senior reporter Sean OKane has been tooling around on the Pedego Moto. Here are his thoughts on the new e-bike:

I don't have a ton of experience with e-bikes, which is one of the reasons I was eager to put some miles on Pedego's new Moto. Over the last few weeks, I've used it almost exclusively as a daycare shuttle. It's a great option for the ride, which is just a few miles and normally takes around 10 minutes by car. I can make the trip on the bike in basically the same amount of time. My three-year-old loves the experience, and also that the bike kind of resembles a motorcycle, and I can't blame him. It's a sharp-looking bike, similar to the styling of Super73's bikes (and its many copycats) but with a step-through design, making it easier to hop on and off without the risk of kicking my son in the face. The shocks (front and rear) make for a surprisingly smooth ride, whether that's on the brick streets (we live near a historic district) or the rough roads on the way to daycare (the soil here is very sandy, which leads to a lot of uneven or broken asphalt.) The Moto is heavy, which makes it a little tricky to move around, and I imagine the weight plays into how slow it can be off the line using just the throttle (even when the 750W motor is set to the highest speed setting). But those are trade-offs I'd probably be happy to make in favor of just how solid the bike performs otherwise. The giant tires always help it feel planted, and the ride is even more stable when my kid is on board. I've liked using it enough that I've been trucking my kid to and from his school on 90-degree days, in high humidity  which is no small accomplishment.

What is This weeks wheels? Its a chance to learn about the different transportation products were testing, whether its an electric or hybrid car, an e-bike or even a ride in an autonomous vehicle.
This column appears every other week in Fosters Daily Democrat and the Tuskegee News. This week Guy Trammell, an African American man from Tuskegee, Ala., and Amy Miller, a white woman from South Berwick, Maine, write about education in our communities and beyond.

By Amy Miller

In the 1800s Sir William Curtis introduced the three Rs, calling for Reading, Riting and Rithmetic as basic skills of education. Weve come a long way from there, with schools embracing everything from music and the arts to computer literacy and physical education.

In South Berwick, an entire 96% of the adult population has at least a high school diploma and more than 35% has a bachelors degree or higher. I would never argue against the imperative of a formal education covering the basics.

But I have a suggestion of my own, a fourth R - reporting.

Amy Miller and Guy Trammell Jr.

Why not send every high school kid out to do interviews with politicians and police, bankers and businessmen, and then come back and write what they learn.

In fact, the Marshwood District in South Berwick and Eliot has begun actively sending kids out into the world. The high schools new Extended Learning program gets students working in real-life jobs, learning about cosmetics, welding, mechanics or computers, for instance, and about how to function in a work environment.

If we had a mandatory year of national service, which a Gallup poll said roughly half of Americans support, Id suggest we assign youth to a year of covering local government. Since we do not, how about adding a category of service to AmeriCorps?

The federal agency for national service and volunteerism, AmeriCorps sends tens of thousands of Americans, many of them young adults, out into the world with a mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement. Why not send reporters into the field? At a time when journalism is suffering under the weight of social media and unsustainable economics, this would be a gift to our democracy.

Covering small town meetings, photographing farmers at the county fair, and interviewing everyone from scientists to barbers, auto mechanics to artists, provides an education like no other. Two years at a small daily paper would give young Americans a foundation in everything from inquiry and writing to local politics and cultural awareness.

When I started as a reporter, I didnt know what a culvert was or what a town councilor did. Sure, Mrs. Shoemakers third grade classroom etched in my brain that the sun is 93 million miles from the Earth. And yes, I will always remember the Greek versus the Roman gods from a ninth grade English project.

But nothing compared with the knowledge gained outside a classroom. In newsrooms, I learned not only to write accurately on strict deadlines but to ask questions without fear and to synthesize information into critical elements. I learned to listen carefully and to understand the world from points of view different from my own.

At a time when understanding the perspective of others is in short supply, when each of us has trouble respecting views that are not our own, what better way to educate young people than to have them record the ideas and experiences of others. This is an education that reaches beyond the walls of a classroom. It is an education on how to live better, listen better, and understand better.

Here's to the four Rs.By Guy Trammell Jr.

In 1900, Tuskegee Institute was Alabamas largest school. Graduates were required to teach for two years within 20 miles of campus so Booker T. Washington created 52 Macon County communities, each with a church, a business and a school.

He invited Black farmers to relocate here so their children would live close to a school. Unofficially, Washington was our first county superintendent of education.

George W. Carver would drop in at these schools with science projects and teach impromptu classes with the children. He also wrote the curriculum for the 5,000 Rosenwald schools.

My great-uncle was the machinist for Booker T. Washington and Carver. My two great-aunts taught food science and vocal music at the college. My parents, my brother, three other aunts and an uncle also were teachers, so education was a top family priority.

Education was important throughout our African American Village of Greenwood. Nearly every adult asked children how we were doing in school, expecting an answer. Our education was an investment in the future.

From the Russian Symphonys campus visit, to plays, lectures and science experiments, children were in the audience. We learned about European music composers in third grade, mapping and geography in fourth grade, operated the school snack business by sixth grade, and learned French and judicial systems in seventh grade.

One year, my mothers summer break from teaching involved traveling the county with another teacher, Mrs. Copridge, recruiting families in the first year of the nations Head Start program.

The 1963 desegregation of my high school caused integration of all Alabama schools and a national public school desegregation mandate. It also created publicly funded white only schools, beginning with Macon Academy only a block from our school.

In October 1979, President Jimmy Carter created the cabinet level Department of Education. This was important because weakened school systems produce an uneducated public that accepts bad government policies.

The department also ensured equal access to education, disrupting the system of laborers trapped in a social status based on skin color or being a woman, who can never progress to management, administration, board of directors or corporate ownership.

The Department of Education currently serves 49.4 million students in 98,577 public schools. It funds disability assistance, access to education regardless of financial status, free school meals, and Pell grants for college tuition.

In May 2024, Alabama rejected school summer meals programs. It was reversed in June, and this comes next: a) plans to eliminate the Department of Education, b) taxpayer support for private white-only schools, c) public schools training students for military recruitment.

Get informed and act! Our children are under attack!

Guy and Amy can be reached at colorusconnected@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Musings on education from Maine and Alabama: Color Us Connected
Jamie Polk was quite comfortable working at Lawton Public Schools, having spent 25 years in the Comanche County district and rising high in that districts leadership. But on a trip to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area while participating in the Leadership Oklahoma program, she learned about the struggles of the Oklahoma City Public Schools district.

The district had 30 schools on the Oklahoma State Report Cards F list at the time. Polk went home to Lawton and told her boss, Thomas Deighan, that she could make a difference for Oklahoma City. Deighan, now an East Central University professor, called then-Oklahoma City district Superintendent Sean McDaniel, and within a few weeks, Polk had joined McDaniels staff as the assistant superintendent for elementary education.

It was just a list of Fs and it kind of was intriguing to me, Polk recalled. I kind of deem myself a systems leader, meaning that I can look at, analyze and try to find a pattern or a trend where I can jump in.  I told (McDaniel), Youve got a pattern here. Perhaps if someone just came in and did a disruption  By the time I was headed home, he was offering me a job.

In May, the districts Board of Education selected her to succeed McDaniel, whod spent six years in a job thats had an exceedingly high turnover rate over the past four decades.

On the most recent state report card, only 10 district schools made the F list and only two of those were elementary schools. Polk told The Oklahoman in a wide-ranging interview that she wants a continual focus on improving student outcomes to be a hallmark of her administration, which officially began July 1.

The new Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent, Jamie Polk, is pictured in Oklahoma City is pictured.

What I plan to do, and add to, will be student outcomes, Polk said. I kind of like the data. Now I want to add that layer of student outcomes, even to the point where the school board will actually have training  in regards of whats the boards role in student outcome governance?

That focus is most importantly for the students, the student voice, student empowerment. They need to know where they are. In order for them to know, I need my teachers to know, the principals to know. As leaders, we have to be able to tell that story.

What is plan for better student outcomes, especially at the secondary-school level?

The Oklahoma City district is sprawling, with 58 school sites scattered across 135 square miles. With more than 33,000 students, its the states second-largest district. About two-thirds of those students are of Latino origin, and there are 71 languages spoken by students within the district, providing an extra layer of challenge for the districts 5,000 or so staff members. About 16,500 students are bilingual.

Given the complexity of the district, what was Polks secret in improving outcomes at the elementary level? And can that be translated to the districts secondary schools? Four Oklahoma City high schools  Capitol Hill, John Marshall, Northwest Classen and Star Spencer  received an F grade on the most recent report card for the first time since the currently used criteria was established.

Opinion: Everyone can make a difference by reading to a child | OKCPS Superintendent Jamie Polk

A key in Polks work, she said, is knowing exactly how youre measured. There are six indicators. At the high school level, it (includes) graduation, postsecondary, academic achievement  its actually helping others see, This is how youre measured. You can do a whole lot of things, but the work has been done in order for us to know what would be a successful citizen, in order to be contributing to society  these are the things you need. Thats done. This is how you measure it.

Once our educators see this  it all makes sense.

Polk was on the committee that helped create the current standards for the Oklahoma State Report Card, so I kind of understand a little bit about whats being measured.

New Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie Polk promises the district will be more transparent going forward.

Let me know how youre going to use the measurement so that I can train my people, she said. That has been the thing that has meant the most. When it was elementary schools, These are the things that youre going to be measured over. How are you tracking them throughout the year?  What does the learning plan look like? You have a team work on that problem of practice to get the desired outcome.

Its a cadence of expectations, from principal supervisors to principals to teachers, Polk said. In turn, we will do that cadence with secondary (school leaders).

In addition to student outcomes, Polk faces another monumental task in overseeing the implementation of projects being paid for by a record $955 million bond issue approved by voters in late 2022. The district has said it wants those projects to be ready for students by the 2026-27 school year, which has led to district board meetings where multiple projects often are presented, all in different stages of design and/or construction. Polk praised the districts chief operations officer, Scott Randall, whos the point person on bond projects.

Thank goodness for a Scott Randall, who  has, with Dr. McDaniel, have actually created this pathway for us to follow in regard to the bond, she said. With him at the helm, hes getting me up to speed on a different level and Im very grateful for that. I have a standing meeting with Scott. What you see (in public) is only a tenth of what hes done behind the scenes with different groups  His team spends a lot of time ensuring we know where each project is, financially as well as in regard with where the facilities are themselves.

Fate of historic Capitol Hill building still to be determined

Arguably the most contentious of those projects has been the planned construction of a new building at Capitol Hill High School. The current high school building  designed by famed architect Solomon Andrew Layton and opened in 1928  will be used through the 2025-26 school year. But the eventual fate of the current building remains a mystery.

Concerns about the school, while not yet targeted for demolition, date to renderings by MA+ Architects released in late 2022 that showed the campus cleared of its historic fieldhouse (which dates to the mid-1950s) and the 1928 building. One rendering showed the ornate entrance of the school as the only portion of the school to be retained and for it to be repurposed into a gateway for an alumni plaza.

Renderings shown during an early June board meeting, however, included a master plan with the 1928 building intact, with just the fieldhouse gone. A vocal group of Capitol Hill alumni have campaigned for the old building to be saved, if not as a school, then for another, to-be-determined community purpose. The districts COO, Randall, said publicly in April that the demolition of the current school building is not in the scope of work for the contractors on the project.

The leader of the Capitol Hill group, Michael Smith, said he appreciates Polk being willing to communicate with its members, after Smith felt that McDaniel would not. Polk said its too early in her tenure to know exactly what might happen.

Polk did say shes met with the Capitol Hill group and it makes a world of difference when you sit down at the table with people and listen. I am so grateful for that. Im just getting up to snuff on it  but in this process, I have learned the heart of different community members and I honor that heart. But in order for me to sit here and say if somethings going to be torn down, yes or no  I dont know.

Smith and others  including current members of the districts Citizens Oversight Committee for the Bond, members of the school board and media members  also have complained about what they perceive to be a lack of transparency within the district, in regards to communication from the district office, open records requests or simply availability. The Oklahoman, for example, sought on multiple occasions in May and June to speak with Polk, McDaniel and Board Chair Paula Lewis for a story about the transition in district leadership. Those requests were denied and it wasnt until mid-July that district communications professionals allowed for Polk to be interviewed.

Polk promised to be transparent going forward and said she will address the issue day by day. During a recent speech at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber's State of the Schools event, she had her phone number and email address posted on a big screen inside the room at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in which the event was held.

Im going to ask others to hold me accountable to that, she said. In my 100-day plan, in order to apply for this position and receive it, communication was number one. That was just not communication with the community or the board or with staff  thats everyone.  I plan to do a cadence and have focuses. Am I going to get it right 100% of the time? No. But I am going to attempt to do better.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New OKCPS superintendent wants to maintain focus on student outcomes
Turkey appears to have restored access to Meta-owned Instagram, after blocking the app on August 2.

Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the countrys minister of transport and infrastructure, posted today that the ban would be lifted at 9:30 p.m. Turkish time.

Cybersecurity monitor NetBlocks says, Live metrics show that Instagram is being gradually restored on internet providers in #Turkey after authorities and Meta negotiate the removal of terrorist content and the reinstatement of unfairly closed accounts.

The ban came after a Turkish official had accused Instagram of censoring condolence posts related to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Uraloglu wrote today that the Turkish government blocked Instagram because the company did not respond to our requests due to the policies it implemented within the scope of catalog crimes (translation via Google). He added that following discussions with Instagram, our demands, especially regarding catalog crimes, will be met and they have promised to work together on the censorship imposed on users.

Uraloglus post does not specify which crimes or content censorship were discussed. Instagram did not immediately respond to TechCrunchs request for comment.
Police Chief William McManus suspended a San Antonio police detective for 30 days for calling police to the home of a former lover on false pretenses. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL 2022

A San Antonio police detective has been suspended for summoning police to the home of a former lover under false pretenses and then lying about it.

Detective Arthur F. Lopez was suspended for 30 days without pay, San Antonio Police Department disciplinary records show.

According to the records, Lopez arranged for Schertz police to accompany him when he went to a womans home in that city on Dec. 13, 2023, to ask her to stop contacting him.

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Lopez said the woman had called him while she was having sex with someone else in order to harass, embarrass and annoy him, according to the records.

However, when Schertz police went to the womans home, she denied making the phone call described by Lopez and said that he had been harassing her and her husband.

The woman, who admitted to having an extramarital affair with Lopez, said the detective called her husband six times in 10 minutes on one occasion. She also said Lopez sent her text messages calling her profanities and telling her to just do yourself a favor and kill yourself.

SAPD said investigators were able to corroborate the womans account using her phone records. Lopez did not provide his phone records to buttress his claim that the woman had called to harass him, nor did he produce a recording of the alleged conversation, records state.

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Detective Lopezs actions did not conform to the ordinary and reasonable rules of good conduct and behavior and/or brought reproach and discredit on himself and the San Antonio Police Department, records state.

While speaking to Schertz police, Lopez asked questions such as Where was she between 4:15 and 4:45? and Did she even admit to the relationship?

Detective Lopezs motivations for requesting police assistance was not for the stated purpose, but rather may have been to learn of (the womans) whereabouts, discover whether (her husband) knew of the affair, and/or to elicit communication from either (her or her husband), records say.

The woman told police she was fearful Lopez would retaliate against her. That prompted Schertz police to serve a criminal trespass warning on Lopez.

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Aug 11 (Paolo fromTOKYO) - This is the typical work day in Japan of an anime director from morning his morning routine, daily work activities, all the way to nighttime.

The Japanese work culture in an animation production studio is unique on it's own as it requires 200 people to make one episode alone. This average work day in Japan at an anime studio highlights the passion each worker has for their job and how they all work together to create a Japanese anime series. Shu, the anime director, is currently directing an anime called, MAYONAKA PUNCH, meaning Midnight Punch. Working directly for the P.A. works animation studio and the Kadokawa publishing company. On his 2nd series he worked at this studio for about 10 years now. So Shu works as a freelancer, which is rather typical in Japans anime industry as they make up almost 70% of its workers. For Shu, this means his work location changes depending on his client projects. Currently, his primary studio though is in Kodaira which allows him to bike to work, but this morning he needs to head directly to the voice recording studio first. Today, the team is recording one episode which is 24 minutes long with the Seiyu voice actors. It takes about 4-5 hours on average but if theres an issue, itll take as long as it needs until they can get it right. That is how this anime director's day starts, but then will move onto more tasks throught the day.
By Kingsley Omonobi

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have smashed a drug cartel following the recovery of multi-billion-naira worth of cocaine concealed in heavy-duty automobile pivot shafts, and Ghanaian fabric, Kente, among others following a nationwide intelligence-led operation.

In the same vein, five other consignments going to the US, UK and Canada were also intercepted at the courier firm in Lagos on Friday 9th August 2024.

Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi while confirming this said, While 2.32 kilograms of cocaine concealed in Ghanaian traditional kente materials going to the United Kingdom were intercepted at a courier firm in Lagos on Monday 5th August 2024, 10.494kg of same class A drug buried in heavy duty pivot shafts heading to the United States were recovered at the same logistics company after the NDLEA sniffer dogs fished out the automobile spare parts containing the illicit drug, bringing the total weight of cocaine seized in the two shipments to 12.814 kilograms.

They include 517 grams of cocaine in clothing materials; different quantities of pentazocine injection, promethazine injection and cocodamol pills, all heading to the UK as well as 297 pills of tramadol 225mg going to Canada.

In a different logistics company in Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 21 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 10kg coming from the US and meant for delivery in Abuja.

In another intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 7th August arrested a member of a cocaine trafficking network, Obiora Joseph Agudosi, at Alafia Orile, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos while attempting to move 9.00kg of cocaine to Onitsha, Anambra state.

Two members of another cocaine syndicate based in Nnewi and Oba town, Anambra state were also arrested on Thursday 8th August in a follow-up operation following the seizure of their consignments in a GUO transport company bus at Benin, Edo state on the same day.

While the bus driver, Harrison Mbachu, 44, was arrested at Benin tollgate with a total of 2.865kg cocaine, Izuchkwu Arinze, 40, was picked at Nnewi town while attempting to collect his own consignment of 1.748kg cocaine and 514 grams sodium bicarbonate, with Ameachi Okoro, 39, arrested while trying to pick his own 1.117kg cocaine at Oba town.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at Tincan seaport Lagos on Wednesday 7th August intercepted 532 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 265.25kg in a black Toyota Sienna bus, which is one of the three vehicles in a container marked MSMU 6029570 coming from Montreal, Canada.

The seizure was made during 100% joint examination with men of Customs Service and other stakeholders.

The following day, Thursday 8th August, the operatives recorded yet another seizure of 75 parcels of same substance weighing 37.5kg in a container marked FSCU-9274613, that came from Canada.

In Adamawa state, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 8th August with the support of men of operation Farauta Sector 3, Mayo Belwa arrested 49-year-old Joseph Peter with 425 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 291.200kg in his Toyota Camry car marked Lagos KSF 381 HM.

He claimed he was bringing the consignment from Edo state to deliver in Yola, Adamawa State.

Two suspects: Adekunle Sunday Adebayo, 50, and Yahaya Mamuda, 35, were arrested at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Tuesday 6th August with 29.5kg cannabis, NDLEA operatives in Lagos recovered 1,169 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance from a bus along Orchid road, Ajah on Sunday 4th August.

No less than 1,230.00kg cannabis was destroyed on three hectares of farmland at Ikeje forest, Edimogo village, Igalamela/ Odolu LGA, Kogi state on Friday 9th August by NDLEA officers supported by men of the Nigerian Army while the owner, Danjuma Maji, 40, was arrested.

With the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for women at Fowewe Sofuwa Islamic Centre, Saki, Oyo state; WADA sensitisation lecture and inauguration of community drug control committee at Nnando community, Anambra state

Others are WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Kwara state; and WADA sensitisation lecture to members of Ansaru-ud-deen Muslim Society of Nigeria in Ado Ekiti, among others.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, Tincan, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Kogi, and Adamawa Commands as well as those of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, for the arrests and seizures,

He urged them and their compatriots across the country to continue with their current balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
By Udeme Utip

New leadership has emerged across the 31 Local Government Chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State following the election of Chapter Executive Committee Members yesterday.

The new executive committee is expected to hold the reins of leadership of the party for a four-year tenure at the Local Government level across the State.

At the Congress, a total of 18 Chapter Officers were elected in each Local Government Areas, including one National Delegate per LGA bringing the total to 31 National Delegates as well as one Persons Living with Disabilities, PLWDs in each Local Government also bringing the total of PLWDs to 31 across the State.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno was among eminent members of the Party elected as National Delegates at the Local Government Congress which held at the PDP chapter headquarters Nsit Ubium.

In his message of goodwill sent to all the Local Government Areas, and delivered by the Elders and Stakeholders of the Party in the various domains, Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno praised the unity of purpose and dogged resolve to victory that have remained as the defining traits of the PDP in the State, Urging the New officers elected to be prepared to work assiduously to steady the Party on the Path of successive electoral conquest.

Addressing Stakeholders and returning officers just before their departure to the various LGAs, Akwa Ibom State chairman of the PDP, Rt Hon (Elder) Aniekan Akpan, reminded the stakeholders and elders of the need to elect officers who are ready to make the needed sacrifices of stewardship that will draw more faithful and supporters to the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.

The State PDP Chairman said In this State, our Party, the PDP is privileged to stay as the most loved, and preferred Political Party for Akwa Ibom people. Therefore those who will elect must be persons who will adopt an altruistic disposition that will make millions of people continue to admire the PDP and choose us.

He later attended the Chapter Congress in Ukanafun where he congratulated the New Exco of the PDP in the Local Government Area.

Commenting on the peaceful nature of the exercise, the speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, while congratulating the new chapter EXCO of the party in Abak, attributed the success of the exercise to the transparency and internal democracy in the party.

Speaking in Nsit Ubium, the Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob, commended the Congress delegates and congratulated the newly elected party EXCO in area.

In Uruan Local Government where the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Aniekan Bassey participated in the Congress, the exercise witnessed a large turn out, the Senate hailing the conduct of the congress and congratulated the new leader of PDP in Uruan chapter.

Former National Legal Adviser of the party, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, in Etim Ekpo, remarked that the exercise did not fail to meet the excellent expectations of the party, holding that it is another opportunity for the party in Etim Ekpo to increase the pace and root of PDP in the area, while staying true to support of Gov Eno.

In Itu Local Government Area, the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Kufreabasi Edidem, noted that the elective congress was seamless and rancor-free, applauding the stakeholders of the party in Itu for the unity in producing the first ever female chairman of the party in Itu chapter, Mrs Inemesit Maxwell.

In Eket, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Frank Archibong, who was part of the congress said Eket has never failed the party and will never fail, as he congratulated the new EXCO of the party in Eket, urging then and party faithful to keep standing by Gov Eno as he delivers his policies and programmes through the ARISE Agenda.

Stakeholders of the party in Ibiono Ibom including former Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Ignatius Edet, immediate past state assembly member, Hon Godwin Ekpo, the State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr Borono Bassey, among others, who met at Oko-Ita, also gave thumbs up on the emergence of the newly elected EXCO of PDP in the chapter led by Mr Unyime Leo, expressing delight that the seamless process goes to solidify the already stronghold of PDP in the area.

In Uyo the state capital, the chapter congress produced Hon. Anthony Ekong as chapter chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Utibe Ini as vice chairman, along with 16 other members to make up the chapter executive council.

Speaking at the end of the congress, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Local Government Service Commission, Hon Monday Eyo, the Transition Committee Chairman of Uyo, Dr Uwemedimoh Udo and others, described the process as seamless and hitch-free, commending the state leadership of the PDP for their transparency and effectiveness, while lauding the Gov Eno for providing leadership and direction.

The Chapter Congress was also conducted in Ika Local Government Area where Elder Oyomo Oyomo emerged victorious as the Chapter Chairman alongside other Chapter officers.

The Chairman of the Congress Committee in Ika Local Government Area and immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN alongside key stakeholders of the area lauded the leadership disposition Governor Umo Eno in charting a developmental, peaceful and enviable path for the party in the State which has enhanced the smooth conduct of the Congress across the State.

It was no different in Etinan where the member representing Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom/Etinan Federal Constituency at the National assembly, Obong Paul Ekpo, alongside others stakeholders in the area, scored the party and Gov Umo Eno high in the conduct of the congress and the development in the state, particularly in Etinan, pledging the continued commitment of Etinan to remain supportive to the party and the governor.

In Nsit Atai, the returning officer, Mr Effiom Abai conducted the election process, at the end of which Pastor Ndifreke Ntia emerged as chapter chairman, Lady Eunice Oscar, woman leader, alongside 16 other exco members.

At the venue of the Congress for Mkpat Enin Local Government Chapter where Mr Isaiah Akpan emerged as Chapter Chairman, alongside other EXCO members, the senator representing Eket Senatorial District, Barr Ekong Sampson, restated the position of the stakeholders and faithful of PDP in the area, harping on the need of Party faithful to remain relentless in entrenching the ideals of the party and working for greater success of PDP.

Speaking at the end of the exercise, the member representing Uyo/Uruan/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset charged the newly elected officials to remain loyal and bear true allegiance to the democratic tenets of the PDP

The congress in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA chapter of the PDP produced Mr Nsikak Nkanga as chapter chairman, Lady Ime Orok as vice chairman, and Edidiong Effiong Ekong as Treasurer, amongst others.

Former member of the House of Representatives and Board of Trustees Member of PDP, Hon Pat Ifon, Immediate Past Chapter chairmen of PDP in Esit Eket, Elder Eddy Etangkanga and his ONNA counterpart, Barr Ubong Adiakpan on their part lauded the leadership of the party in the State for conducting a peaceful chapter Congress.

In an interaction with newsmen after the exercise, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative affairs, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko said he had confidence in the newly elected officials and was persuaded that they will take the party in the Local Government Area to enviable heights.

In their separate responses shortly after emerging victorious at the polls, newly elected Chapter Chairmen of the PDP in Ibiono Ibom Chapter, Hon. Unyime Leo, that of Uruefong/Oruko, Mr Tom Efombruh and the one of Uyo Chapter Mr Anthony Ekong thanked the delegates for the support and votes, pledging to hit the ground running in the task of working to deepen the footprints of electoral victories of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.

The 5-Man Chapter Congress Electoral Committee for Akwa Ibom State sent in from the National Headquarters of the Party has Hon. Ene Ndubuisi David as Chairman while Hon. Emmanuel Ekpe was the Secretary.
The Moroccan government is preparing the 2025 budget based on expectations of an economic growth at 4.6% and a budget deficit of 3% of GDP, as it continues to attach priority to social safety nets, investments and employment.

This came in the directive of the head of the government regarding the priorities of next years budget, which also aims at lowering public debt to below 70% of GDP.

The government plans to press ahead with the generalization of health coverage as well as the health sector reform, which includes building new university hospitals across the Kingdom.

The goal is to reach 25 medicas per 10,000 by 2026 and 45 per 10,000 by 2030, the note said.

Financial assistance to needy households would increase to 2.6 billion dollars in 2025, it said.

The same year, Morocco plans to generalize the pension system and unemployment allowance.

Morocco also plans to open 4000 new schools next year as it also presses ahead with the education reform.

Subsidies would stand at 1.6 billion dollars, targeting cooking gas, bread and sugar.

The government also plans to encourage private investment to grow from a third of overall investments currently to two thirds by 2035.
After Hamas savage October 2023 assault on Israel which claimed 1,200 lives, mostly civilians, Hezbollah ramped up its confrontational posture, sparking fears of further terror attacks. The militant Lebanese political group, for decades, has acted as a powerful proxy actor for Irans theocratic regime. Hezbollah, which the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997, earned a menacing reputation for bombing civilian targets and involvement in a host of criminal activities, notably narcotics and arms trafficking as well as money laundering. Hezbollahs sizable but overlooked presence in Latin America poses significant risks. It gives the militants access to lucrative illicit economies along with the ability to strike soft targets in a region lacking robust counter-terrorism capabilities. In the wake of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros fraudulent electoral victory, Hezbollah will expand its South American presence as Iran ramps up support for the murderous regime to counter stricter U.S. sanctions.

Hezbollah participates in a host of criminal and terrorist activities across Latin America. Among the Shiite militants most notorious terrorist attacks in the region is the 1992 suicide bombing of Israels Embassy in Buenos Aires Argentina, where nine embassy personnel and scores of civilians were killed. Then there was the 1994 attack on Buenos Airess AMIA Jewish community center where a suicide bomber claimed 85 lives and left hundreds injured, making it Argentinas deadliest-ever terrorist attack. It is speculated that Hezbollah, along with Brazilian organized crime groups (Spanish), masterminded the May 2022 murder of Paraguayan organized crime prosecutor Marcelo Pecci while he was holidaying in Cartagena Colombia. Brazilian authorities, in cooperation with Israeli intelligence, recently uncovered a Hezbollah network that was planning to attack Jewish targets in Latin Americas largest country.

Those events underscore the sophisticated nature of Hezbollahs South American networks and the destabilizing influence they inflict on a politically volatile and vulnerable region. For decades, allegations have swirled over Hezbollahs operation of training camps in South America and deep involvement in the continents cocaine trade, particularly in the Tri-State area a globally recognized hub for illicit economies. Over the last 20 years criminal activities, especially cocaine trafficking and money laundering have emerged as key sources of income for Hezbollah. It is inevitable that the Shiite militia would engage in such a lucrative activity with a global market valued at north of $100 billion annually. As a result, it is believed that Hezbollah has emerged as a major player in Europes cocaine trade which is valued at up to $12 billion each year. Estimates vary but cocaine smuggling is thought to generate up to three hundred million dollars annually for Hezbollah. This makes narcotics trafficking the second largest source of revenue for the Lebanese militia which is only surpassed by Teherans funding believed to be worth $700 million annually.

South Americas lawless Tri-Border area was at the center of Hezbollahs criminal network for decades, but the rapidly growing importance of cocaine trafficking for its finances saw the terrorists expand into South Americas Northern Andean countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. You see, strife-torn Colombia is the worlds largest cocaine producer, while Venezuela and Ecuador are key international transshipment hubs. The dismantling of Hezbollahs narcotics and money laundering networks in the Tri-Border area by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) incentivized the militants to relocate the center of operations to Northern South America. This was given further momentum by lawlessness in Colombia, which is locked in a multi-decade low-level asymmetric conflict, and Venezuela, where Hugo Chavezs 1999 Bolivarian revolution triggered democratic backsliding and widespread corruption.

The large Lebanese and Shiite Muslim diasporas in Colombia and Venezuela provide readily exploitable communities for Hezbollah to infiltrate. The radical Lebanese Shiite militants do this by leveraging family ties to build networks of legitimate and illicit businesses which are used to generate income and launder the proceeds of crime to fund operations in the Middle East. Colombia, as the worlds largest cocaine producer, is particularly important to Hezbollah because the Andean countrys long history of weak central governments and lawlessness has allowed illegal armed groups to flourish. The tremendous profits generated by cocaine production are responsible for financing Colombias nearly 70-year-long low-intensity armed conflict. According to the United Nations Office On Drugs And Crime (UNODC) 2022 cocaine production hit an all-time high of 1,738 metric tons, which is a whopping 24% increase compared to 2021. This sparked fears that cocaine shipments from Colombia would outstrip oil seeing the narcotic become the Andean nations top export.

Soaring cocaine production is not only responsible for funding illegal armed groups that are challenging the government and soaring rural violence but also attracts the attention of transnational criminal syndicates like Hezbollah. The Lebanese militants forged connections with various Colombian illegal armed groups involved in the cocaine trade, notably the Oficina de Envigado, Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC  Spanish initials), and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC  Spanish initials). After the 2016 FARC peace accord, Hezbollah went on to forge relationships with dissident bands that rejected the deal. Colombias leftist guerillas for decades operated along the porous border with Venezuela, where they continue to maintain a significant presence to this day.

After Chavez assumed office and initiated his socialist Bolivarian revolution in February 1999 Caracas cultivated relationships with Colombias leftist FARC and National Liberation Army (ELN  Spanish initials) guerillas. The leftist regime went on to provide arms, logistical support, and safe havens in Venezuela to Colombias leftist guerillas. Following the 2016 peace accord, dissident FARC bands and elements of the ELN went on to expand their operations in Venezuela, notably in cocaine trafficking, extortion, and illegal gold mining, as the rule of law and government control in remote regions broke down. This allowed those illegal armed groups to operate with impunity while amassing considerable wealth and power, to the point where they provided basic public services to communities in the areas abandoned by Caracas. The Chavez regime went on to foster associations with other U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations and armed groups, notably Hezbollah.

Democratic backsliding, endemic corruption, and crumbling state institutions were responsible for spiraling lawlessness making Venezuela an attractive base of operations for Hezbollah. Chavez allowed the Lebanese militants to establish a safe haven on Margarita Island, off Venezuelas eastern coast, and offered sanctuary to Venezuelan-based supporters of the U.S. designated terrorist organization. By 2010, U.S. officials estimated there were Hezbollah training camps operating in and around Caracas administered by the Venezuelan military. Meanwhile, Venezuelans of Lebanese, Syrian, and Iranian descent were recruited for paramilitary training at Hezbollah facilities. The regime even went on to broker weapons for cocaine deals between the FARC and Hezbollah, while supplying Venezuelan passports to Hezbollah and Hamas operatives.

As ever-stricter U.S. sanctions bit deeper, Caracas became increasingly reliant upon illicit economies, notably cocaine trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering, to generate urgently required hard currency. The growth of illegal activities in Venezuela was further facilitated by the Chavez regimes endemic corruption, centralized authority, and cronyism which saw the pariah state emerge as an important transshipment point for cocaine trafficking. According to the DEA, almost a quarter of global cocaine production passes through Venezuela. It is estimated around 16% of Venezuelas gross domestic product (GDP) (Spanish) is generated by illicit economies, highlighting Caracas dependence on illegal activities in an economy that has shrunk by over 60% since Maduro took power in 2013.

The Maduro regimes dependence on income from illicit economies and support from Hezbollahs main benefactor Iran has created a fertile environment for the Lebanese to expand their presence in Venezuela. Hezbollah has already formed a strategic relationship with the Venezuela-based Cartel of the Suns (Cartel De Los Soles), a network of drug trafficking cells embedded in the authoritarian regimes military forces. A key regime figure, until his fall from grace, with longstanding close ties to Hezbollah is former Vice President and Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami who is of Iraqi Lebanese descent. Venezuelan intelligence documents show El Aissami and his Syrian immigrant father, who worked with Hezbollah in Syria, recruited members and facilitated cocaine trafficking for the militant organization. During El Aissamis time as Minister of Interior, he gave Venezuelan passports to at least 800 migrants from Middle East countries who had ties to Hezbollah. It is speculated that the autocratic regime has given up to 10,000 Venezuelan passports to citizens of Syria, Iran, and Lebanon.

Growing international indignation at Maduro fraudulently stealing the 2024 presidential election along with the regimes increasingly violent repression of opposition will lead to stricter sanctions against Caracas. This will force the dictatorial government to become more dependent on Irans support and illicit economies to generate crucial hard currency. Indeed, Teheran, itself the target of stringent U.S. sanctions, is an important source of crucial condensate and aid to Venezuelas flailing petroleum industry which is responsible for Venezuelas economy returning to growth. Those events will create a fertile environment for illegal armed groups to expand operations in Venezuela, with Hezbollah optimally positioned to bolster its presence, notably in cocaine trafficking and money laundering. As that takes place, it will further destabilize one of the most volatile areas in South America at a critical time with rising cocaine production fueling violence in neighboring Colombia.

By Matthew Smith for OIlprice.com
There is strong bipartisan support for natural gas development in Pennsylvania, with both Republicans and Democrats recognizing its benefits for the state's economy and environment.

Natural gas is a key driver of economic growth, energy security, and environmental progress in Pennsylvania and the United States.

Authored by David Callahan via RealClearEnergy,

It often feels like common ground is a rare commodity in todays highly charged political climate, where heated debate emphasizes our differences more often than our shared values. As policy solutions are advanced in the coming months of the election season on key issues related to the economy, national security and the environment, we are reminded that not everything has to be partisan or divisive.

Natural gas transcends political boundaries and arches political divides by providing economic growth, advancing U.S. energy security and making substantial environmental progress. By recognizing the many benefits of this critical energy source, we can forge a path forward that unites perspectives in pursuit of a stronger America.

Nowhere in the country is this partnership, and the opportunities it creates, more apparent than in Pennsylvania.

Producing nearly 20% of Americas natural gas, Pennsylvania exemplifies how embracing natural gas leads to generational economic, consumer and environmental progress. In the twenty years since the first horizontal well tapped into the Marcellus, our state's natural gas resources have attracted new opportunities to our region and uplifted existing industries, all while reducing energy costs, emissions and reliability concerns.

Perhaps its the 123,000 high-paying Pennsylvania jobs, $40 billion in a year of economic activity and more than $6 billion paid to landowners in royalties that unites political polar opposites.

It could also be because natural gas drove the largest year-over-year decline in the states power sector emissions, underscoring its importance to a lower carbon future.

As Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro told POLITICO, it is a false choice to say we have to choose between protecting our planet and protecting our jobs. We can have both.

Similarly, Pennsylvania State Senator Gene Yaw, who chairs the Senates Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, says the states natural gas sector has been a great partner in ensuring consumers have access to the affordable, reliable energy they depend on, along with creating new jobs and economic opportunities.

Data proves natural gas is a rare bipartisan issue for the Keystone State, pollsters at Axis Research said, noting over 68% of Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania support continued investment in natural gas.

Theres strong support for the industry in the Commonwealth, because when Pennsylvanias natural gas sector thrives, so do the people. A good example of the benefits is the more than $2.7 billion generated by the tax on natural gas development that has been distributed to communities in each county, regardless of industry activity.

Consider, for example, that Philadelphia is a direct beneficiary of the energy produced in Washington, Lycoming or Susquehanna County, receiving approximately $18 million for infrastructure, community development and emergency preparedness yielded since 2012, not to mention the millions in annual home energy savings.

Southeastern Pennsylvania could further benefit from the energy abundance by serving as an LNG export hub, giving the world access to more reliable, low-cost and clean natural gas. After all, natural gas produced under Pennsylvanias strong environmental regulations, coupled with operator best practices and continuous innovation, is poised to play an even greater role in the global call for low-emissions energy as international buyers seek a certifiably cleaner product.

The Appalachian Basin being the largest and cleanest source of natural gas in the country, if not the world, firmly positions us at the forefront of Americas clean energy advantage with significant job-creating and revenue-boosting potential, especially for workers in the building trades.

To further capitalize on this incredible asset, America elected officials must address stifling regulatory hurdles, tax inequalities and other challenges that hold back the expansion of natural gas development and usage.

And as world events in the past several years have shown, energy and national security are inextricably linked. It is imperative we develop a forward-thinking vision for America's energy future that leverages our natural gas abundance to ensure our nations energy security, sustainability, and prosperity.

Of this, there should be no debate.

By Zerohedge.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Texas Game Wardens in the Rio Grande Valley are cracking down on illegal netting practices at Falcon Lake. Wardens in Zapata County over the past few weeks seized "several thousand feet of monofilament gill net and gar net" that did not meet state guidelines, according to a Facebook post from the agency. Texas Game Wardens Texas Game Wardens over the past few weeks seized "several thousand feet" of illegal fishing nets at Falcon Lake, officials said. Texas Game Wardens

Texas game wardens in the Rio Grande Valley are cracking down on illegal netting practices at Falcon Lake.

Game wardens seized several illegal nets from a Mexican commercial fishing vessel that was operating on the Texas side of Falcon Lake, along the southern Rio Grande river border, according a Facebook post from the Texas Game Wardens.

Seven hoop nets were seized, and hundreds of fingerling-sized catfish and turtles were returned to the water, the agency said.

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The nets, which capture large swaths of marine life at once, can severely damage ecosystems and prevent future fishing opportunities, state officials said.

Texas Game Wardens over the past few weeks seized "several thousand feet of monofilament gill net and gar net" that did not meet state guidelines, according to a Facebook post from the agency. Texas Game Wardens

Wardens in Zapata County over the past few weeks seized "several thousand feet of monofilament gill net and gar net" that did not meet state guidelines, the Facebook post said.

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According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, casting nets are legal only for taking non-game fish and other aquatic animal life, including crabs, crayfish and shrimp. The net also must not exceed 14 feet in diameter.
Innovations in robotics have greatly supported energy operations in recent years, with robots now aiding both fossil fuel and renewable energy production. The use of robotics in oil and natural gas operations has made the sector significantly safer, reducing the need for personnel to work in dangerous situations. In addition, it has made it possible to run many energy operations remotely, which was particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic due to the restriction of movement. Further progress in the development of robotics over the coming decades is expected to help accelerate the green transition, as well as continue to support fossil fuel operations.

Robotics now play a vital role in a wide range of energy operations, from oil and gas to wind and solar power. During the pandemic, engineers were able to monitor offshore oil operations using robots at a time when movement was restricted around the globe. This helped ensure that the global energy supply was disrupted to a lesser extent. Robots have also been employed to carry out some of the dirtiest and most dangerous activities on oil platforms so that humans dont have to. Energy companies have become more open to new technologies, such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning, in recent years, with their function becoming more apparent during the pandemic. Going forward, renewable energy companies are looking for ways to incorporate these technologies into their operations to make activities cheaper, safer, and more efficient, as well as cut costs.

In the wind energy sector, robots are increasingly being used for equipment maintenance. Previously, energy companies relied heavily on the deployment of large vessels to manage maintenance operations. However, innovations in robotics technology have made it possible for wind turbines to be serviced by robots, which are more precise and efficient in their tasks. This has led to a decrease in the time and resources needed to carry out maintenance and has minimized the potential for error or secondary work.

In addition to streamlining maintenance, many modern robots are equipped with monitoring and diagnostics technologies that help safeguard turbines before they fall into disrepair. Using robots also reduces the need for physical human intervention in offshore settings as they can often be operated remotely. This makes operations safer and reduces costs. Energy companies are now employing skilled engineers to manage robotics operations remotely or focus on higher-value onshore tasks.

One of the new technologies being used in the U.K. wind sector is the robotic crawler, which was developed by the British robotics company BladeBUG. The firm created the robot to conduct meticulous inspections of wind turbine blades and other associated components, to make turbine inspections more efficient, accurate, and safer. Another technology being developed for use in the wind energy sector is Honuworxs subsea robotic system, Ridley. It is a submersible deployment and operations platform for large subsea robots, which is expected to be deployed in place of a large vessel-based subsea system. This reduces the risk associated with crane-based deployments, can be operated remotely, and provides real-time operational data. As the global wind energy sector rapidly expands, there is great potential to develop more innovative robotics technologies to accelerate the rollout of wind farms worldwide.

In the solar energy sector, robots are being used for a range of activities. In 2023, researchers at Osaka University published a study demonstrating the potential for using an automated system to identify semiconductor materials for use in photovoltaic solar energy, which are highly efficient and have low toxicity. The researchers created a unique robotic measurement system that's able to perform photoabsorption spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and time-resolved microwave conductivity analyses. They then used the robot to evaluate 576 different thin-film semiconductor samples. The use of this innovative technology could help scientists discover new materials that can be used in solar panel construction to improve their efficiency.

Robots are also now being used on solar farms to install solar panels. In the U.S., energy companies complain about the lack of skilled workers required to develop new solar farms at the pace needed to meet the growing demand for solar power. In July, AES Corporation, one of the biggest renewable energy companies in the U.S., introduced a first-of-its-kind robot, which is capable of carrying and installing thousands of solar panels. Maximo, as the robot is known, has a large extendable arm that can pick up solar panels using suction cups and place them neatly into rows using AI and computer vision to ensure the correct placement of the panels. It is thought to be able to install solar panels twice as fast as humans can and at around half the cost.

Greater investment in robotics in the coming years is expected to help accelerate the rollout of renewable energy projects, as well as make them safer and more efficient, and cut costs. This is already taking place in the oil and gas sector and is increasingly being seen in the wind and solar energy industries. As robotics technologies improve, the use of robots will likely become more commonplace across a wide variety of energy operations worldwide.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Live music fans of all ages headed to Falconwood Park in Bellevue on Saturday for Day 2 of the Outlandia Music Festival.

Festival-goers began streaming into the event grounds early Saturday afternoon ready for a day of performances with camping chairs and water bottles in tow.

After a packed lineup on Friday featuring The Flaming Lips and Men I Trust, seven artists were set to take the stage Saturday, kicking off with The Eye at 1:30 p.m.

Other artists on Saturdays schedule included Kelsey Waldon, Devotchka, Buffalo Tom, Flipturn and The Revivalists. Multiplatinum indie folk band The Head & The Heart was slated to close out the festival with a performance at 10:30 p.m.

Dinosaur Jr. was also set to perform Saturday, but the band announced on social media it would not be able to attend the festival.

Those at the festival were enjoying the cooler-than-normal temperatures Saturday, with the National Weather Service forecasting a high of around 77 degrees.

Besides the music, the festival offered a variety of food and drink options and local vendors.

This year marked Outlandias third year. The festival was also poised to be the sole large-scale music festival in the Omaha area in 2024, as event organizers for Omahas Maha festival decided not to hold the event this year, citing cost concerns.

Outlandia has expanded its offerings each year.

In 2023, Outlandia introduced on-site camping for the first time.

New this year were Ultra VIP tickets, which offered exclusive merchandise, complimentary food and drink and an included camping pass. Those perks were in addition to the regular VIP offerings of a VIP viewing area, VIP parking, a private VIP bar and food area and private air-conditioned bathrooms.

Adrian Bilsborough and Alyssa Aleman of Des Moines said it was their third time at the festival. In addition to the diverse lineup of bands, they said they appreciated the festivals relaxed atmosphere.

This is kind of a tradition now, Bilsborough said.

Catherine Paulsen and Taylor Thomas of Omaha said they liked the down-to-earth vibes at the festival and were excited to see The Revivalists and The Head and The Heart perform.

The lineup for today is pretty killer, Paulsen said.

Paulsen said she attended the Hinterland Festival near Des Moines last year and felt Outlandia brought in a similar genre of music and offered a similar environment.

While Outlandia is still fairly new to the festival scene, Paulsen said she thinks over time it could grow to the scale of Hinterland.

Hinterland, which was held from Aug. 2-4 this year, started in 2015.

I feel like Outlandia will be up to the caliber of Hinterland in the years to come, Paulsen said.

Photos: Day one of 2024 Outlandia Music Festival
Places party losses on Oshiomhole, supports call on National Chairman to resign

The former National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and former AMCON MD, Barrister Muiz Banire, has warned that the ruling APC will collapse considering the leadership pattern of the partys National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. Declaring his support for the Supreme Court judgment on the Bayelsa State governorship election the party lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the court, blaming the APC leadership, he advocated for urgent halt of the disintegration of the party and electoral misfortunes in the past one year.

The former national legal adviser berate APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, for his leadership failures, celebrating when the Supreme Court judgement favoured APC in Imo State and assaulting the Supreme Court on its judgment in Bayelsa which favoured the PDP.

Banire held that the Supreme Court cannot be faulted on its the judgment on the Bayelsa State governorship election which the victory of the APC governor-elect was nullified following the certificate forgery case of the deputy governor-elect.

He reiterated that the court voided the election of the APC candidates in the gubernatorial election on the simple ground that no valid ticket existed at the time of the election by the ruling party. Banire maintained that The electoral jurisprudence is settled for decades now that, for there to be a valid ticket, both the governorship and deputy governorship candidates sponsored by a political party must be qualified in all ramifications.

Once there is an affliction on one, the candidature of the party collapses in its entirety, rendering a joint ticket to be no ticket at all.

He affirmed: the two subsections of Section 187 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), carry neither ambiguity nor vagueness in this regard.

Little wonder, therefore, that the votes accrued by the ruling party were discountenanced on the ground that there was no valid nomination as at the time of the election.

Without being perturbed of the propriety or legality or correctness of the decision, Banire was more concerned about  who is actually to be blamed?

Banire declared: Without mincing words, I stand with the Supreme Court in all the decisions made so far. Therefore, I share in the confidence reposed in the apex court by my brother silk and Honourable Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo.

In fact, I am glad that someone else is thinking right on this issue. The party leadership, in my very strong view, is the most culpable in this regard. Coincidentally, as at Tuesday, there were several comments in this regard and along the same direction that the blame be heaped on the partys leadership.

I equally share their position on the ineptitude of the leadership in the circumstances of this case and other issues alluded to in the various statements.

The former APC national legal adviser stated that the party is now an arena where truth is regarded as poison and must, therefore, not be administered. This explains why there is huge deficit of good people in the conclave, he added.

He remarked that APC birthed the government that runs the country, adding that it is loaded substantially with party members who have the capacity to make or mar the nation. Banire decried that with the deluge of losses continuously suffered by the APC since last year, he was beginning to be worried that the labour of the founding fathers of the party, which he belongs, might end up in vain. Hence, the need to lend a voice to the call for an urgent halt of the disintegration of the party and the electoral misfortunes, he said.

Bnaire acknowledged that by the current Electoral Act, unlike in the past, the responsibility for the screening of candidates devolves on the political parties.

As a matter of fact, by Section 31(1) of the Electoral Act (as amended), once a political party submits its list of candidates to INEC, in accordance with the statutory stipulations, INEC does not have the power to reject or disqualify candidates for any reason whatsoever.

ALSO READ: APC files suit, seeking reversal of Supreme Court judgment on Bayelsa

Thus, it is expected that the leadership of each political party carry out diligent verification of her candidates credentials, apart from integrity and fitness into the manifesto of the party criteria.

Where a political party fails in the screening of the candidates and presents an unqualified candidate, the sanction is not only disqualification but also penalty of N500,000, which the Supreme Court probably forgot to impose on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Bayelsa case.

In the circumstance of this nature, therefore, rather than the ranting and unremarkable volte-face of the all-knowing national chairman of the ruling party, Adams Oshiomhole, who few weeks ago was full of praises for the Supreme Court after its decision on the Imo State governorship election, one would have expected the party to embark on a careful postmortem of its process that led to the presentation of the unqualified candidate in Bayelsa, even after the Federal High Courts verdict, Banire highlighted.

He stated that this is not happening is not a shock to him, having observed the fact that the party structures are either comatose or failing to operate optimally in recent times.

The APC former national legal adviser noted the impropriety of the national chairman being chairman of the appeal panel of the party for complaints from primaries, and further headed the appeal screening committee from which appeals arising from the screening exercises terminated.

The deliberate fusion of these vital responsibilities in one man must also reflect the standards expected of him: if he has failed so calamitously, in other climes, he would immediately step down and institute a review of the entire process, Banire advocated

He noted that apart from the suggestions of various compromises in the screening and clearance processes, the enormity of the assignment, coupled with time constraints, can certainly not allow for any proper scrutiny. He recalled the rife allegations that the Directorate of State Services (DSS) uncovered bribery of several millions of dollars against Adams Oshiomhole during the 2019 primaries that prefaced the general election: citing saharareporters publication of November 15, 2018.

Banire protested: It still disturbs me today that, despite the gravity of the allegations, including the patent criminal element inherent in them, the issue went under the carpet without any whimper to convince the public of a proof otherwise.

He argued that as they were no public allegations of bribery in the Bayelsa process, it will appear that no thorough investigation of credentials of the candidates was ever carried out by the party before the election held. He remarked that a situation where all manner of questionable characters succeeds in representing the party, even those who do not even believe in the ideals of the party speaks volumes of the screening mechanism of the party.

He recalled that in his days in the APC National Working Committee, multiple screening committees existed with two levels of appeals, unlike the singular appeal panel that now exists in the party.

How would there not be this kind of slips, putting it diplomatically? I give it to Chief John Oyegun and Chief Bisi Akande, the latter of whom I worked with both as chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and interim chairman of the ruling party during its formative days.

In those days, no major decision was ever taken without reference to the national legal adviser. Even when I was out of the country, my opinion would always be sought, he stated.

Banire complained of a report on how the office of the current APC national legal adviser had been rendered redundant by the national chairman and decisions were being taken without recourse to him or to the constitution of the party.

This is appalling The office of national legal adviser is a professional office constitutionally insulated against the vagaries of politics. It is the partys own office of the chief law officer from whom legal guidance must always be sought. It is the office of the attorney-general of the party. Law remains law regardless of the political parties or personalities involved.

Under the current constitution of the APC, the office of the national legal adviser is an independent office not subservient to the office of the national chairman and meant to be so in the wisdom of the drafters of the partys constitution, he declared.

On the rule of law, Banire reiterated that the only substitute for the rule of law is the rule of man; insisting that the import of the latter is anarchy, citing Thomas Hobbes, he said it is a return to the state of nature, where life becomes nasty, brutish and short, with the strong devouring the weak.

Banire maintained that from the candidate nomination angle, the Constitution of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the party constitution, both the INEC and party guidelines govern the nomination process. These instruments bind all members of the party, including the leadership, as held by the Supreme Court in an avalanche of cases, he said.

Banire lamented that the rule of law has been replaced with the elevation of personalities and processes above the dictates of these rules, in the APC under the leadership of Oshiomhole.

He noted further that in several instances, the apex court has warned politicians against violation of these sacred documents, but they will not listen.

Banire asserted that it is when the Supreme Court now does its job by enforcing the compliance with the instruments that politicians commence their shenanigans. As conventional with our people, particularly politicians, they search for where to deposit the blame. It is never in their character to be humble enough to admit their faults, he said.

Banire emphasised that building institutions, much more, strong institutions, largely depends on the upholding of the rule of law.

The party, itself, will continue to be weak until it collapses except the rule of law is respected, he declared.

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The former national legal adviser espoused that a party is a conglomeration of people and not the exclusive preserve of one man or a few. It is in order to eliminate conflicts and build an enduring institution that the constitution exists. No act or omission must be taken outside the confines of the constitution, he advocated, citing, as the Supreme Court rightly admonished in the case of PDP v. Sherrif [2017] 15 NWLR (Part 1588) 219 at 287, para. B, (per I. T. Muhammad, JSC) that: Where a member or members of the party feel too powerful to be governed or controlled by the party constitution or guidelines, and in contravention of such control mechanisms, then, certainly, democracy is thrown overboard by anarchy.

Banire blamed APC leaders and stakeholders for sitting idle watching some powerful individuals inglorious effort to throw democracy (internal or otherwise) overboard. He insisted that the woes suffered by APC in Zamfara, Rivers, Bayelsa and several others in which elections were lost were substantially due to the infraction of internal democracy and party discipline.

He stated that in most of the cases that the party has lost seats technically, it is not a third party that has dragged the party to court but members of the same party. He observed that for some years now, it has become difficult for a stranger to a political party process, particularly in pre-election matters, to challenge the candidates of the party as the law makes it the exclusive preserve of a party member who also participated in the primary election to challenge the results. It is only in cases of making false statements or forgery of documents submitted for qualification of an aspirant, for instance, under Section 31(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act that a stranger may challenge the qualification of a partys candidate to make the rule of law prevail. Therefore, it is the internal wrangling, mostly due to party constitution infractions, that have given birth to various electoral misfortunes suffered by the party.

In Rivers, we had Amaechi and Magnus Abe; Zamfara, we had Marafa and Yari.

In Bayelsa, although the current situation is different in that the litigation was initiated by PDP pursuant to Section 31(5) of the Electoral Act (claiming that the APCs nominated running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, made false declaration in his Form CF001, the current situation), there was also the internal case of Sen. Lokpobiri that he, and not David Lyon, won the APC gubernatorial primaries in Bayelsa, Banire highlighted.

He maintained that in all of these, what stands out is the falling of the roof as the house is on fire.

He warned that they must not allow the leadership of APC to fiddle while the party burns. For the sake of clarity, my position is that politicians must stop laying blame at the door of the courts after their misconduct or misbehaviors.

Let the leaderships of the various parties retrace their steps and engage in propriety from now on.

As for the ruling party, just as predicted by many, the survival of the party depends on how urgent a major restructuring is carried out in its leadership structure, Banire declared.

Banire further declared that the relevance of Oshiomhole leadership has expired, particularly in the face of the apparent painful failures and the degree of fractionalization within.

The embarrassing one is even that in the backyard of the national chairman, himself.

There is fire on the mountain as things are hastily falling apart; he said, citing William Butler Yeats in his poem, The Second Coming, that the falcon does not hear the falconer; remarking that things are falling apart, and the centre can barely hold any more between the national chairman and the incumbent governor in Edo State.

He affirmed that whatever prejudices may dictate political activities of politicians, the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Any attempt to desecrate the institution unjustifiably must, therefore, be resisted, he declared.

He remarked that the tweet by Festus Keyamo summarised the entirety of his message that members of the political class must desist from laying blame of their failures at the doorstep of the judiciary and must review their activities towards remedying their deficiencies.

He chided Oshiomhole, who he said virtually assumed the role of the judiciary in interpreting the judgment and pouring vituperations on the Law Lords, particularly, stating that the Bayelsa judgment lacks the fruit of justice.

He, therefore, supplied the required juice by declaring that nobody would be sworn in come the 14th day of February, 2020. The inflammatory statements contained in the speech allegedly led to the arson and burning that subsequently took place in Bayelsa, rightly or wrongly, immediately after the judgment of the Supreme Court.

The temerity and indiscretion exercised in the circumstances fell short of that of a statesman, much less, the chairman of the ruling party, Banire declared further.

He stated that the judiciary is an important arbiter when it comes to political partys administration and dispute resolution. Just a few weeks ago, the same national chairman of APC condemned the PDP leadership for similar statements and protests in Imo State. This about-face is unhealthy for the polity. A party that had the guts to do this would not have been expected to descend to that level by joining the fray of the opposition in attacking the judiciary, which, few weeks ago, the party praised when it obtained a favourable judgment in Imo State, Banire said.

He said that the speech of Oshiomhole should not represent the APCs position, adding that a sensitive issue of that nature warrants convening an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of the party, if not that of the National Executive Committee, to review the development, critically engage the process that led to this disgraceful outcome with a view to remedying the wrong.

It is at such a meeting that a party statement would be made, laced with intellectual considerations and deep political maturity expected of a leadership-providing party of a populous country like Nigeria; a statement that the international community would respect and would accord much recognition showing that the party does not condone criminal tendencies in producing leaders for the country.

Unfortunately, I must confess that I get disheartened these days about the partys position as a lot of juvenile tantrums are represented as the partys position, and on many occasions such would come from the national chairman.

Officials of the party need to know that their personal opinions must not be made to represent the partys position. Partys positions are derivable from outcomes of the sober deliberations of the organs and not personal unrefined thoughts of an individual whose state of senility on occasions may be queried, the former national legal adviser said.

He pointed out that if the appropriate meeting had been held, the national legal adviser would or should have pointed out to the leadership of the party the legal options available to adopt rather than engaging in area boy appellate condemnation of a judicial determination.

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He commended the INEC for humbling the party/chairman in compelling the consideration of the decent option of legal process.

I am not, however, disappointed by the party chairman when I reckon with the occurrences in his home state, where decency and decorum have been made victims of political imbroglio.

It is so bad that a Ward Executive Committee is suspending the national chairman of the party. My counsel here is simply that the chairman needs to start exercising restraints in view of the pre-eminent office he occupies. He must recognise that he is no more Adams Oshiomhole of the labour unions, where pretence to toughness is used by some to project self-image into national recognition.

He ought to have learnt from his utterance in Benin against a widow in 2013 for which he had to apologise after a national embarrassment.

A political party chairman only makes occasional speeches since he is not the publicity secretary. Remember, your actions that have attracted commendations to you several times could be the source of your condemnation on another occasion. Caution is, therefore, the word. In fact, putting it in a pedestrian manner, too much talking renders your utterances eventually impotent.

Please, guard against it. Beyond all these, did the chairman watch himself in the mirror before staging that market drama? If this had been done, I am sure wise counsel would have compelled the party to conduct an autopsy before the aggressive attacks on the judiciary.

May I, therefore, advise that he learns from our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on this point. As recent as a few weeks ago, he did not only uphold the sanctity of the judiciary but counseled against any attack on the institution. The chairman certainly needs a course in Tolerance 001 from him.

A person that cannot stand the heat must get out of the kitchen. If the chairman is not receptive to contrary views, he needs to excuse himself from the arena, Banire admonished Oshiomhole.

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The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD) has admonished citizens to stand firm and reject attempts by politicians to buy their votes in the upcoming general election.



Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, a representative of the Centre, urged voters to, in the interest of development, vote wisely devoid of any influence to elect the right leaders to enable them to exact accountability.



A vote is your will, choice and conscience, taking money means you are selling your conscience and ability to hold leadership accountable, he cautioned.



Rev Dr Deegbe made the remarks at the 10th anniversary public lecture of the Political Science Education Department of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).



The public lecture was on the theme: Towards a peaceful 2024 election in Ghana, collaboration among stakeholders in the context of emerging technologies.



He warned Ghanaians of the dire consequences of monetizing elections and its processes on development, underscoring the role of citizens in ensuring fair, accurate and transparent elections towards national development.



He urged stakeholders to educate the public on the negative effects of vote buying on democratic governance of the country.



Rev Dr Deebge further entreated the Electoral Commission (EC) to leverage technology to conduct a free, fair, and transparent general election this year.



He proposed to the Commission to adopt a system to transmit election results right from the polling stations onto its website to enable citizens to monitor and participate in the process in real time.



He said such a system would help check the irregularities that characterized the collation, transmission, and announcement of election results. As a result, the EC would regain the trust of both the electorates and political parties.



Regaining trust is a process and so, the EC should start building it by updating its website to facilitate the transmission of results directly from polling stations to regional centres, and then to the national level and the website should provide detailed vote counts for both parliamentary and presidential candidates, with frequent updates whenever there are changes, he stressed.



Beyond that, Rev Dr Deegbe said technology should also be adopted to educate voters, enhance cybersecurity measures, and combat misinformation and disinformation adding that the rise in the malicious use of social media and other pervasive uses of digital technologies remained a threat to the elections and democracy in Ghana and called a concerted effort to address it.



He further observed that a multi-faceted approach was required to combat these threats which included the enhancement of media and information literacy identified as one effective strategy to tame it.



Rev Dr Deegbe also urged Civil Society Organisations to continue employing data analytics to ensure accuracy and transparency, while the country worked to introduce an electronic voting system in future.



He urged all to collectively ensure that Ghana became a beacon of hope after the 2024 elections.

Source: GNA









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Mr Leonardo Santos Simao, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), has urged all stakeholders in the December 7 elections to strengthen their resolve and commitment to peace.



That, he observed, would be achieved through individual responsible behaviour, collaboration and permanent dialogue with others, in pursuit of that objective, and build trust in the electoral process.



A press release issued by UNOWAS and copied to Ghana News Agency said Mr Simao made the call during an intervention at a stakeholders forum in Kumasi as part of preparations for the upcoming General Election.



The Special Representative said the elections would once more test the strength of Ghanas thirty-year-old democratic process, the release said.



He reiterated the United Nations readiness to accompany Ghanas democratic consolidation.



The release said the National Peace Council (NPC) was organising stakeholder forums with the support of UNOWAS as part of efforts to promote peaceful, inclusive, transparent, free and fair 2024 elections.



Mr Simao who was on a three-day visit to the country had meetings with Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, Chief Justice, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police, and former President John Mahama, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



The Special Representative also met with Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, Rev. Ernest Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the Board of the National Peace Council (NPC), and some media houses.

Source: GNA









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Elder Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, the Chief Executive Officer of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited has welcomed a court ruling, which completely exonerates him from allegations of importing fake drugs into the country.



An Accra High Court presided over by her Ladyship, Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, has ruled that Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited (TPL) and its group chairman, Elder Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, never imported fake drugs into the country.



This follows claims by former Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, that Tobinco had imported fake drugs into the country.



In a brief statement, the renowned businessman said the ruling vindicates his position that his company never imported substandard drugs (fake drugs) into the country adding, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals has always produced and marketed its drugs professionally to its valued Ghanaian and African customers, so it will never endanger their health.



It is a positive feeling and welcome news for a court of competent jurisdiction to affirm my innocence. Its a very great feeling! CEO of the Tobinco Group said



The company takes this opportunity to thank all Ghanaians for their prayers and support during the crisis and wishes them well. Tobinco will continue to produce quality drugs and other medical supplies to promote quality healthcare, the statement said.



An Accra High Court presided over by her Ladyship, Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, has ruled that Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited (TPL) and its group chairman, Elder Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, never imported fake drugs into the country.



This follows claims by former Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, that Tobinco had imported fake drugs into the country.



In a brief statement, the renowned businessman said the ruling vindicates his position that his company never imported substandard drugs (fake drugs) into the country adding, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals has always produced and marketed its drugs professionally to its valued Ghanaian and African customers, so it will never endanger their health.



It is a positive feeling and welcome news for a court of competent jurisdiction to affirm my innocence. Its a very great feeling! CEO of the Tobinco Group said



The company takes this opportunity to thank all Ghanaians for their prayers and support during the crisis and wishes them well. Tobinco will continue to produce quality drugs and other medical supplies to promote quality healthcare, the statement said.









Source: Atinkaonline.com









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

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the Sheriffs' Association of Texas 2024 Annual Training Conference at the Fort Worth Convention Center on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS) Amanda McCoy/TNS EL PASO, TEXAS - MARCH 13: In an aerial view, immigrants wait for transport and processing after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on March 13, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. The border between the two nations stretches nearly 2,000 miles, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean and is marked by fences, deserts, mountains and the Rio Grande, which runs the entire length of Texas. The politics and controversies surrounding border and immigration issues have become dominant themes in the U.S. presidential election campaign. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) John Moore/Getty Images Department of Public Safety troopers stand guard over migrants in a detention area Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass as a surge of migrants push across the border. William Luther Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the Sheriffs' Association of Texas 2024 Annual Training Conference at the Fort Worth Convention Center on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS) Amanda McCoy/TNS EAGLE PASS, TEXAS - JUNE 04: In an aerial view, the Rio Grande river runs alongside Shelby Park on June 04, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. President Biden is expected to sign an executive order that would prohibit migrants who illegally cross the southern border from claiming asylum in the U.S. The move comes after the collapse of a bipartisan Senate agreement on securing the border. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Gov. Greg Abbott wouldn't commit to working with Kamala Harris on immigration reform when pressed about comments Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, made expressing sympathy for Texas shouldering the brunt of border crossings.

Clips of a recent Walz interview were played for Abbott during a rare appearance on CNN Wednesday afternoon, during which the Texas Republican was asked twice if he would work with a potential Harris-Walz administration on the border. Walz said in the clips that record border crossings in recent years amounted to a crisis, and that Texas "shouldnt by itself absorb or pay for this problem; we should all collectively figure out how to do it."

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Abbott first responded by calling the Harris-Walz ticket "frightening." He said Walz specifically would be a "disaster" on the border, arguing the Minnesota Democrat has been a "magnet for illegal immigration" by voicing support for sanctuary policies and offering state-funded benefits to immigrants, even if they're in the country illegally.

When pressed a second time, Abbott said he would expect a Harris-Walz administration to work with Texas to construct border barriers, but then said he did not think it would happen, in part because Walz has opposed border wall funding in the past. Walz has said he doesn't think border walls are the most effective deterrent, and that more resources should go toward boosting the Border Patrol and speeding up asylum claims, which can drag on for years and often result in deportations.

Abbott argued Walz's approach would be unpopular among voters in Pennsylvania and other key swing states.

"Ive got to tell you, when you look at the concern people have in Pennsylvania  midwesterners in Michigan, Wisconsin, these other key states  these are people who are against the open-border policies that America has suffered through over the past three and a half years," Abbott said. "I think they're going to vote overwhelmingly in favor of President Trump."

Abbott has been a key GOP voice on immigration, arguing that the former president would handle the border better than President Joe Biden has. Through migrant busing and his multibillion-dollar crackdown, the governor has done more than just about any other Republican to keep the border issue front of mind for voters across the country.

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But crossings have plummeted in recent months. In June, the Border Patrol reported the fewest encounters with migrants between ports of entry since early 2021, when crossings first started to skyrocket.

Abbott took credit in the CNN interview, noting crossings peaked in December, a month before he ordered the National Guard to seize a public park in Eagle Pass that had been among the busiest crossing points along the entire border. Immigration experts have said the decline in crossings is actually likely due to Mexico stepping up immigration enforcement efforts under pressure from the Biden administration.

The CNN interview was a rare appearance by Abbott on a cable network other than Fox News, where he appears regularly to talk about border issues.

Abbott was also pressed on the state's abortion ban after a recent study found Texas' infant death rate increased and more infants died of birth defects after it went into effect. The governor said he was unfamiliar with the study, but argued it is incomplete.

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Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for the Tamale South Constituency in the Northern Region, says all five regions in northern Ghana are secured for former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2024 general election.



He said Ghanaians were fed up with the leadership of President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia-led government and would vote for change come December 2024 with the regions in the north leading the support for that change.



Mr Iddrisu, a former Minority Leader in Parliament, said this in Wa at the weekend during the Upper West Regional campaign launch of the NDC geared towards wrestling power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections.



All the parliamentary candidates for the NDC in the Upper West Region and some national leaders of the party graced the event, which commenced with a float along some principal streets of Wa, the regional capital.



Scores of party members, supporters and sympathisers from all eleven constituencies in the region attended the event.



Mr Iddrisu indicated that the Upper West Region had never disappointed the NDC during elections since the inception of the Fourth Republican Constitution and that the support for Mr Mahama in this years election would be more massive.



John Dramani Mahama to humble Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the five regions in the north and the region to lead the way is the Upper West Region, the ace NDC politician observed.



Mr Iddrisu reminded the electorates of former President Mahamas plan to introduce a dedicated bank for women and a womens credit policy to enable women access credit facilities to support their businesses if elected the president of Ghana.



The MP mentioned other promises of the NDC to include electrification of all rural communities in Ghana before 2028 and the tarring of the Wa-Sawla-Bole highway.



Mr Iddrisu claimed that the 2024 general election was critical in the history of Ghanas politics due to the need for Mr Mahama to win the election to reset the country onto the path of economic development.



Mr Iddrisu also urged the electorates not to vote skirt and blouse in order for the NDC to secure all the eleven parliamentary seats from the current eight seats the party had in the region.



Mr Malik Basintale, the Deputy National Communication Officer of the NDC, criticised Dr. Bawumias invitation to Mr Mahama to a debate and said Dr. Bawumia had nothing to debate the former president on.



Some MPs from the region took turns to address the crowd at the campaign launch with calls on the electorates to throw their weight behind the NDC and its presidential and parliamentary candidates for a victory in the December 2024 election.

Source: GNA









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

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Fixing the Country Movement has registered its displeasure about the relaxed conclusions reached by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on the Airbus corruption scandal involving former President John Mahama.



The Pressure group at a press conference yesterday described the entire OSP investigation into the Airbus corruption scandal as worse than a whitewash.



The truth has been painfully extracted one inch, at considerable public expense on the Airbus corruption investigation by the OSP. We utterly reject anything that looks like the OSP playing mind games with the good people of Ghana."



"Ladies and gentlemen of the media, outside of this Shakespearean drama and expensive national disgrace by the OSP, this case has already seen the light of day in both the UK and US. As you may all be aware, it has been over three years since Airbus SE, a global provider of civilian and military aircraft based in France, agreed to pay combined penalties of nearly $ 4 billion to resolve foreign bribery charges with authorities in the United States, France and the United Kingdom arising out of the Companys scheme to use third-party business partners to bribe government officials around the world."



"According to admissions and court documents, beginning in at least 2008 and continuing until at least 2015, Airbus engaged in and facilitated a scheme to offer and pay bribes to decision makers and other influencers, including foreign officials, to obtain improper business advantages and win lucrative contracts in several countries including Ghana. Judicial records made public on 31 January 2020 by the British and American authorities, which Airbus acknowledges to be true, show that between 2009 and 2015 an Airbus subsidiary specialising in the defence sector hired the brother of a high-ranking Ghanaian elected official(Government Official 1), as well as a friend of the said brother and a third person to serve as commercial partners in the sale of three military transport aircraft, model C295, to Ghana.



It turned out that Philip Middlemiss, a renowned British actor, Leanne Davis and John Mahamas brother, Samuel Adam Mahama were the intermediaries between Airbus and former President Mahama, otherwise known as Government Official I as identified by the US and UK.



Airbus' corruption is the biggest corruption case ever. Indeed, payment of bribes was made and received and the beneficiary was GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1.



Documents were falsified in making the payments to disguise the payment of bribes to GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1.



Paragraph 136 of the US Court documents described Government official I as having a reputation for bribe-taking.



It reads:



"Government Official 1" had such a reputation as a prolific bribe-collector that within three weeks of the election of the incoming Government, AND BEFORE IT WAS SWORN IN, Airbus reached an agreement with the brother of "Government Official 1," described in the US version of Court documents as "Individual 1."



Interestingly, the British judge in charge of the case found that Airbus had sought, through these kickbacks, to obtain an undue favour from a member of the Ghanaian government.



As a result, Ghana bought three Airbus C295 military transport aircraft  two in 2011 and another in 2015, all under the presidency of Mills/Mahama.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the UK court documents also revealed that the intermediaries established a company in Ghana in December 2009. A company with the same name was established in the United Kingdom in February of the following year.



The Ghanaian company they looked into was owned by the brother of Mr Mahama and a British television actor who had publicly claimed to be the best friend of John Mahama.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, who had found the Airbus corruption credible enough to open an investigation in February 2020, announced that he had summoned four suspects, Philip Middlemiss and his collaborator Sarah Furneaux, as well as Leanne Davis and Samuel Adam Mahama.



Respectfully, everyone who is privy to the core details of the series of court documents published by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the United States and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of the United Kingdom cannot allege ignorance of the persons who have brought our nation into this international shame.



In essence, the whole purpose of the OSP inquiry into Airbus corruption was meant to be drawing a final line under the darkest chapter of the Mahama years  a once and for all chance, to get to the bottom of what happened.



The OSP's job was simply to get the culprits to answer the charges against them and not to engage in whitewashing as he has done here.



Heaven knows it is a chance to be seized. But the OSP would rather whitewash the entire process, even when Airbus had already accepted the complicity of its officials hence the deferred prosecution agreement by the US Department of Justice and UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO).



In all honesty, Fixing the Country Movement believes that Mr Mahama and his brother Adam Mahama have many questions to answer and as such, we want to put on record that the OSP erred in law in its judgment on the matter.



Rather than trying to clear Mahama of any corruption-related offences, the OSP must revisit this matter in the interest of public accountability and accountable governance.



Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, this shoddy work by Kissi Agyabeng in his office is more of a political theatre and reputation management of Mr Mahama and it cannot be allowed to stand.



The case has also raised broader questions about the integrity of Kissi Agyabeng as the Special Prosecutor. The OSP's inadequacies have been exposed with this investigation.



The OSP could have done a better job than it did with the powers it has and the resources available to his office.



The Ghanaian public deserves better: we need an independent scientific evaluation to challenge the simplifications and misjudgments of the OSP.



We call on the British High Commission and the US Embassy to take an active interest in this matter and forward their findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO)



We also call on the relevant authorities to institute a public inquiry into the Airbus corruption and to allow former President John Mahama to defend himself in the full glare of the public.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we believe in public accountability and want to reiterate the point that no one is above accountability.



Mahama is corrupt, and the OSP cannot declare him as Government Official One and turn around and say he has no case to answer.



We urge the OSP to come again. Fixing the Country Movement is indeed asking the OSP to reinvestigate the entire bribery scheme.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, if after 14 days from today, there's no action in this regard by the OSP, Fixing the Country Movement will organise a public action to demand for the head of the OSP.



Ghana deserves better.



Let's all say no to corruption.





Thank you for your indulgence



Signed:



Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu (Convener - Fixing the Country Movement

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In the early hours of July 18, 1918, the Franco-American counter-offensive against German positions began at Aisne-Marne in northern France. The first division of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) drove the German forces back, but not without significant losses.

By the end of the assault, more than 1,000 US soldiers were unaccounted forthe fate of their mortal remains unknown. But 85 years later, French archaeologists conducting salvage work ahead of a construction job on what would have been the center of the battlefield encountered the remains of two American soldiers.

One of the two men, Private Francis Lupo, was easily identified because his name was embossed on his wallet, and he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors in 2006. But the other man proved more difficult. The remains of Private 1st Class Charles McAllister took two decades to be identified, but the young man will now finally be laid to rest with full military honors in his home town of Seattle. The burial will take place on August 21.

Back in 2004, both soldiers remains were taken to the US military's central identification laboratory (CIL) of the joint POW/MIA accounting command in Hawaii, where analysis of the evidence began. There is no UK equivalent of this US lab. The UK Ministry of Defense operates a small team called the joint casualty and compassionate center (JCCC) commemorations team, sometimes known as the "war detectives." Some ad hoc identification work is also carried out by UK universities.

Discovering the identity of the as yet unidentified remains of Charles McAllisterdubbed CIL 2004-101-I-02was deemed impossible at the time.

I was a forensic Archaeologist at the CIL when the remains arrived, and I conducted an analysis of the associated evidence. I concluded that there was a high likelihood that further research could lead to an identification of I-02. The case was passed on to historians and other anthropologists with the organization, but no headway was made.

But some 14 years later, as we approached the 100-year anniversary of the death of this soldier and the end of the first world war, I reopened the case. However, much had changed politically with the agency in charge of MIAs and I was forced to work on it on my own time. Others volunteered to help as I went through all of the lines of evidence that could be used to establish this man's identity.

Several lines of evidence could be used to narrow down the possible casualties from the list of soldiers listed as missing in action (MIA) from the Aisne-Marne Battle: the date and location of his death, his possessions and his biological characteristics.

In an ideal world, there would be a database of the missing, and I could conduct a preliminary search based on his height, his dental pattern, his age and his ethnicity. Unfortunately, these data only reside within the individual military records stored in the US National Archives. This meant I needed to determine a short list of possible soldiers and request their records.

Long way round

To generate the short list, I first turned to the location and time of his death. I knew when Francis Lupo had gone missing and, since they were buried in the same unmarked grave, it was an easy assumption that they died at approximately the same time, July 21, 1918, and in about the same location.

Using military maps of the campaign, I overlaid the remains' recovery location on battle maps and correlated them with the movement of the advance of US forces. This gave me an estimate of which regiments were in the vicinity, but this could only narrow the basic list to hundreds of MIAs.

The main clues were two buttons on his uniform, one stated "WA" and the other had a "2" and a "D" on it split between two crossed rifles. I discovered that this meant: I-02 had been a member of the Washington State national guard, 2nd regiment, company D, before they were nationalized into the AEF.

There was also a medal awarded for the 1916 campaign against Mexico. As I began to dig into the records of the Washington national guard, I found that they had served on the Mexican border and I discovered a list of those from the 2nd Regiment listed as MIA from France.

By cross-referencing the date range of losses with the losses recorded on the "Tablets of the Missing" at the American battlefield's monuments at the Aisne-Marne cemetery with the Washington national guard records, I was able to generate a shortlist of four men of Company D. It was then a matter of pulling together the military records of these four men from the national personnel records center (NPRC).

Once the records were in hand, biometrics (physical measurements from the body) could be used to confirm his identity. Only one individual matched the stature estimate of 63 inches (1.6m): Pfc Charles McAllister. Furthermore, his dental chart included extracted first and second molars on the left and right sides of his jaw with his wisdom teeth still intact, a rather unique pattern that matched Pfc McAllister. His estimated age also matched.

Using this information, I conducted genealogical work and found a family member from his matriline in Montana. Beverly Dillon knew the story of her great uncle well and she read me the last letter he wrote as he shipped out to France from New York. Mitochondrial DNA is useful in identification. This is genetic material separate from the nuclear DNA. It is only inherited from the mother's side and resides in the mitochondria, "organelles" inside our cells. This DNA is passed down from mothers to their children. Beverly's mitochondrial DNA matched Pfc McAllister.

This gave me enough statistical data to show that it was impossible for the remains to belong to anyone else. Finally, a family member from the male line provided a nuclear Y-chromosome DNA sample. This is genetic material passed down from fathers to sons. The identification of CIL 2004-101-I-02 could no longer be denied, Pfc Charles McAllister could finally be laid to rest with military honors in his hometown, Seattle.

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Greece is facing a very difficult wildfire season.

Greece on Sunday was battling a spate of wildfires which have forced the evacuation of hundreds of people, as experts warn of more extreme weather conditions to come next week.

Firefighters were battling a "dangerous" fire near Athens on Sunday night, with smoke covering parts of the capital in a haze.

By Sunday afternoon, firefighters had quickly dealt with 33 out of the 40 blazes that had broken out in the past 24 hours, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told the press at an emergency briefing.

But the force was battling seven more in the high Mediterranean summer heat, he said.

The country's minister for civil protection had warned a day earlier that half the country was under a high-risk warning for fires due to high temperatures, wind gusts and drought conditions.

In the region of East Attica, an uncontrolled blaze in the Varnavas area which spread to a pine forested zone with scattered houses, emitting so much smoke that Athens glowed red at one point, was still raging Sunday night.

Hundreds of people evacuated from at least eight nearby villages, while some were battling to save their houses from the fire by attempting to douse the flames.

"The situation remains dangerous given the fact the fire is raging in an area with houses and has provoked damages," Vathrakogiannis said.

"The strong winds spread it in a flash, creating extreme behavior, with new fronts behind the containment lines," he added.

Women embrace after being rescued during a wildfire in Varnavas, north of Athens, on August 11, 2024.

Flames 25 meters high

A force of more than 400 firefighters backed by 110 vehicles, 29 firefighting aircraft and helicopters was deployed to battle the flames, which "in many cases reached more than 25 meters high", Vathrakogiannis said.

Firefighters and forest commandos were expected to continue the battle all night long.

In the village of Metohi, which was yet to be threatened, Eugenia told AFP she was afraid of what might happen in the night.

"Every year we have to escape from our houses," she said speaking from the saddle of her motorbike fresh from checking up on her cats.

The fire brigade spokesman stressed that many trapped civilians were rescued because they refused to leave their homes despite the evacuation messages they received.

Giorgos Tsevas, 48, from Polydendri, a village near the fire front that in Greek means "many trees", was desperate: "Everything is burning. I have 200 olive trees there but now they are gone."

Another fire that erupted earlier on Sunday afternoon in Megara, West Attica, triggering an evacuation alert, was partially contained after destroying at least three houses and cars.

Forty-eight firefighters equipped with 13 vehicles and additional volunteers were working on the ground, along with aerial support.

In Thessaloniki, a fire in the Lagadas area was partially under control, with 20 firefighters, 10 vehicles and one helicopter at the scene.

A volunteer sprays water over a house burning during a wildfire in Varnavas, north of Athens, on August 11, 2024.

Extremely high temperatures

Temperatures are forecast to peak at 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) in Greece on Monday, with the highest temperatures expected in the west of the country.

With winds in some areas predicted to reach 80 to 90 kilometers per hour, Kostas Lagouvardos, director of research at the National Observatory of Athens, told broadcaster ERT News that Sunday was expected to be the most difficult day to battle fires.

The Mediterranean country is exceptionally vulnerable to summer blazes, with this season seeing fires burn daily.

After the warmest winter on record, Greece also experienced its hottest June and July since reliable data collection began in 1960.

It registered its earliest recorded heat wave in June.

Scientists warn that human-induced fossil fuel emissions are worsening the length, frequency and intensity of heat waves across the world.

The rising temperatures are leading to longer wildfire seasons and increasing the area burnt in the flames, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Every summer, millions of people jet off on vacations around the world. The United Nations World Tourism Organization estimates that international arrivals, the measure of global travel, will be 2% higher than the pre-pandemic total was in 2019.

However, as more of us are taking vacations, some of the world's tourism hotspots are feeling more crowded than ever. And that's even led to protests in some popular destinations. Residents in some European cities have marched through popular areas, calling on tourists to "go home."

Some destinations, like Amsterdam, are doing what was previously thought unthinkable and actively discouraging visitors. Tourism crowding has become an indelible feature of travel and it warrants some understanding.

So, what is overcrowding in tourism? How do we respond to it? And why does it appear to be increasing?

Tourism overcrowding

At its most basic level, overcrowding occurs because a lot of people decide to go to the same place at the same time.

There are three basic principles of tourism overcrowding. Firstly, overcrowding is real and it creates stress and compromises our experience.

Secondly, we feel more crowded in the presence of incompatible behaviors. For instance, we are more likely to feel overcrowded on a sidewalk if we have to avoid a skateboarder, a cyclist and a couple of aggressive vendors than we might at a packed music festival where everyone is acting similarly.

Thirdly, a place is overcrowded when we think it is. There is no standard measure of overcrowding for the visitor. It is an individually experienced phenomenon.

We cannot understand tourism crowding without taking into account the context of local residents. We recently learned of locals spraying tourists in Barcelona with water guns as part of a demonstration. Locals do not do that unless they are truly fed up.

This brings us to what I call the host-guest covenant, which is the idea that visitors should keep to touristic areas so residents can maintain the sanctity of their neighborhoods.

With the rise of short-term rentals, many visitors are able to go beyond the touristic parts of town. Some visitors might feel that, by sticking to touristic areas, their trip remains superficial and undeserving of the time and money it costs.

Short-term rentals can allow them to avoid other tourists and gain a more "authentic" experience. However, it can make things worse for residents, who must contend with more tourists encroaching on their neighborhoods.

How people cope with overcrowding

Some people detest crowds, while others are drawn to them. There are four basic ways people cope with the stress of overcrowding.

The first way is to alter travel plans to avoid crowds. It's the most common coping method and involves avoiding certain places when we know they are going to be busy.

Another method is rationalization. When people find themselves in tourist crowds, they often rationalize the situation to avoid cognitive dissonance. For instance, visitors to the Louvre Museum might be more willing to tolerate crowds because they expect everyone wants to see the Mona Lisa.

It implies people knowingly enter overcrowded tourist spaces. And they do, for several reasons: the attraction, fear of missing out, because crowds offer a sense of safety, and the validation that they're somewhere important. Rationalization explains why we see thousands of people in the same place at the same time.

A third coping method is product shift. It suggests we will intentionally downgrade a product to avoid cognitive dissonance. When someone tells you that Tofino used to be a quaint little surf town and now it's touristy, they are engaging in product shift.

The fourth is direct action, which involves contacting the authorities to rectify a situation. It can be as simple as asking a museum official to quiet down a noisy group or posting a review of Niagara Falls suggesting more information on how to avoid crowds.

Coping methods are similar for visitors and the residents of the places they visit, but the latter places more emphasis on displacement. They have a deeper knowledge of the place and ability to navigate crowds effectively.

Social media's impact

Some argue tourism took a sharp turn for the worse with the advent of social media. Maybe, but the real impact of social media is that it made travel into a more visible status symbol.

Prior to social media, returning travelers would print out their photos and share them with family and friends. Today we can share our photos instantly online.

In addition, a desire to have the most "Instagrammable" experiences encourages risk avoidance. In essence, it encourages us to stick to the tried-and-true tours, destinations and attractions, rather than off-the-beaten-path places. This reinforces the basic principle of overcrowding: a lot of people deciding to go the same place at the same time.

Given all these trends, it is expected that most post-pandemic travel will continue to be trips to "safer" destinations where tourists feel they are more likely to get their money's worth. In other words, the Global North travelers going to places in the Global North they feel will be worthwhile experiences.

All tourists want to have a good time when on holiday. That often means the wisdom of crowds still holds sway, and no matter how uncomfortable overcrowding might be, thousands of people going to the same place at the same time feels less risky than being on your own.

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Credit: Quek et al.

Quantum computers have the potential of outperforming conventional computers on some practically relevant information processing problems, possibly even in machine learning and optimization. Yet their large-scale deployment is not yet feasible, largely due to their sensitivity to noise, which causes them to make errors.

One technique designed to address these errors is known as quantum error correction and is designed to work "on-the-fly," monitoring for errors and restoring computations when errors occur. Despite enormous progress in recent months along these lines, this strategy remains experimentally highly challenging and comes with substantial resource overheads.

An alternative approach, known as quantum error mitigation, works more indirectly: instead of correcting errors the moment they arise, the error-filled computation (or modified versions thereof) is run till completion. Only at the end, does one go back to infer what the correct result was. This method was proposed as a "stand-in" solution for tackling errors made by quantum computers before full error correction can be implemented.

Yet researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ecole Normale Superieure in Lyon, University of Virginia and Freie Universitat Berlin showed that quantum error mitigation techniques become highly inefficient as quantum computers get bigger and are scaled up.

This entails that error mitigation will be no long-term panacea for the perennial issue of noise in quantum computation. Their paper, published in Nature Physics, offers guidance on what schemes for mitigating the adverse impact of noise on quantum computations are bound to be ineffective.

"We were contemplating limitations to near-term quantum computing making use of noisy quantum gates," Jens Eisert, co-author of the paper, told Phys.org.

"Our colleague Daniel Stilck Franca had just proven a result that amounted to compelling limitations of near-term quantum computing. He had shown that for depolarizing noise, in logarithmic depth, one would arrive at a quantum state that could be captured with efficient classical sampling techniques. We had just been thinking about quantum error mitigation, but then we thought: wait, what does all that mean for quantum error mitigation?"

The recent paper by Yihui Quek, Daniel Stilck Franca, Sumeet Khatri, Johannes Jakob Meyer and Jens Eisert builds on this research question, setting out to explore the precise limits of quantum error mitigation. Their findings unveil the extent to which quantum error mitigation can help to reduce the impact of noise on short-term quantum computing.

"Quantum error mitigation was meant to be a stand-in for quantum error correction as it requires less precise engineering to implement, and so there was the hope that it could be within reach, even for current experimental capabilities," Yihui Quek, lead author of the paper, told Phys.org.

"But when we squinted at these relatively simpler mitigation schemes, we began to realize that maybe you can't have your cake and eat ityes, they require less qubits and control, but often that comes at the cost of having to run the entire system a worryingly large number of times."

One example of a mitigation scheme that the team found had limitations is known as 'zero-error extrapolation." This scheme works by progressively increasing the amount of noise in a system and then converting the results of the noisier computation back to a zero-noise scenario.

"Essentially, to combat noise, you are supposed to increase the noise in your system," Quek explained. "Even intuitively, it's clear that this cannot be scalable."

Quantum circuits (i.e., quantum processors) consist of layer upon layer of quantum gates, each of which is fed the computations of the previous layer and further advances them. If the gates are noisy, however, every layer in the circuit becomes a double-edged sword, as while it does advance a computation, the gate itself introduces additional errors.

"This sets up a terrible paradox: you need many layers of gates (hence a deep circuit) in order to do a nontrivial computation," Quek said.

"However, a deeper circuit is also noisierit is more likely to output nonsense. So, there is a race between the speed at which you can compute and the speed at which the errors in the computation accumulate.

"Our work shows that there are extremely wicked circuits for which the latter is much, much faster than originally thought; so much so that to mitigate these wicked circuits, you would need to run them an infeasible number of times. This holds no matter what specific algorithm you use for error mitigation."

The recent study by Quek, Eisert and their colleagues suggests that quantum error mitigation is not as scalable as some predicted. In fact, the team found that as quantum circuits are scaled up, the effort or resources needed to run error mitigation greatly increase.

"As with all no-go theorems, we like to see them less like a show-stopper than an invitation," Eisert said.

"Maybe working with more geometrically locally connected constituents, one arrives at much more optimistic settings, in which case maybe our bound is way too pessimistic. Common architectures often have such local interactions. Our study can also be seen as an invitation to think of more coherent schemes of quantum error mitigation."

The findings gathered by this research team could serve as a guide for quantum physicists and engineers worldwide, inspiring them to devise alternative and more effective schemes for mitigating quantum errors. In addition, they could inspire further studies focusing on theoretical aspects of random quantum circuits.

"Previous scattered work on individual algorithms for quantum error mitigation had hinted that these schemes would not be scalable," Quek said.

"We came up with a framework that captures a large swathe of these individual algorithms. This allowed us to argue that this inefficiency that others had seen is inherent to the idea of quantum error mitigation itselfand has nothing to do with the specific implementation.

"This was enabled by the mathematical machinery we developed, which are the strongest known results so far on how quickly circuits can lose their quantum information due to physical noise."

In the future, the paper by Quek, Eisert and their colleagues could help researchers to rapidly identify types of quantum error mitigation schemes that will most likely be ineffective. The key conceptual insight of the team's findings is to crystallize the intuition that long-range gates (i.e., gates with qubits that are separated by large distances) can be both advantageous and problematic, as they easily produce entanglement, advancing computation, while also spreading the noise in a system faster.

"This, of course, opens up the question of whether it is even possible to attain quantum advantage without using these 'super-spreaders' of both quantumness and its worst enemy (i.e., noise)," Quek added. "Notably, all of our results do not hold when there are fresh auxiliary qubits introduced in the middle of the computation, so some amount of that may be necessary."

In their next studies, the researchers plan to shift the focus from the issues they identified to potential solutions for overcoming these issues. Some of their colleagues have already made some progress in this direction, using a combination of randomized benchmarking and quantum error mitigation techniques.

More information: Yihui Quek et al, Exponentially tighter bounds on limitations of quantum error mitigation, Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02536-7. Journal information: Nature Physics

 2024 Science X Network
Comfort Food Community, in partnership with Glens Falls Hospital, has launched a new Produce Prescription Program. This 5-month program, which runs from June to October, connects eligible patients with fresh, locally sourced produce and nutrition education, promoting healthy eating habits and overall well-being.

We have a community health team here at Comfort Food Community, and its important to us to work on food access from a holistic kind of perspective, said Alyssa Place, Communications Coordinator. So not just getting people the food that they need, but really thinking about the health component of it, and kind of just all the pieces that go into how people live.

The intention for the program is to improve health outcomes for individuals in the community who experience both food insecurity and chronic illness (risk or diagnosis) while facilitating connection with the local food system. Currently, there are 60 participants enrolled in the program.

To be eligible for the program, participants must be screened and referred by a Care Manager at one of the participating Glens Falls Hospital Health Centers in Granville, Whitehall, Hudson Falls, Greenwich, Salem, or Cambridge.

We are thrilled to partner with Comfort Food Community on this initiative, said Deb Marques-Seaman, RN, Manager Community Care Coordination at Glens Falls Hospital, in a press release. Our goal is to provide our patients with the resources they need to make healthy lifestyle choices, and this program is an important step in that direction.

Once they qualify for the program, participants will receive $25 in vouchers each month to spend on a variety of eligible items, including produce, dairy products, meats, and more, at over fifteen vendors throughout Washington County. Participating vendors include Argyle Cheese Farmer, BJs Farm Stands, the Cambridge Food CoOp, and more.

Lyndsey Brainerd, Community Health Outreach Coordinator at Comfort Food Community, added, We are excited to bring this innovative program to our community. By connecting patients with fresh, locally sourced produce and nutrition education, we hope to make high quality, healthy foods easily available to more community members.

Transportation barriers, in particular, are a constant challenge for many of the rural community members due to a lack of public transportation systems, long driving distances to grocery and food vendors, limited access to vehicles, and/or the lack of ability to drive, explained Place. As we look to the future of this program, we hope to continue addressing transportation barriers with creative solutions to further support our participants.

To learn more about the Produce Prescription Program or to inquire about eligibility and sign-up information, one can contact Lyndsey Brainerd at Comfort Food Community or a Care Manager at one of the participating Glens Falls Hospital Health Centers.
BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Elena and her boyfriend planned for their trip to China three months in advance and when wandering last week in the Forbidden City, a must-see heritage site in Beijing, the tourists from Russia said the unique culture and architecture had made all their preparations "absolutely worthwhile." It is their first trip to the Chinese mainland. "We both fell in love with China," Elena said. "We are looking forward to visiting other places, including Shanghai and Xi'an, during our two-week tour." "China Travel" has caused a sensation on global social media. In the vlogs of many influencers, foreign visitors can be seen strolling through Chinese night markets to try specialties, dancing in squares alongside locals, taking self-driving taxis, experiencing high-speed trains and having food delivered by drones. According to the National Immigration Administration, the country recorded about 14.64 million entries by foreigners in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 152.7 percent. Among these entries, more than 8.54 million were facilitated by visa-free policies. The inbound travel surge was due in part to the increase in the number of countries enjoying China's visa-free policy. China has added tourists from more countries to the visa-free entry list this year and currently implements a 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy for people from 54 countries. "We will do more to encourage people-to-people exchanges, and give foreign tourists a better experience in China," Xie Feng, Chinese ambassador to the United States, said recently in an interview with Newsweek magazine. The resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July pledged to make it more convenient for people from overseas to live, receive medical services and make payments on the Chinese mainland. The People's Bank of China, the Chinese central bank, has encouraged major mobile payment service providers such as Alipay and Tenpay to optimize work processes to facilitate the binding of credit cards and simplify personal identity authentication while protecting personal information. Additionally, the upper limit for the value of a single transaction and the annual cap for mobile payments have also been raised to 5,000 U.S. dollars and 50,000 U.S. dollars, respectively. The Ministry of Commerce and six other government departments have issued a circular on further facilitating accommodation for overseas travelers in China, stressing no restrictions for hotels to receive foreign guests and calling for improving registration services and simplifying information collection. Apart from inbound visitors, the number of domestic tourists has also shown steady growth this summer, driven by family travel, educational tours, summer retreats and graduation trips. Even during the recent hottest days of the year, waves of educational tour groups thronged tourist attractions in the Chinese capital Beijing. Li Min from Shandong Province brought her two children here for a cultural tour. "I want to take advantage of the summer holiday to let them experience the traditional culture and broaden their horizons," she said. Tourism veteran Qian Lan said this year's high season has been especially busy. "This summer, our long-distance travel orders went up 40 percent compared with last year, as tourists tend to travel in depth rather than skim the surface," said Qian, general manager of a travel agency in east China's Jiangxi Province. China recorded 423 million railway passenger trips in July, the first half of the two-month summer travel rush, data from the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. showed. This figure marked an increase of 4 percent from the same period in 2023. Many regions have introduced measures to attract tourists, such as distributing vouchers and offering ticket discounts and spending rebates. To embrace the summer tourism peak, the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, a popular ethnic tourist attraction in southwest China's Guizhou Province, introduced its first cableway, upgraded its tea culture street, added traditional dance and other indigenous performances, and arranged unique holiday events, such as the silver jewelry parade and rice cake-making competitions. Given the booming summer tourism, China is planning even more measures to tap the potential of cultural and tourism consumption in bolstering economic growth and improving people's well-being. Ma Li, an official of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said Friday that efforts will be made to hold more tourism promotion activities, offer increased superior cultural performances and improve the tourism environment, so as to meet the diversified demands of tourists and boost urban and rural development.
Four people were killed during a drive-by shooting in Alabama  and one of the victims was related to two men slain in another quadruple homicide in the same neighborhood earlier this year, according to a report Monday.

Stevie Andre McGhee, 39, was gunned down Saturday night at a social club in Birmingham during an adult birthday party, the AL.com website said.

Three other people were also killed and 10 were wounded by the gunfire that exploded around 11 p.m. in the city's historic Smithfield district, home to the city's first high school for African-American students.

In February, McGhee's cousins  Kevin McGhee and Terrell Edwards, both 38  were among four people fatally shot in broad daylight on Feb. 16.

That mass killing took place outside a Smithfield home where another victim ran a car wash, AL.com reported at the time.

In an eerie twist, a post-funeral gathering of the cousins' mourners took place at the same social club where Stevie McGhee was killed.

"We are broken. We are in shock," cousin Kawana Pollnitz said. "We're still under the bus from Kevin and Terrell and it's like they just keep rolling over our heads, our hearts, our minds."

Stevie McGhee's sister, Stenisha McGhee, also called the unfortunate turn of events "heart-wrenching."

"For the same thing to happen again, it's definitely tragic," she said. "I took that hard and I'm taking this even harder."

Police haven't made any arrests in Saturday's drive-by shooting and city officials have asked the public for help solving the case and another shooting the same day that killed three people.

"Having seven murdered in a day and 10 injured is probably the most tragic day in my time with the Birmingham Police Department," Police Chief Scott Thurmond said Sunday, AL.com reported.




LIMA, Peru (AP)  Peru's government on Friday enacted a law that prevents the prosecution of crimes against humanity committed before 2002, a decision that favors former President Alberto Fujimori as well as hundreds of military personnel investigated or prosecuted for massacres and murders during the country's internal armed conflict (1980-2000).





The law, which had no comments from President Dina Boluarte, was promulgated, despite a July order from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the highest regional court in this matter, indicating to Boluarte, Congress and the Judiciary that they should annul what was then still a bill, because it contravened international law.





The United Nations on Friday denounced the enacting of the bill.





Peru's new law contravenes the countrys obligations under international law and is a troubling development, amid a broader backlash against human rights and the rule of law in Peru, said Volker Turk, UN human rights chief, in a statement.





Crimes against humanity and war crimes are among the most serious violations of international law and neither amnesties nor statutes of limitations should extend to them, the statement added. Those responsible for atrocity crimes must be held accountable, consistent with international law.





According to an estimate by the Peruvian prosecutors office released in June, the legislation will have a direct impact on 550 victims and 600 cases, including investigations and judicial processes that would be archived or dismissed by statute of limitations.








WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  As Donald Trump adjusts to the reality of his new race against Kamala Harris, his campaign is counting on younger male voters to give him the edge in November in a presidential contest they insist is his to lose.





Trump and his Republican campaign now face a dramatically different race than the one just three weeks ago, before President Joe Biden abandoned his bid. While they acknowledge polls have tightened with Harris as the Democratic nominee, they maintain that the fundamentals of the race have not changed, with voters deeply sour over the direction of the country, and particularly the economy.





What has happened is we are witnessing a kind of out-of-body experience where we have suspended reality for a couple of weeks, Trump campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio told reporters during a briefing in West Palm Beach on Thursday of the current state of the race.





It was a message echoed by Trump during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club.





The honeymoon periods gonna end, he insisted while minimizing the size of the crowds Harris has been drawing and lashing out at his new opponent. Let me tell you: We have the enthusiasm."





Campaign officials acknowledge that Harris had energized the Democratic base and that her team has taken the lead on fundraising. But they insist they have more than enough to do what they need to win. Trump's campaign and its affiliates reported raising $138.7 million in July  far less than the eye-popping $310 million sum reported by Harris. Her campaign began August with more cash on hand.





With less than three months to go, senior campaign officials are focused on a group of persuadable voters that they believe is key to victory. The targets, which they say comprise about 11% of the electorate in key battleground states, skew younger and are disproportionately male and moderate. While more than half are white, they include more nonwhites, especially Asians and Hispanics, than the broader electorate.





They are especially frustrated by the economy, including their personal finances, and are pessimistic things will improve.





Its a very narrow band of people that we are trying to move, Fabrizio said of the efforts. Since these voters don't engage with traditional news outlets and have traded cable for streaming services, the campaign has been working to reach them in novel ways.





"There is a reason why were doing podcasts. There is a reason why were doing Adin Ross," Fabrizio said, referring to the controversial internet personality who ended his interview with the former president earlier this week by giving him a Tesla Cybertruck wrapped in images of Trump raising his fist after his assassination attempt.





There is a reason why we are doing all of those things. You know what these people pay attention to? MMA, Adin Ross," he said. MMA refers to mixed martial arts.





Trump campaign officials acknowledge the Democratic base is now motivated in a way it wasnt when Biden was the nominee. Harris, they say, will likely do better than Biden would have with Black voters, especially women and older men.





But they argue Harris is doing little to appeal to swing voters. And they intend to spend the next 80-plus days painting her as a radical liberal and as the incumbent rather than a change, tying her to the most unpopular Biden administration policies.





Theres way more information about her that they dont know that theyre going to hear. And were going to make sure theyre going to get," Fabrizio said.





By the end of the race, they believe, neither candidate will be liked, but voters will choose the candidate they feel will most improve their economic conditions.





They pointed to a line Harris has been using to refer to Trump's presidency  We are not going back  as particularly ill conceived, given that some voters say things were better when Trump was in office than they are now.





Trump campaign aides said they now have staff on the ground in 18 states, ranging from critical battlegrounds to states like Virginia, where Democrats have been favored, that they hope they can put into play.





The campaign says it now has hundreds of paid staff and more than 300 Trump and GOP offices open across battleground states. The Harris campaign, meanwhile, says it has 1,500 paid staffers and 265 offices across the country.





But much of the Trump effort relies on volunteers and outside groups.





They are trying to replicate a model they used successfully during the GOP primary in Iowa this winter, where volunteer caucus captains were given a list of 10 neighbors they pledged to get out to the polls. The campaign has credited that model with boosting turnout on a brutally cold and icy caucus night.





The Trump Force 47 program is focused on targeting low- and medium-propensity voters. Volunteers will be canvassing, writing postcards, phone banking and organizing their neighbors.





So far, 12,000 captains have been trained and given voter target lists, according to officials. An additional 30,000 have volunteered, with more than 2,000 expected to be trained per week between now and Election Day.





A large part of the campaign's outreach will also rely on outside groups, which will be running paid canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts thanks to new guidance from the Federal Election Commission that allow campaigns to coordinate with outside groups in ways that were previously not allowed.





The campaign said more than 1,000 paid canvassers are on the ground in battleground states, and they're also working to register about 1.6 million targeted voters in those competitive places.





The Harris campaign, meanwhile, says it is amassing its own army of volunteers. In the first two weeks of her candidacy, they said, 200,000 volunteers joined the campaign and signed up for 29,000 canvass shifts and 197,000 phone banking shifts.




Kathmandu, Nepal, August 11, 2024: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is arriving in Kathmandu today at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal.





During his two day stay in Kathmandu, Indian Foreign Secretary Misri is scheduled to hold high l;ebel bilateral talks.





As Indian Foreign Secretary Misris scheduled visit to Kathmandu is the first high level visit from neighboring India after formation of the incumbent coalition government between the Nepali Congress and the CPN UML, it is taken importantly from different sectors.




Gaza's civil defense agency said Saturday an Israeli air strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians killed 93 people, as Israel's military accused militants of using the building as a command center.

Aence France Presse could not independently verify the toll which, if confirmed, would appear to be one of the largest from a single strike during 10 months of war between Israel and Hamas Palestinian militants.

Hamas denounced the "dangerous escalation" in north Gaza, which came after international mediators invited the warring sides to resume next Thursday talks towards a long-sought ceasefire and hostage-release deal.

Jordan's foreign ministry said the timing of the school strike "is an indication of the Israeli government's efforts to obstruct and thwart these efforts."

Civil defense officials in the Hamas-ruled territory said three Israeli missiles hit the school in Gaza City while people performed dawn prayers.

"Their bodies were torn apart," civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP. "It reminds us of the first days of the war in the Gaza Strip."

With most of Gaza's 2.4 million people displaced during the war triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, many have sought refuge in school buildings, which have been hit at least 14 times since July 6, according to an AFP tally.

Israel's army said Saturday it had "precisely struck Hamas terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control centre embedded in the Al-Tabieen school."

The military has repeatedly made similar accusations after strikes on the school shelters. Hamas has previously denied Israeli claims that it uses schools, hospitals and other civilian facilities for military aims.

AFP-TV live images from the scene showed a large complex with a courtyard where debris lay inside and out. Part of the structure appeared to be a mosque, the upper story of which was partially blown out and charred.

Images also showed white-shrouded bodies, blood stains on the ground, and smoke rising from the rubble.

Hamas's October attack resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Palestinian militants seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 39 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 39,699 people, according to Gaza's health ministry, which does not give details of civilian and militant deaths

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas. In January the military said it had dismantled the group's command structure in northern Gaza. But the military has since found itself returning there and to other areas of the territory to battle militants again.

Iran has accused Israel of wanting to spread war in the Middle East, and Hamas officials, some analysts and critics in Israel have said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prolonged the fighting.

However, Netanyahu's office on Thursday said Israel would send negotiators "to conclude the details of implementing a deal," after the joint invitation from mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

The mediators' invitation followed intense diplomacy aimed at averting a region-wide conflagration.

In a joint statement Thursday, the three countries' leaders invited the warring parties to resume talks on Aug.t 15 in Doha or Cairo "to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay."

Recent discussions have focused on a framework outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden in late May and later endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, in talks with his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin, "raised the importance of swiftly achieving" a hostage release deal, Gallant's office said.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said on social media platform X: "We need a ceasefire in Gaza now" and expressed strong support for the mediators' efforts.
Chesterfield County, the largest locality in the greater Richmond area, has seen a rise in Hispanic/Latino residents in the past ten years. The Richmond region itself has seen a 143% rise in Latino population since 2013, according to a study done by the Virginia Department of Health. With these changes comes another barrier that local agencies must navigate as well: language.
Forget the headlines for a moment. Yes, a steady stream of corrosive dysfunction is pooling around City Hall. The disturbing lack of accountability in the mayors office over abuses in the purchasing card program  on the heels of the meals tax billing fiasco  is once again undermining public trust and Richmonders faith in city government.

But its a distraction. The main thing isnt the main thing.

All the noise at City Hall is a problem, but not for the reasons you might think. While the mayor, who is currently running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, is busy shooting himself in the foot  and its important to note the deafening silence coming from City Council chambers  the collective city is rubbernecking.

We see the accident, but not the structural damage that caused it.

P-cards, meals taxes and bloating salaries at the top, despite staffing shortages just about everywhere, are drowning out deeply ingrained, systemic problems  such things as the growing affordable housing crisis, rapid displacement and gentrification, poverty-racked schools, a tax base disproportionately consumed by non-taxpaying property owners.

Richmond is a city on the rise. The local economy is strong. The population is growing. Richmonds arts and food scene, despite the extortionary billing practices of the finance department, are thriving. The surrounding counties are diversifying and politically aligning with the city (both Chesterfield and Henrico now have boards controlled by Democrats).

The city, meanwhile, is stuck wading through the cesspool.

Gentrification and housing

Mayor Levar Stoney has made affordable housing a priority. A year ago, he unveiled a plan to carve out $50 million to incentivize affordable housing construction. In a city that could simply do nothing  developers are more than happy to line their pockets building high-end apartments and condos to meet surging demand  this is actual progress.

Last spring, Stoney announced that the $50 million would jump-start the construction of 5,000 affordable apartments through 2028, which led to a matching grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. But its nowhere near enough.

In January, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies released a study that found 52% of renters in Richmond were cost-burdened, meaning they spent more than 30% of their income on housing. When you consider that Richmond has a higher percentage of cost-burdened renters than New York City (51%), Chicago (49%) and Washington, D.C. (46.5%), another vexing problem comes into focus: Out-of-control housing costs are fueling gentrification.

Over the past 30 years, Richmonds growth has led to displacement of Black residents across the city. According to a study released earlier this year by Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Richmonds growth since 2000 has come at the expense of Black residents  net losses in some of the citys historically Black neighborhoods ranged from 18% to 45%.

Using net population loss as an indicator of displacement, HOME found major losses of Black residents from a central portion of the city covering the Stadium, Carillon, Byrd Park, Maymont, and Randolph neighborhoods, as well as a portion of the northside that includes the Providence Park, Brookland Park, Ginter Park Terrace, Northern Barton Heights, Virginia Union, and Chamberlayne Industrial Center neighborhoods, the report found.

The city now has more white than Black residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Poverty has declined in recent years  its now just under 20%  but thats largely due to displacement. Lower-income families have been forced to vacate the city for the counties, where housing, particularly in the outer-ring suburbs, is cheaper.

Richmond doesnt have an anti-displacement strategy. It desperately needs one.

Double-segregated schools

The overall decline in Richmonds poverty rate masks another problem  condensing extreme poverty, particularly in the East End where most of the citys housing projects are located. And this problem is most acutely felt in our schools.

Seventy years after Brown v. Board of Education, the regions schools are more segregated than ever. From 1969-70 to 2022-23, the three largest jurisdictions  Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico  saw a 1,000% increase in the number of students attending intensely segregated schools, according to a May report from the Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism team and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

When you delve deeper into the numbers, you discover this leads to a bigger problem: double-segregated schools, where at least 75% of the student population is economically disadvantaged and 75% a single ethnic minority. There are 15 such schools in metro Richmond, 11 of which are in the city.

Richmond continues to harbor the worst of the regions poverty, and our schools pay the price. Growing up in economically depressed neighborhoods leads to all manner of trauma  emotional and physical. Redistricting city schools would help, but its not enough.

A depleted tax base

For all of Richmonds growth, theres a ceiling. The citys tax base is pockmarked with tax exemptions, thanks primarily to being the seat of state government and Virginia Commonwealth Universitys ever-sprawling footprint. Neither pays real estate taxes.

All told, more than 20% of the citys real estate is off the tax rolls. The state controls roughly $3.7 billion worth of property in Richmond, representing $45 million in lost tax revenue, according to a financial analysis by the finance department. According to 2022 real estate data, VCU sits on roughly $2.5 billion in real estate, representing more than $30 million in lost taxes.

Thats one of the primary reasons why Richmond has the highest real estate tax rate in the metro region  $1.20 per $100 of assessed value.

The higher tax rate means the city is less attractive than the counties when it comes to commercial investment. Its why bilking restaurant owners through compounding late fees on meals tax bills  and not notifying them for months on end  hurts so much. When you take advantage of your existing businesses, luring new ones gets appreciably harder.

Dispelling the narrative

This is what happens when your city is economically isolated for 75 years thanks to segregation-era state policies. In Virginia, cities and counties are separated by law. Chesterfield and Henrico, in other words, have been allowed to grow unfettered by crippling poverty and aging infrastructure, enabling the kind of economic and managerial stability that has long eluded Richmond.

The thing that (state leaders) did was basically prohibit Richmond from participating in the economic growth and renewal of the metropolitan city at the moment that they got Black leadership, says the Rev. Ben Campbell, former pastoral director at Richmond Hill and author of Richmonds Unhealed History.

What happened, and you can track it around the country, is they left these center cities with all of the old infrastructure and all of the poverty and no capacity for significant percentage growth in new population. Almost to a city, they became more and more difficult to function and administrate.

The narrative became Black people couldnt run things, Campbell explains. The persistent challenge of running a city with fewer resources and all of the headaches turns to a loop of constant bureaucratic turnover and dysfunction, tinged with racist dog whistling.

If you take all of the growth, all of the income development, and all of the rhythmic energy of new and greenfield development, and you separate it off from all of your historic costs  that is your old infrastructure, that is your density costs and your poverty  this is what you get, Campbell says. It really isnt rocket science.

If Richmonds leaders cant bring themselves to confront the operational issues, the day-in-and-day-out challenges and mishaps, the systemic problems will continue to go unaddressed.

This is why the p-card scandals and tax collection bungles are so damaging. It reinforces the old narrative by skipping over the structural underpinnings  and pushes the metropolitan city further out of reach.
Stolen sea turtle eggs returned to Tulum nesting area

Tulum, Q.R.  Stolen sea turtle eggs from a Tulum beach have been relocated to a new nest. On Friday, National Guard patrolling a Tulum beach saw a man at a distance carrying a bag.

When the man noticed the uniformed National Guard officers, he dropped the bag and ran. The officers opened the tossed bag to find it full of sea turtle eggs. Personnel from the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), instructed them to take the eggs to the Jaguar National Park.

There, the eggs were safely returned to the sand in a new nest. The eggs stolen are believed to be green sea turtle eggs. In their statement, the Guardia Nacional said it was not possible to catch the man who had tossed the bag of stolen eggs.

In compliance with the National Public Security Strategy of the federal government, in the state of Quintana Roo, members of the National Guard recovered sea turtle eggs, which were handed over to environmental authorities for their return to nests under custody.

While carrying out security, surveillance and crime prevention patrols in the municipality of Tulum, National Guard officers saw a man from a distance who, upon noticing the presence of the officials, threw a bundle he was carrying in his hands and fled, but it was not possible to catch him.

The officers approached and identified the abandoned package as a white bag containing turtle eggs. They contacted personnel from the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), who instructed them to take them to the Jaguar Park.

The sea turtle eggs were placed in sand in the Jaguar National Park. Photo: Guardia Nacional August 9, 2024.

Upon arrival, personnel from Conanp inspected the contents of the bag and indicated that, based on the characteristics of the eggs, they could be hatchlings of the Chelonia mydas species, commonly known as the green sea turtle, which is in danger of extinction, according to the Mexican Official Standard NOM-059-Semarnat-2010.

National Guard did not say how many stolen eggs were in the bag, but did say that they were placed in nests located in a turtle camp on one of the beaches within the Jaguar National Park in order to protect them until they hatch for the correct conservation of the species.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a statement following the line-of-duty death of Smyth County Deputy Hunter Reedy and the wounding of Deputy Michael Fedorchuk.

The statement reads: We ask for everyone to lift-up in prayer and support the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Hunter Reedy, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Its a stark reminder that our law enforcement heroes risk their lives every day and his bravery and commitment to protecting and serving the Smyth County community will never be forgotten.

Continuing the statement reads that Youngkin and his wife Suzanne are so grateful for the support being poured out for Deputy Reedys family. We continue to pray for the swift and full recovery of Deputy Fedorchuk, who was also struck by gunfire in the same incident. During this difficult time, we stand united in support of our entire law enforcement community and their families.

Youngkin said he will order the flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Reedys memorial for the Commonwealth to honor his service and sacrifice.

The deputies were shot on Friday after a traffic stop.

Timothy Wayne Goodman, of North Carolina, will face one count of aggravated murder, four counts of attempted aggravated murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to the Smyth County Sheriffs Office.
Ken Brisby, known in Richmonds electronic and experimental music scene as Stephanie AKA Steph, has been a fixture in both the local music and Virginias film production communities, where they have worked on various movie sets. Their life experiences and creative ambitions inspired them to write a screenplay and meticulously craft the props for their film, Mom Im on Drugs. With support from friends and various communities, the film went through production and post-production, all culminating in its upcoming premiere at Cobra Cabana on Friday August 30, 2024, at 7 pm. You can find more information HERE.

Over the past three years, Ive had the chance to chat with Ken about the films journey. Here we dive into the screening and some behind-the-scenes work. After the August premiere, Mom Im on Drugs will hit the film festival circuit, so be on the lookout for future screenings beyond Richmond. Additionally, elements of the movies score will be performed live at the event.

Todd Raviotta: How long has Mom Im On Drugs been in the works? What is the short pitch or logline for the movie?

Ken Brisby: The screenplay was written in 2015, nine years ago, and production began in 2017. The film is a mix of a just say no to drugs message and the fantastical elements of Labyrinth. The plot revolves around Steph, who is struggling with suicidal thoughts; Lisa, who is looking for a new boyfriend; and Jason, who just wants to go home but finds himself on an unexpected LSD trip.

Image courtesy of Ken Brisby

TR: Who is going to savor your film?

KB: Fans of fantasy and giallo films with practical effects and analog vintage synth scores.

TR: Where did the title and subject material come from?

KB: The title Mom, Im on Drugs is based on a coming out queer conversation I had with my parents. Before prescription drugs were widely used by mid and low income families, after they looked disgusted on reading a teens on drugs article in the Washington Post, I decided to tell them how sparing use of illegal drugs had helped me through issues that made me hate myself.

Image courtesy of Ken Brisby

TR: What were some of the very Richmond locations that made it into the film?

KB: One of the first scenes is in the smaller bathroom at GWAR BAR, our Richmond staple. Another was the Valley Road Warehouse, the home of many different musical performances and art creations.

TR: I enjoyed seeing your process photos working on props and set design in the lead up to filming. Did you have a philosophy or guiding vision to make it practical?

KB: Practical is as real as it gets. Im not the kind of person who wants to spend any more time or money in the editing room, so practical will always be the way to go. It can also be extremely helpful to first-time actors, giving them something real to see and interact with.

TR: You wore a whole lot of hats on this project which was your favorite to wear?

Ken Brisby and friend, image courtesy of Ken Brisby

KB: Creating practical effects, sets, and props allows me to unmask and be myself. Next up would easily be creating the film score.

TR: How long did post production last?

KB: About two years. One of which was working on the show Swagger with the rigging electric crew, raising money to complete the film.

TR: In the industry work you do, was there a most important lesson that carried over to this project or the other way around?

KB: In the lighting department, I learned the type of lighting that worked best for cinema cameras and how to rig them correctly and safely.

Image courtesy of Ken Brisby

TR: What is the proudest moment on set or in the edit room?

KB: For the film in general, my proudest moment was finishing the first edit of the screenplay, especially since Im dyslexic :). My proudest moment on set was when Sasha Savenko, who played Lisa, was staring at me right before I got to say, Thats a wrap, for the first time. As soon as I said it, they poured a beer over my head just as I pushed the camerasitting on a sandbag and an apple boxaway from me, just in time. We paused for a second in horror, then laughed.

TR: Who is in the cast? What did they bring to the project?

KB: The cast is made up of a mix of queer, punk rock, noise/electronic musicians and autistic friends with little to no prior acting experience.

Photo of Michael Derks of GWAR, image courtesy of Ken Brisby

TR: What were some of the standout contributions and who were some of the collaborators on the crew?

KB: Having Michael Derks of the band GWAR play a cop in the Punk Show scene seemed meant to be, especially since he happened to own a cop uniform, which he uses for his other band, X-COPS. Having friends who were also in the film union, like Caroline Hubert as Director of Photography and Traylor White as gaffer, was encouraging when trying to direct a feature for the first time.

TR: This coming screening, is it for the cast and crew only or is it open to the public?

KB: This is a public event. Its the official Richmond film premiere and after party with some music from the film being played live.

Image courtesy of Ken Brisby

TR: Any content awareness notes or a rating for the film?

KB: Other than the mild self-prescription subject matter, its focus is less on doing drugs and more on the effects they have on unmasking characters and creating friendships. Its liberal use of the F-word could lead to an R rating, though.

You can find more information HERE.

TR: When and where is it?

KB: Its at Cobra Cabana in Richmond Virginia August 30th at 7pm. ed. note: You can find the information HERE.

Image courtesy of Ken Brisby

TR: Are there upcoming projects people can get involved in what would be the best way to get onboard? Where can we follow along as the film is released into the world?

KB: Follow my instagram @ken_brisby and reach out. I have two other scripts written and friends making indie films here and in Brooklyn. Everything about the film, score, and practical effects is regularly updated on my instagram. My linktree leads to the Incitatus Film website and my youtube channel as well
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/ukrainian-attack-leaves-13-kursk-residents-injured-2-of-them-seriously---acting-governor-1119714382.html

Ukrainian Attack Leaves 13 Kursk Residents Injured, 2 of Them Seriously - Acting Governor

Ukrainian Attack Leaves 13 Kursk Residents Injured, 2 of Them Seriously - Acting Governor

Sputnik International

Thirteen people were injured, two seriously, after a downed Ukrainian missile fell on a residence in the Kursk region, sparking a fire.

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Earlier, Smirnov reported that the downed Ukrainian missile had fallen on a residential building in the city of Kursk, a fire broke out. Several ambulance crews are working at the scene, he added. In addition, Smirnov's deputy Andrey Belostotsky, the region's acting health minister, Yekaterina Pismennaya and Kursk Mayor Igor Kutsak went to the scene of the emergency. "A full inspection of the house will be carried out as soon as the situation allows," Smirnov emphasized.At the same time, the regional headquarters of the Russian Emergencies Ministry earlier reported that the supporting structures of the residential building in Kursk, where the downed Ukrainian missile fell, had not been damaged. The fire was extinguished, 15 people were rescued, 30 were evacuated, it added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/watch-russian-iskander-m-missile-demolish-ukrainian-armed-forces-brigade-in-russias-kursk-region-1119708829.html

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A Florida man was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for pulling a religious headscarf off a Muslim postal worker before saying "F--- Islam" and calling the woman a "terrorist."



Kenneth Pinkney, 47, received the punishment Friday after pleading guilty in April to assault on a federal employee with a hate crime enhancement for the unprovoked, Oct. 24 attack in Fort Lauderdale.



The incident unfolded after Pinkney glared at the unidentified woman as she delivered mail while wearing a headscarf called a hijab two weeks earlier, in the wake of the Hamas attack against Israel that sparked the latest Mideast war.



"Hate crimes represent vicious attacks on the very fabric of our diverse communities. No one should live in fear of being targeted because of their religious beliefs," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis said.



In addition to his 37-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Roy Altman ordered Pinkney to serve three years of post-release supervision, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/us-congressman-massie-says-americans-must-urge-biden-to-avoid-war-with-iran-1119714521.html

US Congressman Massie Says Americans Must Urge Biden to Avoid War With Iran

US Congressman Massie Says Americans Must Urge Biden to Avoid War With Iran

Sputnik International

US Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) wrote on X that the citizens of the United States must tell US President Joe Biden to avoid war with Iran.

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"Biden and the deep state are just itching to get us into a serious conflict with Iran. We have to tell them no," Massie said on X. The US has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East, including deploying additional F-22 Raptor jets, amid tensions between Iran and Israel. On Thursday, a senior administration official said that the consequences of a direct Iranian attack on Israel would be significant. However, Massie included a meme in his statement, which joked that the US must finish dealing with its involvement in the Ukraine conflict before engaging in a conflict with Iran. "You have to finish your Ukraine before you can have any Iran," the meme says.Last month, a commission on the US National Defense Strategy established by the Congress found that the US risked losing in the event of multiple conflicts with peer and near-peer adversaries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/waiting-game-on-irans-response-to-israeli-aggression-hints-big-strike-may-be-imminent-1119700430.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/aftermath-of-ukrainian-shelling-of-russias-kursk-1119719621.html

Aftermath of Ukrainian Shelling of Russia's Kursk

Aftermath of Ukrainian Shelling of Russia's Kursk

Sputnik International

A Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defense forces fell on a residential building in the city of Kursk on Saturday night.

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A Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defenses fell on a residential building in the city of Kursk on Saturday night. Residents were asleep when debris from the Ukrainian missile landed on the nine-story building. The terrible boom and the sound of breaking glass caused panic, eyewitnesses reportedly said.According to the governor of the Kursk region, Alexey Smirnov, 15 people were injured, two of whom remain in serious condition. Fifteen people were rescued from the building, and another 30 were evacuated.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/amid-tense-us-china-relations-congressional-delegation-visits-taiwan-for-talks-1119721745.html

Amid Tense US-China Relations, Congressional Delegation Visits Taiwan for Talks

Amid Tense US-China Relations, Congressional Delegation Visits Taiwan for Talks

Sputnik International

A delegation of four Democratic members of the US House of Representatives from the US Congress has arrived in Taiwan to meet with the island's authorities, according to the island's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The delegation of four lawmakers was led by Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland of Washington State's 10th District. The delegation will remain on the island until August 15.As part of the visit, the delegation will meet with officials, including the island's chief of staff, Lai Ching Te, and his deputy, Hsiao Bi-khim. They will discuss US-Taiwan relations and security issues in the Taiwan Strait.The situation around Taiwan escalated significantly after Nancy Pelosi, then speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited the island in early August 2022. China, which considers the island one of its provinces, condemned Pelosi's visit as a move by the United States to support Taiwanese separatism, and went on to conduct large-scale military exercises.Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as one of its provinces, while Taiwan, a territory with its own elected government, maintains that it is an autonomous country. China opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240616/us-tried-to-provoke-china-into-attacking-taiwan-xi-told-von-der-leyen---report-1118980551.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/dollars-dominance-allows-for-subordination-of-countries---venezuelan-ambassador-1119715578.html

Dollars Dominance Allows for Subordination of Countries - Venezuelan Ambassador

Dollars Dominance Allows for Subordination of Countries - Venezuelan Ambassador

Sputnik International

The dollar dominance of the financial world pushes other countries to be subservient to the United States, said Venezuelan's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations during an interview.

2024-08-11T03:50+0000

2024-08-11T03:50+0000

2024-08-11T03:50+0000

world

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group of friends alliance

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We feel that there is one particular currency that has been dominating the financial system for some time, and it has allowed for the subordination of some countries, not only in terms of the economy, but also in terms of sovereignty, and fiscal sovereignty, Perez Ayestaran told Sputnik. Venezuela believes that countries should be able to trade in their own currencies and wants to have a multi-currency system, he added, saying that it's time to diversify trade currencies for freedom and to avoid the impacts of sanctions.On the subject of multilateralism, Perez Ayestaran said that states in the global south have shown an interest in joining the Group of Friends alliance.Countries from the global south are very much committed to the UN Charter [are showing an interest in joining the Group of Friends], Perez Ayestaran said.The Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter was established on July 6, 2021, in New York and was initiated by Venezuela. It currently includes 18 member states, such as Russia, Syria, Iran, and China. The group seeks to promote the UN Charter on multilateralism and diplomacy over the use of force.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/venezuela-will-contribute-to-brics-with-its-largest-oil-reserves-in-world---deputy-un-envoy-1119702706.html

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de-dollarization, dollar alternatives, multipolar world, venezuela rejects the dollar
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/ex-bangladeshi-prime-minister-says-us-orchestrated-her-ouster-to-control-strategic-island-1119724753.html

Ex-Bangladeshi Prime Minister Says US Orchestrated Her Ouster to Control Strategic Island

Ex-Bangladeshi Prime Minister Says US Orchestrated Her Ouster to Control Strategic Island

Sputnik International

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused the United States, in a letter published on Sunday, of orchestrating her ouster after she refused to give up the sovereignty of the strategic island of St. Martin.

2024-08-11T13:49+0000

2024-08-11T13:49+0000

2024-08-11T13:49+0000

asia

sheikh hasina

bangladesh

island

us

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"I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal," the letter obtained by The Economic Times read. Hasina said last summer that Bangladesh would not lease the island, without specifying the details or the interested party. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said days later that the US had never mentioned plans to take control of the island. Hasina said she chose to step down "so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies" and urged the South Asian nation not to be manipulated by radicals. Deadly protests erupted across Bangladesh after the announcement of a multi-day "non-cooperation action" with the authorities by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on Sunday. Clashes between students, police, and government supporters escalated into riots that reportedly left more than 440 people dead. Hasina resigned amid the unrest.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240806/us-backed-leader-to-take-over-bangladesh-1119661332.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/hezbollah-says-attacked-10-israeli-army-positions-in-past-24-hours-1119715166.html

Hezbollah Says Attacked 10 Israeli Army Positions in Past 24 Hours

Hezbollah Says Attacked 10 Israeli Army Positions in Past 24 Hours

Sputnik International

The Hezbollah Shiite movement in Lebanon carried out 10 combat operations against the Israeli army over the past 24 hours, the group said on Sunday.

2024-08-11T02:43+0000

2024-08-11T02:43+0000

2024-08-11T02:43+0000

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israeli air force (iaf)

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According to Hezbollah's statements, several visual control systems on the Lebanese-Israeli border were destroyed, and missile strikes were carried out on four Israeli army strongholds. In the Sa'ar area, a directed missile struck a concentration of Israeli military personnel. Also on Friday evening, Hezbollah used drones to attack a northern military logistics base located southwest of the city of Safed. The Israeli army, in turn, struck 16 settlements, according to a statement. An Israeli Air Force aircraft once again broke the sound barrier, simulating the sounds of explosions in the skies over Beirut. The situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border has escalated since the start of Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters are shelling each other's positions daily in areas along the border. According to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, about 100,000 people were forced to leave their homes in southern Lebanon due to shelling from Israel. The Israeli side reported about 80,000 residents of northern Israel who found themselves in a similar situation. In recent weeks, the Israeli military has reported the elimination of several high-ranking Hezbollah commanders and operatives in airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The movement responds to each elimination with massive shelling of northern Israel, launching dozens of rockets and drones. Often, shelling from Lebanon results in fires in northern Israel, where hundreds of hectares of land have already been scorched. In mid-June, the Israeli military command announced the approval of combat plans for an offensive in Lebanon. Following this, Foreign Minister Israel Katz threatened to destroy Hezbollah and cause serious damage to Lebanon in the event of a full-scale war, adding that Israel is close to making a decision that will change the rules on the northern front. In turn, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said on June 19 that the movement could invade northern Israel if the confrontation escalated further.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240808/hezbollah-may-strike-israel-regardless-of-irans-intentions---report-1119675512.html

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hezbollah strikes israel, hezbollah hits galilee, fires in israel, israel lebanon war
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/how-mackinders-heartland-theory-of-geopolitics-helps-explain-bangladeshi-pm-hasinas-ouster-1119725428.html

How Mackinder's Heartland Theory of Geopolitics Helps Explain Bangladeshi PM Hasina's Ouster

How Mackinder's Heartland Theory of Geopolitics Helps Explain Bangladeshi PM Hasina's Ouster

Sputnik International

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced from power last week by large-scale, violent, student-led protests. On Sunday, the politician offered her most direct explanation to date about the foreign forces responsible for her removal from office. Sputnik asked veteran international affairs commentator Jeff Brown to elaborate.

2024-08-11T17:10+0000

2024-08-11T17:10+0000

2024-08-12T08:49+0000

analysis

sheikh hasina

bangladesh

china

myanmar

nato

us embassy

us

george soros

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I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of St. Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrote in a bombshell letter published by Indian media on Sunday.Dont lose hope. I will return soon. I have lost but the people of Bangladesh have won, the people for whom my father, my family died, the veteran politician wrote, referring to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Bangladeshi statesman who became the nations first president in 1971 and served as prime minister from 1972 until his assassination in 1975 in the wake of Bangladeshs independence from Pakistan.Hasinas remarks the significance of St. Martin Island to her ouster were at least the second time the island has been brought up in relation to her position in office. In May, she alleged that the representative of an unnamed Western country had offered her an easy victory ahead of elections held earlier this year in exchange for permission to build an airbase on St. Martin. Her government rejected the proposal, sticking to its malice to none foreign and defense policy, which rules out membership in security alliances. Much of the opposition boycotted the January vote, with the move praised by Western media.Serving as Bangladeshs prime minister from 1996-2001 and again from 2009 until last week, Hasina estranged the US and other Western countries with her remarks slamming US-led aggression against Muslim-majority countries under the guise of democratization, and her allegations earlier this year accusing the US of seeking to partition Bangladesh and Myanmar and carve out a Christian-majority state.Hasina resigned from her post and fled Dhaka for India on August 5 while protesters stormed her residence. Large-scale demonstrations in Bangladesh began in June, triggered by the reinstatement of a quota system for government jobs, and quickly exploited by political and social forces looking to oust the government. Hundreds of protesters and police were killed or injured in clashes, with the army stepping in after Hasinas ouster and tapping US-supported banker and academic Muhammad Yunus to serve as head of an interim government. Hasina and Yunus have a well-documented record of bad blood, with the former PM accusing Yunus of sucking blood from the poor with his Nobel Prize-winning microcredit schemes.Hasinas ouster last week failed to quell the violence, with Indian and Bangladeshi media reporting on attempts by Bangladeshis of the Hindu faith to illegally cross the border into India amid a spate of targeted attacks which have reportedly left as many as 232 Bangladeshi Hindus dead. Additional reporting says that other minorities, including Christians and Buddhists, have also been targeted, with violence ranging from attacks on homes, shops and religious sites to abuse targeting women.Another OkinawaThe United States wants to turn Bangladeshs Saint Martin Island into another Okinawa. Sheikh Hasina said no, so she had to be deposed with a classic color revolution [using] paid-for astroturf protests organized out of the US Embassy and the usual gang of Soros NGOs, veteran international affairs observer Jeff Brown, author of The China Trilogy, editor at China Rising Radio Sinoland and the founder of Seek Truth From Facts Foundation, told Sputnik, commenting on the now former Bangladeshi prime ministers sensational revelations.NATO control of the Bangladeshi island means the alliance can keep tabs on pro-China Myanmar, bring in all kinds of chaos there, stirring up the Rohingya Muslims there (which Hasina was trying to defuse), the observer suggested.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/ex-bangladeshi-prime-minister-says-us-orchestrated-her-ouster-to-control-strategic-island-1119724753.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240806/us-backed-leader-to-take-over-bangladesh-1119661332.html

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was us behind behind regime change in bangladesh, did us oust bangladesh's sheikh hasina, who ousted hasina, why did sheikh hasina resign
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/iranian-president-condemns-israeli-strike-on-school-in-gaza-city-calls-incident-inhumane-1119715322.html

Iranian President Condemns Israeli Strike on School in Gaza City, Calls Incident Inhumane

Iranian President Condemns Israeli Strike on School in Gaza City, Calls Incident Inhumane

Sputnik International

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the Israeli strike on a school in Gaza City that killed dozens of Palestinians, calling the attack "inhumane."

2024-08-11T03:16+0000

2024-08-11T03:16+0000

2024-08-11T03:16+0000

world

middle east

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masoud pezeshkian

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"Strongly condemning this inhuman and cruel act and expressing deep concern and condolences to the families of those killed and injured in this tragedy, ... I call on international organizations, especially the UN Security Council and Islamic countries, to [observe] their responsibility to preserve peace and security at the regional and international levels, to prevent, using the maximum possible means, the repetition of such crimes against humanity," Pezeshkian said in a statement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani has also condemned the attack and called on the UN Security Council to take immediate measures to stop "Israel's crimes" in the Gaza Strip. The UN Human Rights Office said Israel had struck the packed school at least three times during dawn prayer on Saturday, with an initial report of at least 93 Palestinians killed, including 11 children and six women. Dozens of others were reported to be seriously injured, with the majority being children, women and the elderly. The Israeli military defended the strikes, saying the school housed at least 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, including senior commanders. The United Nations estimates that Israel has launched at least 21 strikes on schools sheltering displaced persons in Gaza since July 4, killing at least 274 people. The Israeli military justified most of the attacks saying the schools were used by Palestinian armed groups.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/us-congressman-massie-says-americans-must-urge-biden-to-avoid-war-with-iran-1119714521.html

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israeli strike on gazan school, idf bombs school in gaza, iranian response to israel
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/reagans-1984-joke-on-bombing-russia-should-have-never-been-made---ex-cia-analysts-1119717767.html

Reagan's 1984 Joke on Bombing Russia Should Have Never Been Made - Ex-CIA Analysts

Reagan's 1984 Joke on Bombing Russia Should Have Never Been Made - Ex-CIA Analysts

Sputnik International

US President Ronald Reagan's recorded comments to National Public Radio (NPR) engineers that he would order the bombing of Russia made 40 years ago this Sunday were never meant to be taken seriously but should have never been made at all, two former veteran CIA senior analysts told Sputnik.

2024-08-11T07:05+0000

2024-08-11T07:05+0000

2024-08-11T07:05+0000

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soviet union

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Need to Be Careful"It was never meant to be anything but a joke: But politicians are better to be careful as anything they say is likely to be somewhat incoherent and will inevitably be misinterpreted no matter what the intention was," former CIA senior analyst and station chief Philip Giraldi, founder and chair of the Council for the National Interest, said. Giraldi agreed with reports that Reagan had not realized the microphone was still recording his comments at the time, although they were never broadcast. Giraldi confirmed that there was no sense in the US intelligence community or the Reagan administration at the time that any such attack was being contemplated at all. "I was in Istanbul at the time and don't recall any particular chatter about it in either the embassy or station," he said. However, the old story had important lessons for political leaders today, Giraldi advised. Private JokeFormer senior CIA analyst Raymond McGovern, who personally briefed four US presidents  including Reagan  on the Soviet Union and Russia, is skeptical about Reagan having any intention for the story to circulate at all for any reason. There was no evidence anywhere that Reagan at the time knew the microphone was live or that he ever intended his remarks to circulate at all, McGovern pointed out. Reagan made his comment "We begin bombing in five minutes" as the last sentence of a controversial, off-the-record joke that he gave while preparing for a scheduled radio address from his vacation home in California. The Soviet Union criticized the joke, as did Reagan's opponent in the 1984 presidential election, former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mondale was defeated by Reagan in a landslide.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230529/ex-reagan-aide-massie-hopes-russia-us-leaders-will-find-common-ground-for-dialogue-1110759390.html

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us president ronald reagan, bombing of russia, veteran cia senior analyst
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/russian-air-defense-downs-35-ukrainian-drones-overnight---mod-1119717536.html

Russian Air Defense Downs 35 Ukrainian Drones Overnight - MoD

Russian Air Defense Downs 35 Ukrainian Drones Overnight - MoD

Sputnik International

The Russian air-defense system has intercepted 35 Ukrainian drones and four Tochka-U ballistic missiles over western Russia overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

2024-08-11T07:00+0000

2024-08-11T07:00+0000

2024-08-11T10:17+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

kursk

ukraine

russian defense ministry

tochka-u

valery gerasimov

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"Fourteen Ukrainian UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] and four tactical missiles Tochka-U have been destroyed over the territory of the Kursk Region, 16 UAVs were downed over the territory of the Voronezh Region, three UAVs - over the Belgorod Region, and one UAV over each: the Bryansk Region and the Oryol Region," the ministry said in a statement. The Kursk region, which borders Ukraine in western Russia, was attacked by about 1,000 Ukrainian troops and scores of armed vehicles on August 6. Russian troops retaliated by stopping the Ukrainian military from penetrating deep into Russian territory and continue to repel Ukraine's attempts of invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kiev of a large-scale provocation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240809/russian-air-defenses-shot-down-75-ukrainian-drones-overnight-1119688501.html

russia

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russian air-defense system, russian defense ministry, tochka-u ballistic missiles
A Massachusetts man wanted for two rapes in 1989 was finally nabbed after 35 years. It came after an 90-minute police chase in Los Angeles.

Stephen Paul Gale, 71, was arrested after leading police on the chase, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

Gale stands accused of sexually assaulting two female employees of a clothing store in Framingham, Massachusetts, nearly 35 years ago, according to a statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

In May, Massachusetts officials charged him with four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of armed robbery.

DNA collected from the original crime scene helped identify Gale after all these years by using genetic genealogy to track him down through related individuals.

One of the alleged victims told WFXT-TV, "None of this has ever left our lives."

This has "always been a part of us," she added. "It's time that this guy gets brought to justice and taken off the streets."

According to police, Gale walked into the Hit or Miss store in Farmingdale and forced two female employees to the back of the store, demanding one "empty the money from a locked safe, the store's register, and her pocketbook into a bag."

He then told the second employee to lock the doors to the store before he allegedly sexually assaulted both women while holding a gun to their heads.

One of the women told police: "He had me crawl naked on my hands and knees to the back office. And that's where the assault happened."

The other female worker, a manager at the store, said when she looked at him he "would hit me in the head with the gun, and ... say, 'Don't look at me, don't look at me, or I'll blow you away.'"

The lack of progress in the case "made me feel really small, unimportant, and just forgotten," said the former manager.

The Marshals Service named Gale as a suspect in the case in an X post in May, noting he was likely living under multiple aliases.

"I'd like to acknowledge the victims for their bravery. Without their ongoing help and courage, we would never have been able to finally have a break in this horrific crime," Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker said in a statement.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/russian-military-repels-ukrainian-advances-in-kursk-destroys-us-made-stryker-vehicles-1119722245.html

Russian Military Repels Ukrainian Advances in Kursk, Destroys US-Made Stryker Vehicles

Russian Military Repels Ukrainian Advances in Kursk, Destroys US-Made Stryker Vehicles

Sputnik International

Russian military forces thwarted attempts by Ukrainian mobile groups on armored vehicles to penetrate deeper into the Kursk region throughout the day, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Sunday.

2024-08-11T11:45+0000

2024-08-11T11:45+0000

2024-08-11T12:18+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

russia

donetsk

ukrainian armed forces

russian ministry of defense

russian armed forces

tochka-u

kursk

high mobility artillery rocket system (himars)

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"Throughout the day, actions by forces of Battlegroup Sever and the reserves that arrived, along with strikes from army aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles, and artillery fire in the areas of the settlements of Tolpino, Zhuravli, and Obshchy Kolodez prevented breakthrough attempts by mobile enemy groups on armored vehicles into Russian territory," the statement said.Russian forces also launched missile and artillery strikes on concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the Kursk region."As a result of missile strikes and artillery fire on concentrations of personnel and equipment of the 22nd, 41st, and 115th Mechanized Brigades, and the 80th and 82nd Air Assault Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of Staraya Sorochina, Korenevo, Sudzha, and Borki, the enemy lost 35 soldiers, five tanks, four armored combat vehicles, and three cars," the ministry's summary on the repulsion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' attempt to invade Russian territory said.Additionally, Russian aviation, artillery, and UAV units struck three launchers and destroyed the radar station of a US-made Patriot air defense system.Furthermore, ammunition depots of Ukraine's Donetsk battlegroup and concentrations of enemy personnel and military equipment in 156 areas were hit, as clarified by the Russian Ministry of Defense.Russian air defense systems shot down four Tochka-U missiles, a French-made Hammer guided bomb, 15 HIMARS and Vampire missiles, and 71 drones, 30 of which were outside the special military operation zone.Ukrainian units lost up to 110 soldiers in the area of responsibility of Battlegroup Vostok."Units of Battlegroup Vostok improved their positions on the front line, inflicted losses on personnel and equipment of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the 129th Territorial Defense Brigade in the areas of Vodyanoye and Novocheretovatoye in the Donetsk People's Republic," the statement said.Forces of Battlegroup Yug improved their tactical position and destroyed two enemy ammunition depots. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also lost up to 385 soldiers, one infantry fighting vehicle, and three cars.Battlegroup Tsentr units took more advantageous positions and repelled three Ukrainian attacks. According to the ministry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 425 soldiers, two infantry fighting vehicles, including one US-made Bradley, a Kozak combat armored vehicle, four cars, a US-made 155 mm M777 howitzer, a US-made 155 mm Paladin self-propelled artillery unit, a 152 mm Msta-B howitzer, a 152 mm D-20 gun, a 122 mm D-30 howitzer, and a 100 mm Rapira gun."The enemy's losses amounted to up to 190 soldiers, two tanks, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, seven armored combat vehicles, two cars, a Croatian-made 122 mm RAK-SA-12 multiple launch rocket system, and three 122 mm D-30 howitzers. An ammunition depot was destroyed," the statement said.Battlegroup Zapad inflicted losses on the formations of three Ukrainian brigades in the areas of Makeyevka, Stelmakhovka, and Torskoye, and repelled two counterattacks, resulting in more than 520 enemy soldiers being killed, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Sunday. Furthermore, according to the ministry, during counter-battery combat, a British-made FH-70 howitzer, a D-20 gun, two D-30 howitzers, a British-made L-119 howitzer, and a US-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station were struck.Additionally, two electronic warfare stations, a Khortytsa and Nota, and two ammunition depots were destroyed.Battlegroup Dnepr destroyed three Ukrainian ammunition depots, with Ukraine losing more than 70 soldiers. According to the ministry, units of the battlegroup inflicted losses on the formations of the 41st Infantry and 44th Airmobile Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of Orekhov and Novodanilovka in the Zaporozhye region.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/ukraine-realizes-attempt-at-incursion-into-russias-kursk-region-failed---expert--1119716415.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/watch-russian-iskander-m-missile-demolish-ukrainian-armed-forces-brigade-in-russias-kursk-region-1119708829.html

ukraine

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/serbian-anti-mining-protests-gather-up-to-27000-participants---interior-minister-1119714855.html

Serbian Anti-Mining Protests Gather Up to 27,000 Participants - Interior Minister

Serbian Anti-Mining Protests Gather Up to 27,000 Participants - Interior Minister

Sputnik International

Anti-lithium mining protests in Serbia on Saturday gathered around 25,000 protesters.

2024-08-11T00:31+0000

2024-08-11T00:31+0000

2024-08-11T08:40+0000

world

aleksandar vucic

ivica dacic

europe

serbia

belgrade

serbian interior ministry

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Opponents of lithium mining in Serbia rallied on Saturday evening along the blocked central streets of Belgrade, then blocked the bridge on the Budapest-Thessaloniki international highway, and then interrupted the work of the central railway station. "The Serbian Interior Ministry reports that after the end of the protest on Terazije Square, serious violations of public order and the law occurred," the interior ministry quoted Dacic as saying.The rally itself in the center of Belgrade, which began at 19:00 (20:00 Moscow time), was peaceful, the minister noted. Dacic also noted that the central railway station in Belgrade had been blocked "according to the scenario of color revolutions." The minister emphasized that everyone who committed criminal offenses and misdemeanors during the action would be held accountable. The Serbian Interior Ministry reported on Friday that four people had been detained on suspicion of preparing riots at a rally on Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic called on citizens to maintain peace and order at the rally and warned that any violation of the law would be stopped.Protests continue in Serbia, caused by plans to extract and process a lithium-containing mineral in the west of the country. On Saturday, a mass rally was held under the slogan "There will be no mine." The organizers called themselves environmental movements of Serbia. Earlier, the rallies in various cities of the country were supported by the pro-Western opposition and the media. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday that he had received official information from Russia about a coup being prepared in his country. The head of the Serbian state added that "those who dream of doing something" would not be able to do it and citizens should not worry.Deposits of the jadarite (sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide) were discovered in the Jadar River area near the city of Loznica in western Serbia in 2004. In 2006, the new mineral was named after the river. According to experts, the deposit may contain up to 10% of the world's explored lithium reserves. Rio Tinto, whose geologists discovered the deposit, previously announced that it planned to invest $2.4 billion in mining the mineral and producing lithium from it. Vucic said the production would have to meet all "the highest environmental and technological standards." The head of state and the Serbian government announced plans to hold a referendum to approve the project due to protests from environmental activists.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240508/china--serbia-form-partnership-after-depraved-cia-attack-in-belgrade-1118343031.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/serbian-police-lift-blockade-from-rail-stations-amid-lithium-protests-1119720837.html

Serbian Police Lift Blockade From Rail Stations Amid Lithium Protests

Serbian Police Lift Blockade From Rail Stations Amid Lithium Protests

Sputnik International

Serbian police lifted blockade from two rail stations in the capital of Belgrade on Sunday after protesters disrupted rail traffic during a rally against lithium mining, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said on Sunday.

2024-08-11T09:59+0000

2024-08-11T09:59+0000

2024-08-11T09:59+0000

world

aleksandar vucic

serbia

interior ministry

european union (eu)

police

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Up to 27,000 people rallied in Belgrade late on Saturday. Protesters marched through the blocked central streets, barricaded the bridge on the Budapest-Thessaloniki international highway and disrupted operations of the central railway station and the New Belgrade station in the city's business district. The minister vowed to hold those who had committed criminal acts during the overnight protests accountable. Serbs have been protesting plans to mine and process a lithium-containing mineral in the west of the country. President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday that Russia had warned him about a coup plot against him. Vucic said "those who dream of doing something" would be stopped. On July 19, Serbia signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union on strategic partnership on raw materials, electric batteries and e-vehicles. Vucic said he expected at least 6 billion euros ($6.56 billion) of foreign direct investment from the lithium mining project, specifically from Germany. According to his calculations, if a full production cycle is created, the Serbian economy will grow by 16.4%. In June, Vucic said mining giant Rio Tinto Sinfer could start lithium production in the country in 2028. The speaker of the Serbian parliament, Ana Brnabic, who was then the country's prime minister, announced in 2022 that the Serbian government had officially abandoned the project with the British-Australian conglomerate after mass protests. Deposits of the jadarite (sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide) were discovered in the Jadar River area near the city of Loznica in western Serbia in 2004. In 2006, the new mineral was named after the river. Experts say the deposit may contain up to 10% of the world's explored lithium reserves. Rio Tinto, whose geologists discovered the deposit, said it planned to invest $2.4 billion in its mining and lithium production. Vucic suggested a referendum on the project.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/serbian-anti-mining-protests-gather-up-to-27000-participants---interior-minister-1119714855.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/strategy--tactics-of-ukraines-incursion-into-russias-kursk-developed-with-nato---expert-1119724203.html

Strategy & Tactics of Ukraine's Incursion Into Russias Kursk 'Developed With NATO' - Expert

Strategy & Tactics of Ukraine's Incursion Into Russias Kursk 'Developed With NATO' - Expert

Sputnik International

The strategy and tactics Ukraine is showing in the course of its cross-border incursion into Russias Kursk region were developed with NATO, former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen has speculated.

2024-08-11T13:57+0000

2024-08-11T13:57+0000

2024-08-11T13:57+0000

russia

russia

ukraine

nato

kursk

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The strategy and tactics Ukraine is showing in the course of its cross-border incursion into Russias Kursk region were developed with NATO, former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen has speculated.The Kiev regimes gamble is a test case for the defense of Europe in case of a Russian attack, claimed the expert on security strategy and technology in his Weapons and Strategy Substack.According to the expert, one could imagine a similar vector in a broader European conflict.Weighing in on the possible goals of the Kiev regimes operation, Bryen noted that Ukraines ability to withstand relentless attacks by Russian forces on the front line were at a dead end.On a daily basis, Ukraine has been losing around 1,000 troops (killed and wounded) and morale in some brigades has likely gone to near zero. The losses, even though Ukraine does its best to cover them up, pervade society, he wrote. Furthermore, amid drastic manpower shortages, there is "resistance building up among Ukraines population" in the face of new draconian draft laws. There are fears that newly-recruited troops will be thrown into combat as 'meat' brigades and slaughtered, noted the author.While Ukraines no longer legitimate Zelensky is under growing Western pressure to negotiate with Russia, he probably stakes on using the Kursk operation as some sort of leverage for the inevitable talks with Russia.While the operation is military, the hoped-for outcome is political. There is no doubt it is a big gamble," the security strategy expert concluded. Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border offensive on August 6 in an attempt to seize territory in Russias Kursk region. A counter-terrorism operation (CTO) regime was declared starting August 9 in Russias Kursk region due to the increased level of sabotage and terrorist threats from Ukraine. Russias Armed Forces are continuing to repel the attempted invasion of Russian territory by Ukrainian forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kiev of launching a large-scale provocation, adding that Ukrainian troops had shelled Russian regions indiscriminately, firing at civilian infrastructure and ambulances.Russia's commissioner for human rights, Tatyana Moskalkova appealed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights with a demand to condemn the terrorism on the part of Ukraine and take measures to prevent gross mass violations of human rights.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/ukraine-realizes-attempt-at-incursion-into-russias-kursk-region-failed---expert--1119716415.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240809/russian-rights-council-to-ask-intl-organizations-to-recognize-kursk-attacks-as-terrorism-1119694619.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/trump-plans-for-3-rounds-of-debates-against-harris-in-september-1119726821.html

Trump Plans for 3 Rounds of Debates Against Harris in September

Trump Plans for 3 Rounds of Debates Against Harris in September

Sputnik International

Republican presidential contender Donald Trump said on Sunday that he wanted to hold three rounds of televised debates against his Democrat rival, Kamala Harris, in September, a month before the US presidential vote.

2024-08-11T16:21+0000

2024-08-11T16:21+0000

2024-08-11T17:54+0000

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"The first Debate with Kamala Harris, for President of the United States of America, will be with FoxNews on September 4th, 2024, LIVE from beautiful Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The second Debate will take place on ... ABC ... on September 10th, 2024, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The third Debate will take place on NBC, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 25th, 2024," Trump said on Truth Social. Trump did not specify whether Vice President Harris had agreed to show up for all three rounds of debates. If confirmed, this will be her first face-off with Trump following President Joe Biden's disastrous performance against his Republican rival in a debate on June 27.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/trump-agrees-to-debate-kamala-harris-on-fox-news-1119618576.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/uk-prime-ministers-approval-rating-hits-post-election-low---poll-1119715024.html

UK Prime Minister's Approval Rating Hits Post-Election Low - Poll

UK Prime Minister's Approval Rating Hits Post-Election Low - Poll

Sputnik International

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's approval rating has hit its lowest point since the election as unrest and riots spread across the country.

2024-08-11T01:46+0000

2024-08-11T01:46+0000

2024-08-11T01:46+0000

world

keir starmer

united kingdom (uk)

southport

newsfeed

europe

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On Saturday, Sky News reported that Starmer had canceled his holiday amid ongoing protests in the country. The study showed that Starmer's approval rating peaked on July 28, the day before the first unrest, but by August 4 it had fallen significantly. In addition, the share of voters who strongly disapprove of the new prime minister's performance has grown. The publication does not provide information on how many people took part in the survey. On Tuesday, YouGov published a study according to which almost half of the UK population believes that Keir Starmer was doing a poor job of handling mass unrest. In late July, mass protests broke out in many cities in the UK after a 17-year-old teenager attacked children with a knife in the city of Southport. Three children were killed, several more children and two adults were taken to hospital in critical condition. The protests escalated into clashes with police and riots after rumors that the attacker was a refugee. It later became known that the attacker was born to migrants from Rwanda. Hundreds of people were detained, dozens of police officers were injured during the riots organized by supporters of far-right groups. A number of British media outlets claimed that Russia had been allegedly involved in inciting the protests. The Russian Embassy in London rejected all such accusations. Amid the unrest, the British authorities convened the COBRA emergency government committee three times. Starmer promised to increase the police presence on the streets of British cities, speed up criminal proceedings, and prosecute those responsible for inciting unrest on social networks. The Justice Department reported that an additional 500 prison places had been freed up and 6,000 officers from specialized police departments had been deployed to combat the violence.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240805/protesters-in-uk-attempt-to-set-hotel-housing-migrants-on-fire---reports-1119639878.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/ukraine-realizes-attempt-at-incursion-into-russias-kursk-region-failed---expert--1119716415.html

Ukraine Realizes Attempt at Incursion Into Russias Kursk Region Failed - Expert

Ukraine Realizes Attempt at Incursion Into Russias Kursk Region Failed - Expert

Sputnik International

Ukrainian authorities have realized that their attempt at an incursion into Russias Kursk region is futile and it is time to wind it down, British expert Alexander Mercouris speculated on his YouTube channel.

2024-08-11T06:32+0000

2024-08-11T06:32+0000

2024-08-11T06:44+0000

russia

russia

ukraine

russian armed forces

kursk

alexander mercouris

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/0b/1119716234_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_4e918321b3f5c4a8cc596b6e901a2370.jpg

Ukrainian authorities have realized that their attempt at an incursion into Russias Kursk region is futile and that it is time to wind it down, British expert Alexander Mercouris speculated on his YouTube channel.He pointed to media statements by former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk and Mykhailo Podolyak, head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office, that appear to indicate the Kursk operation, planned by Kiev well in advance, was conceived for the purpose of diverting Russian troops from other areas of confrontation, where Ukrainian troops are being defeated.As for trying to discourage the Russian population from showing support for the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, Kiev has been trying to do that for years to no effect.The Kursk region, which borders Ukraine in western Russia, was attacked by about 1,000 Ukrainian troops and scores of armored vehicles on August 6. Russian troops retaliated by stopping the Ukrainian military from penetrating deep into Russian territory. A counter-terrorism operation (CTO) regime was declared starting August 9 in the Kursk region due to the increased level of sabotage and terrorist threats from Ukraine. The situation in the Kursk region is maximally under the control of the Russian Armed Forces, according to Akhmat special forces commander Apty Alaudinov. Russias military, with the support of Akhmat forces, have cleared and fully control the village of Martynovka, northeast of Sudzha, in the Russian region of Kursk, Alaudinov told Sputnik. The Kiev regime lost up to 1,120 servicemen and 140 armored vehicles during the attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region, the Russian Defense Ministry stated in a briefing on Saturday.Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of launching a large-scale provocation, shelling Russian regions indiscriminately, and firing at civilian infrastructure and ambulances.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/ukrainian-attack-leaves-13-kursk-residents-injured-2-of-them-seriously---acting-governor-1119714382.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240810/kievs-kursk-gas-hub-gambit-brainchild-of-same-people-who-blew-up-nord-stream---slovak-politician-1119707732.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/ukraines-attack-breached-zaporozhye-npps-physical-integrity---znpps-spokesperson-1119727527.html

Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant's Cooling Tower 'Seriously' Damaged by Ukrainian Drone Attack - Rosatom

Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant's Cooling Tower 'Seriously' Damaged by Ukrainian Drone Attack - Rosatom

Sputnik International

The attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces resulted in a fire near the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant's cooling towers and breached the plant's physical integrity, the plant's spokesperson told Sputnik.

2024-08-11T21:15+0000

2024-08-11T21:15+0000

2024-08-12T19:59+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

zaporozhye

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

ukrainian armed forces

russia

ukraine

zaporozhye npp

rosatom

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"In essence, this attack is one of the elements of disabling the station. This is an unprecedented threat to nuclear safety, since the nuclear power plant has suffered such serious damage for the first time. The physical integrity of the nuclear power plant has been breached, thereby breaching the basic principles of the IAEA," Yashina said. Later, Russian state corporation Rosatom said that one of the plant's cooling towers was "seriously damaged" by the attack.According to Rosatom, "on August 11, at 20:20 and 20:32, one of the two cooling towers of the Zaporozhye NPP was directly struck by Ukrainian attack drones, resulting in a fire with burning [of] internal structures. By 23:30, the main fire was extinguished by the Ministry of Emergency Situations."The plant was attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces with a kamikaze drone, Yashina confirmed to Sputnik.Earlier on Sunday, the governor of Russia's Zaporozhye region, Yevgeny Balitsky, said that as a result of shelling of the city of Energodar by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a fire had broken out at the Zaporozhye NPP cooling system facility; there was no threat to the plant; the fire was being extinguished. In turn, the NPP's press service specified that the fire had been in the area of the ZNPP's cooling towers, the operation of the plant wasn't affected in any way and there were no casualties.Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the plant also said they were informed of the strike."IAEA experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from ZNPP's northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening. Team was told by ZNPP of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site," the IAEA said in a statement on X.No impact has been reported for nuclear safety, the statement confirmed.Rosatom called the attack an act of nuclear terrorism in a statement on Monday."We would like to draw your attention to the fact that today's strike was carried out on the NPP equipment, the main task of which is to cool water during normal operation of the plant. Thus, this event can be characterized as an act of nuclear terrorism on the part of the Ukrainian authorities," the statement says.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240411/iaea-chef-calls-for-refraining-from-violating-principles-on-preventing-nuclear-accident-at-znpp-1117873508.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/us-missiles-in-germany-would-place-target-on-berlins-back---german-politician-1119720634.html

US Missiles in Germany Would Place Target on Berlin's Back - German Politician

US Missiles in Germany Would Place Target on Berlin's Back - German Politician

Sputnik International

Deployment of US missiles on German territory raises the risk of Berlin becoming a target for Russian nuclear missiles, German politician Sahra Wagenknecht warned.

2024-08-11T11:26+0000

2024-08-11T11:26+0000

2024-08-11T11:26+0000

world

sahra wagenknecht

germany

russia

nato

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tomahawk

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/0b/1119720440_0:0:2928:1646_1920x0_80_0_0_6658e7cf7fb3be2a5b062a263cc62ab5.jpg

Deployment of US missiles on German territory raises the risk of Berlin becoming a target for Russian nuclear missiles, German politician Sahra Wagenknecht warned.She yet again linked this security policy issue with the state election campaigns in East Germany, saying that opposition to the missile deployment was a precondition for any coalition formed by the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) party.Wagenknecht stressed that BSW supporters had taken note of the fact that Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer recently described the stationing of US medium-range missiles in Germany as 'absolutely right'.Several days earlier, Wagenknecht made coalition negotiations dependent on the position on the conflict in Ukraine, saying that a state government should adopt a clear position in federal politics for diplomacy and against war preparations."In late July, the co-chairwoman of BSW, Amira Mohamed Ali, said that Berlin's approval of stationing US missiles in Germany is a step towards military escalation, and urged the government to change its dangerous course. The politician added that the move significantly raises military risk for Germany, adding that "obviously, [Chancellor Olaf] Scholz should not have bypassed the parliament to take such a far-reaching decision."However, other German politicians appear intent on pursuing the dangerous course of green lighting such weapons stationing on their soil.Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), claimed that long-range US weapons would serve to strike a balance of deterrence against Russia. Germany has been within the scope of nuclear-covering rockets of Russia for years, stated Lindner.In a bout of fearmongering, Michael Giss, Commander of the Hamburg State Command, speculated in a recent interview that Germany must be ready for war in order to prevent Russia from attacking NATO territory.He referred to his internal clock as a soldier which was ticking and telling him that in five years' time we must be resilient as a society to withstand an external military threat.In early July, the White House announced that the US Army's Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany is planning to deploy long-range offensive Tomahawk, SM-6 and hypersonic missiles in Germany in 2026. The move would demonstrate the United States' commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence," the release stated.Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that Russia would take measures it finds necessary to respond to the threat in due course. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that if the US arms were stationed in Germany, Russia would deem itself free from a moratorium on deployment of shorter- and medium-range strike weapons.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240711/us-push-to-put-tomahawks-in-germany-signals-death-rattle-of-hawks-who-failed-to-defeat-russia-1119341539.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240719/russian-missiles-off-alaska-how-moscow-can-respond-to-us-short-sighted-euromissile-plans-1119434040.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/watch-russian-ka-52-attack-helicopters-strike-ukrainian-forces-in-kursk-region-border-area-1119716615.html

Watch Russian Ka-52 Attack Helicopters Strike Ukrainian Forces in Kursk Region Border Area

Watch Russian Ka-52 Attack Helicopters Strike Ukrainian Forces in Kursk Region Border Area

Sputnik International

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing Ka-52 helicopters destroying Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and armored vehicles in the border area of the Kursk region.

2024-08-11T08:50+0000

2024-08-11T08:50+0000

2024-08-11T08:50+0000

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The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing Ka-52 helicopters destroying Ukrainian military personnel and armored vehicles in the Kursk regions border area."Army aviation crews in Ka-52 helicopters carried out strikes with aerial means of destruction on an accumulation of manpower, armored and automotive military equipment of units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the border area of the Kursk region. According to intelligence reports, all the specified targets were successfully destroyed," a statement said.The Defense Ministry said the strike was carried out with S-8 unguided air missiles against the targets.

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Noe Diaz, center, the incoming chief of the Houston Police Department, speaks to a reporter during a press conference with Mayor John Whitmire, left, and interim HPD Chief Larry Satterwhite, right, during a press conference Diaz as the new chief Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at Houston City Hall in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Noe Diaz, the incoming chief of the Houston Police Department, speaks at the podium during a press conference with Mayor John Whitmire, left, and interim HPD Chief Larry Satterwhite, right, during a press conference Diaz as the new chief Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at Houston City Hall in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

The overall number of homicides has declined in Houston, but it has become more likely those violent crimes are committed by family or a loved one, according to data from the Houston Police Department.

Investigators have linked family violence  which includes everything from domestic violence to instances of people living together  to almost 25% of the departments 203 homicide investigations, officials said. In 2023, they comprised around 18% of all homicides.

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News of the increase in family violence homicides comes as local academics and professionals who study domestic violence for years have warned about an uptick in domestic violence in Harris County. Between 2019 and 2022, domestic violence homicides doubled in the county, according to a University of Houston study.

Its the same story, said Amy Smith, senior director of operations and communications for the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. Both organizations that help victims and law enforcement agencies face a lack of resources to help those most vulnerable.

There was some concern about the stress of the pandemic, being cooped up for so long, might contribute to more domestic violence, said Marc Levin, chief policy counsel for the Council on Criminal Justice. Obviously, you did have that for those few years. But its less clear what factors might be at play now.

After reaching highs in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic, homicides in Houston posted a 20% decline between 2022 and 2023, according to data from the department. That downward trend has continued through the start of 2024, though not at as big of a rate (down around 6% as of Wednesday).

Underlying those overall numbers, however, is an uptick in family violence-related homicides between 2023 and 2024, according to data from the homicide division. The division had investigated 50 family violence-related homicides so far in 2024, compared to 64 in all of 2023, according to Christopher Hassig, commander of the division. If the trends hold steady, the department will land somewhere between 2021s 86 family violence homicides and 2022s 71.

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Elizabeth Gregory, one of the authors of the University of Houston report on domestic violence homicides, said the departments numbers on family violence were interesting, but it was ultimately too early to know what to make of it.

Its a trend to watch, but the data isnt ready to cite as yet, she said.

The Major Cities Chiefs Association released a midyear report on crime Thursday showing, like Houston, violent crime continued its downward trend across much of the country. Reporting agencies had investigated 3,124 homicides in 2024 compared to 3,783 through the same period in 2023, according to the report. Thats a decrease of around 17%.

Levin said the fact that family violence killings had increased despite an overall decline might speak to a lack of work in the early stages of domestic violence. For instance, many relationships that culminate in fatal violence often begin with other assaults and calls to police, he said. Additionally, Harris County is hamstrung by a comparative lack of beds for victims.

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More than 109,300, or 41%, of more than 264,000 reports in the departments recent suspended cases scandal were major assault or family violence-related, Levin pointed out. These are cases where the perpetrator is frequently known and perhaps could have stopped a homicide if identified earlier.
Canadas leading driver, James MacDonald made a clean sweep of the first two Trials of the Gold Cup & Saucer, contested over a sloppy track on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Gold Cup & Saucer Trial 1 had Save America (Driven by James MacDonald; pictured above) leave sharply off the gate to claim the lead from post five then release Binge On Yankee (Jody Jamieson) to the front at the :27.2 opening quarter. Save America vacated the two hole at the :56.4 half-mile station to take the front once again, hitting three-quarters in 1:25.2 then pacing away for a 5-3/4 length score in 1:52.1. Jamie Smith trains the winning pacer for owner Thestable Save America of Guelph, Ont.

Binge On Yankee held second with American History (Dale Spence) finishing third. Those three will advance to the Aug. 17 Gold Cup & Saucer Final, presented by Atlantic Lottery, carrying a $100,000 purse to close out 2024 Old Home Week.

The fourth through sixth finishers (Bee Two Bee, PL Ozzy and One Eight Hundred) will face off again on Aug. 16 in the $30,000 James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup & Saucer consolation. A second consolation race, the PEIHRIA Invitational for $15,000, will be held during an afternoon card on Aug. 17 containing seventh, eighth and ninth place finishers Bayfield Beach, Fern Hill General and Hes Sure Good from the first Trial.

The $15,000 dash in Gold Cup & Saucer Trial 2 had Fortfiy (MacDonald) ride the pocket to a 1:52.2 score for trainer Chris MacKay and owners Daniel Gaudreault and Ecuries Macguire Inc., of Quebec. Defending Gold Cup & Saucer champion Covered Bridge (Jody Jamieson) cut the fractions of :27.2, :56 and 1:24.3 to finish second while Twin B Tuffenuff (Gilles Barrieau) punched his ticket to the $100,000 final in third.

Bounty Hunter, Blue Hunt and Saulsbrook Ian will go to the MacGregor consolation and Ilikemebettor A and Roll Em will join the PEIHRIA Invitational.

The $5,000 Birthplace Of Confederation Open Mares Series eliminations, in memory of Doug Hill, were won by Rosetown Mary (Corey MacPherson) in 1:56.1 and Tobins Brownie (David Dowling) in 1:56.4.

Newcomer Chasin Dreams captured the $6,000 Old Home Week Invitational Trot with Adam Merner at the controls for trainer Landon Campbell in a 1:59.1 clocking.

The Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies also populated the program. Dusty Lane Dixie (Barrieau) won her $15,320 'A' division assignment over Fern Hill Indigo (Brodie MacPhee) and Sensational Gal (James MacDonald) in 1:57.4.

The other $15,320 'A' division had Chip Of Evil (MacPherson) the best in 1:56.3 over Downtown Tonight (Adam Merner) and Galway Girl (Marc Campbell).

The 'B' divisions were won by Shelleys Spirit (Myles Heffernan Sr.) in 1:58.1, Last Chance (Campbell) in 1:57.3, Promise Me Later (Dowling) in 1:57.2 and Rollwithitdarling (Campbell) in 1:56.1.

All Bets On Tex prevailed in the $4,000 Preferred 1 Pace in 1:54.1 for driver Gilles Barrieau and trainer Jeff Lilley, who co-owns with PEI-based owners Blair Maclauchlan, Kent Livingston and Marc Gallant.

David Dowling had a training double and a driving triple while Marc Campbell visited the historic winners circle three times. Dowling continues his grip on the driving standings at 58 wins with Campbell and Merner now tied in second with 41 wins each. Barrieau is in close pursuit in fourth with 40 wins in 2024 at Red Shores Charlottetown.

Old Home Week live racing continues Monday, Aug. 12 at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown featuring the third and final Gold Cup & Saucer Trial.

For the results from Saturday's card of Old Home Week harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.

(Red Shores)
Dexter Dunn made an impromptu stop at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday, Aug. 10 and won the $34,247 Open Pace with Chase H Hanover in 1:50.

Dunn got Chase H Hanover the pocket trip behind stablemate Carbine (Kayne Kauffman). Carbine set fractions of :27, :55.1 and 1:23.1, while the compact field of five bunched up as Santana Hanover (Tim Deaton) came first up. Chase H Hanover came up the passing lane to win by three-quarters of a length over Carbine; Santana Hanover was third.

Chase H Hanover is trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr. for Odds On Racing and Carl Howard. The six-year-old gelded son of Captaintreacherous now has five wins in 14 seasonal starts and $1.045 million in lifetime earnings.

Dunn dropped by the South Columbus oval on his way from The Meadows, where he raced on Friday, to The Red Mile for drives on Sunday and Monday. He had 14 drives on the Saturday card with seven wins.

Racing continues at Scioto on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Racing highlights for next week include the third leg of the Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old colt trotters on Thursday, Aug. 15, the Ohio Sires Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers on Friday (Aug. 16). On Saturday, Aug. 17, the featured races will be the $100,000 USD #SendItIn Invitational Pace for older horses, the $100,000 USD Cleopatra Invitational for aged mare pacers and the re-scheduled Ohio Sires Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters.

(Scioto Downs)
After Timeisonemyside set devastating fractions early, the streaking Sabonis was able to pick up the pieces late, rallying to win the $410,959 Carl Milstein Memorial for three-year-old pacers on Saturday, Aug. 10 at MGM Northfield Park.

The Carl Milstein Memorial was the first time Sabonis had raced on a half-mile track, but his connections were never worried about their prized colt.

He was pretty good at home on a half, I figured we would give it a shot and see what happened, said winning trainer Aaron Stutzman.

Dan Noble wasted no time putting Pariss Dragon into play, timing the gate perfectly and sprinting off the wings into the opening turn, but Timeisonmyside (Anthony MacDonald) was not about to let his rival clear, with the pair getting to a bone crushing :25.4 first quarter.

Once I saw that quarter pop up, I thought to myself, well. we will be okay, said Stutzman.

It was then that Noble decided to back off the pace, with Timeisonmyside driving on to take the lead at the inside around the far turn for the first time. MacDonald tried to get a breather, but Timeisonmyside was on a speed mission, getting to the half in a demanding :54.1.

Entering the backstretch, Timeisonmyside had a two-length lead and showed no signs of slowing down with Pariss Dragon and even-money favourite Wish You Well (David Miller) chasing about three to four lengths off the lead.

Ronnie Wrenn Jr. asked Noblesville to improve, but he was spinning his wheels up the backstretch, forcing Sabonis (Joey Putnam) to go three-deep with Storm Shadow (Scott Zeron) breaking stride.

Timeisonmyside got to three-quarters in 1:21.4, with Wish You Well applying serious pressure, with eventual winner Sabonis still 6-3/4 lengths off the pace turning for home.

When I saw the three-quarter time pop up, I was confident we would get there, said Putnam. The horse can do it from anywhere. When my hand was forced early to go three-wide, I was confident in his ability.

Through the stretch, Sabonis worked his way to the lead and won impressively in 1:50.3. Timeisonmyside dug in gamely to be second, with Wish You Well third and Sweet Beach Life (Matt Kakaley), who was begging for racing room, finishing fourth.

It was a great night, the horse was awesome, said Putnam. At Hoosier, the bottom turn is tight. I wasnt worried about him at all tonight.

The Tellitlikeitis-Gypsy Bellevue colt made it eight wins in a row, pushing his career earnings to $445,400.

Winning owner Pat Miller told Gabe Prewitt following the race, Im a complete loss for words.

Making his first start outside of Indiana, Sabonis has never finished worse than third and is now 12-for-14 lifetime.

Sent postward as the 2-1 second choice, he paid $6 to win.

Odds On Platinum Crushes Courageous Lady Competition

The odds-on favourite Odds On Platinum was an impressive winner in the $136,986 Courageous Lady for three-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday for newly minted Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer Dr. Ian Moore.

There was a four-wide skirmish to the first turn with Sarasota Hanover (Scott Zeron), Odds On Platinum (David Miller), Wasted On You (Brett Miller) and Soft Shot (Justin Irvine) all battling for position. Sarasota Hanover rounded the turn and Odds On Platinum assumed pocket position, with Wasted On You findinf a seat on the rail, but Irvine decided to take no prisoners, brushing to the front with Soft Shot into the backstretch for the first time.

Soft Shot, who was facing stakes competition for the first time, grabbed the track and got the opening quarter in a dazzling :26.3. Irvine got a :28.4 breather, leading the field into the clubhouse turn for the final time, with Odds On Platinum driving up first-over for Miller.

Winning trainer Moore wasnt concerned with the testing fractions the field set early, noting, I told him [Miller] that she could bust the gate if he needed to, but she does better chasing. Shes very long and has a long stride to her.

At the mid-point of the backstretch, Soft Shot was holding her own, but when Miller pulled the plugs on Odds On Platinum at three-quarters in 1:23 she took off. Moving onto the far turn, Soft Shot gave way and Odds On Platinum opened an insurmountable lead through the stretch, winning by 4-3/4 lengths in an eye-popping 1:51.2. Gone Coastal (Dan Noble) rallied from the backfield to take second over Soft Shot.

Thats a pretty big mile here on a cool night, said Moore. Shes trained on a half the last two summers; I didnt have any concerns. Shes getting better with every start.

Owned by Let It Ride Stables and Odds On Racing, the Bettors Delight-American Jewel filly pushed her earnings to $614,965. She earned her sixth career victory in 21 lifetime starts.

Burke Sweeps Undercard Features With Its Academic And Act Fast

Trainer Ron Burke, unhappy with the trip he got in the John Cashman Memorial, was sure his talented trotter Its Academic would rebound in the $136,986 Tom Aldrich Presidents Trot on Saturday. And rebound he did.

Its a different group of horses here, I think David [Miller] wanted to race from the back, laughed the U.S. Hall of Fame trainer. I told him, I didnt think that would work tonight, bud.

The sprint was on into the opening turn with favourite Its Academic (David Miller), Herecomescharlie B (Billy Davis Jr.) and Black Magic (Scott Zeron) all vying for position. Entering the backstretch, Black Magic finally worked his way to the lead, in front of Its Academic, with Herecomescharlie B wrestled into third.

Black Magic made it to the opening quarter in a swift :27.4, with Zeron trying to get a breather in the second quarter, but Its Academic would have none of it, tipping to the outside first-over around the far turn for the first time. Its Academic was able to clear to the half in :56.3.

After that, the rest of the foes were battling for minor spoils, as Its Academic cruised to a 1-3/4-length lead at three-quarters in 1:25. Turning for home, Miller geared down the Ohio-sired champion, winning decisively by 6-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4. Black Magic was the runner-up and Guido Di (Brady Brown) came on for third.

He raced very well," said Miller. "The fractions we more suitable for him. He was very strong.

Owned by Brad Grant of Milton, Ont., the seven-year-old son of Uncle Peter pushed his career earnings past $2.6 million and now has 32 victories in 87 lifetime starts.

Burke wasnt done, as Act Fast (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) dug in gamely, holding off Racing Rampage (Matt Kakaley) to win the $136,986 Myron Charna Presidents Pace.

Like the Aldrich, there was a lot of movement early with Liteningonthebeach (Aaron Merriman), Racing Rampage and Act Fast sprinting into the opening turn. The three of them continued to drag race into the backstretch, when Liteningonthebeach took up pocket position behind Racing Rampage, who continued to duel with Act Fast at an electric opening quarter of :26.

The horse has a lot of gate speed, I wasnt afraid to push. Ronnie [Burke] said that he warmed up really good, said winning driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. I wasnt worried with the sprint up the backstretch, the track has been good tonight.

Act Fast was torched making the lead entering the far turn, but Wrenn was able to get a breather in the second quarter with a :55 half. Into the clubhouse turn for the final time, Seafire (Scott Zeron) made a bid for the lead and while it looked like he may not have anything for Act Fast in the turn, moving up the backstretch he began to apply serious pressure, with the pair getting to three-quarters in 1:22.2.

Turning for home, Act Fast turned away Seafire, but had to brace for slight favourite Racing Rampage, who was as gutsy as they come through the stretch. In the end, Act Fast dug in gamely, holding off Racing Rampage to win by a nose in 1:50.2. Quick Trick (David Miller) finished third over Seafire.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Rich Lombardo Racing and Beasty, the four-year-old gelding by Downbytheseaside pushed his career earnings to $593,429 with his 13th career win from 49 starts.

Sires Catch The Fire, Bit Of A Legend N Highlight Ohio Sires Stakes

On a night that featured some of Ohios greatest stars in the Tom Aldrich Presidents Trot and Myron Charna Presidents Pace, sires Catch The Fire and Bit Of A Legend N shined in Ohio Sires Stakes action for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

In the first of two $89,041 divisions, My First Fire (Austin Hanners) waited out a lengthy inquiry to win by a neck. The son of Catch The Fire, was parked to the opening quarter, working hard to get around Extra Suds (Brett Miller) for the lead, with the pair arriving at the quarter in :28.

Hanners was able to get a second quarter breather, getting to the half in :57.3. My First Fire tried to create some separation and at three-quarters in 1:25.4 was home free, but Extra Suds found a little more in the tank, but ran out of racetrack, with My First Fire winning in 1:54.1. Whatchagonnado (Aaron Merriman) was third.

It was the third win of the year for the Todd Luther trainee, who is owned by Greg Luther Racing LLC.

In the second $89,041 division, heavy favourite Rick Wink (David Miller) made short work of the field, making the lead and never looking back, winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:51.4 over Twin B High Tide (Austin Hanners).

House Of Brix (Trevor Smith) rallied three-wide late to be third.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, R A S Racing, Knox Services, J&T Silva Purnell and Libby, the two-year-old out dam Mcgrin N Mcbare It made it five-for-five in his career.

A replay of Saturday's race card from Northfield Park is available below.

(With files from Northfield Park)
Jim Taggert Jr. worked out the winning drive in the featured $20,548 Open Handicap on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Tioga Downs with the Quebec-bred four-year-old trotter Kinnder Thinktwice ($4.30).

Makadushin N Cheez (Ridge Warren) was first to the quarter in :27.2 but the pocket-popping Kinnder Thinktwice then took over control and led to the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.1. As they reached the stretch, May Baby (Braxten Boyd) went all out after the leader but Kinnder Thinktwice was too strong and won by a length in 1:54.1. May Baby settled for second and Stonebridge Bomber (Aaron Byron) finished third.

Kinnder Thinktwice, a son of Wheeling N Dealin and Majestic Joy, is owned by John Marshall and trainer Susan Marshall. He earned his eighth win this season from 18 starts and his 14th career victory.

Driver Braxten Boyd won half of the 10 races on Saturday night. Boyd and trainer Jenny Melander combined for three of the wins with Partner Dolan ($3.10), Down The Pike Mike ($5.70) and Allsummerlong As ($18.60). Boyd's other two wins were with R Bama ($2.40), trained by John Butenschoen, and Homer Hall ($4.60), from the Brandy Wine stable.

Trainer/driver Joe Skowyra once again swept the amateur races. He won with 13-year-old pacing mare The Charging Moa N ($18.40) in 1:57.1 and six-year-old trotting horse Flyhawk El Fuerte ($6.10) in 1:57.4.

Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday, Aug. 11, with a 15-race card starting at 1 p.m.

(With files from Tioga Downs)
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Even those of us who Google every dayand that's the vast majority of uscan and should applaud this week's federal court ruling holding that the company is maintaining its dominance in internet search through an illegal monopoly. Google search can simultaneously be a very, very useful product (indeed, the judge said it is "widely recognized as the best" general search engine "available in the United States") and one that might not stay in the digital catbird seat if it weren't strong-arming competitors.

D.C. Federal Judge Amit Mehta's ruling is rooted in the fact that Google spends billions of dollars to have its search engine installed as the default on new smartphones and other devices. In just one recent year alone, those agreements cost the company $26 billionfar more than most competitors can possibly afford.

While users certainly have a choice to go into their settings and change the default search engine to Bing (7% market share in the U.S.) or DuckDuckGo (2% market share), Googlewith 90% market share overall and even higher than that on mobile devicesknows it's a big deal to be the automatic option for millions. If it weren't, they wouldn't pay anything near that sum.

When users reflexively rely on Google, every click that follows further cements Google's dominance in advertisingwhich in this case the judge said enabled monopolistic pricingand a wide range of other realms. It's the key that unlocks the door to making money online.

The judicial-ordered remedy is still to be determined; the legal process to arrive at that will begin next month. This could include penalties or structural changes that weaken the company's ability or outright prevent it from setting Google as the default.

Also to be determined is whether the ruling and remedies will stand once the logic of the decision is subjected to the scrutiny of higher courts. There will be appealsGoogle has a very well-funded legal department, as does the U.S. Department of Justice and state attorneys general who brought the case. They're both hunkering down for the long haul.

This was already looking like an unsettled moment for internet search engines. A new generation of AI-enabled tools including Perplexity AI, OpenAI's SearchGPT and Bing are jockeying with Google's new AI-enabled search to do more than just deliver a list of hits to queries.

These programs take an increasingly massive and confusing internet and distill it so that users can increasingly get everything they need without leaving the page where they entered their query. That's going to wind up giving Google, or whatever relative upstart makes inroads against it, even more power and moneymaking ability than before.

2024 New York Daily News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki speaks during a conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on May 24, 2022. Wojcicki has died, according to her husband, Dennis Troper in a statement posted on social media late Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

Susan Wojcicki, a pioneering tech executive who helped shape Google and YouTube, has died, her husband said. She was 56.

Wojcicki played a key role in Google's creation and served nine years as YouTube's CEO, stepping down last year to focus on her "family, health, and personal projects I'm passionate about," she said at the time.

She was one of the most respected female executives in the male-dominated tech industry.

Her collaboration with Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin began shortly after they incorporated their search engine into a business in 1998. Wojcicki rented the garage of her Menlo Park, California, home to them for $1,700 a month, cementing a formative partnership. Page and Brinboth 25 at the timecontinued to refine their search engine in Wojcicki's garage for five months before moving Google into a more formal office and later persuaded their former landlord to come work for their company.

Wojcicki joined Google, now known as Alphabet, as its marketing manager in 1999 and served in various positions as Google grew its online advertising presence by acquiring YouTube in 2006 and DoubleClick in 2008. She served as Google's senior vice president of advertising and commerce from 2011 to early 2014 and CEO of YouTube from 2014 to 2023.

"Her loss is devastating for all of us who know and love her, for the thousands of Googlers she led over the years, and for millions of people all over the world who looked up to her, benefited from her advocacy and leadership, and felt the impact of the incredible things she created at Google, YouTube, and beyond," Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in a note to employees.

Former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, who was vice president of Google's sales and operations from 2001 to 2008 before decamping to Facebook, said in a Facebook post that Wojcicki was formative in her tech career.

"She taught me the business and helped me navigate a growing, fairly chaotic organization at the beginning of my career in tech," Sandberg wrote. "She was the person I turned to for advice over and over again. And she was this person for so many others too."

Her husband, Dennis Troper, announced her death in a social media post late Friday.

"My beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children left us today after 2 years of living with non small cell lung cancer," he wrote.

"Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many," Troper said.

No other details of her death were immediately provided.

Wojcicki and Troper's 19-year-old son, Marco Troper, died in February at the UC Berkeley campus where he resided as a freshman student.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Bryan ISD will ask consultants to assist in the consideration of a proposed economic development agreement with Americas Foundry Bryan LLC, the company behind a possible semiconductor plant.

The estimated cost of the consultants will be around $30,000, but according to school district officials, this money would come from Americas Foundry Bryan LLC, not the taxpayers. Last week Assistant Superintendent of Business Service Kevin Beesaw spoke about the proposal and said that the funding for the consultants came directly from the companys tax abatement application fee.

The application fee thats paid by the company that filed the application with the comptroller was $30,000, he said. That amount is split to the consultants and so basically, the district acts as a pass-through. Were not paying anything for this.

In late June, both the Bryan City Council and the Brazos County Commissioners Court approved similar tax abatement agreements for the semiconductor project. According to the documentation regarding the agreements, the manufacturing facility could be worth an estimated $10 billion and potentially double the taxable income of Bryan.

Shortly after the city and the county approved their agreements with Americas Foundry Bryan LLC, filings to the Office of Texas Comptroller of Accounts  first obtained by the Austin Business Journal  confirmed that the manufacturing plant was related to the production of semiconductors. The documentation included an economic impact analysis report that showed a total capital investment of over $108 billion across the next 40 years.

The proposed abatement agreement with Bryan ISD would provide incentives under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovations (JETI) Act which became law last year and would provide incentives for large businesses that decide to set up shop in Texas.

Since the JETI Act is still relatively new, the school board wants the hired consultants to help the district understand the possible implications of such an agreement, Beesaw said.

Were not asking for any action today on the application itself, Beesaw told the school board. What were asking for is to contract with the firms [consultants] that you see listed there to guide us through this process and help us with the understanding of the legal and the economic impacts.

According to documentation attached to the school board agenda, the two consulting firms will be MoakCasey, LLC and OHanlon, Demerath & Castillo. Each firm would receive $15,000 from the total of $30,000 available from the application fee.
Accel Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP (NYSE:KRP  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 12,000 shares of the energy companys stock, valued at approximately $196,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its position in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 59,742 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $927,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 65,586 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $987,000 after buying an additional 1,268 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its stake in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners by 11.8% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 13,115 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $197,000 after buying an additional 1,379 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 20,532 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $309,000 after buying an additional 2,056 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners by 21.2% during the 4th quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,596 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $250,000 after buying an additional 2,903 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 25.78% of the companys stock.

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Kimbell Royalty Partners Price Performance

KRP stock traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $15.96. The company had a trading volume of 545,828 shares, compared to its average volume of 362,885. The company has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.13. Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP has a 12-month low of $14.26 and a 12-month high of $17.11. The company has a quick ratio of 8.48, a current ratio of 8.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $16.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.02.

Kimbell Royalty Partners Cuts Dividend

Kimbell Royalty Partners ( NYSE:KRP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.24 by ($0.13). The company had revenue of $76.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $81.19 million. Kimbell Royalty Partners had a return on equity of 4.91% and a net margin of 10.74%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 26.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.23 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP will post 1 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 12th will be paid a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.53%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 12th. Kimbell Royalty Partnerss payout ratio is currently 280.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

KRP has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 22nd. Finally, Bank of America restated an underperform rating and set a $16.00 target price on shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners in a research note on Friday, June 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $21.00.

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About Kimbell Royalty Partners

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Andrew Peller Ltd (TSE:ADW.A  Get Free Report) shares passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$3.98 and traded as high as C$4.17. Andrew Peller shares last traded at C$4.11, with a volume of 19,890 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Acumen Capital dropped their price target on shares of Andrew Peller from C$11.00 to C$10.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 20th.

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Andrew Peller Stock Down 0.7 %

About Andrew Peller

The stock has a market cap of C$143.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -58.29 and a beta of 0.75. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$3.99 and its 200-day moving average is C$4.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 93.82, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 3.92.

(Get Free Report)

Andrew Peller Limited engages in the production, bottling, and marketing of wines and craft beverage alcohol products in Canada. The company offers products under Peller Estates, Trius, Thirty Bench, Wayne Gretzky, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Black Hills Estate Winery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Gray Monk Estate Winery, Raven Conspiracy, and Conviction brands; Peller Family Vineyards, Copper Moon, Black Cellar, and XOXO brands; and Hochtaler, Domaine D'Or, Schloss Laderheim, Royal, and Sommet brands.

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HISD trustee Myrna Guidry addresses attendees and board members to advocate against the $4.4 billion school board bond package during a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Michael Galloway, a former Houston ISD student, holds a No Trust No Bond sign at the American Federation of Teachers rally against state takeovers of public school Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at Discovery Green in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A crochet sign in Spanish translates to No trust, no bond a saying for those against the proposed $4.4 billion school bond package before the HISD board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Melissa Yarborough reacts as she walks away after speaking during a Houston ISD board of managers at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, July 16, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Voters can cast their ballots Nov. 5 on a historic $4.4 billion bond, the first brought to voters by Houston ISD in 12 years after the appointed Board of Managers unanimously approved the measure Thursday.

HISD's state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles unveiled the massive bond measure in May, which he says will address schools with "poor facilities and learning conditions" that will negatively impact student academic performance if left unaddressed. If voters approve it, the bond would be the largest in state history.

The effort has faced pushback from dozens of HISD community members at public meetings who have adopted No trust. No bond, as a rallying cry to indicate that they will be voting no after losing faith in the districts leaders since the Texas Education Agency replaced the elected board members and superintendent with appointees in June 2023.

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The lack of transparency feeds fear in the community, said Bridgette Murray, president of the Pleasantville Area Super Neighborhood Council, during Thursdays board meeting. ... Voters fear this (bond) is hiding a plan for school closures. For trust, we need answers, and you must educate voters if you think you're going to get this.

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The full scope of the opposition to the bond is unclear, although with about three months before the vote, the district has said that it plans to promote transparency and trust through several opportunities for families and community members, including sessions about what each CTE center will offer, campus-level project advisory committees, vendor workshops and PTO events.

Lack of trust was linked to a concern about transparency, so we definitely believe as an administration that it's critically important that we provide people with a lot of information about ... where the community will be involved in bond planning and bond oversight, said Alex Elizondo, HISDs chief of public affairs and communications, during a previous board meeting.

The district is also planning to appoint members to a Bond Oversight Committee before the vote, who will be responsible for monitoring the progress of all applicable bond-funded construction projects and helping interested Houstonians stay informed about new construction and renovation projects, according to its charter.

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The bond is one of HISDs top priorities for the academic year, and the potential failure to pass the measure would likely be the biggest defeat for Miles administration since he was appointed. The district has spent at least $700,000 on development and promotion of the bond from its general fund this year, which it would get refunded only if the bond passes.

To help persuade voters, Bob Sanborn, CEO of Children at Risk, said the district needs to be reaching out to members of the Houston Federation of Teachers, organizers of the No trust. No bond movement and other critics of the proposal to discuss how they can get on the same page about the measure.

You have to sympathize with parents who are upset with the public school system and have made the ultimate investment of putting their kids in these schools, Sanborn said. They're not getting what they want in many ways, but sometimes a little communication goes a long way. That's probably what we need to see here.

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However, Sanborn said the largest contingent of voters will not be the current outspoken critics or supporters, but people who are likely still unaware or undecided on the bond proposal. He said over the next three months, its important for the district to engage with parents, teachers and other Houston residents who are in the middle if they want the bond to pass.

That group in the middle is going to be the more important group, in terms of outreach, and I'm not really seeing a lot of that, Sanborn said. There are open meetings, but maybe there need to be invited meetings where people need to be sitting in the superintendent's office with him, talking about this and asking questions.

While the proposal has its critics, other community members, including principals, bond advisory committee members and some elected trustees, have expressed strong support for the bond, which they say will help address the districts urgent infrastructure needs, including mold growth, broken air-conditioning systems and extensive cracks in classroom walls.

The need for maintenance and plumbing repairs has become increasingly urgent. The approval of the bond is a critical step in addressing this, said Victoria Orozco-Martinez, principal of De Zavala Elementary. By supporting this measure, you're not just investing in bricks and mortar. Youre investing in the future of our children and the well-being of our community.

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The bond will be split into two propositions on the ballot that people will be able to vote on separately. Proposition A would allocate $3.96 billion for school building renovations and expansions, including safety and security infrastructure, while Proposition B would allocate $440 million for technology equipment, systems and infrastructure.
Annex Advisory Services LLC reduced its stake in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,289 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 61 shares during the quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $235,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BA. Strategic Blueprint LLC raised its stake in shares of Boeing by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 3,295 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $859,000 after buying an additional 264 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Boeing by 41.5% in the 4th quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 15,761 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $4,108,000 after buying an additional 4,622 shares in the last quarter. Orca Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Boeing by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Orca Investment Management LLC now owns 3,772 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $983,000 after buying an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. One Charles Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Boeing in the 4th quarter valued at $205,000. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Boeing by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 29,133 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $7,594,000 after buying an additional 1,596 shares in the last quarter. 64.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on BA. Argus lowered shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, April 30th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Boeing from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $215.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 16th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Boeing from $250.00 to $240.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 7th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Boeing from $252.00 to $224.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $215.18.

Boeing Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:BA traded down $0.96 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $167.91. The stock had a trading volume of 3,635,590 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,144,988. The firm has a market cap of $103.08 billion, a PE ratio of -47.30 and a beta of 1.56. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $181.08 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $185.71. The Boeing Company has a twelve month low of $159.70 and a twelve month high of $267.54.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($2.90) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($1.00) by ($1.90). The company had revenue of $16.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.35 billion. Boeings revenue for the quarter was down 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.82) EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Boeing Company will post -2.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boeing Company Profile

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The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

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Baillie Gifford European Growth Trust plc (LON:BGEU  Get Free Report) traded up 0.7% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as GBX 92.14 ($1.18) and last traded at GBX 92.10 ($1.18). 192,873 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 66% from the average session volume of 559,379 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 91.50 ($1.17).

Baillie Gifford European Growth Trust Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of 325.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,315.71 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.89, a quick ratio of 4.20 and a current ratio of 4.16. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 95.92 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 96.35.

About Baillie Gifford European Growth Trust

(Get Free Report)

The European Investment Trust plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Edinburgh Partners AIFM Limited. The fund is co-managed by Edinburgh Partners Limited. It invests in public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Baldwin Brothers LLC MA acquired a new stake in shares of Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI  Free Report) (TSE:AGI) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $47,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of AGI. AJOVista LLC purchased a new stake in Alamos Gold during the 4th quarter valued at about $83,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Alamos Gold by 20.7% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $103,000 after buying an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp purchased a new position in Alamos Gold during the 4th quarter worth approximately $96,000. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC acquired a new stake in Alamos Gold during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $115,000. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new position in shares of Alamos Gold during the first quarter worth $203,000. 64.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Alamos Gold from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Alamos Gold from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of Alamos Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 16th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Alamos Gold from $16.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Alamos Gold presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $19.75.

Alamos Gold Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:AGI traded up $0.17 during trading on Friday, reaching $17.38. The stock had a trading volume of 1,307,763 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,316,246. Alamos Gold Inc. has a 1-year low of $10.78 and a 1-year high of $18.20. The stock has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a PE ratio of 33.42, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.16. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $16.51 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.91.

Alamos Gold (NYSE:AGI  Get Free Report) (TSE:AGI) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $332.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $282.78 million. Alamos Gold had a net margin of 17.73% and a return on equity of 8.63%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 27.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.15 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Alamos Gold Inc. will post 0.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Alamos Gold Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 13th were issued a $0.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 13th. This represents a $0.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.58%. Alamos Golds payout ratio is 19.23%.

Alamos Gold Company Profile

(Free Report)

Alamos Gold Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and extraction of precious metals in Canada and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Young-Davidson mine and Island Gold mine located in the Ontario, Canada; Mulatos mine located in the Sonora, Mexico; and Lynn Lake project situated in the Manitoba, Canada.

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Capital Investment Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Free Report) by 2.7% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 25,804 shares of the companys stock after selling 720 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $3,566,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of KMB. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 19.1% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,893,146 shares of the companys stock worth $762,279,000 after buying an additional 944,920 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Kimberly-Clark in the 4th quarter worth about $437,420,000. Capital World Investors raised its position in Kimberly-Clark by 17.8% in the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,269,492 shares of the companys stock valued at $293,559,000 after purchasing an additional 342,790 shares during the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 2.9% during the first quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,720,051 shares of the companys stock valued at $222,093,000 after purchasing an additional 48,103 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 9.8% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,487,835 shares of the companys stock worth $192,451,000 after purchasing an additional 132,576 shares during the last quarter. 76.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total value of $250,695.20. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,377 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,038,976.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Kimberly-Clark news, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 37,699 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.42, for a total transaction of $5,331,392.58. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 19,935 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,819,207.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total value of $250,695.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 7,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,038,976.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.62% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $146.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $123.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. StockNews.com lowered Kimberly-Clark from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays reduced their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $136.00 to $135.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $111.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $145.67.

Check Out Our Latest Report on KMB

Kimberly-Clark Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of Kimberly-Clark stock traded down $0.93 on Friday, reaching $140.32. 1,485,200 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,192,684. The company has a market capitalization of $47.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.37. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a 52 week low of $116.32 and a 52 week high of $145.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.59, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.85. The firms 50-day moving average is $139.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $131.26.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.25. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 11.28% and a return on equity of 223.55%. The business had revenue of $5.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.65 earnings per share. Kimberly-Clarks revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be given a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.48%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Kimberly-Clarks payout ratio is 89.71%.

About Kimberly-Clark

(Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products in the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company's Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names.

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CCL Industries Inc. (TSE:CCL.B  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$69.04 and traded as high as C$71.52. CCL Industries shares last traded at C$71.02, with a volume of 244,688 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on CCL.B. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$81.00 to C$83.00 in a research note on Friday, May 10th. TD Securities increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$84.00 to C$90.00 in a report on Friday, May 10th. Scotiabank increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$79.00 to C$80.00 in a report on Friday, May 10th. Raymond James increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$80.00 to C$84.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. Finally, National Bankshares increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$83.00 to C$84.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$82.20.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on CCL.B

CCL Industries Stock Performance

Insider Activity

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.74, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.95. The company has a 50 day moving average price of C$72.21 and a 200 day moving average price of C$69.17. The company has a market capitalization of C$12.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.92, a P/E/G ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.53.

In related news, Senior Officer James Andrew Sellors sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$71.35, for a total value of C$2,140,461.00. In other CCL Industries news, Director Gunther Johann Birkner sold 20,000 shares of CCL Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$71.69, for a total transaction of C$1,433,800.00. Also, Senior Officer James Andrew Sellors sold 30,000 shares of CCL Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$71.35, for a total transaction of C$2,140,461.00. 11.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

CCL Industries Company Profile

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CCL Industries Inc manufactures and sells labels, containers, consumer printable media products, technology driven label solutions, polymer bank note substrates, and specialty films. The company operates through four segments: CCL, Avery, Checkpoint, and Innovia. The CCL segment offers pressure sensitive and specialty extruded film materials for decorative, instructional, functional, and security applications in the consumer packaging, healthcare, chemicals, consumer electronic device, and automotive markets.

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CHICAGO TRUST Co NA acquired a new stake in shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 1,834 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $202,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. OLD National Bancorp IN raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 26.9% during the second quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 3,162 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $348,000 after buying an additional 670 shares during the last quarter. Duncan Williams Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 9.5% during the second quarter. Duncan Williams Asset Management LLC now owns 7,179 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $790,000 after buying an additional 621 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional grew its holdings in shares of PulteGroup by 127.0% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 3,603 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $397,000 after purchasing an additional 2,016 shares in the last quarter. Cyr Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the second quarter valued at $690,000. Finally, Aprio Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of PulteGroup by 27.1% in the second quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,337 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $698,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.90% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Robert Oshaughnessy sold 28,993 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.29, for a total transaction of $3,748,504.97. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 160,330 shares in the company, valued at $20,729,065.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.83% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of PulteGroup from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $113.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $131.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $126.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 24th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $133.14.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PulteGroup

PulteGroup Stock Up 0.7 %

PulteGroup stock traded up $0.89 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $123.02. The stock had a trading volume of 1,564,136 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,449,465. The company has a market cap of $25.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.85, a PEG ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $116.63 and its 200-day moving average price is $113.00. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 52 week low of $68.80 and a 52 week high of $135.62.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The construction company reported $3.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.27 by $0.56. The business had revenue of $4.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.49 billion. PulteGroup had a net margin of 16.75% and a return on equity of 25.67%. The firms revenue was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.00 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.85 EPS for the current year.

About PulteGroup

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PulteGroup, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, and American West brand names.

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City Holding Co. lowered its stake in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD  Free Report) by 12.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,584 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 380 shares during the quarter. City Holding Co.s holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF were worth $277,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of LQD. Baystate Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 83.2% in the 4th quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,277 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $141,000 after purchasing an additional 580 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 307.5% in the 4th quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,783 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $308,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares during the last quarter. NYL Investors LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. NYL Investors LLC now owns 9,329,454 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,032,397,000 after purchasing an additional 253,373 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund bought a new stake in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $15,795,000. Finally, Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 51.7% in the 4th quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC now owns 26,932 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,980,000 after purchasing an additional 9,182 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.30% of the companys stock.

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iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of LQD traded up $0.56 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $109.71. The stock had a trading volume of 23,199,741 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,588,447. The companys fifty day moving average is $108.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $107.71. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $98.24 and a 52 week high of $111.40.

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade Index (the Index), which is a rules-based index consisting of liquid, the United States dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds for sale in the United States.

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Copa (NYSE:CPA  Get Free Report) had its target price lowered by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $145.00 to $130.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the transportation companys stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price would indicate a potential upside of 47.53% from the companys current price.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Copa from $165.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Copa from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 17th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Copa in a research report on Friday, May 24th. They issued an overweight rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Copa from $160.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Copa from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Copa presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $148.00.

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Copa Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CPA traded up $0.63 during trading on Thursday, reaching $88.12. The stock had a trading volume of 338,882 shares, compared to its average volume of 279,312. Copa has a 52 week low of $78.12 and a 52 week high of $114.00. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $92.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $98.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.47 billion, a PE ratio of 6.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.47.

Copa (NYSE:CPA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The transportation company reported $2.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.11. Copa had a net margin of 16.42% and a return on equity of 36.59%. The company had revenue of $819.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $838.13 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.92 earnings per share. Copas quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Copa will post 16.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Copa

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sprucegrove Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Copa by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Sprucegrove Investment Management Ltd. now owns 2,661,539 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $282,948,000 after buying an additional 70,300 shares during the period. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Copa by 1,778.4% in the 4th quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 958 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 907 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its holdings in shares of Copa by 60.0% in the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 8,000 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $850,000 after buying an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Foundry Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Copa in the 4th quarter valued at $4,003,000. Finally, Bailard Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Copa by 55.0% in the 4th quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 6,200 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $659,000 after buying an additional 2,200 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.09% of the companys stock.

About Copa

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Copa Holdings, SA, through its subsidiaries, provides airline passenger and cargo services. The company offers approximately 327 daily scheduled flights to 78 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean from its Panama City hub. As of December 31, 2022, it operated a fleet of 97 aircraft comprising 67 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, 9 Boeing 737-700 Next Generation aircraft, 1 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter, and 20 737-MAX aircraft.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 16.100-16.600 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 13.760. The company issued revenue guidance of $45.4 billion-$46.6 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $43.0 billion. Eli Lilly and Company also updated its FY24 guidance to $16.10-$16.60 EPS.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 5.5 %

Eli Lilly and Company stock traded up $46.37 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $891.68. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,587,628 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,089,428. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market cap of $847.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 131.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $871.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $794.32. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $516.57 and a 12 month high of $966.10.

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Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 76.58%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LLY has been the topic of several research reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,001.00 to $1,101.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $885.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $875.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $916.53.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Eli Lilly and Company

Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 750 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $819.47, for a total value of $614,602.50. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,842,821.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 750 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $819.47, for a total value of $614,602.50. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,842,821.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 2,052 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $809.00, for a total value of $1,660,068.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 98,554,195 shares in the company, valued at $79,730,343,755. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 1,214,704 shares of company stock valued at $1,066,841,316. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The industrial products company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.01, Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $852.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $877.52 million. EnerSys had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 20.21%. EnerSyss revenue was down 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.89 EPS.

EnerSys Stock Performance

Shares of ENS stock traded up $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $94.30. The company had a trading volume of 205,234 shares, compared to its average volume of 247,164. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $104.27 and a 200-day moving average price of $97.62. EnerSys has a one year low of $83.27 and a one year high of $112.53. The firm has a market cap of $3.79 billion, a PE ratio of 14.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.46.

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EnerSys Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This is a positive change from EnerSyss previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. EnerSyss payout ratio is currently 14.77%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on ENS. StockNews.com lowered shares of EnerSys from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. BTIG Research lowered shares of EnerSys from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, May 24th.

Read Our Latest Analysis on ENS

EnerSys Company Profile

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EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

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Defense Attorney Mike DeGeurin delivers opening statements at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, in Houston. Jessica Tata is accused in the deaths of four children at her west Houston daycare. Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle Defense attorney Mike DeGeurin speaks to the media as he leaves the federal courthouse while trying to arrange a plea bargain for his client, Lea Fastow, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004. John Everett/Houston Chronicle Mike DeGeurin and Dick DeGuerin, who both practice criminal defense law in this town, both are prominent, but also very different and accomplished attorneys, agreed to be photographed on neutral ground in the Lancaster Hotel, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in Houston. Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle Attorneys Mike DeGeurin, left, and Randall Kallinen, right, and their client Jose Gomez, center, are shown at a press conference held outside the Houston Police Dept., 1200 Travis, Wednesday, July 14, 2021 in Houston. The press conference was about the federal civil rights verdict against a former HPD officer and a current officer stemming from a 2017 traffic stop of their client Jose Gomez. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer Attorney Mike DeGeurin at interview with his client, Vanessa Leggett, being held on charges of civil contempt for refusing to turn over her notes on the Angleton case to federal prosecutors. Steve Ueckert/Houston Chronicle Defense lawyer Mike DeGeurin presents a photo of Christopher Snider during opening statements in the capital murder trial of Christine Paolilla, who is accused of helping to kill four of her Clear Lake classmates in a 2003 shooting, as the trial returned from a pause during Hurricane Ike aftermath on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, in Houston. Judge is Mark Kent Ellis. The prosecution objected to the presenting of evidence during opening statements and DeGeurin was instructed to put the evidence away. Julio Cortez/Houston Chronicle

Houston attorney Mike DeGeurin died late Friday at a Houston hospital following complications from a heart issue. He was 79.

He was born Jan. 9, 1945, in Austin and raised there. He moved to Houston to clerk for a judge and became a lawyer in 1972. DeGeurin was still working on cases up until his death, asking for updates while hospitalized, said his son, Michael DeGeurin.

His superpower was that he made people feel comfortable, his son said. He didnt have a mean bone in his body. Thats why he was so good with jurors and witnesses. He was genuinely himself.

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Mike is the brother of Dick DeGuerin, also a notable criminal defense attorney. The pair have previously been described as two sides of the same coin. Dick is generally seen as the more direct and aggressive of the pair, while Mike brought a more lighthearted, charming approach to the courtroom.

He last went to trial in December, teaming up with his brother and son to defend former Harris County Sheriffs Office bailiff Renard Spivey. A jury acquitted Spivey in the death of his wife.

DeGeurin is also known for his work with notable figures such as exonerated death row inmate Clarence Brandley, who faced execution after he was wrongfully convicted in the killing of a 16-year-old high school girl.

He also represented writer Vanessa Leggett, who was jailed after refusing to divulge her sources, and Michael Yarbrough, who was involved in the City Hall bribery scandal.

His son said DeGeurin approached every case with a degree of personal compassion that went beyond the courtroom.

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I grew up in the courthouse with him and he cared for his clients, the younger DeGeurin said. When I was a kid, on Christmas eve, wed visit people in the jail because they didnt have anyone. Thats the kind of person he was. He cared for his clients.

Even those he faced off against, like retired prosecutor Steven Baldassano, had immense respect for DeGeurin. Baldassano said DeGeurin was the type of defense attorney, who, as a prosecutor, Baldassano dreaded going to to toe with.

"A few times he just beat the stuffing out of me," he said. "You just knew when he came into the courtroom that you weren't going to be catching any breaks. If you wanted to beat Mike you had to come completely prepared."

Baldassano and DeGeurin last clashed in 2012 in a trial involving a fire at a daycare that left one child dead and three others injured.

DeGeurin was a mentor to several Houston attorneys. David Gerger, now a partner at a criminal defense firm, worked under DeGeurin from 1994 to 2004. He said he wouldnt be where he is today were it not for DeGeurins guidance.

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Gerger described DeGeurins death as the end of an era. In the post-COVID world of trial by Zoom, he said, attorneys like DeGeurin are in increasingly short supply.

He inspired juries and judges to see the good in people, Gerger said. Mike lived by a very simple true truth, which is: You can look for the good in life, or you can look for the bad in life, and you will find what you look for.

Gerger, whos Jewish, referred to a saying from the Talmud that he said embodied DeGeurins life.

He who saves one person, it's as if he has saved the whole world, Gerger said. "He freed countless people from the excesses of the criminal system. He touched a generation of lawyers and judges who are better people because they knew him."

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DeGeurin trained under famed Texas criminal defense attorney Percy Foreman. Foreman is notable for his three day defense of Jack Ruby, who was convicted for killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who fatally shot President John F. Kennedy. Ruby's family members removed Foreman from the case after a dispute over fees, according to a Houston Post news story from the time.
Enovis (NYSE:ENOV  Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by analysts at Needham & Company LLC from $82.00 to $65.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Needham & Company LLCs price target would suggest a potential upside of 49.77% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on ENOV. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Enovis from $70.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Enovis in a research note on Thursday, June 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $53.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.13.

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Enovis Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ENOV traded down $0.16 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $43.40. The companys stock had a trading volume of 756,298 shares, compared to its average volume of 560,150. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $45.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.34. Enovis has a one year low of $39.98 and a one year high of $65.03. The company has a current ratio of 2.10, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -28.93 and a beta of 1.92.

Enovis (NYSE:ENOV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.03. Enovis had a negative net margin of 4.51% and a positive return on equity of 3.98%. The company had revenue of $525.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $525.99 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.61 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 22.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Enovis will post 2.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enovis

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ENOV. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Enovis by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,031,710 shares of the companys stock worth $57,796,000 after acquiring an additional 4,274 shares during the last quarter. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE bought a new stake in Enovis in the 4th quarter worth $7,013,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in Enovis in the 4th quarter worth $784,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its holdings in Enovis by 12.2% in the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 10,086 shares of the companys stock worth $565,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in Enovis by 197.4% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,257 shares of the companys stock worth $126,000 after acquiring an additional 1,498 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.45% of the companys stock.

Enovis Company Profile

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Enovis Corporation operates as a medical technology company focus on developing clinically differentiated solutions worldwide. It also manufactures and distributes medical devices which are used for reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, pain management, and physical therapy. The company operates through Prevention and Recovery, and Reconstructive segments.

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Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Scotiabank from $285.00 to $290.00 in a research note published on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a sector outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. UBS Group upped their target price on Essex Property Trust from $261.00 to $283.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $250.00 to $266.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Essex Property Trust from $284.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $315.00 target price on shares of Essex Property Trust in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Essex Property Trust from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $266.75.

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Essex Property Trust Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of ESS stock traded up $3.35 on Wednesday, hitting $282.64. 270,884 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 385,006. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 3.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.96 and a beta of 0.86. The business has a 50-day moving average of $277.13 and a 200 day moving average of $254.62. Essex Property Trust has a fifty-two week low of $203.85 and a fifty-two week high of $292.37.

Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.85 by ($2.40). The firm had revenue of $442.36 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $433.26 million. Essex Property Trust had a return on equity of 9.14% and a net margin of 30.31%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.77 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Essex Property Trust will post 15.53 EPS for the current year.

Essex Property Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 24th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th were given a dividend of $2.45 per share. This represents a $9.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 28th. Essex Property Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 119.80%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Keith R. Guericke sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.57, for a total transaction of $2,745,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 16,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,425,519.26. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Angela L. Kleiman sold 3,780 shares of Essex Property Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.27, for a total value of $1,051,860.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 9,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,641,895.38. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Keith R. Guericke sold 10,000 shares of Essex Property Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.57, for a total value of $2,745,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 16,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,425,519.26. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ESS. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 111.5% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 110 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 214.3% in the 2nd quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 110 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 600.0% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 112 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the period. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 112.3% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 138 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. 96.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Essex Property Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development.

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Greystone Housing Impact Investors (NYSE:GHI  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.15), Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $21.97 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $25.57 million. Greystone Housing Impact Investors had a return on equity of 11.65% and a net margin of 45.87%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.85 EPS.

Greystone Housing Impact Investors Price Performance

Shares of Greystone Housing Impact Investors stock traded down $0.08 on Friday, hitting $14.16. 21,474 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 42,802. The stock has a market capitalization of $329.77 million, a P/E ratio of 7.49 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 12.65 and a current ratio of 12.65. Greystone Housing Impact Investors has a 52 week low of $13.76 and a 52 week high of $17.55. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $15.56.

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Greystone Housing Impact Investors Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 28th were issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.45%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. Greystone Housing Impact Investorss dividend payout ratio is currently 78.31%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on GHI. Raymond James reissued an outperform rating and issued a $18.50 price objective (down previously from $19.50) on shares of Greystone Housing Impact Investors in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Jonestrading lowered their price target on shares of Greystone Housing Impact Investors from $20.00 to $17.50 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 10th. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott initiated coverage on shares of Greystone Housing Impact Investors in a report on Thursday, August 1st. They set a buy rating and a $17.00 price target on the stock.

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Greystone Housing Impact Investors Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP acquires, holds, sells, and deals in a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds (MRBs) that are issued to provide construction and/or permanent financing for multifamily, student, and senior citizen housing; skilled nursing properties; and commercial properties in the United States.

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Griffon (NYSE:GFF  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by research analysts at Robert W. Baird from $86.00 to $84.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the conglomerates stock. Robert W. Bairds target price would suggest a potential upside of 42.32% from the companys current price.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Griffon from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $80.33.

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Griffon Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of GFF traded up $0.73 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $59.02. 580,091 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 434,103. Griffon has a 1-year low of $38.33 and a 1-year high of $77.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.80. The company has a market capitalization of $2.92 billion, a PE ratio of 15.57 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a 50 day moving average of $66.53 and a 200 day moving average of $67.53.

Griffon (NYSE:GFF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The conglomerate reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.31 by ($0.07). Griffon had a net margin of 7.48% and a return on equity of 90.02%. The company had revenue of $647.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $688.94 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.29 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Griffon will post 5 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Griffon news, CEO Ronald J. Kramer sold 100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.07, for a total value of $6,707,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,500,746 shares in the company, valued at approximately $167,725,034.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Griffon news, CEO Ronald J. Kramer sold 100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.07, for a total value of $6,707,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,500,746 shares in the company, valued at approximately $167,725,034.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO W. Christopher Durborow sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.88, for a total value of $869,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 48,368 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,234,851.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 16.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Griffon by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,903,377 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $432,954,000 after buying an additional 38,707 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Griffon by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,379,000 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $88,066,000 after purchasing an additional 19,644 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management lifted its holdings in Griffon by 486.0% in the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 911,295 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $66,834,000 after purchasing an additional 755,773 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in Griffon by 9.6% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 631,851 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $40,350,000 after purchasing an additional 55,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Griffon by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 522,741 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $31,861,000 after purchasing an additional 2,131 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.22% of the companys stock.

Griffon Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Griffon Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides consumer and professional, and home and building products in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Home and Building Products, and Consumer and Professional Products. The Home and Building Products segment manufactures and markets residential and commercial sectional garage doors, rolling steel service doors, fire doors, shutters, steel security grilles, and room dividers for the use in commercial construction and repair, and home remodeling applications.

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Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by ($0.01), Briefing.com reports. The firm had revenue of $336.17 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $335.08 million. Haemonetics had a net margin of 8.98% and a return on equity of 22.25%. Haemoneticss revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.05 EPS. Haemonetics updated its FY25 guidance to $4.45 to $4.75 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance to 4.450-4.750 EPS.

Haemonetics Stock Up 0.8 %

NYSE:HAE traded up $0.60 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $77.03. The stock had a trading volume of 848,252 shares, compared to its average volume of 525,351. The company has a market cap of $3.92 billion, a PE ratio of 33.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.29. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $86.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $84.13. Haemonetics has a 1-year low of $70.74 and a 1-year high of $97.97. The company has a current ratio of 2.56, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Michelle L. Basil sold 12,990 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.08, for a total transaction of $1,144,159.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 31,257 shares in the company, valued at $2,753,116.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Haemonetics news, EVP Michelle L. Basil sold 12,990 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.08, for a total value of $1,144,159.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 31,257 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,753,116.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Stewart W. Strong sold 686 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.11, for a total transaction of $65,245.46. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 18,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,730,621.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,523 shares of company stock worth $2,812,120 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Barrington Research raised their price target on shares of Haemonetics from $107.00 to $108.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. JMP Securities raised their target price on shares of Haemonetics from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upgraded shares of Haemonetics from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $112.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.75.

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Haemonetics Company Profile

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Haemonetics Corporation, a healthcare company, provides suite of medical products and solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers automated plasma collection systems, donor management software, and supporting software solutions including NexSys PCS and PCS2 plasmapheresis equipment and related disposables and solutions, as well as integrated information technology platforms for plasma customers to manage their donors, operations, and supply chain; and NexLynk DMS donor management system and Donor360 app.

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Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating restated by HC Wainwright in a research note issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $10.25 price target on the basic materials companys stock. HC Wainwrights price objective indicates a potential upside of 103.37% from the companys previous close.

HL has been the topic of several other research reports. CIBC upped their price objective on Hecla Mining from $6.75 to $7.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded Hecla Mining to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Hecla Mining to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, Cibc World Mkts upgraded Hecla Mining to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $6.89.

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Hecla Mining Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE HL traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $5.04. 5,642,378 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,263,292. Hecla Mining has a 52-week low of $3.33 and a 52-week high of $6.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.16 billion, a PE ratio of -33.60 and a beta of 2.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.67. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $5.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.89.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.01 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $245.66 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $208.80 million. Hecla Mining had a negative return on equity of 0.28% and a negative net margin of 12.22%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.03 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Hecla Mining will post 0.05 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Michael L. Clary sold 30,634 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.91, for a total value of $150,412.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 351,972 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,728,182.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Hecla Mining news, VP Robert Denis Brown sold 24,792 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.91, for a total transaction of $121,728.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 607,649 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,983,556.59. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CAO Michael L. Clary sold 30,634 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.91, for a total value of $150,412.94. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 351,972 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,728,182.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 67,105 shares of company stock valued at $329,486 in the last three months. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hecla Mining

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 21.5% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 223,508 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,075,000 after acquiring an additional 39,494 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,420,114 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $285,811,000 after acquiring an additional 1,506,573 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining during the 1st quarter worth $727,000. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hecla Mining by 148.9% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 39,208 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $189,000 after acquiring an additional 23,457 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining during the 4th quarter worth $13,761,000. 63.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Hecla Mining

(Get Free Report)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:HPP  Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Wednesday. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.33) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by ($0.50), Zacks reports. The firm had revenue of $218.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $216.08 million. Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative return on equity of 6.91% and a negative net margin of 23.48%. Hudson Pacific Propertiess revenue for the quarter was down 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.24 EPS. Hudson Pacific Properties updated its Q3 2024 guidance to 0.080-0.120 EPS.

Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Performance

NYSE:HPP traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $4.68. The company had a trading volume of 1,824,112 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,421,392. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. Hudson Pacific Properties has a 52 week low of $4.26 and a 52 week high of $9.85. The firm has a market cap of $660.56 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.93, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.32. The firms 50 day moving average price is $5.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $5.94.

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Hudson Pacific Properties Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 17th were given a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 17th. Hudson Pacific Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -12.50%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

In related news, CEO Victor J. Coleman sold 100,000 shares of Hudson Pacific Properties stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.18, for a total transaction of $518,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 387,451 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,006,996.18. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . In the last quarter, insiders purchased 13,420 shares of company stock valued at $59,912. Company insiders own 2.95% of the companys stock.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on HPP shares. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Hudson Pacific Properties from $9.00 to $7.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. Piper Sandler lowered Hudson Pacific Properties from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets lowered Hudson Pacific Properties from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $8.00 to $6.00 in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded Hudson Pacific Properties from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their target price for the company from $6.00 to $4.25 in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hudson Pacific Properties currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $7.52.

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Hudson Pacific Properties Company Profile

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Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a real estate investment trust serving dynamic tech and media tenants in global epicenters for these synergistic, converging and secular growth industries. Hudson Pacific's unique and high-barrier tech and media focus leverages a full-service, end-to-end value creation platform forged through deep strategic relationships and niche expertise across identifying, acquiring, transforming and developing properties into world-class amenitized, collaborative and sustainable office and studio space.

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Ilika plc (LON:IKA  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 29.31 ($0.37) and traded as low as GBX 24 ($0.31). Ilika shares last traded at GBX 25.50 ($0.33), with a volume of 15,914 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Berenberg Bank decreased their target price on shares of Ilika from GBX 110 ($1.41) to GBX 100 ($1.28) and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd.

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Ilika Price Performance

About Ilika

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is GBX 26.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 29.18. The company has a quick ratio of 15.43, a current ratio of 12.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.33. The company has a market cap of 40.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -637.50 and a beta of 1.93.

(Get Free Report)

Ilika plc designs, develops, and produces solid-state batteries under the Stereax name primarily in the United Kingdom, Asia, Europe, and North America. The company offers batteries for a range of applications in the industrial Internet of Things, MedTech, transportation, electric vehicles, and cordless consumer appliances.

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JPMorgan UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc (LON:JMI  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 284.04 ($3.63) and traded as high as GBX 284.60 ($3.64). JPMorgan UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 279 ($3.57), with a volume of 196,280 shares trading hands.

JPMorgan UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Stock Down 0.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.83, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.17. The stocks fifty day moving average is GBX 283.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 289.91. The company has a market cap of 217.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,743.75 and a beta of 1.30.

About JPMorgan UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust

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JPMorgan Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is a close-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Lion Street Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Sila Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:SILA  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 11,274 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $239,000.

Separately, Baldwin Brothers LLC MA bought a new position in shares of Sila Realty Trust in the second quarter valued at approximately $191,000.

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Sila Realty Trust Stock Performance

NYSE:SILA traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $21.96. 449,868 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 439,863. Sila Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12 month low of $7.45 and a 12 month high of $26.05.

Sila Realty Trust Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 31st will be paid a $0.1333 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 31st.

Separately, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Sila Realty Trust in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. They set an outperform rating and a $30.00 target price for the company.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Sila Realty Trust

Sila Realty Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Sila Realty Trust, Inc is a public, non-traded real estate investment trust headquartered in Tampa, Florida, that invests in high-quality healthcare properties and data centers leased to tenants capitalizing on critical and structural economic growth drivers. As of September 30, 2020, the Company owned 153 real estate properties, consisting of 29 data centers and 124 healthcare properties located in 70 markets across the United States.

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Anna Menon's children's book called "Kisses From Space" which was also illustrated by Andy Harkness and co-authored by Keri Vasek. SpaceX

Houston resident, SpaceX engineer and astronaut Anna Menon recently added "children's book author" to her list of titles as she prepares to depart later this month on the Polaris Dawn Mission, where she will read her new book, "Kisses from Space," while orbiting Earth.

Menon, one of the commercial and civilian astronauts on the SpaceX flight, said she created the book, co-authored with Keri Vasek, as a way to connect with her children while on the Polaris Dawn Mission. The crew will be in orbit on the Dragon aircraft for five days working on many objectives, including the first commercial spacewalk with an extravehicular activity spacesuit designed by SpaceX, according to the Kennedy Space Center website.

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The cover art was created by artist Andy Harkness who has also been promoting the book.

"The mission and the offering of a book is a team effort," Menon told the Chronicle.

The idea of writing a book began with Menon and her husband, who is a flight surgeon at SpaceX, telling stories to their two kids. Her book is a reflection of those stories about the adventures of a mother dragon and her family. The story follows the mother as she journeys through space and shares her experience with the baby dragon on Earth.

Anna Menon's children's book called "Kisses From Space" which was also illustrated by Andy Harkness and co-authored by Keri Vasek. SpaceX

Menon described writing the book as a "love letter to her children"  an ode to how she'll continue to think about them and "the power of love to overcome any distance." She highlighted the importance of family and being able to share stories about the exploration of the world and universe with the next generation.

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"The name of the story was born organically through the writing process," she said. "I think as this story was being created, one of the lines came out about 'kisses from space,' and it just connected with me really powerfully."

Menon said she will read the book in space to patients at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and her children, during the second day of the mission.

Menon and the illustrator will donate the proceeds from the book to the hospital. She said the crew wants to make a contribution similar to the more than $250 million that was raised in the 2021 Inspiration4 mission. Inspiration4 was the first all-civilian three-day orbital mission.

"It's certainly going to be one of the very meaningful moments for me on this journey," Menon said. "I really seek out ways of sharing this journey with my kids, I want my kids to figure out what they love in this world and figure out what they're interested in and contribute back to this world."

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She also hopes the story will be a reminder about how much she loves them and that she'll think of them and support them even while she's 870 miles away. Her family has created paper chains  one for the spaceflight mission and the other for returning back to Earth  where they will cut one link off every day until Menon has to leave for the mission and then make a return back home.

Anna Menon is a Houston native who is traveling to space as part of the Polaris Dawn mission. Polaris Program / John Kraus

Menon is a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX. She is a mission specialist and medical officer of the Polaris Dawn. She will be joined on the flight by commander Jared Isaacman, mission pilot Scott Poteet and mission specialist Sarah Gillis.

The crew will launch from SpaceX's Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is expected to occur no earlier than Aug. 26, according to Menon's spokesperson.
Southland Equity Partners LLC trimmed its stake in shares of NexGen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE  Free Report) by 9.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,390 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,937 shares during the period. Southland Equity Partners LLCs holdings in NexGen Energy were worth $135,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in NexGen Energy by 5,020.5% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,222,256 shares of the companys stock valued at $126,047,000 after acquiring an additional 15,905,444 shares during the last quarter. MMCAP International Inc. SPC increased its stake in shares of NexGen Energy by 1,627.2% during the 1st quarter. MMCAP International Inc. SPC now owns 3,564,665 shares of the companys stock worth $27,697,000 after purchasing an additional 3,358,278 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in shares of NexGen Energy by 74.9% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,341,885 shares of the companys stock worth $23,393,000 after purchasing an additional 1,430,709 shares during the last quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd lifted its stake in NexGen Energy by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 24,083,310 shares of the companys stock valued at $187,127,000 after buying an additional 1,423,317 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Anthracite Investment Company Inc. acquired a new stake in NexGen Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $8,108,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.43% of the companys stock.

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NexGen Energy Price Performance

NYSE NXE traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $5.58. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,584,542 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,894,932. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.13 billion, a P/E ratio of -558.00 and a beta of 1.93. NexGen Energy Ltd. has a 52-week low of $4.62 and a 52-week high of $8.88. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $6.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $7.36.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NexGen Energy ( NYSE:NXE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.02. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.03) earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that NexGen Energy Ltd. will post -0.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms have issued reports on NXE. Haywood Securities upgraded shares of NexGen Energy to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, May 17th. Ventum Cap Mkts raised shares of NexGen Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 8th.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on NexGen Energy

NexGen Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

NexGen Energy Ltd., an exploration and development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation and development of uranium properties in Canada. It holds 100% interest in the Rook I project comprising 32 contiguous mineral claims totaling an area of 35,065 hectares located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan.

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OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCMKTS:OTCM  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as low as $46.75 and last traded at $48.00, with a volume of 25359 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $48.62.

The financial services provider reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $27.56 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.06 million. OTC Markets Group had a net margin of 24.95% and a return on equity of 73.70%.

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OTC Markets Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 5th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.53%. OTC Markets Groups dividend payout ratio is 32.00%.

OTC Markets Group Stock Performance

About OTC Markets Group

The company has a market capitalization of $562.28 million, a P/E ratio of 20.88, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.54. The business has a fifty day moving average of $49.22 and a 200-day moving average of $52.82.

(Get Free Report)

OTC Markets Group Inc operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Its data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of its three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market, and Pink Open Market. The company's OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading.

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Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Free Report) had its price objective cut by Robert W. Baird from $162.00 to $158.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the stock.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Hyatt Hotels from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $184.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $155.00 to $145.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $146.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $171.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $150.11.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Hyatt Hotels

Hyatt Hotels Stock Performance

Shares of H stock traded up $1.79 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $135.14. 569,858 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 613,482. Hyatt Hotels has a 12 month low of $96.77 and a 12 month high of $162.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $148.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $147.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.67 billion, a PE ratio of 20.98 and a beta of 1.51.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.58. Hyatt Hotels had a net margin of 10.21% and a return on equity of 8.44%. The firm had revenue of $1.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.82 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.47 EPS for the current year.

Hyatt Hotels Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 27th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 27th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.44%. Hyatt Hotelss dividend payout ratio is currently 9.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Hyatt Hotels news, insider Joan Bottarini sold 305 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total value of $45,140.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,338,252. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Michael A. Rocca sold 1,189 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.52, for a total transaction of $177,779.28. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,219 shares in the company, valued at $3,023,144.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Joan Bottarini sold 305 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total transaction of $45,140.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,799 shares in the company, valued at $2,338,252. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 23.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hyatt Hotels

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT boosted its stake in Hyatt Hotels by 62.0% in the second quarter. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT now owns 14,866 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,258,000 after acquiring an additional 5,691 shares in the last quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. boosted its stake in Hyatt Hotels by 133.0% in the second quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 49,826 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,570,000 after acquiring an additional 28,446 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Hyatt Hotels in the second quarter valued at approximately $4,755,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Hyatt Hotels by 10.6% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 485,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $73,822,000 after acquiring an additional 46,574 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 17.4% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 110,959 shares of the companys stock worth $16,857,000 after buying an additional 16,412 shares during the last quarter. 71.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hyatt Hotels Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

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Sax Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 361 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $327,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. Profit Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $698,000. Annex Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.6% during the second quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,403 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,986,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 8.5% in the second quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,158 shares of the companys stock worth $1,048,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA now owns 1,265 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,145,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the period. Finally, Norway Savings Bank grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.9% in the second quarter. Norway Savings Bank now owns 5,483 shares of the companys stock worth $4,964,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $1,000.00 target price (up previously from $892.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $994.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $875.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and issued a $1,023.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Friday, July 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $916.53.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $939.82, for a total value of $197,362,200.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 96,943,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $91,109,731,514.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $939.82, for a total value of $197,362,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 96,943,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $91,109,731,514.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $819.38, for a total value of $5,781,545.28. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,835,194.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 1,214,704 shares of company stock worth $1,066,841,316 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 5.5 %

Shares of LLY traded up $46.37 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $891.68. 6,587,628 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,089,428. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $516.57 and a 12 month high of $966.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market cap of $847.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 131.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.41. The stocks 50-day moving average is $871.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $795.47.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.58%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 76.58%.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Sax Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (BATS:NUSC  Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor purchased 12,902 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $508,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of NUSC. TIAA Trust National Association grew its position in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 1,599,180 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,510,000 after acquiring an additional 23,772 shares during the period. Abacus Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 1.2% during the second quarter. Abacus Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,198,520 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,150,000 after purchasing an additional 14,203 shares during the period. First Pacific Financial increased its position in Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 4.0% in the first quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 165,277 shares of the companys stock worth $6,874,000 after buying an additional 6,401 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 4.0% in the first quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 145,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,058,000 after buying an additional 5,552 shares during the period. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 130,079 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,086,000 after buying an additional 2,578 shares during the last quarter.

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Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NUSC stock traded down $0.03 on Friday, hitting $39.99. 70,958 shares of the stock were exchanged. The firms 50 day moving average is $40.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $39.85. Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF has a one year low of $24.96 and a one year high of $29.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a PE ratio of 15.74 and a beta of 1.17.

About Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF

The Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap index. The fund tracks a multi-factor-weighted index of small-cap companies listed on US exchanges. Holdings are screened for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. NUSC was launched on Dec 13, 2016 and is managed by Nuveen.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NUSC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (BATS:NUSC  Free Report).

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Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Scotiabank from $94.00 to $104.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the utilities providers stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on DUK. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $108.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. KeyCorp increased their price objective on Duke Energy from $112.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Barclays increased their price target on Duke Energy from $99.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Bank of America increased their price objective on Duke Energy from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Duke Energy from $114.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $106.75.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on DUK

Duke Energy Price Performance

DUK traded up $0.24 on Wednesday, reaching $112.67. The company had a trading volume of 2,218,742 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,968,208. Duke Energy has a one year low of $83.06 and a one year high of $116.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The company has a market capitalization of $86.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.31, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a fifty day moving average of $104.65 and a 200-day moving average of $99.40.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.16. Duke Energy had a net margin of 10.78% and a return on equity of 9.25%. The company had revenue of $7.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.84 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.91 EPS. Duke Energys revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Duke Energy will post 5.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Duke Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th will be given a $1.045 dividend. This represents a $4.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.71%. This is a positive change from Duke Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.03. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 105.03%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director E Marie Mckee sold 1,695 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.31, for a total value of $173,415.45. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4 shares in the company, valued at $409.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Lynn J. Good sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.30, for a total transaction of $1,549,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 437,464 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,190,031.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director E Marie Mckee sold 1,695 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.31, for a total value of $173,415.45. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4 shares of the companys stock, valued at $409.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duke Energy

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wealth Alliance lifted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Alliance now owns 23,396 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,345,000 after purchasing an additional 1,275 shares in the last quarter. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT lifted its stake in Duke Energy by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT now owns 15,484 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,552,000 after acquiring an additional 424 shares in the last quarter. L & S Advisors Inc lifted its stake in Duke Energy by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter. L & S Advisors Inc now owns 24,238 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,429,000 after acquiring an additional 1,833 shares in the last quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Duke Energy by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 29,510 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,958,000 after acquiring an additional 2,223 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,147,000. Institutional investors own 65.31% of the companys stock.

Duke Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.

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Southland Equity Partners LLC bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 3,492 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $207,000.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. John W. Brooker & Co. CPAs lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.5% during the second quarter. John W. Brooker & Co. CPAs now owns 7,075 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $420,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Prentice Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Prentice Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,426 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $560,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 13.0% in the 1st quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 1,617 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $94,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the period. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 5,897 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $350,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares during the period. Finally, Fruth Investment Management grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 3.2% in the first quarter. Fruth Investment Management now owns 6,518 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $377,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WFC traded up $0.40 on Friday, reaching $52.76. 11,668,975 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,196,924. The businesss 50-day moving average is $58.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Wells Fargo & Company has a fifty-two week low of $38.38 and a fifty-two week high of $62.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $183.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.83, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.17.

Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.04. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.17% and a return on equity of 12.30%. The firm had revenue of $20.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.29 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.25 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. This is an increase from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.03%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on WFC shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 15th. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating and issued a $67.00 price objective (down from $70.00) on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $62.00 to $61.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Oppenheimer restated a market perform rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Monday, April 15th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $59.91.

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Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU  Free Report) (TSE:SU) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note published on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on SU. TD Securities raised shares of Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on shares of Suncor Energy from $61.00 to $60.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Suncor Energy in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $68.00 price objective on the stock. Raymond James raised shares of Suncor Energy to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Suncor Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, July 20th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $54.75.

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Suncor Energy Stock Performance

SU traded down $0.12 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $39.67. 4,024,951 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,484,905. Suncor Energy has a 1 year low of $29.45 and a 1 year high of $41.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.51 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $50.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 1.12. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $38.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is $37.02.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU  Get Free Report) (TSE:SU) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.51. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 16.28%. The company had revenue of $12.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.30 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.71 EPS. Suncor Energys revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Suncor Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.395 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. This represents a $1.58 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.98%. Suncor Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 35.63%.

Institutional Trading of Suncor Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sanders Capital LLC raised its holdings in Suncor Energy by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 57,318,037 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,836,470,000 after buying an additional 1,568,629 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Suncor Energy by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 51,226,454 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,890,768,000 after acquiring an additional 691,497 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc grew its position in Suncor Energy by 16.8% in the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 32,070,496 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,032,453,000 after acquiring an additional 4,612,764 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Suncor Energy by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 23,048,048 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $878,131,000 after acquiring an additional 366,432 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. grew its position in Suncor Energy by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 22,157,546 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $817,835,000 after acquiring an additional 868,475 shares in the last quarter. 67.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products.

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Taylor Wimpey plc (LON:TW  Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 144.25 ($1.84) and traded as high as GBX 155.42 ($1.99). Taylor Wimpey shares last traded at GBX 153.95 ($1.97), with a volume of 8,679,502 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on TW shares. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Taylor Wimpey to an outperform rating and set a GBX 175 ($2.24) target price on the stock in a report on Friday, April 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an overweight rating and set a GBX 150 ($1.92) target price on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 175 ($2.24) target price on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a report on Wednesday, July 31st.

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Taylor Wimpey Stock Performance

Taylor Wimpey Increases Dividend

The firm has a market capitalization of 5.56 billion, a PE ratio of 2,245.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.84. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 151.27 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 144.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a current ratio of 5.08 and a quick ratio of 0.71.

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 10th will be paid a GBX 4.80 ($0.06) dividend. This represents a yield of 3.03%. This is an increase from Taylor Wimpeys previous dividend of $4.79. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 10th. Taylor Wimpeys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14,285.71%.

About Taylor Wimpey

(Get Free Report)

Taylor Wimpey plc operates as a homebuilder in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom.

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Victoria PLC (LON:VCP  Get Free Report) shares crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 217.70 ($2.78) and traded as low as GBX 155.20 ($1.98). Victoria shares last traded at GBX 167.40 ($2.14), with a volume of 31,087 shares trading hands.

Victoria Trading Up 4.2 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1,494.32, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firm has a market capitalization of 198.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -124.57 and a beta of 0.99. The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 168.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 216.73.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Victoria

In other Victoria news, insider Philippe Hamers acquired 6,417 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 16th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 200 ($2.56) per share, for a total transaction of 12,834 ($16,401.28). Insiders own 34.76% of the companys stock.

Victoria Company Profile

Victoria PLC, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and distributes flooring products primarily in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through four segments: UK & Europe Soft Flooring, UK & Europe Ceramic Tiles, Australia, and North America.

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Close up of cicada killer wasp, Sphecius speciosus, resting on plant. NNehring/Getty Images/iStockphoto Cicada killers pose no threat to humans, despite their size, and are commonly found around Texas. JP1961/Getty Images/iStockphoto Adult cicada killer wasps emerge in summer, when cicadas are active, and drag their pray into long burrows as food for their larva. JasonOndreicka/Getty Images

Although Texans in Montgomery County have been buzzing with fear over supposed sightings of murder hornets, experts are telling them theres no need to prepare for Armageddon. Texans shouldnt worry about killer bugs this fall  just annoying ones.

The Montgomery County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension was flooded with calls last month from concerned residents who saw giant, buzzing insects and fretted that they were murder hornets, also known as the Asian giant hornet. The collective panic led AgriLife to make a Facebook post assuring residents the suspects were not murder hornets, but rather, a common large wasp the Eastern cicada killer.

Despite the false alarm, residents hypervigilance for the murder hornets is not of the tinfoil-hat variety  its understandable, and theyre not alone in their fear, experts said.

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When the invasive giant Asian hornet was first clocked in Washington state and Canada in late 2019, concern spread across the country  and Texas didnt skip out on a plan of action.

Gov. Greg Abbot formed a task force with Texas A&M Agrilife to prepare for the potential outbreak of the murder hornet in the Lone Star State in May 2020. The move came at the behest of concerned citizens. The task force didnt aim just to protect citizens from the killer bugs, but honey bees too.

Murder hornets prey on honeybee populations, which are essential for crop production. When the killer bug attacks hives, they kill the adult worker bees, and then wipe out the next generation by eating the larvae. If the Asian giant hornet were to swarm Texas, agriculture would suffer tenfold, as honeybees are essential for cross-pollination.

Since the task force was formed, no sightings of murder hornets have been reported in Texas. While state agencies still urge Texans to keep an eye out for the threat, they're more likely thinking of the irksome, but ultimately harmless, Eastern cicada killer that Texans will see this fall.

What are Eastern cicada killers?

Eastern cicada killers, also known as giant cicada killers, are a family of large wasps roughly 1-1.5 inches long with clear, brownish-wings and black-and-yellow patterns similar to most wasps.

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These wasps are no doubt frightful in appearance, but again, pose minimal threat to humans and agriculture.

When do Eastern Cicada killers come out? Do they sting?

Cicada killers crop up in Texas around June, when their prey, cicadas, are in full, noisy swing. In the US, cicada-killer season typically runs until September.

Experts say Eastern cicada killers are not dangerous to humans. Stings  rare and minor as they are  only come from the females. For the most part, female cicada killers keep their stings for cicadas.

Females can sting humans if they are provoked, which they normally dont become. As a nonaggressive insect, the only time a cicada killer would sting a human is if a person stepped on them, or tried to incite them.

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A sting from a cicada killer will not cause significant medical harm to most people  just a little pain and a red welt. However, insect stings can cause varied and severe reactions for some who are allergic. For those people, a sting can cause a serious problem.

How do they behave?

According to Texas A&M Agrilife, as a solitary animal, these large wasps dont usually attack in large groups to protect their nesting sites. Still, territorial behavior from males like dive bombing and loud buzzing are likely to irritate humans.

Are cicada killers a threat to the local environment?

Well, its tricky. Because the species nests in the ground, they can burrow holes in open areas with loose, workable soil near sunlight and trees. Lawns, embankments, under sidewalks and roadsides are all popular spots.

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The burrows female cicada killers make in lawns put holes in the ground and displace soil, creating a sore sight for property owners.
Capital Investment Advisors LLC lowered its stake in Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY  Free Report) by 11.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,880 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 976 shares during the quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Weyerhaeuser were worth $224,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WY. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Weyerhaeuser by 3.6% during the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 896,881 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $32,207,000 after purchasing an additional 31,355 shares during the period. Cullen Investment Group LTD. purchased a new stake in Weyerhaeuser during the 4th quarter worth $1,843,000. Slagle Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Weyerhaeuser by 101.7% in the 4th quarter. Slagle Financial LLC now owns 114,270 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,973,000 after buying an additional 57,608 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado boosted its position in Weyerhaeuser by 1,548.8% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 79,850 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,776,000 after buying an additional 75,007 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. grew its stake in shares of Weyerhaeuser by 243.3% during the first quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 342,530 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $12,300,000 after acquiring an additional 242,744 shares in the last quarter. 82.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Weyerhaeuser

In other Weyerhaeuser news, Director Nicole Weyerhaeuser Piasecki sold 5,776 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.40, for a total value of $169,814.40. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at $170,226. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Weyerhaeuser Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WY traded down $0.42 on Friday, reaching $30.68. 3,567,532 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,566,313. The businesss 50-day moving average is $29.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.71. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Weyerhaeuser has a fifty-two week low of $26.73 and a fifty-two week high of $36.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.89 and a beta of 1.39.

Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.22 by ($0.01). Weyerhaeuser had a return on equity of 6.19% and a net margin of 9.89%. The business had revenue of $1.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.98 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.32 EPS. Weyerhaeusers revenue was up 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Weyerhaeuser will post 0.67 EPS for the current year.

Weyerhaeuser Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Weyerhaeusers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.73%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on WY shares. DA Davidson reduced their price target on Weyerhaeuser from $37.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 29th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a market perform rating and set a $38.00 target price on shares of Weyerhaeuser in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Weyerhaeuser from $37.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Weyerhaeuser from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Weyerhaeuser from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $35.83.

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About Weyerhaeuser

(Free Report)

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards.

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:SPGYF  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $7.39 and traded as low as $7.21. Whitecap Resources shares last traded at $7.21, with a volume of 17,260 shares traded.

Whitecap Resources Price Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $7.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.28.

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Whitecap Resources Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st will be given a dividend of $0.0444 per share. This is a positive change from Whitecap Resourcess previous dividend of $0.04. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 7.16%. Whitecap Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 47.33%.

Whitecap Resources Company Profile

Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) Director Thomas J. Kenny sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.94, for a total transaction of $197,880.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 18,158 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,796,552.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Aflac Price Performance

NYSE AFL opened at $101.21 on Friday. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $72.78 and a 1 year high of $104.90. The businesss fifty day moving average is $91.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $86.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a current ratio of 0.10.

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Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.60 by $0.23. Aflac had a return on equity of 16.22% and a net margin of 28.35%. The company had revenue of $5.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.58 earnings per share. Aflacs revenue for the quarter was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aflac

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 21st. Aflacs payout ratio is 22.08%.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,724,000. Luts & Greenleigh Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the second quarter worth $211,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the second quarter worth $10,878,000. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI raised its position in Aflac by 55.8% during the second quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 5,510 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $492,000 after buying an additional 1,974 shares during the period. Finally, Sierra Summit Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Aflac in the 2nd quarter worth about $447,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.44% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com raised Aflac from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Truist Financial increased their price target on Aflac from $82.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $81.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Aflac from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, April 15th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Aflac from $84.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $88.08.

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About Aflac

(Get Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

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Shares of Snowline Gold Corp. (CVE:SGD  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Buy from the four analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$11.44.

SGD has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. National Bank Financial restated an outperform spec overweight rating on shares of Snowline Gold in a report on Sunday, April 28th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on shares of Snowline Gold from C$16.50 to C$17.25 in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a C$10.50 price objective on shares of Snowline Gold and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, May 10th.

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Snowline Gold Price Performance

SGD opened at C$4.24 on Tuesday. Snowline Gold has a fifty-two week low of C$3.88 and a fifty-two week high of C$6.40. The firm has a market capitalization of C$666.66 million, a PE ratio of -23.56 and a beta of 0.81. The companys 50-day moving average is C$5.19 and its 200 day moving average is C$5.50.

Snowline Gold (CVE:SGD  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 29th. The company reported C($0.03) earnings per share for the quarter.

About Snowline Gold

(Get Free Report

Snowline Gold Corp. engages in the exploration of gold properties in Canada. Its flagship projects include the Einarson and Rogue projects covering an area of approximately 137,000 hectares located in the Selwyn Basin, Canada. The company was formerly known as Skyledger Tech Corp. and changed its name to Snowline Gold Corp.

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Aspen Aerogels (NYSE:ASPN  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Friday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 0.090- for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 0.070. The company issued revenue guidance of $390.0 million-, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $393.1 million.

Aspen Aerogels Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of NYSE ASPN opened at $21.85 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 4.01, a quick ratio of 3.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.66 billion, a PE ratio of -49.66 and a beta of 2.15. Aspen Aerogels has a 12-month low of $5.32 and a 12-month high of $31.74. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $25.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.66.

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Aspen Aerogels (NYSE:ASPN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The construction company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $117.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $101.99 million. Aspen Aerogels had a negative net margin of 10.73% and a negative return on equity of 6.35%. Aspen Aerogelss revenue for the quarter was up 144.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted ($0.22) earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Aspen Aerogels will post 0.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on ASPN. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Aspen Aerogels from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on Aspen Aerogels from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Craig Hallum increased their price target on shares of Aspen Aerogels from $33.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 14th. HC Wainwright increased their price target on Aspen Aerogels from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Roth Mkm reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $36.00 price objective (up from $28.00) on shares of Aspen Aerogels in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $29.20.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Aspen Aerogels

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Keith L. Schilling sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.84, for a total transaction of $536,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 28,792 shares in the company, valued at approximately $772,777.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Aspen Aerogels news, SVP Keith L. Schilling sold 20,000 shares of Aspen Aerogels stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.84, for a total transaction of $536,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 28,792 shares in the company, valued at $772,777.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Wood River Capital, Llc sold 3,500,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.50, for a total value of $82,250,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,280,426 shares in the company, valued at approximately $288,590,011. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,776,944 shares of company stock valued at $90,299,843. Insiders own 4.30% of the companys stock.

Aspen Aerogels Company Profile

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Aspen Aerogels, Inc designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aerogel insulation products primarily for use in the energy infrastructure and sustainable insulation materials markets in the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. It operates in two segments, Energy Industrial and Thermal Barrier.

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Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the sixteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have assigned a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $57.34.

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wedbush boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $56.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, April 24th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $42.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $51.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Brinker International from $48.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 28th.

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Insider Transactions at Brinker International

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International

In related news, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 40,050 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.45, for a total value of $2,421,022.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 66,286 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,006,988.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In related news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 2,953 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.97, for a total value of $215,480.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 38,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,784,827.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 40,050 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.45, for a total value of $2,421,022.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 66,286 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,006,988.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 57,714 shares of company stock valued at $3,637,623. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Edgestream Partners L.P. purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the second quarter valued at approximately $297,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in Brinker International by 15.9% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 295,700 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $21,406,000 after buying an additional 40,500 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the second quarter valued at approximately $4,570,000. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,964,000. Finally, Marco Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the second quarter valued at approximately $279,000.

Brinker International Stock Up 1.2 %

NYSE EAT opened at $66.64 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.96 billion, a PE ratio of 19.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 2.52. Brinker International has a 52 week low of $28.23 and a 52 week high of $76.02. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $67.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.35.

Brinker International Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Brinker International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands.

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Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $423.00.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on CSL shares. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Carlisle Companies from $465.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Oppenheimer upped their price target on Carlisle Companies from $412.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th.

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Insider Activity at Carlisle Companies

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carlisle Companies

In related news, VP David W. Smith sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $425.56, for a total value of $255,336.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,834 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,206,037.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other news, VP David W. Smith sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $425.56, for a total transaction of $255,336.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,834 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,206,037.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Also, CEO D Christian Koch sold 54,927 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $420.06, for a total value of $23,072,635.62. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 86,652 shares in the company, valued at $36,399,039.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have sold 76,997 shares of company stock valued at $32,458,948. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Carlisle Companies in the 4th quarter worth $159,187,000. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in Carlisle Companies by 2,073.5% in the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 281,643 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $114,125,000 after purchasing an additional 268,685 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado raised its holdings in Carlisle Companies by 666.0% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 227,949 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $71,218,000 after purchasing an additional 198,191 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in Carlisle Companies by 1,074.0% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 152,001 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $47,490,000 after purchasing an additional 139,054 shares during the period. Finally, Swedbank AB bought a new position in Carlisle Companies in the 1st quarter worth $31,218,000. 89.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Carlisle Companies Stock Up 0.7 %

CSL stock opened at $388.15 on Friday. Carlisle Companies has a fifty-two week low of $235.79 and a fifty-two week high of $443.87. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $411.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $387.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 2.50 and a current ratio of 2.89. The company has a market capitalization of $18.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.90.

Carlisle Companies (NYSE:CSL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The conglomerate reported $6.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.84 by $0.40. Carlisle Companies had a return on equity of 31.65% and a net margin of 27.88%. The firm had revenue of $1.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.45 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $5.18 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Carlisle Companies will post 20.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Carlisle Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 20th will be given a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 20th. This is a boost from Carlisle Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. Carlisle Companiess dividend payout ratio is 23.19%.

Carlisle Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Carlisle Companies Incorporated operates as a manufacturer and supplier of building envelope products and solutions in the United States, Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It operates through two segments: Carlisle Construction Materials and Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies.

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DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 6.540-6.830 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 6.690. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

DTE Energy Stock Up 0.0 %

DTE stock traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $119.91. The stock had a trading volume of 634,234 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,096,413. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. DTE Energy has a 1-year low of $90.14 and a 1-year high of $126.76. The company has a fifty day moving average of $114.35 and a 200 day moving average of $111.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.63, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.66.

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DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The utilities provider reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $2.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.65 billion. DTE Energy had a return on equity of 12.18% and a net margin of 11.18%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.99 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that DTE Energy will post 6.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

DTE Energy Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.02 per share. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. DTE Energys dividend payout ratio is 66.78%.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on DTE shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on DTE Energy from $125.00 to $133.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. StockNews.com lowered DTE Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, August 3rd. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on DTE Energy from $116.00 to $111.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Barclays increased their target price on DTE Energy from $123.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on DTE Energy from $120.00 to $123.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, DTE Energy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $119.30.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on DTE

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other DTE Energy news, VP Lisa A. Muschong sold 1,198 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.61, for a total value of $139,698.78. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 4,271 shares in the company, valued at approximately $498,041.31. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Vice Chairman Trevor F. Lauer sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.07, for a total value of $402,745.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 59,475 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,843,788.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Lisa A. Muschong sold 1,198 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.61, for a total transaction of $139,698.78. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 4,271 shares in the company, valued at approximately $498,041.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 14,698 shares of company stock worth $1,702,444. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About DTE Energy

(Get Free Report)

DTE Energy Company engages in the utility operations. The company's Electric segment generates, purchases, distributes, and sells electricity to various residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity through coal-fired plants, hydroelectric pumped storage, and nuclear plants, as well as wind and solar assets.

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European Opportunities Trust plc (LON:JEO  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 843 ($10.77) and traded as low as GBX 841.44 ($10.75). European Opportunities Trust shares last traded at GBX 843 ($10.77), with a volume of 176,142 shares changing hands.

European Opportunities Trust Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of 886.70 million and a PE ratio of -12.93. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 843 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 843. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.42.

European Opportunities Trust Company Profile

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European Opportunities Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Devon Equity Management Limited. Devon Equity Management Limited is the Investment manager of the European Opportunities Trust (EOT). It invests in the public equity markets of Europe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of Fresnillo (OTCMKTS:FNLPF  Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, Zacks.com reports.

Separately, Berenberg Bank upgraded shares of Fresnillo from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th.

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Fresnillo Stock Performance

Fresnillo Company Profile

FNLPF traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $6.81. 1,396 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 12,660. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 4.14 and a quick ratio of 2.89. The companys 50-day moving average is $7.38 and its 200 day moving average is $6.95. Fresnillo has a 52 week low of $5.51 and a 52 week high of $8.32.

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Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas.

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Houston Methodist Hospital is seen, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer H-E-B employees celebrate the opening of Joe V's Smart Shop in Katy on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Courtesy/H-E-B

Several Houston area-based companies are among the best employers for women according to a new ranking by Forbes.

The list includes 600 companies, ranked on survey responses from over 150,000 women around the world, including at least 1,000 employed in the U.S.

Forbes said it partnered with market research firm Statista to ask current and former company employees about how likely they were to recommend their employers to others.

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Current employees were also asked to rate their companies based on things like pay equity, parental leave, work environment and how sexual misconduct and discrimination-related incidents were handled.

Here are several Houston and Texas-based companies that made the list.

No. 12: H-E-B Grocery Company

Though the regional supermarket chain is based in San Antonio, H-E-B has about 50 locations in the Greater Houston area, not including the companys Central Market, Joe Vs Smart Shop and Mi Tienda locations.

Founded in 1905, the company was previously ranked among the best employers for diversity by Forbes in 2020 and said it has a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In recent years H-E-B launched its Here, Everyone Belongs podcast, which discusses demonstrations of diversity, inclusion and belonging within the organization, according to the company.

No. 33: Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist, a Houston-based nonprofit organization, has seven total hospitals in Texas. The company was founded in 1919 and has a direct affiliation with the United Methodist Church.

As of 2023, 76% of employees were women, company workforce data shows. In addition to the companys DEI mission that promotes a culture of inclusive behavior, employees can join Employee Resource Groups for specific backgrounds and demographics.

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Roberta Schwartz, Houston Methodist executive vice president and chief innovation officer, said the company does a good job of supporting women in the workplace, especially when they have specific needs relating to their children and family.

"We think about diversity in both leadership roles and every area of our organization to make sure that we have systems and benefits set up that would enable our women to be successful in the roles that they want to take," she said.

As a mom, Schwartz said she appreciates the flexibility and support she is offered that allows her to balance both her career and family.

"I think that Methodist just works very hard to create an inclusive environment where we both celebrate and grow and think about the needs of lots of different populations, that in many cases, are women," she said.

No. 62: Conroe Independent School District

Located less than 50 miles outside downtown Houston, Conroe ISD was the highest-ranked K-12 education system on the list. The district is the ninth-largest in the state with over 71 campuses and about 74,000 students.

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Hedith Sauceda-Upshaw, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, joined the district 25 years ago and said she enjoys how the district embraces its employees.

The women of CISD support each other, and I was able to bring my twins with me to work on weekends, Upshaw said in a statement. We grow our own people. Everyone is given the support and opportunities they need to move ahead, including embracing and providing resources to working mothers.

As the districts chief financial officer, Karen Garza said she loves being a part of an organization that values womens contribution to the workplace.

Women stay in organizations where they can see that other women are trusted, respected and contributing in meaningful ways, she said in a statement.

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No. 167: MD Anderson Cancer Center

The Houston-based healthcare is part of The University of Texas System and is best known for its groundbreaking cancer research.

Founded in 1941, the hospital has been a registered Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite since 2018, meaning it supports breastfeeding employees.

Additionally, company employee network groups provide opportunities to build connections and foster support systems.

We constantly examine our culture to create a workplace that effectively attracts, retains, develops and utilizes the skills and talents of all employees, the companys website reads.

No. 168: Lone Star College

Based in The Woodlands, 60% of Lone Star Colleges 7,000 employees are women.

The colleges American Association for Women in Community Colleges Chapter supports and assists women in their professional goals, according to a statement.
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the fifteen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation and thirteen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $90.67.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on HWM. Barclays boosted their target price on Howmet Aerospace from $85.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. BTIG Research upped their price target on Howmet Aerospace from $95.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Argus upped their price target on Howmet Aerospace from $75.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Howmet Aerospace from $83.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, KeyCorp upped their price target on Howmet Aerospace from $90.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st.

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Howmet Aerospace Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE HWM opened at $93.09 on Tuesday. Howmet Aerospace has a 1-year low of $42.94 and a 1-year high of $97.29. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $82.50 and a 200-day moving average of $73.35. The firm has a market cap of $38.00 billion, a PE ratio of 44.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.45.

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.07. Howmet Aerospace had a return on equity of 23.02% and a net margin of 13.15%. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.83 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.44 EPS. Howmet Aerospaces revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Howmet Aerospace will post 2.6 EPS for the current year.

Howmet Aerospace Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 26th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 9th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.34%. This is an increase from Howmet Aerospaces previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. Howmet Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is presently 15.46%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Howmet Aerospace news, EVP Neil Edward Marchuk sold 32,614 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.26, for a total transaction of $2,748,055.64. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 217,687 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,342,306.62. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Howmet Aerospace

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Howmet Aerospace during the 4th quarter valued at $508,006,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Howmet Aerospace by 28.8% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 14,130,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $966,959,000 after acquiring an additional 3,158,186 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 18.7% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 17,877,503 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,223,358,000 after purchasing an additional 2,813,911 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 986.0% during the first quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 2,697,449 shares of the companys stock valued at $184,586,000 after purchasing an additional 2,449,057 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors purchased a new position in shares of Howmet Aerospace during the first quarter valued at about $148,996,000. 90.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Howmet Aerospace

(Get Free Report

Howmet Aerospace Inc provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries in the United States, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Engine Products, Fastening Systems, Engineered Structures, and Forged Wheels.

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A. O. Smith Co. (NYSE:AOS  Get Free Report) SVP Samuel M. Carver sold 14,705 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.00, for a total value of $1,191,105.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 2,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $194,319. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

A. O. Smith Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AOS opened at $80.27 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $11.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.80, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.07. A. O. Smith Co. has a 12 month low of $64.14 and a 12 month high of $92.44. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $83.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $83.95.

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A. O. Smith (NYSE:AOS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The industrial products company reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.07 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1 billion. A. O. Smith had a net margin of 14.67% and a return on equity of 31.04%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.01 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that A. O. Smith Co. will post 4.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A. O. Smith Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st will be issued a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 31st. A. O. Smiths payout ratio is 33.16%.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on AOS shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of A. O. Smith from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $97.00 to $98.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of A. O. Smith from $92.00 to $90.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group lifted their price target on A. O. Smith from $73.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Monday, July 8th. StockNews.com lowered A. O. Smith from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Oppenheimer reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of A. O. Smith in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, A. O. Smith has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $89.67.

View Our Latest Research Report on A. O. Smith

Hedge Funds Weigh In On A. O. Smith

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AOS. Isthmus Partners LLC acquired a new stake in A. O. Smith during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of A. O. Smith by 157.2% in the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 463 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 283 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of A. O. Smith by 665.0% during the 1st quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 612 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 532 shares during the last quarter. Twin Tree Management LP boosted its stake in shares of A. O. Smith by 188.9% during the 1st quarter. Twin Tree Management LP now owns 737 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 1,566 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of A. O. Smith by 28.7% in the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 916 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.10% of the companys stock.

About A. O. Smith

(Get Free Report)

A. O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters, boilers, heat pumps, tanks, and water treatment products in North America, China, Europe, and India. The company offers water heaters for residences, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, laundries, car washes, and small businesses; boilers for hospitals, schools, hotels, and other large commercial buildings, as well as homes, apartments, and condominiums; and water treatment products comprising point-of-entry water softeners, well water solutions, and whole-home water filtration products, and point-of-use carbon and reverse osmosis products for residences, restaurants, hotels, and offices.

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UWM (NYSE:UWMC  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $7.00 to $8.00 in a report issued on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a market perform rating on the stock.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on UWMC. Barclays raised their price target on shares of UWM from $5.00 to $6.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. BTIG Research upped their target price on UWM from $8.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $7.00 price target on shares of UWM in a research note on Friday, May 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, UWM currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $7.29.

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UWM Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UWMC opened at $8.41 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $7.56 and a 200 day moving average of $7.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The company has a market capitalization of $803.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 280.33 and a beta of 1.63. UWM has a 52 week low of $4.49 and a 52 week high of $8.92.

UWM (NYSE:UWMC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.06 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $507.09 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $540.31 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.11 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that UWM will post 0.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UWM Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 19th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.76%. UWMs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 1,333.33%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On UWM

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UWMC. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of UWM by 13.2% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,712,900 shares of the companys stock worth $11,870,000 after acquiring an additional 199,900 shares in the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in UWM during the second quarter worth approximately $626,000. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in UWM by 3.9% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 91,964 shares of the companys stock valued at $637,000 after purchasing an additional 3,426 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UWM in the second quarter valued at approximately $52,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of UWM by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 908,159 shares of the companys stock worth $6,294,000 after buying an additional 37,190 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.59% of the companys stock.

UWM Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

UWM Holdings Corporation engages in the residential mortgage lending business in the United States. The company offers mortgage loans through wholesale channel. It originates primarily conforming and government loans. UWM Holdings Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan.

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Muirfield Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (NYSEARCA:IAK  Free Report) by 2.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,341 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the quarter. iShares U.S. Insurance ETF accounts for approximately 0.9% of Muirfield Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Muirfield Wealth Advisors LLC owned about 0.15% of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF worth $942,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 176,639 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,686,000 after purchasing an additional 12,577 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 173,135 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,311,000 after buying an additional 10,148 shares in the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 134,142 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,432,000 after buying an additional 13,240 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF by 568.0% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 97,837 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,485,000 after buying an additional 83,191 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Group Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $6,539,000.

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iShares U.S. Insurance ETF Price Performance

Shares of IAK stock traded up $0.87 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $118.21. 24,547 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 72,413. iShares U.S. Insurance ETF has a 12-month low of $88.87 and a 12-month high of $121.76. The company has a market cap of $656.07 million, a P/E ratio of 17.19 and a beta of 0.40. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $115.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $113.55.

iShares U.S. Insurance ETF Profile

The iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the DJ US Select \u002F Insurance index. The fund tracks a market-cap index of US insurance companies. IAK was launched on May 1, 2006 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS  Get Free Report) issued an update on its third quarter 2024 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 0.150-0.250 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 0.420. The company issued revenue guidance of $430.0 million-$465.0 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $459.9 million. Nu Skin Enterprises also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 0.750-0.950 EPS.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on NUS. DA Davidson decreased their price target on Nu Skin Enterprises from $15.50 to $12.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Nu Skin Enterprises from $14.00 to $11.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.00.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NUS

Nu Skin Enterprises Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NUS opened at $10.07 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $11.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 2.09. Nu Skin Enterprises has a one year low of $9.74 and a one year high of $25.51. The firm has a market cap of $500.15 million, a PE ratio of -167.83 and a beta of 1.13.

Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $439.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $431.87 million. Nu Skin Enterprises had a positive return on equity of 9.28% and a negative net margin of 0.17%. Nu Skin Enterprisess revenue was down 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.54 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Nu Skin Enterprises will post 1.1 EPS for the current year.

Nu Skin Enterprises Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 11th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Nu Skin Enterprisess payout ratio is currently -400.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Andrew D. Lipman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.33, for a total transaction of $26,660.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 23,225 shares in the company, valued at $309,589.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Nu Skin Enterprises

(Get Free Report)

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and distribution of various beauty and wellness products worldwide. It offers skin care devices, cosmetics, and other personal care products, including ageLOC LumiSpa and ageLOC LumiSpa iO; and nutricentials skin care products.

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Power Co. of Canada (TSE:POW  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by CIBC from C$43.00 to C$40.00 in a research report released on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research analysts have also commented on POW. TD Securities lifted their price target on Power Co. of Canada from C$42.00 to C$44.00 in a report on Friday, May 10th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Power Co. of Canada from C$41.00 to C$42.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Power Co. of Canada from C$45.00 to C$44.00 in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Power Co. of Canada from C$45.00 to C$46.00 in a report on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Power Co. of Canada from C$47.00 to C$47.50 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Power Co. of Canada presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$42.72.

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Power Co. of Canada Stock Performance

Power Co. of Canada stock traded up C$0.57 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting C$36.71. The company had a trading volume of 1,771,926 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,037,483. The company has a current ratio of 90.10, a quick ratio of 107.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.88. The companys fifty day moving average is C$38.79 and its 200-day moving average is C$38.61. Power Co. of Canada has a 12-month low of C$32.33 and a 12-month high of C$40.59. The company has a market capitalization of C$21.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.95, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.10.

Power Co. of Canada (TSE:POW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported C$1.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.09 by C$0.03. Power Co. of Canada had a net margin of 7.84% and a return on equity of 10.37%. The firm had revenue of C$2.73 billion during the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that Power Co. of Canada will post 4.5839161 EPS for the current year.

Power Co. of Canada Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a $0.563 dividend. This represents a $2.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. Power Co. of Canadas payout ratio is currently 54.88%.

Power Co. of Canada Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Power Corporation of Canada, an international management and holding company, offers financial services in North America, Europe, and Asia. It operates through Lifeco, IGM Financial, and GBL segments. The company offers life, health and dental, disability, critical illness, and creditor insurance; accidental death and dismemberment; retirement savings and income and annuity products; and life assurance, pension, and investment products to individuals and small business owners.

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Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has standing head as minister resigns

By Quang Minh Sun, August 11, 2024 | 4:41 pm GMT+7

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has appointed Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa as interim minister effective from Saturday, August 10, following the resignation of Minister Dang Quoc Khanh.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. Photo courtesy of the governments news portal.

Hoa, who is also deputy Party chief of the ministry, will oversee the ministry's operations until relevant authorities decide on a new minister.

A minister is supposed to be a member of the Party Central Committee and must be approved by the National Assembly, the countrys parliament.

Before becoming Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in 2015, Hoa, 58, was director of the ministrys Department of Legal Issues.

The interim appointment follows the resignation of Minister Dang Quoc Khanh on August 3, after he requested to step down from his positions due to violations of the Partys Code of Conduct and anti-corruption regulations.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment currently has four deputy ministers: Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, Tran Quy Kien, Le Cong Thanh, and Le Minh Ngan.
China is expected to play a bigger role in assisting Africa's industrialization efforts as the country keeps making achievements that will benefit all, including the African people, particularly in cutting-edge technologies, a veteran Egyptian diplomat has said. "China has the capacity, energy and the brain power to help boost industrialization in Africa," Maged Refaat Aboulmagd, an ambassador member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, told China Daily. He spoke highly of the three proposals made by President Xi Jinping at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue last year to support Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development. The proposals outlined China's efforts to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector, encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investment in Africa and help train 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa, among others. Aboulmagd said the talent training program is of great help in improving the skills of African workers in order to produce more value-added products and create more profits, because most of Africa's exports are raw materials and unprocessed foodstuffs. Speaking of future China-Africa cooperation, Aboulmagd suggested the two sides explore more cooperation in telecommunications, industrial investment and financial technologies based on mutual understanding and mutual respect. He also underlined the importance of building bridges to facilitate understanding between Chinese and African people through education, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. As the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held in Beijing next month, the Egyptian diplomat said he believes it will be a good platform for China and Africa to make their visions for cooperation become true. Aboulmagd also commended China's increasing role in promoting global governance reform and development through a series of major initiatives, saying that the international community welcomes more Chinese wisdom and solutions for building a peaceful and prosperous world. He said that the world today is so different from what it was when he became a diplomat with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in 1988, with challenges in all fields including politics, the economy, the environment and healthcare. "All these challenges necessitate that we work together," he said in a recent interview, noting that the fact that all economies are closely intertwined makes it important for all countries to find solutions together despite their differences. Aboulmagd, who has held positions in Belgium, Bahrain, Russia and Nigeria, as well as with the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations, said he is a believer in global governance in the UN system. "It might have its shortcomings, but the UN system offers an excellent platform to interact with each other, to talk to each other, to exchange views and to find solutions," he said. Aboulmagd said that BRICS, a grouping of major emerging economies with China being one of its founding members, is a good example showing what China has done to encourage countries with similar views to work together. "Because if we move together, we will have better and heavier weight in the world. So I think it is very commendable," he said. With the inclusion of Egypt this year, BRICS members now comprise about 46 percent of the world's population and generate more than a quarter of global GDP, according to World Bank figures. Late last month, Malaysia said it had sent an application to Russia, this year's chair, to join BRICS. Aboulmagd said China's mediation efforts in helping to realize lasting peace and stability in the Middle East are another example of the country's new role in the world. "I think China should continue with this path," he added. If you have any problems with this article, please contact us at app@chinadaily.com.cn and we'll immediately get back to you.
Chris and Rachel Powers were ready for their second drive of the day when they parked outside a bakery in Houstons East End. They cracked the passenger-side window of their Audi and fastened a thermal sensor to it.

Its science in motion, Chris Powers said as the couple began driving their route at 3 p.m. sharp.

The Powerses participated in a community-led project by the Houston Harris Heat Action Team, or H3AT, which deployed more than 100 volunteers to find Houston and Harris County areas most susceptible to the urban heat island effect. The volunteers drove on predetermined routes throughout the city and county at three different times of the day: from 6-7 a.m., 3-4 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.

Community volunteer scientist Chris Powers will use a thermal sensor mounted on the car while driving predetermined routes through a Houston neighborhood on the north side to gather ambient temperature and humidity readings on Saturday. About 100 such volunteers in Houston and Harris County are looking for areas most susceptible to the urban heat island effect. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Rachel and Chris Powers drive around a neighborhood on Houston's north side, gathering temperature readings with a thermal sensor attached to their car on Saturday. About 100 community volunteer scientists are trying to find areas in Houston and Harris County most susceptible to the urban heat island effect. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

According to H3AT, volunteers covered 1,261 miles across Houston and Harris County, making it the largest heat-mapping campaign in Texas and the United States.

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The campaigns organizers were looking deeper into how Houston is affected by the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon in which areas of the city become hotter because natural landscapes, such as trees, vegetation and soil, are being replaced with artificial materials that absorb heat, such as concrete and paved surfaces.

Trees and the urban heat island effect

Volunteers get ready to gather temperature readings on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 in Houston. Approximately 100 community volunteer scientists will take to the streets to find the areas in Houston and Harris County most susceptible to the urban heat island effect. Using thermal sensors mounted on their cars, volunteers traveled along pre-determined routes to record ambient temperatures and humidity at three specific times. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

This isnt our first rodeo, said Meredith Jennings, the senior program manager of the Houston Advanced Research Center. We learned a lot from that first campaign. It helped us identify several places where we wanted to do tree-planting events. We were only able to go so many places in 2020, so this is an opportunity for us to replicate that effort and expand it so that we can use this data in more places.

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The Houston Advanced Research Center and its partner organizations were awarded $15 million from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service last year to increase tree canopy  the layer of tree leaves and branches that provide shade  across Houston and Harris County. The grant is part of a five-year program to assess and monitor urban tree canopy, conduct another heat island mapping campaign, provide youth employment, water and maintain tree plantings, and create jobs for urban and community forestry.

Although tree canopy is typically considered a remedy for the urban heat island effect, Harris Countys overall canopy shrank by almost 10% between 2011 and 2021, according to federal satellite data analyzed by Rice Universitys Kinder Institute. Recent severe weather events, such as the May 16 derecho and Hurricane Beryl last month, also uprooted many trees across the region.

In the field, mapping Houston heat

The Powerses volunteered to drive the same route for each of the three shifts on Saturday. Rachel Powers, who works for the Harris County Flood Control District, volunteered for the 2020 campaign with her son and was excited to participate again. Chris Powers drove while Rachel Powers navigated through Bike GPX, a bike navigation app all the volunteers used for the campaign.

I find it really exciting to learn about how the world works and contribute to that understanding, Rachel Powers said. The results of the first campaign revealed a great amount of inequity in the city.

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When I first started learning about the urban heat island effect, cellphones werent widely used and technology was very different. Less satellites were looking for these things, she said. Now our understanding has gotten better, and with much more granular data, I think we can learn more about who is going to be suffering and facing the consequences of it.

Chris Powers drives around a neighborhood on the north side gathering temperature readings on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 in Houston. Approximately 100 community volunteer scientists will take to the streets to find the areas in Houston and Harris County most susceptible to the urban heat island effect. Using thermal sensors mounted on their cars, volunteers traveled along pre-determined routes to record ambient temperatures and humidity at three specific times. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Santosh Jha, along with two of his friends, volunteered to drive their routes through Sharpstown and Alief. Jha, who is from northern India and arrived in Houston in 2008, said he was now used to the heat and thinks Houstons hot summers are more bearable than in India.

Now the temperature is going up, and we feel like it is like India, Jha said. And then we go to India, and even India is hotter, too. Everywhere is going up.

Jha is co-coordinator of the Houston chapter of Sewa International, a Hindu faith-based nonprofit whose volunteers have provided disaster relief in Alief. The west Houston neighborhood was identified as the citys hottest by the last H3AT mapping effort in 2020.

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On average, summer in Alief is 10 degrees hotter than in shadier areas of Houston, according to Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. Its tree canopy, a feature that can bring down neighborhood temperatures, is also much smaller: it spans only 11% of the area, a third of the citywide average.

As his silver SUV snaked through west Houston communities, Jha said the discrepancy inspired his interest in the community heat-mapping effort.

In Alief, you can feel its actually hotter than the rest of the Houston area, said Jha, who had joined many of his fellow Sewa volunteers in deciding to be part of the data collection after reading the 2020 report. They are already working on solutions.

In the fall, we are planting 1,000 trees in Alief, and we will also be responsible for maintaining them for three years, Jha said, adding that with temperatures rising, now is the time to jump on it.

Jha watched his speed as they navigated through the 15.4 miles of Sharpstown and the edge of Alief. The volunteers had to stay under 35 mph so the thermal censor could capture the data.

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A heat watch sensor is attached to Chris and Rachel Powers care as they drive around a neighborhood on the north side gathering temperature readings on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 in Houston. Approximately 100 community volunteer scientists will take to the streets to find the areas in Houston and Harris County most susceptible to the urban heat island effect. Using thermal sensors mounted on their cars, volunteers traveled along pre-determined routes to record ambient temperatures and humidity at three specific times. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Their slow pace allowed them to observe their surroundings: deserted, tree-lined blocks filled with single-family homes; then blocks of worn-down, two-story apartment buildings. Many of the complexes lacked shade but were packed with outdoor activity, as busy residents worked on pavement near signs evoking the absent nature such as Mar Del Sol (Spanish for sea of the sun) and the Pradera (or meadow) Condominiums.

Nearby bus stops were also packed, and shared parking lots filled with their own activity.

There are so many people outside! said 16-year-old Sahana Sivakumar, who monitored the GPS app from Jhas passenger seat.

The heat sensors logged their cars GPS coordinates, the ambient outside temperature and the humidity to calculate the heat index on a route taken at the three different times of the day. After the three drives on a single route are finished, the data is sent to get processed so H3AT can map the area.

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What can be learned from mapping heat?

The results of H3ATs 2020 campaign measured a 17-degree difference from the maps coolest areas to the hottest areas in the afternoon. It also found that areas closer to the coast receive more of a coastal breeze than areas closer to downtown or with a high concentration of buildings.

Thats where the urban heat island effect really takes place, said Jennings of Houston Advanced Research Center. By expanding this campaign, we can have even more of that effect. Were going more north and west than we did the first time.

Jennings said she is interested in how the urban heat island effect compares between urban and rural areas and if being downwind from an urban heat island is going to make a difference.

While trees do provide a natural way to lower temperatures, identifying which areas need more tree canopy isnt the only heat mitigation solution the maps could help identify, Jennings said.

Volunteers get ready to gather temperature readings on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 in Houston. Approximately 100 community volunteer scientists will take to the streets to find the areas in Houston and Harris County most susceptible to the urban heat island effect. Using thermal sensors mounted on their cars, volunteers traveled along pre-determined routes to record ambient temperatures and humidity at three specific times. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Dark-colored material used in pavement and rooftops also contributes to the urban heat island effect by trapping and absorbing heat, and the maps could help identify where cool pavement is needed. The maps could also identify which bus stops are the hottest and need remodeling.

We really want the community to see the impact this has on your community and use (heat mapping) as a storytelling tool, Jennings said. Weve seen our previous data from the 2020 campaign be used in places like Gulfton and Alief. We want them to be able to point to this study and use this as a way to raise funding to drive solutions for their community.

Jennings said the results of the campaign should be available by January at the latest.
(TBTCO) - Gia xe SH moi nhat thang 10/2024 tai ai ly ang giam soc, mot so phien ban ang uoc ban re hon gia e xuat, ay la ieu hiem co cua dong xe Honda. Trong khi o, gia xe Vision tai ai ly ang o muc thap chua tung co, tinh trang oi gia cao gan nhu a khong con.
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has signed its second loan agreement worth KD35 million ($112 million) with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority to fund a project in the Al Wafra area of Kuwait.

The project involves the construction of a new interconnection station on an area of 62,000 sqm within the 500MW Gulf Electrical Interconnection System, said the Kuwait Fund in a statement.

The agreement was signed by Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Fund, and Engineer Ahmed bin Ali Al Ibrahim, the CEO of the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi,, and a number of high-profile attendees.

The project includes the extension of double-circuit overhead transmission lines of 400 kilovolts over approximately 255 km to connect the new station to the Al-Fadhili conversion station in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the extension of double-circuit overhead transmission lines of 400 kilovolts over approximately 295 km from Al-Wafra station to the Al-Faw station in southern Iraq.

Additionally, it includes the supply and installation of circuit breakers, reactors, and measurement and control systems for the establishment and expansion of conversion stations in Al-Wafra, Al-Fadhili, and Al-Faw, and the addition of electrical installations to enhance the network connected to Al-Wafra station in Kuwait, said the statement.

This will enable it to accommodate an electrical capacity of about 3,000MW, and to enhance the network in southern Iraq connected to Al-Faw station to enable it to accommodate an electrical capacity of no less than 500 megawatts.-TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced that consortiums of Saudi utility group Aljomaih Energy & Water Company (with partners Nesma and Buhur for Investment Company) and Vision International Investment (with partner Abu Dhabi National Energy Company - Taqa) have emerged as the final bidders for a key Saudi water project with a 650,000 cu m/day capacity.

The Jubail-Buraydah Independent Water Transmission Pipeline (IWTP), which will run 587-km long, is being implemented on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis, said SWPC in a statement.

The commercial operations for the project is expected to begin in Q1 2029.

SWPC had earlier announced that a total of 32 companies had expressed their interest in the project, of which 14 were Saudi firms.

These included Abdul Aziz Al Ajlan Sons; Abdullah Ibrahim Al Sayegh & Sons; AliShar Contracting Company; Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies; Al Sharif Group; Bin Omairah Contracting; Mowah; Mutlaq Al Ghowairi; Nesma and Vision International Invest Company.

Later following the prequalification bid process, the list got trimmed to 22 utility developers - including some of the top global players such as Spanish infrastructure major Cobra; Japan's Marubeni; Italy's Sicim; Hong Kong's CNIC Corporation as well as Chinese groups Harbour Engineering Company and Norinco.

In addition to these, a few regional firms including Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa); Kuwait's Gulf Investment Corporation and Bahrain-based energy investment company Lamar Holding also joined the fray for the Jubail-Buraydah IWTP project.

The project is part of the Saudi National Water Strategy (NWS 2030), which recognises the critical importance of ensuring sustainable development of the kingdoms water resources while providing affordable high-quality services.

According to SWPC, the winning bidder will provide the entire transmission capacity to SWPC under a water transmission agreement (WTA). The term of the WTA is expected to be up to 35 years.

SWPCs obligations under the WTA will be supported by a credit support agreement entered into by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it added. - TradeArabia News Service
Saudi-based Fakeeh Care Group has announced that its key subsidiary - Dr Soliman Abdulqader Fakeeh Hospital Company (DSFH) - has signed up Advanced Horizons Contracting Company for the construction of its new medical centre in Makkah with a total built-up area of 14,400 sq m.

Under this SAR104.1 million ($28 million) contract, Advanced Horizons Contracting will be responsible for construction, electromechanical and finishing works, said Fakeeh Care Group in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul.

The entire work will be competed by AHC, a key subsidiary of DSFH, within 18 months, it stated.

According to the Saudi group, the excavation, shoring and dewatering works for the project have already been completed.

Once ready, the new 2,450-sq-m healthcare facility will offer the local community 20 clinics covering all specialties, an expanded ER department, a day surgery unit, a pharmacy and will be equipped with the latest technology for laboratory and radiology services, it added.

On the financial impact, Fakeeh Care Group said the project will affect the group's liquidity during the construction period. It is also expected to impact the financial results when it starts operating as a medical centre in the second quarter of 2026.-TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers has approved an updated investment law for the kingdom building on previously announced reforms under Vision 2030 and the National Investment Strategy.

The updated law brings together several existing freedoms and rights and expressly applies them to investors under one unified framework, providing investors with greater transparency, flexibility and confidence.

The updated law is based on international investment principles including:

 Enhanced investor rights: Investors will be afforded the rule of law, fair treatment, property rights, intellectual property protection and the freedom to manage investments and seamless fund transfers.

 Transparency and clarity: The updated law brings together the rights and duties of investors under a unified legal framework, aligned with international best practice.

 Eased regulatory restrictions: A simplified registration will replace international investor licensing.

 Streamlining procedures and governance: This will be done through dedicated service centres to facilitate government transactions and streamline investment processes.

 Fair competition: The law fosters a fair and competitive market where private enterprises can thrive in a dynamic and innovative ecosystem.

 Leveling the playing field: Equal procedural treatment without prejudice to domestic or international investors.

 Effective dispute resolution: Access to the best-in-class dispute resolution in affiliation with Saudi Arbitration Centre and other affiliates.

The update, in conjunction with Saudi Arabias comprehensive reform agenda, offers investors unprecedented opportunities, demonstrating Saudi Arabias commitment to being open for investment, even amid a global decline in FDI, said a statement.

According to the World Investment Report 2024, published by UN Trade and Development, pro-investment measures have accounted for less than half of the new investment policies introduced by advanced economies in each of the last six years.

The pro-investment measures introduced by Saudi Arabia in recent years include the introduction of the Civil Transactions Law, Private Sector Participation Law, Companies Law, Bankruptcy Law and Special Economic Zones.

These initiatives and developments, in addition to incentives, facilities, and enablers, have motivated investors to seek a positive, supportive, and stable investment environment.

They have also helped to drive rapid investment growth, with gross fixed capital formation increasing by 74% from 2016 to nearly $300bn in 2023, and FDI inflows by 158%, from $7.46 billion in 2017 to $19.3bn in 2023.

Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, said: The law reaffirms Saudi Arabias commitment to creating a welcoming and secure environment for investors, driving economic growth, and enhancing the Kingdoms position as a premier global investment destination.

The policy direction outlined in Vision 2030 allows investors to invest with certainty and to grow with confidence at a time when many other markets are experiencing considerable volatility.

The updated investment law builds on an extensive diversification agenda from an enhanced quality of life offering to investment specific measures such as the establishment of special economic zones.

Developed by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), the updated law follows an extensive consultation process investors and in line with global best practices.

The law is also compatible with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), World Trade Organization (WTO) and other bilateral investment treaties and international obligations.

The executive regulations will come into effect beginning in 2025, the statement said. - TradeArabia News Service
Bapco Energies, the integrated energy company leading the energy transition in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the successful closing of a financial deal of $500 million with the United States Export-Import Bank (US Exim).

The secured financing will be utilised to expand operations at the Bahrain Field Expansion and Development Program located in the country's southern area, said the company in a statement.

By investing in the Bahrain field, Bapco Energies is contributing to the energy security of the kingdom, it stated.

Lauding the stratregic deal, Group CEO Mark Thomas said Bapco Energies was delighted to partner with US Exim on this significant transaction. "This strategic partnership underscores our ability to source financing from world-class organizations like US Exim," he stated.

"As we are leading the energy transition in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the guidance of our Chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, Bapco Energies will continue to invest in enhancing the national energy infrastructure to meet future energy demands," he added.

JP Morgan Chase and Company acted as the mandated lead arranger and disbursement agent on the transaction that was funded through the Private Export Funding Corporation (Pefco).

The Bahraini energy company said rigorous feasibility study was conducted in line with US Exims environmental and social procedures, thus demonstrating its viability and alignment with the banks lending criteria.

This further solidifies the projects potential to deliver significant environmental and social benefits to Bahrain while meeting the countrys energy demands, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
The Kingdom Business and Luxury Travel (KBLT) Congress, a premier event that promises to gather top leaders and innovators from the luxury travel industry, will take place on September 25 and 26 in Riyadh.

This event will create a platform for networking, learning, and business growth, a statement said.

The KBLT Congress brings together senior-level executives from the world's leading luxury travel brands. The two-day event fosters connections and collaboration among industry leaders, offering a unique blend of insightful presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, it said.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the Saudi luxury travel market.

A research document by Taylor & Francis on the Saudi outbound market emphasises Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most important tourist-generating markets. The research focuses on two aspects of Saudi tourism: the growth of outbound tourism and destination trends. The study finds that the growth of Saudi international tourism is largely a result of push factors' within the nation and Saudi wealth. It goes on to say: Trending data indicate emerging new destinations for Saudi international tourists. But capturing the $20 billion annual expenditure on outbound tourism may be elusive given Saudi preference to vacation in proximate, culturally familiar places. Travel industry professionals will gather at KBLT to find an entry and reiterate positioning in this wealthy albeit elusive market.

The audience profile is upmarket and fits well into the luxury travel segment. Research by Seera Group confirms 80% of Saudi Arabians prefer to travel via full-service airline carriers and 86% book four or five-star properties for their international travels with an average spend of over $180 per night. The groups data also reveals that over 45% of international travelers take trips of nine days or more. The travel industry in Saudi Arabia will attend KBLT 2024 to update the requirements of their national business.

Sulaiman Al Romi, CEO of Saudi Premier Travel & Tourism Group and Chairman of Gulf Reps Ltd, will be one of the key speakers at the KBLT Congress. As the Chairman of the KBLT Advisory Board and a leading figure in the travel and tourism industry in the kingdom, Al Romi brings unparalleled expertise and vision. His dual roles not only highlight his extensive knowledge and influence in the sector but also underscore his commitment to fostering growth and innovation in business and luxury travel. Under his leadership, the KBLT Congress is set to deliver groundbreaking insights and dynamic discussions, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.

Al Romi said: The Saudi Arabian travel market is poised to reach a staggering $4,800 million by 2028 with outbound travel revenue growing at 2.8% per annum. Outbound and inbound business and luxury travel for the Kingdom is set to reach new heights and help you curate the perfect travel plans; you are required to collaborate with top-notch partners and service providers from around the world.

"The Kingdom Business & Luxury Travel (KBLT) Congress is more than just an industry gathering. Its your strategic gateway to connecting with top travel industry leaders globally and a highly curated audience of pre-qualified buyers of business and luxury travel.

Sidh NC, Director, QnA International, said: "The decision to host the KBLT Congress in Saudi Arabia consecutively underscores the nation's remarkable growth in both inbound and outbound travel driven by the progressive outward-looking perspective encouraged by theleadership of the country. Additionally, with 88% of Saudi travelers choosing luxury stays in 4- and 5-star hotels, the emphasis on luxury travel experiences is clear. This rapid growth, supported by new data emerging from the growing interest in Saudi Arabia make it the ideal location for the KBLT Congress. - TradeArabia News Service
Jimmy Glotfelty, a commissioner with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, speaks to CenterPoint executives including CEO Jason Wells during a meeting of the Texas PUC on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

While CenterPoint struggled to restore power to Houstonians after Hurricane Beryl, company lawyers called a meeting to push through a settlement on one of the cases before the state regulator  a settlement that would increase customer rates.

The timing of the companys requested settlement talks was no coincidence. After all, CenterPoint would, on July 30, have to answer to investors during its quarterly earnings call. And that same week, it would face down angry state lawmakers in hearings convened by the Texas House and Senate.

Once again, CenterPoint placed investor interests ahead of customers. That culture represents why its response to Beryl was so abysmal.

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Beryl destroyed more than just buildings and trees. It destroyed the trust Houstonians and lawmakers had in the electric-delivery monopoly thats served the Houston area for 150 years.

Since Beryl made landfall, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Mayor John Whitmire and Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Thomas Gleeson have said that CenterPoint needs to answer tough questions. This is especially true since the utility charges some of the states highest rates but hasnt done enough to harden the grid against hurricanes, including burying power lines and replacing wood utility poles with concrete ones.

In the coming months, you will see public bodies hold hearings on the Beryl response. Its what we do in Texas after every disaster. While that happens, CenterPoint will surely total up the costs from this storm, ask the PUC for another rate increase to cover its expenses, and bill the ratepayers. Customers will have to pay more for the same equipment and processes that failed us before.

I hope the city and state will identify many potential actions from their investigations. But here is the minimum that we Texans should demand:

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First, CenterPoint must recognize that customers are not ATMs. CenterPoint stock is up nearly 23% since Winter Storm Uri caused the last big outage. In the opinion of many lawmakers, that increase is due to the companys relentless focus on investors and not customers. The utility can start by emphasizing the swift delivery of information. Tools such as the outage map and restoration map need to be working and accurate.

CenterPoint must also be transparent and truthful. The company promised that the $800 million it charged customers for massive grid-scale emergency generators large enough to power multiple neighborhoods would help minimize outage impacts. However, on July 11, CenterPoint executives told the PUC that most of those generators arent effective in storms such as hurricanes. The generators CenterPoint purchased and that customers are paying for, the CEO recently told lawmakers, are most effective during rolling blackouts, not when lines are lying on the ground.

The PUC must hold CenterPoint accountable for its failures, starting with forcing the company to move forward with the rate case filed in March. Experts with coalitions of cities served by CenterPoint and other intervenors submitted evidence the company is overcharging customers by about $100 million per year. If the PUC stops the rate case, the overcharging will continue. Additionally, the commission should require CenterPoint to demonstrate that customer payments go toward improving reliability and safety. CenterPoint has requested and received multiple rate increases, including two in less than a year. The process to request and approve rate increases is hurried and unclear for ratepayers, the public and even those who work for the regulatory agencies. Reform for this process should start within the PUC.

The Texas Legislature cant ignore the big-picture concerns with allowing utilities to increase their rates. State lawmakers can start by repealing SB 1015, written by state Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford) and strongly supported by CenterPoint. That bill not only made it easier for utilities to increase their rates twice per year, it eliminated any in-depth review by the PUC. At the very least, CenterPoint should have to prove the rate increases are being invested wisely.

The Legislature should also reform the rate recovery process for electricity-distribution such as CenterPoint. The Legislature granted each of them a monopoly, a generous gift that guarantees them a profit and forces customers to pay them. The timelines for rate cases are too short, the process is antiquated and opaque, and there are no real avenues for public input.

Lawmakers should also set minimum standards for equipment weatherization and communication that CenterPoint and other electric delivery companies adhere to.

Houstonians must keep consistent pressure on local, state and federal elected officials. Tell them what you expect from your ratepayer dollars. Infrastructure must be built to higher standards, with capable managers and multiple avenues of communication that function at a high level and are easy to understand.

MORE FROM OPINION: How CenterPoint fleeces Houstonians. And why we still can't rely on our grid.

CenterPoint made $6.7 billion in gross profit just last year. The customers have paid more than necessary and deserve reliable infrastructure in return.

Multiple opportunities are ahead to facilitate real change  maybe not before the next hurricane, but certainly by the next hurricane season. Lets not squander another chance to hold CenterPoint accountable.

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Sandra Haverlah is President of Texas Consumer Association, a 501c(4) non-profit organization that has been representing individuals and small businesses on pocketbook issues for over 50 years. www.texasconsumer.org
A multi-billion dollar trona production project in Sweetwater County is nearing the finish line.

Pacific Soda LLCs Dry Creek Trona Mine Project would produce approximately 440 metric tons of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and 6 million metric tons of soda ash annually. Soda ash is a highly marketable commodity with applications ranging from glass manufacturing to metallurgy and cosmetics.

The project, first proposed in 2020, is in a race against the clock to win approval before the Bureau of Land Management updates its Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, which could prioritize conservation in a way that makes large scale developments like the Dry Creek project harder to pursue, local officials believe.

The proposal is now in its final 45-day public comment period with the BLM, and if approved would significantly increase the states trona output.

Wyoming is currently the nations top supplier of trona, and industry investment could soon make it top in the world. The globes largest supplier of natural soda ash, London-based We Soda, is also nearing approval for its Project West development in Green River, which could add up to three million tons of Cowboy State trona to international markets each year.

Different from conventional hard rock trona mining, both Green River proposals would employ solution mining technology in which water cocktails are injected into mineral beds as deep as 2,300 feet below the surface, where trona is dissolved into solution and pumped back to the surface for processing.

The company estimates there are more than 200 million metric tons of trona in reserve across the Dry Creek project area, which would yield output for decades at the expected extraction rate.

The project would disturb approximately 3,369 acres of private land, 2,947 acres of BLM-administered lands, and 9 acres of land administered by the U.S. Forest Service, all within Sweetwater County.

The company initially proposed co-locating mining and processing facilities, but the BLMs preferred alternative would see many of the processing facilities  including a refinery, purge pond, landfill, stormwater pond and utility co-generation infrastructure  moved to an area north of I 80, approximately 8 miles west of Green River and connected to the mine site by a pipeline.

The public comment period is expected to raise questions about wildlife impacts, including threatened fish species, sensitive wetland ecosystems and vegetation.

The project also invites questions about water apportionment at a time when drought and increased demand is shifting the way states think about water in the west. Green River trona projects are designated junior water rights holders, so in the event of calls, or rations, on the Colorado and Green Rivers, trona operations would be among the first to lose rights.

If there is a call on the river, theyre going to be the one first to have to shut off their taps. Theyre going into this [knowing] that could happen, said JT Larson, Representative of Wyomings House District 17, who serves on the Sweetwater County Chamber of Commerce.

The company estimates it will need up to 4,796 gallons per minute, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, during operations. The water right obtained by Pacific Soda allows for up to 14,500 acre-feet of water from Wyomings Green River allotment.

Sweetwater County officials have high confidence the project will materialize and bring opportunity with it.

Were really excited to see our trona industry expand. It means more good paying jobs for our community, and these opportunities in our communities only come around every so often, said Larson.
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.
THE theme for this years World Sight Day: Love your eyes, kids, is a call to action, says co-founder of the Trinidad Eye Hospital (TEH) and Hummingbird Medal Gold recipient, Dr Ronnie Bhola.

One of the main problems affecting our young population that is causing concern among health care professionals like Bhola is myopia  a condition in which people can see close objects clearly but objects farther away appear blurred.
TRINIDAD Petroleum Holdings Limited (TPHL) has put the matter of Patriotic Energy Services Company Limited submitting allegedly fraudulent documents in its bid to acquire the former Petrotrin refinery in the hands of its legal team.

The claim, first made by Energy Minister Stuart Young during the budget debate last Friday, was again denied yesterday by Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) president Ancel Roget. TPHL stated in a media release yesterday that it had received a document submitted by Patriotic Energies in its non-binding offer for the refinery, which specifically identified as evidence a wire transfer of US$1.5 billion into a local bank, and which document identified Patriotic Energies as the beneficiary.
The prevalence of bullying in our school system has become a critical issue that demands immediate attention.

Too many students face harassment and intimidation from their peers, which can have severe emotional and psychological impacts.

This toxic environment not only affects the victims but also creates an atmosphere of fear that hinders the overall learning experience for all students.
Tucsons biggest block party of the year, Cyclovia, is returning this fall after going on hiatus, with mini block parties to follow in a new initiative.

Twice a year, nonprofit organization Living Streets Alliance puts on Cyclovia, shutting down 2.25 miles of Tucson roads to cars and opening them up to bicyclists, skaters, pedestrians, food trucks and community hubs. The event serves as a way for about 50,000 Tucsonans to come together in an environmentally-friendly way to celebrate community, be active and discover new parts of town, says Living Streets Alliance executive director Emily Yetman.

People bike, walk, skate, roller skate, Yetman said. And then we have activity hubs set up at intervals along the route so that you can walk or ride for a bit and then stop, check out a food truck, catch some live music and interact with some other vendors and community partners that are out on the route.

This year, the Oct. 27 route will run from downtown to South Tucson, which has been used seven times since 2011. According to a release, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the route will run through some of Tucsons oldest neighborhoods and connect Armory Park, Santa Rosa Park, three schools, the Childrens Museum Tucson and the Arizona Theatre Company.

The spring event was cancelled earlier this year so Living Streets Alliance could finish a large strategic planning process, which has been wrapped up, Yetman says.

We started doing Cyclovia Tucson here in 2010, and its been hugely successful, but it continues to get more and more expensive to do the event, Yetman said. And at the same time, we hear from people all the time say, This is amazing, I want to do this in my neighborhood, When can you come do it here?

Thats where the new Cyclovita program comes in.

The new program looks to bring support and resources to neighborhoods hoping to organize their own, smaller open streets event, says a news release. While Cyclovia Tucson events are open to the broader public, these smaller events will focus on engaging people in the immediate area.

An AARP grant of around $19,000 will fund a pilot event in the Amphi neighborhood in early December. Yetman says the organization has been working with the neighborhood for a few months to organize the event, and hopes it shows ways to improve for future events.

The idea is that as were going through the process with them, were also reflecting and learning together, Yetman said. And then afterwards, well also reflect, fine tune the model and hopefully have it ready for broad public consumption by the beginning of 2025.

Yetman says starting next year, she hopes the organization can help around six neighborhoods annually. While this is something neighborhoods could do on their own with the proper permits, Living Streets Alliance plans to create a toolkit and provide mentorship to ensure everything is done legally.

If you and your neighbors are like, Hey, we want to do something like this. How do we do it? Weve got kind of a blueprint to share with you, Yetman said. We can provide support, mentorship around how to navigate the catering and the permitting process, how to connect with neighbors and finding music. Things like that.

Yetman says Cyclovitas will need to be kept under a mile, and that the smaller the area, the easier and less expensive the event will be.

There are some real costs associated with it, so certain neighborhoods will be able to cover those costs themselves, others might need support, Yetman said. And so thats where we want to make sure this is affordable and that we can help find the resources for the neighborhoods that maybe dont have the funding to hire one barricade company, or rent tents or things.

For those interested in holding a neighborhood Cyclovita, reach out to info@livingstreetalliance.org for more information early next year. Yetman says she envisions a toolkit will be ready by early 2025, and that it will be similar to a workbook, with both a manual and worksheets to fill out to help guide people through the process.

So a lot of tutorials and how tos, but also some resources in there, Yetman said. A whole range of things to try and make sure everyone feels equipped.

Stay up to date at cycloviatucson.org.
Peter Piper Pizza: Chicanos Por La Causa has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Peter Piper Pizzas newly formed Slice of Knowledge Foundation. Peter Piper raised the funds in April in partnership with Icee, offering customers the opportunity to donate $2 to the Slice of Knowledge Foundation in return for five coupons, each one good for a free 12-ounce Icee.

CPLC plans to use $2,500 for the purchase of 250 science lab kits for Tucson-area high school students. The remaining $7,500 will go toward STEM/STEAM enrichment, tutoring books and computers in Phoenix.

The foundation will launch its second fundraising campaign in 2025.

Tucson Electric Power: TEP contributed more than $935,000 to 65 nonprofit organizations during the first half of the year.

Recipients of the largest donations included:

Wildfire, a nonprofit community action group, which received $350,000 for low-income utility bill assistance and HVAC system upgrades

Interfaith Community Services was awarded $40,000 for programs serving low-income residents

Social Venture Partners Tucson received $30,000 for its Fast Pitch event, which benefits local nonprofit organization leaders

The African American Museum of Southern Arizona got $25,000 to support programming at the museum, which opened in 2023 in the University of Arizona Student Union

Cooper Center for Environmental Learning was awarded $15,000 for facility enhancements and programs

In the area of housing stability, TEP provided support to counseling services and rent and mortgage assistance. Volunteers helped with construction and renovations on homes for low-income residents through Habitat for Humanity, a news release said.

On the environmental front, TEP supported Sky Island Alliance, trail enhancements, educational programs for youth and improvements to Tohono Chul Park and other local venues.

The contributions came from corporate resources and were not recovered through customers rates, the company said.

In 2023, TEP provided financial donations, in-kind contributions and volunteer support to 216 local charities, the news release said. Nearly 300 employee volunteers donated nearly 8,500 hours of service.

Groups seeking financial support, in-kind assistance and volunteers can review details at tep.com/community. Most donations are made to groups invited by TEP to apply.

Arbys: Arbys is raising money for the Arizona Diaper Bank now through Sept. 15. As part of the Diaper Drive fundraiser, Arbys customers can donate at the counter with or without purchase of a meal at a Southern Arizona restaurant.

Last years event raised more than $27,000, which was used to purchase and distribute 181,000 diapers, according to a news release.

Founded in 1994 in Tucson, the Diaper Bank has distributed millions of diapers, incontinence briefs and period products to 600,000 people, including infants, toddlers, teens, adults with disabilities and seniors.

I didnt understand the need until I visited the Diaper Bank, said Jami Salyers, vice president of operations of Irish Beef, LLC, doing business as Arbys. Parents cant put their children in day care without diapers, meaning folks arent able to work. There are needs in all parts of our community and Arbys Cares is proud to help the Diaper Bank meet that need.

To find an Arbys near you, visit arbys.com/locations.
A man was arrested following a shooting in which a 16-year-old boy was killed and a woman wounded early Sunday, Tulsa police said.

Officers about 2:45 a.m. responded to the shooting in the 500 block of West Newton Street, just west of the L.L. Tisdale Parkway and about 2.5 miles north of central downtown, where they found the boy shot in the torso.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman was also shot in the leg, police said.

Officers located Damien Gault, 30, nearby armed with a gun and took him into custody.

He was transported to the Tulsa police detective division and questioned, and was later being booked into Osage County Jail on a complaint of first-degree murder, police said.

Gault was booked into the jail shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday on a complaint of first-degree-murder during the commission of another crime, according to jail records. His hometown is listed as Enid.

The shooting occurred in a relatively small portion of the City of Tulsa that is in Osage County.

There are no other suspects, Tulsa police said, but detectives are currently looking for additional witnesses to the shooting.

Police asked anyone with information to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS (2677).
Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

No candidate worth their salt is going to run a campaign for mayor without a readily accessible riff on why the city is a great place to locate a business.

So the Tulsa World asked the five candidates actively campaigning to succeed Mayor G.T. Bynum what they have to say on the subject.

Three of the candidates  Brent VanNorman, Casey Bradford and John Jolley  are businessmen. County Commissioner Karen Keith and state Rep. Monroe Nichols come at the subject from a different perspective  as elected officials who have also served as aides in the Mayors Office and worked at the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

Tulsa has landed some big economic development projects during Bynums nearly eight years in office, including Amazon distribution centers and a Greenheck Group plant, but the citys quest for the next big economic development project never ends.

And thus our question for the mayoral candidates: Whats your pitch to a major employer looking to locate its business to the city?

Casey Bradford

Tulsa is a proud city, a city that still looks towards a brighter future. We started out as the Oil Capital of the World, then we took on the moniker of Aviation Capital of the World, and we are now prepared to continue our heritage of leading this nation and the world in many different fields. Many cities live and die on a singular enterprise; Tulsa has thrived through the years by being adjustable, adapting, and innovating. We have our issues, like most major cities do, but the people of Tulsa care enough to make changes when needed, and we welcome all new businesses to the city who will support our mission of Setting the Standards of Excellence.

John Jolley

First, Tulsa is a beautiful place, for I have chosen to live here for over 40 years. Second, it is centrally located in the heart of America. Third, Tulsa is affordable; however, not as much as only a few years ago, but still in comparison to the rest of the nation. Fourth, and most importantly, the people of Tulsa. This is why I love my city of Tulsa  its people.

We are not perfect, but we are kind, compassionate, and full of grace.

There is no place else I would rather live, and I want my city to continue to grow and prosper as its citizens strive for their own personal betterment.

It is up to us to make Tulsa a great city for those who follow after us.

Monroe Nichols

There is no greater place to locate a business than Tulsa, Oklahoma: We are fighters, we are dreamers, we are survivors, and our history and track record reflect that.

Tulsa once powered the globe as the oil capital of the world. We were the center of Black wealth and entrepreneurship with Black Wall Street. We are the largest city in the country that sits entirely inside an Indian reservation, and being home to the Muscogee Nation, Cherokee Nation and Osage Nation consistently proves to be an advantage no other region will ever have.

Tulsa is where Americas Main Street meets the Gateway to Indian Country. Were where Americas energy hub on the frontier connects with the next great frontier, which is Tulsa as a Tech Hub. Our history shows that when given a challenge, Tulsa is home to the greatest innovators in the history of this country, and we will prove that again. As Tulsas mayor, I have made my commitment to education clear and pledge to future partners that we will do everything it takes to build the most robust workforce in the nation, and Tulsa will be the best place in the world to do business.

Karen Keith

Tulsa is on the move! On Day One of my administration, Tulsa will be Open for Business. Its not just a fun slogan, either! With our plans to enhance and protect public education, improve our parks and fix our streets, the quality of life in Tulsa will continue to improve. As mayor, I will do everything I can to make Tulsa the best place to live, work and grow a business and family.

Brent VanNorman

Tulsa is an ideal location for a business. The cost of living is very affordable when compared to most other cities. Likewise, the amenities in Tulsa are unparalleled for a city our size. The arts are incredible, including our symphony orchestra, opera, numerous galleries and museums. We have terrific parks, including the Gathering Place. There are hundreds of great restaurants. Traffic issues are minimal. All major forms of transportation are here (air, water, rail and interstate highways). There is a strong Chamber of Commerce, numerous local universities and a city government that wants to assist in growing new businesses.



The Tulsa World is where your story lives
Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Tulsa's elections for mayor and City Council will be held Aug. 27. Runoff elections, if necessary, would occur on Nov. 5.

Two candidates are running in District 7 in southeast Tulsa.

Here are their responses to the Tulsa World Questionnaire.

For voter information, go to the Tulsa County Election Board website.

Candidate's Name: Eddie Huff

Age: 73

Occupation: Insurance agent

Years Living in District 7: 12

Previous public service (elected or volunteer): None provided.

Why are you running for City Council?

To improve the city of Tulsa.

Why do you believe you are the best candidate to represent your district?

I have lived in Tulsa 32 years and live, work, and had children attend school in the district.

What are the two most pressing issues in your district, and what, specifically, would you propose be done to address them?

Streets needing to be widened, and resurfaced, more attention to public safety.

Name one issue you think the city is doing a poor job of addressing and how you would propose fixing it?

Infrastructure. Direct more funds to infrastructure and less to arts and recreation until infrastructure is fixed.

Would you support establishing a homeless shelter, transitional living center or other accommodation for the homeless in your district to assist in the citys efforts to address homelessness?

No.

What are your priorities when it comes to overseeing the Police Department?

I do not understand the question OVERSEEING. We have a chief of police, who serves at the pleasure of the mayor. It is the chief's job to oversee the PD.

The mayor is working with the organizers of Beyond Apology to create a reparations commission to examine possible policies and programs that could be established to help address the harm caused by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Mayor G.T. Bynum has said he does not support reparations in the form of direct cash payments but is open to discussing other things the community can do because we want to do what we can for the descendants of victims. Would you support such an effort?

No. We have been dealing with this matter since I came to Tulsa. In the 90s the state legislature addressed it with scholarships and other attempts to appease, then we build "Reconciliation Park." There are those in the community that will never be appeased.

What is the most important thing the city can do to promote economic development in the Tulsa area?

Safe neighborhoods, and clean smooth wide streets for starters. Education is, of course always a component, but that is a state matter.

Candidate's Name: Lori Decter Wright (Incumbent)

Age: 49

Occupation: General director and CEO of Tulsa Opera, Inc.

Years Living in District 7: 13

Previous public service (elected or volunteer): Tulsa city councilor for District 7 since December 2018

Why are you running for City Council?

The 2024-2026 term will be pivotal for City of Tulsa as we inaugurate a new Mayor, new Auditor and at least three new City Councilors. We have also had major leadership changes in several City departments. Institutional knowledge will be crucial to achieving success and experienced leadership on the Council will be essential to help navigate all of this change with a strong foundation grounded in common sense, cooperative problem-solving. I have a proven record of success as a collaborative leader on the Council and will continue to build consensus bringing together stakeholders to create positive outcomes for Tulsans.

Why do you believe you are the best candidate to represent your district?

I am the best candidate to represent District 7 and build upon the results I have delivered. I want to see several projects and initiatives through to completion. Safe, quality, affordable housing continues to be a top priority. I will champion ongoing needs in District 7 whether it be road repairs, better code enforcement, improved water billing or trash removal services, or increased public safety and crime prevention. I have worked diligently for the last 5.5 years to be an advocate for the people of District 7 and will continue to do so when I am re-elected this year

What are the two most pressing issues in your district, and what, specifically, would you propose be done to address them?

Infrastructure is always a major concern especially roads and bridges. Since 2019, I have secured $51M for repairs and reconstruction projects in the district. We have major road widening projects starting soon and I will work to coordinate the projects between residents, businesses and the City. Another top concern is homelessness which I am working to address on several fronts including strengthening our ordinances and enforcement; increasing access to safe, affordable housing; creating more temporary emergency housing as well as permanent supportive housing; expanding mental health services; addressing blighted and abandoned properties as well increasing neighborhood safety.

Name one issue you think the city is doing a poor job of addressing and how you would propose fixing it?

Tulsas 911 Call Center needs restructuring so police and fire call takers and dispatchers are under the recruitment, training, and supervision of the respective police and fire department chiefs. Updates are needed to incorporate the latest technological advancements such as video calling for citizens as well as better staffing ratios to lower the incidents of forced overtime and mistakes made due to lack of proper training and/or proper oversight. To be clear, our 911 call takers and dispatchers are going above and beyond 24/7 but need the City to invest in more resources to improve outcomes for citizens.

Would you support establishing a homeless shelter, transitional living center or other accommodation for the homeless in your district to assist in the citys efforts to address homelessness?

District 7 has several transitional living facilities in it already. What we are lacking is a drop-in center for citizens in crisis to connect with services. Those centers are located in downtown or midtown Tulsa. District 7 needs a resource where citizens experiencing poverty, possible eviction and/or housing insecurity in southeast Tulsa can receive case management and connect to services here.

What are your priorities when it comes to overseeing the Police Department?

Advocating for transparency and accountability in government including public safety is essential for community trust. Councils purview over the Tulsa Police Department is overseeing funding which is the top budget item ever year. During my time on the Council we have provided historic funding increases to TPD to expand recruitment and training plus $8.6M in pay raises and salary adjustments for police officers and more than $15M in equipment purchases and capital needs. We have launched the Real Time Information Center, Community Response and Alternative Response Teams and planned for a new Public Safety Center opening in District 7.

The mayor is working with the organizers of Beyond Apology to create a reparations commission to examine possible policies and programs that could be established to help address the harm caused by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Mayor G.T. Bynum has said he does not support reparations in the form of direct cash payments but is open to discussing other things the community can do because we want to do what we can for the descendants of victims. Would you support such an effort?

Yes, I support the City of Tulsa establishing a commission based on the recommendation of the Beyond Apology Report.

What is the most important thing the city can do to promote economic development in the Tulsa area?

Economic development and growth requires a healthy and well-educated workforce. The most important thing the City can do to promote economic development is to ensure Tulsans have access to healthcare including mental health services as well as a quality education and the training necessary to attain a living wage. The City should use our incentives to attract, retain and grow businesses in Tulsa that not only pay living wages but that also provide healthcare benefits. We must increase opportunities for working professionals to not only build careers in Tulsa but pursue a quality of life here.
Vietnam respects Cambodias implementation of the US$1.7billion Funan Techo Canal project and wishes to collaborate with its neighbor on a comprehensive assessment of the projects impacts on the region, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

During a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Doan Khac Viet addressed questions regarding Vietnam's stance on Cambodia's groundbreaking for the canal on Monday.

Viet said that the Mekong River is a vital resource and a symbol of solidarity and special friendship among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Vietnam hopes that riparian countries, including Cambodia, will work together to manage and develop the Mekong Rivers water resources effectively and sustainably, ensuring the well-being of local communities, future generations, and the solidarity among the river basin nations, said Viet.

Vietnam supports Cambodia's development initiatives and respects its implementation of the Phu Nam Techo Canal project, as announced by the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT).

"We also seek to collaborate with Cambodia in conducting thorough and comprehensive research to assess the project's overall impacts and to take appropriate measures to minimize any potential negative effects," Viet emphasized.

On August 5, Cambodia held a groundbreaking ceremony for the canal project, with the attendance of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his spouse Pich Chanmony, along with many high-ranking Cambodian leaders and international guests,

The event kicked off in Prek Takeo Village, Samrong Thom Commune, Kean Svay District, Kandal Province, which is the starting point of the future canal, about 35km from central Phnom Penh.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hun Manet that this project is not just an infrastructure project, but a nationalistic endeavor, which has been overwhelmingly supported by people across the kingdom, the Phnom Penh Post reported.

According to the Cambodian governments calculations, the canal project will generate more than 10,000 jobs and bring positive changes to the lives of around 1.6 million people living along both sides of the canal.

In addition to serving as a waterway linking Cambodia's river system to the Gulf of Thailand, the Funan Techo Canal will provide water for agricultural and aquaculture development, facilitate the formation of economic zones, logistics centers, and satellite ports, and contribute to tourism growth.

The canal project will benefit not only Cambodia but also our neighboring countries, Khmer Times cited Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol as saying at a press conference in May.

He claimed that once the canal is operational, it could help mitigate floods in southern Vietnam.

The Funan Techo Canal is designed to be 180km long, with a width of 100 meters upstream, 80 meters downstream, and a depth of 5.4 meters.

It will be capable accommodating ships with a load capacity of 1,000-3,000 tonnes.

The canal will connect Phnom Penhs river port to the Gulf of Thailand, passing through the provinces of Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep.

The project is being executed under a build, operate, and transfer (BOT) model and is expected to be completed by 2028, with a total investment of around US$1.7 billion from both domestic and foreign capital.

The investment is divided into two phases: the first 21km of the canal will be funded by Cambodian companies, while the remaining 159km will be financed by a joint venture between Cambodian enterprises and the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with a 51:49 ownership structure, the Phnom Penh Post reported, citing MPWT.

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Binh Chanh District Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday admitted five patients who were suspected of being poisoned with PAC (polyaluminium chloride), which is often used in water treatment, a representative of the hospital said on Saturday.

The hospital has reported the cases to the municipal Department of Health and the medical center in Binh Chanh District.

The five patients previously transported PAC powder for water treatment at Truong Nguyet Technical Services and Trading Co. Ltd. in Binh Chanh.

At the time of hospitalization, the five were in a state of acute respiratory failure. They received endotracheal intubation and were put on ventilators before being transferred to higher-level hospitals for further treatment.

The most critical case is 31-year-old N.V.L.E., who is being treated at 115 People's Hospital in District 10. Another 19-year-old patient was also transferred to this hospital.

Two others, aged 50 and 24, were moved to Trung Vuong Hospital, also in District 10.

A 26-year-old patient is in treatment at Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital in District 5.

A representative of 115 People's Hospital in District 10 told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the two patients treated at the hospital had low blood oxygen levels, worsening their respiratory failure.

They are on mechanical ventilation, the hospitals representative added.

E. has also undergone dialysis and intensive treatment.

Meanwhile, Trung Vuong Hospital had suggested the Ho Chi Minh City Children's Hospital 1 share rare medicines to treat the two patients it is taking care of and already received eight vials, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said on Saturday.

The two patients health has improved and they are now conscious.

PAC is a chemical used widely in treating water, especially that in swimming pools.

Its use causes no danger at correct dosage.

However, if people inhale PAC powder, they may suffer shortness of breath, a sore throat, swollen eyes, an itch, vomiting, stomachache, and diarrhea.

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What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly led by Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh had meetings with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Speaker of the Legislative Council Abdul Rahman Taib in Bandar Seri Begawan on Saturday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Society

-- Police in Pho Yen City, Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam on Friday initiated legal proceedings against six people for allegedly sharing depraved videos and spreading fake news that a female worker of Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen Co. Ltd. transmitting HIV to 16 others.

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the inauguration ceremony for a tunnel at the intersection of Phan Thuc Duyen and Tran Quoc Hoan Streets in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday. The tunnel is expected to ease traffic congestion in the Tan Son Nhat International Airport area.

-- Binh Chanh District Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday admitted five patients who were suspected of being poisoned with PAC (polyaluminium chloride), which is used in water treatment, a representative of the hospital said on Saturday.

-- Doctors at the Hospital of Hai Duong Medical Technical University in the namesake northern province have removed a 20-centimeter-long toothbrush from the stomach of a woman who accidentally swallowed it while brushing her teeth.

Lifestyle

-- The organizer of the World Travel Awards on Saturday wrote to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in Quang Nam Province, home to the famed tourist city of Hoi An, announcing that the department won the title of Asia's Leading Regional City Tourist Board 2024. The department was the only representative from Vietnam to win the title.

-- The administration in Khanh Son District, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam on Saturday evening opened a fruit festival, attracting thousands of visitors. The festival will last until Tuesday.

World News

-- Brazilian emergency crews on Saturday recovered the remains of the 62 victims aboard an airline that plunged to the ground in the town of Vinhedo, near Sao Paulo the day before, killing all on board, according to Reuters.

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Authorities in a District 1 ward in Ho Chi Minh City have relocated a security camera installed in a public toilet following a report by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Many readers had reported feeling uncomfortable about a camera positioned inside the public restroom at Tan Dinh Market in the namesake ward in central District 1, managed by District 1 Public Services Company Limited.

The camera, which was situated in the restroom, could potentially cover the mens area. Due to the restroom's small size, avoiding the camera's view was difficult.

The restroom manager explained that the camera was meant only to monitor people entering and exiting the restroom.

However, concerns were raised that the camera's angle could be adjusted to observe other areas, including the womens restroom.

A security camera is installed inside a public toilet at Tan Dinh Market in Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre

N., a vendor at Tan Dinh Market, said that while she was told the camera was for monitoring entry and exit, she and other vendors still felt uneasy.

H., a first-time restroom user from Thu Duc City, also expressed discomfort, noting that cameras are typically placed outside, not inside, restrooms in shopping malls.

"In crowded shopping malls, restrooms usually dont have cameras inside; they are placed outside," H. said.

"When I first entered this restroom, I didnt notice the camera overhead.

"Now I feel uneasy.

"Seeing a camera like that is very uncomfortable!"

A public toilet at Tan Dinh Market in Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre

On Friday, a representative from the Peoples Committee of Tan Dinh Ward stated that they had received no previous reports about this issue.

After Tuoi Tres report, the ward coordinated with local police and market management to investigate.

The inspection revealed that the camera was positioned to monitor the restroom entrance and was used by District 1 Public Services Company Limited to oversee the cashier area, where restroom usage fees are collected, and to ensure security.

The representative confirmed that the camera could not view the restroom's interior.

To address public concerns, the working group documented the incident and requested that District 1 Public Services Company Limited cease operating the camera and relocate it.

The company agreed and has since moved the device to a more appropriate location.

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Police in Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam have prosecuted six locals, all aged 29, for sharing two pornographic videos that falsely claimed a worker at a Samsung-owned company in the province had "transmitted HIV to 16 male co-workers."

The police department in the provinces Pho Yen City announced on Saturday that they had charged four men and two women with "distribution of pornographic materials" in accordance with Vietnamese Penal Code.

The charges have been approved by the municipal Peoples Procuracy.

The men are currently in detention, while the women, who are nursing babies under 36 months old, have been released on bail but are restricted from leaving their places residence.

The victim, identified as C.T.D., is an employee at Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen Company Limited (SEVT) in Yen Binh Industrial Park, Pho Yen.

Contrary to the false claims, D. is not the woman in the videos, and she does not have HIV.

Her name and personal information were illegally used in the false information attached to the clips.

On July 25, 2024, one of the arrested men, Nguyen Hong Q., who also works at SEVT, viewed the pornographic clips in Facebook and Zalo groups.

The clips falsely identified the woman as D. and claimed she had infected 16 male co-workers with HIV at SEVT.

Q. then accessed the companys employee database, obtained D.'s personal details, including her photo and phone number, and shared them along with the videos in the Zalo group "Giao An."

Although Q. deleted his post about ten minutes later, it had already gone viral on Zalo, a Vietnamese chat app, and other social media platforms.

Following the video's circulation, a representative of SEVT issued a statement to the provincial Department of Health, confirming that the woman in the videos is not an employee of the company.

The statement also clarified that none of the men alleged to have been infected with HIV were company workers.

SEVT requested a police investigation to protect the company's image and the well-being of its staff.

D. also asked police officers to investigate to defend her and her family's honor.

Yen Binh General Hospital in Pho Yen has confirmed that D. does not have HIV, as verified by recent medical tests.

The city's police are continuing their investigation to trace the origin of the videos and the false information.

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Arunachal Muslims voluntarily disband Tribal Muslim Youth Forum

The All Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Muslim Youth Forum (AAPTMYF) was voluntarily dissolved on August 8, 2024 at Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh state

Sunday August 11, 2024 10:18 PM , Syed Ali Mujtaba

[Giah Limpeah Sultan, Chairman of AAPTMYF, announced disbanding of the forum at a press conference.]

Itanagar: The All Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Muslim Youth Forum (AAPTMYF) was voluntarily dissolved on August 8, 2024 at Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh state.

The Tribal Muslim Youth Forum was being mooted to check the growing RSS push for making tribals in Arunachal Pradesh lean towards Hinduism.

Giah Limpeah Sultan, Chairman of AAPTMYF, while announcing the discontinuation of the Tribal Muslim Youth Forum, said:

We respect the peoples sentiment and therefore dissolved the organization as Arunachalis seem to be apprehensive about it. But it was formed to work for the welfare of tribals who follow the Islamic religion. "People misunderstood, thinking that we would support non-Arunachal Pradesh State Tribal Muslims and that we might support illegal Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants, which is wrong.

Sultan further said:

People should understand that we live in a democratic country. I have the right to follow whatever religion I like. My grandfather and my father were Donyi Polo priests. "During my early days, I even attended Church. Later, I found peace in Islam and therefore converted to it. But, I am first a Nyishi and a tribal. I will never work against the indigenous tribal people."

Sultan said, he took the Islamic religion in 2012 and is living as a Muslim till today. He alleged that certain sections of people have spread hatred against the followers of Islam in Arunachal."

By embracing Islam, we did not commit any crime. I have the freedom to choose the religion of my choice", he said.

He urged the people to stop making threatening calls to the executive members of now disbanded forum and added that religion is a personal choice and no one has the right to question those who choose Islam as their religion.

The All Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Muslim Youth Forum (AAPTMYF) was conceived in the wake of RSS incursions to make Arunachal tribals lean towards Hinduism, says Taba Ajum of the Arunachal Times.

"This forum came in reaction to the decision of the Arunachal Pradesh government to create the Department of Indigenous Faith and Cultural Affairs (DIFCA) that has footprints of RSS in marking", he added.

The RSS for years has been trying to develop a connection between Hinduism and indigenous faith. The RSS has been playing the scene role of propagating indigenous faith and has often alleged Christian missionaries of converting tribals. It considers Arunachal as a crucial state to make inroads into tribal society in the entire North Eastern region of India, the journalist concluded.

Arunachal Pradesh is a protected state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873. Muslims in Arunachal Pradesh make up 27.05 thousand (1.95 percent) of the state's total 13.84 Lakhs population. Christian Population is 4.19 Lakhs (30.26 percent). The Hindu population is 29.04% of the total population.

[The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a Journalist. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com.]

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Development Indicators of USA and Russia - Some Interesting Insights

Some weaknesses of Russia and the USA from a development perspective are common  both have high levels of inequality and both spend a high share of their budgets on weapons and military

Sunday August 11, 2024 11:20 AM , Bharat Dogra

It is a matter of deep concern in the USA that the maternal mortality rate (MMR) of the country has worsened alarmingly in recent years. However, there is very less realization of this fact or of stagnation of other development indicators of the USA outside this country, except among development academics. What is no less significant is that around the same time Russia has registered important development gains, and in the context of some important indicators it has actually surged ahead of the USA.

In any comparison of two countries, generally human development indicators are likely to be higher in the richer country, and these are even more likely to be lower for any country facing constraints such as those created by sanctions and hostile policy of more powerful countries. In this context, the comparison of the USA and the Russia Federation reveal some interesting aspects.

Child mortality, or under five years of age mortality, measured per 1000 live births, is widely considered to be a good indicator of health in any country. In this context it is useful to see the UN data which tells us that for the latest year 2021 the child mortality rate was 5.1 in the Russian Federation, while it was 6.2 in the USA. Hence Russia has been able to achieve a lower child mortality rate despite being confronted with very difficult conditions compared to the USA which enjoyed the most favorable and even hegemonic conditions at the world level.

If we see this data for the period 2000-2021, then in the USA this declined from 8 in year 2000 to 6.2 in 2021, while in Russia this declined from 20 to 5.1, a very significant reduction. In comparative terms, Russia was much behind USA in this respect but surged ahead over the first two decades of this century.

In year 2000, Russia trailed behind the USA very significantly, its child mortality rate being 20 compared to 8 for the USA. Yet within two decades, a time when Russia faced several sanctions, Russia managed to acheve a child mortality rate lower than USA.

In the case of infant mortality (or mortality under 1 year of age per 1000 births), according to Macrotrends data, the infant mortality in Russia declined in a big way from 19 in 2000 to 4.8 in 2023, while during the same period infant mortality in the USA declined from 7.2 to 5.4, so that Russia which had been far behind the USA now had a lower infant mortality rate in 2023.

In the case of maternal mortality rate or MMR (reported per 100,000 births), according to UN data, from year 2000 to 2020, this declined very significantly in Russia from 52 to 14, while that of the USA actually increased from 12 to 21. Thus during this period, according to UN data, Russia was recording a very big decline of 6.66% per year while the USA was recording not a decline, but instead an increase of 2.88% per year in maternal mortality rate.

According to Macrotrends data, from 2000 to 2017, the maternal mortality rate of the Russian Federation declined from 56 to 17, while this rate increase in the context of the USA was from 12 to 19.

In both these sets of data, it is common that the Russian Federation starts at MMR much higher than that of the USA, and despite facing difficult conditions, reaches a lower MMR than the USA within two decades or even earlier.

Initially some persons tried to draw attention away from rising maternal mortality in the USA by saying, wrongly, that this is due to late pregnancy. But if this was the case then the MMR would have risen similarly in other rich countries.

However, as a report in the Scientific American noted (Why maternal mortality is getting worse across the USA), if the MMR for USA is compared with the MMR of comparable rich countries, then it is almost double for the USA (about 24) compared to other rich countries ( about 12).

What is more this, to a considerable extent, is due to the higher rates for blacks and even more particularly Native American and Native Alaska communities in the USA. In the case of these natives, the MMR almost tripled during 1999-2019.

A study by Northwestern University, reported in Northwestern Now, has also debunked late pregnancy as a cause by pointing out that higher MMR is being reported in all age groups of mothers, including young age groups, in the USA. This study has reported even higher increase of maternal mortality rate between 2014 and 2021 in the USA.

The study has also confirmed much higher mortality rate among blacks compared to the national average. Dr. Sadiya Khan, who was involved in this study, has emphasized that maternal mortality is largely preventable and to achieve lower rates it is important to improve health infrastructure and surveillance.

According to official USA figures for percentage of people in poverty in the USA, this number is 11%. According to official Russian figures for people livig in poverty in the Russian Federation, this is 9%.

According to official figures for the number of homeless people in the USA, this is 653,104. According to official figures for the number of homeless people in Russia this number is 11,300. This may be an underestimate.

Leaving aside comparisons, some other significant development achievements of Russia may be noted.

During 2000-2019 according to UN data the life-expectancy in the Russian Federation increased significantly from 65.3 years to 73.2 years. According to Macrotrends data, this increase was from 65.4 in 2000 to 72.98 in 2023.

The increase of income or GNI per capita in Russia during this period was very significantfrom $1710 in year 2000 to $4450 in 2005 to $9980 in 2010 to $11,610 in 2021. On the contrary when the Russian economy was acting much under western influence earlier during year 1991 to year 2000, there was a huge decline from $3440 to $1710.

The Human Development Index of Russia improved from 720 in 2000 to 822 in 2021.

Thus as far as the welfare and progress of the people of the Russian Federation in the first two decades is concerned, this appears to have done remarkably well, despite many hurdles being placed in its path by the most powerful countries, despite constant vilification and criticism. In some important respects, this performance has been better than that of the richest and the most powerful country.

However the performance of Russia in some other contexts including reduction of inequalities and democratic reforms has not been encouraging.

The quality of democracy in the USA has also been in decline, causing much concern. Inequalities in the USA are incredibly high.

Some weaknesses of Russia and the USA from a development perspective are common  both have high levels of inequality and both spend a high share of their budgets on weapons and military.

However, a big question remains as to what explains the ability of Russia to emerge ahead of the USA in the context of some important development indicators despite the fact that the USA has much higher GNP per capita and hegemonistc powers at world level, while Russia has suffered under sanctions and other constraints imposed on it, such as the sabotage to destroy its prominent pipelines for supplying energy to Europe.

While development economists and experts will no doubt answer this question in more capable ways, what can be stated even at this preliminary stage is that Russia, its leaders and people, appear to have shown much higher commitment regarding some key national goals.

These important development achievements of the Russian Federation during the 21st century also reveal how unfair the relentless criticism and vilification of Russia in recent years has been.

It would be much better for the USA and its European allies to see Russia in a much more balanced way, appreciate its real achievements, raise objctions only when there are serious peoblems and try to settle them in peaceful ways, instead of carrying out very dangerous proxy wars, sabotage and relentless disinformation against Russia, very unfortunate and unethical tendencies that can also spiral out of control.

[The writer, Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071, Protecting Earth for Children and Earth without Borders. Image used here is AI generated.]

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King Abdulaziz Quran Competition 2024: Final qualifying round underway in Makkah

The King Abdulaziz Quran Competition is organized annually by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance

Sunday August 11, 2024 9:03 PM , ummid.com News Network

Makkah: The jury of the final qualifiers of the 44th edition of the King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of Holy Quran Saturday listened to the recitations of 14 contestants from Kenya, Congo, Egypt, Uganda, Kuwait, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yemen, the Philippines, Ghana, Jordan, Portugal and Bahrain.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Quran Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh opened the final qualifiers of the 44th competition at the Makkah Grand Mosque Saturday August 10, 2024.

The jury resumed its work Sunday by listening to the recitations of other contestants.

The King Abdulaziz Quran Competition is organized annually by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance.

This year a record-breaking 174 contestants representing 123 countries will vie for recognition for their devotion to Holy Quran, the Ministry said.

5 categories

The competition is divided into five categories:

Memorization of the entire Holy Quran, with accurate recitation and intonation following the seven rules of recitation Memorization of the Quran along with interpretation of its terms Memorization of 15 juz (parts) of the Quran with proper recitation and intonation Memorization of five juz with correct recitation and intonation A category for shorter lengths of memorization with corresponding recitation and intonation requirements.

Earlier, the Ministry had released a comprehensive plan for the competition along with a guide for the participants.

"The newly released guide serves as a valuable resource for participants, offering a detailed breakdown of the competition's various aspects. It delves into the competition's overall objectives, providing insight into its role in promoting the memorization, recitation, and profound understanding of Quran", the Quran contest organisers said.

In the first category, the top three winners will receive SR500,000, SR450,000, and SR400,000.

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 #_    #__  . pic.twitter.com/UWzq7tJA0C      (@Saudi_Moia) August 10, 2024

The opening ceremony was attended by a large number of officials, contestants and their companions, and visitors to the Grand Mosque, including Umrah performers and worshipers.

The Makkah Quran competition's closing ceremony will be held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

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HCM CITY  The trial of new trains shuttling between HCM City and Nha Trang beach city in the central province of Khanh Hoa, two of Viet Nams most renowned tourist destinations, has begun, aiming to improve the service quality and meet the increasing demand, according to the Viet Nam Railways Corporations Saigon Railway Joint Stock Company.

The trains, SNT6 and SNT3, are operated by the company and Chinas Jinxin Group, with one trip every two days. The trial run will last to October 7.

Departing from the Saigon Railway Station in HCM City at 22:15, SNT6 arrives in Nha Trang at 08:05 the following day. Meanwhile, SNT3 leaves the Nha Trang Station at 22:20 and reaches HCM City at 9:15. They make stops at Di An Station in the southern province of Binh Duong, and Bien Hoa Station in the southern province of ong Nai.

The carriages are equipped with modern amenities, with beds in the sleeper cars coming with comfortable, environmentally-friendly, and fireproof mattresses, and separate audio and visual systems, ventilation systems, and air-conditioners.

Particularly, there is a carriage with 180-degree rotating seats, allowing passengers to adjust their seating direction as needed. Passengers are able to recharge their device as USB chargers are fitted to the seats.

Those on the first five trains will enjoy 5 per cent discount in their fares; those buying tickets from 10 days ahead of their travel, up to 15 per cent (not applicable for four-bed couchette); and those in groups of over 11, up to 12 per cent.

Discounts are also offered to policy beneficiaries such as Vietnamese heroic mothers and invalids, the elderly, children, students, and travel firms engaging in the tourism promotion programmes. VNA/VNS
BAC LIEU  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on Sunday led a central government delegation to survey sea dikes and inspect the escalating erosion situation in two Mekong Delta provinces  Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.

At the working session, Chairman of Bac Lieu Province People's Committee Pham Van Thieu stated that over the past decade, Bac Lieu has experienced soil erosion and subsidence in riverbank and East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) dike areas every year.

In 2023 and early 2024, the situation has become notably more severe.

Bac Lieu Province currently has 77 riverbank erosion-affected areas and six coastal erosion-affected areas, with a total erosion length of nearly 600km. The province has identified 50 project categories requiring investment by 2030, with an estimated total cost of VN28 trillion (US$1.115 billion).

Bac Lieu Province proposed that the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Planning and Investment consider providing VN3.436 trillion in budget support for it to carry out projects in five critical erosion areas and to combat tidal waves and protect production over a total length of 79.674km.

Deputy Chairman of Ca Mau Province People's Committee Le Van Su reported that the total length of particularly dangerous and dangerous coastal erosion sections is 83.85km. Specifically, the western sea coast is experiencing dangerous erosion over a length of 22km and the eastern sea coast is facing particularly dangerous erosion over a length of 61.85km

There are 355 erosion points along the river banks in the province, with 82 of them being severely eroded, affecting a total area of 3,724ha.

In the 2023-24 dry season, Su remarked that due to the lack of water, prolonged droughts had caused fresh water shortages for daily life, production and fire prevention in northern Ca Mau, with some areas facing significant difficulties in accessing drinking water.

The dry conditions in rivers and canals have affected waterway transportation and the loss of water pressure on canals, leading to severe erosion, subsidence and road damages.

Furthermore, the difference in tidal amplitude between the inside and outside of the freshwater zone poses a risk of damaging hydraulic structures.

Regarding funds for addressing erosion, the official stated that Ca Mau is urgently finalising a project to combat riverbank and coastal erosion for the 2021-30 period, with an orientation towards 2050, based on feedback to be submitted to the PM for approval.

As the province most severely affected by climate change compared to other provinces in the region and the country, Ca Mau hopes that the Government leader, central ministries and agencies will provide guidance for the approval of the project and support resources to implement erosion prevention measures.

In the immediate term, Ca Mau Province requests central ministries and agencies to allocate funds to address particularly dangerous coastal erosion points along the East Sea coast, with an emergency situation declared for a length of 21.55km and an estimated cost of VN1.693 trillion ($67.4 million), as well as some particularly dangerous riverbank erosion points with a total length of 5.7km and a total cost of VN684 billion.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep noted that with worsening erosion in the area, the ministry is developing a project to combat erosion, subsidence and saltwater intrusion and is gathering feedback from localities.

The project will include solutions related to both infrastructure and non-infrastructure measures, as well as capital and policy mechanisms.

The ministry's stance is to definitively address coastal erosion in the western region, including Kien Giang and Ca Mau.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment o Thanh Trung stressed that erosion prevention must be addressed with fundamental solutions rather than makeshift investments that only happen after disasters occur.

In his concluding remarks, Deputy PM Quang expressed sympathy for the difficulties faced by localities grappling with natural disasters such as erosion and subsidence.

The Mekong Delta region is considered sensitive and vulnerable to climate change, therefore, ministries, agencies and provinces need to approach the issue with a comprehensive, fundamental and long-term perspective, Deputy PM said.

Quang highlighted the importance of forecasting erosion as early and accurately as possible, stating that while this task may not require significant financial resources, poor implementation could result in severe damage, including loss of life.

He urged authorities to focus on relocating people from erosion-prone areas, ensuring their livelihoods.

Regarding investment funds, Quang stressed the need to adhere to principles, prioritise projects based on urgency and address the most critical ones first.  VNS
A NANG  At least five pigs died and samples from the meat tested positive for African swine fever virus at farms in two communes of Hoa Ninh and Hoa Phong of central city a Nangs Hoa Vang suburban district.

Vice Chairman of the district, Phan Duy Anh said ten out of 36 pigs at a farm in Hoa Ninh Commune were found ill with subcutaneous bleeding and were not eating in late July. Two out of the 10 were found dead on July 30 and the virus was detected in samples of the meat.

He said three other pigs in villages of Hoa Phong Commune died at farms between August 5-8 and the virus was also tested for in meat samples.

The district said 40 pigs had been killed and buried under strict regulations on the epidemic disease of the ministry of health and the central veterinary department.

The district has isolated the virus-infected communes and banned all slaughter, as well as stopping any moving in and out of pigs to try and contain African swine fever.

More than 2,000l of chemicals have been used for sterilisation at all pig farms in 11 communes across the district.

Its the first cases of African swine fever virus found in the central city.

According to the ministry of agriculture and rural development, African swine fever has been reported in 48 out of 63 provinces and cities in Viet Nam, affecting about two million pigs or 6.5 per cent of the countrys pig population since the first outbreak of the virus was detected in the northern province of Hung Yen in 2019.

More than 3,000 communes in about 300 districts in 48 provinces and cities nationwide have found the virus in pigs.

a Nang reported that 48,000 out of total 50,000 pigs are raised at farms in Hoa Vang district, but it only provides 20 per cent of daily demand, so 80 per cent of pork is supplied by neighbouring provinces.  VNS
Inspired by Vietnamese culture, Meritorious Artist/Director Nguyen Thi Thanh Hang has successfully organised landscape subject-live performances that have been widely applauded by domestic and foreign audiences. The shows that use real scenery in open air performances often blend natural settings, dance, and visual art to convey cultural narratives. The director has worked on outdoor performances in The Mong Show  Sa Pa Lang Le Yeu, the Ninh Binh Trang An Festival 2023, and the opening ceremony of the Ha Long Carnival Festival 2024. Quynh Anh of Viet Nam News spoke with the director about her career.

Inner Sanctum: What led you to work with landscape subject-live performances?

Returning to Viet Nam after years studying abroad, I asked myself what I could devote and add to this beautiful countrys culture.

Then I had the chance to choreograph the nature-based show Ky uc Hoi An (Hoi An Memories) working with renowned Chinese director Mei Shuaiyuan.

While the show drew many audiences, including foreign visitors, it relied on a recreated natural setting rather than an existing one.

After four years, I moved to an advisory role for the show and decided to create my own open air performances.

Inner Sanctum: What are the advantages and limitations of landscape subject-live performances?

The key aspect of a nature-based performance is using natural settings to tell a story. Natural elements always draw curiosity, and when we harmonise with nature, our performance becomes more vivid.

However, natural conditions are unpredictable and can significantly impact the outcome, sometimes posing challenges.

Like the opening ceremony of the Ha Long Carnival Festival 2024 performing outdoors on sand and also using a floating stage on the beach required us to deal with tides, weather, and other variables, requiring careful planning and contingency measures.

Inner Sanctum: What motivates you to continue despite such challenges?

The encouragement and feedback from the audiences after each show deeply impacted me. Locals seeing their both daily lives and culture reflected on stage beamed and felt a deep pride in their homeland.

A Cham ethnic told me: A festival like this (Ninh Binh Trang An Festival 2023) is not just for watching but for loving and being loved.

I recall a Mong ethnic child in The Mong Show who initially resisted learning traditional songs of her ethnic group and ended up eager to learn after participating in our show.

They felt a deeper love for their country and culture after such events, which is the core value.

Inner Sanctum: Culture is the essence of a nation. What are the most effective ways for conveying it?

Vietnamese culture is rich and diverse, but this diversity also presents many risks.

Even a short cultural product is significantly shaping the audience's perspectives.

When cultural creators tell stories, not only for themselves, they also touch upon fundamental aspects of national culture and identity. How they present and develop their work must be done with deep consideration and responsibility.

At the same time, everything should start from the roots, the culture of any ethnic group should be preserved and represented by its people.

Inner Sanctum: How do you ensure nature is not harmed in these settings?

We strive for harmony by blending culture with nature and other elements into a cohesive artistic narrative, while valuing all factors and especially preserving the environment. We avoid actions that negatively impact nature.

In Ninh Binh Trang An Festival 2023, we used wooden piles that could be removed for the stage without altering the original natural setting.

Inner Sanctum: What elements make a nature-based performance appealing to international visitors?

These performances allow the world to see our landscapes, cultural heritage, and tourism fully.

The true distinction appealing to foreigners comes from being authentically Vietnamese, not by imitating others.

In the opening ceremony of the Ha Long Carnival Festival 2024, we invited art troupes from other countries to perform together but mainly focused on telling local stories, and ancient Vietnamese culture.

While global integration is a trend, we must first affirm our own core identity.

Inner Sanctum: It seems like organising a nature-based performance requires huge funding. Can you elaborate?

The cost of each nature-based performance depends on the programme's scale.

Moreover, high costs are justifiable if the programme has lasting value, supports tourism, and attracts investment.

Besides this, were also exploring international grants, like those from the British Council, which has funds to support cultural projects.

Inner Sanctum: You primarily choose local actors for your show. How can you persuade local amateur actors to commit and participate?

Managing a large number of non-professionals from local residents, including ethnic minority communities, adds complexity.

It's important to ensure fair compensation and good treatment for the performers.

We also strove to make them know that their participation was a valuable contribution to preserving and showcasing the regions culture, not just an extra job.

Inner Sanctum: Have foreigners accessed the cultural content of your work in Viet Nam? Is providing translations and subtitles crucial?

Foreign visitors to The Mong Show have shown admiration and respect for the local culture and people.

Regarding the performance, subtitles for the names of acts and scenes are important.

With programmes that run frequently, like Hoi An Memories, we offer subtitles in multiple languages, including Chinese, English, Vietnamese, or provide translation headsets.

The essence of art, however, can often transcend language barriers through visual and auditory experiences. If visitors are left intrigued and choose to explore more about what they have seen, then that is a true measure of success. VNS
One woman died after jumping off a bridge into the Brazos River near downtown Waco Saturday morning, according to Dustin Delgado, McLennan Countys state game warden.

Witnesses reported that she was attempting to swim when she went under water and did not resurface, Delgado said in a statement. She was recovered by emergency personnel around 2 p.m. the same day.

Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Waco police spokesperson Bryton Johnson said authorities were called to the bridge at West Waco Drive and North University Parks Drive.

McLennan County game wardens were joined by the Waco Police Department, Waco Fire Department and McLennan County Sheriffs office in the search, Delgado said.

Patrick Veselka, deputy chief of emergency operations for the Waco Fire Department, said the remaining investigation was a police manner.

Johnson said authorities were dispatched just before 6 a.m. to the bridge due to a reported individual who jumped off the bridge into the river below.

Veselka said the fire department sent one boat and a dive team to assist in the search.

Johnson said no other details were available as of Saturday afternoon.
Dear Annie: My wife and I had planned to visit Europe this summer with our daughter and two grandchildren.

When we checked in with the airline and gave them our passports, at JFK Airport in New York, they would not let me board the plane because my passport -- perfectly valid -- was due to expire in one month.

They said the country we were flying to in Europe -- Italy -- required that the passports have at least three months before they expire.

The airline told us that if they let me fly there, they would be fined and I would be put on the first plane back to New York.

I have since researched this and found that many countries require at least six months before the expiration of a passport.

You cant imagine how much of an inconvenience this caused for our entire family.

What seems crazy to me is that the expiration date of a passport is not really an expiration date. It is three or six months before the expiration date.

I love your column and wanted to let your readers know about this in case they are planning to travel overseas. -- Grounded at JFK

Dear Grounded at JFK: Thank you for the heads up.

If you are traveling overseas, its a good idea to check with your airline about the passport requirements of the countries you plan to visit.

Im surprised your airline did not inform you of the requirements when you booked your tickets.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology -- featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.
Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be widening her lead over former President Donald Trump in the race for the White House.

The latest poll by Quantus shows Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, was the choice of 47.2% of registered voters compared to 45.9% who backed Trump, the GOP nominee. Just under 7% remain undecided.

The race is nearly a dead heat, with Harris holding a marginal lead over Trump within the margin of error, pollsters said.

READ MORE: Trumps chances of winning election looking grim: Harris is now the oddsmakers favorite

Overall, 48% had either a very favorable or favorable opinion of Harris, compared to 49% who said they had an unfavorable opinion. Just over 45% said they had a favorable opinion of Trump compared to 53% who had an unfavorable opinion.

Trump leads among men (52%) while Harris is favored among women (53%), pollsters noted. Age also plays a factor  Trump has stronger support among older voters aged 50-64 (48%) while Harris polls better among younger voters aged 18-34 (48%). Harris also leads among independents by 1 percentage point- 44% to 43% over Trump.

Harris is the overwhelming choice of Black and Hispanic voters, 77% and 54%, respectively, while 53% of white voters back Trump. College graduates prefer Harris (53%) while Trump is more popular for those without a college degree (49%). Geographically, Harris leads in the Northeast (49%) and West (51%) while Trump outpolls the VP in the Midwest (47%) and South (50%).

For comparison, 49% of those polled said they voted for the Biden/Harris ticket in 2020 compared to 44% who voted for Trump.

The Quantas poll was conducted Aug. 7-8 with a sample of 1,000 voters and a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.

Nationally, tracking by FiveThirtyEight.com shows Harris leading Trump by an average of 2.3 percentage points  45.7% to 43.4%. Ninety-five of averages are projected to fall within this range, according to the pollsters.
A Decatur man was killed Friday evening in multi-vehicle crash.

Juan D. Santos-Gonzalez, 30, of Decatur, was pronounced dead on the scene of a four-car crash in Morgan County on Friday.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Santos-Gonzalez was a passenger in a 2006 Chevrolet Express driven by Jesus D. Garcia that collided head-on with a 2001 Dodge Ram driven by a 17-year-old of Arab. The Chevrolet and Dodge were then hit by a 2013 Ford F-250 driven by Charles Shumate, 49, of Joppa. Prior to colliding with the Chevrolet, the Dodge struck the 2011 Lexus RX350, driven by Meadow McDonald, 19, of Joppa.

The crash took place on Alabama 67 near Entrekin Road, approximately 10 miles south of Somerville, in Morgan County.

The troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division have concluded the investigation of the crash.
A Mobile County public boat ramp will be closed next week for major facility upgrades that are being financed with $2 million in oil and gas lease revenues to the State of Alabama.

The Mount Vernon Public Boat Ramp will be closed beginning on Monday and will not reopen for approximately three months while construction is underway.

The facility upgrades include a new launching slab, new access pier, expanded parking and a new tournament weigh-in pavilion, according to a news release from the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

The projects financing was announced by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2023, when she rolled out a list of projects receiving funding through a $67 million allocation to Alabama as part of the states portion of revenues through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds.

The state gets 37.5% of federal royalties from new Gulf oil and natural gas leases, according to the 2006 law that established GOMESA. Three other Gulf states  Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana  also share in the lease revenues.

The funds are used for coastal conservation and preservation projects, hurricane protection and to boost eco-tourism. In Alabama, the GOMESA revenues have funded park expansions, land acquisitions for conservation and beach access, new boat ramps, fishing piers, litter traps and more.
Brazilian rescue teams Saturday retrieved the remains of all 62 passengers from the wreckage of a plane crash in Sao Paulo state as families started gathering in the metropolis to identify and bury their loved ones.

Local airline Voepass plane, an ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop, was headed for Sao Paulos international airport in Guarulhos with 58 passengers and four crew members, when it went down in the city of Vinhedo.

Initially, the company said its plane had 62 passengers, then it revised the number to 61 and early on Saturday it raised the figure once again after it found a passenger named Constantino The Maia was not on its original list.

Voepass also said three passengers who held Brazilian identification also carried Venezuelan documents and one had Portuguese.

Sao Paulo state government said in a statement that rescue operations finished at 6:30 p.m. local time, with the identification of the bodies of the pilot and co-pilot by forensics experts. There were 34 male and 28 female bodies in the wreckage, the government said.

Earlier, Maycon Cristo, a spokesman for the local fire department, told journalists in Vinhedo that a winch was used to remove parts of the plane from the ground.

Brazilian authorities began transferring the corpses to the morgue Friday, and called on victims family members to bring any medical, X-ray and dental exams to help identify the bodies. Blood tests were also done to help identification efforts.

Images recorded by witnesses showed the aircraft in a flat spin and plunging vertically before smashing to the ground inside a gated community, and leaving an obliterated fuselage consumed by fire. Residents said there were no injuries on the ground.

Rain drizzled down on rescue workers as they recovered the first bodies from the scene in the chill of the Southern Hemispheres winter. Some residents of the gated community silently left to spend the night elsewhere. None were spotted returning on Saturday.

It was the worlds deadliest airline crash since January 2023, when 72 people died on board a Yeti Airlines plane in Nepal that stalled and crashed while making its landing approach. That plane also was an ATR 72, and the final report blamed pilot error.

Metsul, one of Brazils most renowned meteorological companies, said Friday there were reports of severe icing in Sao Paulo state around the time of the crash. Local media cited experts pointing to icing as a potential cause for the accident.

Locator map showing the departure, destination and crash sites of a Brazilian commercial airplane that crashed on Friday Aug. 9, 2024. (AP Digital Embed)AP

A video shared on social media channels Saturday shows a Voepass pilot telling passengers of a flight from Guarulhos to the city of Cascavel, the same origin of the crashed plane, that the ATR 72 has flown safely around the world for decades. He also asked passengers to be respectful to the memory of his colleagues and the company and asked for prayers.

It was a fatality. The pilot was my personal friend. I have known all the crew from long ago, the unidentified pilot said. We are professionals, we have our families. This tragedy doesnt hit only those who perished in this accident. It hits all of us. We are giving all our hearts, all our best to be here and fulfill our mission to take you safely and comfortably to your destination.

Local police restricted access to the main entrance of one of Sao Paulos morgues, where bodies from the crash were being identified. Some family members of the victims arrived on foot, others came in minivans. They didnt speak to journalists, and local authorities requested they not be filmed as they came.

A flight bringing more family members from Parana state landed in the afternoon at Guarulhos international airport Sao Paulo, and they also chose not to speak to journalists. A minivan sponsored by the airline was set to transport them to the morgue.

Many family members were gathering at a hotel in downtown Sao Paulo, so far refusing to speak to media there too.

An American Eagle ATR 72-200 crashed on Oct. 31, 1994, and the United States National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause was ice buildup while the plane was circling in a holding pattern. The plane rolled at about 8,000 feet and dove into the ground, killing all 68 people on board. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued operating procedures for ATRs and similar planes, telling pilots not to use the autopilot in icing conditions.

But Brazilian aviation expert Lito Sousa cautioned that meteorological conditions alone might not be enough to explain why the plane fell in the manner that it did on Friday.

Analyzing an air crash just with images can lead to wrong conclusions about the causes, Sousa told the AP by phone. But we can see a plane with loss of support, no horizontal speed. In this flat spin condition, theres no way to reclaim control of the plane.

Brazils air force said Saturday both black boxes of the plane had been sent to its analysis laboratory in the capital Brasilia. The results of its investigations are expected to be published within 30 days, it said.

Marcelo Moura, director of operations for Voepass, told reporters Friday night that, while there were forecasts for ice, they were within acceptable levels for the aircraft.

Likewise, Lt. Col. Carlos Henrique Baldi of the Brazilian air forces center for the investigation and prevention of air accidents, told reporters in a late afternoon press conference that it was still too early to confirm whether ice caused the crash.

The plane is certified in several countries to fly in severe icing conditions, including in countries unlike ours, where the impact of ice is more significant, said Baldi, who heads the centers investigation division.

In an earlier statement, the center said the planes pilots did not call for help or say they were operating under adverse weather conditions. There has been no evidence that the pilots tried to contact controllers of regional airports, either, Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho told reporters Friday night in Vinhedo.

Brazils Federal Police said it began its own investigation, and dispatched specialists in plane crashes and the identification of disaster victims.

French-Italian plane manufacturer ATR said in a statement that it had been informed that the accident involved its ATR 72-500 model, and that company specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation and the customer.

The ATR 72 is generally used on shorter flights. The planes are built by a joint venture of Airbus in France and Italys Leonardo S.p.A.

Crashes involving various models of the ATR 72 have resulted in 470 deaths going back to the 1990s, according to a database of the Aviation Safety Network.

Costa Filho, the airports minister, said the air forces center will also conduct a criminal probe of the accident.

We will investigate so this case is fully explained to the Brazilian people, he said.

___

Sa Pessoa reported from Sao Paulo and Koenig from Dallas. AP videojournalist Tatiana Pollastri contributed to this report.
This is an opinion column

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Its just been announced that UAB is refreshing its logo after 50 years.

It appears UAB is not changing its name, but updating its logo.

I published a column nine years ago recommending that UAB change the name it calls itself to UA Birmingham because I thought it best for the University of Alabama, UAB, and it would be a big boost for Birmingham.

UABs legal name is the University of Alabama at Birmingham. So no need to change that.

It was probably farfetched to suggest a name change at the time since it would have been wildly expensive to update, but it appears now that UAB is incurring the expense of updating its logo.

The letters UAB just dont mean anything. They are generic and not memorable.

The University of Alabama is a premier brandwhy not take advantage of UAs great name and its ties to Birmingham?

Here is the original column (Ive made minor edits)

Is it time for UAB to change its name?

It never would have crossed my mind.

But when a friend suggested that UAB change its name, my first reaction was what a great idea, why didnt I think of that?

Ive thought about it ever since. The more I think about it the more I like it.

His idea is to change UABs name to UA Birmingham.

This makes sense on so many levels.

UA Birmingham gives us an opportunity to take advantage of both the UA brand and promote Birmingham at the same time.

And theres precedent from other states with multiple Division 1 schools within their systems.

The University of California has ten state schoolseach with a strong identity. Theres UCLA, UC Berkley, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, etc.

UNC Charlotte Logo

The University of North Carolina has 17 campuses spread across the state: Theres UNC, UNC Asheville, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, etc.

We should have UA, UA Birmingham, and UA Huntsville. The current UAB initials dont tie us to UA or Birmingham.

This is technically not a name change since our name is already The University of Alabama at Birmingham, but a change in what we call ourselves would make a difference.

This is about identity more than appellation. Nothing changes in a material way within the organization, but to the UA Birmingham alumni, student body, staff, faculty and other supporters, there would be a more clearly identified and unique institutional identity.

This is in many ways more powerful because it is about self-identification. It is about unifying the support for this institution. While still identifying with the overall state system, UA Birmingham wants to assert itself, have its voice, and proudly say, Im from Birmingham.

UA has one of the strongest, if not the strongest, state college name brand in America and this would give UA Birmingham the opportunity to take advantage of this reputation. This would also be good for UA because UA in the name would gain the prestige of UA Birminghams Medical School, research, and other high level programs.

Birmingham is going through a renaissance. We take pride in our city and it would be great to include our Birmingham name in our school and medical facilities rather than have the B for Birmingham buried in the initials.

UAB is a huge asset for Birmingham, but the UAB initials likely mean nothing to folks who live out-of-state.

Now that weve lost Birmingham-Southern, it would be good for the city and the campus to have a major university with its location front and center.

All three brands would benefit, UAB, University of Alabama, and Birmingham

What do you think?

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. Hes past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

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Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. dsher@comebacktown.com .
Disney and Starbuckswhat could be better? How about a dash of Star Wars?

Disney and Starbucks have teamed up for a new line of tumblers featuring seasonal colors and, for fans of the classic movie franchise, arch villain Darth Vader.

Getting a jump start on Halloween, Disney and Starbucks have released the Candy Corn Starbucks Tumbler with Straw for $49.99. There are versions for both Disney World and Disneyland. Inspired by the iconic Halloween treat, the tumbler has an allover ombre look in candy corn colors. You can drink in instant Halloween vibes with the raised geometric design featuring screen art of a Mickey jack 0 lantern with the Disney World or Disneyland logo beneath. The tumblers even feature a candy-colored straw.

Get deals in your inbox: Enter your email to get a weekly newsletter with select online shopping deals delivered every Thursday:

For Star Wars fans, the Darth Vader Stainless Steel Starbucks Tumbler with straw is set to be released Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. CT. The double-walled stainless steel tumbler features the Dark Lord ready for battle wit the Death Star in the background. Topped with a reusable straw to match an Imperial red lightsaber blade, its the perfect tumblers for Star Wars fans  or anyone looking to make a tumbler statement.

Its available for $44.99.

Want to see more Disney Starbucks offerings? You can see them all here.
Very scary things are happening in the United Kingdom. Sir Mark Rowley, Met Police Commissioner, has threatened to jail U.S. citizens over online posts he deems hateful or disinformation. At the same time, the UK is openly enforcing a two-tier system of justice where antisemitic rioters, pro-jihadi and pro-open borders thugs are given free rein to terrorize citizens, and those who object are beaten and jailed. One jurist has, in fact, just sentenced someone for being just a looker-on and even retweets of anything the UK overlords object to subjects one to arrest.

Im not worried about Rowleys threat because, unlike the UK, the Founders recognized that without free speech citizens have no agency in their own governance. Recognizing its importance, they made the right to free speech the very First Amendment to the Constitution. If conduct in the U.S. is not illegal, no extradition request could be honored. But it is clear that many Democrats, like their autocratic Labour counterparts in the UK, would love to muzzle us and they have put forth untenable definitions of the parameters of this right.

In an exceptionally brilliant essay, Professor Jonathan Turley sets out why the Harris-Walz team presents the greatest threat to free speech in two centuries.

The Biden-Harris administration has sustained an unrelenting attack on the freedom of speech, from supporting a massive censorship system (described by a federal court as an Orwellian Ministry of Truth) to funding blacklisting operations targeting groups and individuals with opposing views. President Biden made censorship a central part of his legacy, even accusing social media companies of killing people for failing to increase levels of censorship. Democrats in Congress pushed that agenda by demanding censorship on subjects ranging from climate change to gender identity -- even to banking policy -- in the name of combatting disinformation. The administration also created offices like the Disinformation Governance Board before it was shut down after public outcry. But it quickly shifted this censorship work to other offices and groups. As vice president, Harris has long supported these anti-free speech policies. The addition of Walz completes a perfect nightmare for free speech advocates. Walz has shown not only a shocking disregard for free speech values but an equally shocking lack of understanding of the First Amendment. Walz went on MSNBC to support censoring disinformation and declared, Theres no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech, and especially around our democracy. Ironically, this false claim, repeated by many Democrats, constitutes one of the most dangerous forms of disinformation. It is being used to convince a free people to give up some of their freedom with a nothing to see here pitch.

Turley notes that other Democratic politicians like Ben Cardin and Stacey Plaskett have echoed this view, and even some dictionaries have espoused this, but as he reminds us, the Supreme Court has consistently rejected this bizarre reading of the First Amendment,

The Supreme Court has consistently rejected the claim of Gov. Walz. For example, in the 2016 Matal v. Tam decision, the court stressed that this precise position strikes at the heart of the First Amendment. Speech that demeans on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, or any other similar ground is hateful; but the proudest boast of our free speech jurisprudence is that we protect the freedom to express the thought that we hate.'

Harris specifically threatened that she will hold social media platforms accountable for the hate infiltrating their platforms, because they have a responsibility to "help fight against this threat to democracy" and made a similar claim to Facebooks owner, Mark Zuckerberg.

His is a fine exposition of how dangerous the Harris-Walz threat is to free speech, noting that in addition to censoring hate speech and misinformation that they also commit to ban malinformation, information based on fact, but used out of context to mislead, harm and manipulate. As opposed to the tyrannical views of the Democrats present leaders, theres the great Benjamin Franklin,

"In those wretched countries where a man cannot call his tongue his own, he can scarce call anything his own. Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech. Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom, and no such thing as liberty without freedom of speech which is the right of every man."

If you doubt that the Harris-Walz stated views are likely to be carried out or the extent to which they would go to muzzle those who oppose them, bear in mind the context in which they are made. Just to take one example of the Biden-Harris demonstrable overreach against those who oppose them, theres the case of Tulsi Gabbard.

While the Biden administration placed a military officer, former Congresswoman and presidential candidate, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard [who, not coincidentally, demolished Harris in their presidential debate], on a watchlist, the FBI released into the U.S. on a special parole the Pakistani man who sought to plan an assassination of Donald Trump and other politicians. According to several whistleblowers, Gabbard -- a military officer and former Hawaii congresswoman and presidential candidate -- was placed on a watchlist under Quiet Skies, a TSA surveillance program designed to focus law enforcement resources on travelers that present an elevated risk to aviation security. Yet, while the government surveilled Gabbard, the FBI allowed Asif Raza Merchant to enter the U.S. in April with special permission known as significant public benefit parole even though he was flagged on a terrorism watchlist and recently traveled to Iran, according to government documents reviewed and reported on by Just the News. House Oversight Committee member Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, said that FBIs tactic to let Merchant enter the country to gather evidence on him created a dangerous situation.

The performance of the U.S. Secret Service, which in Butler melted away like bodyguards in a crime novel so that the assassin had an easy shot at the person they were hired to protect, grows more suspicious by the day. Stephen Bryen argues there is evidence supporting the hypothesis that there was a second shooter at Butler, that the Services account of events is unpersuasive, and independent forensic experts must be called in to handle the investigation.

The Secret Service cannot conduct an objective investigation. That is abundantly clear from the testimony of the former Secret Service director, Kimberly A. Cheatle, and her "Acting" replacement, Ronald L. Rowe, Jr. Both were willing to admit that mistakes were made, but both also try to convince the public that they got the shooter and we can all rest easy. Adding the FBI into the mix also won't work because the FBI is extremely anti-Trump and spends their time at the behest of their Justice Department overseers trying to incarcerate Trump for phantom crimes. The raid on Mar-a-Lago, is a great example of how FBI thuggery was used against the former President. The FBI lives in fear Trump will win the presidential election and clean house in the agency. The Justice Department also has set up a team of investigators, but anything from the DOJ is not credible and should be dismissed out of hand. There is a growing sense that Trump was set up at Butler. It is hard to believe that the Secret Service simply made "mistakes." There are whistleblower reports, still to be run down and confirmed, that Secret Service agents were told to stand down and not take action against a threat that was known hours before the shooting happened. The audio evidence and the location of victims also raises serious issues. The audio records nine shots, eight that seems to originate in the same location and one shot that is the Secret Service sniper that killed the shooter, Thomas Crooks. The first eight shots consist of three shots coming fairly slow and then a slight pause and the remaining five shots more rapidly. Based on the audio and video evidence it is clear that it was the first shot that nearly killed Mr. Trump. It may be that the next two shots were part of the series aimed at Trump. We are missing information on where those shots ended up, but maybe they hit low down as Trump got down after his ear was hit. The remaining burst of five shots could have been the ones that killed Corey Comperatore and wounded David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, They were seated in the stands to Mr. Trump's right. [snip] There has been a lot of speculation about the possibility of a second shooter. There also is confusion on the presence of 8 shell casings on the roof near the deceased shooter Thomas Crooks. We don't have reliable information to back up the Secret Service claim that they found 8 shell casings. A video of the agents on the roof shows that officers initially found five shell casings on the roof near the dead shooter. We now have a fragmentary video that appears to show gun flashes coming from a window in the same building as the shooter, who was on the rooftop. The source of the video is not stated, but it seems genuine. This obviously needs follow up and should be taken very seriously.

Well, Stephen is a pleasant guy and if Police Commissioner Rowley succeeds in extraditing and imprisoning the two of us in the UK, hed be a nice companion with whom to exchange tapped messages through the water pipes.
America is in a crisis. From a constitutional republic and limited government founded on Jewish and Christian principles, America has now disintegrated into a state of chaos, violence, murder, corruption, indebtedness, and internal division that threatens to rip the nation asunder. Where does the blame lie?

A paper by the progressive Carnegie Endowment for International Peace asserts that the worlds oldest democracy is in swift decline. The authors contend that political violence and spontaneous hate crimes that harm people are committed mostly by those on the right, whereas the vast majority of Black Lives Matter protests have been peaceful, except for a few that resulted in the most costly insurance payouts in modern history.

Al Jazeera, the Qatar media network, claims that Republicans violate fundamental principles upon which American democracy was founded as they push American democracy to its breaking point.

The progressive MSNBC employs fear tactics in claiming that some Republicans want people to believe that the country is actually a republic rather than a democracy because they want to strip power from voters in the presidential election and hand it to state legislatures. They fail to address that the progressive socialist left wants to abolish the Electoral College so that a national election will be decided by a few large cities, such as in far-left California, at the expense of voters in small states.

For decades, the progressive socialist left has worked feverishly, especially in mainstream media and education, to change the narrative about our founding principles and form of government. They have been highly successful. A 2019 survey by the non-profit Institute for Citizens & Scholars found that only four out of 10 Americans could pass the citizenship test. In 2023, NAEP results for eighth-graders reported that only 13 percent were proficient in U.S. history and 22 percent in civics.

Students are not taught that our Founding Fathers chose a republic (United States Constitution, Art. 4, Sec. 4, Par. 1) rather than a democracy because they feared mobocracy inherent in a pure democracy, where the majority feeling of the moment rules. By contrast, a republic is governed by rule of law, where the general population elects representatives who pass laws.

The founders in their writings often addressed their fears about the dangers of a pure democracy.

In democracy ... there are commonly tumults and disorders. ... Therefore a pure democracy is generally a very bad government. It is often the most tyrannical government on earth.

Noah Webster

Experience of all former ages had shown that of all human governments, democracy was the most unstable, fluctuating and shortlived.

John Quincy Adams

It may generally be remarked that the more a government resembles a pure Democracy the more they abound with disorder and confusion.

Zephaniah Swift, author of Americas first legal text

Pure democracy cannot subsist long nor be carried far into the departments of state, it is very subject to caprice and the madness of popular rage.

John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration

In his essay America: Republic or Democracy, radical Green Party activist William P. Meyers labels the Founding Fathers predatory elitists who founded the U.S. as a republic for their own selfish gain. Meyers contends that national government was seen by George Washington and company, not as a method of extending freedom and the right to vote, but as a way of keeping control in the hands of rich.

Employing brain-twisting descriptions, Meyers pirouettes over the definitions of democracy, representative democracy, and democratic republic so as to confound his audience. He offers the evil empire of the former USSR as an example of a republic because the lawmakers were elected, albeit by the Communist Party.

He assures his readers, however, that for two centuries, Americans have been working to undo the work of the selfish Founders by transforming their republic to a democracy.

In addition to infiltrating public education, this erosion to our constitutional rights has been accomplished through federal legislation, including constitutional amendments, and federal judicial decisions that have taken America down the road toward a pure democracy with control by an elite few.

Using a living Constitution approach, activist federal judges create policy to reflect modern needs through their own rewritten version of the Constitution. These unelected and unaccountable judges are committing impeachable offenses in their failing to uphold the Constitution.

Unstated by socialists and unrecognized by many Americans is the fact that, under a living Constitution, an unaccountable elite few are empowered to make decisions at their whim. Rule of law ceases to exist, and the rights of the individual are invariably trampled.

As the years pass and we drift farther from our original Constitution, we witness daily the chaos, instability, and tyranny our Founders feared if we dissolved into a democracy.

Just as many Americans have failed to recognize the ramifications of Barack Hussein Obamas promise of a transformation of America, they also have failed to understand how and why we have strayed from those principles that made us the greatest nation on Earth.

Jeffrey Rosen, CBS News constitutional law expert, acting attorney general under Trump, and president of the National Constitution Center, said, What worries me the most about constitutional ignorance is the same worry that the framers had ... that without constitutional education, the Republic will collapse.

James McHenry, a Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention, recorded a story that claims that Mrs. Elizabeth Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin whether the new government would be a monarchy or a republic. A republic, if you can keep it, Franklin is purported to have replied.

If we are able to keep our republic, it will require educating all Americans about the facts of our founding principles and form of government. A good start would be to throw out race-based Marxist, education-lite social studies and return to indoctrination-free classical education with American history and civics.

Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
That the Democratic Party has stooped to calling J.D. Vance and other Republicans weird is a milestone in the descent of Jeffersons party toward rock bottom. It is nothing but name-calling worthy of children, and they do this because they have nothing of substance and intelligence to challenge the Republicans policies, led by Donald Trump.

However, for sheer weirdness, nothing beats the Israelis, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. had a sense of this. Following the satanic horrors of October 7, he said, Any other people would have flattened the Strip.

Consider a recent Israeli headline: A 37-year-old man wounded when Gaza terrorists fired a rocket barrage of 15 projectilesthe militarys aerial defense array intercepted several projectiles, with several others hitting near kibbutzim

Image: Israels Iron Dome system from an IDF press release. CC BY-SA 3.0.

What is weird is the Israeli decision to invent this aerial defense array called Iron Dome. Theyre very proud of it and have sold to other nations, but in truth, it has been a complete failure. Heres why:

Whats being launched at Israel are terror rockets, terror being a human sensation of great fear. In terms of material damage, given the number of rockets fired, these small rockets have caused insignificant harm to property and individuals.

But as terror rockets, they have been completely successful because the terror begins with the launch that triggers air sirens in Israel. During the night, hundreds of thousands of Jews startle awake and, in their pajamas, must flee into a home bomb shelter or an apartment house stairwell. Of course, those terrified at 3 a.m. include the children too.

The rockets out of Gaza started some 23 years ago. The IDF has discovered that todays 18-year-old recruits who grew up in Sderot and adjacent communities show signs of PTSD.

Israelis are weird for having invented the Iron Dome because the normal response to these missiles manufactured and fired off in the Gaza Strip was not a wildly expensive hi-tech invention. The Marxists Rabin and Peres let the Fatah terrorists take over the Gaza Strip in 1994, a so-called Peace Process that produced some 235 murdered Jews over the next 7 years before it collapsed altogether in the second intifada. That began in 2000 and saw Hamas kill some 1,500 Jews, wounding and maiming thousands more. It took five years to put down.

In 2001, during this second intifada, Gaza fired its first homemade rocket at Sderot, and the rest is history. Gazans have fired scores of thousands of rockets since then. They continue to do so because the Israeli response was the Iron Dome system.

A different nation, a more normal people, would have responded with its own rockets, saying to the Muslims, Oh, you want to get into an artillery duel with us? Be my guest. That first rocket should have been answered by Israel randomly firing twelve rockets in honor of the 12 Tribes of Israel, all carrying far more explosives than the primitive Arab rocket. And if Israels random rockets did more damage to objects and people than the Arab missiles, Israel would not have to apologize for its superiority in weaponry and ordnance.

Inevitably, the anti-Jewish world would have howled at Israel, Thats a war crime! If Israel were a normal nation, it would have responded, We are doing exactly what they are doing: firing rockets at random into residential areas. And the next time they fire a rocket at Israel, we will respond with 12 times 12 rockets, and so on, exponentially increasing the response each time until the Muslims beg for mercy and stop.

This writer has reason to think that after Ariel Sharon ordered and completed the eviction of all Jews from the Gaza Strip in 2005, he had a similar plan in mind: surround the Strip with artillery batteries. Then, every time a Muslim rocket was fired at Israeli territory, the response would be a barrage of rockets.

However, the IDFs legal department, staffed by post-religious lefties, told Sharon that would be a war crime, and Sharons error was listening to them. His plan would have been a far cheaper response than the Iron Dome system that costs zillions. Every time the enemy fires a rocket at Israel and the system decides to destroy it, the Iron Dome fires two rockets, each one costing $50,000.

Israelis are also weird because a different nation in Israels situation would think nothing of doing what RFK Jr. spoke of, namely, going through the Strip from north to south and driving all the people there out of the Strip, even to the waters edge. At that point, theyd summon Arab and Muslim states to send ships to evacuate them, after which Israel would keep the Strip as the spoils of war.

Now, that is a drastic fantasy. But what happened in the real world was truly bizarre. Despite twenty years during which Gaza fired tens of thousands of rockets and incendiary balloons at Gaza was to supply Hamasfor freewith electricity, which Hamas then used to manufacture those rockets.

Israel also sent daily caravans of semi-trailers meant to sustain life in Gaza, 700 of them every day, leaving the strip packed with all kinds of consumer goods. Call this Jewish psychopathology.

When in the annals of mankind has there been such a relationship? One people launches lethal rockets at its adjacent neighbors, and those same neighbors supply the aggressors with all that is necessary for them to manufacture and fire the rockets.

Official Israel has also never attacked its enemys ideology of Palestinian Nationalism. What Israel needs is a verbal weapon equal to the Iron Dome that shoots down the enemys propaganda, which has as its principal war cry the claim, The Zionists stole Palestine from the Palestinians! To that, Israel must reply, There is nothing Palestinian about these people claiming to be Palestinians, and we Zionists stole nothing.

No less really weird are Israelis who never speak through the government to remind the world that, in 1922, the League of Nations produced the Palestine Mandate that not only awarded all the land from the Jordan River to the Sea to the Zionists, but it also recognized the historical connection to the Jewish people with Palestine, saying nothing of any Palestinians.

That Mandate was later incorporated into the Charter of the new United Nations in 1945. Under international law, the Gaza Strip belongs to the Jewish people. As the legitimate landlord, Israel has the right to evict problem squatters, such as the 70% of the Arabs in the Strip on the UNRWA dole. UNRWA is not only the Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas in disguise, but it is also a mainstay of the antisemitic fantasy that UNRWAs welfare recipients are Palestine refugees when (to repeat) there is nothing Palestinian about them, and none of them are refugees.

Israel has the right to set course on a policy that peacefully transfers this same 70% from Israeli territory to be resettled in the 21 officially Arab Muslim states and/or the 35 officially Muslim states. It is about time they were taken care of by their Arab brethren and co-religionists and not the UN.

The Arab nations have benefitted from the UN long enough. They pushed for UNRWAs creation in 1948 as part of their drive to kill all the Jews who had made the desert bloom and steal all the wealth the Jews had created. Before the Zionists came to Israel, that Muslim-controlled land, as Herman Melville said in 1857, was a caked, depopulated Hell.

Israel needs to shamelessly tell the world all the land from the River to the Sea belongs to the Jewish people and only the Jewish people. The Palestinian people is nothing but a verbal hologram, something that looks like it is there but really is not.

Shai ben-Tekoas PHANTOM NATION: Inventing the Palestinians as the Obstacle to Peace is available at Amazon.com in hard cover or a Kindle ebook. His podcasts can be heard on www.phantom-nation.com.
Three weeks ago, Kamala Harris, the most unpopular vice president since polling began, stole the vice-presidential nomination and, with it, the slobbering love affair the media had previously reserved for the addled Joe Biden. She did so even though shes never won a single primary, whether in 2020 or 2024. This caps a career that began with her stealing another womans husband. As of yesterday, Kamala added a new theft to her political modus operandi: She stole Donald Trumps popular proposal to stop taxing tips.

Trump first voiced the idea in early June during a rally in Nevada (a state rich in service employees):

During a rally in Nevada on Sunday, former President Donald Trump proposed eliminating taxes on income earned from tips. "For those hotel workers and people that get tips, you're going to be very happy, because when I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips," Trump said, according to The Wall Street Journal. "We're going to do that right away first thing in office because it's been a point of contention for years and years and years, and you do a great job of service."

Some people saw it as an undeserved tax freebie to buy votes. Others saw it as a return to what tipping used to be: A gift for a job well doneand we dont tax gifts.

Either way, it was a politically astute idea. By mid-July, the New York Times acknowledged that the idea was very popular with voters:

The proposal has rapidly become more than just a rally talking point. The Republican Party has officially embraced it in its platform, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, has said he would pass it as soon as we can. Some Democrats are also warming to making tipped income tax-free, with the two senators representing Nevada, a swing state with large restaurant and casino industries, endorsing it.

Yesterday, at a rally in Nevada, Kamala brazenly stole Trumps tip-tax idea and presented it as if it were her own:

Kamala Harris has stolen one of Donald Trumps key campaign promises to stop taxing tips given to service workers. Harris revealed she was copying the flagship Trump policy at a rally in Las Vegas Saturday night. She told attendees her government will eliminate taxes on tips for hospitality and service utility workers.

Trump was appropriately outraged:

In a way, what Kamala did should be expected. Aside from Kamalas personal history of political theft and backstabbing, the Democrat party is based upon theft and always has been. It started as a party predicated on stealing black peoples liberty. Beginning with Woodrow Wilson, the Democrat party became socialist at the top. These were the educated progressives who believed that their expertise was such that they knew better than the little people they represented.

However, for almost a century, the Democrats worked hard to maintain the illusion that they were a party with constitutionally anchored middle- and working-class values. This illusion ended in the 21st century. By now, the Democrat party is openly socialist and operates off the premise that there is no private property. There is only the governmentand Kamala is the government candidate. All property, including good ideas, belongs to her.

Image: YouTube screen grab (edited).
Should you be so unfortunate as to live in Maryland, and more unfortunate as to own an AR-15, youre a criminal, as the Fourth Circuit Court recently affirmed. This despite the Supreme Courts Heller, McDonald and Bruen decisions having made clear the Second Amendment acknowledges the individual right to self-defense in ones home and elsewhere, and common and usual weapons are presumptively constitutional. Unfortunately none of those decisions specifically mention the AR-15, the most popularcommon and usual--rifle of its type in America. This opened the gun ban door a crack, which the 4th Circuit majority used to push the door wide open:

Graphic: Author, AR-15 variant

We have described the AR-15s capacities in abundant detail to demonstrate just how far outside the animating purposes of the Second Amendment this weapon lies. While we know that the AR-15 thrives in combat, mass murder, and overpowering police, appellants have failed to demonstrate that the weapon is suitable for self-defense. This is likely because such a showing would be difficult to make. Indeed, many of the weapons combat-functional features make it ill-suited for the vast majority of self-defense situations in which civilians find themselves.

It would be hard to imagine a more deceptive and less informed recitation of legal mush. The majority decision goes on to claim the heightened firepower of the AR-15 is a terrible risk of overpenetration, and the 30-round magazine, standard since the Vietnam era, is also useful for mass murder, because self-defense shootings commonly only involve a few shots. The majority would also have us believe the AR-15 is particularly useless for home defense. They conclude their specious arguments with this:

In sum, the AR-15with its military origination, combat-functional features, and extraordinary lethalityhas the same basic characteristics, functionality, capabilities, and potential for injury as the M-16. And its all too frequent use in terrorism, mass killing, and police murder shows that the AR-15 offers firepower ill-suited and disproportionate to fulfilling the Second Amendments purpose of armed self-defense. Therefore, just like the M16, the AR-15 is most useful in military service and may be banned consistent with the Second Amendment.

Where to begin? The AR-15 has been on the civilian market since the 1960s, and while ArmaliteArmalite Rifle, not Assault Rifle certainly wanted military contracts, only the Air Force initially adopted the rifle for base defense. The Army eventually adopted it, and after decades of development, the select-fire M4, not available to civilians, is the current issued rifle.

Both the M4 and AR-15, the M4s semiautomatic only, look-alike cousin, fire the .223/5.56 NATO cartridge, which is of only intermediate power, and has long been known as an unreliable penetrator and man stopper. The Military is currently developing a higher-powered cartridge, and rifle.

Is the AR-15 a common and usual arm? Best estimates place more than 23 million in citizens hands. However, Americans have purchased more than a million guns a month for 60 straight months, so that figure is surely low.

Firepower is a military concept inappropriately applied to individual arms. The majoritys argument is emotion-laden and obviously taken directly from the writings of anti-liberty/gun cracktivists, while the dissent is well-reasoned, relying on the law, the Founders intent and accurate history.

Obviously, the AR-15 is not most useful in military service, which is why the automatic-fire capable M4 is the issue military rifle. Gun banners hope to be able to ban any class of firearms, in this case, a semiautomatic rifle of intermediate power. That precedent, if upheld, would allow the banning of all semiautomatic firearms, which, like the AR-15, are useful for self-defense.

They also hope to ban large capacity magazines for the same reasons by using the same tactics. While its true most armed encounters involve relatively few rounds fired, attacks by multiple armed thugs are becoming more common, in and out of the home. In such encounters, a 30-round magazine can be the difference between life and death.

Certainly, we carry handguns because its difficult to carry long guns of any type as we go about our daily business, but because handguns are more convenient does not make rifles unconstitutional. Anyone knowingly entering an armed encounter with less than a rifle is looking to die. The police are increasingly abandoning shotguns and adopting AR-15s for patrol carry. Are the police now the military? Should citizens be less well armed, less able to defend themselves?

The 4th Circuit has now clearly established a split among the lower courts, which will allow the Supreme Court to grant cert and further define the limitations of the state in banning popular, common and usual guns. In our uncertain times, a decision in line with their Heller, McDonald and Bruen jurisprudence would be welcome, and conducive to the preservation of our representative republic.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Ten years ago, on August 9, 2014, Black Lives Matter was born in Ferguson, Missouri. On that day, Michael Brown became a holy social justice martyr, and hands up; dont shoot became a rallying cry. Brown was no martyr, he never had his hands up, nor did he say: dont shoot, and Ferguson and America have never recovered from the mostly peaceful protests and racial hatred accelerated that day. Just as with George Floyd, few are less worthy of praise, emulation and remembrance than Michael Brown.

Graphic: X Screenshot

A recent high school graduate, Brown, 64 and nearly 300 pounds, was an unemployed, shiftless, daily drug user. His social media presence featured thug and drug themes. Brown and his pot-smoking pal, Dorian Johnson, walked to a convenience store, where Brown stole handfuls of blunts, cheap cigars theyd hollow out and fill with pot. Brown roughed up the clerk, committing strong armed robbery.

Graphic: Screenshot of surveillance video released by police.

A short time later, Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson found them walking down the middle of a road and asked them to use the sidewalk. They refused and as Wilson stopped, Brown slammed the door of Wilsons vehicle and reaching through the open window, beat Wilson and tried to get his handgun. Wilson, who fully cooperated with the investigation and later said it was like fighting the Incredible Hulk, barely managed to retain his weapon. During the struggle, several rounds were fired inside the vehicle, slightly wounding Browns hand and sending him and Johnson to flight.

Wilson got out and ordered Brown to stop, but instead of continuing to flee, he turned, put his head down and made a berserker charge at Wilson, who reasonably believed if Brown got to him again, hed be killed. He repeatedly ordered Brown to stop, and fired ten rounds, the last of which hit Brown in the top of the head, dropping him essentially at Wilsons feet.

This was the Age of Obama, the Holder DOJ. The FBI was immediately involved, as was racist, ambulance-chasing lawyer Benjamin Crump, who made his bones with the Trayvon Martin case. Dorian Johnson invented the hands up: dont shoot lie, which Crump and the media spread like wildfire.

Numerous witnesses came forward, anxious to lynch a racist cop as Ferguson burned. Unfortunately for them and the narrative, their statements were quickly found to be lies. Virtually all either were never there, were not in a position to have seen anything, and/or eventually admitted they were lying. Several honest, honorable black residents who did see what happened in whole or part told the truth.

Ive been covering the case since it began, producing to date some 30 articles.

Many of the perjured witness statements, taken by the FBI, are low comedy. One witness, when it became clear she was lying, even tried to destroy the FBIs tape recorder! One unassailable fact became clear: Brown never raised his hands in surrender, nor did he ever say dont shoot or anything like it.

A famous legal maxim is a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. The local prosecutor empaneled a grand jury, and rather than presenting only evidence of possible guilt, gave them all the facts, all the testimony, and they did not indict Wilson, who has been in hiding since the day Brown attacked him. The prosecutor also released all evidence to the public. So solicitous of Johnson were all the investigators and prosecutors involved, they allowed him to perjure himself, but did not prosecute him for perjury or as an accessory to strong armed robbery.

The Holder DOJ, who surely would have loved to have prosecuted Wilson for murder or civil rights violations, had to admit there was no evidence of wrongdoing. He acted in defense of his life, and entirely in accordance with the law. Consider how clear and unassailable the evidence supporting Wilson must have been for the most racist DOJ in history to drop the case.

PBS was among the media outlets upholding the narrative. They came up with a bizarre statistical analysis that alleged if 51% of witnesses said something, it must be true. What actually matters is whether witnesses were actually present and could have seen something, and what degree of credibility they might have. In this case, more than 51% had no credibility whatever.

On this 10th anniversary, there are a few lessons young Americans of any race can take to heart: excel in school, be honest, responsible, respectful, stay away from drugs and the destructive cultural trends of the day, and dont rob convenience stores or try to kill police officers.

Had Michael Brown done these things, we would never have heard of him, and he might be living a productive life in a town better for his efforts. Instead

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Is an end to the long, costly war in Ukraine in sight?

We have heard with the certainty of 'settled science' that Ukraine couldn't possibly beat Russia just based on the size differential.

But this looks like bad news for Russia.

The Ukrainians seem to have devised a strategy of taking the Russian border city of Kursk, and apparently Belgorod, too, bringing the war much closer to home than just the occasional drone attack and refinery fire we have thus far seen. They are now taking whole cities.

This BBC video report is very good:

Russia sends reinforcements to Kursk region, but yet to restore control as Ukrainian offensive continues. Our report from Moscow for @BBCNews Producer @BenTavener Camera @AntonChicherov pic.twitter.com/1Cihgp58zR  Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) August 9, 2024

That's triggered this response from Russia:

Russia transfers the operational reserve from Ukraines Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Kupyan, Kharkiv, Belgorod, Pokrovsky & Luhansk directions to the Kursk region.



 I bet this is about to work out very badly for Russia. pic.twitter.com/0vNc9Z6LK7  Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) August 10, 2024

That means Ukraine is forcing Russia to choose between its own cities and its Ukrainian holdings, which Ukraine could knock from Russia as their troops deplete and regain its territory in the east.

It could also lead to this:

If Ukraine demonstrates ability to dig in & hold on to Russian territory in Kursk region, there will be risk of Russian military rebellion 2.0 against the Kremlin, originating from the southern front, essentially following the same path through Rostov and Voronezh. https://t.co/0BU07oN6bw pic.twitter.com/8NaD0XpwhO  Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) August 10, 2024

Which might explain why Gen. David Petraeus said this:

 General David Petraeus: The US Needs to Learn Great Deal From What Ukraine Has Done - Kiev Post pic.twitter.com/ZXQmmwCmmu  Glory to Ukraine (@Rusofob_Moldova) August 9, 2024

If all this pans out, Joe Biden, who's desperate for some kind of legacy as he sits stewing in bitterness, will try to claim credit.

But if anything, the U.S. aid constrained them, forcing them to change tactics:

Ukraine entered the Russian region of Kursk because they had no choice. The US wont let them fire long-range weapons at supply lines/bases, so they had to make it short-range. Russia is embarrassed, so what do they do?



Drop bombs on another supermarket full of civilians. Evil. pic.twitter.com/2cVRGBrJRY  Nate Mook (@natemook) August 9, 2024

This commentator notes an intriguing irony -- 'Kursk' is the name of a Russian submarine whose disastrous sinking 24 years ago, almost to the date, cost 118 Russian sailors their lives. It was on Putin's watch:

This is probably the weakest Putin has been since the Kursk (oh the irony) submarine disaster of 2000.



I would be surprised if there weren't any plans inside the Kremlin to end his reign. pic.twitter.com/8gCruRei3G  Pekka Kallioniemi (@P_Kallioniemi) August 10, 2024

If so, a victory for Ukraine would be a great thing, in that it may lead to the Russian strongman's ouster and the mischief he has been engaged in in Cuba and Venezuela, as well as his bankrollings of green and anti-fracking groups seeking to keep the West weak.

It also could signal the end of swamp profiteering on the war, which is why they continuously seek to extend it.

There may even be NATO involvement to push the war to its end.

I have no idea if this is true but the source is frequently right:

BREAKING: NATO has reportedly launched a massive ballistic missile strike on a Russian airbase pic.twitter.com/y0cLYzSBjA  George Papadopoulos (@GeorgePapa19) August 10, 2024

One watches and waits, hoping at long last that this nightmare will be over and Ukraine (and Russia) can return to normality.

Image: Screen shot from BBC video posted on Twitter
Banksy has confirmed he is behind a new swimming fish artwork which has appeared on a police sentry box in the City of London.

It marks the seventh animal-themed piece the elusive street artist has claimed this week by posting a photo of the artworks to his Instagram at 1pm.

The artist appears to have used translucent spray paint on the glass windows to create the design, turning the sentry box into what looks like a giant fish tank.

The piece differs from Banksys previous dark silhouette images of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans and a cat which have popped up in various locations across London since Monday.

The governing body of the City of London has said it is working on options to preserve the new artwork after the artist confirmed it was his by posting an uncaptioned image on Instagram which sees a police officer taking a photo of the piece.

A City of London Corporation spokesperson said in a statement to the PA news agency: Were aware of the works on the City of London police box on Ludgate Hill.

We are currently working through options to preserve the artwork.

A man with a City of London high-vis vest was spotted taking pictures of the artwork on Sunday afternoon.

After it appeared, two City of London police officers turned up to examine the piece and the force said it was liaising with the City of London Corporation on what was to be done with the artwork.

In a statement to PA, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Spooner, for the City of London Police, said: We are aware of criminal damage to a City of London Police box in Ludgate Hill. We are liaising with the City of London Corporation who own the police box.

After Banksy confirmed it was his, a small crowd gathered to see the piece while a City of London Police officer is keeping watch of the police box.

Photographer Avi Yasitli, 63, who has been to see all of the Banksy pieces of art this week except one piece which was taken, said he thinks the animals are a message from the artist that the city has turned into a zoo.

Artist Daniel Lloyd-Morgan, who has painted most of Banksys pieces of art this week, said the new collection is really uplifting for people in London at the moment.

Theres a buzz around his work. Its nice to capture that as I do the people as well, he added.

The artist appears to have used translucent spray paint on the glass windows to create the design, turning the sentry box into what looks like a giant fish tank (Yui Mok/PA)

Its not just about the artwork, its about the whole environment hes creating, it becomes a sort of work of art itself  what happens to it, people steal it or take it away.

A local resident was also amongst those to come visit the piece as she wanted to see it in case anything happened to it later in the day.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: I walked up here yesterday and I dont remember seeing it, I think I would have noticed it.

I like it, its got a charm to it somehow. Its not in your face, its quite subtle.

On Saturday, the artists sixth piece  a stretching cat on an empty, distressed advertising billboard  was removed from its location in north-west London hours after it was revealed.

Contractors dismantled a billboard in Cricklewood, north-west London, with a Banksy artwork for safety reasons (Jordan Reynolds/PA)

Crowds booed as the piece in Cricklewood was dismantled by three men who said they were hired by a contracting company to take down the billboard for safety reasons.

A contractor, who only wanted to give his name as Marc, told PA they were going to take the board down on Monday and replace it, but the removal had been brought forward to Saturday in case someone rips it down and leaves it unsafe.

An officer at the scene told PA that the owner of the billboard has told police he will donate it to an art gallery.

The cat design was the second piece to be removed during the week after a painting of a howling wolf on a satellite dish was taken off the roof of a shop in Peckham, south London, less than an hour after it was unveiled.

It was removed by three men, according to a witness, who told PA that he filmed them, which led to one of the men throwing his phone on a roof.

People remove the howling wolf artwork by Banksy from a shop roof in Peckham, south London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

A spokesman for Banksy told PA that the artist is neither connected to nor endorses the theft of the wolf design and that they have no knowledge as to the dishs current whereabouts.

The first piece of graffiti in Banksys new animal-themed series, which was announced on Monday, is near Kew Bridge in south-west London and shows a goat with rocks falling down below it, just above where a CCTV camera is pointed.

On Tuesday, the artist added silhouettes of two elephants with their trunks stretched towards each other on the side of a building in the Chelsea area of west London.

This was followed by three monkeys looking as though they were swinging underneath a bridge over Brick Lane, near a vintage clothing shop in the popular east London market street, not far from Shoreditch High Street.

The fifth design, of pelicans pinching fish from a London chip shop sign in Walthamstow, east London, was revealed on Friday.
England captain Ben Stokes had to be helped off the field after suffering an injury playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

Stokes pulled up while running between the wickets as the Superchargers chased a victory target of 153 against Manchester Originals at Old Trafford and was later seen on crutches.

Englands Test series against Sri Lanka is due to start at the same ground on August 21.

Ben Stokes hobbled off the pitch while playing for the Northern Superchargers in @thehundred tonight. The England captain clutched the back of his leg as support staff helped him off. England's Test series v Sri Lanka begins in 10 days. #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/TH2Lo5t2g9  Test Match Special (@bbctms) August 11, 2024

The 33-year-old had made just two runs from four balls before being forced to retire hurt, with England teammate Harry Brook coming out to replace him.

Stokes appeared to clutch his left hamstring as he was completing a quick single from the non-strikers end.

He was seen punching his right thigh in frustration before being assisted by two members of the Superchargers staff as he slowly made his way off the field.

Brook made 43 from 26 balls and Nicholas Pooran smashed an unbeaten 66 from 33 deliveries before Adam Hose (27 not out) cleared the ropes for the second time to secure a seven-wicket victory.

Stokes was alongside his team-mates on the bench to watch the climax and was on crutches as he shook hands with the opposition.

Asked about Stokes, Brook told Sky Sports: It doesnt look great unfortunately but I think hell be getting a scan tomorrow and see how he is.
The Irish premier has said that this weekend brings the grisly milestone of 40,000 deaths in Gaza a step closer, as he condemned an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter.

Around 80 people were killed in the strike on the school in central Gaza City, which also left another 47 people injured, Gazas health ministry said.

Simon Harris said there is growing evidence of a prolonged humanitarian catastrophe.

The Fine Gael leader said he is particularly disturbed by a confirmation from the United Nations that the number of aid deliveries reaching Gaza has halved, from a daily average of 169 trucks in April to fewer than 80 trucks a day in June and July.

Taoiseach Simon Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs also says that only 24 of 67 planned aid missions to northern Gaza this month have been facilitated by Israel, Mr Harris said in a statement.

The United Nations has also assessed that more than 80% of the Gaza Strip has been placed under evacuation orders since October of last year.

When people are told to leave, they have nowhere to go, so they often go to schools.

Some 490 of Gazas schools have been bombed or damaged since the start of the war, and this weekends images from inside al-Tabaeen school are gut-wrenching. Ireland condemns outright such awful and wholesale loss of civilian life.

A ceasefire remains urgently needed, and all sides must immediately work in good faith to bring one about.

We have all been horrified by the many undoubted war crimes that have been committed in Gaza. There can be no impunity. Those responsible must be held to account.

Mr Harris said that all the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice must be implemented in full, which called for an end to its illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Too many innocent lives have been lost in 10 months, Mr Harris added.

The world is standing at the precipice of a horrific moment, and yet all levers to bring an end to the violence are not being used.

I again call for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The agreement contains human rights clauses, and I do not believe it is conscionable for the EU to continue to render them redundant.

Ireland calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of Israeli hostages, and for aid trucks to flow unimpeded.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has indicated he will stand down after his second term ends next year.

The 70-year-old, who has held the role since 2013, gave the update on his future during the IOCs 142nd session.

Bach said: After 12 years in the office of IOC president, our organisation is best served with a change in leadership. I am not the best captain. New times are calling for new leaders. Change or be changed.

The German said a new IOC president will be elected in March 2025, when the IOC membership meets in Greece, and will take charge in June.

In order to safeguard the credibility of the IOC we all, and in particular I as your president, have to respect the highest standards of good governance we have set for ourselves, Bach added.

I will be at your disposal for our beloved Olympic movement.

An Olympic fencing champion in 1976, Bach joined the IOC as a member in 1991 and succeeded Jacques Rogge as president 11 years ago.

Nobody has campaigned to succeed Bach as yet.
The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age, was arrested in a dawn raid after violence in Sunderland - Mark Pinder

A 15-year-old boy who stole vapes during a riot has become the first child in the North East to be convicted over the violent unrest that erupted across the UK.

The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age, was arrested in a dawn raid after violence in Sunderland saw far-Right agitators target mosques and clash with police.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland have experienced a wave of disorder from far-Right extremists after three young girls were stabbed to death in Southport on July 29.

The 15-year-old appeared at South Tyneside youth court on Saturday, where he pleaded guilty to one charge of violent disorder, and the burglary of a business, after stealing from a vape shop. He will next appear at the same court on Thursday.

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Northumbria Police has vowed to relentlessly pursue those who took part in the riots. Det Chief Insp Graeme Barr, of the forces major investigation team, said: A thorough investigation has been well under way as we look to identify those responsible and ensure they are met with the full strength of the law.

We will not tolerate the behaviour we saw in Sunderland city centre on Aug 2. Im sure were making it extremely clear by now that we will relentlessly pursue offenders who were involved, as weve managed to secure nearly a dozen convictions in a matter of days.

This should also act as a stark warning to anyone who thinks we will not look to arrest, charge and place those under 18 before the courts in connection with their roles in the disorder  you should think again.

Elsewhere, Staffordshire Police charged three men and a woman following violent disorder in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth last weekend.

The force said Darren Woodley, 55, Cameron Bell, 23, and Kyle Barber, 24, all from Tamworth, have been charged with violent disorder. Tyler Marchese, 21, of Burslem, has been charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

All four are due to appear at Cannock magistrates court on Monday, while 12 men arrested on suspicion of violent disorder have been released on conditional bail.

In Liverpool, a 15-year-old boy from Toxteth has been charged with burglary in relation to disorder that took place in the city centre on Aug 3.

The boy has been remanded in custody to appear at Merseyside youth court on Monday, and is the 27th person in the region to be charged in connection with disorder in Southport and Liverpool.
Dina Al Shammari suffocated on an overcrowded boat last month. Photograph: Family Handout/PA

A mother from a stateless Arab minority say she and her family have no choice but to try to cross the Channel again despite the death last month of her eldest daughter on a previous attempt.

Dina Al Shammari, 21, was travelling with her parents and three teenage siblings when she was crushed to death in an overcrowded dinghy off the coast of Calais on 28 July.

Her mother, Amira Al Shammari, 52, said the family arrived in France at the start of last month and had attempted the crossing five times before the night her daughter died.

The family who are Bidoon, a stateless Arab minority, previously fled Kuwait in 2018. Asked whether the family would try again to get to the UK, Al Shammari said: We have no options here, where should we go? Whos going to give us the protection? We have to do that again.

She said the family had been told there would be 60 people on board the inflatable boat. But on the day of the crossing they discovered the numbers were double that.

Speaking to the PA news agency from Calais through an interpreter, Al Shammari said: The boat was so crowded. Dina was the first one, she ran to the boat because she wanted to go to the UK as soon as possible.

She added: Then they followed her and, just like squeezing her from all over the place. When squeezing her, she wasnt able to breathe and she started shouting.

Related: Were too frightened to talk about immigration, warns top Labour party veteran

Al Shammari said the boat was at sea for about an hour before the French coastguard reached them. She said some on the boat had threatened the family and the driver with a knife to keep going rather than call for help. When the coastguard reached the dinghy her daughter was no longer breathing, Al Shammari said.

According to the French maritime prefecture, 34 people were rescued from the heavily loaded boat at about 5.30am, while others on the boat refused help and continued the journey to the UK.

An investigation into the death is continuing in France. In the UK, the National Crime Agency arrested and bailed a 29-year-old Egyptian man on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, in connection with the crossing.

Al Shammaris family are waiting for Dimas body to be released by the authorities as funds are being raised to help pay for her burial by the French organisation Groupe Deces.

So far this year, 17 people have died in the Channel, according to confirmed reports by the French coastguard from rescue operations.
The interior of TAE Technologiess Norman reactor in Foothill Ranch, California. Named for the companys co-founder Dr Norman Rostoker, it has kept plasma stable at more than 75m degrees C. Photograph: Rich Crowder/TAE Technologies

When James Watts first commercial steam engine was installed in March 1776 at Bloomfield Colliery, Tipton in the West Midlands, it was hailed as a mechanical marvel. Yet few could have anticipated the way steam engines would change the world.

Developed initially to pump water from mines, the technology was adapted across so many industries and applications that it sparked the Industrial Revolution. Now, according to those working on the development of fusion energy power plants, we are on the cusp of a similar transformation. I see this whole endeavour as having the characteristics of a general purpose technology in the same spirit as Watt, says Lu-Fong Chua, chief strategy officer of TAE Power Solutions in Birmingham.

Fusion is the energy-generating mechanism that makes the stars shine. The cliche is that human-engineered fusion on Earth is always 30 years away. But if we can make it work, it promises such quantities of clean energy that we will finally be able to leave fossil fuels behind.

Large, state-sponsored efforts and, increasingly, private startups are reporting breakthroughs that many in the industry now think will lead to viable fusion energy. Underlining their optimism, in 2022 the UK government announced the site for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project, at West Burton in Nottinghamshire. This demonstration plant aims to supply electricity into the national grid by the 2040s. And in developing such fusion power plants, we are creating new technologies and solutions that can reach far beyond the task of energy generation.

For example, TAE Power Solutions is a spin-out from Americas TAE Technologies, which was founded in 1998 to develop commercial fusion power. Obliged to invent a way to collect and store 750 megawatts (the power needed to spark their experimental reactor into life) from a commercial electricity grid only capable of delivering 2 megawatts, the firm is now adapting its breakthroughs to provide more efficient batteries for the next generation of electric vehicles.

Mitsubishi built a prototype MHD ship, the Yamato 1, in the 1990s  but the vessels top speed was only 15 km/h

We dont see these as side projects; we see these as happy byproducts that have very high intrinsic value on their own for problems and challenges beyond energy generation, says Chua.

In the UK, the Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has established the Fusion Cluster at Culham in Oxfordshire to stimulate the growth of a fusion industry.

Since its establishment in 2021, the cluster has grown from a handful of companies to more than 200. While the key goal remains the development of the skills and technology necessary to build a UK commercial fusion power plant by the 2040s, commercialising the spin-offs is also a high priority.

One of the roles the Fusion Cluster plays is telling people that not only is fusion coming, but there is value from it even years before weve got the first fusion power plants, because weve got these enabling technologies emerging, says Valerie Jamieson, the centres development manager.

Its a message that stimulates investment, as Greg Piefer, founder and CEO of Shine Technologies, realised in the early 2000s when he saw that developing commercial fusion power was going to be a long and costly path. It led him to think of how the technologies being developed could be deployed for profit along the way, so that investors could see a more immediate return on their money. Its hardcore essential to the mission of commercialising fusion, he says.

There are currently four key areas in which fusion spin-off technology is playing a key role.

Propulsion

One of the seemingly impossible things that a fusion reactor must do is confine a gas at around 100m celsius  hot enough to melt any material. Fortunately, at that temperature the gas becomes electrically charged and so can be controlled by magnetic fields.

The strength of the field determines the size of the reactor, and therefore how cost-effective it is to build. So, creating highly efficient magnets has been a core goal of Tokamak Energy, part of the Fusion Cluster and headquartered at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. In 2023, they announced the creation of a new generation of high-temperature superconducting magnets that deliver stable magnetic fields 10 or even 20 times stronger than existing technologies. Not only do such magnets open a path to a viable fusion machine, but they can transform [existing] markets and create new markets, says Warrick Matthews, CEO at Tokamak.

One such area is the creation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drives. Known to theoreticians since the 1950s, MHD drives use magnetic fields to create jets of an electrically charged fluid that propel a vehicle. The beauty is that they have no moving parts, so suffer no wear and tear.

Historically, the patient had to be taken to a nuclear reactor and exposed to the neutrons from its core. Hardly ideal

Marine applications are particularly attractive because seawater conducts electricity far better than freshwater. Since the engines are silent, they promise a big cut in the damaging noise pollution affecting marine environments. In the 1990s, Mitsubishi built the worlds first prototype MHD ship, the Yamato 1, but the programme was abandoned when its top speed proved to be just 15 km/h (just over 8 knots).

By providing much higher magnetic fields, and therefore more thrust, Tokamak Energys magnets should be game-changing. The company is currently collaborating with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) to prove the concept with a demonstration device.

Medical applications

There are several possible reactions that a fusion machine can use to generate energy. In 1998, TAE chose to pursue the fusion of boron atoms with protons, which opened their eyes to an old research programme into curing cancer. Atomic pioneers in the 1930s showed that boron possessed a strong affinity for reacting with neutron particles to split into lithium and helium. In 1936, Gordon Locher of the Franklin Institute in Pennsylvania pointed out the reactions potential for destroying cancerous cells. As the lithium and helium recoil, they deposit their energy over a range of about 5-9 micrometres, the size of a typical cancer cell. This sudden release of energy destroys the cell.

While the boron can be introduced into the patient with drugs, finding a suitable source of neutrons in the mid-20th century was a big problem. Historically, the patient had to be taken to a nuclear reactor and exposed to the neutrons from its core. Hardly ideal. Now, the problem is all but solved. A key innovation from TAEs fusion programme has been the creation of compact particle accelerators that can be used to generate tightly focused neutron beams. In fusion they are used to fuel the reactors.

Were able to take those beams and reconfigure them for medical purposes, says Rob Hill, CEO of TAE Life Sciences.

The company is currently in discussions with university hospitals Birmingham and University College hospital London to install experimental apparatus. Meanwhile, Shine Technologies is producing lutetium-177, a medically useful isotope, in its facilities at Janesville, Wisconsin, and Veendam in the Netherlands.

The lutetium is also used to target cancer, similarly delivered on a drug that binds to cancer cells. Unlike boron, it does not need neutrons to activate it. Instead, it is radioactive and decays with a half-life of around six-and-a-half days, emitting a high-energy electron that rips the cancer cell apart. It also emits a gamma ray, opening the possibility of a medical imaging device that can track the progress of the cancer and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Having such a short half-life, however, means the isotope does not exist in nature and so must be created using fusion technology.

Industrial imaging

One method of igniting fusion is to use lasers to compress and heat a pellet of hydrogen fuel. While researching the lasers needed to do this in the early 2000s at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, physicist Markus Roth and colleagues discovered that if they changed the target to a thin foil of material, they could accelerate particles from the foil to huge velocities.

In 2021, Roth established Focused Energy in Darmstadt, Germany to develop a laser system capable of accelerating a neutron beam with 100 times the intensity of existing technologies. Neutrons can be used like X-rays for imaging but are more penetrating, meaning they can see inside denser materials, and Roth is currently in discussions with civil engineering firms to deploy the system to inspect the steel inside concrete buildings and bridges for signs of corrosion. The same technique can also produce particles called muons, opening up even bigger imaging projects.

Muons are created naturally when particles from the sun strike atoms in the Earths upper atmosphere. They have tremendous penetrating power and were used after 2011s Fukushima nuclear accident to locate the molten reactor core. A similar set of detectors revealed a previously hidden chamber in 2017 in Egypts great pyramid of Giza. Geologists have used muons to investigate the movement of magma in volcanoes before eruptions.

The downside is that the amount of naturally occurring muons is relatively low. Hold your hand up to the sun and just one muon will pass through your palm every second. As a result, it took five months to image the Fukushima core.

Roths laser method could improve on the number of muons by a factor of 10,000, tremendously speeding up the imaging process, although the development of systems large enough to study volcanoes currently lies somewhere in the future.

Nuclear waste handling

At present, the biggest spin-out project for Focused Energy is a contract with the German government to build the first laser-driven neutron source for examining nuclear waste containers.

Having shut down its last remaining nuclear power plants in 2023, Germany must now deal with the waste, which has been piling up for decades. Focused Energys imaging system will determine the contents of the barrels, and what condition the waste is in, so that they can be safely and finally stored.

Related: Is the dream of nuclear fusion dead? Why the international experimental reactor is in big trouble

Across the Atlantic, Shine is planning to take this one step further. Instead of using neutrons to image the waste, if the neutron beam can be made more intense, it can transform the waste into less harmful substances. For example, traditional nuclear reactors split uranium-235 or plutonium-239 to produce energy. The waste product is iodine-129, with a half-life of more than 15m years. However, if it could be bombarded with a high-intensity neutron beam, it would be transformed into iodine-128, which has a half-life of just 25 minutes.

You can be rid of this 10 million-year problem in a day, says Piefer.

It turns out that the kind of neutrons necessary to do this will be made in abundance in many fusion power plants. So the reactors of the future will not only solve the worlds energy problems, but can be harnessed to help clean up the dirty legacy of the first nuclear reactors.

I believe that fusion, ultimately, will be a gamechanger similar to the steam engine, says Roth. We will be able to do a lot of things in our society that were not possible before, and that starts with cleaning up a lot of the mess from the Industrial Revolution.
Ed Swales (centre) of campaign group Hunting Kind says hunting is a way of life - Ed Swales

Hunters are preparing legal action which could see them become a protected minority group.

The community has been advised by a leading barrister that they have a case to seek protected status, including that they could be considered an ethnic group as a result of their shared history, or that they hold protected beliefs.

If established in law, it would mean that hunting events such as fundraising balls could not be cancelled as a result of pressure from animal rights activists.

A number of groups, including Roma, Gypsies and Travellers and LGBT people, and beliefs including religion, pacifism and ethical veganism, already receive protections under equality laws.

The campaign group Hunting Kind has received advice from a leading Kings Counsel which says that they have a high chance of success and the group are now looking for test cases to take to court.

Ed Swales, founder and chairman of the group, said: We are doing this because hunting is not just a hobby, it is our way of life, and currently we are looking at the end of that way of life.

This has been the only strategy that I have seen in the last 20 years to get the law that has been used against us to work in our favour.

I have been advised that we meet the criteria for a protected status, just like the Traveller community or the LGBT community.

In a legal opinion written for the hunters a KC advised that they have a pathway to being considered as an ethnic group by dint of their long-shared history, distinct customs and common ancestors.

Another option available to the groups is to demonstrate a protected philosophical belief, lawyers have said.

In recent years, other beliefs which have established legal protections include gender critical feminists who argue that a person cannot change biological sex.

In a test case in 2021, an appeal tribunal ruled in favour of Maya Forstater and established the principle that gender critical beliefs are and must be tolerated in a pluralist society.

Establishing protections under equality laws would mean that people with pro-hunting views could not be discriminated against by employers or those providing services including pubs and hotels.

Animal rights activists objected to Pc Cheryl Knight joining Wiltshire Police's rural crime team - Wiltshire Police/Solent News & Photo Agency

In recent years, there have been a number of cases of hunt fundraising balls being cancelled after pressure from saboteurs and of hunts being de-banked or refused payment services.

Last year, Wiltshire Police banned officers with links to hunting from joining its rural crime team after pressure from animal rights activists who objected to one of their officers, PC Cheryl Knight, who posted pictures of herself with hunts on her Facebook page.

The philosophical belief proposed by Hunting Kind includes that humanity has a responsibility of stewardship towards the countryside and for sustainable wildlife management.

They also believe that natural and traditional hunting with animals for pest control and wildlife management is sustainable, ecologically sensitive, naturally selective and humane.

Any test case would not have any impact on the 2004 hunting ban brought in by Tony Blair.

But it comes as a time when Labour is promising a further crackdown on hunting with a manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting.

BBC's Chris Packham calls people in hunting community 'barbaric savages' - Leon Neal/Getty Images

The suggestion that hunting should be a protected belief has already received criticism from animal rights activists including BBC presenter Chris Packham.

He asked his followers on X, formerly Twitter, what shall we call them  Ill go first: barbaric savages.

Mr Swales said that the comments were yet another example of the discrimination and prejudice that our community has experienced for decades.

To come from a high-profile media personality shows just how far in the wrong direction this toxic and prejudiced anti-hunting rhetoric has travelled. We do not and should not be expected to accept it, he told The Telegraph.

It is understood that lawyers have advised that the opposition faced by hunters from sabs and animal rights activists could work in their favour when seeking protection under equality laws.
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JD Vance retaliated by calling Tim Walz, Kamala Harris's running-mate, 'weird' for shaking his wife's hand during a campaign event

JD Vance has hit out at schoolyard bully attacks from Democrats claiming that he is weird.

The Ohio senator, who has had a rocky start since he was announced as the Republicans vice presidential nominee last month, claimed the criticism showed Democrats were trying to distract from their own policy failures.

Mr Vance has been characterised as an odd-ball by Kamala Harriss campaign after claiming in 2021 that leading Democrats, including Ms Harris, were a bunch of childless cat ladies.

Also under fire are his stringent views on abortion, where he has previously argued against allowing women who have been victims of rape or incest to be exempt from restrictions.

Tim Walz, Ms Harriss running-mate, propelled himself into the national media spotlight by first using the weird attack line.

Firm Midwestern handshake

In an interview with CNNs State of the Nation on Sunday, Mr Vance criticised Democrats for their tactics, before going on to accuse Mr Walz of being weird himself for shaking his wifes hand before he hugged her on stage at a campaign rally.

At the rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Mr Walz enthusiastically embraced Doug Emhoff, Ms Harriss husband, before formally shaking his wifes hand.

He then appeared to realise his mistake and pulled Gwen Walz, his wife of 30 years, into an embrace.

Mr Vance said the Minnesota governor had given his wife a nice, firm Midwestern handshake and then tried to sort of awkwardly correct for it.

So I think that what it is is two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who arent comfortable in their own skin because they arent comfortable with their policy positions for the American people, he claimed.

Theyre name-calling instead of actually telling the American people how theyre going to make their lives better. I think thats weird.

JD Vance acknowledged that the election contest became harder after Joe Biden, the US President, dropped out

Elsewhere in the CNN interview, Mr Vance acknowledged that the election contest had become harder after Joe Biden, the US President, dropped out and endorsed Ms Harris as his successor.

He said the Republicans should concentrate on the failures of the Biden administration, but admitted: That was an easier case to make when Joe Biden was in there, because people associate Joe Biden with the policies.

Nevertheless, he claimed that Ms Harris really has been the one calling the shots because Mr Biden clearly isnt capable of doing the job of president.

Mr Vance, who has previously spoken in favour of a national abortion ban, said that Trump would let states make the decision on abortion policy if re-elected, and would not ban the abortion drug mifepristone.

Trump was recently accused of race-baiting after claiming that Ms Harris, who has a Jamaican father and Indian mother, decided to turn black  a position that Mr Vance backed away from.



The Ohio senator said Ms Harris was whatever she says she is, but claimed Trump had been making the point that she was a political chameleon and a fundamentally fake person.
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein in 2019. Photograph: Matt Rourke/AP

Green party presidential nominee Jill Stein is seeking Palestinian Americans as potential running mates for her long shot White House bid, according to reports.

Speaking to NBC on Friday, several potential candidates said that they had multiple conversations with Stein about the vice-president position.

Stein, who is expected to announce her running mate next Friday, has been a fierce critic of Israels ongoing deadly war on Gaza which has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians since Hamass attack last October that killed 1,200 Israelis.

One candidate is Noura Erakat, a prominent human rights lawyer and professor at Rutgers University. On Friday, Erakat took to X to announce that Steins team approached me to run as her vice-presidential candidate & I am seriously considering it.

The [Kamala] Harris team is demanding our votes to save our democracy but has been oblivious to the fact that supporting a #genocide poses the most significant threat to it, Erakat added.

Abed Ayoub, national executive director of the Washington DC-based American-Arab anti-discrimination committee, announced that he has also been approached by Steins team, calling it an honor to be considered for the VP position.

Since the start of the genocide I have made a commitment to stick to our shared principles, even if this means being disinvited from meetings, losing access, and being sidelined by establishment, Ayoud wrote on X.

Dr Stein has consistently held the right position on Gaza, Palestine, and human rights throughout this campaign. Being considered is a testament to the fact that there are still politicians and candidates out there who value integrity and the willingness to stand on the side of justice, he added.

Another among the people interviewed for the job is Abdullah Hammoud, the Democratic mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, NBC reports. According to the outlet, Hammouds spokesperson confirmed that Stein had asked if he was interested in being considered for the position before realizing that the 34-year old is too young to be eligible for the position. Under the US constitution, vice-presidents are required to be at least 35 years old.

Speaking to NBC, political activist and comedian Amer Zahr revealed that he has also spoken with Stein about the position.

I am honored by the consideration and I think its important that the Stein campaign is making that kind of direct outreach to Palestinian Americans and Arab Americans, especially in Michigan, Zahr said.

It shows that, unlike the Harris campaign, she is serious about addressing the core issues in this campaign, he added.

Zahrs comments came after Harris sparked criticism earlier this week over her handling of anti-war demonstrators who protested during her rally in Detroit, Michigan.

In response to the demonstrators who chanted, Kamala, Kamala, you cant hide, we wont vote for genocide, Harris, who does not support an arms embargo on Israel, raised her eyebrows and said, You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, Im speaking.

She could have said, I hear you, were going to address this, and if you want it to get better, elect me instead of Donald Trump, Zahr told NBC, calling Harriss response really disrespectful.

But instead she suggested we want to help get Trump elected  as if we owe her something and she doesnt owe us, he continued.
Labour's mooted definition of Islamophobia is too broad, critics say - Milo Chandler /Alamy

A definition of Islamophobia being considered by Labour would curtail free speech, the founder of a project that monitors anti-Muslim hatred has warned.

Fiyaz Mughal said adopting too broad a definition of Islamophobia could make it worse and inflame or give oxygen to groups like the far Right.

The wording currently being looked at by Sir Keir Starmer could be used to shut down legitimate debates about issues such as polygamy, he added.

The Prime Minister is considering introducing the first formal definition of Islamophobia, which he pledged to do in opposition.

Under the wording drawn up by Labour it would be defined as a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.

Mr Mughal founded Tell MAMA, which measures anti-Muslim attacks, and was once tipped to become the Governments first Islamophobia adviser.

Fiyaz Mughal says his views on polygamy may be viewed as Islamophobic under Labour's current definition - Paul Smyth/Alamy

Mr Mughal said he agreed with the need for a formal definition of Islamophobia but that he disagreed with the broad one proposed by Sir Keir.

He told Times Radio: There should be some form of definition, but that definition must be in accordance with the current and existing laws.

Those that are pushing for a definition to be accepted right now, I think have their point of view. I dont accept it.

This is a definition thats so expansive it doesnt have any real value. This is a definition to curtail free speech.

Mr Mughal expressed fears that such a definition could prevent legitimate criticism of Muslims, including from members of the same religion.

He said that he was opposed to polygamy, which is practised by some Muslims, but that a wide definition could prevent him from airing those views.

Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, is concerned the definition could pave the way to a 'so-called blasphemy law' - Jonathan Brady//PA

I think thats distinctly wrong. Can that definition of an attack on somebodys Muslimness be used against me? he said.

And so there are some legitimate areas where we talk about free speech: here free speech actually is important.

Senior Conservatives have warned that such a definition of Islamophobia could be used to stifle legitimate criticism of Islam.

Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, warned there was a risk that it could turn into a so-called blasphemy law if too loosely drawn up.

While it would not be legally binding, concerns have previously been raised that a vague definition could undermine efforts to tackle extremism.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of anti-Semitism, which was accepted in 2016, is used by police forces, judges and private companies.

A government spokesman said: We will take into account a range of views and outline any updates on the Governments position in relation to this in due course.
Naloxone is available for free and the Victorian government has announced it will trial vending machines for the drug, but trained providers are subject to different rules over its use. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Richie Goonan knows that when faced with a drug overdose, every second counts.

But Goonan, who leads the community health team at the non-profit Youth Projects, says his frontline workers are hampered by a legal risk that slows them down when responding to an overdose.

Despite Victoria last year joining a federally funded program that expanded access to naloxone, a lifesaving overdose-reversal medication, frontline drug workers are met with a legal hurdle that prevents them from administering it without first calling triple zero.

If they face litigation due to attempting to save a life by administering naloxone, they may not be covered by any indemnity scheme if they have not spoken to an emergency services operator first.

Related: Cannabis vapes in Australia containing opioids spark calls for better access to anti-overdose drugs

Health experts are warning about the looming threat of strong synthetic opioids, called nitazenes, to Australian drug users, shining a light on the importance of access to naloxone to treat overdoses  with researchers calling for more Australian pharmacies to stock the drug.

Last month police confirmed that a synthetic opioid had been detected in the bodies of four people found dead in Melbourne in June.

Naloxone  available as an injection and nasal spray  can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose or an adverse reaction.

But Goonan says a nurse outreach worker at his service spent two minutes on hold with emergency services while trying to help someone experiencing an overdose.

Two minutes is an extremely long time when youve got someone with really shallow breathing, lips going blue, he says.

Such a delay could be the difference between receiving a lifesaving drug in a timely fashion and death or permanent harm, Goonan says.

Naloxone is a safe drug to use with the side-effects in the literature being very rare, he says.

Under Victorias good Samaritan legislation, it is legal for a non-medically trained bystander to administer naloxone to a person to treat a potentially fatal overdose. The drug is available to members of the public for free and without a prescription from drug harm support services under Victorias take-home program. This year the Allan government announced that it would also trial naloxone vending machines.

But while members of the public can administer it straight away, non-clinical frontline workers must call 000 as a priority and tend to a person in need of assistance in accordance with the advice of the emergency service operator, the operational guidelines for Victorias take-home naloxone program dictate.

Goonan says there doesnt seem to be much sense in forcing trained providers of emergency care to call triple zero before administering naloxone while members of the public are not required to do so.

One Victorian frontline outreach worker for a needle and syringe program, who requested anonymity, says that before the guidelines were published, he administered naloxone to someone without medical guidance.

There wasnt a nurse there and Im familiar and comfortable in using it, he says. There was no reason for me to wait. I knew what I was doing. I knew that it was appropriate.

I feel very anxious about discovering somebody that is in an overdose situation whilst Im at work and knowing that if I was to administer it, Id be doing that knowingly  outside of the legal guidelines.

The non-profit community health organisation Cohealths policy is for non-clinical staff to call triple zero if a clinician is not available when an overdose occurs.

Sione Crawford, the chief executive of the non-profit Harm Reduction Victoria, says the Department of Health last year informed health providers that non-clinical staff who administer naloxone risk not being covered by professional indemnity insurance if an adverse event occurs.

Crawford says sometimes outreach workers are in areas of poor mobile reception or come across someone requiring an immediate response.

[With] the advent of nitazenes and really potent synthetic opioids, were also thinking some of those overdoses can happen in 30 seconds rather than four or five minutes, he says.

We always say call triple zero. It might work in 80% of situations  Sometimes calling triple zero can take 90 seconds and that can be life-threatening.

Related: Alarming rise in drug overdoses in Australia as heroin-linked deaths surge 40%

Last month a synthetic drug 100 times more potent than heroin was found in cocaine being sold in Melbourne, prompting a warning from Victorias health department. It suggested users carry naloxone.

There were 549 drug overdose deaths in Victoria in 2022, equating to 1.5 deaths a day, according to the latest data from the states coroners court. Between 2013 and 2022 the number of overdose fatalities increased by 44%.

Chris Christoforou, the chief executive of the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, says the legal hurdle faced by frontline staff is mind boggling.

It doesnt make sense if the state is expanding access to naloxone, including through 24/7 vending machines, but those on the frontline, working with the drug-taking community, are hamstrung in terms of being able to respond to an emergency, he says.

Guardian Australia understands that the Department of Health is aware of concerns about indemnity and insurance coverage for the administration of naloxone. It is understood to be investigating the issue.

A Victorian government spokesperson said any member of the public could administer naloxone in response to a suspected opioid overdose but it was always recommended to call triple zero in an emergency.

We take a health-led approach to drug harms which is why we are making it easier for Victorians to access the life-saving overdose reversal medication, naloxone, the spokesperson said.
Among the exhibits tendered to the court are letters written by Amber Haigh in the days and weeks before she disappeared. Photograph: Supreme court of NSW

In the weeks before she disappeared, Amber Haigh wrote how lonely and lost she felt.

Documents tendered to court suggest the new mother was ringed by chaos and confusion, being pushed and pulled between three houses, and feeling she belonged nowhere.

Reports from police and health workers show they believed Haigh was vulnerable, that there was no place suitable for her and her infant son  but interventions failed to help her.

In a notebook found after Haigh disappeared, she had written in careful printing: When will I get someone to love me. I feel so lonely.

I miss them and it hurts me

Haigh, who had an intellectual disability, vanished from the New South Wales Riverina in June 2002, leaving behind her five-month-old son.

More than two decades later the father of Haighs child, Robert Geeves, and his wife, Anne Geeves, both 64, are on trial for her alleged murder. They have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors have alleged the Geeveses used Haigh as a surrogate to have another baby but that once Haigh had given birth to Robert Geevess child they removed her from the equation by killing her.

The couple have consistently denied ever harming Haigh. They told police they had last seen her on the evening of 5 June 2002, when they drove her from their home in Kingsvale to Campbelltown railway station, from where Haigh was to catch a train to visit her dying father in hospital. She never arrived. No trace of her has been found.

The last independent sighting of Haigh was three days earlier, in the company of Robert Geeves in the town of Young.

The nine-week murder trial is set to conclude, with closing submissions beginning on Monday morning.

Among more than 130 exhibits tendered to the court are letters Haigh wrote in the days and weeks before she disappeared.

In those final weeks, she was being shunted between three homes: the Geeveses rural property Huntleigh in Kingsvale; her great-aunt Stellas neighbouring property; and a small bedsit flat in Young. She occasionally caught a train to Sydney to visit family there.

In one reflective letter she expressed her feelings of not belonging.

I feel like I cant go to town, if I do, I got (sic) to be here within 2 hours or Anne [Geeves] will get the shits. I cant go to [cousin] Jackie or Stellas because they both get the shits.

I cant go to Sydney because they dont want me to go. I cant stay at my own home with [my child] because they get upset.

In another undated note she mourned the loss of her grandmother and an earlier lost child: the court has been told Haigh was impregnated by a cousin at age 14 and the pregnancy was terminated.

I miss them and it hurts me to think of them.

Haigh wrote that she feels alone in the world: When will I get someone to love me. I feel so lonely.

One letter dated 31 May 2002  days before she disappeared  is written in red ink, addressed to her infant son. The court has heard previously that after her son was born, Haigh was known as mummy and Anne Geeves as mum.

I see you asleep, you look like your daddy. You [were] laying with your mum. I know you love your mum, sometimes I think you love her more then [sic] me and I feel like Im your sister not your mummy.

I know [that] your mum loves you like her real son, not her step son. We all love you my son of mine. Love, Mummy.

Police concerns and family disputes

Police and community services workers consistently raised concerns about Haighs living arrangements.

Related: Amber Haighs crying baby was cuddled and consoled by Anne Geeves during police interview, court hears

In a police file dated 3 February 2002  when Haighs baby was just over a week old  her great-aunt raised concern that Haigh had failed to return from a visit to the Geeveses home.

Geeves lives down the road, the file tendered in court says, and has been extremely violent to Haigh in the past  has also threatened to take the baby from Haigh.

The file records that police went to the Geeveses home.

The house and yard appeared rundown and not maintained  the house was in a disgusting, filthy and unkept state. Anne Geeves was seated at the kitchen table which was piled up with rubbish. Everywhere within sight was a disgusting mess.

Police spoke to Haigh. The file says she was awkwardly carrying her baby, who was dressed only in a disposable nappy. Police instructed Robert Geeves to return Haigh to her great-aunts home, to which he agreed.

The file states: Police are of the opinion that the premises and environment are certainly not suitable for Amber Haigh or her child but recorded there was no immediate danger if they stayed with her great-aunt.

But two days later, on 5 February, a child and family health nurse, Sue Powell, raised a concern for welfare note with NSW police because Haigh and her baby had failed to keep an appointment.

I believe she is at the home of a Robert Geeves in Kingsvale and that he will not let her leave to return to her auntys place, she wrote.

The police file records Powell was concerned that Amber Haigh and her son were being held there against their will.

Haigh had not been returned to her great-aunts home as promised by Robert Geeves, so police went again to the Geeveses home. They drove Haigh and her son back to her great-aunts.

Powell visited Haigh at her great-aunts house later that afternoon. She said she had walked into an erupting family dispute.

She was confronted by a very loud and angry verbal argument between two other family members  Amber Haigh was obviously in distress at the situation, Powells notes read.

So Powell took Haigh to her bedsit flat in Young. The next day, according to Powells tendered notes, Robert Geeves arrived, trying to entice her [Haigh] to return with him to his property.

Related: Police allege couple murdered Amber Haigh and used pigs to dispose of body, court hears

The police file records: Powell was of the opinion that Robert and Anne Geeves will make every effort to gain custody of the [child] as he is the father.

As Amber Haigh is mentally challenged, she is confused and does not understand the gravity of the situation.

The court has heard Powell had sought to expedite the intervention of the Department of Community Services in Haighs case. She said she had concerns about Haighs ability to parent independently because she lacked fundamental baby care skills.

Under cross-examination from defence counsel, Powell agreed that Haighs bedsit flat was chaotic, with clothes strewn everywhere and an untidy kitchen, and that she needed significant assistance parenting her infant. Robert Geeves had brought basic food items to Haighs flat, her cross-examination heard.

Who looks after the baby?

Robert and Anne Geeves walked into Young police station on the evening of 19 June 2002 to report Haigh missing. They had not seen her for two weeks, they told police, since they dropped her at Campbelltown.

The missing persons file recorded the bare details: that Robert Geeves is concerned as the missing person [Haigh] has not contacted him or his wife as to the wellbeing of their five-month-old baby.

The missing person did not tell Geeves and his wife where she was going from the Campbelltown railway station and did not leave any contact details as to where she was going to stay. Geeves stated this was not unusual for the missing person.

But a contemporaneous handwritten note, written by Const Belinda Durham, recorded the conversation in greater detail.

She wrote that the Geeves said they had dropped Haigh off at the station, staying about five minutes before driving the three hours straight back home. Haigh willingly left her five-month-old son in their custody, the Geeveses said.

The note says: I asked Mr and Mrs Geeves if they had any conversation with Amber on the way to Campbelltown railway station. I asked did she say where she was going to stay?

Geeves stated no. When I asked isnt it a bit unusual not to say or ask her where she was going?, Geeves stated no, Amber is, what can I say, an unusual person, not normal.

The Geeveses told police in interviews played to the court Haigh that may have gone to stay with her uncle or mother in Sydney, but that they did not know their surnames, or have addresses or contact numbers for them.

When I asked Mr and Mrs Geeves why has it taken you two weeks to report Amber missing? Robert Geeves stated: Its not unusual for Amber not to contact us. She has gone to Sydney before she had the baby and did not contact us for a month.

Police asked the Geeves: Who looks after the baby? The Geeves replied: Anne.

Gossip and innuendo

Haighs disappearance has been an enduring mystery in the 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 had been used by Robert and Anne Geeves as a surrogate mother because they wanted another baby.

The court has previously heard that 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, said the crown prosecutor, Paul Kerr. 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 that 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 had fuelled gossip and innuendo.

Everything they did was viewed through a haze of mistrust and suspicion, the court has been told.

The judge-alone trial, before Justice Julia Lonergan, continues in Wagga Wagga.
Police officers outside St Patrick's Church, Southport - PA/Danny Lawson

When news of the horrific attack in Southport emerged two weeks ago, amidst the terrible distress and the subsequent troubling disinformation, one fact was clear; the police officers who rushed to the scene had been heroes, their bravery saving many young lives.

As the country began to grieve with the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice, and prayed for all those injured, we knew too that the police were urgently pursuing the criminal investigation to get answers and justice for the families left bereft. That is what we should have been talking about for the past fortnight.

Instead, appallingly, we have had to witness police officers in Southport and some of our other towns and cities defend themselves against bricks, bottles, fireworks and other missiles, as they try to protect mosques, hotels and high streets against criminal violence and racist attacks.

These attacks on local communities and indeed on the police have been a disgraceful assault on the rule of law itself. Those who try to suggest that this violence is about protest and grievance are making excuses for criminals and thugs.

Lots of people across Britain have strong views on law and order, immigration, and the NHS. But they dont pick up bricks and throw them at the police, loot shops or wreck cars, attack people because of the colour of their skin, or set light to buildings knowing people are inside.

The prime minister and I made clear to the police at the outset of this disorder that they would have the governments full support in taking the strongest possible action against every level of perpetrator.

And I am glad not just that we have seen hundreds of thugs facing the consequences of their actions in recent days, but that the deterrent effect of punishment has now been witnessed this weekend as the police, government and criminal justice system responded at speed. We said criminals would pay the price, and we meant it. That is the rule of law in practice.

It will be crucial over the coming days to maintain the work that quelled the threatened violence  the strong police response on the ground and the pace of arrests and prosecutions. I have told the police that they continue to have our full backing to tackle criminal violence and keep our streets safe.

But I have said something else, equally important, to the police as well.

As home secretary, I am not prepared to tolerate the brazen abuse and contempt which a minority have felt able to show towards our men and women in uniform, or the disrespect for law and order that has been allowed to grow in recent years.

As well as punishing those responsible for the last fortnights violent disorder, we must take action to restore respect for the police, and respect for the law.

That is why we plan to put thousands more neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs back onto our streets  reversing the collapse in community policing in the last fourteen years and rebuilding the relationship between local communities and their police forces.

The mission to deliver safer streets that the prime minister has set for our newly elected Labour government has at its heart the restoration of confidence in policing and the criminal justice system. From anti-social behaviour through to serious violence, too often people feel as though crime has no consequences, as charge rates have been allowed to fall and court delays grown. That has to change.

We will work with the police, rather than just blaming them from afar, to tackle problems and raise standards. And we wont engage in the kind of shameful behaviour we have seen from some senior politicians and pundits who sought to undermine the legitimacy and authority of the police, just at the time they needed our full backing to restore order to the streets.

When the police put on those uniforms, when they go out in the service of our communities, and when they uphold the high standards we expect of them, they deserve respect from every single one of us.

There is lots of rebuilding to be done in our communities after the damage of the last fortnight. Respect for the police, respect for the law, and respect for each other is where we must start.
Plumes of black smoke were seen billowing in the distance off one of the towers

Russian forces started a fire on a nuclear power station in southern Ukraine to blackmail Kyiv as it pushes into Russian territory, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

A Ukrainian official said there was unofficial information that Russia on Sunday had set fire to a large number of car tyres on the cooling towers of the facility in Zaporizhzhia, which it occupied shortly after launching an invasion in February 2022.

Footage circulated on social media shows plumes of black smoke pouring off one of the towers.

While radiation is said to be at normal levels, it may have been a warning to Kyiv as it advances into Russian territory after launching a cross-border invasion on August 6.

Mr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, accused Moscow of attempted blackmail and said it must be held accountable for the provocation.

Currently, radiation levels are within norm. However, as long as the Russian terrorists maintain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Since the first day of its seizure, Russia has been using the Zaporizhzhia NPP [nuclear power plant] only to blackmail Ukraine, all of Europe, and the world.

We are waiting for the world to react, waiting for the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] to react.

Russia must be held accountable for this. Only Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP can guarantee a return to normalcy and complete safety.

The blaze broke out at a cooling tower after an attack by the Ukrainian armed forces, Vladimir Rogov wrote on Telegram after Kyiv blamed Russia for the incident.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant - AFP

The IAEA said on Sunday that its experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from ZNPPs northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening.

The Russian-occupied facilitys management claimed a drone attack had taken place on one of the cooling towers.

The ZNPP said in a statement that it had contained the fire and that there was no threat of it spreading further.

It comes as Kyiv attempts to push further into the Kursk region after launching a surprise offensive earlier this month  the first foreign invasion of Russian soil since the Second World War.

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Russias defence ministry indicated that Ukraine had penetrated at least 20 miles into its territory, claiming to have foiled attempts by groups using armoured vehicles to break through defensive lines near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez.

According to images analysed by the BBC, Russia is building new defensive trench lines in the region, a short distance from one of its own nuclear power stations.

Heavy machinery is reportedly next to a long line of piled earth southeast of the Kursk facility.

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President Joe Biden salutes as he boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland

Abracadabra is not a strategy. Will somebody please tell that to the White House? As the events of recent months have shown, simply declaring that you want a ceasefire deal in Gaza, or a nuclear agreement with Iran, or de-escalation in the Middle East, or a Saudi-Israel deal to counter the Iranian threat, does not conjure it into reality.

In fact, the opposite is demonstrably the case. The administration seems to have forgotten  if it ever held this knowledge in the first place  that when you berate an ally in public, your foes listen carefully and adjust their tactics. When you telegraph your goals and the limits of your stomach for pursuing them (no American boots on the ground), your enemies are taking notes. When you signal your desire to withdraw from the region, bad actors prepare for the vacuum. As a result, the Middle East, and indeed the globe, now finds itself closer to all-out war than it has been for decades.

Abracadabra is thought to be a corruption of the Hebrew, ebrah kdabri, meaning my words will create reality. This is true, but in precisely the opposite way to what Joe Biden thinks. In Ukraine, his administrations public insistence that American munitions would not fall on Russian territory has been seen as a green light by the Kremlin, leading to the opposite of his goal of de-escalation.

But it is particularly the case when it comes to Iran, one of the wiliest threats to the Middle East and the world. Following the Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two weeks ago, the region is in a state of great tension as it awaits an Iranian reprisal which may tip the Middle East into a state of conflict. Unlike Washington, Tehran is hiding its hand, allowing a period of anticipation to psychologically degrade its enemy.

On Sunday, while leaving church in Reheboth Beach, Delaware, Biden was asked for his message to Tehran. Dont, he replied. Had he forgotten that he had told the Iranians the same thing back in April? You could almost hear Benjamin Netanyahu saying: thanks for that. The last time Iran was rolling out warheads to their launching sites, the Presidents dont precipitated a rain of hundreds of missiles and drones on the Jewish state.

On that occasion, the United States masterminded an international coalition that impressively defended Israeli skies, at once highlighting the threat from Iran and the Wests military superiority. The very next day, however, the White House openly demanded that Israel take the win and refrain from retaliating.

In the event, Jerusalem destroyed a radar unit beside Irans nuclear facility in Natanz, sending Tehran a message about its capabilities. Whether this created a sufficient deterrent to avoid a regional war four months later remains to be seen. But the Ayatollah was left in no doubt about the extent of the American superpowers appetite for exacting a price for aggression. It is through this lens that he now views the squadron of US fighter jets and naval assets that have been deployed to the region, and through which he sees Bidens repeated instruction, dont.

It is hard to avoid the conclusion that Tehran is running rings around Washington. Indeed, it is difficult to ascertain whether the US has a coherent Iran strategy at all. In 2018, Donald Trump pulled out of Barack Obamas nuclear deal and replaced it with a draconian package of sanctions dubbed maximum pressure. Two years later, he authorised the killing of the iconic Iranian terror chief Qasem Soleimani. While this did not halt Iranian progress towards a nuclear weapon, it choked the supply of resources for its proxy militia throughout the region and injected a tangible jeopardy into Tehrans decision-making.

By contrast, the appeasement of the Biden years began even before he became president. During the 2020 campaign, he wrote an article for CNN expressing his desperation to reinstate the Obama deal. The Ayatollah got the message and reacted accordingly. In the negotiations that followed, he strung out the process while accelerating his progress towards a bomb, sailing past the achievements of enriching uranium at 20 per cent, then 60 per cent while the White House continued to play nice.

Biden reacted by accelerating the appeasement, evading or ignoring his own sanctions to release $16 billion of previously frozen assets into Iranian hands in the runup to October 7. Even after the Hamas attacks, the White House renewed a sanctions waiver that allowed the regime to access a $10 billion pot from selling electricity to Iraq. Once again, the Ayatollah got the message, reacting in the opposite way from that which the White House had expected.

In this way, Biden has arrived at the twilight of his presidency by eclipsing his shameful Afghan withdrawal of 2021. The world is in turmoil, Russia and China are emboldened and Americas foremost ally in the Middle East is being left to enforce deterrents alone. The worlds most malign, dangerous and oppressive theocracy  an ally of Moscow and Beijing  is fast advancing to become a regional nuclear superpower. Wouldnt it have been easier to have toughened up in the first place?
Professional bodies say the proposal could erode the trust they have worked to build and instead fuel racism. Photograph: SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Doctors, social workers and librarians are among those in Sweden who have sounded the alarm over a proposal being explored by a government-appointed committee that would force public sector workers to report undocumented people to authorities.

The proposal  which has been referred to as the snitch law by some  was among the many measures included in a 2022 agreement struck between four rightwing parties in the country. The deal paved the way for a coalition government involving three centre-right parties with parliamentary support from the far-right anti-immigration Sweden Democrats (SD).

Nearly two years after the SD, a party whose manifesto seeks to create one of Europes most-hostile environments for non-Europeans, became Swedens second-biggest party, work is under way to turn the proposal regarding public sector workers into law. The committee has been instructed by the government to present proposals on how this could be drafted into law, with plans to present their findings to the government by the end of November.

Despite being in the early stages, the idea, which could result in up to a million workers, from dentists to teachers, being forced to report any contact with undocumented patients, students and authorities, has faced widespread opposition from rights campaigners and professional associations.

This proposal is utterly inhumane, said Michele LeVoy of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants. The impacts could be far-reaching, with people potentially hesitating to send children to school and more reluctant to access healthcare or report crimes committed against them.

People will be, in a sense, terrified. Why would anyone want to go somewhere when they know that the main thing that will happen is not that they can get care, not that they can go to school, not that they can go to the library  theyll just be turned in, she said.

Professional associations have said the proposal could erode the trust they have worked to build and instead fuel racism and amplify stigmatisation.

LeVoy described the measures as part of a growing trend across Europe to criminalise solidarity with people who were undocumented. The Finnish government is also considering expanding obligations to report undocumented people, while in Germany, social welfare offices have for two decades wrestled with reporting obligations.

Another example lay in the measures introduced in the UK by Theresa May in 2012, said LeVoy, citing the hostile environment policies that sought to limit access to work, benefits, bank accounts, driving licences and other essential services for those who could not prove they had the legal right to live in Britain.

It later emerged that many who were in the UK legally were unable to prove their status and that the Home Office was frequently misclassifying legal residents as immigration offenders, leading the National Audit Office to conclude in 2018 that hostile environment policies did not provide value for money for taxpayers.

If the Swedish proposal were to become law, Sweden could end up grappling with similar consequences, said LeVoy. Everywhere where obligations to denounce undocumented people have been applied, the result has been more discrimination, suffering and fear.

Jacob Lind, a postdoctoral researcher in international migration at Malmo University, said the Swedish proposal was likely to have little impact when it came to reducing the number of people without papers in the country.

A lot of people are not going to leave, he said. Theyre just going to end up in further misery. Youll end up with the opposite effect; society will have even less contact with people who are in this situation, further increasing their vulnerability and making them even more exploitable.

It is a view that could explain the broad-based opposition to the plan; as of December 2023, more than 150 Swedish regions, municipalities, trade unions and other civil society groups had come out against the idea. Theres a unique alliance right now around this issue and its become a key issue, said Lind.

Among the groups that have spoken out is the Swedish Medical Association (SMA). I became a doctor to help people, not monitor and report them, said Sofia Rydgren Stale, the SMA chair.

For months, the association has argued that reporting requirements would run contrary to the professional ethics rules and principles that state that care must be provided as needed and that patients must not be discriminated against. We see it as very likely that it will lead to people not daring to seek care for fear of being reported, Rydgren Stale added.

The Swedish government said the committee looking into how this could become law was also examining whether the duty to provide information would conflict with professional values, such as within healthcare. To ensure that the regulation is legally sound and does not result in unreasonable consequences for individuals, certain situations may need to be exempted from the duty to provide information, the minister of migration, Maria Malmer Stenergard, said.

She described the reporting requirements as playing a key role in supporting legal migration by allowing the state to more efficiently deport individuals who are denied asylum. Unfortunately, many remain and become part of a growing shadow society, she said. In such situations the duty to provide information helps in upholding government decisions and does not erode trust, quite the contrary.

The governments stance has seemingly done little to quell concerns. In May, the professional ethics council founded by two Swedish unions representing teachers said the obligation to report would put them in an impossible situation. If the proposal were to become reality, it could lead to such serious ethical problems for teachers that our conclusion is that civil disobedience would probably be the only reasonable way out, it said on its website.

The idea was also opposed by more than 90% of librarians, said Anna Troberg of the trade union DIK. Many say they would rather lose their jobs than report those in need, she said. If the Swedish government advances this law, the librarians will come out on the right side of history. Ultimately, this is a question of trust, humanity and democracy.
Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

Donald Trump said that only publicly available information had been stolen by a hack of his campaign for the presidency as he pinned the dramatic theft on the Iranian government.

The news of an alleged hack emerged amid reports from the news website Politico that it had begun getting emails from an anonymous account with internal documents from the Trump campaign, including a vetting dossier on his running mate JD Vance.

We were just informed by Microsoft Corporation that one of our many websites was hacked by the Iranian Government  Never a nice thing to do! Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social media platform.

Trump added: They were only able to get publicly available information but, nevertheless, they shouldnt be doing anything of this nature. Iran and others will stop at nothing, because our Government is Weak and Ineffective, but it wont be for long.

The reference to Iran and Microsoft appears to confirm a Microsoft report released on Friday about alleged hackers with ties to Iran who sent a spear-phishing email in June to a high-ranking official on a presidential campaign from the compromised email account of a former senior adviser.

The Microsoft report did not identify the official or senior adviser.

Politico reported that it been getting emails from an anonymous account from someone who identified themselves only as Robert. That account sent Politico internal campaign communications and a 271-page long research dossier on Vance. The news organisation said the Vance profile was based on publicly available information about Vances past record and statements and appears to be linked to the vetting process.

In a statement to Politico, campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said: The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror just like he did in his first four years in the White House.

News of the potentially embarrassing and damaging hack was yet another blow to a Trump campaign that has endured a sharp reversal in its fortunes in recent weeks. Trumps effort to reclaim the White House had emerged unified and ahead in the polls after last months Republican national convention as it prepared to do battle with a struggling Joe Biden.

However, Bidens historic decision to drop out of the race and endorse Vice-President Kamala Harris has shaken up a race that seemed for a long time likely to end in Democratic defeat. Harris  and her new running mate Minnesota governor Tim Walz  have surged in the polls and recent head-to-head surveys show her ahead of Trump. She has also strengthened markedly in the vital swing states that are key to victory in Novembers contest.

On Saturday the New York Times released a poll showing Harris was leading Trump by four points in each of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania  the three key Rust Belt states that have been a huge focus of each campaigns efforts.
Vice-president Kamala Harris steps off Air Force Twp for rally in Michigan - ZUMAPRESS.com/The Mega Agency

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Donald Trump has falsely claimed that Kamala Harris is using artificial intelligence to fake the size of the crowds at her campaign events.

The former president, who is known to be sensitive about crowd sizes and recently claimed to draw the biggest crowds, accused Ms Harris of spreading doctored images and said she should be disqualified from the election.

He claimed nobody turned up for her campaign stop in Michigan on Sunday, perpetuating an online conspiracy theory that the reflection from Air Force Two proved the crowd had been digitally added.

He also accused Ms Harris of stealing his flagship policy of eliminating taxes on tips, after she announced the move before an estimated crowd of 12,000 people.

Has anybody noticed that Kamala cheated at the airport? Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

There was nobody at the plane, and she AId it, and showed a massive crowd of so-called followers, but they didnt exist!

Screenshot of social media post from Donald Trump falsely claiming his rival used AI fake

He went on to claim that Ms Harris habitually faked the size of the crowds at rallies, and that she should be prevented from standing against him because it constituted election interference.

The Harris campaign, which has almost 300,000 followers on Truth Social, has used Trumps own platform to needle the former president over the size of crowds they draw to campaign events.

Trump claimed in August 2024 that the speech he gave on Jan 6 2021  shortly before rioters stormed the Capitol  had been given to a bigger crowd than the one that heard Martin Luther Kings I have a dream speech in 1963.

He also used Truth Social to attack Ms Harris for copying his plan to eliminate tax on tips, claiming the Democrat has no ideas of her own.

It had been a key policy of the Trump campaign and was expected to prove popular in Nevada, a battleground state which has the highest proportion of food service workers in the country.

Trump had previously claimed to have come up with the idea while talking to a very smart waitress over dinner. Experts have warned that it could lead to tax revenues dropping by billions of dollars.

Dr Martin Luther King delivers his 'I have a dream speech' - AP

Ms Harris, who has surged in the polls since entering the presidential race in July, proposed an identical policy while campaigning in Nevada this weekend.

When I am president, we will continue our fight for working families of America, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers, she said on Saturday.

Trump complained that Ms Harris had copied his policy out of political desperation and would not follow through on the pledge.

Kamala Harris, whose honeymoon period is ending, and is starting to get hammered in the polls, just copied my no taxes on tips policy, he said.

The difference is, she wont do it, she just wants it for political purposes! This was a Trump idea  She has no ideas, she can only steal from me.

A recent poll for The Telegraph had the candidates tied on 40 per cent each in Nevada, which Trump won narrowly four years ago despite losing the election overall.

The Republican has struggled to find his groove in the presidential race after Joe Biden, the US president, ended his campaign in July and endorsed Ms Harris as his successor.

He has run through various nicknames for his new opponent  including Laughin Kamala, Crazy Kamala and Kamabla  which have failed to catch on, and was widely criticised when he accused her of deciding to turn black for political gain.

A New York Times poll, conducted between Aug 5 and Aug 9, had Ms Harris leading by four points across the rust belt swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

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Keir Starmer is shown CCTV screens at Lambeth police HQ in London. The prime minister described an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers as far-right thuggery. Photograph: Toby Melville/PA

The UK has a two-tier approach to extremism that fails to treat far-right attacks as seriously as Islamist ones, a leading thinktank has said.

The Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) says rightwing violence is often classified as mere thuggery by politicians, prosecutors and the security services. Equivalent acts by Islamists would swiftly be labelled as terrorism, it says in an article in the Guardian.

A week of riots across England and Northern Ireland that have targeted asylum hotels and mosques have been fuelled by neo-Nazi and extreme-right activity.

Elon Musk, the owner of X, and the Reform UK party leader, Nigel Farage, have claimed that Keir Starmers government is implementing a two-tier criminal justice system, with predominantly white rioters treated more harshly than non-white counter-protesters.

Related: England riots: how has two-tier policing myth become widespread?

An article written by the directors of Rusi says a different double standard has been exposed by this summers riots which has allowed far-right activity to flourish.

Rusis research suggests that the nature of far-right violence, which is often seen as low impact and disjointed, coupled with institutional bias and racism, means that far-right violence has historically not triggered the same responses from politicians, security services and the media as jihadist violent extremism.

There exists a clear double standard, or two-tier approach, in how different forms of extremism are addressed, particularly when comparing security and legal responses to far-right and Islamist violent extremism, the article says.

Written by Rusis acting director of the terrorism and conflict research group, Dr Jessica White, the Rusi research fellow Claudia Wallner and its director of terrorism and conflict studies, Emily Winterbotham, it calls for the threat from the far right to be redefined.

Far right-motivated violence is often classified as mere thuggery or hooliganism, while similar acts motivated by Islamist extremism would likely be swiftly labelled as terrorism. This inconsistency undermines the perceived severity of far-right threats and hinders the political will and the necessary legal precedent to take equivalent action, it says.

Starmer understated the politically driven actions of the far right, the authors claim, when he described an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers as far-right thuggery. While his [Starmers] intent was to acknowledge the ideological underpinnings of the violence, the term thuggery downplays the organised networked, and ideological components of the riots, as well as the individuals and groups involved, the article says.

Rusi sees merit in calls for severe incidents of far-right violence to be treated as terrorism. Recognising severe cases of far-right violence as terrorism would align with a more equitable legal strategy, ensuring that all forms of extremism are prosecuted with the seriousness they warrant, the article says. The recent riots should be seen in the context of a pattern of violence across Europe largely ignored by politicians and the public.

Similar far-right riots have occurred in Dublin in 2023 and in Chemnitz in Germany in 2018, both in reaction to stabbings that sparked widespread anti-immigrant sentiment, with far-right groups exploiting the incidents to incite violence against migrants and refugees, it says.

Rusi maintains strong ties to the defence and security community. It claims to be the worlds oldest thinktank, established in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington.

Allegations of a two-tier system biased in favour of BAME or leftwing protesters emerged after the pro-Palestinian protests in the UK since 7 October. The former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, now a Conservative leadership candidate, claimed in March that two-tier policing had governed the handling of those protests.
Proposed lessons may include pupils analysing newspaper articles in English lessons to differentiate fabricated stories from true one. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Children will be taught how to spot extremist content and misinformation online under planned changes to the school curriculum, the education secretary said.

Bridget Phillipson said she was launching a review of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools to embed critical thinking across multiple subjects and arm children against putrid conspiracy theories.

One example may include pupils analysing newspaper articles in English lessons in a way that would help differentiate fabricated stories from true reporting.

In computer lessons, they could be taught how to spot fake news websites by their design, and maths lessons may include analysing statistics in context.

Phillipson, the Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, told The Sunday Telegraph: Its more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge what they see online.

Thats why our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills in lessons to arm our children against the disinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media. Our renewed curriculum will always put high and rising standards in core subjects  thats non-negotiable.

But alongside this we will create a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum that widens access to cultural subjects and gives pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life.

Misinformation spread on social media about the background and religion of the suspect in the stabbing of three young girls in Southport on 29 July has been blamed for the rioting led by the far right across the UK.

Specialist officers are pursuing suspected online offenders and influencers responsible for spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale.

Teams are investigating hundreds of leads, the National Police Chiefs Council said.

The moderation and regulation of social media has also come under scrutiny after the disorder.

New regulation of social media platforms  the Online Safety Act  became law in the UK last year but has not yet fully come into effect.

Keir Starmer suggested on Friday that he would look at strengthening social media regulations further, after Londons mayor, Sadiq Khan, said the legislation was not fit for purpose.
President Maduro is sending security forces into homes of alleged 'terrorists' and 'fascists'  terms he uses to refer to the opposition - Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

At a candlelit vigil in honour of Venezuelas political prisoners on Thursday evening, Diego Casanova thought about his older brother. The door of Jose Gregorio Perezs house had still been ajar when his family went to look for him at his home. Hed left his telephone plugged into the wall on charge.

My family knew something was wrong as soon as he wasnt answering calls, Mr Casanova said, explaining his 26-year-old brother had been due to collect his mum from his aunts house to take her home  but never turned up. We looked in the hospitals and everywhere we thought he could be.

After two days of searching Mr Perezs family were told he had been jailed because of his alleged involvement in an anti-government protest. Like other young people in the working-class Caracas neighbourhood, hed been arrested on terrorism charges.

Mr Perez is just one of 1,229 people who have been detained since July 29 following Venezuelas presidential election the day before, according to human rights NGO, Foro Penal. At least 24 people have been killed.

Venezuelan residents in Bogota hold a candlelit protest against Maduro's government - Juancho Torres/Anadolu

A protester in the capital of Venezuela as people demonstrate against what they see as outright election fraud - Juancho Torres/Anadolu

Despite opinion polls and exit polls predicting a landslide win for Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the opposition candidate, the countrys electoral body announced President Nicolas Maduro had won another six-year term with more than 51 per cent of the vote.

But following spontaneous and organised protests over what many people saw as outright fraud, people have been encouraged to denounce their neighbours, police now carry out random spot checks on phones and President Maduro has launched angry tirades on TV  his latest saying hes temporarily blocking social media site X, accusing it of spreading facism, hatred and civil war.

Candlelit vigil being held in honour of Venezuela's political prisoners

People light candles in Caracas during a vigil in tribute to citizens who have been detained, following the disputed election result - Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/REUTERS

One of Maduros latest strategies is Operation Knock, Knock, named after a popular Venezuelan Christmas carol in which citizens are encouraged to get together and open the doors of their homes to people of peace  members of the community offering Christmas cheer. Peace is what Maduro says he is trying to maintain by sending security forces into the homes of alleged terrorists and fascists  terms he often uses to refer to the opposition.

Maria Oropeza, an opposition campaign coordinator from Portuguesa state, was one of the latest victims.

A chilling Instagram video released on Thursday by the countrys military counterintelligence agency shows her being led from a small plane  handcuffed and scared  by masked security forces.

Background music reminiscent of a horror film and the words Knock, Knock have been added to the video. Just two days earlier she had livestreamed her own arrest as security forces broke into her home.

#ULTIMAHORA Agentes del regimen secuestraron la noche de este martes a la coordinadora de Vente Venezuela en Portuguesa, Maria Oropeza, quien logro transmitir en vivo por Instagram como irrumpieron en su casa https://t.co/yWR2XG4pn5 pic.twitter.com/ZmbDt0SR87  Monitoreamos (@monitoreamos) August 7, 2024

Incidents such as this have forced many activists and opposition members into hiding, including Jesus Armas, opposition campaign manager for Caracas.

Im not sleeping in my house. Im changing where I stay often, Mr Armas told The Telegraph. I havent been able to see my parents as I dont want to put them in danger. Ive stopped doing things normal people do  going to the market, going for a drink with friends.

But Mr Armas says that he  and his opposition friends and colleagues  are not giving up.

I have a lot of hope because this government has been exposed to Venezuelans and the international community. Its fragile. The only weapon it has is terror.

A number of countries, including the UK, have called for transparency over election results and criticised the governments repression. The UK government expressed concern over the ongoing repression in Venezuela and called for a stop to arbitrary detentions and harassment in a post on X by Baroness Chapman, a minister at the Foreign Office.

The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing repression in Venezuela.



Human rights must be protected, and arbitrary detentions and harassment must stop.



As @DavidLammy has said, the votes of the Venezuelan people must be respected.  Jenny Chapman (@JennyChapman) August 6, 2024

So far, the Venezuelan opposition say they have managed to collect more than 80 per cent of the vote tallies, which reveal Mr Gonzalez won with 67 per cent of the vote. The results have been published on a website and have also been analysed by international media organisations and academics.

The Venezuelan attorney general said he is investigating Mr Gonzalez, and the other half of the campaign duo, Maria Corina Machado, who was banned from running as a candidate. He is investigating them over alleged incitement to insurrection after they called for security forces to side with the people.

Opposition supporters in Mexico hold a flag of Venezuela during a protest demanding freedom for their country - Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu

A woman covered with a Venezuelan flag and a sticker of opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, attends a vigil demanding freedom for political prisoners - YURI CORTEZ/AFP

Alfred Romero, President of Foro Penal, says there are flagrant human rights abuses being committed against those who have been taken. The detainees dont have access to private lawyers or their relatives, which means that we dont know at this moment their health condition, or if they have been tortured, or subjected to cruel treatment.

Government figures for those detained stand at around 2,200  over 1,000 more than Foro Penals figures. Mr Romero says his organisation is still unsure whether this is a scare tactic, or if there are many more prisoners theyre so far unaware of.

For Diego Casanova, he just wants an end to his familys nightmare. I wake up every morning devastated and not knowing how to help. My mum and aunt have barely spoken since his disappearance, Mr Casanova told The Telegraph, at the vigil to remember those detained.
An Afghan asylum seeker who was inside a hotel targeted by rioters said people are traumatised by what happened and described feeling lost when it comes to what his future might hold in the UK.

The 29-year-old was in the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham when people smashed the windows of the building before starting fires.

Masked men hurled wood, chairs and bottles with some spraying fire extinguishers at police officers amid the 700-strong crowd, and at least 10 officers were injured, with one knocked unconscious.

The asylum seeker, who did not want to be identified amid concerns for his safety, said the trouble had been preceded a day earlier with people passing by the hotel and shouting F*** you! Rwanda! Go to your country!

The man, who had been in the hotel for two months while he awaits his asylum claim being processed, described the fear and panic when the attack began.

He said: They entered from the back/kitchen to the dining area and broke the windows from the inside. From the inside they threw chairs and tables onto the police and were throwing other things at the police.

And then they started the fire. People were really scared inside the hotel.

One week on, and having been moved to another hotel, he said the fear had not subsided.

I am pretty sure most of the people who were in the hotel are still in a kind of panic, he said. They are traumatised, they are not in a good situation.

The man had been in the UK for a year and a half as a student, but applied for asylum earlier this year, feeling he would not be able to return to his home country due to the Taliban takeover.

Recalling his life before then, he said: I had a great life back in Afghanistan. I was working with humanitarian organisations, and in the development sector. I was also working as a volunteer.

On the wider issue of migration, he described how having to leave your own country is not an easy thing to go through, adding: Forced migration is not a good and desirable experience.

But the man, who has been supported by the Refugee Council, said he had hope for a positive new life in the UK before the riots broke out.

His experience in the UK had been a very happy one where he felt safe, he said, adding: But now I dont go outside. I dont want to explore new places. I feel very sad and frustrated. I feel very lost now.

Nooralhaq Nasimi was recognised with a royal honour last year for his services to refugees (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Separately, a refugee from Southern Africa who is now living in the Midlands said he feels unwelcome and unwanted as a result of the violence.

The man, aged in his early 40s and who did not want to be named, said he had fled persecution and had been enjoying living freely as a member of the LGBTQI community in the UK.

He said police had spoken to him earlier this week about a previously-friendly neighbour who is suspected of having been a key organiser in the riots, leaving him feeling you dont know who is your enemy and everyone is vulnerable.

He said he had felt hope and a lot of assurance having the British community standing in solidarity with everyone affected by the riots in the counter protests on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Nooralhaq Nasimi, director of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), said the people his organisation supports are feeling anxious, scared and are worried for what might happen in the future.

Mr Nasimi arrived in the UK in 1999 from Afghanistan as a refugee, and said he has never seen violence here on this large scale in his 25 years in Britain.

The community leader, who was recognised in the 2023 honours list for services to refugees, said he believes those behind the violence were a very small minority and praised the huge support of the counter-protests.

He told the PA news agency: I feel very pleased to see so many British people go out into the streets to support the multiculturalism of Britain, to support those who are from BME (black and minority ethnic) groups, from Muslim communities, and express their criticism against the far-right, telling the public that those people who are behind this violence, they are not representing British democracy or culture.

He said he hopes to see more partnership between the Home Office, the police and grassroots organisations working with asylum seekers and refugees for increased community cohesion in the future.
A United Nations patrol vehicle with six Irish soldiers on board was caught up in an air attack in a village in south Lebanon on Saturday.

Eight troops, including six Irish and two Polish, were on an armed patrol when there was a drone or air attack on a village.

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin said none of the soldiers were injured in the attack, but damage was caused to the vehicle in which they were travelling.

A UN patrol vehicle at Camp Shamrock in Debel during a visit by Tanaiste Micheal Martin to Lebanon to meet Irish troops (Niall Carson/PA)

Speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Mr Martin said that the incident is still under investigation and further clarity on the incident would be given later.

Essentially about eight soldiers, two armoured vehicles, six Irish and two Polish, they were on routine patrol and there was an attack, either drone or airstrike on the village that they were patrolling through, he said.

They had come out, it seems, from the other end of the village. And shrapnel or whatever appears to have pierced the vehicles.

They were safe and emerged unscathed, and are back at camp.

I would prefer to await further investigation (from Defence Forces) to identify the source of that.

We have ideas as to who would have made that particular attack but I would say at this stage, we will be making representations on foot of this, on the basis that both the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) and Hezbollah must fulfil their obligations to peacekeepers.

There are thousands of peacekeepers in Lebanon to keep the peace. Its the most noble, objective thing to do and we take the full protection of our soldiers very seriously and I have already been in touch with the (Defence Forces) chief Anthony McKenna of staff about this.

We will be receiving further information later this afternoon, but it is a serious incident and one I am very concerned about.

It illustrates the danger of a wider escalation of the war to Lebanon in terms of the danger to peacekeepers and the civil population in Lebanon.

And its matter of greatest concern.
A new artwork of swimming fish has appeared on a police box in the City of London, sparking speculation that it might be the latest Banksy.

The elusive street artist has not yet claimed the piece, but if he does it would be his seventh artwork to be unveiled this week in various locations across the capital.

The design on the police box differs from Banksys previous silhouette artworks in that the school of fish has been painted with more detail and tone.

The artwork on the police box differs from Banksys previous silhouette designs as the fish have been painted with more detail and tone (Yui Mok/PA)

It appears the artist has used translucent spray paint to turn the sentry box into a giant fish tank.

Two City of London police officers later arrived to examine the new design before taking pictures from the outside of the police box.

One officer told the PA news agency they were asked to check out the artwork after it was picked up on CCTV cameras and that they are waiting to hear what will be done about it.

Banksy has revealed a new animal artwork each day this week  including a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans and a cat  by posting a photo of the piece to Instagram at 1pm.

On Saturday, the artists sixth piece  a stretching cat on an empty, distressed advertising billboard  was removed from its location in north-west London hours after it was revealed.

Crowds booed as the piece in Cricklewood was dismantled by three men who said they were hired by a contracting company to take down the billboard for safety reasons.

The new artwork in the City of London has sparked speculation that it could be the latest Banksy (Yui Mok/PA)

Hours after Banksy confirmed the design was his, crowds gathered from across London to see the piece before men, who claimed to be contractors, arrived.

A contractor, who only wanted to give his name as Marc, told the PA news agency they were going to take the board down on Monday and replace it, but the removal had been brought forward to Saturday in case someone rips it down and leaves it unsafe.

A black board was first used to cover the majority of the cat on the billboard at the request of the police, who wanted to stop people walking in the road in front of traffic.

An officer at the scene told PA that the owner of the billboard has told police he will donate it to an art gallery.

Contractors dismantled the billboard in Cricklewood, north-west London, with a Banksy artwork of a stretching for safety reasons (Jordan Reynolds/PA)

The cat design was the second piece to be removed during the week after a painting of a howling wolf on a satellite dish was taken off the roof of a shop in Peckham, south London, less than an hour after it was unveiled.

It was removed by three men, according to a witness, who told PA that he filmed them, which led to one of the men throwing his phone on a roof.

Its a great shame we cant have nice things and its a shame it couldnt have lasted more than an hour, he said.

A spokesman for Banksy told PA that the artist is neither connected to nor endorses the theft of the wolf design and that they have no knowledge as to the dishs current whereabouts.

People remove the howling wolf artwork by Banksy from a shop roof in Peckham, south London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The first piece of graffiti in Banksys new animal-themed series, which was announced on Monday, is near Kew Bridge in south-west London and shows a goat with rocks falling down below it, just above where a CCTV camera is pointed.

On Tuesday, the artist added silhouettes of two elephants with their trunks stretched towards each other on the side of a building in the Chelsea area of west London.

This was followed by three monkeys looking as though they were swinging underneath a bridge over Brick Lane, near a vintage clothing shop in the popular east London market street, not far from Shoreditch High Street.

The fifth design, of pelicans pinching fish from a London chip shop sign in Walthamstow, east London, was revealed on Friday.
The mother of a 21-year-old woman who died after being crushed in an overcrowded boat trying to cross the English Channel, has said the family will have to attempt the journey again as they have no options but to seek asylum in the UK.

Dina Al Shammari was travelling with her three younger siblings, aged 13 to 19, and parents, when she died off the coast of Calais on July 28.

The family, who are Kuwaiti Bidoon, a stateless Arab minority, fled the Gulf state in 2018.

Her mother, Amira Al Shammari, 52, said the family of six arrived in France on July 1, 2024 and had attempted the crossing five times before the night her eldest daughter died.

Speaking to the PA news agency, she said the family believed there would be 60 people on the boat, but on the day of the crossing they discovered the numbers were double.

The boat was so crowded. Dina was the first one, she ran to the boat because she wanted to go to the UK as soon as possible, she said through an interpreter.

Then they followed her and, just like squeezing her from all over the place.

When squeezing her she wasnt able to breathe, and she started shouting.

Her father, Ratham Al Shammari, 75, who uses a wheelchair, did not make it on to the boat, according to Ms Al Shammari, when the people carrying him left him at the shore as they tried to get to the boat themselves when they saw it starting to leave.

The mother-of-four described how the boat was at sea for about an hour before the French coastguard reached them.

She said some on the boat wanted to save her daughter, while some people threatened the family and the driver with a knife to keep going rather than call for help.

Amira Al Shammari holds a picture of her daughter (Amira Al Shammari/PA)

When we noticed the French coastguard in the sea, we were trying to say save us, save us because my daughter is choking, Ms Al Shammari said.

The people inside the boat, they threatened us dont stop the boat and they had a knife.

Of the driver, she added: He wanted to stop because he said this girl will die, and they threatened the driver with a knife and (said) dont stop and continue your journey.

Ms Al Shammari said the French coastguard tried to save them and picked up 20 people who were over Dina, adding: When they reached Dina she wasnt breathing.

According to the French maritime prefecture, 34 people were rescued from the heavily loaded boat at about 5.30am, while others on the boat refused help and continued the journey to the UK.

Ms Al Shammari was taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital where she was declared dead.

Her mother described her as someone who liked cooking, travelling, nature and everything beautiful in this life.

She wanted to study to become a dentist when she reached the UK, learn more English and above all feel safe.

Human rights organisation Minority Rights Group says that Kuwait currently categorises Bidoon people as illegal residents, and because of their stateless status they face difficulties getting civil documents, finding employment, accessing health, education and social services, and many live in relative poverty because of it.

We always feel scared there, and Dina especially she (was) afraid of the police, Ms Al Shammari said.

We (werent) able to stand the situation there, so we decided to go to the UK.

Dina Al Shammari was described as someone who enjoyed beautiful things in life by her mother (Amira Al Shammari/PA)

When the family left Kuwait, they originally planned to seek refuge in the UK as they understood the country accepts Kuwaiti Bidoon people.

They took a flight to Turkey before continuing their journey to Greece and arrived in Germany in 2021, where they were processed.

But they were refused asylum there, prompting them to try to get to the UK.

If the German authority gave us the protections at the beginning, we wouldnt have had to use a boat and cross the Channel to reach the UK, Ms Al Shammari said.

I want to tell people Im struggling, Im really struggling to find my kids a better future and good career, she said.

This world is unfair, not all the persons, not all the world, (but) the people that we met during that journey.

An investigation into Ms Al Shammaris death is continuing in France, while in the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested and bailed a 29-year-old Egyptian man on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, in connection with the crossing.

Ms Al Shammaris family are waiting for her body to be released by the authorities, and collective Groupe Deces in France are trying to raise 5,000 euros (4,280) to help pay for her burial.

Asked if the family will still try to get to the UK, Ms Al Shammari replied from Calais: We have no options here, where should we go?

Whos going to give us the protection? We have to do that again.

This year so far 17 people have died in the English Channel, according to confirmed reports by the French coastguard from rescue operations.
Radio host Charlamagne tha God on Sunday called on Vice President Kamala Harris to do more media interviews and joked that her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is the race's "DEI candidate."

The co-host of "The Breakfast Club," which discusses black cultural, political, and social issues, accurately predicted President Joe Biden wouldn't fare well in a debate against former President Donald Trump before the two faced off in June. In comparison to Biden, who he said in February had "no main character energy," Harris has "super main character energy."

But Charlamagne questioned why she isn't taking full advantage of her virality by collaborating with more influencers and appearing on more shows with the November election less than 100 days away.

"She's never been this viral. She's never been all over social media in a good way like now," Charlamagne told ABC News host Jonathan Karl on Sunday. "So now that you've got those people's attention, go out there and talk to them and tell them what your future looks like because those kids are the future. That's how you win this election."

The Republican nominee made headlines for falsely suggesting Harris "happened to turn Black" during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention on July 31. Trump also reached a majority young audience by joining controversial but popular influencer Adin Ross' livestream last week and agreed to join Tesla founder Elon Musk for an interview that will air Monday.

"He's always calling into conservative talk radio, which is one of my biggest issues with the Democratic Party," Charlamagne said. "They don't use the media that supports them the way that the right uses the media that supports them."

Charlamagne also poked fun at Republican attacks on Harris calling her a DEI pick, a shorthand way to minimize her qualifications based on her gender and racial identities. The radio host joked that her vice-presidential pick was chosen to balance out the ticket because he is a white man.

"We knew she needed a DEI hire, right?" he quipped. "She needed a white male to make America comfortable."

He added: "It is what it has no need for us to, you know, act crazy about it."

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @rachelbarber_

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charlamagne tha God says Kamala Harris must do more interviews
Bye-bye, blue sky.

Disney just revealed concrete plans for whole new lands and park experiences at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California.

We will completely, around the world, bring new stories to life in innovative ways for our fans, Josh DAmaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, told USA TODAY.

At past D23 events, Disney had only teased the idea of a land devoted to Villains or what else may lie beyond Big Thunder Mountain.

Now we know whats actually coming. Here are some of the biggest reveals from Saturdays Disney Experiences Showcase.

Whats coming to Disney World

Magic Kingdom

A new Villains land is coming with two major attractions as well as shopping and dining areas.

A section of Frontierland will be reimagined with Cars. Unlike Cars Land in Disney California Adventure, this will remain part of Frontierland. The new space will have two attractions, one created especially with younger guests in mind. Construction will begin in 2025.

A new nighttime parade in the spirit of the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade is coming Summer of 2025. It will be called Disney Starlight.

Magic Kingdom's new Pirates-themed tavern will also open in 2025.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro said happily ever after may feel like a distant dream in the new Villains land coming to Magic Kingdom.

Disneys Hollywood Studios

The first Montsters, Inc. land in any Disney park is coming to Hollywood Studios, with construction beginning in 2025.

Monsters remains one of the most beloved stories that Pixar has ever told. Our fans absolutely love it, and we knew we had an opportunity to bring to life this franchise in a way that it's never been brought to life before and extend the story from the screen into real life, DAmaro said.

There are Monsters, Inc. attractions at other Disney parks, but not whole lands.

We're going to be building a land and an attraction that the Imagineers have wanted to build forever, and our fans, I think, have wanted to see built forever, and that's the door coaster, he added.

Guests will travel through Laugh Factory doors in the first suspended coaster in any Disney park.

And of course, we'll use all the latest technology, all the latest tricks, the most immersive environment you can imagine to create an experience that I think our fans are going to love, D'Amaro said.

Guests will be able to travel through Laugh Factory doors like in the "Monster's, Inc." movies.

Disneys Animal Kingdom

Disneys previously announced Tropical Americas-themed land will open in 2027, replacing DinoLand U.S.A. Construction will begin in phases this fall, so guests have a chance to ride Dinosaur one last time before it closes.

The new land will feature a new Indiana Jones attraction, which DAmaro says will differ from what guests have experienced at other Disney parks.

It will also feature Disneys first Encanto-themed attraction and a new carousel with characters from Disney stories.

The Indiana Jones attraction coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom is set in a newly discovered Mayan temple.

A new Zootopia Better Together show will open in Winter 2025 in the Tree of Life Theater, which currently features It's Tough to be a Bug!

Asked how Disney decides when to expand versus what to reimagine, DAmaro told USA TODAY: We have more space and more stories to tell than anyone else, and we're always looking around our portfolio for where we want to build totally incremental capacity or where we think we have an opportunity to reinvent existing spaces so that they can deliver even more.

In the case of Disneys Animal Kingdom, we saw an opportunity to use an existing parcel of land to update it with more powerful intellectual property and more powerful experiences that would add more value to an experience at Animal Kingdom, he added. It depends on the park that we're looking at, the spaces that exist, and then we make the best decisions, ultimately, for our fans.

EPCOT

The newly reimagined Test Track will open in 2025

A new Spaceship Earth-inspired lounge will also open in 2025.

Whats coming to Disneyland

Disneyland Park

Tianas Bayou Adventure will open at Disneyland on Nov. 15.

Disney's first audio-animatronic of Walt Disney will debut next year as the park celebrates its 70th anniversary.

This one's very important to me as a cast member, DAmaro said. I've been at the company now for 26 years. I started at Disneyland. This was the park that Walt created and walked through and he's still a part of today.

We're at a moment in time, 70 years after Disneyland opened, where we feel that the technology has caught up with our ambition to tell Walt's story and to let the newest generation of Disney fans experience what it felt like to be in a room with Walt, he added.

Walt Disney was a pioneer in audio-animatronics. His will be part of a show called Walt Disney  A Magical Life." After its initial run, it will play in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

I think this is going to be incredibly special. It's going to be special for me, and I know it's going to be special for the Disney fans who just want more, who just want that emotional connection with the brand," D'Amaro said.

This will be the first-ever audio-animatronic of Walt Disney.

Disney California Adventure

Avengers Campus is getting two new attractions, which will double the size of the land. Construction will begin in 2025.

The previously announced multiverse attraction will be called Avengers Infinity Defense. A newly announced fourth attraction will be called Stark Flight Lab and allow guests to try out Stark's technology.

The first Coco ride at any Disney park is coming to Disney California Adventure, breaking ground in 2026.

Disney California Adventure is also getting the next Avatar destination. The setting will be another location on Pandora, not the same as Disneys Animal Kingdom. It will be inspired by the second film, upcoming film and future Avatar films.

Guests can try out Tony Starks new tech in a new attraction coming to Disney California Adventure's Avengers Campus.

What's coming to Disney parks abroad

A new Lion King attraction is coming to Disneyland Paris.

In January, the resort is also getting a new Disney and Pixar nighttime spectacular.

The resort's World of Frozen will open in 2026, as part of a previously announced massive reimagining of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World.

Guest will speed through the air with Spider-Man on Shanghai Disneyland's new ride.

A new Spider-Man thrill ride is coming to Shanghai Disneyland.

A Spider-Man attraction is also heading to Hong Kong Disneyland's Stark Expo.

Tokyo Disney Resort, which opened its new Fantasy Springs port earlier this year, is getting a new nighttime spectacular called "Reach for the Stars" on Sept. 20. It will be located at Tokyo Disneyland.

"Some of the things that we've seen on the international front, we'll be expanding those around the world. And equally, things that we've done domestically get to expand around the world as well," D'Amaro said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney D23 reveals: Huge changes coming to Disney World, beyond
A Ferguson, Missouri, police officer was severely injured and is fighting for his life after being assaulted Friday night during protests marking the 10-year anniversary of the police shooting of Black teenager Michael Brown.

A 28-year-old has been charged in the officers assault, and several other protesters are in custody, officials said.

The incident came after protesters blocked streets near the Ferguson Police Department Friday night. The demonstrations remained peaceful for most of the evening until some people began violently shaking the fence at the police station, Chief Troy Doyle said at a Saturday news conference.

We did not react. We stayed here, let them shake the fence, said the chief. That happened several times throughout the night up until the point that they broke the bottom portions of our fence, they destroyed property on our police departments parking lot.

At that point, Doyle deployed his arrest team to make arrests for destruction of property. The team was assaulted by several protesters, and one of the officers, identified by police as Travis Brown, suffered a severe brain injury, Doyle said.

As Travis Brown was attempting to arrest someone who had broken and stolen a large portion of the stations fence, the suspect charged at him violently with his shoulder, which knocked the officer down and caused him to suffer a head injury, Doyle said.

He is at an area hospital right now, fighting for his life, said the chief, who was visibly emotional during the news conference.

Travis Brown, when he was a St. Louis County police officer, is shown with Danielle Oliver, in an undated photo provided in August 2024. (Charlene Jefferson via AP) - Charlene Jefferson/AP

Two other officers were injured Friday night, including one who suffered an ankle injury and another who had abrasions, Doyle said.

Friday marked 10 years to the day since Michael Brown, 18, was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer on August 9, 2014, while walking on the street with his friend. Officers left his body lying in the street under the hot sun for four and a half hours  long enough for local children and his family to see him lying there.

The officer, Darren Wilson, who is White, was cleared of criminal wrongdoing and federal civil rights violations.

Mike Browns killing and the hundreds of days of sustained protests that followed helped strengthen the Black Lives Matter movement and brought the issue of police use of force against unarmed Black Americans to the forefront of US policy and politics like never before. But a decade later, the nations progress toward preventing such a killing has remained frustratingly slow.

28-year-old faces charges in assault

Elijah Gantt, 28, faces five charges in Officer Travis Browns assault, including resisting arrest, first degree property damage and two charges of fourth degree assault, according to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office.

Elijah Gantt - St. Louis County Justice Center

Gantt is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond and must stay 1,500 feet away from the Ferguson Police Department, according to the prosecutors office. CNN has been unable to determine if Gantt has obtained legal representation.

Several other protesters are in custody, and prosecutors are working on filing additional charges against them, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said at the news conference.

We believe people have the right to peacefully protest, but when that line is crossed and people are harmed, property is damaged  people have to be held accountable, said Bell.

Brown joined the department in January after working with the St. Louis County Police Department, the chief said. The officer joined the force because he was inspired to do the right thing, he said. He wanted to be part of the change.

The officer is not related to Michael Browns family, a police spokesperson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Michael Browns family held weeklong tribute in his honor

A memorial to Michael Brown is displayed on Canfield Drive in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 7, 2024. - Jim Salter/AP

The protests on Friday followed the Brown familys weeklong tribute to the young man Mike Brown was and could have been.

On Friday, Michael Brown Sr., and his wife, Cal Brown, walked the four and a half miles from the high school where their son graduated just days before he was killed through the streets of Ferguson to the place they call ground zero, the rugged patch of asphalt where the teenager died.

The department remains under a 2016 federal consent decree put in place after the US Department of Justice issued a scathing report that found the citys officers and court system had engaged in a pattern and practice of discrimination against African Americans, targeting them disproportionately for traffic stops, use of force and jail sentences.

Brown Sr. acknowledged the Ferguson Police Department has made progress over the years, but he compared the changes to a rebrand, CNN reported.

Theyve tried to do different things, bodycams, dont stop and frisk no more, he said during the social media interview earlier this week. Its just a lot of cancer in this system that they cant just change faces right now, they have to change the whole system.

The Ferguson Police Department no longer looks as it did in 2014. Back then, the department had around 60 officers and fewer than five were African American, the chief told CNN. He said Browns killing and the ensuing protests have left a lasting impact on the department and their approach to policing.

I had to look his mother in the eye and tell her what happened to her son. Im never going to do that again. I promise you that Im never going to do that again, Doyle said, adding his police department has been a punching bag for this community since 2014.

Doyle said maybe four Ferguson police officers from 2014 are still employed at the agency. This is a brand-new police department. I dont know why the officers here, who werent even here in 2014, have to continue to suffer through this. It doesnt make any sense, he said.

Doyle said his goal as chief is to engage with Fergusons community so his department is seen as a legitimate, effective, professional law enforcement agency, CNN previously reported.

CNNs Sara Smart, Chelsea Bailey and Kara Devlin contributed to this report.

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By James Pearson

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - A recent surge in GPS spoofing, a form of digital attack which can send commercial airliners off course, has entered an intriguing new dimension, according to cybersecurity researchers: The ability to hack time.

There has been a 400% surge in GPS spoofing incidents affecting commercial airliners in recent months, according to aviation advisory body OPSGROUP. Many of those incidents involve illicit ground-based GPS systems, particularly around conflict zones, that broadcast incorrect positions to the surrounding airspace in a bid to confuse incoming drones or missiles.

We think too much about GPS being a source of position, but it's actually a source of time, Ken Munro, founder of Pen Test Partners, a British cybersecurity firm, said during a presentation at the DEF CON hacking convention in Las Vegas on Saturday.

We're starting to see reports of the clocks on board airplanes during spoofing events start to do weird things."

In an interview with Reuters, Munro cited a recent incident in which an aircraft operated by a major Western airline had its onboard clocks suddenly sent forward by years, causing the plane to lose access to its digitally-encrypted communication systems.

The plane was grounded for weeks while engineers manually reset its onboard systems, said Munro. He declined to identify the airline or aircraft in question.

In April, Finnair temporarily paused flights to the eastern Estonian city of Tartu due to GPS spoofing which Tallin blamed on neighboring Russia.

GPS, short for Global Positioning System, has largely replaced expensive ground devices that transmit radio beams to guide planes towards landing. However, it is also fairly easy to block or distort GPS signals using relatively cheap and easy to obtain parts, and limited technological knowledge.

Is it going to make a plane crash? No, it's not, Munro told Reuters.

What it does is it just creates a little confusion. And you run the risk of starting what we call a cascade of events, where something minor happens, something else minor happens, and then something serious happens."

(Reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar wants a ceasefire deal  at least, thats the message Egyptian and Qatari mediators have conveyed to Israeli officials in recent days ahead of a critical summit later this week, an Israeli source familiar with the matter said.

Whether the Israeli prime minister wants one remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Netanyahus allies have told journalists and other government officials that the Israeli prime minister is ready to make a deal, regardless of the impact on his governing coalition, two Israeli sources said. But the Israeli security establishment remains considerably more skeptical of Netanyahus willingness to strike a deal given fierce opposition from far-right ministers in his coalition.

Nobody knows what Bibi wants, one Israeli source said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

What is clear is that Netanyahu is going to face a mountain of pressure this week from the United States to agree to a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

But even as the mediators told Israel that Sinwar wants a deal, Hamas on Sunday cast doubt on its participation in the next round of ceasefire negotiations scheduled for Thursday, saying it has asked mediators to implement a ceasefire plan based on previous ceasefire talks such as those put forward by US President Joe Biden and the UN Security Council in July.

Out of concern and responsibility towards our people and their interests, the movement demands the mediators to present a plan to implement what they presented to the movement and agreed upon on July 2, 2024, based on Bidens vision and the UN Security Council resolution, and to compel the occupation to do so, instead of going for further negotiation rounds or new proposals, the Hamas statement reads.

Hamas indicated that its latest stance was influenced by an Israeli attack Saturday on a school in Gaza that killed at least 93 people, according to local officials.

US officials have made clear to their Israeli counterparts they believe the time to reach a ceasefire deal is now, in order to avoid a wider regional war, the Israeli source said.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a powerful voice in Israel, has also called on Israel and Hamas to finalize a hostage and ceasefire deal.

A deal is the only path to bring all hostages home. Time is running out. The hostages have no more to spare. A deal must be signed now!, the forum said in a statement on Thursday.

At the same time, Netanyahus coalition partners have made it clear they do not want Israel to strike a deal with Hamas.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the proposed ceasefire deal a surrender deal on Friday. Writing on social media platform X, he said: I call on the Prime Minister not to fall into this trap and not to agree to a shift, even the slightest, from the red lines he set just recently, and they are also very problematic.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby rebuked Smotrichs comments, saying his arguments are dead wrong.

However, Netanyahus political future largely depends on his coalition partners  several of whom have already threatened to leave the government and cause its collapse if he agrees to the deal.

The Knesset (Israels parliament) is currently out of session for its summer recess, which would make it harder  although not impossible  for Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to collapse the current government. And Israeli sources indicated that Netanyahu may call for elections if a ceasefire deal is reached, which would allow him to control the timing of such elections.

Delegations working around the clock

Mediators are set to convene with Israeli and Hamas negotiating teams in Cairo or Doha this week. But negotiations are already underway with technical delegations working around the clock through key details ahead of Thursdays meeting, the Israeli source said.

The talks come at an extremely tense time in the Middle East. A pair of high profile assassinations in Lebanon and Iran in recent weeks has sparked fears of retaliation that could lead to a wider conflict.

Israel last month killed Fuad Shukr, the top military commander of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group. The next day, Israel is widely believed to have assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, in what is seen as a major embarrassment for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) which was hosting Haniyeh.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in that incident.

There are indications that Iran will reconsider the scale and timing of its retaliation against Israel if there is a ceasefire in Gaza, a possibility that has put added pressure on Israel to reach a deal in order to avoid the risk of an all-out regional war.

Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza and, according to Israel, one of the masterminds behind the deadly October 7 terror attack was named the new head of the groups political bureau following Haniyehs assassination.

Sinwar has not been seen in public since October 7 and is believed to be hiding in the tunnels trenched beneath Gaza. Haniyeh has played a key role in ceasefire talks but Sinwars role has been more limited, given the his difficulties in communicating with the outside world.

The talks come after an Israeli strike on a school and mosque compound killed scores, sparking international outrage. Israel said it was targeting a Hamas command center and had killed several fighters.

Following the strike US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, said Saturday that far too many civilians have been killed in Gaza, saying a deal needs to get done now.

This story has been updated with additional developments Sunday.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Israel is preparing for potential retaliatory attacks following an airstrike Saturday on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza that left at least 80 Palestinians dead and nearly 50 others injured.

The Israeli military acknowledged the strike and claimed the school was a Hamas command center, though Hamas denies that claim. The facility, like most schools in Gaza, was being used to house Palestinians who were forced to flee their homes because of the war.

RELATED STORY | US and allies prepare to defend Israel as Netanyahu says it's already in 'multi-front war' with Iran

The attack is prompting additional pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire deal with Hamas. Mediators with the United States, Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement urging both sides to bridge the gaps and get a deal done.

The latest proposal is based on one that was pitched by the Biden administration back in May. The deal would implement a six-week cease-fire period in Gaza and withdrawal of Israeli forces from heavily populated areas. Then discussions would begin on the potential release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

RELATED STORY | Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks, as its new leader in show of defiance

According to local reports, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is pushing for a cease-fire deal. But Netanyahu's position on the deal still remains unclear.

The Israeli prime minister is facing pressure from the public and family members of hostages to reach an agreement and stop the fighting. However, Netanyahu is also facing pressure from right-wing elements in his coalition, specifically National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is calling the cease-fire proposal a serious mistake.
Joe Biden relaxes on Rehoboth Beach with wife Jill and granddaughter Naomi on Saturday - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

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Joe Biden has been photographed lounging on the beach with his family, as he continues his retreat from public view.

The US president arrived at his Delaware beach house on Thursday evening, waving at reporters and reclining on sun loungers with his wife Jill and their granddaughter Naomi.

Secret Service agents had cleared a large area for the family, though Mr Biden did speak to some children.

C-Span public TV broadcast footage of Mr Biden resting on a beach-chair in sunglasses and a short-sleeved shirt.

Biden  who held just one public event this week  is currently lounging on the beach in Delaware.



He has spent 40% of his entire presidency on vacation.



Who is running the country? pic.twitter.com/NAva2BLPMm  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 10, 2024

Mr Bidens beach day has been criticised on social media as it coincided with the White House National Security Council releasing a statement following an attack by the Israel Defense Force on a school compound in Gaza.

We are deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties in Gaza following a strike by the Israel Defense Forces on a compound that included a school, the statement said. We are in touch with our Israeli counterparts, who have said they targeted senior Hamas officials, and we are asking for further details.

It added that the attack underscores the urgency of a ceasefire and hostage deal, which we continue to work tirelessly to achieve.

The president arrived at his Delaware beach house on Thursday evening - Kevin Lamarque

Social media users complained that Mr Biden has made few public appearances in recent weeks, with one saying meanwhile, were on the brink of WW3.

The US president has heavily curtailed his official schedule, which aides framed as an effort to cede the limelight to Kamala Harris.

However, some Democrats have suggested his withdrawal from the public eye may stem from a feeling of being unwanted.

Its clear the party did not want Biden as the nominee. Its very hard to see the Harris team wanting him out there on the trail, one source told Politico.

Anita Dunn, one of Mr Bidens most trusted advisers, did not dispute claims he remained very angry at Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama and other senior Democrats who pressured him to withdraw.

Ms Dunn insisted it was not the presidents poor debate performance, but unremitting negative, horrible attacks on Joe Biden from his own party and from the press that altered the race.

But he is 1,000 percent all-in for Kamala Harris, Ms Dunn told Politico.

Schedule cut to briefings and phone calls

Mr Biden has made very few public appearances since he ended his re-election bid on July 21, spending less than a fortnight at the White House since the announcement.

His weekends have been spent at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, and at home in Delaware. He is understood to be planning an extended holiday away from Washington later this month.

Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One in Delaware on Thursday, to spend a weekend at Rehoboth Beach - Brendan Smialowski

Aside from a handful of public appearances, Mr Bidens public schedule has included little beyond a few phone calls to world leaders and briefings from his staff.

Karine Jean-Pierre, Mr Bidens spokeswoman, acknowledged he was still trying to figure out what the next six months are going to look like as a confirmed one-term president. Just give us a beat, she said at a press briefing.

Some Harris aides believe the 81-year-old president should be deployed only sparingly on the campaign trail, for instance to court older voters in Pennsylvania and Michigan, critical swing states he carried in 2020.

Mr Biden has yet to campaign for Ms Harris but the pair are scheduled next week to make their first joint appearance since she replaced him at the top of the Democratic ticket.

Some Biden aides have suggested he can be most useful to Ms Harris by allowing her to distance herself from a president the overwhelming majority of Americans said they did not want to run in 2024.

She has focused her campaign message on issues such as abortion while avoiding the Biden administrations record on the economy or immigration. Were not going back, has become a frequent rallying cry.

Focus now more on policy goals, say insiders

Donald Trump mocked Mr Bidens low profile at a recent rally, saying: Whats he doing now? Whats he doing?

Mr Bidens team is now focused on recalibrating its plans to dedicate time that would have been spent on the campaign trail to securing more policy goals from the White House.

Insiders suggested Mr Biden would continue to appear less frequently and deliver fewer speeches, with a focus on solely substantive announcements intended to burnish his legacy.

They noted his major achievement last week in securing the release of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter, and several other Americans detained in Russia.

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Pete Giangreco, a veteran of Democratic presidential campaigns, said the prisoner exchange was a major coup for Mr Biden.

The strategist noted the deal had been long and complicated and Mr Biden is also focused on trying to kickstart the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

He really doesnt need to have a press conference every day, he told The Telegraph.

His highest and best use is being the best president he can be, he said, describing him as a walking contrast to Trump.

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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.
Instagram

Kate Middleton and Prince William just made their first official couples appearance together of the year! The royal duo joined forces to wish Team Great Britain congratulations on their Olympic run, joining several other celebs in a video posted to their Instagram:

Outside of a family gathering for Trooping the Colour, Wills and Kate haven't done an official event together since December of 2023and have largely done solo appearances amid Kate's cancer diagnosis and unsubstantiated rumors about their relationship.

Kate has made just two appearances as she goes through preventative chemotherapy, showing up at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon.

She spoke about her treatment in June, writing in part "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. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.

It's unclear when Kate will make a formal return to public engagements, but happy to see her looking so well!

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The roti wraps and other signatures from Bridgetown Roti can now be found in East Hollywood, along with new items. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Rashida Holmes first tasted a buttery, almost scallion-pancake-like roti during a trip to Barbados when she was 10 years old, and while the bread can take many forms, that paratha-style, laminated, flat and flaky variety stayed with her for decades. It became the backbone of her celebrated pan-Caribbean pop-up , and now, in East Hollywood, a signature item in her first bricks-and-mortar restaurant.

At the new Bridgetown Roti, which Holmes describes as Caribbean American, the former Rustic Canyon and Botanica chef takes multiple days to make her roti, then wraps it around a rainbow of fillings, such as her moms chicken curry with turmeric slaw; curried shrimp in house-made green seasoning; and pumpkin with fried cauliflower.

Patties, yellowed with turmeric and house-made curry powder, burst with oxtail, eggplant, sweet potatoes or shrimp. A new Caribbean Tings section of the menu points guests toward codfish cakes, curried channa doubles and a new coco bread sandwich, with some menu items leaning traditional, but most representing what Holmes and business partner Malique Smith see as a modern and personal reflection of Caribbean food in L.A. and their own stories.

For us that means taking things that are traditional and making them our own, and that means bringing new ideas into what traditional means, Holmes said. It's what home means to me because we moved around a lot as a kid, so I don't have any regional loyalty. My loyaltys in terms of what food I loved, and the food I loved was the stuff my mom made  like fried fish and curry chicken  and my Aunt Vies codfish cakes.

Rashida Holmes, chef and partner of Bridgetown Roti in East Hollywood. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

The pop-up, founded in 2020 and run out of Holmess house with her wife, Shanika, was always a means to open a bricks-and-mortar restaurant. The process took years longer than expected, but Holmes has always picked up help along the way  often with brokers and investors tasting her food, then immediately wanting to help.

After a long search she and Smith found a space in East Hollywood, and while they waited for the opening of their restaurant, withdrew from pop-ups and weekly food pickups, and turned more toward catering.

That longer incubation period has allowed Holmes to find new staff to help run and maintain the kitchen, as well as tinker and ready new items for the menu. The stable of signature roti and patties remain, while items such as the thick wedges of curry- and ghost-pepper-laced mac and cheese pie, usually only available around the holidays and for catering, are also now available at the restaurant.

Entirely new items include sizable whole chicken wings marinated in jerk brine and sweetened with honey, as well as the fried-fish cutter sandwich, served on fresh coco bread baked at Silver Lakes revived Cafe Tropical , and nonalcoholic drinks one might find at a picnic, like a fresh-coconut mint limeade or a passion fruit and guava tea.

Holmes mom had always helped the venture with entrepreneurial advice but now is a more formal part of the team, as is her father. The family opened the casual, colorful restaurant in a roughly 1,800-square-foot space with just less than 10 tables with a small patio. Bright blocks of magenta, yellow and blue in the design are meant to replicate the colorful hues of the painted houses in the Caribbean.

Holmes hopes that the welcoming, familiar aesthetic and menu  and Bridgetown Rotis success  will encourage others to follow suit, setting off a chain reaction of Caribbean cuisine in L.A.

I hope that by this time next year there are more Caribbean restaurant spots popping up in Los Angeles, because I think that the market is ripe and people want to have it, Holmes said. We need more of us. L.A. is too big to not have there be more of us here, really making waves. Bridgetown Roti is open Wednesday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

858 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (747) 221-9026, bridgetownroti.com

Smack Burgers

Bay Area-founded smashburger operation Smack Burgers began humbly in a backyard in 2021, but quickly went viral for its pressed-thin patties smashed with thin ribbons of onions, and specialties such as the Hellapeno, a spicy bacon cheeseburger drizzled with hot honey. While its pop-ups and food trucks still roam Northern California, Smack Burgers just opened a bricks-and-mortar here  its first L.A. outpost  taking over the former Taco Chabelita space in Harvard Heights. Find a range of smashburgers, onion rings, burger bowls and beef-tallow-fried waffle fries at this eye-catching yellow-and-black burger joint just off the freeway. Smack Burgers is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

2001 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, instagram.com/smackburgers

Vinyl bar and restaurant Wax on Hi-Fi blends Japanese and Creole favorites such as chicken katsu curry with andouille. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Wax on Hi-Fi

A new downtown vinyl bar is blending Japanese and Creole flavors to the tune of soul, funk, pop, R&B, hip-hop and jazz. Wax on Hi-Fi is the first restaurant for Atlanta-born chef-owner TJ Johnson, who is also a DJ; she traveled to Tokyo for inspiration in designing her own Japanese-inspired hi-fi bar, which regularly hosts DJ sets in addition to other live programming such as comedy nights. Dishes draw from Japanese classics as well as Creole and other iconic Southern food, for options such as fried chicken with Japanese curry thats studded with andouille; nori-topped mac and cheese rich with miso; and shrimp poboys crowned with yuzu-and-Kewpie slaw. From the bar, look for sake, wine and beer alongside sake and soju cocktails such as lemon, orgeat, strawberry and nigori sake, or sake with lime, basil and cucumber. Wax on Hi-Fi is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight.

212 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, (213) 332-1697, waxonhifi.com

Topped

Those looking for a briny bite have a new destination with Topped, an unusual stand in the Original Farmers Market from the team behind Kaylin + Kaylin Pickles. The local pickle company known for its range of flavors like honey mustard and spicy garlic  and, at its original stall in the market, its pickle tasting bar  recently expanded with a second stall. Topped specializes in pickle boats and pickle chips loaded with toppings in sweet and savory options, hollowing out half-spears or piling trays of pickle chips with Takis and nacho cheese; smoked salmon with capers and cream cheese; Nutella with peanut butter and pretzels, and more. Topped is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and all other days from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, kaylinandkaylin.com

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Being away from your dog can be heartbreaking, especially when you share the bond of serving in the military overseas together. Retired bomb-sniffing German Shepherd Dorka knows this feeling too well, and she couldn't wait to reunite with Dad, Monte.

After 8 months apart, this duo's meetup is nothing short of spectacular. Posted by @dorka_bel on Instagram, it's clear their special bond is unbreakable. This reunion will warm your heart!

"After 5 days of traveling, getting refused on a flight in another country, multiple flight cancellations and overbookings, taking a train two states away to catch another flight at a different airport, so many layovers, and 7500 miles we are finally reunited," the caption says.

The clip shows the sweet German Shepherd patiently waiting for her dad in the airport as he returns from Iraq. When he takes the final step off the stairs, she runs to him, and the two embrace in a way only dog lovers understand. Wearing an adorable pink bandana, Dorka shows how much she missed her person with her tailing excitedly wagging. These two have been apart long enough, and there are many snuggles and kisses to make up for.

This bonded pair has quite the following, with more than 95,000 people keeping an eye on their adventures. Many stopped by the post to thank Monte for his services while wishing the both of them happiness in whatever happens next.

"Welcome home! Glad you're back safe and sound! Been waiting for this. Dorka is so happy! Thank you for your services and all your sacrifices," one person wrote. "I'm so glad you are home safely and you two are together again!" another said. "Who is happier?! This is so sweet!" another added.

This is one of the sweetest reunions ever had and we wish the two of them nothing but the best.

Related: Moment Military Dog Reunites with Handler After 2 Years Is Impossible to Resist

How Long Do Military Dogs Work Before Retirement?

Like her handler, Dorka served her time sniffing for bombs and was considered a Military Working Dog (MWD) before returning home while Dad stayed behind. There's an estimated 2,300 MWDs at any given time, and when they reach time for retirement, they've definitely earned it.

GI Jobs notes that most MWDs serve for 10-12 years before they're relocated to a transitional hub at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas, to prepare for retirement and adoption.

There's no doubt Dorka and Monte deserve some quality time together. After 8 months apartand after bravely serving our countrywe hope they'll never be away from each other again. It's the best kind of happy ending!
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Three times, Sonya Massey's name floated into the evening air amid bunches of star-shaped purple balloons.

"Say her name," her friends and family yelled. "Sonya Massey."

A month earlier, a sheriff's deputy shot and killed Massey, 36, inside her small home after she called 911 to report a prowler. A Black woman who had a mental health illness, according to her family, Massey was home alone when the two deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office arrived.

Mourners release balloons into the evening sky in front of Sonya Massey's home.

"Say her name," her friends and family yelled. "Sonya Massey."

Bodycam footage shows Massey, in a thin dressing gown, apologizing to the white deputy as he drew his gun when she picked up a pan of hot water, and then said I rebuke you in the name of Jesus seconds before the deputy fired.

"Say her name," her friends and family yelled. "Sonya Massey."

The deputy once called "too aggressive" by his own boss now faces first-degree murder charges. He has pleaded not guilty and said he acted in self defense.

In addition to the trauma for her family, Massey's death has triggered a fresh wave of anger, frustration and exhaustion in her hometown and across the country as the United States continues to grapple with its long history of racist treatment of Black residents, systemic inequality, and lack of access to mental health care.

Experts say Massey's death reflects a longstanding reality in many police departments: A shoot-first mentality when it comes to interactions with the Black community.

But the response has also demonstrated there's been some measure of progress for a nation still reckoning with the implications of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police four years and 500 miles away.

Civil rights experts say they are increasingly hopeful that both the deputy and the system that trained, hired and deployed him will be held accountable. Friday, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell announced he would retire amidst calls for his resignation.

"We just need to get some justice and that's all this is about," Donna Massey said at the balloon-release ceremony marking the one-month anniversary of her daughter's death. "It's thousands of us (who) have been killed by the hands of the police."

A link to history and race riot of 1908

Although she was born in San Diego, Massey's 600-member family has deep roots in Springfield, pop. 114,000, a historic cornfield-surrounded city in central Illinois.

Family lore says they're related to William K. Donnegan, a shoemaker and conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped enslaved Black Americans flee the south. Among Donnegan's customers was not-yet President Abraham Lincoln, who practiced law nearby.

The 1908 Race Riot Memorial stands in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

A white mob lynched the elderly Donnegan in 1908 after growing angry that two other Black men accused of violent crimes were removed from the local jail before the mob could attack them.

At least five people were killed in the race riot, which destroyed many Black or Jewish-owned businesses, and led to the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, now known as the NAACP.

More than 100 years later, Massey was pronounced dead in the same hospital Donnegan was.

A mother of two, Massey for a time worked as a home healthcare aide, her family said, traveling the streets of Springfield that are filled with reminders of the city's racist past - and its efforts to overcome them. Excerpts of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation wrap around monuments, and a statue of Lincoln overlooks downtown, which is dotted with plaques explaining the 1908 race riot.

Springfield is also where Barack Obama in 2007 declared his history-making candidacy for the White House.

"This community is very similar to others. We're families, multigenerational, nontraditional, all trying to do the best we can," said Dr. Nicole Florence, 55, who moved to Springfield when she was a child. "But just like other communities we need to be more cognizant of how we move among each other, and the words we use to talk to each other."

Massey lived in a neighborhood known as Cabbage Patch. It's physically within the city limits but not legally part of the city, and is instead part of surrounding Sangamon County.

Crystal Chalmers remembers taking long walks with her God-fearing cousin around the city's east side, where the effects of historic mortgage redlining are still apparent in the size differences in homes on the citys north and west sides. No matter how much time passed between visits, Chalmers said they would never miss a beat when they reconnected.

"She was just a happy person all the way around. I've never seen her upset or angry, and she would always do what she can to help anybody that was in need, Chalmers said.

Another cousin, Kevin Holmes, remembered Massey was a quiet, serious child who sang along from the pews at Second Timothy Baptist Church whether she knew the words or not, and listened with rapt attention to the pastors every word.

Massey stopped coming to the church in recent years, but Holmes said it was clear she carried the faith instilled by her mother into adulthood.

Kevin Holmes, the Deacon Chair at Second Timothy Baptist Church, is Sonya MasseyOs cousin.

And the fact that she said I rebuke you in the name of Jesus as she lost her life, I feel almost like she was martyred, Holmes said.

Massey was petite - about 5'3" and 112 pounds according to the autopsy report - and had had boundless energy, recalled Jimmie Crawford Jr., the father of Masseys youngest daughter, Jeanette "Summer" Massey, 15.

Crawford remembered thinking Massey was "a ball of spice" when they first met more than 17 years ago.

"Sonya was bold," Crawford said. "She was sweet and then she was spicy, just like her daughter."

Several family members recalled Massey as a mom who preferred to be home with her kids. She didn't love to go out, but she loved to do hair and cook for family barbecues, especially mac and cheese. She also had lupus, an autoimmune disease, for which she had received government disability payments after stopping work.

While several family members said Massey had a mental health illness, they declined to discuss the specifics. Lupus can also cause headaches, confusion and memory loss.

Neighbor Theresa Mercado, 37, said her kids often played with Massey's children in the narrow paved road between their houses in the year and a half they were neighbors. Mercado's 11-year-old daughter, Maleyah, recalled once asking Massey for honey while she was making tea with some friends.

"She was sweet, always nice," Mercado said.

Troubled days before the shooting

Sonya Massey's home in Springfield, Illinois

In the days and weeks leading up to the shooting, Massey appeared to be in crisis.

Springfield police on July 5 told a sheriffs deputy Massey had talked with the mobile crisis team, a co-responder program between Springfield Police and Memorial Behavioral Health, three times in the two weeks before her death, according to details of her interactions released by the sheriff's office. The relatively new program allows mental-health workers to accompany police officers on calls.

Massey told her family repeatedly that she was going to die, her mom said, and family members in turn worried they were agitating her. Malachi Hill-Massey, her 17-year-old son, told reporters he and his sister had been living with their fathers prior to the shooting because Massey was seeking mental health treatment at a facility near St. Louis. Hill-Massey said she was supposed to stay there for 30 days but was released after two.

Two days before Massey's death, as the nation celebrated Independence Day, a woman calling from Donna Massey's house told 911 dispatchers someone was trying to hurt her. When asked who was trying to hurt her, the woman replied a lot of them. Sangamon County Central Dispatch System Director Chris Mueller said in a statement that he could not confirm whether the caller was Sonya Massey.

The next morning, Masseys mother called 911 to say her daughter was having a mental breakdown. She stressed Massey was not a danger to herself or others and pleaded with the dispatcher not to send any "combative policemen who are prejudiced.

Her mother told the dispatcher: "I'm scared of the police. Sometimes they make (the situation) worse."

Massey initially told the Springfield Police officers who responded to her mothers home that she did not want treatment and two emergency medical technicians at the scene checked her out and "cleared her," according to a report filed by the Sangamon County sheriff's office.

But just hours later, another 911 call from Sonya Massey's address to the sheriff's office appeared to capture an expletive-laden conversation between Massey and a neighbor. Sheriff's deputies responded and Massey went to a hospital to seek treatment for her mental state, a deputy reported.

There, she told a deputy shed recently been released from the mental hospital near St. Louis and showed him paperwork from the mobile crisis team. The sheriff's office said Springfield police reported the city's mental-health co-responder team had met with Massey three times in two weeks.

Masseys daughter, Jeannette, said she was supposed to stay at her mothers house the night of July 5 into July 6, but decided to have her father bring her over in the morning because she knew something was off.

Both of Masseys children told reporters she reached out to them that night, including texting her son that someone was at her back door.

Complaints, questions about Grayson

A memorial was painted of Sonya Massey on an underpass in Springfield, Illinois.

When Massey called 911 just before 1 a.m. on July 6, dispatchers assigned Deputy Sean Grayson to the call.

Hired by the department in May 2023 and paid just over $56,000 annually, Grayson, 30, arrived in Sangamon County with a litany of missteps to his name, including two DUIs, a discharge from the U.S. Army for "serious misconduct," and complaints against him from the people he policed as well as from law enforcement officers.

He'd also had five law enforcement jobs since 2020, some of them part-time and overlapping with each other.

The Sangamon sheriff's department's own hiring interview warned that Grayson "needs to slow down to make good decisions."

They hired him anyway.

A few months before Grayson started at Sangamon County, he was working for the Logan County Sheriff's Office the next county over. In December 2022, a female inmate complained that he tried to force her to remove drugs hidden in her vagina in front of him, and that he only stopped when a female deputy intervened.

Then when a doctor was called in to remove the drugs, Grayson flung the curtain back and exposed me to him," inmate Chelsey Lowe wrote in a complaint. I felt very violated on both occasions."

After Lowe complained, Grayson visited her partner, George Wisehart in jail.

He did this simply b/c Chelsey Lowe filed a report on him, Wisehart wrote in his own complaint. He said Grayson appeared to be trying to intimidate him and make other inmates think he was collaborating with police: "He is now harassing me and abusing his power and putting people in danger."

Grayson denied both their claims and then quit the Logan County Sheriff's Office, records show. A month earlier, his supervisors confronted him about discrepancies between his written reports and what video recordings captured on another case.

"If we can't trust what you say and what you see, we can't have you in our uniform," one unidentified supervisor told Grayson in a recording obtained by USA TODAY. "I'm calling you on your integrity. How's that make you feel?"

Other departments and supervisors expressed similar concerns about Grayson, including the clinical psychologist who conducted a screening interview for Sangamon County.

Mr. Grayson scored low on the cognitive assessment, wrote Dr. Thomas R. Campion, who expressed caution after noting Grayson passed the assessment.

He knows he can move too fast at times, Campion wrote. He needs to slow down to make good decisions.

Separately, a Sangamon County Sheriff's Office lieutenant reported in a background investigation on Grayson that Chief Steven Snodgrass of the Virden Police Department, where Grayson worked from May to December 2021, said Grayson did not demonstrate good officer safety skills.

An investigator for Logan County reported that Auburn Police Chief Dave Campbell "expressed concern" that Grayson was "too aggressive" in performing his duties, according to a background check obtained via open records request.

Grayson worked for the Auburn department from July 2021 to May 2022, according to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

Unidentified Logan County officials expressed doubt that his issues policing could ever be solved in a recording obtained via open records request. One of the two officials said Grayson committed a mountain of policy violations, some of which were pretty egregious."

The other official on the recording added: We can guide you. We can mentor you. We can provide you documentation or training or whatever, but the only person that gets to put it in play in context is you.

Officials at Logan County, and the Auburn, Virden, Kincaid and Pawnee police departments where Grayson worked in the past four years either declined or did not reply to requests for comment.

The shooting

Because Massey's house in Cabbage Patch is technically not part of the city, it was sheriff's deputies, not Springfield police who came to her house on July 6.

Body camera footage shows Sonya Massey talking to deputy Sean Grayson minutes before Massey was fatally shot and killed.

Shortly after 1 a.m., as leftover July 4 fireworks cracked and popped in the distance, Grayson and his partner arrived at Massey's house. Body-worn camera footage captured by the unidentified deputy shows him checking the backyard, and then respectfully tapping and knocking on Massey's door.

She didnt answer immediately.

Then Grayson strode over to the door and, in the video captured by his partner's bodycamera, declared he'd "love tap" it before hammering on it with his fist at 1:12 a.m. He banged several more times and yelled at Massey to "hurry up."

It took Massey four minutes to answer the door.

When she opened it, the bodycam footage shows her staring up at Grayson, who stood more than a foot taller and outweighed her by more than 150 pounds. Unlike his partner, Grayson didnt have his bodycam running until later.

Appearing at times confused and looking at her cellphone instead of answering some of Grayson's basic questions, Massey often responded with "No, sir."

At 1:18 a.m., having determined there was no prowler, Grayson followed Massey into her house as his partner checked on an SUV parked in her driveway. The footage shows two broken windows on the side of the vehicle, but Massey told deputies she didnt know whose car it was.

Exactly what happened to the vehicle remains unclear.

The day before, Massey told a sheriffs deputy that a neighbor smashed her front drivers side window with a brick, and then she herself broke the back drivers side window in an attempt to get inside, scraping her arms as she reached through the broken glass.

A neighbor later told a deputy Massey threw the brick through her own window, according to the sheriffs office. Its unclear why Massey told deputies the vehicle wasnt hers.

In a report written after he shot Massey, Grayson said he had asked her if she was doing okay mentally because it seemed as if Sonyas mind was all over the place and not able to focus or have a conversation.

Grayson repeatedly asked for her name or identification, and Massey instead said she wanted to show him some paperwork. Massey asked Grayson to hand her a Bible as she searched through her belongings.

Just a drivers license will do and Ill get out of your hair, Grayson chuckled.

Responded Massey: I want to show you all my paperwork I got some paperwork.

As she dug through her purse, Grayson pointed out the pot of boiling water on the stove and Massey hurried over to grab it.

For a moment, body camera footage shows the group seemed to joke about Graysons partner moving away from the hot, steaming water.

Then as Massey picked up the pot, she said the words Grayson claims made him fear for his life: "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."

Dropping his hand to his gun, Grayson shouted back, you better f------ not or I swear to God I will shoot you right in the f------ face.

This still image taken from a police bodycam video released by the Illinois State Police on July 22, 2024, shows Sonya Massey reacting after a Sangamon County sheriff's officer draws his weapon before being shot and killed on July 6, 2024.

Grayson drew his gun and Massey clutched the pot tighter to her body, apologized and then ducked down away from the gun pointed at her. Grayson and his partner moved toward her as Grayson yelled drop your f------ pot.

He then fired three times, hitting her in the head.

Steam rose from behind the cluttered kitchen counter as the deputies discussed whether to fetch a medical kit from their patrol vehicle, after radioing for EMTs to respond. It took deputies two minutes from the time they shot Massey to physically check on her body, as a pool of blood spread across the kitchen floor.

Goddamnit, Grayson repeated.

In his written report summarizing the shooting, Grayson said he thought Massey was threatening him with the pot of hot water shed taken off the stove. His body camera footage of what happened is partially obscured, but appears to show Massey stood back up and grabbed the pot as Grayson opened fire.

What else do we do? Grayson asked his partner, the video shows. Im not taking hot boiling water to the face.

Reasons to dig deeper

Jay Nikhol holds a sign during a protest in Springfield on August 7, 2024.

Some critics of the sheriff's office say the rush to fire and prosecute Grayson risks allowing the law enforcement and area political leaders to avoid accountability for systemic failures in hiring, training and operations.

The fact that Grayson moved between so many agencies in quick succession should have given Sangamon County pause, said Brian Higgins, a lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former police chief in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Moving from police department to police department is not the norm, and it is usually a reason for you to dig deeper, said Higgins.

He said its often easier to simply ask an officer to quit than to follow the formal process to fire them: If you have a cop whos really a bad egg, someone you want off the job, you make a deal: We wont put anything negative on your background, but just leave, Higgins said.

Graysons DUIs and non-honorable discharge also should have been red flags, Higgins said. He said about 60% of the officers he hired as chief were veterans but he never considered hiring anyone with anything less than an honorable discharge.

The records dont say exactly why Grayson was discharged. The paperwork noted the reason was misconduct (serious offense).

His first DUI came in August 2015, six months before he was discharged, though military experts were skeptical that a DUI he got in Illinois hundreds of miles from Fort Riley where he was stationed in Kansas would be cause for discharge.

Graysons stint in the Army lasted from May 2014 to February 2016, a 21-month total that would be the longest he ever held a job aside from his position at the Zone, a gym in Illinois where he worked for three years.

His second DUI came in July 2016 in Girard, Illinois, according to court documents.

Higgins said based on what he's seen about Grayson, the sheriff's office should never have hired him. But he said the departments Grayson used to work for also bear some responsibility: "It falls on them too," he said. "If theres somebody bad enough you dont want to employ them, why do you let them loose out on the world?"

Marc Ayers, who sits on the 29-member Sangamon County governing board, said the sheriffs office has trouble retaining deputies because they often leave for better-paying agencies like the Springfield Police Department, where the starting salary is tens of thousands of dollars higher.

The attrition rate is really high because we cannot pay these deputies the same amount, said Ayers, a Democrat. That is a problem that is leading to these awful hires.

While Campbell said he was unaware of the red flags in Graysons past, the young officer came highly recommended by Scott Butterfield, a decorated former sheriff's deputy close to Campbell.

"Mr. Butterfield describes Mr. Grayson as a mellow, non-confrontational person who has good communication skills," a Sangamon County background investigator relayed.

Butterfield is also the father of Graysons live-in girlfriend.

The good ole boys club is alive and well in Sangamon County, Ayers said. That seems to get more attention than their background, and that is wrong and that needs to change.

He added: If our community cant trust the department and trust they can call law enforcement for help, thats a big problem.

Racism and questions of justice

A statue of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

Florence, a Springfield doctor, said the city is more open about its racist history than others. But she said that hasn't done much to change the reality that racism exists daily for Black women like her, racism that manifests in ways big and small.

Im not surprised when these things happen. Im more surprised when my white majority says I cant believe this happened, Florence said.

People living in Massey's neighborhood die almost 10 years sooner than the statewide average, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and Florence said race-based health inequities play a major role.

"For me, thats where some of the exhaustion comes from. I dont feel like we've made any of that progress," she said.

Florence's sister Tracey Meares was denied the title of high school valedictorian - even though she had the highest grades - when she graduated from Springfield High School in 1984. At the time, she would have been the school's first Black valedictorian.

Meares is now a law professor and helped found the criminal-justice reform group the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School.

Florence said she has a family member with mental illness, and knows what its like to make the heart-wrenching decision to call 911 for help. Florence said she knows and trusts many police officers and sheriff's deputies, but knows there are risks in asking for law enforcement's help when a Black family member is having a mental-health crisis.

"Do I hesitate before I make those calls? Absolutely," she said. "Youre playing Russian roulette with who shows up at your door and whether they will escalate or deescalate the situation."

Black families across the country make those calculations every day, said Rashad Robinson, the president of civil rights advocacy group Color of Change. The group, which has 7 million members, has long sought to highlight how police routinely shoot Black men and women in situations they wouldn't shoot a white person.

Robinson said there is a shift occurring: Campbell swiftly fired Grayson, who was then jailed, with little opposition from police unions or traditional "law and order" advocates, unlike in similar cases where officers were permitted to remain free for months pending investigations.

"By no means will justice ever truly be served, but we are watching the systems respond quicker, and in a new and different way," Robinson said.

A photo of Sonya Massey is photos displayed on the front porch of her home.

According to the group Mapping Police Violence, law enforcement officers have killed 739 people in 2024, putting the year on track to be the deadliest since the nonprofit that catalogs deaths at the hands of officers began in 2013.

Officers killed 1,247 people in 2023 - the current record - and 1,203 people in 2022, the previous record, according to the nonprofit.

More and more of the killings are also coming at the hands of sheriff's department officers, according to data from the nonprofit. In 2013, sheriff's department officers nationally accounted for 26% of all deaths; in 2022, they accounted for 31%.

As the deaths continue to rise, so too has the number of police officers charged with violent on-duty crimes, including murder, manslaughter and assault. But charges like Graysons remain rare and convictions rarer still, data shows.

The number of convictions is vanishingly small, according to Mapping Police Violence. Less than 2% of killings by police result in an officer being charged and 1% result in an officer being convicted.

Grayson is awaiting trial on three counts of first-degree murder, along with two other charges.

Campbell, the county sheriff, announced Friday that he would retire by the end of the month. His announcement was an about-face from his comments shortly after Massey's death, when he said he would not resign and asked for the public's forgiveness. He said in a packed church on July 29: "We failed Sonya and the community . . . We did not do our jobs."

On Friday, he said he felt he did his job as well as he could. "While it is painful to say goodbye, I do so knowing I have fulfilled my duties and served to the best of my ability," Campbell said in his retirement announcement.

Like other experts, Robinson said the rush to blame Grayson risks allowing local officials to avoid responsibility for creating and perpetuating the system that hired him.

"Giving people a gun, badge and authority and sending them off is part of the problem here. To place this all on an individual is a way to avoid talking the larger power structures that make all of this possible," Robinson said. "As long as the public feels like they can turn away, as long as politicians feel like they don't have to answer questions about it, as long as police departments are able to use taxpayer dollars to pay off civil penalties, this will continue to happen."

Letting go

Donna Massey, the mother of Sonya Massey, attends a memorial service for Sonya.

Donna Massey, wearing a purple shirt emblazoned with photos of her daughter and the words "forever loved," was among the last to let go of her balloons as loved ones embraced her during the vigil.

As the purple balloons floated into the evening sky above Masseys front porch, her mother spoke of the hope the family feels for reform, but also of the exhaustion that comes from generations of fighting to be treated equally.

She is just the straw that broke the camels back. Because the camel can only take so much," Donna Massey said through tears, as a relative wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "She is the straw that broke the camel's back. We're done. We're tired."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sonya Massey's death: Race, police, mental health collide in heartland
(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pledged on Saturday to "strengthen our Ukrainian spiritual independence", suggesting that the country's leadership was moving towards effectively banning the branch of the Orthodox Church that has links to Moscow.

A majority of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians, but the faith is split into one branch with traditional links to the Russian Orthodox church and an independent church, recognised by the world Orthodox hierarchy since 2019.

Membership of the independent church loyal to the Kyiv patriarchate has swelled since Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022. But the minority Moscow-linked church retains influence and Ukrainian leaders accuse it of abetting the invasion and trying to poison public opinion.

"I have just held a meeting -- a preparatory one -- regarding a decision that will strengthen our Ukrainian spiritual independence," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

"We must deprive Moscow of the last opportunities to restrict the freedom of Ukrainians. And the decisions for this must be 100% effective. We will ensure that."

Parliament last year gave initial approval to a bill that would have outlawed the activities of religious organisations affiliated with centres of influence "in a state that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine".

But an attempt last month to introduce a draft to secure final approval failed and the legislation remains in abeyance.

The minority church says that after the invasion it cut all its links with the Russian Orthodox Church, an unabashed supporter of the Kremlin's war. Ukrainian leaders dispute that contention.

Criminal proceedings, including treason charges, have been launched against dozens of their clerics. At least one cleric has been sent to Russia as part of a prisoner swap.

Some Ukrainian lawmakers have also expressed fears that the legislation could meet opposition from conservative Republicans in the United States, Ukraine's biggest Western backer, on grounds that it restricts religious freedom.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar)
At the Angelus, Francis pleaded again for the victims of war in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Myanmar. [F]aith and prayer, when they are true, open the mind and the heart; they do not close them.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  May the memory of the victims of the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki spur us to multiply our prayers for peace, said Pope Francis today at the end of the Angelus prayer, addressing the faithful in St Peter's Square.

Referring to the anniversary of the terrible carnage caused 79 years ago in Japan by the United States, Francis said: As we continue to commend to the Lord the victims of those events, and of all wars, let us renew our intense prayer for peace, especially for troubled Ukraine, the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and Myanmar.

The pontiff also remembered in prayer the victims of the plane crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Referring also to today's feast of St Clare, he addressed an affectionate thought to all the Clarissians," especially those of Vallegloria (an Italian monastery located near Perugia) with whom I have a beautiful friendship.

In his reflection before the Marian prayer, Francis spoke about the amazement of the Jews at Jesus when he said, I have come down from heaven, taken from a passage in today's liturgy (Jn 6:41-51).

They are convinced that Jesus cannot have come from heaven, because he is the son of a carpenter and because his mother and his relatives are common people, familiar, normal people, like so many others.

How could God manifest Himself in such an ordinary way? they say. They are obstructed in their faith by their preconception of his humble origins and they are obstructed by the presumption, therefore, that they have nothing to learn from him. Preconceptions and presumptions, how much harm they do!

Yet these people observe the law, give alms, respect fasts and times of prayer. But they cannot believe for they carry out their religious practices not so much in order to listen to the Lord, but rather to find in them the confirmation of what they think.

For Francis, the same thing can happen to us too, in our life and in our prayer: it can happen to us, that is, that instead of truly listening to what the Lord has to say to us, we look to Him and others only for a confirmation of what we think, a confirmation of our convictions, our judgements, which are prejudices. But this way of addressing God does not help us to encounter God, to truly encounter Him, nor to open ourselves up to the gift of His light and His grace, in order to grow in goodness, to do His will and to overcome failings and difficulties.

[F]aith and prayer, noted the pontiff, when they are true, open the mind and the heart. Hence, the faithful ought to ask themselves: Am I willing to welcome His voice, beyond my own mindset, and also, with His help, to overcome my fears?

In concluding, the pope turned to Our Lady: May Mary help us to listen with faith to the Lords voice, and to do His will courageously.
by mons. Sagayaraj Thamburaj *

The bishop-elect of Thanjavur, the diocese in Tamil Nadu where the "Lourdes of the East" is located, comments for AsiaNews the letter in which Card Fernandez, on behalf of Pope Francis, encourages pilgrimages that welcome the faithful of all confessions. Christ is the way, but not all religions are the same. Yet Mary welcomes everyone.

Velankanni (AsiaNews)  Card Victor Manuel Fernandez, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote a letter on behalf of Pope Francis, to Mgr Sagayaraj Thamburaj, bishop-elect of Thanjavur (Tanjore), the diocese where the Marian shrine of Velankanni (Vailankanni) in India is located, which will celebrate its annual feast day on 8 September.

The millions of pilgrims who travel here out of faith, and the many spiritual fruits that are produced at this Shrine, make us recognize the constant action of the Holy Spirit in this place, reads the missive.

Velankanni is the place where thousands of people flock everyday from different parts of India irrespective of religion and language, said Fr Devasagayaraj, Episcopal Vicar for Priests at the Archdiocese of Pondicherry, speaking to AsiaNews.

People go to Velankanni to ease their worries, get rid of their problems and illnesses, and give thanks. For any important event in the family, members visit the shrine. During the annual feast on 8 September and Lenten season, thousands of people undertake walking pilgrimage from different parts of Tamil Nadu. For example, people walk from Chennai, which is 330 kilometres from Velankanni.

It is a place of religious harmony. Many people who go to Sabarimala also visit Velankanni with their religious dress. Many people who go to Nagur mosque, which is near Velankanni, also visit the Marian shrine. In the Tamil and Hindu tradition, people offer coconut and flowers to Mother Mary. Whoever comes to Velankanni gets inner peace and feels a positive vibe when they enter the Shrine campus.

In his letter, Card Fernandez focuses on this rush of people from different religions. Many non-Christian pilgrims who come seeking solace echo similar experiences. Some of them are healed of their illnesses and many find peace and hope, he said.

Without a doubt, the Holy Spirit is also at work in them, responding to by Mary's intercession. This should not be considered as a form of syncretism or mixing of religions. The Sanctuary is a place where the closeness of Mary, who welcomes everyone and demonstrates the love of the Lord to those who reflect on it, is manifested.

On the meaning of this letter for Velankanni, we publish remarks Mgr Thamburaj addressed to AsiaNews. He will be ordained bishop of the diocese where the shrine is located next Sunday, 18 August.

I was very happy to receive such a communication from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; the document speaks so highly of Mary's shrine in Velankanni, it is almost considered something like the Lourdes of East.

Our beloved mother is always revealing herself as caring for the sick; therefore, in Tamil she is also known as Arokia Matha. Our Lady of Good Health is how she is known here.

The faith of our people who come to Velankanni is fervent and the love and respect they have for mother Mary is tremendous.

We are very grateful to Pope Francis, the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Cardinal Victor Fernandez, for recognising Velankanni Shrine as relevant for our people today.

I have no hesitation to say, whether those miracles were true or not or if they will be ascertained in the future or not, our people believe. Our people believe in the apparitions on Mary here. The document clearly states that this is traditionally believed.

In the document they mention two instances in which Mary appeared to a person carrying milk to a customer, asking him to give the milk to the child she was holding, and to Portuguese sailors.

I saw the document more as an exhortation rather than a statement (or something like that).

In the South of India, entire families visit the Shrine, not just individuals; entire households come on pilgrimage and spend a day or two to attend Mass, undergo the sacrament of penance, and participate in Marian devotions.

It is part of our religious heritage to visit this shrine as a family at least once a year. My parents brought me as a child, and my earliest memories is at the age of four years; I wanted to "tonsure" my head, but my dad was hesitant.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one most frequented at the shrine. Many people from all over the country visit the Shrine for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They will not go to confession in their parish churches or diocese, or Elsewhere, but will receive the sacrament of penance only at Velankanni shrine.

A significant factor is that the letter mentions that people of other faiths, other denominations also come in great numbers, in great multitudes. People come without any regard for caste, creed, or religious affiliation, poor and rich, urban and rural; everyone is welcomed by Mother Mary, not only on special days but throughout the year. Hundreds of thousands of people come to Velankanni.

So we get God's love for us, Christ's love for us in the person of Mother Mary. People feel that they can have easy access to our beloved Mother, she can pray for them, listen to them, intercede for them, and get them God's Blessings, and they get it. The people get the motherly Love of God in Velankanni.

I was drawn to the document because it says that, although thousands of people of other faiths come to Velankanni, it is not a matter of syncretism.

While teaching in the seminary on Theology of Missions - Mission of the Church, I emphasised that we speak and promote interreligious dialogue and ecumenical efforts for the Catholic Church.

Christ is the way and the Gospel should be taken to the ends of the earth. Not all gods are same. Not all religions are same.

God has redeemed the World through Jesus Christ. God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we know the importance and relevance of Christianity, and we are here as Christian ministers, attending to the different needs of people.

Our beloved Mother bears the message of love for all, even those who are not Christian, those outside the ambit of the church. Mary is the Mother of all, as God is for all. This is the message that Mary is trying to give us. We are not giving a generic understanding that all religions, any God, are the same.

We are here as Christians, as Church people. Our mother Mary embraces all people, and Mary is a symbol and a sign of God's Love.

I go to Velankanni and sit at Marys feet for an hour, and feel immensely blessed by God, and have the joy of being in God's presence. Velankanni is a place to have a God experience. People should feel Velankanni is an abode of God and an abode of Mother Mary, a Living shining witness.

I am happy that the shrine is attracting international recognition and that the Holy Father has given his own recommendation, exhorting people to go to Velankanni with this understanding, that it is universally and globally recognised as a place where our Beloved Mother is a sign of God's love and grace.

* bishop-elect of Thanjavur

(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)

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11 August 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

It is not a secret to anyone that for many years, the Armenian media has been circulating various types of disinformation and becoming a leading tool in the implementation of all kinds of provocations. The former Garabagh conflict was conveyed to the Western audience in a different way as a result of the continuous efforts of the Armenian mass media, which has turned into a yellow press.

Although the relations between Iran and Armenia have always been close, sometimes the relations between the two sides are aimed at creating certain disturbances in the region. For example, Yerevan, whose relations with Tel Aviv are not so pleasant and close, has repeatedly shown its jealousy of the deep ties of official Baku. Perhaps this time, Yerevan, which could not stand the suffering of the same feelings, resorted to a slightly different method.

Yesterday, in the Armenian media on behalf of Iran, it was mentioned that the newly elected president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, "plans to attack Israel's "bases" in Azerbaijan." Although the information did not specify that the target was Azerbaijan, the title was directed to Baku to attract attention.

Since no official source was found to confirm the information, we had to look again at the information in the Armenian media. It is possible to see even some incomprehensible points in the article. It is hard to know whether Armenia wants to provoke Azerbaijan with the headline or is trying to discredit Iran in its article.

This sentence is found in the first paragraph: "Masoud Pezeshkian is proposing to strike secret Israeli bases in countries neighboring Iran."

In the next paragraph, it says: "Pezeshkian fears that any direct attack on Israel will have serious consequences".

So Armenia is trying to hit two targets with the information it circulates. In the first, it tries to irritate Azerbaijan, and in the second, it tries to show that Iran is powerless in front of Israel and that it is not capable of any initiative other than words.

Regarding the issue of the Iranian leadership naming Azerbaijan, Tehran's official sources did not mention any information about it.

It should be noted that yesterday, Masoud Pezeshkian said that a direct war with Israel would lead to serious consequences and called on the IRGC to take a step back. The information was published on Telegram channels. However, in addition, any position of Iran regarding Azerbaijan in the form mentioned on Armenian websites was not disclosed in other sources.

But we wonder if the Armenian side, which publishes such fake news, does not think that Iran, which is cautious about a direct war with Israel, can target Azerbaijan. Although the Armenian press tries to create provocation between the two countries by approaching only from its narrow perspective, what is happening in the main foreground overshadows the empty words spoken from outside. Azerbaijan is well aware of Armenia's disruptive policy, and the last word of official Baku is the only power that can prevent it in the region.

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11 August 2024 16:23 (UTC+04:00)

Kazakhstan's KazTransOil, the national operator of the main oil pipeline, transported over 800,000 tons of oil toward Baku between January and July 2024, Azernews reports citing the KazTransOil.

"From January to July 2024, 837,000 tons of Kazakh oil were transported through the port of Aktau towards the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline," the source stated.

In July 2024 alone, KazTransOil shipped 136,000 tons of Kazakh oil from Aktau to the BTC pipeline. The company also plans to transport an additional 120,000 tons of oil through the Aktau seaport in August 2024.

Furthermore, KazTransOil confirmed that projections for transportation volumes are expected to remain stable through the end of 2024.

"For the entire year of 2024, we plan to transport up to 1.5 million tons of oil through the port of Aktau toward the BTC pipeline. KazTransOil supplies oil in accordance with the transportation schedule approved by the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, based on applications from shippers," the source added.

In 2023, KazTransOil loaded 3.376 million tons of oil onto tankers at the port of Aktau, with 1.057 million tons designated for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan route.

In 2022, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued a directive to increase oil transportation through the Trans-Caspian corridor. Following this directive, the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Kazakhstan's national oil company, KazMunayGas, signed an agreement to transport up to 1.5 million tons of oil annually from the Tengiz field via the BTC pipeline.

Additionally, during President Tokayevs visit to Azerbaijan on March 11-12, 2024, KazMunayGas and SOCAR signed an agreement to increase the volume of oil transported via the BTC to 2.2 million tons per year.

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11 August 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

The King has praised the way "community spirit" and "compassion" have countered the "aggression and criminality" on display during the riots, Azernews reports, citing the Buckingham Palace.

King Charles had been in phone conversations on Friday evening with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and police chiefs.

He gave his "heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder", said a palace spokesman.

In a call for unity, the King hoped that "shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation".

King Charles, currently in Scotland, spoke to the prime minister about the wave of disorder and riots.

In another joint call, the King spoke to Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs Council and to UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex, thanking the police for their efforts and getting an update on the protests.

"The King shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many," said a palace spokesman.

There had been questions about whether the King would speak about the riots - and as a politically-neutral monarch he had left the initial response to ministers.

But the King has a long record of working to build bridges between different faiths and cultures - calling Britain a "community of communities".

And against the divisions revealed during this unrest, he has made his views known, calling for tolerance and "mutual respect and understanding".

He is said to have been involved in behind-the-scenes efforts to bring together communities affected by the riots, during his summer break in Scotland, in a year in which he has been treated for cancer.

But it is not expected that the King will make any immediate visits to trouble spots until the unrest is over, with the response to the protests seen as being the responsibility of the government.

This follows the pattern seen after the outbreak of riots in 2011, during which Queen Elizabeth didnt put out any messages, but royal visits took place after calm had been restored.

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11 August 2024 10:24 (UTC+04:00)

Two people died as a result of shell debris falling on private houses during a rocket attack by the Russian Armed Forces on the Brovary district of the Kyiv region of Ukraine.

According to Azernews, the country's State Service for Emergency Situations said in a telegram channel.

"Tonight, rocket fragments fell on private residential buildings in Brovary district. Three people were seriously injured. Two more people: a 35-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were trapped under the rubble of the building. "Unfortunately, they were found dead during search and rescue operations," the State Service pointed out.

It should be noted that the Russian Armed Forces launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on various areas of Ukraine on the night of August 10-11.

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11 August 2024 14:25 (UTC+04:00)

Flights to Cukurova Airport will be transferred from Adana and will operate five times a week, Azernews reports citing Turkish media.

Cukurova International Airport, designed to accommodate 9 million passengers annually, has opened in Mersin Province, Turkiye. Starting August 11, Aeroflot will commence flights to the airport, which is situated between the cities of Adana and Mersin.

The transfer of flights to Cukurova Airport from Adana is expected to increase the flow of tourists from Russia to the region, which ranks third among foreign buyers of real estate in Turkiye. Russia is also constructing Turkiyes first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, in Mersin Province, and the new airport is anticipated to enhance transportation to the area.

Cukurova Airport, Turkiyes 58th airport, was built at a cost of 244.5 million. Its 3,500-meter-long runway meets CAT-II standards and can accommodate all types of aircraft, including wide-body jets. A section of the highway connecting Mersin and Adana to the airport has been completed, and in the future, a high-speed train will reduce travel time between the cities and the airport to 23 minutes, according to Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the head of the Ministry of Transport.

At the opening ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Cukurova Airport as Turkiyes air gateway to the region and the world.

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11 August 2024 17:26 (UTC+04:00)

A meeting was held with Garakhan Yagubov, President of the "Union of Poets and Writers of World Azerbaijanis" and Doctor of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, organized by the "Center for Development and Education" in Marneuli, Georgia, Azernews reports.

Guests from Baku, Marneuli, Bolnisi, and Dmanisi, including intellectuals, young poets and writers, teachers, and enthusiasts, attended the event.

Emin Ahmadov, Head of the "Development and Education Center," spoke about the aims and objectives of the meeting.

Professor Mahmud Kamaloglu provided extensive information about Garakhan Yagubov to the participants.

Marneuli Mayor Kanan Omarov and former Georgian Parliament Deputy Ruslan Hajiyev highlighted the progress made in cultural development and emphasized the importance of holding similar events in other regions.

Garakhan Yagubov expressed his gratitude to the organizers and praised their efforts to strengthen the unity of Azerbaijanis worldwide.

At the end of the event, honorary titles and diplomas were awarded by the "Union of Poets and Writers of World Azerbaijanis."

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11 August 2024 17:53 (UTC+04:00)

Brussels is imposing punitive measures on Hungary for its stance on border protection, according to Barna Pal Zigmond, State Secretary of the Ministry of European Union Affairs of Hungary, Azernews reports.

Zigmond criticized the European Commissions decision under the new migration pact, which mandates Hungary to accept over 7,000 migrants annually. He explained that Hungary is required to provide 7,716 places for permanent migrant reception and process over 15,000 asylum applications in the first year. The number of applications could potentially triple or quadruple in subsequent years.

Zigmond pointed out that Hungarys quota is significantly higher than those of France and Germany, and even exceeds the quotas of Bulgaria and Greece, which are key entry points on the Western Balkan migrant route. He described the quotas as "unacceptable and completely irrational," noting that only Hungary and Italy are tasked with handling more than half of the EUs migrant reception obligations.

He further criticized the quotas as being based on past illegal migration statistics, alleging that they are designed to "punish" member states that enforce strict border controls and report high numbers of illegal migrants to the EU. Zigmond denounced the measure as "a cynical attempt by the pro-war, Soros-affiliated faction in Brussels" to influence migration policies for political reasons.

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11 August 2024 19:46 (UTC+04:00)

A temporary ceasefire agreement has been reached between the warring factions in Tripoli, Libyas capital, Azernews reports citing foreign media.

Usama Ali, the official spokesperson for the city's rescue and emergency services, confirmed this development.

According to Ali, government officials and representatives of the Presidential Council have agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities between the armed groups in Tripoli.

This ceasefire comes in the wake of intense fighting that erupted on August 28, resulting in at least 32 casualties. The clashes involved the army of the UN-recognized interim government and armed factions loyal to a parliament-appointed government.

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11 August 2024 21:23 (UTC+04:00)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic praised the professionalism and patience of Serbian security forces during a recent protest, noting they handled the situation without resorting to violence, as is customary in Western democracies, Azernews reports.

At a press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic, Vucic emphasized that the protest was conducted under democratic conditions, reflecting well on the country's adherence to democratic norms.

He also condemned the incidents involving the disruption of railway services and international highways, describing them as "acts of violence and terror by a minority against the majority."

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11 August 2024 22:31 (UTC+04:00)

The situation along the Ukraine-Belarus border remains stable and under control, with no movement of equipment or troops toward the Ukrainian border, according to Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Service of Ukraine, Azernews reports.

In his telethon address, Demchenko confirmed that there have been no changes in the border conditions and no increased activity from Belarusian forces near Ukraine. He acknowledged that while Belarus might consider deploying additional units to the border, no such movements have been observed at this time.

It is worth noting that the Belarusian Ministry of Defenses Telegram page recently reported the deployment of additional heavy military equipment to the border areas with Ukraine.

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11 August 2024 23:35 (UTC+04:00)

The successful neutralization of four PKK terrorists by the Turkish Armed Forces during the "Panja-Kilid" operation underscores Turkiye's ongoing commitment to combating terrorist threats in northern Iraq, Azernews reports.

This is stated in the information of the Ministry of National Defense of Turkiye.

This operation reflects the country's strategic efforts to maintain regional security and counter terrorism effectively.

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10 officers injured as trouble flares overnight

A 46-year-old man has been charged in connection with rioting in Londonderry which left 10 PSNI officers injured on Saturday night.

Fireworks, petrol bombs and other missiles were used to attack police when sporadic disorder broke out in the Nailors Row area of the city.

The suspect has been charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear before Londonderry Magistrates court on September 4.

It comes after the First and deputy First Minister condemned acts of violence across Northern Ireland over the weekend as disgraceful manifestations of criminality.

Michelle ONeill and Emma-Little Pengelly also condemned the attack on a mosque in Newtownards in the early hours of Saturday. A petrol bomb, which failed to ignite, was thrown at the Bangladesh Islamic Centre and graffiti sprayed on the building.

CCTV: Mosque petrol bombed in Newtownards

Their joint message said: These incidents are wrong, unacceptable and are rejected by the vast majority of our community. They are disgraceful manifestations of criminality and have absolutely no justification.

Our thoughts are with those PSNI officers injured last night and the victims of recent racist attacks.

This senseless violence and intimidation has no place in our society and we would appeal for calm.

"Those responsible should be quickly brought before the courts and we urge anyone with information to provide it to the PSNI.

The Police Federation urged parents in Derry not to let their children get caught up in mindless violence seen on Saturday night.

The Public Order Dog Unit was deployed as part of the response.

Up to 50 young people were behind some of the violent scenes.

Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation, said officers absorbed a wave of attacks and followed a methodical approach in how they dealt with the onslaught.

Children should not be taking part in street disturbances, he said.

"Their parents have a responsibility to keep them safe and away from violent disorder. What I have to ask is where were their parents?

"Why werent they taking their children away from the flashpoint where they could have been seriously hurt? What we witnessed on Saturday was parental abdication and that is appalling.

Ten officers were injured in the trouble. They were the focal point of petrol-bombing children and older people and the pawns of faceless criminals who pull the strings from a safe distance.

I appeal to parents to not let their children get caught up in this mindless violence. They have to realise the consequences when they are apprehended and convicted in the courts.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said the disorder was "disgraceful, dangerous and senseless.

The police are there to serve the whole community and keep people safe. It is completely reprehensible that they are facing such attacks as they carry out their duties, she said.

"There is absolutely no place in our community for such disorder and those responsible will be pursued and held accountable in our courts.

It is particularly concerning that, yet again, children and young people are being exploited and abused by being drawn into attacks and rioting, risking their safety and their futures.

I would urge all involved, including those young people who are being manipulated, to seriously consider the impact of their actions on themselves and their community and walk away from any further disorder."

At one stage on Saturday night police appealed to parents to come and bring their children home.

Derry City & Strabane Superintendent William Calderwood said: The scenes we witnessed were disgusting, and I want to commend our officers for their professionalism.

These were difficult conditions for officers from across numerous departments.

To see our officers injured as a result of this violence is appalling. It is completely unacceptable.

Mr Calderwood promised a robust investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

I want to make it clear this violence involved individuals who were intent on attacking police, and who exploited an increased police presence in the city yesterday to do just that.

He added: We know from the work our officers do on a daily basis that last nights disgraceful and senseless violence will have provoked anger in the local community and wider area.

"The public can be reassured you will see our officers on duty today, continuing to work with communities, and working to keep people safe.

Earlier, Ms Little-Pengelly said the scenes of disorder and violence were "disgraceful and unacceptable.

"Violent behaviour, either motivated by racism or in this case by sectarianism and anti-PSNI sentiment, is always wrong, she said on X.

I pay tribute to the PSNI officers and to the 10 injured.

"Those involved must also face the full rigour of the law. We must all stand united in support of the PSNI, and in condemning this senseless violence and sectarianism.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said the disorder was disgusting.

He said that "putting children in this position is nothing short of child abuse. Derry, resolutely, opposes this senseless violence."

Sandra Duffy, a Sinn Fein councillor and former mayor of Derry City and Strabane, said a small number of young people were involved in the trouble.

Ongoing petrol bomb attacks on police at Bishop Street are a disgrace and must stop now, she said.

I am also concerned about vulnerable and elderly residents at Alexander House who do not need this activity on their doorstep.

Ms Duffy urged other young people not to get caught up in the violence as it could have a negative impact on their future.

These futile actions are wrong and they are not representative of this city, she said.

"They are in stark contrast to the hugely positive work and positive community events taking place across the Bogside this week.
Three people arrested on Saturday have also been charged.

Trouble has flared in Belfast in recent days

Another man has been charged following disorder in Belfast.

The man, who was arrested on Monday 12 August in the Belfast area is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court this morning.

The 26-year-old man has been charged with riot and intentionally encouraging or assisting riot.

Three arrested on Saturday have also been charged.

A 28-year-old man has been charged with encouraging or assisting offences believing one or more will be committed and sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network.

He appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates Court on Monday 12 August.

A 30-year-old has been charged with intentionally encouraging or assisting riot, publishing written material intended to stir up hatred, sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network, and possession of fireworks without a licence.

He appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates Court on Monday. .

A 58-year-old charged with possessing written material intended or likely to stir up hatred or arouse fear also appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday. .

On Sunday, a 26-year-old-man was charged in connection with public disorder in Belfast. The suspect was one of three men detained on Saturday and has since been charged with a number of offences. They include riot, arson, conspiracy to commit arson, three counts of possession of an offensive weapon with intent, and two of criminal damage.

Several nights of rioting ensued after an anti-immigration protest in the city centre last weekend.

In the following days police began arresting scores of people in connection with the violence.

On Sunday, police said detectives investigating the disorder in Belfast had arrested three men the previous day.

Police also confirmed that a 55-year-old man arrested on in Belfast on suspicion of publishing written material intended to stir up hatred has been released on bail to allow for further enquiries.

To date a total of 34 people have been arrested in connection with the disorder and 25 people have been charged.

Three individuals have been released on bail to allow for further enquiries, while three have been released unconditionally following questioning and three remain in custody.

Public and politicians react to disorder in Belfast
Tributes have been paid after the death of Archbishop Noel Treanor, the former Bishop of Down and Connor.

He passed away in Brussels at the age of 73 on Sunday morning.

His death was announced by Alan McGuckian, the current Bishop of Down and Connor.

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin paid tribute to his colleague.

On behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference, I wish to express my sadness at the news of the death yesterday of Archbishop Noel Treanor RIP, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Like so many others, I am greatly shocked by the suddenness of Archbishop Noels premature passing, he said.

Archbishop Martin said he was a loved priest throughout the island or Ireland and further afield.

At this sad time for all who knew him across Ireland, Europe and throughout the universal Church, I join with Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Down and Connor, and with Bishop Larry Duffy of his native diocese of Clogher, in offering my prayers for the happy repose of the soul of Archbishop Noel, and for the comfort of his brother, sister, extended family members and close friends at this difficult time. In a special way I remember the priests, religious and faithful of the dioceses of Down and Connor, and of Clogher, he said.

Archbishop Martin shared how he met Archbishop Treanor.

In June, I had the privilege of meeting with Archbishop Noel when he spoke to the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops Conferences which took place in Belgrade, Serbia, he said.

He followed closely in the footsteps and spirit of the founding fathers of closer European unity, including Venerable Robert Schuman whom he had honoured recently at Luxeil les Bains in France.

Archbishop Noel served most of his ordained ministry in working to forge positive relations with partner countries of the European Union and to help nourish the Christian heart and soul of Europe.

At our meeting in Belgrade, bishops reflected on the future of the Christian faith in Europe, and Archbishop Noels keen intellect, insight and leadership provided an invaluable contribution to our discussion, he said.

Archbishop Martin passed on his sympathies to Archbishop Treanors loved ones.

"May the light of Heaven shine upon Archbishop Noel; may God in His loving mercy look kindly upon him, comfort his relatives, friends, colleagues and former parishioners, and may he receive the welcome of the good and faithful servant, he said.

Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson also issued a tribute.

Everyone involved in Christian witness and engagement in Ireland and beyond is saddened by the death of Archbishop Noel Treanor.

The ecumenical life of Europe was instinctive to him and he made a sustained contribution over decades through COMECE and more recently as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union.

He also brought this wisdom and grace to bear on the Christian Churches in Ireland through being Bishop of Down and Connor, he said.

Archbishop Jackson said the pair had been friends for a long time.

I first met Noel in the Diocese of Clogher that is native to us both. Bishop Joseph Duffy and I felt that parishes should mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in their parishes and communities during The Octave of Prayer. We held gatherings on the afternoon of Pentecost Sunday in a range of different ecclesiastical sites outdoors.

Noel spoke at one of those held in his native County Monaghan with ease and eloquence, with faith and friendliness. He moved gracefully among neighbours, school friends and family members, he said.

He also offered his sympathy to Archbishop Treanors family and friends.

I wish to record his personal friendship and support over many years. I wish also to express my condolences to his bereaved family members, fellow priests and bishops.

Most of all I want to thank God for the opportunity to know a good man.

May Noel rest in peace and rise in glory.

Archbishop John McDowell, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland was another clergy member paying tribute.

I was profoundly shocked to hear of the sudden death of Archbishop Noel Treanor, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union and, for many years prior to that, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor, a vast and demanding diocesan area with a commensurate workload.

Prior to returning to Ireland to take up episcopal ministry, Archbishop Noel was the Director of the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) where he used his considerable diplomatic and academic skills to ensure that Christian values were advocated for at the heart of the European Union, he said.

Archbishop McDowell said he has developed a strong friendship with Archbishop Treanor over the past several years.

Archbishop Noel hailed from Tyholland in Co. Monaghan and retained a strong affection and many connections in that beautiful Border parish. I got to know Archbishop Noel well through work which we did together in relation to the impact of Brexit.

When I was Bishop of Clogher I was delighted when he accepted an invitation to speak at an ecumenical gathering in the little Church of Ireland parish church in Tyholland, he said.

He praised Archbishop Treanors ability to connect with people from a range of backgrounds.

Noel was always extremely well prepared for any engagement and arrived with a hefty volume of paper in his case. However, half-way through his address he abandoned his notes and spoke directly to many people in that small Protestant community whose families he had grown up with and for whom he had a clear and clear-eyed affection. It was a truly memorable occasion, he said.

Archbishop McDowell also praised Archbishop Treanors work across Europe.

Noel was a most accomplished linguist moving freely between English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. Although not someone given to emotional flourishes, he was a wonderful host and dialogue partner and I well remember a very convivial dinner he shared with Archbishop Eamon Martin and me when we called on Noel at his home in Brussels en route to a ceremony in Messines.

Archbishop Noels final posting in Brussels was one of immense complexity and diplomatic delicacy which must have been a challenge to his naturally perfectionist instincts; yet never verbose, he was always worth listening to, he said.

He ended his tribute offering sympathy to Archbishop Treanors family.

My prayers and sympathy go to his brother John and his sister Mary as I reflect with warmth and gratitude on a deeply civilised and widely read episcopal colleague but above all faithful disciple of our common Lord.

Colin McGrath, an SDLP MLA for South Down, also paid tribute.

"I remember his work and especially his opening of the new Primary school building at my old school in Saul, he said in a post on X.

Phillip Brett, the DUP MLA for North Belfast, said he was very sorry at his passing.

His dedication and service to North Belfast, in particular to the Mater Hospital, will be fondly remembered, he added.

EU diplomat Angelina Eichhorst said there was shock and sadness at the news.

"My sincere condolences to the Nuncios family and friends. His passing is a terrible loss, may he rest in peace, she posted on social media.

The senior cleric was appointed as The Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union two years ago.

The role in the ecclesiastical office of the Catholic Church, which has offices in Brussels, was announced by Pope Francis in 2022.

However Archbishop Treanor, who was born on Christmas Day in 1950 and originally from Monaghan town, did not commence the role until January 2023.

After completing his early education at Saint Marys Christian Brothers School in the county, he embarked on his third level education at Saint Patricks College in Maynooth and subsequently in Rome.

The young scholar was ordained as a priest in 1976 for service in the diocese of Clogher in Saint Macartans Cathedral in Co Monaghan before being appointed to the staff of the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in 1989.

Four years later, the cleric was appointed Secretary General of COMECE and remained in the post until his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI as Bishop of Down and Connor in 2008.

Archbishop Treanor is survived by his brother John and his sister Mary.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaking to the media outside the Croke Park hotel in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

A United Nations patrol vehicle with six Irish soldiers on board was caught up in an air attack in a village in south Lebanon on Saturday.

Eight troops, including six Irish and two Polish, were on an armed patrol when there was a drone or air attack on a village.

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin said none of the soldiers were injured in the attack, but damage was caused to the vehicle in which they were travelling.

A UN patrol vehicle at Camp Shamrock in Debel during a visit by Tanaiste Micheal Martin to Lebanon to meet Irish troops (Niall Carson/PA)

Speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Mr Martin said that the incident is still under investigation and further clarity on the incident would be given later.

Essentially about eight soldiers, two armoured vehicles, six Irish and two Polish, they were on routine patrol and there was an attack, either drone or airstrike on the village that they were patrolling through, he said.

They had come out, it seems, from the other end of the village. And shrapnel or whatever appears to have pierced the vehicles.

They were safe and emerged unscathed, and are back at camp.

I would prefer to await further investigation (from Defence Forces) to identify the source of that.

We have ideas as to who would have made that particular attack but I would say at this stage, we will be making representations on foot of this, on the basis that both the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) and Hezbollah must fulfil their obligations to peacekeepers.

There are thousands of peacekeepers in Lebanon to keep the peace. Its the most noble, objective thing to do and we take the full protection of our soldiers very seriously and I have already been in touch with the (Defence Forces) chief Anthony McKenna of staff about this.

We will be receiving further information later this afternoon, but it is a serious incident and one I am very concerned about.

It illustrates the danger of a wider escalation of the war to Lebanon in terms of the danger to peacekeepers and the civil population in Lebanon.

And its matter of greatest concern.
The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were praised by a senior police officer for their courage in calling for violent riots to stop after their daughters death (Family Handout/PA)

The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were praised by a senior police officer for their courage in calling for violent riots to stop after their daughters death.

Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, was among those who addressed mourners at Alices funeral at St Patricks Catholic Church in Southport on Sunday.

She told of being ashamed that Alices father Sergio and mother Alexandra had to consider the violent disorder while planning the service, saying she hoped those involved are hanging their head in shame.

Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy outside St Patricks Church, Southport, on Sunday (Danny Lawson/PA)

Addressing the couple, Ms Kennedy said: You have shown great courage in asking me to be here today to give a message from you, Alices family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the United Kingdom in the name of your daughter.

I am ashamed and Im so sorry that you had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter, Alice.

And I hope that anyone who has taken part in the violent disorder on our streets over the past 13 days is hanging their head in shame at the pain that they have caused you, a grieving family.

I know that you asked that there is no more violence and that you are now given time as a family to grieve in peace.

And that our traumatised community is allowed time to heal, the time it needs to start to heal.
Dina Al Shammari wanted to study to become a dentist in the UK (Amira Al Shammari/PA)

The mother of a 21-year-old woman who died after being crushed in an overcrowded boat trying to cross the English Channel, has said the family will have to attempt the journey again as they have no options but to seek asylum in the UK.

Dina Al Shammari was travelling with her three younger siblings, aged 13 to 19, and parents, when she died off the coast of Calais on July 28.

The family, who are Kuwaiti Bidoon, a stateless Arab minority, fled the Gulf state in 2018.

Her mother, Amira Al Shammari, 52, said the family of six arrived in France on July 1, 2024 and had attempted the crossing five times before the night her eldest daughter died.

Speaking to the PA news agency, she said the family believed there would be 60 people on the boat, but on the day of the crossing they discovered the numbers were double.

The boat was so crowded. Dina was the first one, she ran to the boat because she wanted to go to the UK as soon as possible, she said through an interpreter.

Then they followed her and, just like squeezing her from all over the place.

When squeezing her she wasnt able to breathe, and she started shouting.

Her father, Ratham Al Shammari, 75, who uses a wheelchair, did not make it on to the boat, according to Ms Al Shammari, when the people carrying him left him at the shore as they tried to get to the boat themselves when they saw it starting to leave.

The mother-of-four described how the boat was at sea for about an hour before the French coastguard reached them.

She said some on the boat wanted to save her daughter, while some people threatened the family and the driver with a knife to keep going rather than call for help.

Amira Al Shammari holds a picture of her daughter (Amira Al Shammari/PA)

When we noticed the French coastguard in the sea, we were trying to say save us, save us because my daughter is choking, Ms Al Shammari said.

The people inside the boat, they threatened us dont stop the boat and they had a knife.

Of the driver, she added: He wanted to stop because he said this girl will die, and they threatened the driver with a knife and (said) dont stop and continue your journey.

Ms Al Shammari said the French coastguard tried to save them and picked up 20 people who were over Dina, adding: When they reached Dina she wasnt breathing.

According to the French maritime prefecture, 34 people were rescued from the heavily loaded boat at about 5.30am, while others on the boat refused help and continued the journey to the UK.

Ms Al Shammari was taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital where she was declared dead.

Her mother described her as someone who liked cooking, travelling, nature and everything beautiful in this life.

She wanted to study to become a dentist when she reached the UK, learn more English and above all feel safe.

Human rights organisation Minority Rights Group says that Kuwait currently categorises Bidoon people as illegal residents, and because of their stateless status they face difficulties getting civil documents, finding employment, accessing health, education and social services, and many live in relative poverty because of it.

We always feel scared there, and Dina especially she (was) afraid of the police, Ms Al Shammari said.

We (werent) able to stand the situation there, so we decided to go to the UK.

Dina Al Shammari was described as someone who enjoyed beautiful things in life by her mother (Amira Al Shammari/PA)

When the family left Kuwait, they originally planned to seek refuge in the UK as they understood the country accepts Kuwaiti Bidoon people.

They took a flight to Turkey before continuing their journey to Greece and arrived in Germany in 2021, where they were processed.

But they were refused asylum there, prompting them to try to get to the UK.

If the German authority gave us the protections at the beginning, we wouldnt have had to use a boat and cross the Channel to reach the UK, Ms Al Shammari said.

I want to tell people Im struggling, Im really struggling to find my kids a better future and good career, she said.

This world is unfair, not all the persons, not all the world, (but) the people that we met during that journey.

An investigation into Ms Al Shammaris death is continuing in France, while in the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested and bailed a 29-year-old Egyptian man on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, in connection with the crossing.

Ms Al Shammaris family are waiting for her body to be released by the authorities, and collective Groupe Deces in France are trying to raise 5,000 euros (4,280) to help pay for her burial.

Asked if the family will still try to get to the UK, Ms Al Shammari replied from Calais: We have no options here, where should we go?

Whos going to give us the protection? We have to do that again.

This year so far 17 people have died in the English Channel, according to confirmed reports by the French coastguard from rescue operations.
Former president Donald Trump has reportedly used a slur often targeted at women to describe vice president Kamala Harris during at least two private conversations.

His campaign denies the accusations.

The New York Times cited two people who, on different occasions, heard Mr Trump call Ms Harris a bitch.

The people were granted anonymity to describe private discussions.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris (Julia Nikhinson/AP)

In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said: That is not language President Trump has used to describe Kamala and its not how the campaign would characterise her.

Mr Trump, a Republican, has a history of making derogatory statements about women and his political opponents.

He has called Ms Harris, the Democrats presidential candidate, and other women, including 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, nasty, and he bragged about grabbing womens genitalia in the infamous Access Hollywood tape.

He called Carly Fiorina, one of his rivals for the Republican nomination in 2016, horseface during a campaign debate.

Last month, Mr Trump said falsely that Ms Harris, who is black and of Asian descent, has misled voters about her race.

Mr Trump has said that E Jean Carroll, a writer who accused him of raping her, was a nut job who invented a fraudulent and false story to sell a memoir.

A New York jury found Mr Trump liable for sexual abuse, but not rape, in a civil case filed by Ms Carroll.

Mr Trump has also directed disparaging comments toward men. He branded former rivals senator Marco Rubio of Florida liddle Marco, senator Ted Cruz of Texas lyin Ted and former governor Jeb Bush of Florida low energy Jeb.
Days after Ukraine began a surprise military incursion into Russias Kursk border region, President Volodymyr Zelensky indirectly acknowledged ongoing military action to push the war out into the aggressors territory (AP)

Days after Ukraine began a surprise military incursion into Russias Kursk border region, President Volodymyr Zelensky broke the governments silence on it in his nightly address on Saturday by indirectly acknowledging ongoing military action to push the war out into the aggressors territory.

Overnight into Sunday, a Russian drone and missile barrage on Kyiv killed two people  a man and his four-year-old son.

In Russia, Kursks regional governor said a Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defences fell on a residential building, injuring 13 people.

Russia attacked Ukraine with four ballistic missiles and 57 Shahed drones, Ukraines Air Force said. Air defences shot down 53 drones.

The bodies of a 35-year old man and his young son were found under rubble after fragments of missiles fell on a residential area in Kyivs suburban Brovary district, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service on Sunday.

Another three people in the area were injured in the attack.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said it was the second time this month that Kyiv has been targeted.

He said ballistic missiles did not reach the city centre but suburbs took the hit, while drones aiming for the capital were shot down.

Mr Zelensky, citing preliminary information, said Russia had used a North Korean missile in the strike. Ukraine and the US have previously said Russia has used North Korean missiles in the war.

People gather at an apartment building in Kursk, Russia, damaged by Ukrainian shelling (AP)

Mr Zelensky reiterated calls to Western allies to step up assistance to Ukraine, and that to really stop Russian terror, we need not only a full-fledged air shield that will protect all our cities and communities, but also strong decisions from partners  decisions that will remove restrictions on our defensive actions.

Meanwhile, Ukraines incursion into Russia continued for a sixth day.

The largest such attack since the full-scale invasion and unprecedented for its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil, it caught Moscow unaware and was an embarrassment to Russian military leaders who have scrambled to contain the breach.

The exact aims of the operation remain unclear and Ukrainian military officials have adopted a policy of secrecy, presumably to ensure its success.

Military experts have said that it is probably intended to draw Russian reserves away from the intense fighting in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, while a presidential adviser suggested it may strengthen Kyivs hand in any future negotiations with Russia.

Residents of an apartment building damaged by Ukrainian shelling leave the area in Kursk, Russia (AP)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday that Ukraine understands perfectly well that the recent attacks make no sense from a military point of view.

The Kyiv regime is continuing its terrorist activity with the sole purpose of intimidating the peaceful population of Russia, she added.

Kursk acting governor Aleksei Smirnov said on Sunday that Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group entered the Belovsky district the previous day, but that the situation had been stabilised.

In Russia, the Defence Ministry said 35 drones were shot down overnight over the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Oryol regions.

Ukraine has not commented on the Sunday drone attacks inside Russia. But it comes as Ukraine has increased the pace of similar drone attacks largely targeting military infrastructure and oil depots in recent weeks.

A Russian army tank covered with camouflage net takes a position in the Kursk region (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP)

Meanwhile, Belarus said on Saturday that it is sending more troops to its border with Ukraine, saying Ukrainian drones have violated its airspace as part of Kyivs military incursion into Russias Kursk region.

Authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Belarusian air defence forces destroyed dozens of targets flying from Ukraine over the Mogilev region, which borders Russia, on Friday evening.

The Ukrainian armed forces violated all rules of conduct and violated the airspace of the Republic of Belarus. In the eastern direction, very close to us in the Kostyukovichi district, Mr Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk on Saturday.

Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin said Belarus regards the violation of its airspace as a provocation and is ready for retaliatory action.
Racist thugs have shown their true colours by stepping up attacks on ethnic minorities

Days after I saw the snarling face of hate in Belfast, I heard a police chief talking tough about Englands rioters. Liam Neeson tough.

Sam Mackenzie, from Lancashire Police, echoed the Ballymena actors warning in the movie Taken by saying: We will identify you, we will find you and we will bring you to justice.
Drug boss behind illegal anti-immigration road block amid sinister UDA threat to foreigners

Duck McTaggart only out of jail and back stirring trouble as he and other leading loyalists attend protest

William 'Duck' McTaggart

Sunday Life Reporter Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 08:30

A loyalist cocaine baron led an illegal anti-immigration protest which blocked a main road into Belfast.
Irish patriot who marched with loyalist mob facing drug charges while Shankill residents cheer disorder arrest

Oldpark man who left rally to join racists march on Islamic Centre on cocaine rap, as Glen Kane, the sectarian killer seen next to him, is arrested

Bernard Lavery at the anti-immigration protest last week; and (inset) Glen Kane is arrested at his home yesterday

Sunday Life Reporter Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 08:18

The Irish patriot who joined with loyalist paramilitaries in leading a racist mob through Belfast is facing cocaine and ketamine-dealing charges.
Kym Marsh finally ready to see sights of Belfast with Charlie Lawsons advice

Former Corrie star playing Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians at the Grand Opera House

Kym Marsh (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

David O'Dornan Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 09:35







Kym Marsh is on a mission to enjoy Belfast when she jets in this week for a stage show, armed with recommendations from pal Charlie Lawson.
NI the UK region with lowest number of asylum seekers on housing support

Fewer than 5,000, just 0.2% of population, in publicly funded accommodation, figures reveal

Muhammed Soufi Baddour, whose accommodation was attacked

Christopher Woodhouse Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 08:46







Northern Ireland has the lowest number of asylum seekers currently receiving local authority housing support of any UK region, according to the latest Home Office figures.
Watch: African artist releases hip hop song for NI in bid to calm rioting

The video for the tune was filmed in Northern Ireland

Samuel Miyoba, AKA Smack Jay, in Belfast

Stephanie Bell Sun 11 Aug 2024 at 13:05







An African musician who wrote a song for Northern Ireland about inclusion and diversity has brought its release forward in the hope of calming tensions in Belfast.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 57F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Rain ending early. Remaining cloudy. Low near 40F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Two years ago, Christmas came early for Lana Joy.

Her present? A newly rehabilitated home.

Every day I would come home and all the windows were done. The next day all the doors were done. The next day the sidings being done. The next day the roof, said Joy, a longtime Otis resident.

The source of the gift? The towns Community Block Grant award.

For 50 years, the federal governments Community Block Grant Program has been funding communities across the country to help residents rehab their homes. This fiscal year, the program awarded grants to seven towns and one city the Berkshires. The grants, which total almost $3,375,000, will provide for the rehabilitation of an estimated 41 homes.

In Berkshire County, the program is one way towns are addressing an aging housing stock  in 2022, 59 percent of homes are over 50 years old.

This program is a tremendous help to low to moderate income families who just dont have the extra funding to make the necessary repairs to their house, said Berkshire Community Development founder Dawn Lemon, who manages the grants in South County. Its keeping people in their homes and keeping homes up to code.

Municipalities to receive the grant this fiscal year include Great Barrington, Egremont, Stockbridge, Lee, Lenox, Becket, Dalton and North Adams, although the latter will be using the funds to support improvements to roads and the senior center and to provide social services.

It is Lenoxs first year participating in the program, said Marybeth Mitts, a board member on the Lenox Affordable Housing Trust. Theyd applied in the past, but the application wasnt competitive enough, Mitts said.

This year more residents expressed interest and that changed. Lenox applied with Lee, and the towns received $1 million for the rehabilitation of 11 units.

Lemon said she has received 256 pre-applications from residents in Lee and Lenox, and more are coming in.

What they cover

The grants don't cover everything; first they must must qualify as health and safety improvements and are intended to increase energy efficiency. They usually cover new septic systems, windows and weatherization.

Maybe people need handicap accessibility to improve their living now that theyre older. Maybe people need new roofs or new furnaces, said Mitts. It should seriously improve the owner-occupied housing stock in the town.

The exact number of homes that will be rehabbed through the grants will not be determined until full applications are received and accepted.

It all depends on the households and what they utilize, said Lemon. If someone, for instance, wants just a roof done and that comes to $20,000, that additional $50,000 goes back in the pot for somebody else to utilize.

The benchmark cost for rehabilitation was $50,000 per unit. This fiscal year, the threshold increased to $70,000 per unit, Lemon said.

To qualify for the program, residents must make up to 80 percent of the area median income.

Lemon is still accepting pre-applications and encourages all interested residents to apply. Once she completes the procurement process with the town, Lemon will notify pre-applicants via phone and email and begin accepting full applications.

Its very important to get me the full application as well as the supporting documentation as soon as possible, Lemon said. I cannot save anyone a spot in the program until I income qualify them.
LEXINGTON  Gov. Maura Healey signed off Thursday on a new veterans' benefits law dubbed the "HERO Act" that she touted as "a big deal," while Veterans' Services Secretary Jon Santiago told a packed town hall that the Holyoke Veterans Home had been awarded licensure by the Department of Public Health.

Among the law's provisions is a boost to the annuity granted by the state to Gold Star parents and spouses  those who have lost their loved one in the service  stepping up the grant to $2,500. Its annual $2,000 rate had not been updated in decades.

Santiago recalled meeting Holly Shay, a Gold Star mother whose son, U.S. Army Sgt. Jordan Shay, was killed in Iraq. He told the crowd that, after meeting her, he realized the amount of the Gold Star annuity had not been touched in around 20 years.

With Healey's signature, the law also gets rid of what Santiago called "bureaucratic" aspects of the Veterans Service Buyback Program, which veterans entering a public employee job had to apply for within 180 days. Sen. John Velis explained during the Senate session that produced the final bill that it eliminates the 180-day window to enter the program and buy back military time, and offers a grace period for those who have missed out.

Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts legislative agent Paul Jacques is a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force who served two tours in Iraq. He said the law will "help a lot of people" including police and fire department employees who missed out on their buybacks.

"As we all know, in the first 180 days of anyone's career, when you're a younger person, especially getting out of the military ... you're not thinking about retirement," Jacques told the News Service. He added, "Where I work in Attleboro, we have members on there, that this is going to be life-changing for them."

The law expands veterans' access to mental health services, which an existing benefits law  Chapter 115  does not give veterans reimbursement for. The new law provides for a "behavioral health assistance benefit" that will offer "coverage for the cost of those necessary outpatient behavioral health assessments, evaluations, visits, prescriptions and other such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations."

It also opens the door for veterans who served as military medics, now pursuing a civilian EMT job, to potentially be able to skip EMT training and move straight to taking the test.

Healey touted the new law as "the most comprehensive veterans' legislation to come out of this state ever, probably."

The bill is one of just a handful of substantive policy packages the Legislature has handed to Healey over the last year and a half. The governor said she and Santiago chose to come to Lexington to sign the bill because the town is a "special" place.

"You know, 250 years ago, the whole American experiment, our American democracy, our country, was born here," she said, earning cheers from an auditorium that also featured local officials like Lexington select board and town meeting members.

Holyoke Veterans Home

The state-run facility in Holyoke was plagued by scandal in 2020 after a deadly COVID-19 outbreak killed more than 70 veterans living there. Reform of the system was spurred on by a 2022 law, which mandated that both the Holyoke and Chelsea veterans homes achieve DPH licensure.

"It's hot off the press that both of those homes are now licensed by the Department of Public Health, something that people thought was unimaginable, impossible after COVID-19," Santiago told attendees at the bill-signing ceremony.

The Chelsea Veterans Home achieved DPH licensure last year, which was announced by EOVS at the same time that the first 20 residents moved into a newly-constructed building there.

Speaking from the stage in Lexington's Cary Memorial Building before the signing, Healey said that "we are so blessed as a nation."

"That men and women are willing to serve, are willing to enlist, are willing to sign up and answer that call. We're also so lucky that the families are willing to support their loved ones as they do their service, knowing, as for some in this room, that they may not return," she said.
Despite a tax bump in June, Massachusetts still faces a budget gap.

The state hauled in $40.8 billion in tax revenue for the fiscal year that ended June 30. But while the total tops expectations by $967 million, all of that overage and then some came as a result of the state's new high-earner surtax, leaving a budget gap that could be as large as $233 million, state finance officials said Friday.

Fiscal year 2024 tax collections of $40.8 billion beat fiscal 2023's total by $1.636 billion or 4.2 percent and topped the fiscal 2024 benchmark that was revised downward by $1 billion in January by $967 million or 2.4 percent, the Department of Revenue announced.

DOR said that revenue from the 4 percent surtax on household income above $1 million totaled about $2.2 billion, compared to the $1 billion that budget writers put to use as part of their conservative approach to the new revenue source in their fiscal 2024 spending plan.

Surtax revenue is constitutionally dedicated to education and transportation initiatives and as such cannot be used to balance the budget. The $1.2 billion in above-expectations surtax collections is required to be transferred to a separate account, where it will be available for one-time appropriations at a later date, Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz said.

After adjusting for the impact of the surtax on fiscal 2024 collections, Gorzkowicz said, the state's year-end result is about $233 million below the revised benchmark and roughly $322 million below fiscal 2023's total collections. He described the result as consistent or perhaps even a bit better than what the administration had in mind in January when it trimmed the year-end revenue estimate by $1 billion and made a series of mid-year spending cuts and revenue adjustments.

Gorzkowicz said the Healey administration feels very comfortable that it can close out the fiscal year this fall in balance and without tapping into the state's Stabilization Fund. He said tax collections account for 60 percent of the state's revenue and that the administration is still sorting through things that make up the remaining 40 percent, like reversions and departmental revenues.

The secretary said he expects to have a better sense of exactly what the gap was between fiscal 2024 spending and revenues available to match that spending by the time the administration files a close-out supplemental budget around Labor Day.

"The increase in the surtax was partially offset by decreases in sales and use tax, corporate and business excise, and 'all other' tax," Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said in a statement. "The decrease in sales and use tax was primarily driven by a decrease in regular sales tax, reflecting, in part, lower collections from building supply dealers and firms in the construction industry. The decrease in Corporate and Business taxes was driven by a decrease in return payments and an increase in refunds, partially offset by an increase in estimated payments. The decrease in all other tax is mostly attributable to a decrease in estate tax, a category that tends to fluctuate."

Asked about the dramatic difference between surtax revenue collected and what he and legislative budget writers agreed to spend in the fiscal 2024 budget, Gorzkowicz said that DOR had estimated surtax revenues would come in somewhere in a range of $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion. He said he and lawmakers have tried to be conservative in their surtax spending, earmarking $1 billion in fiscal 2024 and $1.3 billion in fiscal 2025.

But with surtax revenues having topped $2 billion, the secretary said there is an opportunity to reevaluate future levels of surtax spending. He said it's possible that the fiscal 2026 budget relies on an even greater amount of surtax revenues, but also that surtax revenues can be volatile and are part of the consensus revenue process that will get underway in December.

The Raise Up Massachusetts coalition, which led the campaign to pass the income surtax, said it was working as intended and had helped to fund tuition-free community college, universal school meals, and free regional bus service.

"Because the ultra-rich are paying closer to their fair share of state taxes, Massachusetts is improving our roads and bridges, making child care and public college more affordable, and finally starting to fix the T. And we're just getting started," coalition spokesman Andrew Farnitano said Friday.

DOR also said Friday that its preliminary estimate of capital gains tax revenue collected last budget year was $2.07 billion, which generates a total fiscal 2024 transfer of approximately $590.8 million to the Stabilization Fund, the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund, and the Pension Liability Fund.

Collections ended fiscal 2024 on a strong note, with DOR raking in $4.495 billion in June, which is generally the state's second-most significant tax revenue month. That was $357 million or 8.6 percent more than actual collections in June 2023 and $268 million or 6.3 percent above the administration's monthly benchmark.

And the state kicked off fiscal year 2025 by bringing in $2.648 billion in July, $18 million or 0.7 percent less than last July. But Gorzkowicz said Friday, in response to a question about Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues' concern about July revenues, that the situation was worse than it looks on paper.

This July had a couple of extra days for collections, the secretary said, and July 2024's collections would actually have been about $78 million lower than last July's after accounting for the different number of days. And even though July is a relatively small month for tax collections, the secretary said starting off in a hole is not the best way to begin any fiscal year.

And state officials also know they are likely to need to pump hundreds of millions of dollars more into the maxed-out emergency assistance shelter program in fiscal year 2025. Lawmakers have approved a combined half-billion dollars between direct appropriations and available one-time funds, but the administration's latest report to lawmakers estimated that total fiscal 2025 shelter costs will actually be $1.018 billion.

Gorzkowicz said Friday that the money already available to the administration should last until sometime in January. He said the administration expects to file a supplemental budget around then, perhaps very early in the new legislative term, to ensure it has enough money to continue to run the shelter system for the rest of the budget year.
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Around 75,000 visitors attended the Lake Night Festival in Rapperswil-Jona at the weekend in summer temperatures. Keystone

Around 75,000 visitors attended the Lake Night Festival in Rapperswil-Jona at the weekend in summery temperatures. The traditional festival on Lake Zurich celebrated its 100th anniversary.

SDA

In a press release on Sunday evening, OC President Fabian Villiger described this year's festival as a festival of superlatives. The weather and the action-packed festival program created an overwhelming atmosphere. One of this year's highlights was the world's first e-flight show, which set an official world record as the first e-flight show with six electrically powered aircraft.

SDA
Dublin Fire brigade is continuing to fight a gorse fire in South Dublin.

Ground and aerial firefighters are working to bring the blaze under control just outside Sandyford.

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Residents in the area are being asked to keep their windows and doors closed.

4,000 homes in the Tallaght area were left without power earlier, due to damage to an ESB power station.

That power has since been restored and there's no further impact to customers at this time.

Fire services are working with the Gardai and ESB to protect properties in surrounding areas.

#Barnacullia We are receiving a high volume of calls from members of the public in regards to the gorse fire on lower three rock In the last hour, we have processed approximately 200 calls We appreciate you taking the time to call us. We are currently fighting the fire. pic.twitter.com/58I1bBWaSv  Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) August 11, 2024

In a statement, gardai confirmed there has been no injuries.

Dublin Fire Brigade said they have received over 200 calls, and are advising the public to close their windows.
The Taoiseach has said that this weekend brings the grisly milestone of 40,000 deaths in Gaza a step closer, as he condemned an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter.

Around 80 people were killed in the strike on the school in central Gaza City, which also left another 47 people injured, Gazas health ministry said.

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Simon Harris said there is growing evidence of a prolonged humanitarian catastrophe.

The Fine Gael leader said he is particularly disturbed by a confirmation from the United Nations that the number of aid deliveries reaching Gaza has halved, from a daily average of 169 trucks in April to fewer than 80 trucks a day in June and July.

Taoiseach Simon Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (Brian Lawless/PA)

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The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs also says that only 24 of 67 planned aid missions to northern Gaza this month have been facilitated by Israel, Mr Harris said in a statement.

The United Nations has also assessed that more than 80 per cent of the Gaza Strip has been placed under evacuation orders since October of last year.

When people are told to leave, they have nowhere to go, so they often go to schools.

Some 490 of Gazas schools have been bombed or damaged since the start of the war, and this weekends images from inside al-Tabaeen school are gut-wrenching. Ireland condemns outright such awful and wholesale loss of civilian life.

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A ceasefire remains urgently needed, and all sides must immediately work in good faith to bring one about.

We have all been horrified by the many undoubted war crimes that have been committed in Gaza. There can be no impunity. Those responsible must be held to account.

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Mr Harris said that all the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice must be implemented in full, which called for an end to its illegal occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Too many innocent lives have been lost in 10 months, Mr Harris said.

The world is standing at the precipice of a horrific moment, and yet all levers to bring an end to the violence are not being used.

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I again call for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The agreement contains human rights clauses, and I do not believe it is conscionable for the EU to continue to render them redundant.

Ireland calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of Israeli hostages, and for aid trucks to flow unimpeded.
A man has been arrested in connection with online threats against the Taoiseach.

Gardai investigating online threats against an elected representative made the arrest on Sunday morning.

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The man aged in his 40s is being questioned at a Garda Station in the North West.

It comes as last week the Tasoieach said he would have no problem meeting Elon Musk and other social media executives about content on their platforms.

The Taoiseach said last week that social media companies cannot be allowed to act like the Wild West.

It is totally unacceptable that any media platform  digital, online, print  would allow a threat towards anybody remain for a significant period of time.

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"We cant have a situation where its seen as some kind of Wild West over there (on social media) that does not come into contact with the same laws and enforcement that (a newspaper) would  this is a form of media.

Ireland Taoiseach more than willing to meet Elon Musk over... Read More

"The era of self-regulation of these companies is well and truly over," he said.

Mr Harris said Ireland would soon introduce new measures and financial penalties against social media companies in the range of tens of millions of euros, under an online safety code.

He said he was very proud of the work under way at media regulator Coimisiun na Mean, adding that Ireland was ahead of many, many other European countries.

He said binding measures could be put in place later this year that would hit these companies where it hurts if they fail to comply with the new rules.
Serbias president has accused demonstrators who oppose a lithium mining project in the Balkan country of being part of a Western-backed hybrid warfare against his government and vowed to take strong legal action against those protesters who blocked rail and road traffic in the capital a day earlier.

In one of the biggest protests in recent years, tens of thousands took to the streets in the capital, Belgrade, on Saturday against lithium mining in Serbia, despite officials warnings of their alleged plot to unseat populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government.

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People block a highway in Belgrade during a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

Some of the protesters later blocked tracks at two railway stations in the city, and briefly stopped traffic on a major highway.

Early on Sunday, riot police pushed them out of the stations with their riot shields.

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Interior minister Ivica Dacic said 14 people have been taken in for questioning.

Police are working to identify all the perpetrators, who will face charges, he added.



Serbian interior minister Ivica Dacic said police are working to identify all the perpetrators, who will face charges (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

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Mr Vucic told reporters on Sunday that, although the main protest was done democratically, the blocking of traffic amounted to terror of the minority over the majority.

It is part of the hybrid approach designed to topple the government, he told reporters. We knew everything in detail. You think you have surprised someone we have always been restrained, without violence we ensured order in the country, without a problem.

The president said last week that he had been tipped off by Russian intelligence services that mass unrest and a coup were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers that want to oust him from power.



Thousands of people gathered in Belgrade for a rally against lithium mining in Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

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Government officials and state-controlled media launched a major campaign against Saturdays rally, comparing it to the Maidan uprising in Ukraines capital, Kyiv, that led to the toppling of the countrys then pro-Russia president Viktor Yanukovych in 2013.

Organisers of the Belgrade protest repeatedly denied those charges.

Saturdays demonstration came after weeks of protests in dozens of cities throughout Serbia against a government plan to allow lithium mining in a lush farming valley in the west of the country.

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This plan was scrapped in 2022 after large demonstrations were held that included the blocking of key bridges and roads. But it was revived last month and received a boost in a tentative deal on critical raw materials signed by Mr Vucics government with the European Union.



Critics say lithium mining will inflict irreparable pollution on the Jadar Valley, along with its crucial underground water reserves and farming land (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

The Balkan nation is formally seeking EU membership while maintaining very close ties with both Russia and China.

The EU memorandum on the mining of lithium and other key materials needed for the green transition would bring Serbia closer to the bloc, and would reduce Europes lithium battery and electric car dependency on China.

While the government insists that the mine is an opportunity for economic development, critics say it would inflict irreparable pollution on the Jadar Valley, along with its crucial underground water reserves and farming land.

Mr Vucic said on Sunday that there will be no lithium mining in the next two years while all the risks are being investigated, in an apparent attempt to pacify critics.

He also offered a referendum on the issue  something unlikely to be considered by environmentalists with the presidents alleged history of rigging votes in his favour.
Days after Ukraine began a surprise military incursion into Russias Kursk border region, President Volodymyr Zelensky broke the governments silence on it in his nightly address on Saturday by indirectly acknowledging ongoing military action to push the war out into the aggressors territory.

Overnight into Sunday, a Russian drone and missile barrage on Kyiv killed two people  a man and his four-year-old son.

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In Russia, Kursks regional governor said a Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defences fell on a residential building, injuring 13 people.





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Russia attacked Ukraine with four ballistic missiles and 57 Shahed drones, Ukraines Air Force said. Air defences shot down 53 drones.

The bodies of a 35-year old man and his young son were found under rubble after fragments of missiles fell on a residential area in Kyivs suburban Brovary district, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service on Sunday.

Another three people in the area were injured in the attack.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said it was the second time this month that Kyiv has been targeted.

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He said ballistic missiles did not reach the city centre but suburbs took the hit, while drones aiming for the capital were shot down.

Mr Zelensky, citing preliminary information, said Russia had used a North Korean missile in the strike. Ukraine and the US have previously said Russia has used North Korean missiles in the war.



People gather at an apartment building in Kursk, Russia, damaged by Ukrainian shelling (AP)

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Mr Zelensky reiterated calls to Western allies to step up assistance to Ukraine, and that to really stop Russian terror, we need not only a full-fledged air shield that will protect all our cities and communities, but also strong decisions from partners  decisions that will remove restrictions on our defensive actions.

Meanwhile, Ukraines incursion into Russia continued for a sixth day.

The largest such attack since the full-scale invasion and unprecedented for its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil, it caught Moscow unaware and was an embarrassment to Russian military leaders who have scrambled to contain the breach.

The exact aims of the operation remain unclear and Ukrainian military officials have adopted a policy of secrecy, presumably to ensure its success.

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Military experts have said that it is probably intended to draw Russian reserves away from the intense fighting in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, while a presidential adviser suggested it may strengthen Kyivs hand in any future negotiations with Russia.



Residents of an apartment building damaged by Ukrainian shelling leave the area in Kursk, Russia (AP)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday that Ukraine understands perfectly well that the recent attacks make no sense from a military point of view.

The Kyiv regime is continuing its terrorist activity with the sole purpose of intimidating the peaceful population of Russia, she added.

Kursk acting governor Aleksei Smirnov said on Sunday that Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group entered the Belovsky district the previous day, but that the situation had been stabilised.

In Russia, the Defence Ministry said 35 drones were shot down overnight over the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Oryol regions.

Ukraine has not commented on the Sunday drone attacks inside Russia. But it comes as Ukraine has increased the pace of similar drone attacks largely targeting military infrastructure and oil depots in recent weeks.



A Russian army tank covered with camouflage net takes a position in the Kursk region (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP)

Meanwhile, Belarus said on Saturday that it is sending more troops to its border with Ukraine, saying Ukrainian drones have violated its airspace as part of Kyivs military incursion into Russias Kursk region.

Authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Belarusian air defence forces destroyed dozens of targets flying from Ukraine over the Mogilev region, which borders Russia, on Friday evening.

The Ukrainian armed forces violated all rules of conduct and violated the airspace of the Republic of Belarus. In the eastern direction, very close to us in the Kostyukovichi district, Mr Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk on Saturday.

Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin said Belarus regards the violation of its airspace as a provocation and is ready for retaliatory action.
The parent company of the shopping centre no-go zones for most teenagers Katies, Millers and Noni B, is seeking advice on restructuring and Witchery has shifted gears to target an edgier, thinner and younger demographic. Whats happened to the mature-aged shopper?

Scratch the polyester surface of this unsettling activity, and it looks like the older womens appetite for fashion is shrinking  but beneath the lining is a more layered story.

Despite structural issues, on the shop floor, Mosaic Brands  the owners of Katies, Millers and Noni B  reached more than half a billion dollars in annual revenue in the past two years. Baby Boomers are engaging enthusiastically with fashion and refuse to retire from dressing to impress.

Melbourne fashion enthusiast Shona Grant says that shopping doesnt have an age limit. Style is forever, Grant says. Credit: Simon Schluter

Shop till you drop
Cant stop, wont stop. Thats ABC chairman Kim Williams, who rolled into the sun and celebrity drenched northern NSW hamlet of Byron Bay for the latest edition of the Kim Williams Show on the weekend at the Byron Writers Festival. Williams was joined on stage by another big beast of the media landscape, former ABC presenter Kerry OBrien.

ABC chairman Kim Williams. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

I need to be careful because words get used, said Williams, before discovering that when OBrien is in search of a news hook, no-one can avoid a KOB KO.

The former host of The 7.30 Report and Lateline took his time, politely asking Williams fascinating questions about his memoir Rules of Engagement before jumping to ABC output, particularly news and current affairs.

I think we have, on the one hand, a tendency to have too much in news and current affairs that is filler and bland, said Williams who took over as chair from Ita Buttrose in March, which now feels like a century ago.
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with murder after a fatal stabbing at a Big4 Holiday Park in Hervey Bay.

Emergency services were called around 9pm on Saturday following reports a 24-year-old man had been stabbed in the Corser Street caravan park at Point Vernon.

He was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital but died from his injuries.

A girl was taken into custody by Queensland police and later charged with murder.
There are two things to be said of the UK riots right off the bat. The first is that the violent racism on display is inexcusable. No matter what efforts we make to understand the situation, that fact stands. The second is they expose a deep contradiction in the UK, which is at once a paragon of successful immigration and an abject failure of social integration.

Until recently, Britain had a prime minister of Indian and African descent. At the same time, in some parts of the UK, there are people who speak little or no English who feel they have no franchise in the nation. Among them are some who are antagonistic towards liberal Western values. They live next to umpteenth-generation English people who have seen their townscapes changed and whose anger at economic loss to globalisation and modernisation is exacerbated by the presence of people who  to their eyes and minds  seem to represent the reason for that loss.

The history of the world is one not just of continental drift, but of the movements of people across those continents, countries and islands. Western societies have accepted that they have something others want to be part of, and recognised that those others bring attributes that also enrich their western societies. It sounds peaceful. Until its not.

One measure of just how much Western societies have embraced immigration is that, these days, we are mostly horrified when the immigrants are attacked. Thats why we are rightly appalled at the recent attack on a mosque in Britain, in which anti-immigrant protesters tried to set the place of worship and the people within it on fire.
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 In our clamorous world with its ever-increasing distractions and demands, nothing is more healing to the mind and spirit than experiencing a special place of peace and quiet. Feeling your heartbeat slow, your muscles release and your thoughts start to expand and drift. Opening your senses to your surroundings and noticing tiny details you might otherwise have overlooked  this is the joy of quiet places. Quietude may not always equate to silence. Sometimes it does, such as at One Square Inch of Silence in the United States and other official Quiet Parks designated by acoustic ecologists. The places of almost pure silence include seemingly endless deserts, cathedral-like forests and lonely moors. But quiet places are often full of the soothing sounds of nature  water running, birdsong, wind singing in the grass or sand, or even the crack and boom of calving ice such as in Antarctica. They are also man-made places where human voices are hushed from a sense of the sacred  Thai temples, ancient Mayan ruins, museums and libraries. In this edited extract of Lonely Planets new book The Joy of Quiet Places, we highlight pockets where the worlds travails will surely fall away as they inspire in-the-moment awe. May it encourage you to find your own piece of peacefulness.

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The open steppe, Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Credit: Shutterstock Envision a landscape without a single wall, fence or pylon to break your line of view. A place where your eye can canter unreined to the barrier-less horizon. Where you rise from the saddle and feel your horse fly across grasslands unchanged since the era of Genghis Khan, the wind streaking fresh and clear across your face. Travel by horse and youre part of the landscape in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is often said to be one of the least-known countries in the world; a land of sapphire-blue lakes and the snow-dusted Tien Shan (meaning Mountains of Heaven) that perches so high that Chinese monk Xuanzang warned travellers of dragons when he wrote about his travels through the country en route to India in the seventh century. Few places in the world offer so much wilderness that is free from jungle-y bugs, or toothy predators. Dont miss Yes, you can travel by four-wheel drive, but the engine roars are too loud to listen to the voices of the ancestors. Travelling by horse, if you can, fills you with awe, that most craved of feelings. Essentials The main international airport in Kyrgyzstan is Manas, 25 kilometres from the capital, Bishkek. A guided tour is the best option. Its best to ride in June or September, when temperatures are clement. See discoverkyrgyzstan.org Lamu Island, Kenya Dhow sailboats at sunset in Lamu Island, Kenya. Credit: Shutterstock

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Drift into an African sunset, sailing a traditional Kenyan dhow, Hippo Dhow. It is the antidote to anxiety. Powered by the wind, this boat and those like it  which have been plying the East African coastline for centuries  feel timeless. Lamu Island, off Kenyas east coast, about 48 kilometres south of Somalia, is home to the oldest continuously occupied Swahili town in East Africa. Time appears to stand still here. Dhows, which once served mainly as a source of transport between Lamu, islands in the archipelago and the mainland, are now a source of income for locals. They take travellers on meditative journeys, where the past and present collide as smoothly as the sun disappears into the Indian Oceans darkening blue hues. Dont miss Days can be spent shopping the unique local boutiques, indulging in a samosa cooking class, swimming in the calm, clear blue sea, or reading from a guesthouses breezy balcony, the silence interrupted only by the lyrical call to prayer from one of the islands more than 30 mosques. Essentials The best way to reach Lamu Island is to fly to Manda Airport on Manda Island, just across the channel. Multiple airlines fly here from Nairobi and Kenyan coastal cities. Bookings are required for the cruise. See facebook.com/hippodhow Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile Torres del Paine National Park. Credit: Shutterstock This is landscape at its most heroic  a huddle of granite mountains rising near the southernmost tip of South America, ringed by blue lakes and buffeted by weather from the Atlantic and Pacific. Vast crowds, accordingly, come to this part of Chile  to admire raging waterfalls, to try to spot pumas and to hike the trails. The way to give them the slip is to regard Torres del Paine from a novel angle  on a kayak, so the only sound you hear is the slosh of your paddle in frigid water. Glide through the glacial Grey Lake, a 14.5-kilometre stretch at the parks western end. Here, in an easy days paddling, you can become intimately acquainted with the Patagonian ice which, aeons ago, sculpted this landscape  and be humbled in its presence. Dont miss For another perspective on the Grey Glacier, consider joining one of the hiking tours along its icy spine.

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Essentials The gateway to Torres del Paine National Park is Puerto Natales  its airport is served by seasonal flights from the Chilean capital, Santiago. From here, regular buses run into the park. High season is from December to February. Organise a kayaking trip with an operator such as Kayak en Patagonia. See parquetorresdelpaine.cl; kayakenpatagonia.com Erg Chigaga, Morocco Sand dunes of Erg Chigaga. Credit: Shutterstock Getting a taste of caravan life in the Sahara Desert. Sleeping on the dunes, safari-style tents form a wide circle, facing the open-air gathering space in the centre of the encampment. The scent of saffron, cinnamon, dried apricots and freshly roasted lamb still hangs in the air after the evenings feast. Travellers whove made the trip out speak in hushed tones beneath the myriad stars of the Milky Way. They sip steaming cups of mint tea and edge closer to the fire  the chill night air a dramatic change from the torrid temperatures of just a few hours ago. Watching the fire dance while listening to the swirling hypnotic rhythms, its easy to feel transported into another century  to a time when caravans crisscrossed the Sahara on impressive overland journeys. Dont miss Moroccos natural wonders dont end at the desert. Hidden in the eastern reaches of the Atlas Mountains, the Todra Gorge is a deep limestone river canyon that narrows in places to just 10 metres wide. Sunlight streams across the soaring cliffs in the morning, making for some memorable quiet time among the towering canyon walls. Essentials Daily CTM buses connect Marrakesh with both Zagora and MHamid. From either town, you can arrange overnight trips into the desert. After the scorching summer heat, October makes an ideal month to visit. Zagora offers a wide range of lodging. See visitmorocco.com/en Hoh Rainforest, Washington State, US

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Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington state. Credit: Shutterstock Visiting the Hoh Rainforest in the Olympic National Park is not easy. The dense temperate rainforest is in the farthest north-western corner of the US, on the majestic but remote Olympic Peninsula. But hike past the layers of green on the Hall of Mosses Trail to the Hoh River Trail. And then  about five kilometres up  youll encounter One Square Inch of Silence. The moniker was given to this spot by Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist who has highlighted the last remaining quiet places in the continental US  all free from the sounds of aircraft, highways or the hustle and bustle of modernity. The Hoh is the reigning champion of silence. For now. Navy jets and social media both threaten the natural silence with human-made additions. Dont miss The Olympic Peninsula hosts isolated beaches where you can stretch out and take a long, deep, quiet breath. Essentials The Olympic National Park is an up to four-hour drive from Seattles SeaTac Airport. No roads go through the park, and public transport is extremely limited. September and October see autumnal colours, elk in rutting season and far fewer crowds. See nps.gov Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland Greenland icefjord. Credit: Shutterstock Some 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle on the shores of Disko Bay, the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea at the Ilulissat Icefjord. Rich in Inuit history and a feeding ground for migrating whales, the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier is one of the most active and fastest-moving in the world, and has been the object of scientific attention for more than 200 years. It was Greenlands first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ilulissat Icefjord Centre is a year-round visitor facility and an architectural gem. It houses exhibitions on ice and evolution on both a local and global scale. Designed by architect Dorte Mandrup, its gently sloping, curved wooden roof serves as an open terrace and viewing platform that overlooks the Icefjord and Disko Bay, leading down to the start of the boardwalk. Heading back towards town, the melancholic howls of sled dogs pierce the air. Back in the reality of day-to-day life, a visit to the Icefjord becomes a humbling experience.

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Khantun, 40, said her 10-year-old daughter was among the dead. Other family members had been abducted, their fates unknown, she said. She and her surviving family made it to Bangladesh on Saturday, having hidden by the riverbank for several days before fleeing on a dinghy. Groups of Rohingya Muslims cross the Naf River at the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, near Palong Khali, Bangladesh in 2017. Credit: AP Mohammed Hubaib, a 12-year-old from a different family, also estimated he saw the bodies of about 400 people, some of whom had drowned after their boats were attacked during the crossing. His grandfather, 70-year-old Mohammed Kasim, said he witnessed the AA drone strikes kill more than 250 Rohingya in front of me, including children and women before he passed out. A boy sheltering with Kasim at Teknaf is so ill he cannot speak or move.

In addition to the drone attacks by the riverbanks, more than 100 Rohingya may have been killed in Maungdaw town, which is now believed to be clear of junta forces. Reports are also emerging from survivors in Bangladesh that people were drowned or remained captives of pirates who had presented themselves as rescuers, only to hold the escapees to ransom. Loading In a statement, the AA said, we respectfully announce that these deaths did not occur in areas under our control and are not related to our organisation. The group continued to fight the regime and the extremist Muslim groups, which were using weapons and manpower to  prevent innocent civilians from reaching safe places. The AA and military junta both view the Muslim Rohingya as unwelcome interlopers from Bangladesh, though families have lived in Myanmar for generations. Allegations of abuses by the AA are controversial because the groups armed force has played a major role in winning battlefield victories for the resistance movement against military rule. There is much credible evidence of atrocities carried out by the military governments forces, but reported abuses by resistance groups have been minimal.

International aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Bangladesh said it had treated more than 50 people in the last week for injuries consistent with a war zone. Were talking about gunshots, land mines, mortar shells, deputy Bangladesh representative Anthony Caswell Perez said. This is indicative of an escalation of violence in Rakhine. To actually be able to comment on whats happening on the other side is very difficult because we dont have a presence in Rakhine State at the border. But something is happening. And considering that over half of the patients that we have treated are children and women, that is indicative of indiscriminate attacks against civilians.

MSF earlier said it had received witness reports of hundreds of people killed, but the toll remains unverified. If confirmed, the incident would mark one of the worst atrocities since the 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Witnesses have said thousands more Rohingya had been attempting to get into Bangladesh from Maungdaw, but had been blocked on the water by junta vessels and on land by Bangladeshi authorities. The Rohingya are among the worlds most persecuted people  even Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate with legions of supporters around the world, refused to stand up for the Rohingya during a brutal 2017 military crackdown alleged at the International Court of Justice to be genocide. Mohammed Kasim (centre, in singlet) with family members, including 12-year-old Mohammed Hubaib (sitting at the front), by a UNHCR banner at their shelter in Teknaf, Bangladesh. The boy lying down is so ill he cannot move and has urinated and defecated in his clothes. Credit: Saiful Arakani Fighting has intensified in Myanmar since offensives by rebel groups in October last year. In a serious blow, the regime appears to have recently lost the Shan State city of Lashio, home of the north-eastern command. While its forces remain strong in the major cities of the lowlands, elsewhere they have suffered serious losses of ground, personnel and morale. Desperation has manifested in policies of forced conscriptions and attacks on civilian areas.

The UN reported in June that at least 5280 civilians, more than a third of them women and children, had been killed by the military junta since the coup. Close to three million people were internally displaced and more than 20,000 who had stood up to the regime remained in detention. The alleged brutality of the AA toward the minority Rohingya, however, underscores how separating good from the bad in the contest with myriad competing interests and complex historical antecedents is not straightforward. ASEANs response  the five-point consensus, which regime leader Min Aung Hlaing has reneged on  has been ineffective. Following a meeting of foreign ministers in Laos last month, the regional bloc committed to the same plan again and congratulated itself on the delivery of $US1.9 million worth of aid. Delivery of vital services has been stymied by the fighting and the juntas control of major access routes and the levers of government. Even so, aid agencies say they can make a difference and have pleaded for the international community to do more. Even basic health services have collapsed, said Samuel David Theodore of MSF in Myanmar, citing the states of Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan as the worst affected.
It is not a secret to anyone that for many years, the Armenian media has been circulating various types of disinformation and becoming a leading tool in the implementation of all kinds of provocations. The former Garabagh conflict was conveyed to the Western audience in a different way as a result of the continuous efforts of the Armenian mass media, which has turned into a yellow press.

Although the relations between Iran and Armenia have always been close, sometimes the relations between the two sides are aimed at creating certain disturbances in the region. For example, Yerevan, whose relations with Tel Aviv are not so pleasant and close, has repeatedly shown its jealousy of the deep ties of official Baku. Perhaps this time, Yerevan, which could not stand the suffering of the same feelings, resorted to a slightly different method.

Yesterday, in the Armenian media on behalf of Iran, it was mentioned that the newly elected president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, "plans to attack Israel's "bases" in Azerbaijan." Although the information did not specify that the target was Azerbaijan, the title was directed to Baku to attract attention.

Since no official source was found to confirm the information, we had to look again at the information in the Armenian media. It is possible to see even some incomprehensible points in the article. It is hard to know whether Armenia wants to provoke Azerbaijan with the headline or is trying to discredit Iran in its article.

This sentence is found in the first paragraph: "Masoud Pezeshkian is proposing to strike secret Israeli bases in countries neighboring Iran."

In the next paragraph, it says: "Pezeshkian fears that any direct attack on Israel will have serious consequences".

So Armenia is trying to hit two targets with the information it circulates. In the first, it tries to irritate Azerbaijan, and in the second, it tries to show that Iran is powerless in front of Israel and that it is not capable of any initiative other than words.

Regarding the issue of the Iranian leadership naming Azerbaijan, Tehran's official sources did not mention any information about it.

It should be noted that yesterday, Masoud Pezeshkian said that a direct war with Israel would lead to serious consequences and called on the IRGC to take a step back. The information was published on Telegram channels. However, in addition, any position of Iran regarding Azerbaijan in the form mentioned on Armenian websites was not disclosed in other sources.

But we wonder if the Armenian side, which publishes such fake news, does not think that Iran, which is cautious about a direct war with Israel, can target Azerbaijan. Although the Armenian press tries to create provocation between the two countries by approaching only from its narrow perspective, what is happening in the main foreground overshadows the empty words spoken from outside. Azerbaijan is well aware of Armenia's disruptive policy, and the last word of official Baku is the only power that can prevent it in the region.
In the shadow of political upheaval and continuing violence in Bangladesh, New Delhis decision to close all visa centres there could deal a blow to Indias health-care tourism sector.

Bangladesh has long been the largest source of medical tourists to India, with a 48 per cent year-on-year surge bringing 449,570 patients in 2023 alone.

This stands in stark contrast to the relatively modest influx from other neighbouring countries like the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Myanmar. In 2022, Bangladeshi patients made up 68.66 per cent of total foreign tourist arrivals in India for medical reasons, a leap from 42.48
General insurers seek an extension in deadline until December 2024 from the regulator to comply with the revised master circular guidelines on health insurance products, people aware of the development told Business Standard.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) issued the Master Circular on Health Insurance Products in June and asked general/health insurers to offer a wider range of products to customers, including those with all types of existing medical conditions and pre-existing diseases and chronic conditions. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

The regulator had also asked insurance companies to provide customers with a Customer Information Sheet (CIS)  a document that will explain and simplify the policy details for the policyholder. These norms were proposed to be effective from October 1, 2024.

However, the industry has sought an extension till December 2024 to comply with these norms relating to CIS.

Insurance companies have also sought help in issuing letters to the relevant authorities to strengthen business in rural areas and to meet their mandatory business in these areas.

The industry has requested time to revise the products as per the new circular as it requires necessary changes to be made in the IT systems, said an industry source.

Aiming to reach the goal of Insurance for All by 2047, Irdai, through its June master circular, had asked the companies to undertake a certain percentage of business in a selected gram panchayat to meet their rural, social sector, and motor third party obligations.

The general and health insurance companies have requested help from Irdai in issuing these letters to the local authorities and state governments to get the relevant data from these gram panchayats.
Last month, an enterprising duo covered themselves in bedsheets, sprayed paint on the CCTV camera inside a kiosk and used a gas-cutter to hack into an ATM of Axis Bank in Bengaluru. Gas-cutters were also used to disgorge an ATM of State Bank of India in Roorkee in November 2023.

What emboldens folks to find new ways of pulling out cash from ATMs?

The issue here is that a CCTV camera merely records whats going on. From a security point, you will see a marked change. For instance, if you see someone up to mischief at an ATM, you
How do you like the beginning? a beaming Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee asked reporters.

It was May 18, 2006. Bhattacharjee had just been sworn in  at the sprawling Raj Bhavan lawn  as chief minister (he became chief minister in 2000) after a landslide victory.

From the ceremony, he headed straight for Writers Building, the red colonial structure where the state secretariat used to sit, for an announcement that would later go down as a watershed event in the history of Bengal politics. Ratan Tata had flown in along with the brass to make public the location of the small
Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi walked out of jail on Friday on bail. | File photo

AAP leader Manish Sisodia held a meeting with senior leaders on Sunday to discuss the strategy for the Delhi Assembly polls slated to be held early next year. Senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Delhi ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Gopal Rai as well as the party's Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Sandeep Pathak attended the meeting. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Gopal Rai is also the convener of the party's Delhi unit. Later, Sandeep Pathak, who is also the AAP's national general secretary (organisation), said the strategy for the Delhi Assembly polls and the political situation in the national capital were discussed in the meet.

"Sisodia will hold a meeting with MLAs on Monday and with party councillors on Tuesday. On August 14, he will begin a foot march to meet the people of Delhi.

"It has become clear to the people of the country that the BJP has only one agenda -- to stop our work and break our party. Despite such adverse conditions, the AAP has stood strong and is doing good work," Pathak said.

Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi and a trusted lieutenant of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, walked out of jail on Friday on bail after spending 17 months behind bars in connection with the excise policy case.

While granting him bail, the Supreme Court had sharply rebuked the courts below, saying his long incarceration without trial had deprived him of the right to speedy justice.

Sisodia's release from Tihar has come as a huge relief for the party grappling with the absence of its national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior leader Satyendar Jain.

Pathak, however, said the AAP is growing in other states and has come out stronger. Asked whether Sisodia would be assigned any post in the party or in the government, he said discussion on it will be held in the days to come.

Pathak also said the AAP's campaign in Haryana, where it has decided to contest all 90 assembly seats, is going well.
Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, said it has been infusing AI across its products and harnessing AI models to counter threats and safeguard users | (Photo: Reuetrs)

Rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence has powered growth but opened avenues for cybercriminals to misuse AI for sophisticated attacks, Kaspersky has said spotlighting the need for businesses to invest in proactive cybersecurity defences to meet new-age challenges. Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, said it has been infusing AI across its products and harnessing AI models to counter threats and safeguard users by making technologies more resistant to new and evolving forms of cyberattacks. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp From leveraging ChatGPT for writing malicious software and automating attacks against multiple users to misusing AI programmes to track users' smartphone inputs (potentially capturing messages, passwords, and bank codes) - cybercriminals are using AI in novel ways, the company cautioned.

Citing the data for 2023, the company said it protected 220,000 businesses across the globe and prevented around 6.1 billion attacks with its solutions and products.

During the same period, 325,000 unique users were saved from potential money theft based on banking trojans, it added.

On average, the company has been detecting over 411,000 malicious samples every day in 2024 against 403,000 such samples a year ago.

"The number of cyberattacks being launched is not possible only with human resources. They (attackers)...use automationtry to leverage AI," Vitaly Kamluk, cybersecurity expert of Global Research & Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky told PTI.

In a recent research on using AI for password cracking, Kaspersky found that most passwords are stored encrypted with cryptographic hash function.

A text password can be simply converted to an encrypted line. However, it is challenging to reverse the process, it said.

The largest leaked password complication to date had about 10 billion lines with 8.2 billion unique passwords, according to its July 2024 data.

Alexey Antonov, Lead Data Scientist at Kaspersky, said, "Wefound that 32 per cent of user passwords are not strong enough and can be reverted from encrypted hash form using a simple brute-force algorithm and a modern GPU 4090 in less than 60 minutes.

According to the company, threat actors can use large language models like ChatGPT-4o for generating scam text, such as sophisticated phishing messages.

AI-generated phishing can overcome language barriers and create personalised emails based on users' social media information. It can even mimic specific individuals' writing styles, making phishing attacks potentially harder to detect.

Ethan Seow, Co-founder of C4AIL, said, "The moment ChatGPT came out, there was a 90 times increase in spam emails to organisations in terms of phishing.

The aggressive adoption of GenAI by organisations has also increased the attack surface. Simultaneously, cyberattackers are having more sophisticated ways of working with the advent of AI, Seow added.

Another major challenge that has emerged with the advent of AI is deepfakes. There are umpteen instances of fraudsters and criminals tricking unsuspecting users with celebrity impersonation scams, leading to significant financial losses.

Deepfakes are also used by criminals to steal user accounts and send audio money requests using the account owner's voice to friends and relatives.

However, experts suggested that deepfake detection is technically not possible at present.

"...this is the future of research. It is a matter of time before you will see companies suggesting solutions that will at least try to tackle this (deepfake detection) problemI guess this is where the future of cyber security lies," Kamluk said.

In the current scenario of growing threats and attacks, organisations are suggested to aim for 100 per cent uptime to keep their businesses cyber-resilient.

In cyberspace, uptime is the duration a system is operational and resiliency refers to the company's response to a security breach by identifying, tackling and recovering from the incident.

During the annual Cybersecurity Weekend for Asia Pacific Countries 2024 held recently in Sri Lanka, Adrian Hia, Managing Director for the APAC region at Kaspersky, said that a company's system with 100 per cent uptime will result in business resiliency, both on-premise and on cloud.

Using AI, attackers are trying to reshape, reform and reshuffle malware to produce more variations based on the code, lowering the detection rate of malware for anti-virus.

Igor Kuznetsov, Director Global Research & Analysis Team at Kaspersky, said, "21 per cent of spam attacks are based on AI and it is becoming faster and potentially bigger. So, instead of focusing on offensive AI, one must improve the defensive AI.

As part of defensive AI, the company said it had detected more than 99 per cent of malware by automatic systems in 2023.

The balance between malware detection and hiding from antivirus "is still maintained and nobody is truly winning in this battle", Kamluk said.

With the pace at which these technologies are being incorporated into daily usage by attackers and defenders, cybersecurity experts are of the view to swiftly put in place regulations and ethics in the field of AI and GenAI.

"Regulations right now will have to play catch up," Seow said, adding that although, "it is hard to regulate because the movement has already happened".

Ethics is the foundation of humankind. "We need to pay more attention to the ethical education of people, especially among the newer generation. And with AI, it becomes even more important as it has a lot of potential," Kamluk said.
Upon learning of the transition of Moses Freeman, Jr., I could not help but to look back at several well-known proverbs. Many derive from the ancient African wise sayings and traditions of old and are as follows:

Giving is not losing, It is keeping for tomorrow. Mountains never meet, but people do. Two men in a burning house must not stop to argue. One hand is never enough to lift a heavy load. A person, is a person, because of other people. Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse. If you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

Moses Freeman, Jr., as many of us can attest, would often offer guidance, upliftment and encouragement which were in essence invaluable lessons of life.

By happenstance, several of those pearls of wisdom are immersed in the community effort to properly acknowledge the story of Ed Johnson and the completion of the memorial that bears his name. It also honors the efforts of his courageous attorneys, Noah W. Parden and Styles L. Hutchins.

Brother Moses had heard that the Tennessee General Assembly had passed a resolution, widely bipartisan and with no dissent, that paid respectful tribute to Mr. Johnson and his attorneys. He thought it was important to press forward with a mission dedicated to reconciliation, unity and healing. He recognized that it was an important indicator that we as a city and region were ready to move forward and build up what Dr. King envisioned as the Beloved Community.

Afterwards, Brother Moses advised me that there were several people that I needed to meet. He placed me in contact with Mariann Martin and Steve Derthick. The three of us arranged a meeting. Mr. Joe A. Rowe also attended this important session.

Mr. Rowe properly saw, as did Brother Moses, that the story of Ed Johnson was so profound and far-reaching in scope and nature that people across the nation, and indeed across the world, would want to learn from it. This led to the formation of an Ad Hoc group, the Ed Johnson Resolution Committee, which eventually evolved to be the Ed Johnson Memorial Project, which became a catalyst for advocating for a Memorial that honored Mr. Johnson and his attorneys. That group and the tireless efforts of many groups and individuals would be successful in fulfilling that mission. Yet, I do not believe it would have taken shape without the initial support of people like Moses Freeman, Jr.

I once mentioned to Brother Moses that I always tried to remind people of how strong of an early advocate of that effort he was. His simple reply was that such things did not concern him. He then went on to say,  Let me tell you. Only the things you do for the Lord shall stand. This lesson was profound and is one that has left an indelible mark on me.

It is also worthy to note that Brother Moses was in attendance for the Annual Ed Johnson Day of Remembrance this March despite near frigid temperatures. He commented on how important it was to remember each year or else the story may be forgotten.

There was another occasion when there was disagreement on the direction of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March. Passions in the community were so high that many felt compelled to forgo participation in the March on that year. Brother Moses was adamant that we had to find ways to bridge the gaps and bring us as a community together. He reminded me that people can't help provide a solution if they don't first know that there is a problem.

One last lesson of life we learned from Brother Moses was why it was important to preserve our history. In the early 1980s, he was able to conduct an oral history with C. B. Robinson, who was the first black representative of the twentieth century for Chattanooga after over six decades of exclusive representation and disenfranchisement.

They would discuss why there was a need for Civil Rights and social justice in Chattanooga, including why Tennessee State University; the local black teachers association; voting rights; and organizations like the NAACP and Unity Group, were needed to help advance us as a community.

Another old tradition many of us have become accustomed to is that when an elder transitions from this lifetime, their essence is absent from the body, ascends to be one with the great cloud of witnesses, and is elevated to the rank of ancestor. And then for us, the living, we embrace the principle of Unbutu, meaning I am because we were, We are because you were.

We best honor them by pressing forward in their stead. We thank Moses Freeman, Jr. for thinking it was not robbery to impart wisdom and knowledge with many of us. Oftentimes, they were lessons of life that will not be easily forgotten.

Eric Atkins



Moses Freeman Oral History with Rep. C. B. Robinson






David Eason and Jenelle Evans aren't getting back together, but she's got plenty to say about his new girlfriend and the age gap in his relationship.

Leaving David Eason has served Jenelle Evans well so far. Since opting out of her marriage, shes returned to the Teen Mom universe, regained custody of her teenage son, reconnected with friends, and planned a move away from North Carolina. Evans even has a new love interest. Despite all the good things happening for Evans, she still seems deeply bothered by Easons recent movements.

She cant stop herself from throwing shade. In Jenelle Evans recent social media musings, she shaded David Eason for his current relationship and the age gap between him and his new girlfriend.

Jenelle Evans | MTV/YouTube

Jenelle Evans shades David Easons new relationship on social media

Teen Mom fans think a storm is brewing in North Carolina or wherever Jenelle Evans happens to be at the moment. The mother of three has been active on Facebook today, and shes not holding back. Over the course of 12 hours, she has thrown shade at her soon-to-be ex and his new girlfriend and lamented ever marrying him in the first place.

Jenelle Evans | MTV/YouTube

In an unprovoked post, Evans called out Eason for the age gap in his new relationship. Evans suggested Eason is gross for dating a woman just a few years older than his eldest child. In the post, Evans noted that David Easons daughter, Maryssa Eason, is 17, while his new girlfriend, Kenleigh Heatwole, is 22. Eason is 35, making him 13 years older than his new girlfriend.

In follow-up posts, Jenelle said she has so many disgusting secrets about Eason that he wants to share. She bemoaned wasting time and money on her marriage and suggested her fear turned to anger in other posts.

Easons girlfriend has criticized Eason on TikTok, as well

Jenelle Evans isnt the only one throwing shade on social media. David Easons girlfriend has spent some of her time subtly criticizing her new mans soon-to-be-ex. Kenleigh Heatwole, who Eason debuted as his new love interest in July, took to TikTok last month to shade Evans.

Jenelle Evans | MTV/YouTube

In a now-deleted video, Heatwole quipped that she wished she didnt have good morals so she didnt have to work a 9-5 job. While Heatwole didnt mention Evans by name, it was clear to everyone that she was shading Evans OnlyFans work. Evans thought it was about her, too. She went to her own social media accounts to suggest that Heatwole ask her man about Evans income streams.

David Eason has remained quiet despite the mounting tension. He has no other option, though. In May, a judge issued an order of protection prohibiting Eason from talking about Evans online. The order is only in effect for six months. By November, the troubled North Carolina native will likely be back on TikTok talking about his ex.
Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice had some truly tense moments play out on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Fans havent forgotten Joe Giudice telling his then-wife that he never wanted to marry her in the first place. While their divorce could have been nasty, the former couple appears to have come out of the process on good terms. Theyve even spent the holidays together since calling it quits. Recently, Teressa Giudice revealed what it was like meeting Joe Giudices girlfriend for the first time.

Teresa Giudice said meeting Joe Giudices girlfriend was totally fine.

The Giudices are on friendly terms following their 2020 divorce. Giudices new husband, Luis Ruelas, seems fine with Joe, too. While Teresa Giudice doesnt seem to have much to say about her ex-husbands love life, she has met his girlfriend.

Teresa Giudice and Luis | Santiago Felipe/Contributor

Giudice and Ruelas spent the holidays in the Bahamas with Joe Giudice, the four daughters Teresa Giudice shares with her ex, and Joe Giudices girlfriend. While some might find the blended family spending time together in paradise odd, Teressa Giudice insists it was casual and everyone had a great time.

During a recent appearance on Lets Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa, Giudice recalled spending the holiday season with her ex-husbands new love interest. She told Ripa it was totally fine and everyone had a good time. She didnt delve too deeply into Joe Giudices love life or reveal who the father of four is currently seeing. Still, it seems like the mystery lady has Teresa Giudices stamp of approval.

Joe Giudice keeps his love life private on social media

Whoever the new lady in Joe Giudices life is, she clearly likes her privacy. While Juicy Joe is active on Instagram and often shares photos from his time in the Bahamas and visits from his four daughters, his new lady has yet to make an appearance. Joe Giudice even included a snapshot that included Teresa on Instagram, but despite being at the event, his girlfriend was not pictured.

Teresa Giudice, Gia Giudice, and Joe Giudice | Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

Related Teresa Giudice Admits to Still Questioning Joe Giudice About His Rumored Cheating

While things are heating up between Juicy Joe and his new love, wedding bells apparently are not in the future. Gia Giudice opened up about her fathers latest love interest months ago. During a chat with People in November 2023, Gia Giudice revealed that Joe Giudice had been dating someone for a long time and that his new love was awesome. Still, she doesnt see her dad walking down the aisle. She said she doesnt think her father feels like he needs to get married again. Time will only tell, though.
Does your partner have a very attractive friend that you often compare yourself to?

A man recently upset his girlfriend after telling her shed never be as pretty as his attractive friend after she kept teasing him by gushing over how gorgeous some of the swimmers in the 2024 Olympics are.

He and his girlfriend are 22 and have been together for four years. Their relationship has been great for the most part, but ever since the Olympic games started, theyve been having issues.

Since last week, my girlfriend has been talking about how hot the Olympic swimmers are, especially the Italian swimmers, he explained.

She does it to tease me because she said she likes how I look when Im flustered and irritated.

Hes told his girlfriend several times that he doesnt like it when she makes those kinds of comments about the swimmers on their TV, but she hasnt stopped. If anything, the teasing has gotten worse after she followed one of the swimmers on social media and showed him his content on her phone.

The other day, things got so bad that he thought of something that would make his girlfriend feel as bad as he does when she talks about those swimmers.

It has to do with an old friend of his named Ana. He and Ana were friends before he met his girlfriend. Ana is from Serbia, and they met in middle school. She is one of the most beautiful girls hes ever known. They became so close that he introduced her to his family.

However, when Ana asked him out a few years into their friendship, he became so flustered that he told her theyd be better off as friends.

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At Yosemite National Park, peregrine falcons have bounced back thanks to teams of expert rock climbers. The species was once on the brink of extinction due to the use of pesticides, but in recent years, their numbers have seen a significant increase.

Peregrine falcons are known as the fastest animal in the world. They can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when they dive to catch their prey. They build their nests and raise their young on rocky cliffs.

Rock climbers can disturb the falcons and have even been listed as a potential threat to the species. However, rock climbers have actually been a valuable resource for the birds. They contribute to Yosemites Peregrine Falcon Protection Program by reaching hard-to-access areas to check on how the birds are faring.

The peregrine falcon population was thriving before the mid-20th century. There were more than 3,800 pairs of adult peregrines in the United States. However, their numbers began to decline after World War II because of pesticides like dieldrin, aldrin, and DDT.

Dieldrin and aldrin killed the birds, while DDT caused chicks eggshells to be very thin and weak. By 1974, only 394 pairs remained in the U.S. Peregrine falcons were declared a federally endangered species in 1970.

The following year, they were placed on Californias endangered species list. The birds vanished altogether in Yosemite. The last pair was seen at the park in 1941 on Mount Broderick above the Mist Trail.

In 1972, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of DDT. Two years later, the agency banned most uses of dieldrin and aldrin. Finally, in 1978, all uses of the pesticides were prohibited.

In 1978, climbers Dale Bard, Hugh Burton, Bruce Hawkins, and Ron Kauk discovered an active peregrine falcon nest while ascending the southeast face of Yosemites El Capitan. They notified conservationists of the find, which spurred an ambitious recovery effort.

The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group enlisted the assistance of the climbers to gather samples of eggshells from the nest. Researchers then incubated the eggs in a laboratory so they could hatch in a safe environment.

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Can humans spontaneously combust? Multiple cases of spontaneous human combustion have been reported all over the world. But is the phenomenon physically possible? I mean, whats the science behind it, if theres any at all?

The idea of spontaneous human combustion in a medical context originated in the 18th century. Paul Rolli, a fellow of the Royal Society in London, the oldest scientific academy in the world, coined the term in an article written in 1744.

He explained that the process happened when a human body caught fire due to heat that was caused by internal chemical activity without an external source.

The concept became popularized during the Victorian Era and was primarily associated with the fate of alcoholics. Several notable authors worked it into their novels, and many fans believed that the phenomenon was real. Scientists remained skeptical, though.

Now, lets go over some of the cases that have occurred throughout the centuries. The first documented case of spontaneous combustion happened in the late 1400s in Milan.

Apparently, a knight named Polonus Vorstius burst into flames right in front of his parents. It was said that he had belched fire after downing a few glasses of strong wine.

A similar incident took place in the summer of 1745. One day, Countess Cornelia Zangari de Bandi of Cesena went to bed early, and the next morning, her chambermaid discovered her lying in a pile of ashes.

The countesss legs, still adorned in stockings, and her partially burned head were the only remains left of her. There were two candles in the room, but both of the wicks had not been lit.

In another instance, a 76-year-old man named Michael Faherty was found dead in his home in Galway, Ireland, in 2010. His body was badly burned, and the floor and ceiling of his home showed signs of fire damage.

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Home News 300 Christian leaders demand action from US govt over persecution in India

More than 300 Christian leaders in the United States, including denominational leaders, are calling on the U.S. State Department to designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" amid escalating violations of religious freedoms, especially against Christians.

A letter sent earlier this month responds to increasing violence and systemic persecution under the Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The signatories include a wide range of church leaders from various denominations, with 18 bishops, three archbishops and numerous clergy and leaders from theological schools and Christian organizations.

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The leaders say the persecution of religious minorities in India has worsened considerably since Modi's regime began in 2014. The letter marks the first concerted effort by U.S. Christian leaders to address religious persecution in India.

"This surge in violence is propelled by a Hindu ethno-nationalist or Hindutva supremacist political ideology, which conflates a militant Hindu ideology with Indian citizen identities," reads the letter. "As a result, both the Hindu religion and India's Constitutional secular democracy have been severely distorted, leading to alarming levels of state-sanctioned violence against Christians, lower-caste Dalits, and other religious minorities both on the streets and within state structures."

The letter, organized by the Federation of Indian-American Christian Organizations in North America, refers to a January 2024 petition signed by more than 3,000 ecumenical Christian leaders in India, condemning the Indian government's alleged state-sanctioned human rights abuses against religious minorities.

Citing a report by the United Christian Forum, the letter notes a drastic rise in attacks on Christians, from 127 incidents in 2014 to 720 in 2023.

The persecution has led to over 65,000 people being displaced in Manipur and more than 400 churches being destroyed or damaged as of May 2023, the letter points out. Another report from Chhattisgarh noted over 2,500 Christians were forcibly displaced between December 2022 and February 2023 due to their refusal to convert to Hinduism.

Showing the severity of the situation, the letter draws on international rankings such as the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern, which places India as the third-worst persecutor of Christians globally.

The letter's signatories call on the State Department to take several actions, including the designation of India as a CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act. Countries designated as a CPC face the possibility of negative consequences, including potential crippling sanctions.

The Christian leaders urge the State Department to hold Indian government officials accountable for violations of religious freedoms, consider targeted sanctions and support independent religious and human rights organizations both in India and the U.S.

The letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken argues that the U.S. silence on these issues contrasts sharply with its geopolitical alliance with India and urges the State Department not to ignore these severe violations.

"The Indian government has cut off funding to hundreds of Christian schools and hospitals which have educated and cared for all people regardless of caste or religion," the letter notes. "International support is severed by draconian application of India's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, impacting thousands of internationally respected organizations such as Amnesty International, Compassion International, World Vision and Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. This leaves Indian Christians isolated, fearful and precarious."

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized the Indian government for advocating violence against minorities with impunity. The letter also refers to the "anti-conversion" legislation enforced in at least 10 Indian states that criminalize religious conversion, resulting in the arrest of thousands of Christians.

In January, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan commission that advises the federal government and Congress on international religious freedom matters, criticized the State Department for its refusal to include India and Nigeria on the CPC list.

"We met with the State Department on many occasions to sound the alarm about these countries, but not all of our recommendations have been followed," then-USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper and Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie said in a January statement.

In its annual international religious freedom report, the State Department addressed concerns about religious freedom in India. During a press conference in June to launch this year's report, Blinken discussed the "concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, and demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities" in India. The report stated that at least 10 of India's 28 states have passed policies that restrict "religious conversions for all faiths."

"Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges," U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain said at the press conference.
Home News Megachurch pastor to pay ex-wife $12K per month in alimony after 33 years of marriage

A North Carolina megachurch pastor, who leads the 15,000-member World Overcomers Christian Church in Durham, will pay his ex-wife $12,000 monthly in alimony as part of a separation agreement for his recent divorce.

Gilbert Andre Thompson, Jr., known as Pastor Andy, was married to Dequilla LaShawn for 33 years before their legal separation in March 2023 and subsequent divorce finalized on July 1.

According to divorce papers filed in North Carolina and obtained by The Roys Report, the settlement includes a $1.3 million alimony agreement in which Thompson will pay $12,000 monthly for nine years. The pastor filed for divorce on June 10.

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The documents reveal that Andy Thompson will retain the couples 58-acre property in Lolly Lane, Mebane, just north of their current residence. However, the property agreement stipulates that Dequilla Thompson will receive only $50,000 from the sale of this property when it is sold.

Their residence, a 14,000-square-foot mansion that Zillow values at $2.8 million, boasts luxurious amenities including a gym, theatre seating, an infinity pool and a hot tub, The Roys Report notes, citing real estate records.

The megachurch initially purchased the property from 2020 Properties LLC in 2018 for $1.53 million and later transferred the deed to Restore Community Development in 2021, with no money exchanged in the transaction.

Amid their divorce, other assets were divided, including a rental house in Rocky Mount valued at about $154,000, awarded to Dequilla Thompson.

Andy Thompson assumed responsibility for a $25,602 IRS debt and retained ownership of his four adult childrens cars, including a 2021 Kia Forte, 2024 Kia Seltos, a 2016 Jeep Cherokee and a 2013 Cadillac STS, along with his personal vehicle, a Ford F-150.

Both parties retained control of their respective businesses, with Andy Thompson keeping Thompson Communications Group, LLC, and Dequilla Thompson maintaining Projects of Home Inc.

Despite the churchs claim of being one of the fastest-growing in America, impacting over a million people weekly through Pastor Thompsons television program The Truth, public records and court documents point to legal challenges.

Court records show the church and Pastor Thompson have faced two negligence lawsuits, a contract dispute and a complaint involving a minor since 2017, The Roys Report adds.

The pastor, who established the church in 2003 and also leads a fellowship of pastors and church leaders, has authored books on relationships, including Real Love Dating and Real Love Marriage.
Home Opinion American Gen Z: Depressed and spiritually hungry

Can you give me one reason I should want to keep on living?



There had been a long line of teens waiting to ask me one-on-one questions. Alongside internet star Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA, it had been my honor to speak at a biblical worldview training conference in Wisconsin. After training some 200 teens in Gods Word and sharing facts about America and Christian civic involvement, we headed over to the Milwaukee arena to attend the Republican National Convention.



This youths question, however, would require more than a quick, off-the-cuff answer. I asked, Do you search the internet for information about suicide? Are you planning to do yourself harm?



The response to my first question, was, All the time. The answer to the second, was, Maybe. Wiping tears away, the teen went on, I just dont want to live ... Im so afraid. What is the purpose of ... anything?



Evangelizing a generation searching for purpose and meaning

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that 10% of students in grades 9-12 have attempted suicide in the last 12 months. At a camp in Georgia, a female attendee about 16 years old, said Please pray for me. I stay so depressed.

Several of the other teens nodded in agreement before our group of adult counselors. Its sad, really  youth was once a season of life usually characterized by unbridled optimism. Today so many of our young people seem paralyzed by fear, stress, and depression.

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American teens are spiritually hungry. In camps and conferences throughout the nation we are meeting youth  often with no church background whatsoever  yet they are eager to learn about God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and how to find purpose in life. We meet countless numbers of grown-ups and even senior adults who are searching for the same things.

Several from the group of teenagers gathered at the front of the stage at this particular event expressed a sentiment that I hear frequently: they are ... depressed. Anxious. Many middle schoolers and high schoolers who reach out to us for counsel have been diagnosed as clinically depressed by mental health professionals.

I dont know why I feel so sad

Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and major depressive episodes have increased by 150% in the lives of American teens since COVID-19. The predisposition to stress and depression is growing by at least 4% a year among American teens. Here, in the worlds most prosperous country, almost 60% of all adolescents grapple with stress and feelings of helplessness about life.

Neither the conferences we hold nor this article should be construed as a vehicle for medical advice. But when physiological factors are present that contribute to a compromise of mental and emotional health, professional care should be sought.

But oftentimes what people of any age need to embrace is the truth about their relationship with God and His role in their life. The antidote to worried obsessions can come in a sincere response to the love of Jesus. According to the Bible, we are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10).



How may we feel confident about life and emotional assurance about the future?



Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete, says John 16:14. Does a crippling anxiety grip you most days, and youd like to feel peace and clarity of mind?



As a believer, remember the promises of Philippians 1:6: Being confident of this, that He (Jesus) who began a good work in you (at the moment of salvation) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (the day when we are in Christs presence forever).



In our summer camps throughout the U.S. (the seven camps we hosted, plus other camps and conferences at which I am invited to speak), we see teens walk the aisle, and make commitments to Christ. This is why we do all that we do!



Scholar J.I. Packer noted that Christian hope is much different than mere optimism. He said, The believer can say with truth, on the basis of Gods own commitment, that the best is yet to come.



Clearly, American youth (and persons of all ages) need to experience the reality of abundant life in Jesus Christ (John 10:10). They need to know that their very existence was planned by God for blessing and purpose.



The church has Christs mandate to proclaim the truth  and in this era, believers are strategically positioned to help people escape the grip of hopelessness. Within the context of our own ministry events, our staff is encouraged time and again to see teens joyfully respond to the Good News. The truths about God and ones identity in Jesus provide the foundation that drives out nagging anxieties and false beliefs.



Mental and spiritual confidence are but two of the many blessings that make for stable emotions when, as Isaiah 26:3 says, our mind is stayed on Thee. Does perfect peace and deliverance from anxiety sound pretty appealing in these times (c.f., John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:15)? Fortunately, for all who will believe, Jesus is as close by as a prayer.
Home Opinion Why the French have a lot to learn from the Pilgrims

About 135 years ago, in 1889, to great fanfare, there was the unveiling (so to speak) of a very, very tall structure. In fact, at the time, it was the tallest man-made object in the world. It was the Eifel Tower, a magnificent monument to engineering. To this day, it is a landmark that defines Paris.

Ive been there a few times. The view of the city from the top is terrific. But one shocking factoid about this steel structure is that the original purpose of its creation was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

Thats astounding. To celebrate the French Revolution? To celebrate the rivers of blood and the death and misery unleashed by the French Revolution? However idealistic their aims may have sounded, by beginning on a godless, explicitly anti-Christian foundation, the French Revolution is a testament to the sinfulness of man  not His glory.

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I would have thought that the French had long outgrown their anti-Christian French Revolution, but they still celebrate Bastille Day as a national holiday. And just recently celebrated the opening of the Olympics with a mock, blasphemous 'Last Supper'  back to the Christian-bashing.

When faced with pushback from people all over the world, the officials offered a weak apology and even said that their goal of this opening ceremony was inclusion. Inclusion? I guess that means the inclusion of all but the 2.5 billion Christians the world over.

Meanwhile, also in 1889, there was another tall structure that was unveiled. This one is in the United States. In fact, it is in what is called Americas Home Town, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Its called the National Monument to the Forefathers. Kirk Cameron made a documentary film about it  Monumental. The Plymouth monument includes a gigantic sculpture of a lady reaching up to the sky. She is called Faith, which was at the heart of the Pilgrims odyssey.

The 81-foot tall Forefathers Monument (formerly known as the Pilgrim Monument), the largest granite statue in America, was dedicated 135 years ago this month.

There are two very competing visions represented in these two tall structures, both dedicated in 1889, with two very different visions for society. And God is at the heart of that difference. The French view was anti-God. The American one was pro-God.

In a recent column, I wrote of the depths of the anti-Christian aspects of the French Revolution, in which they even declared war on the Church.

In contrast, the Pilgrim legacy was pro-God, and they ended up helping to lay the foundation for what would become the United States of America  a constitutional republic that has proved to be a model for other countries, as one nation under God. Not perfect, but successful nonetheless.

The Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 were essentially one particular congregation of Christian separatists from England, who fled England to Holland about a dozen years before to escape intense persecution. They came to the New World to create a Bible commonwealth in order to worship God in peace.

They came in peace and made a treaty with the Indians that lasted 55 years  a treaty that outlived all its signatories. The Pilgrims dealt with one difficulty after another  including the fact that half their number died that first winter. But they thanked God through it all, and our annual holiday of Thanksgiving harkens back to their celebration.

Over 269 years after the Pilgrims came, their descendants erected this enormous monument in Plymouth. Surrounding the tall statue of the lady Faith are four smaller (yet tall in themselves) statues that each represent some aspect of the Pilgrims story. They include morality, education, liberty and law.

On a recent weekend, in an event celebrating the 135th anniversary of the Forefathers Monument, the keynote speaker was David Bradford, who was the great-grandson (x 12) of Gov. William Bradford, who was the Pilgrims long-time leader and historian.

Others who spoke included Michelle Gallagher, author of a book on the Forefathers Monument, Dr. Paul Jehle and Col. John Eidsmoe  the leaders of the Plymouth Rock Foundation that sponsored the celebration, Leo Martin, founder of the Jenney Center in Plymouth  and yours truly.

A beautiful symmetry to this recent celebration is that Dr. D. James Kennedy, founder of Coral Ridge Ministries, spoke at the 100th anniversary of the Monument. And 35 years later, its current president, Dr. Robert Pacienza, spoke in Plymouth that celebratory weekend.

The Pilgrims were a remarkable group who blazed a trail for freedom for others to be able to come and live in freedom of conscience.

And how did it all begin? The Pilgrims summed it up in the Mayflower Compact, their agreement for self-rule under God. They came for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith. No wonder we have enjoyed, overall, such national stability.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Gov. Mike DeWine issued a state of emergency Saturday night for eight Northeast Ohio counties that were hit by this weeks storms, saying the move will give these communities expedited assistance.

Hours after Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne wrote a letter to DeWine seeking help, the governor said his office and other state departments would work to ease the burden brought on by the storms.

The counties involved in DeWines order are Cuyahoga, Lorain, Portage, Lake, Ashtabula, Summit, Geauga and Trumbull.

We are in this for the duration and will continue to help local communities in Northeast Ohio as they recover from damage left by the storm, DeWine said in a statement.

DeWine said he wants the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to come to Northeast Ohio and assess the damage caused by four tornadoes that touched down, destroying power lines, uprooting large trees and damaging homes and buildings.

As of Saturday morning, four days after the storm, more than 110,000 Ohio customers of FirstEnergy Corp. lacked power.

Ronaynes letter to DeWine detailed the issues Cuyahoga County faced.

Power utilities have indicated electricity may not be restored to all residents until late next week, and the recovery from storms will take weeks and months, Ronayne wrote.

Ongoing recovery services are necessary from state departments and agencies to assist our residents, families, businesses and local communities to alleviate the consequences of this storm system.

Saturday night, Ronayne said he was pleased with DeWines help.

Weve appreciated the partnership of the governors office this week, he said. Our whole goal is to put ourselves in the best position to get any state and federal support.

In a formal proclamation on Friday, DeWine ordered and authorized all state departments and agencies to be at the ready and to utilize their personnel and resources as necessary to protect the lives, safety, health, and property of the citizens of Ohio and to assist with recovery efforts in communities impacted by this severe weather event if needed and requested by local authorities.

Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reported that as of Friday, the sole request for state assistance has been for the Department of Health to provide help with medical supplies, according to DeWines office.

Other state agencies, including the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, are monitoring developments, given their administrative roles overseeing SNAP benefits and electric utilities, respectively.

In his statement Saturday night, DeWine said his office has yet to receive any outstanding requests for services the state can provide to our local communities to help in the aftermath of these storms.

DeWines statement said state officials are working with county emergency management agencies, who will assess communities damage and pass requests for help to Columbus.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer canceled his vacation due to the unrest in the country, Azernews reports, citing "The Independent".

Keir Starmer has canceled his planned holiday for next week due to the unrest across the country. He will work next week," it was said.

The National Council of Police Chiefs reported that on August 9, the number of people detained during anti-immigrant riots in Great Britain reached 595.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN Human Rights Office condemned on Saturday the increasing frequency of Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) strikes on schools, where hundreds of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, with the latest attacks killing dozens at a Gaza City school
The U.S. stock market has been under pressure recently due to fears of an economic slowdown, but dividend-paying names can help smooth the ride for investors.

Investors can consider the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts as they search for stocks that are backed by strong financials and the ability to pay dividends consistently.

Here are three attractive dividend stocks, according to Wall Street's top pros on TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.

Pfizer

Health-care giant Pfizer (PFE) is this week's first dividend stock. The company announced better-than-expected second-quarter results, driven by its cost-cutting initiatives and solid sales of non-Covid products. Pfizer raised its full-year guidance, reflecting strong demand for its non-Covid business, which is gaining from several acquired drugs and recently launched products.

In the first six months of 2024, Pfizer returned $4.8 billion to shareholders through dividends. The stock has a dividend yield of 5.9%.

In reaction to the upbeat Q2 results, Goldman Sachs analyst Chris Shibutani reiterated a buy rating on PFE stock and increased the price target to $34 from $31. The analyst said that while he anticipated that Pfizer will raise its outlook, the magnitude of the increase surpassed his expectations.

The analyst increased his revenue estimates to reflect the strength in PFE's heart disease drug, Vyndaqel, and cancer treatment Padcev. He also raised his EPS estimates, thanks to improved top-line expectations and enhanced gross margin.

Shibutani said that while management didn't provide any significant updates related to the company's obesity programs, he does see the "scope for further beat and raise quarters during the balance of the year." He also noted that the company's capital allocation priorities, mainly dividends and debt reduction, remain intact.

Shibutani ranks No. 462 among more than 8,900 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 46% of the time, delivering an average return of 13%. (See Pfizer Stock Charts on TipRanks)

Civitas Resources

We move to oil and natural gas producer Civitas Resources (CIVI). On Aug. 1, the company announced its second-quarter results and declared a quarterly dividend of $1.52 per share, payable on Sept. 26.

The amount included a base dividend of 50 cents per share and a variable dividend of $1.02 per share.

CIVI's shareholder return policy involves the payment of at least 50% of its free cash flow (after the payment of its base dividend) as a variable component. Interestingly, the company has now revised its shareholder-return program to enhance the flexibility in the way it rewards shareholders with variable returns. Effective Q3 2024, CIVI's variable component will include a combination of buybacks and dividends, with management and the board deciding the allocation. CIVI also announced a new share buyback plan of up to $500 million.

Following the Q2 results, Mizuho analyst William Janela reaffirmed a buy rating on CIVI stock with a price target of $98, calling the company a top pick. The analyst stated that Civitas delivered another quarter of solid execution across the Permian assets acquired in 2023.

Commenting on the revised shareholder-return program, Janela said that it gives the company "flexibility to lean more heavily into buybacks, which should resonate with investors and sets up positively into the meaningful FCF [free cash flow] expansion ahead in 2H24."

The analyst highlighted that Civitas lowered its capital expenditure budget for the year by about 3%, fueled by reductions in well costs as the company integrates its Permian acquisitions. Additional well-cost savings in the DJ Basin also helped the company lower its 2024 capex estimate.

Janela ranks No. 406 among more than 8,900 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 52% of the time, delivering an average return of 25.6%. (See Civitas Resources Stock Buybacks on TipRanks)

IBM

Finally, there is tech giant IBM (IBM), which recently impressed investors with better-than-expected results for the second quarter. The company, which is seeing solid generative artificial intelligence business, now expects full-year free cash flow to be more than $12 billion compared to its previous forecast of about $12 billion.

IBM returned $1.5 billion to shareholders in dividends in the second quarter. The stock offers a dividend yield of 3.5%. IBM's dividends are supported by strong cash flows. The company is confident about its growth potential, bolstered by the strength of its diversified business model and the hybrid cloud and AI strategy.

Following the print, Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani reiterated a buy rating on IBM stock with a price target of $215. He noted that the growth in the company's software and infrastructure businesses was partially offset by the pressures in the consulting business due to weak discretionary spending by enterprise customers. The analyst added that the overall Q2 results were better than feared.

Commenting on shareholder returns, Daryanani noted the company did not make any share repurchases in the second quarter but remains "committed to a stable and growing dividend." He expects IBM to allocate more capital to mergers and acquisitions compared to share repurchases.

Daryanani ranks No. 429 among more than 8,900 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 54% of the time, delivering an average return of 10.4%. (See IBM Ownership Structure on TipRanks)
U.S. Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks to supporters during a campaign rally in Romulus, Michigan, U.S., August 7, 2024.

The Harris campaign replied that it is "an actual photo of a 15,000-person crowd for Harris-Walz in Michigan." CNBC also licensed a Getty Images photo for the story that matches the photos being circulated.

Trump was referring to an image of a large crowd gathered on a tarmac in Michigan on Aug. 7, cheering for Harris as she stepped out of Air Force Two. His comments parroted a false conspiracy theory that is being spread online by MAGA Republican commentators, some of whom have previously been caught promoting misinformation .

"Has anyone noticed that Kamala CHEATED at the airport? There was nobody at the plane, and she 'A.I.'d' it, and showed a massive 'crowd' of so-called followers, BUT THEY DIDN'T EXIST!" the Republican presidential nominee wrote on Truth Social .

Former President Donald Trump on Sunday falsely accused his November election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris , of using artificial intelligence technology to fabricate images of the crowd sizes at her rallies, amplifying an unfounded conspiracy to explain the strong enthusiasm for the new Democratic ticket.

People cheer and hold signs at a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, in Romulus, MI, on August 7, 2024.

The Harris campaign also used the opportunity to point out the contrast between Harris' campaign schedule over the past week and Trump's: "Trump has still not campaigned in a swing state in over a week... Low energy?"

The false allegation from Trump lands in the middle of an election where huge advances in AI tools have eased the process of spreading misinformation. This makes it more difficult than ever for voters to discern reality from internet conspiracy.

Trump's peddling of the false conspiracy theory was only one of several social media tirades he launched against Harris over this weekend.

On Saturday, he accused Harris of copying his proposal to eliminate taxes on tips, which she announced at her Las Vegas rally Saturday. Trump made the same promise at his own Las Vegas rally in June.

[Harris] has no imagination, whatsoever, as shown by the fact that she played 'COPYCAT' with, NO TAXES ON TIPS!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday evening.

Trump's outrage on social media reflects a Republican presidential campaign that is struggling to find its footing after Harris' entry upended the race.

In the three weeks since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris, donations to Democrats have poured in at record levels. Harris' rallies have also regularly drawn thousands of attendees.

Last week, the Harris campaign launched a tour of seven battleground states across the country, part of the coordinated rollout of Harris' vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

This campaigning pace is considerably faster than what voters saw when Biden helmed the ticket.

It also draws a stark contrast between Harris' back-to-back-to-back rallies and Trump's lighter schedule this month.

Trump has held two rallies so far in August as well as several fundraisers.

He recently said he does not plan to ramp up his campaign travel until after the Democratic National Convention, which runs from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.
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US short-seller Hindenburg Research on Saturday (August 10) alleged that it suspects SEBI's unwillingness to act against Adani Group may be because its head Madhabi Puri Buch had stakes in offshore funds linked to the conglomerate  an allegation that the SEBI head called "baseless" and an attempt of "character assassination".Hindenburg alleged that Buch and her husband had undisclosed investments in obscure offshore funds in Bermuda and Mauritius, the same entities allegedly used by Vinod Adani - the elder brother of group chairman Gautam Adani - to round-trip funds and inflate stock prices.Madhabi and her husband Dhaval Buch, in a joint statement, strongly denied the "baseless allegations and insinuations made in the report". The same, they said, "are devoid of any truth"."Our life and finances are an open book," they said. "It is unfortunate that Hindenburg Research against whom SEBI has taken an enforcement action and issued a show cause notice has chosen to attempt character assassination in response to the same."While the statement did not talk about the questions Hindenburg raised over the SEBI probe, the duo promised to come out with a detailed response.On August 11, Adani Group, in a statement that was also filed on the exchanges, said Hindenburg's allegations are "no more than red herrings thrown by a desperate entity with total contempt for Indian laws".Hindenburg released its first research report on the Adani Group. The report claimed to be based on research spanning over two years, alleged that Adani Enterprises and other group companies were "engaged in a stock manipulation and accounting fraud over the course of decades".After the release of the Hindenburg report, Adani Group entities faced a sharp correction in the stock market, eroding close to1 lakh crore in market capitalisation.Adani Group in a statement refuted the charges, saying that it is considering legal options to take "punitive action against Hindenburg. The group also reiterated that they are confident that the FPO will see a full subscription.Hindenburg Research issued a statement saying that it stands by its report as the Adani group did not answer any of the 88 straightforward questions.Adani Group companies extend losses after trading re-opens, taking the two-day erosion in market capitalisation to4 lakh crore. FPO on day 1 sees a subscription of 1%.Hindenburg rejected the 413-page response, and said fraud cannot be obfuscated by nationalism.Adani gets the support of Abu Dhabi's International Holding Co which invests $ 400 million in FPO.Adani Enterprises FPO is fully subscribed.Bloomberg reported that Credit Suisse's private bank halted margin loans on Adani Bonds. The Swiss lenders private banking arm assigned a zero lending value for notes sold by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Adani Green Energy, and Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd. added the Bloomberg report quoting sources.: Reuters reported that the market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), has launched a probe into the $86-billion wipeout of Adani Group stocks.: Adani Group calls off the FPO of Adani Enterprises late at night.PIL filed in SC, seeks direction to set up a committee under the monitoring of a retired SC judge to investigate allegations.SC asks SEBI to probe within two months allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group and any lapses in regulatory disclosures.SC also sets up a panel to look into the protection of Indian investors after a damning report by a US short seller wiped out more than $140 billion of the conglomerate's market value.Court-appointed expert committee submits report.SC grants Sebi time till August 14, 2023, to submit a report regarding its probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group.SC reserves its verdict on a batch of pleas concerning the Adani-Hindenburg row on allegations of stock price manipulation.SC refused to transfer the probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Indian corporate giant to a special investigation team and directed market regulator Sebi to complete its probe into two pending cases within three months.Sebi in a show-cause notice charged Hindenburg with "deliberately sensationalising and distorting certain facts" as well as working with a New York hedge fund to make its bet.Hindenburg had responded to that saying it made just $4.1 million from its declared positions on Adani stocks and criticised the regulator for not focusing its investigation into the January 2023 report "providing evidence" of the group creating "a vast network of offshore shell entities" and moving billions of dollars "surreptitiously" into and out of Adani public and private entities.Hindenburg Research has alleged that it suspects Sebi's unwillingness to act against Adani Group may be because its head Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in offshore funds linked to the conglomerate.
NEW MEXICO

Wandering wolf confined to encourage pups

SANTA FE  An exceptionally restless female Mexican gray wolf nicknamed Asha will be held in captivity with a potential mate through another breeding season in hopes of aiding the recovery of the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said on July 25.

Asha captivated the public imagination after she was found wandering far beyond the boundaries established along the Arizona-New Mexico border for managing the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America. She has twice been captured north of Interstate 40, most recently in December 2023 near Coyote, New Mexico, and the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson Aislinn Maestas said the wolf, known to wildlife biologists as F2754, has shown signs of bonding and breeding activity with a captive-born male, though so far without producing pups. The hope is that the pair may be released with pups, depending on the outcome of a February-May 2025 breeding period.

Prior to her capture last year, Asha ventured into the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. At the time, nearly two dozen environmental groups sent a letter to state and federal officials saying that the wolf's movements were evidence that the recovery boundaries are insufficient to meet the needs of the expanding population.

Ranchers in New Mexico and Arizona who have long complained that wolves are responsible for dozens of livestock deaths every year are concerned about any expansion of the wolves' range.

Battered by wildfires, village faces flooding

RUIDOSO  A southern New Mexico village that was ravaged by wildfires in June and then battered off-and-on by flooding across burn scars was cleaning up on July 22 from another round of flash flooding in which a dozen people had to be rescued and many more were displaced from their homes.

Video posted on social media showed rivers of water flowing down streets and forcing the closure of several roads in the village, about 150 miles southeast of Albuquerque

About 45 people who had been displaced from their homes spent the night in a state-funded temporary shelter, said Danielle Silva, director of communications for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injury from any of the flooding incidents in the village of 8,000. But Ruidoso city spokesperson Kerry Gladden said about 200 homes have been destroyed by flooding since the June wildfires damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,400 structures.

The mountain resort village, which sees its population triple in the summer when tourists flock there to escape the heat, suffered a major economic blow on July 22 when the popular Ruidoso Downs horse track announced flood damage was forcing all races to be moved to Albuquerque for the rest of the summer.

The wildfires that broke out in late June in the Sacramento Mountains west of Ruidoso, about 115 miles northeast of Las Cruces, killed two people and burned more than 12 square miles in the community.

Of the 19 fast-flood emergencies since June 19 on the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire burn scar areas, Ruidoso has been included in 13 of them.

NEBRASKA

Felons voting rights restoration blocked

OMAHA  Thousands of Nebraskans with felony convictions could be denied the right to vote under an opinion from the state attorney general released July 17 that says a law passed earlier this year restoring the voting rights of people convicted of felonies violates the Nebraska Constitution.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said in the opinion that the law to immediately restore the voting rights of people who've finished serving their felony convictions violates the state constitution's separation of powers. Only the state Board of Pardons can restore the voting rights of people with felony convictions through a pardon, he said.

Pardons are exceedingly rare to come by in Nebraska, which requires those convicted of felonies to wait 10 years after their terms to even file an application for a pardon.

Hilgers' opinion was issued two days before the new voting rights restoration law was to take effect. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska said the opinion and efforts to block those with felony convictions from registering to vote could keep 7,000 Nebraska residents from voting in November.

The opinion was sought by Republican Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen. Hilgers, also a Republican and a former speaker of the legislature, had been critical of the most recently passed law, as has Republican Gov. Jim Pillen and some Republican lawmakers in the officially nonpartisan Legislature. Evnen, Hilgers and Pillen make up the three-member Board of Pardons.

Based on the opinion, Evnen issued a statement on July 17 saying he had begun directing county election offices to stop registering people convicted of felonies who have not been pardoned by the Nebraska Board of Pardons.

"They are trying to do whatever they can to block people from voting," Nebraska Democratic Party Executive Director Precious McKesson said in a Facebook post.

The Nebraska Voting Rights Restoration Coalition berated the opinion and Evnen's order to stop registering those convicted of felonies and said it's "considering all options for immediate relief."

SOUTH DAKOTA

Pentagon to review Wounded Knee medals

WASHINGTON  The Defense Department will review the Medals of Honor that were given to 20 U.S. soldiers for their actions in the 1890 battle at Wounded Knee to make sure their conduct merits such an honorable award.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the review by a special panel of experts after consultation with the White House and the Department of the Interior. Congress recommended such a review in the 2022 defense bill, reflecting a push by some lawmakers to rescind the awards for those who participated in the massacre on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near Wounded Knee Creek.

An estimated 250 Native Americans, including women and children, were killed in the fight and at least another 100 were wounded.

Medals of Honor were given to 20 soldiers from the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and their awards cite a range of actions including bravery, efforts to rescue fellow troops and actions to "dislodge Sioux Indians" who were concealed in a ravine.

Native American groups, advocates, state lawmakers from South Dakota and a number of members of Congress have called for officials to revoke the awards. Congress apologized in 1990 to the descendants of those killed at Wounded Knee but did not revoke the medals.

In a memo signed last week, Austin said the panel will review each award "to ensure no soldier was recognized for conduct that did not merit recognition" and if their conduct demonstrated any disqualifying actions. Those could include rape or murder of a prisoner or attacking a non-combatant or someone who had surrendered.

The panel must provide a written report no later than Oct. 15, recommending that each award be either revoked or retained.

MONTANA

Berry-picking man kills grizzly bear

BILLINGS  A 72-year-old man picking huckleberries in Montana shot and killed a grizzly bear after it attacked in a surprise encounter and injured him badly enough that he had to be hospitalized, authorities said.

The man was alone on national forest land when the adult female charged him on July 18. He suffered significant injuries before killing the bear with a handgun, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said.

The bear was likely reacting defensively to protect cubs, agency spokesperson Dillon Tabish said.

Wildlife workers set out game cameras in the area to try to confirm the presence of any cubs. If cubs are found, it's uncertain if they would be captured because it is difficult to find facilities qualified to take them, he said.

"Depending on the age, we might leave them in the wild because they have a better chance of survival, rather than have to euthanize them," Tabish said.

The attack happened on the Flathead National Forest about 2 miles north of Columbia Falls, a northwestern Montana city of about 5,500 people, according to the state wildlife agency.

The victim's name and further details on his condition were not released.
Why we must take the public's lead... and jail ALL drug dealers



It is not surprising that most people think Britain has gone soft on law and order

A major newspaper poll published at the weekend revealed something that should surprise no one  that an overwhelming majority of people believe Britain has gone soft on law and order.

They are particularly upset that imprisonment is now so regularly replaced by community punishments. They want longer and tougher prison sentences instead.

As if on cue, along comes the Sentencing Council to contradict the public.

The Council is an independent body, made up of judges and others associated with criminal justice, which aims to produce consistency in courts sentencing decisions.

Last week, it produced a consultation paper on sentencing guidelines for drug crimes. This proposed that some criminals convicted of supplying the most dangerous illegal drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, should escape jail and be given community service orders instead.

The flawed assumptions behind this proposal tell us much about the galloping disarray that has overtaken law and order in Britain.

True, community sentences are only suggested for those convicted of supplying small quantities of such drugs.

But these small amounts include up to 50g of heroin or cocaine  enough for 1,000 hits of heroin or 1,000 lines of cocaine. Thats an awful lot of Class A drug users.

The Sentencing Councils reasoning is bizarre. It states, for example, that jail should not apply to those small-scale dealers who have no expectation of gain and no influence on any chain of criminal activity.

In what world are its members living? Can anyone really imagine any drug dealer handing out enough heroin or cocaine for 1,000 hits with no expectation of personal gain?

And the idea that any dealer operates in a vacuum, with no influence on a criminal chain, is frankly risible. Big drug dealers rely on smaller drug dealers to distribute the stuff. All of them are involved in the same dreadful process of exploitation and enslavement.

The Councils overriding concern appears to be for the mainly female drug mules who are used to transport drugs  often by swallowing them in tiny plastic bags  to UK drug dealers from overseas.

As the Council observes, such people are often ignorant and exploited. Accordingly, it regards them as deserving sympathy more than censure.

But many other criminals could just as plausibly be seen as ignorant and exploited. And the fact remains that such mules profit themselves from causing exploitation, not to mention the harm they inflict upon society from drug users activities.

In other words, the Councils concern is directed wholly at the welfare of the criminal rather than the welfare of society and the need to protect it from the impact of illegal drugs. (On second thoughts, there is another obvious and no less unpalatable concern  the need to save money by cutting the need for prison places.)

Moreover, its concern for the welfare of the mules makes no sense even by its own lights. For it states that if mules are convicted of carrying larger quantities of drugs, they should be sent to prison.

But if they are being so badly exploited, surely the more packets of heroin or cocaine they are forced to swallow, the greater their exploitation.

So by the Councils own logic, the more drugs they carry, the stronger the case for not jailing them.

Absurd? Of course. But thats where the flawed reasoning in the Sentencing Councils consultation paper leads.

These 'small' amounts include up to 50g of heroin or cocaine - enough for 1,000 hits of heroin or 1,000 lines of cocaine (picture posed by model)

The point it so conspicuously refuses to acknowledge is that all drug supply should surely earn a prison sentence.

Sure, some drug crimes are more serious than others and should earn a heavier sentence. But drug dealing is always so serious that the starting point for sentencing should invariably be a jail term.

The Council labours under the common delusion that small-fry dealers should be given low priority in order to concentrate on catching the Mr Bigs of the drugs world.

But the idea of a Mr Big is little more than a chimera. For with so many users habitually selling some of their drugs, dealing is akin to a geometric pattern that continuously expands  with small-fry dealers often themselves becoming Mr Bigs in turn.

The only way to get on top of the ever-greater scourge of drug use is to be seen to apply fitting punishment to every dealer. Instead, the Sentencing Councils proposal sends out the signal once again that the law against illegal drugs is not to be taken seriously.

Such desperately dangerous signalling is hardly new. Only last week, a drug dealer who had been caught with a massive haul of drugs (including cocaine, ecstasy, three bin bags of cannabis and deadly crystal meth worth 50,000) was spared jail by Judge Stephen Holt, who gave him a 12-month suspended sentence.

Back in 1967, Rolling Stones Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones were all given jail sentences of between three months and a year merely for possessing cannabis  although after an outcry these sentences were later commuted to stiff fines.

Yet what a difference from nowadays, when only a third of dealers supplying Class A drugs receive custodial sentences.

The reason is that so many of the great and the good have been influenced by the relentless influence of drug legalisation propaganda. This has effectively brainwashed them into believing that the main problem is not the drugs themselves, but the law that is designed to control them.

And this, in turn, is part of the wider perception  currently embodied by no less than the Justice Secretary himself, Ken Clarke  that prison doesnt work and leads only to a revolving door of criminality.

The problem is, of course, that the preferred alternative to jail, community service orders, have just as bad a failure rate in keeping criminals on the straight and narrow  but with the added disadvantage that they provide the beleaguered public with no respite from such criminals activities.

The real reason why there is such an animus against imprisonment among our ruling elite is that they have come to believe that punishment itself is uncivilised. On the contrary  without punishment there can be no justice and thus no civilised society.

Among the general public, this essential moral truth is still widely understood. Thats why, when in last weekends poll people were asked to say whether punishment, containment, reform or deterrence was the most important function of prison, twice as many chose punishment over containment, with even fewer prioritising rehabilitation or deterrence.

And thats why no fewer than 81 per cent of the general public said sentencing was too lenient.

For such soundly based views, however, the public are despised as atavistic knuckle-draggers by the more enlightened souls responsible for criminal justice policy.

It is these leaders, however, who have lost sight of what justice actually means. That is the core reason for the demoralisation and loss of direction over law and order.

The muddled defeatism of the governing class over prison mirrors its muddled defeatism over drugs. It believes that prison makes crime more likely and the law on drugs makes drug crime worse.

But the truth is that the impact of imprisonment has been eroded through ever-shorter jail terms.

And its not the law that makes drug use more of a problem, but rather that the law is applied inconsistently and that its signals are accordingly fatally compromised.

Whether over drugs or crime in general, the actual problem is a loss of moral compass among those responsible for keeping us all safe. And that is why the Sentencing Councils proposals are likely to induce even more despair among a general public that believes that, on law and order, its leaders have simply lost the plot.
An American man visiting Wales has been left gobsmacked after initially branding Welsh Cakes were 'trash'.

Kalani Smith, who goes by @kalanighosthunter on TikTok, boasts nearly three million followers has been trying some of Britain's most iconic food - from Cadbury Creme Eggs to pie and mash.

In a video with over 413,900 views, the man from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, decided to give the humble Welsh treat a go after dropping the bombshell that one he tried in Morrisons was awful.

Venturing into Cardiff's historic market, the content creator had high hopes for the snack quipping that they smelt 'heavenly' as he approached the stand.

Chatting with a worker at Cardiff Bakestones, the American was left perplexed at all the different flavours of the biscuit-like item which is traditionally made sultanas or raisins

Kalani Smith, (pictured) who goes by @kalanighosthunter on TikTok, was left stunned after he took a bite of a Welsh cake from Cardiff market

Peering his head over the array of golden baked goods, Kalani picked out a traditional welsh cake as well as a chocolate chip one and another packed with jam and cream.

Getting down to the nitty gritty of his review for his 3 million strong following, he quipped: 'Okay so they hooked us up with some fresh Welsh cakes who its warm.'

Initially tempted to cheat on his taste test and go straight for the chocolate chip Welsh cake, Kalani munched away at the traditional flavoured baked good instead.

Referring to his first - and negative - Welsh cake from Morrisons, the TikToker added: 'It's [the welsh cake] so much better.

'I feel like this would be really good with a cup of tea or glass of milk but its warm kind of like a pancake almost that's a delicious 9.4 for the fresh Welsh cake.'

Up next was the chocolate-chip cake, which Kalani suspected he would like the most because of his love for chocolate.

'Oh man. This is heavenly,' he murmured as he took his first bite, before adding: 'It's like a chocolate chip pancake in your hand but fluffier - that's a ten.'

Finally, the content creator tried the welsh cake filled with jam and cream, which he compared to a 'scone'.

Ranking his favourite of the three, chocolate chip came out on top, then the jam and scone flavoured sweet treat and lastly the traditional welsh cake.

'My favourite is probably chocolate chip and jam and cream second, and traditional thirds,' he said.

'Just because I like something a bit sweater and that reminds me of a pancake but the chocolate chip is heavenly.'

The Welsh flooded the comments overjoyed to witness the American tucking into a the sweet treat.

Originally he dubbed the traditional sweet treat 'trash' after a bad experience with Morrisons, but later loved the baked goods after giving them another go

Thousands of viewers flooded his comment section with more desserts he should try from Wales, including bara brith and Joe's ice cream

'A welsh cake and a cup of tea....you can't beat it,' one quipped.

A second beamed: 'Traditional straight off the griddle with loads of sugar.'

'Love these welsh cakes absolute bangers,' raved a third.

'Theres nothing more beautiful than seeing a grown man bite into a fresh Welsh cake for the first time,' one viewer said.

One encouraged him to venture to Swansea to try Joe's ice cream, whilst another urged him to try bara brith - another traditional welsh dessert with butter.
A sleep scientist revealed the food you eat before bed that will destroy your sleep.

Dr Cheri Mah, from San Francisco, California, who is a professor at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Centre, spoke to Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett on his podcast The Diary Of a CEO.

The mother-of-one revealed people should avoid alcohol, caffeine, fried food, sugary carbs and tomato based food, because it can bring on acid reflux, before bed, if they want to optimise their sleep.

She said: 'What we eat can affect our sleep...the stages of our sleep or how we sleep during the night time, some of the smaller studies shown, what you eat can then affect having more awakenings during the nighttime, affecting the quality of your sleep.

'I think we're starting to understand the connection of what we eat and how our gut is responding to that, then how that potentially can affect your sleep and ultimately your daytime functioning the next day.

Dr Cheri Mah, from San Francisco, California, revealed the food you eat before bed that will destroy your sleep and said school starts too early for teenagers on The Diary Of a CEO podcast

'But we do recognise from sleep deprivation studies that individuals will make different nutritional choices and grab for the cookies and the ice cream later at night than they would if they were well rested.'

Dr Cheri revealed their are ways to wind down before bed to get a better sleep, saying slowing down a 'racing mind' is key.

She said: 'What I'd recommend is spending 10 minutes processing your thoughts outside of bed in dim light, every single night, I would recommend you could do stretching, you could do deep breathing exercises to activate your parasympathetic system and dampen down your sympathetic system.'

Your parasympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger.

The sympathetic system is best known for its role in responding to dangerous or stressful situations.

The parasympathetic system basically undoes the work of sympathetic division after a stressful situation.

She added: 'That's what I recommend for a lot of my athletes if that's not your thing, I recommend journaling getting your thoughts down onto paper or writing a to-do list those are easy ones that all of us can do, even if you start with five minutes today.

'It's easier to slowly pump your brakes and then try to sleep versus if you were going 60 miles an hour on a freeway and then suddenly slamming on the brakes and just jumping into bed, so you actually have a process to slow yourself down. It will help prepare you to actually get better sleep during the night time.'

Dr Cheri spoke to Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett (pictured) on his podcast The Diary Of a CEO

Tips on how to get to sleep and sleep better Insomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It can get better by changing your sleeping habits One in three adults in the UK and almost half of US adults suffer with insomnia, with millions more reporting sleepless nights. Long-term sleep deprivation can cause obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, alcohol, caffeine or nicotine, noise, shift work and jet lag. If you regularly have problems sleeping, there are simple ways to improve your sleep hygiene. Keep regular sleep hours Try going to bed when you feel tired and getting up at the same time each day. Create a restful space Dark, quiet and cool environments generally make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Get moving Exercise is good for your physical health and your mind. It can also help you sleep better. Just don't do vigorous exercise too close to your bedtime. Don't force it If you find yourself unable to get to sleep, get up and do something relaxing for a bit. Then get back into bed when you feel a bit sleepier. Write down your worries If you find your worries keep you up at night, try writing them down before going to bed. Ease off the caffeine Alcohol and caffeine can stop you from falling asleep and having a deep sleep. Cutting down on caffeine close to bedtime and alcoholic drinks could help you dose off. Source NHS Advertisement

Dr Cheri also revealed that studies have shown that school actually starts too early for children.

She said: 'In California this year was the first year that school start times for high schools and for middle schools was shifted much later, because there are studies to show that when our students are better rested they have higher attendance rates.

'Their GPA and grades are much higher, there's less mental health issues, there's less car accidents, so these studies have been over the last decade and longer in which they have built evidence to help make decisions to start school time later.

'At the age of high school many of those body clocks are shifted and so students want to go to bed later and wake up later naturally.

'That's just how our sleep changes through the life cycle but when they stay up late and then we cut their sleep short by forcing them to get up really early for school they have insufficient sleep, and that builds like a sleep debt and so they're not setting themselves up for success in school for learning and memory.

She concluded: 'If we can shift the school start time get these students to have a little bit more sleep, they ultimately are better prepared for school, come to school, have less car accidents and are just healthier students.'
A British woman who became famous as one of the UK's first 'trad wives' has revealed she's moved to Australia after the 1950s-inspired movement 'became a monster'.

The tradwife movement, which blew up in the UK in 2020, says that wives should not work, and rather spend their days cooking, cleaning, wearing modest and feminine dress, and practice traditional etiquette, being submissive to their husbands and 'always put them first'.

Alena Kate Pettitt, 38, originally from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, who is a self-proclaimed tradwife, tried to showcase the idea in Britain.

But she has since revealed how she's stepped away from the limelight, deleting her Instagram account and moving to Australia to live a more private life, because it's become 'politicised' and due to receiving 'unwanted attention from men'.

She 'stepped away' from her social media page last year, despite it boasting nearly 40,000 followers, and said on her blog that she is 'embarrassed' that she used to take part in the social media fad.

Alena Kate Pettitt, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, who is a self-proclaimed tradwife, tried to bring the movement to Britain but soon deleted her aesthetic Instagram page and moved to Australia to live a more private life

Alena, who started up a 'femininity finishing school' called The Darling Academy, also felt that the tradwife movement had lost its way, becoming more of a superficial trend which had lost control of it's core values.

Speaking to the New Yorker she said: 'It's become an aesthetic, and then it's become politicized. And then it's become its own monster.'

She worried new generations of tradwives are getting 'younger and younger, and more polished than realistic.'

Another reason she ditched her account was because of the 'vile messages, the hatred, the passive-aggressive comments and unwanted attention from men.'

This all fed into the reason why Alena decided to delete her Instagram, however she revealed on her blog that she still upholds her traditional values, only more privately this time around.

Writing on The Darling Academy, she said: 'I tried. I thought that speaking to the media and using a platform with so many users would be a wonderful way to promote the brilliant work of the housewife.

'But as with all kinds of positive activism, good message, or wholesome idea, it will in time become hijacked by the opposite of what you stand for and believe in.'

It appears Alena also decided to take a hiatus from her blog for nearly a year to create 'certain boundaries' which she said were put in place by her husband, Carl, and members of her family.

However the former Marketing Manager recently returned to the platform saying she 'sought permission' from her husband to announce that they are now living in Australia.

The 38-year-old 'stepped away' from Instagram last year, closing her account which had nearly 40,000 followers, saying on her blog that she is 'embarrassed' that she used to take part in the social media fad

She worried new generations of tradwives are getting 'younger and younger, and more polished than realistic'

Alena explained that the big move across the pond was always on the cards for them, however it came a little bit sooner then they had anticipated after their home address in England was shared online which made her feel 'unsafe.'

Writing on her blog she said their 'hearts were no longer in England', even though they almost bought a 'doer upper' house back in Gloucestershire.

She revealed the house would of been 'too much work' and with her husband working full time the renovations would of been 'painfully slow'.

The mother-of-one added that their privacy and safety was also 'ultimately violated' on a gossip forum when their previous address was shared and the new home was just down the road, saying it didn't have 'enough distance' for her to feel safe.

Describing 2023 as an Annus Horribilis, Latin phrase that means a horrible year, she revealed that she also lost friends after stepping back from social media.

She said it was 'disappointing to feel used', but a 'relief to be free of taking pictures ''for the gram''. '

Sticking to her true traditional values, Alena revealed she is going to blog and write like it was in the 'early days' before social media.

She claimed her content will still be centred around homemaking but with 'healthy boundaries' this time around.

Alena was one of the earliest and best known in the movement of women who spend their days taking care of their homes and families and documenting their activities on social media.

She wrote two books, where she set out her Christian beliefs and principles of womanhood, which her husband helped her to self-publish.

In 2016, she published what turned out to be something between a guidebook to traditional womanhood and a memoir of self-transformation through faith. Pettitt called the book Ladies Like Us. Her next book, English Etiquette, followed in 2019.

Writing on her blog she said their 'hearts were no longer in England', even though they almost bought a 'doer upper' house back in Gloucestershire

Speaking to the BBC in 2020, she explained of her blog: 'I talk about etiquette, feminine lifestyle, homemaking, and being a traditional housewife.

'I wouldn't expect my husband to come home after a long day at work and cook for me. My job is essentially being a housewife.'

Alena gets a monthly allowance for the food shop, along with a buffer for her to 'spend something on myself' so she's not always 'asking him for money'.

Admitting that she didn't enjoy growing up in the nineties era where the emphasis was on breaking glass ceilings, Alena says she was 'born to be a wife and mother'.

Alena enjoyed shows from the 1950s and 1960s, and remembered how her single mother worked full-time, with the house becoming a 'huge burden', which became the turning point for her when she realised she 'didn't want the same life'.

Revealing that her husband also believed in the same traditional values and offered to 'look after her', she admitted meeting him was the moment she felt complete. 'It's almost like the fairytale came true', she said.

Alena says she was a 'career girl' in her twenties and followed messages from hit show Sex and The City, which she interpreted as telling women working was 'liberating and they should follow their sexual desires'.

Not identifying with this persona, she then turned to shows like the Real Housewives, but found the wives were 'too rich to do their own cleaning and everyone was cheating on each other'.

She then went online and discovered an underground movement of other women who felt the same, explaining they craved the sense of 'belonging, home quaintness and tradition'.

Alena, who strongly believes your husband should 'always come first and should know this', said some feminists believe her movement is throwing their work for equality back in their faces.

Revealing her take on feminism, she explained: 'My view on feminism is that it's about choices. To say you can go into the working world and compete with men and you're not allowed to stay at home - to me is taking a choice away'.

Distancing herself from the movement's right-wing links, she argued: 'Being a tradwife is investing in your family and being selfless. So I would say the opposite of that is someone who is selfish and just takes'.

Along with blogs and vlogs dedicated to the movement, which is also taking Brazil, Germany and Japan, by storm, an array of books from the fifties and sixties 'teaching' women how to be the perfect housewives become popular again.

One of the movement's pin-up girls is Helen Andelin, the American author of the 1963 'Fascinating Womanhood' book, which teaches women that subordination is the 'key to a happy marriage' and has regained popularity.

And, a century after the first wave of feminism ended, and sixty years after the women's liberation movement, Helen Andelin's daughter Dixie Andelin Forsyth has launched a worldwide 'femininity class' with 100,000 followers.

Speaking to Stylist, she claimed: 'The movement's rising because women have had enough of feminism in the UK and elsewhere. We say to feminists: thanks for the trousers, but we see life a different way'.
A 64-year-old father-of-two has shown he is still young at heart as he has once again set off to Ibiza for 24 hours of raving - with nothing but a change of clothes in a Waitrose carrier bag.

Andy Armstrong, who last year went viral for flying to a night out in Pacha 'because there was nothing on TV' decided to recreate the trip 12 months on.

The party animal visits the island multiple times a year and this time he even managed to bag the guest list for a Fatboy Slim gig.

Armed with his trusty Waitrose bag - which he calls a 'business class upgrade' on last year's Asda carrier - Andy boarded a flight out of Newcastle for 62 on Thursday 1 August.

He landed on the party island shortly after 7pm and made his way straight to San Antonio for a pint at the Hotel Abrat - to soak up the sunset before heading to Pikes at 11.30pm for the gig.

A 64-year-old father-of-two has shown he is still young at heart as he has once again set off to Ibiza for 24 hours of raving - with nothing but a change of clothes in a Waitrose carrier bag

The raver partied the night away until 5am on the Friday, before needing to make his way back home.

After touching down on UK soil, Andy got a train and arrived home just 24 hours after he left - with the whole trip costing less than 200.

The steelworker from Yarm-on-Tees, Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire described his experience as 'brilliant'.

'I saw I could get a flight out of Newcastle for 62 and then one back to Leeds for 24 so I thought "let's go for it!",' he gushed.

'On the bag, it actually says "eat, sleep, re-use, repeat" - so I crossed out "re-use" for "rave".'

Andy said he even enjoyed an outfit change - swapping out of his T-shirt into a floral shirt - to enjoy the Fatboy Slim gig, which was 'very intimate' with 'no more than a few hundred people'.

The raver explained how he had some time before his flight, so decided to head to super club Eden.

'I turned my charm on and asked them not to charge me on the door and I got a free VIP pass to get in,' Andy recounted.

Andy Armstrong, who last year went viral for flying to a night out in Pacha 'because there was nothing on TV' decided to recreate the trip 12 months on

The party animal visits the island multiple times a year and this time he even managed to bag the guest list for a Fatboy Slim gig. Pictured at Cafe Mambo

He landed on the party island shortly after 7pm and made his way straight to San Antonio for a pint at the Hotel Abrat - to soak up the sunset before heading to Pikes at 11.30pm for the gig

Armed with his trusty Waitrose bag - which he calls a 'business class upgrade' on last year's Asda carrier - Andy boarded a flight out of Newcastle for 62 on Thursday 1 August and made his way back home in 24 hours

The raver partied the night away until 5am on the Friday, before needing to make his way back home. After touching down on UK soil, Andy got a train and arrived home just 24 hours after he left - with the whole trip costing less than 200. Pictured on his way to Ibiza

The raver explained how he had some time before his flight, so decided to head to super club Eden. Pictured with bar staff in Ibiza

The contents of Andy Armstrong's bag. A party animal dad jetted off to Ibiza for 24 hours of raving - with nothing but a change of clothes in a Waitrose carrier bag

Andy customised his Waitrose bag (pictured) as he went to enjoy a 24-hour adventure to Ibiza and back

'I just went in and had a good time and I just sat there taking in the atmosphere.'

'Then a taxi to airport at 6am, set my alarm, had a kip on the seats and boarded the flight back to Leeds, bus to the city centre, went and bought a new t-shirt to change into and then got the train back home,' he revealed.

Timeline of Andy's trip

THURSDAY AUGUST 1 11:45am: Train from Darlington to Newcastle airport 3:20pm: Flight from Newcastle Airport - 61 7pm - Arrived in Ibiza Bus to San Antonio - 4

Went to Hotel Abrat to watch the sunset

Had a bite to eat then got a Taxi to Pikes - 10

Met people by the Club Tropicana swimming pool 11:30pm: Fatboy Slim gig in Freddie's room FRIDAY AUGUST 2 3am: Taxi to Eden in San Antonio 5:30am: Taxi to the airport - 40 Nap in the airport 8:30am - Check-in for flight 10:30am - Flight to Leeds Bus to Leeds city centre

Bought a t-shirt to change into

3pm - Arrived back home Advertisement

'All done in less than 24hrs.'

While Andy was initially considering going for a few night, the hefty costs deterred him.

'I'm on the mailing list for Pikes and I got an email two weeks ago about the Fatboy Slim gig and to sign up for the guest list,' he said.

'I got an email back and I was in - a free ticket.

'Pikes is a very famous venue - Wham did the Club Tropicana video there in 1984 and Freddie Mercury had his 41st party there - so where Fatboy Slim appeared is called Freddie's room.

'So I was looking to go for three or four nights and it was looking quite expensive - so I thought maybe I'm not bothered. It's a free ticket, I'm not losing anything.

'But then I woke up the next morning and remembered I went for 24 hours last year - let's see if I can do it again.'

Andy fell in love with the party island back in 1981 whilst on a lad's holiday when he was 21.

'I loved it,' he said. 'I returned a few times later, when married, with my wife and daughters.'

But after the tragic loss of his wife five years ago, Andy was unsure whether he'd ever return to Ibiza again.

It was his eldest daughter, Tiffany, 32, who persuaded him to go back with her in July 2018.

'I was unsure, as I had the impression that it would be full of youth, but how wrong I was,' Andy recalled.

'There was lots of people of a similar age to me, who like me, had a love of music and for the island.

Andy fell in love with the party island back in 1981 whilst on a lad's holiday when he was 21. Pictured during his most recent trip to the island

And the raver has no plans to stop anytime soon - hoping to 'keep it up as long as he can'. Pictured jetting off to Ibiza

'That first time back, we stayed at Ushuaia, and went to see David Guetta.'

He and his second daughter, Ellie, 24, then returned to the island in September 2018.

'That is how my love affair with Ibiza started, returning many times alone or with friends,' he expressed.

And the raver has no plans to stop anytime soon - hoping to 'keep it up as long as he can'.

'It's good fun,' Andy said. 'I don't do it for the attention or "fame", I do it because I want to and I find it fun.

'It's an adventure and life is about that. I'm 64 and GOD....Growing Old Disgracefully!'
The King appeared in good spirits on Sunday as he drove Queen Camilla to a church service near Balmoral after speaking out about the high levels of unrest in the UK.

Charles, 75, and Camilla, 77, were heading to Crathie Kirk - a regular place of worship for the royal family while staying at their summer residence in Scotland.

Charles is currently on his summer break but has been updated daily on the unrest in the country and recently spoke out to praise people's 'resilience' in countering aggression.

He appeared in a good mood as he and Camilla made the short drive to the church, raising his hand from the steering wheel to wave.

Camilla herself appeared cheerful and also waved to onlookers, while being smartly turned out in a formal hat.

The King appeared in good spirits on Sunday as he drove Queen Camilla to a church service near Balmoral

The church is also where Princess Anne married Sir Timothy Laurence in 1992 after opting to wed in Scotland.

Balmoral was the favourite home of the late Queen Elizabeth and where she died in September 2022. She spent three months every summer at the Scottish castle.

The King has decided to continue the tradition - and the trip comes as a well-earned break for the monarch after returning to public duties amid his ongoing treatment for cancer.

The King has praised ordinary Brits who rose up against far-right hate in the wake of the Southport stabbings, praising the way in which 'the aggression and criminality from a few' had been met by 'the compassion and resilience of the many'.

He appeared in a good mood as he and Camilla made the short drive to the church, raising his hand from the steering wheel to wave

Charles, 75, and Camilla, 77, were heading to Crathie Kirk - a regular place of worship for the royal family while staying at their summer residence in Scotland

He spoke warmly of the 'many examples of community spirit' that have thwarted attempts to instil hate and fear in communities across Britain during a call with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the wake of the rioting.

He also spoke to police chiefs about the strain their officers have been under as more than 100 are thought to have been injured attempting to keep the peace amid hate riots stoked online by the far-right.

Charles is understood to have been monitoring events for a number of days.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said his calls with the Prime Minister and police leaders came after a series of 'private calls throughout the week concerning recent events - and in particular the impact they have had on affected communities'.

King Charles has voiced his support for ordinary Brits pushing back against the 'aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many'

Thugs during a far-right anti-immigration protest in Rotherham on August 4

A thousands-strong anti-racism protest in Walthamstow, where far-right thugs had reportedly intended to assemble outside an immigration office on Wednesday

The King has praised the resilience of those who turned out to counter far-right and racist hatred that spilled onto the streets, engineered by online bile

The monarch spoke to police chiefs as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (seen here visiting Solihull on Thursday)

While details of such calls are normally recorded in the court circular, the official record of royal engagements, it is unusual for so much detail to be given and underlines the seriousness of the national crisis.

The Palace spokesperson continued: 'This evening The King held a phone audience with the Prime Minister, and additionally had a joint call with the Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex.

'In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder.

'Additionally, The King shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many.

'It remains His Majesty's hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.'

Earlier this week the Mail reported that Charles had been keeping a keen eye on unfolding events but would not be speaking publicly given the extreme political discourse around them.

He hopes to visit affected communities in the coming weeks and months to speak to police and local leaders.

Any such visit would only take place when it does not place an additional burden on frontline services at a time when they are so stretched.

King Charles was photographed battling a gust of wind while exiting a Church service at Caithness in Scotland

In one image, one churchgoer appears to hand the monarch a gift, after which they are both seen beaming and erupting with laughter

There were calls for the King to make a public statement after the severe unrest broke out across the country.

Last week King Charles battled a gust of wind while exiting a Church service at Caithness in Scotland.

His Majesty attended the Canisbay Parish Church near the Castle of Mey.

Although the monarch's outfit of a brown thick tweed jacket, matching waistcoat and kilt were appropriate for the unpredictable temperatures; it appears the strong weather got the best of him, forcing him to steady himself.

At one point the King - who is continuing to receive cancer treatment - was pictured grabbing the back of his head in an apparent attempt to ground both his hair and himself.

The moment made for a slightly comical one as the parish priest and surrounding guests lit up with laughter while the King was almost swept away.

Although the monarch's outfit of a brown thick tweed jacket, matching waistcoat and checkered kilt were appropriate for the unpredictable temperatures; it appears the strong weather got the best of him, forcing him to steady himself

For the service he donned a traditional Scottish kilt in red, brown and green tartan.

To accompany the look he sported a checkered red and brown blazer and waistcoat, along with with a stripy tie and thick green knee-high socks.

Despite the ferocious wind knocking him back a step, he appeared delighted and even paused to speak with the parish priest and various guests.

In one image, one churchgoer appears to hand the monarch a gift, after which they are both seen beaming and erupting with laughter.
Princess Alexia of the Netherlands is set to move to London to study at UCL from this September.

The second daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima turned 19 last month and is coming to the end of her gap year.

The decision to return to the UK is a last-minute one for the princess, who admitted in June she'd applied for several courses and didn't know what she wanted to study.

During a press conference, she admitted she was 'a bit stressed about choosing' but was widely expected to study at the University of Groningen, according to the NL Times.

She will study for a three-year Bsc degree in Science and Engineering for Social Change, which promises to teach students 'in-demand skills needed to solve key challenges of society'.

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands is set to move to London to study at UCL from this September

The course includes a placement or project module in its third year and likely careers include corporate, charity or government roles after graduating.

Alexia will spend 13 'contact' hours with staff a week on top of 27 hours of independent study.

The princess is coming towards the end of her gap year, which she said was full of 'travelling, working and all sorts of things.'

During her year out, she made her first official solo public appearance at the naming ceremony of the VOX Alexia in Rotterdam.

She also appeared on the balcony for the opening day of Dutch parliament, debuting her royal order for the first time.

Alexia wore The Order of the Netherlands Lion after being appointed it when she turned 18.

Princess Alexia previously spent two years in the UK, graduating from UWC Atlantic College in South Wales in May last year, with her parents travelling to the prestigious school to celebrate.

The school is often referred to as 'Hippie Hogwarts' thanks to its progressive approach to education and picturesque castle setting, with European royals often attending.

The second daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima turned 19 last month and is coming to the end of her gap year

Princess Amalia, Queen Maxima, King Willem-Alexander, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane during King's Day in Emmen in April

Princess Alexia previously spent two years in the UK, graduating from UWC Atlantic College in South Wales

Alexia wore The Order of the Netherlands Lion after being appointed it when she turned 18

The college is for pupils aged 16 to 19 years of age and students from all over the world, 150 countries to be exact, live and study together.

It is based at St Donats Castle, south Wales in a 12th century castle set in 122 acres of woodland and farmland with its own valley and seafront.

It was founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn and is situated at the 12th century St Donat's Castle on the country's south coast.

It costs a whopping 67,000 per year for courses including Tai Chi, the theory of knowledge and Tibetan literature.

Alexia, who is second in the line of succession to the Dutch throne, has been attending the Olympics with her family in recent weeks.

She even received a stern look from her mother Queen Maxima as she popped gum while watching the swimming.

During her gap year, Alexia made her first official solo engagement (pictured), christening the Vox Alexia

Queen Maxima (pictured, right) looks annoyed as her daughter Princess Alexia (pictured, left) chews gum while watching the swimming at the Olympics

Her elder sister Princess Amalia is studying psychology, law and economics at the University of Amsterdam, but was forced to live in Madrid for a year following kidnap threats.

The heir to the Dutch throne said she was 'very grateful' to everyone who helped protect and keep her safe from kidnapping threats from organised crime gangs.

Amalia was forced to abandon plans to live in student halls over security fears, just weeks after she started at Amsterdam University to study politics, psychology, law and economics in October 2022.

The 20-year-old said her time in Spain made her life in the Netherlands 'somewhat possible' again and thanked everyone who helped her make the swift move possible.
An influencer who was left with 'horse teeth' after botched surgery in Turkey has revealed she can 'finally chew again'.

Lauren Evens, 31, from London, had veneers installed abroad earlier this year which left her unable to chew, eat or sleep due to the distress.

She has since ended up forking out 3,400 for a new smile.

It comes after Love Island's Tiffany Leighton admitted she had her 'teeth changed' after she was trolled for her unusually white smile during the show.

The Hertfordshire-born bombshell, 25, confessed to The Sun she rushed straight to the clinic once she returned to the UK.

Lauren Evens, 31, from London had vaneers installed earlier this year which left her unable to chew, eat or sleep due to the distress

Ms Evans, a content creator who has over 11,500 followers online, decided to fly back to Turkey to get her teeth fixed

The influencer claims she was left with 'horse teeth' after botched surgery in Turkey

But Ms Evans, a content creator who has over 11,500 followers online, decided to fly back to Turkey to get her teeth fixed.

'I was offered the dental treatment from a company who wanted to do a brand deal with me,' Ms Evans said of her first 'botched' procedure.

She said: 'But because of that, I didnt feel the need to do loads of research.

'I wish I did now, as I left there botched, upset and unhappy.'

After her treatment in April, she returned back to the UK and attempted to get used to her new teeth.

But she immediately struggled and was left feeling 'embarrassed and disheartened'.

She said: 'I struggled to chew.

'I had to swallow foods without chewing, which would then make me extremely sick. Chewing food is important.'

It comes after Love Island's Tiffany Leighton admitted she had her 'teeth changed' after she was trolled during the show

The Hertfordshire-born bombshell, 25, confessed she rushed straight to the clinic once she left the show, she told The Sun

Not able to cope any longer, she decided to do her research the second time around and fly back out to a different clinic in Turkey three months later to fix her smile in July this year.

'They were amazing,' she said.

'From landing, you get VIP treatment, fast-tracked through security, entry into the airports vip lounge and transfers to the dentist.

'The dentist was also amazing.

'It took four visits within one week but it was worth it to complete my smile.'

Not able to cope any longer, she decided to do her research the second time around and fly back out to a different clinic in Turkey three months later to fix her smile in July this year

The video, which has since gathered over seven million views, reveals every step of her latest journey

Ms Evans received 20 crown veneers and shared the update to Instagram, where she joked she no longer looks 'like a horse'.

She said: 'Im now not embarrassed to smile! And I am glad I can chew food again. Now I dont look like a horse.'

The video, which has since gathered over seven million views, reveals every step of her latest journey.

She first shows herself at the dentist getting X-rays, then clips of her at the airport, on the plane, in Turkey and back home.

'I ended up looking like a horse after badly fitted Turkey teeth,' the video was captioned.

She first shows herself at the dentist getting X-rays, then clips of her at the airport, on the plane, in Turkey and back home

Ms Evans received 20 crown veneers and shared the update to Instagram, where she joked she no longer looks 'like a horse'

But not everyone was a fan of her new look and questioned why she went back to Turkey after her bad experience

Over 34,000 people have liked the video and headed to the comments to share their thoughts.

Not everyone was a fan of her new look and questioned why she went back to Turkey after her bad experience.

One person said: 'I will never understand why people do this to their teeth.'

Ornella commented: 'Before and still before. Get your teeth corrected first gdamn.'

Sam wrote: 'Why???? I mean why have this done at all, let alone in Turkey.'

Rain added: 'Even the after is questionable work!'

Mimi said: 'Before & Before.'

Kirsty wrote: 'I cant believe you went back to Turkey'

For decades, Brits have been warned against seeking cheaper surgery in places like Turkey, Eastern Europe, or South East Asia.

Turkey is not inherently more dangerous than other surgical tourism hotspots.

But cheap flights between it and the UK  as well as the rise of the trend combining cosmetic surgery with a holiday  have made it one of the leading destinations for Brits looking to go under the knife.

This is especially the case for dentistry, with millions of Brits struggling to see their own dentist. The combination has sparked the 'Turkey teeth' trend.

One of the most common procedures offered in Turkey, made popular by stars such as Katie Price and Love Island's Jack Fincham, involves filing down natural teeth to pegs then replacing them with crowns or veneers.
A row has broken out between doctors, drug firms and the NHS spending watchdog over its refusal to give the green light to a lifeline drug for women with advanced breast cancer.

Medics hailed Enhertu after trials showed it could extend the lives of thousands with one of the hardest to treat forms of the disease, buying them an extra year or more of life.

There was a standing ovation when its trial results were announced two years ago at a cancer conference, while campaigners and patient groups welcomed a breakthrough that offers women precious time with loved ones.

But hopes were dashed last week when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) prevented the drug from receiving NHS funding  a decision the charity Breast Cancer Now called 'a dark day for women with incurable breast cancer'.

It accused the NHS of 'failing' patients by 'blocking a vital treatment'. Patients and experts were equally horrified, branding the ruling 'cruel' and 'a huge blow'.

Campaigners in Westminster paint their breasts to send a message that the cancer drug Enhertu should be made available on the NHS

Kathryn Hulland, 46, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, two years after the birth of her daughter, Grace, told The Mail on Sunday: 'Enhertu would give me more time to spend with my daughter.

'I try to make as many memories as possible. We go to the zoo, the beach and to musicals. But sometimes I'm filled with grief because it hits me that I won't get to see her grow up.'

Following the outcry, in an unusual move  as drug negotiations are usually shrouded in secrecy  NICE hit out at AstraZeneca, the British firm behind Enhertu, accusing it of being 'unwilling to offer a fair price'.

The firm pointed out that Enhertu  which is believed to cost about 120,000 a year per patient  was available in 18 other European countries, including Scotland. It also claimed the failure to come to a deal was due to a new NICE policy that brands all terminal cancers as a 'medium severity' disease.

However, just days later, the watchdog announced it would allow funding for a new gene- editing drug to tackle the rare blood disorder beta thalassaemia  at a cost of 1.65 million a dose.

So what's going on?

Experts say the main problem is a significant change made to the way NICE decides whether new treatments are cost effective.

The purpose of NICE is to make sure the Health Service spends its 19 billion drug budget on treatments that can provide the maximum benefit to patients.

It does this by comparing the health gains expected from a new treatment to its cost. This might mean patients taking the drug live longer, but it can also mean patients feel better  or both.

A cheap drug that has a significant health benefit is likely to be approved. An expensive drug that provides only limited health benefits will struggle to get funding.

Analysts say that for a drug to get NICE approval it can cost up to 36,000 for every extra year of improved quality of life it provides. However, around a decade ago it became clear this system left cancer patients at a disadvantage.

Newer drugs were effective but, according to research into them, extended the life of patients by only one or two years, meaning they were not getting approved. In 2009 the issue came to a head when NICE came under fire after rejecting a life-extending kidney cancer drug called sunitinib.

After political pressure it amended its evaluation system to include an 'end-of-life modifier' that gave more weight  and more money  to drugs that extended the time patients had left.

This meant a drug would be approved if it cost up to 50,000 for every extra year of life it provided patients. But this system also led to complaints because, it was argued, it disadvantaged patients who did not have cancer.

Chris Skedgel, a director at the Office For Health Economics research group, said: 'Cancer is unique because, unlike most diseases, doctors can say with some confidence how much time patients have before they die.

So patients with severe diseases which left them with a poor quality of life, but were not about to die, were not benefiting from this end-of-life modifier. There is only so much money available to spend on new drugs, and people felt that cancer was getting an unequal amount.'

Nigel Spencer was prescribed IsaPD before the rules changed, so he can still keep taking it to treat his myeloma

This issue became pressing in 2020 with a new breed of drugs for cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition affecting 11,000 in the UK that impairs lung function and raises the risk of life-threatening infections. At the time, few patients lived into middle age. New drugs, such as Kaftrio, improved lung function by up to 90 per cent  with doctors hailing it as 'close to cure'.

But it cost about 100,000 per patient per year, meaning it could cost the NHS more than 1 billion annually. Since most cystic fibrosis patients are diagnosed in infancy and are expected to live at least 20 years, they did not benefit from the end-of-life modifier.

There were also worries about how NICE would justify the cost of new gene-editing drugs. These one-time treatments are designed to combat rare inherited diseases by fixing faults in the patient's DNA. Many of these treatments involve a single jab but cost 2million or more.

Foreseeing this issue, NICE scrapped the end-of-life modifier in 2022. It was replaced with a 'severity modifier', which gave weight to how long a patient would have to live with severe symptoms.

The change put cystic fibrosis among the 'most severe' illnesses, and it meant Kaftrio became cost-effective, with the drug being approved in June.

Along with the approval of the 1.65 million-a-dose beta thalassaemia drug last week, in July a gene therapy for the bleeding disorder haemophilia B, with a cost of 2.6 million, also got NICE backing.

However, advanced cancer patients, who may live just a few years, did not benefit as their short life expectancy meant their disease was now, according to the drug firms, deemed 'medium severity'.

Experts say that drugs for advanced cancer would have to come in at 36,000 per year of good quality life to get approval  which is not enough for Enhertu. Breast Cancer Now described the rule change as 'a deep injustice'.

Enhertu is a combination of two drugs  trastuzumab and deruxtecan  which target a protein called HER2 found in many breast cancer cells.

Rachael Franklin, interim chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: 'It is unacceptable this promising treatment will be out of reach for women in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We're hugely concerned the introduction of the severity modifier will lead to other effective treatments for breast cancer being rejected by NICE.'

The controversial NICE policy has also affected blood cancer patients. In June, it was announced that the myeloma treatment IsaPD would likely not continue to receive NHS funding pending the publication of final guidance later this year.

The combination of three medicines has been shown in trials to stop blood cancer returning for an extra year compared with other available treatments.

But NICE ruled it was not cost-effective under its new modifier system.

Nigel Spencer, 65, from north London, was diagnosed with myeloma in 2018. After other treatments failed, the retired British Library worker was given IsaPD. He said: 'It's given me more time with my wife and daughter  time I wasn't sure I was going to get.'

If the draft decision on IsaPd is upheld, only patients that were prescribed the treatment before the decision will continue to have access. But he said it was unfair that new patients wont get it.

Shelagh McKinlay, director of research and advocacy at the charity Myeloma UK, said: 'We should not be in the situation where an effective treatment cannot be approved. The system is not delivering.'

NICE's policy is also likely to lead to rejections of other cancer drugs in coming years, experts warn. A University of York study into the number of cancer drugs approved by NICE in the past concluded the new system would be 'more restrictive and far less generous', meaning 'only a fraction of [cancer] appraisals will qualify'.

Richard Torbett, chief executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, which represents drug firms, warned: 'The way in which the severity modifier is being implemented runs the risk of a situation where some cancer patients could miss out on late-stage treatments they would have otherwise benefited from before it was introduced.'

So what's the solution?

Experts say countries using a similar system, such as the Netherlands, provide more money to drugs for patients at the end of their lives.

NICE has vowed to evaluate its process's effectiveness, and experts hope its new system will force drug firms to reduce the price of their treatments further.

But time for patients such as Ms Hulland is running out. She said: 'So many people die of breast cancer. We need more treatments, not less.'

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: 'The only guaranteed way to get medicines like Enhertu to the patients who need them is for companies to offer a fair price. It is the first breast cancer treatment NICE has been unable to recommend for six years.

'If AstraZeneca decides it is willing to drop its price to a level that makes Enhertu good value for money for the taxpayer, NICE will consider it under its rapid review process, with a decision potentially within weeks.'

The number of cancer deaths in the UK each year has dropped by about a fifth since the 1970s  in part due to new treatments.

The amount the NHS spends on medicines has increased by more than 6 billion over the past decade to reach 19 billion a year.

'It's a lifeline I can't reach'

Kathryn Hulland, 46, first noticed a lump on her breast in January 2020.

The former marketing professional, who lives in Devon, was found to have breast cancer, and had chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour.

She responded well, but at Christmas 2022 she found a lump on her neck and was told her cancer had returned and spread.

Cancer sufferer Kathryn Hulland, 46, from Devon, and her daughter Grace. She says the drug Enhertu would give her more time with her seven-year-old daughter

It was a hard-to-treat form of breast cancer called HER2-low triple negative. Immunity-boosting drugs gave her seizures, so more chemo is keeping her disease at bay  for now.

She said: 'If my chemo stops working, there won't be many treatments left.'

But the drug Enhertu would give her more time with her seven-year-old daughter Grace. She added: 'Six months more with her would mean the world. It's heartbreaking that patients in Scotland can get it, but I can't. It's a lifeline I can't reach.'
Glaucoma patients are set to benefit from the first new treatment in 25 years to combat the debilitating eye condition.

The once-a-day eye drop will help prevent patients from going blind by combating a build-up of pressure in the eyeball.

Called Roclanda, the treatment was approved last month by the NHS spending watchdog based on research which showed it is just as effective but safer than currently available eye drops.

It is expected to benefit roughly 115,000 people in the UK.

Ms Nishani Amerasinghe, a glaucoma consultant at University Hospital Southampton, describes Roclanda as a 'game-changer'.

'We haven't had anything new for glaucoma patients for over 20 years,' she says, 'so this is a really exciting treatment.'

The once-a-day eye drop will help prevent patients from going blind by combating a build-up of pressure in the eyeball. Pictured: Stock image

The sight loss caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, but treatments can slow it. Pictured: Stock image

Glaucoma affects more than 700,000 people in the UK, the majority of whom are over 70. It occurs when the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged.

It's usually caused by fluid building up in the front of the eye. There are several types of glaucoma, but the majority of patients suffer with primary open angle glaucoma, which is triggered when the drainage channels in the eye become clogged. People with a family history of the disease are more likely to be affected. It is also linked to diabetes.

The sight loss caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, but treatments can slow it.

Some patients are offered laser treatment or surgery to fix fluid blockages in the eye. But the most common treatment is pressure-reducing eye drops, which are applied once or twice a day.

These include low-strength drops, such as bimatoprost or latanoprost. If these do not work, then more potent options, such as a treatment called timolol, are prescribed.

While effective, timolol and other similarly potent eye drops are unsuitable for patients with underlying health conditions.

This includes those with heart problems, low blood pressure and asthma  all of which are more common in older adults.

However, Roclanda  which is a combination of latanoprost and a drug called netarsudil  is safe for patients with these conditions to take.

Glaucoma affects more than 700,000 people in the UK, the majority of whom are over 70. Pictured: Stock image

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the watchdog that decides whether the NHS will fund new treatments, Roclanda will be offered to primary open angle glaucoma patients who cannot undergo surgery and have not responded to low-strength eye drops.

Experts say the rollout of Roclanda  which is due to become available from October  comes at a crucial time, with a record number of people needing eye care on the NHS. More than 620,000 patients are currently on the waiting list to see an eye specialist, with 17,000 of them waiting more than a year.

Since 2019, more than 550 patients have lost their sight due to this backlog, according to a Freedom of Information request carried out by the Association of Optometrists last year.

Last month, Labour announced plans to send patients to Specsavers and other high street opticians for routine scans and checks to free up NHS specialists for treating problems such as glaucoma. Roclanda is also expected to help ease the crisis.

Joanna Hodgkinson, head of research at the charity Glaucoma UK, says: 'The more treatment options that are available, the better the chances of a patient receiving treatment that works for them and protecting their vision.'
Queensland has shared an urgent health warning after the number of children younger than five being hospitalised with the flu doubled in just a few days.

The state's health minister Shannon Fentiman urged Queenslanders to get their free flu vaccinations with the shots even available at Brisbane's Ekka show.

Only 15 per cent of children in hospital have received their jab this year and with the peak of flu season still two weeks away, Ms Fentiman said it is essential for parents to vaccinate their kids as soon as possible.

Queensland Health data showed 364 people were hospitalised with the flu on August 10, including 28 children under five-years-old.

That number jumped from 318 last week, including 13 children.

That figure is likely to jump as thousands gather at Brisbane Showgrounds for the Ekka - the state's largest annual event that runs from August 10 to 18.

Queensland is the only Australian state to offer free flu vaccinations yet only 28 per cent of the population have gotten the jab.

The program has cost taxpayers $47million over the last two years.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman urged Queenslanders to get their free flu vaccinations after the number of children under five years old hospitalised doubled (stock image)

Ms Fentiman warned the state is 'potentially weeks away from seeing the worst of the flu season'.

'I'm asking all Queenslanders to please get your free flu jab' she said on Sunday.

'No one wants to see their child or loved one hospitalised, and we know that vaccination makes a huge difference when it comes to the risk of being hospitalised with flu.

'This doubling of hospitalisations is concerning for our smallest Queenslanders and I am asking parents across the state, please vaccinated yourself and your kids.'

Ms Fentiman said the vaccine was made free after two 'terrible flu seasons' in 2022 and 2023.

'You can get your free flu vaccination at the chemist, at your GP, and even at the Ekka,' she said.

Premier Steven Mile said it was 'very concerning' to see the sharp rise in children hospitalised by the flu.

Ms Fentiman warned the state is 'potentially weeks away from seeing the worst of the flu season' (stock image)

'It is absolutely critical that everyone who can gets their flu shot, to help protect the most vulnerable people in our community,' he said.

'That's why we have made the flu vaccine free, so cost isn't a barrier to staying safe and healthy.'
Men with relatively long ring fingers may be more likely to develop prostate cancer, according to a new study.

New research shows they are up to 10 per cent more likely to get the disease, which is diagnosed in around 55,000 men in the UK each year.

Men with long ring fingers relative to their index fingers were also 15 per cent more likely to get aggressive cancer, according to the study in Cancer Epidemiology.

Exposure to higher levels of testosterone in the womb is thought to be responsible for both the finger ratio and the higher risk of cancer.

Researchers say the index finger to ring finger ratio  the so-called 2D-4D ratio  could become a marker for disease risk.

Men with relatively long ring fingers may be more likely to develop prostate cancer , according to a new study

Men with long ring fingers relative to their index fingers were also 15 per cent more likely to get aggressive cancer, according to the study in Cancer Epidemiology

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, with more than 52,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths ever year

Academics from the University of Quebec said: 'Our results suggest that high testosterone levels in utero may increase prostate cancer risk, especially for aggressive cancers.'

'The 2D:4D ratio could prove to be an easily measured marker of prostate cancer risk.'

The study involved around 4,000 men, half of them diagnosed with prostate cancer, who had their finger ratios measured.

The ratio, calculated by dividing the length of the index finger by the length of the ring finger  is believed to indicate exposure to sex hormones in the womb.
Too much coffee can speed up the cognitive decline that many people experience in old age  while tea may help prevent it, a study suggests.

Researchers examining data from thousands of Britons found those who drank more than three cups of coffee a day were, years later, more likely to have issues with their memory, reasoning and decision-making skills.

Those who either did not drink coffee or drank fewer than three cups daily were found to have a slower cognitive decline.

Some studies have previously suggested that caffeine has a number of health benefits, including reducing the risk of stroke, heart failure, cancers and diabetes.

However, researchers from Murdoch University in Perth claim that their findings now suggest there is such a thing as too much coffee.

Too much coffee can speed up the cognitive decline that many people experience in old age  while tea may help prevent it, a study suggests

Researchers examining data from thousands of Britons found those who drank more than three cups of coffee a day were, years later, more likely to have issues with their memory, reasoning and decision-making skills

Some suggested the effect may be due to a loss of sleep triggered by consuming excessive amount of caffeine.

The study, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, examined adults with healthy mental function older than 60  logging their tea and coffee consumption and mapping any mental decline in the ten years proceeding.

More than half of respondents said they drank between one and three cups of coffee a day, with a quarter not drinking any and just 18 per cent drinking four or more cups.

As for daily tea consumption, just 15 per cent said they never drink it, 38 per cent had one to three cups and 47 per cent admitted to drinking four or more cups.

While those who drank more than three cups of coffee a day had an increased rate of cognitive decline, this does not mean they developed dementia, but were more likely to struggle to think, learn or remember things.
The shocking case of two Filipino nurses attacked during the unrest in Sunderland last week prompted the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to announce that those who are racist to NHS staff can and should be refused care.

While I agree with Streeting that those who attacked the nurses brought enormous shame on our country, when it comes to turning patients away, I couldnt disagree with him more: it is not up to the doctor to make a moral judgment over who can and cant have treatment.

Like Streeting, I was horrified by the scenes in Sunderland. It beggars belief that good, kind and caring people trying to get to work to help others should be subjected to such abuse.

But being racist should not mean you dont get treatment on the NHS.

Over the 20 years Ive been a doctor, I have come across many instances of patients being racist, homophobic or misogynistic. Some have expressed truly vile beliefs. While I wouldnt say its regular, its certainly not uncommon.

Ive treated murderers, rapists, paedophiles and terrorists.

But its a slippery slope to start standing in moral judgment over who can and cant have treatment because of what they believe.

If we start excluding racists, where does it stop? What about other things the doctor might not agree with? What about climate change deniers, or people who eat meat, or dont agree with abortion, or any other contentious area where one person finds the other persons views offensive and unacceptable?

In my first year as a doctor, I remember a patient who refused to be treated by black members of staff. He went into urinary retention, meaning his bladder wasnt working properly  an excruciatingly painful condition.

It was the middle of the night and I was called to insert an emergency catheter, but I had only ever practised on a plastic model.

The other junior doctor who was on duty with me, who was black, was very competent and the patient suddenly rethought his racism when confronted with the choice between having someone who was white, but a complete novice, jab something down his penis, or a black person who actually knew what he was doing. So I assisted my colleague and the man was very grateful to us both.

After wed catheterised him, we talked to him about how everyone deserved to be treated with respect at work. We helped him see that, in refusing care from black members of staff, he was not only creating an unpleasant environment for them, but also affecting his own care. He later wrote a letter of apology to ward staff about his behaviour.

Wasnt that a better outcome  both in term of medical ethics and in changing someones mind  than simply denying him treatment?

Its not just white people Ive witnessed being racist. I work in multi-cultural London and have seen Ethiopian patients abusing Eritrean staff, Pakistani patients attacking Indian staff and Muslim patients make awful comments about Jewish doctors. One Turkish patient refused to be cared for by a gay Turkish nurse, because he thought the nurse was bringing shame on his family and country.

Ive had a number of patients say homophobic things in passing, using offensive slurs in conversation, and I always stop them, explain that I am gay and that its quite difficult to hear these things. They are often shocked.

Oh, but you are all right, Doctor, is a typical reply, as though this makes it OK.

I have a policy of talking to them about how these attitudes can be really harmful and upsetting. You dont change minds by banning patients, as Streeting would have it  you change them by showing them unequivocal kindness, compassion and care

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said those who are racist to NHS staff should be refused care

Its not always easy. Only recently I was with a female member of staff talking to a patient who had been convicted of a violent sexual crime who described women who didnt wear a hijab as sluts and deserving of rape. Astonishingly, he was quite indignant that he had been convicted of rape, saying that it was the fault of the men of this country for allowing their women out on the streets on their own, letting them wear what they wanted.

This kind of shocking misogyny is not uncommon. I always challenge it. Often these patients have never heard opposing views  its cultural for them and they simply dont realise that women are treated equally in Britain.

Once, as a junior doctor working in surgery, it fell to me to examine a particular patient. Within a few hours he was on the ward, recovering from appendicitis - which would have been unremarkable were it not for the prison guards that chaperoned him and the handcuffs he was wearing. He was a convicted murderer. He had been transferred to hospital for treatment, and promptly returned to jail when he was well enough. The treatment he received was exactly the same as any patient with appendicitis. The fact that I and the other surgeons were morally opposed to murder didnt matter.

Sometimes, yes, it tests your tolerance to the very limit. A friend of mine while working in A&E once had to stitch up a mans hand after he had punched his wife repeatedly in the face. While she hated ever being in a room with him, she knew that, as his doctor, she must treat him regardless.

There is no place in medical practice for value judgments based on things outside of the clinical realm. Our role is to treat: not judge.

Pain like Kirsty's is all too real

The broadcaster Kirsty Young says she was made to feel like a crazy lady by a doctor who said the condition causing her chronic pain  fibromyalgia  didnt exist. This chimes with so many patients Ive seen over the years who seek help for chronic pain.

Its so easy to dismiss pain when theres no clear underlying reason for it. Part of the reason, I think, is that pain is so complex  theres no objective test for it, and its not clear why some people experience pain so differently to others. Whats more, sometimes no underlying cause for the pain can be found at all, yet the person is severely disabled by it.

Kirsty Young says she was made to feel like a crazy lady by a doctor who said her fibromyalgia didnt exist

We do know, however, that things outside of typical medication can help.

People with chronic pain who are lucky enough to see a specialist are often surprised to find they are being offered psychotherapy rather than simply more and more pain killing drugs. This isnt saying their pain is all in the mind. Things such as sciatica, fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions can be the result of a complex interaction between physical and mental states. Studies have found that emotional and physical problems are processed in the same part of the brain, and it is likely that chronic pain is actually a mind-body condition, with emotions playing an important part in triggering or exacerbating pain.

Its not dismissing anyones genuine suffering to say how we feel mentally can have a big impact on how we experience pain.

For years, menopausal women were treated abysmally by the medical profession. They were denied HRT and their symptoms were downplayed. But have things swung too far the other way? Dr Sue Mann, the first NHS national clinical director for womens health, has claimed there is now a perception that everybody should be on HRT and that menopausal women feel they are missing out if they are not prescribed the medication. I have to say, I agree. While I lament the fact that doctors have been so wary of HRT for so long, and that undoubtedly women have suffered as a result of this, the current trend for whacking everyone on this medication is just as wrong-headed.

There are a wide range of treatments and interventions to help women going through the menopause, from CBT to medications that target specific symptoms, such as Veoza which treats hot flushes and night sweats. These are just as valid as HRT. Everyone is different and we need to give women all the options to find what works for them.

Despite all the excitement surrounding new medications for Alzheimers like lecanemab and donanemab, experts warned last week that they are likely to result in a small improvement in symptoms, and only for those in the earliest stages of the disease. Whats more, they will require considerable resources to identify those eligible, give the medication which is by infusion and monitor them for side effects. While they are a great step forward in the battle against this dreadful disease, Im afraid there has been a lot of hype surrounding them and the search for a cure continues.

Dr Max prescribes: Fruit and veg

Vegetables and fruit contain a wealth of disease-fighting nutrients and antioxidants

Youd hope that these days the advice to eat fruit and veg wouldnt be needed, but according to latest research the average Brit goes one month without eating a single piece of fruit and three weeks without eating a green vegetable. Honestly, this is shocking! We know that fruit and vegetables contain a wealth of disease-fighting nutrients and antioxidants, as well as fibre, which helps our bowels and protects against cancer. Come on, this summer lets reach for the (green)groceries!
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Learners are travelling almost double the distance to take a driving test than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic and huge delays for available test slots has created a never-ending backlog for budding motorists, new research has uncovered.

With the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA) failing to clear the enormous backlog of learners, want-to-be motorists are having to take matters into their own hands to get a practical test slot as early as possible.

For one young driver this meant travelling a staggering 400 miles to avoid waiting months for a booking where they live, the study found.

After in-depth analysis of over six million driving test records Marmalade discovered learners could end up having to travel up to 25 miles (24.49) on average for a test in 2030  a 194% increase on 2019

Multiple freedom of information requests to the DVSA by Marmalade car insurance over a six-month period revealed learners travelled an extra 48 per cent further to take their driving test in 2023 compared to 2019.

The average distance travelled from their home to a test centre grey to 12.33 miles in the most recent full year  2023  compared to 8.33 miles in 2019.

And it doesn't look set to get any better in the near future.

After in-depth analysis of over six million driving test records, Marmalade discovered learners could end up having to travel up to 25 miles (24.49) on average for a test in 2030  a 194 per cent increase on 2019.

This puts the increase at 10.3 per cent per year.

Mark Steeples, a driving instructor for Pass Mark School of Driving, said it was 'pretty astonishing' that learners could soon need to travel an average of 25 miles just to sit a test.

'Im amazed at the year-on-year increase in distance travelled for a test, but I suppose it shows the desperation that people have in wanting to learn how to drive and theyll go to any means necessary to do it.'

North-South divide for driving test availability

The data also shows a geographical divide has opened up, with the South of England having to drive significantly further for a test than learners in the North.

In 2023, learners in the South East travelled further than anyone, 13.9 miles. Whereas those in the North West travelled 7.1 miles on average  almost half the distance.

Unsurprisingly, London is seeing the greatest increase of distance learners are forced to travel to sit a test  7.7 miles in 2019 up to a massive 17.7 miles in 2023.

That's a through-the roof 130.77 per cent increase, with an average growth of 23.25 per cent each year.

A similar pattern of growth is displayed across the South East and East, which report year-on-year growth of 21.2 per cent and 12.95 per cent respectively.

Learners in these three regions are left struggling more and more to secure a driving test after hours of hard work to prepare for their practical exam.

Overall, 164 test centres across the UK in 2023 saw above average distance travelled to reach them, as test centre locality and test slot availability dwindles.

Some 34,614 learners made a trip of more than 100 miles.

Mark says hes had enquiries from people wanting to travel further afield for a test.

'Ive had enquiries from people who want to learn and get into a test around 50 miles away from me. Why go to an area that you dont know? Its hard enough doing a test anyway, you have a lifetime to drive on the UK roads, but dont pick the day of your driving test to do that.

'A lot of instructors just teach test routes in the local area, but that means that most learners wont be prepared for any test route and the potential impacts of driving in a new place.'

I drove 400 miles to sit my driving test

Kayla Van Dorsten drove from Surrey all the way to Cornwall to obtain her licence

One learner, Kayla Van Dorsten, found it so difficult to book an available practical driving test slot near where she lives that she resorted to travelling 400 miles to combat a six-month waiting list at her local centres.

The 18-year-old drove from Surrey all the way to Cornwall to obtain her licence because she needed to be able to drive herself to college.

'I was already nervous about taking my driving test, but being in an unfamiliar area raised new obstacles to navigate,' she explained.

'There were different speed limits from the local routes I had practised on and also other road users that I wasn't familiar with, like tractors.

'Taking the test four hours away meant I had to take two days out of education and pay for overnight accommodation and petrol to get to the test centre. It was very inconvenient, but I needed to get my licence as soon as possible because I couldn't rely on public transport anymore due to strikes to get to college.'

And Kayla's not the only one...

In 2023, one learner travelled a staggering 647 miles from Exeter to Shetland to take their practical exam, while another travelled 633 miles from Folkestone to Shetland.

Lerwick DVSA centre, Shetland. In 2023 one learner travelled a staggering 647 miles from Exter to Shetland to take their practical exam, while another travelled 633 miles from Folkestone to Shetland

Shetland has quite the long-distance pull, with 10 out of the top 20 distances travelled finishing on the Scottish island.

On the other end of the spectrum, some learners only had to pop down the road for their test, with drivers travelling to Heckmondwike test centre in Kirklees, West Yorkshire making the shortest journey in the UK, with an average distance of 3.82 miles travelled.

Why are test centre waiting times so bad?

In March, three quarters of driving test centres had average wait times in excess of six weeks.

This is Money reported that, at the end of January, 245 test centres still had wait times of over a month - worse than pre-pandemic levels.

Following an FOI request to the Driving Standards Agency (DVSA), the AA Driving School also discovered almost two fifths of test centres had wait times of more than five months.

At the time Camilla Benitz, managing director of AA Driving School, said: 'It is unacceptable that we are now almost two years post-pandemic restrictions and learner drivers and instructors are still suffering the consequences.'

Continuous delays since test centres had to close their doors in 2020 due to COVID, were blamed on a 'post-pandemic lag'.

Yet by the summer of 2022, over half a million people were still waiting for a test  an increase on the pandemic backlog from 2021 which was just shy of 500,000.

At the start of 2023 Parliament was told pre-pandemic levels should be back in just a few months, and that all eligible DVSA staffers were asked back to carry out driving tests full time.

But despite DVSA measures to increase test capacity, average waiting times worsened or stayed at the same at 45 per cent of test centres.

Between 2 October 2023, when the DVSA started adding more test slots to try to tackle the backlog, and 29 January 2024, waiting times worsened at 15 per cent of all test centres. It stayed the same at 25 per cent and improved at 60 per cent.

Do test delays have a negative affect on pass rates?

Between March 2023 and 2024, the UK saw the lowest number of theory and practical tests conducted and passed since 2021

Car background check provider Cap Hpi found there is a correlation between extended waiting times for tests and lower pass rates.

Looking at DVSA statistics, between 2023 and 2024 1,384,678 car practical tests were taken with 668,038 passes - a pass rate of 48 per cent.

By contrast 2021 to 2022 saw 751,914 passes from 1,528,314 practical driving tests - a 49 per cent pass rate.

Between March 2023 and 2024, the UK saw the lowest number of theory and practical tests conducted and passed since 2021.

In 2022, Jenna Williams, a driver instructor from Cardiff told the BBC that wait times are a reason for failed driving tests: 'I think with a backlog of waiting lists for another test, pupils are just feeling so much pressure, where like you said, if they fail, they've got five to six months and another wait'.
Memo to self. 'PRIORITY: Time to shield savings and investments from the tentacles of the Labour government  and consider sale of second home and buy-to-let property.'

It's a memo that you should pin on your fridge door if you have been able  and fortunate enough  to accumulate your own mini wealth fund to provide financial security in later life.

Irrespective of the composition of your wealth portfolio  be it shares, a buy-to-let property, a second home or a holiday-let  Labour, greedy Labour, is after a chunky slice of it when you come to dispose of any of these assets.

Only tax-friendly assets such as your pension and Individual Savings Accounts (Isas) are relatively safe from Labour's grasping hands (note the use of the word 'relatively').

Alarmist? No. Melodramatic? No. Labour is about to come after your wealth like no government in recent times  as sure as night follows day and Keely Hodgkinson's certainty of gold in last Tuesday's thrilling 800 metres Olympic final in Paris.

After cruelly taking the winter fuel payment away from millions of pensioners and axing the protective social care cap for those requiring long-term care, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has given a whopping hint of what she is about to unleash next. A spectacular capital gains tax (CGT) raid on Middle England.

Speaking in Canada, where she was busy finding out more about how the assets of mighty pension funds can be used to fuel a boom in crucial infrastructure projects, she refused to rule out an increase in the tax charged on capital gains.

Asked specifically about CGT, she did a side-step that former Rugby Union legend Barry John would have been proud of.

'It is always important when you're deciding tax policy to strike the right balance.' Side step par excellence. Code for a hike in CGT tax rates, to be announced in Reeves' debut Budget on October 30.

Capital gains tax is currently charged on the sale of various assets  including investments, businesses, properties that are not your main home and big ticket personal possessions such as jewellery and paintings. The rate you pay depends on your taxable income and the type of asset sold.

Labour is about to come after your wealth like no government in recent times

For sales of shares, unit trusts and personal possessions, basic-rate taxpayers typically pay 10 per cent (sometimes more) while higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers pay 20 per cent.

For second-home sales, the respective tax rates are 18 and 24 per cent with the latter cut from 28 per cent by former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his March Budget this year.

The only concession is that crystallised gains of up to 3,000 per tax year can be shielded from the tax.

The former Conservative Government chipped away at the annual CGT shield, reducing it from a juicy 12,300 in the tax year ending April 5, 2023 to the current 3,000. Reeves may well chip away even more, but what is more likely is a pushing up of the CGT tax rates in line with income taxes which would be 20, 40 and 45 per cent.

When the Chancellor could strike

The change could happen as early as Budget Day (October 30). Louise Wickens, private client tax director at accountants James Cowper Kreston, says: 'As CGT is a transaction tax, a change midway through a tax year is possible. So, any increases could apply soon after October 30.'

Ideologically, higher CGT rates would tick all of Labour's boxes  and Reeves could justify her move by pointing to analysis done in late 2020 by the now disbanded Office of Tax Simplification.

A report it compiled concluded that the 'disparity' in rates between CGT and income tax 'can distort business and family-decision making and creates an incentive for taxpayers to arrange their affairs in ways that recharacterise income as capital gains'.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks in the House of Commons last month

Not everyone agrees. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a think tank, says removal of the 'disparity' would be a 'mistake', discouraging private investment.

David Denton, technical consultant at financial adviser Quilter Cheviot, agrees. He told Wealth: 'There is a perception that CGT only impacts the wealthy and as a result increasing the tax rates may do little to diminish Labour's popularity.

'But a significant amount of the tax paid comes from the sale of businesses by successful entrepreneurs  and given the Government's focus on economic growth, any CGT hike could discourage such risk-taking.'

Valid counter arguments, of course. But as Matthew Spencer, tax partner at law firm Kingsley Napley, says: 'An increase in CGT now feels like an inevitability.'

How increases in CGT rates could hit you

So, as speculation mounts that the Chancellor is planning a CGT raid on October 30, Wealth asked tax expert Chris Shepard to get out his calculator and do some number crunching.

Wealth presented Shepard, a partner in private tax client services at wealth manager Evelyn Partners, with two scenarios.

First, someone crystallising 10,000 of investment gains and then somebody else making 30,000 of profits from the sale of a second property.

For a basic, higher and additional rate taxpayer, Shepard calculated the CGT tax charges that would be levied now  and then the charges if CGT tax rates were aligned with income taxes.

He has done the sums on the basis that the annual capital gains tax allowance is kept at 3,000.

As is the way with tax, Shepard has had to make other assumptions to arrive at the figures. The key one is that for the three categories of taxpayer, he has assumed the whole gain is charged at one rate of CGT when often slices are charged at different rates.

Shepard has also used the income tax rates that apply in England and Northern Ireland  different rates apply in Scotland.

The results are in the table opposite and confirm rather galling increases in CGT tax bills, both in absolute and percentage terms.

As expected, it is higher and additional rate taxpayers that face the biggest hikes.

For example, a 40 per cent taxpayer banking 10,000 of share profits will see their CGT bill double to 2,800 while an additional rate taxpayer will face a tax charge 125 per cent higher  3,150 as opposed to 1,400 now.

For a higher rate taxpayer crystallising a 30,000 gain from the sale of a second property, their CGT bill would jump from 6,480 to 10,800.

If these higher CGT rates were accompanied by another cut in the CGT allowance, the tax takes would be even larger.

A 1,000 annual allowance would result in the higher rate taxpayer paying CGT of 11,600 on the 30,000 property gain.

Yes, analysis based on ifs and buts, but an indication of what is heading our way.

What action you can take to mitigate tax

Investors can minimise CGT bills by holding as much of their investments as possible inside Isas where profits can be taken tax-free.

So, take advantage of your current 20,000 Isa allowance as much as you can afford to  don't allow it to go unused.

And look to transfer existing shares into an Isa. This can be done through 'bed and Isa'  where shares are sold and then bought back straightaway inside the Isa. The amount that goes into the Isa counts towards your annual allowance.

Investing platforms provide this service although they will charge. Stamp duty of 0.5 per cent is also payable on the repurchase  fund repurchases are exempt. Investors also should be aware that the 'bedding' (selling) may incur a CGT charge if the gain exceeds the 3,000 nil-rate allowance. Another sensible tactic is to transfer investments to a spouse or civil partner if they are on a lower income tax rate.

For owners of second homes or buy-to-lets who had already been thinking about disposing of a property before Labour arrived on the scene, it might well pay them to push through a sale as soon as possible

Shares disposed of by a spouse who is a higher rate taxpayer will potentially attract a bigger CGT bill than a partner who is a basic rate taxpayer.

Resultingly, it makes perfect sense for the spouse who pays a lower rate of tax to own more of the family investments.

Such interspousal transfers are tax-free and apply to any financial asset  not just shares.

Any shareholdings held outside of an Isa  and standing at a loss  should be left alone. They are better crystallised when Labour increases CGT rates, offsetting gains made elsewhere and reducing the size of any tax bill.

For owners of second homes or buy-to-lets who had already been thinking about disposing of a property before Labour arrived on the scene, it might well pay them to push through a sale as soon as possible.

But contented second property owners should do nothing, according to Quilter Cheviot's Denton. He says: 'Unless selling a second home is already part of your plan, making decisions based on what might happen to CGT is not sensible.'

This argument, he adds, equally applies to the realisation of gains from investments or the sale of a business.

And maybe it could be even worse

As we have already found out, this Chancellor is capable of pulling rabbits out of her hat under the cloak of acting in the best interests of the country. Think winter fuel payment, think social care cap.

So, on CGT, Evelyn's Shepard says she could (not will) scrap the current exemption for gains on investments held by someone when they die.

Such assets currently fall under the friendlier inheritance tax regime.

He also says Reeves could drag more investors into CGT by reducing the annual Isa allowance  or bringing in some kind of 'lifetime' Isa limit with sums above the cap subject to tax.

Neither of these measures, he argues, would be massive revenue-raisers, so are unlikely.

On the possibility of CGT being slapped on the sale of our main homes, Shepard says Sir Keir Starmer ruled this out in the general election campaign.

But as the tax expert warns, Reeves' recent comments on the apparent poor health of the public finances rule little out  beyond her commitment not to raise current rates of income tax, National Insurance contributions and VAT. God forbid.

PS: Don't forget the memo  and be sure to act on it.
Everything from having a dated haircut to clinging on to old fashion trends can make you appear older than you are  but can your investing style do this too?

Finance experts have pinpointed the differences between older and younger investors' portfolios and identified where even the most experienced could do with an update.

The stakes are high. Showing your age in your appearance is cosmetic  but doing it through your investments could cost you thousands of pounds in retirement. However, is the younger approach always better?

The Mail on Sunday asked some of Britain's biggest DIY investment platforms to analyse their client portfolios by age and has also obtained exclusive survey data from private bank Arbuthnot Latham on the investment habits of different generations.

Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at platform AJ Bell, says that some of the differences between the generations are stark.

Data from the Interactive Investor platform shows that its 18 to 24-year-old cohort enjoyed a return of 5.1 per cent in the first three months of this year on average, compared with four per cent for its investors in general.

However, before you ditch your traditional UK company shares for investments such as Bitcoin, which are more popular with younger investors, Khalaf is quick to point out that some of the habits of older people are completely right for their stage of life.

'In general, if you've been investing for lots of your life and you're reaching retirement, you've probably got the hang of things,' he says.

Investing goals also vary depending on your time of life. For example, you may move away from targeting the best possible returns when you're younger to being happy with lower returns as you get older  if it means taking on less risk.

Here are some of the top trends among older investors  and guidance on whether you should ditch them, or follow them.

1. Buying shares not funds

Older investors are twice as likely to hold shares in UK companies and investment trusts than those who are starting out, figures from investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown suggest.

And as many as 16 of the top 20 holdings for those aged 40 to 60 are individual shares, among AJ Bell customers. In contrast, individual shares make up just seven of the top 20 for those in the 18 to 40 age bracket. And while younger investors snub single stocks, they are more likely to favour funds than their older counterparts.

Victoria Hasler, head of fund research at Hargreaves Lansdown, says: 'Funds are popular with younger investors because they offer access to a range of companies, sectors and geographies in one product.

'This can be a particularly useful way for young investors to achieve a diversified portfolio with just a small nest egg.'

Should you rejuvenate?

Investing in individual shares means your portfolio is likely to be more volatile and more risky, though there is the potential for greater outperformance if you make the right calls.

Investing in funds can be a great way to gain access to a large pool of companies at any age. They can be well worth considering, even if you have been a committed share investor for decades.

Platform charges for buying and selling individual shares are typically more expensive than funds.

2. Holding mainly UK investments

So-called 'home bias', where most of your investments are in the country where you live, has no place in the younger generation's investment portfolio. But, older investors still favour Great Britain despite several years of disappointment.

UK companies Lloyds Banking Group, BP, Shell, GSK and the National Grid all feature in the top ten most popular investments among over-60s at AJ Bell.

Investors under 30 are far more likely to invest in US-listed shares including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft and Tesla.

Younger investors are also more likely to hold global tracker funds, which seek to mirror the performance of an index of the biggest companies around the world.

UK companies Lloyds Banking Group, BP, Shell, and the National Grid all feature in the top ten most popular investments among over-60s at AJ Bell

Should you rejuvenate?

The UK stock market has underperformed in recent years, and in spring the FTSE 100 index of top stocks had never looked cheaper in comparison to the US market.

That won't have done older investors any favours. However, now might not be the time to sell out from your UK company investments for two main reasons.

Many commentators are still hopeful about the outlook for the UK market  especially since its stocks are so cheap compared to those of other countries. Alex Wright, portfolio manager at Fidelity, describes current valuations as an 'attractive opportunity'.

Second, though the UK stock market has not proven to be a great place to find growth in company share prices, the UK can be a good hunting ground for companies that pay a generous income. The FTSE 100 index of the biggest UK companies currently pays a healthy yield of around 4 per cent.

Older investors in particular tend to value income because they are more likely to be living off the dividends that their portfolio yields.

Younger investors, by comparison, are often happier prioritising growth because they are still accumulating rather than taking an income from their funds.

Khalaf at AJ Bell says: 'Having more in the UK as we get older probably makes sense, because you get a good high level of dividends from the UK.

'Whereas if you go overseas, you can still get dividends, but your yield is significantly lower.'

But that isn't to say your entire portfolio should be invested in UK stocks. For most investors, having a mix of both UK and other holdings is the ideal solution.

3. Holding funds with high charges

Older investors who hold funds are most likely to buy actively managed options run by experts. It seems they are happiest putting their faith in fund managers to seek out the best companies to invest in.

By contrast, younger investors are more likely to hold passive rather than active funds. These are not run by a fund manager. Instead, they use algorithms to mirror the performance of an index, such as the FTSE 100 index of the biggest UK companies or the S&P 500 index of the largest US ones.

AJ Bell's analysis of the top 20 investment products held by its clients found that 11 out of 20 of the most popular investments for under 40s were passive funds.

By comparison, none of the top 20 investments held by over 60s were passive funds. Four active funds made it into the top 20 for over 60s  the rest were all UK shares. These funds are Terry Smith's Fundsmith Equity fund, and investment trusts JP Morgan Growth and Income, Scottish Mortgage and City of London.

Should you rejuvenate?

Passive funds tend to be considerably cheaper than actively managed ones. This is because you are not paying for expert fund managers.

However, their disadvantage is that they seek to mirror the performance of the stock market so do not offer the possibility of outperforming.

Glaxo Smith Kline also features in the top ten most popular investments among over-60s at AJ Bell

If you find a fund manager who consistently outperforms the market, they may offer a better overall return than a passive alternative  even when their fees are taken into account. But, you'll have to pick wisely.

Only 35 per cent of active funds have beaten the average passive fund in their sector this year, according to research by AJ Bell. The same proportion  just 35 per cent  have outperformed over ten years. For most investors, the best solution could be a mix of active and passive funds.

Some investors opt to use passive funds to get cheap access to a region or sector. They then top this up with investments in active funds where they believe they will add value.

Khalaf at AJ Bell warns that older investors may not be choosing actively managed funds because they believe they are the best option. They may instead be investing in this style because it is what they have always done.

'Many older people started investing in the era of 'star' fund managers who made their investors money by picking stocks and charging them more for it,' he says. 'This might explain the skew towards active funds in their portfolios.'

If you have not scrutinised your mix of active and passive funds for a while, it may be worth checking if the balance is still right for you  or ready for a sprucing up.

4. Owning gilts and bonds

Older generations are far more likely to hold UK government debt  known as gilts  and company debt  known as corporate bonds.

Gilts and corporate bonds can be a useful way to tone down the risk of a portfolio.

For example, the UK government is extremely unlikely to default on its debt so gilts are seen as a relatively safe option.

Buying the debt of large, blue-chip companies also tends to be seen as relatively secure.

Gilts and bonds typically act in a different way to company shares, so this, too, can help reduce risk. In general, as shares rise in value, gilts and bonds fall, and vice versa. However, this is not always the case.

Should you rejuvenate?

There are many benefits to investing in gilts, especially for older and wealthier investors.

Hasler, at Hargreaves Lansdown, points out that profits on gilts are not subject to capital gains tax, which may be more of a concern to older investors who are likely to have larger portfolios.

You don't have to pay capital gains on investment profits held in tax-free wrappers such as Isas or pensions. But Hasler says: 'Gilts can be a useful place to put money that is not in tax-exempt products.'

She adds: 'Gilt ownership is most popular with our investors approaching retirement, as this group is likely looking to reduce risk and to be paying more tax than their older and younger counterparts.'

Gilts and bonds can be a great option  especially for older investors. But it is always worth making sure that you are happy with the proportion of your portfolio that they comprise.

5. Staying loyal to one platform

DIY investment platforms, or fund supermarkets as they used to be called, have proliferated in recent years.

There is far more choice than there used to be, but those who have already started with an older platform are unlikely to have subsequently shopped around to ensure they're still getting a good deal.

Younger investors are more likely to have considered some of the newer options.

For example, AJ Bell launched its Dodl brand in 2022, which offers lower fees than its standard platform. Its account charge is 0.15 per cent (a minimum of 1 a month), versus up to 0.25 per cent for the traditional brand.

Fund group Vanguard launched a platform in the UK in 2017, where Isa fees are a rock-bottom 0.15 per cent.

By comparison, Hargreaves Lansdown charges up to 0.45 per cent for holding a stocks and shares Isa on its platform.

Should you switch?

Newer platforms may have lower charges, but might not have the functionality that older investors are used to.

Dodl has a smaller range of investments available than AJ Bell's main site, and doesn't offer children's accounts, for example. Vanguard's platform only allows you to hold its own funds.

As a rule of thumb, it is foolish to pay for functionality you won't use, so it is always worth checking whether a cheaper option will offer you the investment experience you need.
It might be the last place you would expect a backlash against a 'left-wing agenda'.

But a 'radical' new ethnic studies course is proving too much for liberal Bay Area parents, who have launched a revolt against the introduction of what they claim are 'Marxist' classes in local schools.

Those opposed to the plans say children as young as 14 are being 'indoctrinated' by an ideology that does not represent their community.

The fierce backlash in Palo Alto, the birthplace of Silicon Valley, is part of a new culture war raging across California as the true blue state becomes the first in the US to require all students to take an ethnic studies course.

Even lifelong Democrats have set up lobby groups opposing 'ideological' classes that they say 'sow bigotry', 'glorify violent movements' and 'equate capitalism with racism'.

Pictured: Downtown Palo Alto, where liberal parents have launched a revolt against the introduction of what they say are 'divisive' ethnic studies classes in local schools

Palo Alto High School will teach a pilot ethnic studies course next school year in advance of a district-wide rollout in 2025-26

Palo Alto Associate Superintendent Guillermo Lopez has defended the classes, saying they aim to be 'inclusive of all communities'

They have also been embroiled in allegations of antisemitism.

In one Bay Area school, an ethnic studies teacher sparked fury after presenting a lesson that inaccurately claimed the United Nations considered the creation of Israel illegal.

It also included a slide depicting a hand manipulating a puppet, recalling antisemitic tropes about secret Jewish control of government, the media and finance.

Linor Lava, a founding member of the Palo Alto Parent Alliance, whose son is an incoming senior, told DailyMail.com that the proposed curriculum was 'frankly scary'.

She said that while the Bay Area was liberal, most parents did not agree with the 'extreme ideologies' set to be taught in schools.

'It doesn't represent a huge swath of the community,' she added.

The dispute is a flavor of what lies ahead across America, as states including Oregon, Vermont and Minnesota plan to introduce K-12 ethnic studies in the coming years.

It centers around differing interpretations of what 'ethnic studies' is.

One is an 'inclusive' approach, which advocates say offers students an opportunity to learn about both the contributions and struggles of California's ethnic groups, but crucially avoids pitting communities against each other.

It is this form of ethnic studies that has been supported by Governor Gavin Newsom and state legislators.

Parents in Palo Alto and elsewhere, however, fear that out-of-touch educators are in fact ushering in an ideological and 'divisive' version that reduces history to 'oppressors versus the oppressed' and 'seeks to create a generation of activists'.

This 'liberated' ethnic studies has its roots in the 1960s Black Power movement's neo-Marxist critical race theory, which has been attacked by critics for admonishing all white people as oppressors.

Supporters of liberated ethnic studies say racism and white supremacy are real and must be addressed in the classroom.

Its teaching has been restricted or banned in 17 states, according to Education Week, but only one of which, Virginia, voted Democrat in 2020.

But it now appears to be enraging California moderates.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring high school students to take ethnic studies classes to learn about the contributions and oppression of people of color in America

But some of the course content has been mired in allegations of antisemitism. An ethnic studies teacher at Menlo-Atherton High School in Sequoia sparked fury after her lesson inaccurately claimed the United Nations considered the creation of Israel illegal (pictured)

Parents are concerned that education groups such as the Berkeley History Social-Science Project are encouraging schools to teach controversial material that encourages violent revolution and creates a 'generation of activists'. Pictured above: A lesson plan from the Berkeley Project includes the Communist Manifesto and literature from the Cuban Revolution

Lifelong Democrat Elina Kaplan co-founded the Alliance for Constructive Ethnic Studies to challenge the use of 'liberated' ethnic studies in California.

Its campaign slogan reads: 'Don't let ethnic studies be hijacked by a narrow ideological agenda.'

In Palo Alto, parents have raised concerns that the school district has enlisted an education group whose logo is a tombstone etched 'herein lyeth buried capitalism and control' as curriculum consultants.

The Berkeley History Social-Science Project has been working with the district to build a pilot ethnic studies class this fall, before the mandatory course is rolled out next year.

In May, the Palo Alto Parent Alliance circulated a letter highlighting lesson plans and texts previously advertised by the Berkeley project.

These included the seminal 'liberated' ethnic studies book 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed', which calls for a 'cultural revolution' that 'involves gunpowder'.

One presentation under a lesson called 'Manifestos for a Just Society' includes the Communist Manifesto and literature from the Cuban Revolution.

The school district has said that the material on the Berkeley project's website does not apply to the course that will be taught to Palo Alto children.

Associated Superintendent Guillermo Lopez told The San Francisco Chronicle that the aim 'is to be inclusive of all communities'.

But parents have hit back, saying the district has not been transparent about what is included in the course, despite repeated requests for clarity.

Sarith Honigstein, 47, said educators had refused to meet with parents or provide details beyond unit titles of what was to be included in classes.

'That's the crazy thing,' she told DailyMail.com. 'There is little to no transparency.

'There is no opposition to ethnic studies at all. We hope that it will cover the very real hardships ethnic groups have faced, such as slavery and racism.

'But the key is balance. A course that relegates groups to oppressors and oppressed is problematic for us.'

'Liberated' ethnic studies has its roots in the 1960s Black Power movement's neo-Marxist critical race theory, which has been attacked by critics for admonishing all white people as oppressors. Its teaching has been restricted or banned in 17 states

A petition by the Palo Alto Parent Alliance to pause the rollout of the ethnic studies pilot has gained 1,400 signatures.

Jason Muniz, director of the Berkeley History-Social Science Project, said that their aim was not to tell teachers to teach one curriculum over another, but to help them tailor the class to their own district.

Similar arguments are playing out across the state, with officials in San Mateo receiving hundreds of emails last year from parents saying that the district's ethnic studies course was pushing a left-wing agenda onto students.

Superintendent Randall Booker refuted the claims.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit Deborah Project, which represents Jewish and pro-Israel interests, has sued the Los Altos High School District in a bid to get it to release documents related to its ethnic studies curriculum.

The issue has been flagged by the Newsom administration itself, with education advisor Brooks Allen writing to school leaders in August last year highlighting how some courses have been offering materials that promote bias, bigotry and discrimination against particular groups.

And an editorial in The Los Angeles Times warned the incoming curriculum 'feels like it is more about imposing predigested political views on students than about widening their perspectives'.

Ethnic studies will be taught at all Californian high schools starting in 2025-26 and will become a graduation requirement in 2030.

Governor Gavin Newsom has put $50million towards curriculum development and teacher development.

DailyMail.com contacted the California Department of Education for comment.
A small park cafe has been forced to fork out 6,000 in the last three months for a 'disgusting' reason, staff say.

Sip and Slice at Sutton Park near Birmingham has urged visitors to treat their facilities 'with respect' before adamantly stating: 'This cannot continue.'

The quaint eatery boasts an outdoor seating area as well as a toilet block which can be used by diners as well as people frequenting Bracebridge Pool.

However the small business has warned if the disgusting misuse, which has seen their pipes rammed with soiled nappies and more, the toilets will be shut for good.

The team at Sip and Slice, situated next-door to the Bracebridge restaurant, took to social media hitting out at people who have a lack of respect for the toilets.

Sip and Slice has had to fork out a staggering 6,000 in the last three months due to sewage pipes blocked with baby wipes, nappies and more

The company has urged parkgoers to stop misusing the toilets or they will be forced to close them for good (file image of Sutton Park, Coldfield)

'As you know we provide toilets outside which are based at Sip and Slice for the benefit of people using the park,' they explained.

'We don't request you're a customer of Sip and Slice, however we do ask that the facilities are treated with respect.'

They divulged that despite several pleas for parkgoers to be mindful when using the lavatory, their requests continue to go ignored.

They continued: 'We request that people do not put baby wipes, nappies and other items down the toilets as it blocks the sewers up which is very costly.

'To date, in three months, we have paid in excess of 6,000 unblocking and clearing the sewers because people do not follow the instructions and requests.

'The team that need to clear the sewers have found everything mentioned above and more.'

Defiant that the lack of respect for the lavatory they maintain 'cannot continue', the establishment waned the toilets would be closed for good if they continued to be disrespected.

'We honestly would rather not however we can't continue to pay charges to cover the misuse of the toilets for which we provide to assist those visiting the park.

The team at Sip and Slice, situated next-door to the Bracebridge restaurant, took to social media hitting out at people who have a lack of respect for the toilets (pictured: Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham)

The potential closure of the park wouldn't impact their customers only visitors to the park (pictured: Sutton Park)

'The closure won't impact customers as they can continue to utilise the toilets provided at the Bracebridge.'

Sip Slice first opened its doors at the beginning of the year with its neighbours The Bracebridge relaunching under a different name.

The toilet chaos comes shortly after The Bracebridge was at the centre of a one-star Google review blackmail plot in July.

Chef Andy Sheridan, who has appeared on Great British Menu, said he and business partner Sam Morgan's eateries were targeted by criminals demanding four-figure payments or else they would be hit with fake reviews.

The pair, who run a number of restaurants across England including the Bracebridge, say they initially ignored the demands until they noticed fake criticisms of their businesses cropping up on Google and TripAdvisor.

Others flooded in on Google - targeting not only the duo's Liverpool restaurant but the Bracebridge gastropub in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham - making baseless claims about each business.

One fake review left for the Bracebridge read: 'Disappoints with its lacklustre service and mediocre food quality, ambience was dull and prices did not justify the experience. Not recommended for discerning diners seeking quality dining.'

Andy Sheridan and Sam Morgan say their restaurants were targeted by fraudsters seeking money in exchange for not posting negative reviews in July

This fake review was shared after the pair refused to hand over 2,000 to blackmailers who threatened to slate their restaurants online

Mr Morgan decided to take action, trying to find out as much as he could about the fraudsters while also reporting their malicious reviews to tech giants in order to have them removed - with varying degrees of success.

He told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours: 'This is just classic fraudster tricks. The weapon is fear - ultimately we are a small independent business...we are not a multi-million organisation, we don't have the resources that tackle these things.'

He began to 'play along' with the fraudsters, asking for payment details and even convincing them to share a copy of their passport as proof of their identity, though he suspected the paperwork is fake.

After he stopped communicating with the fraudsters, malicious reviews began to appear online - and he was disappointed that it was only after the media got involved that the likes of Google intervened to cull the fake posts.
A learner driver has revealed she had to travel 400 miles so she could take her driving test and skip a six-month waiting list.

Kayla Van Dorsten, 18, travelled from her home in Surrey to Cornwall so she could finally take her motoring test.

The student claims she was left with very little choice but to make the lengthy journey and stayed overnight to take her test.

She said: 'I was already nervous about taking my driving test, but being in an unfamiliar area raised new obstacles to navigate.

Kayla Van Dorsten (pictured) travelled 400 miles so she could finally take her motoring test to avoid the six month wait at her local centre

The journey Kayla travelled for her driving test due to a lengthy waiting list at her local driving centres

The learner told SurreyLive: 'There were different speed limits from the local routes I had practised on and also other road users that I wasn't familiar with, like tractors.'

'Taking the test four hours away meant I had to take two days out of education and pay for overnight accommodation and petrol to get to the test centre.

'It was very inconvenient, but I needed to get my licence as soon as possible because I couldn't rely on public transport anymore due to strikes to get to college.'

According to learner driver insurance broker, Marmalade, by 2030 driving hopefuls could be venturing up to 25 miles for a test.

Several Freedom of Information requests (FOIs) issued over a six-month period unearthed six million records between 2019 and 2023.

The research conducted by Marmalade found the average distance travelled across the UK by learners for a test was 12.33 miles.

This was nearly up by half from the distance travelled back in 2019, which was previously 8.33 miles.

The figures also show distances across the UK are increasing on average by 10.3 per cent annually.

The student claims she was left with very little choice but to make the lengthy journey from Surrey to Cornwall as unreliable public transport and strikes (stock image)

According to her the arduous journey as well as an overnight stay in Cornwall was necessary so she could skip the six-month waiting list at local driving centres (stock image)

'I was already nervous about taking my driving test, but being in an unfamiliar area raised new obstacles to navigate,' she said (stock image)

The research also suggests there are huge disparities in the waiting times candidates are having to endure in various regions.

Learners in the southeast of England were travelling further than anyone else for a driving test, raking up an average of 13.9 miles.

However those in the northwest of the country were venturing 7.1 miles in comparison.

Regarding distance travelled by learners to test centres rising, London leads the way.

Between 2019 and 2023, their average mileage to a test went up by more than double from 7.7 miles to 17.7 miles.

Driving instructor Mark Steeples, from Pass Mark School of Driving, said: 'I find it pretty astonishing that learners could end up having to travel around 25 miles for a test.

'I'm amazed at the year-on-year increase in distance travelled for a test, but I suppose it shows the desperation that people have in wanting to learn how to drive and they'll go to any means necessary to do it.'

Mark added: 'I've had enquiries from people who want to learn and get into a test around 50 miles away from me. Why go to an area that you don't know?

'It's hard enough doing a test anyway, you have a lifetime to drive on the UK roads, but don't pick the day of your driving test to do that.

Student Emily Doyle (pictured), 22, made a 1,000-mile round trip to Aberdeen to take her driving test because she couldn't get a slot in her area

The long route from Aberdeen to Windsor, Berkshire Emily travelled to pass her test

'A lot of instructors just teach test routes in the local area, but that means that most learners won't be prepared for any test route and the potential impacts of driving in a new place.'

This comes shortly after another student passed her driving test despite being forced to book it at a centre a 1,000-mile round trip away from her home town.

Emily Doyle, 22, travelled to Aberdeen with her mother Audrey, 50, from Windsor, Berkshire, last month.

Miss Doyle, who is studying musical theatre, had been trying to book a local test since she passed her theory exam in April.

But she could not find a date and decided to look elsewhere.
An Aboriginal councillor has slammed Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore for ruining parts of the city and claims it is 'time for a refresh' and a new leader.

Wiradjuri woman Yvonne Weldon became the first Indigenous councillor in the City of Sydney's 180-year history when she was elected in 2021.

The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council deputy chairwoman now hopes to become the city's first Aboriginal mayor after announcing earlier this month that she is gunning for the top job - with an election due to be held in September.

She has vowed to get the city back on track if she is elected as mayor and accused Ms Moore of ruining several aspects of Sydney such as housing and the nightlife.

Ms Moore has served as mayor since 2004 - the longest running leader since the council area was formed in 1842.

'It's definitely time for renewed leadership, a renewed vision and a fresh leadership. It's time for a refresh,' Ms Weldon said.

'It's not about PR or legacy building or any of those things. It's actually about bringing the city together, and I think it's so fragmented in so many different ways.

City of Sydney's first Aboriginal Councillor Yvonne Weldon (pictured) announced she was running for Mayor in the next local government elections

'What's disappointing is that you see parts of our city that is just dying off, and it's important to have fresh leadership, and you're not going to do that with the same person that's been there for two decades.

'I've always been about community engagement and in a meaningful way. I'm running to be Sydney's next mayor. I'm running to build a better future.'

Ms Weldon said her vision for Sydney is one of inclusivity, opportunity and accessibility for all residents regardless of their social or economic standing.

She said she will work with state government to create more affordable housing, including homes for workers and people trying to escape domestic violence.

'We have a city where people cannot afford to live,' Ms Weldon said.

'We don't have enough affordable housing, and we need more homes for essential workers, creatives, and those people that are also escaping domestic and family violence.

'I want to see mixed-use in parts of our city, and it can't just be about the ones that can afford the multi-billion or million dollar apartments.

'We need to see where we can have those mixed developments that include people that are part of everyday life and that should be a part of everyday life.'

Ms Weldon claimed it was 'time for a refresh' as the city had suffered a decline under current Lord Mayor Clover Moore - who has held the top job for two decades

Ms Weldon took a swipe at Ms Moore over Sydney's decline in art and nightlife.

She labelled Oxford Street - which has had a long history as one of Sydney's nightlife and shopping hotspots - as being 'in a sad state'.

'Our nightlife is in retreat, our arts institutions are suffering and we're losing too many creatives and young people,' Ms Weldon said.

'This has all happened over many years on Clover Moore's watch.'

She added basic services, including waste management, waste collection and asbestos clean-ups had also declined under Ms Moore.

Ms Weldon also wants to accelerate the city's transition to a green economy and suggested a 'solar sharing' policy to ensure people who cannot afford to make the switch are able to support greener alternatives.

'To truly reach net zero, everyone has to be able to contribute. It's important to support businesses and the people that live in our city,' she said.

'I'll establish a rates rebate for households and businesses who install solar or switch to green power.

'If people are fortunate enough to rent, but cannot afford to switch to solar, then solar sharing within apartments is also an option.

'We can start to assist others to be able to be on a greener economy direction, rather than sort of just struggling in a non-green way.'

Ms Weldon has also vowed to scrap 'Lord' from the job title if she is elected, claiming she wants to work 'alongside' Australians not 'preside over them'.

The councillor had previously moved a motion to remove the 'Lord' from the mayoral title but it was voted down.

'It's actually optional, you don't need to have it... and for me it actually represents that you're above people in a superior way,' Ms Weldon said.

'That's not who I am. I actually am just of the people and want to serve alongside them, not preside over them.

'I also think about the connotations around the 'Lord' that sort of date back to colonial days. It's about the people not the position.'

Ms Weldon explained she visited London and found that parts of the city were extremely inclusive. The city's mayor was also 'just a mayor', despite having its own colonial history, and being a global centre of business.

She added that her campaign to have a publicly funded statue of an Indigenous figure was still ongoing despite being rejected by council twice.

Ms Weldon hoped, if elected, council would approve the proposal of erecting a statue to commemorate 15-year-old Indigenous woman Patyegarang - for her role in preserving the Gadigal language.

'This is an opportunity to be inclusive. To have a city and represent history in a fair way,' Ms Weldon said.

There are 25 statues honouring British colonists dotted throughout Sydney's CBD but not one single statue on public land celebrating a First Nations historical figure.

If elected, Ms Weldon (centre) said she will work to create more affordable housing, accelerate the city's transition to a greener economy and champion artists and local businesses

Ms Weldon said her vision for Sydney is one of inclusivity, opportunity and accessibility for all residents regardless of their social, cultural or economic standing (pictured, second from left)

Ms Weldon made headlines in 2023 after turning an interview about waste removal into a slur on British explorer James Cook, calling the anniversary of his death 'a special day'.

Ms Weldon has held numerous senior positions in NSW Government, non-government and Aboriginal controlled organisations working across health, human services, child protection and housing.

She has served as the elected Chair of the Metropolitan, Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deputy Chair of the NSW Australia Day Council and as a Board member of Domestic Violence NSW.

In 2022, Ms Weldon was recognised as the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Aboriginal community.

She also recently published her debut novel, Sixty-Seven Days, a story about love, family and culture.
Beyond its endless sunshine and sandy beaches, Spain has a dark history that has stained the nation to this day.

For hundreds of years, people were burned at the stake, stretched to death, or otherwise tortured for the sole reason that they were not Catholic.

The Spanish Inquisition is considered to be one of the most shameful and grotesque periods in Roman Catholic history. According to some modern estimates, around 150,000 people were prosecuted for various offences during the three-century duration of the reign of terror, of whom between 3,000 and 5,000 were executed after enduring some of the most spine chilling acts of torture imaginable.

Extensive archival material contains accounts of torture victims' cries and descriptions of funeral pyres, atrocities which continue to horrify historians to this day.

The horrors of the Inquisition are among some of the most sadistic acts of terror in history, which extended into every area of Spanish society and almost every corner of its global empire.

Illustration of Tomas de Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition, with King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella in 1478

The Spanish Inquisition was a council to combat heresy, authorised by a papal bull in 1478 and established by King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of the Crown, in 1480

The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition, was established in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms and to replace the Medieval Inquisition, which was under Papal control

In 1478, when the Christian kings of Castile began their Reconquest, they consolidated their power in the monarchy and the newly unified Spanish Kingdom of Castile and Aragon through brutal methods that led to widespread death and suffering, all in the name of maintaining Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms.

The Inquisition was characterised by secret procedures, the use of vicious and dehumanising torture methods during interrogations and the complete lack of rights for the accused.

One of the main torture devices was the rack, a device consisting of a rectangular, usually wooden frame, slightly raised from the ground, with a roller at one or both ends. The victim's ankles would be fastened to one roller and the wrists chained to the other. As the interrogation would progress, a handle attached to the top roller would be used very gradually to retract the chains, slowly increasing the strain on the prisoner's shoulders, hips, knees, and elbows and causing excruciating pain.

If the roller was turned too far, it could lead to the dismemberment of limbs.

Just by seeing the horrific pain endured by someone, others who were awaiting interrogation would confess to anything, just to avoid being tortured.

The rack would usually be used in two instances. The first lasted several turns, with the intention of frightening the prisoner. After, the machine would be stopped and the victim was told to 'speak'. If they did not confess, they would be succumbed to another round of interrogation and torture.

Victims could be cruelly stretched by up to 30 centimetres, the pain unbearable. After just a few turns, the sufferer would not be able to stand up or walk. In many cases, defendants died.

Another harrowing method was the use of the pulley. Here, the hands of the accused would be tied behind their back and the rope looped over a brace in the ceiling of the chamber or attached to a pulley. Then the subject would be raised from their arms, with the aim of pulling the shoulders out of their sockets.

Sometimes, the torturers added a series of drops, jerking the subject up and down. Weights could be added to the ankles and feet to make the hanging even more painful.

Another common torture method used by inquisitors was waterboarding, also referred to as 'toca' or 'tortura del agua'.

Victim of the Spanish Inquisition being tortured before a tribunal of the Spanish Inquisition. The Inquisition was established by the Spanish monarchy in 1478

The interior of a prison of the Spanish Inquisition with a priest overseeing his scribe while men and women are hung from pulleys, tortured on the rack or burned with torches, The Spanish Inquisition was a council to combat heresy, authorised by a papal bull in 1478 and established by King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of the Crown, in 1480

Jews being expelled from Spain during the Inquisition

There were several different versions of this torture method, but the most basic one consisted of water being poured down their throat to produce the sensation of drowning. In many cases, the victim would become unconscious from this.

This practice was perfected over the next few centuries, a method that is still used today by some intelligence agencies. This would consist of covering a person's face with a cloth and pouring water over it, producing extreme physical suffering and an uncontrollable feeling of panic and terror within seconds.

This form of torture had a profound religious significance to inquisitors, as it left no marks and didn't draw any blood.

In fact, inquisitors were among the first to use waterboarding. The first use of water torture has been attested to have taken place in 1516 in Graz, Austria, and the Spaniards extensively used the method in its detention centres throughout the course of the 1500s.

The US' CIA has admitted to having used this torture method against war prisoners, which included the masterminds behind the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

In 2020, the psychologist behind the CIA's post-9/11 interrogation program said that the waterboarding technique was so gruesome that even officials cried when witnessing the act.

Tomas de Torquemada, the first Grand Inquisitor of the Tribunal of the Holy Office

Torquemada is known for his ruthlessness during the Spanish Inquisition, and is known for his treatment of Jews and Muslims in Spain through the use of torture

Inquisitors also used thumb crushers to get confessions out of people, a metal instrument in which thumbs and toes were inserted in. A screw would then be used to twist fingers several times until the appendages broke.

The vaginal, oral or anal pear was another horrific torture method used by Spanish inquisitors. As the name suggests, a pear-shaped torture instrument was inserted into the mouth, vagina or anus of the victim. It would then expand by the turning of a screw, causing mutilation. Oral torture was used on preachers and prisoners with anti-Christian tendences, while vaginal torture was inflicted on women guilty of witchcraft. Anal torture targeted people accused of homosexuality. This act would almost always result in death.

The Iron Maiden was possibly one of the cruelest acts of punishment used during the Inquisition, however, it is thought to have not been used as frequently as other methods due to its severity. A prisoner would be placed into a human-shaped sarcophagus with two doors. The device had several metal spikes inside which, when the coffin was closed, pierced the flesh of the defendant, causing incredible pain. However, several historians have argued that this torture device was in fact not used during the Spanish Inquisition and in fact did not come into existence before the 1800s.

During the Inqusition, when torture was administered and no confession was obtained, the logical conclusion would be that the accused was innocent. But in most cases, defendants would say anything to prevent being tortured.

Other inquisitors used starvation and forced the accused to consume and hold vast quantities of water and other liquids. Others would heap burning coals on their body parts.

However, these were considered 'mild' torture methods, and didn't always work fast enough for the liking of inquisitors who were trying to get confessions out of people.

They would also parade their victims through the streets in chilling displays of punishment.

This created an atmosphere of terror that penetrated every aspect of society, weighing heavily on the psychology of the Spanish kingdom's citizens.

The inquisitors' main victims were Jews, who would be tortured and interrogated.

Trials, also known as 'auto de fes' originated with secret denunciations, and in most cases lasted years.

Inquisitors needed to extract a confession because they believed it was their duty to bring the accused back to the Christian faith.

A true confession resulted in the accused being forgiven, but he was usually still forced to absolve himself by going on pilgrimages or wearing multiple, heavy crosses.

But if they were found guilty, they were condemned in callous public rituals, often attended by the king in which they were forced to wear sinister hooded robes.

They would then be publicly tortured and then garrotted.

The Spanish Inquisition was a council for combating heresy, authorised by a papal bull in 1478 and established by King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of the Crown

Heretics are persecuted by members of the Catholic Church in the Spanish Inquisition

Capital punishment did allow for burning at the stake, while others were forced to become galley slaves or sent to prison.

In some cases, accused heretics who had died before their final sentencing had their corpses or bones dug up, burned and cast out.

The Catholic Monarchs' reign of terror led to some of the most vicious acts of violence on different members of Spanish society. But how exactly did the Inquisition come to be?

For 700 years, Spain was Islamic and Arabic. At its most powerful, Muslim Spain, known as Al Andalus, was a caliphate. The capital Cordoba, in southern Spain, was also home to a huge Jewish population, who were tolerated by Muslims, and generally had a peaceful coexistence.

But Al Andalus was in decline and when the Christian kings of Castile in the north began their Reconquest in the 13th century, they strove to consolidate their power by maintaining Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdom.

To achieve this, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile established the Holy Office of the Inquisition, or the Spanish Inquisition in 1478, a judicial institution.

Under a decree issued by Pope Sixtus IV, the Catholic Monarchs were able to enforce religious uniformity to expel Jews from Spain so that they could increase their absolute power.

Engraving depicting the Spanish Inquisition

Trying to escape violence, hundreds of thousands of Jews and Muslims converted to Christianity, but in 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella conquered the last Muslim emirate of Granada and ordered the expulsion of all Jews, unless they converted.

It is estimated that somewhere between 50,000 to 200,000 left Spain, and those who remained became real Christians.

However others still practised Judaism in secret and became known as crypto-Jews, whose prayerbooks were Latin on the outside but Hebrew on the inside, making them a threat to the Spanish Crown.

But this meant inquisitors were even more suspicious of people's religious identities, using torture methods as a means to get the truth out of people.

By 1483, the pope allowed the Spanish government to name a grand inquisitor to act as head of the Inquisition.

Tomas de Torquemada was selected as the first inquisitor, whose name became associated with the brutalities, religious bigotry and cruel fanaticism of the Inquisition.

He was convinced that the existence of 'Marranos' (Jewish converts), 'Moriscos' (Muslim converts), Jews and Moors was a threat to Spain's religious and social life.

An auto-da-fe, or act of faith, of the Spanish Inquisition held in the Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Inquisitional proceedings: Auto-da-fe on the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, before Charles II (Carlos II, 1661-1700), 30 June 1680. After the trial of 118 accused -among them, 104 Jews

As grand inquisitor, he issued 28 articles that outlined crimes that could be investigated by inquisitors as well as methods for interrogation and punishment.

The offenses included heresy, apostasy, sorcey, polygamy and blasphemy, among other things.

He established tribunals in Seville, Jaen, Cordoba, Ciudad Real and Zaragoza, where people were sent to torture chambers as inquisitors masked in leather would inflict pain on them.

His implacable hostility towards the Jews is thought to be one of the reasons Ferdinand and Isabella decided to expel the religious group from their dominions.

While the Jewish population in Spain was viciously targeted during the Spanish Inquisition, the religious fervour of the Catholic Monarchs also led to the persecution of Muslims and protestants.

In 1507, when Francisco Cardinal Jimenez de Cisneros was named gran inquisitor, he promoted the suppression of the Muslim population of Spain with the same zeal that Torquemada had directed at Jews.

Isabella I of Castile was the Queen of Castile and Leon, and the wife of King Ferdinand II. She was also Queen of Aragon from 1479 until her death as the wife of King Ferdinand II. Reigning together over a dynastically unified Spain, Isabella and Ferdinand are known as the Catholic Monarchs

Ferdinand II of Aragon, King of Spain. Ferdinand (1452-1516) married Isabella of Castille in 1469, uniting the kingdom of Spain. They sought to use the Inquisition to maximise their power

By 1609, some 300,000 Spanish Muslims were expelled.

While the monarchs wanted to consolidate their Catholic kingdom, money was another motivation for the Spanish Inquisition, as they funded themselves by seizing the property of those they punished.

They grew rich from destroying Jews and seizing their fortunes, and by 1500 Isabella, Ferdinand and the Spanish nobility owned 95% of land in their kingdom.

In addition, inquisitors would often order that a heretic's house be torn down and everything else the heretic possessed be confiscated and sold.

Monetary fines would also be imposed on those who were considered heretics, but if they were already dead, their children would be fined.

English merchant Nicholas Burton is tortured by officers of the Spanish Inquisition whilst imprisoned in Cadiz, 1560. He converted several of his fellow prisoners to the Protestant faith before he was martyred at the stake in Seville, on 20th December 1560

Circa 1500, A prisoner undergoing torture at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition. He is trapped to a revolving wheel below which a fire is being fanned with bellows. Monks in the background wait for his confession with quill and paper

Individual inquisitors also managed to acquire great wealth during their careers, as they were known to have fabricated evidence in order to extort money from their victims.

They were even known to keep meticulous financial records about the price of torture equipment, for example, by logging the cost of the rope used to tie the hands of someone burnt at the stake.

Another feature of the Spanish Inquisition were the Holy Office's instruction manuals, which were essentially a set of rules inquisitors had to follow.

However, historians have argued that more often than not, inquisitors would devise their own personal versions of inquisitorial practice for their own personal gain.

While the Spanish Inquisition ended permanently by the Spanish queen regent Maria Cristina de Borbon in 1834, the effects of the Spanish Inquisition linger to this day, as the country is making steps to come to terms with its longstanding troubled history of antisemitism.

Inquisition Scene, 1851 (oil on canvas)

In recent years Spain has sought to confront its mistreatment of Jews by, for example, granting the descendents of those expelled from Spain during the Inquisition to obtain Spanish citizenship.

Just 10 years ago, the Spanish village of Castrillo Matajudios - which translated to Camp Kill Jews - had to officially change its name to Castrillo Mota de Judios (Jews' Hill Camp) following a referendum and regional government approval.

Documents show the village's original name was Jews' Hill Camp and that the Kill Jews name dates from 1627, in the midst of the Spanish inquisition.

Although Jews were killed in the area, researchers believe the village got its name from Jewish residents who converted to Catholicism and wanted to reinforce their repudiation of Judaism to convince Spanish authorities of their loyalty.

A landmark exhibition last year at Madrid's Prado museum put a spotlight on the religious persecution of Jews, as the gallery aimed to tell Spain's troubled history through art.

The exhibition, 'The Lost Mirror: Jews and Conversos in Medieval Spain' displayed artefacts belonging to persecuted Jews and conversos; a reminder of the thousands of people tortured, killed or expelled during Spain's reign of terror.
Furious locals have blasted plans to allow a swanky block of apartments on the seafront to be let on Airbnb for a massive 1,050 a night.

They claim the decision to allow holiday letting has come from a lack of interest in buying the luxury flats in Folkestone, Kent, built by the multi-millionaire to the Saga fortune.

The move has been branded 'absolutely outrageous' and residents fear it will 'rip the heart out of the town'.

Shoreline Crescent - made up of 84 individual properties ranging in price from 430,000 to 1.8 million - with fights between the developers having been ongoing since last year.

Furious locals have blasted plans to allow a swanky block of apartments on the seafront to be let on Airbnb for a massive 1,050 a night

They claim the decision to allow holiday letting has come from a lack of interest in buying the luxury flats in Folkestone, Kent, built by the multi-millionaire to the Saga fortune

Sir Roger De Haan - the multi-millionaire behind the development - had said Shoreline properties 'won't be used as Airbnbs at all'

Sir Roger De Haan - one of the richest people in Britain and responsible for the development - had said Shoreline properties 'won't be used as Airbnbs at all', while claiming that 'the whole community' will benefit from the investment.

But now two beach houses are being advertised as a 'luxurious holiday experience'.

Sarah Rowling, 41, who lives in the town, described the decision as a 'great shame'.

She said: 'The properties are right out of my price range. I still cannot believe how much they are priced at for what you're getting.

'I do quite like the development itself. But no local people can afford it.

'Now it appears they can't sell many, so they are having to use them as holiday lets.

'I am not surprised it's empty. This won't solve anything though.

'We'll just get more people down from London and they'll remain empty.

'It's a beautiful spot. But locals have been ignored throughout the process. We should have been included more.'

Last September locals complained that a 'high-pitched' noise from the development was keeping them 'awake all night' and driving them 'insane'.

Sarah Rowling, 41, who lives in the town, described the decision as a 'great shame'

Inside the property at Shoreline Crescent in Folkestone, Kent. Where bosses have backtracked on an Airbnb ban at a controversial seaside development

For a four-bedroom holiday let - The Beach House - is also open to stays, for an eye-watering 2,100 for two nights

The block's balconies have been blamed for the high-pitched noise which residents claim is driving people out of Folkestone

Local friends Sarah Clifton, 58, and Helen Filmer, 57, both were upset at the news.

Helen, a retired NHS executive, said: 'It's sad. For the money they are charging, they surely could have done something better for the area.

'For that price, I am not sure why you would want to live there. The views are stunning. But that's about it.

'The fact they are having to rent them out as Airbnbs is surely a demonstration that it has not worked.

'Especially after saying with clarity that it would not be an option. It's terrible.'

Locals previously compared plans for the new flats on Folkestone's shoreline to the rock house occupied by The Flintstones family in the 1960s cartoon.

Sharon, who works at Aldi, said: 'The area is run down, I am not sure why anybody would pay so much.

'What are you getting? People coming in using them as a holiday homes just means more people from away from here in the summer and then leaves them empty in the winter.'

Simon Parkinson, 44, who lives in the town, said it was a sign the scheme was unsuccessful.

The builder said: 'They clearly cannot be selling well else you would not have them as holiday lets.

'Locals have been alienated from the start and made to feel like they are not worthy of living there.

'But Folkestone, as nice as it is, is not the best tourist spot in Kent. There's others which would be of a higher priority.

'I think there's been a lot of arrogance attached to the scheme from the start and that's coming back to bite the people behind it.

'This is a massive u-turn. There's no other way of wording it as a massive reversal in their plans.'

Local friends Sarah Clifton, 58, and Helen Filmer, 57, both were upset at the news

A two-bed called The View is available for 526.25 a night, with a two-night minimum stay

The block is part of a major development containing a planned 1,000 homes being led by the heir to the Saga fortune, Sir Roger De Haan

Simon said he feared they would have to rent out other properties in the complex.

He said: 'They cannot be happy doing it. And I think it's just awful.

'There might be a few visitors in the summer but come the winter, who will want to stay?

'So between September and April or May, it'll be even emptier.'

Outdoor instructor Oliver Daw, 25, said he was now expecting an influx of people from out of town to use it.

He said: 'It's been priced out of reach for locals from the start and I think that has proved a problem for them.

'People feel left out. Bringing in people to rent them from outside of here is surely not the answer.

'It's just going to cause more problems.

'It's a great place to live. But this is just pricing out people from in the town.'

Mark Goodwin, 33, said he was 'staggered' at the Airbnb news.

The administrator said: 'It makes zero sense, other than they need to get some money.

'There's not been any thought for local people here at all.'

A sales brochure for flats in Shoreline Crescent boasts the properties offer 'sprawling rooftop terraces' with 'uninterrupted views out to sea.'

The block, which is described in its brochure as 'one of the finest beachside developments in the country,' was designed by award-winning architecture practice AMCE, which has also led projects in destinations including London and Berlin.

The new block sits on the beach at Folkestone offering uninterrupted views of the sea

Outdoor instructor Oliver Daw, 25, said he was now expecting an influx of people from out of town to use it

Photographer Neil Gear, 53, said he was concerned the project was not in keeping with the area

Photographer Neil Gear, 53, said he was concerned the project was not in keeping with the area.

He said: 'They cannot be selling them. This is surely not the answer to just let them out.'

Both of the houses are being advertised by Canterbury-based holiday letting agency Bloom Stays, including on Booking.com.

A two-bed called The View is available for 526.25 a night, with a two-night minimum.

A bigger four-bedroom holiday let - The Beach House - is also open to stays, for an eye-watering 2,100 for two nights.

For the two-bed, August 8-14 has already been booked out.

The Beach House is occupied from August 1-15, and then again from August 23 to the 25. August 31 is also taken.

A Shoreline spokesman has admitted: 'The strategy at Shoreline Folkestone has evolved to allow short-term rental due to the strong demand from people wanting to experience beachside living in our great town for themselves.

'We have put in place tangible measures to ensure that anyone renting properties do not adversely affect their neighbours or the wider local community and we are working with quality partners to manage the process.'
Furious Isle of Wight locals have accused ferry companies of holding them to ransom and say they can't wait to move after being charged 440 for a return ticket to the mainland.

Islanders say they cannot afford to cross the Solent due to soaring costs and unreliable services.

'Ridiculous' ferry prices, cancellations, and delays are blighting their lives with some now wishing they had never moved to the island who say it is making them feel 'completely cut off from society'.

Others revealed they had life-saving hospital trips delayed because there was no room on the ferry.

At peak times, such as Cowes Week and the Isle of Wight Festival, a return journey can cost as much as 440 with the ferry providers using a flexible 'airline' model for prices.

Red Funnel and Wightlink have been accused by Isle of Wight locals of holding them to ransom and residents say they can't wait to move after being charged 440 for a return ticket

There are three car ferries and three dedicated foot passenger ferries from Lymington, Southampton and Portsmouth to the island

Wightlink runs six vehicle ferries and two foot passenger catamarans from Lymington and Portsmouth to the island. Red Funnel run ferries from Southampton with a hovercraft service the only offering for travellers.

The journey to the Isle of Wight is four miles from Lymington, six miles from Portsmouth, and 10 miles from Southampton.

Bronwyn Hamilton-Brown set up the Wightlink Users Group a year and a half ago to campaign for better services after the last passenger ferry was cut to 8.20pm during Covid.

The organisation now has almost 8,000 members on Facebook and has held six protests over the 'scandalous' ferries.

The 62-year-old retired headteacher said: 'I started the group because I had difficulty getting from Ryde, where I live, to Portsmouth.

'There was effectively a curfew because the last boat was at 8.20pm - even Cinderella got to stay out until midnight.

'We are in a dreadful pickle because the ferries hold us to ransom. People find it insanely difficult to get to appointments. It is an absolute scandal.'

The island has limited health services, including no dentists and no gastroenterologists, and many people have to travel to Portsmouth or Southampton for treatment.

The Wightlink Users Group has managed to get a 70 cap on fares for patients and a dedicated phone line for people travelling to appointments.

Ms Hamilton-Brown said Paula Brizelden's story was instrumental in the 70 limit being implemented last April.

Ms Brizelden's partner, Chris Tunnell, was diagnosed with kidney disease and given just 12 weeks to live if he didn't begin dialysis immediately.

Bronwyn Hamilton-Brown, 62, set up the Wightlink Users Group a year and a half ago to campaign for better services and accused the ferry firms of holding islanders to ransom

Richard Heywood, 77, accused Red Funnel and Wightlink of 'working in cahoots'

The journey to the Isle of Wight is four miles from Lymington, six miles from Portsmouth, and 10 miles from Southampton (Pictured: A Wightlink car ferry in June 2013)

There is no renal unit on the Isle of Wight so they have to travel to Portsmouth monthly for Mr Tunnell's treatment, using the passenger ferry and buses because the car ferry is too expensive.

When Mr Tunnell had sepsis, a stroke, and dehydration, his life saving trip to hospital was delayed as there was no space for the ambulance on the ferry.

Ms Brizelden, 70, said: 'My partner five years ago was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease. He was given 12 weeks to live if he did not start immediate dialysis at Portsmouth Hospital every month.

'We get the Catamaran and buses because we can't afford to take the car.

'He now has liver and bowel problems too and is being seen at the Royal Free in Hampstead. He has an appointment at 9am on September 5 so we have to go up the night before.

'We can't afford the car ferry so we are getting the train. For somebody in his condition it is going to be a very difficult journey, we have to take his equipment with us too.'

The day before the UK lockdown Mr Tunnell travelled home from the surgery to insert his dialysis tubes and had to sit on a crowded ferry, surrounded by people.

'He was very ill, there was no help at the ferry. He was sitting among a lot of people, one day before the Covid lockdown.

'There ought to be a separate space for hospital patients to keep them germ free.

'He's had sepsis twice. I could not afford to go [to the hospital] more than once a week.

'If we were on the mainland you could go in every day. It is not natural, we were separated. You only had half an hour [to visit].

'It is really traumatic for both of us,' said Ms Brizelden.

The retired sign writer moved to the island in her twenties and has lived there for 45 years.

Islanders can get a multilink pass that covers multiple trips but it must be paid for in one lump sum that ranges from 350 for 10 trips to 1,500 for 60 trips.

The partner of Paula Brizelden, 70, from East Cowes, was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure and was given 12 weeks to live

Ms Brizelden's partner Christopher Tunnell had a life-saving hospital trip to the mainland delayed because there was no room on the ferry

It can't be used at certain times of year like the Festival, nor by any friends or family.

Richard Heywood, also part of the Wightlink Users Group, pointed out the contradiction between this and the ferry companies' marketing.

The 77-year-old, whose wife was born on the island, said: 'Wightlink uses the slogan 'keeping families together' but you can't share your pass with anybody.

'What I find galling is that hotels, Airbnbs, and B&Bs can get rates for the ferries that are considerably better. If they can do it for those why can't they do it for islanders and their families?

'If either of the ferry companies pull a ferry they immediately change their timetable, to say they are 99 per cent accurate. The other company also increases their prices.

'They are working in cahoots.'

Others said they are considering leaving the island because the ferries are so bad and it is affecting recruitment of doctors, teachers and vets.

Jackie Devonshire, 71, has lived on the island for five years but 'can't wait' to move away.

'I went to see a specialist in February who was offered the position here and he told me he wouldn't accept it because it would separate him from his family.

'If there is no specialist [on the island] travel should be free. You are completely cut off from society by this stupid stretch of water.

'I wish I had never come here, I can't wait to leave,' the retiree said.

Utilita Hub manager Simon Jackson set up a petition on August 2 to raise the issue nationally, and it already has more than 4,000 signatures.

The 46-year-old said: 'I have lived here for over ten years and the ferries seem to have just got worse and worse, especially in the last few months and prices are skyrocketing.

Simon Jackson, 46, set up a petition on August 2 to raise the issue nationally, and it already has more than 4,000 signatures

Robbie Lane, 40, runs the Isle of Wight Guru, a website providing tips and tricks of how to travel the island on a budget. He says 'the ferries are a lifeline for people who live here'

'It is not just a luxury of coming across for holidays, businesses over here rely on people coming over.

'I am hopeful with having two new MPs they say it is their number one priority, but they can't do it on their own.

'I thought 'what if there was a platform that anyone can add their voice to'.

'What I would like to see is some official regulation which I believe has to be across all ferry companies nationwide.

'Something that stops them charging ridiculous amounts of money, it would be good to have set fares.'

Mr Jackson said the most he has ever paid for the ferry, and is willing to pay, is 150 but it means he does not see his family in Surrey and Yorkshire as often as he would like.

'As the crow flies it shouldn't be much of a deal but you have to factor in a) are the ferries running and b) can you afford it.

'It is causing me not to see my family as much as I want to,' he added.

Robbie Lane, who was born and raised on the island, runs the Isle of Wight Guru, a website providing tips and tricks of how to travel the island on a budget.

He worries that visitors are put off by the cost but said there are ways to get a deal and that the most viewed posts on his website are all about the ferries.

Islanders can get a multilink pass that covers multiple trips but it must be paid for in one lump sum that ranges from 350 for 10 trips to 1,500 for 60 trips

The 40-year-old islander said: 'Maybe 20 or 30 years ago the ferries had a very simple pricing structure, broadly there would be two prices and that was it.

'What two companies have done is change to a flexible pricing structure. You get winners and losers on the same ferry, one family might say 'we paid 60 for our ferry' and the other might say 'we paid 300'.

'I help people figure out how to sit in that 60 seat. I want people to be able to come to the Isle of Wight.

'The ferries are a lifeline for people who live here, for people on the island it can become quite disruptive when ferries are cancelled.

'It is not really my role to get involved in campaigning, I am more interested in getting people to the Isle of Wight now in a way they can afford.'

A spokesperson for Wightlink's said: 'Wightlink continues to deliver an exceptionally reliable and punctual service with more than 100 sailings every day. This summer our reliability was 99.9% in June and 99.3% in July, with punctuality at 93.7% in June and 94.0% in July.

'On average, an Isle of Wight customer pays around 35 for a single crossing with a car (and up to seven passengers) and 70 per cent of Islanders travel with Wightlink using a discount. Those travelling for NHS-funded hospital appointments benefit from 50% off their crossings, which are capped at 35 each way, even in peak times.

'With Wightlink's Multilink Pass, which is offered exclusively for Island residents, vehicle prices start at 27.75 per sailing.

'Wightlink won Gold for best UK ferry operator in the 2023 British Travel Awards, voted for by customers.'

MailOnline has contacted Red Funnel for comment.
The sister of a teenage girl who vanished in the 1970s has spoken about her extraordinary life-long quest for answers - culminating in her penning a letter to a notorious American serial killer this year.

Maryann Collette was just nine years old when her sister, Patricia Newsom, 16, went missing from her boarding school in the Monticello area of New York.

Patricia's whereabouts had remained a mystery until last year, when Maryann's DNA was used to identify her as the victim in a cold case murder from August 1975.

An unknown suspect had suffocated, gagged and wrapped the teen in tarpaulin before leaving her body in New Haven, Connecticut - but the case had been deemed a 'Jane Doe' mystery which baffled detectives for decades.

Fast-forward to 2024, and her little sister, Maryann, now 59, lives a peaceful life in Blountville, north-east Tennessee, where she keeps chickens that could be heard clucking in background of her call with DailyMail.com - belying the dark story she was about to unpack.

Maryann Collette was just nine years old when her sister, Patricia Newsom (pictured), 16, went missing from her boarding school in the Monticello area of New York

Maryann, now 59, lives a peaceful life in Blountville, north-east Tennessee , where she keeps chickens that could be heard clucking in background of her call with DailyMail.com - belying the dark story she was about to unpack

Maryann explained to DailyMail.com why she wrote to the man she thinks is responsible for her sister's death - notorious 'Times Square Killer' Richard Cottingham (pictured)

Maryann described her painstaking search for answers about what happened to her beloved sister - while explaining why she wrote to the man she thinks is responsible - notorious 'Times Square Killer' Richard Cottingham.

'Writing to a serial killer is not something I saw coming up on my cards,' Maryann told Dailymail.com. 'But I was looking for my sister for 47 years. If I got a confession, it would mean I was done with that chapter of my life.'

'You have to take your emotion out of the situation,' she added. 'I'm a very direct person. He's alive. I wanted to know, did he kill my sister? Does he remember anything about my sister?

'Because he's old and I don't know how much he will remember, I basically explained to him a little bit about who my sister was, why I was writing to him, and why I thought he may have been responsible.'

Patricia's body was found on August 16, 1975, in a drainage ditch in New Haven, Connecticut. At the time, detectives new only that she had died by asphyxiation, and the case would remain unsolved for decades.

Maryann said she believes Cottingham, also known as the 'Torso Killer' is the killer because of similarities between how Patricia was found and several other of the murderer's victims.

'There are some similarities with some of his other crimes: the way the bodies were left, the manner of murder - and the things he didn't do to them,' she told DailyMail.com.

'I have been able to rule out so many other serial killers. I can't rule him out.'

Maryann Collette was just nine years old when her sister, Patricia Newsom , 16, went missing from her boarding school in the Monticello area of New York. (Pictured: Maryann, left, with her sister Patricia, center, and their late brother Peter, right

Patricia's body was found on August 16, 1975, in a drainage ditch in New Haven, Connecticut. At the time, detectives new only that she had died by asphyxiation, and the case would remain unsolved for decades

Patricia's identification came in April last year after Maryann shared her DNA from genealogy company Ancestry with a publicly available database called GEDmatch, which compares data samples from different testing companies

Cottingham, 77, claims to have killed as many as 100 women across Florida, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Baltimore in the latter half of the 20th century.

Although he was notorious for mutilating the corpses of some victims, which was not the case with Patricia, many of his murders also involved leaving the bodies untouched.

'I found an old interview with him,' Maryann said. 'He talked about putting some young ladies down a well after he killed them, and it worried him that they would be decomposing.'

She drew parallels between this self-proclaimed concern of Cottingham's, and the fact that Patricia's body was left in a place it would easily be discovered.

Patricia's identification came in April last year after Maryann shared her DNA from genealogy company Ancestry with a publicly available database called GEDmatch, which compares data samples from different testing companies.

When asked what this moment was like, Maryann said: 'Unbelievable. It's still unbelievable. Forty-seven years, that's a really long time.

Patricia has now been laid to rest beside their mother and grandparents in their family cemetery in Pennsylvania

'A detective from our local police department came down to my house and asked if I might have a word with him. He got me on a call with the captains, and they said, "We found your sister." I mean, what do you say to that?

'There's a piece of me that's been missing my whole life and now I have that missing piece.'

Maryann noted that she was wearing a pendant necklace containing Patricia's ashes. 'She's always with me,' she said.

Patricia has now been laid to rest beside their mother and grandparents in their family cemetery in Pennsylvania.

Maryann said she doesn't know whether Cottingham has yet received her letter - or whether he will write back.

However, East Haven Police Captain Murgo, who was the one who notified Maryann of Patricia's identification, said he has been trying to set up a meeting with Cottingham to discuss the case.

'Mr. Cottingham was active in the mid to late 60s all the way up to the time he was apprehended in New York City in 1980 so that definitely fits the timeframe in which Patricia was killed,' he told NBC News.
The so-called Squad of the House is seemingly in peril, in large part because pro-Israel groups have put up millions behind their primary challengers.

Two members of the progressive faction have lost primaries so far: Reps. Cori Bush, Mo., and Jamaal Bowman, N.Y.

Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar could be next - but the pro-Israel groups have not put the same momentum behind her opponent as they did to target other Squad members.

Omar faces off against Minneapolis city councilman Don Samuels in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Samuels came close to defeating Omar in 2022, losing by less than 2,500 votes.

Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar could be next on the chopping block - but the pro-Israel groups have not put the same momentum behind her opponent as they did to target other Squad members

Pro-Israel group AIPAC vowed to dump $100 million into races to defeat candidates who did not support their cause. But they've largely steered clear of the Omar- Samuels race, despite the Minnesota congresswoman making it no secret she prefers the Palestinian cause.

Samuels said in an interview last year he believes he could have won the 2022 race if he had AIPAC's support.

It's not clear whether Israel groups are staying clear due to polling or a belief that Samuels is not sufficiently supportive of the nation.

The Samuels campaign released a poll in the spring that showed Omar with less than 50 percent of Democratic voters' support.

When voters heard Samuels' message, Omar was only leading 41 to 48 percent. But a recent poll for the Omar campaign showed her with a 27 point lead, 60 to 33 percent.

After the outbreak of war in Gaza, the typically united House Democrats have found themselves torn apart on the matter of Israel. Samuels says Omar bears a large part of the blame.

Omar faces off against Minneapolis city councilman Don Samuels in Tuesday's Democratic primary

'It's because of a very immature interpretation of reality that tends to be dualistic,' Samuels told DailyMail.com.

'You got good guys and bad guys. You got pro-police and no police. You've got pro-genocide and anti-genocide.'

Missouri Democrat Cori Bush, a close Omar ally, lost her own primary to Wesley Bell by six points last Tuesday.

'Congratulations, Wesley! It's clear that Democrats around the country are ready to move on from those who put politics above the people. In just one week, MN CD5 has the opportunity to do the same. To everyone in Minneapolis and the suburbs, I hope to earn your support,' Samuels wrote on X after her loss.

New York Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman similarly lost his primary to a more moderate Democrat earlier this summer.

Omar is a favorite target of Republicans. In 2019 she was forced to apologize for saying AIPAC and Jewish people were trying to buy influence: 'Its all about the Benjamins, baby. This year, Republicans reacted with dismay when she said some Jewish students are 'pro-genocide.'

'I think it is really unfortunate that people don't care about the fact that all Jewish kids should be kept safe, and that we should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they're pro-genocide or anti-genocide,' she said.

In January House GOP Whip Tom Emmer demanded an Ethics investigation into reports that Omar said she is 'Somalia first.'

Bush had faced millions in outside money dumped into her race from pro-Israel groups who opposed her staunch pro-Palestinian stance.

'Wesley Bell's victory and Cori Bush's defeat underscore what we've seen in races across the country and throughout this election cycle  being pro-Israel is not just wise policy, but also smart politics,' said Mark Mellman, chairman of the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, in a statement.

Similar to Bush's race against Bell, Bowman's race in New York hinged on a key issue: the Israel-Hamas war.

Bowman, a fellow member of the Squad (at least for now before he leaves Congress this winter), fiercely defended Palestinians and decried the Israeli's actions as 'genocide.'

His reward for repeatedly attacking the Jewish nation's wartime conduct: a pro-Israel SuperPAC coming after him.

AIPAC, a pro-Israel political group, spent massively against Bowman, pumping millions upon millions into the campaign of a local county executive.

With the support of the group, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a moderate Democrat, sailed to an easy primary win, securing over 59 percent of the vote compared to Bowman's 40 percent.

Bush was the second Squad member to be booted out of the Capitol earlier this week

Bowman was ousted from Congress - the first in the Squad to lose his job

Bowman had also made headlines by pulling the fire alarm during a high-stakes vote in the House and loudly fighting with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in the hallways of the Capitol.

Bush was the first member of Congress to demand a ceasefire nine days after Hamas' October attack on Israel. She insists Israel is guilty of genocide in the conflict that has left some 40,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Bell, on the other hand, has said Hamas is 'openly genocidal' and Israel is 'just the front door' of the threat the terrorist group poses to the US and other Western nations.

He told the Washington Post it was 'important for our national security that we stand with our fellow democracies, and that we stand against terror states, and Hamas is a terror state.'
A dance teacher has described how she was left in crippling pain and coughing up blood after catching dengue fever during a 10 day trip to Bali.

Sydney woman Anjana Chandran, 30, and her partner left for the idyllic holiday island on July 8 to attend a friend's wedding and returned on July 18.

'I was being so careful, I was brushing my teeth with bottled water and only ate at places where the ratings were really good but I still got caught out,' Ms Chandran told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

According to the World Health Organisation, dengue fever is a virus spread from mosquitos to people and in rare cases can be deadly.

'It's weird because I actually didn't see any mosquito bites,' Ms Chandran said.

'Oher people were really complaining a bit more about it but it was a really nice resort, we stayed in air conditioned rooms and I always used insect spray.

'It's so frustrating. Everyone else at the hotel for the wedding was fine.'

Ms Chandran said she first just felt chills and muscle aches, which she dismissed as a hangover, but after a few days was left 'crying in bed' with her whole body in agonising pain.

She ended up in the emergency room after bleeding when she went to the toilet.

Anjana Chandran, 30, and her partner left for Bali on July 8 to attend a friend's wedding and returned on July 18

Ms Chandran said she and her partner landed in Seminyak on the island's southern coast near the capital Denpasar and then went to Kuta.

'The wedding was the only reason we were going which is why it was such a short trip.

'We did two days in Seminyak and then we went to the wedding for about four days where we stayed at a resort which seemed fine.

She explained after the wedding the group booked a villa about 20 minutes away which is where she began to experience symptoms.

'It was around the 14th. I was first just tired and I thought like, we've had a lot of wedding events, there was a lot of drinking involved, a lot of dancing. So I was like, look, it's probably just that.

'Then I was feeling a bit more feverish, no cold and flu, but muscle aches and my friends were like ''just go rest, sleep it off, take some Panadol'' so I took those with some food.'

'But by that night I was having intense shivers, sweating, high fever and my body literally felt like someone had knocked me out, like my whole body like had been in a fight.

'We have friends that were doctors with us... I would have a Panadol or a Nurofen, which I found that later your not supposed to take with dengue.'

'I would feel good for four hours but then literally after five hours I would crash again.'

The dance teacher from Sydney said about three weeks later she is still having trouble walking

Ms Chandran said her partner was reassuring her that she was going to be fine so she tried to tough it out.

'I would be in bed kind of crying and shivering because it was honestly like really bad pain and he was telling me 'you're OK' so I was like 'maybe I'm overreacting'.'

'We were there for the groom and bride and I didn't want to ruin it for them so I was just sort of holding it in and the doctors there were giving me like things like nausea meds to handle all the other symptoms.

She said by July 17 the situation was so bad she was placed on an IV drip.

'They give you vitamins and electrolytes. I thought, like, maybe that'll help me and I'll feel a lot better because it was my partner's birthday and I wanted to do something with them.'

'I was able to go to like a bird park with him but I was a couple of meters behind because I couldn't walk.

'When I got back to the Airbnb, I had really severe stomach cramps I started getting a lot of bruises on my body as well.

'The next morning we called for a doctor because I just couldn't get up and that was the day of my flight.

'He took a bunch of blood and said they'd test it in the lab but then he pulled out a rapid test kit for dengue.

'As soon as he did it, it showed up positive and he's like ''they only ever really give false negatives, it's very unlikely that it'll give a false positive'' but they had to confirm with the lab.'

Ms Chandara (left) said she took every precaution when going to Bali such as brushing her teeth with bottled water and eating at reputable places but still got sick

The doctor then explained to Ms Chandran that dengue has three 'phases' the first of which is body aches, which is why it is also called 'break-bone fever'.

The second is where the blood platelet count drops very low which makes the blood thinner and that can cause serious complications.

This is followed by a recovery phase where body fights off the virus.

'After a couple of hours and the bloods came back and my platelets were at 50 when they should be above 150. So the doctor recommended we go straight to the hospital.

'I called my family and we have like family doctors as well and she said if you feel healthy and well enough then just get on the flight and go straight to emergency once you land.'

She decided to do that as she wanted to get treated in an Australian hospital.

'Once I got on the plane I noticed there was blood in my stool, there was blood in my urine, my gums were actively bleeding.

'Once I reached Australia I was coughing up blood as well.'

After landing about 6am she went straight to emergency at Westmead in Sydney's west where they tested her platelets which had dropped further to 25.

'It wasn't until like maybe 12 hours later that I got a bed, they just didn't have enough rooms.

She spent a week in hospital when she returned to Sydney (pictured) after going straight to the emergency room when the flight landed

'They gave me like IV fluid while I was in the waiting room and they were checking up on me, doing blood tests and things like that.'

Doctors also gave her a platelet infusion which pushed her count back up to 30.

'Then I was in the hospital for a week. At one point they said that I was the only active case of dengue in Australia.'

Other blood tests in hospital revealed she had two other bacteria present in her blood which doctors said was likely from contaminated food or water.

'They told me one was typhoid. So they had to mask up when they came to see me. I like was having less visitors as well.

'My body is still really sore. I struggle with walking but it's a lot better.

'I'm a dance teacher so, like, I do classes here in Sydney so when I came back, I had to cancel like two or three workshops.

Ms Chandara said she tried to 'hold it in' for the bride and groom despite 'crying in bed' feeling like she had been 'beaten up'

'They basically told me that I wasn't allowed to move my body or do anything that would cause me to bruise or cause me to have any sort of internal bleeding for one to two weeks.

'The GP only just okayed me to be able to go to America for a dance tour.'

Ms Chandran said she feels fortunate to be recovering and her advice to others travelling to Bali would be to be wary of mosquitos.

'Make sure you've like got insect repellent on.'

'Also book travel insurance. If my flight was like a day later I would have had to stay in Bali and go to the hospital there.'
As brands go, few shout 'American tradition' more than iconic motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson.

But instead of enjoying an open highway, furious owners at the world's biggest biker rally have told DailyMail.com they believe the historic company is heading for the end of the road  thanks to its 'woke' boss.

Their full-throttle condemnations of German-born CEO Jochen Zeitz include demands that he quit immediately, with one rider saying: 'They need to figure out a way to get rid of his a**.'

And a 20-year Harley devotee, who has had eight machines from the Milwaukee-based company, told us in a message to the executive: 'Don't f*** with my bikes.'

Harley-Davidsons make up an estimated 90 percent of the motorcycles cruising in the small city of Sturgis, South Dakota, and the adjacent Black Hills for the 10-day, 500,000-strong rally that wraps Sunday, such is the surface devotion by bikers to the brand.

'Harley needs to stick with building bikes and leave the wokeness alone,' said Ernest Chapman, 53, who has owned Harleys for 30 years and traveled two days to be at the historic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, told DailyMail.com

Furious Harley Davidson owners have demanded that German-born CEO Jochen Zeitz quit after he publicly pushed for DEI programs, LGBTQ policies and climate change issues

Individuality is stamped on nearly every machine, from simple accessories to trick paint jobs and full-blown Easy Rider-style conversions. The center of Sturgis is a pulsating, thumping, roaring mass of thousands of them.

That very dominance in American culture only emphasizes the crisis now facing the world-renowned company, established in 1903 and worth an estimated $6billion.

First it faced a backlash by conservatives angry at Zeitz's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts that allegedly include sidelining white people in business and supporting Pride events involving children.

Now, as DailyMail.com has discovered, it's facing an unprecedented full-blown rebellion by its army of devotees whose families have bought Harleys through generation after generation. The crowd at Sturgis spend big on their machines  many have more than one.

Harley-Davidsons make up an estimated 90 percent of the motorcycles cruising in the small city of Sturgis, South Dakota , and the adjacent Black Hills for the 10-day, 500,000-strong rally that wraps Sunday

Harley-Davidson owners at the world's biggest biker rally have told DailyMail.com they believe the historic company is heading for the end of the road

Ernest Chapman spent two days riding to the historic rally from his home in San Antonio, Texas, on his 2014 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited. He's owned Harleys for 30 years and this is his fifth. His father and uncle also rode them.

'Harley needs to stick with building bikes and leave the wokeness alone,' he told DailyMail.com amid the roar of engines and competing sound systems from passing bikes.

'I'm sure there's people that live all kinds of alternative lifestyles, but as Harley owners, we keep that to ourselves, we don't advertise it.'

Canadian biker Tony Isaac, 42, said he's considering buying a motorcycle from another company because he doesn't 'agree with the woke'

One of Harley-Davidson's most vocal critics has been online influencer and filmmaker Robby Starbuck, who was a 2022 Republican House candidate for Tennessee

And in a biting reference to the 2023 disaster for Bud Light with its ad featuring trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, he added: 'And we don't appreciate our motorcycle dealer hopping on the Budweiser bandwagon.'

Chapman, 53, is torn over his loyalty for future purchases. But the Harley name is now mud with him.

He traditionally pays extra to buy a model without any brand markings 'because Harley doesn't pay me to advertise. If I got another I'd be even more proud to rip that symbol right off it.

'I'm not for boycotts or protests. I think people need to make up their own minds because there are plenty of people that will probably go and buy another American motorcycle make, such as Indian.

'I've considered building my own machine. The only Harley parts I'd use are the tank and the seat. The frame and motor? Nope.'

Canadian biker Tony Isaac, who spent three days riding to the 84th annual rally from his home in Calgary, Alberta, was sitting astride a rival Indian motorcycle at the company's display area when DailyMail.com approached him.

Isaac, 42, currently owns three Harleys  a 2015 Road Glide, a Road King and customized 'big wheel' model  and has had five others.

'They're going away from providing great products to people who want them to follow the trend of wokeness that I think is a fad that's going to fade and it's going to hurt their brand and it's going to hurt their cult following,' he told us.

Brooke Buck, 26, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was one of the estimated 500,000 who rode into Sturgis on a Harley Daavidson

Rows of motorcycles fill the streets of Sturgis for the annual rally, the world's largest

'They have people like me, I've ridden Harley for 20 years and I'm considering buying something else because I don't agree with the woke.'

Isaac said he isn't against inclusion. But he believes forcing agendas on people can lead to stigma and have the opposite effect to the one intended.

'I support inclusion. I've got a daughter that's in that world and she says that she doesn't want this wokeness,' he said.

'She's like, 'We don't need a Pride Month'. We're just normal people. And I think Harley needs to figure that out. If they don't do it quickly, they could really, really hurt the brand and chase away people like me that just want to ride a bike.

'So they need to get it out of marketing, get it out of products, let people be people. I just want a good old classic Harley bike.

'So stay outta my life. Stay outta my kid's life. Let people be people. We have to get away from this. We need to love people for who they are and not divide people.

'What they're doing right now is they're dividing their loyal followers in a battle that is not theirs.

'They're a product supplier. They're not a social advocate. I don't care whether you want to call yourself Bill or Bob or Martha or Sally, God bless you. Fill your boots, but don't f*** with my bike.'

Nick Randall, the owner of a 2011 Harley Fat Bob, instantly reacted when $12million-a-year Zeitz's name was mentioned. 'They need to figure out a way to get rid of his a**,' he said bluntly.

'We've got a company that's just supporting a woke agenda and I don't like the way they're going. It's upside down.'

Lisa Berry, 58, was critical not only of the reported 'wokeness', but also of Harley-Davidson's push for electric motorcycles

The movement aagainst Harley is being led by conservative influencer Robby Starbuck. Some 1,800 employees were trained on how to become an LGBTQ+ ally, while some sessions singled out white men for specific diversity-training, he said

On Zeitz's 2020 appointment as CEO, 56-year-old Randall said: 'I just can't figure out why he was installed in that role if this is what is happening now.

The biker, who lives with wife Holly in nearby Rapid City, South Dakota, said he was considering a different make of bike for his next purchase.

'Harley owners are going to have to vote with their pocketbook,' he said. 'That's the biggest thing. Until that happens, this woke agenda is going to carry on  unless someone in the company can stop it.'

First-time Harley purchaser Jesse, who preferred not to give his last name, said he bitterly regrets buying his 2002 Electra Glide Classic last year because of the controversy now surrounding the company.

American flags are placed for those who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars at Sturgis Buffalo Chip on August 9

'I'm totally not into this woke bulls***,' he told DailyMail.com. 'I just purchased this Harley a year ago. It's my first. But had I known they were going woke, I would've never bought it. Not in a million years, nope.

'I just don't subscribe to any of their woke bull, it isn't in my DNA. I can't deal with it.'

The 67-year-old married biker, who transported his machine in a trailer from his home near Portland, Maine, continued: 'And I'd been looking forward to buying one for several years after owning two Yamahas.

'Now, in retrospect, I wish I'd kept those other motorcycles. I wouldn't do Harley now if my life depended on it.

'However, I'm not selling it  yet. I'm hoping that they wake up and realize their mistake like Bud Light did. But if they continue on this course, I very well get rid of it. My heart won't be in it.'

First time Harley buyer Jessse, who opted not to provide his last name, said he now bitterly regrets buying his 2002 Electra Glide Classic

John Peek from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, summed up the anger by saying of Zeitz: 'That guy should keep his social and political views out of the business'

Sturgis has a population of less than 7,500 but it swells into a sea of red, white and blue during the annual rally

Female biker Lisa Berry, 58, who lives near Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, has been attending the Sturgis rally since 1978. She has a 2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim.

She was critical not only of the reported 'wokeness', but also of Harley-Davidson's push for electric motorcycles.

'I believe they're going to put themselves out of business with everything that is going on. Their drive for electric now means Harley dealerships won't service a traditional bike if it's more than 10 years old. And getting parts for an older bike is becoming a nightmare.'

Referring to William 'Willie G' Davidson, the company's former chief styling officer, and his father William Herbert Davidson, who was president for 29 years up to 1971, she added: 'They should run the place like those two did. It needs to be more old school, more traditional.'

Standing beside his 2017 Harley Street Glide Special, worth $21,000, John Peek from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, summed up the anger by saying of Zeitz: 'That guy should keep his social and political views out of the business.'

One of Harley-Davidson's most vocal critics has been online influencer and filmmaker Robby Starbuck, who was a 2022 Republican House candidate for Tennessee. 'Harley-Davidson seems to have forgotten who their core customers are,' he has posted.

'I don't think the values at corporate reflect the values of nearly any Harley-Davidson bikers.

'Do Harley-Davidson bikers want the money they spend at Harley to be used later by corporate to push an ideology that's diametrically opposed to their own values?'

The bike-maker has partnered with political groups that push hard-left ideas, including the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, United Way and the Human Rights Campaign, according to Starbuck

The company is facing an unprecedented full-blown rebellion by its army of devotees whose families have bought Harleys through generation after generation

Starbuck claims the company is also gradually cutting its number of white employees, suppliers and dealers

According to Starbuck, Harley-Davidson has a 'total commitment' to DEI policies in offices and factories.

This includes funding a recent Pride event in Pennsylvania, with face-painting and balloon twisting events for youngsters, as well as a 'rage room' where adults could 'let off steam', he said.

The bike-maker has partnered with political groups that push hard-left ideas, including the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, United Way and the Human Rights Campaign, he added.

Harley-Davidson money has therefore promoted sex-change procedures on children and anti-racism efforts against 'whiteness' and 'Christian privilege,' he alleged.

DEI efforts have changed life inside the company of some 6,400 people, Starbuck claimed.

Some 1,800 employees were trained on how to become an LGBTQ+ ally, while some sessions singled out white men for specific diversity training, he added.

The critic also alleged the company is gradually cutting its number of white employees, suppliers and dealers.

Harley-Davidson failed to answer requests for comments when DailyMail.com first reported Starbuck's accusations.
Locals living in a seaside town branded the worst in the UK have clapped back, claiming their beloved home has been getting a 'hard time' and in fact has lots to offer.

Which? surveyed 4,700 about their experiences of seaside towns in the UK.

While the likes of Bamburgh in Northumberland and St Andrews in Scotland topped the list, Bangor fell to the bottom of the 100 places.

The Gwynedd city had a satisfaction rate of just 42 per cent with one-star ratings for food, drink, shopping and tourist attractions.

Just 35 miles away, Welsh seaside town Portmeiron placed second overall with an 83 per cent approval rating from beach-goers.

Bangor in Wales (pictured) came last in the Which? survey of British seaside towns

The Gwynedd city (pictured) had a satisfaction rate of just 42 per cent with one-star ratings for food, drink, shopping and tourist attractions

In the damning survey, Bangor was deemed 'drab and run down' and described as 'absolutely horrific'.

But proud locals have come out in defense of their city, claiming it has been getting 'a hard time'.

Jan Underwood, who lives outside the historic city, said: 'I thought Bangor was getting a hard time again. We don't really consider it to be a seaside town. It's on the Straits, there isn't really a beach, but Bangor has lots of other things to offer.

'It's a university town. It's the hub for Anglesey, for Snowdonia, for the Llyn Peninsula - it just isn't really a seaside town.'

She told the BBC: 'Bangor could be promoted as more of a holiday destination, but I don't think anybody would ever promote it as a seaside town.'

One Daily Mail reader could not help but agree, commenting: 'I have no idea why Bangor was included as a "seaside destination", a term which conjures up pictures of promenades, sand castles, seagulls and seafront B&B's. Of these, Bangor has only the seagulls.

'It is indeed by the sea, on the mainland side of the very picturesque Menai Straits. But it is mainly a mainly a University/Further Education oriented town. Its only vaguely seaside-like attribute being a Victorian Pier.

'There is no way Bangor should ever have been nominated as a "seaside destination" - something it never was and certainly never will be.'

The grade II listed Bangor Pier, also known as Garth Pier, overlooks the Menai Strait on the coast of North Wales

The second-longest pier in Wales is decorated with brightly painted benches for holidaymakers to enjoy the views

The Menai Suspension Bridge connects Anglesey island from the Welsh mainland. Small boats dot the waterway

Bangor boasts a cathedral that has been used as a site of worship since the 6th century

The Welsh city is also known for Bangor University (pictured), formerly known as the University College of North Wales

While many pointed to the city's 'fantastic' pier, Alwen Glwn looked beyond infrastructure and emphasised the 'great local community' Bangor is blessed with.

Gywn said: 'There's always something going on, but you had to look for it.

'It's not just the pier. It's all over Bangor. Music going on in the small venues, so there's definitely a community here that's trying to make a difference.

'So when you read really negative press, "dissing" the place, it's just disheartening. It's a really, really nice place to live.'

And with a balcony like Gwyn's with spectacular views overlooking the Irish Sea, it is hard to disagree.

Even a spokesman for Which? championed the city - despite the magazine declaring it the worst seaside resort in Britain.

Rory Boland, who attended Bangor University and is now the editor of Which? Travel, came to the city's defence.

He said: 'No one would dispute that Bangor has hit hard times of late, particularly with so many shops closing along its pedestrianised high street.

'But part of the problem too is that many of its best attractions, set back from the main town, are little known.

'The 1,500ft, Grade II Garth Pier is a Victorian triumph and remains much the same as when Lord Penrhyn opened it in 1896. Stretching into the Menai Straits, the views across to Anglesey and back on to the peaks of Eryri saw it named pier of the year by the National Piers Society in 2022.

'It's not the only award winner. Tiny Whistlestop cafe, also on the pier, has previously been named best traditional Welsh restaurant in the country. Stop by for a warm welcome and homemade Bara Brith.'

He added: 'There is no real beach and Bangor won't ever compete with more dedicated seaside resorts, but it does sit amidst some of the most spectacular landscapes in Wales. The university means there are plenty of cultural events for a city of 16,000, and accommodation is affordable.'

The Whistlestop on the Pier in North Wales was named traditional restaurant of the year in the Welsh Food Awards 2019

The view out across the water from one of the tables in the Whistlestop. The kiosk has stunning views of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait in North Wales

Owner Terry Thomas, who runs Whistlestop with his wife June, said the cafe's idyllic location and intimate setting is part of the draw for many of its guests

The restaurant can only seat eight people inside, while another 20 can eat outside in the bracing fresh air

Bangor City Council was inclined to agree with Mr Boland.

In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a council spokesman said: 'Its disappointing to see Bangor City named as one of the UK's worst seaside towns. Such rankings often fail to capture the full picture and the unique charms that make Bangor City so special.'

The council pointed to Bangor's undefeated views of the Menai Strait as well as its role as a gateway to the natural beauty of Eryri or Snowdonia National Park.
Hamas's leaders are 'walking dead', promised Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant after the October 7 atrocities: 'They are living on borrowed time.' The Israelis are making good on their word.

Eleven days ago, the lethal efficiency of Israel's targeted assassinations was once more demonstrated to the world when the political head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was blown up in a guesthouse in Tehran. The Israelis have not claimed responsibility, and nor have they denied it. But everyone knows it was them.

It was an extraordinary coup: the killing of one of Israel's foremost adversaries in the very heart of enemy territory. And this is the real kicker  it was on the day of the new Iranian president's inauguration. A tactical triumph for Israel. Rank humiliation for Iran.

Details of the assassination remain murky. Initial reports suggested the Israelis killed Haniyeh with a remotely detonated bomb that was smuggled into the house he was staying in, probably around two months earlier, though sources now tell me the hit more likely came from a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher of some description.

What makes this so extraordinary is that the guesthouse is run by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Indeed, it forms part of a wider IRGC compound known as Neshat in a well-off Tehran neighbourhood.

Yahya Sinwar - the newly appointed and more hardline leader of Hamas - is hiding in Gaza. Israel has vowed to find and kill him

Fuad Shukr, a commander in the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah, and military adviser to its leader Hassan Nasrallah, was eliminated in a precision strike in Beirut

The hit was so precise that the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, who was staying next door, survived with his room largely intact.

The operation reportedly took months of surveillance  with extensive analysis of Haniyeh's previous visits to the compound used to ascertain which room he would most likely be staying in. No Israeli could have got near that facility. Mossad, Israel's foreign security service, did what it has done so often: used locals.

In Iran, these range from members of Iranian dissident groups such as the Mujahedeen-e Khalq to those they can bribe or blackmail inside the government and even the IRGC. Indeed, sources inside Israel are reporting that it was IRGC members who were involved this time, though it has not been independently verified.

And Haniyeh wasn't the only terrorist taken out that day. Fuad Shukr, a commander in the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah, and military adviser to its leader Hassan Nasrallah, was also eliminated in a precision strike in Beirut.

Critical to Hezbollah's evolution into the large and effective fighting force it is today, Shukr was also supposedly the architect of the 1983 Beirut bombing of an American barracks that killed almost 250 marines.

The hits followed the killing of Mohammed Deif  a man who helped plan the October 7 atrocities and whom Gallant described as the 'Osama Bin Laden of Gaza'  in an air strike in Khan Younis city in Gaza last month.

Deif was the leader of Hamas's military wing and had already survived seven assassination attempts, including one in 2022, which the Israelis say cost him an eye, foot and hand.

The IDF struck the building he was in with a 2,000lb bomb. Hamas denies his death, but the Israelis have released footage of the ruined building. When the news of the assassinations engulfed my feeds and illuminated my phone last Wednesday, I was reminded of the scene in The Godfather where Michael Corleone stands in church uttering his vows as godfather to his infant nephew as the action cuts to his various associates conducting a series of near-simultaneous hits on all his enemies.

To strike your enemies in their own country, often in their own homes, is extraordinary  strategically, tactically and symbolically. How does Israel do it? With a clear process, near pathological attention to detail, regional expertise and networks in countries across the world.

Mohammed Deif - leader of Hamas's military wing and a man who helped plan the October 7 atrocities - was killed in an air strike in Khan Younis city in Gaza last month

The political head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was blown up in a guesthouse in Tehran

Inside Mossad sits its Caesarea branch. Named after the ancient port city built by King Herod the Great, Caesarea is the division tasked with special, covert operations. Within that sits the Kidon ('Bayonet') unit, responsible for carrying out assassinations. The assassins are often multilingual, dual nationals and specialise in operating abroad. The process begins with identifying the target and collecting information on them. Here, the unit relies on its network of spies and local partners across the target location.

In the case of Hamas, Mossad has longstanding  and expansive  networks of informers across Gaza and the West Bank.

It also tracks Hamas and Hezbollah communications, especially between Gaza, Istanbul and Beirut, to identify the movements of prominent figures.

Once they have been identified, target dossiers are then taken to the Intelligence Services Committee, which comprises the chiefs of Israeli intelligence organisations and is known by its Hebrew acronym, VARASH, or Vaadan Rashei Ha-sherutim. A Mossad kill order is known as a 'red page' order, and each one is jointly authorised by the prime minister and other ministers, including usually the defence minister.

And then the killing starts.

Israelis are nothing if not creative and they apply this creativity to their hits. A few years back I covered a spate of assassinations of Iranian scientists working on the country's nuclear programme. Israel has long vowed that it will never allow Iran to get a nuclear bomb, and it is doing everything it can to make good on its word.

Among the operations carried out on nuclear scientists, one was killed using a remotely detonated bomb. Between 2010 and 2012 Israel killed a further four, all with the use of local Iranian agents.

Scientists were either shot or killed by bombs attached to their cars. Each time Mossad killed a nuclear scientist, it struck at the heart of Iran's most precious state programme and embarrassed its security apparatus.

Mossad does not confine itself to carrying out assassinations in enemy countries only. On January 20, 2010, the agency killed Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which in 2020 established formal diplomatic ties with Israel.

Al-Mabhouh was the chief of weapons procurement for Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, and he was killed in his Dubai hotel room in an operation that involved 27 Mossad operatives posing as tourists.

The agents used fake passports including 12 British, six Irish, four French, four American and one German. It was a stunning operation: al-Mabhouh was tracked so fastidiously that within moments of passing immigration control he had to move his baggage trolley around one of the assassins.

IDF footage of the strike that killed Hamas chief Mohammed Deif

Once he arrived at the Al Bustan Hotel, where he was staying, and went up to room 230, the Mossad agents booked 234 just opposite. They then reprogrammed the lock so that their key for 234 would work on 230 and waited in his room for him to arrive. The next step was to secure the hallway with o

ne agent dressed as an Al Bustan Hotel employee standing guard outside.

When al-Mabhouh entered, they injected him with the muscle relaxant succinylcholine to paralyse him, before electrocuting him and suffocating him with a pillow. They then changed him into pyjamas and placed him in bed to make it look as if he had died of natural causes. The agents left shortly after; the operation took less than 24 hours.

Then there is Mossad's use of poison, which at times resembles the intrigues of a Renaissance Italian dynasty.

In 1978, Mossad killed Wadie Haddad, the head of the terror group, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which was responsible for high-profile attacks against Israeli targets, including aeroplane hijackings.

According to Ronen Bergman, author of Rise And Kill First: The Secret History Of Israel's Targeted Assassinations, Mossad killed him by poisoning his toothpaste.

A deep-cover agent with access to Haddad's home switched his regular toothpaste for an identical tube containing a toxin developed in Israel. Every time Haddad brushed his teeth, the toxin entered his bloodstream. He became increasingly ill over months until he was admitted to hospital, first in Iraq where he was living, and then eventually to a hospital in East Germany.

For the trip, his aides included the poisoned toothpaste in his toiletry bag. He died ten days after being admitted. In his final days, his screams of pain were reportedly so loud that he had to be sedated. It was brutal and effective  and a warning to Israel's enemies everywhere.

But as times change, Mossad changes with them  and so do its methods of assassination. Not least through the dominant force of our age: technology.

On November 27, 2020, Mossad assassinated Iran's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. They shot him on a street in Absard, a city near Tehran using an AI-powered machine-gun robot operated via a satellite.

The robot had been broken down into its component parts and smuggled into Iran before being reassembled there. It was then fitted to a truck with cameras, while another vehicle three-quarters of a mile away was used to make sure Fakhrizadeh was driving the car in which he was taken out.

Once he was identified, the machine sprayed his car with 15 bullets in three bursts. The hit was so accurate that his wife, sitting in the passenger seat, was unharmed. A bomb was then detonated to destroy the robot so the Iranians could not analyse it (though this was only partially successful).

These are extraordinary acts. But it is important to understand what they mean to Israel.

'If a man comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first.' The line is from the Talmud, the primary source of Jewish religious law, and, as Bergman argues in Rise And Kill First, it stands at the heart of Israel's policy of targeted assassinations, which for Israel are the ultimate self-defence.

Nowhere is this idea more evident than in the figure of Meir Dagan, the former head of Mossad. Dagan was, to his core, a fighter. A man of whom the former Israel prime minister Ariel Sharon once said: 'Dagan's speciality is separating an Arab from his head.'

Dagan believed that Israel should only go to war 'only when the sword is on our neck'. As far as he was concerned, assassinations were a tool to neutralise enemies without recourse to war.

The belief that powered Dagan's world view  and indeed Israel's  was contained in a photograph he hung on the wall of every office he ever had. It was of a man called Baer Ehrlich, on his knees, surrounded by Nazi soldiers. Minutes after the photo was taken the Nazis shot him  without emotion.

Ehrlich was Dagan's grandfather and, for Dagan, the image was the ultimate encapsulation of the dictum: never again. Never again would Jews be powerless, never again would they die on their knees. They would fight, and never stop fighting until the end.

Bergman calculated that at the time of his book's publication in 2018, Israel had assassinated 2,700 people, more than any other state in the Western world.

Yahya Sinwar  the newly appointed and more hardline leader of Hamas  will likely soon join that number. The mastermind of the October 7 massacre, Sinwar is hiding in Gaza. Israel has vowed to find and kill him.

On October 7, Hamas murdered more Jews than at any other time since the Holocaust. The Israelis say never again, but it did happen again. Now they are making sure that the world  and above all, their enemies  understand that the price attached to taking Jewish life is a heavy one, and that Israel's enemies will continue to pay it. Wherever they are.
Ukraine has claimed it has taken control of a Russian town that is home to a prominent gas pipeline.

Ukrainian soldiers claiming to be from the 61st Brigade were filmed standing outside a local Gazprom facility in the town of Sudzha which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Ukraine border.

The soldiers can be heard saying: 'Everything is calm in the town. All the buildings are safe, strategic object of Gazprom in Sudzha is under the control of the 99th Mechanized Battalion.'

It could not be immediately ascertained as to the authenticity of the video, with a press officer for the brigade saying they were unable to provide a comment.

Elsewhere, shelling continued through the night in the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod region following Ukraine's surprise incursion against Putin's forces.

Buildings in Russia appeared to have been set alight by Ukrainian shelling with video footage showing huge flames engulfing what is thought to be a block of flats.

Buildings in Russia appear to have been set alight by Ukrainian shelling after the country launched a surprise cross-border offensive against Putin 's forces

Video footage seemingly shows huge flames engulfing what is thought to be a block of flats in the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod region earlier this evening

Ukrainian servicemen ride tanks, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the Russian border in Sumy region, Ukraine on August 10

: Ukrainian servicemen ride a military vehicle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the Russian border in Sumy region, Ukraine on August 10

Belgorod has come under frequent shelling and drone attacks from Ukraine in the course of the war.

It is next to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces staged a major cross-border attack this week, which has seen more than 76,000 people from the surrounding border areas, Russian media reported today.

'More than 76,000 people have been temporarily relocated to safe places,' the state-run TASS news agency reported, citing a local official at a press briefing.

Kyiv's intentions  and the scale of the battles going on  were unclear but the incursion may be an attempt to draw Russian manpower away from the main battlegrounds of eastern Ukraine, where Russia has been notching victories.

There is also speculation that Ukraine could be attempting to occupy a swathe of Russian territory to give it a stronger hand in any peace talks.

Either way, the bold offensive is one of the most dramatic developments in the two-and-a-half year war, just as it seemed Russia was gaining the upper hand.

Ukrainian regular forces burst over the border north-east of Sumy five days ago in a surprise offensive and advanced about 13 miles, capturing towns and villages.

They destroyed a Russian convoy 25 miles from the border, inflicting dozens of casualties.

Russian troops delivering military equipment to the Kursk region, Russia

Russian troops delivering military equipment to the Kursk region, Russia on August 10

Putin (pictured on Friday) has been forced to relocate some 76,000 Russians in the region

Residents from Kursk amass at a train station in Tula amid large evacuations

People from the border districts of Kursk region board buses bound for Moscow, on Friday

Ukrainian servicemen ride a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle near the border in Sumy, Ukraine

General Sir Richard Shirreff told Radio 4's Today programme it was a 'brilliant military operation'. Kyiv had demonstrated 'seriously sophisticated planning' and 'made monkeys out of President Putin' and his supporters.

Previous cross-border raids have been undertaken by Russian volunteers supporting Ukraine and have normally only lasted hours. But yesterday Russia's army confirmed it was still fighting the Ukrainian incursion.

Andrei Gurulyov, a member of parliament for Putin's ruling party, said: 'The enemy has been halted so far but that does not mean that it is all quiet. There is serious fighting going on there.'

Russia's nuclear agency also warned yesterday that the Ukrainian attack posed a 'direct threat' to Kursk nuclear power station.

Russia's Defence Ministry said reinforcements being sent to the region included multiple rocket launchers, towed artillery guns, tanks and heavy tracked vehicles.

There has been little reliable information on the risky Ukrainian operation and its strategic aims are unclear. Ukrainian officials have refused to comment on the incursion, taking place about 320 miles south-west of Moscow.

But Mathieu Boulegue, a defence analyst at Chatham House think- tank in London, said the Ukrainians appear to have a clear goal, even if they're not revealing it.

A column of Russian Army trucks in Kursk region damaged by shelling on Friday

A soldier stands near a destroyed military vehicle containing the bodies of dead Russian soldiers, in the aftermath of a strike on a Russian column, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Oktyabrskoye village, Kursk

Ukraine launched the incursion across the Russian border around 5am GMT

Russian troops delivering military equipment to the Kursk region on Saturday

A heavily damaged building in the region, which borders Ukraine, after Tuesday's incursion

'Such a co-ordinated ground force movement responds to a clear military objective', he said.

'Also, the raid has spooked the Russian public and delivered a slap in the face to President Putin, offering Ukraine a great PR coup.' He added the attack 'is a massive symbol, a massive display of force (showing) the war is not frozen'.

In neighbouring Belarus, where Russian troops are deployed but which has not sent its own army into Ukraine, President Alexander Lukashenko said its air defences shot down unspecified objects launched from Ukraine.

'I do not understand why Ukraine needs this. We need to figure it out. We made it clear to them that any provocations will not go unanswered,' Mr Lukashenko said.

A Russian plane-launched missile slammed into a shopping mall in Kostiantynivka, in the eastern Donetsk region, on Friday, killing 14 people and wounding 44.

'This is another targeted attack on a crowded place, another act of terror by the Russians', said Donetsk leader Vadym Filashkin.

Ukrainian special forces killed 30 Russian soldiers on Friday in a raid on Russian-occupied Kinburn Spit in the Black Sea, near the mouth of the Dnipro river.

Putin has called the incursion a 'large-scale provocation' and Russia's top general has vowed to crush it. But Moscow has not yet presented detailed information on the extent of the advance.

Moscow said Friday it had struck Ukrainian positions on the western edge of Sudzha, a town around five miles from the border that appeared to be the focus of Kyiv's offensive.

Several Russian media shared a video purporting to show Sudzha residents appealing to President Vladimir Putin for help, warning that many were unable to evacuate.

'In a few hours our town was turned into ruins ... Our relatives are left behind, we can't call them, there is no communication. Please help us get our land back,' one resident said in the video.

Furious Russian residents in Sudzha district appealed directly to dictator Vladimir Putin accusing his regime of "lies" that resulted in civilian deaths by claiming the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk region was under control

People from the border districts of the Kursk region boarding buses to travel to children's camps in the Moscow region on Friday

Staff from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations assisting people evacuated from the border settlements of the Kursk region on Friday

A building on fire in the town of Sudzha following an incursion into the Kursk region on 7/8

In neighboring Belarus, where Russian troops are deployed but which hasn't sent its own army into Ukraine, President Alexander Lukashenko said Saturday that its air defenses shot down unspecified objects launched from Ukraine that were flying over Belarusian territory.

'I do not understand why Ukraine needs this. We need to figure it out. As I said before, we made it clear to them that any provocations will not go unanswered,' Lukashenko said, according to state news agency Belta.

Russia's Defense Ministry said that reinforcements are now being sent to Kursk to counter Ukraine's raid, with Russia deploying multiple rocket launchers, towed artillery guns, tanks transported on trailers and heavy tracked vehicles.

There has been little reliable information on the daring operation, and its strategic aims are unclear. Ukrainian officials have refused to comment on the incursion, which is taking place about 320 miles southwest of Moscow.

Asked about Ukraine's incursion, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday the United States was 'in touch with our Ukrainian counterparts,' but that he wouldn't comment until 'those conversations are complete.'

Ukraine's backers have not been dissuaded by the apparent offensive, as the US on Friday announced a further $125mn in new military aid for Kyiv.

The aid package underscores 'our unwavering commitment to (Ukraine) as they continue to battle back against Russian aggression,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the aid would be drawn from American stockpiles and 'includes air defense interceptors, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, multi-mission radars, and anti-tank weapons.'

The equipment 'will help Ukraine protect its troops, its people and its cities from Russian attacks and reinforce its capabilities across the front lines,' he said in a statement.

The United States has been a key military backer of Ukraine, committing more than $55 billion in weapons, ammunition and other security aid since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Combatants from Ukraine have made several brief incursions into Russia since the beginning of the conflict, including with units of Russians fighting in support of Kyiv - the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion.

Russia has pushed back against the attacks and has sometimes needed to deploy artillery and aviation.

Ukraine's main military effort is focused on fighting back Russian forces who control nearly a fifth of its territory after almost two-and-a-half years of war and have made a series of gradual gains in the past six months.

Ukrainian strikes inside Russia's own territory have mostly involved shelling of border regions and drone attacks on targets such as oil refineries and fuel depots.

Responsibility for previous incursions, into Russia's Belgorod and Bryansk regions, have been claimed by two murky groups: the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion.
Aussies have lifted the lid on the jobs that are paying them six figure salaries while not requiring a university degree.

The workers were stopped on the streets of Brisbane and asked what they did for work, what they are earning and if they needed a degree to get there.

From jobs in government to sales and trades, most of those asked revealed the years they would have spent in university were instead used to progress their careers.

One young woman said she makes $130,000 as a principal policy officer for Queensland Health despite 'barely' finishing high school.

She said she dodged uni and started at a call centre for the state's health department at just 18-years-old before working her way through the ranks.

'I work in the state budget team ... So just working on budget submissions, a bit of project management, project engagement and stuff like that,' she said.

One mum who helps sell fruit to Coles and Woolworths said high-ranking roles in horticulture can net over $200,000.

She said the industry is 'crying out for young people' and those who want to earn over six figures needed to 'show some initiative'.

The workers are some of many interviewed by GetAhead who revealed Aussies can go against the conventional university pathway and still earn a well-paying salary.

@getahead.app How much can you make working for Queensland Health as a Principal Policy OfficerBrisbane, Australia  original sound - getahead.app

Aussie have revealed how they're making over six-figure salaries by starting from the bottom of the corporate ladder and working up instead of going to university

One man revealed he now earns upwards of $250,000 a year as an insurance underwriter after starting as a mail boy.

He said he 'learned the ropes ropes from the ground up' which gave him the skills to impress higher-ups when they finally gave him a chance.

'(I'm) looking at risks and deciding which ones are good, which ones are bad, and then we put the pricing on it,' he said.

His success in the industry also led to his employer paying for him to get a Master of Business Administration (MBA), progressing his career without incurring a debt.

Tradesmen also reported making swathes of money, with one plumber saying he makes $2,000 a week while a tree lopper said he made $26,000 in just a week of gruelling work.

Another man, a self-employed underground coal miner, said he makes in excess of $300,000 a year.

One mother said she started in a call centre in horticulture to earning above the average salary by selling fruit to Coles and Woolworths

A number of the jobs highlighted by the interviews are earning over the average Aussie salary which sits at just above $98,000, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The data also revealed the miner, who only need to take a one-year course, earns between $120,000 to $140,000 depending on the state.

Meanwhile, the average lawyer who spent about three-years in university earns between $90,000 to $110,000.

While the non-university workers may seem to be earning a feasible amount to purchase a property, analysis of PropTrack data by Finder.com.au found it not nearly enough to buy a home in Sydney.

The analysis found Aussies will now need to be earning $278,000 a year to buy a home in the NSW capital.

It also revealed homebuyers need to earn double the amount they did in 2020 just to afford the median-priced home in every capital except Darwin and Melbourne.
Britain is set to swelter today and tomorrow as an intense spell of hot weather will lift temperatures as high as 33C.

Overcast and muggy weather lifted yesterday as warm air moved in from Europe.

Highs of 33C (91F) are expected in London, 26C (78F) in Manchester, 22C (71F) in Glasgow and 21C (69F) in Belfast.

Temperatures are set to dip again on Tuesday to average levels for this time of year, the Met Office said.

The hot spell is partly due to Storm Debby, which battered parts of the south of the US last week.

The tropical weather works to strengthen the jet stream - a core of strong winds in the atmosphere which has a significant influence on UK weather - causing it to meander in the Atlantic.

Britain is set to swelter today and tomorrow as an intense spell of hot weather will lift temperatures as high as 33C. Pictured: Holidaymakers have been enjoying the sunshine at the beach in Bournemouth, Dorset, earlier this week

Festival goers enjoy the sunshine during the Boardmasters festival at Watergate Bay on Friday in Newquay

The Met Office is predicting a hot spell ahead for most of Britain, peaking at 33C

That, weather experts say, will cause hot air to rush into the UK.

But some western, central, and northern areas of the UK will be hit by heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Dan Suri, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Tropical storm Debby is helping to strengthen the jet stream, and is causing it to meander over the Atlantic.

'This will allow hot air to move into the UK later this weekend, and early next week.

'Temperatures are likely to reach the low 30s in places, notably in the south and southeast.

'Further north and west within this warm air, outbreaks of heavy showers or thunderstorms are possible.

'As well as the hot daytime temperatures, a very warm night is also expected on Sunday night into Monday.'

People enjoying a stroll on the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire on Friday

But some western, central, and northern areas of the UK will be hit by heavy showers and thunderstorms

By Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures are expected to return to average.

The rise in temperature is not considered a heatwave, the Met Office said, as temperatures need to be over a specific threshold for three consecutive days in order to meet the criteria.

The pollen count will rise along with temperatures, as will UV levels.
This is the moment a man clinged on to the back of a bus while holding a large knife.

The unusual clip shows the man hanging onto the back of the moving red vehicle while wielding the large weapon in Brighton, east Sussex.

The man, shown wearing a blue hooded top and trousers and white shoes, is then seen peering over the rear window of the bus to apparently look at passengers.

Onlookers are seen watching the surfer as the double decker bus passes shops and traffic on a busy street in the city.

The incident was on a Number 79 service operated by Brighton and Hove Buses towards Bitchling Beacon.

A video has gone viral of a man clinging to the back of a bus while wielding a large knife

The man is shown holding onto the bus on a busy street in Brighton, east Sussex

At one point in the clip the man is seen appearing to peer through the rear window of the bus at the passengers

Sussex Police have appealed for information about the footage in order to identify the man in the video.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Sussex Police said: 'We are urging anyone who witnessed this incident, has video evidence, or recognizes the person in question to come forward immediately.

'We are aware of a video circulating on social media which appears to show a person holding onto the back of a moving bus in Brighton, in possession of a knife.'

Previously a teenager was seen hanging on the back of a red double decker London bus on Lansbury Drive, Hayes.

The boy is seen gripping onto the Number 90 bus travelling at 30mph before falling to the ground on his feet.
Teachers will adapt lessons to help children spot extremist content and 'putrid' fake news in the wake of last week's riots, it has emerged.

In a curriculum revamp, subjects such as English, maths and ICT will be used to 'arm' pupils against falling for dangerous conspiracy theories.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the Sunday Telegraph that she hopes children as young as five will develop the critical thinking skills needed to identify misinformation on social media, following a wave of young people being swept up in the recent unrest across the country.

'It's important we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge what they see online,' she said.

Britain's most senior prosecutor Stephen Parkinson has warned it is 'deeply disturbing' to see children as young as 11 taking part in riots.

In a curriculum revamp, subjects such as English, maths and ICT will be used to 'arm' pupils against falling for dangerous conspiracy theories (stock image)

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the Sunday Telegraph that she hopes children as young as five will develop the critical thinking skills needed to identify misinformation on social media

A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport as disinformation-fueled riots broke out on July 30

On Friday a 13-year-old boy appeared in court to face charges of violent disorder in Manchester on July 31.

It comes as specialist organised crime detectives have been assigned to go after influencers with large followings who have spread hate and incited violence.

The riots began on July 30 following a spate of misinformation about the killing of three children in Southport a day prior.

The suspect was not initially named, granted automatic anonymity due to his age.

But as misinformation spread online that the perpetrator was an Islamist asylum seeker, his identity was revealed as a 17-year-old from Lancashire.

He is accused of killing Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, with a kitchen knife on Monday.

Eight other children sustained knife wounds from a brutal attack on a dance class in the town, with five of them left in critical condition.

Judge Menary KC cited 'idiotic rioting' in parts of the UK in his reasoning for lifting the anonymity.

Britain's most senior prosecutor Stephen Parkinson (pictured) has warned it is 'deeply disturbing' to see children as young as 11 taking part in riots

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks with West Midlands Police officers in Solihull on Thursday

In a curriculum revamp, subjects such as English, maths and ICT will be used to 'arm' pupils against falling for dangerous conspiracy theories on social media sites such as X

Suspect Axel Rudakubana has since been charged with murdering three children.

Sources in the government told The Telegraph the riots showed the risk of young people being 'sucked in to dangerous online spaces' - arguing it needed to be urgently addressed.

Ms Phillipson is now reviewing the primary and secondary school curriculum, as she claimed it was failing to 'prepare enough of our children for work and for life'.

The review will look at teaching children to spot and dismiss extremist content by building within children critical thinking skills across lessons in multiple subjects.

It is being led by Prof Becky Francis will report back next year, meaning its recommendations may be introduced in September 2025.

It is claimed the planned changes will help children identify all extremist content, including far-Left conspiracy theories and religion-based propaganda.

For instance it could involve using English classes to dissect newspaper reporting, examining their style and use of language compared to fake news outlets.

It is thought that would teach children to differentiate between real journalism and propaganda, by looking out for signs such as bias and hyperbole in the latter.

In computer lessons, students are to be taught how to identify unreliable sources and websites by their designs.

Trouble flares during a protest in Southport on July 31, after three children died and eight were injured in a knife attack

FAKE NEWS: A screengrab of the story as it was originally posted on the Channel3now site

FAKE NEWS: A social media post about the fake news story on July 29 received millions of views and was widely shared on X by far-right influencers

Channel3Now issued a 'sincere apology' for the story and blamed its 'UK-based team'. The fake news site claimed it had 'fired' those responsible

Many propaganda sites are crude imitations of real news outlets, including those of newspapers and broadcasters, but they continue to fool social media users.

Misinformation about the Southport attacker was amplified by Channel3 Now, which poses as a US news outlet but was revealed by the Daily Mail as linked to Russia.

But even some of the smartest and richest people in the world have fallen victim to fake news disinformation.

Elon Musk tweeted far-Right fake news that Sir Keir Starmer is considering building 'emergency' prisons on the Falkland Islands for arrested rioters.

It was made out to be an article in the Telegraph by a senior news reporter at the newspaper but a cursory search of Google revealed no such piece exists.

Musk later deleted his post  a rare backward step for the billionaire whose posts have become increasingly unhinged on his social media site.

He had written 'Detainment Camps'' at 10am as he shared the post by Ashlea Simon, co-leader of far-Right group Britain First.

Meanwhile the government has implemented new measures aimed at tackling misinformation and deterring would-be criminals from instigating further violent disorder.

Elon Musk has fallen victim to the rampant misinformation on his own platform

Elon Musk shared a doctored headline that falsely stated Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is considering building 'emergency' prisons on the Falkland Islands for arrested rioters

Mr Musk shared the post on X made by Ashlea Simon, co-leader of far-Right group Britain First

The Telegraph tweeted that 'no such article has ever been published' by the newspaper

On Friday, the Prime Minister said that the government would review social media laws as part of those efforts.

The Telegraph reported that ministers are now looking at introducing a duty on social media companies to restrict even legal content deemed 'harmful'.

This could mean firms would be obliged to remove or suppress posts spreading fake news or other topics 'such as self-harm', the newspaper reports, 'even if they do not meet the threshold for illegality'.

Critics have branded the proposals 'sinister and authoritarian'.

Controversially, a court in Belfast also heard this week that anybody present at a riot would be remanded in custody, even if they were only a 'curious observer'.

District Judge Francis Rafferty said someone's presence at a riot alone made them involved as he refused two bail applications, as reported by The Telegraph.

Cameron Armstrong, 18 from Belfast, was charged with rioting in the Connswater area of east Belfast after his solicitor argued that while his client was on the 'periphery' of the scene, he denied being involved in any of the rioting.

The defence solicitor said his client had gone to 'have a look' but left when petrol bombs were thrown.

'He doesn't have to throw a petrol bomb or brick to be involved in disorder, if he's present at disorder,' Judge Rafferty said.

Protesters try to break through a barrier as riot police wearing helmets try to control the violence in London on July 31

Protesters cheer as they launch bins at riot police vans amid ugly scenes on July 30 in Southport

Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on in Southport on July 30

'Anybody involving themselves in this type of behaviour, this type of disorder, as an active participant or a curious observer can expect to be, save for the most exceptional circumstances, remanded into custody, and this defendant is remanded into custody.'

The full scope of this provision was unclear.

More than 700 people have now been arrested over rioting, according to the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), of whom more than 300 have been charged.

The NPCC has said specialist officers have now been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and so-called influencers, who they say are responsible for 'spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale'.

Across the country, teams are investigating 'hundreds of leads'.

The NPCC's serious and organised crime team is working with Counter Terrorism Policing and other national agencies to review content across a range of social media sites and platforms.

Online content will be assessed by a senior investigator to determine if it meets the criminal threshold and offenders will then be identified, arrested and charged.

Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime, said inciting violence and encouraging mass disorder are 'incredibly serious offences'.

He went on: 'But this abhorrent activity didn't happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn't mobilise spontaneously.

'It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport.

'They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people's doorsteps.'
The director of public prosecutions has reportedly warned the worst offending rioters causing chaos across Britain risk spending up to a decade behind bars.

Stephen Parkinson said while many of those who have been involved in disgraceful scenes linked to the far-right have been charged with violent disorder, harsher penalties may await the most egregious of thugs.

Many of those charged to date have faced the charge of violent disorder, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. But Mr Parkinson is reported to be considering imposing charges of rioting, which can carry a sentence twice as long.

In remarks reported by a Sunday newspaper, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service said the number of people being charged was expected to soar, with a 'new phase' of cases set to include 'more serious charges with stiffer penalties'.

Far-right hate mobs online are thought to be responsible for engineering the disorder that has hit British towns and cities in the wake of the Southport attacks on July 29 that left three young girls dead.

The head of the Crown Prosecution Service Stephen Parkinson (pictured) has warned rioters convicted of more serious offences face up to a decade behind bars

Hundreds of people have been arrested and scores convicted following riots in the wake of the Southport stabbings (pictured: police guard themselves from bricks in Liverpool)

Far-right protesters attack police in riot gear with wooden planks outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham

The scene of the attack at a community hall in Southport on July 29 in which three young girls died

(Left to right) Southport victims Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six and Alice Dasila Aguiar, nine

Axel Rudakubana, 18, pictured as a child, has been charged with their murders and the attempted murders of 10 others, as well as possession of an offensive weapon

More than 700 people have been arrested in connection with disturbances across the country, with scores already convicted after pleading guilty to a variety of offences at the first opportunity. Many of them have been jailed.

In remarks reported by the Sunday Times, Mr Parkinson said: 'We warned of the consequences and we will deliver these consequences.

'It's not about exacting revenge, it's about delivering justice.'

It comes as the parents of 'precious' six-year-old Bebe King, killed in the Southport attack, said their older daughter saw and escaped the stabbing.

Bebe King was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, during a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Monday July 29.

Her mother and father Lauren and Ben King paid tribute to their daughter on Saturday, saying she 'was full of joy, light and love' and will remain in their hearts as a 'sweet, kind and spirited girl'.

They said Bebe's older sister Genie, nine, witnessed the attack and managed to escape, praising her 'incredible strength and courage'.

Alice's funeral will be held at St Patrick's Church in Southport on Sunday afternoon.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with the murder of the three girls in Merseyside.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes, and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

The incident sparked nationwide disorder. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said 779 people have been arrested over rioting, of whom 349 have been charged.

The NPCC said specialist officers have been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and influencers, who they say are responsible for 'spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale'.

Across the country, teams are investigating 'hundreds of leads'.

Thugs during a far-right anti-immigration protest in Rotherham on August 4 - thought to have been sparked by online hate mobs

A thousands-strong anti-racism protest in Walthamstow, where far-right thugs had reportedly intended to assemble outside an immigration office on Wednesday

A huge crowd of anti-racism protesters in Bristol on Wednesday - far outnumbering the hateful thugs who planned to protest

A protester gestures as he is surrounded by police in Brighton - where anti-racism counter-protesters turned out in numbers to see off far-right thugs

Mr Parkinson said online comments claiming Britain was operating a 'two-tier' justice system under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were not accurate

The director of public prosecutions said comments by Elon Musk (above) about the UK had been 'deeply unhelpful'

But the hate mobs have been pushed back by thousands-strong anti-racist counter-protests, who have either vastly outnumbered those seeking to push an agenda of hate or scared them off from turning up at all.

Up to 100 far-right gatherings were planned for last Wednesday at the offices of immigration lawyers and asylum centres - and when few failed to show, figures online claimed the plan had been a ruse, or a joke not to be taken seriously.

Mr Parkinson said he hoped that those gatherings represented a 'watershed' moment - not least because it was also the day rioter Derek Drummond was handed a three-year sentence for punching a police officer in the face.

And he also had a rebuke to naysayers and far-right influencers - not to mention Elon Musk, founder of floundering social network X, formerly Twitter - who believe there has been so-called 'soft touch' policing towards anti-racism campaigners.

Musk has hopped on a bandwagon popularised among faceless X accounts and far-right online supremos by branding the Prime Minister - and Mr Parkinson's predecessor - Sir Keir Starmer as 'two-tier Keir'.

Baseless claims on social media have suggested the police and courts are giving anti-racism campaigners and Muslims free reign to run about with weapons - claims that have been denied by regional police forces.

Addressing the far-right's claims directly, Mr Parkinson said: 'I really don't think there's two-tier policing or two-tier justice.' He added that some of Musk's comments had been 'deeply unhelpful'.
A long-serving mayor has slammed Welcome to Country ceremonies as 'bulls***' as debate continues to swirl around their appropriateness at council meetings.

Trevor Pickering, 54, was first elected as mayor of Croydon Shire Council, in north Queensland, in 2012 before winning the following elections in 2016 and 2020.

Mr Pickering has taken issue with the shifting political climate, noting there has been a growing fixation on 'risk assessed management plans', preferred pronouns and phrases like 'inclusion' and 'resilience'.

Having served on the council since 2000, the fourth-generation cattle farmer said he has 'had a gutful of the bulls**t' and that he won't contest the next vote.

When pressed on his views on Welcome to Country ceremonies, Mr Pickering said he refused to hold them at his council meetings.

'I've got a nephew who is Aboriginal, I have other family members who identify as Aboriginal, I grew up with Aboriginal people, I befriended Aboriginal people,' he told the Courier Mail.

'That Welcome to Country stuff is all pure bulls**t.'

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies have been a hot topic for councils around the country.

The mayor of north Queensland's Croydon Shire Council, Trevor Pickering (pictured), will not contest the role at the next election after frustrations over 'woke' culture

In November, the Northern Areas Council, in South Australia, ditched its Acknowledgement of Country while the Shire of Harvey, in Western Australia, was left divided over its necessity with one councillor calling it 'tokenistic'.

Welcome to Country ceremonies have also been under the spotlight in the corporate world.

In May, an Aussie applying for a customer service role at an insurance company was left shocked after the hiring manager opened the interview with the ceremony.

Civil servants lashed out at Queensland's Department of Justice and Attorney-General office the following month after staff were told to remove their shoes and wiggle their toes.

Mr Pickering said a majority of Aussies would be confronted by having someone regularly 'welcome them' to the land their families have lived on for 100 years.

Prominent 'No' campaigner Warren Mundine argued the ceremony had been hijacked despite it originally designed to bring Australians together.

'It has become divisive in the sense that, you know, "what about us, we've been here for awhile as well, this is our country" and everything like that,' Mr Mundine said in March.

'I think the trivialisation of it, that's the problem. We should be doing proper welcomes and you shouldn't have to do it at every meeting.

'I go to some conferences and you spend half the day doing Welcome to Country.'

Mr Pickering took issue with Welcome to Country ceremonies (file image) which would be confronting to Aussies whose families have lived on the land for 100 years

Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Nathan Moran argued the ceremonies still centre around inclusivity but aired concerns it may become trivialised.

'I don't think it's about divisive, I think it's about inclusion. I am concerned about trivialising it, it not being respected, delivered in an appropriate way,' Mr Moran said.

'I just hope it's delivered in the right way by the right people, for myself who's a representative of the Aboriginal community, we're a democratic community, we have elected representatives who go out and represent us.
Kamala Harris wants to beat Donald Trump and capture the White House by walking back her soft-on-crime and immigration views.

The vice president, 59, unveiled the shift during her early campaign events since becoming the presumptive Democrat nominee, a tactic the New York Times observed comes as Republicans scramble to land attacks on her candidacy.

She's set to make them official when she unveils her proposed policies to govern this week,

In particular, Harris' past rhetoric on crime reform and illegal immigration have come under scrutiny.

During a campaign rally in Arizona on Friday, Harris embraced the growing emphasis among voters on rampant migration in border states.

'I was the attorney general of a border state,' she said proudly to supporters. 'I went after the transnational gangs, the drug cartels and human traffickers. I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won.'

Kamala Harris has ramped up her rhetoric on the issues of crime and illegal immigration as her campaign heats up

Harris has touted her record as a 'border state prosecutor' in recent weeks, saying she 'went after the transnational gangs, the drug cartels and human traffickers'

During her time as President Biden's number two, Harris was put in charge of helping to stop the migrant crisis by targeting the root causes in Latin America.

But under the Biden-Harris administration, record numbers of illegal migrants flooded over the southern border.

More than 7.8 million people have been apprehended at the border by the CBP since Biden took office, according to figures cited by Texas Senator John Cornyn.

This did not include at least 1.5 million 'gotaways' - those that were detected by CBP technology but slipped into the country without being apprehended.

For Republicans, Harris' responsibilities under this crisis has offered a fruitful line of attack during the campaign, with polls showing illegal immigration is only growing in the minds of American voters.

In a staggering outcome to a recent Reuters/ Ipsos poll, 56 percent of voters said most or all illegal immigrants in the US should be forcibly rounded up and deported.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, at least 7.8 million illegal immigrants were apprehended at the southern border - not including at least 1.5 million 'gotaways'

At a campaign rally in Arizona on Friday (pictured), Harris leaned into the growing importance that illegal immigration has seen in border states

But amid a wave of Republican attacks on her record, Harris' campaign has attempted to lean into the issue and frame her as a tough prosecutor who tackled the issue throughout her career.

The furthest she has gone in recent weeks is pledging to expand avenues for migrants to someday become American citizens.

'We know our immigration system is broken and we know what it takes to fix it: comprehensive reform,' she said at Friday's Arizona rally.

'That includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship.'

Another new TV ad, targeted at swing-state voters in recent days, sees Harris pledge to 'hire thousands more border agents and crack down on fentanyl and human trafficking.'

In another ad currently running, cited by Politico, a narrator said: 'As vice president, she backed the toughest border control bill in decades.

'And as president, she will hire thousands more border agents and crack down on fentanyl and human trafficking. Fixing the border is tough. So is Kamala Harris.'

As part of her perceived new strategy, Harris has targeted her 2024 rival Donald Trump over his role in 'tanking' a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year

The newfound focus on tackling illegal immigration and coming down hard on migrants stands in stark contrast to positions Harris took in the past - including famously raising her hand during a 2020 Democrat primary debate when asked if illegal immigrants should be afforded public healthcare.

Polls also show Republicans are perceived by voters as being more effective on the issue - a factor that Harris' new campaign is seemingly attempting to combat.

Along with other Democrat surrogates, Harris has slammed former President Trump for helping to kill a bipartisan border bill that was set to move through congress earlier this year.

The bill would have closed the border once certain numbers of migrants crossed, while significantly escalating the powers of border patrol to apprehend and deport those crossing illegally.

'Donald Trump tanked the deal,' Harris told her Arizona crowd on Friday.

'Because he thought by doing that it would help him win an election.'

While her candidacy is still only weeks old, Harris' efforts to redefine herself could pay off, according to pollsters and insiders.

Josh Ulibarri, an Arizona-based Democratic pollster, told Politico that the updated messaging is perceived by many as 'smart, strategic and aggressive.'

'(It is) well-aligned with what the swingier Arizona audiences need and want to hear from Democrats at this time,' he told the outlet.

'We need to neutralize the [immigration] issue, so we can give clarity to voters on abortion, on economic conversation and the risks Trump presents.'

Harris is also seen as being soft-on-crime and supported bail funds for those arrested during riots following George Floyd's murder in May 2020.

Despite polling poorly as vice president, her White House run has gotten off to a strong start.

She is out-polling Trump in some surveys and has also dramatically-beaten his recent fundraising.

Republicans - and many Dems - believe Harris is currently enjoying a honeymoon period which will end over the coming weeks.
The Kamala Harris campaign has been forced to admit Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz lied about fighting in a war - just days after the campaign inadvertently drew attention to his false statements.

Walz referenced his 24 years in the Army National Guard during a political event in 2018 while explaining his support for gun legislation like background checks and restrictions on high-powered firearms.

'We can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war is the only place where those weapons are at,' Walz said in the clip, which was filmed when he represented Minnesota in the House of Representatives.

The Harris campaign shared the footage Tuesday on social media in an attempt to illustrate the Minnesota governor's views on gun control.

The Minnesota governor had deployed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks as part of Operating Enduring Freedom - but never saw combat.

During a political event in 2018, Walz suggested he served in war as he showed support for gun legislation like background checks and restrictions on high-powered firearms

The claim drew the ire of some top Republicans, including former President Donald Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who accused Walz of 'stolen valor.'

'What bothers me about Tim Walz is this stolen valor garbage,' he said at a campaign event in Michigan this week. 'Do not pretend to be something that you're not.

'I'd be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did.'

A Trump surrogate also hit out at Walz for the claims.

'Tim Walz is a fraud who wants to ban firearms like the ones he claimed to carry in war - except Tim Walz never deployed to a combat zone and lied about his record of service in the National Guard,' spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told NBC News.

'If Walz won't tell voters the truth, we will: Just like Kamala Harris, Tim Walz is a dangerously liberal extremist, and the Harris-Walz California dream is every American's nightmare.'

The Harris campaign now says that the Minnesota governor simply misspoke - and did not try to lie to anyone about his military service.

The Harris campaign now says that the Minnesota governor simply misspoke - and did not try to lie to anyone about his military service

'Gov. Walz would never insult or undermine any American's service to this country - in fact, he thanks Sen. Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. It's the American way,' Lauren Hitt, a spokeswoman for the Harris-Walz campaign said in a statement Saturday.

'In making the case for why weapons of war should never be on our streets or in our classrooms, the governor misspoke.

'He did handle weapons of war and believes strongly that only members trained to carry those deadly weapons should have access to them, unlike Donald Trump and JD Vance, who prioritize the gun lobby over our children.'

But Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung questioned, 'Why won't Tim Walz address his lies himself? Why does he need to send out lowly spokespeople to clean up his own mess.'

Walz is also facing scrutiny from Republicans who accuse him of quitting the Army National Guard two decades ago to avoid being deployed to Iraq

Meanwhile, Walz is also facing scrutiny from Republicans who accuse him of quitting the Army National Guard two decades ago to avoid being deployed to Iraq - claims made by two retired command sergeant majors during Walz's first campaign for governor in 2018.

Walz formally retired from the Minnesota National Guard in 2005, as he prepared to run for Congress.

Some Republican snow suggest he abandoned his team to pursue the campaign.

In fact, as he prepared for the Congressional run in 2005, Walz's campaign issued a statement saying he planned to run despite a possible mobilization of Minnesota National Guard soldiers to Iraq.

According to the National Guard, he retired from service in May of that year, and his unit was deployed in August.

There is no evidence that Walz timed his departure with the intent of avoiding deployment, but Vance has seized on the issue.

Walz formally retired from the Minnesota National Guard in 2005, as he prepared to run for Congress

Walz has faced such attacks before, including in his re-election campaign in 2022 - when his Republican opponent questioned his decision to leave the service

'When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him - a fact that he's been criticized for aggressively by a lot of the people that he served with,' the vice presidential candidate said at a news conference on Wednesday.

'I think it's shameful to prepare your unit to go to Iraq, to make a promise that you're going to follow through, and then to drop out right before you actually have to go.'

Walz has faced such attacks before, including in his re-election campaign in 2022 - when his Republican opponent questioned his decision to leave the service.

Walz's campaign responded with a letter signed by 50 veterans praising his leadership on veterans' issues in politics - a tactic the Harris campaign is now trying to reproduce.

Some of the criticism has drawn comparisons to critiques John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, faced when he ran for the nation's highest office

The Harris campaign is trying to tout Walz's efforts to help veterans as a politician

Some of the criticism has drawn comparisons to critiques John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, faced when he ran for the nation's highest office.

Kerry - who was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and, for wounds he sustained in battle, three Purple Heart medals - drew the ire of many veterans for his advocacy against the Vietnam War after he returned home.

When he ran for president, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ran ads accusing him of lying about his service on 50-foot aluminum crafts that ran dangerous missions in the Mekong Delta waterways of South Vietnam.

Some of the veterans featured in the ads even said he won the awards under false pretenses.

But the Wall Street Journal editorial board has said the comparisons between Walz and Kerry were 'far different' - noting that Walz has emphasized several times that he did not serve in combat.

During a CNN interview last month - when anchor Jake Tapper said that Walz deployed to Afghanistan - Walz corrected him and said he served in Europe as the Iraq War was going on.

In a 2018 interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Walz also said of his military career: 'I know that there are certainly folks that did far more than I did.'
Police are searching a waterway on Sydney's urban boundary after a man crying for help in the darkness apparently disappeared.

Police on boats and in a helicopter scoured the area, while an unoccupied boat and car have been found at the scene.

Emergency services were called to Carinya Road at Picnic Point in Sydney's south-west about 11pm on Saturday.

People nearby had heard a man calling for help from the Georges River, police said in a statement on Sunday morning.

Bankstown police searched the area along with the police helicopter and Marine Area Command.

'An unoccupied boat and black sedan were located in the vicinity a short time later,' police say in the statement.

Police divers appear to be focusing around a roughly-10-metre closed cabin vessel named 'Dee Too'.

'Dee Too' has a white tender dinghy tied to it.

Police are searching a waterway on Sydney 's urban boundary after a man crying for help in the darkness apparently disappeared

Emergency services were called to Carinya Road at Picnic Point in Sydney's south-west about 11pm on Saturday

Authorities have urged anyone with information or who saw a black Mercedes sedan in the area to contact police.
A Utah mother has been arrested after she was accused of kidnapping her daughter from Utah to live at a 'cult-like' religious compound in Missouri for a year.

Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, 53, of Murray, allegedly abducted her non-custodial child, 5-year-old Gracyn Drolet, and took her to Springfield, Missouri back in January 2023.

According to the OzarksFirst.com, Kimberly had kept the young child in a religious compound modelled after the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints until June 2024.

The head of the 'cult-like' religion, Paul Dean is believed to be related to the victim's mother.

Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, 53, of Murray, allegedly abducted her non-custodial child, and took her to Springfield, Missouri

Gracyn Drolet, 5, was abducted back in January 2024 and was not found till June 2024

An arrest warrant for Kimberly was issued in December 2023 and she was recently arrested.

She was in the middle of her divorce with Laurence Drolet when she took the toddler, according to the report

The accused accomplices included her son Jaxson Davidson, 30, Dallas Davidson, 23, and Kristine Merrill, 53 - all of whom have been arrested.

As of now, officials believe Kimberly and Jaxson left the state of Utah with Gracyn and drove to Missouri as Kristine assisted in their departure.

According to the indictment, the accused had planned the kidnapping for 14 months with her accomplices before she allegedly committed the crime.

According to the indictment, the accused had planned the kidnapping for 14 months with her accomplices before she allegedly committed the crime

Kimberly was in the middle of her divorce with Laurence Drolet (pictured) when she took the toddler, according to the report

Kimberly had kept the young child in a religious compound modelled after the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Pictured: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Murray)

Kimberly had remained at large for over a year as all four managed to hide her and the child's location from law enforcement and the childs father.

Investigators also discovered that the mother had used various burner flip phone as well as the USPS to evade capture.

All of four have been charged with kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, with Kimberly's initial appearance scheduled for August 13.

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a religious sect of the fundamentalist Mormon denominations whose members practice polygamy.
The recipient of an Australian of the Year award has drawn criticism for referring to members of terrorist organisation Hamas as 'freedom fighters'.

Betul Tuna, who has been an outspoken supporter of Palestine and wore a Palestinian keffiyeh-inspired scarf to accept her 'Local Hero' award, shared the disturbing content earlier this week.

In her controversial post, Ms Tuna said those 'the colonisers label a terrorist, historians will declare freedom fighters'.

Ms Tuna described herself as a 'change maker, activist, advocate and Intersectional Feminist' and works for the Victorian Government in child protection.

She received her Local Hero award in recognition of her being 'deeply committed to humanitarian and community causes'.

Her comments on Hamas followed the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the group's former leader who was assassinated in Iran on July 31.

Ms Tuna's post was described as 'appalling' and 'divisive', yet she was featured in an advertisement promoting the Australian of the Year awards by the National Australia Day Council (NADC) just days later.

The ad was also shared by the Department of Premier and Cabinet which urged Victorians to 'recognise someone in your community who's helping Victorians'.

Betul Tuna (pictured) called members of Hamas, a terrorist organisation, 'freedom fighters'

Ms Tuna is the recipient of the Australian of the Year 'Local Hero' award (pictured, Ms Tuna accepting the award from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)

However, it's not the first time the NADC has overlooked Ms Tuna's support of Palestine, the Herald Sun reported.

The activist has shared several anti-Israel posts since Hamas' October 7 massacre and the subsequent war in Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis.

Ms Tuna also recently shared photos of a protester wearing a jumper with the words 'Intifada Revolution' at a rally in Melbourne's CBD.

The phrase calls for a violent uprising against Israel. Two Intifadas in the past led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin called for the NADC to refocus its awards on 'leadership and virtuous behaviour' rather than honouring those who 'inflame and divide'.

Ms Tuna (pictured) described herself as a 'change maker, activist, advocate and Intersectional Feminist' and works for the Victorian Government in child protection

'Ms Tuna's comments on terrorism and support for violent uprisings show she has swallowed the shallow propaganda of the anti-Israel movement hook, line and sinker,' he said.

'If Ms Tuna is prepared to meet with Jewish Australians, including victims of Palestinian terrorism, to better understand why her words are so appalling and hurtful, we would be happy to facilitate that.'

In response to the criticism against Ms Tuna in light of its recent ad, the NADC said: 'Nominations for the Australian of the Year - Local Hero award acknowledge individuals who have made a significant contribution at a local community level.

'Recipients are selected by an independent committee from a shortlist of nominations put forward by the Victorian community.'
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A North Dakota construction company scolded a distraught couple who complained about scores of faults with their new $1.1 million dream mansion.

Tom and Katie Webster said at least 87 faults and defects were found around their new home since they closed on the property March 2023.

After they say their efforts to contact the construction company, Spire Custom Homes, were ignored, they contacted the owner directly - who allegedly told them it 'wasn't his problem.'

Desperate for help, the Websters approached local TV station Valley News Live to share their plight. But Spire Custom homes blasted them for 'litigating' the story in the media - and claimed the complaints should have been kept private.

A spokesman scolded: 'Spire Custom Homes considers customer complaints and warranty work to be matters between itself and its customer.

'To be clear, Spire and the customer who was featured in the media recently have been in ongoing communications about their home for more than a year and Spire will continue to communicate, perform warranty work, and meet its duties as outlined in the parties contract and pursuant to the warranties to which its customer is entitled.'

They issued the brazen slapdown despite the Websters saying they'd been driven to seek media coverage after being ignored.

A North Dakota couple say they spent $1.1 million building this property as their 'forever home', but have since been plagued by construction issues and bills that turned it into a 'nightmare'

Owners Tom and Katie Webster said the process of building their new home quickly went 'from a dream to a nightmare'

To make matters worse, the Websters said some of the construction workers were arrested for smoking 'illegal drugs' on their property, while another was mysteriously extradited back to Texas to face criminal charges.

It is unclear what illegal drugs were being taken and the partying builders have not been identified.

As the couple fight to complete the home, Tom said they have been left heartbroken, describing the process as going 'from a dream to a nightmare'.

Katie said she and her husband had dreams of making their newbuild in Fargo their 'forever home', but 'from the day we signed, it was one thing after another, after another, after another.'

Upon close inspection, the home was found to be covered in shoddy construction work, dented and broken finishes, and appliances that were poorly installed.

Outside, parts of the skirting boards were held together by tape, and paving slabs were laid with huge cracks running along them.

The Websters said when the construction company laid the flooring, it was put on backwards, while several walls had to be rebuilt up to three times.

When the home was hit by heavy rainfall, it was found that much of the home's faulty work resulted in severe flooding that put their construction even further behind.

And a painful reminder of the problems with their home is visible as soon as one arrives there, with footprints embedded in the concrete driveway by careless workers who strutted along it before it was dry.

The property was found to have dozens of blatant faults and issues from the construction, including outdoor skirting held together by tape

Footprints can be seen in the concreted driveway from when workers walked along it before it was dry

Paving slabs were laid with visibly large cracks in them

Other issues included cracked and broken finishings, flooring put on backwards, and shoddily constructed walls that needed to be rebuilt several times

Tom, a veteran, owns his own home inspection business in Fargo, which he said was a blessing as he was able to spot some issues as they arose during the building process.

'Its just crazy because I was paying them to watch and supervise their work, but really, I ended up having to watch many times,' he said.

'Had we not had that knowledge, we wouldve been in an even worse situation.'

After the couple hired a different inspector to survey the home during construction, Katie said they 'found 87 different regulations that had to be finished before they could move onto the next part.'

Shockingly, the Websters claim their plans were even further delayed by the behavior of the workers on their property.

They said when framers came to install finished to the exterior of the home, they 'were arrested on our property for having a party and smoking illegal drugs.'

'Another was arrested and extradited back to Texas,' Tom added.

By the time the work moved to their yard, Tom said he was stunned to discover their entire property size had shrunk.

When they signed the property agreement, the land was listed as 41,000 square feet. But when they went to install sprinklers, somehow the property was reduced to 32,000 square feet.

Shockingly, the Websters claim their plans were even further delayed by the construction workers being arrested for 'smoking illegal drugs' on their property

Spire Custom Homes allegedly told news media that the problems in the home were 'not my problem.' Pictured is owner Jeff Shipley, who was not the one who answered the phone

Other shortfalls from the original agreement to the finished product included the lack of a dual zone heating and cooling system, they said.

Over a year and a half since first closing, the couple say they are facing mounting bills and are left to complete much of the work themselves.

'The quality of work is what really saddens me because weve put our entire life savings into this home, expecting this to be our forever home, and right now, we just dont believe thats the case anymore,' Katie said.

'We cant keep putting more money into this.'

As they struggle to finish their home, the Websters say Spire Custom Homes, which is owned by Jeff Shipley, is all-but ignoring their attempts to contact them.

According to Valley News Live, when the outlet called the general manager of Spire, he refused to comment, and only responded: 'This is not my problem.'

As they ran out of options, the Websters contacted the North Dakota Attorney General's office and hired an attorney to help them chase down the contractors - adding to their mounting bills.

The only silver lining from the construction nightmare, they say, is that the constant issues have led to a blossoming friendship with their neighbors.

'We have our neighbors calling us all the time, asking about some situation thats going on with the building, which is kind of embarrassing,' Katie said.

'Its embarrassing being the corner house with all the problems, but it allowed us to meet some really great people!'
Comes days after terror threat raised to 'probable'

The boss of Australia's domestic spy agency says allied 'friend' countries have been caught threatening Australians on our home soil.

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess only specifically named Iran as a nation which had 'threatened diaspora communities in Australia', but added 'three or four' foreign nations had been caught out.

'I can think of at least three or four that we have actually actively found involved in foreign interference in Australian diaspora communities.'

'Some of them would surprise you, some of them are also our friends,' Mr Burgess said.

The ASIO director-general made the comments on ABC on Sunday, days after Australia's terror threat level was raised to 'probable'.

The threat level was raised because of a heightened chance of politically-motivated violence, so the upcoming federal election would be a 'focal point' for ASIO, Mr Burgess said.

But foreign interference and espionage remain principal concerns for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

The most likely terrorist attack in this country would be from an individual who 'goes to violence' with little warning and little-to-no planning, the ASIO boss said.

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess (pictured) has revealed 'friend' countries are among the three or four foreign nations caught interfering in 'in Australian diaspora communities'

It comes just days after Australia's terror threat level was raised to 'probable' because of a heightened chance of politically-motivated violence (pictured, NSW Police)

'It could just be a reaction to language they've heard used from someone, including a politician,' Mr Burgess said.

'Most' politicians did not deliberately use language which inflamed tensions, he said.

'There is a direct connection between inflamed language, inflamed tension and violence.'

Iran was one country which had been caught threatening diaspora communities in Australia, he said.

Asked if India also threatened diaspora communities in Australia, Mr Burgess said there were 'three or four' countries that had been caught, some which 'may surprise your viewers'.

But he said he could only cite Iran because former Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil had publicly identified that Gulf state.

The Iranian ambassador to Australia recently took to social media calling for a 'wiping out' of Israelis in Palestine by 2027, and referred to Israelis as a 'Zionist plague'.

The ambassador 'absolutely' made a 'classic, terrible' example of inappropriate, unacceptable language that could actually drive violence, Mr Burgess said.

'That was an example of one worthy of being called out.'
A conceptual rendering of a California High Speed Rail train, which is expected to be launched in the states Central Valley between 2030 and 2033. Image courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority

Three U.S. presidents have sat in the Oval Office since California voters approved a 2008 bond to build a high-speed rail system from Los Angeles to San Francisco. But the next president, whether its Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, could determine if the states beleaguered bullet-train project encounters new setbacks.

Thats mainly because the next administration will wield heavy influence over the federal governments purse strings at a time when Californias High-Speed Rail project is banking on federal assistance to start passenger service in the Central Valley.

Officials at the states High-Speed Rail Authority say theyre hoping to secure about $4.7 billion in federal money to pay for the bulk of the estimated $7 billion needed to finish construction of the projects 171-mile segment from Merced to Bakersfield. The projects Central Valley segment is expected to start service between 2030 and 2033, serving four huge stations.

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Experts and the projects advocates say the federal governments support for Californias bullet-train project would look drastically different under a Harris or Trump presidency.

If past is prologue, its pretty clear that a second Trump administration would be very hostile to high-speed rail, said Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment at UC Berkeley.

A rendering of one of the California High-Speed Rail Projects four Central Valley Stations. Though much of the project has been funded by state taxes, its expected to need federal funds as it works toward completion. California High-Speed Rail Authority

Former President Trump publicly clashed with Gov. Gavin Newsom over the states high-speed rail project and criticized it as a costly boondoggle that failed to deliver on its original vision of linking San Francisco and Los Angeles via bullet trains. The Trump administration threatened, then withheld, $929 million in federal funds earmarked for the project in 2019.

California sued the federal government in an attempt to recoup the funds, though the issue became moot after the 2020 election. Democratic President Joe Biden took office, and the federal government released the funds in 2021. The debacle had little impact on construction because the High-Speed Rail Authority hadnt planned to use the withheld funds until that year.

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Elkind said a second Trump term could usher in an administration that likely would try to do everything they can to cancel any dollars that havent been allocated to the project.

On the other hand, bullet-train advocates have high hopes that the federal government will steer more money to the project  which requires an estimated $100 billion to make the envisioned San Francisco-to-Los Angeles segment a reality  if Vice President Harris takes office.

Andy Kunz, president and CEO of the U.S. High Speed Rail Association, said a Harris presidency increases the odds that major new federal funding could be allocated to the project to speed up its construction timeline.

Kunz said the project will continue construction regardless of who the next president is, though the outcome of the election could influence how fast it advances.

The sooner we get trains running, the sooner the public can be riding, and the whole boondoggle moniker will disappear, he said.

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Kunz estimates that the states high-speed rail project could compete for at least $5 billion from various federal funding pots, including from the Biden infrastructure law that awarded $3 billion to the project last year.

Outgoing High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Brian Kelly wouldnt comment on the presidential elections impact on the project, though its clear that the outcome is weighing on the minds of project officials and state lawmakers.

In March, Kelly told legislators at a Sacramento hearing that a Trump presidency would present a high risk for the projects federal funding prospects.

Im going to be candid: it was the most dysfunctional state-federal relationship Ive ever seen in 30 years in public service, Kelly said of working with the Trump administration. And so I dont have high hopes that theres a big change in terms of having a stable federal partner on this project.

Kelly said in the March hearing that the authority could mitigate future attempts by the federal government to claw back earmarked funds by making measurable progress on construction.

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As long as were putting the federal dollars we get to good use, expanding economic opportunity and job growth, I think it gets harder and harder to take those dollars away, Kelly said.

To date, most of the bullet-train projects funding has come from California taxpayers. The project celebrated a milestone Sunday with the public launch of Caltrains new electric fleet as part of the commuter rail agencys decades-long electrification project. That project benefits high-speed rail, as well, because both rail systems will share the electrified tracks from San Jose to San Francisco if state officials can find the money to connect the bullet-train network from Merced to the Bay Area.

The projects envisioned system connecting the Bay Area to Los Angeles faces existential questions. Rail officials acknowledge that the bullet-train system wont be financially self-sufficient if it doesnt connect riders to the states major economic hubs.

If the system ultimately has any hope of getting built out to where it at least connects one of our major cities, its going to require a large infusion of federal dollars, Elkind said. It is a very pivotal election for the high-speed rail project, theres no doubt about that. But theres also a lot that needs to be done in the state to fix the project to really speed up construction, because its just taken way too long.
A woke female judge has been suspended after she accused a prosecutor of going after 'every young black man,' in addition to allegedly changing a jury's verdict and convicting a defendant of a crime that didn't exist.

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled 5-2 to remove 19th Judicial District Judge Eboni Johnson Rose from her elected post on an interim basis - with pay - amid a formal investigation by the Louisiana Judiciary Commission, NOLA.com reports.

The Court ruled that she 'presents a substantial threat of serious harm to the public,' and said there 'does not appear to be direct precedent for interim disqualification under facts similar to those here.'

Among those alleged transgressions, Rose once accused District Attorney Hillar Moore's office of 'systemically targeting black people.'

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled 5-2 to remove 19th Judicial District Judge Eboni Johnson Rose from her elected post on an interim basis

'The young man doesn't have any fricking felonies. And I know the DA probably wants every young black man in prison, but I don't,' Rose, who is black, said at an April 29 sidebar, according to the report.

'And this case is goddamn four years old now. And that's the best that y'all can come up with? You're just going to what, stick every n***** in jail?'

The Louisiana Judiciary Commission has also said it was 'deeply concerned that Judge Rose's succession of clear legal errors in criminal cases, as well as her wholly inappropriate use of a contemptible racial slur in court... mean that Judge Rose may pose a substantial threat of serious harm to the public or the administration of justice if she remains in office.'

Records obtained by Nola.com show that she has taken an apologetic stance for her remarks that day - but argued that her actions didn't rise to the level of being sidelined.

Her attorneys described her as 'exceptionally remorseful' over the comment and 'the impact those statements have had on the agencies and individuals involved, the public and the judiciary as a whole.'

The court cited an incident in which she accused District Attorney Hillar Moore's office of 'systemically targeting black people'

They said Rose 'accepts full responsibility for her lapse in judgment in this regard, which resulted in an extreme aberration from her character.'

The judge went on to blame heavy stress from media coverage and said that at the time, she was suffering 'hair loss, anxiety and stomach complications as a result of the ongoing intense media scrutiny combined with the normal stressors' of the job.

But she disputed the commission's allegation that she was trying to coerce prosecutors to drop the charges in the case.

Yet the incident is only one of several cases over which the commission is investigating Rose - based on evidence she committed misconduct in four different criminal matters.

'In another case, it was alleged and reported that after a jury found a criminal defendant not guilty, Judge Rose met with the jury and then changed the verdict to guilty, which led to the granting of a mistrial and this Honorable Court having to reverse the mistrial and reinstate the not guilty verdict,' the Supreme Court's decision said.

In a third case, Rose allegedly imposed an unlawful sentence against a defendant charged with aggravated arson, then vacated it along with the guilty plea.

'Finally, a media article reported that in a fourth criminal case, Judge Rose initially convicted a defendant of a non-existent misdemeanor offense, and after it was brought to her attention that the verdict was invalid, rendered an acquittal.'

Court records show that Rose acknowledged she performed poorly in some of those cases - but claimed to the commission that she always meant well

Court records show that Rose acknowledged she performed poorly in some of those cases - but claimed to the commission that she always meant well.

Her conduct was 'by and large the unfortunate result of unintentional mistakes, oversights and inadvertent failures to be properly prepared,' Rose's attorneys wrote.

'They were not - by any measure - the result of deliberate indifference to her responsibilities to the judiciary, ill practices or bad faith.'

Rose's attorney, James Clary Jr., also insisted she would continue to cooperate in the misconduct investigation.

'We have nothing but respect for the Supreme Court's processes and rules,' he told Nola.com.

'At the end of this, we want to be better.'
A young woman's face has been left bloodied after she was allegedly glassed by another woman at a pub in Perth's north.

Taiya Sampson reportedly underwent surgery on Saturday to repair a deep gash to her cheek and had stitches placed in her forehead after she was allegedly glassed at The Landing in Alkimos on Friday evening.

Police allege a verbal argument broke out between Ms Sampson and another woman, both aged 20, before it allegedly escalated into a physical altercation.

The woman allegedly hit Ms Sampson with a wine glass and left her with a 5cm gash down her left cheek.

Police confirmed the woman are known to each other.

Taiya Sampson, 20, was left with a deep gash on her cheek which required surgery (pictured) after allegedly being glassed during an altercation at a Perth pub on Friday night

The alleged attacker, from Two Rocks, was charged with unlawful wounding a short time later and faced Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday.

She was released on bail and will appear before the Joondalup Magistrates Court on September 4.
A teenage motorcyclist has died after being struck by a car was allegedly stolen an hour earlier.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Bell Street and Victoria Street in Preston in Melbourne's north about 12.40am on Sunday following reports a BMW had struck a motorcycle.

Police arrived at the scene and performed CPR on a critically injured 19-year-old Davide Pollina, who died at the scene, despite desperate attempts to save his life.

The teen moved to Australia with his parents and older sister from Sicily in search of a better life about a decade ago.

His father, Nicola Pollina, in 2021 celebrated his son's achievement of buying his first car, writing on social media: 'You're our pride'.

Davide was remembered as a 'handsome and respectful boy' to locals from his home town in Italy and as avid motorcycle and car enthusiast to his Aussie friends.

It's believed two occupants in the BMW allegedly fled from the scene.

A 16-year-old boy, was arrested shortly afterwards and interviewed by detectives before being released, pending further enquiries.

Davida Pollina (pictured), 19, died at the scene of a horror crash in Melbourne's north

Davide was remembered as a 'handsome and respectful boy' in his hometown in Italy

The other occupant remains on the run.

Police allege the luxury car and a Mazda were stolen from a home on Coonans Road, in Pascoe Vale South, at about 11.40pm on Saturday night, an hour before the collision.

A family friend of Davide remembered the teen as 'a really nice young man' whose death was 'devastating' for his family.

'It's devastating for Nicola and Eleanora as they came here for a better life and now they've lost their son all because a 16-year-old (allegedly) wants to steal a car and have some fun, it's bad,' they told the Herald Sun.

A GoFundMe organised on behalf of Davide's family said he was 'travelling home on his motorbike ... when he was suddenly struck by an (allegedly) stolen vehicle'.

'Davide was only 19, with a full life ahead of him,' the fundraiser reads.

Neighbours of the home where the cars were allegedly stolen said a party had been held at the home earlier that night.

They revealed that by Sunday morning, the garage door had been smashed open and crawling with police gathering evidence.

Detectives from the Major Collision Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.

Davide was known as an avid car and motorcycle enthusiast, and a 'handsome and respectful boy' to locals from their home town in Italy before his family moved to Australia a decade ago

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan indicated that the state government will address rampant youth crime this week.

'While there are investigations underway I'm not able to comment on the cause of this accident but I do want to express my deepest, deepest sympathy to the family who have lost a loved one,' she told reporters on Sunday.

Ms Allan indicated the state government would introduce a bill to parliament to address youth crime, with Davide being the third allegedly killed by criminal youths this year.

'While we are working on putting that Bill through the parliament, I understand very clearly that we need to address both the community concerns but also the reality of this repeat pattern of behaviour and look at what more we must do to keep the community safe,' she said.

'There is a pattern of behaviour here that is causing harm and it's also causing me, and so many in the community, concern.'

Ms Allan however wouldn't reveal details regarding the upcoming bill or if it will include amendments to the Youth Justice Bill currently before parliament.
Specialist police teams are trawling through social media posts to target hate influencers' who incited the far-right riots seen on British streets.

Regional organised crime units are working with the specialist officers to investigate hundreds of posts suspected of 'spreading hate and inciting violence'.

Far-right mobs across the UK carried out a series of riots in the wake of the Southport knife attack after false rumours were spread on social media blaming a Muslim migrant for the attack.

A range of social media sites are being reviewed by officers from the serious and organised crime team, counter-terror police and other national agencies.

Officers would work together to build a 'clear intelligence picture' of those believed to be organising and influencing violence both online and in the real world, the National Police Chiefs' Council said.

Offenders will then be identified, arrested and charged after content is assessed by a senior investigator to determine whether it meets the criminal threshold.

ROTHERHAM: Anti-migration protesters attempt to enter the Holiday Inn Express Hotel which is housing asylum seekers on August 4

'Armchair thug' Jordan Parlour, 28, who has been jailed for 20 months at Leeds Crown Court for calling on yobs to destroy a hotel housing 200 asylum seekers in Leeds

ROTHERHAM: Far-right mobs across the UK carried out a series of riots in the wake of the Southport knife attack after false rumours were spread on social media blaming a Muslim migrant for the attack

Tyler Kay was jailed for 38 months at Northampton Crown Court for publishing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting, intending thereby to stir up racial hatred

Chief Constable Chris Haward, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for serious and organised crime told The Telegraph: 'Let me be clear  inciting violence and encouraging mass disorder are incredibly serious offences.

'In this past week, our communities have suffered in a number of ways. People have fallen victim to hate crimes, officers have been subjected to sustained violence, and a number of important community buildings have been damaged.

'But this abhorrent activity didn't happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn't mobilise spontaneously. It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport.

'They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people's doorsteps.'

The ugly scenes across the UK came after six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, who were killed in the Southport attacks on July 29.

The subsequent riots led to an online spat between Sir Keir Starmer and X boss Elon Musk.

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said she had removed the app from her phone so she now has to log in to use it to create a 'barrier' after Mr Musk took over the company, having previously been 'massively addicted to Twitter [now known as X]'

Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Government minister said of the social media platform: 'Fundamentally for me now I think that I am sort of done with it, I don't wish to fish in that particular pond any more.

'I used to be massively addicted to Twitter, I have got a very addictive personality, I was massively addicted to it.

'The only power we now have over what is becoming a bit despotic is that we opt out of it, you vote with your feet in this instance rather than pen and paper.'

Asked if she would encourage people to quit the site, Ms Phillips said: 'Personally for me, I don't think it is a space where there is any fun to be had any more.

'I don't think that it is a place of light, I think it is only a place of misery now.'

ROTHERHAM: Riot police fight running battles with people throwing rocks and planks in the streets around the hotel in to the night

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said she had removed the app after Mr Musk took over the company

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Work carried out by specialist officers had already led to the arrest and charging of a number of social media users accused of spreading false information and writing online content likely to incite violence.

On Friday, three 'armchair thugs' were jailed for a total of five years including a sign installer who urged a mob to 'smash the f**k' out of a migrant hotel.

Jordan Parlour, 28, was jailed for 20 months after calling on yobs to destroy a hotel housing 200 asylum seekers in Leeds, making him the first man to be sentenced over Facebook posts relating to disorder since the Southport murders.

The sign installer, who could not take to the streets himself because he had a broken heel, incited protesters to target the Britannia Hotel near his home in Leeds.

In another first since the recent disorder began, a man who encouraged people to start a riot on social media became the first person from Wales to be imprisoned.

Richard Williams, 34, of Buckley, Flintshire, posted 'let's f***ing riot' and shared a derogatory meme about migrants in a local Facebook group about protests.

Williams was jailed for 12 weeks after pleading guilty at Mold Magistrates' Court to one count of sending menacing messages via a public communication network.

Company director Tyler Kay who repeated vile anti-immigrant comments posted by the wife of a Tory councillor was jailed for 38 months at Northampton Crown Court - after boasting online that he would 'categorically' not be arrested.

Richard Williams, 34, of Buckley, Flintshire, posted about taking part in a riot and shared a derogatory meme about migrants in a local Facebook group dedicated to protests, Mold Magistrates' Court heard. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail this afternoon

Parlour was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today by Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl KC

Jordan Parlour turned to social media to incite protesters to target a Britannia Hotel in Leeds

Kay, 26, was arrested and convicted within 36 hours of posting on X calling for 'mass deportation now', adding: 'Set fire to all the f*******hotels full of the b******** for all I care If that makes me racist, so be it.'

He also reposted a screenshot of another message inciting action against a named immigration solicitors in Northampton, and other posts attributable to him showed a desire to be involved in organised protests in the town.

The wife of a Tory councillor appeared in court on Saturday charged with publishing written material to stir up racial hatred in relation to a social media message calling for attacks on asylum seekers.

Lucy Connolly, 41, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court via a videolink and did not enter a plea.

It is alleged that Connolly, from Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, posted on X hours after the Southport knife killings saying: 'Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care...'

Connolly, who works as a childminder, bluntly added: 'If that makes me racist, so be it.'

Elsewhere, Hampshire Police said two men had been charged after a protest in Aldershot on July 31.

A police spokesman said that while the majority of people gathered in a peaceful manner outside the Potters International Hotel, some disorder was reported and one officer suffered a minor injury.

Jamie Lee Turvey, 34, of Montgomery Road, Farnborough, and Alby Brannan, 18, of Winchester Road, Ash, were charged with violent disorder.

They will appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Tuesday August 13.

Five other men who were charged with violent disorder on Friday will also appear in court on Tuesday: Joe Howell, 19, of Bareham Drive, Ash; Kieron Marney, 25, of Fairview Road, Ash; Perrie Fisher, 28, of Hillside Road, Farnham; Cameron Bowling, 40, of Broadhurst, Farnborough; and Clive Patfield, 60, of The Chantrys, Farnham.

Howell was also charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker.
Five patients are in a critical condition and four others have also been hospitalised following a horror two-vehicle crash near a popular holiday hotspot.

The collision occurred at Shute Harbour Road in Mount Marlow, south-west of Airlie Beach Queensland's Whitsundays region at 1.08pm on Sunday.

Six people were rushed to Proserpine Hospital after emergency services attended the scene.

A Queensland Ambulance spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that two patients suffered life threatening injuries.

Two others were also assessed at the scene for critical injuries while four passengers were transported to hospital in a stable condition.

The crash occurred at Shute Harbour Road, in Mount Marlow, south-west of Airlie Beach, in north Queensland , at 1.08pm, on Sunday (stock image)

Another person was airlifted to Mackay Hospital in a serious condition.

A total of nine people were injured in the crash.

Shute Harbour Road, which connects Proserpine and Airlie Beach was closed in both directions and is expected to be shut for some time as police examine the crash site.

Motorists have been urged to avoid the area and diversions and traffic signage are in place to redirect drivers to alternative routes.

Five people are fighting for life following the horror crash (stock image)

Police remained at the scene yesterday and launched an investigation.

Queensland Police declined to provide further details when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

A spokeswoman from the Mackay Hospital and Health Service said that the man airlifted to Mackay Hospital remains in a serious condition as of 8am on Monday.
The family of a British doctor who vanished while walking in the Pyrenees believe his Apple account may hold the clues to finding him after his car was found abandoned in the mountains.

Tom Doherty, 67, from St Albans, was hiking and camping near Col d'Escots when his family lost contact with him on Tuesday after he sent a flurry of Whatsapp messages - one of which read: 'Help, I've fallen and cannot move.'

Fears were raised that he may have been caught in bad weather during his hike after another of the messages, sent two-and-a-half hours earlier, had shown clouds over a mountain range.

Mr Doherty had reportedly been hiking in the Ariege region near Frances border with Spain and Andorra, where there have been thunderstorms in recent days.

Whilst messaging his family before his disappearance, Mr Doherty did not reveal his precise location. But his loved ones have now appealed for help in getting into his Apple account as they believe it will reveal this information.

A desperate search is now underway involving dogs and helicopters but has been hampered by poor visibility - causing great concern for his family including wife Anne Lyons, who has admitted that he 'doesn't know the mountain well'.

She also believed he 'did not have the complete and necessary equipment' for hiking alone in the perilous mountain range.

Mr Doherty (right, with his wife Anne Lyons) was last heard from on Tuesday evening while hiking in France

Search operations in the region have been hampered by poor visibility (pictured: gendarmes with a dog in the area)

The family shared a photo taken by Mr Doherty that he took on Saturday, before vanishing

Mr Doherty's family have now appealed for help in getting into his Apple account as they believe it will reveal this information (pictured from left to right: Tom Doherty, wife Anne, son-in-law Tim Hughes and daughter Rachel Doherty)

Mr Doherty told his family he had fallen and could not move before disappearing

In a post on social media, a woman who said Doherty was her uncle wrote: 'We desperately need to access his Mac laptop which has been locked as we have tried his passwords too many times. We need to get into it.... so that we can look at the last location of his last photos on iCloud and try and get into his Find My.'

Mr Doherty and his wife own a home in south-west France where the esteemed tropical medicine consultant has spent a large part of his retirement over the last decade.

Ms Lyons, who is now in France and involved in the search for her husband, said they had found his abandoned grey Renault Clio near Pouech de Gerac, a few miles away from the Chalet de Beauregard.

He was reportedly last seen at 12.30pm on Tuesday, a few miles from this location, near Etang de la Plede.

Describing the moment the family received his message, she said: 'We panicked. When I arrived in France, I hoped that they had found him and that we would be in the hospital.

'But, in the afternoon with the fog, we lost confidence, especially for a 67-year-old man spending a second night alone in these conditions.

'We have a lot of worries, but we have not lost hope. This is why we are appealing for witnesses. If anyone has seen him, if anyone knows in which campsite he has pitched his tent, please alert the police.'

Mr Doherty, a grandfather of one who has been described as an avid and experienced walker, set off on a four-day solo walking and camping trip in the Pyrenees on Saturday. He has three daughters and one son.

His family believe he had been camping somewhere in the Col d'Escots area at the time of his disappearance on Tuesday.

Ms Lyons said she knows her husband was also in Ax-les-Thermes, a ski resort in the Ariege department, close to Andorra, earlier in the week.

Mr Doherty was hiking and camping near Col d'Escots when his family lost contact with him on Tuesday

Tom (right) and his wife Anne (left). The family are appealing for any information that could help find him

Mr Doherty, a grandfather of one who has been described as an avid and experienced walker, set off on a four-day solo walking and camping trip in the Pyrenees on Saturday (pictured: Mr Doherty with grandaughter Martha)

Rachel (left) says her father (right) had 'always loved and adventure and had been very independent'

'We know this because he went hiking and camping,' she said. 'Every day we received photos and messages.

'And then on Tuesday, around 8pm, while we were in England, everyone received messages saying: 'Help, I've fallen and cannot move.' And then nothing more.'

Ms Lyons arrived in France from the UK on Wednesday, along with her daughter, Rachel, to help in the search.

She said: 'Since Tuesday, we have had no contact with him. He doesn't receive any messages. He does not answer. We therefore launched the alert from England.

'Since Wednesday, searches have been carried out in the mountains with dogs and helicopters, but fog appeared, which made the operation difficult.

'My daughter and I took a flight to arrive very early on Wednesday morning. We went up to the Col d'Escots in Ustou and found his car.

'We know he's camping somewhere in the area, but not exactly where. During the day, someone saw him near the Aube pond car park, near the Gerarc circle.

'He was tired, but he wanted to continue. Later, he was probably injured in an accident. Now we don't know where he is.'

His daughter said he had sent pictures of the local scenery before going missing, with clouds coming over a mountain and the caption 'bugger'

Neil Stone, a friend and infectious disease doctor, described Mr Doherty as a 'legend in the world of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases'

Mr Doherty's photographs sent into the WhatsApp chat have helped provide some clues on his whereabouts.

One looked down on the Chalet de Beauregard, which is believed to be an hour's uphill walk from the refuge, a woman who works there said. It is not clear how far he walked before the accident.

Rachel says her father had 'always loved and adventure and had been very independent'.

Neil Stone, a friend and infectious disease doctor, posted on X: 'Dr Tom Doherty is a legend in the world of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases and inspired me to go into the field Desperately hope he is found safe and sound.'

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man missing in France and are in touch with the local authorities.'

His disappearance comes after a series of high profile disappearances in mountain ranges.

Teenager Jay Slater fell to his death in a ravine on Tenerife in June after trying to walk home from a night out on holiday, while TV presenter Michael Mosley died after taking a wrong turn on the Greek island of Symi earlier in the same month.
The impact of riots plaguing Britain's streets will last for years, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned.

Her comments came as the director of public prosecutions has reportedly warned the worst offending rioters causing chaos across Britain risk spending up to a decade behind bars.

Writing in the Observer, Ms Mahmood said the impact of the disorder, fuelled by online disinformation following the Southport attack which killed three girls, would be 'felt for months and years to come'.

She praised the judiciary for proving it could 'rise to this challenge' but said that its job had been made more difficult due to the 'system [we] inherited from the Conservatives'.

Ms Mahmood cited 'record crown court backlogs' and 'overflowing prisons' as the reasons why the Labour party has recently been forced to release some prisoners early.

She renewed a warning to those who have participated in the recent unrest on Britain's streets, saying: 'If you stoke fear, or take part in violence, the full force of the law will be brought against you. Justice will be done.'

Writing in the Observer, Shabana Mahmood (pictured) said the impact of the disorder would be 'felt for months and years to come'

Riot police officers push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel

Widespread violence in Rotherham on August 4 as far-right agitators targeted police and looted shops

Riot police fight running battles with people throwing rocks and planks in the streets

Meanwhile, Stephen Parkinson said while many of those who have been involved in disgraceful scenes linked to the far-right have been charged with violent disorder, harsher penalties may await the most egregious of thugs.

Many of those charged to date have faced the charge of violent disorder, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. But Mr Parkinson is reported to be considering imposing charges of rioting, which can carry a sentence twice as long.

In remarks reported by a Sunday newspaper, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service said the number of people being charged was expected to soar, with a 'new phase' of cases set to include 'more serious charges with stiffer penalties'.

Far-right hate mobs online are thought to be responsible for engineering the disorder that has hit British towns and cities in the wake of the Southport attacks on July 29 that left three young girls dead.

The head of the Crown Prosecution Service Stephen Parkinson (pictured) has warned rioters convicted of more serious offences face up to a decade behind bars

Hundreds of people have been arrested and scores convicted following riots in the wake of the Southport stabbings (pictured: police guard themselves from bricks in Liverpool)

Riot police officers push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel which is housing asylum seekers on August 4

Far-right protesters attack police in riot gear with wooden planks outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham

The scene of the attack at a community hall in Southport on July 29 in which three young girls died

(Left to right) Southport victims Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six and Alice Dasila Aguiar, nine

Axel Rudakubana, 18, pictured as a child, has been charged with their murders and the attempted murders of 10 others, as well as possession of an offensive weapon

More than 700 people have been arrested in connection with disturbances across the country, with scores already convicted after pleading guilty to a variety of offences at the first opportunity. Many of them have been jailed.

In remarks reported by the Sunday Times, Mr Parkinson said: 'We warned of the consequences and we will deliver these consequences.

'It's not about exacting revenge, it's about delivering justice.'

It comes as the parents of 'precious' six-year-old Bebe King, killed in the Southport attack, said their older daughter saw and escaped the stabbing.

Bebe King was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, during a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Monday July 29.

Her mother and father Lauren and Ben King paid tribute to their daughter on Saturday, saying she 'was full of joy, light and love' and will remain in their hearts as a 'sweet, kind and spirited girl'.

They said Bebe's older sister Genie, nine, witnessed the attack and managed to escape, praising her 'incredible strength and courage'.

Alice's funeral will be held at St Patrick's Church in Southport on Sunday afternoon.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with the murder of the three girls in Merseyside.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes, and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

The incident sparked nationwide disorder. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said 779 people have been arrested over rioting, of whom 349 have been charged.

The NPCC said specialist officers have been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and influencers, who they say are responsible for 'spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale'.

Across the country, teams are investigating 'hundreds of leads'.

Thugs during a far-right anti-immigration protest in Rotherham on August 4 - thought to have been sparked by online hate mobs

A thousands-strong anti-racism protest in Walthamstow, where far-right thugs had reportedly intended to assemble outside an immigration office on Wednesday

A huge crowd of anti-racism protesters in Bristol on Wednesday - far outnumbering the hateful thugs who planned to protest

The director of public prosecutions has warned the worst offending rioters causing chaos across Britain risk spending up to a decade behind bars

Riot police officers push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel

A protester gestures as he is surrounded by police in Brighton - where anti-racism counter-protesters turned out in numbers to see off far-right thugs

Mr Parkinson said online comments claiming Britain was operating a 'two-tier' justice system under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were not accurate

The director of public prosecutions said comments by Elon Musk (above) about the UK had been 'deeply unhelpful'

But the hate mobs have been pushed back by thousands-strong anti-racist counter-protests, who have either vastly outnumbered those seeking to push an agenda of hate or scared them off from turning up at all.

Up to 100 far-right gatherings were planned for last Wednesday at the offices of immigration lawyers and asylum centres - and when few failed to show, figures online claimed the plan had been a ruse, or a joke not to be taken seriously.

Mr Parkinson said he hoped that those gatherings represented a 'watershed' moment - not least because it was also the day rioter Derek Drummond was handed a three-year sentence for punching a police officer in the face.

And he also had a rebuke to naysayers and far-right influencers - not to mention Elon Musk, founder of floundering social network X, formerly Twitter - who believe there has been so-called 'soft touch' policing towards anti-racism campaigners.

Musk has hopped on a bandwagon popularised among faceless X accounts and far-right online supremos by branding the Prime Minister - and Mr Parkinson's predecessor - Sir Keir Starmer as 'two-tier Keir'.

Baseless claims on social media have suggested the police and courts are giving anti-racism campaigners and Muslims free reign to run about with weapons - claims that have been denied by regional police forces.

Addressing the far-right's claims directly, Mr Parkinson said: 'I really don't think there's two-tier policing or two-tier justice.' He added that some of Musk's comments had been 'deeply unhelpful'.
An Afghan asylum seeker who was inside a hotel that was stormed and set ablaze by rioters says he has been left 'traumatised' by the attack and now avoids going outside.

The 29-year-old was in the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham last week when people smashed the windows of the building before starting fires.

Masked men hurled wood, chairs and bottles with some spraying fire extinguishers at police officers amid the 700-strong crowd, and at least 10 officers were injured, with one knocked unconscious.

The asylum seeker, who did not want to be identified amid concerns for his safety, said that even one week on and after having been moved to another hotel, the fear has not subsided.

'I am pretty sure most of the people who were in the hotel are still in a kind of panic,' he said. 'They are traumatised, they are not in a good situation.'

The man, who had been in the hotel for two months while he awaits his asylum claim being processed, also described feeling 'lost' when it comes to what his future might hold in the UK.

Demonstrators toss a trash bin during an anti-immigration protest, in Rotherham on August 4

Riot police officers push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Rotherham, which is housing asylum seekers, on August 4, 2024

The asylum seeker said the trouble had been preceded a day earlier with people passing by the hotel and shouting 'F*** you! Rwanda! Go to your country!'

He described the fear and panic when the attack began, saying: 'They entered from the back/kitchen to the dining area and broke the windows from the inside.

'From the inside they threw chairs and tables onto the police and were throwing other things at the police. And then they started the fire. People were really scared inside the hotel.'

The man had been in the UK for a year and a half as a student, but applied for asylum earlier this year, feeling he would not be able to return to his home country due to the Taliban takeover.

Recalling his life before then, he said: 'I had a great life back in Afghanistan. I was working with humanitarian organisations, and in the development sector. I was also working as a volunteer.'

On the wider issue of migration, he described how having to leave your own country is not an easy thing to go through, adding: 'Forced migration is not a good and desirable experience'.

A police officer clashes with a protestor outside a hotel in Rotherham on August 4, 2024

Hundreds of rioters attacked a Holiday Inn Express hotel accommodating asylum seekers, setting fires, fighting and throwing missiles on August 4

Riot police try to push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Rotherham during a riot on August 4

A police cordon is in place outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Manvers on the outskirts of Rotherham, northern England on August 7, 2024

But the man, who has been supported by the Refugee Council, said he had hope for a positive new life in the UK before the riots broke out.

His experience in the UK had been a 'very happy' one where he felt safe, he said, adding: 'But now I don't go outside. I don't want to explore new places. I feel very sad and frustrated. I feel very lost now.'

Separately, a refugee from Southern Africa who is now living in the Midlands said he feels 'unwelcome and unwanted' as a result of the violence.

The man, aged in his early 40s and who did not want to be named, said he had fled persecution and had been enjoying living 'freely as a member of the LGBTQI community' in the UK.

He said police had spoken to him earlier this week about a previously-friendly neighbour who is suspected of having been a key organiser in the riots, leaving him feeling 'you don't know who is your enemy and everyone is vulnerable'.

He said he had felt 'hope and a lot of assurance having the British community standing in solidarity with everyone affected by the riots' in the counter protests on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Nooralhaq Nasimi, director of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), said the people his organisation supports are feeling 'anxious, scared and are worried for what might happen in the future'.

Rioters are pictured setting fires, fighting and throwing missiles outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham on August 4

Pictured is destruction and debris outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on August 5, the morning after thugs in balaclavas hurled chairs and wood at police, smashed up the hotel and nearby bus stops, and started fires in the area

Mr Nasimi arrived in the UK in 1999 from Afghanistan as a refugee, and said he has never seen violence here 'on this large scale' in his 25 years in Britain.

The community leader, who was recognised in the 2023 honours list for services to refugees, said he believes those behind the violence were 'a very small minority' and praised the 'huge support of the counter-protests'.

He said: 'I feel very pleased to see so many British people go out into the streets to support the multiculturalism of Britain, to support those who are from BME (black and minority ethnic) groups, from Muslim communities, and express their criticism against the far-right, telling the public that those people who are behind this violence, they are not representing British democracy or culture.'

He said he hopes to see more 'partnership' between the Home Office, the police and grassroots organisations working with asylum seekers and refugees for increased 'community cohesion' in the future.
Masks could be banned at protests in a crackdown on balaclava-clad thugs causing chaos on Britain's streets.

Ministers are concerned that far-right rioters purposely covered their faces during the chaos last week to avoid identification and arrest.

Rishi Sunak's government had planned to jail or fine protesters 1,000 for hiding their identity behind masks after some pro-Palestine marches became aggressive.

They were also going to ban flares and fireworks at protests but the legislation was dropped when the election came.

Ex-Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley said: 'It's very much needed and long over-due. You shouldn't be able to go on a protest wearing a mask then throw a brick.

A man wearing a balaclava is arrested by police as security is tightened ahead of a planned protest in Sunderland on August 2

People take part in an anti-racism counter protest at Piccadilly Gardens on August 3, 2024 in Manchester

'It's as stupid as it is cowardly to wear a mask in those situations.'

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson, today wrote in The Sun: 'Do not tell me that individuals who come armed with flares, fireworks and petrol bombs to a location advertised online with fire emojis are just there to protest.

'Do not tell me that someone is in a crowd for peaceful reasons when they are wearing a balaclava to avoid being identified, or swinging a stick or pole.'

A man leans on a police van an anti-immigration protest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers Way, Rotherham, South Yorkshire

Anti-migration protester wearing a balaclava outside of the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers

People protest in Nottingham Market Square following the stabbing attacks in Southport

'These are dangerous thugs, plain and simple, and they will be treated as such. Our police forces are prepared and ready for anything.'

Sources told The Sun that ministers will work with the College of Policing to develop guidance to stop innocent people, like those in religious clothing or those with health issues, will not be impacted by the ban.

A temporary dispersal order banned face coverings in Newcastle yesterday after anti-immigration rallies and counter protesters filled the streets.
Private schools could force foreign students to pay more for tuition ahead of Labour's plan to impose 20 per cent VAT on fees that will come into effect from January.

Discussions around introducing 'differential pricing', a model already in place in universities where foreign students pay higher fees, are already taking place.

Some private schools already charge higher fees for international pupils, including Brighton College and Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate.

More are now expected to introduce the model to avoid losing money after Labour's tax policy is introduced.

Education consultant Neil Roskilly told The i that several schools are looking into upping their prices for international students.

Private schools could force foreign students to pay more for tuition ahead of Labour's plan to impose 20 per cent VAT on fees that will come into effect from January (stock image)

'This is an obvious area for schools to look at if they have overseas pupils,' he added.

There are currently 25,000 foreign private school pupils whose parents live in other countries, down from 29,000 in 2020.

Mr Roskilly said: 'It's the smaller local schools that are really worried about this because they don't have the huge reserves and their pricing structure is in line with what they can be afforded locally. That kind of school will suffer.'

He said many international students' parents 'won't be too concerned' about a price increase because of the crash of the pound over the last decade.

Discussions around introducing 'differential pricing', a model already in place in universities where foreign students pay higher fees, are already taking place (stock image)

The number of non-British private school students whose parents live overseas went up from 23,000 in 2010 to 29,000 in 2020, according to data from the Independent Schools Council. But this has since dropped to around 25,000.

Foreign students make up about 5 per cent of pupils at private schools, with some having a larger proportion than others.

Some private schools are expected to avoid losing money by claiming back VAT on their taxable activities such as repairs and operating costs.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag outside the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Sunday as presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a fundraiser inside. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle One speaker, joining the crowd in chants of shame near the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Sunday, said voters should not feel obligated to choose Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the presidential election. Molly Burke/The Chronicle Killer Kamala, you cant hide. We charge you with genocide, the crowd of about 120 protesters chanted before marching up Powell Street to the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, the site of a Kamala Harris fundraiser. Molly Burke/The Chronicle A crowd protesting the White Houses response to the Israel-Hamas war swelled to about 250 people as it merged with other protesters outside the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, where they faced police barricades. Molly Burke/The Chronicle Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest during Kamala Harris fundraiser at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Sunday. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

While presidential candidate Kamala Harris raised $12 million at a fundraiser in San Francisco on Sunday, hundreds of protesters condemned her support for Israel during the war in Gaza.

Several Bay Area groups joined the Kamala, Cut Ties with Israel Now protest in Union Square, one of many pro-Palestinian rallies springing up around the Bay Area in recent months in response to Israels retaliation against Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

Killer Kamala, you cant hide. We charge you with genocide, the crowd of about 120 protesters chanted before marching up Powell Street to the Fairmont hotel, site of the fundraiser. The crowd swelled to about 250 people as it merged with other protesters outside the hotel, where they faced police barricades.

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Melinda Stahr, an elementary school teacher in Oakland protesting with Code Pink and carrying a Stop the genocide sign, said she cant support Harris just because shes not Donald Trump, the former president and Republican nominee. Stahr said Harris would have to commit to stop sending arms to Israel to earn her vote.

Stahr said she was happy when President Joe Biden stepped aside from the race because theres a little bit of hope. But shes planning on a protest vote for neither Harris nor Trump unless Harris goes further.

Stahr said the Israel-Hamas war will be the deciding factor for her during the November presidential election.

This is the most important thing right now, she said. This is the only thing Ive really been focused on since October.

A protest group marches up Powell Street in San Francisco as Vice President Kamala Harris raises funds for her presidential campaign Sunday. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

One speaker, joining the crowd in chants of shame, said voters should not feel obligated to choose Harris over Trump.

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Luna Osleger-Montanez, a protester with Answer Coalition wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with an image of Marxist revolutionary Che Guevaras face, said Harris fundraiser provided an opportunity to make pro-Palestinian groups voices heard.

She is second in command in an administration thats currently committing a genocide, Osleger-Montanez said, adding that she would have to see substantive changes to the war to be persuaded to vote for Harris, who she said has not yet taken any material movement.

At the end of the day, its the masses of people, the millions of people in this country being out in the streets and making a mass movement thats going to really put pressure on them, she said. If we see real development, that theres a cease-fire, that theres an arms embargo, that the genocide in Gaza ended, that the occupation, the Israeli occupation of Palestine, is over, then of course we would change our tactics. Wed pivot.

Osleger-Montanez noted that when Harris was San Franciscos district attorney, she refused to take action against the officers who killed Mario Woods, who was fatally shot when he walked toward police with a knife in the Bayview in 2015.

When she was attorney general, she put in policies that protected enslaved labor of prison inmates, Osleger-Montanez said. She was a big, leading force in the war on drugs  the racist war on drugs  and also in mass incarceration.

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Several Bay Area groups joined the Kamala, Cut Ties with Israel Now protest in Union Square, one of many pro-Palestinian rallies springing up around the Bay Area in recent months in response to Israels response to Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Molly Burke/The Chronicle

Rami Abdelkarim, a protester with the Palestinian Youth Movement, said there isnt a benchmark that would win his vote for Harris.

Last time I checked, politicians are supposed to earn the vote from their constituents, he said. It is not our responsibility whether we are picking the lesser of two evils. Its not our responsibility that if she doesnt earn her vote, someone else will win.

Abdelkarim said he sees Harris as a continuation of Bidens policies and that he is not more optimistic after the change in the nominee. To win his vote, he said, her campaign should call for an arms embargo and cease-fire immediately and take tangible action against the war in Gaza.

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Police are hunting for a gunman after two people were shot in Manchester last night.

At around 10.50pm, officers received a report that two people had been shot in Moss Side.

Both victims have been treated for injuries that are not currently believed to be life-threatening or changing at this time but they remain in hospital.

So far, no arrests have been made and enquiries are still ongoing, with detectives present in the Moss Side area to figure out the timeline of events and who pulled the trigger.

Detective Superintendent Matt Walker, from Greater Manchester Police, said: 'We are working hard to ensure a full and thorough investigation that uncovers exactly what occurred during this incident. Thankfully, the victims' injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, but there could have been worse consequences to this act.

Officers are investigating following a firearms discharge in Moss Side last night

So far, no arrests have been made and enquiries are still ongoing, with detectives present in the Moss Side area to figure out the timeline of events and who pulled the trigger

'While the investigation is very much in its early days, we are using all available resources to establish the full circumstances. We are committed to keeping the community safe and our response has already seen further officers deployed to the area for the reassurance of local residents. They will be more than happy to talk to you about any concerns you may have.

'I want people who live in the area to know that we will never tolerate such acts in our city, and we will be doing all we can to investigate all of its aspects. We will continue to provide a strong policing presence over the rest of the weekend and into the coming days, utilising all the appropriate resources we have.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting log number 3609 of the 10th August 2024. You can also access our Live Chat function at gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to the independent charity - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The mother of a 21-year-old woman who died after being crushed in an overcrowded boat crossing the Channel has said the family have 'no option' but to seek asylum in Britain.

Amira Al Shamari, 52, said her family of six who arrived in France on July 1, have attempted the crossing six times, including the night her daughter died attempting to make the perilous journey.

But, she said, they will do it again in order to build a new life in Britain.

The family, who are Kuwaiti Bidoon, a stateless Arab minority, fled the Gulf state in 2018. They had heard the UK accepted Kuwaiti Bidoon people.

Speaking from Calais, Ms Al Shamari said: 'We have no options here, where should we go? Who's going to give us the protection? We have to do that again.'

Her daughter Dina Al Shammari was travelling with her three younger siblings, aged 13 to 19, and parents, when she died off the coast of Calais on July 28.

Ms Al Shamari said the family believed there would be 60 people on the boat, but on the day of the crossing they discovered the numbers were 'double'.

Amira Al Shamari, 52, holding a picture of her daughter Dina

Dina Al Shammari died being crushed in an overcrowded boat trying to cross the English Channel

'The boat was so crowded. Dina was the first one, she ran to the boat because she wanted to go to the UK as soon as possible,' she said through an interpreter.

'Then they followed her and, just like squeezing her from all over the place. When squeezing her she wasn't able to breathe, and she started shouting.'

Her father, Ratham Al Shammari, 75, who uses a wheelchair, did not make it on to the boat.

According to Ms Al Shammari, the people carrying him left him at the shore as they tried to get to the boat themselves when they saw it starting to leave.

The mother-of-four described how the boat was at sea for about an hour before the French coastguard reached them.

She said some on the boat wanted to save her daughter, while some people threatened the family and the driver with a knife to keep going rather than call for help.

'When we noticed the French coastguard in the sea, we were trying to say 'save us, save us' because my daughter is choking,' Ms Al Shammari said.

Pictured: Migrants being helped ashore from a RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat at a beach in Dungeness, on the south-east coast of England

Pictured: Migrants travel in an inflatable boat across the English Channel, bound for Dover on the south coast of England

'The people inside the boat, they threatened us 'don't stop the boat' and they had a knife.'

Of the driver, she added: 'He wanted to stop because he said this girl will die, and they threatened the driver with a knife and (said) don't stop and continue your journey.'

Ms Al Shammari said the French coastguard tried to save them and picked up 20 people who were 'over' Dina, adding: 'When they reached Dina she wasn't breathing.'

According to the French maritime prefecture, 34 people were rescued from the 'heavily loaded' boat at about 5.30am, while others on the boat refused help and continued the journey to the UK.

Ms Al Shammari was taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital where she was declared dead.

Her mother described her as someone who liked cooking, travelling, nature and 'everything beautiful in this life'.

She wanted to study to become a dentist when she reached the UK, learn more English and above all 'feel safe'.

Pictured: Migrants are brought into Dover Port by Border Force officials after being picked up in the English Channel

Human rights organisation Minority Rights Group says that Kuwait currently categorises Bidoon people as illegal residents, and because of their stateless status they face difficulties getting civil documents, finding employment, accessing health, education and social services, and many live in relative poverty because of it.

'We always feel scared there, and Dina especially she (was) afraid of the police,' Ms Al Shammari said.

'We (weren't) able to stand the situation there, so we decided to go to the UK.'

When the family left Kuwait, they originally planned to seek refuge in the UK as they understood the country accepts Kuwaiti Bidoon people.

They took a flight to Turkey before continuing their journey to Greece and arrived in Germany in 2021, where they were processed.

But they were refused asylum there, prompting them to try to get to the UK.

'If the German authority gave us the protections at the beginning, we wouldn't have had to use a boat and cross the Channel to reach the UK,' Ms Al Shammari said.

Pictured: An inflatable dinghy carrying migrants makes its way to England

'I want to tell people I'm struggling, I'm really struggling to find my kids a better future and good career,' she said.

'This world is unfair, not all the persons, not all the world, (but) the people that we met during that journey.'

An investigation into Ms Al Shammari's death is continuing in France, while in the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested and bailed a 29-year-old Egyptian man on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, in connection with the crossing.

Ms Al Shammari's family are waiting for her body to be released by the authorities, and collective Groupe Deces in France are trying to raise 5,000 euros (4,280) to help pay for her burial.

This year so far 17 people have died in the English Channel, according to confirmed reports by the French coastguard from rescue operations.
A suspected chemical incident is said to have seen seven people rushed to hospital last night while ten homes in London were evacuated.

Emergency services rushed to a property on Wren Road in Dagenham at around 10pm following reports of breathing difficulties from residents.

The London Ambulance Service called in their Hazardous Area Response Team after paramedics discovered seven people struggling to breathe.

It is understood the mystery chemical is palytoxin, a dangerous substance released from coral in a fish tank.

The substance understood to have been the cause can lead to breathing difficulty, chest pain and death, with first responders declaring the ordeal a Hazmat incident.

Residents affected are now undergoing medical treatment, while 10 homes have been cordoned off.

Emergency services rushed to a property on Wren Road in Dagenham at around 10pm following reports of breathing difficulties from residents

Emergency services responding to the suspected chemical incident in Dagenham last night

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 9.46pm on 10 August to reports of an incident at a residential address on Wren Road.

'We sent a number of resources including ambulance crews, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).'

'We responded alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade.

'We treated seven patients and took them all to hospital.'

MailOnline has contacted the Met Police for comment.

Fish owners must be aware that halide lights used to nurture coral can spark heat stress in corals that are not in water, which leads to palytoxin release.
A mother-of-five is behind bars after she stabbed a female relative with a broken glass bottle after she wouldn't share her alcohol during a drunken night out.

Betty Anne Buzzacott, 34, was sentenced to more than two years jail after a jury found her guilty of causing harm with intent to cause harm.

The court heard that she had been drinking with a group of people, including the victim, in Port Augusta, South Australia on February 23, 2023.

The pair ended up on the foreshore area near the Oasis Apartments.

The court heard that the victim stopped sharing her alcohol with Buzzacott, sparking rage from the mother-of-five, The Advertiser reported.

'You took hold of an empty bottle and smashed it against rocks,' Auxiliary Judge Gordon Barrett told Buzzacott.

'You went then for the victim, striking her with a bottle from behind.'

The court heard that the victim didn't know straight away that she had been stabbed but soon noticed she was bleeding badly.

Betty Anne Buzzacott, 34, (pictured) had been drinking with a group of people when she became aggressive towards her relative when they no longer wanted to keep sharing their alcohol

The mother-of-five (pictured) smashed a bottle on rocks before stabbing her relative, who sustained a deep wound to the left side of her jaw

She went to the Oasis apartments, where she was assisted by two off-duty paramedics.

The woman suffered a large 5-6cm deep cut to the left side of her jaw, near her ear.

A doctor who treated the woman estimated she lost about 100ml of blood from the attack.

The court also heard that Buzzacott has problems with alcohol.

She was sentenced to two years and two months jail with a non-parole period of one year and two months.

The women had been drinking and ended up at the foreshore in Port Augusta near the Oasis Apartments (pictured)

'You broke a bottle and used it to stab someone who had not provoked you at all,' the judge told Buzzacott.

'Your victim is a relative and you may have to account to her or her family when you are released from prison.'

Buzzacott's sentence was backdated to June 27.
Three people - including a baby boy - have been killed in a horrific fatal crash after a vehicle rolled in Western Australia's Mid West.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash on Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road, just east of the Gabyon-Tardie Road intersection near Yalgoo about 10.50pm on Saturday.

A woman believed to be in her 20s and a male infant died at the scene, WA Police said in a statement.

Four other occupants were flown to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and taken to Royal Perth Hospital with serious and critical injuries.

A police spokesman said woman believed to be in her 30s has since died in hospital.

WA Premier Roger Cook described it as a 'horrible, horrible incident'.

A woman believed to be in her 20s and a male infant died at the scene of the crash

The crash occurred along Geraldton - Mount Magnet Road, just east of the Gabyon - Tardie Road intersection. A woman in her thirties has since died in hospital (Picture: Supplied / Google Maps)

'Because of where that situation is, the first responders were largely volunteers,' he told the ABC.

'And so our hearts go out to the family of the victims and the first responders, we thank them for their incredible work.

'It must have been a harrowing scene and we wish everyone all the best who was touched by this incident.'

WA Police have called for anyone with information about the crash or dashcam or mobile phone footage to come forward.
Russia has vowed to deliver a 'tough response' to Ukraine's attacks on its border regions, just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his forces launched a surprise military incursion into 'the aggressor's territory'.

Ukraine's incursion into Russia has continued for a sixth day, the largest such attack since the full-scale invasion and unprecedented for its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil.

Overnight into Sunday, a Russian drone and missile barrage on Kyiv killed two people - a man and his four-year-old son. In Russia, Kursk's regional governor said a Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defences fell on a residential building, injuring 13 people.

Putin's army said Sunday it had halted Ukraine's advance into its western Kursk region in several places, hitting troops and equipment in areas near the border.

It also said it had foiled an attempt by Ukraine to break into another border district of the Kursk region, further to the south from where the bulk of the fighting has occurred so far.

Russia's promise to strike back comes just hours after Zelensky broke the government's silence on the Ukrainian incursion by indirectly acknowledging ongoing military actions to 'push the war out into the aggressor's territory' in his nightly address on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, (pictured) in his Telegram address on Saturday night, confirmed that Ukrainian 'warriors' had pushed the war onto 'the aggressor's territory'

Rescuers work at a site where residential buildings were damaged during a Russian military strike in Brovary, Kyiv region, Ukraine on August 11, 2024

Rescuers work at a site where residential buildings were damaged during a Russian strike in Brovary, Kyiv on August 11, 2024

Thousands of Ukrainian troops are fighting inside Kremlin territory in an incursion into the Kursk region which aims to 'stretch' and 'destabilise' Russia.

Kyiv launched a surprise border incursion last Tuesday, shocking Russia, which has sent in additional reserves, tanks, drones, artillery and aviation to try to quash the offensive.

Russia's foreign ministry said Sunday that it would retaliate, with spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pledging: 'A tough response from the Russian army will not be long in coming.'

Putin's forces have allegedly had continued to use aviation, drones and artillery to try to put down Kyiv's attack.

The defence ministry in Moscow said Sunday that its troops had 'foiled attempts by enemy mobile groups with armoured vehicles to break through deep into Russian territory.'

But in an apparent sign of how far some Ukrainian units have managed to advance, it said it had hit enemy units near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, which are around 25 km and 30 km from the Russia-Ukraine border.

A senior Ukrainian security official said late Saturday that 'thousands' of its troops had been deployed to the region as part of the operation.

'We are on the offensive. The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilise the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border,' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Men stand at a site of a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike in the village of Rozhivka in Kyiv region, Ukraine August 11, 2024

A house is heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike on Rozhivka, Kyiv on August 11

Boys walk next to a car destroyed during a Russian missile strike in the village of Rozhivka in the Kyiv region of Ukraine on August 11, 2024

Rozhivka residents stand next to a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike on August 11, 2024

Men work to remove debris from a home in the village of Rozhivka after it was struck my Russian missiles on August 11, 2024

Russia attacked Ukraine with four ballistic missiles and 57 Shahed drones overnight, Ukraine's Air Force said on Sunday. Air defences shot down 53 drones.

The bodies of a 35-year old man and his son were found under rubble after fragments of missiles fell on a residential area in Kyiv's suburban Brovary district, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service on Sunday. Another three people in the district were also injured in the attack.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration said the it was the second time this month Kyiv was targeted.

Popko said ballistic missiles did not reach the capital but that suburbs took the hit, while drones aiming for the capital were shot down.

Zelensky, citing preliminary information, said that Russia had used a North Korean missile in the strike. Ukraine and the US have previously said that Russia has used North Korean missiles in the war.

The exact aims of the operation remain unclear and Ukrainian military officials have adopted a policy of secrecy, presumably to ensure its success.

Military experts have said that it is likely intended to draw Russian reserves away from the intense fighting in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, while a presidential adviser suggested it may strengthen Kyiv's hand in any future negotiations with Russia.

Zelensky has reiterated calls to Western allies to step up in assistance to Ukraine, and that 'to really stop Russian terror, we need not only a full-fledged air shield that will protect all our cities and communities, but also strong decisions from partners - decisions that will remove restrictions on our defensive actions.'

An aerial view shows what is said to be a firing Ukrainian tank in the area bordering Ukraine in the Kursk region, Russia, in this still image from video released August 11, 2024

Video footage seemingly shows huge flames engulfing what is thought to be a block of flats in the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod region on Saturday evening

Buildings in Russia appear to have been set alight by Ukrainian shelling after the country launched a surprise cross-border offensive against Putin's forces

Kursk acting governor Aleksei Smirnov said on Sunday that 'Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group' entered the Belovsky district the previous day, but that the situation had been 'stabilised'.

In Russia, the Defense Ministry said 35 drones were shot down overnight over the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Oryol regions.

Ukraine has not commented on the Sunday drone attacks inside Russia. But it comes as Ukraine has increased the pace of similar drone attacks largely targeting military infrastructure and oil depots in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Belarus said it was sending more troops to its border with Ukraine on Saturday, saying Ukrainian drones had violated its airspace as part of Kyiv's military incursion into Russia's Kursk region.

Authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Belarusian air defence forces destroyed dozens of targets flying from Ukraine over the Mogilev region, which borders Russia, on Friday evening.

'The Ukrainian armed forces violated all rules of conduct and violated the airspace of the Republic of Belarus. In the eastern direction, very close to us in the Kostyukovichi district,' Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk on Saturday.

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said Belarus regards the violation of its airspace as a provocation and is 'ready for retaliatory action.'

Ukrainian soldiers are seen removing a Russian flag from a council building in the Kursk region on Sunday as Zelensky's troops continue to attack the border region

A Russian flag is seen on the ground after Ukrainian soldiers tore it down during a special military operation in the Kurdistan Region on Sunday

A Russian target was struck in Horlivka on Sunday, according to an update on Telegram, as Kyiv's incursion into Russia's Kursk border region has entered its sixth day

Pictured is another alleged attack by Ukraine Sunday on Russian targets

Zelensky, acknowledging the unprecedented border raid for the first time after days of silence, on Saturday thanked the soldiers involved and said: 'Ukraine is proving that it can really bring justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed - pressure on the aggressor.'

But Moscow has promised its army will deliver a 'tough response' to the Ukrainian attacks on its border regions after a missile strike on the city of Kursk allegedly injured 15.

Putin's forces overnight launched a drone and missile barrage on Kyiv, killing a four-year-old boy and his father.

Russia's army appeared to acknowledge Sunday that Ukrainian units had driven deep into the country, saying it had hit troops and equipment around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

The Russian army earlier said Ukraine had deployed around 1,000 soldiers in the incursion which began Tuesday, appearing to catch the Kremlin off guard, as Ukrainian forces penetrated Russian defensive lines.

Asked whether 1,000 Ukrainian troops were taking part in the assault, the official said: 'It is a lot more... thousands'.

After days of official silence from the Ukrainian authorities, Zelensky acknowledged the operation for the first time in his nightly address on Saturday, saying that Kyiv was 'pushing the war into the aggressor's territory'.

He also thanked 'every unit of our Defense Forces that is making this possible'.

'I would like to commend all our warriors for this week - the combat brigades, which are highly effective, in defending our country and destroying the occupier,' Zelensky said in his address. 'We leave no part of the front unattended.'

He added: 'I would also like to thank our partners - everyone who made this week successful in implementing sanctions against Russia and those associated with it.

'This needs to be felt every week - that sanctions are indeed working, and anyone who tries to circumvent them faces a response from the world. We are preparing new measures to further limit the Russian state.'

The Ukrainian President said he was 'grateful for the new defence packages for Ukraine' and said Ukraine was also 'eagerly awaiting decisions on long-range capabilities from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France - strong decisions that will bring us closer to a just peace'.

Ukrainian servicemen ride a Soviet-made armoured fighting vehicle MT-LB in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on August 11, 2024

Ukrainian servicemen sit on a self-propelled artillery 2S7 Pion while being carried by a military truck, in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on August 11, 2024

Ukrainian servicemen wait on a bus in the outskirts of Sumy, on August 11, 2024

Ukraine's surprise military incursion into Russia's Kursk border region has entered its sixth day. The border raid is unprecedented for its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil.

The exact aims of the operation remain unclear and Ukrainian military officials have adopted a policy of secrecy, presumably to ensure its success.

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that 35 drones were shot down overnight over the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Oryol regions.

Thirteen people were injured when a Ukrainian missile shot down by Russian air defences fell on a residential building in Kursk overnight into Sunday, acting regional Governor Alexei Smirnov said on Telegram.

Ukraine has not commented on the attack inside Russia, but has increased the pace of attacks targeting Russian territory in recent weeks.

Also overnight into Sunday, a Russian drone and missile barrage on Kyiv killed two people including a 4-year-old boy.

The bodies of a 35-year old man and his son were found under rubble after fragments of missiles fell on a residential area in Kyiv's suburban Brovary district, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service on Sunday. Another three people in the district were also injured in the attack.

Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration said the it was the second time this month Kyiv was targeted.

Popko said ballistic missiles did not reach the capital but that suburbs took the hit, while drones aiming for the capital were shot down.

This photograph released on August 11, 2024 on the official Telegram account of Kursk Mayor Igor Kutsak shows a fire in a residential building following a missile attack

A destroyed car next to an apartment building that was damaged, according to local authorities, by debris from a downed Ukraine-launched missile, in Kursk, Russia on August 11

Debris from a downed Ukraine-launched missile, in Kursk, Russia on August 11, 2024

Footage released by Zelensky on Sunday, August 11, shows what he described as 'Russian terror' in the Vinnytsia region on August 3

Zelensky on Sunday shared footage from another alleged Russian attack in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on August 9, 2024

Pictured are rescuers working through debris after an alleged act of 'Russian terror' in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on August 9. Zelenksy shared footage of the attack on Sunday

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has waged an unrelenting offensive, occupying swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine and subjecting Ukrainian cities to daily missile and drone attacks.

After re-capturing large areas in 2022, Ukrainian forces have largely been on the backfoot and are increasingly struggling with manpower and arms supplies.

But Ukrainian units stormed across the border Tuesday in what so far has been the largest and most successful such offensive by Kyiv in the conflict.

Its troops have advanced several kilometres forcing Russia's army to rush in reserves and extra equipment - though neither side has given precise details on the forces committed.

Russia has evacuated tens of thousands of civilians from the area and Ukraine has also evacuated thousands of people from the Sumy region across the border.

Ukraine has claimed it has taken control of a Russian town that is home to a prominent gas pipeline.

Ukrainian soldiers claiming to be from the 61st Brigade were filmed standing outside a local Gazprom facility in the town of Sudzha which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Ukraine border.

The soldiers can be heard saying: 'Everything is calm in the town. All the buildings are safe, strategic object of Gazprom in Sudzha is under the control of the 99th Mechanized Battalion.'

It could not be immediately ascertained as to the authenticity of the video, with a press officer for the brigade saying they were unable to provide a comment.

Elsewhere, shelling continued through the night in the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod region following Ukraine's surprise incursion against Putin's forces.

Buildings in Russia appeared to have been set alight by Ukrainian shelling with video footage showing huge flames engulfing what is thought to be a block of flats.

Ukrainian servicemen ride tanks, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the Russian border in Sumy region, Ukraine on August 10

Ukrainian servicemen ride a military vehicle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the Russian border in Sumy region, Ukraine on August 10

Ukrainian servicemen of the 43rd Artillery Brigade fire self-propelled artillery 2S7 Pion toward Russian positions, in an undisclosed area, in the Pokrovsk district, eastern Donetsk region, on August 8, 2024

Belgorod has come under frequent shelling and drone attacks from Ukraine in the course of the war.

It is next to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces staged a major cross-border attack this week, which has seen more than 76,000 people from the surrounding border areas, Russian media reported today.

'More than 76,000 people have been temporarily relocated to safe places,' the state-run TASS news agency reported, citing a local official at a press briefing.

Kyiv's intentions  and the scale of the battles going on  were unclear but the incursion may be an attempt to draw Russian manpower away from the main battlegrounds of eastern Ukraine, where Russia has been notching victories.

There is also speculation that Ukraine could be attempting to occupy a swathe of Russian territory to give it a stronger hand in any peace talks.

Either way, the bold offensive is one of the most dramatic developments in the two-and-a-half year war, just as it seemed Russia was gaining the upper hand.

Ukrainian regular forces burst over the border north-east of Sumy five days ago in a surprise offensive and advanced about 13 miles, capturing towns and villages.

They destroyed a Russian convoy 25 miles from the border, inflicting dozens of casualties.

Russian troops delivering military equipment to the Kursk region, Russia

Russian troops delivering military equipment to the Kursk region, Russia on August 10

Putin (pictured on Friday) has been forced to relocate some 76,000 Russians in the region

Residents from Kursk amass at a train station in Tula amid large evacuations

People from the border districts of Kursk region board buses bound for Moscow, on Friday

Ukrainian servicemen ride a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle near the border in Sumy, Ukraine

General Sir Richard Shirreff told Radio 4's Today programme it was a 'brilliant military operation'. Kyiv had demonstrated 'seriously sophisticated planning' and 'made monkeys out of President Putin' and his supporters.

Previous cross-border raids have been undertaken by Russian volunteers supporting Ukraine and have normally only lasted hours. But yesterday Russia's army confirmed it was still fighting the Ukrainian incursion.

Andrei Gurulyov, a member of parliament for Putin's ruling party, said: 'The enemy has been halted so far but that does not mean that it is all quiet. There is serious fighting going on there.'

Russia's nuclear agency also warned yesterday that the Ukrainian attack posed a 'direct threat' to Kursk nuclear power station.

Russia's Defence Ministry said reinforcements being sent to the region included multiple rocket launchers, towed artillery guns, tanks and heavy tracked vehicles.

There has been little reliable information on the risky Ukrainian operation and its strategic aims are unclear. Ukrainian officials have refused to comment on the incursion, taking place about 320 miles south-west of Moscow.

But Mathieu Boulegue, a defence analyst at Chatham House think- tank in London, said the Ukrainians appear to have a clear goal, even if they're not revealing it.

A column of Russian Army trucks in Kursk region damaged by shelling on Friday

A soldier stands near a destroyed military vehicle containing the bodies of dead Russian soldiers, in the aftermath of a strike on a Russian column, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Oktyabrskoye village, Kursk

Ukraine launched the incursion across the Russian border around 5am GMT

Russian troops delivering military equipment to the Kursk region on Saturday

A heavily damaged building in the region, which borders Ukraine, after Tuesday's incursion

'Such a co-ordinated ground force movement responds to a clear military objective', he said.

'Also, the raid has spooked the Russian public and delivered a slap in the face to President Putin, offering Ukraine a great PR coup.' He added the attack 'is a massive symbol, a massive display of force (showing) the war is not frozen'.

In neighbouring Belarus, where Russian troops are deployed but which has not sent its own army into Ukraine, President Alexander Lukashenko said its air defences shot down unspecified objects launched from Ukraine.

'I do not understand why Ukraine needs this. We need to figure it out. We made it clear to them that any provocations will not go unanswered,' Mr Lukashenko said.

A Russian plane-launched missile slammed into a shopping mall in Kostiantynivka, in the eastern Donetsk region, on Friday, killing 14 people and wounding 44.

'This is another targeted attack on a crowded place, another act of terror by the Russians', said Donetsk leader Vadym Filashkin.

Ukrainian special forces killed 30 Russian soldiers on Friday in a raid on Russian-occupied Kinburn Spit in the Black Sea, near the mouth of the Dnipro river.

Putin has called the incursion a 'large-scale provocation' and Russia's top general has vowed to crush it. But Moscow has not yet presented detailed information on the extent of the advance.

Moscow said Friday it had struck Ukrainian positions on the western edge of Sudzha, a town around five miles from the border that appeared to be the focus of Kyiv's offensive.

Several Russian media shared a video purporting to show Sudzha residents appealing to President Vladimir Putin for help, warning that many were unable to evacuate.

'In a few hours our town was turned into ruins ... Our relatives are left behind, we can't call them, there is no communication. Please help us get our land back,' one resident said in the video.

Furious Russian residents in Sudzha district appealed directly to dictator Vladimir Putin accusing his regime of 'lies' that resulted in civilian deaths by claiming the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk region was under control

People from the border districts of the Kursk region boarding buses to travel to children's camps in the Moscow region on Friday

Staff from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations assisting people evacuated from the border settlements of the Kursk region on Friday

A building on fire in the town of Sudzha following an incursion into the Kursk region on 7/8

In neighboring Belarus, where Russian troops are deployed but which hasn't sent its own army into Ukraine, President Alexander Lukashenko said Saturday that its air defenses shot down unspecified objects launched from Ukraine that were flying over Belarusian territory.

'I do not understand why Ukraine needs this. We need to figure it out. As I said before, we made it clear to them that any provocations will not go unanswered,' Lukashenko said, according to state news agency Belta.

Russia's Defense Ministry said that reinforcements are now being sent to Kursk to counter Ukraine's raid, with Russia deploying multiple rocket launchers, towed artillery guns, tanks transported on trailers and heavy tracked vehicles.

There has been little reliable information on the daring operation, and its strategic aims are unclear. Ukrainian officials have refused to comment on the incursion, which is taking place about 320 miles southwest of Moscow.

Asked about Ukraine's incursion, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday the United States was 'in touch with our Ukrainian counterparts,' but that he wouldn't comment until 'those conversations are complete.'

Ukraine's backers have not been dissuaded by the apparent offensive, as the US on Friday announced a further $125mn in new military aid for Kyiv.

The aid package underscores 'our unwavering commitment to (Ukraine) as they continue to battle back against Russian aggression,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the aid would be drawn from American stockpiles and 'includes air defense interceptors, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, multi-mission radars, and anti-tank weapons.'

The equipment 'will help Ukraine protect its troops, its people and its cities from Russian attacks and reinforce its capabilities across the front lines,' he said in a statement.

The United States has been a key military backer of Ukraine, committing more than $55billion in weapons, ammunition and other security aid since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Combatants from Ukraine have made several brief incursions into Russia since the beginning of the conflict, including with units of Russians fighting in support of Kyiv - the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion.

Residents of an apartment building damaged after shelling by the Ukrainian side stand near the building in Kursk, Russia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024

A burned car is seen in front of an apartment building damaged after shelling by the Ukrainian side in Kursk, Russia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024

Residents of an apartment building damaged by Ukrainian shelling, including a man carrying his dog, leave the area in Kursk, Russia on August 11, 2024

A Russian Army tank covered with camouflage net takes a position at an area of Kursk, Russia in footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry on August 11, 2024

A resident of the apartment building damaged after shelling by the Ukrainian side holds her smart phone sitting at the door of the shelter in Kursk, Russia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024

Russia has pushed back against the attacks and has sometimes needed to deploy artillery and aviation.

Ukraine's main military effort is focused on fighting back Russian forces who control nearly a fifth of its territory after almost two-and-a-half years of war and have made a series of gradual gains in the past six months.

Ukrainian strikes inside Russia's own territory have mostly involved shelling of border regions and drone attacks on targets such as oil refineries and fuel depots.

Responsibility for previous incursions, into Russia's Belgorod and Bryansk regions, have been claimed by two murky groups: the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion.
Meteor fragments which lit up the sky around Stonehenge have been captured by a photographer thanks to his innovative camera techniques.

The incredible sight was photographed by Josh Dury, from Compton Martin, who was able to combine 46 separate images of the Perseid meteor shower over the megalithic structure.

The 26-year-old astrophotographer said: 'The composite creating a visual narrative of shooting stars 'raining' down on Stonehenge.

'This image was taken over three and a half hours on Friday (9 Aug) night from 10:30pm.'

It comes as the Perseids meteor shower is set to peak this weekend and will likely be at its height on Sunday night into Monday.

The stunning image combines 43 images of the Perseid meteors as they fell over Stonehenge, Wiltshire

The Perseids is a prolific meteor shower that is usually visible from mid-July to late-August.

It passes through the Earth's atmosphere every year when the Earth orbits through debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet.

The meteoroids from the comet, mostly no bigger than a grain of sand, burn up as they hit the Earth's atmosphere at 36 miles per second, to produce a shooting stream of light in the sky.

During its peak time each year, viewers can see up to 100 shooting stars every hour.

Peak temperatures can reach anywhere from 1,648C to 5,537C as they hit the atmosphere.

The meteors are called Perseids because they seem to dart out of the constellation Perseus.

The photograph was taken by astrophotographer Josh Drury (pictured)

Skywatchers across the UK will be among those able to enjoy the Perseid meteor shower, which takes place when the Earth ploughs through debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle Comet during its trips through the inner solar system

Although they officially peak on the night of August 12, Daniel Brown, associate professor in astronomy at Nottingham Trent University, said it is worth keeping an eye out for a secondary peak, should it occur.

He said: 'The meteor shower slowly builds up from mid July to then reach its peak activity at 100 per hour on August 12. It then reduces until the mid-end of August.

'However, in reality, the activity can show more complex variation which means the peak might not be the only one.

'The years 2018 and 2020 had some increased activity a day or two after the main peak.

'So in addition to meteor showers not being a one-evening thing  slowly increasing and then decreasing over days  we might see that the most active evening might be followed by another one a day or two later.'

To make the most of the meteors, experts say observers should avoid well-lit and built-up areas and try to find unobstructed views.

Prof Brown said: 'Best time this year during the main peak is the second half of the night, that is the early hours of August 13. Find a place that is dark, away from direct light.'

He said it will take viewers up to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

Prof Brown said: 'Bring along patience, and it is best to observe a big range of the sky as meteors will be visible all over.'
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he is 'not worried' that days of riots will put off foreign investors as the Government seeks to secure economic growth.

Violent riots exploded across several cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham following the Southport knife rampage which claimed the lives of three young girls and left many others injured.

False speculation online that the teenage suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a boat has fuelled the unrest which started outside a mosque in Southport and has since spread nationwide.

As disorder intensified across the country earlier this week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves was courting global investors during a three-day visit to the US and Canada where she pushed the message that 'Britain is open for business'.

Mr Reynolds told broadcasters on Sunday: 'It is clearly a difficult thing to have to contend with as a country.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds (pictured) said he is 'not worried' that days of riots will put off foreign investors

The Government is seeking to boost investment as part of its growth strategy

'However, I would say that, for the big investors that I talk to, they're more motivated by the political stability of the Government, by the certainty of the tax regime, by the changes to planning policy and a whole range of other pro-business measures that we're putting in place.

'And, certainly, for our investment summit, which is coming up in October, we have a huge amount of interest in it, so I'm not worried about the effect.'

The Government is seeking to boost investment as part of its growth strategy.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will host an International Investment Summit on October 14 - two weeks ahead of the autumn Budget.

Mr Reynolds said the cost of days of unrest is not yet clear, but that the impact on small businesses has been 'very significant'.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) courted global investors during a three-day visit to the US and Canada where she pushed the message that 'Britain is open for business'

Police stand in a line in front of protesters during a rally on August 9 in Crawley, England

'Even getting back open has been a burden for them, and therefore (they are) probably not in a position at this stage to be able to assess the scale of the loss.'

He said he is seeking to make insurers pay claims promptly and to make businesses aware that they might be able to access support under the Riot Compensation Act if they are not insured or not adequately covered by insurance.

He also urged the public to support their local businesses.

'If you care about these brilliant local businesses that are the heart of your community, please give them your support in the days and weeks ahead,' he said.
Banksy has confirmed he is behind a new swimming fish artwork which has appeared on a police sentry box in the City of London.

It marks the seventh animal-themed piece the elusive street artist has claimed this week after he posted a photo of the artworks to his Instagram at 1pm.

The artist appears to have used translucent spray paint on the glass windows to create the design, turning the sentry box into what looks like a giant fish tank.

The artwork differs from Banksy's previous dark silhouette images of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans and a cat which have popped up in various locations across London since Monday.

A small crowd assembled at the fish artwork since Banksy posted it on his Instagram at 1pm, while two City of London police officers arrived to examine the design.

A man with a City of London high vis vest arrived and said he has been asked to take pictures of the structure.

People are taking it in turns having photos taken in front of the police box.

Two City of London police officers arrived today to examine the new design before taking pictures from the outside of the police box.

Banksy has confirmed the swimming fish artwork which appeared on a City of London police box was his own work

The design differs from Banksy's usual style and has been painted with more detail and tone

A cyclist passes by the new artwork which has appeared on a City of London police box

Inside the disused police box where a school of fish has been painted

The artwork differs from Banksy's previous dark silhouette images of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans and a cat which have popped up in various locations across London since Monday

One officer said they were asked to check out the artwork after it was picked up on CCTV cameras and that they are waiting to hear what will be done about it.

The new variation in style caused speculation if the piece was a genuine Banksy, as many fans who had travelled to London to see all of his latest pieces felt it was not not a part of his body of work.

A photographer who has been to see all of the Banksy pieces of art this week - bar the one on the satellite dish which was removed - said he thinks the animals are a message from the artist that the city has 'turned into a zoo'.

Avi Yasitli, 63, said: 'We can interpret it in many ways, my interpretation is 'you guys are just wild animals and this place has turned into a zoo'.

'None of the animals are actually pets.'

He added that he would love to see Banksy carry on unveiling art next week but he thinks 'this is it'.

The governing body of the City of London has said it is working on options to 'preserve' the new Banksy artwork which has appeared on a police sentry box.

A spokesperson said in a statement: 'We're aware of the works on the City of London police box on Ludgate Hill.

'We are currently working through options to preserve the artwork.'

On Saturday, the artist's sixth piece  a stretching cat on an empty, distressed advertising billboard  was removed from its location in north-west London hours after it was revealed.

Crowds booed as the piece in Cricklewood was dismantled by three men who said they were 'hired' by a 'contracting company' to take down the billboard for safety reasons.

Hours after Banksy confirmed the design was his, crowds gathered from across London to see the piece before men, who claimed to be contractors, arrived.

A contractor, who only wanted to give his name as Marc, said they were going to take the board down on Monday and replace it, but the removal had been brought forward to Saturday in case someone 'rips it down and leaves it unsafe'.

A black board was first used to cover the majority of the cat on the billboard at the request of the police, who wanted to stop people walking in the road in front of traffic.

An officer at the scene said the owner of the billboard has told police he will donate it to an art gallery.

Contractors taking down Banksy's latest artwork - a silhouette of a cat on a billboard in Cricklewood

Banksy revealed his sixth artwork in as many days on his Instagram page yesterday at 1pm, but within the hour an opportunist was caught red handed trying to pry it off the wall

A man stood next to Banksy's stretching cat artwork before it was removed

The artwork was removed, contractors say, to stop it from being stolen - after a man was filmed apparently trying to prise it from the wall

Police had to ask people to keep off of the road as they tried to take pictures of the artwork

The cat design was the second piece to be removed during the week after a painting of a howling wolf on a satellite dish was taken off the roof of a shop in Peckham, south London, less than an hour after it was unveiled.

It was removed by three men, according to a witness, who said that he filmed them, which led to one of the men throwing his phone on a roof.

'It's a great shame we can't have nice things and it's a shame it couldn't have lasted more than an hour,' he said.

A spokesman for Banksy said the artist is neither connected to nor endorses the theft of the wolf design and that they have 'no knowledge as to the dish's current whereabouts'.

Artist Daniel Lloyd-Morgan has painted each of Banksy's pieces of art this week, apart from the satellite dish which was removed.

Speaking from near the fish artwork in central London, the 60-year-old said: 'It's really uplifting for people in London at the moment. It's great for me to follow as an artist.

'There's a buzz around his work. It's nice to capture that as I do the people as well.

'It's not just about the artwork, it's about the whole environment he's creating, it becomes a sort of work of art itself - what happens to it, people steal it or take it away.'

Mr Lloyd-Morgan, who posts his art on his Instagram DLMDOODLES, said he was meant to go on holiday on Monday but has postponed it in case Banksy carries on revealing more art next week.

Banksy posted artwork of a goat perched on top of a wall near Kew Bridge in Richmond on Monday

Another new artwork, confirmed to be by Banksy, was unveiled on a wall of a house in Chelsea, London this week

The mural sits above Bonners Fish Bar, on Northcote Road. It is based on a quiet residential street in east London

A hooded man with a mask holding the satellite dish while stood on top of the building

The artwork showing the silhouette of a wolf howling appeared on a rooftop in Peckham. It is the latest piece in a series of murals that have been unveiled this week

The first piece of graffiti in Banksy's new animal-themed series, which was announced on Monday, is near Kew Bridge in south-west London and shows a goat with rocks falling down below it, just above where a CCTV camera is pointed.

On Tuesday, the artist added silhouettes of two elephants with their trunks stretched towards each other on the side of a building in the Chelsea area of west London.

This was followed by three monkeys looking as though they were swinging underneath a bridge over Brick Lane, near a vintage clothing shop in the popular east London market street, not far from Shoreditch High Street.

The fifth design, of pelicans pinching fish from a London chip shop sign in Walthamstow, east London, was revealed on Friday.
The newly appointed boss of Seven has issued a grovelling apology to staff and vowed to do better ahead a bombshell investigation into the network's workplace culture.

Seven West Media chief executive and managing director Jeff Howard addressed all employees in a recent email where he assured that management team were reviewing its policies, procedures and culture.

The email comes ahead of a damning investigation into a probe into workplace practices at the embattled network by ABC's Four Corners whish is expected to air this Monday night.

More than 200 staff were interviewed as part of the episode titled 'Don't Speak' helmed by Four Corners reporter Louise Milligan.

Ahead of the program Mr Howard told staff that some of the issues that will be raised on the episode were 'historical ones' that have already been addressed, the Daily Telegraph reported.

'We know they have been working on a story about Seven West Media for a while now,' the email stated.

'Some of you may have even been approached to participate; unfortunately it looks like a few may have taken up the offer.'

Mr Howard added that he was committed towards building a 'better media company' and that he was sorry if some previous matters weren't dealt with properly.

Jeff Howard (pictured) has apologised to Seven West Media staff in a lengthy email ahead of a Four Corners expose on the network

'If any of the issues they call out weren't appropriately addressed, that disappoints me; we should have done better, and for that I'm sorry to those affected.' Mr Howard wrote.

A synopsis, which was included alongside a promo clip released by Four Corners last week, claimed allegations of sexism and bullying are 'rife' at the network.

'Channel Seven bills itself as a family network, but a Four Corners investigation finds it to be a 'second chance club' for senior men, described as a 'degrading, soul-crushing' workplace,' the synopsis states.

Many staff have made legal claims against the network and many past staff have been gagged with non-disclosure agreements'.

Mr Howard said management at the network are reviewing workplace policies and culture about some of the issues raised at the company.

'A number of people who have displayed behaviour not reflective of SWM's values have already been removed from the organisation,' he wrote.

'I want to be really clear that the actions of some individuals do not reflect the values, behaviour and attitude of the business as a whole, which is home to some of the best, hardest working and most passionate media professionals in Australia.'

Ms Milligan took to X last week to reveal the national broadcaster was inundated with several complaints from former Channel 7 staff.

'Promo only up a few hours and lots of Channel Seven complainants already getting in touch. Thank you and bear with us while we get back to you all,' she wrote.

The email by the newly appointed CEO comes ahead of a bombshell television expose to be aired by the ABC's Four Corners about toxic workplace culture at Channel 7 (stock image)

'To be crystal clear, these are complainants against Channel Seven. As in, former Seven employees. Or complainants against current Seven employees. Seven is not complaining'.

Mr Howard said additional context will be provided about the issues raised in the episode once the program airs on Monday night.
A woman was fatally mauled near Lake Oroville, and police found a pack of about two dozen Great Danes roaming the area. Getty Images

A woman was mauled to death in Butte County on Thursday, according to a report by the Sheriffs Office for the county north of Sacramento.

The victim, 56-year-old Davina Corbin, was found dead and covered in numerous bite marks at Blackhawk Trail in Feather Falls early Thursday morning. After analyzing the autopsy, a forensic pathologist believed that the cause of Corbins death was a domestic dog attack. Authorities also believe that Corbin, who lived nearby, was walking when she was assaulted.

During the investigation, authorities searched a residence located near where Corbin was found and discovered around 25 Great Dane dogs that were loose in the area. Authorities spent much of the day trying to capture the dogs. While most of the Great Danes were captured, two remained free. The breed is known as being one of the largest in the world.

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Corbins clothing was sent to a lab for DNA analysis, which confirmed that she was attacked by domestic dogs. The lab is conducting additional testing to determine if she was a victim of those Great Danes.
An elderly cancer patient has told of his shock after receiving a call from his local GP informing him he had been mistakenly registered as dead.

John Ashcroft was informed by his doctors in late July that he had been reported as 'deceased' on their system despite 'quite obviously' being alive.

The 73-year-old, who is in remission for prostate cancer, tried to log in to his hospital records but he and his wife Susan were 'stumped' to see access had been denied as 'he didn't exist'.

All his medical records and appointments had vanished which meant he had been unable to reorder his medication.

The worried couple - who admitted to finding the situation extremely 'unnerving' - were then forced to wait two weeks for his medical records to be restored.

John Ashcroft (pictured) was informed by his doctors in late July that he had been reported as 'deceased' on their system despite 'quite obviously' being alive

The 73-year-old (right), who is in remission for prostate cancer, tried to log in to his hospital records but he and his wife Susan (left) were 'stumped' to see access had been denied as 'he didn't exist'

Mr Ashcroft and his wife are still none the wiser on how the blunder happened and they are now concerned that he may be flagged up as deceased in other organisations.

The former NHS worker recalled: 'I had a phone call on the Monday, which was a fortnight ago, saying that I had been reported as deceased.

'It was a guy from IT calling to see whether I was deceased or not.

'He said quite obviously you're not, because you're talking to me.

'The guy said it would all be sorted in three hours and then a fortnight later, it still hadn't been sorted.'

The former NHS worker is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer so was 'shocked' by what he had been told on the phone.

'Because of the cancer I have been through, I had direct access to my notes and Sue went into them and nothing was there,' he said.

His wife, Mrs Ashcroft, added: 'We couldn't log in.

'It said he didn't exist so I couldn't log into the medication and I started to panic a bit because John was running really low on medication.

'It all came to blows last week when we went to order the medication and they said we couldn't order it.'

The cancer sufferer was told he was 'no longer a patient' and could not order the medication.

The couple escalated the matter to their local GP's practice manager. They were registered with Island City Practice in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Mr Ashcroft said his wife, who worked for the tech company IBM for 20 years, got straight on the case and tried to resolve the mishap.

'I have to say, Sue has done all of the background work which I just wouldn't be capable of doing,' he said.

The 70 year old contacted the PCSE [Primary Care Support England], their local MP, and other organisations urging them to rectify the mistake.

After a two-week wait, Mr Ashcroft's medical records were reinstated and he was re-declared as an alive man at his GP.

The couple were registered with Island City Practice (also known Lake Road Health Centre in Portsmouth, Hampshire

But, the grandfather is still worried about where else he may be registered as 'deceased'.

'We don't know how far this has gone - I don't think we're ever going to know,' he said.

Mrs Ashcroft added: 'We found out on 22 July - but how long before that had it happened.'

Despite the medical problems now being resolved, Mr Ashcroft is worried about whether his pension and passport have been impacted - particularly as he and his wife are jetting off to Morocco, North Africa, in September.

'We booked a holiday in September and I don't know whether my passport's still valid - we're stumped,' he added.

The husband said it will likely be a case of turning up at the airport and seeing what happens at border control.

They said the issue has weighed heavily on them over the last few weeks.

'It's been stressful, very stressful and very upsetting,' Mr Ashcroft said.

'Lots of tears from both of us - and really that's all I can say.

'We can joke about it, our sense of humour means we can do that but underlying...

'[Our family] have all been very supportive.'

The couple share five children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Mrs Ashcroft added: 'They just didn't believe what we were actually telling them because you can't even imagine it, you can't make it up.

'We always play pranks and jokes on our grandkids and they just thought it was a joke.'

Now, the couple are looking for answers.

Mrs Ashcroft, who was born in Yorkshire, continued: 'We're at a loss because we don't want to come down hard on the person who did it all.

'We want them to investigate, find out where in the country did it happen, and then there could be lessons learned.

'We don't know whether a death was reported, whether that was correct or whether someone had gone into the system and chosen the wrong name.'

Her husband added: 'John Ashcroft is not an uncommon name.

'But, a John Ashcroft for my address would be impossible.'

An NHS spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an issue involving a civil death registration being incorrectly recorded against a patient's medical record.

'This was removed within three hours of it being reported to us and the patient was re-registered by their GP.

'We send our apologies to the patient involved and would encourage him to contact us directly so we can explain further.'
The UK is set to swelter once again this week, with temperatures reaching highs of 34C across some parts of the country.

Brits were seen basking in the hot weather today, making the most of the warm weather, with temperatures reaching highs of 29C in the south of England.

Visitors to Peterborough Lido crowded around the eight-lane pool  ready for a quick dip if they needed to cool off.

While visitors to Cambridge enjoyed punt tours on the River Cam and families built sandcastles on Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland.

And temperatures are expected to rise again on Monday, to a staggering 34C, in a 'short-lived but quite intense' hot spell.

But a severe weather warning has been put in place for thunderstorms for large parts of the UK next week, with forecasters warning the storms could cause some disruption.

The warning for northern England and Scotland is in place from 2am on Monday until 1pm that day, while the alert for Northern Ireland begins after midnight until 7am.

Crowds enjoy the hot sunny weather on Brighton beach this afternoon, with temperatures expected to hit 30C

A beachgoer shelters from the sun under an umbrella on Margate beach in Margate

Beachgoers fill Margate beach today as temperatures reach 29C

Festival goers head to the beach to surf and soak up the sun, before the music at Boardmasters gets going

People enjoy punt tours along the River Cam in Cambridge

People cool off at Peterborough Lido in Peterborough

A very crowded beach at Watergate Bay during Boardmasters festival

People enjoy the warm weather on Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland

Visitors to Peterborough Lido crowded around the eight-lane pool  ready for a quick dip if they needed to cool off

The Met Office is predicting a hot spell ahead for most of Britain, peaking at 33C

Crowds of people sunbathe and enjoy picnics around Peterborough Lido today

There will be sunshine and blustery showers in the northwest this afternoon 



Meanwhile, feeling pleasantly warm in the best of the sunshine, and with lighter winds further southeast  pic.twitter.com/L971pbA94k  Met Office (@metoffice) August 9, 2024

Nicky Maxey, Met Office spokeswoman, said: 'The hot spell is short-lived but quite intense.'

She added: 'Temperatures are due to peak on Monday and rapidly return to average on Tuesday and Wednesday.'

The Met Office has said there is an increasing threat of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Sunday night and into Monday.

This looks most likely across portions of Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and southern and eastern Scotland.

'Sudden flooding' could lead to road closures and there was a 'slight chance that power cuts could occur', it said.

The hot air mass will most likely become displaced by fresher conditions in the mid-week, with the weather expected to become unsettled once again.

Pollen and UV levels will increase as we see temperatures rise.

Festival goers head to the beach to surf and soak up the sun, before the music at Boardmasters

People enjoy punt tours along the River Cam in Cambridge

Families make sandcastles and bask in the sun at Bamburgh Beach today

People enjoy the warn weather in Northumberland amid a 'short-lived' hot spell of weather

A drone view shows as people enjoy the pool at Saltdean Lido in Saltdean

Crowds of people sunbathing near to the Saltdean Lido

Some western, central, and northern areas of the UK will be hit by heavy showers and thunderstorms, Met Office forecasts

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, said: 'We expect to see a relatively brief hotter and more humid spell of weather for Sunday and Monday, before these hotter conditions recede on Tuesday, allowing more unsettled conditions to return.

'This change to hotter conditions is caused, in part, by the effects of Tropical Storm Debby in North America. Debby is helping to strengthen the jet stream, causing it to meander over the Atlantic. This will allow hot air over France to move into the UK later this weekend, and early next week.

'Along with the rise in temperatures, there is also an increasing threat of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Sunday night and into Monday. This looks most likely across portions of Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and southern and eastern Scotland, but the advice is to keep up to date with the latest forecast and any warnings by checking our website or app.'
Susan Wojcicki rented out the space in her garage at her home in Menlo Park to Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who built the iconic search engine there in 1998.

The historic move was one of good faith - made by a woman who would eventually surface as the firm's longest-serving employee, and one of the highest-profile female Silicon Valley executives to date.

At the time, the search engine was just a prospect - but Wojcicki was so excited by the potential of Brin and Page's plans, she quit her marketing job at Intel on the spot.

She did so just for a chance to join them - paving the way for a historic career that came to a premature close this week. She died Friday after a bout with cancer that lasted more than two years, months after losing her son to a drug overdose.

First, though, she would make a move she would later call 'one of the best decisions of my life' - big words from a woman who had the foresight to urge Brin and Page to buy a then-burgeoning YouTube less than a decade later.

She stepped down as the site's chief last year, after seeing it grow some 240 times in value. Not bad, for someone savvy enough to see the potential in the only other site bigger than YouTube in the entire world - before both were even a thing.

Susan Wojcicki gave space in her garage at her then-new home in Menlo Park to Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page back in 1998

The move was one of good faith - made by a woman who would eventually surface as the firm's longest-serving employees, and one of the highest-profile female Silicon Valley executives to date. The then-YouTube CEO is seen here during a keynote presentation in Switzerland in 2022

She wrote in February upon announcing her intent to leave the company after nine years as CEO: 'Twenty-five years ago I made the decision to join a couple of Stanford graduate students who were building a new search engine.

'Their names were Larry and Sergey,' she said.

'I saw the potential of what they were building, which was incredibly exciting, and although the company had only a few users and no revenue, I decided to join the team.

'It would be one of the best decisions of my life,' she proclaimed - before touching on some of her accomplishments since joining the then-startup as its 16th employee in 1998.

'Over the years, I've worn many hats and done so many things: managed marketing, co-created Google Image Search, led Google's first Video and Book search, as well as early parts of AdSense's creation,' she wrote.

'[I] worked on the YouTube and DoubleClick acquisitions, served as SVP of Ads, and for the last nine years, the CEO of YouTube.

'I took on each challenge that came my way because it had a mission that benefited so many people's lives around the world,' she continued.

'I'm so proud of everything we've achieved. It's been exhilarating, meaningful, and all-consuming.

She concluded: 'Today, after nearly 25 years here, I've decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I'm passionate about.'

At the time, the search engine was just a prospect - but Wojcicki was so excited by the potential of Brin and Page's plans, she quit her marketing job at Intel on the spot

She rented out her Palo Alto garage at the price of $1,700 a month for Brin and Page to use as a 'worldwide headquarters'

Wojcicki would later call 'one of the best decisions of my life' - big words from a woman who had the foresight to urge Brin and Page to buy YouTube less than a decade later. Today, the site is second only to Google, and is worth hundreds of billions of dollars by itself

Unbeknownst to others, she was secretly suffering from lung cancer. A year later, Wojcicki's 19-year-old son, Marco Troper, was found dead in his dorm room at the University of California, Berkeley.

His death was deemed an overdose, from consuming a high amount of alprazolam - the key drug in Xanax - cocaine, amphetamine, and the antihistamine hydroxyzine.

At the time, Esther Wojcicki, the mother of the former YouTube CEO, said the family was 'devastated beyond comprehension' by the loss of Marco - one of Wojcicki's five children with Google director of product management Dennis Troper.

Yesterday, Troper issued his own statement to confirm his wife of 26 years had passed after living with 'non small cell lung cancer' for the past two years.

'Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable.'

Similar sentiments were offered by figures such as Former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, who was vice president of Google's sales and operations from 2001 to 2008.

She credited Wojcicki with being a driving force in her own career, as current Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai conceded it will be 'hard to imagine the world without her.'

Brin and Page relinquished their own roles within the company in 2019, a few years after abruptly renaming and structuring the firm now known as Alphabet.

'As long as you guys pay your rent on time, you guys can build your Googly thing here,' she recalled telling them. Larry Page (L) and Sergey Brin (R)

Current Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai (left) said it will be 'hard to imagine the world without [Wojcicki]', considering the impact she has had on the tech sphere

Such statements highlighted Wojcicki's key role in one of Silicon Valley's most legendary origin stories, which began in her garage at her then-new home in Menlo Park.

This would become Google's first office, where she would push for prospects like getting Google inside colleges and a redesign of the firm's now seminal logo - removing its early-days exclamation mark.

Her most important project, as she mentioned in her farewell statement in 2023, was AdSense - tech that serves users advertisements based on the content of the websites they visit, as well as geographical location and other focused factors.

Paul Buchheit, the founder of Gmail, was credited with having the idea to run ads within Google's email service, but in a 2011 piece published by Mercury News, he and others said it was Wojcicki, with the backing of Brin, who organized the team that adapted that idea into a successful product.

The piece was aptly titled, 'Susan Wojcicki, the most important Googler you've never heard of, and reiterated how she rented out her Palo Alto garage at the price of $1,700 a month for Brin and Page to use as a 'worldwide headquarters.'

Footage from the makeshift office shared by Google in 2018 showed Page hard at work there on a computer.

In 2018, the company used archival footage to recreate what the garage looked like back in 1998, spurring Wojcicki to remark, 'Wow, it's amazing to see it looks the same. It's like going back in time.'

It turned out to be one of the best, shrewdest business moves in recent history, and cemented Wojcicki's status as a tech titan

it was Wojcicki, with the backing of Brin (seen with Page in 2004), who organized the team that adapted Google's AdSense into a successful product. Today, the program is one of Google's most lucrative endeavors

From there, she would continue to serve as the firm's marketing manager before taking on various other positions as Google quickly grew - soon acquiring YouTube in 2006 and DoubleClick in 2007, both largely at her behest.

At the time, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. Today, the video-sharing site is one of the world's most valuable media companies - worth at least $455 billion on its own, Bloomberg reported last month.

Few had the foresight to buy YouTube as clearly as Wojcicki, those familiar with the matter has said - with Shark Tank judge Mark Cuban famously characterizing the move as 'moronic' at the time.

It turned out to be one of the best, shrewdest business moves in recent history, and cemented Wojcicki's status as a tech titan.

By the time she stepped down, the site had grown to more than 2.5billion monthly active users while securing some $30billion in revenue a year just from ads, and is the second-most visited website in the world.

The first, to no one's surprise, is Google - with today's version of both sites widely seen as the fruits of Wojcicki's labor and her own expertise.

Neither would have been possible without the garage, however, which after the 2006 acquisition of YouTube was bought by Google as well to be used as a landmark.

Wojcicki's death comes just months after her son Marco Troper died from a drug overdose

It still stands today - one of many lasting reminders of Wojcicki's somewhat unequaled legacy.

During a 2014 commencement speech at Johns Hopkins University, she described the circumstances that led to the decision to rent it out, remembering how she and her then-new husband were struggling to afford their mortgage.

A mutual friend then introduced the pair to Brin and Page, she said.

'They seemed nice,' Wojcicki told attendees a decade ago. 'Their idea sounded kind of crazy.'

'As long as you guys pay your rent on time, you guys can build your Googly thing here,' she recalled telling them.

And the rest, well, is history.

She served as Googles senior vice president of advertising and commerce from 2011 to early 2014 and CEO of YouTube from 2014 to 2023.
A 15-year-old boy who stole vaped and hurled beer kegs through windows while at the 'forefront' of a riot has admitted his part in the violence.

The youth became involved in the disorder in Sunderland on Friday August 2, where his appalling behaviour was caught on camera.

He appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates' sitting at Newcastle Crown court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary, relating to theft of vapes from a shop.

Prosecuting, Lesley Burgess said: 'This arises from the Sunderland disorder on August 2, where 100 people were in attendance.

'In respect of (this youth) I am going to say that he was at the forefront of what has taken place.

Police separate the two protests outside the Sheikh Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool on August 2

A police officer outside a boarded up vape shop that was looted in the Sunderland riots

'He is quite easily identifiable on all of the footage because he is not wearing a top and he has some bright orange shorts on.

'The footage shows (the youth) pick up a couple of beer kegs. He is throwing beer kegs through windows.'

The court heard how the youngster, who can't be named for legal reasons, also entered a vape shop and was seen throwing items at the police as well as 'kicking out at windows, causing these to smash'.

Ms Burgess added: 'The violence goes on for a long time and (he) is picked up in different areas of Sunderland continuing to offend.'

Defending, Chris Wilson told the court the youth had recently been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and can act 'impulsively at times'.

A car flipped over by thugs and in flames during the recent far-right riots in Sunderland

He added: 'For someone so young he was very frank when interviewed by police.

'He is a young man who appears in court this morning without conviction or caution.

'He was awoken by police yesterday morning at 8.30am. He has had a short, sharp shock from being in custody.'

Regarding the rioting, Mr Wilson added: 'He was overtaken at that time by what was going on and became involved in it.'

The youngster was supported in court by his parents, who appeared emotional at times.

Far-right activists hold a St George's flag and the Union Jack flag at the riot on August 2 in Sunderland

At the start of the hearing District Judge Kate Meek told him she would explain everything in simple terms as it was important he understood proceedings.

She also made it clear to the court that he had not been at the 'forefront' of the riot in any kind of organisational role.

Remanding him to the care of the local authority, she said: 'What you have done is very serious and I am not sure what will happen in the end.'

Philip Cawthorne also appeared at the court after he was seen on footage captured by a police bodycam and mobile phone 'throwing items' during the widespread unrest in the city. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge of violent disorder.

Referring to his case, Ms Burgess said: 'There have been a number of disorder matters taking place in the local areas including Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Darlington.'

She told the court Cawthorne took part in the Sunderland riot and was 'very much involved' in 'throwing items' during the violence.

Philip Cawthorne, 38, also appeared at the court after he was seen on footage captured by a police bodycam and mobile phone 'throwing items' during the widespread unrest in the city

She added that he was caught on a police bodycam as well as mobile phone footage.

Ms Burgess said: 'The whole incident has resulted in damage to cars, windows were smashed at a local police station and that does not even start with the damage caused to stores.'

District Judge Kate Meek told Cawthorne, of Southend Road, Sunderland: 'I am satisfied the case must be sentenced at the Crown Court.'

She added: 'I am remanding you in custody.'

Cawthorne is an ex Army chef who served in Iraq and was jailed for two years in 2013 after he smuggled cocaine and cannabis into Acklington Prison.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to and was convicted of sending communications conveying false information.

He was fined 500 and ordered to pay 300 in compensation after he called his MP's office over problems with receiving his benefits and ended up telling a staff member he was going to 'go down to the House of Commons and kick the s**t out of them'.

The 15-year-old boy will next appear at South Tyneside Youth Court on August 15 while Cawthorne is due at Newcastle Crown Court on August 20.
A disability activist who was left in tears when she couldn't collect her Freedom of the City of London award as there was no ramp at the ceremony says she would have been branded 'unreasonable' if she made a scene.

Anna Landre, who moved to the UK three years ago after studying in Washington DC, revealed she was fighting back tears during the event at Mansion House in the British capital last week.

The 25-year-old labelled the incident as 'absurd' and claimed it was an example of the 'access roulette' disabled people are forced to face in everyday life.

According to the wheelchair user, organisers were aware she would be attending the event and assured her there would be wheelchair access.

But instead the researcher and consultant was made to 'quietly accept my Freedom of the City from the floor beneath the stage'.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Anna shared a snap of herself next to the steps which led onto the stage

Anna Landre, who moved to the UK three years ago after studying in Washington DC, who was given the Freedom of the City of London for her disability campaigning revealed she was unable to collect the award on stage due to not being offered an accessible ramp

Speaking to the Big Issue, Ms Landre said: 'I suppose I was worthy of being granted the Freedom of the City, but not the freedom of the room.

'The stage itself was not a historic feature and sat barley half a metre off the floor.

'The organisers knew I was coming and had assured me of wheelchair access. So why did this happen.'

Ms Landre hopes her story can lead to a wider discussion around the Equality Act 2010, and called for an ombudsman, a body to which disabled people can report violations of the law to.

The Equality Act came into force in October 2010 and brought together many of the rights from the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act, which made it illegal for employers and places such as shops and restaurants to discriminate against someone because they are disabled.

Ms Landre added: 'I quietly accepted my Freedom of the City from the floor beneath the stage, knowing that despite the legal obligation for disabled people to be granted 'reasonable adjustments' like a ramp to ensure access, if I made a scene it would be I who was branded 'unreasonable'.

Speaking to FEMAIL last month, Anna said this incident doesn't reflect reality, as inaccessibility has become a systemic problem and disabled people should have an easier way to make complaints.

She said: 'Currently, the burden is on disabled people to enforce the law because government fails to.'

She added: 'I'd like to see this government take action to address this as one of the largest issues facing disabled people in this country.

'I am a researcher and policy expert in this area. There are many policy levers we can pull to fix this. Just one might be creating an ombudsman, a body to which disabled people can report violations of the law.

'It's also critical that disabled people have a ministerial representative outside the DWP, where the Minister for Disabled People currently sits. Our lives are far more than work and benefits, but that's nearly all we ever hear from government.'

In her work Anna focuses on the disability law 'implementation gap', in which progressive legal standards often fail to improve disabled people's lives in practice

The Freemen of the City of London is a way of paying tribute to an outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.

Over the last 300 years, about 300,000 people have been made 'Free of the City of London', and many continue to be admitted to the City Freedom, although most of the privileges have now disappeared.

After being told she wouldn't be able to receive her award onstage like the other recipients, the 25-year-old said she was 'in shock.'

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Anna shared a snap of herself next to the steps which led onto the stage.

The day after the event, She wrote: 'Yesterday I received one of the highest and most ancient honors in London, the Freedom of the City.

'But the celebration soured into an experience of indignity when upon arriving, I found that there was no ramp for me to access the stage.'

In her work Anna focuses on the disability law 'implementation gap', in which progressive legal standards often fail to improve disabled people's lives in practice.

Anna received her BS in Foreign Service (Regional and Comparative Studies, Disability Studies) from Georgetown University and MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics.

A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: 'The City of London Corporation would like to offer our sincerest apologies to Anna Landre for the inaccessible stage upon receiving her Freedom award. The City of London Corporation is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we are undertaking an urgent review to ensure accessibility at our buildings, facilities and events.

'Again, we want to make clear our unreserved apology to Anna Landre and we are making every effort to ensure this doesn't happen again.'
Newly released documents have revealed harrowing 911 calls and other police communications from the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting.

Calls from inside the Uvalde, Texas fourth grade classroom along with body camera footage and surveillance videos were included in a massive release by city officials on Saturday after a lengthy legal battle.

The massacre on May 24, 2022, which left 19 students and two teachers dead, was one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.

One of the survivors, Khloie Torres, begged for help in a series of 911 calls, whispering into the phone that there were 'a lot' of bodies.

'Please, I don't want to die. My teacher is dead. Oh, my God,' Torres said.

Newly released documents revealed harrowing 911 calls and other police communications from the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting

One of the survivors, Khloie Torres (pictured), begged for help in a series of 911 calls, whispering into the phone that there were 'a lot' of bodies

The dispatcher asks the 10-year-old girl if there are many people in the room.

'No, it's just me and a couple of friends. A lot of people are,' she said, pausing briefly, 'gone.'

The police force has been heavily criticized in the wake of the massacre, after it emerged that nobody attempted to confront the shooter until 77 minutes after he began his rampage.

Just before the 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos arrived at the school, he shot and wounded his grandmother at her home. He then took a pickup from the home and drove to the school.

Ramos' distraught uncle made several 911 calls begging to be put through so he could try to get his nephew to stop shooting.

'Everything I tell him, he does listen to me,' Armando Ramos said. 'Maybe he could stand down or do something to turn himself in,' he added, his voice cracking.

Just before the 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos arrived at the school, he shot and wounded his grandmother at her home

Ramos' distraught uncle made several 911 calls begging to be put through so he could try to get his nephew to stop shooting

He said his nephew, who had been with him at his house the night before, stayed with him in his bedroom all night, and told him that he was upset because his grandmother was 'bugging' him.

'Oh my God, please, please, don't do nothing stupid,' the man said on the call. 'I think he's shooting kids.'

Ramos entered the school at 11:33 a.m., first opening fire from the hallway, then going into two adjoining fourth-grade classrooms.

The first responding officers arrived at the school minutes later. They approached the classrooms, but then retreated as Ramos opened fire.

Surveillance videos from the school hallway have shown police officers running away from the classroom they tried to engage the gunman, who had an AR-15 rifle, and he shot at them.

Uvalde School District Police chief Pedro 'Pete' Arredondo was in charge of the massive law enforcement response on the day, which saw at least 380 officers from various local, state and federal agencies swarm on the school.

Arredondo and Officer Adrian Gonzales have been indicted on charges of child endangerment in connection with the tragedy.

At 12:06 p.m., much of the radio traffic from the Uvalde Police Department was still focused on setting up a perimeter around the school and controlling traffic in the area, as well as the logistics of keeping track of those who safely evacuated the building.

Surveillance videos from the school hallway have shown police officers running away from the classroom

Uvalde School District Police chief Pedro 'Pete' Arredondo and Officer Adrian Gonzales have been indicted on charges of child endangerment in connection with the tragedy

Theyve had trouble setting up a command post, one officer tells his colleagues, 'because we need the bodies to keep the parents out.'

At 12:16 p.m., someone with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state law enforcement agency, called police to let them know a SWAT team was en route from Austin, about 162 miles away.

'Do you have a command post? Or where do you need our officers to go?' the caller asked.

The police representative responds that officers know there are several dead students inside the elementary school and others still hiding.

Some of the 911 calls released were from terrified instructors. One described 'a lot, a whole lot of gunshots,' while another sobbed into the phone as a dispatcher urged her to stay quiet. 'Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry!' the first teacher cried before hanging up.

The victims' families have reached a $2 million settlement with the city and announced they are suing nearly 100 'cowardly' state troopers.
Hundreds of mourners have lined the streets to remember nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who was one of three little girls stabbed to death at a dance class in Southport.

Alice died from her injuries in hospital a day after a knifeman entered a Taylor Swift-themed event on Hart Street on July 29 and carried out a terrifying stabbing spree.

She was killed alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. Ten others were seriously injured.

Photos from today show hundreds of devastated mourners arriving outside St Patrick's Church in Southport for the funeral of Alice  described as a 'princess' by her heartbroken family.

The little girl's parents Sergio and Alexandra have been joined by hundreds of family members and friends at the packed-out church.

Among those who also gathered to pay their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, alongside uniformed officers from the police, ambulance and fire services.

The grieving crowd could be seen carrying flowers and pink balloons and were dressed in light colours.

A white coffin decorated with pink roses was carried into the church for the funeral which began at 2pm. Pink ribbons and balloons were tied to lampposts and garden walls.

Alice Da Silva Aguiar's coffin was decorated with pink roses for her funeral today

Alice pictured here on the day she died next to a cardboard cut out of Taylor Swift - she was eager and ready to get into the dance class

Alice da Silva Aguiar had been dancing and performing from a young age

A horse-drawn carriage carrying the coffin of nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, (pictured) was one of three little girls to be stabbed to death by a knifeman at a Taylor Swift themed dance class on July 29

The coffin of Southport attack victim Alice da Silva Aguiar is carried on a carriage during her funeral at St Patrick's Catholic Church

The coffin of nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar is carried into her funeral

People dressed in light colours for nine-year-old Alice's funeral today

The horse-drawn carriage carrying the coffin of Southport stabbing victim Alice

A horse and carriage carrying the coffin of nine-year-old Alice

Mourners attending the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice da Silva Aguiar

The grieving crowd can be seen carrying flowers and are predominantly dressed in light colours

A beautiful pink and white, horse-drawn carriage carried Alice's coffin to the church surrounded by those lining the streets to pay their respects

A paramedic carries flowers, ahead of the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice

Alice as a toddler in one of her first ballet classes

Pall bearers carry the coffin for the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice da Silva Aguiar

Mourners hold hands as the funeral cortege arrives for the funeral today

A beautiful pink and white, horse-drawn carriage carried Alice's coffin to the church.

About 300 members of the public lined Marshside Road as the funeral cortege arrived, along with about 30 uniformed police officers.

Applause broke out as the carriage containing the coffin approached the church entrance.

Several hundred people gathered in the church while more listened outside as the service was relayed on loudspeakers.

The stabbing suspect is Axel Rudakubana, who turned 18 this month, and who was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff in 2006 before moving to the village of Banks in Lancashire in 2013.

Alice's aunt, Albertina Freitas, told ITV News in Madeira, Portugal, that the little girl's father has been left paralysed by his grief.

'We are not going through it directly, but we can imagine the pain my brother is experiencing. It is an immense pain.'

Hundreds of mourners came out to honour Alice da Silva today

Alice's parents said in a tribute: 'Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do, our princess'

Little Alice pictured here in her school uniform, she was killed in Southport alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven

Alice pictured with her Wednesday Addams hat on at Halloween

Alice had been dancing from a young age, she is pictured here in her ballet outfit

Talking about her sister, Ms Freitas added: 'She doesn't speak at all.'

She said: 'My brother-in-law is in such a state that he can't even talk to the family. We try to talk to him but he doesn't want to. He just clings to the girl's things.'

In an earlier tribute, Alice's parents 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.'

The family, who is Portuguese, attended a celebration of her life on Tuesday, which is traditional in Portugal one week after a person has died.

Liverpool players observed a minute's silence before their pre-season friendly match against Sevilla at Anfield stadium today, in memory of Alice, Bebe and Elsie.

Players could be seen linking arms as they dropped their heads to remember the victims, while the coaches and substitutes did the same.

Fans in the stadium also joined in with the minute silence.

Players observe a minute's silence for the victims of the Southport attack before the pre-season friendly football match between Liverpool and Sevilla

Liverpool manager Arne Slot takes part in a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Southport attacks

St Patrick's Church, Southport, today ahead of the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice, nine

A woman holds a celebration of life programme dedicated to nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar

Police officers outside St Patrick's Church, Southport, ahead of the funeral of stabbing victim Alice

Police officers outside St Patrick's Church ahead of nine-year-old Alice's funeral today

A paramedic carries flowers, ahead of the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy outside St Patrick's Church ahead of the funeral of Alice

Paramedics outside St Patrick's Church ahead of the funeral of nine-year-old Alice

Police officers secure the area for the devastating funeral today

Leading the service at St Patrick's Church, Father John Heneghan previously told BBC Radio Merseyside that Alice was a 'wonderfully happy girl' who brought 'joy to her mum and dad'.

He said the town's residents were 'very bruised' and would remain that way for a long time following the attack.

In recent days, violent riots have exploded across several cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham following the Southport knife rampage which claimed the lives of the three girls.

False speculation online that the teenage suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a boat has fuelled the unrest which started outside a mosque in Southport and has since spread across the UK.

The misinformation is believed to have originated from a Russian-linked fake news website.

Right-wing groups have organised dozens of protests from Liverpool to Hull and Middlesbrough to Plymouth - with many filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Riots have seen hotels housing migrants set on fire and police attacked with bricks or glass bottles.

The Prime Minister told Cabinet that 'people across the country want their streets to be safe and to feel safe in their communities, and we will take all necessary action to bring the disorder to an end'.
A California police chief who resigned over an alleged affair he had with his officer's wife has launched his own consulting firm.

Former Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama, 47, was outed in June by city officials for being investigated over the alleged relationship with a non-city employee.

Balderrama, who is married to his wife Kayla and has three children, later resigned over the matter after being placed on administrative leave.

One day before his official last day in his post, he filed papers with the California Secretary of State to create El Matador Consulting LLC, according to GV Wire.

He listed his home address in Madera County as the business location and added his position as CEO/Founder to his LinkedIn page.

Balderrama, 47, was outed in June by city officials for being investigated over the alleged relationship with a non-city employee

Balderrama, who is married to his wife Kayla and has three children, later resigned over the matter after being placed on administrative leave

It was previously claimed Balderrama used his position to manipulate the career of his colleague Jordan Wamhoff, whose wife he is accused of having an affair with.

Sources claimed that Balderrama used his position as chief to interfere with Wamhoff's career, in order to create opportunities to spend time with his wife.

The Fresno Bee reported that after Wamhoff learned of the affair he contacted city officials and outlined demands that would halt him from filing a lawsuit.

According to the outlet, this including the firing of Balderrama and a new flexible work schedule for him.

The outlet saw the text message he sent to officials which called for his sacking within 30 days, offering to sign a non-disclosure agreement if the city agreed.

Wamhoff, who is also the District 1 representative on the Madera County Board of Supervisors, has been an officer for over a decade.

He also previously served as vice president of the Fresno Police Officers Association, the local police union that represents rank and file officers.

It was previously claimed Balderrama used his position to manipulate the career of his colleague Jordan Wamhoff, whose wife he is accused of having an affair with

In a statement from Wamhoff earlier this year, he claimed that Balderrama initiated a two-year affair from August 2021 which ended upon discovery in 2023.

After the alleged affair was reported to the City Attorney, Balderrama reportedly admitted to the affair but minimized the length of it.

After the affair first came to light, Balderrama said in a memo to officers that he planned to 'own' his mistakes in an email to the department.

He wrote: 'It is so very true that there are two sides to every story, but I do not intend to justify or defend myself regardless of any unknown circumstances.

'My actions did not meet the standards of who I am as a man of faith, husband, or father.

'I own my mistakes, they are mine and mine alone to bear, and I will pay for those mistakes for the rest of my life.

It is alleged that Balderrama and the department opted for another officer to fill the position - so the chief could continue the affair

Balderrama is alleged to have initiated a two-year affair from August 2021 which ended upon discovery in 2023

'My family has been deeply affected by this and I humbly ask for your grace, discretion, and understanding during this difficult time.'

He went on to ask for forgiveness from the department's staff members, saying he understands if they are 'upset and disappointed'.

When interviewed by the press Balderrama appeared to make a shocking claim when he hinted his wife Kyla had forgiven him.

'I've never claimed to be perfect,' he said. 'I'm also very proud of my family and I can tell you that I owe them forgiveness, and I've gotten it.'

The father-of-three said he had been told not to talk about the ongoing investigation, but proceeded to speak to reporters anyway.

'I am human, I am imperfect, I work extremely hard, I plan on continuing to lead this police department to even greater heights,' Balderrama said before thanking his fellow police officers and community for their support and prayers.

When interviewed by the press Balderrama appeared to make a shocking claim when he hinted his wife Kyla had forgiven him

Fox 26 KMPH reported that while on paid leave Balderrama applied for a Chief of Police position opening in Austin, Texas

'I have received hundreds and hundreds of messages, sending me bible verses, saying that they're praying for me and my family, asking me "please don't quit".'

Fox 26 KMPH reported that while on paid leave Balderrama applied for a Chief of Police position opening in Austin, Texas.

It is not exactly clear when he applied for the new job but the city of Austin started accepting applications in May, prior to news of the alleged affair.

Balderrama became top cop in 2021, having made history as the first chief of Hispanic descent.

He was previously the Public Information Officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department and regularly appeared on metro TV throughout the 2000s and 2010s.

An editorial by The Lost Stogle claimed Balderrama melted the hearts of female news viewers with his TV appearances.
A Massachusetts Salon owner feels 'violated' after the United States Secret Service broke into her business during a nearby fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Footage from a Ring security camera shows an agent approaching the front door of the business in Berkshire, Massachusetts before coming back to tape over the video camera.

Alicia Powers, the salon owner, said after the camera was covered, agents broke into the building by picking the lock and then allowing multiple people to use the bathroom inside over a two-hour period.

Amidst heightened scrutiny on the agency that protects the most high-profile U.S. politicians after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Secret Service is now forced to apologize for this much lower stakes fumble.

After Business Insider called the agency about the bizarre case, Powers says a representative for the Secret Service's Boston field office called to apologize.

Ring footage caught a Secret Service agent taping over a salon's security camera before breaking into the business and allowing various people to use the bathroom for two hours during a nearby Kamala Harris fundraiser

The U.S. Secret Service is apologizing to a Massachusetts salon owner after an agent covered her security camera with duct tape and broke into her salon by picking the lock so that its bathroom could be used by various people for a two-hour period.



After the two-hour period, pic.twitter.com/s4qSFtebn0  Yashar Ali  (@yashar) August 11, 2024

'He said to me everything that was done was done very wrong,' Powers recounted to Insider. 'They were not supposed to tape my camera without permission. They were not supposed to enter the building without permission.'

Additionally, the building's landlord Brian Smith confirmed that he never gave permission to Secret Service officers to use or enter the building.

'Me and my dad own the building, and I have a crazy eccentric guy that lives upstairs,' Smith said. 'And he didn't tell the Secret Service they could use it, and I didn't tell them, and my father didn't tell them, and they had no permission to go in there whatsoever.'

Power said it became clear she would need to close for the day on Saturday, July 27 when Harris was coming for her first campaign fundraiser after becoming the presumed Democratic presidential nominee.

But the owner of Four One Three Salon in Pittsfield, Massachusetts said if she was informed Secret Service needed to use her business' facilities for security staffing the fundraiser, she would have opened her doors.

'Whoever was visiting, whether it was a celebrity or not, I probably would've opened the door and made them coffee and brought in donuts to make it a great afternoon for them,' Powers said.

'But they didn't even have the audacity to ask for permission,' she added. 'They just helped themselves.'

Kamala Harris held her first campaign fundraiser in Pittsfiled, Massachusetts on Saturday, July 27 (pictured), which prompted nearby shop owner Alicia Powers to close her business for the day

But Ring footage of the front porch of her business showed an agent observing the door and camera before using a chair to reach and tape over the camera

Alicia Powers owns Four One Three Salon in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (pictured)  but neither she nor the landlord Brian Smith gave permission to Secret Service officers to use or enter the building

'I probably would've opened the door and made them coffee and brought in donuts to make it a great afternoon for them,' said Powers (pictured). 'But they didn't even have the audacity to ask for permission. They just helped themselves'

Just weeks ago, Kimberly Cheatle stepped down as director of the Secret Service after Donald Trump was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last month.

Failures from the agency prevented early enough detection and action to prevent 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks from getting onto a nearby roof and shooting at the former president.

The bullet that grazed Trump's ear was just centimeters from his head. And other rally goers were not as lucky, with one dying and two others sustaining critical injuries before the Secret Service neutralized the shooter.

Social Media is up in arms over the latest 'violation' and calls the incident an 'act of tyranny.'

'The salon owner needs to press charges w/local SO or police. The agents should be arrested for this,' one X user wrote.

Another said: 'This is an unforgivable act of tyranny by the Secret Servicean appalling abuse of power that spits in the face of every principle this country stands for.'

'Agents breaking into a private business, tampering with security, and treating a citizen's property like their personal playground is nothing short of criminal,' they added. 'This is not just a violation; it's a disgusting display of arrogance, a contemptuous disregard for the rule of law, and an insult to the rights of every American.'

'Heads must roll for this. Apologies are worthless. Accountability is non-negotiable. This atrocity demands immediate, severe consequences.'

One X user claims the act was a violation of the Constitution.

'The Third Amendment: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law,' the user wrote.

The incident came just four days after Kimberly Cheatle stepped down from her post as Secret Service Director following the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump

Secret Service is under a microscope after a shooter was able to strike Donald Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last month

Powers said that a Secret Service agent broke into her business by picking the lock and proceeded to use her facilities for at least two hours.

'They had a bunch of people in and out of here doing a couple of bomb sweeps again  totally understand what they have to do, due to the nature of the situation,' Powers told Business Insider.

'And at that point, my team felt like it was a little bit chaotic, and we just made the decision to close for Saturday.'

But what appeared to bother her the most was that the agents left her business unlocked when they left.

More than a week after the incident and a day after Business Insider reached out to the Secret Service for comment on the break-in, the agency said it had 'since communicated' with the business owner.

'The U.S. Secret Service works closely with our partners in the business community to carry out our protective and investigative missions,' Secret Service spokesperson Melissa McKenzie replied. 'The Secret Service has since communicated with the affected business owner.'

She continued: 'We hold these relationships in the highest regard and our personnel would not enter, or instruct our partners to enter, a business without the owner's permission.'

Asked whether USSS invited people to use the business' facilities, McKenzie insisted that the agency's employees 'would not' welcome someone into the salon without the owner's permission.
Two migrants have died after an inflated dinghy carrying dozens of people got into difficulty in the English Channel while trying to make the crossing from France.

The incident occurred this morning, offshore between Calais and Dunkirk, a French maritime official told the BBC.

There were two fatalities and around 50 others rescued, according to authorities. The surviving migrants were taken back to France.

The Home Office confirmed that the investigation into the loss of life is being led by French authorities.

The latest fatalities brings the total of migrants who have died crossing the strait this year to 25.

Two migrants have died after a dinghy carrying dozens of people got into difficulty in the English Channel. Pictured is a Border Force vehicle in the Channel last month

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Several small boats were launched into the Channel from beaches in northern France this morning after a period of windy conditions, the BBC reported.

French authorities have now launched an investigation after a vessel got into trouble, prompting a large rescue operation.

A number of British and French vessels were seen in the Channel late this morning.

A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: 'HM Coastguard offered assistance to the French Coastguard with an incident involving a small boat in the Channel this morning, Sunday 11 August.

'A search and rescue unit and a Border Force vessel were sent to provide support.'

A Home Office spokesperson added: 'We can confirm there has been a tragic incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters which has resulted in the loss of two lives.

A total of 17,639 migrants in 343 boats have been detected successfully making the crossing so far in 2024. Pictured are migrants making their way towards England in a dinghy on August 6 this year

'This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings, and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected.'

A total of 17,639 migrants in 343 boats have been detected successfully making the crossing so far in 2024, according to Home Office figures.

The last recorded arrivals were brought into Dover on August 6 - amid windy conditions in the Channel.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Since April, Denmark has reported 25 incidents involving Swedish teenagers, referred to as "child soldiers," who have been engaged in "dirty work" for Danish criminal gangs. In one of the recent incidents, a gang member was killed, Azernews reports.

Denmark will tighten border controls with Sweden following an increase in shootings involving Swedish teenagers, announced Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard.

"We are strengthening controls, partly to improve security and partly to prevent Swedish child soldiers on contract from crossing the border to Copenhagen for gang-related activities," said Hummelgaard.

The Minister of Justice stated that since April, the police have documented the recruitment of at least 25 Swedish teenagers.

On August 7, a 43-year-old man associated with the "Family Loyal" gang was shot dead in Copenhagen. A 42-year-old woman was injured in the same conflict. In the past two weeks, three shootings have been linked to "child soldiers," and three Swedish minors have been arrested.

The minister described this as a "terrible phenomenon," condemning the practice of Danish gangs recruiting young Swedes for criminal activities. According to him, the "strings" in gang conflicts are being pulled by individuals from non-Western countries, such as Lebanon, Iraq, and the UAE. "We dont want to accept that," Hummelgaard said.
Santa Rosa police, with the help of other law enforcement agencies, arrested five people suspected of robbing a cannabis dispensary. Getty Images

After a chase involving several law enforcement agencies, Santa Rosa police have arrested five people on suspicion of robbing a cannabis dispensary.

Officers responded to reports of a robbery on the 1800 block of Empire Industrial Court around 8 p.m. Thursday, the Santa Rosa Police Department said in a news release. Police said an employee told them that four vehicles arrived and several people assaulted him and stole marijuana products. The employee provided descriptions of the vehicles and people involved.

An officer located one of the cars along southbound Highway 101. The car did not stop after police initiated a traffic stop and accelerated away from the officer, police said.

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The officer attempted to stay with the vehicle, but ultimately decided to terminate the pursuit because of speeds, police said.

A second officer found another car and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but it didnt stop either, according to police.

Police used the Napa County Sheriffs Office helicopter to locate the second car along Highway 116 before it exited and hit a curb. Four agencies collaborated to identify three people who exited and fled around West Cotati and Maple avenues in Cotati before police apprehended them.

During the second pursuit, police located a third vehicle on Highway 101 with three people inside. One person confronted the officer and a physical altercation took place, police said. The person fled into the area of Moorland Avenue north of Todd Road in Santa Rosa, but police said they were able to arrest the two other occupants of the vehicle.

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A controversial vegan activist has filmed the dramatic moment she and her boyfriend were escorted from a five star hotel after being told she was permanently banned from the venue.

Tash Peterson, 30, detailed in two Tik Tok videos how she was issued with a ban at Perth's Crown Towers just two hours after she and her partner Jack Higgs had checked into their room on Saturday.

The notorious activist, who has been banned from other establishments after performing stunts, claimed that the security guard told her the ban had been place from September 2021.

Despite her past protests, the Perth-based activist claimed that the ban was unrelated to any stunts and that the couple were being thrown out for 'doing nothing'.

'They are only just serving it on me now, three years later. Im permanently banned,' she said.

'And so essentially, we have to pack our s**t up and leave.'

The moment the pair were escorted from their room was filmed with Ms Peterson saying their only crime was wanting to spend their money at Crown.

'Kicked out for doing nothing. For giving them our money,' she said.

Tash Peterson and her partner Jack Higgs were shocked to be evicted from Crown Towers on Saturday

Once outside, the mystified pair were still trying to figure why they were thrown out.

The couple had been celebrating Mr Higgs' birthday during the overnight stay at the $650million five star hotel, which consists of 500 rooms and villas.

'I can't remember the last time I came to Crown, like to go out,' Ms Peterson said.

'I think I was like 18-years-old. Didn't do anything wrong. There was no incidents whatsoever.'

The vegan activist posted the TikTok video with the heading, 'Kicked out of Crown Towers! See WATCHDOMINION.ORG for the truth.'

In a follow up TikTok, Ms Peterson admitted the Crown Towers did reimburse the pair their money but added that the ordeal had ruined the couple's weekend.

'Yeah, and this was meant to be a business thing as well,' Mr Higgs said.

'We (were) gonna film content, we had everything planned.

'We've taken our weekend out for this.'

The pair were also angry that it took two hours for them to be served with the ban - after they had already checked in and unpacked.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Crown Towers for comment.

Tash Peterson, 30, was only informed of her ban from Perth Crown Towers two hours after her and her boyfriend had checked in (pictured Crown's security guards escorting Ms Peterson out)

The vegan activist is renowned for her controversial protests and stunts

Ms Peterson said she also asked the security guard what the reason was for and they informed her she had to contact someone 'higher up' for that information.

'And then I just saw in the paperwork, it said undesirable behaviour,' she said.

Ms Peterson is no stranger to controversy.

The latest saga comes just days after the controversial animal rights protester pleaded guilty to two trespass and disorderly behaviour charges for two separate stand-offs at Fyre restaurant in the northern Perth suburb of Connolly last year.

Petersen was banned from leaving Western Australia due a six-month community-based order issued by a magistrate in Joondalup Magistrates Court last week.

Ms Peterson was also hit with thousands of dollars in fines.

Other previous antics have led police and policymakers in WA to describe her as 'Australia's biggest pest'.

Ms Peterson has copped numerous fines for her semi-nude demonstrations and protests in designer stores, restaurants and supermarkets.
A man engaged in a five-hour standoff with police and a SWAT team in Ohio has died, authorities confirmed.

It remains unclear how the man, who was said to be in his 20s, died after he reportedly fired shots at officers in Columbus near Ohio State University.

ABC6 reported that investigators said it started after someone called 911 to report a burglary was in progress in the area.

Officers arrived on the scene and were fired upon although nobody was said to have been struck. Officers returned fire but it is not clear if the suspect was shot.

Officers are currently on the scene at the incident on West 8th Avenue in Columbus after reports of shots fired in the area

Dozens of police cars are here on Neil avenue. Officers right now arent saying much pic.twitter.com/O1v89zYviB  Jeremiah Wilcox (@WilcoxReports) August 11, 2024

Images captured at the scene show a large police presence, with ABC 6 reporting that 16 cop cars arrived at the scene.

According to police scanners, multiple apartment buildings had to be evacuated as the situation unfolded.

When officers arrived, they saw the suspect re-load his gun before barricading himself somewhere in the area.

A dispatcher said that the suspect and police exchanged gunfire on two occasions but nobody has been injured.
A concertgoer has branded Boardmasters festival bosses a 'disgrace' after '10 people' fell on her in a crowd crush which left her with a fractured knee.

Jade Brooks, 23, was attending the music festival in Newquay on Friday when the crush occurred which left her needing crutches, whilst others suffered broken bones and were covered in blood as they were 'submerged' beneath each other.

Ms Brooks, who is based in Yorkshire, arrived at The Point stage an hour before DJ and producer Sammy Virji was due to start his set and says 'more and more people were flooding into' the arena in the time leading up to his performance.

His show was eventually cancelled after two 'massive' crowd surges were reported, with some concertgoers even claiming speakers fell on to people.

Boardmasters revealed that seven people were transferred to hospital following the crowd collapse with minor injuries and have now been discharged.

Jade Brooks (pictured) was attending the music festival in Newquay on Friday when the crush occurred which left her needing crutches

Footage shows the moment throngs of fans caused a 'terrifying' crowd surge during DJ and producer Sammy Virji's performance at Boardmasters music festival in Newquay

Ms Brooks said: 'We then stood up to get a good view of the stage when more and more people were flocking in.

'This is where we were getting pushed into by people trying to get to the front, which caused us to be packed in like sardines.

'I felt enclosed and wanted to get out but everywhere you turned there was no way to get out.

'The crowd then pushed back and caused everyone to fall with me being the bottom person and I had about 10 people fall onto my legs.

'I was screaming "my legs" when I heard the crunch as someone landed on it.'

Security told her to go to the welfare tent where 'hundreds of people were waiting' before the medical team felt her leg.

Ms Brooks said they told her she would be 'okay' and that they could attend to her 'in a few hours once they got down to people more important'.

The following morning, Ms Brooks, a dancer who also works in hospitality, said she 'woke up in agony'.

She saw her leg had swollen to twice its usual size and she was unable to put any weight on it.

Ms Brooks waited in A&E 'all morning' and an x-ray revealed she had a fracture in her knee, meaning that she will have to spend the rest of her family holiday in Cornwall in a brace with crutches.

'It has ruined my holiday with my family, as I can't do anything at all now,' she said.

Ms Brooks (pictured) waited in A&E 'all morning' and an x-ray revealed she had a fracture in her knee, meaning that she will have to spend the rest of her family holiday in Cornwall in a brace with crutches

At one moment in the video, a mass of people can be seen gathered on some sort of platform above the rest of the crowd

'Boardmasters are a disgrace, they should have had security stopping people from coming in to reduce the amount of people so it wouldn't cause crowd surges.

'I want my money back along with compensation for destroying my holiday and when I return home I won't be able to work for over a month.'

She added: 'We came to Cornwall for a two-week holiday like we do every year and this was in the middle of our holiday.

'Now this second week of the holiday is ruined, we can't do what we usually do and I'm going to miss out on all family activities.'

Sammy Virji said he was 'gutted' about his set being cancelled via an Instagram post, but 'safety should always come first'.

Multiple attendees also told MailOnline they believed people had been spiked, though this was denied by a spokesperson for the festival.

One mum told MailOnline: 'My 16 year old daughter is currently at Boardmasters. She messaged me last night on Snapchat saying her friend was hurt, she had seen peoples bones breaking and that she had other peoples blood all over her, she thought people had broken legs and even necks.

'She was in a state of shock and said that everyone had been screaming, with many injured people who had got out of the crush lying on the ground screaming in pain.

'She said there was no crowd control whatsoever and the warm up dj that was playing did not stop or intervene. She said there were no measures in place to prevent the crowd surging with partitions or extra barriers.

'I have been to several festivals and I know how intense the crowds can be, but without proper safety measures they are incredibly dangerous and potentially lethal.

'Receiving a message like that is a parents worst nightmare. Thank God both she and all her friends are ok, but somebody could very easily have been killed.'

Several attendees have told MailOnline that people broke bones and were screaming in pain

Footage shows huge swarms of crowds gathering by the tent where there was a reported crowd surge

She went on to say she was 'horrified' with the festival organisers and her daughter had a 'very lucky escape.

Katie Mirzayantz claimed the crowd surge at Boardmasters is 'being massively downplayed by the festival'.

'I was at the point stage with my teenage daughter, cousin and my daughters friend. When the surge happened evert single person in the crowd hit the floor,' she said.

'My daughter and her friend was trapped under a couple of men and crushed. My sister was crushed, hit her head and her nose was broken whilst being crushed under quite a few men.

'Either side of us two people broke their legs. My sister was covered in blood and the medics team dismissed her to deal with other people.'

She added: 'Boardmasters stating that there were no serious injuries and that it was a small crowd and that only a small number of people were injured is a complete lie.

'Bones were broken on three separate people around me and that was in a small area of space. There were no security guards anywhere to be seen. As my teenage cousins first festival this has made her terrified of crowds.

'To say a small crowd and no serious injuries is just not true.

'This was a serious incident, a tsunami of people and it was traumatising and terrifying experience for the teenagers with me.'

Flora Brady echoed these statements, saying: 'Last nights pile up at Sammy Virji was traumatising.

After enjoying some sizzling heat on Friday, revellers at the festival donned ponchos and raincoats on Saturday as the weather took a turn for the worst

The heavens heavens opened for much of the afternoon as acts such as Katy B, Professor Green, Declan McKenna and Sam Fender took to the stage

Two music lovers don ponchos for day 2 of the Boardmasters festival

'My legs were fully submerged by a pile up of people, and my friend next to me had her elbow fractured. I was terrified and uncontrollably crying.

'Later in the night my friend was spiked with MDMA and spent the night passed out in the medical tent. This is a shambles and I want my money and safety back.'

Louise Price said her son was a 'victim of a ketamine spike injection' last night, and claimed none of her son's group - 15 in total - were security checked and were only asked if they had alcohol.

Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: 'We were notified following a crowd collapse at Boardmasters music festival in Newquay on Friday 9 August which left a small number of attendees injured.

'The injured parties were treated on-site by medical staff and a small number were taken to hospital to be checked over for minor injuries.

'Contrary to speculation, we can confirm that there have been no deaths as a result of this incident. This is an isolated incident and the festival continues.'

Concertgoers have been injured in a crowd surge during Boardmasters festival in Cornwall

Leftfield Perform at Boardmasters in Watergate Bay, Cornwall, on Friday evening

Festivalgoers have enjoyed stunning weather so far at the festival to start the weekend

Boardmasters is set to continue following the surge, and other sets will go ahead as normal

In a statement shared on social media, the festival said: 'Following a crowd collapse at The Point last night seven attendees were transferred to hospital nearby for precautionary examination after presenting to our medical team.

'They have been treated for minor injuries and have all since been discharged.'

It added that the festival has since 'undertaken a multi-agency review' and that 'The Point stage re-opened' on Saturday afternoon - being headlined London-born DJ and producer Eliza Rose.

After enjoying some sizzling heat on Friday, revellers at the festival donned ponchos and raincoats on Saturday as the weather took a turn for the worst.

The heavens heavens opened for much of the afternoon as acts such as Katy B, Professor Green, Declan McKenna and Sam Fender took to the stage.

The sun has returned to the Cornish coast today and ticket holders are enjoying the 25 degree heat for the final day of music.

MailOnline has contacted Boardmasters festival for comment.
Anti-tourism protesters armed with banners and placards have stormed a popular party beach in Majorca.

Marches by anti-tourist activists have been taking place across Spain throughout the summer as locals accuse 'low quality' visitors of flocking to the country.

Campaigners in Majorca have blamed visitor numbers for problems such as the rising cost of living and a lack of housing for locals.

Photos from today show demonstrators holding banners and placards adorned with slogans such as 'tourists go home' and 'let's occupy our beaches'.

The group of around 100 activists addressed the protest towards beachgoers sunbathing on the sandy stretch during the march.

Members of the Mallorca Platja Tour association demonstrate against tourism with a banner that reads 'Let's occupy our beaches!' on Palma de Mallorca beach today

Members of the Mallorca Platja Tour association demonstrate against the tourist saturation on the beach of Palma de Mallorca

Protesters demonstrate against tourism levels on the beach of Palma de Mallorca today

Campaigners in Majorca have blamed visitor numbers for problems such as the rising cost of living and a lack of housing for locals

A protester speaks during the demonstration on the beach of Palma de Mallorca today

Today's demonstration is one of multiple protests this summer over excessive tourism in Majorca

One sign at the protest reads: 'Bro! If you wanna go somewhere, go home'

Members of the Mallorca Platja Tour association demonstrate against the tourist saturation on the beach of Palma de Mallorca today

A huge sign was put out at the demonstration today which involved around 100 protesters

Three signs attached to an umbrella at the beach read 'stop drunk tourists'

Campaign group Majorca Platja Tour dominated the beach Balneario 6, which is located in Playa de Palma.

The activist group said they chose the area because it is infamous for drunkenness and disorder.

They warned more marches are on the horizon over the next few weeks, including in popular holiday and clubbing town Magaluf.

'A tourism model that we think is doing us a lot of harm,' the group criticised.

The idea was to make the two-hour protest a 'trip to the past' and a family meeting.

'A nod to the Mallorca of the 60s and 70s,' said the group which stressed the action 'was not against tourism but against a tourism model that impoverishes.'

'We also want to be the voice that reminds our political representatives that they do not work only for the great elites but for all the citizens of this land,' they concluded, insisting that they are not against tourists but against the model.

One protester said: '40 years ago, when I was young, I used to come here to swim, then people started coming to drink and it has deteriorated.'

Another added: 'We are trying, for a moment, for a few hours, to remember that these sandbanks are the property of all Majorcans not just tourists, we can all enjoy them too.

'Many tourists understand this, it is easy to understand that the rent has doubled, that everything is full.'

A member of the Mallorca Platja Tour association protests on the beach today

Signs were spread across the beach today which was targeted because of regular drunkenness by tourists

A member of the Mallorca Platja Tour association protesting on the beach today

The group of around 100 activists addressed the protest towards beachgoers during the march

This marks the third protest this summer over excessive tourism in Mallorca

Marches by anti-tourist activists have been taking place across Spain throughout the summer

Signs were put up throughout the beach to discourage too much tourism in the area

The activist group said they chose the area because it is infamous for drunkenness and disorder

Last month anti-tourist campaigners in Majorca mocked England's Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain and demanded Britain 'takes back its drunks'.

Up to 50,000 locals descended onto the streets of the Majorcan capital Palma on July 21 as they called for curbs on the amount of foreign visitors allowed on the Spanish island.

Among them was one who held aloft a picture of England full-back Kyle Walker accompanied by the words: 'The only thing coming home is you'.

The mass protest, which is the second in two months to be held in the city, also saw people hold up banners written in English saying: 'Take back your drunks, give back our homes.'
Camping World have hit back at California officials after they demanded the company take down their huge American flag from the front of their store.

The RV sales store in Stockton, San Joaquin County, like the vast majority of their other outlets, has a huge Old Glory flying over its ground.

In April, the San Joaquin County Community Development halted the flag however for alleged safety reasons and lack of permission.

According to Fox40, the county said there was concerns about the flag pole's foundation, the proximity to property lines and a nearby interstate should it fall.

Camping World's CEO Marcus Lemonis found out about the dispute and has since ordered the dealership to restore the Star Spangled Banner.

The RV sales store in Stockton, San Joaquin County, like the vast majority of their other outlets, has a huge Old Glory flying over its ground

In April, the San Joaquin County Community Development halted the flag however for alleged safety reasons and lack of permission. An unknown Camping World store is seen here

Speaking to the outlet, Lemonis said: 'If we felt like we were putting people in danger or causing any issues with air traffic, which would absolutely not be okay, then I wouldnt do it.'

He added that the flag has been installed sensibly and securely with severe inclement weather in mind and is driven deep into the ground.

Lemonis said that if it were a marketing pole he might allow it be permanently removed but the American flag is there to stay, no matter what officials say.

Lemonis said Camping Worlds flag is installed sensibly and securely, with severe weather in mind. Its also driven deep into the ground.

He said: 'Its symbolism about how we feel about this country. We have a lot of veterans who work for us, and a lot of veterans who shop with us.

'I happen to be an immigrant. I was given the blessing of being able to enter this country and become a citizen, and Im grateful for it.

'Its been part of my life since I was a little child down in Miami, Florida where we had the largest flag pole in Miami at our car dealership.'

Lemonis, seen here, said Camping Worlds flag is installed sensibly and securely, with severe weather in mind. Its also driven deep into the ground

The county said in a statement: 'Camping Worlds flagpole was installed with neither a building permit nor planning approval, therefore they are in conversation with the code enforcement division.'

Officials reiterated on Friday that they had never asked Camping World to remove the flag from the premises and that the business didn't have a permit for it.

Jennifer Jolley, director of community development, told Recordnet: 'Our code enforcement followed their process, they investigated it, and they determined that it had been erected without a building permit.

'A code enforcement case was opened and the business was informed that they needed to get a building permit for the flagpole.'

Officials reiterated on Friday that they had never asked Camping World to remove the flag from the premises and that they business didn't have a permit for it

The 2022 California Building Code adopted by San Joaquin County requires building permits for flagpoles that are taller than 30 feet.

This isn't the first time Lemonis has irked city officials with a similar situation unfolding in Statesville, North Carolina, in 2019.

His store in the city, which was then known as Gander RV, had flown a 3,200 sq-ft American flag that the city complained violates ordinance.

Lemonis said then that he was prepared to be arrested and sent to jail, saying: 'As I told the cityit's not coming down under any circumstance.

An injunction was filed by Statesville City Attorney Leah Messick which if he didn't address would see him spend time in jail.

Speaking then he said: 'I would never want to break the law or be in contempt of any court of any kind, but in this particular situation.

'I understand that if I don't comply with that order that I could and would be arrested and out in jail until the flag came down.'

City leaders later decided to rezone the area around the store to allow the flag to stay within compliance.
A Los Angeles County surf spot has become a hangout for a group of rowdy, long-in-the-tooth surfers - known to verbally harass, flash, and throw rocks at visitors.

The group being branded the 'Bay Boys' has also been known to vandalize cars, a lawsuit alleges - one that claims the crew has been at it for decades, and points to a crudely built fort built under the Lunada Bay cliffs as their base of operations.

The federal class-action has been underway for decades, and claims the surfers' alleged antics come in violation of the California Coastal Act.

The law demands that members of the public have access to sites along the state's coast, which apparently has not been the case at the bottom of this bluff set along the cusp of the wealthy city of Palos Verdes Estates.

So far, 12 members of the group have settled out of court - leaving behind just two to fight back claims from two surfers who say they were harassed. A hearing was held this past Tuesday - the latest in the long-running proceedings.

Scroll down for video:

The group being branded the 'Bay Boys' has operated from their elaborate hangout (seen here) at the base of this bluff along Palos Verdes Estates for decades, a lawsuit alleges - a span that's allegedly seen them harass visitors to keep them away

Alleged victim Diana Reed said members of the group 'flashed' and sprayed beer on her during a visit to the beach at the base of the bluff in 2016. She is among the plaintiffs bringing forth the suit saying she and others have been illegally prevented from accessing the public beach

'I was really just frozen in fear, unable to do anything,' alleged victim Diana Reed told KTLA of her supposed encounter with the 'Bay Boys', when she was 29 and paid a visit to the surf spot in 2016.

'They were screaming profanities at me, making fun of my wetsuit because it was purple - just treating me in a very rude and very threatening manner,' she said.

The Malibu resident went on to file a police report, before returning to the stretch of coast a second time, where she said she was met with an even worse reception - two of the men approaching her right off the batt.

'One of them rushed towards me immediately, with a can of beer, shook the can vigorously, and sprayed the can of beer on my arm and my camera,' she recalled.

'The other man, she said, went on to 'flash her' - all while allegedly rubbing his private parts in a sexual manner.

'They said they were filming me because they thought I was sexy and that I, you know, excite them,' she told the station, growing emotional.

'All kinds of vulgar things I'm trying to get past.'

On Tuesday, another plaintiff, retired El Segundo police Officer Cory Spencer, described his ordeal with the beach bums, which he said consisted of him being bombarded with taunts from the group from a hangout built at the base of the cliffs.

On Tuesday, another plaintiff, retired El Segundo police Officer Cory Spencer, described his ordeal with the beach bums, which he said consisted of him being bombarded with taunts from the group from their elaborate hangout

He claims he was harassed and even attacked by the elitist group of locals in 2016 as well, before being warned away from the piece of beach

'What the f**k are you doing here?' and 'why do you come to surf here?' were among the jabs he said he was met with upon arrival, he said - with the harassment only worsening after he entered the water.

At that point, he told Justice Laurence Rubin of the California Court of Appeal Second Appellate District, that one of the men, riding the next wave, steered his board directly at him while he was still paddling away.

He recalled how he had to roll off his board to protect himself, and how the back of his wrist still got cut by the other man's board.

Spencer also produced text messages sent by members of the Bay Boys in his portion of the lawsuit, in which the local surfers appears to relish at the chance to bother him and an acquaintance as they learned the two would be visiting.

'There are two kooks,' one of the texts that referred to Spencer reportedly read.

'[H]e's got a little bald headed white guy with them

'[H]e looks like a boogie board or to f**k [sic] what a joke!'

One of the elitist group went on to allegedly confront Spencer's friend by their car on the bluff where the pair had parked, asking why they kept coming back.

'We're going to make it hard on you every time,' the man, one of the defendants who have since settled, said, according to Spencer.

'This is what we do. It's not going to get better for you.'

They both claim Palos Verdes Estates, a city of about 13,000, has shied away from cracking down on the longstanding group, who have built a 'Rock Fort' on the beach to hang out. They also say the city has failed to act because they are happy with visitors being scared away

A lifelong surfer who also worked as a police officer in LA, Spencer felt the need to file the lawsuit, he said - paving the way for Reed to join as well.

They both claim Palos Verdes Estates, a city of about 13,000, has shied away from cracking down on the longstanding group, who have built a 'Rock Fort' on the beach to hang out, the lawsuit alleges.

They say the city protects the band as locals, while also appreciating the fact they keep outsiders out of town.

If found guilty of violating the California Coastal Act, the two last-standing surfers, identified in documents as David Melo and Alan Johnston, could face penalties in the tens of millions of dollars.

That's because the penalty of impeding another's access to the publicly owned water being between $1,000 and $15,000 per day - a charge that adds up even with the three-year statute of limitation from the start of the trial in 2016 until now.

'If you harass somebody with the intent to impede their access to the water, that's a Coastal Act violation,' Kurt Franklin, one of the prosecution's lawyers, told The Inertia last week, claiming the activity is still going on.

If found guilty, the two last-standing surfers identified in documents as David Melo and Alan Johnston could face penalties in the tens of millions of dollars. Lunada Bay, seen here , is set just south of LA within the wealthy city. It is known for breathtaking views and amazing surf

That's because the penalty of impeding another's access to the publicly owned water being between $1,000 and $15,000 per day - a charge that adds up even with the three-year statute of limitation from the start of the trial in 2016 until now. The top of the cliffs are seen here

A California Court of Appeals last year reinstated the lawsuit, finding the city, as landowner, violated the federal law by allowing the unpermitted rock fort on its property for decades.

As for the harassment, the court said that it may qualify as going against the Coastal Act as well.

The case continues to make its way through the California Court of Appeals court.

Lunada Bay, meanwhile, is set just south of Los Angeles within the wealthy Palos Verdes Estates. It is known for breathtaking views and amazing surf.
A New York businessman has been killed in a helicopter crash after wasps built a nest in the gas tank vent, causing the engine to 'sputter' and plummet from the sky.

Gary Johnson, 65, from Carthage, was at the controls of his private Schweizer 269C helicopter when disaster struck just 15 minutes into his flight on July 27.

The crash occurred at around 11:15 am, leaving Johnson seriously injured. He was taken to Carthage Area Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators identified the culprit as a nest built by mud dauber wasps inside the chopper's gas tank vent tube.

The wasps caused his helicopter to 'sputter' and fall out of the sky - killing Johnson.

Gary Johnson, 65, from Carthage was at the controls of his private Schweizer 269C helicopter when disaster struck just 15 minutes into his flight on July 27

The chopper plunged into a marsh from 50 feet in the air - crashing behind a commercial property he was developing, about 70 miles northeast of Syracuse.

A neighbor in West Carthage, New York, witnessed the horrifying moment.

They told investigators that Johnson was hovering about 50 feet over the site when the craft's engine began to 'sputter.'

The National Transportation Safety Board's report, released on August 2, said that while 11 gallons of fuel were found in the tank, it 'flowed sporadically...consistent with a lack of venting.'

NTSB Investigator in Charge Robert Gretz wrote' 'After all the fuel was drained, the metal fuel vent tube was examined with a borescope and a blockage was observed in the tube,' as reported by HNGN.

'The vent tube was then removed from the tank and the debris was removed using compressed air and a metal wire. The debris was consistent with a mud dauber nest,' he added.

The blockage was later confirmed to be 'consistent with a mud dauber nest.'

Investigators identified the culprit as a nest built by mud dauber wasps inside the chopper's gas tank vent tube

Johnson hadn't flown his Schweizer 269C helicopter for three weeks prior to the fatal crash, his brother told investigators.

Mud daubers, dark-colored wasps known for building nests in unused machinery, had taken advantage of the helicopter's three-week hiatus.

Johnson, a prominent local figure, owned and operated a gas station and auto-repair shop in Carthage since 1976.

He also owned several rental properties and was in the midst of remodeling the Sahara Restaurant in Wilna with his daughter.

'Gary Richard Johnson, 65, a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend passed unexpectedly on Saturday, July 27th, 2024, doing what he loved, flying his helicopter,' his obituary wrote.
Following the death of all 62 people on board a passenger jet to Sao Paulo in Brazil, the world has been left reeling from the awful tragedy.

Footage has circulated worldwide showing the twin-engine turboprop descending and spiralling as it falls.

Even more harrowing images were then shared showing the plane's smoking wreckage in an area full of houses.

Yet, the Brazil plane's 'death spiral' is only the latest in a series of aviation tragedies over the last 10 years.

From an Eastern Boeing 737-800 smashing into the mountainous Guangxi area in China to 157 passengers and crew being killed in an Ethiopian Airlines crash, this is a look at some of the world's worst plane tragedies.

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Brazil, August 2024

A Voepass Linhas Aereas flight plummeted and crashed in the city of Vinhedo, Brazil on Friday, killing all 62 people on board.

The plane was on its way from Cascavel to Guarulhos cruising at 17,000 feet when it began the sudden descent.

Chilling footage shared by Brazil's TV GloboNews showed a plane spiraling out of the sky seconds before the crash. Another angle showed the plane's sickening descent before a huge plume of black smoke rose from the ground.

The local firefighters corps said there were no survivors, though relatives are still waiting for confirmation of the fate of their loved ones.

Voepass has since revealed that all those on board - including 57 passengers and four crew - were carrying Brazilian-issued documents. Some of the passengers were doctors from Parana heading to a seminar.

Chilling footage shared by Brazil's TV GloboNews showed a plane spiraling out of the sky seconds before the crash

The plane was on its way from Cascavel to Guarulhos cruising at 17,000 feet when it began the sudden descent

A look at the Voepass Linhas Aereas flight whch plummeted and crashed in the city of Vinhedo, Brazil

Hawaii, June 2024

A Boeing 737 Max 8 narrowly avoided disaster off Kauai, Hawaii, when bad weather forced a drastic course change, bringing the plane within 400 feet of the Pacific Ocean. No one was injured in the incident.

Southwest Flight 2786 departed on April 11 from Honolulu International Airport to Lihue Airport in Kauai. The aircraft plummeted nearly 16,000 feet to an altitude of 409 feet following an aborted landing attempt as a result of stormy weather.

The close call stemmed from a failed landing attempt in Kauai due to poor visibility that prevented the pilots from spotting the runway at their descent altitude, a memo from the air carrier revealed.

The memo also noted that the despite the bad weather, the captain insisted that the 'newer' first officer take command of the 100-mile interisland flight.

With fewer miles under his belt, the less-experienced first officer made a critical error and accidentally pushed the controls forward, throwing the plane off balance and causing a rapid descent after reducing speed.

A Boeing 737 Max 8 narrowly avoided disaster off Kauai, Hawaii , when bad weather forced a drastic course change

China, March 2022

A China Eastern Boeing 737-800 smashed into the mountainous Guangxi area, killing all 132 people on board, while en route from Kunming to Guangzhou in March 2022.

The crash left a 65-foot-deep crater in a mountainside, shattered the plane and set off a fire in the surrounding forest. More than 49,000 pieces of debris were found.

Flight data from the black box recovered from the plane shows human input forced the plane into a nosedive as it plummeted to the ground.

The data also showed the aircraft was cruising at 29,100ft at 2.20pm on March 21. Around two minutes later it had plummeted to just over 9,000ft and 20 seconds after that it had fallen to just 3,225ft.

The data indicates a vertical descent of 31,000ft per minute or around 350 mph. Altitude data also appeared to show aircraft regain height at around 7,5000ft before beginning its final descent.

Experts have said they believe the that only murder-suicide could explain how the plane ended up with a near vertical trajectory after failing to find any technical faults.

A look at the China Eastern Boeing 737-800 whic hsmashed into the mountainous Guangxi area, killing all 132 people on board

The crash left a 65-foot-deep crater in a mountainside, shattered the plane and set off a fire in the surrounding forest

Ethiopia, March 2019

An Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on March 10, 2019, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board. The plane was en route to Nairobi.

The plane had flown from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa earlier that morning and had previously underwent 'rigorous' testing on February 4.

But minutes into the flight the pilot sent out a distress call and was given clearance to return. An eyewitness said there an intense fire when the plane crashed and 'everything is burnt down'.

In July 2023 - four years after the crash - a coroner in the UK concluded that the British victims on board died were 'unlawfully killed'.

The inquest heard, in a final report from December 2022, that the Ethiopian Airplane Accident Investigation Bureau had found that a flying control system on the Boeing 737 Max aircraft had malfunctioned, causing the aircraft to begin 'repetitive and uncommandable' nose diving which the pilots could not physically control.

An Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on March 10, 2019, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board. This is the last footage of the plane

Workers recover debris at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing Max plane crash on March 11, 2019

The inquest also heard that 'safety critical' information on the control system and awareness of the mechanism was deliberately not disclosed by two Boeing company pilots to the American authorities, which led to a lower level of training being needed to operate the planes.

Boeing was fined $2.3 billion (1.8 billion) in 2021 after it was found that the actions of its employees had misled regulators about the control system.

The coroner also found that a contributing factor in the victims' deaths was that Boeing had failed to provide procedures to operate the system in a flight crew manual, and that information requested by Ethiopian Airlines' training department was 'incomplete'.

The Ethiopian Airlines crash followed just months after another Boeing 737 Max plane, operated by Lion Air Max, crashed in Indonesia killing all 189 people on board.

The aircraft were temporarily grounded or banned from airspace around the world.

An Oromo man hired to assist forensic investigators walks by a pile of twisted airplane debris at the crash site of an Ethiopian airways operated Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

Indonesia, October 2018

Lion Air flight 610, a Boeing 737 Max, crashed minutes after takeoff from Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Indonesia on October 29, 2018.

The plane crashed into the Java Sea and left 189 people dead. Investigations later pointed to trouble with the automated flight system.

Boeing agreed on July 7 this year to plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit fraud to settle allegations that it deceived Federal Aviation Administration regulators who approved the 737 Max and then broke a 2021 settlement that would have let the company escape criminal prosecution.

Under the deal, Boeing would pay a fine of at least $243.6million, invest $455million in compliance and safety programs, and be placed on probation for three years.

The US Justice Department and Boeing would pick a monitor to oversee the company's compliance.

Lawyers for relatives of some of the passengers killed in two 737 Max crashes - in Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia in 2019 - asked the judge to reject the deal and instead schedule a jury trial within 70 days.

They say the plea deal that Boeing struck with US prosecutors is too lenient and lets the plane maker avoid accountability for causing 346 deaths.

This picture taken at the Tanjung Priok Jakarta port on October 30, 2018 shows Indonesian people examining debris of the ill-fated Lion Air flight JT 610 in Jakarta

All 189 passengers and crew aboard a crashed Indonesian Lion Air jet were 'likely' killed in the accident

Tokyo, March 1966

A British Overseas Airways Corporation flight took off as normal from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on March 5, 1966, destined for Hong Kong.

However, only moments after takeoff, the six-year-old jet was hit by extreme turbulence.

The plane was flying between 370mph and 425mph at 16,000ft near the iconic Mount Fuji.

Suddenly, the aircraft then started to emit white vapour and plummeted, losing altitude.

Parts of the plane then began to break away as witnesses watched in disbelief, as 124 people were then killed as it made impact with the ground.

British Overseas Airways Corporation's flight 911 is seen plummeting from the sky in Tokyo

Iowa, May 1962

Continental Airlines Flight 11 was a Boeing 707 aircraft which exploded in the vicinity of Centerville, Iowa.

The plane was flying from O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois, to Kansas City, Missouri, on May 22, 1962.

The plane suddenly crashed in a clover field near Unionville, in Putnam County, killing all 45 crew and passengers on board.

The wreckage of a Continental Airlines Boeing 707-124 is scattered over a wide area the day after the aircraft crashed near Centerville, Iowa

Shockingly, following an investigation the cause of the crash was determined to be a suicide bombing, committed as insurance fraud.

The crash was caused by dynamite, detonated in the rear lavatory in an attempt at a life insurance fraud by one of the passengers.
As Lieutenant General Sami Sadat stepped onto a C-17 military plane at Kabul International Airport on August 19, 2021, bloodshed engulfed the country he loved and had spent his life fighting for.

Desperate Afghans surrounded the runway, trying to escape the Taliban and the inhumanity that would soon take over as Western forces left.

The three-star general in the Afghanistan Army was exhausted, humiliated, quietly nursing a shrapnel wound to his neck and about to make the hardest decision of his life: To leave his homeland behind. Staying would have likely meant death for him and his troops.

He had been fighting day and night for three and a half months to slow the Talibans rapid offensive towards the capital as allied forces withdrew.

Over two weeks in August, the airport was under siege from terrorists and thousands poured onto aircrafts to evacuate as the U.S. pulled their remaining troops and staff out.

At the beginning of the month, President Ashraf Ghani had named Sadat the commander of Afghanistans special forces, the countrys most elite fighters.

But by the time he had arrived in Kabul the situation was already dire. He was tasked with ensuring the security of the capital, but it was too late and Ghani had fled.

Lieutenant General Sami Sadat (second from left) was the last commander of Afghanistan's special forces. His new book details how is country was abandoned as Kabul fell to the Taliban

He lifted off over mountains his father traversed to defeat the Taliban after 9/11, and reflected on military career that saw him rise to become one of the countrys youngest generals.

As he flew above the carnage in the windowless plane, he was furious at the actions of President Joe Biden and the U.S. administrations before him.

His country had been betrayed. Afghans who fought alongside Western troops were forced into hiding and left to fend for themselves with targets on their backs.

Rights women had enjoyed for 20 years would vanish and children would be stopped going to school.

They are faced with barbarism and beatings if they show their face in public.

The military hed led so valiantly were losing a battle almost impossible to win without support.

The Afghan Army - who lost 66,000 men over 20 years - no longer had the will to fight because they had been abandoned.

Three years after the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, the extremists have sent the war-torn nation back 20 years with their oppressive and corrupt policies.

Sadat is watching his nation deteriorate from the United Kingdom, where he is living with his wife and two children.

He wonders when he will be able to return so he can finally defeat the Taliban, and he is ready.

He still has hope that Afghanistan has a future free of the Taliban that he helped force into the mountains during the allied forces two-decade stay.

Sadat lays out his vision for his beloved country and gives a damning assessment of who is to blame for his its collapse in his book The Last Commander.

His story is the inside account of how Afghanistan was cast aside, and the pivotal role the U.S. and the West played in its abandonment.

Sadat rose rapidly through the Afghan military. He worked in intelligence and served in many senior roles that included the deputy commander of the Afghan ground forces and later the deputy chief of the Afghan National Army.

He received training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst - Britains officer training college - and in the U.S. and Germany.

Sadat rose rapidly through the Afghan military. He worked in intelligence and served in many senior roles that included the deputy commander of the Afghan ground forces and later the deputy chief of the Afghan National Army

His early work involved close cooperation with the C.I.A and U.S. forces, tracking down Al-Qaeda in the mountains of the Hindu Kush.

It was in conventional combat, leading from the front, where he became a legend in the ranks of the Afghan military.

Sadat lays out his vision for Afghanistan and gives a damning assessment of who is to blame for his countrys collapse in his book The Last Commander

Now, from afar, he leads the Afghan United Front after reluctantly fleeing the country he served with dedication.

He was on the frontlines of the battle with the Taliban for decades, and has since seen them take the upper hand while Afghanistan has turned into an even more dangerous breeding ground for terrorism.

The resistance in Afghanistan has made inroads against the Taliban in recent months and has even had successful operations near Kabul.

But Sadat says they need support to take back the country, and it needs to come from the nations that turned their back.

Direct responsibility lies with the U.S. and specifically with former President Barack Obama and his Democratic successor Joe Biden, he writes.

He blames Obama for being clearly intent on withdrawing from Afghanistan and emboldening the Taliban by setting a timetable for getting American troops out.

Obama gradually drew down the presence of U.S. forces during his administration, leaving enough to provide support for the Afghan military after stopping combat operations in 2014.

Sadat says The Doha Agreement, the 2020 peace deal between the Taliban and Donald Trumps administration, led to the U.S. virtually cutting off communications with the Afghan government.

Direct responsibility lies with the U.S. and specifically with former President Barack Obama and his Democratic successor Joe Biden, Sadat (left) writes

It caused situations, he says, where the U.S. military werent authorized to conduct strikes in support of Afghan security forces.

The Taliban started to sense that they only had to wait for Americans to leave to achieve victory.

Before the 2020 deal was signed, they had not made any significant progress on the battlefield.

The deal was one of the key turning points where the situation for the Afghan army started to go downhill.

Sadat says Biden showed withering contempt for Afghanistan and didnt listen to generals who warned him that keeping a military presence on the ground would stop Al-Qaeda and ISIS being able to rebuild.

In 2021, Biden set out a timetable for the last U.S. forces to leave, but he was urged by Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie - the commander of U.S. Central Command - to keep at least 2,500 troops on the ground to prevent the inevitable collapse of the Afghan military and government.

Now the terrorist groups the U.S. wanted to push to the brink of eradication are starting to thrive again, and Sadat believes the risk of attack is increasing by the day.

From when Biden was vice president under Obama, he was the most consistent critic of prolonged American involvement in Afghanistan, Sadat says,

Sadat is pictured fourth from right in the back row. It was in conventional combat, leading from the front, where he became a legend in the ranks of the Afghan military

Biden, Sadat says, also gave the Taliban a propaganda victory by choosing September 11, 2021, as the date the last soldier had to leave

Sadat said his troops 'fought, bravely, until the end. They lost 66,000 troops over 20 years

He would have cut the number of U.S. troops to just one thousand and limited operations to just special forces raids.

Biden, Sadat says, also gave the Taliban a propaganda victory by choosing September 11, 2021, as the date the last soldier had to leave.

It was as if Osama Bin Laden had come back to life to ask for this date, so they could celebrate another victory against America, he told DailyMail.com.

The withdrawal was brought forward a month to August because the Taliban was rapidly overrunning the country and making their way towards Kabul faster than the U.S. had anticipated.

Sadat says he met with the U.S. officials to try and tell them they needed to hold the capital city, but the Americans said their orders were to head for the airport.

Over two weeks during the evacuation, hundreds of civilians died. People fell to their deaths from the planes they were clinging onto in a bid to escape.

On August 26, 2021, an ISIS-K operative detonated a suicide bomb at the airport and killed 182 people - 170 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members.

Sadat (second from left) was on the frontlines of the battle with the Taliban for decades, and has now seen them take the upper hand while the nation he fought for has turned into an even more dangerous breeding ground for terrorism

Biden was the a**hole who turned his back and left things in chaos, Sadat told DailyMail.com.

When Biden announced the withdrawal, he stated that the Afghan military was not able to fight for themselves.

From 2014 on, NATO and U.S. forces had essentially stopped fighting and left the Afghan forces to hold the ground.

Sadat says Biden is wrong. The local troops were winning and increasingly capable, but their ability to fight was taken away.

He admits there were a lot of problems in the Afghan military, including the police and the corruption of the Ghani government that impacted military leadership.

But the supply of ammunition was gradually taken away and political pressure on the Afghan government was pushing them to the point of disintegration.

They were crippled.

For us Afghans, it's very difficult to counter a narrative that is set up by somebody like President Biden, because every single newspaper and TV channel picks that up and they dont listen to the Afghans.

Sadat's forces were also trained to use U.S. military equipment. Their hardware was based on highly technical special reconnaissance units, helicopters and airstrikes.

They needed oversight, sophisticated maintenance and software. When the U.S. presence shrank, that all went away and the Black Hawk helicopters and C-130 transport planes were left idle.

We were already under immense pressure on the battlefield, the lack of ammunition, the lack of support, and then all of a sudden this political pressure caused us to fail, he says.

Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the Kabul airport in Kabul on August 16, 2021, after a stunningly swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war

Sadat says that failure combined with the withdrawal has created a vacuum that has allowed terrorist groups including Al Qaeda to grow.

He said the American deal with the Taliban in 2020 normalized terrorism and opened the door for neighboring nations in the region such as Iran to take advantage.

Taliban units were coming into Afghanistan in their thousands kitted with tactical gear and trained with new weapons. They had nice uniforms, good money and good shoes.

It was very clear that theyre getting paid a lot of money.

For Sadat, the escalation in terrorism has created a three-pronged threat for the West that if not dealt with could have devastating consequences.

The first is the threat to large oil companies and shipping lanes in the Middle East.

American commercial vessels have already been targeted in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

As Sadat stepped onto a C-17 military plane at Kabul International Airport on August 19, 2021, bloodshed engulfed the country he loved and had spent his life fighting for. Afghans are seen on a transport plane during the evacuation

The second is Al Qaeda expanding into new terrain. Sadat says this has already happened in African nations like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Tribal factions in Africa are united and control more territory than the size of the United Kingdom, he says.

They are now a formidable conventional strategic threat in the Sahel area (a region that extends from Senegal eastward to Sudan), and they will expand because African countries will fall apart and ultimately fall into the hands of Al Qaeda.

The third is the threat of attacks in the West.

Sadat believes that Al Qaeda will use Islamophobia in Europe to invoke small-scale attacks and the direct risk to the U.S. is at one of its highest points since 9/11.

With the U.S. election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on the horizon, Sadats message to whoever ends up in the White House is clear.

Help the Afghan resistance. We dont need soldiers, we dont need boots on the ground, we just need political support and to be recognized as a freedom fighting group.

We need to buy equipment and technical and financial help so we can topple the Taliban regime and create a system.

We definitely dont want to be the host for Al Qaeda and other terrible groups who go around and butcher people.

This is not who we are and we refuse to accept this. We are ready to sacrifice whatever it takes and we are more than capable of toppling the Taliban regime.

He says the dynamics have changed drastically in the region and China, Russia and Iran could use the Taliban as if its their friend against the U.S.

Russia and neighboring Pakistan have yet to give the Taliban military or financial support, but the time he says for the West to act is now.

I think we have a great opportunity to get rid of the Taliban now.

Later its regime will create so many problems in Africa, Middle East and Europe, that it will be near impossible to go back in and topple them

The more we wait, the more they will spread their practices around the world, and there will be more chaos.

The Taliban has also declared war on womens rights since they took back power by moving towards adherence of strict Sharia Law.

They have barred women from most areas of public life and have stopped girls going to school beyond the sixth grade.

Afghans struggle to reach the foreign forces to show their credentials to flee the country outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021

There are restrictions on females visiting parks, gyms or holding certain jobs.

Morality police squads have scolded, arrested and punished citizens involved in activities they consider un-Islamic, such as wearing Western hairstyles or listening banned music.

There has also been a crackdown on the free press - including the recent seizure of two TV networks - and civil society.

Sadat is urging Americans to address the widespread rights violations the United Nations has referred to as a gender apartheid.

The United States has been lecturing the rest of the world that we would like to share freedom, and democracy and freedom for all eyes.

I think its hypocritical not to support the desire for freedom for Afghans.

I think the Americans owe us this much, because we've been partners for so long, and we went beyond our scope, and we fought every enemy of the United States.

And ultimately, when the time came, they just pulled out and left us alone.

If Kamala Harris does become president, Sadat wants her to publicly condemn the widespread abuse of womens rights.

So far, he says, she hasnt done anywhere near enough.

Sadat may be more than 3,500 miles away from Helmand Province, but he is still working towards a better future for Afghanistan and the people forced to live under the Taliban.

The Taliban is summarily arresting people every day. Some are even Sadats colleagues.

He has helped establish a team of Afghan patriots young, general officers, diplomats, governors to lead the resistance.

We know they love Afghanistan, we know they're ready to sacrifice. So we established a good leadership team that could lead not only the war, but actually the future of the Afghan administration.

We also established an organization called the Afghanistan United Front to have a platform for the rest of the Afghans to come together and become a force.

Sadat has also been traveling the United States and Europe, lobbying for support.

We are at the stage right now that we need to mobilize a force to go in and start fighting, but mobilizing the force depends on the resources.

Right now we're working to get some resources. We already have the soldiers.

We have a little bit of political recognition globally, and we definitely have that entire Afghanistan, we have the support of the tribes and support of the young generation of the Afghan people.

People are absolutely fed up with the Taliban. And once we mobilize our resources, then we will start going inside our country to face the Taliban in the battlefield and take our country back.


The White House has stayed mum for three weeks about how it plans to recalibrate the presidents activities  but Joe Biden's new role as occasional campaign surrogate, store-minder, and beachgoer is already apparent from his activities.

Biden offered his first detailed comments on what he sees as his role in the 2024 campaign Sunday now that he is no longer the nominee.

It looks to be a schedule with a circumscribed political role that will keep him relatively close to home, while Vice President Kamala Harris is tasked with hopscotching to different screaming crowds around the country.

Asked if people would see him campaigning during the sprint to the November election, Biden, 81, responded in a new interview: 'Yes, you will.'

He talked up his role advising to Harris  whose elected role has been to advise him. 'I talk to her frequently,' he told CBS, saying she has known her new running mate Tim Walz 'for several decades' and considers him a 'great guy.'

That comes after White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described Biden's participation in the Harris VP selection process when asked directly by DailyMail.com whether he gave her a recommendation.

'The vice president sought the president's advice, and  and, you know, she certainly welcomed  the vice president welcomed his advice,' she said, calling the pair 'critical partners.'

The White House has sought time as it seeks to 'recalibrate' President Biden's role. He spoke about 'putting together a campaign tour in Pennsylvania.' He biked near the beach on Sunday

'But she sought his advice. He offered the advice. She welcomed the advice. And I'll just leave it there,' she said.

Biden is also teasing a 'campaign tour' through Pennsylvania, a state he has tended to assiduously, and where he was trailing Donald Trump in battleground polls before dropping out.

'I was talking to Governor Shapiro, who's a friend. We have got to win Pennsylvania, my original home state. He and I are putting together a campaign tour in Pennsylvania. I'm gonna be campaigning in other states as well. And I'm gonna do whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most,' he said.

That effort has yet to be announced by the Harris campaign.

Biden spent a few hours on the beach Saturday

Biden's first event with Harris will be in Maryland, a heavily Democratic state that borders Washington, D.C. It is billed as an official, not a campaign, event.

The VP wants Biden in 'targeted places where he has the most strength,' Politico reported last week. That includes with older white voters in states he carried. 'Its very hard to see the Harris team wanting him out there on the trail' after the party pushed him out, one operative told the publication.

There are early indications that the Harris camp believes Biden can contribute by laying low and allowing her to build her own brand. Her favorable rating jumped 10 points in Pennsylvania compared to a month ago in a new New York Times / Siena poll. Her favorability rating hit 51 percent among likely Pennsylvania voters in the the poll.

In a separate Hill / Emerson poll in the state in late July, Scranton-born Biden's was 37 per cent.

There have been reports that Biden would appear at the Democratic Convention in Chicago for a single day  the first  then leave the stage to other Democratic luminaries. The Clintons, Obamas, and members of the Harris circle are set to be the big draws of the event. It is unclear what role he might play in party fundraising.

Biden repeated his refrain: 'Watch,' to questions about his health. 'Look, I had a really, really bad day in that debate because I was sick. But I have no serious problem,' he said in his sit-down.

One thing Biden shows no signs of giving up is getting out of D.C. for the weekend. He flew to his home state Thursday, thanking campaign staff and then heading to his Delaware beach house.

His getaway has included a bike ride and some time on the beach with wife Jill and granddaughter Naomi.

It isn't all play for Biden, as the White House demonstrated last week when the president announced an elaborate prisoner exchange with Russia involving multiple countries that brought Americans home.

Biden was accompanied by Harris when he welcomed them at Joint Base Andrews. The president continues to press for a cease fire deal in Gaza, which if it could be reached might benefit Harris more than any campaign appearance. He signed a joint letter with the heads of Egypt and Qatar Thursday saying there was 'no further time to waste.'

He issued brief warning to Iran when asked about a feared attack on Israel by proxies. 'Don't,' was his brief response to a question.

He got asked about Gaza, as well as Donald Trump's claim that he was angry about being pushed out, on his Sunday bike ride. The president smiled and waived as he rode by.
Casa Bacardi is the newest stage of the 2024 Outside Lands music festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

In a foggy corner of Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands festivalgoers sip cocktails while grooving to Latin dance music in a two-floor venue adorned with tropical plants and white couches fit for an island cabana.

Outside Lands 2024: Here is whats happening at the San Francisco music festival

Casa Bacardi, the newest addition to the 16-year-old music festival, hosts five bars with specialty cocktails and eight DJs and musicians playing reggaeton, Latin and dance music throughout the three-day festival. The stage saw thousands of visitors on the first day, according to staff members. On the same day, San Francisco salsa instructor Ricardo Tellez gave a lesson to a crowd of 30 on the first levels dance floor.

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Before they knew it, they were just going for the dance, said Justin Wilson, Bacardis lead brand ambassador, before a set by Gasolina Reggaeton Party on Saturday, Aug. 10, the second day of the three-day music festival. It feels like a whole other country over here.

Festivalgoers dance to Gasolina Reggaeton Party's music at Casa Bacardi, Outside Lands' newest stage for Latin music, in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Saturday, Aug. 10. Linda Liu

The 60-by-60-foot venue, which debuted at Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, N.C., in April and made a recent stop in Lollapalooza in Chicago, models the original factories of Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held, family-owned spirits company worldwide. The Puerto Rico company is known for its rum, which made its way into cocktails offered at Casa Bacardis bars, such as spicy mango mission and strawberry fields, and other alcohol tents around the park.

More Information Outside Lands: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 9-11. Single-day passes start at $199; three-day passes start at $465. Golden Gate Park, S.F. www.sfoutsidelands.com

Upon entering the venue, which Bacardi produced in partnership with Live Nation, festivalgoers are encouraged to toss a Bacardi-manufactured coin into a wishing fountain decorated by upcycled Bacardi bottles. The structures arches and tiles are taken from the companys Miami locations, and the brands bat logo greets visitors at every turn.

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The second floor, a terrace overlooking Lindley Meadow with a capacity of 80, hosts a range of artists, such as Oakland all-girls vinyl club B-side Brujas, San Francisco reggaeton artist La Favi and Dominican rapper J Noa.

Casa Bacardi, Outside Lands' newest stage for Latin music, has a second-floor terrace with an 80-person capacity. Linda Liu

Gasolina Reggaeton Party, which played at Outside Lands bar attraction Cocktail Magic last year, played three acts at Casa Bacardi on Saturday, Aug. 10. Hundreds that packed the venues two floors danced to music that ranged from EDM to reggaeton beats inspired by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. Another 30 lined up to mount the stairs to get to the terrace.

Many stopped by on their way to other festival locations, taken by the atmosphere and the bars offerings. San Leandro resident Amisa Dunkley, 27, attending the festival for the third year, stumbled upon Casa Bacardi while leaving the festival on Friday.

I was like, That looks really fun, so I made sure I made time to come back, said the EDM fan, who wore a brown bandana and danced while holding a drink from Cocktail Magic.

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Latin music fans Fran Echi, 28, and Justice Racca, 28, who have been coming to the festival for seven years, dropped by Casa Bacardi for drinks and music on their way to another event. Echi ordered the spicy mission mango, made of the brands mango chile rum, which she found to contain the right balance of sweet and spicy.
They almost escaped by a whisker - but two hapless burglars were instead dramatically caught red-handed just moments after stealing 300 worth of razors from a shop thanks to eagle-eyed police operators.

Patrick Crerand, 51, and Steven Green, 49, were seen on town CCTV breaking into Savers in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in the early hours of April 25.

Dramatic footage shows the brazen pair - who were both wearing hoods to hide their faces - throwing what appears to be a rock at the store window before using a hammer to further break the glass, causing damage to the property.

Within seconds, one can be seen ransacking the shelves, while the other places dozens of stolen Gilette razors worth 301.86 into a large bag.

As the men began to make their escape, a police car suddenly arrived on the scene - and Crerand and Green can be seen trying to flee.

Patrick Crerand, 51, and Steven Green, 49, were seen on town CCTV approaching a Savers store in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on April 25

The pair then appear to use a rock and hammer to smash the glass of the store window

After damaging the window, the men are seen ransacking the shelves and stealing Gilette razors

After taking the stolen items in a large bag, the men begin to run down the street to escape

But having caught them on CCTV, police officers are sent to arrest the men causing them to flee

Officers quickly caught up with one and tackled him to the ground - while the other burglar was caught cowering behind discarded boxes in a dark alleyway strewn with rubbish.

Crerand and Green were arrested and later admitted a charge of non-dwelling burglary.

Green also pleaded guilty to possession of heroin.

A photograph shows the damage to the store window after the men smashed the glass

The men managed to steal 300 worth of Gilette razors from the store in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Police finally caught up with the second suspect in an alleyway strewn with rubbish

The police officer ordered the man to sit on the ground and show his hands before he was arrested and charged with non-dwelling burglary

The men, both from Wisbech, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates' Court last Friday, where they were sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

They were also ordered to pay 200 in compensation to Savers.

Inspector Michael Basford, from Fenland's Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: 'Thanks to the quick actions of CCTV operators and our response colleagues, Crerand and Green were caught in the act and the stolen goods were recovered.

'Tackling crimes against our businesses is a priority for the Wisbech NPT as we know the significant impact it is having in the area.'
The Texan city of Dallas has exploded into a financial boomtown with major corporations flocking to the southern city.

The downtown skyline has changed dramatically in recent times with Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab now commanding serious real estate in the city.

Investors and financiers who moved to Dallas from the East and West coasts have pointed to several competitive advantages the area has.

With lower housing costs, space to build new offices, the area is also near one of the countrys biggest airports.

Executives also appreciate the states low tax, low-regulation to business, and others telling The Wall Street Journal they find it friendlier and more accessible.

The downtown skyline has changed dramatically in recent times with Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab now commanding serious real estate in the city

The site of Goldman Sachs Group's new campus following a groundbreaking ceremony in Dallas, Texas in 2023

Data shows that investment banking in Texas as well as securities employment has shot up 111 percent over the last twenty years.

It has also increased 27 percent since the pandemic, compared with 16 percent and 5 percent in New York.

The number of people employed in finance overall in Texas has climbed 13 percent since 2019, compared to just two percent in New York and 3 percent nationally.

Dallas also now ranks second to New York City among metro areas in the number of workers employed in finance-related industries.

Other cities across the Sunbelt have also seen growth, with Florida having seen a nearly 15 percent increase in the number of people employed in finance since 2019 according to the data.

While Charlotte, North Carolina, which is also home to the Bank of America, has more than eight percent of its workplace in finance.

That is compared against Phoenix with 6.9 percent, Dallas with 6.8 percent and 6.5 percent in New York.

Native New Yorker and Goldman partner Aasem Khalil told the outlet: Dallasites want you to love Texas. People here dont view success as a zero-sum game.

Rebecca Kral, who moved to the area to work in financial communications, told the WSJ she was shocked by how conversations started with her personal job, rather than her job.

Last year Goldman Sachs announced a $500 million campus covering 800,000 square feet

Ross Perot Jr, chairman of Hillwood Development Co LLC, from right, John Waldron, president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and Eric Johnson, mayor of Dallas, during a groundbreaking ceremony for Goldman Sachs new campus in Dallas

She said that while the intensity of the work is still present, people desire a better work-life balance which encourages efficiency.

Kral added: Its easier to say to a client that Im having dinner with my kids and will come back afterwards.

Ray Perryman, president of the Perryman Group, an economic research and analysis firm, told the WSJ: 'Wall Street remains the center of the investment universe, but Y'all Street is gaining rapidly.'

JPMorgan Chase has over 31,000 employees in Texas, which is over the amount they have in New York state, 28,300.

In the southern state, around 12,700 employees are currently working out of a 50-acre site in the suburb of Plano.

The complex covers four buildings and stretches to 1.5 million square feet of office space, with it having doubled since it opened in 2017.

Andy Rabin, who oversees the company's investment banking in the Southwest, added: 'You can do the job you'd do in New York, but in a different location.'

Dallas also now ranks second to New York City among metro areas in the number of workers employed in finance-related industries

Last year Goldman Sachs announced a $500 million campus covering 800,000 square feet.

Mayor Eric Johnson said it was his priority to make the city the site of the new campus over other competing cities.

He offered around $18 million in grants and property tax abatements to secure the new building.

Money-management company Fisher Investments recently moved its headquarters to Plano from Washington.

The move came after the states Supreme Court upheld a new capital-gains tax on its wealthiest residents to fund education programs.

Founder Ken Fisher said: Texas is a mindset more than it is any other thing. That mindset of futurism that, Weve got a problem, but we can take care of it.

Such firms have brought high-paying jobs with the Goldman deal providing at least 5,000 jobs at an average salary of at least $116,000.

Goldman Sachs President and Chief Operating Officer John Waldron said: We look forward to Goldman Sachs' vibrant future in Dallas and are excited to continue partnering with the local community for many years to come.'
A thug who faced off with the police at an anti-immigration demonstration has today been unmasked as a violent yob who killed a man in a nightclub.

Shane Manville attended a protest in Brighton earlier this week, which was apparently targeting the office of solicitors specialising in immigration.

Despite claiming that he 'ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time' at the protest, the 48-year-old - who now uses the surname Haworth - became embroiled in a fierce row with police.

Now, it has been revealed that Manville, of Glynde Road, Brighton, was jailed for three years in 2002 for punching and killing a man in a nightclub.

Manville hit father-of-two Anthony Evans, 29, in the face, knocking him to the floor after an altercation at The Escape Club in Brighton.

Shane Manville pictured attending a far right protest attended by a handful of protesters who were outnumbered by anti-racists in Brighton

This week saw thousands of anti-racists demonstrating against far-right protests, as shown here in Walthamstow

Mr Evans, a plasterer, reportedly died from a brain haemorrhage later that night, the Mirror reports.

Then 26, Manville was jailed after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Over 400 people turned out for Mr Evans' funeral.

Manville told police he thought Mr Evans was going to attack him with a weapon at the club.

The judge said: 'In this case there was obviously some measure of provocation by Mr Evans. However, you have a record which indicates you are all too ready to resort to violence.'

Manville has had several previous convictions for violence, including a three-year setnence in 1996 for a violent assault in a club.

Discussing how he was seen at an anti-immigration protest earlier this week, Manville told the publication: 'I was in there because I got pushed in there. All I done was went up there and had a look what was going on and I've ended up getting pushed into that bit and once I was in there I was stuck in there.'

When asked about his manslaughter case, he went on to say: 'If you read into what that's about, it's a provoked attack... Someone's trying to do something in a nightclub and it's just ended up unfortunate like that.

'Growing up as a young kid, I got involved in scrapes... I'm not racist, right. I haven't gone up there to cause any aggro at all. I've ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

A man wearing an England flag looks at a huge crowd of anti-racist protesters in Finchley on Wednesday

This week saw thousands of anti-racists demonstrating against far-right protests following the murder of three girls in Southport.

On Wednesday, it was reported how far-right protests fizzled out in the drizzle as tens of thousands of ordinary Brits crowded the streets to silence the rioting thugs.

Around 100 hate-fuelled protests were planned across the country, many of which were planned in now-deleted far-right groups on apps such as Telegram, with police deployed in their biggest mobilisation of resources since the 2011 riots.

But their promises to turn up at immigration centres at 8pm vanished into thin air. The hate mobs were seemingly cowed by a swell of up to 25,000 anti-racist activists who turned out in force in cities across the UK.
Katie Couric has accused her old employer CBS of being 'out of touch' after it decided to replace Norah O'Donnell with two male anchors.

The longtime Today host, who also worked as an anchor for CBS Evening News from 2006 to 2011, aired the complaint in a scathing op-ed for The New York Times.

In it, the Democrat called the decision 'odd' - citing how the millions of Americans who tune into the show daily will now be met with 'two men' instead of O'Donnell.

Last month, the equally liberal anchor announced she would be stepping down from her post to make way for the Daily Report's John Dickerson and CBS New York's Maurice DuBois, who will now man the news desk.

Couric, in turn, slammed the shuffle as 'disappointing' - while pointing to the current climate of the presidential election as a reason why.

Katie Couric has accused her old employer CBS of being 'out of touch' after it decided to replace Norah O'Donnell (pictured) with two male anchors

Last month, O'Donnell announced she would be stepping down to make way for Daily Report anchor John Dickerson (left) and CBS New York's Maurice DuBois (right), who, together, will now man the news desk

'Norah O'Donnell recently announced that she will be stepping down as anchor of 'CBS Evening News' after the election, after five years at the helm,' she wrote in the piece published Sunday.

'I know her tenure must have been both exhilarating and challenging... I cheered Ms. O'Donnell as she carried out her duties with intelligence and grace.'

The 67-year-old went on to mention how she 'was proud of the fact [O'Donnell' tackled topics that were especially important to women, such as sexual assault in the military... [and] the long-term effects of Covid on women.

'I watched her interview powerful women chief executives and the four highest-ranking women in the military, all of whom were four-star generals and admirals,' she recalled.

'I knew viewers were seeing these stories because Norah was the driving force behind telling them.'

At this point, the progressive pivoted, using the accomplishments she had just listed to convey surprise at the prospect of such a figure being replaced by members of the opposite sex.

'It was more than a little disappointing to read that Ms. O'Donnell would be replaced by two men, John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois,' Couric wrote in the op-ed, after noting first how she respected the replacements.

'The two people who will be greeting Americans watching evening newscasts will be men,' she said again - pining for a more 'diverse group of journalists' to take her replacement's place.

Couric, who worked as an anchor for CBS Evening News from 2006 to 2011, aired the complaint in a scathing op-ed for the New York Times, in which she also pointed to the political climate surrounding the upcoming presidential election

'It's odd and more than a little out of touch that even while CBS has announced a restructuring that introduces an additional layer of women executives, the leading editorial decision makers will mostly be men,' Couric continued, seemingly ignoring the advances made off-screen.

'Were also in the midst of a campaign that could result in the election of the first woman president, and first woman of color as president,' she claimed further, obliquely mentioning presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

'Its a potentially historic story - one that needs a diverse group of journalists covering it.'

She further lamented how 'three White men: Bill Owens, Guy Campanile and Jerry Cipriano' are currently running the show from behind the scenes.

All three serve as the show's top producers, with Cipriano also writing much of the scripts.

Couric, who has worked with all three, hailed Cipriano in particular, before reminding readers that 'male writers occasionally have blind spots.'

She recalled: 'While I was at CBS, I read copy written by one of my male colleagues describing Hillary Clinton in a way that struck me as subtly sexist.

'I asked my team, "Would you describe a male candidate this way?"' she went on. 'We rewrote it.'

'Were also in the midst of a campaign that could result in the election of the first woman president, and first woman of color as president,' she wrote as reasoning behind her hesitance to accept O'Donnell's male replacements, obliquely mentioning candidate Kamala Harris

Pointing to the shows ratings that have been lackluster under O'Donnell and added to an already present gap behind rivals at ABC and NBC, she said 'CBS Evening News has been in third place for decades.

'While I couldnt move the needle during my time as anchor, I had hoped to open minds,' she continued.

'Traditional broadcast news may be waning, but more than half of the viewing population should still demand more from the industry.

'Until then, once again, nightly network newscasts are the purview of a few good men.'

Under O'Donnell, the show has seen its viewership plunge some 25 percent, even as CBS re-upped her contract in 2022 after offering her an $8million salary as incentive three years before.

Insiders told The New York Post that salary has since been slashed, as one person told the paper, '(O'Donnell) deserve[d] to lose her job.'

That said, O'Donnell, 50, will now move on to a new role as senior correspondent in the wake of the upcoming election, where she will contribute stories and 'big interviews' across CBS' platforms.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Couric declared that Democrats have 'kind of lost' the working class vote during an interview on White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco's 'Hysteria' podcast.

Couric already declared that Democrats had 'kind of lost' the working class vote during an interview earlier this month on White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco's 'Hysteria' podcast, where she called the group 'out-of-touch'

Under O'Donnell, the show has seen its viewership plunge some 25 percent, even as CBS re-upped her contract in 2022 after offering her an $8million salary three years before. Her stint began eight years after Couric left. She is set to continue at CBS as a senior correspondent

Her reason? Again, being too out-of-touch.

'I think that there needs to be a greater connection between the working class and the Democratic Party because, let's face itthe Democrats have kind of lost the working class,' Couric told the ex Obama staffer during the appearance a little over a week ago .

'It was never that way during all my years of covering politics,' she went on.

'You had the head of the Teamsters at the RNC, you have people buying into this notion that Republicans care about dinner table issues much more than Democrats.

'And these narratives, I think, have become too deeply entrenched about liberal college-educated elites who are condescending.'

The longtime NBC News talker had been referring to International Brotherhood of Teamsters boss Sean O'Brien, who became the first boss in the union's 121-year history to speak at the RNC two days after the attempt on Donald Trump's life.

In his speech, O'Brien blasted businesses like Walmart and Amazon, while chiding the Chamber of Commerce and federal government for not looking out for workers.

Pointing to Hillary Clinton's failure in 2016, Couric reminded onlookers that this very well could be the case again if Democrats don't get back down to earth come November.

'I just want to see her with a welding hat on, working with regular Joes,' Couric said of Harris, instructing her to start appealing to 'regular Joes.'

She added Democrats need to do more work as well, forecasting that their current connection to the working class will not be enough for a win.
As Democrats continue their 'Republicans are weird' rhetoric, GOP vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance insists the attack line is likely just 'projection.'

Vance said Sunday morning that Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz 'aren't comfortable in their own skin' and are trying to convince Americans that Republicans are the weird ones.

'They're trying to distract from their own policy failures. I mean look, this is fundamentally schoolyard bully stuff,' Vance told CNN's Dana Bash in an interview aired on State of the Union. 'They can accuse me or whatever they want to accuse me of.'

'I accept their attacks but I think that it is a little bit of projection.'

The Ohio Senator then specifically pointed to the awkward moment where Gov. Walz gave his wife Gwen a handshake on stage and tried to segue it into a half hug.

Sen. J.D. Vance said Democrats are 'projecting' with their 'Republicans are weird' rhetoric

Donald Trump Jr. made note of the moment on X with a clip of the interaction along with: 'Totally normal to greet your wife with a firm handshake and a bro hug/back slap. Tim Walz isn't weird at all, guys.'

And Vance also thinks the handshake was an example of how Walz is trying to deflect from his awkwardness by repeatedly calling him weird.

'When I had just been announced as the VP nominee, I gave my big speech and I saw my wife and I gave her a big hug and a kiss because I love my wife and I think that's what a normal person does,' Vance recalled.

'Tim Walz gave his wife a name, firm midwestern handshake and then tried to sort of awkwardly correct for it.'

'I think what it is, is two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who aren't comfortable in their own skin, because they're uncomfortable with their policy positions for the American people,' Vance told Bash.

'And so they're name-calling instead of actually telling the American people how they're going to make their lives better,' he said. 'I think that's weird, Dana. But look, they can call me whatever they want to.'

He pointed to the moment when Democratic VP candidate Gov. Tim Walz shook his wife's hand on stage at the first rally where he appeared alongside VP Kamala Harris last week

Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz appear at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the day Harris announced Walz as her running mate

Walz appears to be the first to call the 2024 Republican ticket weird  mostly leveling the attacks towards Vance  and the line has now caught on as a popular attack for other Democrats to use.

Both Vance and Walz are midwesterners and have touted their roots and upbringings as proof they know they are in step with what matters to middle Americans.

Trump insisted that the line is mostly about Vance, which the VP candidate accepted.

But the Republican senator brushed off the attacks in a round of show appearances on Sunday morning.

Donald Trump Jr. posted video of the awkward on-stage handshake between Tim and Gwen Walz that turned into a side hug

Bash asked Vance about Trump's response to the 'weird' attacks, to which the former president said: 'Not me, they're talking about JD.'

Vance chuckled and replied: 'Certainly they've levied that charge at me more than anyone else.'

'But I think that drives home how they're trying to distract from their own policy failures,' Vance added. 'This is fundamentally schoolyard stuff.'

Harris announced on Tuesday that chose Walz as her running mate.

The VP and Walz appeared at their first rally together later that evening in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  where the Walz's awkward handshake-turned-kiss took place.
A surge of sick sea lions are washing up along the California coast suffering from symptoms of algae poisoning, experts say.

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito has responded to 90 sick sea lions in San Luis Obispo County since July 29, and nearly 30 percent of the animals they helped have died.

Experts found the sea lions are suffering from domoic acid poisoning, a neurotoxin that affects the brain and heart, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Strong upwelling of nutrient-laden water from the deep ocean is driving a bloom of the harmful algae.

'Unfortunately, many animals are dying on the beach before we have a chance to rescue them. This indicates a high level of exposure to domoic acid,' said Ruth Dover, Managing Director of the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute.

A surge of sick sea lions are washing up along the California coast suffering from symptoms of algae poisoning

Experts found the sea lions are suffering from domoic acid poisoning, a neurotoxin that affects the brain and heart

The Channel Islands group said they are getting nearly 100 calls a day about sick marine mammals and has rescued 45 sea lions in the first 10 days of the outbreak.

'The good news is that people realize something is wrong and know who to call,' said Dover. 'The bad news is that many of these animals are really suffering.'

'This is especially concerning because these blooms didn't use to be an annual event.'

The strong upwelling that causes the algae bloom is a common spring-to-summer occurrence, driven by winds that help draw cold water up from the deep ocean along the coast.

Hundreds sea lions and dozens of dolphins died along the Southern California coast from domoic acid last year.

This years short-lived local marine heatwave first warmed coastal waters may have set up the algae for rapid growth, according to NOAA researchers.

Domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia, enters the food chain and sickens marine mammals as they eat prey.

Satellite maps off the California coast show the upwelling of colder than usual waters that provide ideal growing conditions for the toxin-producing algae

Teams rescue affected sea lions and admit them to a rehabilitation facility, but for many their condition may be too advanced to help

'The upwelling helps make the California Coast such a rich ecosystem, but in this case there is another effect that we see playing out with marine mammals,' said Clarissa Anderson, Executive Director of the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing Network.

Satellite maps off the California coast show the upwelling of colder than usual waters that provide ideal growing conditions for the toxin-producing algae.

'The levels we're finding inside these animals is off the charts,' Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesman for the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center told the Los Angeles Times. 'It's all hands on deck.'

Teams rescue affected sea lions and admit them to a rehabilitation facility, but for many their condition may be too advanced to respond to treatment and have to be put down.

NOAA recommends beachgoers and their pets should stay a safe distance from affected animals on shore and report them.
This is the moment a luxury yacht sunk off the coast of Majorca after five people, including a child, were rushed off the boat in a dramatic rescue operation.

The luxury boat first got into trouble at around 10am local time on Saturday when other nearby ships noticed the yacht, which was moored off the coast of Camp de Mar on the south west of the Balearic Island, had partially sunk.

An emergency alert was issued shortly afterwards and the Spanish coast guard scrambled on its boats to head to the scene - with local police following behind.

Luckily, before emergency services could get there, a private boat was able to pick up the yacht's five passengers- which included a German couple and their son.

Euro Weekly News reports that the passengers were then sent to back to Port Adriano near Magaluf.

The luxury boat first got into trouble at around 10am local time on Saturday when other nearby ships noticed the yacht, which was moored off the coast of Camp de Mar on the south west of the Balearic Island, had partially sunk

In footage posted by Majorca's coast guard the yacht, which is valued at an eye-watering 800,000, can be seen listing on its stern with the bow of the vessel rising up above the water with bits of debris floating in the water beside the troubled vessel

The luxury yacht, which costs 800,000, first got into trouble off the coast of Camp de Mar on Saturday morning. The vessel finally sank at 5pm last night

In footage posted by Majorca's coast guard the yacht, which is valued at an eye-watering 800,000, can be seen listing on its stern with the bow of the vessel rising up above the water with bits of debris floating in the water beside the troubled vessel.

The yacht eventually sank at around 5pm local time last night.

Spanish Police are yet to release a statement about why the luxury ship sank.

In July, a 150ft megayacht, which costs a whopping 180,000-a-week to rent, sank off the coast of Kefalonia after a crew member apparently left a door open.

Shocking footage showed the vessel off balance on the blue waters around Kefalonia, a popular island in the Ionian Sea known as the setting for Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

The yacht eventually sank at around 5pm local time last night. Spanish Police are yet to release a statement about why the luxury ship sank

Luckily, before emergency services could get there, a private boat was able to pick up the yacht's five passengers- which included a German couple and their son. Euro Weekly News reports that the passengers were then sent to back to Port Adriano near Magaluf

A private boat, shown in the footage, was reported to be at the scene as harbour guards monitored the situation.

Waves are seen lashing at the stern of the yacht, now some distance from the shoreline.

The yacht eventually it ran aground in Evretis Bay, where it was anchored.

But it was later claimed the inflow came after one of the crew left a side door open - and did not have time to close it once the weather 'turned', local media reports.

Five members of staff and passengers on board were all safely rescued from the ship.
Kevin McCarthy says Vice President Kamala Harris is not in charge of her presidential campaign and is getting major assistance behind the scenes.

The disgraced ex-House Speaker claims that former President Barack Obama is secretly running the effort to get Harris elected in November.

Speaking with Cats Roundtable on Sunday, McCarthy pointed to the vice president hiring people to work for her campaign that were once part of Obama's team.

'You're getting the Obamas shifting from running the White House to now running this campaign,' the California Republican said.

McCarthy, who was ousted in last October from his speakership, is joining a chorus of Republicans who claim Obama is running a shadow campaign and is really pulling the strings.

'If you're watching the campaign now, some of Obama's [key people such as] David Plouffe and others are now working on the campaign,' McCarthy told host John Catsimatidis on 770 WABC.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted in October, thinks former President Barack Obama is secretly running Kamala Harris' presidential campaign

Harris took over as the de facto Democratic nominee last month after President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign.

Many of Obama's top advisers now have roles with Harris' 2024 presidential campaign.

Plouffe was Obama's campaign manager in 2008 and later one of his top White House advisers. He is now Harris' senior campaign aide.

Stephanie Cutler, who was Obama's campaign manager in his 2012 reelection bid, was hired as Harris' senior adviser for strategy messaging.

And the vice president's campaign chairwoman is Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, who worked on both Obama and Biden's presidential campaigns.

Democratic adviser Jennifer Palmieri was brought on to advise Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Previously, Palmieri served as Obama's White House Director of Communications. She was also in that role as Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.

And Eric Holder, who served as Obama's attorney general, helped handling vetting for Harris' running mate. The vice president announced on Tuesday that she selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to join her 2024 ticket.

Much of former Obama staffers were hired to work on VP Harris' 2024 campaign, prompting speculation that the ex-president is running the show

McCarthy tore into Harris' pick.

'This is by far  the most liberal ticket in the history of American politics,' McCarthy said on Sunday. 'We do not want to put San Francisco and Minnesota across this country.'

The former House Speaker said it was a mistake to pass over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish.

'Any political-science person would tell you it's all coming down to Pennsylvania and Georgia,' McCarthy said about the outcome of the 2024 election.

'Why would [Harris] skip Shapiro in picking a VP? Is she not going to stand up to her own party when they want to attack Israel?' he questioned. 'She wasn't there when the prime minister of Israel came to speak to Congress. That's her role and responsibility as president of the Senate.'
A helicopter pilot has been killed after his aircraft crashed into a luxury Cairns hotel and injured two guests with hundreds forced to evacuate the burning building.

Emergency services were called to the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in the Far North Queensland city at 1.50am on Monday.

Queensland Ambulance confirmed a helicopter 'crashed into the roof of a hotel' with between 300 to 400 people evacuated from the premises.

The pilot, a man aged in his 40s, was killed while two people who were staying in one of the rooms were rushed to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Veronica, who witnessed the crash, told 2GB they watched the aircraft fly 'full force' into the building.

'The next thing I knew I saw it fly towards the hotel building and I saw the big explosion ... it hit the building,' she said.

Terrifying footage captured by a tourist showed the roof engulfed by massive red and orange flames.

Huge clouds of black smoked billowed out from the top of the hotel as the blaze raged.

A helicopter pilot has been killed after his aircraft crashed into a luxury Cairns hotel and injured two guests with hundreds forced to evacuate the burning building

Emergency services were called to the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in the Far North Queensland city at 1.50am on Monday (pictured, bystanders watching from a nearby park)

'The whole building is on fire,' one woman was heard saying as flames were seen inside the bottom floor of the hotel.

'Did you see it? The helicopter... it's just crazy. I was just walking along there... I saw it going down,' she continued.

Bystanders also stood in a nearby park and watched as the flames burned through the hotel.

An 83-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman were taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after they were assessed by paramedics.

Queensland Police declared a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and an exclusion zone was enacted encompassing Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street.

Queensland Ambulance Service Far Northern Region senior operations supervisor Caitlin Dennings said residents described hearing a crash that sounded like a bomb.

Queensland Police declared a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and an exclusion zone was enacted encompassing Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street (pictured, a damaged room at the hotel)

Debris from the helicopter that crashed into the luxury hotel in the early hours of Monday morning

'Unfortunately it is quite frightening to hear. I suppose that noise of helicopter crashing prior to 2am in the morning,' she said.

'There's reports that it sounded like a bomb and seeing fire and smoke from that. A lot of the occupants of the hotel were very unsure about the situation at the time.

'There is a lot of unease here at the evacuation centre which is a hotel down.'

Hotel guest Alastair Salmon told the ABC the sound of the crash as deafening while his roommate Harry Holberton said debris was strewn across the vicinity.

'All over the hotel there was debris, parts of a windscreen,' he said.

Ms Dennings added paramedics had to wait for firefighters to assess the building before they could enter the hotel and view the helicopter.

'The helicopter impacted the roof of the hotel however two propellors have dislodged from the helicopter landing on the Cairns esplanade,' she said.

'There was a second propellor located in the hotel pool on the bottom floor.

'At the time of the incident [hotel guests] were evacuated to Florence Street where buses have picked them up and taken them to a hotel in cairns city where they have all been evacuated to the foyer.'

Police are at the scene and have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has also launched an investigation.

The helicopter impacted the roof of the hotel and two of its propellors dislodged on impact

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash
Detectives have launched an investigation after a man was rushed to hospital following a shooting in Leeds.

Armed officers were called to an incident on Stainbeck Road in Meanwood at 2.47pm on Sunday afternoon, where a man was discovered with a gunshot wound.

The victim, 27, was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, where he remains in a stable, non-life threatening condition.

Forensic examination and specialist searches are underway at the scene near the junction with Stainbeck Avenue and are expected to continue overnight, as motorists have been asked to avoid the area.

West Yorkshire Police said it was working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the people involved.

Detectives have launched an investigation after a man was rushed to hospital following a shooting on Steinbeck Road in Meanwood, Leeds

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley said: 'We are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and are working to identify those involved.

'The criminal use of firearms on our streets is always something we treat extremely seriously, and we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident or who has any information or CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation.

'We appreciate that an incident of this nature this will cause understandable concern in the community, and we are working closely with our colleagues at Leeds District to provide suitable reassurance to people in the area.'

Anyone with information should contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting reference 13240436858.
The number of rioters and agitators arrested by police has hit more than 900, it was confirmed tonight.

There have been 927 arrests and 466 charges across the country so far, a spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said.

The astonishing figures came as the Director of Public Prosecutions warned the worst offenders they could face up to ten years in jail.

Stephen Parkinson, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the number of offenders sent to court was expected to enter a 'new phase' to include 'more serious charges with stiffer penalties'.

The offence of riot is set out in the Public Order Act 1986, which replaced a previous common law offence.

Over 900 rioters and agitators have now been arrested by police, it was confirmed tonight. Pictured: Riot police hold back protesters in Southport

An anti-immigration protest in Rotherham turns into disorder as demonstrators set objects on fire

A total of 466 charges have been brought across the country, the National Police Chiefs' Council said

The Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson warned the worst offenders they could face up to ten years in jail

The Act says it can apply 'where 12 or more persons who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose'.

Many of those who took part in violent scenes around the country who have so far reached the courts were charged with the lesser offence of 'violent disorder', which carries up to five years' imprisonment.

'We warned of the consequences and we will deliver those consequences,' Mr Parkinson told the Sunday Times. 'It's not about exacting revenge, it's about delivering justice.'

So far the longest sentence handed down to a rioter has been three years.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy has become the first child to be convicted for his part in violent disorder in Sunderland.

Northumbria Police said the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Friday morning as part of a round of early-morning raids across the region.

He appeared at South Tyneside Youth Court on Saturday where he admitted one charge of violent disorder and the burglary of a business, after stealing from a vape shop. He will next appear at the court on Thursday.

Separately, a 15-year-old boy from Toxteth was charged with burglary in relation to disorder which took place in Liverpool city centre on August 3.

The boy was remanded in custody to appear at Merseyside Youth Court later today.

Among other new developments, Staffordshire Police said three men and a woman were charged following violent disorder in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and Tamworth last weekend.

Police clash with protesters at a 'Unity Rally' in Crawley on August 9

LIVERPOOL: Protesters from two separate demonstrations clash outside the Sheikh Abdullah Quilliam Mosque

Far-right activists burn a vehicle during riots in Sunderland on August 2

Police arrest a masked rioter wearing a balaclava in Sunderland. So far the longest sentence handed down to a rioter has been three years

The force said Darren Woodley, 55, Cameron Bell, 23, and Kyle Barber, 24, all from Tamworth, had been charged with violent disorder.

Tyler Marchese, 21, of Burslem, has been charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

All four are due to appear at Cannock Magistrates' Court later today.

Avon and Somerset Police said Jamie Easterbrook, 43, had been charged with committing violent disorder after he was arrested at his Bristol home on Saturday night. He is due before magistrates in the city later today.

Widespread rioting by far-Right mobs erupted in the wake of the Southport knife attack on July 29 which left three young girls dead. False rumours spread on social media blamed a Muslim small-boat migrant for the attack.

Specialist police teams are hunting social media agitators who incited riots online.

Regional organised crime units are investigating hundreds of leads across a range of social media sites, senior officers told the Sunday Telegraph.

ROTHERHAM: People set objects on fire in streets around a hotel accommodating asylum seekers. Widespread rioting by far-Right mobs erupted in the wake of the Southport knife attack on July 29 during which three young girls were killed

NEWCASTLE: Demonstrators in Newcastle take part in a Stand Up to Racism protest

Police surround a hotel in Rotherham accommodating asylum seekers as far-right thugs surround the building

Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime, said the 'abhorrent' violence did not take place 'spontaneously'.

'It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport,' he said.

'They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people's doorsteps.'

Mr Haward added: 'Anyone who has been a part of this appalling behaviour should be aware that we have specialist officers from the regional organised crime unit network monitoring content and working at pace to identify you.

'Online crimes have real-world consequences, and you will be dealt with in the same way as those physically present and inflicting the violence.'
Nancy Pelosi has admitted that she pressured Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race because she feared he was no longer making his own decisions.

Pelosi, in an interview with the New York Times on Friday, stated that she intervened after a July 8 letter purportedly from Biden to Congress in which he re-affirmed his commitment to remaining in the election contest.

'I didn't accept the letter as anything but a letter,' she said. 'It didn't sound like Joe Biden to me. It really didn't.'

In the letter, Biden stated that he was 'firmly committed' to remaining in the race against Donald Trump as he sought to head-off calls to step aside following his disastrous debate performance and increasingly dismal polling.

Pelosi's admission comes as Biden finally revealed this weekend that the ex-speaker had been at the forefront of his mind when he made the decision to handover to Kamala Harris.

Nancy Pelosi says a letter Joe Biden wrote to Congress in early July convinced her that the president no longer seemed like himself and needed to drop his re-election campaign

Pelosi said in an interview this weekend that she'd been swayed by the missive, which was allegedly sent from Biden to fellow Democrats on July 8

In an interview with CBS on Sunday, Biden said that he was 'concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic - you'd be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say [something]  and I thought it'd be a real distraction.'

Pelosi and Biden, who have worked together in DC since the late eighties, have not spoken since he dropped out of the race.

Pelosi said that the timing of the letter grated on her because the president was preparing to host the NATO summit in DC.

Two days after the letter's publication she appeared on Morning Joe and said: 'Its up to the President to decide if he is going to run. Were all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short.'

Her suggestion that Biden had not made his decision, despite the letter two days prior, was seen as a clear indication that she wanted the president to drop out.

In her interview with the New York Times, Pelosi suggested that Biden had no hand in the letter, rather it was staff around him that were attempting to shore up support.

She said of her TV intervention: 'My main purpose, though, was to say, "Stop saying things." Because the president has NATO here. If you have something to say, save it for later, until theyre gone. Because this is a big deal - the summit of ATO, which he has strengthened, grown, and now is hosting. And theyre doing great things, and hes the center of it all. Save your comments for later.'

Biden issued the letter just as lawmakers are coming back from a July 4th recess where he has faced growing calls to quit the race.

In it, Biden, 81, took shots at the press, donors and party operatives who have said the party's only chance is to throw him over the side.

'Let me say it differently. Some said that some people were unhappy with the letter. I'll put it in somebody else's mouth,' Pelosi added.

Biden spoke Sunday about how Pelosi was among those building pressure on Biden to step aside, along with other top Party Leaders like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Adam Schiff.

'A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races,' Biden said in his first interview since ending his reelection campaign.

'And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic  you'd be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say [something]  and I thought it'd be a real distraction,' he said in the interview with CBS News Sunday Morning host Robert Costa.

President Joe Biden wrote House Democrats after a handful of elected lawmakers urged him to end his run

Biden's decision to invoke Pelosi comes after reports of a lingering strain. Senior advisor Anita Dunn, who is leaving the White House to join a pro-Harris super PAC, also spoke to the pressure campaign in recent comments.

'You know, clearly there were leaders of the party who decided to go ahead and go very public. And that gave permission to other people to go public,' she said.

Asked about rumors Biden was furious, Pelosi told the New Yorker magazine, 'He knows that I love him very much. I pray so. I cry so.'

A growing list of Democrats were calling for Biden to drop out of the race after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June.

Biden said that had he remained in, the race would have been razor close  although polls before he dropped out showed him behind in all the battleground states and in a tight but inferior position nationally.

'The polls we had showed that it was a neck and neck race, woulda been down to the wire. But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic,' he said.

Biden's struggles were on display during his debate disaster with Trump and Democrats who were for years downplaying concerns about the president's fitness were forced to confront it, with many suddenly demanding he exit the race.

In the weeks after the debate, Biden was on clean-up duty  but his efforts just led to more gaffes and fumbles that increased worries that the president could hurt the chances of other Democratic politicians in their elections.
A tougher approach is needed to tackle classroom violence and teaching pupils about gender issues should be deprioritised, according to a Scottish Tory leadership candidate.

Russell Findlay has set out a series of proposed reforms for Scotlands schools as he accused the SNP of having no vision for improvements and no plan to stop disruptive behaviour by pupils.

A new curriculum for aspiration policy paper sets out that teachers should get the power to exclude violent pupils from the classroom when necessary  but they should then be sent to new specialist behavioural hubs where they are challenged to take responsibility for their actions.

The paper proposes deprioritising ideological issues which the SNP have pushed in our schools, which refers to teaching about gender and a school survey which asked pupils as young as seven about sexual relationships and whether they are transgender or non-binary. It also says lessons must be age appropriate.

Leadership hopeful Russell Findlay set out series of proposed reforms for schools

Other policies include a guarantee that every pupil should be entitled to select at least seven subjects in S4, following concerns about falling subject choice.

Mr Findlay, who is understood to have secured enough nominations to be a candidate in the Scottish Tory leadership race, said: After almost two decades of SNP rule, Scotlands reputation for excellence in education has been severely tarnished.

The Nationalists are failing miserably to stop violent and abusive acts in schools. My proposals would empower head teachers to take the necessary steps and introduce specialist new bases so the small minority of disruptive pupils can be excluded without being removed entirely.

In his policy paper, Mr Findlay proposed that more is done in school to ensure pupils are taught about practical life skills, including learning about personal finances and starting a business. He said: Teachers care passionately about childrens wellbeing, but it shouldnt be placed above learning as their main objective. Children can be taught about health without being subjected to ideology, often at an age that many would not consider appropriate.

The paper proposes changes which make it easier for schools to get rid of failing teachers. Mr Findlay said: A new curriculum for aspiration that values knowledge and life skills would give every pupil the chance to excel.

The Scottish Government said: Violence and abusive behaviour towards pupils or staff is unacceptable. Schools should have policies in place which determine what action should be taken to address challenging behaviour and bullying. The existing policy framework does not prevent the use of consequences.

S4 examsare likely to remain despite review that supported scrapping them

Exams will remain in victory for teachers

Exams are unlikely to be axed for pupils in S4 because teachers want them to stay, the Education Secretary has signalled.

Jenny Gilruth has indicated that she will reject calls from a Scottish Government expert review to scrap National 5 examinations in favour of more assessment through coursework.

Opponents said teachers will be relieved after resisting the reforms which were put forward in June last year.

Ms Gilruth told the Sunday Times that research had shown that the vast majority of teachers dont want to get rid of the exams.

She added: There are lots of good reasons for that.

Tory education spokesman Liam Kerr said: Teachers will be letting out a sigh of relief. They have been calling for this proposal to be scrapped for some time.
An elderly woman has died after she was struck by a car with her distraught husband arrested at the scene.

The woman, aged in her 70s, was hit in a driveway on Nichols Avenue in Revesby, south-west Sydney, at about 3:15pm on Sunday.

Paramedics attempted to treat the woman, however she could not be saved.

Her husband - who is understood to have been behind the wheel - was arrested and taken to Bankstown Hospital for mandatory testing.

Footage showed the distraught man holding his hands to his head as he sat on a nearby wall.

A woman was seen comforting him while wiping tears away from her eyes.

Two other women and a man also provided their support to the man.

He was later escorted by officers into the back of a police car that was waiting outside the house.

An elderly woman has died after she was struck by a car with her distraught husband arrested by cops

The man was escorted by officers into the back of a police car that was waiting outside the house

Detectives have launched an investigation into the incident.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Israel's military yesterday ordered mass evacuations in southern Gaza in the wake of its deadly strike on a school.

The latest evacuation orders cover Khan Younis  Gaza's second largest city  and part of an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone, from which the military says rockets have been fired.

Tens of thousands had already fled due to a separate evacuation order last week.

It comes after the city suffered widespread destruction during an air and ground offensive earlier this year.

On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike hit a mosque inside a school in Gaza City, where thousands of people were sheltering.

Israel 's military ordered mass evacuations in Khan Younis - Gaza's second largest city

The Israeli military has ordered an evacuation from an area that partly includes an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone, from which the military says rockets have been fired

Smoke billows following Israeli bombardment in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday

According to the Gaza health ministry, 80 people were killed and 50 wounded in Saturday's strike - though Israeli has disputed this and said 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were killed in a precise strike

The Gaza health ministry said 80 people were killed and 50 wounded.

Israel disputed this, saying it killed 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in a precise strike, releasing what it said were their names and photos.

One of those evacuating early yesterday was Ramadan Issa, a father of five, who joined hundreds of people walking towards central Gaza.

'Every time we settle in one place and build tents for women and children, [Israel] comes and bombs the area,' he said. 'This situation is unbearable.'

Now in the tenth month of the conflict, the health ministry says the Palestinian death toll is approaching 40,000, and experts have warned of famine.

The evacuation comes amid rising tensions with Iran, after it vowed to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh last month.

Tehran yesterday announced that its Revolutionary Guards were holding drills close to the border with Iraq until tomorrow.
A helicopter pilot who died when his chopper crashed into a luxury Cairns hotel was on an 'unauthorised' flight - with sources saying the aircraft may have been stolen.

Emergency services were called to the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in the Far North Queensland city at 1.50am on Monday.

Queensland Ambulance confirmed a helicopter crashed into the roof of the hotel - with between 300 to 400 people evacuated from the premises.

The pilot was killed while two people who were staying in one of the rooms were rushed to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The helicopter was part of the fleet of Nautilus Aviation, one of Australia's premier helicopter operators, which said the use of the chopper was unauthorised.

'Nautilus Aviation are working closely with Queensland Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other authorities as they investigate the unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning.

'As we continue to fully support the ongoing investigation, we will not be making further comments at this time.'

Meanwhile, a well-placed source told Daily Mail Australia that the helicopter may have been stolen.

None of the accredited pilots who work for Nautilus Aviation were flying the aircraft. 'All the pilots have been accounted for,' the source said.

The helicopter crashed into the roof of the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Cairns at 1.50am on Monday, sparking a massive inferno (pictured). The pilot, in his 40s, was killed

About 300 to 400 people were evacuated from the hotel. Other locals gathered in a nearby park and watched on in disbelief as the blaze tore through the building

Veronica, who witnessed the crash, told media they watched the aircraft fly 'full force' into the building.

'The next thing I knew I saw it fly towards the hotel building and I saw the big explosion ... it hit the building,' she said.

Terrifying footage captured by a tourist showed the roof engulfed by massive red and orange flames.

Huge clouds of black smoked billowed out from the top of the hotel as the blaze raged.

'The whole building is on fire,' one woman was heard saying as flames were seen inside the bottom floor of the hotel.

'Did you see it? The helicopter... it's just crazy. I was just walking along there... I saw it going down,' she continued.

Bystanders stood in a nearby park and watched as the flames burned through the hotel.

Two hotel guests, an 83-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman, were taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after they were assessed by paramedics.

Queensland Police issued a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) declaration and an exclusion zone was enacted encompassing Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street.

Queensland Ambulance Service Far Northern Region senior operations supervisor Caitlin Dennings said residents described hearing a crash that sounded like a bomb.

Queensland Police declared a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and an exclusion zone was enacted encompassing Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street (pictured, a damaged room at the hotel)

Debris from the helicopter that crashed into the luxury hotel in the early hours of Monday morning

'Unfortunately it is quite frightening to hear. I suppose that noise of helicopter crashing prior to 2am in the morning,' she said.

'There's reports that it sounded like a bomb and seeing fire and smoke from that. A lot of the occupants of the hotel were very unsure about the situation at the time.

'There is a lot of unease here at the evacuation centre which is a hotel down.'

Hotel guest Alastair Salmon told the ABC the sound of the crash as deafening while his roommate Harry Holberton said debris was strewn across the vicinity.

'All over the hotel there was debris, parts of a windscreen,' he said.

Ms Dennings added paramedics had to wait for firefighters to assess the building before they could enter the hotel and view the helicopter.

'The helicopter impacted the roof of the hotel however two propellors have dislodged from the helicopter landing on the Cairns esplanade,' she said.

'There was a second propellor located in the hotel pool on the bottom floor.

'At the time of the incident [hotel guests] were evacuated to Florence Street where buses have picked them up and taken them to a hotel in cairns city where they have all been evacuated to the foyer.'

Police are at the scene and have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has also launched an investigation.

Do you know more? Email candace.sutton@mailonline.com

The helicopter impacted the roof of the hotel and two of its propellors dislodged on impact

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash
A 19-year-old property investor has revealed he now owns three homes without any financial help from his parents.

Cristian Caponi grew up in Sydney but rather than be put off by the city's unaffordable housing, he turned his attention to Perth where apartments are still affordable.

'Honestly, I'd be upset too if I was looking at Sydney - I'd say definitely look outside your shell and see that there's opportunity out there,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'If that's going to mean it takes you towards whatever goal you have in life, then go for it.'

Mr Caponi's property journey began in July last year when he bought a 1960s one-bedroom unit in Fremantle for $190,000, back when he was earning just $40,000 which is below the minimum wage.

He followed that up two months later, buying another one-bedroom unit at Langford for $247,500.

In February, he bought a two-bedroom unit at Swan View for $300,000, by which time his pay had grown to $70,000 with commissions.

Mr Caponi said his early start in real estate was possible because he chose to became a licensed real estate sales associate at LJ Hooker in Ashfield after finishing year 12 rather than going to university.

19-year-old property investor Cristian Caponi (right) has revealed he now owns three homes without any financial help from his parents

'I know for myself, it did make it a lot easier working in a full-time job,' he said.

'Working a full-time job and having that sort of flexibility made it a lot easier to save up.

'I didn't utilise any savings from my parents.'

But Mr Caponi admits living at home with his parents at Haberfield had enabled him to save up for a mortgage deposit and lenders mortgage insurance.

'I'd definitely say that's a great help if you do have family that you can live with,' he said.

For the first property, Mr Caponi asked his parents to be guarantor which meant they would be liable if he was unable to meet the mortgage repayments.

But it also meant meant he didn't have to pay lenders mortgage insurance or a deposit on the Fremantle unit.

'That allows you to actually get into a property without having to use any savings,' he said.

Mr Caponi's property journey began in July last year when he bought a one-bedroom unit in Fremantle for $190,000

He followed that up two months later, buying another one-bedroom unit at Langford for $250,000

Western Australia offers a stamp duty exemption for homes under $430,000 but on the first property, Mr Caponi paid $4,700 in stamp duty.

For the second property, he paid a 10 per cent deposit, $8,000 in stamp duty and $2,000 on lenders mortgage insurance.

He paid $9,000 in stamp duty for the third property along with $3,500 in lenders mortgage insurance.

His three properties yield weekly rents of $410, $440 and $480 - adding up to $1,330.

This is $53 more than the $1,277 in weekly expenses, covering the mortgage repayments, council rates and water bills.

In February, he bought a two-bedroom unit at Swan View for $300,000

Being positively geared, Mr Caponi is able to service his $682,750 mortgage and be able to borrow more than the usual 5.2 debt-to-income ratio limit for owner-occupiers.

'The banks let me lend more because there is rental income that also did not make the property negatively geared,' he said.

Mr Caponi aims to own 10 investment properties within five years and plans to stick with real estate instead of shares, so he has cashflow and the ability to leverage his existing investments to buy more homes.

'Maybe, perhaps, I might have to sell one off but I do have that long-term focus,' he said.

'In the next five years, I probably want to get around that sort of 10 mark - if I can get 10, that will put me in a good position.'

Mr Caponi said he saw opportunity in Perth which benefited economically from interstate migration in an affordable market.

'When there's that key price and you get a lot of eastern people that are investing there, such as myself, it's pushing up the prices heaps,' he said.

'I'd say affordability, interstate migration is definitely another factor to it.'

Perth's apartment prices have soared by 24.5 per cent during the past year to $540,545 but one-bedroom units haven't traditionally performed as well as larger two and three-bedroom apartments.

By comparison, Sydney's mid-point apartment price of $852,766 is more expensive than Perth's median house price of $808,038.

After working in real estate, Mr Caponi worked for a buyers' agent.

He is now making a living through property webinars until he gets a licence to open his own buyers' agency - and hopes one day he will have enough equity in Perth apartments to eventually buy a house in Sydney.
The Barefoot Investor has labelled a single mother who said she doesn't want her $3million inheritance a 'weirdo' - albeit a wise one - and encouraged her to accept it.

The Tasmanian mum, who is raising two children while working as a nurse, said she was set to receive the surprise inheritance from a relative but had doubts whether accepting it was the right choice for her family because of the 'complexity of wealth'.

'This is generous but wealth like that brings complexity,' she wrote in a letter that was published in a Herald Sun column.

The mother explained she already earns enough money to sustain herself and makes significant super contributions.

'I have just paid off my house in Tasmania and am now adding 10 per cent to my super each pay,' she said.

'I don't renovate or travel far. No dishwasher and a broken oven. I have set myself up to retire on $42,000 per year when I'm 65.

'I don't need more and I prefer the simple life of living within my means.

'I want my children to do well in their own right and own a home eventually. However, I don't want to take the satisfaction of doing it themselves away.'

The Barefoot Investor, Scott Pape (pictured), labelled the mother a 'weirdo' but conceded her 'weirdness comes from a place of deep contentment, wisdom, and living your values'

The woman admitted she was thinking of accepting the money to buy a 'large parcel of land in Southern Tasmania to protect it from developers in the future'.

Scott Pape's response to the mother began very bluntly: 'You are obviously a weirdo.

'However, your weirdness comes from a place of deep contentment, wisdom, and living your values.

'You have something that most people will never have: ENOUGH!'

Rather than turning away the considerable inheritance, Pape encouraged the nurse to separate the funds into three accounts.

'First, I'd put a small amount in an online savings account for emergencies - and to fix your oven!' he said.

'Second, I'd put a large amount into an ethically invested index share fund, given you're bent that way.

'Finally, I'd set up a private ancillary fund, which is a type of charitable trust.'

Pape recommended the woman sets aside money to match any money her children save for their future home (stock image)

Pape explained the share fund would allow the mother to match any funds her children set aside for a future home, dollar for dollar, which would incentivise them to save more.

Meanwhile, the PAF could be used to make tax-deductible donations to any charity of the mother's, or her children's, choosing.

'The key is to get your kids involved in deciding where to donate this money,' Pape said.

'Who knows, hopefully some of what you've got will rub off on them!'
Since they wed in 2005 after years of intense public attention and even criticism, Charles and Camilla have been each other's pillars of support.

Now the King and Queen, they are a couple who share a deep love that has been forged in adversity.

And that romance has frequently been on public display - whether it's a loving kiss, an arm around the shoulder or even a pat on the bum.

Charles, who refers to Camilla as 'my darling wife', has relied on the Queen's support this year more than ever as he continues cancer treatment.

Below, pictures show the times they have not shied away from adorable PDA.

Charles places a loving arm around Camilla as she celebrates her birthday during their visit to Exmoor National Park to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, July 17, 2019

King of romance! Charles greets Camilla with a tender kiss during a visit to Merlion Park in Singapore in 2017. It was at the start of their 11-day trip to south-east Asia and India and the couple had not seen each other for a few days

Camilla offers a helping hand to Charles as he climbs the steps to look at an Apache helicopter during a visit to Wattisham Airfield in Ipswich, 2009. There Charles presented service medals to members of the 4th Regiment Army Air Corps

The new King Charles places a supportive hand on Camilla's back as the couple view flowers and tributes laid outside of Buckingham Palace following the death of Queen Elizabeth, September 2022

Camilla gently puts her hand on Charles's at a reception marking Cardiff's 50th anniversary as a capital and centenary as a city, July 2005. The ceremony came just three months after the couple got married

A guiding hand from Queen Camilla on the King's back marked the end of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan's three-day state visit to the United Kingdom at the end of June this year

A giggling Camilla and Charles are all smiles during a game of bowls in Bromham, Wiltshire in 2020. The couple had just been reunited after Camilla was required to self-isolate on the Balmoral estate

The King helps Camilla, wearing a long blue coat and carrying a beige handbag, step off the flight deck of HMS Iron Duke in Bordeaux during the couple's state visit to France, September 2023

A tearful Camilla, in an elegant dark polka dot jacket and skirt, holds her husband's hand for at the funeral of her brother Mark Shand at a church in Dorset, May 2014

Camilla is spotted patting His Majesty on the bum during their visit to the Nairobi National Park, November 2023. The fleeting display of affection was caught on camera and posted on social media
Elon Musk has big ambitions to colonize Mars by 2050, and a new scientific discovery could make those dreams a reality.

A team of scientists have proposed an 'innovative' way to warm the Red Planet by more than 18 degrees Fahrenheit in just a matter of months, which they believe would be enough to sustain human life.

They proposed injecting large quantities of Martian dust into the atmosphere to improve its ability to trap heat, just like water vapor and carbon dioxide do on Earth.

Shooting about 10 liters of dust, consisting of iron and aluminum, per second for at least a decade could warm the planet from -85F to 86F.

A groundbreaking new discovery suggests that Elon Musk's dream of terraforming Mars might not be as far-fetched as people think.

Elon Musk dreams of building a Martian city that could sustain a million people by 2050.

Musk himself has said that he plans to use the natural resources on Mars to 'terraform' its existing atmosphere and make the planet warmer, wetter and overall more like Earth.

This study suggests he may be onto something.

'Its not that often you get some really quite new, innovative idea for terraforming,' Colin McInnes, a space engineer at the University of Glasgow not involved with the work, told Science Magazine.

'The gap between where Mars is and where Mars could be for habitability is narrower than we might think,' he added.

The researchers' approach is actually based on the same atmospheric mechanism that's driving climate change here on Earth: the greenhouse effect.

Currently, Mars' atmosphere is so thin that heat from the sun easily escapes the planet's surface.

The microscopic size and spherical shape of Martian dust mean that it isn't great at absorbing radiation or reflecting heat back down to the surface.

But the research team believes they could use the iron and aluminum in the dust to engineer nine-micrometer-long rods.

That's roughly twice the size of a Martian dust particle, but smaller than a speck of glitter.

Currently, the surface of Mars is a freezing, barren desert. But scientists have come up with a simple way to warm up the Red Planet.

Terraforming Mars' atmosphere would bring us one step closer to establishing a human colony on the red planet.

When the researchers tested how their particles would absorb heat radiation and reflect it down to the planet's surface, they found 'unexpectedly huge effects,' Samaneh Ansari, a Ph.D. student at Northwestern University and the study's lead author, told Science Magazine.

This approach would require about two million tons of particles per year, but manufacturing them would be relatively easy because the ingredients are right there on Mars.

That sets this new approach apart from previous schemes to globally warm the Red Planet.

By comparison, this method would be roughly 5,000 times more efficient, the researchers claimed.

This strategy would still take decades, but it seems logistically easier than any other ideas proposed so far.

Warming up Mars would be a critical first step towards making this planet a suitable home for humans, or any other life form for that matter.

It would free up the little water that's frozen in polar ice caps beneath the planet's surface, and make Mars a more suitable place for agriculture and out own bodies.

Mars' atmosphere is too thin to trap heat at the surface. Scientists want to inject it with engineered dust to make it more insulating.

This is all great news for Musk. But warming up Mars is just one step down a long road he'll need to travel before he can colonize the Red Planet.

Even with this new atmosphere, humans still wouldn't be able to breathe the air on Mars because it doesn't contain enough oxygen.

Plus, the air pressure on Mars is 150 times lover than on Earth, which would cause human blood to boil.

Musk will have to solve these problems and more before he builds a bustling Martian metropolis. But this new research brings him a little bit closer to realizing his dream.
Vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, shown at a campaign rally on July 31 in Glendale, Ariz., neglected to account for his Republican running mates military record. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

While bad-mouthing the Democratic vice presidential nominees military service record (24 years) and attempting to laud his own four-year non-combative efforts, hes left out one important factor in the Republican partys comparison of military services: Donald J. Trump.

I am the same age as Trump. I lived on the UC Berkeley campus through the protests in the 60s, stood in line at the Oakland Induction Center for my physical as I learned about the death of my schoolmate Jim Arbuthnaut in 65. Jim was drafted, fought in Vietnam and along with 50,000 other American servicemen women died there. He was only 19.

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My father, two of my brothers and one sister served in the military as did six of my brothers-in-law. I couldnt serve, having failed the Army and Marines physicals) much to my regret. But I digress.

J.D., if youre through dumping on Tim Walz, care to discuss Donald J. Trumps military record?

I didnt think so.

Maybe best to stick to the old cat ladies.

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Richard A. Olson, San Mateo

Let state provide insurance

Where are the legislature and our governor? The most pressing problem facing Californians today is reasonably priced accessible homeowners insurance (Insurance in California: Your Guide to Navigating the Crisis, California, SFChronicle.com, July25).

So far, legislators are asleep at their desks and the governor is strangely quiet on this issue. The state needs to form a state run insurance company, call it CALSURE.

The company can make a profit, but not the outrageous profits private insurance companies crave.

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There is a need. Get it done. Lets see some legislative action.

Paul Schwartz, Berkeley

New dorm a downer

No matter how expensive and filled with extras U.C. Berkeleys new dorm may be (Berkeleys new dorm aims high, hits the mark, Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, Aug. 8), to the person on the street it remains an ominous 14-story sidewalk-to-sidewalk black brick structure similar to other tall buildings in downtown Berkeley making it as unfriendly as Wall Street, killing life on the street.

Perhaps this is the goal, rather than providing space for people on the outside to enjoy the sun, the sky, green leaves and the sound of water  all of which could exist in harmony with tall buildings that have setbacks.

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Tom Millet, Oakland

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

Please let it be true

On Wednesdays, I always look forward to reading Kevin Fisher-Paulsons inspiring and insightful column. This week, when I turned to the back page knowing that there would be no column this time, I was encouraged to see his picture with the message: Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column will return.

May it be so!

In the meantime, wishing him all the best with the utmost appreciation and gratitude.
Which of these Cornish gems would you like to visit? Scroll to vote in our poll...

Several beaches are so sparklingly clean they've been awarded Blue Flag status

With a subtropical microclimate, world-famous pasties and pretty seaside towns, a staycation in Cornwall is hard to beat.

But its the gorgeous beaches that are the biggest draw for many.

Cornwall has Britains longest coastline - a whopping 697km/433 miles in length  and over 400 beaches. So it might be a challenge to choose just one.

Theres no need to feel overwhelmed, though, because here weve picked out eight gems, from wild and secluded beauty spots to family-friendly sandy stretches.

Which one would you most like to visit? Vote in our poll...

Porthtowan Beach

Cornwall has Britains longest coastline and over 400 beaches. So it might be a challenge to choose just one - here are eight of the best as chosen by MailOnline. Porthtowan Beach, seen here, is one of North Cornwalls best family-friendly beaches

Described by Visit Cornwall as a soft sandy beach, surrounded by sheer cliffs, Porthtowan is one of North Cornwalls best family-friendly beaches.

Theres a childrens play park and families will also find a wealth of rock pools to explore along the coastline.

Porthtowan has lifeguards from May 4 until September 29 and its considered one of the regions best surfing beaches.

Even better - its been awarded Blue Flag status for the 2024 season, which means it meets the highest standards of seaside water quality.

Gyllyngvase Beach

Gyllyngvase (above) holds Blue Flag status and its situated just 10 minutes from Falmouth town centre, making the beach a short jaunt from ice-cream vendors.

Hard to pronounce (its Gillingvayz according to locals) but incredibly beautiful - this is Falmouths largest and most popular beach, says Visit Cornwall.

The tourism board celebrates its soft pale sands which are ideal for sandcastles while families can head to the south end of the beach for rock pools and lobster spotting.

Gyllyngvase holds Blue Flag status and its situated just 10 minutes from Falmouth town centre, making the beach a short jaunt from ice-cream vendors.

Lifeguards are on patrol from mid-May to the end of September while dogs are banned throughout the same period.

Sennen Cove

Visit Cornwall says: Sennen Cove (above) offers everything you need for a beach holiday, sand, sea and surf'

Just 10 minutes drive from Lands End, Sennen Cove is an expansive sandy beach thats close to shops and cafes.

Visit Cornwall says: Sennen Cove offers everything you need for a beach holiday, sand, sea and surf! Head down the hill from Sennen village and its not long before your view is full of sea and sunshine.

Sennen Cove is a Seaside Award winner for 2024 which means its one of the best beaches in the country for water quality, safety and environment.

Pedn Vounder Beach

Pedn Vounder, seen here, is a 'secluded slice of paradise' with 'an abundance of natural beauty', according to Cornwall Beaches

Pedn Vounder is a 'secluded slice of paradise', according to Cornwall-beaches.co.uk which says this is 'arguably the best beach in Cornwall'.

The team adds: 'Once a hidden gem, Pedn Vounder is now something of an Instagram darling but with such an abundance of natural beauty it isn't hard to see why.'

Located near Land's End, the beach is famous for its crystal-clear water and gorgeous white sand shore.

It's close to Cornwall's famous Minack Theatre and is also considered an unofficial naturist beach.

Daymer Bay

In Cornwalls Camel Estuary, Daymer Bay (pictured) is a popular kitesurfing spot within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

A sheltered bay in Cornwalls Camel Estuary, Daymer Bay is a popular kitesurfing spot offering good conditions for beginners.

Visit Cornwall says: A stunning beach that at low tide forms long stretches of golden sand backed by dunes all the way around to Rock, with superb views across the Camel Estuary.

The Camel is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and despite the name, it doesnt have anything to do with humpbacked animals. It earned its name from the Cornish Dowr Kammel which means crooked river.

If youd like to add a spot of sightseeing to your day, Daymer Bay is also home to a Saxon heritage chapel.

Rushy Bay

In the Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast, Rushy Bay, seen here, is the largest beach on Bryher Island - it has powdery sand and, for keen historians, the remains of a Civil War-era gun battery

Located on the Caribbean-like Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast, Rushy Bay is the largest beach on idyllic Bryher Island.

Lonely Planet says: Bryher is fringed by fabulous beaches but many would say [Rushy Bay] is the loveliest.

South-facing and sheltered by the hummock of Watch Hill, it has powder-soft sand and super swimming.

Keep an eye out for the remains of a Civil War-era gun battery that can be seen from Rushy Bays eastern end.

Polridmouth Cove

Shown here, Polridmouth Cove is located on the South West Coast Path and includes a seawater bath built into the rocks, but you can only reach it on foot

Despite Cornwalls popularity, Polridmouth remains a quiet and sheltered cove, according to Visit Cornwall. Thats because the only way to reach this beach is on foot.

Visit Cornwall says: The beach is shrouded in history, from its intriguing seawater bath built into the rocks by the Rashleigh family to the 1920s ornamental lakes that back the beach.

Polridmouth Cove is located on the South West Coast Path so it could be the ideal spot for a short beach break if youre attempting the walk. The beach also served as inspiration for the setting of Daphne Du Mauriers 1938 gothic novel, Rebecca.

Hemmick Bay

Hemmick Bay (above) is located on Cornwalls south coast and its described as a secret beach by Visit Cornwall

A small west-facing cove, Hemmick Bay is located on the county's south coast and is described as a secret beach by Visit Cornwall as its only accessible by a steep narrow road.

The team says: A peaceful and secluded bay, Hemmick is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by rolling pasture and dramatic rocky headlands. Its wild and untamed, with plenty of tiny coves and rock pools to explore at low tide.

Hemmick Bay is less than a mile from The Dodman, one of south Cornwalls highest headlands, known for its spectacular views.
Looking for a knight to remember?

A stay in any of these breathtaking castles is guaranteed to live long in the memory.

From an English castle beloved by King Henry VIII to a 'dream chateau' in France and an island fortress in Norway, these historical properties offer guests fairytale experiences.

And they cost from just (96/$124) a night.

Which one is your favourite? Vote in our poll...

Jaunmoku Pils, Latvia

A stay in any of these breathtaking castles is guaranteed to live long in the memory. Jaunmoku Pils (above), in Latvia, was originally designed as a hunting lodge and offers palace rooms as well as stays in the former stable

Built in 1901 for the former mayor of Riga, Jaunmoku Pils was originally designed as a hunting lodge in the heart of Latvias green western region.

Now, its a hotel with two rooms located inside the palace proper and 20 rooms in the former stable (dont worry - there are no remnants of former residents). Theres also an on-site museum exploring the castles history.

The team says the palace reflects the roots of our land and the legacy of the past.

Palace rooms start from 115 (96/$124) per night while rooms in the former stable cost as little as 55 (46/$59).

Thornbury Castle, UK

Edward Stafford built Thornbury Castle (above) in Gloucestershire but was convicted of treason and so Henry VIII took over the property with his lover-turned-wife Anne Boleyn. Guests can now sleep in the same room that the royal couple once occupied

Henry VIII generally didnt take too kindly to competition in love or land. Edward Stafford - a man who rivalled the King in wealth and status - built Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire in the 1500s.

He was convicted of treason shortly after its completion and Henry took over the property with his lover-turned-wife Anne Boleyn. The team at Thornbury says the castle served as a beloved retreat for Henry VIII and Anne and is imbued with regal grandeur.

The Castles 27 bedchambers are decorated in opulent Tudor style and guests can book a stay in the Henry VIII suite - the very room Henry and Anne slept in on their royal tour in 1535. Deluxe rooms start from 299 ($386) per night while the Henry VIII suite starts at 649 ($839) per night.

Schloss Hugenpoet, Germany

Schloss Hugenpoet, seen above, in Germany, has a billiard room, wine cellar, several lavish salons and a chapel. It sits within an extensive park and is surrounded by moats

Although the German meaning of Hugenpoet is pool of toads, this hotel just outside of Essen couldnt be more luxurious.

The castle sits within an extensive park and is surrounded by moats (perhaps with some resident toads). The team behind it says its a magically inspiring place, which invites you to stay and, even more, to return.

The property has a billiard room, wine cellar, several lavish salons and a chapel. A classic double room costs from 216 (180/$232) per night while the Ustinov suite with a King bed and separate living room costs from 590 (496/$641) per night.

Oscarsborg Fortress Hotel and Resort, Norway

Seen here, Oscarsborg Fortress Hotel and Resort was built to defend the area in the 19th century, but now it is a hotel that Visit Norway describes as a historic pearl with 86 guest rooms

Oscarsborg Fortress wasnt designed for luxury. The fort, 30 minutes south of Oslo, was used to defend Norway from Germany in World War II having been built as a defensive fortress in the 19th Century. Shells and torpedoes fired from the island fortress even sank the German ship, the Blucher.

Although Norway was occupied, the events at Oscarsborg are credited with giving the King and Parliament the chance to leave Oslo. So, this castle-like building has an impressive heritage.

The fortress is now a hotel described by Visit Norway as a historic pearl with 86 guest rooms. Room prices start from 1,495 NOK (107/$138) per night while the island can also be visited on a day trip.

Pousada Mosteiro Crato, Portugal

Pictured above, Pousada Mosteiro Crato was built in the 14th century and served as both a monastery and castle. The property no longer has any monks in residency but it still has a monastic feel' that's 'calm and peaceful, according to the hotel team

Located in Portugals Alentejo region, close to the countrys Spanish border, Pousada Mosteiro do Crato has served as a palace, monastery and castle. Built in the 14th century, the property no longer has any monks in residence but still has a monastic feel' that's 'calm and peaceful, according to the hotel team.

The property has 24 rooms with one luxury suite located in a former dungeon in the hotels medieval tower. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool with a sun terrace.

Prices start from 120 (100/$129) for a standard room and from 260 (218/$282) for a master suite.

Castello Di Petroia Dimora d'Epoca, Italy

Castello Di Petroia Dimora dEpocas medieval tower bedroom has views of the entire valley - guests will feel like [theyre] sleeping back in the Middle Ages. The Umbrian castle has housed many Italian nobles through the years

A medieval castle in Umbria, this hilltop hotel is surrounded by forest. Built in the 12th century, it has passed through the hands of many Italian noble families over the years.

The hotel team says: It doesnt get more fairytale than this, enchanting bedrooms, where youll feel like youre sleeping in history, looking at the endless breathtaking views.

Castello Di Petroia Dimora dEpocas medieval tower bedroom has views of the entire valley and guests will feel like [theyre] sleeping back in the Middle Ages.

Rooms start from 120 (100/$129) per night while the largest suite starts at 240 (201/$260).

Chateau d'Origny, France

Seen here, Chateau d'Origny, in Frances Rhone-Alpes region, has just five suites, each individually decorated - and theres even a helicopter pad for those who want to arrive in style

Located in Frances Rhone-Alpes region, this chateau started life as the home of a wealthy pottery merchant in the 16th century. Now, the Chateau d'Origny has been transformed into a dream chateau bed and breakfast,' say the owners.

The chateau has just five suites, each individually decorated and theres even a helicopter pad for those who want to arrive in style.

Rooms start from 190 (159/$205) while the chateaus largest Marquis de Luzy suite costs from 379 (318/$411).

Hotel Schloss Fernsteinsee, Austria

Pictured is the Hotel Schloss Fernsteinsee, Austria, which sits above a lake and was a favourite retreat of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Now, it offers eight suites for guests to sleep in

A fairytale property situated above a lake in Austrias Tyrol region, Schloss Fernsteinsees design spans three eras - with architecture from the 12th, 14th and 19th centuries.

The property team says: The castle ambience has been consciously preserved throughout the building maintaining its individuality. The castle was a favourite retreat of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

Guests who stay more than two days will receive a free diving permit for Fernsteinsee Lake while all eight suites are equipped with a private kitchen. Castle suites start from 110 (78/$100) per person per night.
The arrival of a former ABC TV presenter at Channel Seven's Melbourne offices has put noses out of joint - chief among them respected news and sport presenter Rebecca Maddern's.

Seven sources told Daily Mail Australia that the longtime anchor, 47, has been left nervous about her role at the network following the recent hiring of Carvalho, 43, and a cull of dozens of network staff across the country.

Cavalho this weekend covered Maddern's usual evening news anchoring role alongside Mike Amor after she flew overseas for a family wedding. Maddern is expected to be off-air until September.

Meanwhile, before her leave, insiders said Maddern was furious to arrive at the network's Docklands studios only to discover that Cavalho had already done pre-recordings she had been expecting to complete.

'Some staff think Karina was hired to replace Bec,' one insider told Daily Mail Australia, noting that Maddern had been 'very vocal' about defending her patch on the newsroom floor lately.

But senior Seven insiders pushed back - arguing that Maddern was too valuable to the network's news and sport divisions, and that the station needed more senior local female anchors.

Maddern is on a long-term contract and highly valued by the station, sources insisted.

Behind the scenes, Maddern is understood to be supported by her loyal colleagues who have been talking her through the tricky new dynamic.

Rebecca Maddern isreportedly nervous she's being replaced by Karina Cavalho who is covering her whilst she's on annual leave

It was announced last month that seasoned journalist Karina Carvalho is set to join 7NEWS Melbourne in a dynamic new role presenting and reporting from the field

'Bec would come into work to do the pre-recordings - but she would be told that Karina had already done it,' they said.

'But Bec would insist on running her recording - and the producers would because they have her back. There's a real tension there.'

It's not the first time Maddern has been the subject of intrigue in the Melbourne newsroom.

Two years ago, local news personality Jacqui Felgate was said to be 'less than impressed' when Maddern was 'parachuted' into the newsreading job, following her defection from Nine. Felgate quit Seven months later.

Last month it was announced the 'energetic' and 'passionate' Calvalho would be joining the network and covering Maddern whilst she was on 'planned leave'.

'I am delighted to be joining the first-class 7NEWS team in Melbourne and looking forward to making a valuable contribution to the ongoing success of the network,' Carvalho said at the time.

'Melbourne is and always has been the nation's most engaged audience for news and sport, so to be a part of the Seven newsroom here is an honour.'

Karina Cavalho co-hosts the weekend 6pm news update with Mike Amor at the weekend - filling in for Maddern

Rebecca and her camera-man husband Trent Miller are currently in London

New Director of News and Current Affairs, Chris Salter, is testing out Karina Cavalho whilst she is on 'planned leave'

At the time it was reported Jacquie Felgate was 'less than impressed' when Maddern was 'parachuted' to the top newsreader job following her defection from Nine

A TV insider noted that the appointment of new news director Chris Salter - who she's understood to have little relationship with - would have left Maddern concerned.

The free-to-air broadcaster has embarked on a wave of staff cuts - culling a reported 150 staff.

It comes just weeks after Channel Seven announced restructures across their businesses.

Seven sacked veteran Brisbane anchor Sharyn Ghidella and Gold Coast weatherman Paul Burt earlier this month.

Other big names to be culled included crime reporters Rob Ovadia in Sydney and Cameron Baud in Melbourne.

The spotlight on the network is only set to grow more intense when the ABC's Four Corners show runs a documentary on the culture at Seven on Monday night.

A promo last week featured ex-Seven staff Olivia Babb and Amber Harrison speaking during the program.
Pregnant Cardi B shared a sweet video of her daughter Kulture, six, and son Wave, two, on Instagram.

The Bodak Yellow rapper, 31, shares her two children as well as her one on the way with her estranged husband, fellow rapper Offset, 32.

Her daughter Kulture  who recently celebrated her sixth birthday at the Paris zoo  is featured in the first clip.

In it, she wears a Hello Kitty t-shirt and black shorts and smiles and can be seen laughing as Latto's Big Mama plays.

Meanwhile, Wave wore a white t-shirt and black pants and his hair styled in cornrows in the second video.

'You look like Mommy,' Cardi B said while Wave happily agreed. 'And I like your hair,' she added.

Pregnant Cardi B shared a sweet video of her two kids, daughter Kulture, 6, and son Wave, two on Instagram

Cardi filed for divorce from Offset after six years of marriage at the end of July.

That same day, she announced she was pregnant with her third child.

'With every ending comes a new beginning!,' she captioned a shot of herself cradling her baby bump.

Last week, the Up hitmaker experienced a 'freak accident' that nearly caused her to miscarry her baby.

The Grammy Award winner revealed in a recent X Spaces chat that she 'had a f***ing freak accident' that temporarily left her paralyzed.

'That's what I have to explain here,' she prefaced. 'Because I don't know how something  well it wasn't little, it actually hurt'

She didn't specify the nature of her illness, but Cardi noted that it's something she's experienced before.

'It doesn't really happen often,' she said. 'It became something so big to the point I was literally paralyzed,' she said.

Her daughter Kulture  who recently celebrated her sixth birthday at the Paris zoo  is featured in the first clip

Wave wore a white t-shirt and black pants and a fresh set of cornrows in the second video. 'You look like Mommy,' Cardi B said while Wave happily agreed. ' And I like your hair,' she added

'And that little thing almost cost me my little one to come. But it didn't.'

Cardi added that she's since returned home from the hospital, but she's still in pain.

'Yesterday, I was feeling good because I came home, but I came home high as a kite,' she said. 'Today, I woke up sober. Honey, I'm dying. I'm dying.

'I swear to God, if I don't feel good in four hours, I'm going to the hospital,' added Cardi.

'And I don't give a f***, I'm gonna exaggerate this s*** so I can get more morphine. Morphine me down, I don't give a damn.'
Katie Price reportedly 'blew 10,000 in a month on designer clothes and takeaways' after she was declared bankrupt.

Pals of the former glamour model, 46, claimed she splurged 7,000 during a single visit to Selfridges.

It was also reported that she spent roughly 500 on takeaways including Dominoes pizza and 2,500 on shoes in the same month.

One of Katie's pals claimed she blew the cash at the end of 2020 - the year after she was declared bankrupt for the first time, owing creditors 3.2 million.

'Katie is a spendaholic. Its incredibly worrying. She burns through obscene amounts in one go,' a source told The Sun.

Katie Price reportedly 'blew 10,000 in a month on designer clothes and takeaways' after she was declared bankrupt

According to The Sun, pals of the former glamour model, 46, claimed that she splurged 7,000 during a single visit to Selfridges

'She doesnt care about blowing cash when she should be paying her debts.'

MailOnline have contacted Katie's representatives for comment.

The reality star appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday following her high-profile arrest at Heathrow Airport on Thursday, after failing to attend bankruptcy proceedings.

During the hearing, Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Daniel Schaffer ordered the model to give an 'undertaking' to the court that she would attend a further hearing to face questions over her finances on August 27 at 10.30am.

He said: 'You have to attend that date, no ifs or buts, no going abroad, no holidays.'

Katie confirmed she understood she must attend and later said: 'I will move my diary for it.'

Katie's dramatic arrest came after she skipped a bankruptcy hearing for a 10,000 facelift in Turkey.

She was remanded in custody at a West London police station and bailed a few hours later by an out-of-hours magistrate, ahead of her court appearance on Friday morning.

She turned up on foot through the main entrance wearing a beige outfit and black head covering to conceal her injuries caused by the facelift.

One of Katie's pals claimed she blew the cash at the end of 2020 - the year after she was declared bankrupt for the first time, owing creditors 3.2 million

Judge Schaffer discharged the arrest warrant issued against her on July 30 by a different judge after she failed to attend a previous hearing.

The warrant was originally issued by a judge after she failed to attend a hearing relating to her enormous 760,000 debt.

Katie previously said she was 'not running from matters', but was 'away working for a documentary on corrective surgeries' during the court hearing.

In a now-deleted statement on Instagram, Katie wrote: 'I am aware that I am about to be detained at the airport which is obviously what the courts feel is necessary.'

'I do hope of course for my son's sake who is with me that they will allow some dignity and protection for at least his sake as this will be extremely disturbing for him to see. Whilst I understand the importance and severity of the matter I do feel like I am being treated like a criminal.'

The mother-of-five, who lives in Sussex, failed to appear in front of a judge on July 30 as a part of her 760,000 bankruptcy court proceedings and instead flew to Turkey on holiday for her sixth facelift while staying at a 133-a-night five-star hotel.

Katie appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday after an arrest warrant was issued by a judge when she failed to attend a hearing relating to her enormous 760,000 debt

During the hearing, Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Daniel Schaffer ordered the model to give an 'undertaking' to the court that she would attend a further hearing

Katie was aware she would be detained at the airport but had asked police that they 'allow some dignity and protection' for Harvey, claiming it would be 'extremely disturbing for him to see'.

In a statement posted to Instagram earlier this week, Katie claimed she had been in Turkey filming a documentary.

Discussing her son Harvey, the model asked authorities to 'allow some dignity and protection for at least his sake as this will be extremely disturbing for him to see'.

While acknowledging the 'severity' of the matter, Katie said she was being treated 'like a criminal' and declared the 'unfortunate financial circumstance' did not make her a 'criminal or bad person'.
Body positive influencer Karina Irby has revealed one rather unusual dish she was given as a child.

The 34-year-old shared a video to her Instagram story on Saturday, while celebrating her mum Kim's birthday with a lunch.

Speaking from the restaurant table, Karina admitted that her mother used to feed her 'brains' when she was a baby.

'I'm sitting here with mum for a beautiful birthday lunch and she's sitting here and she's like "oh yeah when you were a baby I used to feed you brains",' Karina revealed before her mother replied with: 'She loved it.'

Karina continued: 'She's like "I just wanted you to have a healthy baby brain, so I would feed you brains out of a can?"'

Protesting, Kim said that the dish was not from a can, but rather a jar.

'No it wasn't a can,' Kim said. 'I think it was like baby food like a jar of baby food. And she loved it.'

Laughing, Karina shot back a self-effacing reply, with: 'Well, it didn't work.'

Body positive influencer Karina Irby (pictured) has revealed one rather unusual dish she was given as a child

The owner of popular swimwear brand Moana Bikini looked stylish at the lunch in a white blazer over a black top, accessorising with a pair of gold pendant earrings.

The admission comes after Karina was kicked out of a Gold Coast cafe in June after she rocked up to host an impromptu swimwear photoshoot.

The body positive influencer shared a video of her and her friends arriving at Palm Springs Cafe in Burleigh Heads without a booking and began filming an ad for her activewear line.

Karina explained she thought the venue would have no issue with the shoot because she had purchased a cake and coffee from them.

Speaking from the restaurant table, Karina admitted that her mother used to feed her 'brains' when she was a baby

'I thought I could order a bunch of yummy food and drinks, eat and have the girls representing Moana Smile Club at this local cafe,' she began.

Unfortunately for Irby, cafe staff were not at all thrilled and immediately told her and her friends to leave.

'We were asked not to shoot there and got kicked out of the cafe,' a furious Karina told her fans.

However, Palm Springs Cafe owners Cohen and Josh had a different version of events and told Daily Mail Australia that Karina was not 'asked to leave' but rather asked to book the shoot at an acceptable time.

'We don't allow professional photoshoots during business hours out of respect for our guests. However, we hire our space out for professional shoots, it is a service we offer,' Cohen said.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her boyfriend Ken Urker are going to be parents to a baby girl.

The Munchausen-by-proxy victim, 32  who recently fired back at rumors that Ken is not the father of her baby  took to her Instagram on Saturday to share a video of an adorable reveal party.

The clip captured the couple standing beside a balloon arrangement, which they popped to reveal a burst of pink confetti. They then faced the camera and shared a heartfelt message to their unborn daughter.

'Sweetie, I'm your mom,' Gypsy exclaimed, with Ken chiming in, 'I'm your dad.' They both concluded together, 'It's a girl!'

Gypsy wrote in the caption: 'The moment y'all have been waiting for... It's a girl! Ken and I are over the moon and are so excited to start our family. We're so thankful for our friends, neighbors, and families who came to our party today! We also want thank ya'll for your love and support!'

Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her boyfriend Ken Urker are going to be parents to a baby girl

The Munchausen-by-proxy victim, 32  who recently fired back at rumors that Ken is not the father of her baby  took to her Instagram on Saturday to share a video of an adorable reveal party

The reveal comes almost a month after Gypsy and Ken announced the big news of their pregnancy on her YouTube channel.

'I am 11 weeks pregnant,' she said on the video. 'Ken and I are expecting our very first child come January of 2025.

'We're both very excited - this was not planned at all, it was completely unexpected.'

Blanchard announced her separation from husband Ryan Scott Anderson in March, and said she was back with Ken Urker, 31, the following month.

Gypsy was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri in December, 2023, after serving the mandatory seven years of her 10-year sentence for conspiring to kill her mother, Dee Dee.

Prior to her December release, Gypsy revealed to People that she was planning to marry Ryan - a special ed teacher in Louisiana - a second time once she was a free woman.

'We do plan on having a reception/redo wedding with all of our family and our friends and the dress and the cake and everything because we deserve that. I deserve that. He deserves that,' she said.

'Our prison wedding was just something to where we can make our vows to each other. It was something that meant something to us. And I think the party is kind of for everybody else and us, but mostly for everybody else.'

The clip captured the couple standing beside a balloon arrangement, which they popped to reveal a burst of pink confetti

Blanchard announced her separation from husband Ryan Scott Anderson in March, and that she was back with Urker (pictured) the following month

Anderson told DailyMail.com he was blindsided by Blanchard's request for a divorce. The former couple are pictured in January

Blanchard teared up in her video as she said she hopes to give her child 'all the things she wished she could have had when she was little.'

She also shared she has been experiencing 'crazy mood swings.'

Blanchard and her estranged husband Anderson married while she was in prison but their relationship fell apart just weeks after her release.

Anderson told DailyMail.com he was blindsided by Blanchard's request for a divorce, and blamed it on her relationship with Urker.

'I'm not doing well with it. For me it just came out of the blue,' he said.

'I had no idea she still had such strong feelings for him,' he added, referring to Blanchard's ex-fiance Urker.

At first, following her separation from Anderson, Blanchard insisted Urker was just a friend and there was 'no intimacy.'

While behind bars, Gypsy further cultivated a relationship with Urker, who struck up a dialogue with the then-prisoner in 2019 through a 'letter of support' he penned after watching HBO documentary Mommy Dead And Dearest.

They then became pen pals, which gave way to a romantic relationship. The two were even briefly engaged before things fizzled out.

In 2020, Blanchard found a second romantic prospect in Anderson, who, like Ken, wrote to her while she was in prison.

The Munchausen by proxy victim was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri in December, 2023, having served the mandatory seven years of her 10-year sentence for conspiring to kill her mother, Dee Dee

Blanchard has had a physical transformation after her release from prison

The two went on to tie the knot in a private ceremony that took place in the confines prison in 2022 before their separation in March.

Blanchard's traumatic childhood and early adulthood has been fodder for documentaries, movies, books and countless magazine, newspaper and online articles.

In what has become one of the best-known cases of Munchausen by proxy, Blanchard spent her childhood posing as a wheelchair bound invalid while Dee Dee subjected her to years of ill health, shaving her head, pumping her full of unnecessary medications, and convincing the world that she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

Blanchard's mother's stranglehold came to an end in 2015 when she persuaded the boyfriend she had met online, Nicholas Godejohn, to creep into their home in Springfield, Missouri, and stab her mother to death.
Taylor Swift surprised fans in Vienna by offering a consolation gift after having to cancel three shows in the Austrian capital due to a thwarted terrorist plot.

The 34-year-old pop superstar partnered with Disney+ to give her international Swifties a chance to watch her record-breaking Eras Tour concert film for free during a special television premiere, per People.

The streaming giant teamed up with cable station ORF to broadcast Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) in Austria on Saturday.

Additionally, Disney+ is providing a limited-time, seven-day free trial of its Premium service for Swifties eager to stream the movie starting August 10.

The goodwill gesture follows news that Vienna fans had received free crystal necklaces from Swarovski after the heartbreaking cancellation of Taylor's shows.

Taylor Swift surprised fans in Vienna by offering a consolation gift after having to cancel three shows in the Austrian capital due to a thwarted terrorist plot; (Pictured in London In June)

The 34-year-old pop superstar partnered with Disney+ to give her international Swifties a chance to watch her record-breaking Eras Tour concert film for free during a special television premiere

The Vienna Tourist Board had taken to social media to share ways that fans, who flew in from all around the globe to see Swift, could enjoy their time in the city.

One suggestion was to receive a 'crystal surprise' from the Kristallwelten Swarovski store.

After making the announcement, X users confirmed, that in exchange for showing their ticket to one of the canceled shows, they were given a necklace.

'Swarovski are giving away necklaces to Vienna Swifties,' one fan posted via X on August 8. 'You just have to show your ticket.'

The necklaces featured a large crystal set on a gray leather string.

Some of the pieces were colorful circle pendants while others featured clear blue stones.

Video on TikTok showed hundreds of fans lining up at a store to claim their gift.

A day later, the Vienna Tourist Board revealed that 'due to overwhelming demand' that the store did run out of the necklaces.

The streaming giant teamed up with cable station ORF to broadcast Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) in Austria on Saturday

The goodwill gesture followed news that Vienna fans had received free crystal necklaces from Swarovski after the heartbreaking cancellation of Taylor's shows

Video on TikTok showed hundreds of fans lining up at a store to claim their gift featuring either a blue stone or multi-colored pendant on a gray leather string

The hitmaker has not made any public statements since the alleged plot to was uncovered.

The arrest of a third suspect was announced on Friday.

The teen, like the two others arrested earlier, was reportedly radicalized by the Afghanistan-based ISIS-K.

Police say the main suspect, a 19-year-old man, planned to attack the tens of thousands of Swifties who gathered outside the Ernst Happel Stadium, with knives and machetes.

The suspect, allegedly put together explosives as well in order to 'kill as many people as possible,' officials said.

'The group is considered the greatest external terrorist threat to the continent,' claimed UN undersecretary for counterterrorism Vladimir Vorokov, who said the group had increased its recruitment efforts on the continent, according to ABC News.

The disappointment of not being able to see Swift perform did not prevent thousands of fans from taking to the streets to trade friendship bracelets and sing Swift's songs.

'When Swifties take all over your street,' wrote a fan on TikTok showing some of the celebrations.

Although they were disappointed at not being able to go to the shows, fans took to the streets to sing Swift's songs and exchange friendship bracelets (Pictured Thursday in Vienna)

On Wednesday it was revealed by police that two suspects were arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack at Taylor's Vienna shows.

It has since been confirmed that radicalized teens aged 17 and 19  including an ISIS fanatic  had 'planned carnage with bomb, knives and vehicle attack on young fans.

Following the thwarted terrorist plot, Taylor's concert promoter Barracuda Music posted a statement informing fans that her Vienna dates were being called off, leaving tens of thousands disappointed after they had fought to get tickets to the sold-out tour.

'Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Vienna Shows Cancelled Due to Government Officials Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack,' the post read.

'With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone's safety.

Swift has five shows scheduled in London beginning Thursday, August 15. Prices for tickets on resale sites have surged by up to 2,000-percent (Pictured in London in June)

'All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.'

Shortly after the news broke, it was reported that Taylor was feeling 'devastated' at having to cancel the dates.

Taylor's fans were also left 'devastated' by the last-minute cancelation, but have thanked the singer for 'keeping them safe.'

Swift is scheduled to resume the last leg of the European portion of her Eras tour in London, with increased security, beginning August 15, where she will perform five shows at Wembley Stadium.
Iconic Australian children's group The Wiggles has teased an unlikely collaboration with K-Pop group IVE.

The Hot Potato hitmakers took to Instagram to share a picture and a short clip with the girl group during IVE's recent Australian tour.

The photo shows three of The Wiggles members, Teshay Hawkins, John Pearce, and Lucia Field, posing with the band.

The members of IVE - Yujin, Gaeul, Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo, stood behind the trio, proudly holding their own official Wiggles skivvies gifted to them by the group.

The short clip showed the Korean pop stars happily accepting the colourful skivvies with a hearty 'thank you so much.'

Captioning the clip, The Wiggles teased a future collaboration with the After Like hitmakers.

'Our next single is gonna blow minds,' they wrote.

The comment was met with a huge reaction from fans, with one person asking: 'IVE X Wiggles collab when?'

Iconic Australian children's group The Wiggles has teased an unlikely collaboration with all-girl K-Pop group IVE

Others were quick to point out the unlikely pairing with: ' This is the wildest crossover I've ever seen.'

Another fan chimed in: 'This the most random crossover I could've ever imagined.'

IVE made their debut in 2021, with their single Eleven, followed up by 2022's Love Dive, which gave the group their first number one on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart.

Their 2023 debut album I've Ive sold more than 1.6 million copies.

The Wiggles have collaborated with a number of artists over their long career including Kylie Minogue, The Australian Ballet, NSYNC's Joey Fatone, and Leo Sayer.

A short clip showed the Korean pop stars happily accepting colourful Wiggles skivvies with a hearty: 'Thank you so much'

The Wiggles teased a future collaboration with the After Like hitmakers by captioning the clip: 'Our next single is gonna blow minds'

Tsehay Hawkins, The Wiggles' youngest cast member, recently revealed she was proud to challenge gender stereotypes with her costume choice.

The current Yellow Wiggle, 18, is the first female cast member to wear pants instead of a skirt on stage.

Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, she said the opportunity to challenge stereotypes with her costume choice was 'cool'.

'I think wearing pants, it means girls and boys can relate to it as well. Boys can wear skirts too if they want - we definitely have boys coming to the shows in skirts which is beautiful as well,' she told the publication.

'But I think it's kind of cool to see little ones wearing flared pants. It breaks the stereotype of little girls always having to wear dresses or skirts.'

Tsehay added that breaking stereotypes was not front of mind when choosing what to wear - admitting that she was more of a 'pants girly'.

'I don't think that really came into play when I decided to wear it, but once I did, I realised the impact made,' she said.
Sydney socialites descended on Bondi for Jana Hocking's 'Saucy Secrets' themed 40th birthday party on Saturday.

Hollie Nasser and her partner Marshal de Saxe stepped out for the first time as a couple as they attended the event at Bondi Hardware dressed as Barbie and Ken.

The 38-year-old mother of two flaunted her figure in a hot pink bodycon dress while her boyfriend wore a blue and pink vest that matched his natural blonde locks.

The couple, who've been quietly dating for over a year now, are notoriously private when it comes to their relationship.

Marshal, who is an IT director, admitted that he prefers to stay out of the limelight.

Meanwhile, Hollie - who was at the centre of one of Sydney society's highest profile love trysts and marriage bust-ups in recent history  told Daily Mail Australia that she's found a new lease on life.

'He's one of a kind,' she gushed at the party.

The couple were also joined at the party by former MAFS star Jules Robinson, who dressed to impress in an eye-popping sheer dress she wore in her nude pregnancy photoshoot which recently stirred up online controversy.

Sydney socialites descended on Bondi for Jana Hocking's 'Saucy Secrets' themed 40th birthday party on Saturday. Pictured Jana Hocking (right) with Hollie Nasser

Jules also spoke about the images and explained she asked the photographer to remove excessive editing because she was adamant that women should be proud of their natural bodies.

'The controversy ended up being a good thing,' she said.

'Because it got women talking about how their bodies actually look and why we shouldn't be ashamed for showing them as they are.'

She also revealed her newborn son Cater, who she welcomed into the world three weeks ago, is doing well.

Hollie Nasser and her partner Marshal de Saxe stepped out for the first time as a couple as they attended the event dressed as Barbie and Ken

'Carter is actually a lot like Ollie when he was little,' she said.

'I mean, it's hard to share much more at this point because he's a baby and it's mostly just pooping and crying.'

The Married At First Sight bride met her husband Cameron Merchant on the 2018 series of Australia's highest-rating reality series.

Former Miss Universe Australia Laura Csortan also made an appearance at the star-studded party.

Meanwhile, Jana showed off her figure in a mini leather dress, a black choker and matching coloured heels as she celebrated the milestone.

The stars partied at the event until 12am before heading to Hollie's home in Rose Bay for a 'house party'.

The couple were also joined at the party by former MAFS star Jules Robinson, who dressed to impress in an eye-popping sheer dress she wore in her nude pregnancy photoshoot which recently stirred up online controversy

Laura Csortan stunned in a pair of very flattering skintight leather pants for the event. Pictured
Raising a child is full of challenges, fears and joys for any parent but particularly so if the youngster is transgender. ImagineGolf/Getty Images

Skylar was born a girl, meaning they were assigned female at birth by their doctors. Today, Skylar identifies as male. Their preferred pronouns are he/him or they/them.

Up until a few years ago, they were, in my mind, unequivocally my daughter. Long hair and pretty dresses were their thing, but so were hunting for bugs, dreaming of dinosaurs, and digging in the dirt. I didnt expect Skylar to play with dolls, or for them to be a princess on Halloween when they preferred Legos and Dracula costumes. Skylars preferences often swung toward what society might deem boyish things, but then again, they were a sucker for a skirt they could really twirl in.

Skylar didnt come to me as a young child and proclaim that they were not a girl or that they felt like they were born into the wrong body. In fact, there were no conversations with Skylar regarding them not feeling in alignment with the sex and gender of their birth until puberty.

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When Skylar did begin to express feelings of being transgender, it wasnt easy for me. I felt incredible internal resistance, even loss. But I also knew that Skylar felt safe enough to explore these feelings and to lean on me for guidance and support.

Now, Skylar is moving out, leaving California for Oregon. As they get ready to launch, it makes me question if my parenting, which looking back, might be labeled gender neutral, has prepared them for a world outside our familys orbit  a world where gender roles are fraught with divisiveness.

In the past few years, there has been a growing resurrection of the conversation around gender-neutral or gender-responsive parenting.

This kind of parenting was already a thing by the early 70s, when I was a quintessential girl: shy and bookish, I hated sports, loved my dolls, and could spend a perfect summer afternoon watching soap operas with my grandma. My mom was an interesting mix of traditional and hippie who insisted on good manners and ladylike behavior, but who also wanted me and my sister to be original thinkers and stand on our own two feet.

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When I was around 5, Mom gave me a copy of the childrens album "Free to Be You and Me," which came out in 1972.

At the heart of the album was a message about gender-neutral parenting that encouraged kids and adults to see themselves in ways that broke loose from rigid notions of what it meant to be a boy or a girl. Boys can play with dolls. Girls can run fast. And, its OK for all of us to cry. Tapping into the Gloria Steinem-style feminism of the time, the album was a reaction to a hyper-gendered postwar America, where marketers painted everything in shades of pink or blue.

"Free to Be You and Me" provided a new vision of how things could be. I wore that record out, playing it on my white suitcase record player until I knew every song and story by heart.



About 25 years passed from the first time I listened to the album to when I became a mom myself. My approach to parenting my three stepkids and Skylar, my first and only born, turned out to be fairly gender neutral. I taught my kids that boys and girls are a lot more alike than they are different. I encouraged them to be free to wear whatever they like; play however they like and be however they like.

I was winging it, with "Free to Be You and Me" as my compass.

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Skylar hopes to be a parent themselves one day, and their thoughts on gender-neutral parenting are interesting: I would keep things neutral when it comes to my child. I would use neutral pronouns, names, toys and clothes.

While Skylar realizes that total neutrality would be an impossibility, they would try, at least with those in the childs inner circle, to maintain as neutral an environment as possible.

If this caused confusion, once the child had more contact with people outside their family group, Skylar feels that it could be a launching point for communication. It would be a way to talk to them about gender from a young age, like kids who are raised always knowing they are adopted. They may not understand the concept when they are little, but once they do, there is no fear around it.

Many people seem to think gender neutrality is something completely new and foreign.

What Ive come to believe is that we have a generation of young people who are giving us a new lexicon surrounding gender.

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As far as public discussions around gender go, we have made great strides, and yet with that, comes pushback. In 2024, there have been more than 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 43 states. In Florida, the state board of medicine is acting to block any kind of gender-affirming care for people under the age of 18, even with parental consent. In California, Elon Musk announced hed be moving his Space X headquarters out of the state. This, in response to a bill that bans teachers from forcibly outing transgender students to their families. Musk is the father of a transgender daughter from whom he is estranged, and he blames her California private school education for making her trans.

As a pushback to what they see as socially imposed rules, some parents today are taking the concept of neutrality in parenting even further, a strict concealment of their babys gender from all but a small circle of caretakers. In doing so, they aim to make the childs formative years completely free of gender markers or stereotypes. Think gender-neutral names, clothing and toys. Definitely no gender-reveal parties. At some point, the thinking goes, the child will naturally express their gender with no need for any outside influence.

While my approach of raising children with an awareness of gender identities that are unique, fluid and complex feels right, the idea of raising kids with total neutrality seems unnecessary to me. I wonder if the practice could be needlessly confusing, leading to misinterpretations and misunderstanding for the child and those who love them, not to mention the level of watchfulness required on the parents part.

If I had the chance to raise Skylar again, I am not sure I would change my parenting style. Maybe I would be more conscious around language or more intentional about my attitudes surrounding gender roles.

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

So, here I am, helping my child take their next step. As I look into the proverbial rearview mirror, to the kid Skylar was, and to the adult they are becoming, I can only hope I prepared them well. I hope, too, that when they look into the mirror, they see what I see: a funny, loving, wicked smart and compassionate person.

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Suri Cruise was spotted enjoying the sunshine in New York City on Saturday afternoon  as she prepares to head off to college in the fall.

The daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, 18, is reportedly just one week away from moving to the dorms at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On Saturday, Suri looked relaxed as she made her way down the sidewalk with a black tote bag over one shoulder.

She rocked a blue tank top styled with cutoff black sweatpants with a white drawstring.

Suri  who also ran errands on Friday  appeared makeup-free for her solo outing.

Suri Cruise was spotted enjoying the sunshine in New York City on Saturday afternoon

She is preparing to head off to college in the fall

The teenager's brunette hair was worn down and she slipped on colorful sneakers to complete her low-key outfit.

Suri enjoyed a brief reprieve from the summer sun while waiting to board the subway.

She looked like the spitting image of her actress mom Katie, who she's lived with in NYC since 2012.

Suri graduated from New York's famous LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts earlier in the summer.

Her father is said to have been absent from her life in recent years, except financially, but her physical resemblance to him was still strikingly clear.

The school, which was said to have inspired the movie Fame, has churned out a formidable array of celebrities over the years.

Notable alumni range from Al Pacino and Liza Minnelli to Jennifer Aniston and Adrien Brody to newer faces like Ansel Elgort and Timothee Chalamet.

Nicki Minaj, Azealia Banks and Awkwafina all attended LaGuardia High School, as did Madonna's eldest daughter Lourdes Leon.

On Saturday, Suri looked relaxed as she made her way down the sidewalk with a black tote bag over one shoulder

She rocked a blue tank top styled with cutoff black sweatpants with a white drawstring

Suri  who also ran errands on Friday  appeared makeup-free for her solo outing

The teenager's brunette hair was worn down and she slipped on colorful sneakers to complete her low-key outfit

Suri enjoyed a brief reprieve from the summer sun while waiting to board the subway

She looked like the spitting image of her actress mom Katie, who she's lived with in NYC since 2012

Having graduated high school, Suri will now attend the prestigious college Carnegie Mellon, where she is said to be 'leaning towards' studying fashion.

'She is a smart girl, and she is turning into a very intelligent mature young woman,' an insider recently revealed to DailyMail.com. 'She has a very close group of loyal friends, and she knows exactly where she comes from.'

Suri's mother on the other hand is said to be 'overwhelmed' at the prospect of Suri going off to Pittsburgh for college. 'Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely overprotective,' a source shared.

Katie, who shot to fame on the teen drama Dawson's Creek, started dating Tom in 2005 and got engaged to him seven weeks into the relationship.

Their Scientologist wedding was held at the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Bracciano in November 2006, seven months after Suri was born.

Katie filed in 2012 for a divorce that was finalized just 10 days later, with Katie retaining primary custody of Suri while Tom was granted visitation, via People.

Ron Miscavige, father of Scientology leader David Miscavige, told the MailOnline in 2016 that Katie's misgivings about Scientology - including the effect it could have on Suri - contributed to her decision to leave Tom.

Suri's mom Katie and dad Tom Cruise are pictured with a baby Suri in 2006 - heading to their wedding rehearsal dinner in Italy

Dad Cruise seen with a very young Suri on the streets of Manhattan in 2008 when he was still wed to Holmes

The Top Gun Maverick star reportedly paid Katie $400,000 a year until Suri's 18th birthday, and will now send money for her college fees.

Tom has not been pictured with his daughter in 11 years, and in 2018 it was alleged that he had created distance between himself and Suri.

'Every person is allowed to see their child if they wanted to,' an insider told US Weekly 'He chooses not to because she is not a Scientologist.'
Kate Ritchie was looking noticeably worse for wear on Saturday afternoon when she was spotted making her way to an event in Sydney.

The former Home and Away star, 45, was seen stumbling as she tried to get out of her chauffeur-driven car in Camperdown, located 4km from the CBD.

The Nova radio presenter appeared to lose her footing as she exited the vehicle, slipping back and landing on the floor.

Kate's driver was quick to assist her getting out of the car, holding her clutch and fetching her dropped keys from the ground, before he helped her back into the vehicle.

The radio star appeared to see the funny side of it all as she laughed with her driver while clinging to her phone.

Kate cut a casual figure in a relaxed co-ord that featured a loose shirt and wide-legged trousers by Olive & Clover.

She completed her look with a pair of brown Zimmerman mules valued at $875.

But Kate's night appeared to end early.

Kate Ritchie was looking noticeably worse for wear on Saturday afternoon when she was spotted making her way to an event in Sydney.

The former Home and Away star, 45, was seen stumbling as she tried to get out of her chauffeur-driven vehicle in Camperdown, located 4km from the CBD

The Nova radio presenter appeared to lose her footing as she exited the car

She slipped back and landed on the floor

Kate's driver was quick to assist her as she got back on her feet

The radio star appeared to see the funny side of her trip up as she laughed with her driver while clutching her phone

Kate never attended the event, simply getting back into the car before being driven back home.

Once there, Kate exited the hire car barefoot and said goodbye to her chauffeur.

She was then seen struggling to open her garage door before eventually making it inside the property.

Shortly before leaving for the event, Kate was pictured standing at the front of her home in her pyjamas.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kate's representative for comment.

The sighting comes after Ritchie returned to acting last week as she was spotted filming scenes for a new ABC series.

The star cut a casual figure as she arrived on set to shoot the five-part series The Role Of A Lifetime alongside comedian Nazeem Hussain.

The new ABC and Screen Australia series will be fronted by TV favourite Amanda Keller and will explore the challenges parents face in today's rapidly changing world.

Ritchie and Nazeem, 39, will star as parents and will act out real-life family scenarios, giving an immersive and comedic touch to the factual program.

The show, produced by Dreamchaser, will also feature insightful parental guidance throughout from podcaster and author Maggie Dent.

Ritchie is a doting mother herself to daughter Mae, nine, who she shares with her ex-husband Stuart Webb.

She tied the knot with the former NRL star at the Quamby Estate in Tasmania in 2010, following a year-long engagement, but the couple parted ways in 2020.

Kate cut a casual figure in a relaxed co-ord that featured a loose shirt and wide-legged trousers by Olive & Clover

She completed her look with a pair of brown Zimmerman mules valued at $875

Ritchie's night appeared to end early

Kate said goodbye to a friend as she headed home

Kate returned home shortly after, where she was seen leaving her car barefoot

Kate struggled to open her garage door after exiting the car before eventually making it inside the property

Ritchie was seen standing at the front of her home in her pyjamas shortly before leaving for the event

Ritchie has been trying to get her life back on track after her shock drink driving charge in August 2022.

Last year, she revealed her decision to get professional help after she blew over the limit when she was stopped by police for a random breath test.

The ex-soap star said that after struggling with several personal challenges in 2022 she decided it was time to seek help.

'It was a long time coming. I sought professional help, the help that I needed. Sometimes enough is enough,' she said at the time.

'Life has thrown me its challenges over the last few years, but I am not alone in that. I was fortunate to be able to take time.'

Ritchie has been trying to get her life back on track after her shock drink driving charge in August 2022

The ex-soap star said that after struggling with several personal challenges in 2022 she decided it was time to seek help

Ritchie returned a reading of 0.06 - just over the legal limit - when she was stopped by police for a random breath test in her station wagon at Pagewood at 2.45pm on 22 August 2022.

She was fined $600, suspended from driving for three months, and apologised on Instagram.

'Recently I undertook a random breath test,' she wrote.

'Although it was low level, the test came back positive.

'I made a poor decision and there is no doubt I understand the seriousness of my actions. I am truly sorry.'

In October 2022, Ritchie announced she was stepping away from her radio show, before it was revealed she was seeking treatment at an exclusive rehab clinic in Sydney.

In December that year, Daily Mail Australia broke the news Ritchie had entered an exclusive private mental health facility in Sydney to help treat her alcohol dependency.

She said in a statement at the time that the last year had been challenging and stressful which led to an 'unhealthy reliance on alcohol'.

The sighting comes after Ritchie returned to acting last week as she was spotted filming scenes for a new ABC series
Nick Cave has opened up about tragic death of his two sons.

The Bad Seeds musician, 66, has lost two children in the last 10 years.

In 2015, his son Arthur, 15, died after taking LSD for the first time, before falling almost 20 metres from a cliff near his home in Brighton, England.

In 2022 his son Jethro, 32, who had schizophrenia and battled drug addiction, died in Melbourne two days after he was released from jail and two months after violently assaulting his own mother.

In a promo for ABC's Australian Story, the musician told interviewer Leigh Sales that he no longer values art above all else after burying his two sons.

'That idea that art trounces everything, it just doesn't apply to me anymore,' he confessed.

Later in the clip, as he delves into the topic of his sons further, he begins to choke up.

'I'm sorry this is actually quite difficult to talk about,' he said as the emotion overcame him.

Nick Cave has opened up about tragic death of his two sons. The Bad Seeds musician, 66, has lost two children in the last 10 years. Pictured with wife Susie Cave

Speaking to Leigh Sales on Australian Story this week, the 66-year-old musician was visibly upset as he discussed the deaths of his sons Arthur, 15, in 2015 and Jethro, 32, in 2022

Cave has previously said 'there can't help but be feelings of culpability' over the deaths of his sons because it is 'against nature' to bury a child.

'I think it's something that people who lose children feel regardless of the situation, simply because the one thing you're supposed to do is not let your children die,' he told The Guardian earlier this year.

'Forget that. The one thing you're supposed to do is protect your children.'

Cave's son Arthur (pictured) tragically fell to his death from a cliff near Brighton after taking LSD in July 2015

Jethro Lazenby (pictured) had been behind bars for attacking his mother before his death in May 2022

Nick pictured in his documentary This Much I Know To Be True

Addressing if he feels culpable because drugs were involved in Arthur's death, he said: 'There could be some element of that, yep.

'Look, these things are in our DNA, they're inherited. I don't want to make any assumptions about Arthur, who was just a young boy. It's not like he was into drugs.

Cave's 15-year-old son Arthur tragically died in July 2015 after plummeting from a cliff during an LSD session with a friend.

An inquest into his death heard that the teenager, who also had cannabis in his system, was 'completely disorientated' as he stumbled off a cliff into the sheer Ovingdean Gap near Brighton, UK.

Another of the popstar's other sons, Jethro Lazenby, died in May 2022 just days after being released from jail.

The 32-year-old had been behind bars for kneeing his mother in the face during a row over cigarettes - leaving her 'bruised and bleeding'.

Speaking days before his death in court, Jethro's lawyer revealed he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and that affected his judgement.

The troubled man, who had spent years in and out of custody as his life spiralled out of control in a haze of illicit drugs, had been facing more criminal charges when he was found dead in a $100-a-night motel in Melbourne.
Joey Essex and Jessy Potts have been accused of faking their romance following their stint in the Love Island villa, despite claiming the romance was the 'real deal'.

After missing out on a spot in the ITV2 final and voted 'least compatible' the pair returned to the UK and have busy attending numerous events separately.

While Joey, 34, has been raking in a reported 250K on a club tour, Jessy, 25, has been partying with pals and attending movie premieres.

The couple have appeared together for TV and magazine interviews, where Joey hinted at them starting a family, but have not made an appearance on each other's Instagram grids.

Tongues were sent wagging further when Joey revealed on This Morning that he was considering a move to the US in a bid to make a name for himself stateside.

Joey Essex, 34, and Jessy Potts, 25, are said to have been accused of faking their romance following their stint in the Love Island villa, despite claiming their romance was the 'real deal'

After missing out on a spot in the ITV2 final and voted 'least compatible' the pair returned to the UK and have busy attending numerous events separately (Jessy pictured second left)

While Joey has been raking in a reported 250K on a club tour (pictured) Jessy has been partying with pals

Following the revelation fans fumed on Reddit, according to The Sun, with one writing: 'Not one time did he ever consider the fact that Jessy may or may not come with him to America - and quite frankly, I don't think he gives a damn if she does'.

While another said: 'How will Jessy even get to America? Is she going to America?

MailOnline have contacted Jessy and Joey's reps for comment.

The former TOWIE star caused a stir when he entered the villa as the first celebrity contestant.

Despite being labelled as the 'pantomime villain' and well known for his bachelor antics, later claimed to have settled down with 'exclusive girlfriend' Jessy.

Joey claims the pair have already started thinking about their future despite not the 'L' word to each other yet.

Telling OK! Magazine: 'We've already spoken about kids.'

'We both want a big family. But we're having a bit of a tiff at the moment. She wants four, I want eight.

Jessy also attended the It Ends With Us premiere in London this week without Joey

The couple have appeared together for TV (pictured) and magazine interviews, where Joey hinted at them starting a family, but have not made an appearance on each other's Instagram

ongues have been send wagging further when Joey revealed on This Morning that he was considering a move to the US in a bid to make a name for himself stateside

Jessy (centre) has been partying up a storm since retunring to the UK

'Imagine how great that would be? I'm ready. I'd do it tomorrow. Maybe even tonight!'.

'There has been big interest in the US, and that was even before Love Island, so that's his next move once he's had some time off.

'Joey is keen to move his career Stateside and make a name for himself out there, where the reality market has some fresh and exciting options.

'They love a Brit but they've never come across anyone quite like Joey so there is every possibility he could well conquer America too.'

The source added: 'His team Neon Management have been inundated with magazine cover shoots and podcast interviews since Love Island, plus more meetings with Netflix so Joey has never been more in demand.'

Joey's popularity doesn't seem to have been affected by some of the negative headlines sparked by his stint on Love Island where he was accused of being unkind to his ex-girlfriend Grace Jackson and 'argumentative' in the villa.

But speaking after his exit, Joey said he deliberately caused a stir as show bosses encouraged him to lean on his reality TV experience and create as much drama as possible, admitting he was a show 'plant.'

He said during an appearance on This Morning: 'Everyone is encouraged to pot stir, the difference with me is that I don't hesitate I know what the producers want!

'Some didn't want to go out there and upset people and I respect that, but the difference with me and 13 years experience, I know what to do and that's what I did.'

Admitting he played the 'pantomime villain', Joey added: 'I have no regrets, you know what it's like, and I played the pantomime villain. I did what I had to do, I wanted to have fun and find love and I found Jessy.'

After being asked if they've said the 'love' word to each other yet. Jessy said, 'We don't want to rush things.'

Despite the criticism, Joey said he wanted people to focus on him and his new flame as a couple and ignore all the noise around them, insisting he was 'genuine' during his time in the villa.

Despite being labelled as the 'pantomime villain' the TV personality, well known for his bachelor antics, later claimed to have settled down with 'exclusive girlfriend' Jessy

The couple were sent packing just one day before the series final after being voted the 'least compatible' couple by their fellow islands

They were snapped together on their 'first real date' earlier this month

He added neither of them had played any games and neither could see any red flags despite 'testing each other'.

He said: 'We took our time, had fun and enjoyed each other's company. We weren't jumping to make decisions because the next bombshell was coming in, or because it was Casa Amor, we did things our way. We played it correctly. We weren't in it to win it. We just wanted to be together.'

Model and influencer Jessy told the magazine the she isn't phased by the scepticism around Joey's actions and is fully supported by her friends and family.

She revealed that her family trust her to see beyond the headlines and chose someone nice adding that they already really like the Essex-born reality star.

She added that she wasn't even phased by Joey's wandering eye and explained that he's a veteran celebrity and she trusts him completely not to fall victim to other girls' intentions.
Emily Blackwell has announced that she's engaged to her partner Jordan Oldershaw after he popped the question during their lavish Florence getaway.

The Made In Chelsea star, 28, who has been dating the businessman for two years, took to her Instagram with the good news as she proudly showed off her gorgeous diamond ring.

The couple couldn't wipe the smiles from their faces as they celebrated amid their sun-soaked trip to the very swanky 1,500-a-night Villa San Michele Hotel.

Emily looked effortlessly chic in a black strapless mini dress as they dined alfresco following the surprise proposal and took in the Italian city's speculator views.

She captioned the post: 'MR&MRS OLDERSHAW COMING SOON 10.08.2024'.

Emily Blackwell, 28, has announced that she's engaged to her partner Jordan Alexander after he popped the question during their lavish Florence getaway

The Made In Chelsea star, who has been dating the businessman for two years, took to her Instagram with the good news as she proudly showed off her gorgeous diamond ring

She captioned the post: 'MR&MRS OLDERSHAW COMING SOON 10.08.2024'

Their famous friends rushed to send their congratulations with former co-star Jamie Laing writing: 'BLACKWELL 5 BACK OF THE NET'.

While his girlfriend Sophie Habboo adding: 'So happy for you both!!!'.

Miles Nazaire said: 'Wait what!!!!!!!!! Omg!!! Lets goooooooooooooooo Im so happy!!!! This is madnesss congrats!'

While Jess Wright wrote: 'Aww congratulations' and Montana Brown commented: 'Arghhhh congratulations beautiful'.

The five star Villa San Michele Hotel overlooks Florence and boasts only 12 rooms, with famous guests over the years including everyone Napoleon Bonaparte to from Kim Kardashian.

Jordan is the CEO of a consulting agency and the couple often keep social media followers up to dates with their lavish holidays.

Emily previously dated co-star Harvey Armstrong before dumping him after he bedded another woman behind her back and lied about it before he was caught out with an incriminating photo.

On the E4 show she was forced to confront Harvey over his lies after he was pictured with his arm around an unknown girl at an after party  causing Emily to rightly suspect he had betrayed her.

The couple couldn't wipe the smiles from their faces as they celebrated amid their sun-soaked trip to the very swanky 1,500-a-night Villa San Michele Hotel

Emily looked effortlessly chic in a black strapless mini dress as they dined alfresco following the surprise proposal and took in the Italian city's speculator views

They strolled together through the swanky hotel's luscious grounds

Their famous friends rushed to send their congratulations

In dramatic scenes she Emily called him a 'lying piece of f***ing s***' and orders him to 'be a man for once' as he finally admits to cheating, which resulted in the end of their two-year relationship.

Earlier his year Emily showed off her gorgeous figure in a blue and yellow cut-out swimsuit as she reunited with her co-stars in Mauritius.

The reality star, who has starred on the show set in West London since 2016, took to Instagram to share snaps with a backdrop of palm trees.

The five star Villa San Michele Hotel overlooks Florence and boasts only 12 rooms, with famous guests over the years including everyone Napoleon Bonaparte to from Kim Kardashian

Emily previously dated co-star Harvey Armstrong (pictured) before dumping him after he bedded another woman behind her back and lied about it before he was caught out

Emily stunned in the multicoloured swimsuit - which had a gold ring attachment and a cut-out exposing her washboard abs.

She slicked back her dark tresses into an bun and sported a pair of oval-shaped sunglasses - finishing the look with a white choker necklace.

Joining Emily for the dinner were Yasmine Zweegers, Sam Price, Sam Vanderpump, Jazz Saunders, Freddy Knatchbull, David Templer and Tristan Phipps.
Narelda Jacobs is a married woman.

The Channel 10 presenter walked down the aisle with bride Karina Natt in a fun-filled ceremony at an indoor venue in Sydney on Saturday.

The 48-year-old looked to be having an absolute ball in images shared to Instagram on Sunday while surrounded by friends, family and famous guests.

The two said 'I do' in front of a floral arch placed before a huge window at what appeared to be an upper floor location.

Narelda and her new wife each opted for white ensembles, with the TV star choosing a fitted gown with fur accents from Aussie luxury label Zhivago.

It clung close to her figure before flaring out into a romantic train, with the fur shoulder details adding a glamorous air.

She added a pair of dangling earrings and opted for a glowing makeup look with a plum lipstick.

Karina meanwhile also dressed in a Zhivago gown, which likewise sat close to her figure and included high fashion raised shoulders.

Narelda Jacobs is a married woman. The Channel 10 presenter walked down the aisle with bride Karina Natt in a fun-filled ceremony at an indoor venue in Sydney on Saturday. Pictured

The 48-year-old looked to be having an absolute ball in images shared to Instagram on Sunday while surrounded by friends, family and famous guests

The two said 'I do' in front of a floral arch placed before a huge window at what appeared to be an upper floor location

The dress included an open back and reached floor length, with a slight shimmer to the fabric.

She chose a rosy makeup palette with a dark pink lipstick and added a pair of glittering hoop earrings.

Among the celebrity guests were MasterChef Australia star Melissa Leong and celebrity chef Kylie Kwong.

Also in attendance was comedian Luke McGregor and his wife Dr Amy Thunig-McGregor.

Narelda and her new wife each opted for white ensembles, with the TV star choosing a fitted gown with fur accents from Aussie luxury label Zhivago

It clung close to her figure before flaring out into a romantic train, with the fur shoulder details adding a glamorous air

Karina meanwhile also dressed in a Zhivago gown, which likewise sat close to her figure and included high fashion raised shoulders

She added a pair of dangling earrings and opted for a glowing makeup look with a plum lipstick

Karina meanwhile also dressed in a Zhivago gown, which likewise sat close to her figure and included high fashion raised shoulders

Following the intimate vows ceremony, the brides changed outfits to party into the night.

The new wives donned matching opalescent disco frocks with plunging necklines and a 1980s style silhouette.

They looked absolutely delighted and smitten as they posed for photos with their guests, before hitting the dance floor.

Natt is the chief of staff for South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Among the celebrity guests were MasterChef Australia star Melissa Leong and celebrity chef Kylie Kwong (both pictured)

Karina's dress included an open back and reached floor length, with a slight shimmer to the fabric. Pictured with Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (centre)

She chose a rosy makeup palette with a dark pink lipstick and added a pair of glittering hoop earrings

The brides kicked off their heels to wear silver glitter sneakers for dancing

Jacobs was previously in a long-term relationship with filmmaker Stevie Cruz-Martin.

While it's unclear when Jacobs and Cruz-Martin broke up, the film and television director now appears to be based in London.

She debuted her new romance in an Instagram post in early 2023, sharing a photo of the two women kissing during Sydney World Pride celebrations.

In the caption, Jacobs revealed the pair went on their first date in February that year, going public when they had been an item for just four weeks.

'Can't ignore the numbers. First date 23/02/23. One month later 23/03/23,' she wrote.

Natt first appeared on Jacobs' Instagram feed on March 4 that year.

Following the intimate vows ceremony, the brides changed outfits to party into the night

The new wives donned matching opalescent disco frocks with plunging necklines and a 1980s style silhouette

An array of guests filled the offbeat venue for the celebration

Jacobs told The Australian in 2021 she was brought up being told it was wrong to be gay and she would go to hell for her sexuality.

She also said she wanted her daughter Jade Dolman to have a more tolerant and accepting childhood than the one she had.

'I wanted Jade to grow up with an open mind; I didn't, because of our very Christian upbringing. We thought gays were going to hell,' she said.

Jacobs, who was raised in a strict Christian family before coming out at the age of 21, previously struggled to accept she was gay.

'I buried my sexuality so deep because of how we were brought up,' she told The Sydney Morning Herald in February 2021.

Her mother Margaret has made it clear she does not accept her sexuality, but loves her all the same.

'[My mother and I] have great conversations about all sorts of things, but there are certain things we just don't talk about,' she said.

'I would love to be able to talk about relationship stuff with my mum, but I know that I will never be able to.'
Kelly Brook has revealed she learnt a lot about her husband Jeremy Parisi after the pair had the 'honeymoon from hell' two years after tying the knot in Italy.

The model, 44, explained that she and her model husband, 39, didn't have a honeymoon when they first got married, so they jumped at the chance to take part in BBC's Race Across the World.

In an interview with Closer magazine, the media personality described jetting off to South America as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But Kelly admitted that it wasn't plain sailing and even described the experience as hellish.

She told the magazine: 'We hadn't had a honeymoon and I said to Jeremy we should consider this as a fun alternative, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At times, it was the honeymoon from hell - at other times it was absolutely glorious. It's got to be the most memorable honeymoon ever.'

Kelly Brook has revealed she learnt a lot about her husband Jeremy Parisi after the pair had the 'honeymoon from hell' two years after tying the knot in Italy

The model, 44, explained that she and her model husband, 39, didn't have a honeymoon when they first got married and jumped at the chance to take part in BBC 's Race Across the World

In an interview with Closer magazine, the media personality described jetting off to South America as a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Kelly also revealed that she learnt a lot about her husband of two years, explaining that the show really brought out his competitive streak.

She said: 'I didn't realise how competitive he was, like, crazy competitive. I'm much more about the experience. I think I got on his nerves because he was full steam ahead.

'If Jeremy was doing the race alone, he'd have finished it in a week. I was kind of slowing him down a little bit and I was like, let's have a Brazilian barbecue one day or let's go to the beach.'

And while the couple finally managed to celebrate their marriage with a honeymoon together, the Heart Radio DJ said she did not enjoy the lack of luxury, and described running around Chile and Brazil as exhausting.

Kelly said she would much rather have been sipping on cocktails on the beach rather than enduring the intense heat and dodging giant crabs while also trying to navigate racing through across the continent on a budget of just 1,100 each.

The hit BBC show saw Kelly and her husband compete against fellow celebrity DJ Scott Mills and his husband Sam, reality star Jeff Brazier and son Freddy, and Ted Lasso star Kola Bokkini and his cousin Mary Ellen.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Kelly revealed that she was glad to have experienced them with Jeremy.

The model, who previously dated Hollywood actor Jason Statham and rugby stars Danny Cipriani and Thom Evans, said the experience tested their relationship and opened their eyes to their marriage dynamic.

She said: 'I was grumpy at times - every night we didn't know where we would be sleeping - but I think he was surprised how strong I was. At some points, I was carrying both of our bags.'

Kelly also revealed that she learnt a lot about her husband of two years, explaining that the show really brought out his competitive streak

The model, who previously dated Hollywood actor Jason Statham said the experience tested their relationship and opened their eyes to their marriage dynamic

The BAFTA award-winning show, from producers Studio Lambert, will return at 9pm on Wednesday 14th August on BBC One and iPlayer.

The revelation comes after the presenter and her husband enjoyed a romantic holiday to Greece earlier this month.

The pair looked more loved-up than ever in Instagram snaps posted on Monday.

Kelly looked incredible as she showed off her amazing curves in a pink patterned bikini as she wrapped her arm around her Italian hunk husband Jeremy.

The former glamour model kept cool by tying her long brunette tresses in a bun and shielded from the sun behind a pair of stylish pink framed sunglasses.

Meanwhile shirtless Jeremy displayed his muscular physique in a pair of grey swimming shorts and sunglasses.

In a second snap during the holiday, Kelly looked sensational in a white and black striped bikini as she relaxed on a beach.

The actress flashed her gorgeous smile as she accessorised the daytime ensemble with a woven sun hat and a beaded necklace.

The revelation comes after the presenter and her husband enjoyed a romantic holiday to Greece earlier this month and Kelly shared some bikini snaps with her followers

Kelly said she would much rather have been sipping on cocktails on the beach rather than enduring the intense heat and dodging giant crabs with Jeremy (pictured March 2, 2020)

Kelly revealed she had previously been to the Greek Island Paros with her 'mother and late father' and she is happy to return with husband Jeremy

Kelly revealed she had previously been to the Greek Island Paros with her 'mother and late father' and she is happy to return with husband Jeremy.

She penned: '20 Years ago I came to Paros and it changed my life forever. That Summer changed what I wanted from life and slowed everything down and I reconnected with nature the sea and myself.

'I love this Island and it was so amazing to finally return with my now husband. Its still as beautiful as I remember and my life now is even more beautiful!

'I am grateful to have spent time here with my mother and late father. It holds so many precious memories and it was so nice to return with Jeremy and show him my favourite place in the world.

'Also nice that it finally has hotels as we always stayed in the homes of locals. 20 years has seen many changes and I think for the better. Paros is always a good idea'.

Jeremey commented on the post with a number of red heart emojis.

Kelly's return to a life of luxury is in stark contrast to her experience on BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World which saw her have to ditch her phone and use public transport.

Kelly said going phone free and living like a local alongside her husband was the highlight of her trip.

She also shared how she overcome being a 'diva' and had to completely go out her comfort zone - even if she had to wear 'unflattering' clothing, she recalled.

Kelly said: 'This show came at the right time; I was confident enough to be a bit more open about who I am.
Jackie 'O' Henderson looked every inch the proud godmother as she arrived at Kyle Sandilands' Sydney home for his son Otto's second birthday on Sunday.

The 49-year-old was all smiles as she made her way inside her KIIS FM co-star's house along with her daughter Kitty, opting for an edgy fashion look.

She chose a fitted, dark brown top with long sleeves that clung close to her slimmed down figure.

Jackie, who has lost over 18kg over the past year, added a pair of dark blue jeans that were loose on her slim form.

The radio queen added to her look with a pair of knee-high leather boots and brown tinted designer sunglasses.

She wore her blonde hair down and straightened, and slung a pricey black bag over her shoulder.

Meanwhile, daughter Kitty, 13, carried a large gift for the birthday boy, and looked chic in a blue tank top and white jeans.

Kyle was also seen outside his home before the shindig, wearing his usually casual look.

Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) looked every inch the proud godmother as she arrived at Kyle Sandilands' Sydney home for his son Otto's second birthday on Sunday

The 49-year-old was all smiles as she made her way inside her KIIS FM co-star's house along with her daughter Kitty (left)

She opted for a fitted, dark brown top with long sleeves that clung close to her slimmed down figure

The 53-year-old opted for a black hoodie and dark jeans, with a pair of sunglasses tucked into his collar.

Jackie, who has shed a whopping 18kg in the space of less than a year, looked like a supermodel following the slim down, Kyle told Stellar Magazine.

'Last year, she left to go on holidays looking like Roseanne Barr and came back looking like Elle Macpherson. That was the biggest surprise of my life,' he said.

'Even seeing my child being pulled out of my wife's stomach was not as surprising as Jackie walking back through in a size-six dress. I nearly died.'

Kyle was also seen outside his home before the shindig, wearing his usually casual look. Pictured

The 53-year-old opted for a black hoodie and dark jeans

The radio king completed his ensemble with a pair of dark sneakers

Kyle had a pair of sunglasses tucked into his collar

Kyle joked that Jackie was the one living an exciting single life these days while he is settled down with wife Tegan and their son.

'I used to be the one rooting the models, and she had a baby, remember? And somehow I've got the baby and she's out rooting the male models,' Kyle added.

Jackie recently admitted the exact amount she weighed before deciding to embark on her weight loss journey.

She made the confession during The Kyle And Jackie O Show after the radio program welcomed a caller on-air who weighed 85kg.

Jackie, who has lost over 18kg over the past year, added a pair of dark blue jeans that were loose on her slim form

The radio queen added to her look with a pair of knee-high leather boots and brown tinted designer sunglasses

She wore her blonde hair down and straightened, and slung a pricey black bag over her shoulder

The media personality chose a clean makeup palette for the outing

Meanwhile, daughter Kitty, 13, carried a large gift for the birthday boy, and looked chic in a blue tank top and white jeans

Jackie, who has shed a whopping 18kg in the space of less than a year, looked like a supermodel following the slim down, Kyle told Stellar Magazine

Friends and family filed into the party during the afternoon, all carrying gifts for the lucky toddler.

It comes as Kyle revealed he and Tegan had some exciting family news earlier this year.

Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, the radio king said Tegan had changed her surname to Sandilands on all government issued documents.

'Last year, she left to go on holidays looking like Roseanne Barr and came back looking like Elle Macpherson. That was the biggest surprise of my life,' he said

Friends and family filed into the party during the afternoon carrying gifts for the lucky toddler

One guest went all out with her gift for the tot

Kyle and wife Tegan welcomed Otto in 2022, and the couple married in 2023

The shock jock said 'I do' with the communications executive at the heritage-listed Swifts mansion in Sydney's Darling Point in front of 130 guests in April, 2023.

Tegan and wife Kyle welcomed their first child together, Otto, in August 2022.

Just after the baby arrived, Kyle told the Sunday Telegraph at the time that Otto had already won his heart and he couldn't stop 'staring' at him.

'We just look at him the entire time, like a couple of goons, just staring at him  and then we look at each other and smile,' Kyle told the publication.

'And then we [himself and Tegan] have a little tear.'
Sacked Seven reporter Robert Ovadia has launched legal action in the Federal Court against the network and its news boss months after he was dismissed over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Mr Ovadia, who has worked at Seven for more than 20 years, was dismissed from his role in June.

At the time the network said an investigation was underway over allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Mr Ovadia, which he strenuously denies.

Late on Friday, Mr Ovadia lodged proceedings in the Federal Court against the Seven Network and its news boss Anthony De Ceglie.

He is being represented by John Laxon of the Sydney-based firm Laxon Lex.

Attempts were made to contact Mr Laxon on Sunday night.

'Seven is not in a position to comment on Mr Ovadia commencing legal proceedings as it is now before the Federal Court, other than to say that Seven will defend its position in this matter,' a Seven spokeswoman said.

'As previously noted, Robert Ovadia no longer works at Seven.'

Former Channel Seven journalist Robert Ovadia is suing his former network and its news boss in the Federal Court

'Seven takes very seriously any allegations of behaviours deemed to be inappropriate within the workplace.

'We manage allegations confidentially and deal with any substantiated breaches decisively.'

Mr Ovadia, a two-time Walkley winner, was a veteran on-air talent with the network and was working as an investigative reporter and fill-in presenter in the Sydney newsroom before he was sacked.

In his own statement in response to Seven's announcement of the investigation, Mr Ovadia said he would defend the 'malicious' allegations.

'Seven has told me no current or former colleague has made any complaint against me,' he said.

'As far as I am aware, I have not been stood down by the company.

'Any suggestion I have behaved inappropriately at any time is false, malicious and will be defended.'

The veteran award winning TV reporter was stood down in June after Seven confirmed they had launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour

On his Instagram profile, Mr Ovadia shared messages of support from multiple colleagues in the wake of the probe being announced.

One message, shared to his latest story, thanks him for his 'professional guidance, warmth and kindness'.

Another acknowledges him for being 'one of my biggest supporters throughout my journalism career'.

'His respectful, honest and kind nature has made him not only a reliable mentor but also a good friend I could always call for advice,' the message continues.

'He was a true gentleman to me and to the many young women he worked with, consistently demonstrating the utmost respect and professionalism.'
A former star of The Biggest Loser is set to return to TV screens after a long absence.

Steve 'Commando' Willis, who is best known for his role as a trainer on the weight loss show, has announced he will be back with a brand new show.

Willis, 48, will be stepping in front of the camera again for the first time since he appeared on Survivor Australia in 2018.

The celebrity trainer will be co-hosting the fourth season of the 7Mate show, Search4Hurt, which sees fitness enthusiasts train with experts in a series of gruelling challenges.

On The Biggest Loser, 'The Commando' was known for his hard-hitting, gruff persona, but Willis told the Daily Telegraph on Friday that he has softened his image since then.

'People associate me to that physicality and that's great, but as I get older I've realised life isn't all just about that physicality and [it's about] being able to use life's experiences, wisdom, and knowledge to be a mentor and a role model,' he said.

Steve went on to reflect on his time on The Biggest Loser, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity the show gave him to share his talents.

'To have an influence and to share my knowledge and to help [the contestants] with their habits and behaviours was extremely rewarding, and that's something I used to go to work with every day,' said Willis.

Steve 'Commando' Willis, who is best known for his role as a trainer on the weight loss show, has announced he will be back with a brand new show. Pictured

The celebrity trainer will be co-hosting the fourth season of the 7Mate show, Search4Hurt, which sees fitness enthusiasts train with experts in a series of gruelling challenges. Pictured left-to-right: Biggest Loser Families trainers Shannon Ponton, Tiffiny Hall, Michelle Bridges, Steve Willis

'I understood it was about getting eyeballs and doing all of that, but at the heart of it were real human beings and they needed help and I gave my help to the best of my ability, also playing a role in a character,' he added.

Willis shot to fame on hit weight loss show in 2007 when the former soldier found love with co-star Michelle Bridges.

Prior to their split in 2020, the former power couple built a fitness empire together and Willis published books such as Commando Steve: No Excuses and Get Commando Fit - and he even starred on a season of Australian Survivor.

On The Biggest Loser, 'The Commando' was known for his hard-hitting, gruff persona, but Willis told the Daily Telegraph on Friday that he has softened his image since then

But following his split from Bridges and exit from The Biggest Loser in 2015, the 48-year-old Willis largely slid out of public view, leaving fans wondering what he was up to.

Despite being away from television for a few years, Commando is still a significant player in the fitness industry.

He currently runs his own gym in Sydney called Get Commando Fit, in addition to working as a personal trainer and offering online classes.

Willis also runs a children's fitness program called Commando Kids and hosts his own gruelling fitness camps.

His personal life has also flourished, finding love with former F45 trainer Vancuylenberg.

The couple apparently met in November 2019 when Harika attended one of Steve's fitness retreats in Tahiti, and confirmed their relationship in July 2020.
Joe Garofoli is the San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer, covering national and state politics. He has worked at The Chronicle since 2000 and in Bay Area journalism since 1992, when he left the Milwaukee Journal. He is the host of Its All Political, The Chronicles political podcast. Catch it here: bit.ly/2LSAUjA

He has won numerous awards and covered everything from fashion to the Jeffrey Dahmer serial killings to two Olympic Games to his own vasectomy  which he discussed on NPRs Talk of the Nation after being told he couldnt say the word balls on the air. He regularly appears on Bay Area radio and TV talking politics and is available to entertain at bar mitzvahs and First Communions. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and a proud native of Pittsburgh. Go Steelers!
Julianne Hough had a busy Saturday promoting her book Everything We Never Knew and her dance studio Kinrgy.

The Dancing With the Stars alum, 36, looked lovely and summery in an all-white ensemble from the designer Khaite and Haider Ackerman.

Her long, sleeveless cream dress had a notch collar, slit up the skirt and relaxed fit.

The professional dancer  who is very happy being single  paired the dress with chandelier earrings, white flats and a buttery yellow, small hobo style handbag.

Julianne was heading to an event for trendy athleisure brand Alo and her dance studio Kinrgy in Beverly Hills.

Julianne Hough had a busy Saturday promoting her book Everything We Never Knew and her dance studio Kinrgy

The Emmy winner's first book - a sci-fi novel called Everything We Never Knew is scheduled to hit bookstores on August 13.

She wrote her debut novel with author Ellen Goodlett.

'This book has been four years in the making and I can't wait to finally share it with the world,' Hough told People.

The book is about a woman named Lexi who can feel other people's emotions and see their memories.

She comes to this realization as she is accepting an award for bring the top seller at her real estate firm when she experiences the emotions and feelings of someone in the audience's tragic loss of a family member.

Lexi's newfound power allows her to help people  but when one of her visions shows her husband in impending danger she must confront her past, which she has resolutely avoided doing, in order to save her husband.

Julianne launched her dance fitness movement Kinrgy  a fitness platform that combines dance with mindful movement and meditation  with a goal of opening studios but the pandemic interfered with that plan and she went digital.

Earlier this year, she opened her first brick-and-mortar studio in West Hollywood where students can take dance-based, breath-work and visualization workouts that the Utah native says are like a 'Tesla super charger.'

'To be able to find that trifecta, which is mainly dance-based, breath-work and visualization, is almost like a Tesla supercharger,' she told E! News in March.

The Dancing With the Stars alum, 36, looked lovely and summery in an all-white ensemble from the designer Khaite and Haider Ackerman

Julianne was heading to an event in Beverly Hills pairing her dance studio and fitness movement Kingy with the trendy athleisure brand Alo

The Emmy winner's first book - a sci-fi novel called Everything We Never Knew is scheduled to hit bookstores on August 13

She wrote her debut novel with author Ellen Goodlett. 'This book has been four years in the making and I can't wait to finally share it with the world,' Hough told People

'You can get into a flow state from each one of those things, but when you combine all three, it's powerful.'

'This is the age of energetic health,' she explained, 'because if you can change your energy, then you can change your mindset, and then you can change your physicality.

'We've been going about it the other way, which is: If I'm physical, then my body is going to look good. But if you focus more on your energy, then you get fitness as a plus.'

'For me, movement equals life,' she continued. 'Motion equals emotion.'
Charlotte Dawson put on a brave face as she focused on mum duties on Sunday amid her fiance Matt Sarsfield's 'sexting scandal'.

The reality star, 31, has been with the rugby league player, 32, for eight years but was left 'hurt and humiliated' after finding out he 'sent intimate texts to another woman.'

Now sources have revealed she's 'holding all of the cards' after 'kicking him out of their home' in the wake of the scandal.

But Charlotte seems determined to put her kids first and spent Sunday morning watching her eldest's favourite film - Baby's Day Out.

Charlotte - shares one-year-old Jude and Noah, three, with Matt - who she has been with for nearly a decade.

Charlotte Dawson put on a brave face as she focused on mum duties on Sunday amid her fiance Matt Sarsfield's 'sexting scandal'

The reality star, 31, has been with the rugby league player, 32, for eight years but was left 'hurt and humiliated' after finding out he 'sent intimate texts to another woman'

Taking to Instagram she shared a clip and said: 'We're watching Baby's Day Out and it's our favourite because it's like Judey,' said Charlotte.

Her son Noah added: 'Guys, we're going to see the monkey next and the bad guys...'

'And the bad guys', repeated then Charlotte - in an apparent swipe, reports The Sun.

It comes after it was revealed that Charlotte is reportedly reluctant to 'forgive and forget' that he has sext another woman.

Sources recently revealed she's 'holding all of the cards' after 'kicking him out of their home' in the wake of the scandal.

'She is taking her time to process everything and is doing what is best for her two little boys,' a source told OK!.

'It's obvious that Matt would like to go back to how things were, but Charlotte isn't rushing any decisions.'

MailOnline contacted Charlotte's representatives for comment.

Charlotte was left feeling horrified when it emerged that her partner had been sending 'intimate texts to another woman' behind her back.

But Charlotte seems determined to put her kids first and spent Sunday morning watching her eldest's favourite film - Baby's Day Out

She hosted Jude's birthday party which Matt opted to skip amid the allegations. He has also deleted his Instagram page.

Charlotte broke her silence to fans on Instagram earlier this week claiming her only focus right now is her children.

She said: 'It's hard enough going through something like this in private, let alone publicly.'

'My only focus right now is on my beautiful boys as they are my main priority.'

Charlotte said to her fans: 'Hi my darlings, I look an absolute mess.'

'I feel a mess, I'm not with it. My head feels like it is going to fall off. I feel drained, fed up, up and down like a bloody yo-yo but yeah.'

She then issued an apology to her followers for not being present on social media during this turbulent time.

She continued: 'I am so sorry I've not been on my stories talking like I usually do but obviously as you can imagine I'm not really feeling up to it right now but I will be back very soon.'

'I'll be back to my d***head self, but yeah - I am just trying to get on with my life as much as I can.'

A source told The Sun: 'It was really important for Charlotte to give her son Jude a wonderful first birthday, despite what she had discovered that day.'

'She is an incredible mother, who has always put her two sons before anything else.'

'Jude's party was a prime example of her doing this and showing everyone how brave she is.'

Charlotte and Matthew started dating in 2016 with the couple recently returning from a family holiday in Mallorca.

But last week Emily Louise Hodgkinson, 34, told The Mirror she was left 'shocked' when the former Swinton Lions player sent an intimate picture to her.

The pair met through Emily's ex, who played rugby with Matthew and followed each other on Instagram.

She said: 'I feel so sorry for Charlotte. How could he do that to her? I'd be mortified if a partner did that to me behind my back.'

Emily said she took a screenshot of the image and added Matthew appeared to be 'worried' as he asked her what she planned to do with the photograph.

Taking to Instagram she shared a clip and said: 'We're watching Baby's Day Out and it's our favourite because it's like Judey,' said Charlotte

Charlotte - shares one-year-old Jude and Noah, three, with Matt - who she has been with for nearly a decade (seen together)

According to sources, the Celebs Go Dating star was 'completely blindsided' when she learned Matthew had sent an explicit image to somebody he knew and it is 'unclear' whether their relationship will survive.

They told The Mirror: 'She's been completely blindsided by these revelations.

'To say she is hurt is an understatement, and it's unclear where the relationship lies at the moment. Right now, Charlotte is trying to get her head around his actions.

'She's always stood by Matt, despite some ups and downs in their relationship, and Matt is not just her fiance, he's her best mate so this news has been a very hard pill to swallow.'
Bob Tischler, a former head writer for Saturday Night Live, has died at age 78.

His son Zeke told The New York Times his father died following a battle with pancreatic cancer July 13 at his home in Bodega Bay, California.

Tischler had also produced notable projects such as The National Lampoon Radio Hour, as well as albums by the Blues Brothers, composed of Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi.

'I produced a lot of comedy and I did writing, but I wasn't a member of the union or anything,' Tischler said in the 2002 book Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live.

The Times notes Tischler played a role in reviving Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s after the variety show endured a slump.

Bob Tischler, a former head writer for Saturday Night Live, has died at age 78

Tischler's son Zeke told The New York Times his father died following a battle with pancreatic cancer July 13 at his home in Bodega Bay, California

The show underwent what the publication noted has been widely regarded as it's 'worst season' from November 1980 to April 1981, with producer Jean Doumanian at the helm.

After Dick Ebersol took over producer duties from Doumanian, he hired Tischler in the capacity of a supervisory producer on the recommendation of late SNL head writer Michael O'Donoghue, according to the publication.

Tischler would go on to fill the head writer role after O'Donoghue was let go by Ebersol over a controversial sketch that never aired involving late NBC president Fred Silverman.

Ebersol said in his 2022 memoir From Saturday Night to Sunday Night: My Forty Years of Laughter, Tears, and Touchdowns in TV that Tischler 'was exactly the leader the writers' room needed - steady, calm and respected.'

One-time SNL writer Kevin Kelton, who worked on the series spanning 1983-1985, said that Tischler's work was a key factor in the show's longevity, according to the paper.

Kelton said Ebersol 'was a terrific producer, but he was not considered a great comedic mind,' while Tischler 'was more forceful on the comedy side in terms of determining how to shape material and what material made the show.

'He mentored me, along with the rest of the writing staff. I'm not sure the show would have survived without Bob.'

SNL would go on to recapture strong ratings and critical acclaim by focusing on then-rising star Eddie Murphy, who Tischler 'championed' as a performer.

Tischler's work was hailed as a key factor in the show's longevity

Tischler 'was exactly the leader the writers' room needed - steady, calm and respected,' legendary TV exec Dick Ebersol said in his 2022 memoir

Tischler was pictured in a recording studio with audio professional Jim Scheffler

'We had this thing for Eddie, because Eddie would take what we wrote and make it better every single time,' Tischler said in Live From New York.

The show would be stabilized during its 1984-1985 season with the help of performers including Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest and Martin Short, with Tischler producing and Ebersol executive producing.

Tischler's work on the series also consisted of editing bits and working with Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield.

Blaustein told the paper by phone, 'He had a very sharp comedy mind that had been honed during his years with the Lampoon and he knew the history of comedy.'

Tischler had been born in Englewood, New Jersey on June 12, 1946 to parents Leonard and Florence (Parets) Tischler. He went to Ithaca College for two years before he transferred to New Hampshire's Franconia College in 1966, the paper reported.

He began working as a sound engineer focusing on audio for film previews, radio and TV ads, and in 1973 started working on The National Lampoon Radio Hour as a producer, according to the newspaper.

Amid his work on the program, he collaborated with nascent SNL stars such as Belushi, the late Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray.

Tischler went on to produce the first album released by Belushi and Aykroyd in their roles as Blues Brothers Jake and Elwood Blues, 1978's Briefcase Full of Blues, which hit the top spot on Billboard's chart, according to the paper.

Tischler had produced albums by the Blues Brothers, composed of Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi

Tischler went on to produce the first album released by Belushi and Aykroyd in their roles as Blues Brothers Jake and Elwood Blues, 1978's Briefcase Full of Blues, which hit the top spot on Billboard's chart

Tischler told Sound on Sound in 2014 that Belushi 'was more of a performer than a vocalist, and there was more soul and fun in his voice than ability, but he could still sing and the audience could really feel it.'

Tischler also produced the soundtrack for the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers and 1980's Made in America from the pair.

Tischler departed SNL in 1985 and went on to work on shows such as Empty Nest and Boy Meets World, as well as Crystal's 1985 record Mahvelous and reissued works by musical legends such as Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.

Tischler is survived by son Zeke, wife Judith Tischler and brother Jim, according to the paper.
Sam Gowland furiously hit back after being mocked for his 'horrendous' new 6,000 veneers on Sunday.

The 2017 Love Island star, 29, took to Instagram with an angry rant after being targeted by trolls for the new teeth look who said they looked 'unnatural', 'plastic', and 'like dentures'.

He said in a video: 'I am starting to get p**sed off now - every time I do a TikTok or video people are commenting saying that I have the worst teeth they've ever seen or look like a packet of chewing gum.

'The teeth cost 6,000 because I went to the best people in the world to get them done. I went to Turkey, look at them!

'How can you say that they do not look good, they are perfect and people keep stopping me saying where did you get them they look so natural. It's a natural look so will people please stop saying they look bad! What's wrong with people!'

Sam Gowland furiously hit back after being mocked for his 'horrendous' new 6,000 veneers on Sunday

The 2017 Love Island star, 29, took to Instagram with an angry rant after being targeted by trolls for the new teeth look who said they looked 'unnatural', 'plastic', and 'like dentures'

But people weren't convinced as they penned under the post: 'Sam.. name me ONE PERSON that has NATURAL TEETH. That look like that. Just one! You can't. You may have spent a lot of money, but they don't look natural buddy.',

'If they looked so natural, people wouldn't ask where you got them done.',

'Erm no Sam, you wasted 6000... They look like dentures ask anyone in an old people's home.. but good teeth or not.. your doing well for your self ..',

'6k and they look like they are a filter. Not natural at all.',

'But they do look like plastic and they look like one full strip. the best veneers are ones that look like actual teeth and look more natural. We're all entitled to our opinions!',

'Who cares how much they cost ?!Why would you even say that ?!',

'They look like joke store teeth.',

'The front 8 look stuck to together as one piece on the top the teeth line is to flat all the way around they are fake as they come lad not natural.'

It comes after earlier this year Sam insisted he hadn't cooked himself a meal for more than three years after bragging he was worth millions.

He said in a video: 'I am starting to get pissed off now - every time I do a TikTok or video people are commenting saying that I have the worst teeth they've ever seen or look like a packet of chewing gum'

But people weren't convinced as they penned under the post: 'Sam.. name me ONE PERSON that has NATURAL TEETH. That look like that. Just one! You can't'

He insisted: 'The teeth cost 6,000 because I went to the best people in the world to get them done. I went to Turkey, look at them!'

Sam jetted off to Turkey to get his teeth done and it wasn't the first time he'd had cosmetic surgery after undergoing a beard transplant last year (pictured in 2017)

The star, who found fame on Love Island and later appeared on Geordie Shore, last year revealed he was a multimillionaire.

His reality history has put him onto the path to success and he is currently living in Bali, Indonesia, where he works in property and trading.

Sam has recently shared posts promoting Forex trading, as well as showing off the property he has been working on in the country.

Taking to Instagram in March, he wrote: 'Random fact of the day - I've not cooked a meal since leaving my old home in Newcastle in 2021 (Cool or bit weird I can't work out).'

It followed an advert for a trading app and bootcamp launched by his Love Island alum Jonny Mitchell.

Sam told how he had been taking trading tips from Jonny, who has left his reality TV days behind to become an investment guru.
Kate Ritchie returned to her Nova FM show on Monday morning after being spotted looking worse for wear over the weekend.

However the former Home and Away star failed to mention the photos obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia when chatting with co-hosts Fitzy and Wippa .

'Welcome to the broadcast,' said Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, before quickly moving on.

No mention was made of Kate's weekend.

Ritchie, 45, was looking noticeably worse for wear on Saturday afternoon when she was spotted making her way to an event in Sydney.

She was seen stumbling as she tried to get out of her chauffeur-driven car in Camperdown, located 4km from the CBD.

Wipfli mentioned being inside at the event, which took place at Camperdown Commons - however Kate never actually made it into the venue after falling outside.

The Nova radio presenter appeared to lose her footing as she exited the vehicle, slipping back and landing on the floor.

Kate's driver was quick to assist her getting out of the car, holding her clutch and fetching her dropped keys from the ground, before he helped her back into the vehicle.

The radio star appeared to see the funny side of it all as she laughed with her driver while clinging to her phone.

Kate cut a casual figure in a relaxed co-ord that featured a loose shirt and wide-legged trousers by Olive & Clover.

She completed her look with a pair of brown Zimmerman mules valued at $875.

But Kate's night appeared to end early.

Kate Ritchie was looking noticeably worse for wear on Saturday afternoon when she was spotted making her way to an event in Sydney.

The former Home and Away star, 45, was seen stumbling as she tried to get out of her chauffeur-driven vehicle in Camperdown, located 4km from the CBD

The Nova radio presenter appeared to lose her footing as she exited the car

She slipped back and landed on the floor

Kate's driver was quick to assist her as she got back on her feet

The radio star appeared to see the funny side of her trip up as she laughed with her driver while clutching her phone

Kate never attended the event, simply getting back into the car before being driven back home.

Once there, Kate exited the hire car barefoot and said goodbye to her chauffeur.

She was then seen struggling to open her garage door before eventually making it inside the property.

Shortly before leaving for the event, Kate was pictured standing at the front of her home in her pyjamas.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Kate's representative for comment.

The sighting comes after Ritchie returned to acting last week as she was spotted filming scenes for a new ABC series.

The star cut a casual figure as she arrived on set to shoot the five-part series The Role Of A Lifetime alongside comedian Nazeem Hussain.

The new ABC and Screen Australia series will be fronted by TV favourite Amanda Keller and will explore the challenges parents face in today's rapidly changing world.

Ritchie and Nazeem, 39, will star as parents and will act out real-life family scenarios, giving an immersive and comedic touch to the factual program.

The show, produced by Dreamchaser, will also feature insightful parental guidance throughout from podcaster and author Maggie Dent.

Ritchie is a doting mother herself to daughter Mae, nine, who she shares with her ex-husband Stuart Webb.

She tied the knot with the former NRL star at the Quamby Estate in Tasmania in 2010, following a year-long engagement, but the couple parted ways in 2020.

Kate cut a casual figure in a relaxed co-ord that featured a loose shirt and wide-legged trousers by Olive & Clover

She completed her look with a pair of brown Zimmerman mules valued at $875

Ritchie's night appeared to end early

Kate said goodbye to a friend as she headed home

Kate returned home shortly after, where she was seen leaving her car barefoot

Kate struggled to open her garage door after exiting the car before eventually making it inside the property

Ritchie was seen standing at the front of her home in her pyjamas shortly before leaving for the event

Ritchie has been trying to get her life back on track after her shock drink driving charge in August 2022.

Last year, she revealed her decision to get professional help after she blew over the limit when she was stopped by police for a random breath test.

The ex-soap star said that after struggling with several personal challenges in 2022 she decided it was time to seek help.

'It was a long time coming. I sought professional help, the help that I needed. Sometimes enough is enough,' she said at the time.

'Life has thrown me its challenges over the last few years, but I am not alone in that. I was fortunate to be able to take time.'

Ritchie has been trying to get her life back on track after her shock drink driving charge in August 2022

The ex-soap star said that after struggling with several personal challenges in 2022 she decided it was time to seek help

Ritchie returned a reading of 0.06 - just over the legal limit - when she was stopped by police for a random breath test in her station wagon at Pagewood at 2.45pm on 22 August 2022.

She was fined $600, suspended from driving for three months, and apologised on Instagram.

'Recently I undertook a random breath test,' she wrote.

'Although it was low level, the test came back positive.

'I made a poor decision and there is no doubt I understand the seriousness of my actions. I am truly sorry.'

In October 2022, Ritchie announced she was stepping away from her radio show, before it was revealed she was seeking treatment at an exclusive rehab clinic in Sydney.

In December that year, Daily Mail Australia broke the news Ritchie had entered an exclusive private mental health facility in Sydney to help treat her alcohol dependency.

She said in a statement at the time that the last year had been challenging and stressful which led to an 'unhealthy reliance on alcohol'.

The sighting comes after Ritchie returned to acting last week as she was spotted filming scenes for a new ABC series
Amanda Abbington has reportedly handed over more texts with fresh revelations over Giovanni Pernice's behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing.

It has been claimed the dramatic intervention has thrown the BBC investigation into professional Giovanni's behaviour into chaos and has 'changed the course of the probe'.

The Sun reports that Amanda has come forward with new bombshell messages just as the probe was about to conclude which reportedly show that Giovanni did 'step over the line of what is acceptable'.

Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, a has made a series of accusations about Giovanni's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. He strongly denies all of the claims.

In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to 'the trenches' telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left 'horrified' by clips that also allegedly exhibited 'humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature'.

Amanda Abbington has reportedly handed over more texts with fresh revelations over Giovanni Pernice 's behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing

It has been claimed the dramatic intervention has thrown the BBC investigation into professional Giovanni's behaviour into chaos and has 'changed the course of the probe'

A source has told the publication of the new disclosures: 'The investigation is set to conclude this week but it has been made more difficult by the new disclosure from Amanda.

'It has turned the course of the probe. It seemed Giovanni would be cleared but this new information has changed everything again.

'Giovanni, it seems now, did appear to step over the line of what is acceptable for a BBC representative but more discussions need to be had.

'Every time they seem to reach a conclusion, something else gets thrown in that throws the investigation in a new direction.'

The BBC has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

It comes after earlier this week Amanda was reportedly questioned by BBC bosses for a second time about 'crude comments' she claimed were made by Giovanni.

She is said to have been quizzed via video call last week as she sat down with two ex-Met detectives to discuss her allegations about the professional dancer, 33.

They reportedly discussed claims of sexual comments during rehearsals, as well as 'new evidence'. Giovanni has denied all allegations made against him.

MailOnline contacted representatives for Amanda, Giovanni, and The BBC for comment.

The Sun reports that Amanda has come forward with new bombshell messages just as the probe was about to conclude which reportedly show that Giovanni did 'step over the line of what is acceptable'

Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, a has made a series of accusations about Giovanni's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'

Amanda has made a series of accusations about Giovanni's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. He strongly denies all of the claims.

In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to 'the trenches' telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left 'horrified' by clips that also allegedly exhibited 'humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature'.

In another, where she spoke to Christine Lampard on Lorraine, she said: 'It was inappropriate, it was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks.

'It started very early on and when it started to happen I would shut down because I recognised those red flags.

'And so I would shut down and it would be difficult to get in, and that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.'

Talking about her schedule on the show, she said: 'I was going into the rehearsal room every day. I've been in rehearsal rooms for 32 years.

'I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like.

'I don't care what background you're from  whether it's dancing, acting, singing  you have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness.

'And that wasn't extended to me (at Strictly). And so I just said I don't think this is right.'

The update came just after police visited the home of Amanda, as an investigation into a chilling death threat sent to the actress continues.

Met detectives were alerted on Friday afternoon to a threatening email sent to the north London theatre where Amanda is performing.

The actress is starring in new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in Finsbury.

The frightening email warned 'she should be prepared to die onstage' unless she withdrew her complaint about former Strictly partner Giovanni.

Park Theatre quickly alerted the force who are taking the threat 'very seriously' and are working to 'unmask' the person who sent it.

The Sherlock actress has now been interviewed by officers twice and her home she shares with fiance Jonathan Goodwin was visited by police.

Although the Met Police have not formally identified anyone involved in the investigation, a spokesman confirmed that officers were called to a theatre in Finsbury Park 'following receipt of an alleged malicious communication.'

The spokesman continued: 'There have been no arrests, enquiries are ongoing.'

Amanda abruptly left the BBC show citing 'personal issues' and quit social media last month in the wake of her former dance partner's sacking

Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over allegations made by Amanda and two other former celebrity partners (pictured in June)

A source close to the investigation told MailOnline: 'Specialist officers have been looking at the email closely over the last 72 hours, and now believe they are close to identifying where it was sent from.

'They are liaising with another force on this now. This, in turn, they hope will go on to lead them to the person behind the threat.

'Officers have told Amanda they will do all they can to find out who the person is behind the email.

'They are treating it as a very serious and very credible threat and want to unmask the person behind it.'
Emma Weymouth flashed some side boob in a black bikini and a Christian Dior sarong on Sunday as she left Le Club 55 in St Tropez.

The Marchioness Of Bath, 38, showed off her abs in the tiny bikini top which was decorated with a matching black flower.

She laughed beside her husband, Ceawlin Thynn, 50, the 8th Marquess Of Bath, who wore a white shirt and black shorts.

Emma accessorised with several silver bracelets and a black pair of Christian Dior sunglasses and carried a chic black purse and a straw beach bag.

Le Club 55 is a celebrity haunt serving fresh seafood and was visited by Jared Leto and his friends in July.

Emma Weymouth, 38, flashed some side boob in a black bikini and a Christian Dior sarong on Sunday as she left Le Club 55 in St Tropez

The Marchioness Of Bath showed off her abs in the tiny bikini top which was decorated with a matching black flower

She laughed beside her husband, Ceawlin Thynn, 50, the 8th Marquess Of Bath, who wore a white shirt and black shorts

Emma herself was last there on Tuesday when she flashed her abs in a chic polka dot bikini

The beauty and Ceawlin are joined in the south of France by their two young children John, Viscount Weymouth, and Lord Henry Thynn.

Emma and Ceawlin married at their stunning home Longleat in June 2013 and welcomed their first child John, in October 2014.

On her wedding day, Emma became the first black marchioness in British history.

Following a pregnancy struggle, the couple welcomed their second child, a son Henry, via a surrogate in Los Angeles in December 2016.

The boys' official titles are The Honourable John Alexander Ladi Thynn and The Honourable Henry Richard Isaac Thynn.

At the time, Emma told the Daily Mail: 'We are simply ecstatic. His arrival has completed our little family and brought us so much happiness.'

Ceawlin added: 'Never did I imagine that in West Hollywood I'd become father to John's little miracle baby brother.

'It's a wonder of modern science that the Longleat Bath family has been completed (for now at least) by Emma and I having a much-loved son, helped so crucially by a tremendous surrogate in California, to extend our family.'

Emma accessorised with several silver bracelets and a black pair of Christian Dior sunglasses and carried a chic black purse and a straw beach bag

Le Club 55 is a celebrity haunt serving fresh seafood and was visited by Jared Leto and his friends in July. Emma herself was last there on Tuesday

In 2023, the couple purchased a property in West London once lived in by Winston Churchill for 18.5 million.

The Grade II-listed home was bought from a multi-millionaire divorcee whose former husband's Nazi-supporting grandfather was convicted at the Nuremberg trials.

Churchill lived there on-and-off from 1945 until his death - inside his bedroom - in 1965 at the age of 90 after suffering a stroke.

The grand home was last put on the market in 2016 for 28 million after undergoing extensive renovations.
Kate Beckinsale posed for a slew of stunning snaps with her adorable cat and dog on Sunday.

The actress, 51, looked sensational in an all-black two piece as she displayed her flat tummy and toned legs during her Mexican retreat.

She tried to enlist the help of her cat Willow and dog Myf for the purposes of the social media shoot, but the feline wasn't having much of it for long.

After taking a few photos, Willow growled in discontent and fled the scene. Kate captioned the post: 'Problem child.'

In a video shared in her post, Kate warned the cat when it growled at her: 'Don't be a d**k!'

Kate Beckinsale tried to pose for pictures with her cat and dog on Sunday but the feline had other ideas

She tried to enlist the help of her cat Willow and dog Myf for the purposes of the social media shoot, but the feline wasn't having much of it for long.

But in another photo, Kate revealed that the shoot had not ended well because she sustained an injury.

The actress showed her million followers a piece of her bloodied skin that had seemingly been clawed at by the cat.

The Underworld star was then asked in the comments section of her post why Willow had attacked her.

The fan asked: 'Why Willow attacked you?' (sic)

She replied: 'hates myf', revealing a supposed rivalry between her Persian and her Pomeranian.

The Hollywood star still managed to look sensational as she scooped her honeyed locks up into a ponytail.

In terms of makeup, she opted for a natural look as she lay down on her blue sofa in a sultry pose.

The Underworld star was then asked in the comments section of her post why Willow had attacked her

The actress showed her million followers a piece of her bloodied skin that had seemingly been clawed at by the cat

The Hollywood star still managed to look sensational as she scooped her honeyed locks up into a ponytail

Last year, Kate got a touching tattoo tribute of her beloved cat Clive on Friday, after he passed away in June

Sharing an update to Instagram on Friday, Kate showed off the incredible fine line artwork by LA-based tattooist, Dr Woo

Last year, Kate got a touching tattoo tribute of her beloved cat Clive following his passing in June.

Kate showed off the incredible fine line artwork by LA-based tattooist, Dr Woo.

Clive's adorable face could be seen on her forearm, surrounded by an intricate star design.

Alongside the photos, Kate wrote: 'This has really helped. Thank you so much, @_dr_woo_'
The sudden turn of events have raised concerns about the potential impact on trade, economic stability, and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region

Since Sheikh Hasina assumed office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 2009, the country has been a key ally of India. Her leadership has seen significant progress in bilateral relations, with a focus on infrastructure, connectivity, and trade. However, the recent political crisis in Bangladesh has raised concerns about the future of this partnership.

On January 8, 2024, Sheikh Hasina declared that boosting the country's economy would be her top priority for the next five years. Yet, by August 2024, the nation was engulfed in violent demonstrations over a quota system for government positions, leading to a deepening domestic political crisis. As tensions escalated, Sheikh Hasina resigned and sought refuge in India, raising concerns about the stability of Bangladesh and its impact on Indo-Bangladesh relations.

The Evolution of Indo-Bangladesh Relations

Over the past decade, India and Bangladesh have fostered strong economic ties, with infrastructure and connectivity projects playing a crucial role in strengthening their relationship. Since 2016, India has extended $8 billion in credit to Bangladesh for the development of road, rail, shipping, and port infrastructure. The two nations have also engaged in various areas of commerce, including medical tourism, business expansion, and the international garment trade. Bangladesh, a major player in the global garment industry, relies heavily on cotton imports from India.

The textile and garment sectors account for 56% of Bangladesh's total exports to India, making it a vital trading partner in South Asia. In the financial year 2023-24, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $13 billion, according to the Union Ministry of Commerce.

The Impact on Trade

Sheikh Hasina's leadership saw a flourishing of commerce between India and Bangladesh, leading to a significant trade surplus for India. However, the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh threatens to disrupt this economic partnership. The civil unrest and worsening economic situation have created security concerns that could impact Indian exports, commerce, and infrastructure projects in the neighboring nation.

One of the major challenges will be on the bilateral trade front. After reaching $12.21 billion in 202223, India's exports to Bangladesh dropped to $11 billion in 202324. Similarly, Bangladesh's imports decreased from $2 billion in the previous year to $1.84 billion in the most recent fiscal year. Indian exporters have voiced concerns about the situation in Bangladesh, fearing that the instability in the country will negatively affect commerce between the two nations.

A significant scarcity of dollars in Bangladesh, as noted by the think tank GTRI, has already curtailed the country's ability to import goods, particularly from India.

Uncertainty Surrounding the Free Trade Agreement

In October 2023, India and Bangladesh discussed the possibility of a free trade agreement (FTA) during a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade meeting in Dhaka. An FTA could streamline regulations, encourage investment and commerce, and potentially remove customs tariffs, boosting trade between the two countries. According to a 2012 World Bank working paper, a full-product FTA could enhance Bangladesh's exports to India by 182%, while a partial FTA might grow them by 134%. This would contribute to strengthening Bangladesh's trade transport infrastructure and commerce links, leading to a significant rise in exports. However, the current political crisis has cast doubt on the future of the FTA proposals. Sheikh Hasina's exit might slow or pause this development, affecting the expansion of commerce and trade in new areas between the two nations.

Challenges for the Textile and Garment Industry

The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh could also have a negative impact on other sectors, particularly the textile and garment industry. In the fiscal year 2021-2022, Bangladesh exported garments worth $42.613 billion, solidifying its position as the second-largest apparel exporter globally. However, the recent incidents of factories being set on fire have raised concerns about the future of this industry. Many of these textile units are owned by traders associated with the Awami League Party, making them particularly vulnerable in the current political climate.

While India has the potential to step in and provide garments to developed economies, there are certain drawbacks to this shift. Bangladesh, as a Least Developed Country, benefits from zero-duty advantages, while Indian goods face tariff barriers. If borders remain closed and duty-free export-import activities are suspended, there is a possibility of increased demand for Indian garments. However, it is still too early to make definitive predictions about the opportunities and gains that might arise from this situation.

(The author is a PhD scholar at HBTU, Kanpur; views are personal)
The Bengal Police on Sunday arrested another civic volunteer for threatening a woman doctor at a Bhatar State General Hospital in East Burdwan district for threatening her with a RG Kar like consequences.

According to the lady doctor the man called Susanta Roy following an altercation with her threatened that she would face an RG Kar like consequence for your conduct  do you know what has happened to the doctor there.

He was in a drunken state and misbehaved with one of our doctors when she was in night duty  this is very scary  we have brought it to the notice of the police, a senior official of the hospital said. Roy was subsequently arrested.

The police officials said, We have learnt the accused went to Bhatar state-run hospital for treatment and threatened the lady doctor for being late to start his treatment. The lady accused the civic volunteer of threatening her, saying, 'Did you see what happened at RG Kar Medical College Hospital? It can happen to you too', adding the man had been arrested and investigation was on.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage with former first lady Melania Trump, family members and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

With Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on board as Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, the rival presidential tickets showcase an unusually wide range of families compared with the homogeneity of years past.

But instead of celebrating this diversity, Republicans are prioritizing one kind of family with their policies: Heterosexual married couples with children.

The party that has long touted its support of family values should change its slogan to one kind of familys values.

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The Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, has been particularly mean-spirited about it, only slightly backing off from referring to Harris and other top Democrats who are running the country as 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 a 2021 interview with Fox News.

The attack isnt just misogynistic and sexist, its inaccurate. Harris is the stepmother to two children her husband, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, had from a previous marriage. Vance claimed the remark was sarcastic last month after being named Trumps running mate.

Kamala Harris, her husband, Douglas Emhoff and their children, Cole and Ella Emhoff, in a family photo. Kamala Harris/DNC

But he stood by the large point. Conservative Republicans, as stated in Project 2025, their policy road map for governing if Trump is elected, are focused on policy that is biblically based, social science-reinforced definition of marriage and family. Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, even though his former advisers had a hand in crafting it. Vance has said he did not contribute to it and disagrees with parts of it, but wrote the forward to a soon-to-be released book by the leader of the Heritage Foundation think tank that created the policy document.

Marriage, as Project 2025 says, is between not just any two adults, but one man and one unrelated woman. The Heritage Foundation policy paper also suggests the federal government reverse its focus on LGBTQ+ equity, subsidizing single-motherhood, disincentivizing work, and penalizing marriage.

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Thats not just a narrow definition of marriage, its a bad way for Republicans to endear themselves to pivotal Generation Z voters, one-quarter of whom were raised in single parent families, and 28% of whom identify as LGBTQ.

Its a sign of how family is emerging as one of the battlegrounds in the presidential race at a time when the national spotlight is shining on four kinds of families.

Donald Trump has five children with three wives. His running mate, Vance, is married to an Indian American woman, and they have three biological kids. Harris marriage is mixed race and religion, and she has stepchildren. Walz and his wife used in vitro fertilization to help them have their two children.

But Vance, in particular, has demeaned families that dont look like his.

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Three years ago Vance said, You should pay a different, lower tax rate than if you are making the same amount of money and you dont have any kids.

Vance proposed taxing the things that are bad and not tax the things that are good, on a 2021 episode of a podcast hosted by Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization.

If you are making $100,000, $400,000 a year and youve got three kids, you should pay a different, lower tax rate than if you are making the same amount of money and you dont have any kids, Vance said.

Yet Vance was out of town this month when all but three Republicans voted against a bipartisan measure to increase the child tax credit. He said he generally supported the idea. Many of his fellow Republicans feared it would disincentivize work.

The comment about tax rates is odd coming from Vance, given his upbringing as he wrote about in his bestselling 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. He made his upbringing a significant part of his speech accepting the vice presidential nomination at last months Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

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Vance talked about being raised by his grandmother, who he called Mamaw while his mother, Beverly, struggled with addiction. He asked his mother to stand during his speech, and pointed out that she has been sober for 10 years.

He talked about how his grandmothers toughness kept him on the right track. She was a devout Christian who also loved the f-word, and threatened to run over one of his childhood friends with her car because he was dealing drugs, he said.

His counterpart, Walz, has talked about the challenges he and his wife, Gwen, had in conceiving their first child. They tried IVF treatment for several years before their daughter was born. This is personal, Walz said last week in Philadelphia after Harris introduced him as her running mate.

But Republicans have mixed opinions about IVF.

In February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children in the state. After a national outcry, the state passed a law protecting in vitro fertilization clinics from facing lawsuits in light of the new law.

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But congressional Republicans blocked a measure that would have enabled women nationally to access in vitro fertilization. Instead, they advocated for a measure that would have made it harder to block IVF treatment in states, but Democrats opposed that.

Meanwhile, Walz has gotten the most done for families, in part by prioritizing making Minnesota the best state for kids, in his budget.

He signed a paid family leave law that will give workers 12 weeks off at 90% of their pay to take care of a sick family member or baby when it goes into effect in 2026. Last year, he approved a measure that would increase Minnesotas child care tax credit to $1,750 a year, the nations highest.

He signed legislation that will boost the pay for child workers and child care businesses. He also approved giving free meals to all schoolchildren.

Trump criticized Walz for his stance on support of transgender kids. During a rambling 65-minutes news conference Thursday, Trump said, without offering any specifics, that hes going for things that nobodys ever heard of. Heavy into the transgender world, heavy into lots of different worlds, having to do with safety.

What Trump was referring to, presumably, was Walz signing a law, which went into effect at the start of the year, mandating schools provide free menstrual products for all menstruating students in grades four through 12. The tampons were placed in all school bathrooms, including mens. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trumps presidential campaign, called the law a threat to womens health.
Bangladesh's interim Government on Sunday issued a stern warning to media organisations, stating that they will be shut down if they publish or broadcast false or misleading news, in a move aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation.

A nation falters when the media does not uphold the truth, the interim government's Home Affairs Adviser, Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, said during his visit to injured policemen at Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital.

He warned that the media outlets would face closure if they provided misleading news, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

Meanwhile Syed Refaat Ahmed was sworn in as Bangladesh's new chief justice on Sunday, a day after Obaidul Hassan stepped down as the top judge following an ultimatum by the protesters demanding a revamp of the judiciary.

Hassan and five other judges of the apex Appellate Division on Saturday tendered their resignation, five days after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime amid massive street protests

Criticising the media for not presenting the truth, Hossain said, A country deteriorates when the media fails to report honestly, and argued that had the media accurately reported events, the current situation involving the police might have been avoided.

The media often ignores the truth...There is a lack of substantive discussion on talk shows, and the media fails to provide accurate information, he said.

Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, said action will be taken against officials involved in the internet shutdown during the recent student protests.

Talking to journalists on the first day of joining his office at the Secretariat on Sunday, Nahid emphasised that those responsible for the internet shutdown during the protests will face consequences, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

He said access to the internet is a right and disrupting or shutting it down is a violation of human rights. Nahid asserted that the indiscriminate internet shutdowns will no longer be tolerated.

Bangladesh witnessed frequent Internet shutdowns during the recent protests against the Hasina government.

The Information and Communication Technology Division plans to incorporate youth participation to fulfil the aspirations of the younger generation, Nahid said.

Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam said at least 42 members of the police force were killed and scores injured in clashes during the recent mass student movement in Bangladesh which led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Over 500 police personnel were injured and took treatment at the hospital, he was quoted as saying by the Daily Star newspaper.

More than two dozen police personnel are still undergoing treatment, Islam added.
Former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 93. He breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi, where he had been admitted for the past couple of weeks, they said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the passing away of Natwar Singh, and said he made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy. In a social media post, Modi said, Pained by the passing away of Shri Natwar Singh Ji. He made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy.

He was also known for his intellect as well as prolific writing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti, the prime minister said. Singh was born in 1931 in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.

He was a career diplomat, who brought a wealth of experience in diplomacy to his political career and a prolific author on subjects ranging from the life of a maharaja to nuances of foreign affairs.

During his distinguished career, he wore many hats, and for his service to the nation, the former external affairs minister was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1984.

A former Congress MP, Singh was India's External Affairs Minister for the period 2004-05 during the UPA-I government led by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He also served as ambassador to Pakistan and was attached to the office of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1966 to 1971.

Singh also authored several books including, 'The Legacy of Nehru: A Memorial Tribute' and 'My China Diary 1956-88'.

His autobiography is titled 'One Life is Not Enough

K Natwar Singh wore many hats as he straddled the worlds of diplomacy, politics and writing but what remained consistent across decades was his sharp-wit and plain speaking.

The former Congress leader had a love-hate relationship with the party as while he had a great equation with the likes of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, he had a fallout with Sonia Gandhi after allegations were levelled against him when he was part of the UPA-I Cabinet.

Singh was selected into the Indian Foreign Service in 1953 but in 1984, he resigned to contest elections as a member of the Congress. He won the election and served as a Union minister of state until 1989.

He returned to the political forefront when he was made the external affairs minister in 2004 when the Congress returned to power.

However, 18 months later, he had to resign after the UN's Volcker committee named both him and the Congress party to which he belonged as beneficiaries of illegal pay-offs in the Iraqi oil scam.

He served as secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs from March 1982 to November 1984. He was bestowed the third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 1984. In 1984, he joined the Congress and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Bharatpur constituency in Rajasthan.

Congress leaders on Sunday condoled Natwar Singh's demise with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailing his profound contribution to India's diplomacy and external affairs.

Our deepest condolences on the passing away of Former Union Minister, Shri K. Natwar Singh ji. An acclaimed intellectual and a Padma Bhushan recipient, he made a profound contribution to India's diplomacy and external affairs, Kharge said in a social media post. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and followers, he said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, A hugely engaging political personality. A distinguished foreign service officer. A cultured man of letters and noted author with a few classics to his credit. A walking encyclopedia of the worlds of Nehru and Indira Gandhi. A delightful conversationalist, storyteller and ready wit.

A man whose correspondence with varied men and women are the stuff of history. A wonderful and generous friend with his hospitality and his ever-sharp memory and his deep archive. Natwar Singh was all this and much more, Ramesh said.

He has just passed away after leading a full and richly variegated life. He was truly someone who has left behind his 'footprints on the sands of time', he said in a social media post.
The murdered lady doctor from a North Kolkata medical college was subjected to horrific brutalities, according to preliminary postmortem and inquest reports. Referred to as Abhaya by her colleagues, the victim suffered ten grievous injuries, evoking memories of the decade-old Nirbhaya case in Delhi, say fellow doctors at RG Kar Medical College, where she was pursuing her postgraduate studies in chest medicine.

The autopsy report is chilling, said a fellow doctor, who is participating in the State-wide indefinite cease-work by medical staff.

She had a finger, collarbone, and pelvic bone broken. She was bleeding from her eyes, lips, abdomen, and private parts. Tufts of her hair had been torn out, and a clip was attached to her private parts, said the doctor.

Police sources revealed that the brutal attack took place within 30 to 35 minutes. The panel of doctors who conducted the postmortem suggested that she might have been raped after being killed, as it would have been nearly impossible for one person to inflict such extensive injuries in such a short time, said the police.

Family sources shared that the victim was scheduled to get married next year. A colleague from the same college, requesting anonymity, said the young doctor likely endured extreme pain before her death, as a healthy person of her age would not have succumbed quickly.

The post-mortem reports are not fully out so that we can understand whether it was a gangrape or an act of an individual beast, she said.

Sanjay Das, a civic volunteer --- unarmed wing of Bengal Police who works on daily wage basis --- was arrested on Saturday for perpetrating the crime.

He is known to have confessed to the crime and even asked his interrogators to hang him as quickly as they could leading to suspicion among the members of the civil society whether the man was being made a scapegoat to save some other people.

This, even as an unsubstantiated audio clipping went viral in the social media where a resident doctor is speaking to another person about efforts to hush up the matter.

In the conversation the twosome are heard to be talking about how the CCTV footages could have been tampered and whether some fellow doctor with high connections could have been involved in the brutal act.

The parents of the victim too said that they were not satisfied with the investigation adding, there must be some other insider or insiders involved because my daughter used to regularly complain that she did not want to go to the RG Medical College  she was under pressure for something  she was raped and murdered and one person cannot do that alone.

The Government on Sunday removed the Hospital Superintendant and Vice Principal, whereas the junior doctors and the family members of the victim demanded removal of the Principal, and grilling of the fellow doctors including the Head of the Department of the Department of Chest Medicine.

Meanwhile, Bengal BJP president and junior Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday wrote a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda seeking his prompt intervention in getting justice for the deceased doctor.

I have written a letter to JP Nadda ji who is also the Health Minister and BJP president to see to it that Medical Council of India sends a team of experts to inspect the security and safety scenario of all the medical colleges and other hospitals of Bengal  there is no security for the doctors and the TMC men are controlling the entire thing, Majumdar said also demanding a CBI investigation into the matter.

There is a serious effort to hush up the matter apparently to save some influential person  even this civic volunteer who has been arrested is a member of the police organization affiliated to the TMC, Majumdar said adding the BJP would continue to stand by the agitating doctors and go to any extent for getting justice to the victim.

Incidentally, TMC national general secretary and party's second in command had on Saturday advocated encounter for such culprits involved in such heinous acts. He said, I will appeal to the Centre to bring such laws that such accused can be arrested tried summarily and then encountered in a week's time to make it a lesson for the others.
A joint team of security forces continued to hunt down the group of foreign terrorists for the second day in succession in the Ahlan Gagar-Mandu forest area of Anantnag district to avenge the supreme sacrifice of their fellow soldiers.

Two soldiers sacrificed their lives in the firefight on Saturday while one critically injured civilian succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Sunday.

Despite carrying out massive searches, at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, the security forces could not track down the footprints of a group of battle-hardened Pakistani terrorists.

It is also suspected the foreign terrorists may have once again breached the tight cordon taking advantage of the thick foliage and inclement weather conditions prevailing in the area.

The soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice have been identified as Hav Dipak Kumar Yadav and L/Nk Praveen Sharma.

In a post on X, the Indian Army spokesman said, the Indian Army offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.

General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and All Ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme Sacrifice of Bravehearts Hav Dipak Kumar Yadav & L/Nk Praveen Sharma, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, in Anantnag, J&K.

Meanwhile, Inspector General (IG) of Kashmir VK Birdi who visited the encounter site told reporters on Sunday that the operation that began a day ago is underway in the upper reaches of Gagar-Mandu area of Kokernag in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Security forces had information regarding the movement of terrorists in the upper reaches.

A search operation was being conducted in the Gagar-Mandu area. Security forces spotted the movement of terrorists and there was an exchange of fire between the security forces and terroristsOperation is underway, IG Birdi told reporters.

He said the civilian killed in the encounter has been identified as Abdul Rashid Dar.

Giving details of the current operation, a Srinagar-based defence spokesperson said that on August 5, it was confirmed through human and electronic means that terrorists responsible for atrocities in the Doda region in July have sneaked across the Kishtwar range into the Kapran-Garol area in south Kashmir.

The Rashtriya Rifles and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have relentlessly tracked these terrorists and precise operations were launched on the night of August 9 and 10 in the mountains in the east of Kapran where these terrorists were reportedly holed up.

Suspicious movement was observed at around 2 pm on August 10. Challenging (by security forces) was immediately responded to by indiscriminate, desperate, and reckless firing from terrorists in which two Army personnel and two civilians in the vicinity were injured, the spokesperson said.

He said the terror antecedents of the injured civilians are being ascertained.

The area is at an altitude of above 10,000 feet, has thick undergrowth, large boulders, nallahs and re-entrants that pose a serious challenge to operations. Security forces are moving deliberately and are in the process of hunting down the terrorists, the spokesperson said.
Close on the heels of the landslides and deluge in Wayanad that claimed more than 400 lives and devoured 300 houses, a disaster of higher magnitude is all set to befall on the State of Kerala.

The Mullaperiyar dam built across River Periyar and dating back to 130 years is on the verge of collapse and this will wipe out the entire population in five districts of the State. Though the dam is situated in Kerala, the entire water in the catchment area is drawn by Tamil Nadu which shouts from all rooftops that Mullaperiyar dam is safe. But experts in dam construction and safety disagree.

Though Tungabhadra dam is in Karnataka, the news that one of its gates getting washed away because of the snapping of the chain link by the floodwaters has jolted people in five districts of Kerala. Tungabhadra dam built in 1953 and Mullaperiyar in Kerala, built 130 years ago have a lot of similarities. Both are built with a combination of surki, mortar, mud and limestone making them the last surviving non-cement dams in India.

The Mullaperiyar dam, constructed across River Periyar in Kerala with the sole purpose of providing drinking and irrigation water to the four districts in Tamil Nadu has become a modern day water bomb. People living in the districts of Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha,Kottayam and Ernakulam would be drowned in the deluge that would occur once the dam collapses. It can happen any time now because the dam has outlived its utility, said P C George, a seven-time MLA of the State who is waging a battle with the authorities to construct a new dam. George, in his 35-year-long service as a law maker and chairman of the petition committee of the legislative Assembly had submitted three comprehensive reports to the authorities. But the governments of the day did not take any action on these reports, George told The Pioneer in the aftermath of Wayanad tragedy. He said the impact of the collapse of Mullaperiyar Dam would be similar to the repercussions of1,000 Wayanad landslides. The old and children do not sleep well even for a single day as they fear that the dam would down any time. It is atop the Western Ghats and you cannot imagine the intensity of the water bursting out of the dam. There will not be any time for evacuation and rescue missions, he said. Mullaperiyar Dam is 53.67 metre tall and 365.85 metre long.

The active capacity of the dam s10.56 thousand million cubic feet (TMC ft). Geologists have cautioned us that the dam is vulnerable to high intensity earthquakes as the fault line passes through the reservoir, said PNS Namboodiri, former revenue official in Kottayam district. While the Tamil Nadu government scoffed at reports about a possible collapse of the dam, it went many steps ahead in opposing the Indian Nutrino Observatory at Madurai under the pretext that the fault line passes through the area earmarked for the proposed project. But the fault line is dangerously close to the Mullaperiyar dam. Seismic experts and geologists have warned that the dam made of surki and mortar has outlived its utility and should be decommissioned at the earliest.

Dr A K Gosain of IIT Delhi who had led a team of experts to study the safety aspects of the dam has called for the construction of a new dam in 2011 itself. I don't say that Mullaperiyar will collapse tomorrow. But the dam is not safe from the point of view of a hydrologist, he had told this newspaper. More than 40 lakh people in the five districts mentioned above would perish once Mullaperiyar collapses. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's act of donating Rs five crore towards the Chief Minister's disaster relief fund is being seen in Kerala as a ploy to buy silence from the State Government.

The 8100 acre land on which the dam has been built belongs to Kerala and the dam was constructed with money given by the State of Travancore. Tamil Nadu is like having the cake and eating it too, said George.
BJP is an ideology and worker based political party. Its aim is to take India to the pinnacle of glory. In such a situation, the expansionist workers should become the carriers to get rid of the corrupt and useless government of the state. These things were said by BJP's state president Babulal Marandi on Sunday. He was speaking in the Vidhansabha expansionist training class program organized in the state BJP office. In the training class organized in 8 sessions, topics like the party's theoretical ideology, history development, election management and social media were discussed in detail.

Marandi said that party workers work continuously to fulfill these objectives. In the ambit of Antyodaya and Integral Human Philosophy and cultural nationalism, power is not an end for BJP but a means to make Mother India a world leader. BJP is rapidly implementing policies and programs on the ground under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Center today. By forming the Modi government for the third time, the public has appreciated the party's policies and programs.

He said that elections are also on the horizon in the state. There is anger against the thugbandhan government in the state. The public is determined to form a double engine government led by the BJP. The Lok Sabha election results clearly indicate this. He said that the BJP government created a separate Jharkhand state under the leadership of revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee. We have to fulfill the resolution of a developed Jharkhand.

Addressing the closing session of the program, Leader of Opposition Amar Bauri said that election management is also important to form a double engine government in the upcoming elections. Vistaraks will play a major role in the smooth running of management work in their respective areas. Vistaraks have to speed up the work in the role of a catalyst. In the program, regional organization general secretary Nagendra Tripathi said that the role of a Vistarak is like the foundation stone. Staying away from the stage, garlands and mike, giving impetus to the party's policies, programs and schemes should be the identity of Vistaraks.

At the same time, state organization general secretary Karmveer Singh said that the booth is the center point in strengthening the organization. We have to fulfill our goal by putting the resolution of winning the booth, winning the election into action. In the program, State General Secretary cum MP Dr. Pradeep Verma spoke about the development of BJP's history, Central Team Member Manoj Singh spoke about BJP's Panch Nishtha and ideology, Co-Media Incharge Yogendra Pratap Singh spoke about the achievements of the Central Government, Rahul Awasthi and Vivek Vikas spoke about social media and IT. Manoj Kumar Dubey and many others were present in the meeting.
Punjab Speaker condoles demise of Bhai Khalsa

Chandigarh: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate demise of Bhai Paramjit Singh Khalsa, patron of the All India Sikh Students Federation. Paying tributes, Sandhwan described Bhai Khalsa as a dedicated champion of the panthic cause. Throughout his life, Bhai Khalsa tirelessly promoted the advancement and unity of the panth and his demise is deeply mourned as a profound loss to the Sikh community. The Speaker prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to provide strength to the family, he added.

HP CM Minister condoles demise of Lance Naik Praveen Sharma

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday expressed deep condolences on the demise of Lance Naik Praveen Sharma. Expressing deep condolences to the bereaved family, he said that in this hour of grief, the State Government stands with the martyr's family. He assured all possible help to the martyr's family. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan also expressed deep condolences to the martyr's family and prayed to God to give strength to the bereaved family. Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta said that the martyr's body will reach Chandigarh on Monday morning, and the administration has arranged for an ambulance to bring the body from Chandigarh. The martyr's last rites will be performed with military honours in his native village Habban of Rajgarh in Sirmaur district on Monday.

Hindi poetry book 'Uns' unveiled in multiple languages

Chandigarh: Hindi poetry book Uns, written by city-based Nisha Luthra  a poet, theatre and film director, and also Founder-Director of The Narrators Performing Arts Society  was unveiled in multiple languages at Government Museum and Art Gallery's Auditorium, Sector-10, Chandigarh. Originally launched in 2022, Uns has now been translated into Punjabi, Urdu, Assamese, English, and French.

Hooda meets Traders; Says Inspector Raj will be abolished after Cong forms Govt in Hry

Panipat/Chandigarh: Addressing the traders during State-Level Traders Representative Maha Sammelan in Panipat, Haryanas former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday announced to end inspector raj and provide full security to traders when the Congress government is formed. BJP is trying to attack Haryanas traders with a double blow. Inspector raj, which was abolished by Congress, has been re-established by BJP. Also, this Government has ruined the law and order and has made the traders an easy prey for the criminals. he alleged.

HSSC issues PST schedule for Hry Police Male constables

Chandigarh: Haryana Staff Selection Commission chairman Himmat Singh on Sunday said that after Physical Measurement Test (PMT) conducted for 5,000 male constable (general duty) posts in Haryana Police, the Physical Screening Test (PST) program has now been scheduled. He said that the registration numbers of candidates who have passed the PMT are available on the Commissions official website  www.hssc.gov.in. He also appealed to candidates to regularly check their schedule and program. After the PST for male constables, the PST schedule for 1,000 female constables will be issued.

Har Ghar Tiranga campaign aims to encourage people to bring tricolour home: Minister

Chandigarh: Haryana Minister of State for Urban Local Bodies Subhash Sudha on Sunday said that the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign is an initiative by the Government of India to remember and celebrate the glorious history, culture, and achievements of the nation during the struggle for independence. Speaking at a Tiranga campaign event in Sonipat, the Urban Local Bodies Minister said that Har Ghar Tiranga is a campaign under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, aiming to encourage people to bring the tricolour home and hoist it in celebration of the 75th year of India's independence. The idea behind this initiative is to inspire a sense of patriotism in people's hearts and to raise awareness about the Indian national flag.

Tiranga yatra organized in Firozpur Jhirka

Chandigarh: Haryana Minister of State for School Education Seema Trikha led a Tiranga Yatra under the "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign in Firozpur Jhirka, Nuh, from the BDPO office to Lal Kuan Chowk. People from various communities and religious institutions participated in the yatra. After this, the Education Minister paid floral tributes to martyrs at the Shaheed Smarak. During her address at the Tiranga Yatra, the Education Minister stated that for the past 10 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has celebrated festivals like Holi and Diwali with our soldiers on the borders, reflecting his deep respect for them. She said that it is our moral responsibility to instil a patriotic feeling in our children.

Govt has no shortage of funds for development works: Minister Bishamber Singh

Chandigarh: Haryana Minister of State for Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs & BCs Welfare and Antyodaya Bishamber Singh on Sunday said that the government has no shortage of funds for development works. The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister inaugurated a newly constructed lane and Valmiki Dharamshala in the village of Gujarani, Bhiwani, and announced a grant of Rs one crore for development works in the village. Addressing the villagers, the Minister mentioned that the government is ensuring equal development across the state and is providing jobs without any favoritism or recommendations just on the basis of merits. This has instilled new confidence among hardworking youth, and children from poor backgrounds are now occupying high positions in government jobs.

Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra pivotal in fostering patriotism, honouring martyrs: Banwari Lal

Chandigarh: Haryana Public Health Engineering, and Public Works Minister Banwari Lal on Sunday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, both the central and state governments are fully committed to honouring martyrs. The idea of the Tiranga Yatra is to infuse a new spirit of patriotism and enthusiasm among the citizens. The Cabinet Minister was addressing the public after flagging off the Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra in the village Dubaldhan in Jhajjar on Sunday. He said that the main objective of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign is to promote the spirit of patriotism. The Tiranga (Tricolor) is a symbol of our pride and honor. To maintain this honor, countless brave soldiers have risked their lives to uphold the dignity of the flag, said Lal.

Dr Naresh Kumar Panda joins Max as ENT director

Mohali: ENT expert, Dr Naresh Kumar Panda has joined Max Hospital, Mohali as director of ENT department. He brings in a rich experience of 37 years working at PGIMER, Chandigarh where he also served as HOD for 20 years. He is also a former dean academic of PGIMER, Chandigarh. Dr Panda has an experience of doing more than 600 cochlear implant surgeries over the last 20 years.

Rajya Sabha MP Sandhu meets Governor Kataria

Chandigarh: Rajya Sabha member Satnam Singh Sandhu on Sunday called on the Punjab Governor and UT-Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to discuss various pertinent issues concerning Punjab, including pollution of states water bodies and rivers (including Buddha Nullah), depleting water table graph, education sector, declining number of migratory birds and the degradation of wetlands in Punjab and adjoining Rajasthan.
: In a bid to combat the growing concern of thalassemia and promote public awareness about this genetic disorder, the District Administration of East Singhbhum, in collaboration with the Thalassemia Society of Jamshedpur, organized a "Mega Thalassemia Awareness Program" at Kerala Public School, Kadma. The event was graced by District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal, who attended as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the program alongside other distinguished dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Mittal emphasized the critical need for widespread public awareness to prevent the spread of thalassemia. "Awareness is the only prevention," he stated, highlighting the significance of community involvement in eradicating the disease. He commended the Thalassemia Society, Jamshedpur, for its tireless efforts in raising awareness and urged every citizen to take social responsibility seriously, drawing parallels with the successful polio eradication campaign. He also lauded the volunteers dedication to the cause and encouraged their continued efforts.

Thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder characterized by abnormal or insufficient hemoglobin production, remains a significant health challenge in India. The disorder leads to the destruction of red blood cells, causing severe anemia and requiring regular blood transfusions for those affected. The Mega Awareness Program aimed to educate the youth about the importance of early detection and prevention, underscoring that informed communities are better equipped to combat such genetic conditions.

The event also featured insightful speeches from key figures in the medical and social sectors. Sharat Chandran, Director of Kerala Public Group of Schools, and Sunil Mukherjee, President of the Voluntary Blood Donors Association, emphasized the importance of public engagement in awareness campaigns. Dr. Sanjay Chaudhary of the Jamshedpur Blood Bank and Dr. Amit Mukherjee provided detailed information on the medical aspects of thalassemia, outlining the necessity for timely blood donations and the potential for prevention through genetic counseling and pre-marriage testing.

The program saw participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including principals from both private and government schools, representatives from corporate houses, members of Rotary and Lions Clubs, and prominent medical professionals. The diverse turnout highlighted the community's commitment to addressing the thalassemia challenge.

In his concluding remarks, Mittal announced the formation of a District Core Team, comprising officers from the departments of Health, Education, Panchayati Raj, Social Welfare, and Public Relations, among others. This team will work closely with the Thalassemia Society to implement precautionary and preventive measures at various levels, including schools, industrial houses, and community blocks. The District Administration aims to tackle thalassemia with the same rigor that led to the eradication of polio, ensuring that future generations are free from this debilitating disease.

Also in attendance were key district officials, including DTO Dhananjay, District Panchayat Raj Officer Rinku Kumari, District Social Welfare Officer Sandhya Rani, and District Public Relations Officer Panchanan Oraon. Their presence underscored the district administration's commitment to making thalassemia prevention a top priority.
In view of the upcoming Haryana Assembly Elections, the Election Commission of India will be on a two-day visit to the state starting from Monday. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, and other officers of the Commission, will hold various meetings, said Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Sunday.

He informed that on August 12, the Commission will review election preparations in a meeting with representatives of political parties, district election officers, and senior officers of Haryana.

On August 13, the Commission will give guidelines to enforcement agencies to enhance monitoring and vigilance across the State. Besides, the Commission will hold crucial meetings with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, other Administrative Secretaries, and senior police officers to review other arrangements. He said that all preparations for the Election Commission's visit have been completed.
Ramana police seized 1.481 kilogram of marijuana from the house of one Jitendra Pathak a native of Manohar village under same police station, on Sunday.

The police acted on an intelligence input led by SDPO Nagar Untari Satyendra Singh indicating Illegal purchase and sale of marijuana is being done by a person in Manohar village at large large.

Police was taken to the Pathak into police custody. When police asked about the said ganja, he told that he buys and sells ganja, Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Pandey said and adding, a Case under sections of 20 (b) (i) NDPS Act was registered against the accused and he sent to the judicial custody.
Former minister and president of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee Ajay Rai has criticised the Narendra Modi government at the Centre and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their handling of Hindu refugees from Bangladesh.

Rai accused the BJP government of deceit, claiming that Hindu refugees trying to enter India are being turned away at the border, while Yogi Adityanath claims about their government protecting Hindus and also accuses the opposition claiming that they were silent on the safety of the community.

Rai expressed his discontent with Yogi Adityanaths irresponsible statements regarding the sensitive issue of Bangladesh. He highlighted that during a multi-party meeting called by the government, the opposition unanimously supported action on the issue, with Rahul Gandhi raising concerns over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and questioning the Indian governments measures to address the issue.

Rai accused Yogi Adityanath of exploiting the situation for electoral gains by spreading religious animosity in Uttar Pradesh instead of addressing the issue with the Central government.

He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modis absence from the multi-party meeting on this critical issue further revealed the insensitivity of the government towards the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.

Rai advised Yogi Adityanath to avoid making irresponsible and insensitive statements on such a delicate matter.
Law is more than just a profession; it is a noble pursuit that combines service with the delivery of justice. Success in this field requires unwavering dedication and relentless effort. This was stated by Adish Aggarwala, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court, President of the International Council of Jurists, and Chairman of the All India Bar Association while addressing the newly admitted law students of the Prestige Institute of Management and Research, Department of Law, at the Diksharambh ceremony. Describing the Prestige Institute as a leading name in legal education in Indore, Aggarwala expressed confidence that its graduates would significantly contribute to the advancement of the legal profession.

Professor (Dr.) R. Venkata Rao, Vice-Chancellor of India International University of Legal Education and Research in Goa, highlighted that the legal profession, one of the oldest in the world, presents countless opportunities for aspiring lawyers.

He emphasized the significance of the Constitution as the most powerful tool for both law students and professionals. Referring to law as an art, he mentioned that it demands not only thorough study, but also sharp intellect and deep understanding. He emphasized that there are no shortcuts in law; progress is achieved through consistent practice and learning from mistakes.

Davish Jain, Chairman of the Prestige Education Foundation, emphasized the vital role of legal education in society. He pointed out that lawyers play a pivotal role in advocating for those who cannot defend themselves, making their work immensely important. The Diksharambh ceremony was also addressed by Professor Dr. R. H. Gorane, Director of the Department of Law.

The event was well attended by SS Bhakar, Group Director of Prestige Institute of Management and Research, Brajesh Gupta, Vice President of Prestige Group, as well as faculty members and students of the Law Department.
Man makes many efforts for progress in life and it is very important to remain dynamic for success, but just as speed is important for success in life, similarly safety is also important for reaching the goal. A person can be called successful only when he reaches his destination.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said this while speaking as the keynote speaker in the open session of the seminar organized by the Traffic and Transport Division of Brahma Kumaris on the subject of Speed, Safety, and Spirituality at Gyan Sarovar Campus at mount abu. He said that in the present times, there is even more need for spirituality in the world because just as safe technology is necessary along with the right method to do any work, similarly spirituality can prove to be very effective in keeping the mind happy and maintaining mutual love and harmony in the family. Tomar said that I have known about the activities of this organization for many decades. I keep seeing them working with dedication towards the upliftment of society and nation, that is why I have a lot of respect for these sisters, all their works are very commendable.

Uday Bobhate, Chief Operation Manager, Western Railway, India, who came from Mumbai, while sharing his experience said that to end the stress of a person, the mind needs to be given the right direction, which has been taught to us here in a very simple way. Do exercises daily to keep the body as well as the mind healthy by regularly practicing the simple method of yoga that has been taught.

The impurities in food and drink, the impurities in thoughts also need to be eliminated. Only then can we enjoy the journey of this life.

Vice President of the Division, Dr Suresh Sharma said that he presented an action plan for a safe future and positivity in life, which was approved by Uday Bobhate, Chief Operation Manager, Western Railway, India, Mumbai and all the representatives accepted it by raising their hands.

Dr Suresh administered an oath to everyone to follow road safety rules for a safe life.In her presidential address, BK Divya Bhabhi, President of the Division said that whatever you have heard and seen in various sessions and have also experienced in life by practicing yoga, make your life successful by practicing it continuously. My best wishes for all of you is that by adopting spirituality in your personal life, make your mind strong and your conduct good so that there is always peace and prosperity in the family.

Engineer BK Sanjay who came from Bihar expressed his gratitude to everyone. Sister BK Kavita conducted the stage very well.
After stellar performance in the last Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party is treading cautiously for the by-elections to 10 Uttar Pradesh assembly seats.

The SP had won 37 Lok Sabha seats in the elections that concluded in early June this year.

The SP is working on multiple options in selection of candidates for the bypolls to 10 assembly seats. In its strategy for the bypolls, the SP has factored in the signals of firm resolve of winning all 10 seats emanating from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already completed the first round of preparations for the next political battle by constituting committees comprising ministers for each of the 10 assembly constituencies. In each committee three ministers have been entrusted with the responsibility of supervising the campaign, winning the trust of the electorate and fighting the false narrative of scrapping of Constitution and reservation spread by the opposition during the Lok Sabha elections. The ministers have been particularly asked to focus on social media for busting the fake narrative spread by the opposition.

Sources in the SP said the party was not ready to take risks by bringing new faces. They said the party was focusing on family connections in its candidate selection. The party is preparing a mix of first and second-line leaders to ensure stability and continuity in its political strategy.

The sources said that SP was signaling its intent to field relatives of current MPs for several seats. Ajit Prasad, son of Milkipur MP Awadhesh Prasad, and Chhaya Verma, daughter of Ambedkar Nagar MP Lalji Verma, are among those expected to be given the green light.

Former MP Tej Pratap Singh Yadav is likely to be the partys candidate from Karhal, while a family member of Irfan Solanki is expected to contest from Sisamau in Kanpur. Additionally, former MLA Haji Rizwan and former MP Qadir Rana are potential candidates for Kundarki (Moradabad) and Meerapur (Bijnor) respectively. Negotiations are continuing for the remaining four seats, with two possibly being allocated to Congress which is in the INDIA bloc.

The list of candidates suggests that the SP is strategically positioning second-generation leaders to take the helm in districts where first-generation members have moved to national roles. To strengthen its position, the SP is conducting surveys and research across these constituencies. The party aims to finalise its candidates before the official announcement of the by-elections schedule.

A senior SP leader said the party was preparing for a close contest between the INDIA block and BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, adding to the significance of the by-elections.

Following a strong showing in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the SP is eager to demonstrate its performance in this upcoming political test. The success of the new generation of leaders will be crucial for the partys future.
The Uttar Pradesh government has set a target of a five-fold increase in tourist footfalls by 2028 and efforts are being made to attract more than 80 crore tourists to the state. Along with increasing world-class facilities at tourist places, emphasis is on branding and promotion and preparations underway to rejuvenate guest houses and tourist bungalows and increase the number of rooms and homestays.

Official sources said the government was dedicated to promoting tourism in the state, focusing on revitalising tourist destinations and strengthening transport infrastructure over the past seven and a half years.

This dedication has led to a significant increase in tourist visits, with more than 48 crore tourists choosing to explore the beauty of Uttar Pradesh last year. Now, the government aims to increase the states tourism sector fivefold.

While the tourism sectors Gross Value Added (GVA) revenue was Rs 11,000 crore in 2017, the target is to boost it to Rs 70,000 crore by 2028. Additionally, the government aims to attract over 80 crore tourists to Uttar Pradesh by 2028.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is committed to boosting tourism alongside industrial development in the state. Uttar Pradesh has many significant religious sites, attracting millions of visitors daily. Over the past seven and a half years, tourism has surged in cities of spiritual importance, such as Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Naimisharanya and Gorakhpur.

The government is enhancing world-class facilities in these cities and encouraging tourists to explore multiple destinations. The One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative is crucial in promoting local products to visitors.

Additionally, the government is focusing on expanding the availability of hotels, guest houses and homestays while also planning to rejuvenate government-run tourist and Rahi bungalows to accommodate the growing number of tourists.

The tourism sector has seen remarkable growth under the Yogi governments leadership. The GVA increased from Rs 11,000 crore in the financial year 2016-17 to Rs 14,000 crore in 2022-23, with a target of reaching Rs 70,000 crore by 2027-28.

Tourist footfall has also surged, rising from 23 crore in 2016-17 to over 48 crore in 2023-24, marking a 51 per cent increase. Efforts are being made to monetise key tourist destinations, develop world-class facilities and enhance branding and promotion of the states tourism assets.
The attack on the convoy of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Thane was a reaction to action, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the rival Shiv Sena, has said.

When Thackeray arrived for a gathering of his party workers at the Gadkari Rangayatan auditorium here on Saturday, workers of the Raj Thackeray-headed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest and hurled tomatoes and cow dung at his convoy.

Responding to a question about the incident, Shinde said on Saturday night, Who started it? Sena (UBT) activists targeted Raj Thackerays convoy in Aurangabad. This was just a reaction to the action.

Those who abandoned the thoughts of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe, Shindes mentor and popular Sena leader from Thane, will have to face such situations, he said.

Referring to his revolt in the undivided Shiv Sena, which split the party, Shinde said, We took the decision (to break away) only to save the party and (its symbol) bow and arrow.

On Friday, Sena (UBT) supporters had thrown supari or betel nuts at the convoy of Raj Thackeray, Uddhav's estranged cousin, in Beed city.
Pakistan's top civil and military leadership on Sunday vowed to protect the rights and religious freedoms of minorities, urging all segments of the society to work for promoting interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood and unity.

In 2009, Pakistan declared August 11 as the National Minorities Day to honour the historic speech made by its founder M A Jinnah who on August 11, 1947, promised to protect their rights.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his message said that minorities in Pakistan enjoy all political, economic and social rights which have been guaranteed by the Constitution, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.

"We reaffirm our commitment to the promise made by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on 11th August 1947, to the country's minorities to protect their rights and religious freedoms, Zardari said, adding the government was taking several steps for the political, social and economic empowerment of minorities.

The president urged all segments of the society to educate the people about their rights and work to promote interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood and unity to make Pakistan a strong country.

Zardari expressed confidence that the minorities of Pakistan would continue to play a positive role towards the country's development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to minorities for their outstanding role in the country's development and prosperity.

The purpose of celebrating the day is to express solidarity with the minorities living in Pakistan and to acknowledge their services for the state of Pakistan, he said.

The prime minister said that our minority community played a key role in the Pakistan movement and since the creation of Pakistan, has been contributing immensely to nation-building.

Alluding to Jinnahs historic speech, Sharif said that complete religious freedom has been given to minorities. He expressed commitment to protect the rights of minorities and their overall development and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the services chiefs acknowledged the indispensable contributions of minorities to the nation's progress, prosperity, and rich cultural heritage.

According to an army statement, the army leadership, extending warm felicitations to the minority communities of the country, said, This occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the diversity, inclusivity and harmonious coexistence that are the hallmarks of our great nation.

The army said minority communities are an integral and vital part of the social fabric of the country and their rights and freedoms are sacrosanct as enshrined in the Constitution and Islam.

According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in 2021, there are 96.47 per cent Muslims in the country, followed by 2.14 per cent Hindus, 1.27 per cent Christians, 0.09 per cent Ahmadi Muslims and 0.02 per cent others.

The minorities are often at the receiving end due to violence by extremist groups.
Annex Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (NYSE:VPG  Free Report) by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 15,230 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,945 shares during the quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC owned about 0.11% of Vishay Precision Group worth $464,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of VPG. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 187,656 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $6,627,000 after purchasing an additional 32,484 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 13.5% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 508,007 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $17,308,000 after purchasing an additional 60,509 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 624,770 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $20,980,000 after purchasing an additional 7,682 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement System bought a new position in shares of Vishay Precision Group during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 45.7% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 4,582 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $156,000 after purchasing an additional 1,437 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.61% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. B. Riley dropped their price objective on shares of Vishay Precision Group from $36.00 to $31.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. StockNews.com cut shares of Vishay Precision Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday.

Vishay Precision Group Stock Down 1.6 %

NYSE:VPG traded down $0.45 on Friday, reaching $26.95. The stock had a trading volume of 76,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 59,124. The company has a market capitalization of $359.89 million, a P/E ratio of 14.89 and a beta of 1.22. Vishay Precision Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $26.61 and a 1-year high of $36.93. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $31.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $32.82.

Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $77.36 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $78.57 million. Vishay Precision Group had a net margin of 6.30% and a return on equity of 7.48%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.58 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Vishay Precision Group, Inc. will post 1.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vishay Precision Group Company Profile

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Vishay Precision Group, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets specialized sensors, weighing solutions, and measurement systems in the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Sensors, Weighing Solutions, and Measurement Systems.

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Asian Television Network International Limited (CVE:SAT  Get Free Report) traded up 78.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. 1,010 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 92% from the average session volume of 12,870 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.07.

Asian Television Network International Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of C$3.05 million, a P/E ratio of -2.08 and a beta of 1.20. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$0.11 and its 200 day moving average price is C$0.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10,844.68, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.63.

Asian Television Network International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Asian Television Network International Limited engages in the specialty, pay television broadcasting, and advertising primarily for the south Asian community in Canada. It operates approximately 50 premium pay specialty television channels in 9 languages. The company provides its flagship ATN-HD general interest service; and various Bollywood movie channels with approximately 100 movies a month, as well as various channels that include sports, news, music, lifestyle, spiritual, and regional language channels.

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Edgewell Personal Care (NYSE:EPC  Free Report) had its price target lowered by Barclays from $41.00 to $40.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the stock.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on Edgewell Personal Care from $52.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 9th. StockNews.com raised Edgewell Personal Care from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.80.

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Edgewell Personal Care Stock Down 0.4 %

Edgewell Personal Care stock traded down $0.15 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $37.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 316,991 shares, compared to its average volume of 385,944. The company has a market cap of $1.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.64 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $39.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $38.47. Edgewell Personal Care has a fifty-two week low of $33.71 and a fifty-two week high of $41.50.

Edgewell Personal Care (NYSE:EPC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $647.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $649.67 million. Edgewell Personal Care had a return on equity of 9.29% and a net margin of 5.40%. Edgewell Personal Cares revenue for the quarter was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.98 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Edgewell Personal Care will post 2.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Edgewell Personal Care Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Edgewell Personal Cares dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.10%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Edgewell Personal Care

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Duality Advisers LP boosted its stake in shares of Edgewell Personal Care by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 31,916 shares of the companys stock worth $1,233,000 after acquiring an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its stake in Edgewell Personal Care by 82.2% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 698 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its stake in Edgewell Personal Care by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 30,173 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,105,000 after buying an additional 507 shares in the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its stake in Edgewell Personal Care by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 20,897 shares of the companys stock valued at $886,000 after buying an additional 571 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Edgewell Personal Care by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 10,051 shares of the companys stock valued at $388,000 after buying an additional 574 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.91% of the companys stock.

Edgewell Personal Care Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Edgewell Personal Care Company is a manufacturer and marketer of personal care products in the wet shave, sun and skin care, feminine care and infant care categories. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had a portfolio of over 25 brands. It manages its business in four segments: Wet Shave, Sun and Skin Care, Feminine Care and All Other.

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The upbeat momentum of South-South cooperation recently got a new boost, as the list of countries keen to join the BRICS keeps expanding, making the mechanism an increasingly critical force in building a multilateral world.





In June, Malaysia and Thailand declared intentions to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the group welcomed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Ethiopia as new BRICS members on Jan. 1, 2024, doubling its membership from five to 10 and accounting for half the worlds population and two-fifths of trade.





National flags of member countries of BRICS





The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also demonstrated strong cohesion and development prospects. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has revealed that his administration was putting together a proposal to join the BRI.





Behind the renewed momentum of South-South cooperation is the developing worlds growing consensus on boosting development through cooperation in the face of rising global protectionism and unilateralism. Moreover, those Western developed economies are attempting to kick away the ladder, aiming to solidify the center-periphery global division of labor. Through various means, they seek to keep the Global South locked into the lower end of the value chain. Their actions have provoked strong dissatisfaction among Global South nations.









Similar historical experiences, common development goals, and similar positions on international affairs have led Global South countries to respect each others chosen development paths, view each others differences with an open mindset and spirit of cooperation, treat each other as equals, and advance together.





Over the years since its inception, the BRI has grown into a vital global development platform, particularly for nations in the Global South, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation. The initiative, which adheres to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, also contributes to infrastructure connectivity in developing countries.









From the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the BRI projects have helped connect Global South countries to the world and embark on a fast track to poverty alleviation and prosperity.





The BRICS cooperation mechanism is also flourishing. BRICS members keep deepening strategic partnerships as well as unity and cooperation with other emerging market countries and developing countries, and are taking new strides towards solidarity.





Aside from existing relations and cooperation, there are benefits for us to open new spaces, especially in terms of the Global South agenda, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently.









Joining the BRICS countries will enhance Thailands international status and increase Thailands opportunities on the international stage, said government spokesman Chai Wacharonke.





The BRICS cooperation mechanism, the BRI and other active cooperation innovations among Global South countries can be seen as a positive force for promoting the building of a more inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.





Data shows that emerging market economies and developing countries have contributed as much as 80 percent to global economic growth in the past 20 years, with their share of global GDP increasing from 24 percent to over 40 percent in the past 40 years.





It is reasonable to believe that as the scope and scale of South-South cooperation continue to expand, the spirit of South-South cooperation demonstrated by BRICS cooperation and the BRI, characterized by equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit, unity, and mutual assistance, will become even more attractive and inspiring.





Expanding South-South cooperation will further advance the international order in a more just and equitable direction, enabling global development cooperation to yield more fruitful results.
Borregaard ASA (OTCMKTS:BRRDF  Get Free Report) shares were down 2% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $17.06 and last traded at $17.06. Approximately 1 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 100% from the average daily volume of 2,440 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.40.

Borregaard ASA Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $17.37 and a 200-day moving average of $16.75.

Borregaard ASA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Borregaard ASA engages in the development, production, and marketing of specialized biomaterials and biochemicals in Norway, rest of Europe, the United States, Asia, and internationally. It operates in three segments: BioSolutions, BioMaterials, and Fine Chemicals. The BioSolutions segment develops, produces, and sells biopolymers for various applications, such as agrochemicals, batteries, industrial binders, and construction; and biovanillin for flavor and fragrance companies, as well as for food and beverage industry.

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Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY  Get Free Report)s stock had its overweight rating restated by equities research analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $10.00 price objective on the stock. Cantor Fitzgeralds target price points to a potential upside of 99.20% from the companys current price.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price objective on Joby Aviation from $11.00 to $10.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Joby Aviation from $5.00 to $6.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th.

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Joby Aviation Price Performance

JOBY stock traded down $0.18 on Thursday, reaching $5.02. 6,239,687 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,100,825. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.56 billion, a PE ratio of -6.61 and a beta of 2.00. Joby Aviation has a 12 month low of $4.50 and a 12 month high of $8.23. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $5.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.36.

Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.18). The company had revenue of $0.28 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.28 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.17) EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Joby Aviation will post -0.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Joby Aviation news, insider Matthew Field sold 13,953 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.96, for a total value of $69,206.88. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 269,196 shares in the company, valued at $1,335,212.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Kate Dehoff sold 5,815 shares of Joby Aviation stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.76, for a total value of $39,309.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 199,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,348,031.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Matthew Field sold 13,953 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.96, for a total value of $69,206.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 269,196 shares in the company, valued at $1,335,212.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 343,395 shares of company stock worth $1,699,082 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 32.40% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Joby Aviation

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Joby Aviation by 216.3% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,540 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 5,840 shares during the last quarter. Integris Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Joby Aviation in the 2nd quarter valued at about $54,000. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Joby Aviation in the second quarter worth about $56,000. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Joby Aviation during the second quarter worth approximately $57,000. Finally, Choreo LLC bought a new stake in shares of Joby Aviation during the second quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.54% of the companys stock.

Joby Aviation Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Joby Aviation, Inc, a vertically integrated air mobility company, engages in building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft optimized to deliver air transportation as a service. The company intends to build an aerial ridesharing service, as well as developing an application-based platform that will enable consumers to book rides.

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Capital Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS  Free Report) by 32.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,870 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,687 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Zoetis were worth $1,884,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ZTS. Private Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Zoetis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Webster Bank N. A. lifted its position in shares of Zoetis by 89.1% in the 1st quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 174 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Gladius Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Zoetis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Zoetis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Zoetis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. 92.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Zoetis Stock Performance

Shares of Zoetis stock traded down $3.05 during trading on Friday, reaching $185.25. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,881,668 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,790,747. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $176.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $175.47. The firm has a market cap of $84.53 billion, a PE ratio of 35.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.86. Zoetis Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $144.80 and a fifty-two week high of $201.92. The company has a current ratio of 3.33, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30.

Zoetis Announces Dividend

Zoetis ( NYSE:ZTS Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.56 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $2.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.31 billion. Zoetis had a net margin of 26.29% and a return on equity of 50.47%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.41 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Zoetis Inc. will post 5.81 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 18th will be given a $0.432 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 18th. This represents a $1.73 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.93%. Zoetiss dividend payout ratio is presently 33.14%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ZTS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $195.00 price objective (down previously from $220.00) on shares of Zoetis in a research note on Tuesday, April 16th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Zoetis from $260.00 to $230.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 23rd. HSBC reduced their price objective on shares of Zoetis from $230.00 to $225.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 8th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Zoetis from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Zoetis in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. They set a buy rating and a $220.00 price target on the stock. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Zoetis presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $214.89.

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Zoetis Profile

(Free Report)

Zoetis Inc engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products and services in the United States and internationally. The company commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep and others; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses.

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Capital Investment Advisors LLC reduced its position in shares of Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA  Free Report) by 8.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,574 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,450 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Snap-on were worth $4,332,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Snap-on in the second quarter valued at approximately $4,571,000. RDA Financial Network grew its stake in shares of Snap-on by 2.3% in the second quarter. RDA Financial Network now owns 1,990 shares of the companys stock worth $520,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC increased its position in shares of Snap-on by 1.1% during the second quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 27,973 shares of the companys stock worth $7,312,000 after acquiring an additional 293 shares during the period. Birch Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Snap-on by 27.5% in the second quarter. Birch Capital Management LLC now owns 2,697 shares of the companys stock valued at $705,000 after acquiring an additional 582 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in Snap-on by 529.0% in the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 195 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the period. 84.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Tigress Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $336.00 price objective on shares of Snap-on in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $325.00 price target on shares of Snap-on in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on Snap-on from $282.00 to $275.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and set a $324.00 target price on shares of Snap-on in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $315.00.

Snap-on Price Performance

NYSE:SNA traded down $0.50 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $273.19. 169,045 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 299,804. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 3.05 and a current ratio of 4.06. The company has a market cap of $14.40 billion, a PE ratio of 14.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.98. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $268.62 and its 200 day simple moving average is $276.61. Snap-on Incorporated has a 1 year low of $249.84 and a 1 year high of $298.49.

Snap-on (NYSE:SNA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The company reported $5.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.94 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $1.18 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.20 billion. Snap-on had a return on equity of 19.90% and a net margin of 21.90%. The businesss revenue was down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.89 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Snap-on Incorporated will post 18.97 EPS for the current year.

Snap-on Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Monday, August 19th will be given a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 19th. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.72%. Snap-ons dividend payout ratio is presently 39.03%.

Snap-on announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, August 8th that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 3.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Snap-on

In other news, CEO Nicholas T. Pinchuk sold 24,220 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $266.80, for a total transaction of $6,461,896.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 750,663 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $200,276,888.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Snap-on news, CEO Nicholas T. Pinchuk sold 24,220 shares of Snap-on stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $266.80, for a total transaction of $6,461,896.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 750,663 shares of the companys stock, valued at $200,276,888.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Jesus Arregui sold 8,434 shares of Snap-on stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $265.17, for a total transaction of $2,236,443.78. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 252 shares in the company, valued at approximately $66,822.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 38,632 shares of company stock worth $10,353,409. 4.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Snap-on Company Profile

(Free Report)

Snap-on Incorporated manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. It operates through Commercial & Industrial Group, Snap-on Tools Group, Repair Systems & Information Group, and Financial Services segments.

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Christian Dior SE (OTCMKTS:CHDRY  Get Free Report) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $196.47 and traded as low as $152.18. Christian Dior shares last traded at $162.25, with a volume of 298 shares changing hands.

Christian Dior Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $179.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $196.50.

Christian Dior Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Christian Dior SE, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and retail of fashion and leather goods, wines and spirits, perfumes and cosmetics, and watches and jewelry worldwide. The company offers its fashion and leather goods under the Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Givenchy, Kenzo, Berluti, Pucci, Loro Piana, Rimowa, and Off-White brand names; and wines and spirits under the Hennessy, Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Chateau d'Yquem, Belvedere, Glenmorangie, Newton Vineyards, Bodega Numanthia, Chateau d'Esclans, Armand de Brignac, and Joseph Phelps brands.

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Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Wednesday. The pipeline company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.01), Briefing.com reports. Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 12.22% and a net margin of 4.85%. The business had revenue of $20.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.25 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Energy Transfer Trading Down 1.7 %

Shares of NYSE ET traded down $0.26 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $15.66. 36,043,393 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,403,997. The companys 50 day moving average price is $15.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.50. Energy Transfer has a 12 month low of $12.46 and a 12 month high of $16.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $52.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37.

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Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.17%. This is a positive change from Energy Transfers previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. Energy Transfers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Energy Transfer from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Energy Transfer from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $19.29.

View Our Latest Research Report on Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.

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Fastly (NYSE:FSLY  Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by equities research analysts at Raymond James from $13.00 to $8.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a strong-buy rating on the stock. Raymond James price objective would suggest a potential upside of 41.09% from the stocks current price.

FSLY has been the topic of a number of other reports. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on Fastly from $18.00 to $9.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Bank of America downgraded Fastly from a buy rating to an underperform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $18.00 to $8.00 in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. DA Davidson downgraded Fastly from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $24.00 to $8.50 in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Citigroup dropped their target price on Fastly from $15.00 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler downgraded Fastly from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $10.00 to $6.00 in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $7.93.

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Fastly Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FSLY traded down $0.19 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $5.67. 5,000,073 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,833,700. The company has a market capitalization of $774.74 million, a P/E ratio of -5.66 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a quick ratio of 3.83, a current ratio of 3.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Fastly has a 52-week low of $5.52 and a 52-week high of $25.87. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $7.41 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $11.59.

Fastly (NYSE:FSLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported ($0.07) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.08) by $0.01. The business had revenue of $132.37 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $131.62 million. Fastly had a negative return on equity of 15.82% and a negative net margin of 25.26%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.32) EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Fastly will post -1.08 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Fastly

In other Fastly news, CEO Todd Nightingale sold 65,447 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.84, for a total transaction of $578,551.48. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,741,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,392,040.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CTO Artur Bergman sold 10,928 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.84, for a total value of $96,603.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 6,244,124 shares of the companys stock, valued at $55,198,056.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Todd Nightingale sold 65,447 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.84, for a total value of $578,551.48. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,741,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,392,040.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 135,217 shares of company stock valued at $1,176,853. Company insiders own 6.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fastly

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Qsemble Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Fastly during the second quarter valued at approximately $586,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Fastly by 95.3% in the second quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 8,849 shares of the companys stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 4,318 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Fastly by 10.3% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 35,690 shares of the companys stock worth $263,000 after buying an additional 3,338 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Fastly by 8.5% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 189,832 shares of the companys stock worth $1,399,000 after buying an additional 14,813 shares during the period. Finally, Versor Investments LP purchased a new stake in shares of Fastly in the second quarter worth approximately $231,000. 79.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Fastly Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Fastly, Inc operates an edge cloud platform for processing, serving, and securing its customer's applications in the United States, the Asia Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The edge cloud is a category of Infrastructure as a Service that enables developers to build, secure, and deliver digital experiences at the edge of the internet.

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Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC grew its position in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,256 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $253,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Southern by 62.0% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 444 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Southern by 63.9% during the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 526 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Southern by 3,628.6% during the 1st quarter. Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 522 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 508 shares in the last quarter. 64.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Southern

In other Southern news, CEO Anthony L. Wilson sold 6,900 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total value of $535,509.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 85,309 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,620,831.49. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Anthony L. Wilson sold 6,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total transaction of $535,509.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 85,309 shares in the company, valued at $6,620,831.49. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sloane N. Drake sold 12,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total value of $931,320.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,301,597.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 21,280 shares of company stock worth $1,678,625. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Southern Price Performance

Shares of SO traded up $0.34 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $86.80. The company had a trading volume of 3,974,010 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,522,636. The Southern Company has a twelve month low of $61.56 and a twelve month high of $89.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The companys 50-day moving average is $80.59 and its 200-day moving average is $74.66. The company has a market capitalization of $94.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.43, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.51.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.19. Southern had a return on equity of 12.88% and a net margin of 17.67%. The firm had revenue of $6.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.79 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 12.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 4.01 EPS for the current year.

Southern Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 19th will be given a $0.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 19th. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.32%. Southerns payout ratio is 74.42%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Southern from $74.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Wolfe Research downgraded Southern from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Southern from $83.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Argus increased their target price on Southern from $75.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their target price on Southern from $77.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Southern presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $80.93.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SO

About Southern

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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goeasy (TSE:GSY  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Scotiabank from C$215.00 to C$222.00 in a research note released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the company. Colliers Securities lifted their price target on goeasy from C$200.00 to C$220.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of goeasy from C$201.00 to C$225.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 8th. National Bankshares boosted their price objective on shares of goeasy from C$210.00 to C$235.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Desjardins upped their price objective on goeasy from C$190.00 to C$205.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, CIBC lifted their target price on goeasy from C$220.00 to C$230.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$219.67.

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goeasy Price Performance

Shares of GSY traded down C$7.69 during trading hours on Friday, reaching C$187.29. 133,432 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 47,419. The stock has a market capitalization of C$3.13 billion, a PE ratio of 12.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.95. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$190.61 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$176.03. goeasy has a fifty-two week low of C$101.34 and a fifty-two week high of C$206.02. The company has a quick ratio of 28.46, a current ratio of 26.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 284.07.

goeasy (TSE:GSY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 7th. The company reported C$3.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$3.77 by C$0.06. The company had revenue of C$357.11 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$350.44 million. goeasy had a net margin of 33.32% and a return on equity of 25.47%. As a group, research analysts predict that goeasy will post 17.2156863 EPS for the current fiscal year.

goeasy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be paid a dividend of $1.17 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $4.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.50%. goeasys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.47%.

About goeasy

(Get Free Report)

goeasy Ltd. provides non-prime leasing and lending services under the easyhome, easyfinancial, and LendCare brands to consumers in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Easyfinancial and Easyhome. It offers unsecured and secured installment loans; home equity secured instalment loans and automotive vehicle financing; and loans to finance the purchase of retail goods, powersports and recreational vehicles, home improvement projects, and healthcare related products and services.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report released on Wednesday.

Separately, Susquehanna lifted their price target on Greenbrier Companies from $56.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.00.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Greenbrier Companies

Greenbrier Companies Stock Performance

Shares of Greenbrier Companies stock traded down $0.57 on Wednesday, reaching $44.97. 226,694 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 346,875. The company has a 50 day moving average of $48.93 and a 200 day moving average of $49.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Greenbrier Companies has a 52 week low of $32.00 and a 52 week high of $58.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.40 billion, a PE ratio of 11.77, a PEG ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.57.

Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 8th. The transportation company reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.08 by ($0.02). Greenbrier Companies had a net margin of 3.51% and a return on equity of 8.95%. The firm had revenue of $820.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $928.73 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.02 EPS. Greenbrier Companiess revenue for the quarter was down 21.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Greenbrier Companies will post 4.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Greenbrier Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 13th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 23rd will be issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.67%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 23rd. Greenbrier Companiess payout ratio is 31.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Greenbrier Companies

In related news, SVP Laurie R. Dornan sold 5,935 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.92, for a total value of $302,210.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 23,226 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,182,667.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 2.54% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Greenbrier Companies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GBX. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Greenbrier Companies by 28.5% in the 2nd quarter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC now owns 13,152 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $652,000 after buying an additional 2,917 shares during the period. TradeLink Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Greenbrier Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $594,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Greenbrier Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $67,000. ClariVest Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Greenbrier Companies by 13.5% in the second quarter. ClariVest Asset Management LLC now owns 24,212 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,200,000 after acquiring an additional 2,887 shares during the period. Finally, Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its stake in Greenbrier Companies by 21.4% in the second quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 33,039 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,637,000 after purchasing an additional 5,828 shares during the last quarter. 95.59% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Greenbrier Companies

(Get Free Report)

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America. It operates through three segments: Manufacturing; Maintenance Services; and Leasing & Management Services. The Manufacturing segment offers covered hopper cars, gondolas, open top hoppers, boxcars, center partition cars, tank cars, sustainable conversions, double-stack railcars, auto-max ii, multi-max, and multi-max plus products, intermodal cars, automobile transport, coil steel and metals, flat cars, sliding wall cars, pressurized tank cars, and non-pressurized tank cars.

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August 19, 2024: Israeli forces have been using AI (Artificial Intelligence) since 2021 for planning and carrying out combat operations. This became necessary because Israeli targeting specialists found themselves bogged down with too much information on who the targets were and where they were. IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) require timely and accurate data to ensure that the right targets are hit in a timely fashion. If the timing isnt right the target could have moved and the attack is not only wasted but could hit civilians instead of enemy forces.

Now the IDF finds that it has often collected too much data on potential targets. This makes it difficult to find the current targets it needs to hit. Efforts to use AI to find the right targets in time to attack them have stumbled over the inability to sort out the available target data to find current targets that need to be hit. Another problem is that using AI to analyze the data and find the right targets concentrates on speed rather than accuracy. As a result the IDF is often hitting the wrong targets and doing so faster than before. Before AI, human analysts were used. This process was slower and often missed targets buried in a massive amount of target data. With human analysts you had better accuracy but the process was often so slow that the target had moved out of view by the time IDF air, artillery or ground attacks were launched.

Current criticisms of inaccurate targeting and civilian casualties are the result of Israeli target planners choosing speed over accuracy. Greater civilian casualties are also caused by the frequent use of the wrong weapon. Often a half-ton aerial bomb is used when a ground based anti-tank missile would have done the job. Another problem was that Israeli target planners had stopped keeping track of how many civilians were killed during attacks. When recent data on the actual number of civilians killed in recent Gaza attacks became known, it was an embarrassment for Israeli target planners and a tragedy for the victims.

The IDF is now reviewing its target selection and attack methods to eliminate the problems recently encountered in Gaza.
Kilroy Realty (NYSE:KRC  Free Report) had its price target lowered by Scotiabank from $41.00 to $38.00 in a report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a sector perform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

KRC has been the subject of a number of other research reports. KeyCorp cut their target price on shares of Kilroy Realty from $45.00 to $42.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on shares of Kilroy Realty from $40.00 to $34.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $38.18.

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Kilroy Realty Stock Performance

NYSE KRC traded up $0.33 on Wednesday, hitting $33.53. 657,258 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,051,205. The company has a market capitalization of $3.94 billion, a PE ratio of 19.27 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 3.61 and a quick ratio of 3.30. The businesss fifty day moving average is $33.26 and its 200 day moving average is $34.37. Kilroy Realty has a 52 week low of $26.78 and a 52 week high of $43.37.

Kilroy Realty (NYSE:KRC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by ($0.67). Kilroy Realty had a return on equity of 3.52% and a net margin of 17.91%. The business had revenue of $280.73 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $276.81 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.19 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Kilroy Realty will post 4.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kilroy Realty Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 28th were paid a dividend of $0.54 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 28th. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.44%. Kilroy Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 124.14%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kilroy Realty

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Centersquare Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Kilroy Realty by 1.0% during the first quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 2,598,144 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $87,817,000 after acquiring an additional 24,855 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in Kilroy Realty by 139.4% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 693,552 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $25,266,000 after acquiring an additional 403,807 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in Kilroy Realty by 33.8% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 134,103 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,885,000 after purchasing an additional 33,857 shares during the last quarter. APG Asset Management US Inc. lifted its position in shares of Kilroy Realty by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. APG Asset Management US Inc. now owns 5,380,747 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $214,369,000 after purchasing an additional 255,835 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Kilroy Realty in the 4th quarter worth approximately $360,831,000. 94.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kilroy Realty Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kilroy Realty Corporation (NYSE: KRC, the company, Kilroy) is a leading U.S. landlord and developer, with operations in San Diego, Greater Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Seattle and Austin. The company has earned global recognition for sustainability, building operations, innovation and design.

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Lion Street Advisors LLC lessened its stake in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,120 shares of the companys stock after selling 152 shares during the quarter. Lion Street Advisors LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $350,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Register Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in Procter & Gamble by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,331 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,209,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,834,000. Southland Equity Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 7.9% in the second quarter. Southland Equity Partners LLC now owns 39,768 shares of the companys stock worth $6,558,000 after purchasing an additional 2,910 shares in the last quarter. Norway Savings Bank boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 5.3% during the second quarter. Norway Savings Bank now owns 21,295 shares of the companys stock worth $3,512,000 after purchasing an additional 1,065 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bath Savings Trust Co boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 1.1% during the second quarter. Bath Savings Trust Co now owns 43,695 shares of the companys stock worth $7,206,000 after purchasing an additional 464 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $174.00 to $163.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. StockNews.com lowered shares of Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $183.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $173.95.

Insider Transactions at Procter & Gamble

In other news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 3,373 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total value of $573,410.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 21,513 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,657,210. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 8,842 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.90, for a total value of $1,458,045.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 11,537 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,902,451.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 3,373 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total value of $573,410.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 21,513 shares in the company, valued at $3,657,210. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 53,288 shares of company stock valued at $8,895,638. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Procter & Gamble Stock Performance

NYSE:PG traded down $0.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $170.54. 5,377,378 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,634,711. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $402.50 billion, a PE ratio of 27.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.41. The Procter & Gamble Company has a one year low of $141.45 and a one year high of $171.72. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $166.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $162.77.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $20.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.69 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.46% and a net margin of 17.71%. The companys quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.37 EPS. Analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 19th will be paid a $1.0065 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 19th. This represents a $4.03 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.36%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 65.85%.

Procter & Gamble Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Lion Street Advisors LLC cut its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 31.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,249 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 1,027 shares during the quarter. Lion Street Advisors LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $391,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 53.4% in the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 17,416,194 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,369,473,000 after purchasing an additional 6,060,511 shares during the period. Capital International Investors lifted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 40.2% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 19,695,714 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,679,602,000 after acquiring an additional 5,643,949 shares during the period. Capital World Investors lifted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 11.4% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 41,356,279 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $4,301,178,000 after acquiring an additional 4,240,928 shares during the period. Harding Loevner LP lifted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Harding Loevner LP now owns 11,616,715 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,222,768,000 after acquiring an additional 2,008,043 shares during the period. Finally, GQG Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 25.1% during the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 8,538,277 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,161,633,000 after acquiring an additional 1,710,673 shares during the period. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

Shares of TSM traded up $2.57 on Friday, reaching $167.12. 20,519,406 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,268,685. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $170.06 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $148.56. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 52-week low of $84.01 and a 52-week high of $193.47. The stock has a market cap of $866.75 billion, a PE ratio of 31.83, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.14.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.11. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 25.89% and a net margin of 37.85%. The company had revenue of $20.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.33 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 34.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.4865 per share. This represents a $1.95 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.16%. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.44. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 12th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

TSM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating and set a $250.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Tuesday. TD Cowen upped their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $200.00.

Read Our Latest Report on TSM

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC  Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) to a strong-buy rating in a report published on Thursday, Zacks.com reports.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. TD Securities raised their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$40.00 to C$41.00 in a research note on Friday, July 12th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$40.00 to C$41.00 in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$43.00 to C$42.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. National Bank Financial raised Manulife Financial from a sector perform market weight rating to an outperform market weight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, National Bankshares increased their price objective on Manulife Financial from C$38.00 to C$43.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$38.64.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of TSE:MFC traded up C$0.43 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching C$34.44. The stock had a trading volume of 6,059,671 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,368,004. The firm has a market cap of C$61.99 billion, a PE ratio of 15.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.56 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$35.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$33.77. The company has a current ratio of 29.14, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.44. Manulife Financial has a twelve month low of C$23.69 and a twelve month high of C$37.46.

Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC  Get Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported C$0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.90 by C$0.04. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 10.48% and a net margin of 18.29%. The business had revenue of C$12.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$12.13 billion. On average, research analysts predict that Manulife Financial will post 3.6078629 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Manulife Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.65%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. Manulife Financials dividend payout ratio is 70.18%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Manulife Financial

In other Manulife Financial news, Director Philip James Witherington sold 97,640 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$35.17, for a total transaction of C$3,433,852.34. In other news, Director Rocco Gori sold 48,640 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$35.25, for a total transaction of C$1,714,560.00. Also, Director Philip James Witherington sold 97,640 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$35.17, for a total value of C$3,433,852.34. Insiders sold 157,878 shares of company stock valued at $5,557,706 in the last quarter. 0.02% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Manulife Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks.

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Cardinal Capital Management increased its holdings in shares of Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK  Free Report) by 3.0% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 10,755 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 311 shares during the period. Cardinal Capital Managements holdings in Mohawk Industries were worth $1,222,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its position in Mohawk Industries by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 10,927 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,430,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in Mohawk Industries by 27.2% in the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 496 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in Mohawk Industries by 29.4% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 563 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP grew its position in Mohawk Industries by 70.4% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 421 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in Mohawk Industries by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $287,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.98% of the companys stock.

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Mohawk Industries Price Performance

MHK stock traded up $0.92 during trading on Friday, reaching $146.45. 580,920 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 730,832. The company has a market cap of $9.35 billion, a P/E ratio of -22.39, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.38. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a 52-week low of $76.02 and a 52-week high of $164.05. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $124.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $119.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.92.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Mohawk Industries ( NYSE:MHK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $3.00 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.75 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $2.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.84 billion. Mohawk Industries had a negative net margin of 3.30% and a positive return on equity of 8.07%. The firms revenue was down 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.76 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MHK has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James upgraded shares of Mohawk Industries from a market perform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $140.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, June 10th. Loop Capital raised their price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries from $145.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries from $132.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries from $110.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Mohawk Industries from $108.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $156.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Mohawk Industries

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mohawk Industries news, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 1,800 shares of Mohawk Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.74, for a total transaction of $201,132.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 122,369 shares in the company, valued at $13,673,512.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Mohawk Industries news, VP Rodney David Patton sold 755 shares of Mohawk Industries stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.78, for a total transaction of $122,898.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 12,299 shares in the company, valued at $2,002,031.22. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 1,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.74, for a total transaction of $201,132.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 122,369 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,673,512.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 17.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Mohawk Industries Profile

(Free Report)

Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World.

Further Reading

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Premium Brands (TSE:PBH  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by BMO Capital Markets from C$115.00 to C$111.00 in a research note released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports.

PBH has been the subject of a number of other reports. Desjardins lifted their target price on Premium Brands from C$105.00 to C$106.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. TD Securities lifted their target price on Premium Brands from C$120.00 to C$125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. National Bankshares decreased their target price on Premium Brands from C$111.00 to C$101.00 in a research report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Premium Brands from C$104.00 to C$106.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. Finally, Pi Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and set a C$112.00 target price on shares of Premium Brands in a research report on Tuesday, April 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$112.00.

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Premium Brands Price Performance

TSE PBH traded down C$0.54 during trading on Friday, hitting C$86.05. 55,806 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 50,130. The company has a market capitalization of C$3.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.00. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$91.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$90.44. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 159.19. Premium Brands has a 12-month low of C$84.66 and a 12-month high of C$113.60.

Premium Brands (TSE:PBH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 13th. The company reported C$0.54 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.56 by C($0.02). Premium Brands had a return on equity of 5.37% and a net margin of 1.50%. The company had revenue of C$1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$1.45 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Premium Brands will post 4.9137555 EPS for the current year.

Premium Brands Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.95%. Premium Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 159.62%.

About Premium Brands

(Get Free Report)

Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides processed meat, deli products, meat snacks, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, salads and kettle products, muffins, breads, pastas, pizza, and baking and sushi products.

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QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its position in OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF  Free Report) by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 60,057 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,534 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.05% of OneMain worth $2,912,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in OneMain by 46.1% in the 1st quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 963 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale raised its holdings in shares of OneMain by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 6,287 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $315,000 after buying an additional 431 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of OneMain in the 1st quarter worth approximately $493,000. Burney Co. raised its holdings in shares of OneMain by 35.6% in the 1st quarter. Burney Co. now owns 26,812 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,370,000 after buying an additional 7,033 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Swedbank AB bought a new stake in OneMain during the 1st quarter worth approximately $817,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.82% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Michael A. Hedlund sold 3,000 shares of OneMain stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.10, for a total transaction of $144,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 28,147 shares in the company, valued at $1,353,870.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, SVP Michael A. Hedlund sold 3,000 shares of OneMain stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.10, for a total transaction of $144,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 28,147 shares in the company, valued at $1,353,870.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Micah R. Conrad sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.63, for a total value of $379,725.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 119,525 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,051,550.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.45% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

OMF has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on OneMain from $64.00 to $61.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. BTIG Research started coverage on OneMain in a research report on Friday, June 7th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Northland Securities increased their price objective on OneMain from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on OneMain from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on OneMain from $48.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $54.83.

Read Our Latest Research Report on OMF

OneMain Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:OMF traded up $0.47 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $46.28. The company had a trading volume of 935,463 shares, compared to its average volume of 975,740. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $48.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $48.74. The stock has a market cap of $5.54 billion, a PE ratio of 9.02, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.58. OneMain Holdings, Inc. has a 1-year low of $35.00 and a 1-year high of $54.94.

OneMain (NYSE:OMF  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $1.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $918.74 million. OneMain had a return on equity of 20.60% and a net margin of 12.33%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.01 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that OneMain Holdings, Inc. will post 5.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

OneMain Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 16th. Investors of record on Monday, August 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.04 per share. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.99%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 12th. OneMains payout ratio is currently 81.09%.

OneMain Profile

(Free Report)

OneMain Holdings, Inc, a financial service holding company, engages in the consumer finance and insurance businesses in the United States. It originates, underwrites, and services personal loans secured by automobiles, other titled collateral, or unsecured. The company also offers credit cards; optional credit insurance products, including life, disability, and involuntary unemployment insurance; optional non-credit insurance; guaranteed asset protection coverage as a waiver product or insurance; and membership plans.

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Shopify (NYSE:SHOP  Get Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) had its price target raised by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company from $75.00 to $80.00 in a research note issued on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the software makers stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target would suggest a potential upside of 15.44% from the companys current price.

SHOP has been the subject of a number of other reports. Evercore ISI raised Shopify from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $75.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, June 14th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Shopify from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. KeyCorp began coverage on Shopify in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. They issued an overweight rating and a $80.00 price objective on the stock. TD Securities dropped their price objective on Shopify from $80.00 to $72.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on Shopify in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. They issued an outperform rating and a $80.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have given a hold rating and twenty-three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $77.24.

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Shopify Stock Performance

Shares of SHOP traded up $0.75 on Thursday, reaching $69.30. 10,931,244 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,422,090. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $63.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.96. Shopify has a 12 month low of $45.50 and a 12 month high of $91.57. The firm has a market cap of $89.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -407.65, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 2.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 7.14 and a quick ratio of 7.14.

Shopify (NYSE:SHOP  Get Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The software maker reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.06. Shopify had a positive return on equity of 7.36% and a negative net margin of 2.82%. The company had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.08) earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 20.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Shopify will post 0.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Shopify

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wealth Alliance increased its position in Shopify by 26.2% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Alliance now owns 6,972 shares of the software makers stock worth $461,000 after purchasing an additional 1,448 shares during the period. L & S Advisors Inc purchased a new position in shares of Shopify during the 2nd quarter worth $304,000. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Shopify by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,469 shares of the software makers stock worth $824,000 after purchasing an additional 1,633 shares during the period. Abbot Financial Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Shopify by 43.8% during the 2nd quarter. Abbot Financial Management Inc. now owns 11,404 shares of the software makers stock worth $753,000 after purchasing an additional 3,472 shares during the period. Finally, Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI acquired a new stake in shares of Shopify during the 2nd quarter worth $2,781,000. 69.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Shopify

(Get Free Report)

Shopify Inc, a commerce company, provides a commerce platform and services in Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, China, and Latin America. The company's platform enables merchants to displays, manages, markets, and sells its products through various sales channels, including web and mobile storefronts, physical retail locations, pop-up shops, social media storefronts, native mobile apps, buy buttons, and marketplaces; and enables to manage products and inventory, process orders and payments, fulfill and ship orders, new buyers and build customer relationships, source products, leverage analytics and reporting, manage cash, payments and transactions, and access financing.

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Shares of SIR Royalty Income Fund (TSE:SRV.UN  Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$13.93 and traded as low as C$12.44. SIR Royalty Income Fund shares last traded at C$12.44, with a volume of 2,755 shares trading hands.

SIR Royalty Income Fund Stock Up 0.5 %

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$12.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$13.90. The company has a market capitalization of C$104.75 million, a P/E ratio of 5.27 and a beta of 2.57.

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SIR Royalty Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.095 per share. This represents a $1.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 16th. SIR Royalty Income Funds dividend payout ratio is currently 48.10%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

SIR Royalty Income Fund Company Profile

In other news, insider Lembit Janes purchased 2,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$11.50 per share, with a total value of C$31,050.00. 28.17% of the stock is owned by insiders.

(Get Free Report)

SIR Royalty Income Fund, through SIR Royalty Limited Partnership, owns SIR's restaurants in Canada. The company operates concept restaurants under the Jack Astor's Bar and Grill, Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar, and Canyon Creek Chop House; and signature restaurant brands under the Reds Wine Tavern, Reds Midtown Tavern, Reds Square One, and The Loose Moose brands.

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QRG Capital Management Inc. cut its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 63.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,632 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 61,044 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $2,626,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 5.9% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 10,994 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $756,000 after acquiring an additional 612 shares during the period. RFG Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 8,225 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $566,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 1,000,017 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $68,801,000 after acquiring an additional 88,982 shares during the period. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at $191,000. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 916.7% in the 4th quarter. Costello Asset Management INC now owns 610 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 550 shares during the period. 84.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on SCHW. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $82.00 to $78.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Charles Schwab from $85.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 8th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $71.00 price target (down from $88.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Charles Schwab from $73.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on Charles Schwab from $91.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.27.

Charles Schwab Price Performance

Shares of SCHW stock traded down $0.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $62.41. 4,255,160 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,392,225. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $70.07 and a 200 day moving average of $69.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $48.66 and a 52-week high of $79.49. The company has a market cap of $110.92 billion, a PE ratio of 26.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.99.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $4.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.68 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 26.30% and a return on equity of 18.65%. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.75 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 41.84%.

Insider Activity at Charles Schwab

In related news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 65,360 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.89, for a total value of $5,025,530.40. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 60,741,536 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,670,416,703.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Charles Schwab news, President Richard A. Wurster bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $62.05 per share, with a total value of $620,500.00. Following the purchase, the president now directly owns 144,228 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,949,347.40. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 65,360 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.89, for a total transaction of $5,025,530.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 60,741,536 shares in the company, valued at $4,670,416,703.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 247,271 shares of company stock valued at $17,567,508. 6.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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